delicate flowers are blown open by the wind, which in turn blows away the dead petals as well.

CHAPTER EIGHT©

Mania | Caius

"Mania, you're glowing again," Seth said.

As Seth placed the plate of food in front of me, I couldn't help but notice the familiar glow emanating from my skin once again.

It was a strange phenomenon that had been occurring more and more frequently since my heated confrontation with Caius the day before.

Even now, the orange tattoo-like markings were creeping up my arms, pulsing with an otherworldly energy.

"I'm sorry, Seth," I sighed, running my fingers along the intricate designs. "Since my fight with Caius yesterday, I just haven't been able to control it."

Seth studied me thoughtfully, his brow furrowed. "Do you think it's because you feel guilty for hurting your mate?" he asked gently.

It was a perceptive question - Seth always did have a knack for cutting right to the heart of the matter.

I shook my head quickly. "Nah, that can't be the reason. He deserved it," I insisted, thinking back to Caius' manipulative behavior.

Caius had pushed me to my breaking point, and I refused to feel remorse for defending myself and standing up for what I believed in.

But Seth wasn't so easily convinced. "Nah, you're definitely feeling guilty, so I suggest you go over there and do the one thing he asked you to do yesterday and let Carlisle check you," he said firmly.

I bristled at his tone, narrowing my eyes. "Since when were you the boss of me, Seth?" I challenged, not appreciating his presumptuous attitude.

"Since I realized I grew up in a house with two equally stubborn sisters," he retorted, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"I'm not stubborn," I shot back petulantly, even as I knew deep down that he was right.

Stubbornness was a family trait - one that Leah and I had both inherited in spades.

"Leah says that all the time, and look at what's she's doing with her life. Nothing. It's just wasting because she's stubborn and so are you," Seth said bluntly.

"I heard that," Leah's voice called out from the living room, making us both jump.

"I wanted you to hear it, duh," Seth replied unapologetically.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their sibling banter, but Leah's next words gave me pause. "For once, Mania, our little brother is right," she sighed, and I could hear the reluctant resignation in her tone.

Glancing between the two of them, I knew I was outnumbered. As much as I hated to admit it, they had a point.

My stubbornness and refusal to back down had gotten me into trouble more times than I could count.

And if even Leah was willing to concede that Seth was right, then I knew I couldn't keep ignoring their advice.

"Okay, fine, I'll go," I relented with a heavy sigh, "but it's going to be hard controlling this." I took a deep breath, focusing inward as I let my powers surge through my body.

The glowing orange tattoos reappeared, and my eyes shone with the same vibrant hue.

Seth reached out, gently tracing the intricate markings crawling up my arm. "I think you have even more tattoos now," he observed, wonder evident in his voice.

"Yeah, I noticed that too," I murmured, watching as the tattoos ebbed and flowed, pulsing with barely contained energy.

It was a strange and unsettling sensation, to feel this raw power coursing through my veins. I'd always known I was different, ever since the first time I phased at the tender age of eight. But the extent of my abilities was still a mystery, even to me.

"Do you think it has to do with the baby?" Leah's voice piped up from the living room, and I felt a chill run down my spine. The thought had occurred to me as well, but I was almost too afraid to give it voice.

"I hope not," I murmured, letting the glow and tattoos fade away completely. "I can't imagine my baby having my gifts, especially when the father is-" I broke off, unwilling to give voice to the identity of my unborn child's sire.

"An evil vampire warlord who has a soft spot for a crazed wolf," Seth interjected, earning a glare from both Leah and myself.

"Shut up, Seth," Leah chided, while I simply shook my head in exasperation. Sometimes I wondered how we were even related.

But as much as I wanted to deny it, Seth's words rang true. Caius was a powerful and ruthless vampire, a warlord who had carved out a bloody path through the centuries.

And yet, against all odds, he had somehow developed a soft spot for me - a hot-headed, stubborn werewolf who had turned his world upside down.

The very thought of our child inheriting my mysterious abilities, combined with Caius' formidable powers, sent a shiver of trepidation through me.

With a resigned sigh, I gathered my courage and made my way to the Cullen household. As Esme opened the door to greet me, I could feel the familiar glow beginning to flicker to life once more.

"Hello, Mania," Esme said warmly, ushering me inside. "How are you and the baby?"

"We're wonderful," I replied, offering her a small smile.

It was a half-truth at best - while the baby seemed to be thriving, the constant fluctuations in my powers were a source of constant worry and frustration.

"What's up, pregnant glowing wolf?" Emmett's booming voice greeted me, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"None much, muscle head," I retorted, earning a hearty laugh from the burly vampire.

"So, are you going to tell us why you glow?" Emmett pressed, his curiosity evident.

"Nope, because I have no explanation for it myself," I admitted, running my fingers along the intricate markings that had begun to reappear on my skin. "I've been like this since I was eight, and only Seth and Leah know about it. Well, now you guys do too."

Jasper stepped forward, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "So, there are no legends that could possibly tell you anything?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I haven't heard any that mentions my powers or anyone having it before me, but I think it's part of the reason why I was able to phase," I replied, still puzzled by the extent of my abilities.

"Does Leah have similar powers?" Edward inquired, his golden eyes studying me intently.

"She's super fast, and she loves talking to animals - I swear, once I saw her have a whole conversation with a cat. But I think she's just crazy like that," I answered with a shrug.

Gathering my courage, I took a deep breath and addressed the elephant in the room. "Anyway, I came to apologize for my behavior yesterday. Seth, who now has appointed himself as the man of the house, told me that my behavior was childish and I should apologize for it or I can't have chocolate-covered pretzels. And I love chocolate-covered pretzels." I paused, glancing around at the gathered Cullens. "Oh, he also said that I should let Carlisle give me a check-up to make Caius happy, so, Carlisle, will you give me a check-up?"

Carlisle nodded, a gentle smile on his face. "There's no need to apologize, and I'll go set up my equipment," he said, turning and heading upstairs.

As I waited for Carlisle to return, Esme approached me with a warm smile. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

My stomach rumbled in response, and I nodded sheepishly. "Yes, I would like two servings of fluffy waffles and bacon and hash browns. Thank you, Esme," I replied gratefully.

"I'll get right on it," Esme said, disappearing into the kitchen.

Suddenly, Caius appeared before me, his crimson eyes filled with a mixture of concern and frustration. "Cara Mia, I'm not mad at you. I'm frustrated that you don't trust me, but I'm not mad," he said, his voice low and earnest.

I met his gaze steadily, feeling the familiar pull of our bond. "We'll just have to take things slow, Caius," I murmured. "There's a lot of things that you need to change for me to trust you."

"I'm willing to do anything for you," Caius replied, his expression resolute.

Before I could respond, Carlisle's voice reached us from the top of the stairs. "Everything is set up, Mania," he called out.

Caius turned to me, a hopeful expression on his face. "Cara Mia, let's go see our baby," he said, offering me his hand.