~One Year Earlier, Blood Lake

After warning the Blood Luna that she needed to return to her house before her mate returned, I stared out at Blood Lake. I had been standing out here since I fled the Pack House after rejecting my mate.

I, Katrina Parker, reject you, Leonardo Arsenau, as my mate.

The words spilled out of my mouth effortlessly, too easy to break such a significant part of my wolf. My wolf didn't understand, couldn't understand why I wouldn't just kill Gwen and be with my mate, but the human side of me was at least slightly more rational.

And she would become the Luna of Blue Moon.

Not that she knew that yet, of course. Nobody but me knew that Thane, current Alpha of Blue Moon, was fated to die during the war. If it sounds like I'm indifferent about it, it's because I mostly am. I don't know Thane, but I suppose he seems like a decent enough guy. But unfortunately, I have to make decisions, hard ones because of my Sight. People have to die, as is life, and I have to let them.

Although I could not meddle, and let the Blood Alpha die for Ares. Although if I do that, then Ares will lose to Selene, and Blood Lake will erupt into chaos. Without the Blood Alpha and Luna, packs would not be as afraid of Blood Lake and begin fighting over their territory. Which just means more war, more deaths.

Not a future I particularly care for.

And in the future, the Blood Alpha and Luna's kids will need to be alive, have their own destinies to fulfil. Not an easy life by far, but with such potent Alpha blood in their veins, there is simply no way they can avoid shifting the trajectory of the future.

It's strange, how easily futures can shift. How easily they can shift because of me. It's surreal to think about how much power I have over the future, over the fate of other people. Save lives, be the reason lives die.

So many decisions.

It's not something I care to think about.

But it's unavoidable in some cases. Cases like this one, where if I don't meddle, there will be far more bloodshed than if I do. So, am I disturbed that I saw Thane's brutal death, know how crushed Ares will be? Sure. Does it still have to happen?

Yes.

Sight is no Gift. It is a curse, and a gruesome one at that.

***

Modern Day

Killian was right about taking his hand, I only felt a slight pounding on my skull after we traversed into Crimson Shadow.

I recognize the outside of the stone Pack House from a vision I had a year ago, the reason why that bastard Killian came into my life in the first place.

"Welcome home, darling," Killian says with a grin, and I scowl at him as I rip my gloved hand out of his.

"And what an ugly home it is," I tell him sweetly.

A lie, and we both know it. The Pack House is so big, it looks more like a mansion, and the high stone walls and terraces give it an old-timey castle look.

"I'll give you a tour," Killian offers as we strep through the house.

"No need," I smirk. "I already know where everything is. A kitchen around that corner, your living room is two rights and a left away, and your bedroom is on the fifth floor, end of the hallway to the left." A guess about his bedroom, but since that area of the house is blocked off by my Sight, it can only mean that Killian resides there.

Killian's brief look of shock is quickly replaced with a smile, but I feel victorious anyways. It's nice to know that just because my Sight doesn't work on Killian, it'll still work on things relating to Crimson Shadow.

"Now, where will I be staying?" I continue. "Preferably as far away from the fifth floor, end of the hallway as possible."

"Sorry, my dear. I'm afraid that we're low on empty rooms. You can either sleep in the room next to mine or- and this is my personal favorite option- you sleep in my room," Killian says, his eyes twinkling in mischief.

I narrow my eyes at him. "I happen to know for a fact that there are twelve empty rooms. I'll take the one on the third floor, second door to the right."

"Under construction."

"Third floor, third door to the left."

"No running water."

"Second floor, first door to the left."

"That's where I do my Pilates."

"You're impossible."

"Impossibly good looking."

"Impossibly annoying."

"You love it."

"I love when you shut up."

"Why don't you make me, darling?"

I groan, rubbing my temples. "Take me to the stupid room already. I need to sleep off the migraines you give me."

Killian shrugs. "As you wish, my dear."

Before I realize what's happening, he grabs me by the shoulder and we're falling through the darkness for a few moments before my feet hit the floor. I stumble, but Killian steadies me.

I snarl, ribbing myself out of his grip. "Don't do that."

Killian smiles innocently. "You asked me to take you to the room. I obliged. I believe a thank you is in order. I accept payment in the form of kisses or disrobed clothing."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, reminding myself that he's an Alpha, and killing him would be more trouble than he's worth.

"Do you like the room?" Killian asks, gesturing with his hand.

As much as I hate to admit it, it is a really nice room. Bigger than my entire loft, decorated tastefully, and there's even fresh flowers in a vase on the bedside table.

"I'd like it more if you weren't in it," I tell him honestly.

Killian shrugs before disappearing, and I exhale in relief when he's gone, and begin to unpack what little amount of stuff I was able to bring on such short notice.

When I finish unpacking in the closet, I step into the bedroom and let out a short scream when I see Killian laying on my bed.

"Stop doing that!" I shout, my heart still racing. Surprises are not something I like, not something I usually ever get.

Killian grins. "I just wanted to let you know that dinner will be at seven. You can meet my circulus."

"Circulus?" I repeat.

"It's the Latin word for circle," Killian explains, and for once, there's no arrogant smirk on his face, only a look of reverence. "The Viatoribus leader has one. It's a trusted group of advisors, I implemented one in my pack once I returned."

I frown. "I don't get it. Wouldn't that just be your Pack Leaders?"

Killian shakes his head. "Pack Leaders are my ranked wolves. My circulus does have some of my ranked wolves, but not all of them. Members of my circulus are selected based not just on strength or hierarchy but skill."

"Shouldn't your Pack Leaders be the most skilled?" I inquire.

The corner of his mouth pulls up slightly. "Pack Leaders gain their position through lineage. It's true that they're stronger than normal wolves, but I need more than just strong wolves to be on my team of advisors."

I consider his words. "Most Alphas don't like taking advice."

It's one of the main reasons Seers are disliked by Alphas, who don't want to be told when they're making a wrong decision.

Killian shrugs. "Alphas are raised with a silver spoon in their mouth. They work for nothing, already knowing that their position is secured. They grow up thinking that they are the best, they are the strongest. It is their biggest weakness, one I try to avoid by having people around me that are wise enough to point out my mistakes."

I blink. I wasn't expecting that, not from Killian, but then again, I never knew what to expect from him. Maybe once I stop hating him, I'll ask him more about being raised by the Viatoribus. I have to admit, they sound completely fascinating, and my Knowing doesn't seem to stretch that far.

"Are you going to keep staring at me, or are you going to join me?" Killian grins, gesturing next to him on the bed.

"Get out of my bed."

Killian tsks. "You want it on the floor? Dirty girl."

"Get out of my room," I snarl.

Killian sighs. "Fine. But dinner. 7. Don't be late," He warns before disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Grumbling to myself, I crawl into bed, but I feel thoroughly unnerved that Killian could appear anywhere, at anytime, and I have no way of knowing.

And the not knowing is what scares me the most about him.