The Beast Within Us

Chapter 26: Mirror, Mirror

Conan's POV:

Candice and Delilah walk off to train and prepare together. I did not follow. Heaven only knows I would just get in their way. I wouldn't want to see Delilah get hurt, but I can't do anything to put a stop to what is about to happen tonight.

I take one last sad look at the stone in the wall. Every muscle in my body wants nothing more than for me to break down that stone barrier and tear apart Juliette's study in search of something that could bring me closer to her...

It took all of my strength just to turn my head away. Eventually, I was able to find some remaining power to walk away from it. Every step I take to my own study fills my heart with dread. It hurts that I must walk away from the last bits of Juliette's memory, but it will hurt even more if I stay.

I open the door to my study. I groan as the scar on my chest begins to burn. I face my standing mirror and open up my shirt, remembering the night I was attacked and left for dead in my own office. The wound was healed but the scar will never go away. Never. Maybe I deserve the constant reminder of the night I could have lost everything.

I look at my own eyes. Dark circles and dull green eye stare right back at me. I can't remember the last time I slept soundly without fear or anger keeping me up all night. When does an Alpha Male ever get to sleep really? There is always something keeping them up and alert. A never-ending danger lurks in the darkness, a threat to their home.

I let out a huff of air and button up my shirt- my scar no longer burning like a hot stovetop. I walk over to my desk and sit back in my chair. Thoughts of what is to come swirl in my mind as I close my eyes in an attempt to rest just a little bit.

I think of my pack and this upcoming war we are faced with. The news hasn't gotten out yet but when it does people will panic. Mother's will cry and many will be angry. I think of Caitriona and our broken family and how maybe... just maybe if she had been more calm and collected our parents would still be alive... just maybe...

I think of Delilah and how in the face of her own mortality she still holds her head up high, unfazed by the words of doubt from others. I involuntarily smile at the thought of her, happiness not being something I have felt in a while.

It feels nice to smile.

"It is so good to see you smiling ear to ear again." A sweet voice whispers.

My eyes snap open and I sit up in my seat, looking for the origin of the voice. My eyes widen as I look at the figure in my mirror, a bright smile plastered on their hazy face.

"Juliette..?" I whisper.

"Nice to see you too." She laughs.

I stumble out of my chair and make quick yet hesitant strides towards my mirror. She raises her hand up as I press my palm on the mirror, the cold glass keeping us apart. I fall to my knees, never thinking I would gaze upon her face ever again.

I let out a shaky breath and press my forehead against the mirror, "You have no idea how much I miss you, how much I just want to hold you! I could never find your totem pole, I never knew your last thoughts! I--"

"Conan." She interrupts.

I raise my head up and look at her, I could see that she felt sad for me. She knew I wasn't doing well, that I don't sleep well anymore. she could always see through me.