Page 79 of Fire Bound

We promised what we had was forever and I left him before we had our forever. It wasn’t supposed to end this way, we were supposed to grow old and happy at each other’s side.

We barely had any time and it’s not fair.

I don’t want to face just how unfair it is, so I’ll keep my eyes closed and continue to feel at peace.

The hand stops running through my hair as a soft voice says my name, “Remington.” I squeeze my eyes shut tighter and fight to ignore them. “You have to open your eyes, little bird.”

Little bird.

I haven’t been called that in over fifteen years, not since...

Recognition shoots through me and my eyes fly open to stare into familiar green eyes. She looks just as I remember her. I haven’t seen her since I was eight years old, but it’s like no time has passed for her. She’s forever preserved the way she was when she died. “Genevieve.”

Pruitt’s mom and my old alpha female smiles softly down at me. With my eyes open now, I discover my head is resting in her lap. “I can’t believe what a beautiful young woman you’ve become. Thatbothof you have become.” I know without having to ask she’s talking about her daughter. Her small smile falls as her eyes search my face. “You’re not supposed to be here, little bird.”

Her little birds, that’s what she used to call Pru and I when we were little girls. She said it was because we were constantly flitting about.

Sitting up, I look around the space. We sit in a bright, sunny clearing. Purple flowers have blossomed all around us. It’s beautiful, but something feels off. There’s a coldness hiding just beneath the sunshine that’s fighting to get in.

“This is it? Is this the afterlife?” I question. I don’t know what I was expecting, but a forest that looks just like the one at home wasn’t it.

“No.” Gen shakes her head. “It’s not. Think of this as the in-between. A waiting room before you move on.”

“Why am I here?” I ask before I grimace and shake my head. “I knowwhyI’m here. I died.”I’m dead. That knowledge makes every nerve in my body burn with remorse. I’m dead and Jax is alone. “But why am I here in limbo? Why are you here with me? Shouldn’t you be with Archer?”

Gen’s face softens at the mention of her beloved mate. “Don’t worry. Archer is with me. So is Addison and Noah. They’re all waiting for me on the other side. I’m just here to keep you company until you go.” She reaches out and smooths her hand down the side of my face tenderly.

“What do you meango?”

She looks around the clearing. “This is all only temporary. Like I said, you’re not supposed to be here. It’ll all be over soon, little bird.”

I stand to my feet, and she follows suit. “Where am I supposed to be?”

Genevieve just looks at me before placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I’m ashamed that this has all happened because of my family. I wish I could be there fighting with you all, but I’m proud of each and every one of you. You’ve all been braver and stronger than I ever could have,” she says instead of answering my question.

“You’ve been watching us?”

She nods. “I look over you all when I can. It’s been a blessing to watch each of you grow into the people you are now. My daughter...” She trails off like she can’t find the words. “She’s amazing,” she finally utters.

I knew that Pruitt resembled her mom, but seeing Genevieve now, I didn’t realize just how much they looked alike. Gen’s blonde hair is tied into a long braid over her shoulder similar to how Pru frequently wears hers. Their eyes are the same shape and color. They both have the same high cheekbones I would knock Pru over the head to have. And they both have that warm, calming aura around them that makes you feel safe.

“Yeah, she is,” I agree solemnly. “She’s become a great alpha, but I have a feeling she’ll be an even better mom.”

Gen’s face lights up at the mention of Pru’s child.

The blue sky above us makes a loud noise similar to thunder. I jump in surprise, but Gen stays completely still like she knew it was going to happen. Tilting my chin, I watch as the blue sky bleeds away as darkness begins to seep in.

“What’s happening?” I ask. The warm breeze cools, causing goose bumps to develop on my skin as it blows around us.

“Everything will be okay,” Gen reassures me as there’s another boom followed by a cracking sound. It sounds like glass is breaking. Staring at the alarmingly dark and thunderous sky, I watch as black cracks begin to form among the stormy clouds.

“No, something is definitely wrong.” Can’t she feel the eerie chill in the air?

“Sometimes darkness isn’t always bad. Sometimes it’s just righting a wrong,” she comments vaguely as she watches me with knowing eyes.

The leaves that had been vibrant green just minutes ago slowly turn black before dissolving into dust. The purple flowers that had reminded me of Jax’s eyes, also rot away into black nothingness.

Everything that was thriving and alive around us slowly disintegrates as darkness eats it. The wind picks up the black dust, making it swirl around us and stick to the white clothes we wear.

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