Rising Sun (The Awakened Trilogy Book 3)

by Amanda Carol

  Is this what dying feels like? I always thought it would be peaceful, but this shit is painful. I close my eyes, accepting my fate.

  Just as I begin to think it’s over, a warming sensation creeps all the way up my body, extinguishing the pain. It’s replaced with a warmth that reminds me of Aria’s touch. I start to get feeling back in my toes, and it spreads up to the tips of my fingers, and I can breathe easier now. I’m starting to think that maybe my body is shutting down, and the pain is just going away as I die.

  But something feels off. I start to hear voices that I don’t believe belong to my mother or any wolf.

  “Maybe it didn’t work?” I hear a voice that sounds really similar to Abby’s.

  Funny. I thought maybe I’d hear Aria instead.

  “Give it a minute.”

  Is that Declan? Okay, why is a dude in my heaven?

  I open my eyes, and they lock with a pair of green eyes, but they aren’t the ones I was expecting.

  I glance around the room and see Abby hovering above Declan. My mom is crying in the corner. My friends from Maryland are standing around my room, all with sad and worried looks on their faces.

  Wait, I’m in my room.

  I’m alive.

  I sit straight up, causing everyone in the room to jump and gasp. My mom gets up from the chair, and both she and Kyler take a step forward, but I ignore them. They can see that I’m fine. There is only one person on my mind. One person that isn’t here in this room. I need to know why.

  “Where is she?” I ask.

  She was supposed to be here when I woke up, and she’s not. I fear the worst, but when I look at Declan and Abby, they don’t act like she’s dead. That relieves me some; however, my girl is not here with me in this room.

  “She’s fighting with vampires in the driveway—” Declan starts to say.

  I jump out of the bed, running down the steps and out the door. I leap off the steps, shifting into my wolf and going as fast as I can down the driveway. I feel better than I ever have before, and I use that to my advantage as I push myself to run faster.

  I come up to the fight, looking for her.

  It’s not real until I find her.

  And I do.

  She’s fighting a vampire with Bennett. She uses the air element to send the vampire flying backward as Bennett leaps up, ripping its head off. Then they move on to another vampire, but I see one stalking her from behind.

  I roar, leaping into the air. Aria spins, and her eyes grow wide as she watches me sink my teeth into the vampire’s neck. I jerk my head back and forth, feeling the tendons and bones snap as I rip its head off. The metallic taste of blood coats my tongue but I spit it out.

  Good to have you back in the game, Hunt, Bennett says, nodding his head.

  Thanks, brother. I nod back.

  My eyes connect with Aria’s for a moment, but then her gaze flicks to behind me. She’s nocked an arrow and is releasing it before I can even register what’s happening. I turn around and see a vampire fall to the ground, an arrow lodged in its heart.

  Vampires are starting to take advantage of my pack, so I jump into the fight.

  Hell yeah, Hunter! Welcome back, bro! Oliver says as I help him with a vampire.

  I glance over to see Aria and Declan fighting back to back against a vampire, both of them working together to take it out.

  I notice Gunner and Knox are outnumbered, so I run over there to help them out. A vampire grabs my fur and throws me in the air, but I feel a force slow me down, and then I come flying back toward the vamp. I look out to see Aria guiding me through the air, Bennett and Declan watching her back as she focuses in on me. I open my mouth as I come soaring down, sinking my teeth in the vamp’s shoulder. Knox jumps in and bites its head off.

  I open the link to the pack. How many more?

  One by one, the pack responds.

  We got one!

  We just killed two.

  This car is empty.

  I checked the others, Hunter. All clear.

  No more vamps over here.

  Coast is clear.

  All clear!

  Okay, we’re all good. Let’s clean this mess up, I command, then shut the link off.

  The pack starts shifting back into their human forms and starts to clean up the wreckage. I shift back and search the crowd. There is only one person I want to see right now.

  I finally find her pulling an arrow out of a vampire and placing it in her quiver.

  Her eyes meet mine, and my world stops.

  I walk right up to her and cup her cheek. “I’m home.”

  She puts a finger on my lips. Then she smiles, grabbing the back of my head and crashing her lips onto mine.

  Damn. She must have really missed me, just as much as I missed her.

  I kiss her like I’ve never kissed her before, but I need more. I nip her bottom lip with my teeth, demanding to taste her. She opens her mouth, and I savor everything. The way our tongues dance together, the way her hands weave into my hair and tug gently. The way she moans softly as I drop my hands low on her waist and pull her to me, so she can feel just how much I missed her.

  I don’t even give two fucks that people are watching us. I knew that she would bring me home, but that didn’t stop the fear of never seeing her again take over for a while in there.

  We break apart, both breathless, and I rest my forehead against hers, breathing in her scent of lavender and vanilla. I feel the tug and open the link.

  I love you, she murmurs.

  Instead of answering her with words, I kiss her again, telling her how much I love her with my actions. This girl went to hell and back to save me, just like I would if the situations were reversed.

  I want to go home, she tells me, her eyes filling up with tears.

  I open the link to the Bennett. Mind if we cut out?

  Nah. I got this, bro, he responds.

  I lace my fingers in Aria’s and lead her back to our cabin.

  The second we walk in the door, I’m being pulled into a strong embrace.

  “Hi, Mom.” I choke on the words as my mother quite literally squeezes the life out of me.

  “You just ran out of here without even a word. Are you okay?” my mom asks, pulling back and examining my body for wounds.

  She starts to lift up my shirt, and I stop her.

  I scoff. “Yes, I’m fine. And I’m sorry, but—”

  Her eyes narrow and begin to glow.

  Oh, shit.

  “Hunter Alexander St. James.”

  Oh, fuck. It’s the “mom” voice.

  “You may be the Alpha of this pack, but I am still your mother. You will never go to Hell, come back, and run out of here without a word again!” she scolds.

  I hear muffled laughter and glance behind her. Zach and Kyler are trying to hide their amusement. Declan and Abby are sitting on my couch looking anywhere but at me and my mom. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Aria walk over and plop down on the couch between them.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I whisper, looking back at my mom.

  “Good. Now let me check—”

  “I said I’m fine!” I yell, stepping out of her reach so she doesn’t try to pull my shirt up again to check the wound that I know isn’t even there anymore.

  Her face falls slightly, but she quickly pulls herself together. “I’m glad you’re all right, then.”

  She gives me a small smile, kisses my cheek, and exits the cabin. The second the door closes behind her, Zach and Kyler lose their shit.

  I roll my eyes. “Laugh it up.”

  “Dude, that was the best shit I’ve seen all day,” Zach laughs, wiping tears from his eyes.

  Haylee slaps his arm. “That’s not funny!” She comes over to me and gives me a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back. We were getting really worried.”

  “Thanks, Haylee,” I say as I hug her back, then glance over, narrowing my eyes at Zach. “At least one of you cares.”

  Kyler comes over and pat
s my shoulder. “In all seriousness, it’s really good to have you back, buddy.”

  “Yeah, man. We were getting pretty worried, but we knew Aria would save you. It was really cool to watch Declan and Abby bring you back to life though,” Zach says coming over and hugging me.

  Something delightful hits my nose and I look over at Kyler.

  “Is that cinnamon I smell?” I ask, closing my eyes.

  My mouth starts to water as I picture myself eating a cinnamon roll.

  I open my eyes and notice Dani coming out of my kitchen.

  “Yes. I hope you don’t mind. Baking calms me, and I also wanted to make you a ‘welcome back’ gift,” she says, walking over to Kyler. “I just pulled them out of the oven.”

  Kyler and Zach start to walk toward the kitchen, but the girls stop them.

  “Not so fast!” Haylee yells. “Those aren’t for you…whoa!”

  Haylee’s eyes go wide as she looks over at Zach and places her hands on her lower abdomen.

  “Babe, what’s wrong? Is it the baby? Should we take you to the doctor?” Zach says, panic lacing his tone.

  Haylee shakes her head. “No. I think I just feel her moving. It’s like little butterflies are flying around. And now I have to pee.” She laughs, then glances between me and Aria. “Do you guys mind if I use your bathroom?”

  “Not at all,” Aria answers. “It’s up the steps and to the left.”

  “Thanks!” Haylee smiles, walking upstairs.

  “I can’t wait until I get to feel the baby kick. I’ll admit I was a little jealous she gets to feel our daughter move before I do.” Zach smiles, as if he’s recalling the memory.

  I remember him telling us in our group chat the day that Haylee felt the baby move for the first time. They were both so excited. It was an important milestone for them. One that I can’t wait to share with Aria one day. I steal a glance over at her; she’s smiling, laughing, and talking with everyone in the room.

  I got a small taste of what it would be like not being with her, and I hated every moment of it. It felt as though I was trapped in a constant state of numbness, like I’d never be able to feel anything again.

  Haylee comes down the steps a few moments later, and Knox stops by to walk them back to their cabins. I thank Dani again for the cinnamon rolls and see them out. It’s nice having them here to break up the chaos. They are so understanding and know that all we are trying to do is protect them. It makes me wonder if all humans would be as accepting as these guys are when it comes to the supernatural world. Not that I’m going to go shifting in the middle of the Quarter anytime soon, but it just makes me wonder if everything isn’t so black and white.

  I glance over at the couch and see only three people left in my cabin.

  I feel the tug and open the link.

  I know I just got you back, but I need to walk Abby back to her cabin. Hades gave me something to give to her, and I’d like to do that alone.

  Take your time, I tell her. How about this? You take Abby back, then meet me at our spot.

  I can see the smile tug at her lips. It’s a date.

  “You two are so cute.” Abby laughs. “Come on, spill the tea!”

  Declan cringes. “Unless you two were talking dirty. You can keep that to yourselves.”

  Aria laughs. “No, we weren’t. We have a date later, but first, I’m walking you home.”

  She stands and holds her hand out to Abby, pulling her up off the couch.

  “Oh, maybe I’ll get a goodnight kiss too!” Abby jokes, fanning herself.

  Aria laughs as she drags her out the door. “Bye!”

  Declan turns to me. “They’re your problem now.”

  I laugh. “Fine by me.” I pause, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. “Thank you. For saving my life.”

  Declan shakes his head. “I just healed you. Bennett and Aria did all the work. Speaking of which, I’m actually going to drop by to make sure he’s okay after I check in on my mom. They dealt with a Crocotta, and those things can be vicious.”

  I have no idea what that even is, but I make a mental note to ask Aria about it, and also about her mom. I’ve only been gone for about a day or so, but it feels like I’ve missed so much.

  Declan starts to leave, but then I stop him.

  “Actually, before you leave, would you mind waiting for me to shower really quick?” I ask. “I could use your help with something.”

  “Sure,” Declan agrees, and takes a seat back on the couch. “May I?” He points to my guitar hanging on the wall.

  I nod. “Go for it.”

  I turn to go upstairs to my room. I open the link to the six other Alphas.

  Nice work out there, gentlemen, and thanks for keeping the Compound safe while I was gone. Get some rest and meet me here tomorrow morning at eight a.m.

  After I get everyone’s okay, I take a hot shower and get ready for my date with Aria. It’s going to be our last one for a while.

  “Were you scared?” Abby asks as we make our way back to her cabin.

  I inhale sharply. “Yes and no. That creature creeped me out the most. I think not being able to see it was the scariest thing about that whole experience.”

  That’s the truth. That Crocotta was no joke. I’m really glad that Ciera and Declan did their own research before we went down there. I probably would still be down there and rocking in a corner if it hadn’t been for them. Or dead, because that was a real possibility.

  I glance over at Abby; she’s staring hard down at the path in front of us. I know she has questions about Hades, but I think she’s afraid to bring it up.

  “He asked about you,” I tell her softly.

  She stops walking; her surprise written in her eyes as she turns to stare at me. I grab her hand and take us down to the fire pit instead of her cabin. I don’t think she wants to talk about this in front of anyone else, and if she does, she can tell them herself. She sits down on the ground and leans back against the log. I summon the fire element and light a fire in the pit, then sit down next to her.

  “I can’t think of Hades as anything more than a god,” she admits softly. “He was never there for me growing up. He never taught me how to ride a bike. He never took me to cheerleading practice. He never sat up late with me on a school night binge-watching 80s horror flicks.” She looks over at me, her eyes filling up with tears. “He never took me to get ice cream to mend my first broken heart. He may have been in love with my mom and got her pregnant, but he wasn’t my dad.” She looks away from me as she wipes a tear from her cheek. “Honestly, I think he doesn’t even want me.”

  “That’s not true,” I start to say.

  She turns her head quickly to look at me again. “Then why hasn’t he come for me? Why hasn’t he visited or reached out? Surely, he knows that my dad is dead. He is the keeper of the souls after all, right?”

  She sobs, and I pull her to me.

  “If he really cared for me, don’t you think he would have done anything to make contact?” she questions. “Actions speak louder than words, Aria.”

  “I think the gods think a lot differently than we do, but I do think he cares for you in his own way,” I tell her. I saw the way his eyes lit up whenever Abby, or even Luna, was mentioned.

  “How do you know?” she asks, sniffling.

  I reach into my pocket and pull out the tiny bracelet Hades gave me. “He wanted me to give you this.”

  I hold it out to her, and she stares at it. Her shock is written on her face as she takes it from me.

  “He told me that this is his gift, and that this charm is from his helmet. If you can channel it, it will make you invisible.”

  Abby narrows her eyes and tosses it off to the side.

  I go to reach for it, but someone else beats me to it. I glance up and see Luna standing there holding the bracelet. Abby doesn’t even look at her mom as she comes over and sits down next to her.

  “Hades is a prideful man. He made such a huge deal with Persephone that he t
hinks if he were to kick her out of the Underworld, Zeus would think of him as weak,” Luna explains.

  Abby scoffs. “It’s weaker to stay with someone you know is wrong for you then to be with the one you truly love.”

  “That’s exactly what I told him,” Luna says, fiddling with the bracelet. “But I think it’s more than that. Zeus will kill you if he ever finds out that you’re the child of two gods. He and I made a pact that you are to come first. He loves you, and he will do anything to protect you. As will I. I made some horrible mistakes, and I have to live with that. But I want to set things right. I won’t live in fear anymore. You’re an unbound god now, and with this, you can hide from Zeus.”

  Luna holds the bracelet out in front of Abby. This time, Abby tentatively takes it.

  “Henry is my father,” she whispers. “This changes nothing.”

  Luna nods and gets up from the ground. “I’ll let you girls have your time.”

  I sigh. “She’s right, you know. I know you don’t want to hear it, but I do believe her when she says that he loves you. I saw the look on his face when he talked about you. It’s how my father looked whenever he talked about me.”

  She rolls her eyes, and that’s my cue that I’m not going to convince her of anything else tonight, so I change the subject to something lighter.

  “Guess who else I met,” I say, wagging my eyebrows.

  Abby tries to hide her smile, but fails. “Who?”

  I smirk. “I met Dionysus and the Fates. And you want to know what else?”

  I nudge her shoulder, and she lifts a brow.

  “We met a satyr.”

  That causes her to bust out laughing.

  “Oh, I bet Bennett was excited,” she giggles.

  I laugh. “He definitely was pretty excited to see Frank.”

  Abby pauses. “It has a name?”

  “Yes!” I laugh louder.

  “So bizarre.” Abby slips the bracelet around her wrist and stands, holding out her hand. “Come on, tootz. You have a date tonight, and I have the perfect outfit for you.”

  It’s my turn to roll my eyes as she helps me up and uses the water element to put out the flame. She grabs my hand and drags me back to her cabin and upstairs to her room, then hands me a towel and shoves me into the bathroom for a quick shower.