A Temporary Farewell

Addy

The room fills with men, each claiming a seat. I can sense what’s about to happen, and so can she. Mystic retreats to a shadowy corner of my mind, curling up and whimpering.

Tate is livid, restrained by Soloman. “What the hell, Mystic? You knew she’d kill you, yet you still tried to reach her. You bit my throat, tossed Magic aside. That really pissed him off.”

Drake issues a low warning. “Mind your language when you’re talking about my mate, Tate. I don’t care if you’re an Alpha. You’re in my house, on my land.”

Tate paces, running a hand through his hair, his fists clenched. He’s trying to cool down. “I’m sorry, Drake. She’s never attacked me before. What’s wrong with you?”

I pull my knees to my chest. “I don’t know what’s going on with her. She won’t talk about it.”

He kneels in front of me. “Mystic, we need to talk. Whatever’s happening needs to be addressed now. I’m not angry about what happened. I’m just shocked.”

She glances at him before curling up and closing her eyes. He watches my eyes, waiting for any sign of her. After a few minutes, his patience wears thin. He stands, walks to the window, and gazes out at the backyard. He rubs the back of his neck. His posture tells me he’s frustrated, used to getting answers when he wants them.

His voice is feral, making me clutch my knees tighter. “Mystic, don’t make me do this. I hate using this and haven’t done it in a long time.”

Her head snaps around, her eyes wide. She slowly stands, walks forward, sits down, and hangs her head.

“I’m here, Magic. You don’t have to force me out like that,” she says, her voice filled with sadness.

He spins around to face her. “Tell me what’s happening. You’ve never acted like this before. Usually, I can calm you down with just a word or a touch. But you latched onto my neck, threw me away.”

Soloman looks at her. “This isn’t like you. We’ve known each other for so long. Something’s wrong. Please tell us what’s bothering you?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t know. No matter how much you tried to restrain me or calm me down, I was driven to get to her. I can’t explain what happened outside. I don’t even know why it happened.”

Tate slumps on the sofa. “I think you need to go back to our pack until we figure out what’s going on with you. We need to monitor you, see why this is happening.”

Drake growls loudly. “Over my dead body. My mate isn’t going to another pack without me. She needs to be here with us, where I can watch over her.”

Soloman looks at a very angry Drake. “Do you know what to look for or how to fix what’s wrong? We’ve known each other much longer than any wolf here has been alive.”

Drake’s expression tells me his response won’t be pleasant. “That doesn’t matter. She’s my mate. I can help her. Our bond will let me help her whenever she needs it.”

She makes me stand, my fists clenched. “Enough. The only ones who know how to fix this are Addy and me. Drake will be a big help in my healing, but there’s only one way to fix this.”

Tate’s head snaps around. “Mystic, no. This isn’t the time or place for that. That should be our last resort.”

She glares at him as he stands in front of her. “There’s no other way. Do you know what she’s been through?” She watches his eyes widen. “Exactly. You weren’t here to see Addy being abused every day, mentally and physically. She shut me out for years, wouldn’t let me help. She refused it. Do you know what that does when she shuts me out like that?”

Both men sigh. Soloman shakes his head. “It’s not time for that yet. I know it was supposed to happen when we all came back, but the timing isn’t right. You have to wait.”

Drake crosses his arms over his chest. “What the hell are you three talking about?”

Mystic makes me look at him. “Phebe failed her mission again. She was told if she failed again, he’d take matters into his own hands. Ewart is coming for me, and he’s not holding back. He’s probably already taken human form. I was pulled into a meeting before I was given this body. I was told what specific mission had to happen this time when I returned. The moon goddess made sure these two weren’t involved. This is the year another resurrection will happen.”

Tate and Soloman step back. “It’s been over eight hundred years since that happened. Are you sure this is the time?” Tate slaps his forehead.

“WHAT MISSION?” Drake growls, slamming his hand on the desk.

I lay my hand on his arm. “I can’t tell you yet, but I will in time. Addy and I need to merge first before anything can happen. She’s not strong enough for what’s coming. Ewart won’t go down without a fight. He’s not as strong as the three of us, but we need to be careful and watch for him.”

Myra steps forward, making a T with her hands. “Ok, time out. What is all this nonsense you’re talking about? Merging, a mission, and now a prince of darkness is coming after you?”

I drop my hand and walk over to her. “Myra, you’ve been a great friend to her all these years. When the time comes, you’ll be rewarded with a great gift. There were days when Addy wouldn’t let me help. I had to stand by and watch as they did things I could have helped her with. She shut me out, damaging our relationship when we should have been bonding and growing stronger. We didn’t have that. Now, it has to be forced. This merging has to happen when all this comes down on us. She’ll be able to handle it then.”

Tate walks over to us, his eyes pitch black. “You can’t do that, Mystic. It could consume her. She might not come back.”

She scoffs. “Aren’t you merged with Magic? And isn’t Soloman merged with Silverdust? So why can’t I merge with her?”

“This isn’t the best time for her, and you know it. She’s weaker because you tried to overpower her earlier. She was fighting you, trying to gain control, but you’re stronger than she is and always will be,” Soloman steps forward.

Drake’s eyes dart back and forth between us before he walks over and pulls us into his arms. “I want Addy here with me as we go on this journey. I need her as much as she needs me. We need to connect and learn how to grow as leaders. Mystic, you’re an amazing wolf, but she needs to learn to handle this with me.”

She steps aside, looking at all of them. “I know you want her, Drake, but you have no idea what’s coming. Imagine a hurricane about to hit land, tangled with a massive tornado spinning out of control, seeking to destroy. These storms are coming to destroy us. He wants my powers and will do anything to get them. The two times I didn’t defeat Phebe and the time he tried to kill Soloman, I died before he could try to take them. He let me be kidnapped and taken to the castle to heal the sick. He waited until I was weak enough to strike, but that last session drained me so much that I died on that wall. He’s coming with a mission this time. The only way to ensure we survive is this way.”

Drake pulls us against his side. “I understand what you’re saying, but I need her. We haven’t mated yet to form the bond that you know will strengthen us. This merging needs to wait until she’s ready. Don’t force this on her. We can take these steps together, ensuring we’re safe from this threat.”

She smirks and nods. “Fine. I know you’re worried about everything you don’t understand. She’ll be the one to decide when it’s time for this to happen.”

He relaxes, loosening his grip. When he does, she turns and bolts for the door so fast they can’t stop her.

“Mystic, DON’T!” Tate reaches for us.

She bolts down the hallway, her speed almost blinding. They’re right on our heels, bursting out of the room in pursuit. She crashes through the door, morphing into her wolf form, and we’re off—blurring through the woods at a pace that makes the trees seem like mere smudges of green. We keep this up for what feels like forever, leaving our pursuers far behind in the dense forest.

“Mystic, we need to stop,” I beg her. “We have to go back.”

She shakes her head in defiance. “You’ve kept me locked away for too long. This is what has to happen now.”

We reach our old home, and she bounds onto the porch roof with ease. Shifting back into her human form, she pushes open a window and we slip into one of the guest rooms. She scans the room, pulling a blanket from the top of the closet before leading me into what used to be my parents’ room. She opens the closet, steps inside, and shuts the door behind us. We huddle in the corner, the blanket wrapped around us, and I feel my body convulse as a bright light bursts from my chest, accompanied by a searing pain.

“Stop, Mystic! It hurts!” I cry out.

Inside my head, it feels like a cage is slamming down over me. Her eyes are swirling with raw power as she locks her gaze with mine. “I’m sorry, Addy. We should have done this when you turned twelve, but you weren’t strong enough then. You’ve grown, you’re stronger now. We can’t wait any longer. I can’t fail this mission. If I do, Mother said she won’t let me come back. I love being here, helping people. I can’t bear the thought of being trapped up there forever, never allowed to return.”

My eyes are heavy, but I manage to ask, “Who’s your mother?”

A broad smile spreads across her face. “The moon goddess. I’m her only child, created for the purpose I’ve been fulfilling for a long time. We can’t fail this mission, Addy. It’s the most important one I’ve ever been given.”

My eyes finally close as the light engulfs me. My body convulses violently, the burning sensation consuming my very soul.