When she left the estate she had no idea where she was going. She just knew the pain was too much. The feelings of betrayal...lost confusion...she wanted to do anything...to make it go away.?

At first the taxi just drove, driving from one part of the city to the other. It wasn’t like the cabbie cared.??When she looked at the fare the meter said $500 so tonight was going to be a good night for him

She didn’t Even realize she told the drivers to go back to Draven’s family estate until she arrived. Her tears ran down her face now knowing the kind of pain being here would cause her again. You have been so cold... so nonchalant. So matter of fact. Why was she here... why did she come back here. She wasn’t really sure at all. Even as she sat there in the idling car she wondered why... What brought her here? Answers forgiveness...love? Did she really want to see him? Them?

Her mark itched and burned. Was That was why she came back here? Could he give her relief Because the discomfort it was causing was becoming unbearable. So when the door opened she thought it was him...waiting for her. Did she wanted it to be him? Apparently apart of her did. Because she felt the disappointment when it wasn’t him at the door but Mathias.?

The older man came slowly down the stairs and knocked on the window.?The glass slowly came down.

“He’s not here.”He said solemnly.?

“Oh,” she said softly.

“Do you want to come in and wait for him?” Mathias asked.

“No,” She shook head. But she didn’t look at him. Anais didn’t want him to see the pain in her tear filled blood red eyes.?

“Do you want to talk about it,” he asked

“There’s nothing to talk about.” She said.

“Your pain is palpable.” Mathias said “Is there anything I can do?”

“No,” she whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek.?

“What about your family upstairs would you like me to get one of...”

“Please no?” She whispered.

“Anais...sister. I hate seeing you this way. I want to help. What can I do to help?”

“Can you take the pain away? Can you make it so that this might never happen.” She sounded so defeated.?

“I wish I could...I really wish I could. But I do have this,” he said handing her the leather bound book. “This is your mothers diary.”

It was then that she looked at him shocking confusion in her eyes.?

“Lyra was my friend. I took her death very hard. this book will tell you everything you want to know about her, in her own words. I hope it helps ease your pain.” Mathias touched her cheek wiping her tears away. And with that he turned from her to walk back up the stairs.?

Anais was speechless.She grabbed the book in her hand like it was a lifeline to her life she never knew...She was denied access to.

The cab drove away and she finally found herself at the airport. She pulled up in front of the departure lane and walked inside. She was going home...but there was betrayal there too wasn’t it.

“Anais,” Her oldest brother Gabriel said “Where are you? Let me come to you,”

“I guess i shouldn’t be surprise that you didn’t tell me I was Were, you also didn’t tell me you we’re sending me half way across the globe to marry an man that I have apparently been betrothed to since I was two.” She said her voice dry monotone.

Gabriel sighed. “ Tell me where you are. Let me come to you. Let us talk.”

“We don’t have anything to talk about Gabriel,” she said?

He could hear the pain in her voice. It was killing him. Anais there’s so much I need to tell you...to explain please tell me where you are.”

“Your mother had been trying to Tell me my whole life. I never listen because you and the others always told me she was cruel

“my mother is cruel, Anais. never doubt that. You Experience that first hand. My mother was always jealous of the relationship our father had with your mother...that he had with you...that we had Lyra and with you. We can talk about all of this. just tell me where you are, little sister.”

“The time for talking and explanation has passed Gabriel. goodbye.”

“Ana please, please don’t hang up the phone. please come home.” He begged. “please let’s talk. we’ll talk for as long as you want. I’ll answer any questions you want, just please come home or tell me where you are so I can come to you, please.”

But the line went dead and sadness for Gabriel. he didn’t know if he would ever see his baby sister again.

—Several Months Later—

Anais celebrated her 21st birthday in New York City. Sitting in a window seat over looking Central Park reading her mother’s journal.

It was a very Interesting read. She learned that her mother and Draven were in love...Not just in love but lovers. Lyra’s Draven was funny, passionate, compassionate, loving, protective, understanding, Idealistic, determined...worlds away from the Draven she knew.

And Lyra loved him fiercely. He had asked her to run away with him several times. Lyra talked about how he was committed to freeing both human and Were slave.

In the beginning, Lyra always said no because she was afraid what Victor would do to him if he ever caught them.

You deserve more. You deserve to be free.?And entry in her journals said...

And it became obvious to Anais that as their relationship grow stronger so to did Lyra’s determination to be with a man she love. It was bittersweet that the moment Lyra became ready to leave with him she learned she was pregnant.

Victor surprise me with a very special gift today. it was a baby blanket. apparently I am with child.?Lyra’s entry had said.

Anais could clearly see the tears stains on the page. Her mother had cried as she wrote. Anais Had to close the book against her on here it’s at that point. It was difficult for her to learn that she was simply just a consolation prize, gifted to him by her mother. Lyra’s intention was for him to have a piece of her even though he could not have her for real.

She hadn’t gone back to the journal since that day. It hurt too much. Hurt Just like the night she learned she was Were and he had told her he forgot. Hurt Just like how the days after their flight turn to weeks and weeks turn into months when he didn’t come for her or call.?

Hurt like the pain of her mark. There were days when it was so Painful she want to gouge it out. Maim herself but craving it out of her arm.

“You can’t do that.” The Oracle said. “Beside even if you did it would not matter. You will always have the pain. That is a Blood Mark. Your blood is in him and his blood is in you. The pain You Both feel is simple because since your bonding you are not meant to be apart.”

“He feels pain too,” Anais asked.?

“If The brand on your arm is what I think it is. And he has the same?” Anais nodded. “Then yes he does.”

“Thank you.” She said with a sigh as her hand rubbed her now slightly protruding belly.

That was three months ago.?

“Evie,” Richard called. “You okay? You zone out a bit there?”?

“She does that,” Cate smirked sipping her coffee.”?

“I’m just admiring the beauty of our surroundings. Paris in springtime is lovely don’t you think.” Anais said with a wink.?

“Umhmm,” Cate said

“We’re going to a little soirée tonight would you like to join us.” Richard said.

“Oh God no. you know how I hate going to those things.” Anais said

“Oh come on, you never go anywhere.” Richard said. “You just stay at home.”

“I like my home,” Anais said.

“I told you she would say no,” Cate said.

“What I’m not taking no for an answer,” Richard said. “I’m gonna get you out of that apartment if it’s the last thing I do.”

Tag.