"What do you mean escape plan?" I yell at Brick, my voice cracking with fear and frustration.

"They're planning to escape, and they want my help," he tells me, his expression tense and serious.

"You're putting our entire mission at risk by helping them," I say frantically, trying to reason with him.

"Lazurus, calm down. You're panicking because the mate you've been avoiding for two weeks is planning to leave. That's why you're reacting this way," he says, his tone softening in an attempt to soothe me.

"Besides, their plan is well thought out. It could even give us a chance to free the others," he adds confidently.

"How?" I ask, curiosity mixed with apprehension.

Brick explains the details of the plan he and my mate have hatched with her stepsister and friend. As he speaks, I can feel my mind racing as I try to process all the possible outcomes.

"The Glass Slipper will be unoccupied during that time. Yes, this could definitely work as a means of escape," I say aloud, finally coming to a decision.

"We'll stick to our original plan and use this opportunity to break free," I affirm, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.

"Thank you Brick. I'll gather the others and explain the changes," I say as I begin contacting them for a meeting.

As Brick turns to leave my office, he suggests something that hadn't crossed my mind before.

"Hey Lazurus, since we're all escaping together anyway, maybe your mate and her friends could join us too. They could use our protection," he suggests earnestly before disappearing through the door.

I'm left alone in my office, staring at the now closed door. My beast stirs inside me at the mention of my mate joining us. Can there really be a way for both humans and supernatural's to coexist in harmony? Or will the deep-rooted distrust between our species prevent any chance of acceptance?

I can't help but wonder if my mate will even want to be with me once she discovers the true nature of myself and my beast. Will she see beyond the centuries-old prejudices and accept us for who we are? Only time will tell.

"I call this meeting to announce some necessary adjustments to our plan," I begin my address.

"Adjustments at this stage? Is that wise?" Someone interrupts.

"Our intelligence has changed. In two weeks, there will be a distraction that will draw workers away from The Glass Slipper. This gives us a small window to enter and leave with minimal risk of casualties," I inform them, earning cheers at the thought of success in the first part of our mission.

"But wait, there is more. Anyone being held captive is welcome to join us," I continue before the room falls silent.

"Even humans?" One person shouts from the crowd.

"Yes, not all humans are our enemies. Some of them are also captives and victims of mistreatment in that place," I state firmly, causing an uproar among the group.

"Please, listen. We have suffered for generations, but we cannot become what we despise. Those who deserve punishment are those who have wronged us. Anyone facing similar treatment deserves our support and protection. We must strive to be better than those who oppressed us and not punish others solely based on their race or species. That is what led to our suffering. Let us start a new world with compassion and understanding," I plead with the crowd.

The hushed murmurs of the crowd ceased once again, but I was ready to end this meeting. They needed to take a moment and truly consider what I had just said. My thoughts were in turmoil, my mind in chaos.

That girl had completely upended my world and I couldn't make sense of it. Even worse, my inner beast was restless and unsettled.

Brick had been right all along; this bond between us was growing stronger with each passing day, and the further I kept myself from her, the more it affected me.

The worst part is that she has no idea. I have been a complete jerk to her, despite saving her life twice. I should have been honest with her and allowed her to make her own decision about our connection. But instead, I pushed her away and caused unnecessary pain.

Yet, even with all the distance between us, I find myself watching her on the surveillance footage captured by our undercover agents, catching fleeting glimpses of her as she passes through the frame. And though I know there is probably more footage of her on Brick's monitor, I can't bring myself to watch it because it only reminds me of what I am trying so hard to deny - my growing feelings for this mysterious girl.

As I settle into my office chair, I decide to review the footage from Brick's last visit.

The first video I watch is from right after I saw her. I see a young girl with light skin, piercing green eyes, and fiery red hair. That must be her stepsister. Next to her is a boy, his brown shaggy hair slicked back into a man bun. The friend. They seem close to Cynthia, and a pang of jealousy grips me as I watch them interact. Then I hear Cynthia talking about me.

"Wait, let me get this straight. You saw a huge beast staring at you from outside your window and instead of running away, you decided to get a closer look?" The boy speaks up, clearly the only voice of reason in the room.

"Yes, but he's not a beast. I don't know what he is, but he seemed kind." Kind? She was not afraid of my true form.

"There's more to all of us than what meets the eye." The frustration evident on her face only makes her more endearing.

"You're seriously not questioning the fact that he murdered someone and you helped cover it up?" Cynthia's stepsister seems to be the only one who picked up on that detail.

"What if he's not who you think he is? I don't want you to get hurt." Cynthia hugs the girl tightly before abruptly kicking them out. Each subsequent video shows Cynthia looking sadder and more depressed than the last. Even though she has no idea about our mate bond, she must be feeling its effects too.

In the final video, Brick goes to check on her and finds her visibly upset.

"What's wrong, Cynthia?"

"Nothing, Brick." Her tone is snappier than usual.

"No need for attitude," he responds sarcastically.

"Sorry, I don't know why I'm acting like this." Her usually bright eyes are now dull and lifeless.

"Can I ask you something?" Brick cautiously approaches her. She nods, allowing him to continue. "Why are you still here after all this?" His question catches her off guard.

"It's a long story, but you have to swear you won't tell anyone else. It's not for you to share." Cynthia pleads with him.

"Okay, just a moment. I need to make sure no one is spying." Brick walks away, and the camera abruptly cuts off.

"What was he thinking?" I mutter to myself in frustration.

"Maybe he respected Cynthia's wish for privacy," my brother Sebastian chimes in, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I turn to face him and realize that he knows about the mate bond now.

"You should have trusted me, Laz. I'm your brother. Why didn't you tell me she was your mate?" He asks me pointedly.

"I'm still trying to figure it out," I admit honestly.

"Laz, you have this habit of being an asshole - it's just your personality - but isn't it her choice too?" Sebastian calls me out.

"She has a right to decide for herself. You're taking that choice away from her, which isn't fair to her. It's time for you to suck it up and figure this out." With that, he leaves me alone in my office.

He always does this - tells me what I'm doing wrong and then just leaves. As frustrating as it is, he's right. I have to tell Cynthia about our bond. It's time to stop avoiding it and just get it over with.