Page 41 of Fated to Monsters

"My pleasure." Cam places his hand over his chest and looks at Willow. "My love." Another buzzer rings through the air and captures his attention.

Willow tilts her head, nodding toward the opposite side of the kitchen. “This way,” she says while peeling back the paper on her muffin and taking a bite.

No longer wanting to hold back from devouring this warm thing in my hand, I do the same and follow her out. I suppress a moan and swallow the soft decadence he created. “I can’t imagine this tasting better.”

Willow grins. “He really is an incredible baker. Cam may create some wild concoctions from time to time but there isn’t anything that man makes that isn’t delicious.”

It’s sweet to hear her speak of him so highly but she’s not exactly lying, and this muffin is proof.

We go down another hall that is almost identical to the other ones weaving their way around this expansive house. Any other person might have lost sense of direction, but this kind of thing has always come naturally to me. That’s a surefire way to get yourself into unnecessary danger. One can never be too sure if they’re being led to their death, even if it’s by a newfound family member.

“Sydney tells me you’re staying at the old estate?” Willow keeps her strides matching mine and bites off another bit of her muffin.

“Yeah, we sort of stumbled upon it and didn’t really know where else to go.”

“Well.” She glances over at me briefly. “I believe sometimes we find ourselves in places we’re supposed to be without understanding how. I can’t imagine how my life would have turned out had I not gone to Harper Academy.”

“You weren’t always planning on going there?”

"Honestly, I was at a crossroads. I had been caring for my mother most of my life and didn't think I could take the time away to do something that would mean abandoning the role of caretaker. It was hard allowing myself that chance to stretch my proverbial wings, but it was something I felt called to do. I knew I wouldn't be far, and my uncle agreed to step in temporarily while I figured things out. Had he not pushed me, I don’t think I would have. From the second I stepped foot in that academy, my entire life changed. Nothing was ever the same, and as difficult as the next few years of my life would be, I’m grateful for every second of it.”

“The curse, that’s right. Sydney mentioned you had great obstacles to overcome to break it.”

Willow nods, rounds a corner, and continues walking. "Yes, to say the least. But in doing so, not only did I liberate myself, but so many others. And had I not, I wouldn't know the true nature of who I am. Every struggle, painful and traumatic as they may have been, brought me here today; I wouldn't have stepped into my power, met my mates, my friends, my family, or been able to help others without everything unfolding the way it did. It may have been a simpler life, but us Oliver's…" She nudges me with her elbow. "We're not much for taking the easy way out."

Every word she says speaks directly to my soul. My life has been chaotic from the start. Ripped from my mother at an early age, I spent every day after training to become the best at what I do—killing. I harnessed and tapped into my anger to unleash the ultimate soldier who fought in a war that never should have been waged.

Willow reclaimed her power and fought a similar evil.

I'm not convinced she'd still want me as her family if she knew the truth about who I was and what I had done.

Would I still have become that person if my mother wasn't brutally slain? If my father had been involved? What if Prania had never been overrun by hunters who wanted to eradicate every demonic creature in existence? The plethora of possibilities and what-ifs do nothing to change the fact that I am the person I am, and that I have done the things that I've done.

But as Willow said, each painful reality is what made her who she is today. Had I not gone through every single thing I did, would I be standing here with her? Maybe this is all part of the plan that brings me to whatever purpose I’m supposed to have. Maybe I have more suffering to endure before I can step into the next chapter of my life.

I cling to the hope that one day, perhaps my life will be as grand as hers.

And if it isn’t, I’ll die trying to make it happen.

“I’d love to talk to you more sometime,” she says to me while slowing her pace. “I’m afraid my schedule is rather full at the moment, but in the coming months, I may be able to carve some time out.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat.Months. I can’t wait that long for answers. I didn’t expect every one of my questions answered today, but matters are still pressing, and I don’t have the luxury of time on my side.

“I do hope that Sydney can give you a warm welcome in my absence though, and as Cam said, don’t be a stranger.” Willow lingers near a door which I’m guessing leads to wherever she must be off to. Given the circumstances, it could be the outside world or a whole other realm entirely.

“I…I need your help,” I blurt out. “I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t necessary.” Requesting aid from anyone has never really been my strong suit, and the sinking pit in my stomach is a reminder of why I’d like to never do it ever again.

“Sydney is a master scholar, if there’s any research you need done, he’s the most equipped for the job.”

“He said he already did and couldn’t find anything.” I grow angry at the weakness in my voice—at the hopelessness blooming in my chest.

“I understand how frustrating it can be to struggle to find the answers you’re looking for.” Willow breathes in deeply and exhales. “I have a meeting with Headmaster Walker later. I’ll see what I can figure out…” She seems to lose track of where her sentence was going.

I wait for her focus to return and plead with the Angels to bring with it good news.

“Have Sydney bring you by the academy around 7:00 p.m. I have an idea.”

An idea—that’s surely better than nothing at all, and regardless of how vague it may be, I cling to the prospect of its possibilities.

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