A/N: The forest in Tobago please imagine the storm.
About 180 years ago, the fall of Atlantis
"Warriors protect the gates!" The mermaid king shouted. As yet another explosion occurred the kingdom shook as another barrier fell. The witches were closing in and fast. The King knew that there was no hope. This time was different. Alaric had an army of the strongest dark witches with him. He didn't just come to claim the gates but to wipe out the entire mermaid race. Penetrating the kingdom and laying waste to everything that came their way Alaric along with the other witch council members had reached the inner walls of the kingdom. There wasn't much left separating them from their goal, the gates of hell. Sensing Alaric's approach the king ushered his queen and their three little children, twin boys and their smaller sister to leave. The king had his right hand escort them to the werewolf council where they would be safe, while he stayed to protect the gates. As they left Alaric broke through the last of the barriers destroying the kingdom walls as well. The king stood tall and strong in front of the gates of hell, trident in hand he slammed it down as gold sparks flew out a great show of power that should terrify anyone but Alaric simply smiled. Finally, the gates were quite literally right in front of him. Looking past the imposing King and onto the gates he was intrigued. It was beautiful. Little did he know that just as he was staring into the gates struggling to look past it and into the underworld, someone was looking back at him.
From the other side, King Lucifer looked on, quietly observing everything. Though he couldn't pass through the gates, he was still curious about earth. Since the moment God abandoned him, he has lived in darkness. Hating and envying the humans, wishing for their extinction. Why should God give them free will but not him or other fellow angels? Why must they be slaves to god's every word when the humans can do anything and be forgiven? Lucifer had one goal, eradicate the humans and Alaric was the tool to do so. He was close, what he had been dreaming of for an eternity was almost here, just seconds anyway. Once the mermaid king falls, Alaric will be the new king and then he could open the gates for Lucifer to release hell on earth. Stepping closer Lucifer's anticipation grew as Alaric confidently approached the king unsheathing his own sword. As the witch council stayed behind casting spells to protect and amplify Alaric's magic since witches' bodies were the same as humans. Twirling his sword Alaric raced forward at an impossible speed being supported by the council spells. At the same time, the queen's scream echoed throughout the kingdom causing the king to be distracted for a split second but it was all Alaric needed. Sinking his sword into the king's chest as the king reacted quickly, pulling back his trident to stab into Alaric but the spells cast by the council protected him. As the tip of the trident touched his chest it froze in place unable to lay a scratch on him. Just then some of the witch council's strongest warriors the Royals enter dragging along the Queen and the three children. Though as one of the sons fell to the floor and a pool of blood slowly started forming around him the reason to the queen's earlier scream became obvious. The crown prince was killed. Rushing to his son's side the king fell to his knees beside his Queen as they both hugged their lost child while grabbing onto the other two. The King was livid. Of everything, Alaric had to kill his son. Standing once more he turned to the dark witch ready to strike him down where he stood but only to realize too late Alaric's true intent. Alaric knew no physical weapon would be able to kill him. He needed magic, very dark magic so extreme that once it comes into contact with the king's body all his supernatural powers will neutralize making him human and most importantly unable to heal. Like with the now fully healed stab he received not seconds ago. As the witch council chatting got louder black sparks started flying everywhere. The dark magic rippled in the air. The king stood defensively in front of his family blocking them from the council's view before casting a magic shield of his own. Just then a massive blow of Alaric's dark magic was released. Being intensified by the other council members the king didn't have a chance of surviving, not just him but his whole family will be wiped out.
The air crackled as the intensity of the Alaric's dark magic grew. With the witch council amplifying Alaric's magic there was no way the mermaid king would be able to live through such an attack. Lucifer thought as a slow wicked smirk grew on his face. Having front row seats of the king's downfall was quite entertaining. As Alaric blasted the king with a deathly blow of his dark magic the barrier spell the king put up between Alaric and himself shattered as dark magic rushed around him whipping and burning at his flesh. However, as he slowly opened his eyes he realized why he was still standing and not burnt to a crisp.
As the cloud of dark magic dispatched he saw blood red eyes staring back at him. With an emotionless expression, the girl looked no more than a teenager. She then turned to face Alaric and her back was now on full display for the king and Lucifer. An ugly black charred to her bones. The dark magic sizzled for a few more seconds before suddenly right before their eyes it started rapidly healing. In a matter of seconds, her back was left without a mark, a pristine expanse of creamy skin. Suddenly the girl extended her right hand towards Alaric in a threatening manner only then did the king noticed a pure black sword almost as big as her. Her grip was firm as she handled the sword effortlessly making it seen as light as a feather. Pointing the tip directly at Alaric's throat she acknowledged him as the main threat and as their eyes connected it was clear as day, she was going to kill him.
Twirling it a few times she then literally disappeared only to appear right in front the witch council who was about twenty feet away from where she stood a split second ago. She needed to take them out before killing Alaric so that his magic will weaken. She allowed the witch council no time to react as she swiftly swung her blade cutting the first dark witch council's head clean off as blood splattered out bathing her in it. Just as effortlessly she moved to the next and the next. In a matter of three seconds, the entire witch council saved for Alaric lay dead at her feet. Their black blood stained from darkness covered her hands and face, it clung to her clothes and body but it never bothered her. Turning she continued her slaughter feast aiming right at Alaric however just as she could reach him he had used the last of his amplified dark magic to quickly cast a teleportation spell disappearing just as her blade was about to slice through his heart. The very tip of her blade was left with about two inches of his blood. Just a millisecond later and Alaric would have died.
Suddenly, loud screams were heard as an army of dark witches invaded the kingdom. Turning she disappeared once again only to reappear right in front the dark witches. Then effortlessly and efficiently she killed one after the other. It wasn't a battle but a slaughter. From the moment Emma appeared the witches no longer had a fighting chance. At full strength, she destroyed everything in her path. Just eighteen years old but her power and strength were light-years ahead of her.
Lucifer looked on silently. Though he had lost his chance at destroying the world he wasn't angry. In fact, he was intrigued. If not for being a fallen angel he would not have been able to follow her every move. Every twist, every turn, from the way her long black hair moved behind her, to the way she handled such a deadly sword. There was a darkness that shone behind her eyes. She was just barely able to suppress it. She seemed very young yet had so much power and darkness inside her. It called out to him. It entrapped him. It captivated him. He couldn't look away. She was all he saw. Be it love at first sight or a dark obsession he knew his entire world shifted the moment he saw her. From then on Lucifer's purpose changed, from destroying the world to making her his queen.
. . . .
Tobago: Crescent Wolf
Somewhere in the forest in the middle of a storm
It was dark and cold. An owl's hoots echoed throughout the forest as leaves rustled with the wind. Barefooted Jarred ran frantically. Twigs splintered and pierced his feet as small rocks made him stumble. As the winds picked up an icy cold unrelenting downpour started. Drenching him and blurring his vision. He didn't care though but just ran. He needed to clear his head. The need for his mate was starting to eat at his sanity. It was why he was out at night in the middle of a storm running like a crazy person. Suddenly lighting strike as thunder rolled loudly. The sky flashed from pitch black lighting up to pure darkness again.
Yet still Jarred couldn't get her out his head. Her sweet smell, her soft hands, beautiful eyes, long flowing hair. He remembered every detail. Her soft sweet voice when she called his name. The way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him. How her heart raced when he looked back. Her soft lips as they melted against his. How his heart raced when she kissed him. His beautiful tiny mate being so brave. He should have never left her. He should have never let go. He was so blind, so stupid. What was he thinking getting a substitute mate? Brittney could never compare to Alice. He should have listened to his wolf all along. As if responding to Jarred his wolf echoed a pained howl in his mind causing Jarred to flinch violently at the intensity of grief his wolf started projecting to him. Slamming into a tree Jarred fell backward into the mud and debris. His whole body was now covered in mud. He felt twigs and the mud at the back of his head as it clung to his bare chest and soaked his pants.
His wolf's howls kept echoing in his head as a voice grew stronger.
'It's all your fault!'
'It's all your fault!'
'It's all your fault!'
Over and over it whispered venomously into his ear. Since Alice disappear he started hearing it and as each day passed it grew stronger and stronger.
As the icy rain poured down on him the cold wind caused him to shiver but he stayed still. The howls of his wolf grew desperate in anxiety and grief as the need for his mate started distorting his reality. His wolf wasn't just expressing his pain but he was calling for her, hoping, praying she heard. The voice in his head hot louder, now screaming viciously at Jarred. The hatred and scorn was evident, wrapping around his neck choking him. His hands reached up to his neck to find nothing. It was all in his head.
Suddenly everything grew quiet. The icy rain stop. The harsh cold winds turned into a soft breeze as the sky brightened into a bright sunny day. Birds chirped as Jarred found himself laying in a field of flowers. Confused and bewildered about the sudden change Jarred questioned his sanity. He couldn't tell what was real anymore. This had to be fake right? He was just in the middle of a storm and it's sunny.
Slowly raising Jarred analyzed his surroundings. As far as the eyes could see there were flowers but then looking carefully something caught his eyes. Off in the far distance was someone. A girl from the looks of it but her back was turned to him. He couldn't tell who she was. Stepping forward he slowly approached her. Her white flow dress moved in the wind. Her long hair danced behind her and as she turned slightly he noticed the bunch of lilies in her arms. Now less than ten feet away he suddenly froze as the familiarity of her slapped him out of his trace. It was the same one he had been dreaming about for a while now. As she turned to face him, his heart stopped, his mouth hanging open as he forgot how to breathe. She was here, right in front him... Alice.
Rushing forward he quickly wrapped her in his arms lifting her off the ground. Burying his head into her neck he took deep whiffs before releasing his fangs and sinking them into her tender neck marking her as his. His grip tightened as his eyes glowed gold and a soft simile formed on his lips. He didn't care anymore, what was real and what wasn't. As long as he had her everything else could go to hell.
Suddenly lighting strike as the loud thunder pulled him back to reality. His eyes snapped open to meet the dark stormy night as icy rain drenched him. Looking down at his arms he was meet with nothing but thin air. It was all in his head. She was never here.
Arghhhh!
He screamed punching a tree however before his fist could connect a shadowed figure appeared before him stopping the Beta's fist with an extended open hand effortlessly.
Jarred froze unsure. It was so hard for him to tell what was real anymore he didn't know if he imagined this person or if they were real but whoever they are. They were powerful. Darkness radiated off them in large waves as black eyes peered at him. Jarred found himself praying for this to be another piece of his growing insanity because if it was real he just might be killed tonight.
"Beta Jarred Thompson"
It spoke with a wicked smirk.
"How the mighty has fallen. Stupid mutt, you don't even know what you threw away. To think an angel could be here on earth and you rejected her."
The dark voice mocked him laughing at the end.
"Shut up!" Jarred screamed punching forward aiming for his head but like before the dark figure effortlessly stopped him.
"Who are you?" Jarred demanded. He was pissed. This person was intentional aggravating him.
"Me?"
It chuckled darkly.
"Show yourself" Jarred commanded.
"Does it matter who I am?"
It questioned stepping closer.
"What's important is that I think we could help each other out."
"What do you want?" Jarred question guarded. Whoever this person was their power was no joke. The darkness from them felt like it was crawling on his skin trying to infect him.
"I have a proposition. What if I tell you I can help you find your mate..."
Instantly Jarred's eyes flashed gold, his wolf was on full alert.
"Why would you help me? What do you gain?"
Jarred questioned cautiously.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with."
"What?" Jarred questioned cautiously. He had mixed feelings about this. Sure he wanted to find his mate but did he really want someone like this near Alice?
As if reading his mind the dark figure responded.
"It is wise to be worried but I assure you, I have no interest in your mate."
Extending his hand for Jarred to shake he questioned.
"Do we have a deal?"
Staring at the dark figure Jarred contemplated what was better before responding.
"I don't make deals with shadows. Who are you?"
A low dark chuckle escaped the dark figure's lips.
"Indeed you are very wise."
He answered seemingly amused as he reached up slowly pulling back his hood.
Jarred gasped as he was finally able to see his face.
"You!"
The only response Jarred got was a wicked smirk. Jarred studied the man before him for a few minutes before asking.
"What do I need to do to find my mate?"
Jarred questioned observing him.
"Die."
He responded as Jarred's eyes widened.
"You don't have much time left. You feel it don't you. The need is eating at your sanity. Soon you wouldn't be able to tell what's real and what's not unless... you already can't."
He mocked seeing Jared's reaction.
"You will either become a rouge or die. You are already at a dead end why not risk it all to be with her?"
He made sense Jarred thought. He didn't have much time left this was his last chance at being with his mate.
Studying him for a few more minutes Jarred made his decision. Extending his hand the dark figure too took his. As they shook hands Jarred suddenly felt a cut appear on his palm. Pulling away the entire palm of his hand was covered in a mixture of bright red blood and a dark black blood. The dark figure smirked.
A blood contract, there was no way Jarred could back out now. Looking into those piercing black eyes Jarred quickly realized that maybe this was not such a great idea however he didn't get even a second more to regret his decision. In that instant with a flick of a wrist Jarred's neck snapped as he fell to the forest floor dead.
. . . .
Sneak Peak: A lot of overdue mushy romance :)
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