I slammed my fist into the nearest wall. "Your stupid angels took her!" I growled out.
"That's not possible, I put protection spells around her house." He put spells around her house? When did he do this?
"Well your stupid spells didn't work." I glared at him.
"You need to calm down Dylan." He said soothingly. I felt myself starting to calm against my will. Then got mad once again when I realized he was using his abilities on me. I ran over, grabbing him by the neck.
"Don't you ever try that again!" I growled into his face. He clawed at my hands trying to breathe.
"W-we won't b-be able to find A-ashley this way!" He wheezed out. I dropped him at the mention of Ashley's name. "You need to be calm and think rationally, right now your cat and angel have full control over you. I might know where she is."
"Why didn't you say that two days ago?" I wanted to choke him again. He rubbed his neck as if he knew what I was thinking.
"I wasn't sure before, but now I am."
"Alright let's go." I started making my way to the door.
"We can't go along, we need backup." He told me. I paused, he wanted to go to those mangy mutts.
"Let's go."
----------------------------------
"What makes you think we're going to help you? That ho deserves whatever it is she's getting." Blake growled at me. My eyesight went black, all I saw was him. I summoned my fire, while my hands were in flames I wrapped them around his neck. He didn't scream but I saw the pain in his eyes. As an alpha he had too much pride. I smirked.
"I'll kill you right now and have no regret." I tightened my hold. I could see he was struggling to breathe, not to mention the burn damage I was causing him. That was going to leave a scar, guess he’ll have one to match his mate.
"P-please." He tried to say.
"Dylan, think about what you're doing. We need their help." Jacob stood next to me.
"We don't need these mutts." I stared into Blake eyes as they started closing.
"Ashley wouldn't want you to hurt him." I knew he was right. She was too pure for her own damn good. I dropped him, the flames vanished.
"Get your warriors together now!" I stormed into the office. James was sitting there at his desk doing paperwork. He looked up as I stormed in.
"What do I owe this surprise visit?" He asked.
"I know where Derek is and we're going to get him tonight."
"And how do you know this?" I wasn't in the mood to be asked questions. Before there was a repeat of what happened in the hallway Jacob quickly stepped in.
"Angels took him, and I know what angels."
"You've known all along?" James asked him. I frowned at his question. How does Jacob know which angels? How long has he known? Or even suspected? And he's just now bringing it up.
"I didn't know if my guesses were right."
"Then who has him?"
"My ex." I looked over in surprise.
"Why the hell would your ex kidnap my mate?" I asked in confusion.
"It's a long story. Do you want to go save her or not?" That snapped me back to attention.
"Very well then, I'll have my pack ready soon." James nodded.
"You'll have them ready now." I glared. He raised an eyebrow at me. I felt my palms heat up.
"There's no time to waste. She won't waste any time to kill them, and we have to travel far." Jacob spoke up. I was silently challenging the alpha to go against him. I'll do things much worse than what I did to his son. Just then the door burst open and Lizzy ran in.
"Dad! What are you waiting for? They know where Derek is! Don't you care about him at all? Put your alpha to the side for one minute and care for someone besides yourself." She yelled. Wow got to give her props for speaking up. James seemed surprised at his daughter outburst.
"We'll leave in two hours." I nodded, satisfied with his answer.
When I get my hands on whoever took my mate. They're as good as dead. Female or not.
Ashley’s POV
I stared at the scene before me. Penelope stood before us with a group of maybe twelve people behind her. It was dark out, none of the faces were familiar to me though. That's her army? Sure there was only two of us, maybe four if the strangers decide to fight, but I expected more people.
"How's it feel to be reunited with your mommy and daddy? None of you are leaving here alive though. I offered you an option. It seems you've decided not to help me, therefore you're of no use to me anymore." She smirked at me. I was confused by her words. Then my eyes drifted to the man and woman standing next to me. As I took in their features better I held my breath. I look like a mixture of them both. I had my mom hair color and my dads sharp features.
"Penelope what is this nonsense you're sprouting? Our daughter is dead." The man shouted, choking up at the end.
"Oh, but she's standing right there! But you're right she'll be dead soon enough. Enjoy this moment while you can." The evil witch clapped her hands together in delight. I stiffened as the lady started making her way to me. She stopped a breath away and sniffed. I was confused with her actions. I watched as her eyes started to water.
"This is our baby Gabriel." She cried, throwing her arms around me. For some reason I felt safe in her arms, it felt like home. But now was not the time. I pulled out of her embrace, turning my attention back to Penelope.
"Get out of our way." I growled.
"Oh, but the fun is just beginning! Although I will be nice and offer you a chance to return back to your cells. You know, before things get ugly." What the hell was wrong with her? I looked over at Derek. He stared at her with a blank expression. If we went to war against them, he'd have to watch his mate die.
"I don't want to hurt you." I told her honestly. Hurting her would mean hurting Derek, no one can live without their mate. Blake got a second chance but look what happened to him. Derek doesn't have any more options, he would probably kill himself if his mate died.
"Hurt me? Child you wish! You're not the only angel with powers." She glared. I watched as her hands started to glow blue, the wind picking up around her. She's using two elements at once. Something I haven't mastered.
"And neither are you." A voice called out from the nearby woods. A figure stepped out, I had to hold in my surprise when I realized it was Stacy.
Pure hatred covered Penelope's features, and I thought she didn't like me. At least there was amusement when she looked at me. "You think you can take me Stacy? What a joke. You couldn't take me back then and you can't take me now." Before any of us could react, Penelope shot out a string of water. When it was halfway at its mark the water froze, turning into an ice spear.
Stacy dodged it just in time before it pierced her heart. Letting out a battle cry she shot out her hands, weird purple string like things came from them. What kind of magic was that?
When they reached Penelope, they wrapped around her arms. She let out a scream as her arms started to sizzle and melt off.
Derek let out a growl next to me and turned to attack Stacy. I went to grab his arm, but he shifted. I watched in horror as he raced towards Stacy. Stacy looked over as he neared her.
Thinking fast I quickly wrapped vines around his legs pulling him to a stop. During Stacy’s distraction, Penelope was able to free herself. She stood up glowering at Stacy. Once again she shot more ice spears at her. Stacy dodged as many as she could, but one got pass her.
The spear went straight through Stacy's heart. She grabbed at it, but it was too late. She looked up at me, defeat in her eyes.
"Sorry." She croaked, right as the color drained from her face. She fell to the ground, no longer breathing. I didn't know Stacy very well and only met her two times. One where she kidnapped me. But she just sacrificed herself for us. I felt anger grip me. I faced Penelope once again, she had a smirk on her face as she watched Stacy die.
I threw a fireball at the side of her face. She let out a shriek wiping at her face. She turned to me and glared.
"Attack
them!" I looked back at my mom and dad to see their eyes glowing, wings on full display. They were twice as big as Jacob's. If it’s a fight she wants, then it’s a fight she’s going to get. I let out a battle cry as we charged forward.
Dylan's POV
All you could hear was the sound of paws hitting dirt as we raced through the forest. Even Jacob had shifted. Although his choice of animal was strange. A giant black bear amongst cat shifters and werewolves.
All I could think about though was getting to Ashley. As we continued to run I felt a sharp pain in my side. It caused me to stumble slightly, but then it went away. But I know what I felt, Ashley was in trouble. I pushed myself harder. The cats were all in front, wanting to help their Luna. With me in front of them all. James decided to stay back. Blake and ten other wolves came with us. It was twenty of us altogether.
"We’re almost there." Jacob spoke to all of us in our mind. He didn't need any sort of link to communicate with us. As we ran further I started to hear commotion up ahead.
"That's them." I put my nose to the air and sniffed, catching Ashley's scent mixed with blood. A snarl tore through my lips as the clearing came into view. I burst through the trees letting out a deep growl at the sight.
Chapter 17 (Ashley’s POV)
A hiss left my lips as a gust of wind flew me back into a nearby tree. I could feel blood running down my elbow as I fell to the forest floor.
"You're not leaving here alive tonight." Penelope glared at me. She pushed her foot against my throat pinning me to the tree. I latched my hands onto her heel and toe preparing to use fire. When I heard a deep growl from the middle of the clearing. Penelope paused as she looked back. But it was too late. A big black flaming panther tackled her to the ground. They rolled away several feet. I sucked in air as her foot released me. There was a trail of fire following the path the panther had ran. I looked over to see the panther pinning her to the forest floor. She had her hands stretched out trying to avoid his teeth.
I got up to my feet feeling pain everywhere. I took a deep breath, calling out to my angel to heal me. The panther looked up at me as I neared. With Dylan checking on me he lost focus on Penelope. She got a grip on his neck and started to squeeze. I watched as her arm started freezing, I knew what was coming next.
"Dylan watch out!" I screamed, but it was too late. I watched the tip of the ice spear come out from her palm and into the side of his neck. He let out a painful yowl collapsing on top of her, I screamed.
I ran towards them as fast as I could. Suddenly I felt a pain in my back, next thing I know I was lifted off the ground. I looked behind me to see large black wings. I was flying towards Penelope as she sat up, pushing Dylan off her. Rage filled me as I felt my body heat up. I growled landing next to her. Before she could attack me I grabbed her throat. My whole body was consumed in flames, causing her to burn as well. “You made a big mistake.” I let out a deep growling squeezing her tighter. I watched as blood started running out of her eyes and ears. I screamed as she exploded, blood covering me.
“Ashley!” I turned to see Jacob walking towards me. This was all his fault! I stretched my arm out towards him. A string of flames darted out, wrapping around his neck. My mate is dead because of him! I pulled him towards me as he tried to free his neck. “Ashley stop! T-this isn’t you.” He pleaded. I was done listening to excuses. Just as I got him within reach, I felt something hard hit me in the side of my head. My eyes rolled to the back of my head as I fell.
Epilogue
I buried my face into Jacobs shoulder as I sobbed. He wrapped an arm around me, raising the umbrella higher. It was our turn to pay our respects next and I didn't think I could do it. I felt like this was my entire fault. If it wasn't for me he would have never been there.
"Come on Ashley its time, he'd want you to do this." Jacob smiled encouragingly at me. I cringed when I saw the marks around his neck. They haven't fully healed yet, since it was caused by another angel. I don't know what beef Penelope ever had with Jacob, but now I knew he would never betray me. Even after I attacked him and almost killed him, he stuck around. My mom had knocked me out, explaining that the darker part of my angel had taken over. She said I probably would have killed everyone there that night if she hadn’t. I had to stay in the hospital for two days after that. Because I had used way too much power that day. On the bright side though, I could now use my wings. But with wings came my dark side.
I nodded my head, following him up to the casket. I felt the tears build up again as I placed my flowers on top of it.
"Would you like to say a few words about him?" The priest asked me. I knew I should say something. After all I was the last person to see him alive. Let everyone know it'll be ok, but I couldn't. It'd hurt too much. I shook my head no, the priest smiled sadly at me. "I understand." Jacob led me back to my seat. I sat with my head buried in his chest for the rest of the funeral.
***
I was laying on my bed with my face buried in the pillow. I heard my bedroom door open but didn't bother to look up.
"You need to eat." I felt my bed dip as he came and sat on my bed. I moved my face from the pillow and into his lap. He ran his fingers through my hair.
"This is all my fault." I cried silently. He frowned.
"It's not, and I want you to stop blaming yourself." He told me sternly. I looked up at him through teary eyes. There was a scar on the side of his neck, were the spear had pierced him. It started healing the moment I attacked Penelope. Thanks to his angel side he healed faster than normal. Had he been a regular cat shifter it would've killed him, or if I didn’t warn him in time.
"I love you." I said to him. realizing how easy it was to lose someone. We should cherish every moment we have with the living. I'm more than thankful that it wasn't Dylan being buried. But still sad that I lost a friend. Dylan couldn't make it to the funeral because he was house shopping with my parents, my archangel parent that is. They decided instead of going back to heaven they would live on earth with me. Help me get more in tune with my angel, and how to control the dark part of me I didn’t even know existed. Which also meant I wouldn't be seeing much of Jacob anymore.
Right after Derek felt his mate die his wolf went crazy and started attacking everyone, including his own pack. Blake had to put him down. The werewolves haven't spoken to us since, but they did let us join the funeral. It was clear we were no longer allies or even friends. Even Lizzy stopped talking to me. I was sad to have lost her, but I understood. We killed her brother mate, and in the end killed him.
"I love you too." He placed a small kiss on my lips. There was something I needed to tell Dylan. Something I've known for weeks now but never knew how to bring it up. One of the reasons I knew I had to get out of Penelope's dungeons. Now felt like the right time.
"Dylan...I'm pregnant." His eyes widened, before he attacked my face with kisses. I smiled.
Bonus Chapter
I took a deep breath as I stared at my reflection, today was the day. I would finally be known as Mrs. White. I placed my hand on my huge belly and smiled.
Just then the dressing room door flew open as Amanda walked in.
"Oh my god you look gorgeous! I've never seen a pregnant lady look as good as you." She gushed. I knew she was just saying this because she didn't want bridezilla to make another appearance.
I smirked at her. "You don't look too bad yourself." I smiled when I saw the little girl come in after her.
"Mommy! You're squeezing my brother!" My three-year-old said to me. She ran up to me with a glare on her face.
"Kandice honey we had this talk, I'm not hurting your baby brother." I giggled. She was a gorgeous little girl. She took after me a lot but had her dad eyes. Once I told Dylan I was pregnant he went into daddy mode. Every craving I had, he made sure to get it for me by the bundle. When I was pissy and yelling he'd simply give me kisses or drew me a warm bath, even if I didn't want to take one. It made me love him even more. All the little things he did. Even now while I'm
pregnant with Ethan he's the same way. He wanted me to hold off the wedding until Ethan was born but I refused. I was tired of waiting.
"Daddy said you're hurting him from all the chocolate you eat," She had the cutest little pout on her face. "Why do you keep eating chocolate mommy?" I'm going to kill him. He knew I had huge cravings for chocolate lately. He must've told her, so he wouldn't have to get me anymore. He was not happy about all the chocolate I've been eating.
"Ok ladies its time!" My mom announced walking in. My adoptive mother stood in the doorway smiling. Ever since I got my real parents back I've been spending as much time as I could with them. We grew close over the years and it was like they never went missing. The only awkward part was explainging to everyone who they were. They took finding out I was an arachangel really well. Even Jessica has been nicer to me, but that probably had more to do with me moving out.
They loved Dylan of course, from the moment he came to rescue me. Speaking of Dylan, I once asked him about meeting his father. He disclosed to me that he died when he was six, leaving him to run the pack at a young age. I was shocked and sad that I'll never get to meet him. But at least he still had his mother. Jade was the best mother in law anyone could ask for. She helped plan my wedding and loved me like her own. Maybe more than she loved Dylan. I still loved my adoptive parents, I’ll always remember how they took care of me.
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