With Everything I Am (The Three #2)(186)

Callum had told her that morning before they had their confrontation with the family that he’d work with her, teach her, they’d transform together and he’d take her out running.

She was looking forward to that.

She was also looking forward to being her age for eternity. That was far from a bad thing, never growing old, never getting wrinkled and gray but best of all, her husband not having to watch her do it.

“Why did she die?” Lucien asked and Sonia focused her attention on the vampire because she thought his was a very good question.

“She didn’t. Her human did,” Yuri stated.

“Explain that,” Lucien ordered and Yuri’s jaw got tight at the command.

Then he looked to Sonia. “You know, of course, that wolf DNA is dominant.”

She nodded.

Yuri went on, “That does not mean you don’t have your mother’s DNA as well. It’s latent and when the wolf DNA was suppressed, as explained, it came to the fore. Regan and Father have been titrating you off the medication now for weeks, the actual dose smaller and smaller even if the injection was the same amount, the rest was taken with vitamins and hormones that would not alter or harm you. You didn’t actually die since you cannot die as an immortal. However, your body did shut down to finalize the change.” He looked to Callum. “We also knew this would happen. It was explained by the physicians who created the injection, it was closely monitored and the ill-effects, which could have been worse, were calculated, controlled and monitored so they weren’t. Last, it was necessary, if difficult to witness and experience.”

“Difficult is not the word I’d use,” Callum gritted out and Sonia moved to him.

The instant she got close, he curled an arm around her shoulders and pulled her front deep into his side. She rested her hand on his stomach, wrapped her other arm around his back and pressed closer

“It was hideous, Callum, for all of us, not just you. Do you think it was easy keeping this from you? From Sonny?” Yuri asked.

“I would suspect it was easier keeping it from us than it was for us, living your lies,” Callum shot back and a muscle ticked in Yuri’s jaw, nonverbally acceding the point.

“It’s my understanding, Lassiter and Cherise Arlington were assassinated by the wolf rebellion,” Lucien stated at this point and a different feel came to the room, a feel Sonia decided was not good considering how tight Callum’s body became beside her. “Is that true?” he asked Gregor.

Again Gregor drew in breath before he admitted, “No. They were assassinated by vampires.”

“What?” Sonia breathed but no one answered her.

“My father,” Lucien clipped and Sonia felt her body jerk in surprise as her eyes shot to him.

She saw Leah’s face was knowing and angry and her eyes were also on her husband.

“Yes,” Gregor confirmed. “Etienne with a retinue of vampires and werewolves who disagreed with Lassiter’s efforts within the American Government to lay the groundwork for immortals and mortals to live peacefully with the knowledge of each other hunted Lassiter and Cherise and murdered them.”

Sonia’s heart squeezed.

“I do not believe this,” Lucien hissed and Sonia pressed closer to Callum because the vampire was angry, quietly but terrifyingly so.

“You know you mustn’t precipitate The Prophesies,” Gregor warned, to Sonia, confusingly. Then again, this entire turn of the conversation was confusing.

“Have the last lifemates been located?” Lucien returned.

“Not yet,” Gregor answered.

“I suggest you find them, Gregor. Talk to The Dominion,” his eyes cut to Callum, “you request an audience with the Oracles.”

“Done,” Callum grunted.

“This must play out as it’s intended to play out,” Regan hurriedly put in.

“Etienne,” Lucien stated then looked to Sonia and explained curtly, “my father,” he looked back to Regan, “harmed my mate, touched her, terrified her, sent her running from me and into what could have been danger or even death from her own f**king dreams. He murdered Sonia’s parents. And yet he runs free.” Finally, he looked to Gregor. “I have been patient, Gregor, as I promised I would be but I will warn you, my patience is running out.”

“Mine evaporated five minutes ago,” Callum declared and Sonia pressed even closer to her mate.

“The Prophesies state that, once the second lifemates meet, the third will be fast on their heels,” Gregor explained.

“Let’s hope that’s true,” Callum replied.

“So far, they all have been true,” Gregor retorted.

The room fell silent on this not altogether (though some of it was) happy news.

Regan broke it by asking, “Now that this unpleasant business is over, can we have a lovely meal, celebrate the bride and groom and then get them on a plane so they can enjoy their honeymoon?”

“Yes,” Callum agreed but continued, “And about that.” He looked to Ryon. “The two weeks we planned just turned into two months.” His eyes swept Calder and Caleb as Sonia’s heart stopped squeezing so it could swell with happiness. A two month honeymoon was very good news. “Adjust your plans. Sonia and I won’t return until then.”

“And hopefully I’ll be pregnant when we return,” Sonia announced and Callum dipped his chin to look down at her.