Chapter 19 - Felix

Two Weeks Later

Stroking my chin, I watch the screen through narrowed eyes as Sierra makes her way inside her yoga studio. She's safe, and that's all that matters.

It's like I can breathe again, a wave of relief washing over me.

"What's Diego Alvarez doing?" I ask Aidan, the warrior dragon shifter on duty in the surveillance room. Despite my best efforts, I can't drag my eyes off Sierra as I watch her prepare for her day instructing a yoga class.

She goes about the room, setting a fresh tray of baked goods she picked up at the bakery on her way to the studio. She remains oblivious as she waltzes around the room, swaying to a beat I can't hear.

I often imagine it's the likes of Ed Sheeran or Taylor Swift playing in her ears. Those are her favorite artists, and I mull over the regret of not setting up a sound system in the guest bedroom while she was around.

It might have appeased her.

"He's attending to a client," Aidan informs me, prompting me to finally remove my gaze from the camera screen and throw him a contemptuous look.

"He agreed to stop his antics," I say, curling my fists at my sides. "He should have stopped his private investigator shenanigans and—"

Aidan lifts a wary hand in the air. "It's a crypto client," he assures me. "I did a background check on the man; his only interest is making more money."

"Diego's too…" I muse sarcastically, turning back to the screen that watches Sierra. Despite my wariness to let Diego go, he's been placed on constant surveillance with the promise to shift careers so he doesn't get into trouble.

Of course, the change of business involves laundering more money out of unsuspecting clients.

That's why I've taken the time to ensure Sierra's safety. Even if it's just an excuse to see her every day.

"Felix?" Aidan calls from behind me. "You don't have to stay here again. I'll watch them both."

I shake my head, continuing to stare at Sierra as she greets her clients for their morning session. She stretches her arms above her head, lifting my lips into a smile. It brings me great joy watching her in her element, teaching the art of yoga while maintaining her own business.

She's always been inclined to independence, unable to work for someone else. She'd turned her passion into a thriving business; now she's where she's meant to be.

At least, I hope so. I'd watched her cry herself to sleep those first few nights back in the mortal world. Of course, she missed the island and my sister, so having to detach must have been hard.

Sadness washes over me when I realize that it wasn't me she was missing. She must be glad to be away from me.

Still, I can't seem to get away from watching her. With every free moment I have, I meet her in the surveillance room even though she doesn't greet me back. She doesn't even know I watch her, but it's better this way.

I don't have to face her rejection like this. I spent seven years away from her, willing myself not to watch her at every given moment, staying strong enough to stay completely out of her life. When she returned to me, it weakened me to the point of no return.

"Felix?" I hear my name in the distance but remain where I am, watching Sierra as she crosses her legs on her mat.

"Felix!"

This time, the voice is louder, prompting me to turn around and grunt in frustration.

"What?!" I groan, irritable, when I find Aragon behind me.

He sighs and shakes his head. "Did you forget? We have training tonight."

"Ah, right, of course," I say, glancing at the screen behind me. Clearing my throat, I say, "I'll meet you in the arena in five minutes."

Thinking Aragon will leave me in peace, I'm surprised when he steps forward and places a hand on my shoulder.

"Brother, you can't go on like this," he says as he shakes his head, worry flashing in his eyes. "I refuse to watch you wither away in front of that screen."

I chuckle nervously, trying to hide the shame I suddenly feel. "I'm not withering away. You know Diego is still a threat to us. One wrong move and I—"

"You'll what?" he quizzes with a raised brow. "Bring Sierra back to the island? You should have just kept her here in the first place."

"You know I couldn't force her," I remind him. "She asked to go back home, and I did as she wanted."

"Are you sure that's what she wanted?" he asks.

I frown at him as he asks his best friend to leave the room. When it's just the two of us, Aragon leans against the desk and crosses his arms.

"I overheard Kairo and Yazmine speaking," he continues when another realization hits me.

"Fuck! How did I forget?" I slap my forehead regretfully. "How is Yazmine doing?"

"She's fine, and the baby is healthy." Aragon's brows furrow.

"Forgive me, Aragon," I sigh as I hang my head bashfully. Aragon's mate, Yazmine, had given birth to a healthy baby boy three nights ago. I haven't been to see them yet, and I've hardly congratulated Aragon on becoming a father.

"There's nothing to forgive, Fel," he assures me. "You're… going through something. I've been in your place, so I understand."

"I'm not going through anything," I defend with a chuckle. "I'm just performing my duties, ensuring the safety of the island."

"Cut the crap, Brother," he clicks his tongue dismissively. "You've spent all your time in this room, watching Sierra. You didn't even attend last night's meeting."

"There was—" I gulp, remembering that there was, in fact, a Council meeting last night. "Right, of course. I—"

"Save it," he says as he lifts a dismissive hand in the air. "I don't need your excuses. I just want my brother back."

My shoulders drop when I feel defeated by his words. "A part of him is no longer here," I admit, pointing at the screen behind me. "I left a piece of me in Charlottesville."

"Then go get it back," he suggests.

"I can't," I admit with a frown. "She doesn't love me."

Aragon nods slowly, watching me intently. "Going back to what I overheard the ladies speaking about…" he continues. "...I think this is a classic case of miscommunication."

"What do you mean?"

"Sierra told Kairo she's still very much in love with you."

"She did?" I ask in surprise, hope washing over me in waves.

He nods. "On her last night on the island, she admitted that to our sister. She wasn't sure if she could trust you, because you'd hurt her before."

"It doesn't make any sense," I frown. "She's the one who asked to go back."

Aragon chuckles. "Yeah, human women are quite complicated. Apparently, she thought you'd fight her that night. When you didn't, she just accepted her fate."

"I did too…" I lament, realizing what a grave mistake I've made. If only I fought harder, Sierra would still be here with me.

I just didn't think that she'd appreciate me fighting at all. It didn't work when I tried the first time.

I didn't try hard enough.

A string of curses rolls off my tongue as I slide a hand through my hair. "What am I gonna do? She's already back in the mortal world!"

Aragon shrugs. "I know you'll figure it out, Fel," he offers. "In the meantime, Draco has called for another meeting with the Council in an hour. You'll have to attend."

"Right." I agree with a nod, doing a quick glance over my shoulder. "I'll be there."

Aragon shakes his head with a smirk. "You're coming with me. I'm not leaving without you."

"What is this? An intervention of sorts?" I ask skeptically, tilting my head to one side.

"Well, you've been acting like a madman, Fel," he chuckles. "I'm glad Aidan called me when he said you've spent most of the day here. I'm not letting you out of my sight."

Grunting under my breath, I roll my eyes. "Did you forget who's older?"

"You're older by a year," Aragon snorts. "Don't let it get to your head."

I chuckle as I follow my brother out of the surveillance room, hope ignited by what he just told me. I know what I need to do now.

I have to fight harder.

***

"Despite my inhibitions, he seems to be well-behaved," I inform the room of Council members at tonight's meeting. I'd asked Aragon to join us, even though he's not a Council member.

Yet.

"... I've been watching his every move, and he hasn't made a wrong one. Still, I believe we should keep our eye on him."

"Agreed," Draco nods. "What about the girl? Is she safe?"

I clear my throat before turning to my eldest brother. "Sierra is safe. But I have a simple request."

"What is it, Felix?" Draco lifts a brow, and I know he suspects I will ask him to bring Sierra back.

Except, that's not my request.

"If the Council will permit it, I'd like to relinquish my Beta duties," I say loud enough for everyone to hear me, glancing around the room with a respectful nod.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" Father asks from across the room. "I thought you were happy being the Beta."

"I wasn't happy, Father. I was simply fulfilling the duties I thought were expected of me. In hindsight, there are other things I'd like to focus on."

"We've never had a Beta give up his title," Nimbus adds.

Chuckling lightly, I look at the man and shrug. "We've never had Betas on the Council panel before, either. It's not breaking any rule."

The elders glance at each other and deliberate my decision.

"You're right," Father finally says. "We're not breaking any rules here. But who will be the Aurora Dragon Beta then?"

"Aragon, of course," I say without hesitation.

"What? Me?" Aragon perks up. "You want me to be the Beta?" he asks as he points at his chest.

"It's what you wanted, Brother," I smile at him. "And since you're the second brother to produce a dragonspirit child, I think it's only fair."

Draco places a hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure about this, Felix?"

I nod, throwing him my most dashing smile. I'd given it a lot of thought, and Aragon would make for a better Beta than I could.

My mind wasn't truly in the game, after all. What I really want is to fix my personal life. I can only do that without my duties looming over my head.

Being the Beta caused my initial delay in seeking the answers I needed from the Cube. I refuse to put Sierra on the sidelines again. If she loves me the way Aragon claims she does, I have to fix things.

I have to fight for her.

"I'm sure, Draco. Now, if you'll excuse me…" I say as I get off my seat. "There's somewhere I need to be."

From across the table, my father smiles and nods curtly at me. I know I've done the right thing when I leave the boardroom and enter the elevator with excitement in my chest.

I finally feel free to pursue what I really love. I'd been so bound by what I thought was expected of me while the gods had other plans. As I step into the lift, I feel the fine hairs on the back of my neck prickle with attention, a distant ringing in my eardrums. Frowning, I can't help but wonder if my senses are heightened now that my resolve has strengthened.

Or if I'm just excited to see Sierra again.