90. Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde (edited / re-read new material)
Shatter ✔ #TheWattys2017
This chapter has been re-edited since I was in a hurry to post it at first.
New material.
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Nova
It was already night and the sun had set, leaving behind cool crisp air; The weather was forever changing no matter the season. A dark abyss of onyx skies overhead with tiny diamonds twinkling here and there, the silver three quarter moon shining down, watching me.
Maxim and Eden should be here any moment now and I couldn't take it anymore. Sitting at my parents house with all eyes on me, questions coming forth. My mate upstairs, chained to my childhood bed and lost in a deep slumber due to the tranquilizer. It was too much to deal with. I left with the excuse I needed some air and hightailed it outside, walking aimlessly down the beaten dirt road.
I had called my brother, telling him everything that had happened and he too, with Grace, were on their way. It would take them a little longer to get here though. Their land was two hours away from ours.
Wrapping my jacket around me tighter, I quickly made my way to the home Zaryn and I shared. I needed to just get away for a while, clear my head. It became increasingly too much to bear. With the knowlege of my pups being strong warriors of the moon, their little bodies not even formed, my parents had become increasingly curious, asking questions I didn't have the answer to.
I dont have any answers. At all.
I had texted Eden a moment ago - asking them to stop by our house when they got here instead of going straight to my parents' house. I needed answers before anyone else and time to think about what it all means, whatever it is.
Opening the front door to our shared home, I sighed as the warmth enveloped me.
Taking a look around, it felt strange. This was our home- though at the moment it didnt feel that way. We had only been living together for the past three weeks, two of which I had been isolated. I didn't consider this a home, but a house. One I wasn't used to. One that left me feeling cold after the first week of bliss.
I dont think i had anymore tears to cry but I needed this time to think. To be alone.
Draping my jacket over one of the hooks by the door, I left my shoes on and decided I needed tylenol for this headache that began pulsating between my eyes.
Flipping the lights to the kitchen as i entered, I noted that this was a kitchen built for a family. The entire house was built for a family. A large one.
The massive sized dining table with extendable slats and extra chairs for room to grow. The bar counter with many stools for pups to slide upon to be able to watch and learn how their mom made their favorite dishes. The open space of the kitchen in general, a broad space from one counter to the oppsing one, big enough for pups to run to and fro without having to shuffle around each other.
This house was made for a family.
A family I wasn't sure if i would have with Zaryn. Not how he is right now.
Feeling the headache pulse harder, I opened the cabinet and took out the bottle of tylenol, tapping two into my palm before closing it back up in its spot and grabbing an ice cold bottle of water from the fridge.
I sat at the dining table, my body on autopilot, automatically sitting to the left of the head.
The spot of a Luna.
My spot.
I remember family dinners here when I was young. When Blake and Penelope had my mom and dad over, Nick and I always were excited to come along so we could see our best friends. Deacon and I would play together while Nic and Zaryn would be out in the backyard either swimming or playing basketball in the driveway and sometimes even playing video games. A small smile tilted at the corner of my mouth remembering how I used to watch Zaryn. I was fascinated with him and no one knew.
Except for him.
I peered over at the spot I had always sat at as a pup and juvenile, the one next to Deacon's. Zaryn had always sat across from me and I would catch myself stealing glances, watching him laugh or chew his food. He would catch me, a sly and knowing smirk pulling up on his lips and he would wink, sending me into a furious blush while everyone remained oblivious.
He had always loved to tease me.
These innocent memories of our childhood - why didn't I just say something to him sooner? Why did I ignore my feelings? Well, he had ignored his own as well but we could have taken out all the bad things that have happened if either of had approached the other.
But I guess that isn't how things work.
Resting my head in my hands, face down, I felt like I just wanted to cry but I just couldn't. I seemed to be all out of tears, as if something was stopping me.
Maybe my pups were looking out for me once again.
I've known Zaryn my whole life. He has always been so lively.. so full of smiles and laughter. The way he has been the past few weeks, it wasnt him and I knew that.
Never once has he ever had anything awful to say to anyone. Not even his worst enemy. He was someone that was respected. Someone other wolves looked up to as their future Alpha.
And now look at him.
Look at us.
Can I fix him? Can he be fixed at all? I cant raise these pups alone. I need my mate. I need him and so do these pups.
Before I could dwell on the issue much longer, I heard the front door creak open and I sat straight up at the table, sniffing the air in alarm.
"Nova! We're here!" Eden's tired voice called from the foyer.
Sighing in relief, my heart sped up as I dashed out of my seat to the foyer to greet both she and Maxim.
Just in time.
The moment I laid eyes on Eden, her beautiful face held a worried expression. She wasn't in her usual diva attire, thats how I know they were rushing.
Her blonde hair was surprisingly up in a high ponytail and she wore a pair of black yoga pants with a black oversized hoodie, which I suspected to be Maxim's. No heels. Just black Nikes. Not a stitch of makeup was on her face, her usually vein self had dismissed the thought of looking stylish for me. To be able to get to me on time.
That's big coming from Eden and It warmed my heart considerably.
"Hey." I feigned a smile as I approached the pair. "thanks for- oof!" Eden had lunged herself at me, wrapping her arms around my back and squeezing firmly, her cheek pressing aganst mine.
"Im so sorry Nova." She whispered, her breath fanning against my neck making me relax only slightly as my gaze flitted to Maxim's tall ominous form. His usual deep frown positioned firmly on his handsom sharp features, crystal eyes trained hard on me.
"Nova. I assume you want to have a... discussion before we head on over to see the damage?" His barritone voice resonated as he rose his brows in question.
My vision became blurry but I didnt cry as Eden let me go. To my surprise, Maxim came to hug me, pulling me into his huge body. His relaxing scent of pine and cinnamon surrounded me, my wolf recognizing him as family. As part of her pack. Not the Cresent Moon pack, but her familial pack.
"Im sorry you are having to deal with this." He murmured lowly as Eden watched with those pity filled green eyes of hers.
Then i remembered something Maxim said..
He said on the phone that he figured something like this, referring to Zaryn, would happen.
"Maxim?" We pulled away and my eyes pushed up to his with a skeptical stare. "You said earlier you figured this would happen. Why didn't you warm me? Or anyone?" I felt a slight irritarion that he had known something important, my wolf bristling at the thought.
He cleared his throat, his wolf sensing my irritation, eyes flashing to gold momentarily before gesturing to the kitchen. Eden glared at him, shoving past him and bumping his shoulder as she did. A growl coming from her throat, letting him know she wasn't happy about this bit of information. Surprisingly, his wolf did nothing, letting her go without being reprimanded.
Very un-alpha like. But adorable all the same. I liked how he gave her the reigns to be agitated with him but she shouldn't push him too far. He is an Alpha. But im assuming Eden denies him of things he wants from her if he gets out of line, something no Alpha male would ever want.
Keeping my face blank, we all took a seat at the table but this time I sat at the head. A symbolic gesture that didn't go unnoticed. While my Alpha is away, I am in his place.. corronated or not.
Eden to my left, Maxim to my right.
"Well?" I rose a brow to Maxim who seemed so tall, even while sitting. Eden kept her narrowed gaze on him, her irritation at an all time high considering he left us weeks ago without letting me know this could happen to Zaryn.
Maxim closed his eyes and to my surprise took my hand, his crystaline orbs studying me with a deep frown. "Im going to tell you something. A way you can try to understand this. Eden already knows about my past.. but not many others do. Aside from Gabriel. And Blake but he only knows a bit from Nyra." He spoke.
Nodding my head, i removed my hand from his, eager to get this show on the road.
"Well." He seemed to look far away, in another time as he moved his stare above my head to the wall behind me. "You know how I found my mate and trained her for a year until my father Maximus claimed my mate was impure due to my cousin, Conrad. So he sold Melynn to Reynold after he has sent me away to train."
I nodded in response.
"Well when i came back, I killed my father, taking over title of Alpha. I went through what Zaryn did. My skin side became weak before I had left and my wolf was stronger. His reason for sending me off was my being weak. When i went to train, i built my skin side up to be greater than my wolf. Just like X did. So when I came back.. I was a ruthless killing machine. They all expected me to be but my father thought I would reabsorb my strength, not gain more. X did the same exact thing." His glacier blue eyes shifted down to the table. "I killed him and took over. But while I was gone, before I became stronger, my father sent word to me that Melynn had died. He knew it would break me but didnt know I would try harder to be able to beat him in a challenge. That's what i focused on. After he was dead.. I didnt have a focus anymore. So i began thinking about Melynn." He met my eyes again with regret.
"I turned into a monster, Nova. I killed wolves that had not provoked me. I killed just to taste the blood. My wolf was still so strong from all the strength he took from me when i was weak. No one could be around me. I was uneasy.. always on watch.. assesing. I hated loud noise and gatherings. It set me off. Just like what happened to X. But being leader of a pack.. it began to help me. You see.. when Zaryn went through the turmoil of Grace being pregnant.. his wolf wanting the pup then his skin wanting it, resulting in losing you.. the pup dying then seeing you leave with another Alpha.. he lost it and tried to take himself out. His skin grew weak. His wolf took over and attacked others.. thats when Penelope called for help and I sent Gabriel - because I was there once and so was he. He knew what to do. How to train him.. give him focus. So Zaryn began training every day and eventually became stronger than his wolf without taking the power back, but adding ontop of what he previously had. Doubly strong. More Alpha. Which only meant more agression. How he was able to challenge his father and win. That was his goal after all. Then he wanted to be better for you.. to get you back so he focused on trying to be a good leader, this pack being his responsibility gave him the dictation he needed but it was hard for less dominant wolves to be around. The wolf was uneasy with all the power from both ends and his skin was too strong like me. Im sure there were some deaths on his part that no one spoke of, of wolves who didn't deserve it. He was an animal for the longest. A different person. Two different sides to him."
I think my eyes popped out. He hadn't told me this. No one had. Two different sides?
"Why is his wolf on my side though?" My meek voice chimed.
He rose a finger. "Im getting to that."
I felt my wolf growl at this but i kept the growl inside, not wanting to deterr from the story.
"The pack.. it gave X, who he essentially tranformed into, a purpose. He was no longer zaryn anymore.. he was X. A different wolf. To everyone other than you of course. But he started getting better. More calm. Less feral. But never the same as he used to be. Then you came back. But when you did.. he wanted to prove to you. You brought the old Zaryn back out because he knew your wolf wanted that. That you wanted that. But then destruction started to happen so quickly and everything was put to the side. His mom dying was a big part of that especially after how he treated her.. never getting final words. Then getting that letter from his brother.. and finding out you were pregnant. After the war when you were in the hospital.. before he had almost saw you die.. he had a momentary breaking point until he found out you were going to be okay. But now that everything is settled and you've planned the wedding? He has had time to think on everything.. his mind isn't the same after everything. All the greif.. thinking about how his dead family won't be around to see his family grow... its haunting him. Then you asking him about them? His feelings? It set him off. It was going to happen sooner or later but that caused it to happen sooner. He isnt himself. He's not Zaryn right now. He is X. The ruthless wolf he was after you left. But you are his mate. He doesn't want to hurt you so he isn't going to be as cruel to you as he would another wolf. You are pregnant.. which is why his wolf is submissive to you. His wolf lives on instinct, double the strength or not - he wants to protect you. However the skin side... well, that side has lost his humanity in a way because he hasn't gotten over the pain. Its like a reflex. He is dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde - a double personality. To desensitize him from the pain, the beastly side of him has come out and that side of his skin is more powerful than the wolf even though the wolf still has that extra power when he absorbed it before. But like i said.. his wolf wants to protect you and his pups. X knows this.. but because you are the source of bringing up all the things that has changed him, the death of his family; he blocks the wolf out because he knows the wolf is sensitive to you. He does it because he is able. X is stronger. "
I didn't understand but at the same time i did. My mate possessed two different personalities while in skin form. One that is admirable and one that is more malevolent.
My forehead creased. "So... he is two different skins.."
Maxim sighed, "yes. Zaryn will never be the old zaryn except with you. But because you tried to force him to talk about the things that has triggered him.. X has made his appearance to you and hides his wolf even though he knows that the wolf side needs to have contact with you. It's like he is punishing both of you."
I rubbed my head in confusion. "How did you overcome it?"
A small smirk formed. "I was happy about my fathers death and I thought my mate had cheated on me. I probably would have relapsed after the war once i discovered everything if it wasn't for Eden." His eyes met hers and a ghost of a smile played at her naturally rose colored lips. "But I was able to fuse both my personalities long ago. Now I live peacefully with the good and the bad combined. It was hard work on my part but I'm not the wolf I was when I first met Melynn. I am however able to function with both sides. I have my moments but I never go into a frenzy anymore." He explained.
I pushed a lock of brown hair behind my ear as my brows creased further. "So can.. can he be saved? Like you?"
Maxim bit his lip before he looked up, staring hard into my desperate pleading eyes. "I believe so. Despite him being X, he will always love you even if he isn't acting like it... but he needs to be forced into talking about what's happened. That's how I overcame my beastly side."
"I tried that." I sighed.
Eden leaned in. "Didnt you say the pups protected you? During a fight?"
"Yes." I nodded, glancing down at my lap. Yet another issue I was facing.
"You said Daisy said you are basically a super healer right?" Her brow arched.
Another nod.
"Well the-" her words were cut off as her eyes went black all over, covering the whites of her eyes. Her mouth fell open and Maxim was at her side immediately, holding her steady.
The moon was telling her something.
A million things Maxim said had been running through my head. Basically Zaryn is two different skins. At all times. He is zaryn with me but X with others... only now all the events that have happened.. my pushing him, has caused him to block Zaryn and the wolf out and he has essentially become X . His poweful wolf submits to me and not him because im pregnant...
It made no sense but at the same time, made perfect sense.
Zaryn has two skin sides. X.... and Zaryn. Then there's his ultra dominant wolf.
It was all the loss. The loss of pack members. Of his brother. His mother.. and almost me and his dad. It was the wedding and the pups.. thinking about how his family wouldnt be here to see this.. everything had been weighing on his shoulders which was why he never brought it up. And then i did.. making X come out full force.. becoming angry but at the same time loving me the best way he knew how.. by staying away. Pushing the wolf back because he knew the wolf would relent and give in to me... as much as he loves me, he was angry at me. The anger for leaving him.. angry i almost died because of my own stupidity.. and angry for bringing it all up. It was a punishment for me but also a self preservation for his mind.
His savage monster side didn't have the clarity to think about loss.
And i tried to make him do that.
To think about it all..
But Maxim said he needed to be forced to talk about it... maybe.. forced in a different way?
"Eden what is it?" Maxim's tone was low with a slight panic as Eden's eyes rolled back to green and she inhaled sharply, her gaze darting to mine.
"Nova. Your power. The one the moon gave you. Use it on X while he sleeps. It will send him to the moon." She breathed out before taking a lung full of air.
"What?" My face screwed up in confusion.
Her eyes rolled, "I said use your power on him while he's out. The moon is going to help but you need to do the rest. Focus on his energy when you do it."
Eden's eyes landed on my stomach before she reached a hand out and touched my slowly growing belly, her eyes closing. "I can feel their power.. and yours.." she was in awe and Maxim looked between us.
Eden opened her eyes which sparkled silver now. "That scent.. i can smell it thick now. Nova.. this is a job meant for you to do but my oh my." She shook her head with a grin. "Those pups of yours are going to be so strong.. i cant wait to see what power they hold. She gave me a glimpse.. the moon did. Of what happened with the forcefield. The electric blue energy. Its almost as if it was the pups power melded together. Protecting you. Thats... wow." She breathed, her teeth showing in a full grin.
I couldn't lie. This all scared me...
What would i do with powerful pups!? I didnt know the first thing about my own power, much less the power my twins held inside their forming little bodies.
"Eden you said I could send him to the moon?" My wolf whimpered inside me.. wanting me to fix our mate. Nudging me with her nose. "How?" Desperation in my voice was evident.
Edens eyes sparkled and she cocked her head, "Didn't you know? You can send anyone to the moon through their dreams. You have to use your energy and focus. Touch them. Then they will be there with the moon .. to speak with loved ones. but only do this for wolves who need to be healed in someway.. because if you misuse it.. you'll want to send them other places." Her eyes flickered.
"Other places?" I asked.
"Like limbo.. where the wolves who dont go to the moon go." She gave me her serious stare.
"Oh." My eyes widened.
I could do that? Send someone to limbo?
That must be the dark side she referred to.. telling me to stay light and never stray from the path.
I dont think I would ever help a wolf by sending them to limbo to talk to a dead loved one. They are in limbo for a reason. They haven't repented from their sins. But...Being able to send a wolf to the moon to get closure? To help heal them? This was new. I hadn't known this either. The moon left this bit out. It made me wonder, what else could I do?
"So shall we go?" Maxim stood, taking Eden with him as they both looked down at me.
Now this was all on me. I felt.. scared. The weight of the world on my shoulders. The weight of healing my broken mate.. binding his two sides back together. Fusing them so he would be capable of being normal again. Well, what is considered normal for him now that he has a good and bad side.
Taking a shaky breath, "Um.. yeah. Yeah lets go." I stood on wobbly legs, walking to the door with the both of them behind me.
This was up to me now? No help at all.
Eden and Daisy could guide me though. Daisy can heal and Eden is familiar with the moon.. they could help me do this.
As we made our way to Maxim's truck, he glanced over at me. "Dont worry Nova. We are right here with you. I know how to handle him if he steps out of line."
I really hope that is true.. because now that I know that Zaryn's healing depends on me?
Well i dont feel so strong anymore.
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The drive to my parents house only took a minute in the truck and soon we were out and standing in front of the turquoise door, my hand on the knob as Eden and Maxim stood behind me.
I closed my eyes, focusing on my wolf.. my energy. The electric sensations were running through me like a live wire and I was attempting to hone in on that feeling, using my feet to ground me as that wire whipped to and fro inside my body.. inside my mind.
I can do this. I have help to guide me.
I can do this.
Inhaling deeply, I felt a rush of adrenaline spike through me as Eden and Maxim closed the distance to stand behind me. Eden's hand rested on my shoulder and she gasped, my current running into her. She jerked her hand away as if I had burned her.
"I think you are ready, Nova. Its time." She breathed, surprised with what she had felt.
Suddenly my mind cleared itself of all doubt. A calm replaced every feeling inside me and it was as if I knew just what to do now. Like I knew my mission.
Turning the knob, we entered. My parents sitting on the couch, Daisy and Doc on the love seat, Blake sitting at the island - all eyes on me as I walked in. Surprise and wonder in their wide eyed stare.
"Luna. I see you've found your power." Daisy commented with a smirk.
I frowned but I could feel my wolf content.. her head high. Ready to help me harness this energy - the wire that once whipped around inside me was being grapsed into place. I was holding onto it. Using its power.
Eden stepped in front of me, staying away from my body as if she didn't want to touch me but the moment her green eyes met mine she widened them in shock.
"Nova, your eyes are glowing. And its not your wolf." She whispered in awe.
"I think we are ready." Maxim stated from behind as everyone stood, staring directly at me.
The calmness surrounded me but inside I could feel that rush.
"Its time to see him." My tone was unwavering.. sure.
Just then a loud crash from upstairs shook the house, a roar from my mate who had awoken with his beast in tact.
Maxim moved in front of me, stopping me from headed upstairs. "Gabriel is almost here. But by that sound, im assuming X has broken free. Stay until we can subdue him." He looked up behind me. "Blake, Jack. Come with me. We are going to be entering dangerous territory." He smirked before heading upstairs with the two males behind him.
The sooner we could get Zaryn.. or X, rather, under control.. I could work my magic.
"Doc! Get another tranquilizer ready!' Dad shouted down the stairs from my old room.
I was ready to do this.
Ready to have my mate back. To be happy.
Sorry to leave you here!
But in order to make it on time i had to only post 3800 words!
Wow so nova has a new power she didnt knkw she has!
And now we know whats wrong with zaryn.
He is essentially two skin sides. He js one way with nova and one way with others but nova brings the good side out. X is strongrr than his wolf even tho the wolf absorbed his old strength before.. which means x is really strong. He can block his wolf.
And hes doing so because he is mad at Nova for bringing up all the pain
Zaryn had been thinking bout it and with the wedding coming up too, it was driving him mad. Nova triggered it for him but x loves her. He wouldn't hurt her like he would hurt anothet. Remember Zaryn is the Dr. Jekyll and X is his mr. Hyde.
So instead of hurting Nova physically, he hurt her emotionally by turning X on her and keeping his wolf away from her bc he knows the wolf will give into her and submit to her. Shes pregnant after all. We all wondered why he was so complying with grace when she was pregnant.. well that's the reason.
All the built up pain was let out and unfortunately nova triggered jt. It woukda happened anyway but she was the one who brought it out.
And she can fix it.
Shes a healer now. A warrior of a healer. The moon told her to help lost wolves findtheir way. Some of those wolves may need closure and sending them to the moon in a dream is how she can give that wolf closure!
And eden is like holy omg over the pups powers. That has to mean something. She was VERY interested in that and if eden is interested in something, it has to be big.
Is this a little too sci fi for yall? Idk . Idk how to feel ab it. Maybe i added too much moon crap?
Oh well, it stays for now! But i do wamt your feedback.
I know you love it but i just wanna hear the negative stuff! I like constructive criticism yall! Tell me what parts suck! Dont tell me what you love but tell me what sucks! This is your pass! And dont worry i won't get mad guuyss!
So.
The next chap is the recovery
Then the next one is a surprise! And also the end.
Had to give you guys just one more itsy bitsy scene.
Then ill hand out a few epilogues! It will be cute!!!!!!!!!