Actaeon Island: Vulcan Clan
As the wind picked up Emma sat in a long coat compliments Ambrose as she gazed at the night sky. Sitting on top the highest point of the castle she was lost in thought as the relentless cold winds whipped around her attempting to fling her up ten stories below to the ground. She sat completely unbothered by the winds, unable to feel the cold or the strength of its force. Too lost in thought she didn't notice the lone figure looking on in worry.
Chocolate brown eyes looked on uneasy as his mate sat so high up being assaulted by the winds.
'She must be freezing.' He thought.
Carefully he climbed up, slowly taking his time as he was afraid of making too much noise and starling her. He didn't want to take the chance of her falling off. Finally, on top, he sat and as her back froze up she was aware of his presence.
"What are you doing here?"
Emma questioned faking a shiver.
"Making sure you don't freeze or fall, I wouldn't ask for more."
Jake spoke now opening the massive coat he had slung over his arm and carefully wrapping her in it before taking the scarf off his neck and wrapping her up, he pulled up the coat buttoning it till the top making sure she stayed toasty before scooting close but not too close. Just enough to grab her if need be she fell.
Emma let him dress her silently observing him. As he took off his scarf she saw light goosebumps rose along his neck though he didn't show it he must be cold. He, after all, lived his whole life in the Carribean.
"Why?"
Emma questioned, though it was one word Jake seemed to understand the question.
Why did he care when he didn't want a human her.
"I'm sorry."
Emma remained silent, a sorry alone was not enough.
"I - there was a - something-"
Jake tried unable to start speaking. The things he knew he must tell her had remained buried deep in his heart for eighteen years. He never spoke to another soul about it but he knew if he wanted her he had to lay his soul bare.
Taking a deep breath he tried again as Emma turned to look at him in curiosity but doing well to hide it appearing seemly indifferent, protecting herself. He let her down once too many times he can do it again she thought before staring at the stars once more.
"I was eight, I wanted to celebrate my birthday on the mainland. I begged my parents to go, after a few days of pleading they agreed."
He paused before continuing.
"Tobago was beautiful, all that I imagined and more, however... Everything changed that first night."
Now Emma turned again unable to hide her curiosity.
"Dad rented a cottage in the woods, we were so far away from civilization, he thought it would be better for us to shift but, it turned out to be their graves."
He whispered the last part as a lone tear rolled down his cheek.
Emma looked on as her fingers twitched as they longed to hold his hand in comfort but she didn't move.
After a long silence, Jake finally spoke again with a faraway look as tears slowly rolled down his face.
"Hunters found us, dad used his alpha command on me. I stayed in the closet still, unmoving, eyes wide open staring through the cracks. I saw everything. The- They ra-ped my mom. They forced my dad to watch. They ki-killed her then they killed him."
Jake stopped talking as tears flowed freely. It would seem that spending all that time never talking about it had taken a toll on him. He didn't realize how truly alone he was. Before he had wanted a mate to have what his parents had but now he wanted to love, to trust, someone he can share all of himself with, someone who will love him despite his flaws.
As sobs racked through him, he started reliving that horror from his childhood. He was no longer on a rooftop but in that dark closet once again, listening to the cries of his mom and the screams of his dad begging them to stop with him sitting so still unable to move.
The night sky disappeared as the nightmare played out right before his eyes. Gasping he couldn't breathe as his eyes glazed over.
Emma reacted fast, grabbing the sides of his face with both hands she yanked his head to hers forcing him to look at her.
Like a light in the dead of the night, her touch was a warmth he desperately needed. Upon contact his vision cleared, blinking a few times he came inches from her. Coming back to reality he realized where he was softly placing his right hand over hers that was still holding onto his face.
"It's okay, you can tell me the rest another time."
Emma whispered softly, she didn't want to ruin the moment. Slowly reaching up she gently wiped his tears with her free hand.
"I have many scars too. I have been hurt immensely by the witch council-"
At this Jake released a deep growl, as his tears were now gone he was ready to kill those who hurt his mate.
Emma smiled softly before continuing.
"But I didn't decide to hate all witches. I love Ambrose, despite him being a witch, the very thing that almost destroyed me."
Jake growled even louder as his eyes glowed gold, Dimitri nor Jake was pleased with her saying she loved another man or the potential threat to their mate. While Jake was unaware, Dimitri knew the nasty things they did to her, it made his blood boil.
Emma leveled Jake a long stare, to which he reluctantly controlled himself. She then let him go putting a little space between them as Jake's face fell.
"I'll make this clear, we are not mates. You rejected me, I accepted. I do admit we have a special connection but you already gave up any claim over me."
With her words, Jake looked like his entire world was ripped away from him. He seemed just about ready to bawl his eyes out if it meant she will soften up to him again.
"Especially now... that I'm human." She finished softly, nervously glancing at him for his reaction. Seeing him sit still she continued.
"You must be glad, you wouldn't have to get stuck with this pathetic weak human. You can find someone that suits you more."
"No..." Came a strangled harsh whisper from him before he said it again but louder.
"No." He spoke again this time with determination staring her straight in the eyes.
"I was wrong, on so many levels, I was wrong. Coming here, experiencing what it was like to be the weaker one. You made me see power isn't everything. However, I'm not promising to love all humans just that I wouldn't hate all of them for the few bad handfuls. You, however, are different."
He spoke with a glint in his eyes, he truly wanted her to see he was changing. To make her understand how sorry he was for everything he had done.
"I love you."
Eyes going wide Emma gasped loudly.
"I have realized I love you regardless of the mate bond. You are exactly what I need. It doesn't matter if you are human or werewolf. I just need you." Jake finished with as much sincerity as he could muster in his gaze. He needed her to know he was being truthful.
"How can you say that? This is the first real conversation we had..."
She trailed off, can she trust him? What if he just goes back to his old ways when she accepts the bond again, It could just be his wolf pressuring him to reclaim his mate.
"I'm broken in many ways, only you can make me feel whole," Jake spoke again, he wasn't going to hide anymore and let her know exactly how he felt.
She saw it, he was telling the truth, but treating her alone as a human being was not right. He needed to accept his duty as god's third child and protect all humans. He still had a long way to go but at least now she didn't have to hide from him anymore. Just then she felt a tentative nudge within her mind, Ambrose was calling her. She didn't know how to respond to Jake and was overjoyed for the escape.
She quickly stood surprizing Jake who also was about to stand worried for her safety. If she was human he had to take proper care of her, she could die falling from this height. In fact, she already stayed in the cold long enough it was time she headed inside. He thought wondering if she would protest to him carrying her back, he didn't want her losing balance.
"Ambrose is calling for me." This was all she said before literally disappearing. Truth was, she was moving too fast for him to see. She jumped off while flipping off the coat and scarf sending them flying she landing on the ground in a large hole. Using a restoration spell she fixed it and with one last glance up she clearly saw the absolute stupified face of Jake who now realized she had gained back her powers. Though he could barely make her out she could have count each of his eyelashes if she wanted to. Turning she walked inside leaving Jake with his mouth hanging wide open just as the coat finally floated down to land on his head.
. . . .
The Bermuda Triangle: South Kingdom (Gates of Hell)
Tortured screams filled the southern kingdom as mermaid after mermaid completed their transformation. Some dying some living, it was a painful, gruesome process where only the strong can survive. As the last bit turned Alaric looked on in pure glee, his envy over Cain long gone as he now had his own personal army that was obedient to him alone. Since giving Zander the key Alaric had to contain the walker, roaring and fighting Zander tried reaching his king but Alaric needed to be ready, now that he had his army everything was in place. It was time they left.
Leaving the witch council's dark warriors to guard the gates Alaric stood before his newly turned army, while Zander was a few feet to his sides chained and shackled with dark magic keeping him detained. Alaric stepped forward, there was still one last thing to do.
"Kneel!" Alaric roared out slamming his staff down hard.
He needed them to submit acknowledging him as their master.
At his command most instantly went down on one knee bowing their heads in submission, others the stronger ranks resisted, some slowly crumbling and few remain standing. The three top warriors remained standing through their body shock under the command.
Alaric stepped close to the strongest of the three.
"Submit." He didn't yell, but his warning was clear as day, fail to obey would mean your death.
At this, the last three kneeled.
"Finally," Alaric spoke still cheerful from gaining his army. He then turned to his execution team leader of the witch council.
"Guard the gates well, don't let anything get through."
He had brought the execution team with him leaving the royals to guard the rest of the council. Like the werewolves the witches' rankings and system were similar.
Turning Alaric was about to leave when he froze as standing behind him was Cain. He didn't even sense his return.
Cain had already sent Jared along with the team of demons sent from Lucifer to find the hybrid, before coming back to Alaric. He needed to keep a close eye to stay ahead of the game.
"Why are you back? Was everything sorted out?"
Alaric questioned appraising Cain, something felt different about his right hand but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Cain, however, grew uneasy as he looked directly into Alaric's eyes. The red of his eyes were dull, it was time for another dose. Only how will Cain find a way to make Alaric drink demon blood at this moment. He seemed ready to charge ahead and find the hybrid.
Leveling Alaric with a sinister smirk he spoke not reflecting any of his fears.
"All dead. Except for the leader. He was saved for you."
Cain finished with a playful wink, trying hard to figure out how he was going fix this problem. Alaric has to intake darkness by means of demon blood the purest form to exist. If not the change will start. The balance within Alaric will change. Cain needed Alaric to stay evil in order to complete all of Lucifer's plans.
"Good, you came back in the nick of time. Let's go find the hybrid." Alaric spoke walking ahead.
At this Cain quickly stepped forward producing a small golden flask.
"I brought back some of your favorite wine. I know these fishes would have nothing to suit your refined taste."
Cain held out the gold trim flask as it gleamed under the light. Alaric glanced at it swayed by its beauty before taking it and placing it in his pocket.
This was the best Cain could do. Sooner or later Alaric would take a sip and the balance within him will be restored but for now, he needed to make sure Alaric didn't notice any differences.
. . . .
Actaeon Island: Vulcan Clan
Alice sat by the fireside with Ambrose as they both sipped lemon tea. A third cup rested on the little table as Emma approached. Ambrose had successfully acquired drinking buddies as they both realized drinking tea in the cold weather was a solace.
"I felt your indecisiveness, what happened?" Ambrose commented bringing the fine china to his lips as Alice hummed in agreement.
While she didn't have a direct link to Emma, she could, however, feel her negative emotions, mostly fear. They concluded it was a result of her being Emma's guardian angel, which is why they told her the full truth about Emma. Alice could be trusted. At first, she started crying before becoming enraged as her angel surfaced until Emma calmed her down.
"He said he loved me."
She responded quietly taking a seat and staring into the flames, wondering how much of it was real.
Ambrose's eyebrows shot up as Alice's eyes widened.
"He wh-what?" She stuttered.
Emma didn't respond, taking her tea she began sipping the boiling liquid, just like Ambrose while Alice waited for it to cool to a drinkable temperature, after all, she still had a human body.
"Emma..." Ambrose started.
"What do you feel?" He questioned slowly while Alice's mouth opened and closed. She just couldn't believe it but she didn't want to hurt Emma by saying her thoughts out loud, Emma however, knew this and responded.
"Alice you are our equal, never be afraid to speak your mind."
At this Alice slowly looked at her with sadness and worry.
"I don't believe it. After living with him for so long seeing the things he has done... I don't believe he truly loves you. He is obsessed with power. You have to be careful."
Ambrose then spoke up.
"Maybe but coming here has changed him, he has learned what it was like to be the weak one. Also, I think our little plan is working, he believes you are human. I found him in the library looking up human medical books. He was even practicing first aid on one of my warrior statues. That was a sight, a grown alpha male bandaging a metal arm. I think he almost died in shame when I caught him."
Ambrose chuckled, while Alice gasped and a small smile formed on Emma's lips.
"He truly believes I'm human, I'm just worried if it's his wolf pushing him or that he just doesn't want to live mateless. Someone that obsessed with power doesn't change easily. He was willing to make a human me live in suffering without him..." Emma finish as her eyes became glassy and she placed her now empty cup down as Alice now took her first sip.
Ambrose looked at her in sadness. He didn't know what else to say to comfort her.
With a determined look, Alice spoke up, "Soon you will be at full power, I think if you accept his rejection you should break your mate bond the way you did for me."
Ambrose observed Emma's tortured look. With moist eyes that didn't leave the flames her hands unconsciously went up to hug herself as Alice spoke. Ambrose could see it clear as day. This was harder than anything she ever had to do in her life, even saving the south kingdom when she was just a child herself. One thing was sure she wanted a mate, Emma was tired of living alone but whether he was right was another story, and her heart couldn't take another crack.
"About that... He knows." She whispered hugging herself tighter.
"Why did you tell him? We had a plan." Ambrose questioned curiously as to why she told him she was no longer a human.
"I knew he wasn't lying, he wants me now. However, I can't tell if it's him or the wolf's mate bond. Being only mated to his wolf puts a lot of pressure on him. It matters not what I am, his need to claim me will be beyond him. He doesn't have a choice. If he wants to stay in control he will have to claim me as well or his wolf could take control pushing him to the back. You should know, you felt it, his wolf isn't normal. The power radiating of his wolf surpassed the council leaders themselves." She finished solemnly.
Ambrose could see it, she really believed it. Sighing he wondered how to help Jake, while Ambrose wasn't crazy about Jake, the truth of the matter was Jake was Emma's true mate by god. There was a greater meaning to all of this and he needed to make sure god's plans were followed. Also, he didn't tell her that Jake's wolf was Dmitri, he didn't know how to. Everyone knew of him, the original werewolf who was killed by the witches. Emma doesn't even know that she was the reason he was killed, she couldn't remember how she escaped no matter how hard she tried. The intense dark magic was too much for her to handle and Ambrose and the council suspected it caused the memory loss, grateful that it was the only price she paid to escape.
"How do you feel now? Is your magic coming along?" Ambrose questioned as Emma responded.
"Good, they are almost all back that's why I started wearing the seal again." She finished hinting at the barbed wire tattoo under her turtleneck sweater, however, something was different, even with the seal in place her powers still felt too strong but she didn't want to worry Ambrose so she kept it to herself, she just needed to strengthen her seal every time her powers grow.
"That's great" Alice commented in relief. Slowly Emma stood she greeted them goodnight before turning away from the fireplace. She was tired and needed sleep. Little did she know a certain king was waiting to slip back into her dreams.
. . . .