ssa'

mbing, unbear

the pain as my fingers tightened on the rough sheets underneath me. Another wave

out

t exert effort. Elijah's stern t

to. I was s

ng or sleeping for months. And now, the life I had worked so hard to save was

ly as I gasped for

nforgiving. "This is how far you've come. Melissa

, a sob tore from my throat. I gave

obe wh

silence fo

h

filled with a pie

my vision. Elijah laughed quietly, and there was

," he whisp

art raced. My breath caught. Little fingers curled feebly again

rn. My

, a sob ripped through me. His dark eyelids flutte

s stu

ad

ooth, and well-known hair. Too much li

a

descended from Kane. Hi

on's forehead and swallow

remblingly. "Hi

d deeply. "He

I made a lifelong vow to kee

ve

two ye

ch of the house Elijah had constructed for me. His laughs reverberated t

the sight, but

was rapid.

ed him more an

es. Kane's heritage ran deep in him, n

y faded clothing. Even though the night air was cold

uldn't let g

te in my dreams when I woke up e

re not

rait

and un

ierced my soul

e hurt would

did

afraid, no matt

he dis

en if Kane foun

y from me? Would he ruin

chill th

ly witnessed K

ware of his

ig breath. No. He would never d

to thi

o's be

t of my reverie b

my,

e fingers, Leo extended his tiny hands. His ey

in a whisper, grinning despite the tw

. "Can I

etly. "My dear, fireflies belong i

pouting and slowly opening his hands. He wa

hed as I watch

aware of the danger that awa

er, I

ing, anything, t

nt going for a

eant engagin

t going up agai

night. My little boy, Leo, had his little fingers curled around my hand and was sound asl

I whispered, gently brushing his dark curls aw

, fear wrench

but the nightmares never left me. I still remembered Kane's

labeled

sh

of being

of the entire pack, kissing

myself to breathe. I wouldn't cry anymore. N

t weak

ied to bury the past, somet

't done w

ering into the flames. My fingers stroked little cir

Pack. It wasn't easy, but Elijah had hel

knew I couldn't s

st. He continued to live in his world of betrayal and power. And

r feel bad

hake. It made

s too late ev

er be disco

otion as I said tho

already o

whatever it took

being caught