Chapter 14 Worst of the Worst part 1
AN: Sorry for any errors. I finaly finished this last night and wanted it up asap.
Thanks again to those who have read and Special thanks to those who have reviewed.
This first part is a dream that Fear is having. I tried to write it in poem form, but 'sit' is the wrong tense for it.
Fear's POV
I breathed in and smelt his scent,
It carried through the trees to where I sat,
Alone with the moon as my mother.
"Feara," he called gently. "Feara, my lover
come to me. Be with me forever."
I woke screaming. Not remembering the dream that I was so afraid of. Chris was holding me tightly trying to say anything to stop my screaming.
When I did stop he continued holding me and started singing "Sweet Child of Mine." He stopped after the second verse.
After a few minutes he whispered, "What upset you?"
"Bad dream," I said.
"It's probably from the second act," he whispered into my hair.
"Did this happen to you?" I asked.
"No," he said. "Bree and I were born with the gift or curse."
"How old are you?" I asked.
"Thirty-four," he said with out hesitation.
"Robbing the cradle, aren't you?" I teased.
"I like younger girls," He teased back.
"Apparently," I said.
He started nibbling along my collar bone showing a little fang.
"My, what big teeth you have," I couldn't resist.
He smiled. "Now, you're the one who's using cheesy lines."
"I'm paying you back for all the years of torture you have blessed me with," I said pushing him off me so I could go to my room for a shower.
"You know you liked it," he called after me. I shook my head and continued to my room.
When I came out, he was wearing a black Tee and jeans and lying on my bed.
"What's on the agenda today?" I asked as I walked over to him. I had put on a red shirt, black skirt, and was tying my combat boots Kyle had given me after he grew out of them.
"We have to meet with the counsel Bree has set up and discuss tomorrow night's meeting with the Legion," he said casually as he pulled me to his side, "but right now I want to sleep a little longer." He laid my bull beside me and said, "I even brought the bull. I would say it was stupid, but know you would hit me if I said it."
I grabbed my bull and gave him my back, "He's not stupid," I defended my poor, innocent bull.
"He is when he gets all the attention and leaves the alpha with the cold pillow," he mumbled giving me his back as well and started hugging the pillow.
I laughed at him, "You've had all the attention for the past couple of nights."
He didn't answer but started lightly snoring. I watched the alarm clock before falling asleep around five a.m.
Around seven we woke and went down for breakfast. Bree and Tara were eating oatmeal and ham. We joined them and the discussion of who's who in the wolf pack was on.
"Mom and Nathan should arrive any moment. Karl, Robert, Bash, Mark, and Liz said they would arrive around four. Conner and some of the elders said five. Brian, Gabe, Dillon, Steve, and Jamie shortly after. And with Tara and I that should get us close to the council you need," Bree informed us.
"Oh," Tara said, "My people are coming too. Laura, Diana, Winter, Bonnie, Rain, Autumn, Holly, and Jade."
We looked at her.
"What exactly are you?" asked Chris.
"I'm not really sure," she said. "L stayed near my mother, and her mother, and so on through the years. I was special so now I'm immortal like you."
The twins continued to stare at her.
"I need to shut up now," she said looking down.
"So that's how you knew about us?" Bree asked.
"Yeah, L likes me," Tara looked up and said, "sometimes any way. Look, my people are like me."
"So," I said, "How old are you?"
She smiled, "Sixteen, my sisters are supposed to be like me."
"Sisters?" asked Chris.
"Yeah," Tara said. "My brothers are with the vampires. At least that's what L told me. I'm not allowed to answer any more questions."
"So," I began trying to think of something to say to change the topic, "who's the other people?"
"Weres who won't like me," said Chris as he bit a piece of ham.
"Puh-lease," said Bree, "They will love you compared to me. I don't know why there has to be so many of them here, but they took an oath and will be here at the expected time, with bells on."
"Where is this going to happen and what's it like?" I asked.
"It will be in the ballroom," said Bree. "We have to dress-up. They will sleep there and will be dressed like wise. It is at first like a ball, but when we sit down to eat it turns into something like a trial."
"So I have nothing to worry about?" I asked.
"You have everything to worry about," said Tara. The twins threw her looks that would kill a normal human. "Well, it is true," she defended.
"Yeah but you didn't have to say it," said Bree.
"What do I have to worry about?" I asked meekly.
"You have to appear honest and truthful, they can smell lies," began Chris. "You must watch every male and never be alone with any of them. You have to be silent at dinner unless spoken to. The elders will be the hardest on you, but so will the older males who served with the previous alpha."
"And you have to wear red, that will make you easier to find," said Bree.
"Why red?" I asked innocently.
"Everyone else will be wearing black and white," said Tara, "except for my sisters and I. We have to wear those Roman-sheet thingies. They are different colors. Mine is light blue."
"Well what's the trial like?" I asked.
"We sit down, eat, then the trial begins around eight," said Bree. "You will have to be at the center of the room in front of the alpha and I guess the oracles, beside you is Tara and me, and behind us is the rest of the council. The case is brought up in front of the council and the positives and negatives are weighed. Majority rule."
Tara started, "Unless L interferes. One being L she will, and two since this is Vamp/Wolf relations she has to."
"I know I should know the answer to this question, but, what am I being tried over?" I asked, and by the looks they gave each other I knew it was bad.
"You aren't being tried," said Bree lowly.
"Then why do I have to go?" I asked.
"Because of the threat you bring to this pack," Bree said lower.
"I'm not a threat," I said quickly.
"Actually, you will be," said Tara. "You are the Halfling, that I told you about. You are supposed to go to the vampires willingly, and destroy the pack."
"Who says I'm supposed to do that?" I demanded.
"All the premonitions have foretold it," said Bree. "That is why I've been so bad to you. I don't want to see Chris hurt. That's what the Halfling does best, hurt people." She let the table and headed towards the kitchen.
"Well I have to start cooking and you guys have to set up the ballroom," said Tara trying to run after Bree.
"Do you think I would hurt you?" I asked Chris.
"Not intentionally," he said rising and taking my hand in his. "Come on, we have the hardest part."
Most of the morning was spent uncovering windows, setting up tables, and placing candles. It turned out that this was supposed to be as electronic free as possible with the exception of the CD player.
We had just sat down at the table for a quick lunch when there was a knocking at the kitchen door. That was odd. I could hear it. I looked at Chris.
"It's because of the second act," he explained. "You'll experience more visions as well and start craving rawer meat."
"Woo-hoo, raw bloody meat here I come," I said, then muttered, "Dad's going to be so proud."
Bree and Tara were getting the rooms back straightened out and helping Nancy unpack. Chris and I were going back to his original room so Nathan could have his back.
"You wanna help them?" I asked.
"No, privilege of being alpha," he explained. He pulled me closer to him. "I can just about do anything to you and you have to obey me," he sighed then let me go. "That was the mistake of the last alpha. No one had freewill."
"Was your dad considered evil?" I asked.
"Not to the elders or males. He made women and his children second class and beat us to make an example for the rest of the pack," he sighed. "He beat everyone except Bree. She started fighting back and won. No one outside of this house knows that."
The others came back down. Nancy had short brown hair, and blue eyes. She had the figure of the average loving mother who knows how to cook. She was wearing a long sleeved black shirt and jeans.
Nancy stopped at the door and stared at me. I moved back to my side of the table.
"Come on mom, I'm starving," said Nathan who was behind her. Nathan looked like a football player. He had blonde hair and green eyes, both from his father. He was wearing a green Tee and jeans.
Nancy moved slowly keeping her eyes locked to me at all times.
"How was your trip, Nathan?" asked Chris.
"Good. Egypt is better than Kris said it was. The girls were beautiful. And Greece is like heaven all that food," that was Nathan's main objectives, pretty girls and food.
"Sounds like fun," said Chris. He was busy watching his mom to really put much emotion in his response. "Mom, you remember Fear?"
She looked at me then back to him and back again. "That's not Fear. She has grown too much in such short months," she said before smiling a smile that never reached her eyes. "Please excuse my rudeness." That was all of the conversation during that meal.
After lunch, we had to start getting ready for the council meeting. I went with Bree and Tara upstairs so they could adequately prepare me for the events.
"I have a problem," I said to them. "I don't own a red dress."
"You can have one of mine," said Tara. She handed me several to try on.
"Thanks," I said.
"Don't think me till you find one," she said.
I went to my room and tried them on. She made me show her each dress.
The first was a light red that hung too low in the cleavage area. The second was more of a rose color that had a split way too high. The third was neon red; she laughed at it which was a definite no for me.
The forth was blood red. It was a Cinderella type dress that was sleeveless, a-line, and puffy.
"What do you think?" I asked.
She smiled, "It looks better on you than on me."
"No it doesn't. You are smaller than me," I said.
"So, I bought it for you," she said unexpectedly.
"Why?" I asked before I could stop myself.
"I don't know. I guess I thought it would look great on you at prom," she answered. "I know it feels like you're naked wearing it and the wires dig in your sides, but it looks amazing."
"You're not going to let me out of this are you?" I asked.
She smiled and said, "Nope."
She made me stay in her room so Chris wouldn't see me. I did my own hair there. I put it up and had ringlets hanging down around my face. Tara did my makeup before going to Bree's room to put on her wrap.
Bree came in Tara's room wearing an extremely low cut pixie-like dress that on her looked great, but on any one else would look horrible. She sat on the bed and watched me read the latest Kenyon novel.
"You won't hurt him will you?" she asked a few moments later.
"Never intentionally," I replied putting down the book. "Is that why you're so worried?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. "I've protected him all my life. He is the hope of the clan."
"Is that why you've protected him?" I asked.
"No," she said, "he's my brother. I'll always protect him."
We were silent till Tara returned to waste some time till the first people arrived. Robert was very tall with crew cut blonde hair; his brother Karl was short, fat, and had light brown hair that was styled like a sloppy bowl cut. The brothers had the same facial features.
Then, there was Bask, Mark, and Liz. Bash was the cousin of Mark who was married to Liz. Bash was dangerous. He had that look that would have let you know he doesn't do social things well and this was already starting to bother him.
Mark was between Bash and Liz. He looked like a car salesman. He had an uniform tan, pearly whites, dark hair that was combed back, and eyes that watched you like a hawk.
Liz was pregnant and wearing a white dress that looked like it belonged on a runway than in Newport. She was of average height and had shoulder length brown hair. She was polite but was never without her mate.
"How old are you?" asked Liz. She was the one who did most of the talking for the trio.
"Eighteen," was all I had time for before she asked another question.
"Where are your parents?"
"My dad is at home and my mom died giving birth to me," I answered.
"What are you going to be when you graduate college?" she asked.
"I don't really know," I answered honestly.
"That's ok," Liz said. "You're young enough that you can change your mind and go a completely different direction. However, keep your options open to something that will have a job." She sighed and rubbed her very pregnant belly.
"How far along are you?" I asked her.
"Six months. Mark is counting the days and buying everything for them," She smiled and looked at her husband who was only a few feet away.
"Them?" I asked.
"Yeah, multiple births are the most popular births among weres," she paused. "Single births are like only one out of every ten or so. I've spent too much time with you I'm afraid," she said. "More guests should be arriving any moment and night and day have a few questions of their own for you," she said referring to Robert and Karl. Liz walked over to her husband who was talking to Nathan.
Tara walked over and whispered, "Robert is the weapons expert for the pack. Karl is one of the pack doctors. Be very cautious with them. Only answer the yes and no questions." She glided me over to the brothers.
"Gentlemen," she said getting their attention through she already had it, "this is Fear Rèwolf. She has been told by the alpha to answer only yes and no questions from male council members. Do you understand and agree to his terms?"
"We do," answered Robert. His voice was a smooth almost purr like sound. "I will be asking the questions, Karl is my witness, so you are dismissed," he said to her with a smile.
My girl Tara only smiled back and said, "I am hers."
"In the old council there was never any lip from any woman," Karl said, his voice was rough from many years of alcohol and tobacco. I guess even though they were immortal, they could still suffer from long term usage of harmful substances.
"In the old council many things were backwards," said Tara.
"Yes, they were," agreed Robert before they could get into a battle of the sexes. He turned his attention back to me. He smiled again and said, "Have you ever met a vampire?"
I think his smile was supposed to entrance me. Didn't work though.
"Not to my knowledge," our attention was adverted as Nancy came running in the room toward Chris who was just coming down the stairs.
She had just started whispering something urgent in his ears when he yelled, "Bree did what?!"
Nancy was trying to calm him when Tara ran immediately to them. I turned back to the brothers, "Excuse us," I said before following them to the kitchen. I made eye contact to Liz in an silent attempt for her help with the guests. She nodded as I walked into the hall.
By the time I got to the kitchen Nancy was crying in Nathan's chest, Tara and Chris were reading a note, but all looked up as I entered. Nancy started crying harder immediately and Nathan started glaring at me.
"What happened?" I asked.
"They took Bree," whispered Tara.
"How? When?" I asked.
"We don't know," said Chris who looked back at the note. "They want to trade the dark wolf for the Halfling," he said as he handed the note to me.
My hands shook as I took the paper and read the note out loud, "We have the dark wolf and will kill her unless you exchange the Halfling at midnight tonight."
"We can't trade her," said Tara.
"The hell you say," said Nancy pulling away from Nathan. "Those beasts have my baby," she turned to Chris, "Your sister. Surely you will do anything for her."
"If you would have done as the alpha ordered we would not have been in this situation," said Nathan who was glaring at Chris.
A soft voice from the door said, "This is as it should." we turned to see eight women dressed as Tara was. The one that spoke was dressed in a deep green. She was about five three and her hair was a fire red. "I am Autumn. Tara there is much we must discuss before this night is over."
Tara went immediately to them and led them up the stairs.
"Well, there went my support," I said before slumping in a stool.
I guess Nancy and Nathan had a mental conversation with Chris because they left shortly after.
Chris sat in the stool next to mine. He wrapped his arms around me. "I have this friend," he said in my hair, "who has a problem. You see he has to do what his council recommends, but that may involve giving up his mate and their future or his sister and mother and brother," he stopped and hugged me tighter. "What would you advise him to do?"
"I don't see the problem then," I said. I got up and walked toward the hall where my fate rested in the hands of complete strangers.