Chapter Thirteen, Ep. 20 – "Destiny Of A
Myth"
Author's
Note - Before we begin, I would like to point out to you guys, that I have two
new stories that I've posted. One is entitled "Welcome To Wolf Lake",
which is kinda a prequel to the actual TV series, and explains itself in the
Author's Note… and another is a short story for Buffy the Vampire Slayer... it
is entitled "Reflections of the Past" and you can link into it
through my bio page.
I wrote this one night, in one sitting (took me
about three hours) for all my fans that are also lovers of this series. It's
kinda getting the silent treatment right now, so I'm hoping that those of you
that are familiar with the series, will take a few minutes to read it. It's
Buffy's viewpoint one night, on all the men that she's loved. her Father,
Angel, Giles, good-for-nothing Riley, (sorry, I just had to slap that in there.
Not a big Riley fan.) and those in-between. But it sort of became very much a
A/B, slightly depressing, slightly sappy, possibly tear jerking fic. So, for
those of you that are fans of the Slayer and her Angel; I hope you'll enjoy it!
Please review. My goals for Reflections is for it to reach at least 10 -15
reviews. that would make me very happy, and would restore my belief in that
even short stories can get a somewhat decent amount of reviews.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next chapter. and (you guessed it) don't forget
to review! Sorry, I just had to say that again... and be warned, I'll say it
YET again at the end of this ep. Consider it your credits, seeing as how I am
scriptwriter, director, producer, costume provider (hey, can't have then
running around naked ALL the time) and music conductor rolled all into one very
impressive, sexy package! *lol*
And I am SO sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. Thank you for
being so patient with me... as consolation, this is an extra long episode.
Definitely the longest one I've done without being too long, and therefore
warranting being broken up into two parts.
Just
consider it an episode aired without any commercial interruption.
Also, rating goes up due to violence and. other things. (wink)
Enjoy!
***
Summery – When Vivian, Luke, and Sophia's lives are threatened, Matt will have to make a decision about his rightful position within the Pack… Enemies will be revealed, allies created, relationships tested, and decisions made, the will forever change the course of the Pack's future…
~~~
Sophia
had known the water would be cold, but she hadn't realized just how cold
till she couldn't even feel her body as her limbs pumped under the liquid
surface, slicing efficiently through the still waters of Wolf Lake. The glow
from the Crimson moon above casting a sickly shade of red across the expanse
stretching out in front of her almost endlessly.
Sophia
ducked her head back down, refusing to look at the shoreline so far off, and
instead focused on moving. Breathing. Continuously reaching out for that shore
in long strokes. Pacing herself as she slowly pulled closer. Skinwalker
strength and the internal thermometer gage coming in handy, considering her
predicament. But she didn't know how long she would be able to fight the
frigidness of the water around her… Knowing that if she was human, it would
have only taken a few minutes for hypothermia to set in.
Her
jeans were heavy with the cold weight, encased and pulling hard around her
hips, dragging her back, so quickly making a decision, she reached her numb
fingers down to the zipper, her legs still pumping strongly in the water. A few
jerks and pulls and they slid effortlessly off of her lower body. Revealing her
pale, chilled skin to the freakishly tinted liquid. The denim fabric sinking
into the fathomless depths of the reddish black abyss.
Sophia
continued in her swim. Never pausing to rest. Knowing that her only assurance
at the moment was to keep moving on. Keep swimming. Keep kicking. Keep slicing
through the water soundlessly in the surrounding darkness.
Keep
breathing.
******
"How
are you holding up?"
Vivian
started slightly from where she was standing on the back porch. Turning in the
surrounding darkness to look back at Matt as he stood silhouetted in the door.
Eyes dark with emotion as he observed her acknowledging his presence.
Vivian
turned back to look over the now-alien forest. Shrugging one shoulder. "As well
as can be expected, considering I almost lost my son tonight, and I've had to
make the hardest decision of my life."
Matt
slowly stepped out of the shadows of the doorframe to come stand behind her.
His steps silent and the heat of his body pressing comfortingly into Vivian's
back. Even through the thick terrycloth robe that she had wrapped herself up
in.
Following
her gaze upwards, Matt's jaw tightened reflexively as his eyes traced the
outline of the blood red moon leering down at them in all its prophetic glory.
Dropping
his eyes from the depressing sight, he brought his warm, slightly calloused
palms down gently on her shoulders, pulling her back up against him. Smiling
softly as he heard the small sigh escaping her lips, the tension leaving her
body.
Vivian
closed her eyes against all her doubts and fears, concerns and dilemmas,
instincts and unmade choices, and allowed herself to be comforted. Turning in
his arms, Matt smiled deepened as he looked down at her as she tilted her chin
up to look at him. Eyes glittering delicately in the muted light.
No
words were spoken as they met each other half way. His lips descending on hers
as she tilted her head gently to the side, lips parting in a small sigh as they
kissed. Putting any of her concerns that he would try to take back what they
had shared earlier in the forest to rest.
She
felt his fingers entwine deep into the thick mass of her hair. Fingers warm
against the back of her neck and scalp. Sending shivers down her spine. Vivian
smiled against his lips as they became slightly more insistent. Giving in to
the sensations flooding her body, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
Never wanting it to end.
When
they finally did part, Matt gently pressed his palm against the back of her
head as she buried her face into his shoulder. Still not wanting to turn loose.
Matt
rested his chin on the top of her head, breathing the smell of her hair in
deeply. Continuing to hold her in his arms. His eyes trailed back up to the
unnatural moon shining above, and his thoughts strayed to yet another problem
that they were all faced with.
He
reflected back on earlier in the day and what Sherman had shown them in regards
to the group of Skinwalkers that wanted to overthrow Vivian as the Alpha, and
he couldn't stop the protectiveness welling up inside of him. Not only towards
Vivian, but the Pack as well. The last thing that they needed was the loss of a
leader right now. And considering what the views were of those that wanted to
remove Vivian from power were… No, they didn't need that. Not now. Not ever.
The
threat would have to be removed, and quickly. But how? There was no way they
would put up with a female leader for long. They would either kill her, or have
to be killed themselves. Things were already bad enough; they didn't have to
add self-genocide to the list. And, to be honest, those males couldn't be
blamed. In a Pack, a male ruled as Alpha, with the strongest female of the Pack
and of his age at his side. It was the way they were. The way they had been for
thousands of years. Had survived for the last few hundred. The number-one
instinct for their species that were more animal than human, and made no
attempt to appear bothered by being what they were.
So
how to get Vivian out of this mess, without her or any other getting killed?
You
already know the answer to that.
Matt
closed his eyes more against those words flitting through his mind, rather than
the view of the night sky. Yes, he did know the answer to that question.
He
knew it wouldn't be long before the group made their move.
Problem
was, did he have the strength to finally do what needed to be done when they
did? Take Vivian at his side, and become the leader he should have been
almost twenty years ago? After all these years of fighting who he was for the
oh-so-precious love of his human and very mortal wife, and the daughter that
they had created together. Who, against all odds, had become one of the most
powerful females the Pack had ever seen, even though that she had yet to come
fully into that power? Who had discovered her destiny, here in this strange
town and within the folds of the Pack, and had embraced it.
Now,
could he do the same? Embrace the destiny he had left behind so long ago?
Glancing
down at the strong woman he held protectively in his arms – a woman who
probably wasn't going to be too happy with the idea of losing her recently
awarded position – a steely-eyed look of determination came over his eyes.
Turning them as hard and as emotionless as ice, as he pulled her closer into
the strength of his arms.
Oh
yeah.
******
Ruby
let out a groan as she stretched her leg out beside her on the couch. Her thigh
protesting sharply. Newly knit muscles cramping against the strain she had
placed on her leg this evening.
She
inhaled quickly against the pain, the breath catching in her throat as she
finally got it positioned carefully. John looked over at her in concern, his
fingers coming up to brush back a stray lock of mahogany colored hair away from
her pale face.
"Are
you okay?"
Ruby
nodded gently, smiling at his concern, as she leaned her cheek into the warmth
of his palm. "Yeah, I'm okay." she whispered as she leaned back against John,
pressing her cheek up against the bare golden skin of his chest. "Every bad
thing that happened tonight has appeared to work out for the best. I just hope
that Sophia gets back here soon. Luke looks like he's about ready to explode."
John
smiled as he watched Ruby close her eyes and felt the tension leave her body.
Running his fingers through her hair absently, his gaze traveled over to where
Luke was pacing in the entryway, in front of the door. Unaware of the
superficial cuts that were being inflicted upon his bare feet from the sharp
pieces of glass littering the hardwood floor. Cuts that would clot, heal, and
disappear within seconds, before being replaced with new ones. He still only
wore that pair of jeans that were heavy with water and covered with blood. The
play of muscles in his back revealed his tenseness, his desire to leap out into
the night air, and track Sophia down himself. It was taking a lot of restraint
– and the watchful stance of Sherman nearby – to keep him from doing just that.
John
understood what the kid was going through.
He
looked back down at Ruby, noticing how even her breaths had become.
"Are
you going to sleep?" He murmured softly against the top of her head. His breath
stirring the long dark strands of silk nestled there. He felt more than saw the
minute shake of her head, followed by a small grunt of denial. Still not
opening her eyes.
John
smile deepened, and he continued to stroke her hair, just happy to hold her, as
her body still fell asleep in contradiction to what her mind had determined
otherwise.
******
Sophia
had never been so happy in all her life to be on dry land.
Falling
to her hands and knees in an attempt to redeem her struggling gasps for air,
for calming, deep breathes. Still having a hard time believing that she had
just done what she had.
Looking
back across the expanse of water she had just swam through, she felt the
reasonable urge just to crumble into one big heap in the leaf-covered dirt and
not get up for a week.
Instead,
she pushed herself back up onto her haunches, still kneeling, and tilted her
face up towards the night sky, refusing to look at that excuse for a moon as
she shook her long, wet, and severely tangled hair back from her face. Not even
bothering with trying to remove the bits of leaves and debris that had become
matted in the long strands… and no, after swimming the length of that lake, she
did NOT want to know what that slimy stuff was caked at her temple.
Having
finally succeeded in regaining some control over her aching lunges, she used a
thin, nearby tree to help pull herself up and into a standing position. Her
legs and arms were trembling violently. Both from the chill of the water, and
the exhaustion in her muscles from such a strenuous swim.
Leaning
her shivering back against the tree for support, Sophia tried to figure out
just how far she was from the Cates' Mansion, and whether or not she could make
it, considering how bad a shape she was in.
As
if in answer to her question, her legs gave out from underneath her, and sent
her sprawling back down to the moist floor.
Looking
down wryly at herself, she realized that she was going to have to shift if she
wanted to get back to Luke and her father sometime this century.
Her
fingers were trembling so badly, it took her a few precious moments to slip the
buttons out of their respective holes on her sopping shirt. Slowly peeling it
away from her chilled skin, her body shuddered at the loss of even that small,
pathetic excuse of a barrier against the cold night air. She reached her
fingers up to briefly touch the crystal pendant swinging from her throat.
Relieved to know it was still there.
Dropping
her mangled and torn blouse unceremoniously back into the lake, she decided
that she never wanted to see it again.
After
peeling away her underwear, she didn't waste anytime with the Change. She
welcomed the sense of dryness and heat that crept up to soothe away the wet
cold, when that thick, luxurious, warm pelt replaced her
skin. Bringing with it the strength and power that chased away the weakness and
exhaustion she had been subjected to earlier.
Suddenly
revitalized, she quickly darted deeper into the forest. Her wolven instincts
focused on only one thing.
Tracking
down her mate.
******
"What
good do you think you're doing by pacing like a mad man?" Sherman asked wryly,
from where he was seated on the one of the bottom steps of the staircase.
Watching Luke with something akin to amusement written on his expressive face.
He had already sent Shawn home. Told him to remain with his family for the next
few hours.
Despite
the amount of blood transfused, Shawn's weakness quickly dissipated as his body
replaced the blood loss automatically. Something that Luke's had been too
weakened to do.
Luke
growled at him, yanking his fingers through his short hair in frustration.
"Pacing is the only thing that is keeping me from going mad. What the
hell is taking her so damn long?"
Sherman's
brow quirked at that comment. "Oh, I don't know. Being kidnapped, held captive
for several hours, and then barely managing to escape from being tortured might
have that effect on a girl."
Luke
finally did stop. His hands resting on his hips as his eyes flickered
dangerously at the older man. Sherman just stared back innocently.
"Blackstone,
you're not helping." Dropping his hands back down to his sides, he continued
his pacing, turning his back towards Sherman as he walked down the hallway.
"And
that's not what I meant!" He shouted back over his shoulder as he disappeared
into the shadows, before turning back around and walking swiftly towards the
shattered door still hanging by one hinge, revealing the reddish blackness of
the night and forest beyond only to stop again at the threshold. His hands
catching at the doorframe like a lifeline… the only thing keeping him from
going out there. The stretched tightness of his muscles across the back portion
of his shoulders apparent as they rippled under his skin.
Sherman
leaned his elbows back on the step above the one he was perched on. Letting out
a sigh of bemusement. "Well, at least it's never boring in this town." He
murmured quietly to himself. Shaking his head as he watched Luke move to stand
in front of the open doorframe. His pale green eyes shifting to glowing yellow
in order to use his highly advanced sight to seek out any body heat from within
the forest. His body tense as he waited.
******
Soft
panting was the only sound that Sophia made as her white wolven body shot
fluidly through the foliage. Careful to watch for any signs of traps or humans
– or, primarily, Hunters – in her way. Muscles bunching and stretching beneath
her pelt, her entire body sleek and powerful as it slipped through the night,
leaving hardly a trace of her passing.
As
she paused to quickly pinpoint her location, her heart suddenly quickened as
she caught sight of the Mansion… and the rather distinctive scent of her mate's
blood.
All
other thoughts fled as her instincts pressed her to make her way quickly the
Luke. Anything else was unimportant.
Quickly
shedding her pelt, she made a run for it on slender but strong bare legs, arms
pumping at her side as she cut through the remainder of the forest, dodging the
thinning trees and their limbs.
And
then she was out in the open… only a few hundred feet separating her from the
entryway of the Mansion – and Luke's silhouette in the doorway, waiting for
her.
A
grin breaking across her face, as she saw his face immediately turn towards
her, and his eyes lock onto her movements.
So
thrilled was she to see that he was still alive, still breathing, and she
failed to comply fast enough to what her sudden burst of instinct warned her of
– and Luke's enraged howl – when a dark form suddenly swooped in from behind
her, one very strong and muscular arm coming around her waist with enough
impact to cause Sophia to lose her breath, the strength from the bruising grip
around her torso causing her to immediately double, her feet leaving the ground
as she was hauled back against an unfamiliar chest and pinned in place. Bare
feet dangling a few inches above the ground.
Swinging
her hair back from her down-turned face, Sophia got her feet back on the
ground, and came back up screaming, bucking and kicking against her attacker.
Sharp nails seeking purchase in any exposed skin she could locate.
******
Luke
did sense the attack coming, but far too late.
As
he watched the attacker slink out of the bushes at inhuman speed, he couldn't
stop the roar of outrage that exited his mouth, accompanied by Sophia's
shrieking as she fought off the grip of her capture.
Instinct
taking over, Luke lunged off of the front porch – Changing partially to give
him the added benefit of increased strength and speed – his lips forming into a
snarl and his eyes burning furiously.
He
was intent upon attacking the one currently attacking Sophia… so intent, that
he failed to notice another attack… aimed at him.
And
this time, the attacker was in full wolf form.
******
Sophia
screamed as she witnessed a large wolf the color of gun metal hit Luke from the
side, knocking him off his feet and into the ground, where he was rolled
underneath the snapping jaws and heavy press of the bloodthirsty creature.
Fighting
in earnest now, Sophia let out a snarl as she struggled to free herself.
Screaming in frustration when her attacker was joined by two others in an
effort to keep her from getting loose. Her anger spilling over on the private
and public mental paths that she was linked to. Alerting those inside – even if
they hadn't already heard her screams – to what was happening outside.
And
all three of her captures were Skinwalker. Still in their human forms, but the
wildness that was their trademark scent clung to their flesh. Causing Sophia to
see red.
Sophia
watched in horror as Luke struggled with the large, older and thus more
powerful male wolf, human body contorted with his partial Change, and visible
signs of wounds starting to appear in bloody slashes. Holding his own against
the attack, despite his weakening.
So
intent was she on the sight of Luke fighting for his life – and hers – that she
failed to see her father come barreling around the corner, in full wolf mode,
all four wolven legs pumping, his body a blur… but she did see him as he hit
the larger male attacking Luke… Taking him one on one.
He
was quickly joined by a smaller, pale gray female that first came over to hover
protectively beside Luke, and then turned towards the two snarling and growling
masses of fur fighting for supremacy.
Eyes
flickering red in the reflected color of the moonlight, a growl rumbled in
Vivian's wolven throat as she threw herself at the back of the attacking male
in retaliation for her son, only to have the following happen faster than she
could draw a single breath;
Matt
saw her coming – and quickly knocking the gunmetal colored wolf out of the way
to land hard in the chilled and muddy ground – he grasped the flying wolf that
was Vivian by the scruff of her neck, yanking her back down and away from
danger – literally pinning her underbelly to the wet grass.
Ignoring
her surprised yelp, Matt shook her threateningly. Teeth clamped hard, but not
breaking the skin. His yellow eyes burning brightly down into hers.
'Stay
out of this, Viv!'
The
command was hard and firm as it echoed within Vivian's mind. She lay there for
a moment, slightly dazed as she watched Matt turn away from her and lunge
towards the other male as he lifted himself out of the muck – his fur coming
away covered in the goop – and trying to slink towards Sophia, who was still
caught within the grasp of the three other males. Realizing that Matt was
bearing down hard on him, he turned and met him head-on. Teeth snapping for
purchase in the thick fur.
Coming
to her senses, Vivian realized what was happening, and she slinked over to
crouch beside Luke, her stance protective as she guarded her son from the
possibility of any other attack. He was cut up and winded, but still alive.
Watching
Matthew fight off the challenging male, Vivian was able to recollect her
thoughts and put together what she was seeing. This group of Skinwalkers that
had attacked Sophia and Luke, were the same that she had seen earlier in the
day. The same group that had been trying to create an underhanded plot to
remove Vivian from power, and kill her son, the last of Willard's line. That's
why they had gone after capturing Sophia first, as she was the unofficial mate
to Luke, and blackmail against her father.
Even
though they were still very young, they weren't going to risk the possibility
of Sophia carrying a pup by Luke, and thus continuing the Cates' line… or her
father's wrath, who had made it plain that he stood by Vivian and Luke.
Protecting her son – who could very well be the future Alpha – and herself.
But
they hadn't expected Matt to come at them under a different pretext. That of a
defending Alpha male.
Eyes
narrowing, Vivian crouched lower by her son. Eyes shifting constantly for any
possible attack towards her young.
Luke
managed to clear the cobwebs from his brain as he looked around. Zooming in on
the shape of two large male wolves battling it out, and then turning towards
Sophia, who was still fighting against the grip of the three holding her
captive.
They
were now trying to pull her into the edge of the forest – obviously in an
attempt to secret her off somewhere – and Luke's blood began to boil. The
slender line of silver gray fur that ran down his bare backbone – seeing as how
he was currently half man, half wolf – bristled in agitation. The fangs that
had sprouted from his jaws bared and glistening in the night, his eyes burning
yellow.
Pulling
himself up, he started to stalk towards where his mate was being held captive,
only to have Vivian cut him off, quickly flipping back into her human shape to
restrain him. The gold in her eyes and the sharpness of her nails communicating
to him just how close her inner wolf was to the surface.
"Do
not!" she hissed at her son, ignoring the way he growled at her in warning to
back off. She locked her gaze with him, trying to get his attention.
"Ruby
and John will take care of Sophia, Luke. Trust me." Vivian whispered softly but
firmly. Ignoring the snarling, rabid sounds of Matt and the other wolf still
struggling with one another.
As
much as she wanted to see who was winning, she didn't turn away from Luke,
knowing that if she did, he would run to Sophia's side… and precede to get them
all slaughtered.
"She's
mine!" Luke's primal words were barely audible around the constant rumblings
deep in his throat, but Vivian heard it. Heard it, and understood.
"I
know, Luke. But Ruby is your sister and is connected to Sophia in a way that we
could never understand. If you won't trust me, trust her. She
won't let anything happen to your mate."
******
Sophia
couldn't believe what she was witnessing.
Her
father was currently locked in the throes of what appeared to be a battle to
the death. Both him and the attacking wolf showed signs of cuts and bite marks
in their skin, leaking blood. But neither was backing down… and neither were
giving signs of tiring anytime soon.
Sophia
winced as she felt the bruising grip of the males restraining her, and realized
they were slowly but surely pulling her towards the edge of the forest.
"No…"
Sophia's denial was wrung out from her throat, as she tried to fight harder.
Trying to buy herself more time.
Lashing
out with one foot at the guy in front of her – and hearing the grunt that
followed – flooded Sophia with confidence as she raked her sharpened nails down
the cheek of the other.
Feeling
his grip loosen just a tad, Sophia bucked hard against the guy with his arm
around her waist, fingers biting into her hip, and brought her suddenly
released arm up into his face. Elbow breaking the cartilage of his nose with a
sickening snap.
Letting
out a yelp, the arm fell away from her bruised, naked waist, giving Sophia the
opportunity to duck and leap away. Rolling in the grass as she came back up on
her hands and knees instinctively a short distance away, facing the three
pissed off males that were lunging for her.
Sophia
knew she couldn't fight them off. Knew she didn't have a chance against them if
she remained in her human form, so her body quickly began to shift as she made
another lunge to the side. White fur beginning to spread over her human skin as
her body began to contort as she felt the claws of one male rake across her
shifting back in an effort to grab a hold of her. The sharp, stinging pain
punishing her for having slashed his face. She sensed more than saw another
blow coming, and knew she wouldn't be able to get out of the way in time before
it fell.
But
that hand never made contact with her again, as he was attacked from the
shadows by one very pissed off black male wolf. Knocking the surprised
Skinwalker to the ground, unable to defend himself against the snap and tear of
the wolf as he drove forward. Ripping through skin, muscle, and cartilage,
striving forward to the bone, Sophia flinched as she heard the bone snap. The
appendage almost completely removed from the forearm.
Ignoring
the screams of the disabled Skinwalker, The black wolf turned towards the other
two males… both in various states of the Change in order to deal with the black
male that had suddenly interfered with the capture of their prey.
Sophia
view of the fight was cut off, when Ruby suddenly leapt out beside her.
Blocking the younger female's body with her own protectively.
Choosing
to revert back to human form, Sophia sat there, panting on the grass, while
Ruby hovered close by. Her white fur constantly brushing up against Sophia's
skin as she pushed her back up against a tree. Waiting and watching as the
males continued in their battle.
Sophia
craned her neck around to see where John was at, only to have Ruby block her
view yet again. Looking up in confusion, Sophia met the silver-blue eyes… and
understood. Nodding her head slowly, she turned to see what was happening between
her father and the gunmetal wolf that must have been running this operation.
And
to see that that battle was finally coming to an end.
******
Vivian
kept one hand pressed to Luke's shoulder to keep him from leaping the distance
separating him from Sophia, all the while keeping her eyes on Matt and the
attacking male… Trying to run him down through a mental list in her brain, in
the hopes she could figure out who he was. There was something about him…
Something that brushed up against her memory, but every time she reached for
it, it floated out and beyond her grasp like the mist.
Lips
parted and eyes still shining like embers, she watched and waited. Listening to
the conflict. Witnessing the weakening in the strange male, the surge of
strength from Matt. The shimmering glow from teeth snapping through fur to seek
purchase in flesh. The shock of blood staining both pelts so badly, that Vivian
didn't know upon which the injury had been inflicted upon.
Her
breath caught in her throat when Matt leapt away from the gunmetal wolf, only
to have that breath exhale in a flood of relief when she saw the attacking wolf
slink back. Deep wounds torn through the muscles of his shoulders and flank.
Wounds that could have been lethal, if Matt had wanted them to be.
"Why
doesn't he kill him?" Luke growled out between tightly clenched teeth. The
control he had reinstated on himself minimal at best.
"Be
quiet." Vivian's words broke for no argument. Shooting a heated glare at her
son, she stepped away from him. Her eyes ordering him to remain put. Swinging
back around, she took a step towards Matthew.
******
Sophia
looked on. Confused at what she was seeing play out.
'What's
happening?' she asked Ruby across their private mental path.
Ruby's
answer was grim. 'What has to.'
******
Sherman
rested his hip against the doorframe, his mouth a grim line as he waited to see
what would happen.
Tradition
of the Pack stated, that if any potential male posed a threat to the Alpha's
status and life, or the life of those under his protection, then he had to be
killed. Not even Matthew would fight that. Not even he would attempt to
interfere in that. Just like he hadn't back on the night of the Election… when
after the two primary males had been either eliminated or… disabled… by those
two brothers, and Vivian had taken it upon herself to 'remove' that threat to
the Clan… Killing them, and thereby making her the Leader of the Pack by right
of succession and elimination.
Matt
hadn't interfered then. Because no matter how much he tried to be human, and
live by the human laws… in the end, survival of the Pack was everything.
But
Matt wasn't the Alpha. Therefore, the life of this male belonged to Vivian.
Hers to kill, hers to overthrow. Which was why she was walking so confidently
towards the two now. Never mind the rather forceful warning that Matt had given
her earlier. Never mind that it had been him that had defeated this one. It was
her right as Alpha to end these traitors' lives. Her right, and her duty, and
Vivian honestly believed that Matthew wasn't going to interfere in that.
Because
if he did, he would automatically be assuming that it was he that was
now the Alpha, and her life was forfeit to him.
Matt
stood there in the night. Head held high, and his strange eyes never leaving
Vivian as she walked closer. Confident in her position. The position that she
believed he would never take from her.
Before
she could come any closer, Matt broke the hold of their gazes, and turned
around. Padding over to the severely injured gunmetal wolf. Ignoring his
defensive growls. He knew what would have happened if and when he was defeated,
so Matthew was unable to find any pity from within himself towards the male
that had planned on hiding behind his daughter, before killing her, and
everyone else that Matt cared about.
Vivian
stopped. Bare feet rooted to the ground as she looked on in sudden confusion.
Not understanding at first what was happening, but then her eyes narrowed as
her lips parted with a hiss. And she understood.
And
to say she wasn't happy was an understatement.
******
Sophia
had her eyes on her dad the entire time as she saw him slowly approach the
wounded male wolf. His steps precise as he padded closer. His gaze as hard and
emotionless as glass.
He
turned once to look at her, where she was curled up against the tree. Dark hair
clinging to the sides of her face and neck. Small cuts and bruises visible on
her body from her recent struggle. She could feel the blood trickling down her
back from the claw marks sported there.
Sophia
didn't understand why he had looked at her that way. At least, not at that
moment. Later on she would think back on it, and it would be only then that she
would understand the truth behind those hardened eyes.
He
had gathered himself together in determination. Steeling himself for what was
to come. He was taking that first step down the road of his destiny… the one
that he hadn't been able to face for the last 17 years.
And
he had gotten his strength from her. From seeing whom it was that he had
protected all these years, and would continue to do so.
Protecting
her from those that would harm her and those that she loved. Including Luke.
Sophia's
eyes widened as she saw her father loom over the mangled body of the wolf. His
muzzle slowly descending towards the neck. Letting out a small gasp, Sophia
quickly averted her gaze – while at the same moment, Ruby blocked her view.
Standing beside her in comfort as Sophia squeezed her eyes shut. Her hands
clenching into fists in her lap as she suddenly felt the sharpness of the
blades of grass against her bare legs. The sensation unable to distract her as
the muffled snap of the wolf's neck was heard clearly in the sudden silence.
Sophia
finally looked up. This time at the moon with something akin to hopelessness
glowing in her eyes as she looked at the moon. Still glowing crimson red from
its position in the night sky.
Letting
out a shuddering sigh, a single tear tracked its way down her cheek. And with
it the fear of their future.
******
Sherman's
only response was a slightly raised eyebrow, as he quietly watched Matt
dispassionately end the life of the male Skinwalker. Aware of the implications
of what Matt had just done.
Sherman
looked over at Vivian, who was looking rather shell-shocked at Donner's
actions, and was still standing in the same place. Unable to believe what she
had just seen.
Matt
quickly shifted back into his human skin as he stood to look back at Vivian,
his eyes glowing faintly. The body of his kill at his feet. He met her gaze
head-on with a challenging one of his own.
Vivian
tilted her chin up. Defiance radiating from her like a furnace as she stood her
ground. Daring him to do something about it.
Matt's
lips twisted up humorlessly, before he began to step away, eyes locked on V's
for a moment, before breaking it in order to handle the three almost
dismembered males, that he, as Alpha, was supposed to kill as well. Leaving
Vivian standing there without so much as a word. The anger starting to build as
she watched Matthew's retreating back.
Sherman
snorted. Finally.
Catching
a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye, Sherman turned in time to watch
Luke quickly stride over to Sophia. Falling down to his knees beside her, he
clasped her tightly to his chest, as she buried the side of her face into the
column of neck. Relief, fear, pain, exhaustion and the residual effects of the
adrenaline finally taking its toll as she wrapped her arms around him tightly.
Trying to get as close to him as she could.
Luke
buried his fingers into the mass of dark hair, and pressed his other hand into
the small of her back. Content to just hold her.
Sherman
shook his head wryly at the sight. Glad that they were back together, before
looking over at John and Ruby. Those two having stepped away to give Luke and
Sophia some space.
His
smile faded away as he saw the stress painted across John's now human facial
structure. Present in the muscles of his body, and the haunted look in his
eyes. Shaking his head again, he stepped back inside. Disappearing into the
shadows.
******
The
stress from the last week was finally catching up with John, and it had taken
the taste of the blood of those three Skinwalkers – enemies – on his tongue for
him to realize it.
The
lines of strain were etched deeply around the corners of his mouth, as he tried
to roll the tension out of his shoulders by flexing them a few times. It was
nothing compared to the tension that was building behind his eyes. Sure to
result in a full-fledged migraine shortly.
Looking
around for a source of distraction, he took in the details of the parlor/office
that he and Ruby had moved to, opposite from the now empty living room. Luke
and Sophia had gone upstairs for the sake of privacy, and for Luke to gather up
a few changes of clothing, considering just how many outfits he had lost over
the last week.
Sherman
had moved into the kitchen in order to fix something to go, as the Mansion was
now compromised. Sherman didn't believe that the Hunters were going to come
back tonight, even if they did think that Sophia and Presley would head back
here – which John had pointed out, they wouldn't think, because they didn't
think that they'd be so damn stupid to do so – they probably wouldn't
want to risk yet another attack in one night. Not now. Not until they were
ready to take on the entire Pack. And the fact that they weren't already being
killed off one by one proved to them all that that time had yet to come.
Matt
and Vivian were still outside. John didn't even care to know how that conversation
was going to go. The one thing he did know was that Matthew Donner had just
assumed leadership over the Pack and Wolf Lake by killing those four men… and
John had helped him do it.
Frustrated
with his inability to distract himself from his thoughts and emotions in this
room, with Ruby so close by, he padded on bare feet towards the kitchen. Maybe
there was something he could do there to help speed up their departure.
Ruby
sat in the chair across from Vivian's desk and watched John leave cautiously.
Until
he was ready to talk to her about what was bothering him, she knew it was a
good idea to give him his space till then. Give him time to deal with the
bombardment of human and wolven instincts and emotions, and learn as to how to
deal with them. He had been a cop for years. He based what he knew and how he
dealt with what he knew with well-grounded facts and morals. Human
facts, and human morals.
These
things had no basis in their world.
John
had become a Skinwalker in blood. Fleshing out the faint strands of the wolven
DNA already present in his genetic makeup since his conception. He had accepted
everything she and Sherman had told him, simply because he hadn't had any
choice in the timing. Timing that didn't give him the time to work
it all out slowly and precisely like he might have preferred. He had had to
work it out as he went along. Hardly having any time to breathe in-between each
radical change in his life.
The
cop in him was also programmed to deal with a situation and come out on top of
it, regardless of how much that situation was going to effect his life from
there on out.
Regardless
of how strange something was, John did what he believed to be morally correct.
But now he was beginning to question which morals he was now following.
Those
that he had followed all of his life as a human, or those of a creature he
hadn't believed existed just a few days past?
******
Sherman
watched John stalk into the kitchen. Not really surprised at his arrival. He
continued to put together the sandwiches in front of him.
John
came to stop in front of him, his palms placed on the edge of the island's
tabletop. The corded tendons taut against the section of his forearms revealed.
Knuckles white.
Sherman
suppressed his smirk. Oh yeah, he'd come to understand very well that stressed
out expression that John was now sporting. Had seen it many times in the past
few months when John had always unwittingly come to him every time he needed
answers. Whether Sherman was giving them or not. Hell, he'd even come to look
forward to them, if for no other reason then to see what else he could stir up
in this town.
Hey,
a guy had to have his hobbies.
Denying
the little tug around the corners of his mouth, Sherman held up a glass jar.
"Pickles?"
John
started talking as if he hadn't even heard the question. "Why does everything
have to be so damn complicated in this town?"
"I'll
take that as a yes." Sherman commented cheerfully. Taking a few out of the jar
and placing them on the open face of the sandwich. Following it with turkey,
ham, and thin slices of beef. Lots of beef.
"I
mean, from the day I arrived here, everything has been upside down.
Nothing is the way it should be! I understand that these people have secrets. I
understand that they've had no choice but to remain hidden from the rest of the
world, and they're right to do so. But… the private meetings, and the… the
secret church, and the mysterious deaths of those who stumble too close to the
show. Not to mention a graveyard full of teenagers, most of them no older than
sixteen – "
"Don't
forget the large amount of meat, fowl and fish." Sherman cut in. Wrapping up
several in the completed sandwiches in saran wrap. "You know, that's what I
always thought would lure suspicion like nothing else. I mean, the stuff comes
in here by the truckloads, and yet not a one of them has high cholesterol."
John
glared back at him. Not amused. "I'm serious, Sherman." he growled out. His
tone low and hoarse with emotion. "I just don't know if I can deal with it
all."
"I
know what you mean, John." Sherman replied back calmly. Licking a little bit of
mustard of his thumb as he put the various ingredients back into the fridge.
"And apparently better than you do yourself."
John's
eyes narrowed. "Just what is that supposed to mean?"
Sherman
let out a sigh as he came to stand back by the Island. Picking up a paper bag.
"Sit
down, John."
"I
don't – "
"Sit.
Down."
John
sat.
"Now,"
Sherman's voiced with satisfaction as he slid the sandwiches into the paper bag.
"First off, I know you're sudden bout of stress and confusion and doubt has
nothing to do with private meetings, secret churches, deceased teenagers, or even
– " His voice rose an octave when John would have interrupted. "Those
mysterious murders that have taken place, simply because we had
no other choice. The lives of the Pack were always at stake. Nor is it about
what has happened over the last few days. If anything, you've probably felt
more complete since your Change occurred than at any other time in your life."
"Yeah,"
John words were cold even though his emotions were running high, and his words
became more and more heated as each one escaped from his lips. "Yeah, I feel
complete all right. I've become something I don't even recognize, and I've almost
completely ignored all my training. All my hard work. Everything that I
knew about myself to be true. Everything that I knew was right. And for
what? For a man that I just watched kill four others?" John sneered mockingly.
His disgust pointed at himself. "Hell, I even helped him."
"And
how did you do that, how was what you did tonight any different then
what you've done it past? What you've dedicated your life to doing? Tell
me, how saving Sophia's life was a violation of your human morals?"
Sherman asked bluntly. Cocking his head to the side as he crossed his arms in
front of his chest. Eyes calculating.
John
just looked back at him painfully. Throat reflexively swallowing as he tried to
speak, but no sound emitted from his mouth. Finally, he dropped his head down
and stared at the dark polished wood of the tabletop. Not even bothering to
answer.
"You
see, John." Sherman continued. "Your problem doesn't even lay within what you
originally thought. You know that what you did tonight was right, any way
you at it. You stopped those three from hurting anyone else. From ever trying
to kill Sophia, Luke, Matt or Vivian again. And they would have tried again,
John, if they had been allowed to live. That is why we deal so harshly with
those of our own. Those who would betray or overthrow us. Destroy or reveal us.
That is why Ruby was dealt with so harshly when she ran away from Wolf Lake –
and right into your arms. That is why they fought to keep her a secret from
you. Why they feared letting you know the truth. Why Vivian had even given a
'kill or capture' order towards Ruby. Why the Clan has always sheltered itself
from the rest of the world. Keeping to themselves. Watching out for the common
good of the Pack. Never leaving, and hardly ever breaking the rules. These are our
rules. The ones we live by. We couldn't force a human to live by them,
anymore than you could force a Skinwalker to live by human rules. The Pack isn't
human, John. You know that, and in part, you seemed to have accepted that as
well as one could do so, so quickly after having his world turned upside down.
But you are going to have to accept all of them if you're going
to be at peace with yourself.
"The
Skinwalkers are incredible people. Your people. They have amazing gifts
and can attune themselves to the world around them in ways you're only
beginning to experience. They're erotic, loving, powerful, dangerous, cunning,
and protective. They are wild, but yet at the same time, for the most part
strangely civilized. They all have a secret, and that secret clings to them
like a second skin. That allure, that magic. That is why the Hunters
hate them. These are people with endless gifts and beauty. People with magic
and passion. They feel things deeper than even themselves realize, and the power
they possess is not something that can ever be taken away from them. Not by
potions or drugs or even those odd rocks. Because being able to change their
forms, communicate on their mental paths, or even being able to heal at an
accelerated rate is only one small part of who they are. And that part
can and will be taken away. But the Hunters will never be able to take
their souls. And that is why they hate, and why they rage against us.
They hate what they are not capable of understanding. Those they cannot control
threaten them.
"That
is why they seek to destroy us. Because the Wolven have a power and a beauty
that they cannot corrupt, no matter how hard they try. And they will
keep trying. They will try and try and try to bring the Pack to its knees, till
they either succeed, or are destroyed. But in the end none of it will matter,
because they will never get what they want. They might as well try to steal the
sun from the heavens, for all the good it will do them."
John
looked at Sherman for a long time before turning away, and walking out of the
kitchen. Obviously going back to locate Ruby. The one person that obviously did
make sense to him in this freaked out world full of danger, mystique,
moonlight, and shadows.
******
John
was still locked within his own thoughts, as he came back into the office where
Ruby was still sitting. Probably having heard the entire exchange taking place
in the kitchen, but remaining strangely quiet.
John
couldn't help but feel the confusion still beating at him. Although he
understood perfectly what Sherman had told him – understood, and believed in it
– he was still so uncertain. The last week had been hell trying to deal with
everything that had happened at once. He still wasn't sure how he had made it
through. But there was one thing he couldn't forget, and that was how he had
spent the last few months prior to the events that had taken place so recently…
All the threats, all the pressure, all the pain that this place
was capable of inflicting. Turning everyone into its little pawns. Sherman
didn't even deny it back in there in the kitchen… In fact, he wanted John to
embrace it. Wanted him to accept the way the Pack was.
And
they may be passionate and beautiful and wild, and he sure as hell didn't want
to see them destroyed. But he couldn't ignore what they also were. Cold, hard,
vindictive, cruel, deadly… the list went on and on. They were such a primal
melding of instincts and behaviors. Sure, they had pulled together since the
recent threat had become known, but how long before they were back at each
other's throats again? How long before the madness started all over again, and
with it the strange deaths – both human and Skinwalker – as they all sought for
a handhold in their power struggle? Their search for profit and dominance over
the other?
How
long before Matthew Donner would be forced to kill again in order to remain in
control of the circumstances?
And
how could he come to terms with knowing that killing was a way of life for
these people? Knowing that they all answered to one man… A man that could claim
any life he so desired.
It
was a dictatorship, and a dangerous one at that, if the Pack ever fell to the
ruler-ship of a person with an evil heart.
What
had happened along the way for these people? He didn't believe for one moment
that they had always been like this. Hungry for power, and thirsty for blood.
Even if it was their own. He didn't believe they had managed to survive for
hundreds, thousands of years by acting like vampires. Sucking the life
out of those around them.
Survival
of the Pack. John couldn't help but snort at that. Yeah, they were doing a
great job of that. Survival meant sticking to a code. A set of rules. Those
rules included a black and white representation of everything that these
people hadn't been since the crumbling of Willard's rule, and on through the
shaky start of Vivian's. And from what John had heard, it wasn't the first time
that these people had fallen from that code. And, considering what he had heard
had happened last time, these people had yet to learn their lesson. And it was,
yet again, costing them dearly.
******
Upstairs,
Sophia made use of the Cates' bathroom as she quickly showered. The heated
water rinsing away the odd smell of the lake, and the streaks of mud clinging
to her skin.
Her
back stung as the water poured over the shallow wounds in her back. Washing
away the blood from the already healing lacerations.
Finger
combing her hair after rinsing the suds clean, she shook the heavy mass away
from her face, and leaned her forehead against the shower stall wall. Allowing
the water to cascade over her.
She
was so tired. She felt like curling up somewhere and never waking again. She
still couldn't get over how much her life had changed over the last week. Just
a week.
In a
week, she had Flipped… In a week, she had created a bond with Luke that she had
never believed would have happened... In a week, she had entrusted her heart to
him – to the guy who had only just recently broken it… In a week, she had
discovered her destiny, as well as her ancestry… In a week, she had rewritten
history in regards to the women of the Pack, and her place within it. As the
half-breed they had all known her for, and the white wolf that she was.
In a
week, John had finally discovered the truth of Wolf Lake. Had discovered
who Ruby really was, and had – by the strangest twist of all – Flipped and
joined their ranks.
In
the last two weeks, he had been shot, drugged, knocked unconscious, held
against his will (four times), and barely managing to escape the clutches of
their enemy alive. He had had his shoulder nearly ripped out by Tyler, and had
nearly died during the Change. Not to mention getting captured by that Van
Halen character that had led the Hunters here in the first place, hooked up and
transfused with wolf's blood… or the incident before that when he had been
captured by a half-mutated Skinwalker girl and almost burned alive.
In
the last week and a half, Ruby had managed to escape Tyler, only to become a
pawn in Van Halen's twisted little transfusion – which, granted, had turned out
alright in the end – on the run yet again, this time from any member of the
Pack because of Vivian's kill or capture order, and then getting shot, barely
staying alive in wolf form while John carried her to Sherman's. Then having to
reveal herself to him, reveal to him the truth. Risk the possibility of having
him reject her, and then facing the Pack alone, and, subsequently her own death
as a traitor… Then having to hide out together, in which time, she had to
endure the pain and uncertainty of whether or not the true mate of her heart
would even survive something that members of their species ten years younger
had a hard time doing so. Stepping out of the shadows with him at the Meeting,
revealing to all that she had indeed betrayed their secret to the
Seattle cop, but knowing they wouldn't have a choice in whether or not they
could accept that betrayal, as he was now one of their own… and her own value
had proven to be more beneficial than just being the possible destined mate to
the future Alpha… that was why Tyler had wanted her so much. He could spout
love poems and sonnets all he wanted, and bring her flowers shipped in from Tin
Buck Too, but it wouldn't make her believe that for one moment that he hadn't
been more in love with her power that she could bring to his table than Ruby
herself.
How
hard must it have been when John had had no time to adjust to his new-found
abilities. No time to fully come to understand what it all entailed. He had been thrust into the middle of the
Pack's struggle with each other and the rest of the world. A world that he had
belonged to first. A world so different than the one of Wolf Lake… the one of
the Pack.
His
love for Ruby really was that strong, Sophia thought wryly to herself. With
only her to cling to, he had been transformed from being the outsider human
that wanted to take Ruby from them, an outsider that already had known more
than he should have, and had seen more than allowed comfortably.
Even
if he did succeed in taking Tyler out. Even if he had already proven his
strength tonight, Sophia knew all too well what was going to come John's way
when this whole thing with the Hunters was said and done. She knew that there
were going to be plenty of their own kind that still wouldn't trust him. Still
wouldn't believe he was worthy. And those that would still quite possibly try
to kill him.
And
then there was her father.
Tonight, with the deaths of those four, he
had named himself the Alpha… and Vivian and Luke's lives were forfeit.
Now,
she knew that Matt would never do anything to harm Vivian or her son.
But Sophia couldn't help but bristle defensively at the thought that he might
try to keep Sophia and Luke apart. And as Alpha, he would have that power.
Not
that she thought he would utilize it after everything they'd been through, but
still… it set her on edge just thinking about it.
And
what was going to happen between Matt and Vivian? Sophia wasn't dumb. She had
seen the way her father had looked at Vivian. Something had happened between
those two tonight. Something that Sophia wasn't too sure as to how she felt
about. But she knew that nothing was ever going to be the same.
If
her father did assume the mantel of leadership, like she believed he had just
done… and if he took Vivian as his mate…
No
one would question his leadership. Especially considering that one of the white
females was his daughter, and he would also have the support of Ruby.
Sophia
let out a pent up breath and tilted her face up into the hot water streaming
down, heavy steam still building in the shower stall and bathroom. Fogging up
the fixtures, mirrors, and frosted glass.
She
didn't seem to notice when the steam quickly began to leak out of the room, via
the door that had just been opened. The sound not reaching her ears as the
water pounded down around them. Nor the silent click of it closing. Trapping
the steam once more in the small confines of the room.
She
didn't seen to notice it when the glass stall door slide partially open, and
then closed. The shadow of a man's body falling over hers.
She
didn't even open her eyes when familiar hands came about her shoulders and
pulled her back up against a rock-hard, warm, masculine chest, already slick
with the water washing away the streaks of blood from his body, from wounds
both healed and still healing. But all the muscles in her body turned to liquid
as she leaned back against him, his hands sliding down to her waist. The
texture of her skin and his palms contrasting erotically against each other.
Luke
wrapped his arms snugly around Sophia's waist, bringing her up tight against
him almost in desperation. His face burying in the curve of her moist throat,
and pressing a kiss there briefly, he inhaled her familiar scent almost
reassuringly.
Sophia
brought her fingers down to where his arms were wrapped around her torso. The
tips of her fingers tracing the sinewy length. Feeling the muscles, tendons,
and veins just under the surface. Capable of so much strength, yet holding her
so tenderly.
Sophia
opened her eyes, water droplets clinging to her lashes and dripping down her
face and body. Tracing the lines of her form. But yet, through that water,
tears burned behind her eyes and shimmered across their surface. The events of
the last hour and their emotions that they were connected to catching up with
her. Now that she was in this place and time, with the one that had become more
important to her than her own life, she knew she could toss away the façade of
being in control. Cool. Calm.
Reunited
with Luke, she could let it all slide away, and allow those emotions to rise to
the surface. Knowing that if she shattered under their pressure, he'd be there
to catch the pieces when they fell.
Sensing
her pain, even though their private mental connection was still broken, Luke
felt a harsh twisting deep in his body. Knowing that he hadn't been able to do
anything to stop whatever she had endured over the last few hours that was
causing her body to tremble against his so.
"I'm
sorry," He whispered against her temple. Painfully aware of the tear tracking
its way down her cheek. Melding with the water droplets. "I – I couldn't stop
them…" Luke's voice broke and then trailed off. He had to swallow painfully
around the knot that had formed in his throat.
A
small sob echoed in Sophia's throat. "Oh, Luke, it wasn't your fault." Her
voice was slightly hoarse from the screaming that had emitted from it less than
an hour ago. "They're wasn't anything that you could have done. They would have
gotten me one way or another."
Luke
pressed another kiss to the top of her head. Resting his chin there as he
looked unseeingly into the fall of water right in front of them.
"Did
they hurt you?"
Sophia
mouth trembled slightly at his words, and she closed her eyes against the
sudden images assailing her… Tyler's offending hands on her body… the
disgusting leers of David Van Halen and the others under his command… and the
blood thirsty glint in Eric's eyes, the dark skinned Hunter that had tortured
Presley for information… and then for the fun of it.
Shaking
her head slowly side to side, she choked out another sob. Tears leaking out of
the corners of her eyes.
Luke
felt like someone was squeezing a fist around his heart tightly. Closing his
eyes, he murmured soothing endearments as he held her closer. One arm still
tightly wrapped around her waist, as the other came up to rest over her chest,
the palm cupping the side of her face and keeping it pressed into his shoulder
as she cried. Unable to tell the difference between her tears and the water,
but each drop burning into his skin like acid. Each the symbol of a pain that
he couldn't remove completely. He could only hold her as she cried herself out
underneath the showerhead. Water cascading down over both of them comfortingly.
After
a few moments, the sobs subsided, and the tears slowed. Luke's grip loosened
slightly as she suddenly turned in his arms, now facing him. Her fingers came
up to trace the features of his face in wonderment. Starting with his brow,
then brushing down in a light caress over the bridge of his noise, then
trailing down over his cheekbone and jaw-line, before coming up to brush across
the petal softness of his lips. The innocent contact sending an unexpected
shockwave through his body.
He
noticed that her fingers were trembling when she pulled away, and he looked
down at her, unable to bear the tears still caught on her dark, crescent shaped
lashes. And he suddenly had a startling thought that this must have been what
she had looked like after she had caught him and Presley having –
In
that moment, he hit an all-time low for feeling like dirt.
Unaware
of the guilt suddenly arching through Luke's mind, she reached up again to
feather her fingertips over his temple. Watching him close his eyes at the
sensation. She couldn't reach him on their private mental path, and,
considering the sudden way his jaw tightened, she knew he couldn't reach her
either. And it was killing him.
"I
was so afraid that I had lost you." Sophia confided to him softly. Watching him
as his eyes reopened. Revealing the pale green orbs gazing down at her so
seriously. "I was afraid that they had taken you from me."
A
frown formed over his brow, as he quickly shook his head. Warm hands coming up
to cup the sides of her face, thumb brushing over her bottom lip as she looked
back down.
"You'll
never lose me, Sophia." His words were a heated whisper across her skin as she
looked back up at him. Seeing the reflection of her own suddenly sparking eyes
in his that were starting to flare to life. Her lips parted in surprise at the
stark passion glowing there. Feeling her body begin to tremble for a completely
different reason.
"Never."
With
that one word, his lips descended upon hers as his hands sought out the sensitive
curves and valleys of her body. Erasing from her mind the memories of what she
had been subjected to. Both mentally and physically.
Her
hand came up to grasp his muscled arm as she pressed closer… Her fingers
unconsciously tracing the outline of the strange tattoo on his right shoulder.
Leaving behind a wet trail beneath the press if her fingertips, as he gently
urged her with the tilt of his mouth upon hers to open up to him fully. The
shock of his tongue slipping through when her lips parted sent a jolt of desire
shooting off between her thighs, as she pressed closer. The erotic and precise
caresses from those beautifully sculpted hands inflaming her at the same time
comforting her.
Luke
couldn't take away her fears or her pain. But he could comfort her. And that is
what he did. Comforted her with his body melding with hers in an age-old dance
of love and life. The dance of their people.
With
all the gentleness and strength of his body, he turned her back around, placing
her smaller palms up against the shower wall as his body hovered close behind
her. Her small shivers when the length of his body would brush up against her
back – the water causing their skin to slide against one another – making him
smile at the innocent and treasured responses she gave him when she found
something that touched a chord deep from within her.
In
response to her, his hands slide slowly up her forearms, to cup the backs of
hers. Gently pinning her in place. His lips and tongue working their magic on
her neck and shoulder. Sophia let out a sigh as she closed her eyes and
entrusted herself over to his ministrations. Her head falling back onto his
shoulder, as he deftly slide into her heated core from behind. The position new
and highly erotic. Amazingly sensual because of her trust and love in him.
There,
cut off from the world in one of their own making, underneath the cascading
water flowing down their joined bodies seductively… All the past events of the
last week fell away till there was nothing… nobody else in the entire world but
the two of them. Moving together, dancing together… silently… enveloped in a
blanket of steam and scent and sensation… They're minds continuously straining
to reach out to the other, sensations overtaking them, desire flaming outward,
muffled gasps of pleasure echoing in the darkened chamber…bodies sliding
together… fingers entwined… muscles clenching, skin rippling… water drops
clinging to their heated flesh… Glittering like liquid diamonds…
Until,
finally, like a thin silvery spider web suddenly woven between them, Luke felt
the faint brushes of her mind against his.
Almost
afraid that it was a mirage brought on by their joined escalating pleasure, he
mentally strained outward, grasping at that fine thread and holding on till its
connection was solid. Unbreakable. Their link restored. Unable to tell where
one of them began and the other left off. Feeling the sensations and pleasure
of the other. Heightening their love making to a completely different level.
Sophia
muffled her passionate cry of completion – remembering that her and Luke were
not the only people in this house with advanced hearing abilities – by quickly
biting down on her bottom lip. The action producing a small droplet of blood,
that Luke quickly leaned over her to capture. The taste of her essence on his
tongue, as he almost violently plundered her mouth. Her whimpers of ecstasy
vibrating against his lips as he felt her body shudder around him. Causing an
almost feral growl to reverberate deep in his chest. Never waiting to ever let
her go.
Even
after their lovemaking, Luke held on to her. Her back pressed up against his
chest, both of them feeling the way their hearts slowed down from their erratic
pacing to beat together in unison soothingly. The water pouring down on both of
them. Washing away the musk of their joined scents from their flesh… the taste
of the other still lingering long after their lips had parted.
******
Vivian stood facing Matt outside on the lawn
long after everyone else had gone inside… hands clenched at her sides and the
features of her face set in hard lines. Chin tilted up defiantly and eyes
glittering faintly in the darkness.
Matt
looked right back at her. A humorless smile flitting around the corners of his
mouth… a smile that Vivian did not like one bit. Healing wounds
criss-crossing over various parts of his nude body.
"What's
the matter, V?" Matt asked coolly, finally deciding that the silence had gone
on long enough. He took a step closer to her. Then another. Then another. His
shadowed eyes never once blinking, never once losing their lock on hers. "I've
done what you wanted. What you begged me to. Why the hostile face?"
Matt
paused about ten feet away from her, before beginning to pace slowly in a
circle around her stiffly held form.
"And
you think I'll just let you take my position, my leadership, of
the Pack away from me? Just like that?" the hardened edge to Vivian's words
could cut through stone, as her eyes flared bright gold back at Matt.
"I
wasn't aware you had a say in this, Vivian." Matt paused to study her. His
words soft despite their forcefulness. "For the safety of yourself and your
son, you have no choice but to back down."
Vivian's
eyes narrowed. "Like hell!" Her fingers curled into claws at her sides.
Matthew
raised a brow. "Oh really? How else do you think it's going to go down, Vivian?
A fight? A battle to the death? Tell me, because I'd really like to know just
how you think you're going to stop me."
Vivian
just stood there. Almost trembling from rage. Matt let out a sigh and shook his
head.
"I
thought this was what you wanted, Vivian. So what's changed?"
Vivian's
lips curled up. "I asked you to become our Alpha back after Willard's death. I
asked you again during the Election, but instead, you nominated me."
What
Vivian was saying finally dawned on Matt. "Oh, I see. So long as you or Luke
were in danger from the other males of the Pack, you wanted me to
assume control because you knew I wouldn't harm your son, and the last of
Willard's line. But once you were in control, you didn't need me anymore for
protection. Is that it?" Matt chuckled harshly, not even bothering to wait for
her answer. "First off, we were all foolish to believe that you would last long
as Alpha anyway. Even if I did become your… bodyguard…" Matt's
lips snarled at that word. His eyes starting to flare in agitation. "There was
no way I would have been able to hold them off for long, and you know it."
Suddenly, Matt's expression fell into unemotional lines as he started to close
the distance between them.
Before
Vivian could even react to this unusually aggressive move from him, Matt
grasped her hard by the upper arms and pulled her to him roughly. His eyes
molten.
"And
just what was I to you this entire time, Vivian? hmm? Another possible lover? A
pet? Someone who you thought you could take as a mate to warm your bed, one
that you would keep in the shadows while you continued to rule the Clan?" His
fingers tightened slightly. Refusing to release her. "Well, I'm sorry Vivian. I
guess I'm not as neutral as you would like me to be." Matt leaned
in closer. Taking advantage of Vivian's stunned silence. His lips hovering over
hers by mere inches. "You're a fool to think that if I became your mate, that I
wouldn't assume the Alpha position. As well as double-foolish to believe that I
would continue to allow you to place yourself in this kind of danger!"
Matt
felt the warmth of her skin under his fingers, and he slowly loosened his grip
on her arms. Sensing the way her body was trembling from the intensity of her
emotions. She looked up at him, lips slightly parted, and eyes raw with
uncertainty and shock from his outburst. In those few moments, she remembered
what Matthew had been like when they were younger. The untamed, passionate side
of him that had always dominated his actions. The primal, almost savage allure
that had always clung to his skin. Even after he had donned the uniform of a
Sheriff, and had locked all of his wolven instincts away deep within his body.
And
the reason she had fallen in love with him to begin with.
But
that still didn't mean that she was willing to give in to him just yet.
"I
never thought that you would assume control of the Pack after nominating me."
Matthew
smirked at her almost sadly. "I never thought I would either. But that fact
remains that a male must lead, Vivian. You and I both know that.
We may look human and sound human and live as humans, but we're not. We never
will be. Our wolven instincts will always override the farce that we have of
human ones." Matt dwelled for a split second on his daughter and everything she
had been through. "I understand that now."
Vivian
looked up at him. Her inner hatred starting to burn out against her will.
"I
only became Alpha to protect my son. If you take that away, he'll be the one
who'll pay." If Matthew was Alpha, then he could kill Luke, and destroy the
last of Willard's line. It was the way of the real wolves. And the way of most
of the animal kingdom. Only one male could rule… any challengers, past or
present, had to be eliminated, along with any male offspring. It was one
instinct that had shown up time and again in the Skinwalkers' history.
Matt
smiled wryly at where her chaotic thoughts were going and chuckled. Finally
releasing her arms altogether. "You don't believe that, Vivian." he whispered
softly. Causing Vivian to swallow hard at the husky, masculine texture to it.
"Your son will suffer no harm from me, and because of his connection to my
daughter, he will always be under my protection." he eyes flickered suddenly
under the dark shadows of the night. "Regardless of whether or not you become
my mate."
Vivian
almost flinched at the sudden coldness to his voice when he said that last bit.
He did know her… all too well. He knew she had slept with Tyler, and had probably
slept with Gerald… all because she knew that she would have to be in a position
to be the Alpha's top female bitch in order to keep her son safe.
And
he also had known how much she had hated it. But she had done it to keep
Luke alive.
And
now, it would be expected that she do the same for Matt. But Matt
was letting her know that he would only take what she freely offered him.
Matt
nodded at her when he saw that she understood, and he took a step away. "I may
be Wolven, but I'm not an animal. I will not force you to become my mate. But I
would hope that you would come to me as such willingly. But make no mistake
about my intentions, V. I will be the Alpha from here on out.
Forget democracy. We don't have that luxury at the moment, and there are no
other men available to lead this Pack the way it needs to be led."
Matt
looked away for the first time, towards the broken and dead bodies of the male
Skinwalkers he had already killed. He knew them. Had grown up with them. Their
leader, Gregori had been somewhat of a surprise, since he had never shown much
interest in leading the Pack before… Maybe because he had thought it was now
free for the taking with a female in control, he had changed his tactics.
Which
meant that they're were probably others out there at well that we're planning
along the same line.
Even
still, the snapped neck was proof of how wrong Gregori's judgment had been. And
proof of what would happen to any other who thought to cross Matthew from here
on out.
He
still felt a pang of remorse. Just because he had killed them, didn't mean he
had enjoyed it. The entire time he kept thinking back on what Marie would have
said. What her response to this bloodshed would have been.
But
if he hadn't killed them, then it would have been those he cared about lying
there in the mud, with broken necks and torn bodies.
Matthew
clenched his jaw as he tilted his chin up to look at the still red moon. Its
light bathing his features in sickly relief against the backdrop of the heavily
shadowed and strangely alien forest.
"We've
already fallen back to the Old Ways," he admitted reluctantly. "And walking
that line between remaining in control with the snap of your teeth, and falling
into being a complete, animalistic predator because you know you're stronger
than others is a difficult one. It's a war that will never stop, but at the
same time, one that you can never lose."
Matt
looked back over at her again. His gaze frank and defenseless. "Now, tell me
again that you still believe you should still be the one leading us, Vivian.
Even after all that has happened lately."
Vivian
pulled her gaze from his, and looked up at the night sky. Letting out a sigh
that she had been holding for what felt like forever.
Matt
repositioned his stance to get a better look at her. "And I'm still awaiting my
answer, Vivian. Will you be my mate?"
Vivian
dropped her gaze, looking back at him. "I think you know the answer to that,
Matt."
Matt
swallowed. "I still need to hear it."
Vivian
smiled at him softly as she closed the distance between them, reaching up to
stroke the line of his jaw as he looked down at her proudly. Emotions warring
in the depths of his eyes.
"Yes,
Matt. I will be your mate."
******
When
Sophia and Luke walked back downstairs, they were both dressed and Luke carried
a backpack over one shoulder. Luke had dressed in another pair of jeans and a
black sweater. Sophia was wearing a pair of black jeans that had once upon a
time belonged to Ruby, and a warm dark colored long-sleeved shirt, that, considering
the difference in each of their body shapes, wouldn't have fit Sophia as well
as it did if Ruby hadn't accidentally washed it in hot water years ago when she
had still lived in this house.
As
they came to the landing, hand in hand. She heard Ruby and John talking
together softly in the parlor, but before she could pick up any of their words,
she was distracted by the sight of a light gray wolf suddenly slinking out of
the shadows and into the house. Leaping over the broken glass to keep from lacerating
her paws.
Luke's
hand tightened on Sophia's for a moment, as he tensed at the sight of the wolf
coming towards them, but a split second later, his grip loosened as soon as he
recognized whom it was.
Panting
hard, Presley came to a stop as she observed the two through her wolven eyes.
Sensing their mingled smells and musks, knowing that they must have recently
made love. But unable to find it within herself to care anymore.
"Did
you make it back without any trouble?"
Luke
looked towards Sophia as her calmly asked question registered with the wolf, as
she shortly answered on the public mental path. A mental path that Luke still
couldn't hear, even though his personal one with Sophia was renewed.
Alleviating some of the claustrophobic tendencies that came with the loss of
one of their more primary special senses.
With
a little creative rewiring, he found himself able to merge with Sophia in order
to hear what was being discussed on the public pathways. But it was only one
way. He couldn't send anything out himself, even though Sophia could speak on
his behalf if need be.
So,
as much as he may have loved floating around in her mind unhindered, he hoped
that this was only temporary.
'I
didn't see anyone, if that's what you mean.' Bits of leaves, twigs and burs
clung to Presley's coat. A small cut on her ear from some bush or branch
scabbing over.
'How
did you get back so fast?'
Sophia
grimaced. "You don't want to know." She didn't think she'd be swimming anytime
soon.
"There
are a change of clothes in the guest bedroom upstairs that I set aside for you.
I think they're about your size. If not, they'll do till you can get some of
yours back.'
Presley
started moving again, and, darting around them, headed up the stairs on all
fours. Disappearing around the bend.
Sophia
turned back to look at Luke. He was watching her closely.
"What?"
"Is
everything… okay?" Luke asked slowly. Pale eyes intent and serious. His short
hair was still damp from their shower, and spiked up every which way. And even
though he had shaved, the structure of his jaw-line and cheekbone still cast
heavy shadows in the planes and angles of his face. Sophia again was struck by
just how stunning he was.
She
smiled wryly as she ducked her head down. Her heavy ponytail swinging forward.
"Yeah. I think we came to an understanding of sorts back at the warehouse. It's
fine."
Luke
reached out to stroke a finger down the length of hair draped over her
shoulder. The entire mass having been restrained and pulled away from her face
with a simple black rubber band.
Sophia
looked back up at him. Still not used to the beautiful little ways he found to
make contact with her.
Matt
and Vivian chose that time to come back in and stand together, side by side in
the Entryway. Interrupting the younger couple. Matt had already replaced the
pair of jeans that he had discarded outside, and Vivian had wrapped the
terrycloth robe back around her body.
"Dad!"
Sophia quickly stepped into her father's waiting embrace, as Matt hugged her
tightly to his chest. Thankful that she was safe.
"Oh,
Sophia." he let out, close to tears as he heard the small sob echo in Sophia's
throat. "Are you okay?"
Her
muffled answer wasn't good enough, so he pulled away, both hands coming up to
frame her cheeks. Peering into her eyes worriedly. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Sophia
laughed. "I'm fine, now." She sniffled a little, brushing away a
few stray tears that had found their way onto her cheeks.
"I
am so glad you're safe." Matt whispered as he pulled his daughter back into his
embrace, holding her a few minutes longer. Tempted to just pack her up in a car
and get her out of Wolf Lake and as far away from any threat to her life as
possible. But he knew that they were in far too deep now to just walk away.
Sophia had a destiny here within the Pack, as did Matt. He couldn't take her
away from here, anymore than he could talk her out of being with Luke.
Everything
was the way it should be. Now, they would just have to deal with it.
******
Just
as Ruby had predicted, as soon as John had worked everything out in his mind,
he came back to her.
Kneeling
down in front of where she was sitting, he deftly grasped her slender pale
hands in his large, darkly tanned ones. The slightly calloused pad of his thumb
caressing the sensitive area of the underside portion of her wrist. Feathering
gently over the pulse.
Looking
into her silver-gray eyes with his own, he cleared his throat.
"I
guess I've kinda zoned out on you the last forty minutes. I'm sorry."
Ruby
shook her head quickly, leaning forward adamantly. "John, you have nothing to
apologize for. You didn't do anything wrong."
John
let out a sigh. Peeling his gaze away for a few moments before returning it.
"This hasn't been a very easy week. For any of us."
Ruby
snorted. "It hasn't been a very easy year. Not since they took me away from you
back in Seattle."
John
smiled faintly. Remembering what hell it had been those six months he had spent
in Seattle. Looking for clues, looking for anything. At least when he came to
Wolf Lake, he had something to work with. Back then, he hadn't had anything to
work with. No hope of ever finding her.
"John,
it's only understandable that you would feel the way you do. Everything has
happened so fast. I'm sure you don't even know if you think you're the same
person or not. But John, you have to realize… what happened tonight, happened
because there was no other choice for us. No other option. We deal with our
own, how can we not, given the differences between us and the humans. You have
to believe that."
"That's
just it." John broke in. His mouth twisting. "I do believe that. That's what
makes this so hard for me." John looked away again as he continued. Not wanting
to see the pain in her gaze. "I just helped a man become Judge, Jury, and Executioner.
I just assisted him in killing four men. And that's the problem. I was raised
to put my faith in a justice system. I trained for that system, and I fought
for that system. And now…" he shook his head slowly. "Now, I don't know what I
believe."
It
was a moment before Ruby answered. Choosing her words carefully. "John… you
yourself have found yourself in situations beyond your control. Situations
which don't give a damn about the Political Justice you are talking about.
You've been in situations, many a time, where you have had to kill in order to
survive. In order to protect yourself, and others around you. How is that any
different than what you saw here tonight?" She started back up again when he
tried to deny her words. "No, let me finish. Those four had captured Sophia,
lured Luke outside in order to kill him, and then move on to Vivian. They
probably would have then either killed Sophia, or would have locked her up
somewhere to use as blackmail against her father. These people would have murdered
to get what they want, and they never would have stopped. Now, you tell me if
you think Matt was still wrong to protect his own?"
John
was still for a few moments. The only movement was the steady pulse beating
visibly in the hollow of his throat. Slowly, he shook his head.
Ruby
reached out a hand to cup his cheek. "Then tell me… what else needs to be said?
We are not human, no matter how some may wish otherwise. The only
Justice system we have is what you saw this evening, and it has kept us alive
and a secret for thousands of years. And it did so again tonight. You can't let
something like this eat you away, John. You just have to accept it. Nothing
that happened tonight was wrong. It doesn't mean we have to take pleasure in
it… It just means that we shouldn't regret."
John
nodded again. Her words reaching him on a level that he did understand. He
pressed a kiss to the side of her palm before slowing standing upright. Holding
a hand down to her in order to pull her up. As much as he would have wanted to
continue talking with her, they had to prepare to leave the Mansion and soon…
Besides, what else was there to say?
It
was time to go find the rest of the group.
As
they walked towards the closed doors, John paused in order to press a short but
bittersweet kiss to Ruby's lips. Once again finding himself incredibly grateful
to have her at his side once more.
He
became determined then, that despite his uncertainty towards the customs of the
Pack, and the strange position he had fond himself in with these people, he
knew he could handle anything so long as Ruby was at his side.
******
Sherman
strolled back into the hallway just in time to see John and Ruby come out from
the parlor to meet up with Matt, Vivian, Sophia and Luke. Matt currently was
crushing the life out of his daughter, while Luke looked on in amusement,
thumbs hooked in his front pockets. Vivian stood with her shoulder braced up
against the wall, arms crossed. She met Sherman's gaze but refused to respond
to the gloating expression suddenly glowing there.
Sherman
chuckled. Knowing all-to-well what had occurred outside between those two. Matt
always was a sly devil when he wanted to be. And he knew Vivian better than
most could ever even hope to.
He
tilted his head towards the staircase as Presley came down. Wearing a simple
pair of pants and a loose sweater, which hid her still healing body from view.
The faint bruises on her face still present. Her blond hair swung freely. The
untamed mass wild about her sensual face. A face, which was haunted by a
strained pair of eyes. Eyes that had experienced far too much pain in the last
few days.
"My
parents?" she asked quietly, looking towards Vivian. Her voice was hoarse from
lack of use. "Have they been told that I'm okay?"
Vivian
let out a breath. "No, they haven't. With everything that has happened tonight,
its amazing any of us are still coherent." She jerked her chin towards the
Kitchen. "You can use the phone in there to give them a call."
Once
the younger girl had left, Vivian turned back towards Matt, who was still
standing close by Sophia.
"Alright,
Matt. What now?"
Sophia's
brow raised at the rather sarcastic overtone present in Vivian's voice, and she
looked towards her father. Realizing that he really had assumed leadership of the
Pack.
Matt
took in a deep breath as he watched his daughter. Wondering how she would take
to the news. "First things first. We need to get Sophia and Ruby relocated.
Which means we need to figure out where to keep them."
Sophia
frowned. "Why can't we just go back home for the remainder of the night?
Considering everything that has happened, I don't think we have to worry about
another attack... either from members of the Pack or the Hunters for the next
few hours."
Sudden
shadows flitted across Matt's eyes as he looked back at his daughter sadly.
Luke
caught the expression, and frowned. Taking a small step forward to stand right
behind Sophia. His hand hovering over the small of her back. Matt's heavy
silence concerning him.
"Our
home was burnt to the ground this evening, Sophia. It was meant to be a
distraction for Vivian and me while they attacked the Mansion and took you
hostage."
Sophia
paled, eyes going wide. The only thing she seemed capable of feeling at the
moment was Luke's arm circling her waist snugly.
John
and Ruby looked at each other, not saying anything.
"They
took our home?" Sophia finally whispered hoarsely. Unable to believe what she
was hearing.
Matt
looked away. "Yeah, hon. They did."
Sherman
finally spoke up grimly. "Well, it's not like you would have been living there
any longer anyway."
Sophia
looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Well…
two things actually. Now that Matt has… done what he should have months ago,
the Mansion now belongs to him and to you. But, even now… it doesn't look like
you'll be living here either."
Sophia
shook her head in bafflement, and turned to look at her father, her gaze
searching. "Dad? What is he talking about?
Matt
glared at Sherman for a good ten seconds before to turning back to his
daughter. Sherman's expression stating clearly that either Matt told her, or he
would.
"We're
leaving Wolf Lake, Sophia."
"What?"
Their
house forgotten, Sophia snapped out of her shock and looked around at everyone
in the room. "Did I miss something here? What do you mean, we're leaving Wolf
Lake? I thought it had been agreed upon that we had to remain here if we had a
chance of survival?"
Matt
shook his head. "That was before we found out about the drugs at their
disposal, Sophia. We have no way to fight them off when they attack Wolf Lake."
Sophia
shook her head adamantly. Eyes going wild. "No! If we leave, we'll never stop
running! We can't! We have to stay and fight them!"
"Fight
them how? We don't even know where to start. At least if we run, we stay
alive."
Sophia's
lips twisted. "That's no life." the words were bitter as they fell from her
lips. She closed her eyes in denial as Luke pulled her into his arms. Reaching
out to her across their mental path.
'Whatever
happens, we're together. That's what matters. Understand?'
Sophia
nodded slowly, minutely. Clinging to those words spoken so privately.
"So
then what?" Sophia asked emotionlessly. "What do we do once we start running?
Move to another country like the last few members of our race did when they
first came to Wolf Lake?"
Her
question was meant to be sarcastic, but her heart sunk when her father slowly
nodded his head. "Yes. We'll disappear up in the wilderness of Canada. Stay
there while we try to figure out what to do next."
"And
those of us that haven't Flipped?" Sophia asked bluntly. Eyes unblinking.
"They'll
be coming too." Matt replied determinedly.
"That
kind of journey will be tough on them. Some of them won't make it."
"They
will make it. Even un-Flipped, their bodies are still Wolven. And
despite the fact that we've been surrounded by human comforts all
our life, it won't take long for all of us to adapt to the wildness that is
our nature."
"Speak
for yourself." Sherman muttered.
Matt
ignored him. "We will survive. I'll make sure of that."
Sophia
just shook her head again. "Well, I hope you realize that once we leave,
there's no going coming back. We'd be giving up our home for good."
Matt
didn't answer her. Thankfully, Vivian took over.
"We
can relocate Ruby and John to the underground facility of the Hospital, Sherman
can take them."
"That
still doesn't answer the question of where Sophia will be going." Ruby spoke up
for the first time. Hand tightly clasped in John's.
Sherman
thought for a moment. "They could be taken to the Brewery."
Matt
shook his head. "No, there are too many people that work there. They'll be
seen."
"You
so sure about that, Matt?"
Matt
started to reply when he caught the secretive glint in Sherman's eyes.
Narrowing his own in superstition, he suddenly wondered what their Keeper meant
by that cryptic remark.
******
"What
is this place?" Sophia asked in bafflement as she looked around her at the
fairly large room that Sherman had relocated her to.
They
were deep underground, in an area that none of them had even known existed, far
below the Brewery. And even though all the walls had been carved out of rock,
as well as the floor and ceiling, the place did look like a home. Light colored
furniture and neutral colors decorated the dwelling. Lamps scattered about,
casting their rich glow around a room that would normally be as dark as a tomb.
Sophia
couldn't help but shudder at the thought. Despite how nice the place looked,
she didn't like the feeling of being buried underground, the rock walls and
ceiling pressing in on her, suffocating her.
"Just
one of the little hideaways in Wolf Lake." Sherman answered calmly. Checking to
make sure the 'kitchen' had enough food, and that the propane heaters were
working okay.
"One
of the hideaways?" Matt asked tersely. Just as surprised about this
place as Vivian was. Sherman just shrugged. Refusing to elaborate.
"Well,"
Sophia muttered darkly. "Whatever it is, this place looks like it could survive
a nuclear blast."
"Quite
possibly." Sherman agreed as he went over to the phone. Picking up the handset
to make sure there was a dial tone. "But I would hate to test that theory."
Once he set the handset back down into its cradle, he briskly rubbed his palms
together. "Okay, then. That's everything. You should be nice and toasty here
till its time for us to leave Wolf Lake."
Sophia
crossed her arms. Still not at all pleased at the change of events. Nor that
everyone was insisting that she remain locked up somewhere for her own safety.
"I'm
not comfortable with just hiding away down here." Sophia spoke up. Voicing her
distaste on her circumstances.
"Sophia,
it's only temporary." Matt cautioned. "Just try to get some sleep, and tomorrow
we'll figure out what to do next. You won't be here long, I promise."
Sophia
rolled her eyes, knowing she didn't exactly have a choice. She nodded slowly,
hugging her arms tightly around her torso.
Luke
came up behind her, rubbing his palms up and down her shoulders gently.
Reminding her that he wasn't going anywhere.
Matt
let out a breath as he saw the way Sophia had shut herself down. Refusing to
look at him or any other for that matter. Even after Luke went over to comfort
her. He watched the way she bit her lower lip in uncertainty and turned away
from the sight. His heart heavy with the thought of having to leave her here
alone all by herself.
"She
won't be alone." Vivian reminded him softly. As if reading his thoughts. "Luke
is going to remain with her. They've both been through enough tonight. They
need the time together."
Matt
nodded his head in agreement. Wryly thinking back… Had it only been less than
two weeks ago that he'd been ready to sting that pup up?
Matt
turned away, still uncertain as he made his way towards the exit. Vivian and
Sherman close behind. It was obvious Sophia wasn't in the mood for goodbyes,
and to be honest, Matt couldn't really blame her.
******
"You
want me to do what?"
Damien
leaned over the hood of the vehicle to look at his father getting in. They had
finished packing up what little items they had kept at the warehouse, and most
of their men had already left. Left for a designated area that Damien had yet
to be told about.
Jaw
clenching tightly, he looked over at David Van Halen. His black eyes glittering
dangerously.
"You
heard me." David looked down at his sleeve casually. Buttoning the cuff that
had become loose from around his wrist. "We need to make sure that they don't
give us the slip, Damien. We've got one shot at this. Only one. We can't afford
any mistakes."
Damien
ignored his father's excuses. Eyes narrowing as his mouth compressed into a
thin line. The tension in his body speaking volumes in comparison to his softly
spoken words. "Bull. This is nothing but another one of your games, Father. And
I'm getting pretty damn tired of being forced to play them."
David
looked up at his son. Features suddenly very serious. "Oh, I assure you, this
is no game. You… are the best. You are my son. And you've already told me how
you will not fail me in this fight against that twisted species. Now, it is
your time to prove it."
Damien
snarled lividly. "By ordering me to infiltrate their ranks?!"
David
chuckled. "You have a job to do, Damien. And I trust that you'll make me
proud." His lips twisted, smile fading away. "For I can assure you, if you do
not, you will share in their fate. Besides, you already have the
trust of two of them. If that girl Sophia is as valuable as Creed said she is,
then you shouldn't have any problems." David turned around to get back into the
black van. Before sliding in though, he turned one last time. Damien didn't
like the glint reflected in his eyes, and he watched him warily.
"By
the way, I wouldn't get too attached to that blonde if I were you. She may be a
pretty face, but once this is all over and done with, we won't be keeping any
pets."
Damien
clenched his fist at his side. Years of training himself to be as emotionless
as hard stone standing him in good stead as he father chuckled cruelly at his
son's darkened countenance. Damien refused to give him the pleasure of any
reaction at all to his fathers' barbs, but the tightly clenched fist didn't go
unnoticed by David.
"You
see? I do know you." With those words, David slipped back into
van, and Damien was forced to step back as the vehicle came to life. Slowly
driving past. Damien's black eyes following its progression.
Two
other similar vans followed behind. The windows so darkly tinted that you
couldn't see in regardless of how dark it was outside.
They
roared by, leaving him standing alone in the night on the edge of the road as
they disappeared around the bend. Exiting Wolf Lake, but not for long. They'd
be wrapping up the last minute preparations. Getting everything in order for
the coming battle.
Damien
turned his back on the sight. His inner turmoil close to the surface as he
began to walk down the concrete road. Boot heels clicking and the leather
duster flaring out behind him.
"No,
Father. You do not know me. But you will… soon."
With
those heavily spoken words of promise, Damien stalked carelessly past the
familiar sign entitled "Welcome to Wolf Lake", pausing only briefly to take in
the view from the top of the hill. Looking down on the waters of the Lake, and
the faint lights of the town surrounding it. Large, wild snow-capped mountains
rising their jagged peaks to the stars framed this place. The mountains,
sentinels that appeared to both protect the town from the outside world… as
well as keep anyone from leaving.
The
sight would have been beautiful in its untamed expanse, if it weren't for the
crimson orb shining down from above. Preparing to set as the night gave way to
the approaching dawn. The corrupted moonlight reflecting in the waters of the
Lake… Causing it to ripple like blood in the chilled night air. Still heavy
with the scent of the hard rain that had fallen earlier.
Damien
tilted his head slightly and smiled cruelly. Looking at the view as he started
down the hill, a breeze blowing a small strand of his hair back from his pale
temple. The light in his eyes somewhat triumphant as he slowly made his way
into the heart of the small town. Planning already in motion… The fading light
from the moon casting strange shadows at his feet… The path he was taking
giving off the appearance of a red glow as it heralded his arrival... Its part
in the prophecy undeniable with the proof currently of the treacherous enemy
cloaked in its embrace.
******************************************
Okay,
that's it. I give up. I'm no longer going to try to figure out how much longer
it will be till the final episode, because I have no idea. This story is
refusing to end… So make yourself comfortable, we might be here a while. (sigh)
Damien
is interesting, isn't he? Do you think he's good or evil? Tell me…
Don't
forget to check out www.pvtonline.com
this coming Tuesday night… The first chapter to my Virtual Continuation of
Season One, "Wolven Behavior" will be 're-aired' there in its new home page…
Please drop in…
I
want to take this time to also answer a question that some of you have been
asking me…
Many
of you have been wondering if after I finish the Virtual Continuation of Season
One, if I would go on and do a Virtual Second Season… well, if I had been
pressed to answer this a few weeks ago, my answer would have most definitely
been no… Which is why I believe it to be prudent to answer that question now,
before I change my mind.
That
answer is now a yes… I WILL be back for a Second Season… just keep in mind that
it will be at least 4-6 months, possibly more, before I will begin on it… I
need that time to work on some of my other projects that are begging for
attention right now… including two other stories for WL that I've begun working
on…
But
I do believe that there are still many untold stories in Wolf Lake that I will
give voice to when the time comes, so for those that have stuck with me
throughout this whole series… I hope you will be with me again when the time
comes…
Take
care! And please remember to review! (see? I told you I'd do it again)
(Sapphira)
TBC
soon in Ep. 21 – "Treacherous Intentions" (Tentatively titled)
~~~~~~
