Hello my fellow readers!
Here is another chapter for you to enjoy!
My mom is out of ICU!
And she's doing well!
Laurel's POV
After I had fled from Eric I ended up hunting down a stag in the forest outside of the city. The deer's blood was enough to satisfy my thirst. I then had no choice but to return to the Opera House. Once back there I broke down into Leo's arms telling him that the Phantom was my true and beloved mate. This surprised Antoinette, Meg, and Christine, Raoul was explained that I wasn't human. He took the news a little differently and he kept his distance from me for a few days.
Eventually he warmed up to the idea that I wouldn't dare hurt him and he offered for me to stay with him along with his family and Christine for Christmas, which I accepted. I needed to be away from the Opera House for a bit. I remember the morning I left, I sensed my mate watching me. I just hoped in the end Erik would forgive me. Raoul home was out in the country side of Paris.
We would only be staying for three months so I brought everything I owned with me even my damn phone. When Christine and I arrived at Raoul's home the two of us were dumbfounded at how big the place was, I mean it was a damn mansion!
Christine and I were given our own rooms near each other so we would hang out and what not. After a delicious lunch, Raoul said he needed to attend to some business but would return before evening so Christine and I took advantage of this to go for a walk around the grounds.
The property was about 12 acres and it was surrounded by woods as was a frozen lake that rested not far from the house. I wore a long sleeved blue dress under a black cape while Christine wore a lavender dress the same design, she wore a red cape.
"You and Raoul make a good match" I teased my friend. As usual her face turned red and I chuckled.
As we walked I held out my hand and summoned an ice crystal into my palm, Christine watched on awe as the icy blue thing appeared and I waved my hand over it to form it into something. It took the form of a rose and I felt sad when this happened. Christine noticed my saddened face and she took one of my hands into hers.
"You don't know that he will turn you away" she said.
"Christine you didn't grow up like I did" I corrected her.
Though my childhood was a great one there had been times where I would be ridiculed, spat at, being told my existence was a sin, teased, being called a half breed, bullied, and many other things. I turned away from my friend and a song came out.
I am an abomination
Loved, Feared, and frowned upon my many
How will I know?
He won't reject me?
I saw shock on his face the night he saw
That I was not human
The song sounded like "Angel of Music"
Christine's beautiful voice then sang with mine.
Laurel you don't know what you speak of
Surely your words can't be true
Laurel in your own way you are beautiful
And you know this is true
Christine then hugged me which I really needed right now. The two of us remained like that for a few minutes before I pulled away.
"Would you like to see my wolf form?"
Christine's brown eyes went wide and she nodded. Smiling I stepped away from her and pulled off my cape. Silver smoke engulfed my body and a second later I stood in front of my friend in my second true form. I whined and I bent down to the snow covered ground as Christine came to me. She then bent down and she stroked my face. My tail made a thumping noise against the snow as she petted me.
"You are beautiful" Christine said.
"Christine what are you doing?!" Christine turned around as Raoul hurried over towards his beloved. He looked at me in fear, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry Laurel I forgot you had the ability to shape shift"
I barked a wolf laugh before the three of us headed back towards the mansion after returning to my human form. After a few days I developed a routine of having breakfast with Raoul and Christine, Christine and I would then go for walk around the grounds, go into town to shop and what not, if the weather got bad we would stay home with Raoul, in the evenings we would have dinner which was always good before we would retire for the evening.
My relationship with Raoul got better and soon he became like a brother to me, the only thing that I got on my nerves was his over protective bullshit. But that was Raoul for you. I got so lost my into staying at the manor that the next three months passed like lightning. Christmas morning after a hell of a breakfast was the gift exchange. Raoul gave me a beautiful violin made out of Rosewood; Christine gave me a black leather bound journal with gold trimmed edged pages. We received some gifts from Meg, Leo and Antoinette as well.
Leon to my delight gave me a sword the color of silver and its edge was sharp, the handle was designed with three dragons the color of emerald, gold, and black. Meg gave me new boots the color of black, and Madame Giry sent me a glass rose but when I saw the black ribbon around it I knew who it really was from. To my surprise there was a note in an envelope with the red skull seal on it. I opened it using my claws.
My dearest Laurel
I hope you are well and are enjoying your time away from my Opera House. I shall hope to see you
again soon. You obviously have demons of your own to hide and I will wait patiently until you are ready to tell me. Until we meet again
O.G.
Tears went down my face as I finished reading my mate's words. The masquerade ball was fast approaching and by then I would be ready to return the Opera Populaire and return to my Sun and Stars.
Several Days Later.
Masquerade Ball
Laurel's POV
"Laurel your dress is beautiful" Christine said we waited for Raoul to meet with us. She wore her pink masquerade dress along with the white gloves, her engagement ring around her neck. Raoul had finally proposed to her before the end of Christmas Day and I was happy for them. My dress was Elsa's blue dress from Frozen; in fact I had used my ice magic to make it. My hair was in its braid hanging over my left shoulder with ice crystals in it, I wore matching blue shoes blue under my dress.
"Thank you my friend and you look beautiful yourself"
I then saw Raoul coming and I decided to let Christine be alone with her beloved before I out on my icy blue mask. I was greeted by the many singing voices of the guests.
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade
Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade
Look around
There's another mask behind you
Flash of mauve, splash of puce
Fool and king, ghoul and goose
Green and black, queen and priest
Trace of rouge, face of beast
Faces!
Turn your turn
On the merry-go-round
In an inhuman race
Eyes of gold, thigh of blue
True is false, who is who?
Curl of lip, swirl of gown,
Ace of hearts, face of clown
Faces!
Drink it in, drink it up
Till you drowned
In the light, in the sound
But who can name the face?
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds,
Masquerade
Half way through the song I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to see Leo all dressed up. He wore a black suit with a simple black mask. I hugged him and he returned the favor.
"It's good to see you again Laurel we missed you"
"As I have missed being here with you and the others" I replied as we pulled away from one another. He then offered his hand out and I took it. We began a dance just as Christine and Raoul finally came out. Leo took my right hand into his left while the other rested on my waist, my left hand went to his shoulder and he began to lead me into a waltz. We passed Meg and Antoinette who waved at us both. At one point I accidentally stepped on someone's dress but didn't care, as we passed Carlotta she nodded at me and I returned the favor.
Then after I finished dancing with Leo, Raoul came up to me and asked me for a dance. I accepted his offer and he led me into another dance, which got me to forget all of my stress. Christine smiled as the dance came to an end and the two of us returned to Christine and we all watched the rest of the singing from the people on the stairs. I had taken off my mask.
Gold confetti was in the air and the singing continued.
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade
Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade!
Take your fill
Let the spectacles astound you
The lights suddenly dimmed and everyone turned to see Erik dressed in his red death outfit.
"My Sun and Stars" I whispered as I saw him. The crowd gasped as Erik looked at them all then he began to go down the stairs.
Why so silent, good messieurs?
Did you think that I had left you for good?
Have you missed me good messieurs?
I have written you an opera
Here I bring the finished score, Don Juan Triumphant!
Erik threw down the opera he wrote and he drew his sword.
Fondest greetings to you all
A few instructions just before rehearsal starts
Carlotta must be taught how to act
Not her normal trick of strutting around the stage
Raoul had disappeared and Carlotta gasped as Erik poked the feathers in her hat. Piangi stepped forward ready to defend his beloved. Erik looked down at him and poked his sword into his stomach.
Our Don Juan
Must lose some weight it's not healthy
For a man of Piangi's age
Erik then went down the stairs to Andre and Firmin.
And my managers must learn
That their place is in an office
Not the arts
Erik pointed his sword at the two stooges before he continued to sing and he looked towards me and my face turned red.
As for our star
Miss Laurel White
Erik then put his sword back into its sheath.
No doubt she'll do her best
It's true her voice is good
She knows though, if she should wish to excel
She must embrace her gift
Her gift of song
Erik and I looked at each other and the crowd was quiet. Then I began to walk up the stairs towards him as he did the same towards me. With every walk made my inner wolf and vampire halves scream for him. The two of us then stopped in front of one another. He placed a gloved hand against my face but before I could do anything, Erik suddenly hurried away.
"My Sun and Stars!" I called after my mate. He came to a stop at the top of the stairs and with a flash of fire he disappeared. Raoul went through the trap door and I used that chance to leave unnoticed.
I went to my room and opened the door and quickly shut it. I looked around for a secret passage and found one near my bed. All I had to do was press against the wall and it gave way to the passage. I hurried down the lit up hallway searching for the other half of my heart. Out of nowhere Erik showed himself.
"My precious Laurel" he said to me. He then grabbed me and his lips hungrily came upon mine. This time I wasn't afraid to kiss him back. I caressed his face as the kiss intensified. His tongue entered my mouth and our tongues danced for dominance. I growled when he stopped the kiss.
"You need to return Laurel you will be missed"
"I don't like being separated from you" I admitted.
"I will send you a letter for us to meet again my dearest"
He took my hand and kissed it.
"I will see you soon"
I nodded and he pressed another kiss against my lips. Even though it was quick I treasured it. Then after it ended Erik kissed my forehead before he turned around and left. I then did the same.
"I love you my Sun and Stars"
