Hearts On Fire
Chapter 1

In the woods

Thorne: “That was an amazing workout.”

Azar: “I need more.”

Thorne: “Save it for tomorrow. You know we're celebrating Khiara’s 18th birthday today.”

Azar: “How did she grow up so fast?”

Thorne: “We’re only three years older than her.”

Azar: “And still without mates.”

Thorne: “I've been telling you my theory for years now. I'm sure we’ll replace our mates together. They're probably best friends like you and I.”

Azar: “I'm tired of waiting. We were supposed to replace them three years ago.”

Thorne: “You know the whole story of your mother and father. You know what kind of mess happened because uncle Fenrir wasn’t waiting for aunt Azzy.”

Azar: “You know what I'm talking about.”

Thorne: “I need to go. My dad's are going over the top again with organizing the party.”

Azar: “They’re always over the top. Especially uncle Sammy. But we love them.”

Thorne: “Are you staying?”

Azar: “I'll work out a bit longer.”

Thorne: “Suit yourself. I'll see you later.”

In Azar’s head: Ready for my training, Blaise?

Blaise: “Always.”

In Azar’s head: The more time passes, the more frustrated I am. I was supposed to meet my mate three years ago like every wolf does but Thorne hasn't met his mate yet. He may be right and that gives me hope. After all, my dad met my mom when he was thirty. That’s the most unusual case. Everything about those two is unusual and rare. Others would say it’s impossible but looks like my parents broke all the odds. My mom is a Hellhound and my dad is the Alpha of all Alpha’s and I'll be taking his spot, that's why I'm training so hard everyday. I wanna be ready. Truth be told, I'm the strongest wolf that’s ever existed. The combined genes of my mom and dad made me invincible. No, I'm not the Hellhound like my mom but she did pass me an amazing gift. Fire. We’re not sure how that’s possible but my family stopped searching for answers as long ago as we couldn't replace any information. Not only that, my wolf Blaise has the power of fire when he shifts but I do too in my human form. We know for sure that I haven't unlocked my full potential. That’ll happen only once I replace my mate and mark her. That's why I'm searching for her so desperately. Don't get me wrong, it's not only power I'm seeking. Of course I wanna meet the other half of my soul but having this gift was always really hard to control. Especially when I was younger. My poor parents. I don't know how they endured that but they managed to teach me well. My gift is closely connected to my emotions. Having both my mom's and dad's short temper, as a child I’d end up burning everything around me when I'm angry. And with years and years of training made me have full control of it until I turned eighteen. That was the day I was supposed to meet my mate. But as you can tell, that didn't happen. Not only was I disappointed I started having these strange feelings of something being wrong. It was like I could feel her even though we aren't marked. I could often feel this severe pain and sadness. Sometimes, I could hear her cries echoing inside my head. This made me lose control. Something was wrong, whoever she is. I can feel it and I couldn't shake the feeling for years. Not until a few months ago. Even though feeling strange emotions and pain that wasn't mine was agonizing me. When it stopped I was far from happy. I couldn't feel her anymore. I don't know who she is or where she is…now our strange connection is broken, I don't know if she's alive anymore and that thought terrifies me. I'm hiding it from everyone. Everyone kept telling me it's probably nothing, that it’s all in my head. It's possible for wolves to feel their mates until they mark each other but my parents believed me. Their story is unusual and them being mates was completely odd. There were never records that a Hellhound was capable of bearing children. Yet my mom ended up giving birth to me and my sister three years later. My sister, Khiara, is a regular wolf though, no special abilities. Still incredibly strong. These months after I stopped feeling my mate was pure torture for me. I decided to finally move out of my family's house. I was so out of control and I was scared for the safety of the people I love. I didn't want them to be around me. I concentrated on my training trying to regain control over myself. That’s the only thing that kept me sane. I felt like I was losing my mind. Thorne was by my side everyday. He’ll be my beta once I take the position of alpha of all of those from my father. Uncle Jessie and Uncle Sammy adopted him and we were inseparable since day one. He's like a brother to me. I tried distancing myself from everyone for their safety but today is my little sister's birthday so I need to stop avoiding my family. I just hope I replace my mate soon or at least feel her. But one thing I know for sure, someone’s been hurting her for years and they’ll pay me with their lives as soon as I replace them. (in the living room)

Azrael: “What's with that face?”

Fenrir: “Nothing.”

Azrael: “Fenrir, I know it's hard for you to accept that Khiara is turning eighteen.”

Fenrir: “She's my baby, I don't want her to have a mate.”

Azrael: “Stop that! You need to let our daughter be happy. Time flew by so fast. I'm sad that they grew up so fast and that they are adults now and we need to get over it. Plus, you know we don't have to worry about Khiara. We already know Cole is her mate.”

Fenrir: “I don't like him.”

Azrael: “He’s Felix’s son. The son of your best friend and beta. Who could be better for our daughter than him?”

Fenrir: “He's older than her.”

Azrael: “What did you just say? He's only three years older and are you forgetting the fact that you're a lot older than me?”

Fenrir: “That's different.”

Azrael: “How the hell is that different? Stop the nonsense. What would we do if we didn't replace out he’s her mate on his eighth birthday? And you know how protective he always was of her since she was born.”

Fenrir: “You're right.”

Azrael: “Azar’s the one I’m worried about.”

Fenrir: “Tell me about it.”

Azrael: “I just hope his mate is okay and he meets her soon.”

Fenrir: “Do you think it's possible that she's dead? Since he can't feel her anymore?”

Azrael: “I don't know what to think. Him feeling her before meeting her is strange.”

Fenrir: “Everything about him is special.”

Azrael: “Well, he’s our son.”

Fenrir: “So true.”

Azrael: “You're gonna behave today?”

Fenrir: “I will…on one condition.”

Azrael: “What do you mean?”

Fenrir: “You give me another baby.”

Azrael: “Oh hell no. What if the third one turns out to be like Azar? Thankfully Khiara wasn’t. We all barely survived his childhood and outburst.”

Fenrir: “It really was a nightmare.”

Azrael: “You remember when he showed us the flame in his hand for the first time?”

Fenrir: “How could I ever forget that? We all wanted to faint.”

Azrael: “But he had us and we taught him well.”

Fenrir: “With you as his mother.”

Azrael: “And you as his father.”

Fenrir: “I guess we should try our luck with baby number three. What do you say?”

Azrael: “How could I say no to my alpha?”

Fenrir: “You're so gorgeous today, puppy.”

Azrael: “Today?”

Fenrir: “Yes. Just like every single day for the past twenty two years.”

Khirara: “Ewww! Mom! Daddy!”

Fenrir: “What is it, princess?”

Khiara: “I picked the dress. I'll look perfect for Cole.”

Azrael: “And that’s why you started yelling like crazy?”

Khiara: “Why not? It's my day today.”

Azrael: “Forget about the third child. Those two are too much already.”

Fenrir: “She has your temper and habit to scream and yell.”

Azrael: “Excuse me? You're the one who yells all the time. Plus, look at her. She's the splitting image of you. So technically it's your fault.”

Fenrir: “They both are. I told you my genes are more dominant. I'm always dominant.”

Azrael: “You could never overpower me.”

Fenrir: “You are forgetting about bedroom time.”

Azrael: “That's only because I let you.”

Khiara: “I'm still here.”

Azar: “I heard one princess has her birthday today.”

Khiara: “Az, you came.”

Azar: “Of course I came.”

Khiara: “I missed you like crazy, big bro. I haven't seen you in two months.”

Azar: “Let's not talk about that right now.”

Khiara: “I'm sorry. I'm just happy to see you and you're here. That’s most important.”

Azar: “You look stunning, little sis.”

Khiara: “I'm dying to meet my mate.”

Azar: “But we already know that Cole is your mate. You see him everyday.”

Khiara: “Yes, but this is different. We can finally be together.”

Azar: “He better be nice and treat you like a queen or we’re gonna have a problem.”

Khiara: “We all knew each other since the day we were born. We grew up together and he's been your friend your whole life. You know he's a sweetheart.”

Azar: “Still, you're my baby sister. One wrong move and he's out.”

Khiara: “I'm gonna go touch up my makeup, I'll see you in a few.”

Azar: “Mom, dad?”

Azrael: “My baby boy.”

Azar: “I'm not a baby anymore, mom.”

Azrael: “Shush. I don't wanna hear another word. You'll always be my baby. Didn't you miss your mother?”

Azar: “I do. You know how much I love you but I needed to go and you know why.”

Azrael: “How have you been doing? You look handsome and taller than the last time.”

Azar: “I'm good. I've been training a lot.”

Azrael: “I can tell.”

Fenrir: “Of course you're handsome when you look exactly like me.”

Azar: “Hey, dad.”

Azrael: “Are you gonna stay with us a bit longer this time?”

Azar: “I don't know.”

Fenrir: “We're not pressuring you. The most important thing is that you're okay.”

Azar: “Thanks dad.”

Azrael: “At least you have Thorne by your side. Jessie and Sammy raised him well.”

Azar: “He's helping me and the fact that he hasn't found his mate yet calms me down.”

Fenrir: “Tell us about your training.”