Chapter 10 - Saying Goodbye
Addaleigh
The news had gone over better than she thought, part of Addaleigh worried that her friend would try to stake Eric for the proposal, but if Ari thought he was a the right fit then if there were ever any doubts the alpha wolf's acceptance and congratulations cleared them away. She donned the necklace without complaint, making a mental note to remove it before she got home to Eric, and followed her friend back out to the two men who were highly uncomfortable around one another.
The switch in topic was welcoming, "Ari is pregnant and I saw the gender so they've been dying to know." She explained to Zack to catch him up on why her friend was giddy. He smiled back as understanding dawned, he hated Ari but Adda seemed in good spirits so he didn't want to destroy that.
"Okay so, It's a….. Girl." She announced getting a shocked look from Alcide, mixed with so many emotions of elated to frightened that it was comical, "And… a boy!"
The look had turned to pure shock on his part, "Twins!" Adda said with a small clap of her hands in excitement for the couple.
It happened so quickly but one moment Alcide was standing up right and the next he was passed out on the floor, causing the male vampire to laugh at the antics, Addaleigh to gasp in worry but torn since it was supremely funny and such a pay off after having known for so long.
Micha
The King agreed, after all there wasn't much else to do here in the strangers home. "A drink sounds smashing." He said before they left for Fangtasia, the establishment he had heard so much about while Addaleigh had been doing preliminary research on Eric a few months before moving out to meet him. It was the hub of entertainment for bored vampires and thrill seeking humans, or anyone in need of a drink. A profitiable establishment that he would own twenty five shares in once Eric became King.
"I will be meeting with Sophie Anne in the next few days to give her my hello's and extend out a simple commission for one of her arcitechs, my guise for being here so she wont be suspicious." He said while they were inside, female human eyes on them the whole time.
Ariadne
Ariadne's eyes widened as the word 'twins' passed through her friend's lips. Of course she knew it was a possibility, what with twins running in her family, she just hadn't really considered it. Before she could wrap her mind around two babies, a loud thud drew her attention. "Oh, honey." Ari bit her lip in an attempt to keep from laughing. She loved how her husband, the manly alpha, fainted at the thought of having twins. Crouching beside him, she stroked his cheek and moved some hair out of his face. "Alcide, are you okay?" Again, she tried not to laugh. She knew even if he hit his head, it would probably do more damage to the floor than his wolf-hardened skull.
Eric
Eric allowed the king to sit in his 'throne' as he flagged two of the women towards them. The women of course, came without question. "Please, King's choice." Eric smiled lightly and gestured to the blondes in front of them. Eric needed a blonde right now, someone that wouldn't remind him of Adda. He needed to let her go... he knew that. He had never truly believed in love before, so how could he possibly think it would be enough? Yes, he would let her go, even if he had to hurt her in the process.
After the king chose one, Eric gestured for the other to come to him. He glamored her, not in the mood to hear her lustful cries. He wanted to feed, and do nothing more. He wasn't gentle with the blonde, nor was he rough. He simply tilted her head to the side and sank his fangs in without warning. Her blood was dull and flavorless compared to Adda's, but he had lived off of such blood for over a thousand years, he could do so again. They were quick with their meals, although the king's offered to let him drink from her in one of the private back rooms. However, Eric had business to discuss.
"If it pleases your majesty, I would like to accompany you to see the queen. She has summoned me, and I fear she will grow impatient soon." Eric wanted to talk about overthrowing her, but he knew Fangtasia wasn't the place to do so. Too many ears.
Alcide
Blurry vision and then a double of his wife's face before focus came together. "Twins." He said with a chuckle as he remembered just how he ended up on the floor. The thought was terrifying but hell one baby was scary so why not just get two done at the same time. Sitting up he rubbed his head, there wasn't a knot but it was sore from the fall.
"Sorry 'bout that, it just took me by surprise. So twins, that's fine. We can do this. Yeah." He said hyping himself and Ari up as if giving a pep talk before the big game.
"You still have... well I won't give you the exact date, but you still have months before you have to come to grips and welcome the little ones." Adda said before helping Alcide up with Ari.
They began dinner shortly after, Zack was polite and any time he and Ari got into a tiff Adda or Alicde would intervene and turn the conversation to clearer less troubled waters of topic. They said their goodnights and parted ways Zack driving Adda home with light conversation.
Alcide helped soak the dishes as Ari brought them into the kitchen. He snagged her around the middle and pulled his wife to him; "Twins," he whispered in ear.
Micha
The King had agreed to have Eric join him on his visit to the Queen, agreeing to go keep their distance so not to invoke any suspicions. They left the club after some chatting about business trends in the market and eventually left the club to head back to Eric's abode. They arrived back before Adda and Zack had returned and Micha bid Eric goodnight as he had some work to handle via Skype with his banker over some market ideas Eric had tossed out for him to use.
"Don't wait up too late for them Eric, it seems they may be home late." Micha taunted as he headed up the stairs, having noticed just how reserved Eric had seemed the whole night while out. He then retired to his work.
Addaleigh
"Well that wasn't what I had in mind but it wasn't the worst first date I've ever had. I'm pretty sure one in my human years ended with me in a barrel with pickled tongues." He said with a smile as he helped her out of the car. "Then again I'm pretty sure the she-wolf wanted to do worse to me."
Addaleigh laughed, she had never understood the animosity between the two of them, Zack was a decently nice guy and Ari was a ton of fun and warm hearted. "Yes well I suppose it's not my worst either, the only one I've been forced to have but-"
"I'm sorry about this by the way, this isn't the way I wanted to... "
"It's okay on our next mandatory date I'm sure we can go see the ballet- instead of dinner with my-"
"No not the date Addaleigh," Zackary interrupted, "this, dating you, I didn't want it to be forced."
"Well soon enough Eric will take the throne and you won't have to play along anymore, I'm not that terrible of a date." She teased with the guy she considered her friend.
He laughed without humor at her remark, "How he ever got you to see... for someone with all the answers you don't see things right in front of you. Emotionally near sighted." He leaned down kissing her on the cheek which surprised her before he opened the door for her following her into the house.
Addaleigh hadn't been sure what to say, she didn't honestly think Zack had an interest in her beyond the will of his King and their friendship. She had never been good at realizing the attention she garnered beyond the overt sexual attempts people made towards her, and she wondered just how long Zack had been wanting to date her. She felt bad as if she had led him on and decided that this was cruel of Micha to force him to go through since she knew her choice would be Eric without a doubt.
"Thank you again, it was a nice night." She said politely from the safety of the stairs before heading to her and Eric's room, glad to be home and away from that awkward situation. When she entered their room she smiled taking off her high heels and sitting on the bed looking over at him as her lover lay looking lost in thought.
"Alcide fainted when I told him about the twins." She began wanting to tell him about the dinner she had wished he had been a part of.
Ariadne
"I know!" Ari nearly squealed as she turned in her husband's arms, eyes already misty. "I can't believe it! Twins!" She repeated, hoping the word would sink in. "You better love me mister, because I'm going to get pretty damn big." She laughed and placed a hand over her stomach. Ariadne was curvy, but her frame was still thin. She knew her belly would be an interesting sight. She stood on her toes, pressing her lips against Alcide's. "As much as I want you to drag me into the room and remind me of how these twins came to be, I think we should start going over lists of local and national packs that would be willing to help." She sighed, but knew it had to be done. She now had two tiny lives in her that needed protecting against the monster that was Russel Edgington.
Eric
"I suppose it's a lot to take in." Eric nodded, his tone friendly, but guarded. Even though he already drank, her blood and body called to him like a siren. He knew that he would have to resist, the sooner he pushed her away the better it would be for the both of them. "I think while the King and Zack are staying here, it would be more appropriate for you to stay in a guest room." He stood, his eyes cold and emotionless. "If you prefer, I will sleep on the first floor in a coffin." He finally turned his gaze to her, but it was unfeeling. It was like he was staring through her.
"And I know we had plans for tomorrow night, but something has come up at the club that demands my attention. I'll inform Zack that your schedule is open. Perhaps the King would like some time with you."
Ariadne
Ariadne sighed in content as her husband led them out back. She hadn't been running in some time and missed it more than she was willing to admit. She wasn't sure how she was going to stand those long 4 months without being able to shift. Month five was her cut off, as advised by other women in the pack. Although Ari was giving birth to the first pack baby (or babies) many of the older women had given birth before joining the pack. She knew that because they were the alphas' pups, they would be watched over and protected by all in the pack. In a way, they had a very large family to help them raise their children.
"Try to keep up." Ari winked before dropping on four snowy-white paws. Before going anywhere, she threw her head back and howled, greeting any pack members that might have been running. Four howls answered hers, but they were far off, and not likely to cross their path. With the best smile she could muster in her wolf form, Ari let out a happy noise and took off into the woods. Her feat glided with familiar ease over the forest floor, expertly avoiding anything in her path. She wasn't sure where she was going, but she didn't care.
Eric
"Of course not." Eric said. His tone was polite, as if talking to the king himself. "The king has been nothing but kind." He stood and rounded the bed to stand by the door, avoiding Adda's gaze. "And as generous as your offer is, I have already fed." He knew that it would probably hurt her, but she would thank him in the long run. "I no longer require your blood." He glanced at her once more before turning and opening the door. "I'll be sleeping in one of the downstais coffins today. If you need anything, Pam will assist you." He closed the door before she could respond and stood there a moment. With a deep unneeded breath, Eric made his way downstairs.
"It's for the best." He said to himself as he laid in one of the large oak coffins kept in a spare room for guests. Closing his eyes, Eric waited for sunrise.
Alcide
Alcide's wolf howled out in response to their brethren in the woods and Ari's initial call, the sound loud and haunting in the night, an echo of so much intense joy there was no way to express but vocally and at the loudest decimal manageable. The white wolf took off into the woods and Alcide followed suite, she was pushing hard in her gait and so he stretched his muscles and pushed his self to match her, he had power behind him but she was so lithe that her speed was almost a notch above his own. While an alpha he didn't mind following her, she was his partner, his equal and the mother to his two growing pups.
He wasn't sure if there was a word that existed for the amount of happiness he felt right now, as he tried to capture it and lock it into his mind to get him through the worry and the stress that awaited them come the summit.
Addaleigh
Stunned would be the first emotion Addaleigh felt as she was passed over and treated like a stranger to be tolerated by Eric as he dismissed her from his life and left for a separate room. She physically felt as if he had slapped her in the face, most girls after being so blatantly rejected would turn into a pile of tears and worry, instead the pride that Eric had offended welled up in her causing anger to push her to her feet and make her in a long quick stride stomp out of their… her…. his… the bedroom and storm down the stairs to the bedroom.
"What the Hell is wrong with you?" She asked flipping open the coffin, having lived with vampires long enough to be intoned to when the sun set and rose, she still had at least thirty more minutes, and she'd be damned if they wouldn't be used to get to the bottom of this.
"I apologize but I am completely lost right now Eric," She blew out an angry breath tying to calm down and not yell.
"It just seems that something had to have happened. Before I left for dinner you were…" She wanted to say 'still in love with me' but it rang so needy even in her own mind, but this was all so confusing. Eric had his moments and moods but he had never pushed away from her like this. "normal, and now your- you just seem upset with me, like you're pushing me away. We've been living together for months now and not once have you slept away from our room outside of the few times you stay at work, but…. What did I do?"
Eric
Eric could not only see her pain, but feel it thanks to the bond they both shared. He was thankful for that bond, because no matter what he said or did, he did love her. He would watch over her, even if she went back to California like he wanted. He would always have a tie to her. In a way he would always have a piece of her. That thought just made what he had to do harder. "I am taking the throne as you wished. I realize now I cannot take the throne if I'm being weighed down by a human." He said coldly as he sat up. "You would be a liability, and frankly a risk I don't think is worth taking. Look at what happened to Godric because of you." His voice was cold, but it hurt him to say such things, especially because he could feel how his words effected her.
"I don't want you. I think it's best you leave with the king." With a long cold stare to accentuate his point, Eric closed the lid of his coffin, hating himself more than ever. He knew this hatred would follow him the rest of his existence. His last thought was a picture of her face before he went dead to the world.
If someone could review just to let me know that someone is in fact still reading, that would be great!