The Italic parts are dreams (memories)

"It's a girl!" the woman whispers in shock as she holds the child while the people around look at each other's face in shock.

"Impossible!" someone whispers.

"The Priest said it would be a boy" the women start to whisper and murmur.

"Someone has to go out and inform the King" the maid looks around the room.

"We...uh...no...he" the women around shakes scared the outcome of the news will only bring death to their door.

"Mistress" one of the maid cries startling everyone and bringing their attention to the mother of the baby.

"She is losing too much blood" the maid informs making everyone jump around in action to aid the Queen.

"No...no...no" The Queen whispers as she thrashes in her bed.

"Take the baby away, clean her before the King sees her" the woman orders handing the baby to someone else, the woman hurries to take the baby away before a bright light shoots in the room and the Queen takes her final breath without anyone's knowledge.

********

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten" the little girl counts as she covers her eyes with her little hands, turning around slowly she giggles when everyone goes to hide way.

Pushing her red curls away from her face she giggles once again before she runs around the forest, away from everyone's hiding spot. Touching the flowers around she hums to herself, playing with herself while others were waiting for her to come catch them.

Dancing around she skips around deeper into the forest, eating the berries and running behind the butterflies.

"What did we talk about wandering alone in the woods, my little one?" a woman's voice makes the girl stop her giggling before she turns around and gasps for getting caught.

Connor too stops and turns to see whose voice it was only to cover his eyes as the brightness makes it difficult to see the woman, he frowns as his lands on the white feathers before he shivers as the little girl runs towards the woman and Connor feels a jab of pain when he tries to see the woman's face.

********

Jerking up at once Connor clutches his head in his hands as the nerve at the side of his forehead throbs in pain and he feels his clothes drenched in sweat. Staring at his hands, he cannot help but stop the shaking.

"So, it's you" Reese voice makes his head snap to find the woman standing at his room.

"What?" he frowns confused as why she was in his room.

"Control yourself and walk out" she requests before she disappears and Connor runs his hand over his face.

After few minutes Connor walks out of his room to find Reese standing outside of his room, silently he follows the woman as she starts to walk away towards the forest.

"I have been feeling a strange current in the air for the past few days at first I ignored it thinking maybe someone was just passing by but it was not the case tonight...

So, I followed the stranger only to find the source of the weird feeling from your room. It seems you have been travelling through dreams"

"I don't..."

"Dreams of someone else's reality" she finishes and Connor stays quiet.

"I won't ask why you are doing it but know it's a dangerous thing to go and invade someone else's privacy" she warns.

"I don't know what is going on, I shut my eyes and I end up there, how, I do not know. Why, I don't want to know but every single time, as if someone is calling me, taking me there" he confesses much to his own surprise.

"When did it start?" she asks him and Connor stares at the darkness ahead for a while making Reese think maybe he will not reply but he does.

"That night when you all were gathered to do some ritual, it felt as if I have seen that before and I have" he states making Reese step closer.

"If you do not mind, may I be of some help?" she asks but he shakes his head no.

"I am sure it will be fine"

"But you said that..."

"I am sorry to disturb your peaceful night, it won't happen again" he states letting her know he won't be sharing anything anymore.

"As you wish, but just know if there is anything I can do to help" she offers and he nods before taking his leave.

"You are one mysterious man, Lord Connor" Reese whispers as she watches his go before disappearing.

********

Connor stares at the flowing river quietly deep in his thought, he shakes his head as sleep tries to lull him back but he fights it as he dips his bare legs in the water.

"Sulking definitely suits you" Jade's voice makes Connor turn around in surprise.

"I did not sense you" he frowns making her grin.

"Of course, you won't, I was being extra sneaky" she smiles before sitting beside him with a deep sigh.

"What brings you here?" he asks and she frowns staring at the cold water.

"Not trying to freeze myself to death of course" she points and he ignores it.

"You brought someone" he points and Jade grins before she turns her head to stare behind them.

"My mate, Jasper" she announces and Connor stiffens before he gets up from his place and stands stepping away from Jade.

"Cute, you know about wolf mates being all jelly" Jade points and Connor stares at the space where Jade's mate was standing.

"Step out" he orders and the man does before kneeling in front of Connor.

"Your Highness" Jasper mutters and Connor raises a brow at Jade who chuckles.

"He is my mate; I am bound to confesses even my sins to him" she states before Connor shakes his head.

"Please stand up, I am not one of the Royals, calling me Connor will do" he asks and Jasper stands up.

"As you ask, My Lord" Jasper states and Connor ignores Jade's wide grin.

"He is sweet" she winks before walking towards her mate.

"Reese sent the message you have not gone back for the past few weeks" she states standing beside her mate who wraps his arms automatically around her.

"You can go inform her I am fine and do not need a nanny" Connor replies and Jade sighs.

"You do not, but how about having a friend?" she asks.

"Jasper can be a very good friend" she points as Connor goes to grab his shoes.

"I think you both have lots in common" she continues and both Connor and Jasper frowns staring at her.

"Jasper was a human once but now he is a werewolf, Ras, why don't you two take a walk" she advices pushing her mate towards Connor.

"Uh" Jasper mumbles unsure.

"I will be back at Reese's place, happy bonding" Jade claps her hands before she dances away from them.

********

"I was a rogue" Jasper confesses and Connor nods before the men grabs few fish from the river.

"I was a farmer" Connor points feeling as if he had to share something as well.

"That means I did not belong to any packs until I met Jade" Jasper smiles politely and Connor nods.

"Guess we have that in common as well" he sighs before they build fire.

"Crispy or half burnt?" Jasper asks as he puts the dead fish near the fire.

"Edible" Connor mutters and Jasper nods before he takes a deep breath and sits on the grass.

"Eighteen, had gone on a camping trip with my friends, last thing I remember about them is being dragged by some wolves...

I will never know why I was the only one who is alive and stuck in this body, change into the same monster that killed them, watched my parents cry, scream for me to be back, but I could never go back home and as time passed by watched them grow older and older and suddenly, they were gone" Jasper shares staring at the fire.

"You learn, you survive, you move on" Connor mutters.

"Yeah, but watching your loved ones die right in front of your eyes, you never move on from that" Jasper points and Connor stays silent.

********

"Farm boy" Jasper calls as he waves his hand towards Connor who frowns rubbing his eyes and looking around.

"I am going to go ahead and check Jade, you coming?" Jasper asks.

"Farm boy?" Connor frowns at the name as if just realizing.

"Well, you were a farmer" he grins.

"Teenager" Connor grumbles making Jasper frown.

"You do realize my sob-story happened more than hundred years ago?" Jasper points and Connor clears his throat before getting up from the ground.

"I am older than you" Jasper points.

"I am younger than you, stronger than you" Connor deadpans making Jasper laugh.

"Breakfast" he points before walking away with a grin while Connor shakes his head with a grin as well.

********

"Give me all the juice" Jade asks her mate as they meet for breakfast and Jasper literally passes the jug of juice her way making her sigh.

"If only you were not my mate, I would have...forget it" Jade waves her hand before she pours herself the juice and drinks it.

"So, what do you think?" Jade asks as she stares at Connor who stares at her blankly.

"My Ras, do you like him?" she asks and he frowns.

"When did other's thought started to matter, Jade" he replies and Jade groans.

"You are not others Connor; I am asking because you matter" she points.

"You are the one who will spend the rest of your life with him, so" Connor shakes his shoulders as if he does not care but Jade smiles knowing him a bit.

********

"It's a wolf" Jasper points making Connor pause at what he was doing.

"It was same with me, for years I never understood, my wolf seeking my mate. Your situation seems similar only difference, from what I have known you already have a mate, so either it's the mating pull or her wolf's trying to lure you" Jasper states and Connor faces Jasper full front.

"Are you spying?" Connor asks and Jasper shakes his head no.

"Your dreams"

"You were spying" Connor narrows his eyes in anger and Jasper rubs the back of his neck.

"You fell asleep and then it was as if..."

"You had no right" Connor at once grabs his collar slamming him near a tree.

"I did not..."

"No right" Connor snarls as an unknown rage surrounds him.

"I did not mean to invade; I did not invade. I was just pointing out..."

"Connor" Jade voice stops Jasper as he stares at Connor who tries to control himself before finally letting go of Jasper.

"I am sorry, I felt a powerful force surrounding you when you fell asleep, I do not know what your dreams were about but I could feel it was related to your mate" Jasper points as Connor steps away.

"I did not invade, My Lord. I am sorry to upset you" Jasper apologizes as he stares at his mate nods her way before walking away.

*******

"I don't know how it starts but it's her past that I have been dreaming about as if she is showing her childhood, her memories to me. Sometimes it's pleasant, sometimes it's not" Connor confesses to Jade as they sit and talk.

"Her wolf?" Jade asks once she knows everything and Connor nods his head.

"It's not her wolf but, the wolf I think it's trying to hint me on to something"

"Like"

"I don't know, until now it's just Crystal's childhood memories but there is someone, some voices, sometimes a man and sometimes a woman, I cannot see them but they are there, before I get to see them or know there is this shot of pain in my head which wakes me up" he points and Jade frowns.

"Anything else that pushes you out of the memories?" Jade asks and Connor sighs.

"Nothing else" he states and Jade nods before patting on his back.

"Can I suggest something?" she asks and he glances her way.

"I have a way to help you connect with the wolf to know what it wants"

"No" Connor shakes his head no.

"It may be of help"

"And expose all of my mate's secret, each of her memories?" he points and Jade sighs knowing she should not push him.

"As you wish" Jade states before she leaves him alone.

"I may not be a perfect mate to her and I am unable to control what I see through my dreams but I cannot betray her by sharing her memories, Jade. It's all hers, it's not even mine. Her hiding spots, her giggles, her thoughts, her reasons, no one have the right to any of those, not even me" he states pausing Jade on her steps.

"I understand Connor, above everything I understand the kind of man you are, so relax, but know I am here, we are here" Jade smiles as her eyes lands on her mate who nods her way.

"Thank you" Connor states as he turns to find Jasper standing far away.

"What are friends for?" Jade smiles at Connor.

"You were blessed with a good mate" Connor points to her and Jade's eyes widens in surprise.

"Thank you" Jade whispers before she turns making her way towards her mate.

********

"When will you come claim me!" the growl is the first thing Connor hears as he falls asleep once again.

Looking around the dark place, Connor frowns as this was not the memories of his mate but a different dream.

"Did you not have had enough now? Stop the tantrum and just come claim me, I am the wolf made for you! I have been waiting and waiting and still waiting, what is stopping you? I am sick and tired being in a girl's body, it's humiliating" the wolf growls and Connor frowns as he feels the wolf's breathe close to his neck.

"I will bring you riches and power, more power than anyone has ever seen. I have ben luring you with the cute memories of your mate, what more do you want, claim me and her before someone else does...

Time's running dear Lord Connor, beware of the future you cannot predict but will lose control over if you stay immobile" the warning rings in Connor's ears as he slowly opens his eyes and stares at the ceiling of his room.

*******

"We are sorry" the maid whispers as she walks out of the door and Antonio glances at the door where no cries of his child were heard but silence echoed.

"My...my mate?" he gulps.

"She is...she is okay but still in shock" the woman states and Antonio nod his head before he steps inside the room and makes his way towards his mate.

Marissa stares at her mate as silent tears falls off her eyes, Antonio says nothing as he sits beside wrapping his arms around her knowing there were no words of comfort left in him to stop the misery, they both were going through.

"Let's go home" Marissa whispers to her mate who nods his head.

"The least we can do is give him a place in his pack" she cries.

"Hmm" he nods as he holds onto her not knowing who needed it more her or him.

"My Queen" one of the maid whispers and Antonio turns his head towards the room to find Crystal sitting at the corner of the room with her hands clutching the side of her head.

"Leave" Adrian asks the women in the room as he steps close to Crystal and pulls her up from her position and without a word starts to drag her out of the room and Crystal lets him drag her without staring at anyone.

*******

"Knock out of it" Adrian asks Crystal as soon as they are in her room.

"You are a Queen, showcasing vulnerability is not an option Crystal. We all are affected with the death of the boy but if you want to grieve, grieve in private" he asks and Crystal stares at him with tear filled eyes.

"How can you be so cruel? Don't you feel the pain, did you not see the misery, did you not hear the cries of their hearts breaking? How can you say I grieve in private when we just lost something so beautiful?"

"Because it's not yours to grieve" his reply makes her take a step back.

"They are our friends! They just lost a child, you don't have to father a child to feel their pain, to share their sadness" she shouts at him.

"And because they are our friends, they do not need us to share their misery but to help them overcome it, so let them deal with their misery alone, while we prepare things and make sure they are strong enough to greet another day...

You are a Queen, they are you friends and guest of this household, it's your duty to make sure everything is prepared for them to give their goodbyes to their child, Crystal. They do not need to see you or me shedding tears for their child...

I do not need to be a father to know the misery of losing a child, but I need to make sure they will not have to worry about anything else but to remember their child. Now, take few moments to collect yourself and get back on to your duties. Your friends lost a child, so be there for them not through tears but understanding" he points leaving her alone.

Crystal wipes her tears as she tries to collect herself and her thoughts shaking the last few hours which was nothing but filled with hope and nerves until the last moment. She wipes her tears as she cannot stop the tears which keeps falling remembering the face of the child, who took its last breath just as they pulled him out of Marissa.

For a moment all of them thought the boy would scream the house down only for them to stare at the boy in shock and in fear as all he did was shudder and then a sigh of not just his first but last breath. It was as if time stopped for everyone along with the boy's life.

********

Antonio stares at the crib where they put the body of his son wrapped in a white cloth, he cannot make himself go and even watch the boy. With a deep breath, he turns to watch his mate who had her eyes on the crib.

"You should rest" Antonio states to his mate who shakes her head no.

"I have a lifetime to take rest, but he won't be there" she whispers and he sighs before he walks towards the crib of the baby and picks the boy up.

Walking towards his mate, he hands her the body and Marissa bites her lower lip as she pushes the cloth to stare at her son's face.

"We will never see what color his eyes would be"

"Marissa, don't"

"I don't want to let go of him" she cries to her mate.

"Please don't" Antonio pleads.

"Why did it have to be us, Gio, why our children, what did we ever do so wrong that we are getting punished in such a cruel way" she asks and Antonio stands quiet as he stares at the child's face.

Crystal stands out of the door and listens to Marissa, as feels sad for her friend.

"Spying does not suit you, little red" Dante's voice makes Crystal stare at him before he grabs her hand and they walk away from the room.

"All the powers in the world but not being able to save your own child, it must feel so wrong and worse" Crystal sniffs.

"It's a sad day, Cry"

"They had so much hope, this time, but...but..."

"What is bound to happen, happen, Red. You or I, none of us can change it"

"But what's the use of being so powerful if we cannot change anything?"

"Power never means change"

"Then protect how about we protect with our powers?" she asks him making Dante sigh.

"I have no clue how to comfort anyone the least I can do is not add the word fuck but know I am screaming it constantly in my head at the situation as this, but Red, what happened is past, let us all move on, the kid was not meant to be with us...

So, let us give our final goodbye so he can at least go on his way peacefully, the more time Marissa holds that child the more attached she will be and it will be difficult to all of us. So, harden up, head high and..."

"Do you think he felt like this when he could not save her?" she asks thinking about her mate and Destiny.

"Who?"

"And he was not even like us, even if we have so much powers, we could not save our own and he was against all of them, all alone. No wonder he hates me"

"Uh, are you distracted?" Dante frowns.

"No one could save her, no one was there for her"

"Her? Who?"

"And he was all alone"

"He? Uh, Red are you okay? Are we discussing same topic?" Dante asks confused and Crystal shakes her head before she starts to walk away from him.

"I cannot just stay still and do nothing" she states making her way towards Marissa's room.

*******

"The boy was just not strong enough; he could not do it all alone I guess" the maid sighs as they walk out carrying the bloodied clothes.

"What?" Crystal asks as she stands in front of the maid.

"My Queen"

"What did you just say?" Crystal asks again.

"We are..."

"No, repeat it again, what do you mean by he could not do it all alone?" she asks the maid who glances around before staring at Crystal.

"Well, what I mean was uh...well it would have been nice if the boy had help you know"

"What kind of?"

"Well, back in days some witches would help out in delivery, they did their magic to control the bleeding from the mother and help the baby to breath easily, sometimes the bloodline is not strong enough to protect them" the maid states before she excuses and hurries out leaving Crystal with a frown.

"Bloodline not strong enough?" she whispers before something flashes in her mind and with a new determination Crystal walks in Marissa's room.

*******

"Hey" Crystal states as she slowly makes her way to where Marissa was still with the baby in her arms.

"Hi"

"Can I?" Crystal asks to hold the baby and Marissa glances and Antonio who nods.

"We have decided to say our goodbyes to him in our pack, he is part of the pack so" Antonio points and Crystal nods her head as she carefully takes the baby.

"Whatever you want" she whispers distracted as she eyes the boy.

"Also, thank you for everything" Antonio adds and Crystal glances at the man in front of her before she stares at Marissa and then the boy in her arms.

"We would have been celebrating if he was..." she stops.

"There is no need to think about what ifs"

"But if there was something to bring the boy back would you have tried it?" she asks the couple who frowns.

"What do you mean?" Antonio asks as he takes a step towards Crystal.

"What if I have a way to bring him back?" she offers and Antonio stiffens as he glances at his boy.

"Give me the baby Crystal" he asks.

"I have to try" Crystal whispers.

"Crystal, the baby, give it to me"

"I want to see you both happy, after everything" she whispers.

"Crystal, give that baby to me"

"I do not know if it will work but, but let me try"

"Crystal" Antonio gulps before stopping as he feels his mate holding him back.

"Crystal, it's okay honey, no one is blaming you or anything, just give the baby back"

"I just...he...he could be so much more"

"We know, but it's okay. We do not need to try anything, so give the baby, please" Marissa pleads but Crystal shakes her head no.

"None of you got to meet her, she would have made everyone laugh and then she would get bossy, he would not have hated our kind if she was alive" Crystal cries.

"Crystal" Marissa whispers in shock.

"Let me try, please, at least let me try and save this one"

"Please don't, it's not right"

"Then what is? What is right, Gio? What really is right in here?" Crystal asks.

"What are you planning?" Marissa asks more calmly.

"Just my blood, I just want to see if it will..."

"No" Marissa shakes her head no.

"It's too unpredictable" Marissa states.

"Do it" Giovani is the one who states and Marissa stares at her mate in shock this time.

"Gio" she whispers.

"I don't know if it will work or not, but if there is even a little chance of him coming back, I don't care, do it" Giovanni asks and Marissa tightens her grip on his hand before he steps back and sit next to her.

"I cannot let you go through it again and again, baby and if her blood will revive our son, so be it"

"It's not right" Marissa whispers.

"Nothing is, I just am a bit greedy and selfish to want to see my son take a breath, to see the spark in your eyes back and not watch you die little by little, Marissa"

"Gio"

"If this works, we will save so many of the babies life, so many mates will not be barren" Crystal adds before she bites on her wrists making a cut.

"I could not save one but I will die trying to save others, the pain my mate went through loosing Destiny, no one shall go through that same pain" Crystal whispers as she stares at the baby before putting her bloodied wrist closer to the baby's mouth and then they wait.

*******

The cries of the baby shake the wall of the palace, alerting every guards along with stilling everyone's movement. The hurried steps of the men echo through the hallway before they burst through the door.

"Please welcome, the first born of Giovanni and Marissa Antonio to the world, Enzo Antonio" Crystal smiles at the men at the door as their eyes moves from hers to the couple smiling at the fidgeting baby.

"Enzo?" Dante frowns in disbelief.

"A name perfect for a winner, Enzo" Crystal states before she feels someone grabbing her hand and her eyes meets with Adrian's angry ones.

"Tell me you did not" he grits.

"You do not have to be a mother to give a life to a child" is all Crystal states before she stares at the couple who never looked so alive before the very moment.