The Temptation of Sin And The Lycan Princess

76. The Sounds of the Night

SKYLA.

The moon has risen, but despite the silence of the night, everyone is awake in the Rossi

mansion.

I can hear the quiet conversations, the deep discussions, the occasional shout.

Out here, I can also hear the sound of insects in the garden. The soft wind is blowing through the trees and the passing comments and

commands of the guards and others around can

be heard.

This feeling… it’s unexplainable…

I feel… content, sorrowful and…different.

I don’t even know how to explain it.

I’m sitting on the back steps, staring out into the night sky. I’ve done this so many times in my life, but today I feel like I’m no longer the Sky I once was…

My eyes sting and I tug at the sleeves of my long

-sleeved top as I exhale slowly.

Some things just stay… changing you even.

I killed my given mate.

It’s… an odd feeling…

I know I’m not a monster. I had to do what I had

to and to break the hold Apophis had on him,

and on this planet, I had to end him.

He didn’t care for me, and that was proven in those last moments. 2

He wasn’t bothered about me… but he was shocked that his brother helped kill him…

Royce is quieter, and I don’t blame him. I want to be there for him, and I will be, but he’s also being that rock for his family. Even Charlotte cried, despite refusing to let a sound escape her. 1

He’s with his mother right now, and she needs him.

She’s down on the firepower right now, and I know we will see that fiery warrior Luna again one day, but for now, she needs to heal… 2

I stare at the sky, resting my head against the

door frame.

Life.

It’s painful, beautiful, terrifying, yet for those of us who get to live another day, it’s precious…

“Meow.”

I smile as Malevolent jumps into my lap, and I cuddle her tightly. 1

“Hey Mal…” I say, stroking her head as she purrs in approval.

At least on this journey of life, I’ll always have her and Royce.

I turn when I hear footsteps behind me, sensing Raihana before I see her.

She pauses when she spots me. She’s wearing an oversize cardigan over her tiny sports bra and shorts, her arms wrapped around herself.

“Sorry, I didn’t realise our lioness was out

here.” She says with a small smile, about to leave when I stand up.

“You don’t need to leave.”

She turns back.

“Are you sure?”

She’s lost weight, and call me fucking crazy, but I feel her eyes have aged if that even makes

sense.

I nod as I walk over to her, gently letting

Malevolent down.

“I’m sorry… about Chris,” I say, ok I’m not a hugger but… I step forward, awkwardly hugging

her.

She relaxes and wraps her arms around me, giving me a squeeze.

a good place.” She whispers, but I can sense the pain in

slowly, “This all happened because of Aleric,

want to admit it, but this was a fight between Apophis, Aleric, Bastet, Me, Helios and Royce, and although I don’t want her to, if

blame us, it would

became a victim of our

something they have no hand in, we will always be the losers. My prince was an Alpha, a warrior and a protector. He died for being a good

him well.” Her voice breaks and she looks away. “I talked to Uncle. I’m ready to bid him farewell. We are having his funeral tomorrow with

who

her head away and I wrap my arms around her again.

a queen, and I know it’s easier said than done… but you

I will take my place as the head of the Coven of England. It’s time I do my part and I know the workload will keep me busy and my mind off

move to the Coven?” I ask, my heart skipping a

can teleport with ease, just a simple spell. The children need me. I can’t abandon them.” She says, “Plus, I don’t think I can survive.

“Guess Heaven could use the

true. We do need

pack. What have

fingers through her hair as we step apart.

heard that she put Mama Red into a deep slumber before she

Sephora’s body… well, Delsanra burned it before anyone could see it. Whatever she did was dark, that much I know, but when Mama Mari had asked

was thinking earlier that although

I did kill

when a bond is

frown, shaking my

I just… it was like I felt something weak or brittle break inside of me. It’s weird but there was no gut-wrenching pain… Whatever was between us was already past the point of salvaging… It hurt seeing Royce like

hurt knowing he had to do that

gives my upper arm a

((

standing there holding a mug of

an oversized shirt and

in the neck when I realise

Chris’s. 5

Raihana says as she wraps her arms around her

look away, trying to control my own pain. I

meet Uncle Liam, who

thought the Rossi Princesses might also want some hot chocolate,” he says

a mug

say, taking

smiles as Heaven moves back,

N

and Liam offers her the

a warm

“Thanks,” Raihana says.

time.” He replies before excusing himself.

sip our drinks silently as Heaven sits down on the steps once more, and I take a

late… but I’m sorry for your

but he’s become quieter and closed

never done this before.

someone so close

before.

not afraid of death…

it leaves on

back,” Raihana says as she walks inside, leaving

She’s giving us space.

fine… I’m fine.” She says quietly, staring at the grass in front of

going to force you as these things happen at their own fucking time, but when you’re ready, let it out.

her pain, and for a moment I feel I’m suffocating in it before

dad said to me… that no matter who hurts me, no matter if I’ve messed up, or if my heart is broken or hurting, that he’ll be there. That I’ll always have him, and I can come back to him. That he’ll always have my back…. He never told me what I

Her voice breaks before she

tears

chocolate. 16

from her shaking hands, not knowing what to

voice says

turn to see Rayhan

I can still see the soot on him, meaning he just got back now. He’s in a pair of black jeans as he walks over and sits down on the other side of

his arms around her, kissing the top of her

if he’s not here, then I will be. I’ll always be here for

he says quietly as she

Thank God for that…

Uncle.” She

and wrinkling her nose. “You smell

the rubble…” He replies

wry smile.

I ask

know how

missing persons

before Heaven

as she wipes

first,” she says as she takes a tissue

“What is?” Rayhan asks.

taking pictures of you

my

Rayhan asks, cocking

Oh SHIT. 3