Page 29 of Shifter Salvation

“The Shadow Realm will force me to face what I’ve yet to overcome,” he confessed. “We have no time to explore it the way I originally imagined we would, which leaves me feeling a bit disappointed. As though I fucked up somewhere or like I could have changed the past actions that led us here.”

He pulled me even closer as he leaned down to rest his chin on the top of my head, and my hand slipped from his so I could wrap my arms around him in comfort.

“There’s not much there…at least when I got the privilege to witness it. I’ve honestly avoided going there…because I feel ashamed.”

“Ashamed?” I didn’t understand.

“How would you feel when all the people you love, young and old, are trapped in a place that may be filled with a sense of peace but no sense of hope?” he offered and pulled back just to peer into my eyes. “A beautiful world where the darkness reins but you’re at a standstill. There are no highs or lows. No changes or unique instances enlighten your existence. Everything is at a lull, just like their souls, which are forced to remain in where they are. When everything is destined to stay the same, what’s the point of existing? What are you possibly waiting for when there’s not even a glimmer of light at the tunnel that’s always been covered in nothing but darkness?”

For a brief moment, he let me feel his pain. The low hums and vibrations of his emotions threaded through me while his eyes pooled with uncertainty.

“When I was able to delve into the world, I carried a sense of rejuvenated excitement that I could take them out of this world of ‘pause’ and return them to our world of movement. They would get a true sense of happiness and hope, as well as rekindle themselves to experience other emotions again like sadness and anger. Some may think a world where life is like a wavelength that moves up and down is nothing but a burden, but when you experience nothing but high tides, even those end up being boring. There’s no challenge. No expectations will override your previous emotions and experiences. With highs and lows, you get to learn, grow, and appreciate life a whole lot more, and that’s what I sought to deliver to them. Another chance at the life we once took for granted.”

He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Then I understood how helpless I was. I was incapable of doing anything for I was but one half of the coin. I was the backbone of our foundation but lacked the conducting qualities needed to lead the way,” he revealed. “My relationship with Amaya fucked me up further. The rejection and all that. It made me think her words of judgment and scrutiny were real. That…my purpose was even questionable because I was a man who walked in his parents’ shadows and wouldn’t rise into the seat of power being offered to me like a fancy gift.”

“You don’t believe those hateful words she told you, right?” I gripped the sides of his waist tightly as if to remind him that I was his now and Amaya was the past.

“I won’t lie. I still believe a few of them…which is why I need to do this. I need to return and face what frightens me and heal the remaining wounds she left behind that still bleed like raw injuries.”

When he stared at me once more, those alluring eyes of his softened, and his smile this time was genuine.

“The only difference now is I have a woman who can help me accept that no one is perfect. That we all have flaws and weaknesses, but we can work on them and ourselves to be the best version of who we aim to be in this vast world.”

“Bonus points that she’s a Celestial and can help you achieve what you’ve yearned to accomplish.”

“That, too,” he agreed and kissed me. “Bleu, when we come back, our enemies will know.”

He kept his distance while pressing his forehead against mine as his voice only further dipped.

“They’ll know of our intentions and try to take us down like they did Diana. They’ll use all the force they hide in nests and underground laboratories to take you out, and they won’t care if it triggers a war.”

“I know,” I answered and closed my eyes.

It was obvious we were inching close to a battle that would surely have casualties, but knowing so many of our loved ones were stuck in between the land of life and death because of another group’s selfishness and hunger for power was insulting.

If it's a war they wish, I’ll bring it right to their doorstep.

"I’m ready for whatever they wish to tackle us with,” I affirmed. “For my mate is my foundation, and with your leadership, protection, and love, I have the confidence that we’ll make it to the finish line and be victorious."

We smiled and pressed our foreheads together once more before he kissed me deeply.

“Then we’ll reunite with our packs and form one big alliance. A pack that protects our kind and other hybrids who seek refuge.”

“With a Shifter Institute that trains and teaches every student their worth and deserving of salvation,” I concluded.

“Let it be so,” he agreed and kissed me one last time before we moved apart and he offered his hand. “Time to face the music.”

“Better hold my hand the whole way or I’ll get lost,” I teased.

“Or remember she left a certain vibrating contraption in North Syndicate,” he hummed and watched the devastation on my face. “I’m kidding.”

He took my hand that had paused mid-way from lowering into his, tugging it to his lips so he could kiss my palm.

“It’s in good hands.”

“If it’s not Kenzo’s, it’s clearly in the hands of a trash bin cause no one else is going to take care of my vibrator!”

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