Chapter 57
Gerard's POV
My hunger and possessiveness of Aurora was beyond my control, I had been desperately trying to keep my tempter in check for days, if it wasn't for Boston's need to be close to us I would have taken Aurora and my mates back to my kings realm. I'd spoken with the Viking and Godric and I was exerting my right as Alpha Male and shutting down any and all actions that would cause Aurora, Yannick and Preston any more damage. I made it very clear to the Viking any and all requests where to go through me before Aurora or Yannick where to be approached. I was happy that he was on the same page, enough was enough. I slowed my stride to watch Kellan lower Aurora to the floor, I wanted nothing more than to rush to her and enjoy the passion joining with our mates could bring, but she was far too weak. Kellan, Stark, Bastian and I had done everything we could to get blood into Aurora but she was reluctant to break her spark connection with Boston. She was not willing to lose another brother and due to us losing ourselves when we feed or made love with our mates my brave goddess held strong and deprived herself until she knew her little brother was safe.
Yannick and Preston thankfully had recovered to a good 90%. One more feed and I had no doubt they'd be back to 100%, but not my Aurora. She stood in front of me struggling to keep her eyes open, I reached out within our connection and she looked up at me and smiled. This will always be where I belonged, who I wanted, I was devoted to her, and there will never be another. She was everything I could have ever want and it was my turn to care and protect her, my mates stood back as I reached out and pulled her into my arm. She was so very strong but so very fragile, my love, my goddess, my Aurora.
Eric's POV
I hated the nights when area business pulled me away from my family, Pam and I seemed to be spending more time away from the compound than normal. Due to the Seven Deadly Sins arrival into our lives, Fangtasia was over following nightly with super naturals trying to get a glimpse of them or make a connection with Pam and myself as a way in. The list of vampires wanting to transfer into my area was becoming a joke, Pam had suggested we should start demanding a resume with abilities and benefit we'd get allowing them in, it gave me serious food for thought. My reply to the council had been put forward, we'd attend the conference in a weeks' time and I'd arranged with Stan, Kaius and Alaric's that we would all arrive together. If the German wanted to see our full strength who was I to deprive him, I'd left Rai and Chow to close up the club and headed home, as I was pulling my corvette into one of the empty car spaces, I realised this was where I truly wanted to be, home, with our family, not at a club looking over the vermin. Smiling like an idiot, I locked the car and went in search of my bonded. I found Sookie with the twins sitting by the pool with Erebus and Godric, they all seemed to be glued on Boston who was sitting at the pools edge looking a little down. I gave the shifters hair a tassel which got me a smile as I walked past to join my family.
"Hello, is there a reason we are sitting outside staring at Boston?"
"We are just showing mummy why we can't play with Boston sometimes." Replied Leif
I took a seat next to Sookie and looked over at the shifter, I was about to ask Leif to explain himself when he leant into me and pointed at Boston's foot, whispering 'see daddy'. Each time the little guy swung his foot back and forth over the water in the pool, it followed, swirling and dancing ever so slightly.
"How?" I asked
"Oh it gets better, watch his eyes." Said Sookie.
I sat quietly and waited, it didn't take long. Lost in his own little world Boston kept swinging his foot over the water and looking up to the fourth floor, every few minutes when he'd blink his eyes would change from green to blue, then one green one blue, then honey and the most terrifying of them all, red and black.
"What's happening to him?" I asked looking to my father.
"The boys think his shifting through the sin, Green for Aurora, Bastian and Yannick, Blue Gerard, the split colour is Preston of course, Honey for Stark and then red for Kellan and black when his demons showing." Said Sookie.
"Does he know what he's doing?" I asked
"We don't think so, the boys where just saying when his eyes flash black he growls at them if there to close. But seconds later when they turn blue, green or honey he's shocked that the kids are scared of him." Replied Erebus.
"Something like this was always a possibility, he's a mix of two purebred supernatural species. Shifter and Elf, throw in the blood bond and we have a very special little boy on our hands." Said Godric looking at this son with pride.
"If this grows and he can shift into each species with the ability to use their gifts, he's going to be one hell of a powerful supernatural." said Erebus with a mischievous grin on his face.
I'm not sure how long we sat and watched the little shifter, but the moment the glass French doors opened on the fourth floor he shot to his feet buzzing with excitement. I can't count the amount of times I've watched the sins extend their wings and take flight but I will always see the beauty in it and the pride my brother was one of them. The demon must still be getting used to his wings, his dissent was a little unsteady and once on the ground he kept rotating his shoulders like he was trying to become accustom to their weight. But none of this matter to Boston, he took off at full speed and launched himself at the demon, who thankfully caught him and hugged him tightly.
"Aren't you getting a little big to be jumping at me?" Asked Kellan kissing Boston's forehead.
"Nope, but I'll stop if you want." He replied.
The Demons face shone as he squeezed the shifter and winking at him saying 'never', all the other mates walked past the pair kissing Boston hello. It was obvious to anyone that watched the group interact, Boston was theirs and the connection was both ways, the little guys loved each and everyone one of them with his whole being. I was happy to see Aurora was looking a little stronger but from the protective stance of Gerard and Yannick, she wasn't 100%. Adele was a great woman and everyone in the compound was growing very fond of her, but the cost to Aurora, Yannick and Preston had pushed Gerard to step up as Alpha Male and god help us if Aurora so much as stubs her toe, he was hungry for blood.
The group happily sat around the pool and relaxed, once Aurora was snuggle up on a sun lounge with Preston and Boston. Gerard stripped down to his boxers and dove into the pool swimming back and forth, which from the look in Aurora eyes she was enjoying very much. The guy was built like a tank, I was always surprised how he moved as freely as he did with his bulk, Bastian and I were in great shape, but Gerard, Kellan and Yannick had a build for battle. Each of the sins, where perfect examples of their species, some more than others. Stark was a good head taller than the other Angels and his upper body muscle mass was easily double that of Swan and Michael's, Preston who I hated to admit was one hell of a good looking fairy, stood taller and musclier than the other Fae within the compound, actually I don't think I've ever seen a Fae to his equal and the race was known for their beauty. As for Kellan, he was the first pureblood I'd ever meet, I wasn't sure what to expect but after our trip to the demon realm, he again stood leaps and bounds above the others of his kind. It really would be amazing if a child could be born from the mating of all these creatures, but as I'm looking at Boston maybe one was.
Sookie's POV
We had been watching Gerard swimming in the pool for maybe an hour, when Jasper and Maria came strolling out of the main house, the pair seemed hyped with anticipation.
"Alcide called, that pack has come into Shreveport pack territory again and we think they're going to challenge, so Maria and I are off."
"What about us, I could eat." Said Aurora sitting up and resting her chin on Boston's shoulder.
Jasper didn't say a word, he just looked over to Gerard who had stopped swimming and was climbing from the pool. Maria and I both blushed when we caught each other admiring his wet body, as he ran his hands through his hair ringing out the water. He walked over to Aurora grabbed hold of her chin staring into her eyes.
"You promised." He said.
"I am not going to do anything, I'll stay glued to your and Kellan's sides and you can all bring me my meals if that'll make you happy. Boston can come with us and we can stop at the vamp ice-cream shop Maria has told us about, Boston and the twins are dying to try it." Replied Aurora, leaning forward and kissing Gerard's nose.
The merman shook his head looking down at Boston and then over to the twins who had jumped to their feet and started bouncing with excitement, he gave Eric and Godric a nod and the pair shrugged their shoulders smiling.
"Maria let the family know we are responding to Alcide's call, it's up to them if they want to join in the fun. Jasper tell Alcide, The Viking nest will be there in 30." Said Gerard.
The compound was a buzz, there wasn't a creature that wasn't going to join in the fun, to my horror Gran, Piper and Terry where in the mix. Terry had his hunting rifle over one shoulder and Reaper at his side, gripped firmly on his lead, the chimera was huge now and Terry had a big old soft spot for him. Talon had even appeared from his hiding whole in the woods and sat happily on Preston arm preening his feathers. Michael, Swan and Celine had taken up a position behind Aurora hold deadly looking silver spears. Stark gave the Angels a nod and they locked back on their prize, if the unthinkable did happen and someone got past Aurora's mates while she was not at her best. God help them because the Angels where ready to tear anything apart that looked sideways at her. It really would shock the average person to meet an Angel, the great book may have them as peaceful messengers from god, but the truth was they were scary arse blood hungry war machines. Chow had even joked that Celine the one female angel in the compound was deadlier then the whole vampire Yakuza, and I believe him. Lilim and Aim stood with Gran, Piper and Terry excited not to be left behind and it calmed me a little, with those two little devils with Gran, Piper and Terry, hell fire and brimstone was all anyone was going to get if they approached our humans.
Leif and Valliant stood with Erebus and Marigold, I knew they'd be safe. Marigold could drain a supernatural to death within three strides and Erebus, my body shivered at the damage the dark warrior could do. Boston was beside Aurora and Bastian and Godric watched the pair closely, the Fairies and Werewolves couldn't seem to keep still and kept looking over to Gerard and to my surprise Preston for orders. Yannick and Kellan had the Saxons and Wraths at their sides, ready to open the portal for our arrival and be the first to cross just in case there was trouble and the six of them looked a little to murdery for my liking but what the hell. Kai, Jason and Laura Jane joked and took bets as to what they believed the outcome of our adventure would be. Thankfully Pam had arrived just in time for the fun and she and Eric where walking my way.
"Please Please Please tell me the three legged werewolf is going to be there?" asked Pam pulling a camera from her pocket.
"I have no idea, have you ever been to one of these things before?" I asked giggling at the idea of Pam trying to get a pick of a three legged werewolf and what she'd do with said pic.
"It can be really boring, they line up like dodge ball and all flex there wolfy muscles some shift some don't and the biggest and the badest of both packs step forward, sometimes they fight others if they know they can't win back down and leave with their tails between their legs." Said Pam
"What the hell is going to happen when we show up?" I asked, looking over our group.
"They're going to shit themselves." Said Jasper walking past, looking very smug.
Preston, Stark and Gerard moved next to Aurora and Boston. Godric and Bastian moved closer to Erebus and the Twins as Eric moved to the front and stood between Yannick and Kellan, when everyone turned and looked at me I was in shook.
"What?" I asked
"Shit my bad, I was mean to tell you Kellan needs you to pop next to Alcide and the pack so he doesn't open the portal on top of them. Apparently he can track you to the milometer but not a pack off werewolves." Said Jasper looking over to Kellan shaking his head
I stepped forward and smacked the back of Jaz's head, he was begin a smart arse and he knew it. I closed my eyes and searched for Alcide's signature like Preston had taught me, and just like a pin in a street map I found him. When I opened my eyes and looked over to Preston he gave me a proud smile and a nod, I winked to Eric, waved bye to the boys and popped from sight.
I found the pack in the tree line of a massive open field on the out skirts of Shreveport, Nick one of the enforcers, jumped when I whispered 'BOO' next to him.
"Shit Sookie I also attacked you." Said Nick grabbing his chest.
"Sorry, it's not often I can sneak up on someone in the compound. I couldn't resist myself."
He gave me an, I bet eyebrow raise and nodded his head toward where Alcide was standing. I reached out to Aurora and told her to kept calm and I'd let them know when to teleport, Alcide was staring off into the distance vibrating.
"Hey you ok?" I asked.
"I can't believe they'd push the boundaries, where ready for a fight if they want one." He said making eye contact with me, then looking around.
"Where are Jasper and Maria?" he asked
"At the compound."
"He sent you instead of coming to his Alphas call, what should I expect. They spend every second at that fucking compound these days?" snapped Alcide
"No, Jasper and Maria are waiting for me to give the go ahead and they'll teleport with the others." I replied.
"Who else is coming?" asked Alcide a little ashamed of his out burst.
"Everyone."
"Everyone" he asked, as the other wolves around him yipped with excitement.
"I think at last count there were maybe 42 waiting to teleport."
Nick slapped his hands together and flexed his shoulders, the news that the whole family was coming had the Shreveport pack drooling with excitement.
"Jasper really didn't tell you?" I asked
"He just message they'd be here in 30." Replied Alcide looking a lot more relaxed now he knew the numbers coming to have the packs back.
One of the wolves that had shifted gave a chuff and we all looked to see the other pack forming a line and starting an approach towards our position.
"How do you want to handle this?" I asked.
"I have 15 wolves with me and I can only see 23 from the other pack, let's move from the tree line, and say our peace, if they keep approaching well call in the cavalry." Said Alcide giving Nick a nod to move to my side.
I let the family at home know what was happening as I moved out of the tree line with the Shreveport pack, I can't lie I was buzzing a little myself with excitement. No more than 10 step out into the open Alcide stopped the pack and addressed the approaching wolves.
"I'm Alcide Herveaux, Alpha of the Shreveport Pack and member of the Viking Nest. You are in our territory and if you don't fall back now, you leave us no other option but to make you leave and it's not going to be a pleasant experience for you."
"I'm Rollin, Alpha of the Marshall Pack. And by pack law we have the right to challenge and take what is ours upon victory."
"What the hell is he talking about?" I whispered to Nick.
"The winning pack, takes the breeding females and territory of the losing pack." Replied Nick
I looked at him as if to say what the F, but he just shrugged like this was how it was with wolves, the fact that Yannick, Kellan, the Wrath and Saxons looked a little murder didn't bother me at all anymore. I'd missed a little of what was happening but I caught the end of Alcide warning the Marshall Pack if we attacked blood being spilt was the last of the Marshall Packs worries.
"We think we can handle a few vamps you may have hidden in the woods." Replied Rollin in a dismissive tonne.
Alcide gave the other wolves a nods and said 'we warned you', before giving me a nod. The reply was instant as soon as I let the family know we were a go. The ground rumpled under our feet and the trees swayed back and forth, the other pack began their approach unaware of what was about to come out from the tree line, but the second it did they froze mid step. Thunder and lightning crackled in the sky, as the wind swirled around our feet, I looked back over my shoulder and smiled, Eric was in his element. He loved the theatrics that came with the approach of the Sins, it wasn't enough they looked like a bunch of deadly runway models, they always added a little extra to make sure the enemy knew death was coming with style. I don't think I have ever seen a group of people / super naturals look as self-satisfied as the Shreveport pack did in that moment, they could see that half of the wolves approaching knew they'd made a big mistake and the other half where about to be immortal food if they proceeded.
Eric and Gerard moved either side of Alcide and all three nodded, Pam quickly moved to my side and started scanning the other wolves and god help me, she was there. The female werewolf Aurora had attacked in The Cave nightclub in Mississippi, Pam had no shame, she took picture after picture with the damn flash on and she was getting the desired reaction from the three legged werewolf who was now snapping her jaws and growling with a death look in Pam's direction. Eric snarled at Pam and she mumbled about never being able to have any fun before putting the camera away. I have to give the other pack credit, they didn't run like I'd expected.
"What'll happen now?" I asked Nick
"If the other Alpha decides to push the challenge, each pack will put 5 champions forward and we fight."
Pam was twitching with anticipation, she loved battle just as much as Aurora did, but something in the air changed. The Alpha called Rollin had locked eyes on Aurora and licked his lips, this somehow caused the temperature around us to start dropping quickly and the air had an acidic burn to it when you took a breather. Pam said 'holy fuck' turning me towards the cause, Kellan's wings no longs had the beautiful black and grey features I'd seen only moment ago, in their place was a pair of skeletal wings with a leather bat like skin over them. As he stepped forward the foot prints he left behind scorched the earth, hell I could feel the heat radiating of him form where I stood, he looked at the Alpha across the way and snarled before speaking.
"Look at my mate again and I'll rip your fucking heart out." Spat the Demon.
No one from our side needed to ask what we were looking at, Kellan had warned us. And now we had a front row seat, his demon was out and ready to kill anything that tried to take what was his. It became very obvious the other packs wolves had never seen or interacted with a pureblood demon before because half of them whimpered in terror and ran for their lives. Eric and Gerard both kept their eyes on the Alpha, as Kellan's demon paced the front of our line. Alcide quickly glanced my way and mouth 'WOW' as the tips of the demons wings dragged along the ground leaving a smoulder track behind them. He was one scary looking beast and as I looked around to get my families reaction I notice something very fascinating, Kellan's demon wasn't the only one ready to kill, the Wraths and Gate keepers had moved forward and begun tracking the demons steps. The Angels had exposed there wings moving behind Stark who had moved just enough to give himself and the Angels a clear path to the other pack, Preston circled by the Fae had moved themselves closer drawing their swords, as Jason, Laura Jane and our werewolves centred themselves behind Gerard watching for the smallest signal to attack. Godric, Bastian and the Saxons were tracking Eric for the same signal. Erebus, Marigold and the twins had moved next to Terry, Piper and Gran, as Reaper shifted into his true form snarling, waiting to be released. Yannick now had Talon on his shoulder and he and Aurora stood either side of Boston, locked on their prey. Boston's eyes where now as black as the demons pacing in front of us.
"You do know you guys are a bunch of scary mother, don't you." Said Nick.
"It's brilliant isn't it?" Said Pam wiggling her shoulders.
Alcide took a step forward and address the last 8 wolves.
"Like I said before, there's no going back if you push this. You challenge one of us you challenge us all, you've got 5 minutes to decide how you want this to end."
Gerard looked back to Aurora and flicked his eyes towards the demon, who was slowly moving closer and closer to the other pack, Aurora went to step forward but Boston grabbed onto her hand, his little forehead creasing with worry. She gave him a sweet smile pulling him close and the pair moved toward the demon, I won't lie I was a little worried. I knew Kellan wouldn't hurt them but I just wasn't sure of his demon. When Aurora moved out into the open the demon rushed to stand in front of her, he raised his hand brushing her cheek, cupping her neck. Gasps could her heard all around as the burns from his touch could be seen on Aurora's skin, I'd thought Boston's concern was about Aurora approaching the demon. But it was the farthest thing from the truth, he pressed his back to Aurora's pushing her closer to the demon as he watched the other pack grabbing hold of one of the demons hand. He unlike Aurora didn't have a mark on him, the demon gave the other pack one last look before retracting its wings and moving Aurora to one side, picking Boston up and swinging him onto his back. Maybe 30 seconds past and Kellan was back, he looked around the group and down to Aurora relieved everyone seemed ok. Boston giggled wrapping his legs around Kellan waist, resting his head on his shoulder.
"You ok little guy?" asked Kellan obviously shocked his demon had Boston on his back.
"Yep, we protected Aurora." Replied Boston.
"Of course you did, I'm very proud of you. We all are." Said Kellan giving Boston's leg a squeeze.
"Can we go for Ice cream now." Asked Boston looking over to Gerard.
"Soon little brother." Said Gerard flicking his finger.
Stark and the Angels moved forward, Kellan gave Aurora a kiss on the forehead before Stark stepped up and picking her up cradling her against his chest. When the Alpha from the other pack snarled, all eight wolves lives ended in seconds. Swan spun and launched his spear striking the Alpha in the chest impaling him to the ground, Grayson and Embrie vanished and repaired slashing through three wolves before they had a chance to shift. Two wolves whom had already shifted where trying to run but Jasper and Mika tore them down mere stride into their attempt to evade slaughter. Echo and Kai rained arrows down killing the two enforcers standing either side of their dying Alpha, but it was the last wolfs death that will haunt me. The three legged wolf twisted and howled as it was levitated into the air, I'd suffered something similar earlier that night so I turned to watch Valliant and Leif standing side by side holding hands staring at the wolf in question. The sound of flesh ripping and the wet splash of something hitting the ground made me turn back to see the she wolf pulled into three or four pieces. My stomach turned, but the emotions of pride and astonishment radiating from Eric froze me in my spot, he strode towards his sons arms wide. The twins jumped into his embrace bathing in the pride of their father, I felt a hand on my lower back trying to comfort me.
"Take small breaths Sookie." Said Godric turning me away from the dismembered werewolf.
"Don't let them see you're upset, they were just protecting the family." Said Pam
"I know, but holly hell their babies and they just ripped some to shreds with their minds." I replied
"No, they stopped an enemy who meant our family harm." Said Godric
I knew this in my heart but it was hard to watch, I was taking small breaths concentrating on the small circles Godric was tracing on my back. When the movement stopped I looked up and Aurora had moved behind me taking Godric's spot, she looked me in the eyes and gave me a nod.
"Hold your breath." Said Aurora as she moved behind me shaking out her wings and wrapping her arms around my waist.
The ground at our feet started to rumbled, then we were shooting up into the air faster than I thought possible. Aurora's wings were grabbing onto the night sky and propelling us higher and higher, I looked down and saw Stark, Erebus, Celine, Michael and Yannick hot on our heels, but Aurora was moving at a remarkable speed. The air was becoming thinner, when Aurora arched her back looping us over in the sky before she tucked her wings in and we were spiralling head first for our comrades and the ground, I looked up to see what she was doing as she flashed us past Yannick, but before I could make eye contact Aurora pushed into my mind. 'SCREAM, let it out' and I did just that, I filled my lungs with air and screamed all my worries away. The air around us began to flicker with sparks of fire but Aurora didn't pull out of the fall, I think I was on my third heart wrenching scream when a weigh lifted off my soul. Aurora's wings flew open and stretched wide, the force of my body slamming into Aurora arms as she attempted to pull us up was painful. She pulled me closer, stretching her wings wider as the air whistled through her feather, I felt the muscles in her shoulders flex as she strained to beat her wings from the pressure of our crazy descent but it was peace. I don't know how, but as Aurora pulled us out of the nose dive and we evened out into a glide I felt so much better. I was still shocked by what my boys had done but, they protected us and themselves and in the world we lived that was all that mattered at the moment.
"Feel better?" ask Aurora
"Yes thank you, it was just a little overwhelming a moment ago."
"I know, I so proud of you for handling things as you did. I know you've come to terms with being a supernatural and having to fight for your family, but the boys are another things. I feel the same about Boston." Replied Aurora
No more was said as our flying companion caught up to us and moved into a v formation either side of us. Stark was shaking his head and smiling like an idiot at Aurora, I'm guessing the death plunge while screaming was something Aurora did every now and then, to blow off steam. The others flying with us seem elated to be in the air with Aurora as we circled our family bellow, but as always our break from reality had to come to an end and we landed. Gerard marched over and grabbed Aurora once me feet where on the ground.
"Next time how about we pull up before you start pulling GeForce, you scared me."
Aurora didn't reply, she just kissed his lips softly, whispering 'I love you' before snuggling into Gerard embrace. Eric brought the twins over to me and I was proud how I handled them telling me how they stopped the wolf who was thinking of killing Aunty Pam, I smiled and hugged them telling them how proud I was and I was proud that they were able to protect themselves just not that they'd pulled a wolf to pieces, but that was my problem not theirs. Everyone was safe and as Gran always says, be grateful for the now as tomorrow is an unknown.
