23. The Prophecy

Freen's mum used to get mad at her whenever her sleep schedule drifted into inconsistency. But in a hotel room with two vampires listening to her every movement, the expanse of her dreams was the only place she had true privacy. Don't get her wrong, Irin and Richie were very hospitable, but knowing that every twist, turn, sigh, and groan was heard crystal clear through the thin walls made Freen long to leave this overpriced hotel room.

She lay in bed, listening to the quiet murmurs of Irin and Richie in the other room. Eventually, she rolled off the bed and made her way into the living area. Irin was sketching again, Richie looking over her shoulder, both too engrossed in the drawing to acknowledge Freen's presence.

Curious, Freen crept closer to Richie's side to peek. "Did she see something more?" she asked quietly.

Irin flipped to another page in the hotel notepad, revealing a sketch of a low-ceilinged L-shaped room. Barren walls and shaggy carpet gave way to tile as one entered a dining area with mismatched chairs and a small round table. At the end of the room was a hallway leading to more rooms.

"There's a balcony behind them," Freen said, a chill running down her spine. "That's our old apartment."

Two pairs of darkened eyes turned toward her, and she felt the color drain from her face.

"You're sure?" Richie asked.

Freen nodded.

Without hesitation, Irin shot off the couch, phone in hand, already dialing. Freen stared at the drawing, uncharacteristically feeling Richie slide closer to her. His light touch on her shoulder seemed to strengthen his calming influence, dulling the panic that threatened to take over.

Irin's lips moved at a rapid pace, words tumbling too fast for Freen's stricken mind to decipher. She couldn't focus.

"Freen," Irin called firmly. Freen looked at her numbly. "Becky is coming to get you. She, Billy, and Robert will take you somewhere safe."

"Becky is coming?" The words were a lifeline, pulling her from the flood.

"Yes. She's catching the first flight out. We'll meet her at the airport, and you'll leave with her."

Freen's voice cracked. "I don't think we can win this, Irin. You can't guard everyone I know forever. Don't you see what he's doing? He's not tracking me—he's finding those I care about. He'll hurt someone I love... Irin, I can't—I have to do something—"

"We'll catch him, Freen," Irin assured, but her words fell on deaf ears.

"And what if you get hurt, Irin? Do you think that's okay with me? Do you think it's only my human family he can use to hurt me?" Irin exchanged a look with Richie, and before Freen could react, a heavy fog of lethargy washed over her. Her eyes fluttered closed involuntarily.

Realizing what was happening, Freen fought back, forcing her eyes open and stepping away from Richie's hand. "I don't want to go back to sleep," she snapped. "Where are they taking me?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't matter as long as they can't find you," Irin said.

Freen shook her head. "This is getting insane."

"Oh, now it's too crazy for her. Dating a vampire was the normal part," Richie muttered.

Freen stomped back to her room, slamming the door behind her. Alone, she curled into a ball, rocking as her mind raced in frantic circles, searching for an escape from the nightmare. There was none. The only solace she clung to was the thought of Becky. Maybe seeing her would bring clarity.

Back in Camden, Becky stood impatiently on the front porch of a house while Billy rang the doorbell. The moment it opened, Becky launched herself at Gemini, grabbing his collar. "What the hell is happening here?"

Gemini pried her hands off, breathing heavily. "If you'd just asked, I would have told you. No need for theatrics."

"You think I'm playing? The woman I love is in danger," Becky growled, dark veins prominent around her eyes.

"You love her?" Gemini's eyes widened.

Before Becky could respond, another man stepped forward—the same man from Freen's front porch that day.

"She does," the man said gruffly, his glowing golden eyes fixed on Becky.

"You're the alpha," Becky concluded.

"Yes." He extended his hand. Becky hesitated before accepting it. "I'm Jeff. It was never our intention to harm the girl. We were trying to protect her."

"Protect her from what?"

"I'm sure you've heard of the prophecy—our redemption."

Becky and Billy exchanged confused glances.

"Come inside. I'll show you." Jeff led them into the dim, cold basement, its stone walls lined with ancient books and relics.

The air smelled of old paper and iron. Shelves sagged under the weight of cracked leather-bound tomes, rusted chains, and silver daggers etched with strange symbols. A wooden table in the center held worn maps of ancient werewolf territories, their edges frayed and covered in cryptic notes. Artifacts littered the space—glowing stones, bone-carved talismans, and an ornate mirror that rippled like water.

Jeff retrieved an ancient book, its cracked leather cover bound with silver thread. He handed it to Becky, who reluctantly opened it.

The Prophecy of the Broken Bloodline

In the time when the moon bleeds and the night sky weeps,

A child of humanity shall arise, her heart untouched by the dark,

Born of no fangs or claws, yet bearing the weight of both.

She shall be the bridge between worlds, the hope of the forsaken.

With eyes not born of blood, but of something greater-

She will walk where others dare not tread,

In the land where curses are born, she will find the key.

One step upon the shadowed earth,

She shall call upon the ancient spirits,

To break the chains that bind the beasts,

And shatter the immortal night.

But her heart, pure and steadfast,

Shall be the final test.

For only in her mercy will the curse be undone,

And the blood of the wolf and the vampire shall find peace.

No more shall the howl and the thirst reign.

Through the human's grace, all will be freed,

And the world, forever changed,

Shall bloom once again under the dawn.

But before her fate can unfold,

She must first know the touch of love,

For it is in the depth of her heart's first passion,

When she falls for the one she was taught to fear,

A vampire, bound by the same curse she seeks to break.

It is through this love that her true power will awaken,

For only in the strength of her heart's bond

Will the power to undo the dark forces stir.

Her love will be the key,

The fire that ignites her destiny,

And only when her heart is entwined with love,

Shall she have the strength to set them all free.

Becky's mind raced as the words sank in, disbelief flooding her mind. This can't be true.

As Becky read, disbelief flooded her mind. "You're saying this is about us? About Freen?"

Jeff nodded. "We'll meet you at the neutral ground in the forest. Our elders will explain, though I suspect your father already knows."

Becky's heart pounded. "How is this possible?"

Her world was unraveling before her eyes. Cold dread settled deep in her chest. There was no turning back now.

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