WILLIAM
I almost hadn't realized that I was flying through the air, until I was midway through the trip, the punch to my jaw was definitely a shock, but much more so because it came from my father. What was I to expect from standing against him in front of both covens and the Dàils? Of course, he would take action.
My back fell atop a mound of soft fur, followed by the sound of a slight whimper, the fur quickly turning into flesh and bone, emanating the scent of sweet roses. I scrambled to my feet only to gaze up at the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my entire life. An anxiety fell over me, making my stomach churn and my head hurt.
The world melted away as our eyes locked amidst the ensuing hysteria. As she gazed into my eyes, all I could consider was the possibility of her lips touching mine.
I raised my hand to cup her cheek, her skin soft and supple against my palm. I had no words for her, only the deep seeded need to embrace her with everything in me.
Her lips parted. "It's you," she whispered, resting her hand ever so softly upon my chest.
I laid my hand upon hers. "I have breathed you in before, your scent so familiar, a scent I have smelled only in my dreams."
"Do not breathe me in, for I will be the death of you."
"If you will hold my hand, then I will hold my breath, and cast my fate into the perilous night."
ROSALINE
Gregory took a step toward William when Sir Aisling chimed in. "Now, now, Gregory. Let us not turn into the same barbarians who have so rudely ruined this beautiful wedding."
Gregory stopped mid-step as he looked toward the Dàils. Sir Leannàn came forward, pointing at William, who was helping Sabine up from the ground, after having transformed into a human.
"Gregory, that’s her. The transcendent child," Sir Aimsir yelled.
Gregory's gaze focused in on Sabine. Gideon pushed me toward William and Sabine and transformed into his wolf, standing between Gregory and the pack. The two brown wolves stood next to him, and Sabine turned back into her wolf, protecting William.
Sir Aisling shouted, "Gabriel, reign in your daughter."
Tension filled the air, as I looked toward my father, my mother clutching on to his arm. My father took my mother's hand into his, whispering something into her ear. She nodded, releasing his hand, as she moved toward me.
Gideon bowed down, as did the other three, allowing her into the safety of the blockade they had created with their bodies. My father looked to the Dàils who were nodding in unison. Clenching his fists, he started toward the pack. Their deep growls reverberating through the air as he neared.
I leaned forward, my lips parting to beg my father to cease his attack, but my mother's gentle hand on my shoulder impeded my plea.
Face to face they came, the two men I loved most in my life, raring to fight to the death. My heart dropped into my stomach, my eyes welling with tears, as I watched what could only turn into a blood bath.
My father's fists unclenched as he turned to the Dàils, taking one step back to stand with Gideon.
"How dare you side with those dirty beasts," Sir Leannàn voice thundered.
Sir Aisling stepped forward. "You will rue this day in hell, Gabriel."
My father said nothing.
"This treachery has left us no choice but to slaughter the lot of you," Sir Aimsir said in a low voice, as he glanced over to the wall of death dealers, ready to pounce at his word.
Their fangs at full length, their eyes red with anger, as they hissed at us.
Gideon, do something. I begged.
All went silent as Gideon belted out a howl that could be heard for miles in either direction. A gasp fell over the crowd of vampires, all taking a step back, their eyes widening as they stared past us toward the tree line.
My parents, William, and I, all turned to see what had scared them. My heart skipped a beat when I beheld the majesty that was slowly emerging from the forest. An impressive army of wolves, angrily brandishing their teeth, as they made their way toward Wild Wind.
I quickly turned back when I felt Gideon brush by me. He, along with the other three, had already transformed back into his humans.
Stepping toward the Dàil, Gideon said, "We do not wish to fight you, but we will, and by my count we sorely outnumber the few that stand with you willing to fight."
The Dàil looked around, taking stock of the situation, their brains calculating the possible end results, any of which would not be in their favor.
Sir Aisling was the first to speak up, making his announcement to the crowd. "Let it be known, that on this day, the Winthrops and William…"
Gregory interjected. "Wait…not William. Give me a chance to speak with him," he implored Sir Aisling, who gave his permission with a nod.
Gregory turned to William. "I demand that you step away from that pack, and stand with your coven."
William glanced over at Sabine, then back at his father. "I will no longer be under your tyrannical rule. I have made my choice."
Celeste stepped forward. "Son, reconsider your position. Do not choose this life," she said, with disgust in her voice.
William twined his fingers with Sabine's. "I am sorry, Mother. It has already chosen me."
I had never cared for Celeste, only ever seeing her pompousness and cruelty, but when the sadness from William's words fell over her face, I could feel nothing but pity for her.
Sir Aisling took the quiet moment to continue with his decree. "The Winthrops and William McAllister are now deemed exiles, and they are not to be offered shelter or asylum. If any coven is to be found sheltering these four traitors, they too, shall suffer the same fate. Forthwith, the Winthrop coven will now belong to Gregory McAllister and all that entails, including Weatherly."
I heard a slight exhale come from my father, his heartache at the loss of his coven quite apparent. I knew that I had just taken away everything he had worked all his life for, in less than an hour's time. My mother took his hand, squeezing it tightly, as she pressed her arm against his.
"Furthermore, a bounty shall be on head of the four defectors, double for the white wolf."
William pulled Sabine close to him.
"Now, please take your one pass and leave with your dirty mongrels," Sir Leannàn ordered.
The eight of us backed away slowly from the scene, passing through the army of wolves before we felt safe enough to turn our backs to the Dàils, and the other death dealers; the army of wolves standing watch until we were well hidden by the forest.
"The Dàils are not going to stop you know," I whispered, glancing over my shoulder.
Gideon pulled me close. "We will fight them together."
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