Page 65 of War Games

The days ticked by. I checked on the healing progress every day. When he wasn’t around, I would test my strength on my feet, the early days being a huge struggle. Eventually, I could hold my own weight. I was shaky, but it was enough. I didn’t go for the window, not immediately. Hasan deserved a chance to see me off.

He walked in, a tray of food in his hands, and saw me standing next to the bed, a fresh set of clothing on. He kicked the door closed behind him without saying anything.

“I’m ready to head out now,” I said with a smile. “Isn’t this great? My legs healed. Everything is healed, actually, but the legs were the real problem.”

“I’m glad to see you moving around,” he said carefully, putting the tray down. “But are you certain you don’t want to stay? Hasn’t it been nice here, away from all the problems off the island? No werewolves in your space, no witches looking to take over the continent, no werecats wanting to berate you for making the wrong choices about ruling them…”

“It’s been nice, but I miss the home I built. I miss my land, my territory…” I rubbed my hands together, wanting to say the last piece. “I miss Heath and the family I have with him.”

“And what family is that?” Hasan asked coolly. “Single father with two children, one who hates practically everything and is an active danger to you, and the other is a mortal who mightget killed by everything going on around you and him? That family?”

“Landon doesn’t… hate everyone and everything like that. He doesn’t,” I whispered, shaking my head.

“No response about Carey?”

“I won’t let anything happen to her,” I said, swallowing the overwhelming fear at even the idea. A world without her was a world I couldn’t begin to fathom, a world I didn’t want to consider. The concept brought the telltale signs of potential tears.

“I’m sure Heath has been trying to tell himself that since the day she was born. Look at how far it’s gotten him.”

“Stop this, Hasan. It’s mean,” I said, rubbing my eyes to try to stop even the slightest hint of tears. “We can make this work. We have been for a few years now. We can do this.”

“You will get killed or get one of them killed. I wouldn’t miss the werewolves, but Carey deserves a safer existence.”

“I know,” I murmured but shook my head at the same time. I needed to go home. I couldn’t stay here. I couldn’t let myself be wrapped in bubble wrap and kept on the shelf as the perfect, safe daughter who didn’t have a life, who left behind her love, and gave up on what she believed in.

I couldn’t live that existence. If I could, I would have picked it while I was still human.

“Then why are you fighting with me?”

“Because it’s not me! This isn’t me!” I cried out, pointing at my chest, hoping he would understand. “And it never will be.”

His eyes were hard as he approached.

“You don’t know that until you try,” he growled.

“I don’t need to try. The idea is just that unappealing. I know it won’t make me happy,” I said, continuing to shake my head as I stepped back from him. “Hasan, let me leave.”

“No,” he growled.

“Then I’ll reach out to the rest of the family to get me out of here,” I said, accepting that it was the only way. Zuri and Jabari would get me out. Niko could try. Subira… she definitely would.

“You wouldn’tdare,” Hasan snarled.

I went to the window and pushed it open. They would make him understand.

“You would betray me, the only loving father you’ve ever had, for those fucking werewolves?”

That hit the mark. I knew I was going to give up something I wanted for my entire life if I finished climbing out the window.

I went out and fell into the courtyard. Subira was there and saw me, her eyes wide. My siblings ran out, some on Hasan’s side as he landed behind me and some with her.

“What on earth is happening?” Subira asked, her voice not carrying the power it normally had.

“She’s trying to run off to those werewolves to get herself killed! Subira, make her realize she’s going to break this family! Look at this. Now, she has us fighting against each other!”

I didn’t hear any responses. Battle lines were drawn, and I was in the middle, but the fight never broke out. The ground shook, and a crack appeared underneath me. Before I could get away from it, the world split in half, and I fell into the darkness.

Those words echoed in my mind—she’s going to break this family.

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