Humanborn Book 3

Kiara barely made it to the bathroom before her stomach revolted for the hundredth time that day. Belle was there, holding her hair back and rubbing her back in a comforting rhythm.

Tears streamed down Kiara’s face as she felt the rawness of her throat and the ache in her stomach. Exhausted, she slumped down next to the toilet, panting heavily. Belle flushed the toilet and sat down next to her, draping an arm over her shoulders and pulling her close.

“Feeling any better?” Belle asked.

Kiara snorted and rolled her eyes. “What do you think?” Her words were laced with bitterness.

She wasn’t feeling better, and she knew she wouldn’t be anytime soon. Things were only going to get worse. She’d been here for a month, spending her mornings hunched over the toilet and her days waiting for answers that never came.

Blake had been silent, leaving her stuck here while Nic was back at the pack, probably wondering why she’d left. Blake had promised her answers if she came with him, but all he’d given her was the excuse that he was waiting for Artemis’s approval.

She didn’t know why she’d trusted him. Artemis had told her she could, but so far, she’d learned nothing. Time was running out, and the vision was closing in.

She hated this. She hated everything that had happened.

It felt like she was a rag doll, passed from one story to another with no end in sight. So much had happened, and yet the last few months had been wasted by waiting and worrying about the mate bond and finding out what Nic was. And even then, they’d done nothing.

So much time wasted, and now she was running out of it.

Belle helped her up, and Kiara moved to the sink to rinse out her mouth. She caught her reflection in the mirror and her gaze immediately dropped to her belly.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she placed a hand on her stomach. She took a deep breath, then let her hand fall back to the sink.

“He, or she, will be fine, Kiara. You’ll protect them,” Belle said, hugging her from behind and offering a reassuring smile in the mirror.

“He won’t be,” Kiara said, opening her eyes to see Belle’s smile falter.

It had been a long time since she’d smiled. She might have forgotten how to.

“He will die with his father because of me and who I am.”

“Kiara, the vision doesn’t decide your destiny. It’s just a reflection of what could be,” Belle said, her hands on Kiara’s shoulders. “You’re carrying one of the most precious gifts in your belly, and I promise you, your pup won’t die at Lycaon’s hands.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“We won’t let him get that close, and I know you won’t either.”

Kiara met Belle’s gaze in the mirror. “It’s not up to us. It’s fate.”

Belle huffed. “Screw fate.”

Kiara dried her hands and turned to face Belle, her eyes hard. “I tried. That’s why I’m stuck here.”

Belle grabbed her arm, turning her around. “You haven’t lost yet, Ki.”

“Why does it feel like I’m fighting a steel wall then?” Kiara asked, her voice hard. Belle sighed and let go of her arm. “Why does everything I do to make my own destiny feel pointless?”

“Because that’s what Zeus wants you to believe,” a voice said from the left. Kiara turned to see Artemis.

“Artemis.”

The goddess smiled at her. “Hello, my lycan.”

“I’ll let Blake know you’re here,” Belle said, trying not to stare at the beautiful goddess.

“He already knows, little pup. If you don’t mind, I’d like to borrow your queen for a moment.”

Belle nodded. “Of course.” She brushed past Kiara and left the room.

“Walk with me, my lycan,” Artemis said, leading the way to the front door of the pack house. Kiara followed with a sigh.

As they passed through the house, everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at the goddess in awe.

They walked out of the house and into the surrounding forest. Neither of them spoke as they walked, and soon they could feel the pressure of the boundary.

The pack house was protected by powerful magic from Artemis herself. A boundary had been placed around it and a piece of the surrounding forest, offering protection from anyone who might try to hunt them or come for them. This included the Pure Lycans, Menai, and her own Fireblood mate, who were no doubt trying to find her.

Kiara swallowed hard as she saw a faint silver shimmer ahead, indicating the boundary. She longed to return to her family, but she couldn’t until she had answers.

She didn’t want to think about what they would think of their luna disappearing with a Rogue Alpha, only to return pregnant and without explanation. Sure, her uncles would soon confirm that Nic was the father, but it wouldn’t be a good look, especially without any answers.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting this long, but I needed to ensure our conversation would be private. Which means I don’t have much time now,” Artemis said. Of course she didn’t, but Kiara didn’t need much time. She just needed answers.

“Speak, my lycan.”

“Am I a goddess?”

Artemis turned to her with a smile. “No, your wolf has the same soul as you do, but it is imbued with the power of Leto’s wolf. I once told you that your wolf has the soul of a goddess, which is true, but only in terms of power. To be a goddess, you need more than the diluted powers of one. If that were the case, there would be many gods and goddesses on earth.”

“Will I become one?”

Artemis tilted her head, giving Kiara a curious look. “Did the vision prompt this question?”

“It’s why I’m asking. The vision gave me an answer but not an explanation,” Kiara said, her irritation clear. She didn’t want small talk. She wanted answers.

“Hmmm,” Artemis hummed, standing a little straighter. “No, you won’t become one.”

So, she would just be calling herself a goddess once the vision came to pass. A bit of tension left her body at that answer.

“Can the vision be avoided?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Don’t give up.”

That was a simple answer, but one she couldn’t follow. She’d already given up.

As if sensing her thoughts, Artemis said, “You haven’t, Kyriaki. Even if you believe you have. The pup growing inside you will keep you hoping, even if you deny it now. I can see it in your eyes.”

“He will die,” she whispered.

“Says who?” Artemis countered. “Is there a defect in the womb that I, as a goddess, am unaware of?”

Kiara clenched her jaw.

“If you believed he wouldn’t survive the coming battle, you would have ended your pregnancy yourself.”

“I would never do that,” Kiara said, taking a defensive step back and placing a hand on her belly.

Artemis gave her a small smile. “Because you believe there’s a chance he’ll grow up to be a powerful king of the Lunar werewolves with a future ahead of him.”

Yes, she did believe there was a chance, but it was getting harder and harder to see as time slipped away. Kiara looked down at her hand on her belly and closed her eyes, pushing the thoughts from her mind.

“What happens now?” She opened her eyes and met the goddess’s gaze.

“Three more Pure Lycans will awaken in the coming months. They’re the last ones. The first shackle completed. They’ll find their mates and complete their bonds. The second shackle completed. You’ll merge with Kyriaki. The third shackle—”

“Hold on,” Kiara interrupted, holding up her hand. “I don’t have Kyriaki anymore. I’m human again.”

“Are you?” Artemis asked, looking her over. “Because I’m pretty sure I sense Kyriaki more strongly under your skin than ever before.”

Kiara’s eyes widened. “How?”

“Leto is the wolf within you, always there, always part of you. Kyriaki has been your constant companion, even if you didn’t realize it. She’s the one who surfaces when your emotions run high. The Menai, they’re your allies in this internal struggle. But remember, if you and Kyriaki are on the same page, there’s no battle to be fought.”

“I can handle it myself,” Kiara interjected, her anger flaring up. “Why the hell didn’t you, or Selene, or even Apollo clue me in earlier?” she spat at the goddess.

Artemis simply offered her a knowing smile.

“Is this about that damn destiny?” Kiara guessed.

Artemis’s expression confirmed it.

“You’re all so tied up in that crap.”

“We all are,” Artemis retorted.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble could’ve been avoided if I’d known all this from the start?”

“Yes,” Artemis responded, her tone devoid of any human emotion. Kiara scoffed. It didn’t matter if she yelled at the goddess. Artemis was convinced she’d done the right thing, all in line with destiny.

“And what happens when the third shackle is complete?” Kiara asked, irritation lacing her voice.

“Your pup will be born, Lycaon will rise, and the final shackle will be in place. The showdown between you, Lycaon, and Zeus will be inevitable once the Blue Moon ascends. The three of you, bound by something more powerful than fate, will either find blood or air.”

Kiara swallowed hard, the dread of what was to come rising within her. “What binds us? Why can’t they just come after me themselves? Why involve others?”

“To create something, a part of the creator is needed. It’s a bond, like the one between a father and his son. It makes them one of their own, yet not entirely.”

“Am I supposed to understand that cryptic explanation?”

Artemis just smiled. “You will, in time.” She glanced at the sky, now lightening with the approach of dawn. “I must go. My wolf has my blessing to share his story with you. Trust that whatever he tells you is the truth. Until we meet again, my lycan.” The goddess turned to leave.

“Wait!” Kiara called out. Artemis turned back to look at her. “How much time do we have?”

“We don’t know.” And with that, the goddess vanished.