"I'll help you stop her."

That's nice and all but can we talk about how in the world Sei is your real mate?

Does the word 'mate' have meaning anymore or is it just for everyone?

"Thank you, Daffodil. This will not be forgotten." I told her blankly, turning to look at the storm that was beginning to get more aggressive. Precious' eyes were no longer the colour they usually were, they were a milky white colour, as if she was blind. It was a creepy sight to see on someone I had believed was human for so long.

"How do we stop her?" I asked the fairy. She let go of Sei, making him turn around and prepare for battle.

"Two options." Daffodil suggested, holding up two fingers. "You behead her, which is impossible to do right now or you find a source to put her power in."

"I'm not following on the second option." I admitted to her. What did she mean by 'find a source'?

"Her power is at full capacity. If you are able to find someone who can handle it in their body, we can take Precious' power and send it to that person."

"How am I supposed to find someone like that?" I asked in surprise. If beheading her was impossible, how would we even begin with taking her power?

"Easy, just find the strongest beast that has ever set foot on this land."

"The strongest are Sei and Silas." I said to her. She blushed when I mentioned Sei's name, making me nearly scrunch my face in displeasure.

"Uh... How about Silas? He seems stronger out of the two." She said, clearing her throat.

"That's the problem. We haven't seen Silas since Sei tried to kill him. I haven't been able to speak to him since our bond has been broken." I told her. Why couldn't Sei just do it?

"I guess we'll have to settle for third place... Alexander." Daffodil said, walking away without allowing me to speak. I pursed my lips, wondering why she didn't want to use her newfound mate.

I followed behind her, jogging slightly. "What exactly are the risks to this whole process?" I asked her.

She paused and turned to me, sighing deeply, "Death."

"And you wanted me to sacrifice Alexander?" I asked her angrily. This was ridiculous. Why couldn't we just try another idea? One that didn't involve the death of any of the most important creatures in my life?

Not that I know any others outside of Lunaria.

"There's less of a chance if the creature is physically strong enough to take it."

"No ways! That's not enough to even reassure me a little bit!" I shouted at her. Daffodil suddenly pushed me, making me fall roughly on my back. A werewolf was flung right were I was standing, its body crashing against a tree. My heart dropped as it laid on the ground, not moving. It wasn't breathing.

"No." I whispered, looking back at Precious. She was winning. She was hurting everyone.

"People are dying! It's either Alexander or all of Lunaria!" Daffodil added, pointing at the werewolf that laid still. "Sacrifices have to be made for the good of the..."

"No." I stopped her, getting up from the floor. I looked at the creatures as they fought. This battle had a long time coming, even before I arrived... But I was the one that started it. I was the reason that werewolf and many more were dead. I looked at Alexander, finding him on his knee, clutching his arm. There was crimson red blood oozing from there.

I hurt him. I caused this pain.

"If anyone is getting sacrificed... It will be me." I said. Daffodil looked at me in shock.

"What? Have you lost your mind!? All of your bones will break before even half of her power enters you."

"It doesn't matter, she will still lose her power even if I die. It will die with me."

Then this will never happen again.

Daffodil did not argue with my statement, which only confirmed that it was true. No matter what happened to me, as long as I received the power, it would stay on me.

"What do we need to do to make this work?"

"Are you sure this is what you want?" She asked me one last time.

"I never wanted any of this but I have to deal with it, so I will," I told her. She looked down and nodded.

"Just get close to her and make sure that everyone else stays back. I will do the rest." I nodded without question and sprinted in the direction of the massive spiral of thunder.

A fae was on her knee when I sped past her, making her yell at me, "Are you crazy? Turn back now!" Ignoring her, I only ran faster. The last thing I needed was for all of these creatures to try and stop me from doing this.

I sped behind Alexander, hoping that he wouldn't see me. I was sure more than anything that he would make it difficult for me to go through with this... Especially if he found out it could kill me.

My feet were lifted from the ground while I was still running, making me kick the air like a toddler having a tantrum. I stopped, finding myself a few feet off the ground. I could feel pressure on my back as if someone had picked me up by my jersey.

"Rushing somewhere?" Alexander asked me, spinning me to face him. I grimaced when I saw his furious look, his red eyes glaring into my soul. "I remember telling you to stay put, in a safe place."

How is he even holding me? He was clutching his bloody arm a minute ago.

"Well... I promise I was going to do that." I mumbled, softening my voice. "But we had a better idea."

"And who is this 'we' that doesn't include me?" He asked, tilting his head curiously. His angry facade was slowly fading away, but it all returned when I mentioned the fairy.

"Daffodil... She has this idea that-"

"Not another word from you." He interrupted me angrily, putting me down. He pulled out his sword. "Where is that wretched fairy?"

"No! She's trying to help us!" I told him quickly, putting my hands on his chest. He snarled at me, grabbing one of my wrists with his free hand. He moved it over to his heart... Well, where it was supposed to be. There was no beating noise or movement.

"Why would she just turn on the lady that raised her? For us? It's all a lie."

"That's what I would've thought too until we learned that Sei is her mate."

Alexander paused, blinking at me as if he was still trying to process what I said.

"Really?" He only asked, letting my hand go. I could see his eyes twinkling with excitement. I wasn't sure if it was for Sei or if it was because we were now completely sure that he wasn't my mate anymore.

"Yes, Alexander. Now can you please listen to the plan? We are running out of time."

He leaned down to my height, and I stepped closer, telling him everything we were planning to do.

"So the fairy is going to somehow channel all of the sorceress's magical powers to you, meaning that you will become a sorceress yourself?" He asked me after I had finished. I nodded.

"And nothing bad will happen... She will only perish?"

I nodded, looking away from him.

"That's... That's a brilliant idea. That way everyone will see that you really are meant to be my queen." He said. "We will produce the most powerful breed to ever walk on this earth. One more powerful than the wolf-vampire hybrids."

I smiled at him, nodding slowly. I hated this more than anything. He smiled and kissed my cheek. "What does my queen need me to do?"

"Just... Get everyone far away from here."

"Already done." He said, looking down at me. "I can't wait to hold you in my arms when this is all over."

He sped off, leaving me alone with teary eyes. I couldn't find it in me to tell him that I wasn't going to make it alive out of this one. I couldn't risk him trying to stop me. This would do everyone good, I knew he would see that once it was all over.

I continued heading towards Precious, the tears finally falling down my cheeks. I wiped them and carried on moving.

"Ah! Akielia... Just who I've been waiting for." Precious said, chuckling evilly.