Alec’s

You are probably wondering why now. Well, Alec wasn't there when she was born. So, even though the bond settled in him, it didn't completely settle in Aspen. Let's just say that it was loose. That's the best term I can give it.

They have been around each other but never really interacted until today. Just like with mate bonds, familial bonds need eye contact and touch for them to fully settle. It's even stronger if the pup's father is an alpha.

Today, both of those things happened. Aspen unknowingly initiated contact by cupping Alec's jaw. That and the eye contact between them basically sealed the deal. It sealed the father-daughter bond. Even though a familial bond isn't as strong as a mate bond, they are similar in some ways. Parents can feel the emotions of their children, and vice versa. Aspen is being affected by Alec's sadness. Just like the way my emotions would affect her.

She doesn't understand what's happening. She doesn't understand why Alec's sadness is affecting her. She doesn't understand why her heart feels weird. She doesn't understand that a new bond clicked into place today.

We've never had a discussion about her father. In my defense, I never thought I'd come across Alec again. Plus, she's only three. She never asked. I knew that would change when she got older, but I'd vowed not to think about it and to cross that bridge when we got there.

We remain silent, and minutes later, Aspen's body grows heavy. I sneak a peek at her to find her soundly asleep. Gently, I pick her up and place her on her side of the bed before covering her with the blankets. Since we will be staying here for a while, maybe I should ask Alec to assign her her own bedroom. She'll be more comfortable sleeping in her own bed.

Switching off the lights, I close my eyes. It takes a while, but eventually I do fall asleep. Only, it wasn't peaceful at all.

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It was a cold and chilly night. There was no star in sight, and the moon had turned red. Red because the moon goddess, for the first time, bled. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but chaos and destruction. The scent of death coated the air; it's pungent smell burned my nostrils. Tears coated my cheeks as I cried for all that we had lost. The pain ate at me. The lives that had been lost tore my heart into a thousand pieces. Why did she do this? Why did she choose this path?We tried everything, but even with our allies, they were still too strong. Or maybe I am just weak. She has always said that I am weak. That my goodness, made me vulnerable. Made me soft and spineless. Maybe that's why we lost so badly. If only I'd been better. If only I'd been stronger, but I believed that violence didn't solve anything. I believed love was the answer. Now, looking at the blood-drenched ground, I'm starting to wonder if maybe, just maybe, she was right.

"Please stop this." I beg her. I was kneeling on the cold, hard ground, my eyes firmly fixed on my blood-soaked hands. "You've won. It's enough."

Her hands grab my chin in a painful grip. I couldn't see her face, but deep down, I knew her. I knew who she was.

"Stop?" she sneers. "This is just the beginning. I want everything. I want to rule both the heavens and the earth."

She was the opposite of me. While my clothes and wings were white, hers were black. The complete opposite, yet formed from the same cloth. Looking at her, I wonder how she has fallen so far." Come on, love." His cold voice sends a shiver down my spine. "We have things to do. Get rid of her."

There was nothing in his eyes. Absolutely nothing. This is the same man that was created for me, yet his eyes held nothing but contempt and cruelty. What happened? Where did the fates go wrong? "Goodbye," she whispers, but I see no remorse in her eyes. The love that was once there no longer exists. "You should have joined us when you had a chance."

With those last words, she plunges her sword deep into my chest.