by Wylow Moon
I heard growls coming from all around me. The Clan guards had Shifted and all had their hackles raised. Bears, wolves, several different feline species and foxes stood growling at the man who killed Maggie. I don't know how, but I knew they felt the utter despair I felt. They felt the painful loss of a loved one as if she were one of their own. I don't know how. I just knew. They were only waiting for permission. Permission to tear him apart.
"Kill him." I whispered. It was all they needed. The man ran fast and hard away from the group but my Shifter's were on his tail. With him gone I crawled up the stage and held Maggie. My sobs again filling the air. I kept trying to wipe the blood from her face. Like if it were clean she would come back to me. The pain in my heart was too intense. I couldn't get enough air and I began to get dizzy. I felt Jeremy take Maggie's body from my arms and held me tight against him. He rubbed my back as my body shook and whispered calming words I didn't hear in my ear.
"Go ahead and take care of her Jeremy. I will take care of all of this." I heard my brother's voice from somewhere behind me. I felt Jeremy nod against my head and scooped me into his arms bridal style. I rested my head limply against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. It had a calming effect and my sobs started to die down. When the tears had finally stopped and I had somewhat come back to reality, I found we were in my bathroom and he had already removed my shoes and dress. Leaving me in only my panties and bra.
At this point, I was too upset to care as I watched him strip down to his boxers. He lifted me back up into his arms and stepped into the pool like bath. I barely felt as he took the loofah off of the shelf and lathered it up before starting the task of washing the blood from my skin. He was gentle as he turned my head from side to side, making sure to get every drop. I looked up at him as a few stray tears fell down my face. I opened my mouth wanting to say something, but I didn’t know what.
"Don't worry, I am here, I won't leave you. You will be ok." He said as he brushed his thumb against my cheek. He looked into both of my eyes and placed a kiss on my forehead.
"Come on, let's get you into bed. You need to get some rest. You're completely drained." I let him lead me into my room and dress me in my pajama's. He pulled the blankets back and helped me scoot in.
"Jeremy, what was he?" I asked. Needing to know how he could have moved so fast. "He was a vampire."
"Vampire's are real?" I asked, feeling so insignificantly small.
"Don't worry. We will get him. He won’t get away so easily. Now get some sleep. We still have the full moon tomorrow and I am sorry to say a funeral to plan." I sniffed at the mention of Maggie. The pain in my heart rearing up again. Jeremy moved to leave and I grabbed his hand.
"Stay" I whispered, "Please don't leave me." I still didn't understand what was happening between us, but I did know I needed him.
"I will never leave you." He replied, scooting into the bed next to me. I moved to lay my head on his chest. With his arm's wrapped around me, his heat and scent engulfing me in comfort, I listened to his breathing and slowly fell asleep.
Wylow Moon lives at home in Illinois with her 3 kids and wonderful husband. When she is not writing she enjoys consuming multiple books a day and spending time with her family.