Before the Flames
Chapter 9: Never Say Never
Vivian
"Vivian, open this door." Ivan Gandillon tapped on the door.
She couldn't disobey her father. She got up and unlocked the door, then sat back down on the edge of her bed.
He sat down next to her and laid a massive hand on her shoulder, "You overheard?" He guessed.
"What do you think?"
"Now no need to get sassy with me, young lady." Her father gave her a stern eye.
"You and mom can't plan my life out for me. What right do you have to choose my mate? I'm not property!"
"No, you're not. But in a few years you'll be the strongest female who hasn't mated, most likely the strongest female period. Our new leader will be your mate. Its important that whoever you choose, he is worthy."
"Why won't you be the leader?"
"Vivian, I'm getting too old to be chasing Lucien Dafoe home from bars or stopping the Wagner brothers from quarreling. I used to be stronger than every male here. But that's changed. I can accept when my time is nearing its end."
"But you're not old, Dad."
"No, I'm not by human standards. But as a loup-garou? Sweetie, a tougher generation is growing up and, as sure as its in our nature to fight amongst ourselves, they'll try and challenge me. I'd rather give up my place on my terms."
"Are you talking about the Five? Dad, they're just a bunch of punks. I can take care of them."
"I'm sure you can, Vivian, and that's why you'll make a fine Queen."
"What if I don't want to be?"
"It's your duty. Its what you were born to be. You can't change fate, sweetheart."
"And you think my fate is to lead the pack with Gabriel?" She asked incredulously. "Dad, he isn't even here!"
"He will come back."
"He's too old for me." She argued.
"Only 7 years older- that's not that much in the grand scheme of things."
"He isn't even that involved in the pack. When was the last time him and his family had supper at the inn? Or even ran with everyone when the moon was full? He doesn't seem to care about us."
"He does. I've seen him gaze out the window of his cabin when he's looking after his sisters. He wants to be a part of things. He just needs the chance."
"And when he comes back you plan to give him this opportunity?" She asked skeptically.
"Yes."
"And what am I supposed to do? Throw myself at him?"
"Vivian, I'm sure that when the time comes you'll handle yourself however you wish."
"Its not going to happen, Daddy."
"Aunt Persia-"
"I heard what Aunt Persia told you, but that doesn't mean it has to happen just as she says."
"Ugh! Vivian! Its like arguing with your mother! You're too stubborn!"
"Maybe that's a good thing." Vivian got up from the bed and started for the door.
"Vivian, don't be mad with me."
"I'm not mad. I'm just going to ignore the fact that we ever talked about this."
"You won't even think about it?"
"Nope. I'm never going to be Queen and I'm absolutely never going to be Gabriel Devereux's mate."
***
The next morning Vivian set out with the sole purpose of finding Axel and solving their embarrassing predicament.
She found him sneaking smokes out of Bucky's cabin.
"Want one?" He offered, sneaking back out of the window.
"He's gonna catch you." Vivian warned in a sing-song voice.
"Is that a no?" He challenged.
"Give me." She held out her hand. He tapped the box against the heal of his palm and then pulled one out and lit it for her.
Vivian took a drag and forced herself not to cough or choke. "There. And he is gonna catch you. Bucky isn't as stupid as he looks."
"He'll think he misplaced 'em. He won't suspect me. Besides, what's he gonna do? Smack me around a little bit?" Axel tapped one out for himself and lit up.
"You just went through the Trial of the Fang the other day. Isn't it a little early to be causing trouble?" She asked as they walked through the edge of the trees to Rafe's house.
"Stealing cigarettes isn't exactly the same as beating Rafe to a pulp, Vivian."
"What are you trying to prove Axel?"
"Maybe a better question is why are you trying to be such a goody two-shoes all of a sudden?" Axel countered.
"I'm not a goody two-shoes." Vivian argued.
"Really?" He looked skeptically at her untouched cigarette.
She took another drag. "Look, Axel, I didn't follow you today to argue with you."
"Then why did you follow me, Vivian?" Axel came to a halt close in front of her. "What do you want from me?"
Vivian bit her lip for a moment, unable to speak. "I just want to forget about what happened the other night." She took a deep breath and plunged on. "That means no awkward silences, no ignoring each other, no taking it out on Rafe; lets just forget it ever happened and you can stop acting like an idiot. You're not impressing me."
Axel raised an eyebrow and started walking again. "Who says any of it was for you?"
"Axel!" She followed him.
"Fine." He turned around to walk backwards to face her and shrugged. "If that's what you want…"
"It is." She sucked in a deep breath.
"Then okay."
He shrugged again and turned back around.
"Okay." She exhaled and kept her eyes on his back, as she followed him to the Five.
***
"Alright! Awesome!" Rafe snatched the cigarette from her hand when she plopped down next to him on his living-room couch.
She glared at him but didn't say anything as he blew smoke in her face.
Axel passed around the pack and the lighter and took a seat in Rafe's father's armchair.
"Where are your parents?" Vivian asked as Ulf coughed up his lungs with his first inhale and Greg pounded on his back.
"They're in the bedroom. What do you think they're doing, Viv?" Was Rafe's smart remark.
"Afraid we're gonna get caught?" Axel taunted her.
"It'd serve you right if we did."
"Rafe's dad ain't gonna care. Is he Rafe?" Willem asked anxiously.
"Nah. Nothing to be worried about pussy. You won't get in trouble." Axel replied snatching the pack out of Greg's hands after it had been around.
"Where'd ya get 'em?" Rafe kicked at Axel's chair.
"Bucky."
"He know you took them?" Ulf asked nervously.
"Nope, and he isn't ever gonna find out."
"Never say never…" Vivian cautioned before snatching back her cigarette from Rafe.
So melissaturkey (me) hopes you enjoyed this prophetic chapter. I felt like being quite ironic in these last chapters: Lilly trusting Gabriel so blindly, Vivian "never" going to accept Gabriel as her future mate, Axel "never" getting caught...yes, I'm in a very ironic mood. So send us a review and tell us what you think of these instances. :D melissaturkey and BreakingDawn17
