“And what have they done to deserve such...gratitude?” I could hear the sarcastic tone in his voice and gave him a dry look.
“They gave me a family.”
At this, he was silent. “Why don’t you go back inside? I’ll be fine out here.” I said.
“Actually, I was sent out here by your mother. She wants me to take over the watch.”
I sighed once again, shaking my head. “I’ll only let you stay out here if you have someone else with you. I can’t risk it if not.” I stated firmly.
“Then I’ll get Bob out here with me.” He shrugged.
I nodded. “Alright. I’ll stay out here while you go and get him.”
He left to go find Bob, and I leaned my head back against the tree, letting myself relax for the first time since I came out here.
“It’s interesting. these people care more about you than they do their own lives.” I jumped up, only to come face to face with Paul.
“I doubt that, Paul. They can take care of themselves.” I growled.
He let out a laugh. “ We’ll see. You were right to stay out here. I’d never attack you, my sweet mother.” He stroked his finger down my cheek, and I slapped his hand away like I was burned.
“Don’t ever touch me again!” I spat.
He laughed again. “You are feisty.”
“Okay, I’ve got Bob, now go inside.” I turned to find Kevin and Bob.
I furrowed my eyebrows and turned back around to see that Paul was gone. My mouth opened, but nothing came out. “You okay, Cat?”
“I’m...fine.” I said slowly, shaking my head. “Just...be careful, and if anything happens, I want you to howl. Got it? Watch each other’s backs at all times.” I said sternly.
“Don’t worry. Now go!” he gave me a light shove.
I walked into the house, rubbing my eyes tiredly. I yawned as I pulled myself up the stairs. I entered the room, my eyebrows furrowed as Damian’s blue eyes stared seriously at me.
“You saw that, too, didn’t you? I’m not crazy, am I?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “You’re not crazy.” he confirmed.
I sighed in relief, leaning down to reach into my bag. I pulled out my pajamas and quickly changed, ignoring Damian’s hungry growl behind me.
I crawled into bed. cuddling into Damian, I pressed my lips to his, kissing him fervently. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tighter into him.
“You know, my leg is almost completely healed.” He murmured suggestively against my lips.
I pulled back laughing. “You are impossible.”
He smiled. “Hey, I might be impossible but I am your mate, and you have to deal with me.”
I kissed him again. “You know, I’ve never gotten to ride on your motorcycle. When you’re healed, do you think you could take me for a ride?” I asked him.
“I think that could be arranged.” he murmured.
I kissed him once more and closed my eyes. I smiled as I felt his hand on my cheek, the tips of his fingers grazing my hairline. “I love you.” He told me.
“I love you too.” I whispered.
Part Seventeen: Dying.
I awoke when screaming filled the quiet air; it took a few seconds of gaining consciousness to realize that it was me.
Damian sat up and grabbed my face in his, making me look at him. “What’s wrong?” He growled.
“They’re here!” I gasped, scrambling across the bed. Ignoring him as he called after me, I sprung from the bed, running full speed down the stairs and barreling outside. Only to find that it was quiet, very peaceful, nothing but crickets chirping, most pausing their peaceful music at my unexpected arrival. I looked around, unable to speak for a few seconds, before falling to my knees in the soft grass. This was the second time this week I’d had a nightmare. It’d seemed so real! They came marching into the field and snuck into the house, slaughtering my family without a second thought, leaving me to wake up and see the horror.
What was happening to me?
‘We’re under too much stress.’ Lorry said, as way of explanation.
‘No. We’re under too much pressure. The Wolven Goddess can’t possibly expect me to train these people on my own, can she?’
‘I don’t know.’ She whispered.
“The dream again?” Gabriel asked, startling me. “Sorry. I was on watch, I heard the scream. Saw you come running out. I put two and two together.” He said, sinking down on the grass beside me.
“I just don’t understand!” I whispered. “The dreams are so…real! I expect them to be there when I wake up…it just makes it so much worse that I’m worrying everyone for nothing.”
He slung and arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side in an offer of comfort. “Don’t worry, kid.” He teased, trying to lighten the mood, but sobered when I didn’t smile. “It’ll be alright.”
I smiled slightly, weakly. “I’m sure you’re right. But while we’re outnumbered…I just can’t see the fate in my dreams being very far off from the truth.” I admitted softly.
“Hey.” He admonished, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t talk like that. We’ll figure something out. Besides, I heard that the packs in the surrounding territories are contemplating joining us in fighting. If they join us, there is no way we can lose.” He smiled slightly, giving me a wink.
I sighed heavily. “This is all on me, Gabriel. It’s my responsibility to kill the leader. Mine. No other pack can get involved. They’ll die.” I was sure of this. The feeling that twisted in nauseating patterns in my stomach; that dread that settled like a virus in the pit of my stomach every time I heard of the other packs, I knew it was a mistake.
Gabriel sighed as well. “Then…what?”
The answer was simple, too simple to be easy, “I kill Paul. If I kill Paul, then the vampires will stop their attack. No matter what.”
Gabriel shook his head slowly. “How do you know this? You can’t know that they won’t try to avenge-“
“You don’t know who-“ I paused, no, not who, “What, Paul is, do you?” I asked him.
Gabriel’s blank stare gave her the answer she needed. “He’s something that all vampires fear, and dread. When I was trapped in that cave, I saw the fear in each coven’s eyes as they passed the thresh-hold of that damp doorway that Paul called home. They weren’t given a choice to join his army; they were forced- threatened by Paul with who-knows what. He is their lord, more powerful than the Wolven Goddess herself, which is why she needs me to stop him. I’ve denied the truth for too long, and now is the time to accept it. I’m going to die.
“The Wolven Goddess chose me because I am the only one that will die for her pack, for her mate. She has not said it, but dread pulls at my thoughts. This is the reason for these nightmares. This is the reason I pull away from Damian’s comfort each night. My fate has been chosen, and nothing can pull me from its dark, cold fingers.”
Gabriel’s arm slowly slipped from my shoulders as I let this sink in, and his eyes stared, glasslike, into mine. “You mean to tell me that-“
Breaking the calm silence of the dark night, right behind us, was a voice, hard, and full of anger. “What?”
My eyes slowly drifted closed as pain clenched my heart. I hadn’t wanted him to know.
Part eighteen: Proposal.
‘Good going.’ Lorry said, but it was only a whisper, marring her sarcastic tone. She could feel the anger from both him and his wolf, and it weakened both of us.
I stood slowly, and turned around, meeting his blue eyes with my regretful, sorrow-filled green ones. “Damian.” I whispered, my voice just as weak as Lorry’s.
Gabriel pat my shoulder. “You’ll want to talk to him alone.”
I smiled weakly at him and watched as he walked away. Going back to take watch.
I turned back to Damian, grimacing at his angry look.
I sank to my knees, watching as he stared out at the forest, his expression brooding. He stood like that for seconds that se
emed like hours, before finally speaking,
“You won’t die.” His voice was determined, his decision had been made.
“You don’t know that.” I whispered.
He growled, turning sharply to face me. “You won’t!”
I flinched at his furious tone, looking away from him. “Look. I don’t know what is going to happen. The Wolven Goddess hasn’t confirmed anything yet…but I have a terrible feeling that…this is how it’s going to be.” I whispered.
“She won’t take you away from me, I promise you, she won’t. If I have to lock you in the basement I swear I will!” He shouted.
I was about to open my mouth to argue, but the door slid open, and we both looked back to see Mom and Riley looking out. “Is there something wrong?” Mom asked softly.
I stood quickly, shaking my head. “Nothing is wrong, Mom. Go back to bed.” I told her softly.
“Why was Damian yelling?” Riley asked.
I sighed heavily. “No reason. Go on back to bed, guys.”
They both looked dubious, but obeyed. I waited until their footsteps faded before turning back to Damian. “I understand you are angry…maybe…maybe I don’t have to die. Like I said, the Wolven Goddess hasn’t confirmed anything yet.” I said, setting my hands on both of his arms.
He furrowed his eyebrows, lifting his hands to set on both sides of my face. “But what if you’re right?” He whispered.
I blinked hard, tears welling in my eyes. “Then I’m sorry. For everything I ever said to you. I love you more than anything in this world, and I can’t imagine you out of my life.” I had to catch my breath in a little gasp as I held back a sob. “God, I’m so scared, Damian. I don’t want to lose you!”
He grabbed me around my waist and pulled me into him, rubbing my back comfortingly as I sobbed into his chest. “I know, sweetheart. I know.” He said, burying his face in my hair and taking a deep breath.
He pulled his arm down to the back of my legs and swept my feet out from under me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
As he walked upstairs, my cries quieted, soothed by the soft, rocking movements of his arms, and his quiet voice whispering comforting words in my ear. Hiccups were the only thing that escaped my lips now as we entered his room; he sat down on the bed with me still cradled in his lap. His knuckles rubbed my back as he pressed kisses to every part of my face, ending with my lips. “Don’t cry, sweetheart, we’ll figure this out.” He said softly.
“I just wish she would tell me something. I feel like I’m waiting for results from a doctor.” I said, sniffing.
“Then what am I to do? I’m going to get your mind off of it.” Damian said, kissing my forehead again.
I looked up at him, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “What?”
He laughed nervously. “You know, I can’t imagine my life without you either. And, though I wanted to do this a little more…officially, I guess it doesn’t matter where I ask you, as long as you say yes.” He said, stroking my cheek with the tip of his finger.
I sat up in his lap slowly, raising my eyebrows. “Ask me what?”
His eyes bored into mine, and he smiled, He leaned forward and captured my lips in his, kissing me softly for what seemed like a full five minutes. When he pulled back, I didn’t notice he was holding something until he took my hand and set a small satin box in my palm. “Catalina Grace Harington,” He started.
“Oh my God!” I gasped as he kissed the top of my other hand.
“I love you more than life itself. Will you do me the most wonderful honor I can think of, and be my wife?” He asked softly.
Now tears ran down my cheeks for a different reason, as he opened the box in my shaking hand, I heard an involuntary gasp escape my lips. The band was encrusted with jewels, the centerpiece of the ring being a beautiful round diamond, shining even in the moonlight. “Damian…I-I….I mean….” I gave up trying to form words and finally nodded my head with a laugh. “Yes!”
He let out a deep breath and pulled me into him, pressing his lips to mine. He kissed me with abandon, caressing my cheek with gentleness only he could give. “Thank God. For a second there I thought you were going to say no.” He said when he pulled away.
A giggle escaped my lips, and I kissed his cheek. “Never.”
“Good, because if you had said no, I would have been extremely disappointed.” He said, giving me a light smile.
Part nineteen: two perspectives.
I stood at the altar, my wedding dress ruffling in the wind as Damian smiled at me. We were having our wedding behind the pack house, because we wanted to have everyone attend, and with the elders someplace else until no one would recognize them anymore, or wonder why they weren't aging, we couldn't do it at a church. I looked back at Lily with a bright smile, handing her my bouquet of roses.
The man marrying us was one of the elders. We were having the traditional wolf bonding ceremony, which was almost the same as a human ceremony, the only difference was that Damian had to put the same mark that I had on my neck, onto my ring finger. This was done by an ancient ring passed on through generations.
“Now, if you will present the-“ Elder Jonathan was cut off when a scream erupted somewhere in the crowd of wolves.
And everyone sprang into action. I was standing at the altar, unable to move as I everything seemed to slow down. I watched as Paul sneaked up on Damian, trying to scream for him to look out, but all that came out was a dry wheeze. I put my hands to my mouth, tears streaming from my cheeks, watching with horror as my fiancé’s neck was slit open. Paul smiled menacingly at me. He dropped Damian to the ground, and a horrific scream broke from my lips as everything went back to normal. “Damian!” I shrieked. His eyes drained of life, grey and unfeeling, and suddenly he was in my arms. There was no more forest around us, no dirt ground, just a white room. Everyone, even vampires, were staring at us as I rocked him back and forth, my wedding dress covered in blood, running my hands through his hair as I begged him not to leave me, screaming for him to wake up. No one was sad, they all stared…unfeeling.
I was shaking. Screaming Damian’s name. No, someone was shaking me. I opened my eyes to meet the panicked blue eyes of Damian. Relief slammed into me at seeing those eyes, full of life, full of love. It was a dream. A stupid dream. I let out a noise that sounded close to a sob, as I hugged him close to me. “Oh God Damian!” I sobbed.
I knew he’d seen. He’d seen the whole thing, felt every emotion. He cradled me to his chest and rocked me back and forth. “It’s alright now, love. Shh, I’m here.” He whispered.
“You died! You died and I couldn’t stop it!” I sobbed.
“Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here, I’ll never leave you.” He promised.
Someone knocked softly on the door, and it opened. “Is everything okay?” Mom’s worried voice asked.
“Everything is fine. Just another nightmare.” He said.
“It’s about time for everyone to wake up. I’ll get breakfast started.” She said softly.
After she left, he lifted my face up, staring fiercely into my eyes. “I love you, so, so much. I promise you, I’ll never leave.” He said.
I sniffed and nodded. “Sorry. This entire thing has just frayed my nerves till the breaking point.” I said, smiling weakly as I wiped the tears from my face.
“It’s okay. Don’t apologize. Paul is an evil bastard who is messing with us all.”
I nodded, swallowing thickly, and pulled his face down, kissing him fiercely. He didn’t object, pulling me closer and running his tongue along my bottom lip, asking for entrance. This surprised me. Damian usually found his way in by making me gasp or moan, he wasn’t one to ask. I opened my mouth for him, and our tongues met in a twist of passion.
I was almost out of breath, so I pulled back, leaning my forehead against his wide chest. His breath was as ragged as mine as he let out a small chuckle. “What was that for?”
“I needed to know you were really here.” I whispered.
/>
I could feel him tense as he sobered. He took my face in both his hands and looked me straight in the eyes. “I’m right here.” He said slowly. “And I’ll never leave you.”
I bit my lip and struggled against more tears that tried to fall. “I know…it’s just…that dream felt so real and-“
“But it wasn’t. It won’t come true. I won’t let you get hurt.” He said.
I wiped my cheeks once again and nodded. “Besides,” He said with a soft smile. “You are going to be Mrs. Villain soon, and we don’t need you to think about that kind of thing.” He said, kissing the tip of my nose.
I let out a giggle, and smiled. “There, that’s better. Now let’s go downstairs and see what we’ve got for breakfast.” He said, and in a second, he hoisted me from the bed and we were across the room.
***
I watched as Damian and Cat came downstairs, hand in hand. Their bond was strong, about as strong – if not stronger – than any other bond I’d ever seen. Cat’s face was red and blotchy, and I knew she’d had another nightmare. She looked…rather happy, though. Aside from the crippling fear and worry that she desperately tried to hide from the others. I could see it, in the way that she glanced out the back door window every so often, almost as if she was expecting them to come out of the forest with claws ready.
Of course, we all expected that.
“Good morning, Cat, Damian.” I said, nodding to them both.
Cat gave me a smiled. “Gabriel.” She greeted.
Damian nodded respectively. He didn’t like my friends and I being here, but he wasn’t going to object to his mate’s wishes. Every male wolf acted like the leader, like he wore the pants in the family, but when it came to their mate…let’s just say resistance was futile. I let out a soft chuckle at that thought, and Cat looked at me inquisitively. “What’s funny?”
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