And Then There Were Four novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Longing for Captivity

Ivy.

Twelves hours had gone by since I birthed my children, and even though everything was perfect on that front, my mind kept going back to Damian. Talon and Hale went out to his last location only two hours ago, and I panicked every moment they were gone.

I couldn’t feel my connection to Damian anymore, and as my mind tried to make me think the worse, I couldn’t allow myself to.

I had to stay strong.

Thad to believe he was alive.

The pain I had felt earlier in the day, before I had given birth to my children, was unlike any pain I had ever felt before, and it didn’t take until the pain subsided for me to realize it wasn’t labor pains I was feeling.

Instead, it was the pain being inflicted upon Damian, and because I was bonded to him in a way nobody could explain; 1

could feel every infliction.

I cried and cried for hours after the twins were born. Pleading with Hale, Talon, and James to allow me to go to him.

I could feel the bond weakening, but they just simply said it was in my head.

Something deep inside me, though, told me his life was

ending, and I couldn’t allow that to happen, not after everything we had fought for since I had arrived.

It was constantly the back-and-forth motion of love and hate and fighting, and confliction and secrets and lies and I was done with it. I was done with all of it. I only wanted to be with my mates and my children and be whole, normal.

With the protection of the pack, we were a united front.

The only problem was outside forces sought to destroy us because we were different.

No matter what they said, though, I was not a monster. I was a normal person with unique abilities and a large heart able to love more than just one man.

I wanted to be the Luna this pack could be proud of, but I was so devastatingly misunderstood I didn’t know if I could ever overcome and be what they wanted me to be.

Pushing away my fears and thoughts, I kept a wary eye out on the horizon, waiting for two of my mates to arrive, praying Talon and Hale would go to this cabin in the woods and find Damien there.

Find him alive… Maybe slightly wounded, but still alive.

Deep down, though, I knew that wouldn’t be the case. I knew without a doubt who had him, and I was terrified because the person who had him wanted nothing more than to see his head on a spike.

And, eventually, mine, right next to it.

“Ivy, you must eat something,” my mother said softly as !

looked out the window of the nursery, scouring the horizon for the return of my mates.

“She’s right,” Priscilla added as she stepped closer. “You may be worried, but your twins need you, and placing all of your concentration on things you can’t change doesn’t help them.”

With a heavy breath, I turned from the window to face the two women who had helped keep me together over the past few weeks. “I know.”

Letting my eyes sweep towards the two small bundles freshly cleaned and sleeping in their beds, I couldn’t help but find myself at a loss for how I had created something so beautiful. Something so angelic.

“I don’t want them to never know him,” I whispered, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall. “I have been such a fool lately.”

“Ivy, this isn’t your fault,” my mother replied as her hand fell upon my shoulder. “The gods have things planned for us, and we must accept the fates they choose.”

“No,” I snapped, shaking my head as I wiped away a loose tear that had escaped my eyes. “I refuse to believe he is dead. He will be back soon.”

Silence fell around us as a soft knock on the door drew my attention. “How are we doing?” James asked with a smile spread across his lips.

“I’m okay. Just worried,”

Clearing the space between us, he wrapped his arms around me and kissed the side of my head. “He isn’t dead, Ivy. I can

still feel the connection as his brother. It’s just faint.”

Looking up at him, I held back a sob. “What does that mean?”

“Oh, Ivy, don’t cry. It means he is alive, but they are using silver to dull his senses.”

“See, you have nothing to worry about,” my mother added, trying to reassure me. “You need rest.”

There was no way I was going to sleep, though. Pulling back from James, I went back to the window and continued to stare out over the horizon. Until my mates were home, I could not feel comfort.

“I need them all back, James. Until they’re home, I won’t find peace.”

“We will, Ivy,” James said firmly. “But we won’t be able to do our job if we are worrying about you. So I need you to rest and eat so I know that you’re okay.”

I didn’t have to worry about the twins and them being okay. With my mother, Priscilla, and James here, I would be able to rest. At least for now. 

My eyes swept around the room, taking in the all white decor and the blood that was slowly dripping from my body onto the floor.