Rising Sun (The Awakened Trilogy Book 3)

by Amanda Carol

  “Who’s Hunter?” My mom wonders, looking at me.

  “That’s her wolf shifter boyfriend.” Declan smirks. “He’s not just any wolf, though. Our little Aria is dating the Alpha.”

  I flush.

  My mom smiles at me. “I see. And where is this boyfriend of yours?”

  I frown, folding my fingers in my lap. “He’s…uh…he’s been stabbed with the Soul Blade. He’s alive, but not for long.”

  I don’t want to leave my mom, but Hunter means the world to me. I know my mom is safe here, but Hunter is slowly dying.

  “So, I’m going to the Underworld to get his soul,” I say in one breath.

  She gives me the, “Excuse me. What did you just say?” look, and I avert my eyes. It’s the look she used to give me whenever I had an attitude with her or whenever Declan and I were up shit’s creek without a paddle. It’s nice to see that her time with Isabella didn’t take away her motherly charm. Although I’ll take that over her being gone any day.

  When she doesn’t say anything, I peek back up at her, and it catches me off guard to see her smiling.

  “After I watched your Uncle Clayton get killed by a vampire, I needed to know more of what was out there. It’s why I enforced a curfew that you both loved to ignore, one of you more than the other.” She looks pointedly at Declan, and he looks away guiltily.

  “Anyway, I picked up some books and did my own research and created that journal. When I figured out that Luna was a witch, I went to her, wanting to see if there was something she could do to protect you. She advised against it, telling me that she sensed something in you both. She warned me that putting a protection spell on the amulets would have consequences and it would awaken whatever magic was inside you. I was willing to take that risk if it meant keeping you safe,” she explains. “I’m glad I did, because it turns out our family was being tracked by Ronan and Isabella. They were looking for you, it wasn’t until much later on that I found out Luna wasn’t a witch, but a god, and that you two were demigods.”

  My breath hitches as Declan and I look at each other.

  “Ronan must have been following me around for a while and saw me with Luna, because not long after I was captured, I heard them talking to her. Luna had no idea I was even there or where you were, but I heard them threaten Abby and Henry. And after the threat Ronan had placed on me to hand you two over, I knew they weren’t bluffing.”

  My eyes widen. Isabella told me that she figured out who Luna was. It’s all starting to make sense now.

  “Luna really was telling the truth,” Declan whispers, turning away from us and putting his head in his hands.

  “Isabella demanded that she bring you both to her, but Luna knew what she was doing. So, she bargained with her. She would get the blood, but you would stay safe in the Compound. She knew what Isabella would do if she got her hands on you. Luna tried to protect all of you from her. One night, Luna came over extremely angry, saying something about how Isabella was supposed to be out of town. After that, things went quiet and I didn’t hear anything anymore,” Mom tells us.

  “Holy shit,” I say. “So, all this time, Luna was trying to protect us.”

  Mom nods. “Yes. If I know her, she would also have been trying to figure out a way to stop this.”

  “She’s right,” Ares says from the doorway, and I quickly get up from the bed.

  “Who is this? Oh, he’s very handsome.” My mom looks at Ares dreamily.

  Declan laughs, and I scrunch my nose. Ares is definitely good-looking, but he’s an arrogant asshole.

  Ares smacks a hand over his heart. “I’m wounded. Truly.”

  I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

  “Leuce is the one that called out to Artemis,” he tells us. “And then Artemis called us, and, well, the rest we know is history.”

  I gape at him.

  “Oh, don’t look so shocked, love.” Ares smirks. “Anyway, I just dropped by to let you know we will be escorting you to Marie La Croix’s tomb tonight.”

  He looks behind me at my mom, then turns to leave.

  “Surprised he didn’t leave the normal way,” Declan remarks, making me laugh.

  “Who was he?” my mom asks, looking at Declan. Her eyes start to look heavy.

  “How about this? You get some more rest, and I’ll bring my girlfriend in with me to visit later,” Declan says grabbing her hand and kissing the top of it.

  She smiles and closes her eyes. “Yes. I’d love that very much.”

  He leans down to kiss her forehead, and I do the same.

  “I love you, Mom.” I whisper.

  I go to pull away, but she grabs my hand, opening her eyes.

  “What I meant to tell you earlier was that you’ve always been a fighter. Rising up to any challenge that ever presented itself to you, no matter how amazing or awful the reason. But out of all the ridiculous reasons you had, I’m happy you’re finally fighting for something that truly matters,” she whispers, her voice sounding hoarse.

  “What’s that?” I ask, softly.

  She closes her eyes. “Love.”

  I smile. “Get some rest, Mom. I’ll be back.”

  She doesn’t respond, and that’s our cue to let her get some rest.

  Declan and I quietly leave the medical room and walk over to one of the tables and sit.

  “You think she’s okay?” I ask.

  “I think she put on a brave face for us,” Declan responds, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I mean, she’s been mentally and physically abused for years. She could have possibly thought that was all a dream. Speaking of dreams, I think the dreams that I’ve have been having lately weren’t actually dreams, but visions of this very moment.”

  My eyes grow wide.

  “I didn’t actually start believing it was a vision until you told me she was alive. I have no idea why I didn’t realize it for what it was. The power is growing inside me. At first, it was just images and pictures floating around, but now, it’s presenting itself like a dream. During my trainings with Apollo, he told me to be wary. Not all visions are set in stone, but he seems to think my gift is a little different from his. Where he sees everything, I just see what’s been decided.” He hangs his head. “I should have known.”

  “Hey, it’s okay. Now you know, and the only thing you can do is trust your instincts with it. You’ll be able to tell the difference between a dream and a vision.” I give him a small smile.

  “I’m glad we have her back,” he whispers.

  I chew on my bottom lip. “Me too, but I hate that I have to leave—”

  Declan reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “Don’t do that. I can’t believe I’m about to agree with Isabella, but she was right about one thing. I wasn’t thinking about the bigger picture when I decided to make that trade. We can’t keep thinking like that if we want to win.”

  I let out a shaky breath. “You’re right. Sacrifices will have to be made if we want to stop Isabella from releasing the Titans. Honestly, the sooner we all wrap our minds around that, the better.”

  I’m not stupid. I know Isabella will most likely have an army of vampires and I know that we will lose people. All’s fair in love and war. But I refuse to let Hunter be one of those people. Not when there’s something I can do to save him.

  Declan nods, but doesn’t say anything. I glance out the window and realize that the sun is starting to set.

  “We’d better start getting ready.” I get up from the table, walking with Declan to the barn doors.

  When we get outside, there’s a chill in the air, and the sky is looking darker by the minute.

  I open the link to Hunter. I’m coming to get you.

  Declan takes off toward the schoolhouse to see if Ciera and Maggie are still there, and I start walking back to my cabin. I’m glad I was able to see my mom before leaving for the Underworld, and I’m even happier that I got to sit with her, if only just for a little while. It gives me more of a reason to stay strong through a
ll of this. With the protection of the wolves and witches, I know she will be in good hands while I’m gone. It makes this moment of leaving her a little easier, knowing that she will be here when I get back.

  When I get inside our cabin, I notice Haku is sitting on the couch.

  “Hi, Haku. Is everything all right?” I ask, glancing around the room to see if anyone else is here. Then I hear someone upstairs with Hunter.

  “It’s Lydia. She wanted to sit with him again,” Haku says in answer to my unspoken question.

  I nod, coming over and sitting down on the coffee table across from him.

  “Thank you,” I whisper.

  He looks at me curiously.

  “For being there for her,” I clarify. “I know it means a lot to Hunter.”

  He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his brown eyes. “I know what loss feels like. My wife was human, and I lost her and my unborn son during childbirth complications.” He pulls out his wallet and hands me a picture. “What happened to them isn’t because I was a shifter and she was human. We can have children just like everyone else because of the human gene, but the shifter gene gets passed down. Her body just couldn’t handle carrying a child.”

  I glance down at the picture. They are standing in front of the beach, the Pacific Ocean hitting their legs, and Haku has his arms wrapped around his wife, his hands resting on her very pregnant belly. Her long brown hair falls in soft waves around her beautiful face. They are both smiling at the camera, but it’s like I’m the photographer. I can feel their happiness from this photo.

  “She’s beautiful,” I murmur. A sob forms in the back of my throat, but I swallow it down.

  “Her name was Leilani. She was gentle, kind, always out helping others whenever she could. But she was also fierce.” He chuckles as he seems to remember something about her. “Our son’s name was Makoa. She didn’t believe me when I told her it would be a boy when we first found out she was with child. But I explained to her that all firstborns are male. It’s been like that since the beginning of time.”

  I run my fingers over the photo before I hand the picture back to him. “I’m sorry for your loss. Truly, I am.”

  My eyes drift over to a Christmas bag next to the couch. It’s filled with all the watercolor paints that my brother and Ciera gave me. Keeping a mental image of Haku’s picture, I think I may know what my next painting will be.

  Haku looks at the picture for another moment before putting it back in his wallet.

  “It has not been an easy journey for me, but it is a journey that I was meant to be on. I know the pain Lydia feels, and I know that what I needed during that time was someone to be there. I’ll never love another the way I loved Leilani, but I care for Lydia.” He trails off, his eyes glancing behind me, and he stands.

  I turn and see Lydia coming down the steps.

  “Thank you for waiting, Haku.” She smiles genuinely at him.

  I think back to what Hunter told me at the party. I start to wonder if Lydia cares for Haku as well, and from the way she loops her arm in his when he goes over to stand next to her, I think it’s safe to say that she does. They may not ever fall in love the way they were with Alexander and Leilani, but I think those two found each other for a reason, and I believe that, given the right amount of time, they will fall into their own version of love.

  “I’ll be back to sit with him again later. I believe your friends from Maryland offered to come over as well,” she tells me.

  “He’d like that. Knowing that they’re there.” I smile, and I begin to wonder if anyone told her that he can hear her. “I don’t know if anyone told you, but he can hear you when you use the link. He can’t reply back, but he can listen to you. Right before I woke up, he told me to tell you that he loves you too, and he’ll see you soon.”

  I see her eyes fill with tears as she leans forward, taking my hands in hers. “Thank you.”

  I feel the tug and open the link.

  For giving me hope. I’ll give you some time with him before you leave, Lydia tells me.

  She touches my cheek as Haku puts his arm around her shoulders. He nods to me before guiding her out of the cabin.

  I walk upstairs as soon as they leave and sit down on the bed next to Hunter.

  So, I finally spoke to my mother, I tell him through the link. Turns out that Luna was telling us the truth. I mean, I figured she was, but I still had my doubts, you know? She’s the one that contacted Artemis and the others. She’s been trying to figure out a way to keep us safe and trying to figure out a way to stop Isabella.

  I pause, taking his hand in mine, needing the physical connection as well. It makes me feel closer to him, and his touch has always comforted and calmed me.

  Bennett and I are going to the Underworld to bring you home. But I need someone here that I can rely on to keep everyone safe. The pack and coven will protect you, but…Luna can protect the pack and coven. She was only trying to do the right thing and save her daughter, and yeah, she made some shitty choices, but she did the best she could, given the circumstances. I think we can trust her again. And if something bad happens because of her…well, I’ll have to live with that for the rest of my life.

  I kiss the top of Hunter’s hand and set it back down. Getting up from the bed, I make my way downstairs and text Abby to come over, then head into the kitchen for a bottle of water. I guess I should hydrate before going on this mission. Not long after I send the text, I hear a knock on the front door.

  I put the cap back on my water bottle and make my way over to the front door.

  “What’s wrong?” Abby asks, worry lacing her tone as she takes in the look on my face.

  I step aside and let her in. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  I gesture to the couch, and we both sit facing each other, with our legs tucked under us; something we always used to do whenever we had our huge heart-to-heart talks. I suck in a deep, calming breath, and I tell her everything that my mom told us about Luna.

  “Wow,” Abby breathes, twirling a lock of her brown hair in her fingers.

  “I know. I feel like a really shitty friend, you know,” I admit, covering my face with my hands. “I really should have given Luna the benefit of the doubt and maybe listened to her instead of Isabella. If I would have taken five minutes to talk to her and get her side, then maybe things would be different. I’m so sorry, Abs.”

  The silence coming from Abby is deafening.

  “There are so many things I think we all could have done differently, but the outcome would still have been the same. To be honest, we shouldn’t dwell on what could have been. We need to focus on what’s important now,” she finally says. “You and I both had our reasons for being mad at my mother. But Alexander is a different story. I’m still a little hurt that he would just kick her out.”

  “Yeah, I understand what you mean. I always felt conflicted with that reasoning. On one hand, there was the whole blood thing, but on the other, it wasn’t like Luna to do anything without a really good reason,” I admit, then I lift my eyes to meet hers. “You think she will forgive us?”

  Abby chuckles humorlessly. “I honestly don’t think my mom was ever angry with us. I think guilt consumes her, and she hopes that we’ll forgive her.”

  “Do you forgive her?” I ask.

  I forgive her, knowing the full story now, but it’s definitely going to take me some time to fully trust her again. She’s going to have to prove her loyalties to not only me and Abby, but also to the whole Compound. To them, she’s the reason Axton and Alexander were killed, and the reason Sloane was injured. Even though she didn’t pull the trigger, she did help with loading the bullets, in a way. I think Luna is looking for some sort of redemption, and I believe that the only way she can get that is if she proves her loyalty to the pack.

  Abby nods. “Yeah. I mean, I wish she would have told me what I really am and who my real father is, but Zayne had to make me see it from her perspective. She did what she thought wa
s right, to protect me. If Zeus finds out I’m alive, I’m toast. It took me a while to finally accept it.”

  I’ve always envied Abby’s strength. Sure, she lets her emotions get the best of her from time to time, but when she’s given the space to think everything through, she always comes out a lot stronger in the end. I’ve always kept everything in, but now, I’m taking Abby’s lead. I’m learning that releasing your emotions helps your heart heal faster.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I make a decision that I really hope doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.

  “Let’s call your mom,” I tell her.

  After speaking with Luna, I met with the other Alphas and Lydia to tell them about my plan, while they also gave an update on searching for the missing dagger. They seem to be in agreement, although it did take more convincing and talking with my mother to get Lydia to be okay with bringing Luna back. They also put me in charge, so I decided we should have a quick meeting with the Compound before we leave to go to the cemetery. When I brought up the fact that I felt like I wasn’t qualified to lead in Hunter’s absence, Lydia stepped up and told me that the person that was closest to Hunter was me, and that any woman who stands by the Alpha’s side takes over when he can’t fulfill his duty. We are a team until we have a son of our own, then he’ll step into the role when he comes of age.

  With Abby and Declan going with Bennett and I, the witches can only do so much to help the pack if Isabella comes back. I don’t think she would, considering that this is a distraction from her plans. She wants us focused on other things, but that’s not going to happen. Gunner even thought it was good to bring Luna back, because she may have some more insider information regarding Isabella and Athena. I even have the gods here for support.

  One of the things that Hunter and I talked about was that he never wanted to keep secrets from his pack. His father kept everything on a need-to-know basis, and that ended up causing tensions to run high. Hunter told me that’s not the kind of leader he wants to be, so I’m going to honor him by letting everyone know the situation. I had the Alphas, along with Bennett and Knox, help me gather everyone on the Compound in the barn for a meeting.