“We can reopen my mother’s shelter,” Rhodes suggests.
I grin back at him. “It’s a good plan.”
We walk into Starlight Academy together, which is as familiar as it ever was—just as gothic and beautiful, but warmer now. The stairs and carpets have all been replaced, the runners going up them black lined with pink and black. “You’ve really made the academy something I would love, haven’t you?”
“Of course. It’s your home. You deserve to love it,” Finnegan answers for them all. I don’t know what to say as they lead me up the stairs, past the corridor where my old room used to be. I catch a glimpse of it briefly before we turn up to another corridor, going up in a direction I’ve never been. “These usedto be the headmaster’s rooms and some other teachers’ rooms. We’ve knocked them all through to make one huge apartment on the top floor. Seven rooms, all ours. We’ve decorated most of them, but I thought I’d let you decide whatever else you’d like when we get inside,” Rhodes says, explaining what they have done so far.
“Wow.” I am unable to say more than that.Wowis a good word for this place. It’s a perfect mix of modern and cosy. There’s a big television on the wall, a cosy fireplace with two wolves holding up the pillars of a shelf littered with pink fragrance candles. Five big sofas are pushed around the gigantic space, all of them a dark cream matching the rug. A big dining table stands at the other end of the room, a huge chandelier hanging above it, with big stained glass windows dominating one entire wall, casting pink light across the space. I rush over and push the handles open, stepping out onto the balcony that overlooks the sea—the moody, dark sea.
“It really does look incredible from up here. I love this.” I can’t stop the tears as I make my way around the apartment, my mates following me. I have to put Boba down in her carrier by the sofa, and she makes it clear she isn’t happy. The bedroom has four massive king-size beds pushed together, a load of cabinets and walk-in wardrobes filled with my clothes and my mates’ clothes. Two walk-in shower bathrooms. Three guest rooms and a gaming room. Franklin’s room is near the massive modern kitchen, and it is full of character, with all his teddies lined up on his bed. By the time I come back into the main room, I still don’t know what to say.
“The rooms back here haven’t been done yet.” Hollis waves to the left corridor. “We thought you could decide what we want them for.”
“Maybe when we have some kids,” Finn says almost to himself. Everyone looks at him with equal shades of horror. Heholds his hands up in the air. “In the future. Obviously. Far future.”
“Far future definitely sounds like a good idea.” I nearly choke on the words. I need time to be normal before ever thinking of changing my body for kids.
Severi sits down on the sofa as I go to Boba and let her out. She stretches herself out on the sofa before purring, pushing her head against my leg. I stroke her while everyone watches in distrust. Boba doesn’t care; she sits down and begins cleaning her paw.
Franklin’s voice shakes. “Who is that?”
All of us turn to where Franklin is pointing, at the balcony. I let my Nexus take over, shifting, the weight of the snake wrapping around my shoulders and neck, my white hair falling down, and I step in front of Franklin, in front of Nibbles and Boba. My mates do the same at my side. I nod at Hollis and he grabs Franklin, taking him away and calling Nibbles. I stare at the newcomer, trying to figure out who she is. “Who are you?”
“You released me, so surely you would know,” the woman answers. She is a beautiful woman, but I’ve never seen her, and she seems memorable enough. Her long red hair is curly and wild, falling down to her feet. She is completely unclothed beneath her hair, and I’m glad it’s not a windy day.
“I don’t appreciate naked people appearing in my new apartment. So, once again, who are you? I’d answer with a name before you and I have a massive problem that’s going to end with me throwing you off the balcony and into the sea,” I warn.
“How did you get past the wards?” Onyx seems confused.
She laughs, and it’s a wicked sound. “I’m the witch from the market. I have come to thank you and ask for something small.”
I put the pieces together fast. Last month, we had travelled to the market, just as I had promised I would do—my Nexus and I freed the witch by burning the entire thing down, destroyingit and unwinding any spells cast to contain her. But the witch wasn’t there. I assumed she had simply left. She was old then, and she did not look like this. I wonder which is her true form. “I accept your thanks, and you can leave now.”
“Starlight alpha leaders are meant to be friendly,” she taunts.
“Unlucky for you, I’m not,” I answer. “You wanted to ask for something ‘small,’ so out with it?”
“A witch named Juniper will come here tomorrow. She will ask you for help. I’m here to warn you—help her. If you don’t, there may be consequences for this world. Juniper must be helped.” That doesn’t seem like a small thing to help with. My mates and I share a look.
“I thought you said you were the last witch?” Severi counters.
“In this world, yes. But don’t you know enough about this world now to know that there are secrets hidden everywhere? Be careful, Alphas.” She pauses, and something like warmth crosses her face. “Congratulations on fulfilling your fate. But it is now time you helped others fulfil theirs.”
I watch as she walks forward and jumps straight off the balcony in a rush of red hair. I walk forward and look down, letting myself shift back, not surprised to see nothing but a red bird—a phoenix, maybe—flying away into the horizon.
Finn wraps his arm around me and steps to my side. My mates are filling the balcony as we all watch. “Who is Juniper?”
I watch the phoenix until it disappears. “I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
My red silk cloak falls over my shoulders, down to my feet, the hood covering my face as I walk up the ivy-covered stone steps. The small Nexus-filled village is quiet, not many here now, but everything else about this ancient place feels the same. The ancient trees echoing around me when the wind blows, fire lanterns lighting my way. Nothing but the darkness and the stars above me to guide me to my mates. To my home.
I was fifteen the last time I did this. Fifteen and scared. Now there is nothing more I want in the world than this moment. We have waited too many years for this.
I walk up the steps until I find the temple. The ones with the images of the Gods, once carved in stone and wrapped around the top, have now been changed. We do not worship dead Gods anymore, not since we have told the world the truth about them. They do not make our mate bonds—the bonds are chosen by fate and by the stars. Now, a snake winds around the top of the temple, glittering black runes sparkling across her spine—the mark of the Morrigan Goddess that many people now believe in—and many pray to fate now. Or to the stars, like I do. Life has been…ours. It might not be perfect, it may have its ups anddowns, but I am happy for the first time in my life. I never once let myself think I would have this life, this chance at a new beginning again, and a world to live in that is safe. My mates and I? It is home.