Chapter 3

Axel’s POV

Everything was annoying me! But I had to keep a firm hold on things, Aiden wasn’t coping, and it was obvious and expected that Ayla wasn’t. I loved how she needed me, and that was awesome. I won’t lie, but I feel for Aiden. He was feeling pushed out. It’s not like he had even done anything wrong. If I’m honest, I think it’s because he did have the strongest link to Ayla, and now that Archer was missing, she doesn’t know what to do. I felt like I was the one having to hold everything together; I couldn’t let anything crumble.

I felt her before I saw her. It was odd, like we knew when she was near. I knew my brother could feel it too. Both of our heads whipped up as she drew closer. Suppressing the cheesy grin threatening to take over my face, I slowly turned to face her. I wish this weren’t hard on Aiden, but I couldn’t help it. I did love the attention I was getting from our girl right now.

“There you are,” I say with a smile and pull her in for a cuddle; my hair flopped over my eye and tickled her face, but she didn’t seem to mind. Breathing in her scent was like a drug; I never wanted to let go, but I also knew my brother needed to feel the love. Turning to him, I spun her around and planted her in his arms. He hid a small smile.

“Hey beautiful, you, okay?” he muttered into her hair as he kissed the top of her head.

“Better now”, she sighed; it was precisely what Aiden needed right now.

“Did Michael have anything to tell you?” he asked as he ran his finger down the small of her back. Shifting, she leaned her head back to meet his gaze; she looked tired but stunning as always. Her eyes had taken on their original golden hue, and the violet of Alune was rapidly fading. We had no idea what this meant and if we should be worried. The thought had run through my mind lately, but I refused to bring it up. Alune made Ayla bolder, more outspoken and fearless like she didn’t need us; I won’t lie, I loved how she needed us, and I wouldn’t mind Alune taking a break for a while, not that we don’t like Ayla when she’s infused to Alune! We do; she becomes a whole new version of herself, one we haven’t gotten to know yet, and right now, we are still learning everything to do with Ayla, and I’d like to know every inch of her first before we meet Alune again.

“Nothing really; he said he had heard a few rumours but will send for me if they come of anything”, she mumbled.

“We have had an idea”, I began to say, her head turned to look at me, but she stayed firmly in Aiden’s arms. She looked relaxed for the first time in ages. She wasn’t holding us at arm’s length, I don’t think she was aware of it, and I was about to point it out. Aiden needed this right now.

“Go on?” she probed

“We are going to leave you here with Archer for a bit, and we are going to visit Aleena”, I began, but her eyes dropped, filled with sadness.

“oh” was all she said

“Hey, what’s the sad face for babe,” I said, reaching for her, and Aiden released her to me. I put my arm around her waist and tipped her chin up so I could look into her eyes. Unshed tears lay then, and it all but killed me.

“Woah, Ayla, what’s wrong” my heart beat faster; I hated being the cause of her tears.

“I’m so awful to be around you would rather spend your time with another woman, and elf no less” the unshed tears spilt down her cheeks, breaking my heart in two.

“Sweetheart, no. You are the only one we want to be with, but we need to ask Aleena a few questions we think she might be able to help Archer in some way.” the words rushed out my mouth; I had to stop her tears and take her pain away, I hate this.

“Oh,” she sniffed, trying to hide her face; we were both hit with her emotions and the overwhelming feeling of silliness. I smiled and locked eyes with Aiden; his face held a smile like mine.

“Never think anything like that again, okay” my tone was laced with mock anger, and she choked on a sob mixed with a laugh.

“Don’t make me come down there”, Aiden chimed in; Ayla hid her head in my chest and chucked for the first time in ages.

“Yes, boss”, she answered and sniffed.

“Anyway, we thought if you stay with Archer, maybe you couldn’t take a nap with him” I ran my fingers through her long Auburn hair.

“I’m fine”, she tried to protest.

“Sure you are; just do as we say for once, yeah”, I chucked. She really was miss independent lately.

“But I am.”

“Ayla, you’re exhausted, and I know he will want you with him; I would if it was me” I tried to get her to agree, but I knew she wouldn’t once she set her eyes on him. Nodding at Aiden, he knew what I intended. He reached for the Handel and opened the door to our brother’s room. I turned our mate around and let her into the room.

Just as I expected, Ayla saw Archer peacefully sleeping, or so he looked to be. His silver hair was messy, not in its signature top knot. Perfectly unmoving.

“Okay, I’ll stay with Archer; please don’t be too long, though, yeah” she looked at us both in turn before she made her way over to our brother. And climbed up onto the bed. She ran her fingers along her jaw and kissed his lips before laying her head on his chest. She radiated sadness.

“We won’t”, Aiden answered as I quietly shut the door behind us.

“Damn, I hope Aleena can help us even a little; Ayla needs some answers no matter how small” I knew Aiden would agree with me; I could feel it.

“I hate this; I feel useless; how do we help him and stop Ayla from dying inside? I can feel her broken heart every second of the day” Aiden sighed; I knew exactly what he meant.

“Come on, the sooner we get there, the sooner we might have a few answers.

Michael had now given us unlimited access to the archive, which was helpful in times like this. It would take us about ten minutes to walk there as the archives are deep underground. Nerves settled in my belly as we walked. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the archives, they unnerved me, and the fact we had to move via magic made my bones itch; I would never admit it, though.

“Deep breaths, brother, I’ll hold your hand if you like”, Aiden mocked me

“Fuck of Aiden”, I punched in the arm, rewarding myself with a loud grown in response, he laughed, though, and it was nice to hear that neither of us had laughed really since our brother was taken from us.

Aleena’s POV

Something felt different today, something not quite right. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Lately, the world felt out of place, and it was irritating me. I needed to work out what was happening before it drove me insane. Nothing had felt right since the fight between the sun valley and the winter moon packs. Alune had radiated power through Ayla in waves on that day, leaving its mark on the world. But her presence wasn’t strong anymore, and it was concerning. I knew I should have gone to the surface to see what was happening, but it had been years since I had set foot up there. I didn’t feel ready to face the waking world again, not just yet.

Michael is amazing, and I couldn’t thank him enough for the life he had to provide for me; I would forever be in his debt; I loved living down here away from prying eyes, no longer the centre of attention; I never wanted to claim my birth-right, but that didn’t seem to matter to a few of my people. I had explained some of my old life to Michael, but not everything; I didn’t want him to treat me differently. He knew my power was strong, and that’s all he needed to know. If he ever found out I was destined to be my village’s seer, their mystic healer, he would realise I’m of royal blood, and I don’t want that. I like our friendship how it is. I don’t want that to change.

Now and then, my old life would flash through my mind; I missed my family at times, but not enough to give up the peaceful life I had now. My power granted to me via my royal bloodline benefitted the pack. That’s all I needed right now and all Michael needed to know. He couldn’t find out who I truly was. It would ruin everything.

The rooms I had made for myself down here were perfect for what I needed. No one could enter them unless I wanted them to, as they couldn’t find them without me; that’s the beauty of living in the in-between. Flicking my hair over my shoulder, the swirling tattoos that covered my arms were moving; something was up. They were always the first indication something was going on, and I knew never to ignore them. I knew today would be different from when I woke up. Elves never slept much, and it was not for long when we did.

Tying my hair back and throwing on a tight-fitting crop top and yoga trousers – I like human clothes on occasion; they are so comfortable. I had a strong feeling I would need to move freely today. I stepped from my room and stood before the archive door. I heard the chase brothers before seeing them, but there were only two instead of three.

“Hello, you two, what do I owe the pleaser?” I asked with a smile, but dread was in my belly.

“Aleena, we need to speak with you; we need your help!” the tallest dark-haired one said; I couldn’t tell them apart, so I didn’t bother to guess their name; I didn’t want to seem rude.

“I have a feeling this isn’t going to be good”, I replied. Stepping aside, I waved my hand over the door granting access to the archive.

“Where to?”

“Anywhere as long as we can talk, it won’t matter where” the other bother said.

“You know the drill. Stay close and don’t stray,” I warned them as I stepped over the threshold.

Axels POV

I wouldn’t say I liked this part. The feeling in my stomach was horrible, necessary, but horrible. Aleena looked uneasy when we approached. Like she knew something was up and that our hopes lay with her.

“Goddess, I hope she can help us”, Aiden sent to my mind. I just looked at him and nodded; what was I meant to say to that? We were both hoping for the same thing.

It didn’t take long to get to the room Aleena had picked for us. It wasn’t a room we had been in before. It was small with a few chairs. Nothing fancy, just armchairs, a rug and a coffee table. It felt like a waiting room of sorts.

“So, boys, tell me what is on your mind,” she said; she barely looked older than we did, but we knew she was; elves aged differently from us.

“Out with it, I know something is pressing on you, so let’s get talking” her sing-song voice didn’t quite hold the carefree tone it used to.

My heart slammed into my chest; as soon as the words left my mouth, it was all in her hands, and it terrified us that she may not be able to help us; everything was riding on the idea that she would have an answer.

“Our brother Archer, he’s still not woken up”, I started to tell her. But she held her hand up to stop us.

“he’s still not awake, but it’s been just over two weeks now, hasn’t it!” she said more to herself than to us.

“Yes, and he isn’t showing any sign of waking any time soon”, Aiden piped in.

“Has his situation changed? Does he seem any different?” she quizzed

“Well, not really, sometimes he looks like he is screwing his face up, but it doesn’t last long,” I tell her.

“Is he cold to the touch?”

“Yes, he is getting colder; werewolves are always warmer than humans, well, any race really”, I mused “he does seem to be cooling down though, now I think about it.”

Aleena’s face twisted in thought as she mused over what we had told her. she was so interesting to watch; I wish we could get to know her better, but right now wasn’t the time to learn about legendary races. We needed her expertise more than her friendship right now.

“Right, I think we better go and see your brother don’t you,” she said with a sigh.

“My stomach hadn’t even settled yet”, Aiden moaned but pushed himself up from the armchair he collapsed into. I don’t think he will ever get used to travelling between planes, even if it was just in between or not.

“Sorry young man, it does get easier the more you do it; let’s go before I change my mind” Aleena shot them a nervous smile before leading the way again.