Page 6 of Fated for Dawn

I clung to Chad’s arm for support as the enormity of everything threatened to pull me under. The void inside me yawned wider, hungrier. Eris’s name echoed, but I kept seeing Lia’s face.

All the trauma I had buried deep inside—burning at the stake, Theo’s death, my parents’ murder, Alister’s sacrifice—rose like a flood. Everything I’d promised myself I’d face later crashed over me in relentless waves.

I had told myself I’d survive it and had no choice but to keep moving forward. To get revenge on the goddess who had already stolen so much from me.

But now, I wasn’t so sure.

Part of me was broken. The pain and sorrow inside me were heavy and suffocating, promising peace in surrender. As the void stretched wider, its pull grew stronger, tempting me to let go.

To stop fighting.

To give up.

3

Evelyn

Rafe grabbed my sword and then swept me into his arms, his wings unfurling majestically. With a powerful thrust, we were airborne; the wind whipping my hair as we soared above the field.

I pressed my face into his chest, inhaling his familiar, sweet scent. His heart beat steadily beneath my ear, a constant rhythm against the storm inside me. I closed my eyes, focusing on the feeling of being held and being safe.

But as the mansion came into view, my grief for Alister threatened to drown me, though I couldn’t ignore the pain etched into Rafe’s face, the hollowness in his eyes. They had lost me for an entire year, not knowing when I would return.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For never giving up on me.”

Rafe’s arm tightened around me, his voice soft but raw. “We couldn’t give up on you. If we did, we’d lose ourselves too.” Hiswings dipped slightly as his voice broke, and I pulled back just enough to see the unshed tears in his eyes.

He looked…older. Tired in a way I’d never seen before. They all must’ve carried so much pain while I was gone.

“You’re back now, and that’s all that matters.”

As we descended onto the mansion grounds and made our way inside, I realized I was still covered in blood.

“I’m going to take a quick shower,” I said, pointing at all the blood. “But can you guys join me in bed after? I just…I need you close. I’m just…so exhausted.”

The guys nodded in silent agreement as Rafe handed me my sword. I slowly made my way up to Alister’s bedroom, where every corner held a memory of him. They were good memories, but being reminded of them now cut deeper than I expected.

In the solitude of Alister’s bathroom, I let the hot water wash over me, scalding my skin as if I could burn away the pain of losing my vampire mate. A year had been lost, and there was so much I needed to do, but my grief was overwhelming, and right now, all I wanted was to bundle myself between the guys and let everything else fall away.

Dressed in Alister’s old pajamas—his scent still lingering in the fabric—I entered his bedroom.

The guys were there—Chad sprawled on one side of the bed, Ryker on the other. Rafe and Lucien occupied chairs nearby.

Crawling between Chad and Ryker, I curled up on Alister’s bedside. His scent was stronger here—warm amber—and it unraveled me completely.

Tears welled up, spilling fast and hot down my cheeks. Hands reached for me—gentle touches wiping the tears away.

“I’m so sorry for everything—for being gone. For Alister…” I couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Don’t apologize, little witch,” Chad said, his voice unusually soft. For once, there was no teasing edge to his tone. The boy,who always had a grin for me, looked tired and had something else in his eyes—a shadow I hadn’t seen before.

Ryker’s voice was strained. “You have no idea how hard it was. Not having you here…” He exhaled sharply.

“You don’t know how many nights we spent trying to find a way to bring you back,” Rafe added quietly from the chair, his hands clenched tightly.

“Or how many times Rafe threatened his brother,” Chad whispered. “Who knew softy here could be so terrifying!” Chad added, a faint smile tugging at his lips. But it didn’t reach his eyes, and I saw how hard he was trying to keep the mood light—for me, for all of us.

Lucien sat stiffly in the chair, his shoulders hunched. “We failed you, Evelyn.”

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