Chapter 12
Emma woke in her bed with a headache. She sat up and looked at Eric, who was seated in the armchair next to the bed and was looking more tired than ever.
"Eric? What just happened?"
Eric sighed and got up to pace the room. "It seems that negotiations with the werewolves are not going to happen."
Emma immediately began to blame herself. "I am so sorry Eric! I should have stayed up here like you said."
Eric shook his head and sat down on the bed next to Emma. "It was hardly your fault. I just wish you were never exposed to them."
Emma thought for a moment. "Eric… one of them called me 'mate'. What does that mean exactly?"
"Our understanding of werewolves is hardly certain, but we do know some things. A 'mate' to a werewolf is like a bride to a vampire. But with them, it's more about… well… I guess genetics would be the best term."
Emma looked at him with confusion. "Genetics?"
Eric nodded. "There numbers have become smaller over the years because of lack of mates that are in the area. A woman has to have a certain… gene that makes them compatible with their opposite. I keep telling them to leave the area to find more possible mates, but they see that as me trying to get them out of the area."
Emma thought for another second. "So… That man thought I was a wolfs mate?"
"You very well could be. You are not from this area so you might have the gene. But unfortunately for him, you're taken."
Emma turned away, suddenly feeling sorry for the wolves.
As if feeling her emotions, Eric pulled her into his arms. "Don't feel sorry for them Emma. I keep telling them to search other areas, but they wont listen."
Emma snuggled closer to Eric. "I still feel sorry for them. I hope they can find their mates soon."
….
A few days later after the werewolf visit, Emma found herself still sorry over the incident. She knew she should have stayed in her room and waited for Eric like she promised. And now thanks to her, a pack leader knew one of their mates were in the area, and he couldn't do anything about it.
I really need to start doing what I'm told. At least in those cases. She thought as she watered her roses.
A moment later, screaming from inside the castle caught her attention.
Emma turned as a servant ran towards Emma.
"My lady! Please follow me! Quickly!"
Emma dropped her watering can and followed the servant as fast as she could.
"What's going on?" Emma asked her.
"Where under attack! Werewolves!"
Emma felt the blood drain from her face, as she felt dizzy and collapsed on the floor.
"My lady!" The servant rasped, kneeling to help Emma.
Emma began wheezing, trying to catch her breath. "Where is Eric?"
"The last I heard, my lady, he was trying to help the others hold them at bay. Please hurry! I need to get you to the safe house!"
Emma nodded and stood to follow the servant. Just as they rounded the corner, they gasped as they saw two werewolves run towards them.
In wolf form, they were huge. Not even a regular wolf compared to them. These wolves were about the size of large warhorses. Dark fur covered their whole bodies and they were bearing large, sharp teeth.
Without missing a beat, the servant stepped in front of Emma, drawing a large bastard sword.
Where did that come from? Emma thought as the servant stepped forward to challenge the wolves.
"Leave now! Before I skewer you all!" The servant screamed at them, but it did no good.
Just as the wolves reached the servants, one immediately knocked her to the ground while the other disarmed her.
Emma turned to run, but ended up running right into a large man.
"Eric?" She screamed and looked up.
It wasn't Eric…
The last thing Emma remembered was screaming into a pair of yellow eyes.
….
Holding out the front doors to the wolves had been harder than Eric realized. And apparently their numbers weren't that low.
It took about ten other vampires to hold the doors while many others bolted and locked the windows.
"Where is Emma!" Eric screamed at the servants running by.
One stopped and bowed to Eric. "We sent Margaret to take her to the safe house, sire!"
Eric didn't bother to reply, but returned to making sure everything was secure. Right now, his manners were the least of his problems.
The wolves must have brought the whole pack. But I never thought they would go this far to get territory…or to get a wolf mate.
The wolves had also played it smart. It was too close to daybreak and soon the sun would be up. Most of their power would be drained until the following evening.
Eric quickly ran up the stairs, determined to check and see if Emma was safe.
"Your majesty!"
Eric turned and froze.
Two other servants were carrying Margaret, who looked horribly wounded. Scratches covered her whole body and her arm looked broken.
Eric leaped down the stairs as the servant's places her on the ground to lie down.
"Where is she?" Eric demanded as he kneeled down in front of her.
Margaret coughed up blood as she spoke. "I'm sorry… tried… to get away…"
"WHERE IS EMMA?"
Margaret let tears fall from her face. "They… took her…."
Eric leaned back his head and roared in fury.
…
You didn't really think that that was the end of the werewolves, right? More coming soon! VERY soon! ^_~
