The weather was nice for a change, and that made Ada plan a few things to do during the day. For some time, she had wanted to camp near the mountain, where the river Merwall flows. She wanted to spend some time alone, even if it meant having Huxley along; Ada wanted to get away from the noisy people of Mendraria, especially Josiah’s irritation.

Gunner’s sudden appearance, however, changed everything; Ada was now driving down the road, heading straight for Evercrest, where Griffin was, probably furious at having lost track of his dear mate.

― Damn these young people… Doing what they like without thinking about the consequences… ― Ada cursed as she hit the steering wheel, grunting all the way.

Not far from the blue sign welcoming visitors to Evercrest, Ada recognized Griffin on the curb, pacing back and forth, out of breath, sweaty, and rather angry, judging by his clenched jaw.

She pulled up next to him and switched off the engine, honking once and waiting for him to get in, but he didn’t. This made her get out and walk slowly toward him; although she was great at fighting, Griffin was bigger and he was furious.

― Hey… Let’s go.

― I need some time… to clear my fucking head… so I don’t hurt you out of anger…

Ada nodded, understanding.

― The Bexley brothers are quite cheeky when it comes to fate. They are too stubborn to accept everything that life offers them without a fight.

― What life offer them? What about me, huh? Has anyone ever wondered how I felt when I found out I was destined to a man? Throughout my life, I’ve slept with many beautiful, wonderful women, and I always hoped that one of them would be my partner, but then… It was him! A man! Younger than me! Shit! ― Griffin shouted, frustrated.

― Then reject him.

Griffin looked at the woman, confused.

― What?

― If you hate it so much, make it an official rejection. ― Ada crossed her arms. ― It’ll be painful, but you’ll both get over it. And you won’t have to live with this frustration any longer. It's as simple as that, Griffin. So why haven’t you done it yet?

― I… I… ― the man tilted his head, ruffling his hair and falling to the ground. ― I…

― There are already feelings, isn’t there? A strong feeling. Possessiveness. Overprotection. Deep down, you’ve already claimed him as your own… ― Ada laughed. ― This fucking destiny is shitty… Talking from my own experience.

― Ada, I… What do I do…

Ada sighed.

She had been tormented by how much she saw herself in him when she met Huxley in the hospital just over six months ago.

She knelt beside him and began to pat his shoulder.

― Before you do anything, big man… Breathe. Take several deep breaths. Calm down.

He did as she said and, after a few minutes, looked at her, like the frightened child he had never been.

― What now?

― The first thing you need to bear in mind is the fact that he’s younger. Inexperienced. I’m not saying that in a sexual way, but like in… life, you know? And he’s been through a lot, I guarantee that he has a problem trusting people… And, most likely, he’s afraid of being abandoned…

― He’s a man…

― Come on… the sex won’t be that different, man…

― I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with you…

Ada laughed even harder, kneeling next to him on the roadside.

― I’m probably the only person you can have this conversation with, frankly. I don’t judge anyone, I can’t. I did everything I could to get away from Hux, and look what happened. I went straight back to him… I took a job, quit, and became friends with my target… I’d like to hit you, but… I’ll leave that to Hux… ― she smiles.

But he knows she’s telling the truth.

― Yeah, I’d better get ready… ― he said dejectedly, as he accepted her outstretched hand to stand up. ― Is he hurt?

― No. Just a few scratches… They went off into the woods… ― she replied as she got into the car and started the engine, turning around to head back to Mendraria.

― Damn…

― Look… I know how dynamis work, really. But he… isn’t one. Don’t try to overpower him, you won’t be able to… Just… try to be gentle.

― It’s not easy, Ada. Every time I look at him, something stirs inside me… I lose control…

― The bond with a vanik is always pretty strong… But I don’t think it would be bad if you lost control… I believe he can become stronger than you, if Moon helps him train his magic…

― But what if I hurt him somehow?

― Well… There’s no avoiding it in a relationship… One way or another, we’re going to hurt our partner somehow. ― she nodded. ― Communication is the key, Griffin. You can’t just say whatever you want and not listen to what he has to say… And I think he has a lot to say to you. And… what the fuck is this about marriage?

Griffin laughed, hiding his face with his hands.

― You know my mother… She’s dying to get some kid married… It just so happened that the couple she was closest to was us… ― Griffin grinned from ear to ear, remembering the scene and Gunner’s shocked expression. ― He hated it, didn’t he?

― Very much.

Griffin sighed, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead together.

― You’re right… These brothers are a problem. And I hate to break the news to you, but… Gray’s coming too.

― Well… no surprise there. Casey kept his mouth shut for quite a while…

― Yeah… Gunner can be pretty… persuasive when he wants to be.

Ada smiled.

― How pissed off is Gray?

― Is there a word to describe when someone has gone over the edge?

― What do you mean? ― Ada asked, confused by his words.

At that moment, a dark red sports car sped down the road, overtaking them and then disappearing from their sight.

― That’s him…

― Oh, shit… ― Ada started swearing, speeding up and trying to catch up.

She then connected her phone to the car and ordered the artificial intelligence to call Hux.

“Calling… Hux.”, announced the electronic voice and, after a few beeps, the man could be heard.

“Hey, love. Have you found Griffin?”

― Love, now? How cute! ― Griffin teased them.

“I’m gonna kill you when you get here.”

― What a chance for you, huh? Being away from Berkshire, you can do whatever you want.

“Trust me, I will. Ada, how long until you get here?”

― About ten minutes. But someone will arrive before me. In a sleek dark red sports car…

“Dark red…? Gray?”

― Yeah. Sorry… My brother’s quite impulsive. ― Griffin said, but he was loving it all. Maybe his brother would serve as a distraction for him…

“Just like you, right?”, said Hux, with a hint of irritation in his voice. “Josiah won’t like that.”

― Tell him who Gray is. But I think he already knows. Gray wouldn’t miss a chance to get to Moon… ― Ada murmured.

― Good. I’ll be killed by Gun, and then resurrected by Ace just so Moon can kill me again. Quite a fate, this one of mine. ― Griffin complained.

“And no one will interfere if that happens… No one. You’re fucked, man”, Hux laughed dryly.

― Why do you hate me so much? ― Griffin asked.

― So childish… ― Ada whispered as she shook her head.

“You fucked up, man. And it’s your bad luck that he came straight to his overprotective sister… Our partner should be our priority. From what I heard of his conversation with his sister, you failed at that. You almost got arrested… What were you thinking?”

― I wasn’t…

“I don't know who’s dumber, you or your brother… See you in a few minutes, Griffin…”

After that, the call was abruptly interrupted.

In the distance, Ada could already see the lights of one of Mendraria’s towers.

― Ready to face the Bexleys?

― Yeah… ― Griffin straightened up in his seat, looking straight ahead. ― I just hope I don’t make things worse…