LUKAS

FIVE

Anastasia's POV

I was shaken awake by Lukas who was standing above me. "What?" I asked, lazily rubbing my eyes. Didn't he know it was too early?

"Rise and shine, we have to get going." I sat up in the bed and continued my lazy rubbing. Would it kill him if he let me sleep in? "Can't I sleep?" I question him. I narrowed his eyes at me before pulling me out of the bed by my arm. "No. We have a lot that we have to do." He explains. Blah, blah, blah.

"Well can I have a few minutes to find my dignity first?" I ask, combing out my nest with my fingers.

"Your wish is my command. I'll be in the dining room if you need me. We are leaving after breakfast." He says before disappearing out the door.

I slipped the hair tie off of my wrist and tied my hair back into a strict bun. It would be the best it got. I used the small bathroom attached to the room to take care of my hygiene-al needs.

Once I got to the dining room, Ymbi and Lukas looked as jolly as ever sitting in their seats. "Glad to see you this morning." Ymbi greets. I smile and take a seat not too far from Lukas where there was already a drink and plate. I took a sip from the fruity drink and became blessed with it's flavor.

"I hope you two used the bedroom wisely."

I almost spit out my drink at Ymbi's words but instead I just sent the substance down the wrong pipe. Last night's events came flooding back to me. Lukas was no longer as jolly as he was a minute ago. I began coughing into my sleeve as tears brimmed my eyes. Didn't he know manners!? Ymbi's giggles filled the room as he watched the two of us. I hope he was real amused with the show. Hope he got his moneys worth.

"Anyways, lets change the subject here." Ymbi suggests. "Thank you." Says Lukas. I wanted to let out a sigh of relief myself but I'm sure Lukas spoke for the both of us.

For the rest of the time we were in the dining room, Ymbi was speaking a majority of the time. Whenever he had a question either me or Lukas would respond. But soon the meal came to an end. We'd gotten our things and Ymbi and a few warriars were now bidding us goodbyes.

"If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come bye. I'd be happy to help." Ymbi says. I nod and smile as me and Lukas stood side-by-side at the cave entrance. "Of course... We should be going now." Lukas explains, politely. Ymbi nods and waves. We each wave back before turning and heading down the small mountain.

From the mountain, the land around us looked eerie but beautiful at the same time. Mist stayed close to the ground and the mountain was like an island surrounded by a sea of green. "Oh! Anastasia, I have something that I believe is yours." Lukas informs me with a wide smile on his face. I look up at him with confusion written on my face. I don't think I left anything in the cave. "What is it?" I question. I reveals his arm that was previously tucked behind his back. I gasped as I saw what was clutched in his hand.

"The sword!" I say, taking the item out of his hand. The rich material was cold on my palm. "You got it for me!" Excitement laced each of my words. "Thank you, Lukas!" I run my thumb down the golden hilt that stuck out of the scabbard. I smiled as I whipped the sword out of the scabbard hearing the materials scrape against each other. "Now don't get on my bad side." Lukas' eyebrows rose as I pointed the weapon at him in a playful manner.

"Right." He says, lowering my arm. I laugh and tuck the sword back away.

Lukas lead us down the mountain and back into the forest of greenery. It seemed like this was a second home to him due to the way he took turns so confidently.

"You've been to the gorgon's lair a few times I see." I say. He chuckles as he moves a branch out of the way. "No, I haven't. We aren't going to your mother's grave just yet, I'm afraid. I think you need more training." I narrowed my eyes at him. I knew I was barely amateur but I just wanted to get my mother back.

"Where are we going to train then, and how long will we train?" I question him. I needed a time period before I died of curiosity. "We will go to the Elven Woods to train. The elves are one of the best fighting species, next to werewolves and vampires. I hope to stay there for a week at most because I know how eager you are to find your mother." He explains. Although I didn't one hundred percent agree with his plans, I knew my mission was just a dream without his help.

"Alright. But after the Elven Woods, we head straight for my mother." My voice held no room for ifs, ands, or buts. As we progressed through the woods, I kept having to block out mind-links from different pack members. First it was my father, then my siblings, and then Socrates and Orion. I felt guilty for worrying them but it was what had to be done.

_____

Winston's POV

I heard a knock on the door to my house. I had moved out of my castle out of fear that Athanasios would be looking for me there. I would wait some decades before moving back in. If I even lived that long.

I grabbed onto my wooden cane and used it to pull myself up. I slowly made my way to the door with the help of my cane. Yes, my mate's death was finally taking a big toll on me. I could barely hear anything and my sense of smell was gone. I open up the door and was greeted with the person who I least expected to see.

"You look terrible." I say, bluntly. She glares at me before looking down at my cane. "You're not doing too well yourself." I roll my eyes and put more weight onto my cane. "What do you want?" I ask her. "Athanasios' children are living. There's one I want in particular." She says. I shrug and grin to myself. "What makes you think you're going to get my help?" I question her. She's still as delusional as ever.

"I have an offer." She says, hopefully. I snicker and put my hand on the door, ready to close it. "I have everything I want." I began to throw the door closed but she placed a foot in the doorway. "Are you sure about that? Because I have a device that will let you see Athanasios' pain whenever you wish." I paused for a second. He was dying too.

"I'm listening."

"And I will slow down your decaying process so that you will be able to see Athanasios perish because of the pain you caused him. The pain you caused for little Amphite's sake." I swung the door back open. The mention of her name sent my heart racing. "You have a deal." I say holding my hand out. She smiles and shakes my hand.

"That Lukas betrayed me so whatever you do, don't go to him for information." My eyebrows shot up in surprise. So he really was a weasel. He had been feeding me false information. "Will you slay him?" I question her because if she wasn't than I sure was. I might have a cane in my hand but I could still commit the most sinister deeds.

"Of course. He lied to me after all of my years of training him. He deserves the rightful punishment for his actions." She explains. I nod and re-position my cane.

"Have you gotten a plan for this yet?" I ask her. Surely something like this would need critical planning. We were attacking two magic freaks here. "No, but I think we can make a rather brilliant plan. I did teach the both of them all they know." She explains. I smile and think of all the possibilities. I thought of the opportunity to bring another down after all these years.

I was so excited for what was to come.