“The kids are doing target practice. Look after them.” I told Max as I passed my him to go to the secluded area and stood there, waiting for Valerie.
There was a lot of pent up energy in my body, ready to be released. I needed to let it all out of else I felt like I’ll burst from inside out.
“Nikolai.” Valerie looked worried as she approached me. “So much energy… Goddess. Come here.”
I barely controlled myself as I walked to her. My body was vibrating. I could feel each and every cell in my body being charged up, for what? I don’t fucking know.
It wasn’t even that big of a deal.
I’ve been more angry than this for Goddess’ sake.
But I knew… whether I accept it or not… I’ve changed since I’ve spent those seven months in the prison world. I felt like my body was changing. My wolf was quiet, like he was strengthening himself.
Valerie placed her hands on either side of my head and I closed my eyes as she siphoned some of my energy into herself. I could feel the charged energy in my body reduce and I felt like I could finally breathe again.
Valerie released her hold on me and took a step back.
“Why is my daughter glaring at us?” Valerie asked me, her voice barely audible to me.
“Goddess knows what going through that woman’s mind.” I was done with her for today. Her comparing me with Adrik was enough for me to deal with for the day.
We backed away from each other. I brought my hands together and concentrated on releasing some energy in between my palms and then opened my arms wide, making the small ball of energy, fire and air grow into a large ball that fit in between my hands now.
“Begin!” Valerie’s voice whipped in the air and I threw the ball towards her with all my force.
The ball cracked into small particles before it reached even half ways. Her palm was facing towards me and I waited for her next move.
“Javier stayed at the palace.” She said and then raised her palm, rising me up in the air.
“Did you sleep in his room?” I asked and increased the density of air below my feet to cushion my fall a little. But Valerie had different plans.
“Yes. I can feel him in there.” She rotated her fingers, making me spin fast in circles but I kept a level head so that I wasn’t dizzy.
“Even after seven years?” I grunted when she released her hold on me. I was ready for the fall and rolled on the ground so I wouldn’t break any more bones. Without waiting, I pounced on her, grabbed her by her waist and threw her her in the air a couple dozen feet away, towards a large tree and jogged after her.
“He’s my mate.” She shrugged and then uprooted an average sized tree and threw it at me.
The large tree turned into a blow castle slide that cushioned her fall and she slid down to her feet before she landed on the ground again and the tree turned back into itself.
“Doesn’t your soul crave for him?” I couldn’t believe how casual she was about this. But then again, she was used to living without him for so long already.
“Mating someone isn’t just because your wolf craves it. It is because you love each other. It’s a connection that ties your souls together and nothing can break that bond, not even death. Do you know why I’m not sulking for having not met him? It’s because when my time comes and I walk over the moon, I know he will be right there, waiting for me with open arms and a warm, inviting smile.”
That was deep. But I didn’t think I could relate to that. If I didn’t do anything, if I didn’t act on this… innate desire for Ava in my soul… he would have her. And I was selfish enough to want her all for myself.
I had sacrificed myself for her happiness. I had sacrificed my happiness for others a lot of times. It’s about time I fight for my happiness. If I don’t, who will?
I caught the bark of the tree and raised it above my head, doing a couple of chest presses, grinning at Valerie.
“Show off.” She rolled her eyes and in that exact moment, I threw it at her and lit the entire thing on fire. Valerie wasn’t good with fire at all. And it was my forte.
She groaned and tried to extinguish it but it wasn’t happening. She teleported besides me before it could hit her.
The tree crashed on the ground, and rolled for a couple of feet before it stopped.
It created vibrations on the ground and that’s when I realised that everyone was staring at us. With wide eyes. Ava was looking at us, her face blank but her eyes were filled with emotions I couldn’t decipher. Niklaus and Viktoria were standing by her side, looking lowkey scared. Fuck.
I put out the fire from the tree and Valerie put the tree back in its place.
“There is nothing to see.” I said loudly, “go back to your practice.” Everyone quickly turned around and hurried back to whatever they were doing.
“Has your anger cooled down now?” Valerie asked me. “I don’t want be around a grump all day.”
“Well there are other people here, you won’t have the privilege of hanging out with me all day anymore.” I rolled my eyes and began walking towards the palace.
“I’ve got to take you down a couple of notches.” I heard her grumble. “Where is mom when you need her?” Valerie was a little soft, a lot like Ava but Fiyona was a whole another ball game. That woman could kick ass with her power and her words. Mom and her would’ve been best of friends had they known each other.
“Fucking your father.” I smirked. “Catching up on lost time. Trying to make more of you. Doing the dirty. Take your pick.”
“Nikolai!” She whined. “I didn’t need that picture in my mind.”
I laughed, somehow knowing that while it might not seem like it, but everything was going to be okay.