I took off in the middle of night.

After todays fiasco, I decided to take matters into my own damn hands, I had to find a way to make up for my past aggressions with Starla? So, I thought it was befitting for me to do so in this way.

That's why I'm standing out here at nearly two in the morning in front of the damn care center.

I wanted to reach out to the Oracle for Starla. Hoping that the Oracle will talk to me and at least find it somewhere in her heart to help me with the broken pieces of the sword.

I know she cares for Starla so maybe if I could just get a few moments alone with her I could somehow convince her to help her. Us!

Starla had another unwelcoming meeting tonight with her unknown stalker. The fucking bastard.

She was so damn terrified, screaming out horrifically, unfortunately she was sleeping alone tonight, meaning that no one was there to console her afterwards.

But Navin and I both heard her screaming bloody murder from our own guest bedrooms at the castle. Luckily we were both just down the hall from her when it happened.

That's what prompted me to sneak out of the castle tonight to come here. Navin wanted to tag a long with me but I refused to allow to come.

Starla needed someone there for her and I'm pretty sure I can handle this on my own, hopefully.

Climbing the few steps up to the entrance of the care center, I hesitate searching the grounds for any unsuspecting followers. With all of the guards at the High Royal castle it took a hell of a lot of ingenuity for me to escape the castle. I'd hate it if they just happened to follow me.

Stepping through the threshold I notice that the place doesn't have a lot of protection surrounding it.

I'm glad though because it makes this mess a hell of lot easier for me to sneak in unnoticed.

There is four main hallways flowering out from the main corridor. Scrunching my face up in confusion because I have no fucking idea which damn hallway I should even choose.

The main desk is currently vacant thankfully, I slow step my way to the moon shaped desk, quietly searching the papers that's thrown haphazardly upon it.

This place can use some better security, it was far too easy for me to break in, how do they expect to protect their own damn patients this way?

Searching through the stacks of papers I finally hit the jackpot, finding Padias's name among the many on the list. Room 411, so I'm assuming it's down the fourth hallway.

Now which one is the fourth hallway?

I could smack myself for not noticing it sooner the numbers of the hallway are clearly marked above each halls entrance. Stupid! I chastise myself.

Slowly I walk my way down the fourth hallway looking for room 11, finally striking gold, I found the room but before I entered it I turn my head both ways making sure that no one notices my progress.

Cracking the door slowly opening it, I peek my head around the door, the room is cast in shadows but I can hear a man softly snoring in it.

Edging my way into the room, I close the door gingerly behind me.

"Who's there?" A female voice suddenly echos throughout the room. I jump, startled that someone is actually awake and preoccupying the room.

"Urmella?" I whisper, hoping that I have actually entered the correct damn room.

"Yes. Who are you?" She ask with a slight tremble in her voice. A soft light turns on instantly, the sudden appearance of the light causes me to blink a few times before my eyes can get adjusted to it.

When my focus finally comes into view the woman's appearance is actually shocking.

When anyone talks about the wise Oracle I always pictured her as some elderly woman with greying hair and wrinkles, this woman is anything but that.

She's actually a lot younger than I thought and very beautiful. Her stunning blue eyes can capture a soul if the soul is willing. Amazing.

"I'm King Nikos. I'm one of Starla's mates I came to talk to you." I edge my way further into the room halting at the end of the care center bed looking over at the bed to what I'm assuming is her husband laying in it.

He looks nothing like what I had imagined either. Younger than what I originally thought that's for sure. He looks banged upped though, red gashes and scratches are marking his face, both of his arms are in two cast and one leg is propped up in a device that's holding it up high off of the bed. He doesn't look to good.

"Is he going to be okay?" I absentmindedly ask but with sincerity about his welfare.

"Yes. Now he is anyway. It was touch and go there for awhile but he's going to make a full recovery." She says it so hopefully that I turn my full attention to her smiling.

"Good. I'm glad. I'm sorry about what happened to him and you but I'm hoping that you might be able to help me." I wistfully ask, staring down at her. She's holding her mates hand in hers. Tracing her thumb along the back of it gently. "And Starla." I finally add.

She sighs, "I'm not sure if I can." She says, looking at her mate on the bed forlornly. "If I do he will kill my mate. I can't allow for that to happen. I'm sure you understand how I feel!" She eyes me hopefully.

I can understand where she is coming from, I wouldn't want to be in her position right now but unfortunately I already once was.

"Starla is my second chance mate. I lost my first mate years ago. She was murdered. So I do understand where you are coming from." I hate to talk about Abiit. It hurts so damn much, even speaking her name makes me want to break down and cry like a little baby but I have to do this, I have to help, I have to save my mate, I have to do this for Starla.

"Now Starla is in almost the same exact position as my first mate was in. A cowardly monster took her away from us. Me and my brother. I can't allow that to happen to Starla, I don't think I would be able to go on living if something happened to her. This is my second chance Urmella. My second chance to be there for my mate, to protect her like I couldn't with my first." I didn't realize I was crying until I felt a teardrop fall on my hand that's holding the end of her mates bed. "She needs me and this is the only way I can help her."

Wiping away the embarrassing tears quickly, I take a chance and look back over to Urmella. Her sorrowful gaze upon me makes me start to fidget. I don't want anybodies pity, I've never welcomed it. All I want is to somehow avenge Abiits death then killing this monster for Starla, then just maybe being able to finally start a new life with Starla and finding someway to actually be happy again.

"So please can't you find in your heart to help us? Help her? You are all we have at this moment Urmella. King Talon tried earlier tonight but he wasn't able to do it. You are our, her, last and only hope." Urmella looks over to her mate fondly.

Sighing again she holds out her hand with her palm facing up. "I'll try but I want protection. Guards. For me and my mate." She says vehemently. "Promise me!"

"Anything you want. I'll do anything." I excitedly tell her not being able to believe that she is actually going to help us.

I reach into the back of my pocket of my jeans, pulling out the broken piece of the sword. I wrapped it in one of Starla's shawls earlier. Unwrapping the burgundy shawl from the broken piece of the sword, I hand it over to her.

She half-smiles wrapping her fingers around the piece, she closes her eyes and starts to mumble under her breath unrecognizable words.

A bright orange illumination of light sparks out from around her fingers, looking like a burning fire, nearly blinding me. I cover my eyes with my forearm from the intensity of the light casting out of her hand.

Then as suddenly as it appeared it disappeared just as quickly.

Urmella, opens her eyes and from what I see shadowing in them it suddenly terrifies me.

"She is in extreme danger. There are three remaining sword pieces left. One is the Hollow Realm. One is in the Demon Realm but the other I could not see. It's cast in shadows far away from here. Way too far for even my sight to reach." She says it so robotic like. Like it's another person talking completely, like she's being fucking possessed by something. It's haunting to watch her.

"The man who is after Starla wants her for revenge. He is trying to avenge a loved one that he has lost. I can't see his face but he has these unique abilities that I have never seen before." She suddenly snaps out of her trance, breathing heavily, with her head lulling down over onto her chest.

I slowly walk up to her, worried that she might have fainted, as soon as I get near her, her head bounces up sharply then she sucks in a dramatic breath. Scaring the ever loving shit out of me.

"A-are y-you alright?" I ask shakily, stumbling over my own damn words.

"Yes it just takes a lot out of me." She breathlessly tells me. Holding her hand up against her chest.

"Is there anything I can do?" I cluelessly ask. Unfamiliar with her amazing ability.

"No it will pass," she snaps her head to me quickly, "go! Take care of Starla she is in more danger than you or I even realized. This...person will stop at nothing until she is dead. If you want to save her find the broken pieces of the sword quickly. You are running out of precious time!" She warns me frantically, handing me back the broken piece of the sword.

"Send the guards like you promised and go!" She demands, pushing me away from her.

"Thank you." I hurriedly tell her, she nods her head as I take off out of the door not even giving her one last final glance.

Returning back to the High Royal castle, I discreetly make my way back into Starla's bedroom.

Navin is lying beside her in her bed, spooning her, thankfully she's finally asleep and snoring softly.

Taking tiny steps into the room,  I walk over to the side of the bed that Navin is currently occupying. 

"Navin?" I whisper very lowly, he turns his head looking at me groggily, when he finally realizes it's me he gently releases Starla from his embrace, sliding off of her bed, he follows me out into the hallway. Closing the door gently behind him.

"Well?" He impatiently asks me.

I swiftly fill him in on all that occurred at the care center with Urmella. Describing it all to the very last single important detail.

When I finally finished filling him in on everything, I was totally surprised at his emotional reaction to it.

"We have no idea where the hell the last piece is? How are we going to be able to kill him if we don't even know the location of it Niko?" Well, I guess he's not suppressing his anger, shockingly.

"Calm down at least we got this much. She didn't have to do it and she wouldn't have I didn't tell her about what happened with Abiit!" That definitely shut him rather quickly.

"Sorry I just can't stand this." He says unabashedly.

I completely understand.

"Did you tell her everything?" He ask bewilderingly.

Hell no!

Him and I are the only ones to know the horrible circumstances that lead up to Abiits untimely death. The fewer the people that know anything about it the better.

"No. I didn't go into all of that. I only told her the minute basics." I say gruffly.

I would never disclose that horrible scenario to anybody.

"Good. Then I guess we're going to the Hollow Realm tomorrow. We need to inform Alis and Demir of our plans otherwise Starla would be upset if we don't unfortunately include them. But please don't let her exes know what we are up to." He ask me pleadingly.

And yet again, I completely understand.

I don't want her exes around either, if I had my choice I would gladly send them all on their way. Somewhere far away we're they would never be able to reach Starla ever again.

"I won't!" I promise him and I'll make damn sure that they won't ever find out about any of it.

They found out!

Thanks to fucking Demir and his big ass mouth.

We were all sequestered in the main ball room working through our plans to move forward when low and behind the three fucktards invaded our private sanctuary.

Liam the leader of the fucked up trio wedge his way into our circle, standing directly beside Starla, I might add, and viewed over every damn parchment we had laid down on the table.

Demir had good intentions when he swiftly swiped the parchments off of the table rather abruptly, trying to keep them from Liam's prying eyes.

A little to late perhaps but at least he did try. Unfortunately, after the inevitable argument that followed between Demir and Liam.

Liam found out all that he needed to know about our upcoming plans to visit the Hollow Realm.

Now, we have three pesky Tagalongs coming with us thanks to Demir and also King Talon.

King Talon suggested or rather demanded that the more people that went along on this forthcoming journey the better.

Stating that there was more safety in numbers.

I couldn't even argue with his reasoning on the matter, but I truly fucking hate it!

At present we're all scattered around the dinner table, Navin is beside me, Alis and Demir are located on my other side with Starla directly across from me but she is regrettable sitting in between Liam and Lake. Luke is beside Lake and the others are randomly seated around all of us.

Which makes for a very awkward meal. She looks very uncomfortable smushed in between her two exes but unfortunately there's not a damn thing I can do about it.

"Will you please move over." Starla rudely ask Liam. I truly can't blame her for being upset over this stupid seating arrangement.

Liam is way to close to her in my opinion also and seeing her so flustered over Liam's need to want to be closer to her only makes me hate him all the more.

"Sorry, it's crowded." Liam whispers lowly to Starla but I manage to hear his pitiful excuse.

"Not that crowded. Why are you next to me anyway Liam?" She said it loud enough for the others at the table to hear her.

"Because I made the seating arrangements Princess. I just thought you and the Pollet brothers would like to catch up after all of this time." Queen Miracle replies.

Her innocence statement toward the matter of Starla's exes makes me wonder just how much she really actually knows about what happened between her daughter and her exes.

"It's fine." Starla says, glancing at her mother giving her a tiny smile but still looking a bit apprehensive.

Queen Miracle resumes eating her meal satisfied over her daughter's assessment. Her brothers though, all seven of them, laugh outright at Starla's discomfort.

I meet the other fledglings a few hours ago, I was actually surprised that she had such a huge family. Along with Cody, Carson, and Cameron there's also, Venna, Zada, Farro, and Samson. All hellions in my opinion that obviously love to torture their one and only sister.

Kind of reminds me of my own siblings to be honest.

"Liam just wants to be closer to her." Zada states goofily.

"Because he loooves her." Samson adds his two cents, making google eyes at his brother Zada.

"Shut up!" Starla admonishes her brothers, scowling.

"Oh sis you know you still love Liam. Why don't you just kiss him and get it over with already." Farro grumbles with a sly smirk. Starla scoffs at him.

"Do not!" Starla refutes.

Farro is the one who I found out seldom holds his tongue especially when it comes to anyones private matters.

The other brothers just like to pick on their sister trying their best to get a rise out of her every time they open their mouths.

"Knock it off boys!" King Trigon demands gruffly. He then looks over at Starla giving her a little smile with merriment in his eyes.

Their continuous teasing with Starla at times is humorous although when Farro pops off about Liam and Starla being together it sends me into a spiral of miserable jealousy.

I shouldn't let it bother me, my feelings that are stubbornly starting to arise over Starla are far beyond staggering to me.

Here lately she has been consuming my every damn thought. Glancing over at her I see the mark that my brother left on her neck. It developed into a remarkable little copper moon with a star laying beside it. Since Navin is a copperhead Lycanthrope and I'm completely white, it makes me wonder what my mark will look like upon her slender neck.

The thought of me being able to mark her like Navin has, sends thrills shooting right through me.

"Can we talk in private now?" Liam ask Starla, leaning over to whisper it into her ear. Thanks to my exceptional hearing I was able to hear the lowly whisper.

I stop eating immediately when I heard his question staring at him and Starla suspiciously.

Starla fidgets in her seat, side eyeing me and her other mates from across the dinning table, she then sighs.

"Sure." She acquisitions. She looks apologetic toward me and the others. I stiffen at the mere thought of her being alone with the conniving asshole.

"Excuse us mother, fathers, Liam needs to talk to me in private apparently." She tells her mother sarcastically rising from her chair casting us a woeful glance at us all.

Liam rises along with her, looking a bit to smug for my taste, with a devious but hopeful smile on his damn face.

They both leave the dinning hall abruptly, I watch them as they go feeling anxious and a tad bit jealous. She gives a tiny glance over her shoulder before she and Liam disappear out of our view.

"Oooooh, I know what their going to do!" Cameron excitedly exclaims after Starla was out of earshot from us.

"What are they going to do?" Samson cluelessly ask his brother looking at him dumbfounded.

"Dumbass their going to have s-e-x , again!" Farro quips.

I drop my fork on to my plate, sighing out in frustration. King Baron notices my inner turmoil from the end of the dinning table.

"Boys if you can't behave you will be mucking out the horses stalls for a month. They are not doing that!" King Baron admonishes his sons giving them all a very stern look. "They are just talking." He adds on probably more for my benefit than his sons.

Navin starts to get anxious sitting next to me, he's starting to seem extremely flustered. Nearly bouncing out of his seat from all of his anxieties.

He abruptly stands from his chair, the scraping sound of the chair sliding across the flooring draws everyone in the rooms attention.

"I need to use the restroom." He rushes through his statement. Taking off quickly from the dining hall, leaving all of us staring at him as he walks briskly away from us very hurriedly.

"He's jealous." Cody tries to whisper to Carson next to him but of course everyone heard it.

All eyes center on me and the left over mates that's still seated at the table. All of them looking at us with a hint of worry casted in them.

"She's loved him for a long time and he still loves her maybe her mate should be worried. Liam doesn't want to let her go and neither do we." Lake states stoically glaring at us, just smiling, from across the table.

"Will she reject them for you three?" Samson ask Lake with his innocent face filled with utter horror.

"No she will not!" Alis answers huffing out dramatically at the very idea of Starla rejecting us.

"From what I've heard some of you have given her good reasons to reject all of your asses. If she does reject either of you I wouldn't blame her. She deserves better." Farro aggressively replies, shrugging his shoulder dismissively. "Liam, Lake, and Luke wouldn't tear her that way." He adds on boasting.

I just look at him ashamed of my own actions. I hate that the little punk is absolutely right though.

We do deserve whatever she throws at us. She does undoubtedly deserve better.

Watching the emotions among her parents and brothers faces toward me and the other two obnoxious brothers only signifies to me that I most definitely have to do better in the future.

So I make myself a solemn vow at this moment that from here on out and forward that I will do everything in my power to show Starla the respect and love that's she does very well deserve.

I will try to be her knight in shining armor or the prince who rescues her from an uncertain fate. Either way I want her to view me as something other than the man who so callously pushed her away because of my own insecurities. My own damn doubts.

I want to be her fucking hero!