~Two Years Later~
~Javed’s Point of View~
I stare off into the distance, running my hand over my face. I’d put this off too long and now, there was no more waiting. One hundred and one years, I’d lost. Though it was supposed to be two hundred. The ones who confined me to the tombs won’t be happy but it's been two years since I rose again and there’s been no sign of them.
All the centuries of wondering, waiting for the point to all this, desperate for some sign that I should keep going. I got it, loud and crystal fucking clear.
Aurora. Her name literally means light, the dawn of a new beginning. A new day. The Goddess of the sunrise. Something I’ll never get to see again. Some kind of twisted irony? Who knows.
The name rolls through my head like a symphony, a sweet melody that I need to have on repeat. There had been a handful of times since she woke me that I’d gotten to hear her voice. Her laugh. There is absolutely no mistaking what she is to me and yet… She’s a damn child. Though any creature is a child compared to the relic that I am.
“Respectfully requesting permission to speak with your Alpha. My name is Javed,” I state, nodding at the guardian. I’d carefully planned this encounter and spent a lot of time thinking about how I would conduct myself, everything from my words to my gestures and mannerisms. It’s too important, I can’t seem threatening. They need to feel comfortable and believe they have full control of the situation. Rather, of me.
The male wolf eyes me, his nostrils flaring. Of course he knows what I am, and it likely pisses him off to no end that he can’t attack me. Try to fight me. I know his beast is warring with him right now.
“Sit and don’t move,” he snarls, pointing at a metal chair.
Though I’ve had time to catch up on all the modern marvels I’ve missed during my slumber, it’s still fascinating to see lights. Electricity and vehicles. Since I was left to my own devices when I awoke it was a slow and extremely painful process. I certainly could have sought out another for assistance, and should have. But that’s not my style. The last thing any vampire wants is to owe anyone anything.
But right now, this pack protects my Aurora. So, I need them, as much as it pains me to admit. There’s no way I can even remotely consider trying to take her until she has her wolf. While another may not care about such things, I do. I have to. Whatever mistakes I’ve made in my past will not be my future.
Once learning Aurora’s true age as well, I realized I had to be patient. But that’s just not something that’s in my bones. Not when she’s so close.
When a large male approaches me, I feel the aura of power emanating from him. He definitely looks like he doesn’t fuck around, and I appreciate that. Even if my appearance isn’t at all intimidating.
“Alpha Killian,” he states, with a curt nod.
I focus all my energy on moving at a snail’s pace, or at a human pace. Normally I just think my movements and my body does my will. But that won’t do here and now. I’ll spook him.
“I am Javed. May we please speak privately,” I inquire.
He moves his lips around, assessing me. Likely his wolf trying to size me up. I have nothing to hide but he has every right to be cautious and I’d think less of him if he acted differently. When he flicks his head, I follow. Suddenly there are ten men around, all staring me down. I hear each beat of their hearts, though as enticing as so many humans in close proximity may be, their scents do nothing for me.
They reek of testosterone, sweat and other various things that don’t appeal to me. If I were desperate, sure. But too much is riding on this.
The Alpha leads me to a table with a bench attached and we sit opposite each other. I politely weave my hands together.
“I had been entombed on the island for my slumber but was awoken early,” I state, more than choosing my words wisely. His face falls, surprised.
“There are a few of you down there, only you woke,” he whispers, but of course my hearing is superior and I catch it all just fine.
I nod and make a face. The very idea that any of the others could have risen makes me sick. I only know one other that is in their slumber and he’s not at all someone I care to let loose. If I didn’t fear repercussions from his maker I’d pull him apart bone by bone myself. He’s part of the reason I got punished to begin with and it was only bittersweet that he got in trouble as well.
The Alpha breathes a small sigh of relief but stiffens his back.
“How could you have awakened? I haven’t studied the procedure since no one was supposed to come back during my lifetime but isn’t it rather involved,” he asks. I nod again. Involved and inhumanely painful.
If I were human, I’d be clearing my throat and biting my lip but I haven’t had those mannerisms now in quite some time.
“A female she-wolf on the island is my intended, and somehow she was drawn to me. Able to get into the cavern and below ground. She must have cut her finger because once her blood was in the air, my body came back on its own. Though I had no help and no way to get blood, over probably the span of several nights I was able to crawl to the edge of the cliff. The creatures of the sea got me far enough along until I was able to properly handle the rest,” I explain, leaving out the most important part. That being, it's been two years. At least I think. The first several months were a blur, I could barely understand time I was in so much pain.
I watch as he considers my words. He’s clearly not happy.
“Have you approached her,” he whispers. His eyes stare into mine, and I have to admit he’s got a face that gives nothing away.
“No, of course not. Though…” I trail off, looking in the direction of the island.
“She’s still a pup so, clearly I can’t do anything. Though I know I need to make you aware of my intentions and the delicate nature of the situation,” I continue.
He huffs and looks away, leaning back and crossing his arms. My kind and his kind may share a special arrangement and have for many centuries, but it doesn’t mean we have to like each other. Really if they understood the depths of the monsters they protect they wouldn’t be keen to do it. But I hardly need to tell a werewolf that trusting a vampire is a deadly mistake.
“So you haven’t notified your nest,” he asks. I shake my head.
A slight chill creeps into me at the thought of those bastards. I highly doubt that during the time I’ve been away a single one has changed in the slightest. Well, I have. Her scent, her blood did that to me. There’s no going back to my old ways. If I have to be a borderline human then so be it. I’ll figure it out.
“I want nothing to do with them. The slumber was a punishment of sorts. I will fully revoke any allegiances with them and sever all ties. Aurora is my only concern,” I say.
His eyes widen and his heart immediately races. His hands ball into fists and I know he wants nothing more than to shift and tear my head off my neck. I put up my hands to indicate I’m not a threat.
“Aurora? That poor girl has been through enough. This is the last damn thing she needs,” he bellows, his voice loud and drawing stares from his guards.
My black heart seizes, instantly pissed off that she hasn’t had a good life. That she could be unhappy. The idea never even occurred to me. She’s always around others, surely they care for her, they’re her family. Though for months now I haven’t been able to catch her outside at night and didn’t know why.
“What has she been through,” I immediately question.
He proceeds to tell me what little he knows: orphan, even left by her sister. Essentially a rogue being sheltered by the pack. She has nightmares of when her pack was raided, even years after the fact. He said she’s lonely and sticks to herself most of the time, not wanting to be a bother to anyone though they all try their best to help her fit in.
“I’ve offered numerous times to have her come to the mainland and be a part of the larger end of the pack, but she won’t leave Matthew,” he explains.
I immediately raise my eyebrow and swallow the fire blooming in my throat. He shakes his finger in my face and explains that his Beta was to mate her sister who left.
“It’s been a couple years, though she blames herself. Actually, that night she…”
Well, shit. I try my best to remain calm as he pieces everything together. Should have known.
“You’ve been awake two fucking years and you just now present yourself,” he whispers, leaning in. I quickly note the males behind him are furious.
I more than realize this could be an offense worthy of taking to the vampire/werewolf council that oversees this arrangement. Tries to keep a delicate balance between our species.
“Well in all fairness since I was on my own and had little nutritional sources down below so it was painfully a year before I was strong enough to get above ground,” I say, keeping a straight face. Living in the ocean was far from ideal, but food came right to me and it was dark. It wasn’t as if I needed oxygen.
Nevermind that the first night I was able to stand on my feet I was out looking for her. If I could break into her home and steal her pillow, anything with her citrusy scent… I’d damn well do it.
He scoffs and moves to stand, indicating he’s done with our conversation. But this is how things are done, at least… They’re supposed to be.
Something pulses through my veins, completely catching me off guard. A feeling I haven’t been familiar with in over a millennium.
Fear.
Without a second to even hesitate, I shoot into the air, likely pissing off the Alpha. But she needs me. My Aurora needs me. While we’ve not mated, just her proximity is already allowing me to feel some of her emotions from time to time. Not only that, the night I got out of the tomb I licked the several drops of blood that I was able to find of hers which helps.
She’s upset, crying. Her entire body is shaking. Once she comes into focus, I freeze. She’s standing on the edge of a cliff, teetering dangerously close to joining the rocks below. From this distance I can more than save her if she jumps, but then I’ll be exposing myself. Which I’m not supposed to do without the Alpha’s consent.
There’s no time to think, no time for anything when she tilts forward, opening her arms to welcome the fall. She whispers something so softly that I actually can’t hear it.
Fuck the rules.
~Aurora’s Point of View~“Tired of waiting for the fall to take me. Here I am,” I mutter, before pushing forward, closing my eyes. I let go of more than just the earth beneath my feet.I welcome the end, the tormented life I’ve created for myself. I’m completely stuck in my own head and there’s no escape. You can only get rejected so many times and not start to take it personally. None of my family wanted me, and I don’t see my adopted “pack” being any different. Waiting around for my wolf doesn’t even sound appealing anymore. I just want it all to stop, go away.There are constantly whispers, talking behind my back. What’s worse is… I can’t even bring myself to go outside at night anymore. I haven’t in months. The darkness terrifies me not for what I can see, but what I can’t. What my subconscious somehow knows is there. There is something out here after sunset and try as I might, I just can’t put my finger on it.When my body thuds against a hard wall, I know the pain is about to be
~Javed’s Point of View~ “I wasn’t anticipating you being here for a couple of years at least. I just actually finished the cabinets last week. I’m afraid the rest of the house is in quite a lot of disrepair,” I say, when I see her eyes darting all over the kitchen. It’s a massive pain in the ass to find contractors willing to work at night, so I gave up on that early on. Though I could have potentially hired out the shifters to help, I hadn't gotten that far yet. I’d only begun working on the house in the last six months and the living room/kitchen/deck were my first goals. I have zero understanding of electricity and plumbing since they are modern conveniences. Books have helped and I’ve managed to get some things working. The house had sat vacant for over a decade at least. The first couple of months were mostly devoted to cleaning and fixing the deck so I could watch the ocean in comfort. When she spins some of her long brown hair hits me, and her crisp citrusy scent fills my l
~Aurora’s Point of View~ I rub my fingers over the soft material of Javed’s shirt. I begged him for it, feeling like he was saying good-bye. I’m not so naive as to believe this is easy for him. Whatever I’m feeling, what I think… I more than know it's a million times worse for him. Though seeing his perfect body without a shirt on nearly had me panting like a dog in heat. I had never even really looked at a male with desire before but now… No other could ever possibly measure up. Nowhere close to it. He’s more than a man, it’s a perfectly sculpted god who could have any female he wants. Living or otherwise. He doesn’t have insanely defined muscles necessarily like some shifters but he’s toned and clearly was strong even as a human. His final words are on a constant repeat in my head, and have been all night since he brought me home. The fact that he’s not a wolf should be making me panic, making me question everything about the goddess and her decisions. But… It just isn’t. “I will
~Three Years Later~ ~Aurora’s Point of View~ “Damn it Aurie! You cheat,” Mason shouts, and I giggle. He’s so hot when he’s angry. I chuck a water balloon at him, and it’s a direct hit to his chin of all places. While he’s distracted, I take off running. It’s stupid and I more than know it’ll only egg him on. But I can’t help myself. It’s never been so fun to taunt someone. He’s beyond expressive with his face. The sun has just set but there’s still just enough light. It’s barely a quarter mile before I feel his warm hand on my arm, then the full weight of his body tackling me. Fingers dance all over my skin, tickling me until I’m close to peeing my pants. “Mason!! Stop it!! I’ll kill you,” I giggle, trying but not really trying to get him off me. When he’s done he pins my wrists over my head with one hand. Even though he doesn’t yet have his wolf, and I’m actually four months older than him, his strength never ceases to amaze me. My chest heaves between us, and even though I sta
~Aurora’s Point of View~ Finally getting the courage to open the letter, I flick my hand under the large envelope flap and pull out the contents. My eyes dart over dozens of pictures, well drawings. Some are of me. Some are of what I would assume to be us, holding hands. Walking down the beach from behind, drawings of the house as he’s progressed on it. There have to be twenty of them. A smile plasters on my face so wide it almost hurts. Also knowing his scent is now going to be all over my bed for the foreseeable future. Goddess I’ve missed it. If I could bathe in it, I would. I quickly find the note. My fingers run over the immaculate cursive, it’s the most perfect penmanship I’ve ever seen. It nearly looks like a book. I guess he’s had time to practice. “My Dearest Aurora: it’s been impossibly hard to stay away, to not even communicate with you in some fashion. But I know it's for the best, and the Alpha has been gracious enough to let me read some of your letters. I’m th
~Aurora’s Point of View~ “He’s my fated mate, he’d never hurt me. He’s had to wait over five years for me to get my wolf, five years,” I state, as if he’ll care. Mason clenches his jaw and I stand helpless watching him go through every possible emotion at once. Anger, hurt. Rejection. ”What about us? What about the years we’ve had? Goddess Aurie I literally just had my face inside you and every day with you is the best day of my life. I’ve always imagined us together, always. Hell I dream every night about marking you and having pups. Growing old together. I’ve practically been counting the minutes. Now I’m just supposed to watch you go off with a fucking dead guy? He could accidentally even hurt you in a million ways,” he whispers, then looks away. I take a step back in order to keep myself from touching him. From clinging to his calf and begging for forgiveness. His words cut so deep that my legs are ready to give out. When my back finds the wall I struggle to support myself.
~Aurora’s Point of View~ As I walk toward Mason I can only think about that night I tried to kill myself. If I had, I wouldn’t be here right now. But my stomach sinks thinking that I never would have met him. Had three amazing years being his girl. I’m so fucked up and twisted. “How could you keep this from me,” he asks, when I’m within earshot. I look away, completely ashamed. There are no words to fix this, to repair the absolute carnage I’ve caused. “I started to tell you so many times. But you looked at me the way I always wanted a male to: with so much love. Not even lust just… admiration. You never did anything but make me feel absolutely wanted and loved. I never knew that could even be, I certainly never saw it with anyone in my family. My parents were chosen mates and they were never overly affectionate. It’s no excuse. I’m selfish and I just wanted what time with you I could get,” I say, hating myself but it’s the truth. He runs his hand over his face as a tear falls d
~Javed’s Point of View~ Just when I think years away from my sweet intended were torture, having her here still without her wolf is somehow worse. Her body is more than that now of a woman, her curves have filled out and her hair is longer and full. Her cheeks have a bit of rosiness but her eyes are still very much that of a girl. Her innocence and purity are very much still there. She even has a little pudge in her belly that my hands desperately want to caress. My kind rarely gets excited or physically turned on over other species so everything about her is quite foreign to me. But the one thing I can never, ever forget even for a second is her fragility. Her human body that I can’t be rough with, that I can’t take for granted. One wrong move and I could snap bones that won’t easily heal and will cause her great pain. But moreso, as she displayed tonight her emotional side is one I certainly don’t know how to handle. Of course she would fall in love, I’m such a fool to be naive