Energy thrummed in my veins like a beating heart, growing stronger with every pulse. My body was lighter, stronger, like a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. My vision was clearer and my hearing was sharper. All my senses intensified—simply brushing my hand against Leveret's shot a pleasurable current along my skin.
It was a crazy thought, but for a second I had an inkling of hope. I almost felt likemeagain.
But that was impossible. Nautilus, Terranus and that bastard, Mistral... They stole my original magic. Getting pumped full of Leveret's alpha seed didn't change that.
Unless…
I quickly shoved a big, fat boundary around that thought. Because as good as it felt to hear the wordsI love you, that's all they were. Only words.
Even if they made my heart soar to heights I'd never thought possible.
But the sweet, pure way he gazed into my eyes absolutely destroyed me. There wasn't another alpha like him in the entire world. Not in the past, and never again in the future. He was one-of-a-kind. And I wanted him to be mine with a frenzied desperation that made me want to claw my eyes out.
I sighed, glancing down at my flat stomach. Even though Leveret came inside me, I doubted anything would happen. My organs didn't exactly match the physiology of a mortal, so sex wouldn't result in conception.
How utterly depressing. I would've loved to have a baby, but since it was impossible, I never bothered wishing for one. As if I didn't have enough to grieve over...
Fuck.
It wasn't fair that Leveret was a mortal. Hadn't I been the butt of enough sick jokes from the universe? Couldn't I just have this one thing?
Please, gods, if you're listening, cut me a break for once…
After spending the night resting in the forest, we set off the next morning for the coast. Out of my two remaining brothers, I chose the lesser of two irritants. Although we had a rocky recent history, I suspected Nautilus would at least hear me out without flailing and crying like a pathetic wimp.
My shadowy wings felt lighter than before. It was easier to flap them and stay afloat. I chalked it up to a good night's rest. I didn't sleep, of course, but snuggling up next to Leveret's warm body did my soul good. As I flew, holding his hare form in my arms, it was impossible not to enjoy the softness of his fur.
"I think I know where we're going," Leveret said, his nose twitching. The wind ruffled his whiskers and long ears, making them flap against me.
"Figured it out, have you, detective?"
"I'm not a detective, but yes. We're visiting Nautilus."
"That's right."
I swooped towards the beach. Blue water stretched out beyond, glistening in the sunlight. Somewhere in this lake lurked my least annoying brother—and after our last family reunion, I doubted he'd be happy to see me.
When we approached the ground, Leveret hopped out of my arms and landed in the sand. A full-blown shiver ran across his pelt. Suddenly he bolted, running in wild circles.
I landed primly and laughed as I watched him. "Having fun?"
Leveret tossed his head as he ran, his paws kicking sand everywhere. His hare soul must've taken over for a little romp.
I wondered if Leveret had ever been to the coast before. I didn't recall seeing him during myincidentwith Nautilus.
"You know, this is where I first met your family," I said.
Leveret bounced up to me. He sat on his haunches and wiped the sand grains from his whiskers.
"It was Zak and Kamari," he replied. "They told us the whole story."
I snorted. "Thewholestory? They don't even know my perspective."
As soon as I brought it up, I wanted to smush it back down. Leveret was in a good mood. I shouldn't have ruined his fun with my sob story.
I glanced across the tempting strip of sand.
"Race you to that jagged rock," I suggested.