Page 60 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

With a yell of dismay, I leap at Clara, slamming into her and throwing her to the ground. I keep her pinned under me as the flash goes over us. A powerful snap echoes through the air, as if lightning just struck above our heads.

I only made it because of my preternatural speed. Clara was helpless!

“Mom!” Nico screams, running over to us. “Are you okay? Mom?”

“I’m okay,” Clara says, soothing him. “It was my fault for not paying attention.”

“It was my fault,” I say firmly. “None of this is on you, Nico. I should have made sure the area was clear.”

“I don’t think I want to do that again,” he says nervously, his voice shaking.

“Hey,” I say, taking Nico’s shoulders and looking into his eyes. “You don’t have to be afraid, okay? I’m right here, looking after both of you. I know that was close, but we’re alright. Even better—we learned something! How about this time, instead of having your eyes closed, you focus on a tree or a rock?”

“I don’t know,” Nico says, looking at his hands. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“That’s exactly my point, son,” I say gently. “We need to find out what happens. That’s the only way we can keep you—and everyone else—safe.”

Nico nods. His face is tense but determined. I stand up and turn him away from us, keeping Clara behind me as I look for a suitable target.

Buried deep beneath the calm face I’m putting on for Nico, a boiling pit of fear threatens to consume me. Images of Clara’s broken, burned body crash through my mind, searing my nerves with panic.

I couldn’t handle it if something happened to her!

Nico looks over his shoulder, and I smile, giving him a thumbs-up. He smiles back.

“Are you sure you’re alright, Mom?” he asks.

Clara nods. “Perfectly okay, sweetie. I’ve got some dirt on me, and I’ve had better hair days, but I’m fine.”

Nico’s smile grows, and he turns back around. After a moment, he points to a decent-sized tree.

“Okay, Dad,” he says. “Should I just go for it?”

“Sure,” I say. “Just do the same thing you did before, but think about hitting the tree, nothing else.”

“Right,” Nico says softly. I watch the orange glow flicker across his body, rising through his chest and then intensifying in his hands. When the color begins to burn bright white, Nico raises his arms and lets the energy go with a little cry of effort.

A shimmer of energy rushes across the clearing, hurling leaves and dirt into the sky as if a tornado is ripping through the woods. I hold on to Clara as the bolt hits the tree, shattering it into sawdust.

For a moment, all I can do is stare. There is no wreckage, no roots or branches left. Only big piles of woodchips and dust.

“Wow, Dad,” Nico says breathlessly, looking at the destruction. “Did I really do that?”

“Yes, you did,” I answer, and Clara pushes past me to hug him.

“You did great, baby!” she says. “How do you feel?”

“Really good,” Nico says, looking at his hands. “I actually feel better than before, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

“That means we should do it again!” I say excitedly. “Come on, kiddo, let’s see what you can do!”

I grab Nico’s hand and position him in front of another tree. This time, the process of drawing up the magic takes less time, and the bolt of energy he directs is much more focused.

“This is great, Dad!” Nico exclaims, laughing. “I don’t feel scared anymore!”

“Excellent,” I answer, hugging him. “We didn’t find out much while we were away, but we did find out that if you’re scared of your power, it will be a curse, not a blessing.”

Nico looks at his hands, his eyes wide. “I’m not sure it’s a blessing,” he says.

---