(Amaia)

"Bastard, you guys should have let me tear him from limb to limb," Rigel grunts in annoyance. His arms wrap possessively around me. I love his overprotectiveness and now that I fully embrace his darkness too, it’s liberating.

"And create another bone necklace for me?" I tease, placing a kiss on his arm.

"Bone necklace?" Alnitak and Mintaka ask in unison, with their brows raised—making the others laugh.

"I think I never told you guys what Rigel did with my ex-mate. Saiph and Alnilam know." I point towards my smirking mates.

Rigel huffs behind me. "It’s not like he didn’t deserve it. I was keeping my promise. I always keep my promises," he insists.

"Tell us," Alnitak demands, rubbing his hands together.

Saiph takes the initiative and reveals the whole story.

Multiple emotions flash on the faces of the twins, none of them is disgust. Instead, they are proud of their brother’s handiwork.

"Brother, we bow to you. We can never reach that excellence." Alnitak takes multiple exaggerated bows, extending his arm forward.

Alnilam shakes his head at his brother’s antics.

"Bastard has it coming after what he did. His crimes were unforgivable." He places a kiss on my temple, tightening his arms around me.

"I didn’t agree with your decision at that time. But now, I must say it was the right one," Alnilam, the righteous one adds.

All of us have accepted this vice which has permanently tainted our hearts now.

We leave the dining hall and to our surprise, find Kacir and Rahria heading towards us.

"Guys!" Rahria frantically waves while Kacir wholeheartedly smiles. Their eyes land on Saiph and surprise passes over their faces.

"Hey!" She extends her hand. I take it in mine and greet her.

"You did it. You actually did it?" She steals a timid glance towards Saiph.

Saiph deliberately offers a wicked smile to her, trying to frighten her. She jumps slightly back.

Others laugh. "Yes, we brought him back." Pride sits snugly in my chest at this feat.

"Rahria you are still terrified of my brothers," Alnitak teases and she offers him a confused look.

"Great to have you back, Sir," Kacir respectfully says, like the gentleman he is.

Saiph thumps his back. "It feels great to be back as well."

They have missed out on so much. "Walk with me, I will fill you guys in," I offer.

Kacir’s smile drops and a solemn expression comes to rest on his face.

"Before everything. I would like to apologise on my father’s behalf," Kacir painfully says. "I forced him to tell me everything and I am ashamed. He colluded with her and kept Rigel captive." He shakes his head, lowering it and staring at his feet.

Rigel steps forward and places his hand on Kacir’s shoulder. "Never blame yourself for the crimes of your parents. You didn’t choose him."

"Still. What he did..."

"It was our mother’s fault. She got Kayla killed to control him," Mintaka bitterly whispers. Rage etched on his face.

I reach out and grab his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. His sombre eyes find me and he nods, squeezing my hand in return.

Alnitak steps forward and hugs Kacir. "No one blames you, man. You are the purest of souls among us."

"I agree with Alnitak. Don’t worry about it." Alnilam also gives him a pat on the back and Kacir finally gives us a small smile.

"We need to let our wolves out. We will go for a night run and catch you guys later." Alnitak places a kiss on my cheek. Others do the same.

"I will check up on mom and Aziel," Rigel says, giving me space with my friends.

Aziel hadn’t joined us for dinner today. He had an appointment with a psychiatrist he has started seeing but he must be back. Most of the free time he spends training or with Queen Adrnia because he finds her familiar. I am still trying to strengthen my bond with him.

My mates leave and the three of us step outside on the grounds. We sit under the gazebo. Insects chirp in the grass, and a moderate gale sweeps across the ground.

Scents of spring are in the air. A new beginning we are heading towards. I can feel it.

I tell my friends everything in detail, not leaving anything out. They are left stunned. Rahria won’t stop hugging and apologising. Kacir has this grim expression on his face.

"You guys have been through so much. How can a mother do this?"

Rahria nods, holding my shoulders. "We always thought the queen was so kind. But she was a backstabbing bitch."

"The way she hurt my mates. I want to make her regret. I want to show her that she messed with the wrong person."

"We are going to ensure that’s the case. We are with you." Kacir gives me a brotherly hug.

Rahria nods, her eyes travel to my hair.

"Your hair changed to black again because of the spell?"

"Yes. Agfamarian told me that darkness will creep into me. My wings too." I let my wings out with a click. They spread behind me, waving in the night wind. My friends are left stunned.

"Each piece is unique to my mates. They lend me parts of themselves to create them," I proudly tell them.

"Wow! They are gorgeous. I have never seen anything like this." Rahria slowly traces her fingers on them, eyes shining like stars.

"You deserve all the happiness in the world Amaia." Kacir smiles at me.

"Amaia." We are interrupted by my brother’s voice. I turn and watch him approach us. His gait is developing confidence now, no longer walks with his shoulders dropped.

"Aziel." Getting up I rush towards my brother. He lovingly hugs me. Kacir and Rahria get up and greet him as well.

We settle down and the conversation begins again.

Only a few minutes pass when I sense an uneasiness creeping into my heart.

Rigel, something is wrong with Rigel.