Chapter 37: 38: Forced by Fate

ARIEL

Xavier is returning home this morning, and I have to admit that I’m relieved.

His presence in the Royal Pack is more disruptive than helpful.

And honestly, if he doesn’t leave, Alex might shift and chase him out.

At the very least, I decide to politely see him off at the gate.

Despite my mixed feelings toward him, he’s going through a lot, and I know he only came here to get his mind off everything.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t have better news,” I say as Xavier leans against his car. “But I promise I won’t stop until we find Xavi.”

“That means a lot,” he replies, forcing a smile. “I know that I’m in your way here. Maybe it’s better if I give you space.”

“Xavier, it’s not that… It’s just that…”

“You don’t have to say it.” He puts up his hand. “Trust me, I get it. Our connection was severed. But even so...I still feel it. And I think you feel it too.”

I don’t respond because he’s right, and I feel like if I say it out loud it becomes more real.

“It’s not good for either of us to put ourselves in that position,” he says.

“I’m with Natalia. And you’re with Alex. We wouldn’t want to fuck that up just because our biology is trying to betray us.”

I manage a grin and nod in agreement. I’m glad he understands that working together in such close quarters is bad news for both of us.

“That being said, I’ve enjoyed having you around again. Like old times,” he says wistfully.

“I...I hope you know that the exile is no longer in effect,” he adds. “You’re welcome to come back. I should have never...”

As I hear the regret in his tone, I can’t help but think Alex is right.

Maybe Xavier really does realize that he made a mistake.

“Thanks, Xavier, I really appreciate that, but this is my home now,” I say, speaking assuredly. “I’ll keep you updated on my progress with the investigation.”

He nods, looking a little disappointed.

Xavier suddenly wraps his arms around me and gives me a hug.

I’m so shocked that initially my arms remain limp, but after a moment, I hesitantly hug him back.

“Thank you for all that you’re doing to find my heir,” he says, holding me tight. “You really are the only light in this darkness.”

My heart races as the hug goes on for just a little ~too~ long.

I pull away and try to keep myself composed. “Safe travels,” I say formally.

As I hurriedly walk away, I feel conflicted.

I don’t ~want~ to feel this way.

But something inside me is still drawn to Xavier.

Even my wolf feels it as she whines sadly.

Like Xavier said… my own biology is betraying me.

I love Alex more than anything and I know these feelings for Xavier are only being forced on me by Fate.

I just wish I could make them go away…

***

I may not be able to make the memory of what Xavier and I might have had go away, but I might be able to help someone else regain their memories.

I knock on The Experiment’s door excitedly.

He answers, looking perplexed by my eager expression.

“Uh, what’s up?”

“I have an idea,” I say, grabbing him by the hand.

As I pull him into the hallway, I say, “Meditation and my gift don’t seem to have any effect on you, but I know of something else that might jog your memory.”

“I’m willing to try anything,” he says, letting me lead him outside.

We make our way to the training grounds, and I jump into the arena. I throw him some sparring gear. “Suit up.”

“You want me to fight you?” he asks, skeptical.

“Yeah, the idea came to me when I was sparring with… well, it doesn’t matter who it was with. The point is that training helped me find myself after I escaped the hunters, and I think it might help you too.”

He straps on the gloves and joins me in the ring. “Like I said, I’m willing to try anything.”

As he takes a clumsy stance, I wonder if he’s ever had any actual fighting experience.

I know it’s a stereotype, but his countless tattoos gave me the impression that he’d seen some shit.

“While we spar, I want you to think of the way you felt during captivity. The rage. The fear. The will to survive. Even if you can’t remember specifics, focus on those feelings.”

He nods as I stand across from him. “Okay, let’s begin,” I say.

I start out soft, throwing a few slow punches that he can easily block.

Then I amp it up a bit.

A stealthy left hook.

A punch to the stomach.

A sweeping kick from down low.

He lands on his ass, but it looks like it’s his ego that’s more bruised than anything else.

~So, maybe that theory about fighting experience was way off.~

I reach out my hand to help him up, but he ignores it and gets up on his own. He peels off his tank top, revealing his toned and tatted torso.

I notice the large angel wings on his back again. All of his tattoos are intricate and exquisite, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them had a story to tell.

His fist suddenly sails through the air and almost connects with my jaw.

I should probably be less focused on his tattoos and more on his sudden fighting skills.

~What the hell?~

He crouches down, then pounces. He’s so fast that he practically looks like a blur.

He knocks the wind out of me then slams me on the ground.

Sputtering for air, my eyes widen as I see his fists clenched together, coming for my head like a hammer.

I manage to roll out of the way just in time.

He’s like an animal, though there’s a sense of control.

~But is he the one in control?~

As I look into his once purple eyes, they’re now red and bloodshot.

He charges at me, but this time, I’m ready.

I trip him up, and he skids through the dirt, face first.

I jump on his back and pin him down with as much force as I can muster.

“Ow, fuck! I give!” he shouts.

Confused, I roll him over to find that his eyes have returned to normal.

~Am I just imagining things?~

“Where did you learn to fight?” I ask. “Those moves came out of nowhere.”

“Beats me,” he replies. “I wasn’t aware that I could fight until just now.”

Exhaling, I stand up and help him to his feet. “Well then, at least we unlocked ~something~ in your memory.”

Although his odd feral fighting makes me nervous to pursue that route much further.

I can’t forget that the hunters seek to control and weaponize us.

And there’s still so much about this man that I don’t know.

“Hey! That was some fancy fighting!” a familiar voice calls from the edge of the ring.

I turn around to see Dom smiling and waving at us.

“Dom! Caught the show, did you?” I say, smiling back.

Dom jumps in the ring and approaches us. “I forgot how much fun it is to watch you fight,” he says. “But also this new guy has ~moves~.”

Dom extends his hand to The Experiment. “What’s your name?”

“Oh right, you haven’t met yet. Dom, this is…”

I suddenly realize that in my head I’ve been calling him “The Experiment” this whole time.

He still doesn’t have a proper name.

“I don’t remember my name to be honest,” he says, shaking Dom’s hand anyway.

“Ohhhh, you’re ~that~ guy,” Dom says, making the connection. “Hold up. That won’t do. You have to have a name. And you’re in luck… I just so happen to be the ~master~ of nicknames.”

I scoff. “Self-proclaimed master.”

“Hey, just because the Dom-inator didn’t catch on… Wait a sec.” Dom circles around behind The Experiment and examines his back, smiling.

“I’ve got it! The perfect name!”

“Don’t keep us in suspense,” I say, placing my hands on my hips.

“Angel!”

I look to The Experiment, and he slowly smiles.

“I think…I like it,” he says.

My phone suddenly begins buzzing, and when I see my screen, my stomach instantly drops.

Alex

hey, we need to talk

Alex

I have some bad news

ALEX

As I stand outside my dad’s hospital room, holding Ariel tight, I’m thankful that I have her for comfort.

I’m reminded of all the close calls Ariel had, and the times I spent the night in a chair next to her bed.

I’m also reminded of Olivia…and her final days.

This hospital holds nothing but bitter memories.

I can’t help but let the tears fall as I think about going through all of that again with someone I care about.

“I’m so, so sorry about your father,” Ariel says, wiping my face with her sleeve. “How long does he have?”

“Not long,” I reply desolately. “Maybe not even to the end of the year.”

“I wish there was something that I could do,” she says, tearing up. “I know how much he means to you.”

“Maybe there is…” I say, hope rising in my heart.

“Alex…I know what you’re thinking, but…”

“You healed Helena. You healed that little girl in the forest. Ariel, I know it’s a lot to ask, but you have to try.”

“It doesn’t always work. I’ve only healed mortal wounds. I’m not sure if I can save someone who’s dying from a disease…”

“Ariel, please…” I say, clasping her hands in mine.

She glances into my father’s room, where he lies, looking frail and sickly.

She looks back at me and silently nods.

Ariel’s healing power is my father’s last chance at life.

I just hope it works.