Descendant 3: In Light of All Darkness

Scarlett

I’m sprinting up to my room, ready to change. Dad’s words echo in my mind, telling me to join him in his office once I’m settled. But how can I be settled? He’s just dropped the biggest bombshell on me, right after I caught my boyfriend of two years kissing his mate—a mate that should have been me.

“Mom? What are you up to?”

“I’m packing some of your stuff, sweetheart. We’re going to spend some time with your cousin Sebastian, Aunt Azalea, and Uncle Zander. Grandma Bexley and Grandpa Treyton will be back to oversee the pack while we’re away.”

She chuckles, shaking her head.

“Those two are having the time of their lives, now that they only have each other to worry about.”

“Really? That sounds amazing! I haven’t seen Seb since his eighteenth birthday. When do we leave?”

“Bright and early tomorrow.”

The timing couldn’t be better. I need a break, and I can’t wait to see Sebastian again. I head over to my dresser, grab my favorite pajamas, and make my way to the bathroom to freshen up. As I step out, a thought strikes me.

“You knew, didn’t you?”

“Knew what, Scar?”

“That Harry wasn’t my mate.”

Mom drops the sweater she’s folding, her gaze meeting mine. After a moment that feels like an eternity, she nods.

“And my bracelet?”

Her grip tightens on the trunk, her knuckles turning white.

“What did your father tell you?”

“Just that my mate gave it to me when I was born.”

She nods again, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear and resting her hand on my cheek.

“Sometimes, we just have to trust that the Moon Goddess knows what she’s doing.”

What on earth is she talking about?

***

“Scarlett, sit down for a moment.”

As I walk into my dad’s office, I find Mom already there, nestled in his lap with her head resting on his shoulder. He’s gently stroking her back, a comforting gesture that makes me wonder what’s wrong. My younger twin brothers, Liam and Harvey, join me, taking a seat next to me. Despite being only two years my junior, they look much older than their age. Their identical features and towering height of six feet six inches often confuse people. They’re the spitting image of our dad, while I inherited Mom’s hair color and Dad’s eyes. It’s a bit eerie at times, seeing two mini versions of Dad.

“Boys, have you packed? We’re leaving right after breakfast tomorrow,” Dad asks, looking at his mirror images.

“Yes, sir,” they respond in unison.

Dad nods, plants a soft kiss on Mom’s lips, then another on her nose before gently lifting her from his lap. Their love is palpable, the kind of love I yearn for. Dad has never raised his voice at Mom, and their eyes always reflect the deep affection they share. That’s the kind of love I want, the kind you would die for.

“Scar, I need to clarify something,” Dad begins, turning his attention to me. “You’ve always believed that your mother and I gave you that bracelet when you were born. We never corrected you. But the truth is, your mate gave it to you. He’s been watching over you until you came of age. He has the right to get to know you without any consequences, so you can make your own choice.”

I’m taken aback. “What do you mean, without consequences, make my own choice? Why would I need to choose? Doesn’t the Moon Goddess send us our perfect mate?”

“Yes, sweetheart, she does. She never makes mistakes. Remember that. There’s a reason for everything. That’s why we’re going to see your Aunt Azalea. She knows everything, including your purpose. She just won’t tell me, but I need to know.”

“She’s seen my future?” I ask, chuckling. Aunt Azalea is a descendant, and seeing the future is one of her abilities.

“The moment she met your mother,” Dad confirms.

“That long?”

He nods. “She’s known there was a reason for you and Alaric from the beginning. She just won’t say anything else about it. It drives me crazy.”

“Wait…Alaric. You mean the vampire king Alaric?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.

Dad rubs his hand down his face and lets out a heavy sigh. “Yes, Scar. Your mate is Alaric, the vampire king. He came to see you once when you were born. He felt the bond the moment you were born and held you in his arms long enough to feel it. He put that bracelet on your wrist and promised to watch over you until it was time. He said the bracelet would comfort you when he couldn’t be there. That way, you would always know he was close.”

“But why? Why now? Why him? What if I don’t want to be mated to a vampire king!”

“That’s why we’re going to stay with King Alpha Zander. Your safety is our top priority, and being within the royal walls around Sebastian will help. Sebastian’s power, even without his wolf, is unimaginable. He won’t let anything happen to you. You two are as close as family can be. You can help each other, Scar. Sebastian is struggling to find his mate since he hasn’t been outside those walls due to his powers. It’s not easy growing up when you can’t hide that you’re a descendant, the last one at that. He’s had a target on his back since he was born.”

“I can’t do this,” I whisper, feeling overwhelmed.

“Can’t or won’t? From where I’m sitting, it looks more like won’t. I raised you to be selfless. I understand we’ve had eighteen years to get used to the idea of Alaric being your mate, while you’ve had only five minutes. It’s hard for us too. There are answers we need that we don’t have, hence the trip to the royal castle. Alaric won’t wait much longer before he comes wanting to get to know his mate.”

“This is unbelievable. I’m a wolf, not a vampire.”

“But you’re also part fae, sweetheart. We rarely talk about it, but you must remember your heritage. Your fae blood gives you the ability to choose your mate within the supernatural world. Whether it be a wolf, vampire, another fae, or so forth. There’s a reason your bond is with Alaric. We just don’t know what it is yet.”

“If I choose Alaric, will I lose my wolf?”

“That’s one of the questions I don’t have an answer for. I’m hoping Aunt Azalea does.”