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"Are you sure about this?" Leo asked. He chewed his bottom lip, watching Pride wearily as he finished casting a circle. Whatever that meant.

"I am."

Flora and Reign followed Pride's orders diligently as the morning sun beat down on us. Sky's large wolf watched from a safe distance, her gaze fixed on the dirt road behind us but no one ever came.

It confused me as to why there were no Witches here like all the other times.

"It's the only thing we can do to find Fergus," I continued. Taking Leo's large hand in mine, I smiled for his benefit. "We have to try. If not, we'll never get that torch or unite the Two Stars."

"I know but-"

"I'll be fine," I interrupted him. "I know you're worried about Pride and me being alone. A small part of me is worried about it too."

"But?"

"I trust him not to explode like that again." Leo drew circles over the back of my hand, his worry seeping into my cold skin. "Pride's many things. Many things that I never even knew existed...

"But I know that he didn't enjoy hurting me like that. Pride protects his Pack and I'm his Pack. Hurting me hurt him." As Pride waved me over, I squeezed Leo's hand one last time. "He's been holding so much inside and I never even noticed. I failed him, Leo. I won't do so again."

Letting go of Leo's hand, I joined Pride at the center of his perfect circle. He'd certainly gone all out with five different colored candles surrounding us. Each one had their own separate carvings. There were bells and feathers. Bowls of water and even a small knife.

The ironic thing was that it looked like a lot. But the reality was that he'd barely made a dent in the supplies he kept the trunk stocked with.

"Drink this." I took the flask from Pride, swallowing the bittersweet wine.

"What's that?"

"Cherry wine with some extra seeds and herbs to knock us out," he replied. Pride drained the rest of the wine and handed it back to Flora. "Lay down."

We laid down side to side, our shoulders pressing against each other. I avoided Leo's worried stare, choosing instead to gaze upon the white clouds. Streaks of orange and pale pinks brushed the fluffy layers of pristine white.

"Remind me again why we can't just summon his spirit?" Leo asked.

"Because there's no way to summon a spirit," Pride sighed. "They come and they go when they please. So, we have to do this and find out where he died."

"Why can't I go instead?" By then my eyes were growing a little heavy, the warm tone of Leo's voice grew faint.

"Because you don't have a connection to Fergus," Pride drawled. There was a shuffling of sheets before Pride pulled out the papers he'd been scribbling on earlier. "The circle I set up makes it so that we're going to possess their bodies. Got's to have familial connection to do that."

Pride's slurring made me giggle. The pinks and oranges became fuzzy and there was a popping in my ears. I widened my eyes, trying to chase away the blurriness.

Listen to me.

I turned my head to the side, meeting Pride's murky green eyes.

When we possess their bodies,
there's nothing we can do.

We can't change anything,
we can only follow history.

Everything that was meant
to happen will happen.

Got it.

Good.

Pride raised his paper and started to read as the popping in my ears grew louder. "Remove this reality, take us where we need to be. Turn back the hands of time, remind us of this land's greatest crime."

The pinks and oranges faded to an ugly blood orange. I lost Leo's presence in the plume of black smoke surrounding us. My stomach lurched as the world around us began to spin like a tornado.

Pride's warmth against my shivering body vanished as the spinning twirled faster. The popping intensified, sounds of fire overpowering the drunkenness overcoming me.

The ground opened up and swallowed me whole. I fell into a heated inferno of screams and burning flesh. Claws raked at my sides and I fought to free myself of them. Taking a deep breath, I ignored the black smoke invading my lungs and imagined a shield. As a silver barrier surrounded me, everything changed and I slipped into something warm.

Opening my eyes, I found myself, no, I found Catherine grinning widely. Without the scars of fire weighing down her ghastly appearance, I finally saw her beauty.

She wore a crisp white nightgown over her ebony hued body. The silver of her hair was hidden away underneath a tightly woven head scarf. It was cinched to the back of her head with a twist resting next to her left ear.

"Tonight, I'll tell him," I murmured. "Pretty soon, we won't be able to hide you away, now will we?"

I giggled at my reflection in the mirror, rubbing the small swelling of my stomach. "Chandra thinks you are a boy. If you are, perhaps we will name you Sirius. Fergus doesn't like to be called it anymore, but I think it a pretty name."

The young she-wolf traced her moonlit reflection with her pointer finger. She was gushing with maternal love. Knowing what was to come, my heart broke at the future she'd been robbed of. And even though I couldn't cry, I still felt myself wail trapped within her unsuspecting body.

"Or perhaps we could call you something else?" I continued to rub my belly as I sat at the edge of a bed. The scent of nutmeg filled my senses as I laid down, inhaling the aroma clinging to the thin blankets. Through Catherine's memories I was shown that this was Fergus's natural scent. He often spent the day tinkering with magick, sipping from his nutmeg infused cocoa. "You are descended from the Gods so you must carry on my last name. But I would like Fergus to be represented within you as well...

"Pride?" My heart, not Catherine's, stopped. "How about Pride? They may never accept you as one of their own. But even they cannot deny you your own lineage."

Determination thrummed throughout me and I stood before the mirror once more. I talked to my baby as if he was already here and it comforted me. There was a new life growing within me.

No, within Catherine.

My mind ached trying to keep our identities separate. Because the longer I remained within her past body, the harder it became to remember that I was Venus.

As I opened my mouth to speak again, a loud shout filled my ears. Jumping to my feet, I ran past the torch burning brightly at the center of my room, and looked out the window. In the distance was yet another angry mob of Pridesong Witches and Warlocks. Their orange hued flames flickered as they drew closer with their furious curses.

"Right on time," I muttered. Glancing down at my belly, I rubbed it before eyeing the crowd with disinterest. "Your father's family comes every night to try and take him back, little one. They think they can overrule the Mate bond. Fools..."

I shook my head and slipped on a pair of slippers. Fergus wasn't home yet so I was going to have to deal with them on my own this time. "They won't be very happy about you, little one. They will think you a freak but they're so wrong. You will be a bridge."

Proof that our people could live in harmony.

The mob stopped ten feet away from the front door, shouting at me to come down. They never entered the lighthouse or tried to do us any harm. The Alpha King and the Oracle had drafted a treaty on this very land calling for peace between our two races. They couldn't lay a finger on us without facing persecution.

It was the only reason I didn't fear facing them alone while pregnant. Even they weren't stupid enough to go against the Oracle and the Alpha King.

"Where's my brother, whore?" Claudia spat. The older Witch regarded me with disgust clouding her sharp features. I held my chin high, ignoring the repetitive insult. If she wasn't filled with such hatred, Claudia would be a gorgeous woman. "Is he hiding? Or has he finally ran off and abandoned you like the mutt you are?"

The crowd behind her joined in on her jeering, laughing at the fact that I was alone. I mentally scoffed at their stupidity, remaining unaffected by their childish behavior. They couldn't have been more wrong than they were now for I was not alone.

"Claudia, as you very well know, it's Saturday night. Fergus tends to go and get more wood around this hour," I replied coolly. "You knew that he wouldn't be here. So why don't you drop the false pretense and get on with whatever it was you came here to say?"

The redheaded Witch stiffened when I said her name. She, like many other Witches and Warlocks, were once slave owners of my people. All her life she'd been called Mistress by her "mutts." To hear her first name be called from a lowly Werewolf like me must've grated her gears greatly.

I found satisfaction in that.

"You had better remember your place-"

"My place is where freedom lives," I snapped. Taking a step forward, I squared my shoulders and growled at the pale woman. "You had better remember your place, Claudia. For you and I are equals in this life."

"You-"

"I am no longer beneath you!" A rush of silver strength pressed against my chest, willing itself to be released but I held it back. I wasn't about to stoop to their level and attack like I knew they wanted me to.

I was not a mutt.

I was not a beast.

I was not a slave.

They didn't get to dictate my life or my actions. Not anymore.

"If all you have to give are more wasted words then take your leave," I commanded them. Having had enough of them, I gripped the bottom of my dress harshly to keep my emerging claws at bay. The brisk walk back to my home was short lived as a sick feeling settled within my gut. I wasn't so sure how I knew, but I knew that something awful was coming.

A man cursed behind me and screams of disapproval followed shortly after. When I turned to see the commotion, everything moved in slow motion. As blue streaks raced towards me, a blue barrier emerged from my stomach. The power of the blast sent me flying, my back slamming into the closed door.

I gasped at the pain pulsing up and down my scarred back. An eerie silence overcame the disgruntled mob as I breathed through the discomfort. Not counting the pain in my back, I was unharmed.

"You, you are with child?" Claudia asked. I held her fury filled stare, refusing to answer.

"She is," the unknown man snarled. "Abomination!"

The surrounding mob shifted, weary of the rising tensions. The hatred in the man's enchanting green eyes made me press myself against the wooden door. I gripped the knob tightly, weighing my options.

"Leave!" I shouted. "What Fergus and I do is none of your concern. Leave, and we won't report you to the Alpha King for violating the treaty."

The unknown man chuckled darkly, taking a step towards me. I placed a hand over my belly protectively. It made my skin crawl to feel the way his piercing gaze seemed to pass right through me.

"You think I care about some mutt?" His upper lip curled as he grew bolder in his slow quest to get closer to me. "Wearing a crown and calling himself a king doesn't make him one."

"Maybe not." I raised my chin in defiance, slowly turning the knob until it clicked. My breath stilled as I murmured, Petra, underneath my breath. Fergus's charm of protection reacted to my command. "But rising from the chains of slavery and overthrowing your monarchy does make him a king!"

Dodging the blast of lightning he sent my way, I dashed inside and slammed the door shut. It solidified into stone, rebounding the strike of magick. Fergus's attempts to fortify our lighthouse with spells of protection were appreciated. However, the building still trembled from the Warlock's one blast.

This man was stronger than my Fergus.

Fergus!

Our mind link stirred as I called out to him through our Mate bond. The lighthouse trembled and I ran upstairs faster.

Cat?

What is it?

Stumbling into our room, I opened my memories to him and scrambled towards the window. It was chaos below. Some of the Witches and Warlocks joined the man's attack. All of the elements were weaponized with the intent to murder me and my child.

A handful of my Pridesong in-laws were escaping the scene of treachery. Others watched but didn't engage. Somehow, them just standing there only made things worse to me.

Their watching made me feel sick.

I'll be there soon.

There would be no one else coming. I had no one else to rely on.

A warm feeling filled my stomach and I hugged my abdomen tighter.

"I'm not alone," I mumbled. Using the back of my hand, I wiped away the few tears that managed to slip free. "I've got you, isn't that right, Pride?"

The heat continued to spread, warming my entire body. I chuckled despite the shaking lighthouse and battle cries echoing outside. "Pride it is. Pride's a good name anyway."

Drawing strength from my unborn son, I stood taller and placed my hands on the windowsill. I recalled the moment Fergus first confessed his love for me and released every ounce of my own power within me. My gift was expelled from my body, bathing the entire lighthouse in a silver glow. Sweat gathered on my brow as I willed it downwards. The process drained me and I was grateful when it finally reached the ground. Releasing my hold, I watched through bleary eyes as a burst of silver exploded on the closest of my enemies.

Silver spears of my Luna given gift pierced through at least eight of them. As I sank to the floor, I cursed the fact that the unknown man hadn't been one of them. He and Claudia were much quicker to protect themselves than their kin.

The attack on the lighthouse began again.

Breathing through my nose, I looked around the room for things to use to my advantage. Vials, jars, and sachets filled with unknown components greeted me. Perhaps I should've taken more of an interest in Fergus's creations before. All I could do now was hope for something explosive as I broke the window and started throwing things.

Some erupted while others did absolutely nothing. I dropped to my knees as the powerful man redirected another bout of lightning in my direction. The glass shattered, cutting my cheek and arms.

I crawled towards the mirror, touching Neptune's symbol. It glowed blue, the image within changing from my reflection to what my heart desired. In my arms was a baby and Fergus stood by my side. I closed my eyes before Neptune's Mirror could snatch the dream away and cemented it to memory.

I knew then that I had to do it.

I had to use my wedding gifts to my advantage.

The shaking of the lighthouse went unnoticed by me as I kicked off my shoes and stumbled towards my trunk. The wooden box groaned as I flung it open, snatching up my prized possession. My fingers grazed over the dark blue and purple dragon skin. The craftsmanship of the shiny slippers was lovely. I slipped on the Slippers of Discipline and stood taller.

If they breached the lighthouse, then I would use the power of the slippers mercilessly.

"Watch out!" At the sound of Claudia's shout, I raced towards the empty windows and looked outside. The harbor was rocking wildly, large boats crashed into each other. With each new crashing wave the water rose higher and higher. Saltwater invaded my senses, drowning out the scent of rotting herbs and fire. "Stop him!"

The man's lightning began to surge but it was too late. The climbing water rushed forth, sweeping up the remaining Pridesong members. Flashes of color swirled within the small tsunami and I held my breath. Surely no one could survive that?

"Cat!"

"Fergus!" A wide grin broke out over my face as I saw my Mate standing by the dirt road. His long red braid flapped in the wind. The bright green eyes I'd come to love so much shined with determination and strength. He was straining to hold the wave, I felt it in my gut.

You're straining yourself.

Let it go!

Fergus grit his teeth, flexing his fingers wider.

Some of them are still alive.

I can help.

Before he could object, I ran past the Ever Burning Torch and bolted downstairs. Throwing the door open, I stepped outside and nodded at my Mate. Once his eyes landed on the slippers, he understood and the water returned to the harbor.

This was my chance.

The Slippers of Discipline would give me control over whoever I ordered to do my bidding. An evil voice in my ear crowed to have them murder each other. Fortunately for them, I couldn't bring myself to do so. I wasn't low like them.

As their colorful shields dropped I commanded, "Stop-"

I didn't see it coming.

There was no Luna gift to shield me as I'd wasted all that I had earlier. There was no blue barrier to protect me as Pride was still an unborn child with little energy to spare. There was no wave to repel the silver spear lodged within my stomach as not even Fergus could've stopped it.

"Cat!" Fergus wailed. I heard the thumping of his feet, his heavy breathing growing ragged. But I didn't turn to look at him. I couldn't. All I saw was the green of his dark eyes, the unknown man, and the satisfied smirk overcoming his face.

"Restrain him," the man snarled. Claudia hesitated. If it weren't for the poison and spear slowly killing me, I'd have laughed at the pity in her eyes. She saw me as nothing more than an ant beneath her boot. But now that I was about to die, she suddenly felt sorry for me?

Fuck her.

"Now!"

Fergus screamed when Claudia's ropes of fire wrapped around his entire body. Tears glossed over my eyes as I watched him writhe in agony on the cold ground. Gritting my teeth, I pulled the silver spear out, letting my tainted blood flow freely. The tears I tried so hard to hold back finally fell when I felt no more warmth in my belly.

There was no more new life within me.

He's gone.

"Father, please," Fergus begged. "Let her go-"

"Don't beg!" The man hissed. "It is beneath us."

The silver poison seeped into every crevice of my body. It was coming, I knew it was. The slow paralyzation. And then, eventually death. My muscles twitched, trying to fight it, but there was no use. The dosage of silver was too high for my body to battle.

"I've given you many chances to come to your senses," he continued. "But impregnating this slave? That crosses the line!"

"You've crossed the line!" Fergus shouted, fighting desperately against his chains. Sparks of blue erupted from his chest and I saw now where he got it from. This man, his father, was responsible for the volatile element living within my love's chest. "How could you kill your own grandchild?!"

"That thing would've been an abomination!"

My heart ached at the loss of our son and I wept silent tears. Everything below my neck was stiff, claimed by the silver. It was odd. I knew I was bleeding profusely but I felt no pain from there. Only the numbing chill of the silver remained.

It almost had my heart completely.

I knew I needed to act now. If I waited too long then I wouldn't be able to speak.

"Fergus. My love," I whispered. "You will break free from your chains and you will run away. You will run far away from here and you will not come back to save me. Do so now..."

The slippers glowed and my order was followed.

I choked on the blood filling my mouth. A small whimper left my lips as I craned my head to the side, forcing the crimson liquid to spill from my thick lips. The stiffness set in right then and there. I couldn't move my neck now.

Take the order back!

No.

Cat, please!

I won't let you
die here.

I won't leave you
to die here.

Oh, my love...

You don't have a choice.

Fergus's magick, although I couldn't see it completely, went feral. Flashes of blue streaked across my peripheral vision. I forced myself to meet my father-in-law's spiteful gaze. "You and your kin will leave Sirius alone. None of you will search for him. From this day forth, you will tell people that Sirius Pridesong died here with me."

They stiffened at my order, Claudia's chains of fire vanished from Fergus's body. Our singing hearts wailed as he sprung to his feet and ran away. Fergus had no control whatsoever over his body, the will of the Gods controlled him now. Tears dripped down my chin as my face hardened. The beating of my heart slowed as the poison finally penetrated it.

With my last breath, I cursed the Pridesong family with the one thing they couldn't stand most.

"My son will be reborn into your family bloodline. Born of a Witch with a heart of pure gold. She will reject all that you hold dear and give birth to the Hybrid you so foolishly murdered," I swore. The corner of my lips rose into my last smile and I relished the fury climbing in his disgusting eyes. "My son will be reborn and he will be your doom."

Laughing at their enraged faces, I gave one last silent command and died with a smile on my face.

No Witch or Warlock shall walk upon this cursed land until I'm reunited with my love once more. If it is not made so, then we shall always be forever torn. For now and into eternity...

I cried within Catherine's dead body. Through her dead eyes, I watched Claudia set Catherine ablaze. I screamed from within the vacant vessel, willing myself to wake up from this nightmare. With one last scream, I felt myself fall through the cracks, snapping back to reality.

I woke with a start, squeezing Pride's hand tightly. The stars blinked back at me and I trembled underneath the black canvas.

"Venus." Leo's warmth spread throughout me as he reached into the circle, placing a hand on my cheek. He wiped away the wetness gathered there and I found solace in his brown eyes. I adored them the same way Catherine loved Fergus's charming green orbs. "It's ok. I'm here."

He leaned down and pressed his forehead against mine. I gripped the collar of his shirt, breathing in his Old Spice and lavender signature scent. This was my reality. He was here.

"Don't ever leave me," I whispered.

His eyebrows became knitted like they always did when he was confused. Wiping more of my tears away, he placed a gentle kiss on my lips. "I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me."

My body ached but I still found it within me to chuckle at his lopsided grin.

"Not that this isn't cute," Sky cut in. "But is no one gonna tell us where Fergus's body is?"

Leo looked at me expectantly and I shook my head. My neck cracked from the effort and I groaned. I felt like I'd been sleeping for hundreds of years with my body acting so rickety and old.

"I never found that out," I said. "My vision ended with Catherine's death and she sent him away-"

"He's alive."

"What?" Sky stared down at us in disbelief. "That's impossible. He'd be hundreds of years old right now!"

I met Pride's glassy eyes, still holding his shaking hand. "He's alive?"

"He's alive," Pride replied. "Fergus Pridesong is alive."

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QOTD: What are your thoughts now that you know Fergus and Catherine's full story? Why do you think the couple were in possession of three artifacts? Do you think Pride will live up to his destiny? How do you think Fergus is still alive?