I ran as fast as my legs would carry me as soon as my feet hit the ground from the train. After so long, why now? Why was everything suddenly happening now?!

People knew who I was—I was hard to miss being taller than most people—and rushed out of my way as they saw me running. I was sure the news had reached Magnolia first, so the sad looks people were giving me weren't all that surprising. I didn't pay any attention to them. I just kept running.

When I saw the Fairy Tail flag up ahead, I knew I was finally close to headquarters. My heart was beating so fast that I thought I might have a heart attack before I even got there.

No, I had to be the strong one right now. Even though my throat felt tight, and my eyes stung, I had to keep it together.

I didn't slow up as I reached the doors, and threw them open as I ran inside. My red eyes searched the room, looking for the only person I wanted—needed —to see.

"Gajeel," Master Makarov said, his eyes dark with sadness as he looked at me. Even after I had been the head of the hunter's council for four years, master still called me by my name. Everyone in Fairy Tail did, and I appreciated it. I hated being called "councilman Redfox".

"Where is she?" I asked. He would know who I meant.

"In there," Master sighed, pointing towards the infirmary.

I rushed to the doors, but paused with my hand on the doorknob. Honestly, I was afraid. After six long years of being apart, we had finally come back together as a family. And now—I took a deep breath. If I had just stayed away, this wouldn't have happened. They could have stayed in hiding, but I brought them back into the spotlight.

Slowly, I opened the infirmary doors and went inside. I spotted her immediately. She was laying with her head on the mattress, resting on her folded arms. Her blue hair was laying around her, and I noticed some of it was slightly purple—stained from blood.

"Levy," I said, quietly.

"G-Gajeel," she whispered, lifting her head at the sound of my voice. My legs nearly gave out at the sight of her. While on the train I had somehow fooled myself into thinking this whole thing had just been a joke, that none of it was real. But now, looking at her, I could no longer deny the truth.

Her left eye was swollen completely shut, and the skin surrounding it was a horrible yellow-purple color from the newly forming bruise. Her cheeks had abrasions all over them, and there was a larger cut right under her swollen eye. Her bottom lip was busted, too.

She ran to me, and I put my arms around her, holding onto her tightly when she began sobbing. "G-Gajeel," she chocked, "they—they—" She cut off, unable to finish.

For the first time since entering the room, I looked down at the bed she had been sitting beside. I felt my chest constrict, and I had to close my eyes.

After six long years, I had finally gotten the love of my life back—along with the most wonderful son anyone could ask for. And only a short time after bringing them back to Fairy Tail, that short-lived happiness was crumbling around me.

Laying there on the bed was Silas. His face was just as bad as Levy's. His small body looked even smaller against the white sheets he was laying on. The only difference between their injuries was the large claw wound.

Going straight through his chest.

Hey there! Thanks so much for checking out Bound By Love! Just to make sure-this is the second book in the series! The first book is titled "Bound By Hate"! (:

On a random, self-promotion note: if you're on Tumblr, you should totally follow me! I bet you can't guess my username! (I'll give you a hint...it's exactly the same as this one. XD)

Happy reading! ^_^/