I am truly sorry this took so long. So much has been happening since the last time I updated up to now. I'll make it up to you guys by updating for sure in the next 2-3 days. I hope the One Shots did something in the way of keeping you busy. If not, well, I tried. I guess it would be too much to ask at this point but I'd like to see this hit triple digits with reviews since I came close on my last multi chapter story. I could even make that accomplishment a reward and update as soon as I hit the mark. Also, I'm still open to ideas because they might help this progress. Who knows, you may be the one to help me strike inspiration gold and then I'll be writing like I can't stop lol. Again, sorry for the ridiculous wait (cuz I don't like when stories take too long to update, even if they are my own). On with the story! Enjoy!
~Jade~
As Tori would say, thank the Maker we got to stop by that place. It was fun in a strange way. I didn't really like that ass Mason and his mate was just being protective so I couldn't really blame her for anything. As for that bitch Emily, I hated her guts. I wouldn't hesitate to beat her up again the next time she decided it was a good idea to mess with me. The plus side to all that mess was meeting Nathan and Lara. I hoped those two stuck together and Nathan ditches Emily. Even I had to admit he deserved better. Tori and I began to trek deeper into the woods in the direction of our lake. We were making good progress until we both froze at the same time. The sound of quick moving steps had alerted us. We halted, motionless and listening intently. When there were no more sounds we slowly began walking again, if a little hesitant.
"I didn't imagine that, right?" Tori questioned, glancing around in a way that reminded me of an animal on edge. Her shoulders were bunched defensively and her nose was flaring.
"No, I heard it too. Wait, I know that scent," I replied, freezing again to take in a deep breath. She looked at me with furrowed brows but her eyes widened when they flicked over my shoulder.
"Heads up!" she warned me. I instinctively jumped aside and spun around so that I faced the threat. The figure that leaped from cover tackled Tori now that I had dodged the attack. The scent as well as the familiar build told me exactly who it was. Beck briefly held Tori down but she quickly tossed him aside with a vicious snarl.
"Beck, what the fuck?" I growled, striding over to him. He picked himself up and shot a glare at me before I shoved him on his ass.
"Jade, please reconsider. I don't want you getting hurt; especially since I'm ordered to bring him Tori," he begged me with a sad pitiful expression that would have had me giving in had it been the past. All it did now was annoy me.
"Who? And are you out of your mind? Beck, get over it!" I yelled, my hands balling into fists I wanted to use on him. He stood and gripped my arms in his wide hands.
"But when she's gone you'll need me to take care of you," he told me desperately.
"What?" Tori asked, walking over to us. Her eyes flashed angrily with a yellow tint to the normally soft brown. Her teeth were sharp and her hands curled into claws. It was the most on edge I had ever seen Tori.
"Good work, Beckett. I'll take it from here," a condescending, yet highly courteous voice spoke from behind us. A very well dressed purebred vampire appeared from the surrounding trees with Mason following next to him. Tori sucked in a surprised breath of recognition next to me. I couldn't properly dwell on what that meant so I dismissed it to stay focused. I tensed, my teeth grinding while I glared daggers at Mason. The vibes I got from him were proven true. What a fucking lap dog.
"I bet Sabine has no idea you're in league with overthrowing your own Council," Tori accused with narrowed eyes and her teeth bared.
"Overthrow the Council? Is this what this is all about?" I questioned in confusion. I thought of the text Tori had sent, something she talked with Trina about. Tori had told me Trina was in charge of records. She would know of something like this happening in the past. Was this what she was talking about?
"Tori, what's going on?" I demanded, finally questioning her. Tori shifted uncomfortably before facing me.
"I was going to tell you what Trina and I suspected but I didn't want to ruin our time out by telling you now so I had planned to tell you another time. Trina and I think someone set up the attack on you to distract the Council while the group in question could infiltrate it and overthrow my father. I didn't know who it was but I knew Beck had to be a part of it. I needed proof first to accuse him and I guess I have it now," Tori explained, glancing at Beck hatefully after her explanation.
"Bravo young one. You figured it all out. But the real question is, can you get back to your father to warn him?" the mysterious vampire questioned. Tori crouched into an offensive position and growled threateningly.
"You wanna pick a fight then let's go," I taunted, following her example. Mason grinned and stepped forward.
"I'll fight this feisty vamp master," he volunteered, eager to pick up where we left off. Beck circled around to stand by the vampire's left side. His eyes were locked on Tori. I doubted he would be able to do any lasting damage to any of us. I found myself worrying about them both when the gravity of the situation hit me. Beck was misguided and hopeful that this traitor would be able to help him get me back. I was sure that included killing Tori, and if that was the case, Beck would be the one to be taken out. I frowned at the thought but I couldn't see it any other way. Tori had a higher place in my heart than him. The best I could hope for was that he would be able to escape before he got himself killed.
"Mason, go forward. Remember, Sabine will never know," the vampire encouraged. He grinned, letting out a howl as he shifted in a blink of an eye. He was eager to get in another fight.
"Beck, go," the vampire ordered next. Beck began advancing on Tori, his dark brown eyes hard and set on my Bond mate. I shifted toward them, but when Mason snapped at me, I had to return my attention to him. I managed to exchange a worried gaze with Tori who was clearly at odds with fighting Beck as well. I knew she felt the same way I did though. The protection of a Bond mate came first above all.
"Happy fighting," the vampire behind the whole scheme addressed us with a bow. He began to turn away but I snarled and darted forward to try and stop him. He blurred over to me faster than I could get to him and had me by the neck in an instant.
"A temperamental newborn like yourself could never match Tanner St. Claire," he stated confidently.
"You traitor," Tori accused. His smug grin grew as he lowered me back to the ground so I could at least stand. My hands gripped his arm, trying to free myself, but his hold was firm.
"Mason, she's all yours," he said, dragging me closer to the big wolf towering over us both. Tanner flung me at him, and Mason surged forward to latch his teeth into my stomach. Tanner blurred into the trees soon after. I hissed in pain and struck for Mason's eyes. He reflexively released me and I put distance between us as fast as I could. I backed away to stand by Tori who roared furiously as her body burst into her own wolf form. I caught Beck taking a few steps back in surprise, making me smirk. Tori slunk around me on all fours to face Mason. I turned to face Beck.
"Let's level the playing field," I suggested. Tori growled in agreement next to me. Beck shrugged and crouched, a deadly look in his eyes. I never thought I would be facing Beck like this, but here I was. I threw away all my insecurities and returned the deadly intentions. I might have been close to Beck at one point but threatening my mate drew the line. Almost at the same time, Beck and Mason lunged. I saw Tori collide with Mason out of the corner of my eye before I jumped at Beck. We locked hands, both of us having gone for the throat but meeting each other halfway instead. We stood straining against each other, Beck slowly crumbling under my naturally superior strength.
"Beck, don't do this," I warned him, gritting my teeth angrily. He grunted as I tried to upset his balance but he held steady after a slight stumble.
"If I can't have you Jade, no one can. Besides that, I agree that vampires should have just as good a chance at being leader of the Council as wolves. It isn't right! Yes, I planned for you to be changed but it was supposed to help you; make you see the error of the wolves' ways. Instead, you fall in love with one! The daughter of the very man we hope to dethrone," he stated bitterly. He was delusional. I tightened my grip on his hands, a muscle in his jaw jumping as indicator I was hurting him.
"Beck, the wolves aren't oppressing anyone! They brainwashed you! You aren't seeing things clearly! For fuck's sake I was already bonded to Tori before you even changed me! How could you think you would win me if you killed her? The only thing that would happen is happening now. Can't you see that?" I demanded. He shook his head forcefully and roared. He shoved me back and then slammed into me, throwing us both to the ground. We struggled against each other's hold. I knew I was hesitant to hurt him still. As wrong as I knew his choices were I couldn't yet bring myself to harm him.
"Beck, please!" I pleaded one last time. I forced him off me and pinned him to the ground. He sunk his teeth in my arm and I pulled away, the action opening me up to releasing him. He disengaged and swung, his claws tearing across my shoulder as I jumped away. A cry of pain and a whimper made me look over at Tori. Both wolves had blood slicked through their fur. Some of it came directly from open wounds while most of it was just from the other's injuries. Tori, however, was limping badly. Mason was easily bigger than her, and stronger. Her agility and smaller frame allowed her better movement but it seemed she took a heavy hit. Beck took advantage of my vulnerability and pounced. His teeth found my neck, locking into my flesh and tearing. He pinned me to the ground just as Mason slammed Tori into a tree. It cracked and fell over but I didn't miss the resounding crack that came from Tori's body as well. She didn't get back up. Mason howled into the still air, triumphant.
"We won, Jade. Just let her go and come with me. I don't want him turning on you if you continue to fight us," Beck begged, but I wasn't listening. Everything seemed to be unimportant compared to the injured wolf lying across the grass. Nothing mattered any more as I felt my rational mind slip away. Intense fury burned in me and I let it take over. My vision shifted into sharp focus and I locked my gaze on Beck who flinched at the very look I shot him. A feral snarl tore from my lips as I gripped Beck by the throat, easily subduing him. He tried to get out of my grasp but my sharp claws had already torn into him. I went for his neck first with my own teeth and then struck his stomach, my nails tearing into him effortlessly. I had him on his back the next second and gripped his arm in my hands, ready to tear off the first limb when a huge force hit me.
Mason had a hold of me, I realized through my rage. He tossed me on the ground but I was already up and on him. I slammed into him forcefully, sending him careening into a tree behind him. It promptly splintered and fell over, leaving a jagged edge to the bottom half still standing. Without hesitating I dug my claws in Mason's chest, hauled him from the base of the tree and impaled his body on the remains of the wide tree trunk. He whimpered and tried to tear at me but I only pushed harder. His claws locked on my shoulders but the last shove made him go deathly still, his claws sliding off harmlessly. I turned my attention back to Beck but found that he was already gone, the coward. I rushed to Tori, panic rising quickly. She was breathing heavily and every exhale brought out a whistling whine. The uncontrollable rage leaked out of me at the sight of her torn form.
"Tori," I called to her, kneeling next to her so I could run a hand over her head. She opened her eyes and pain translated through the half lidded gaze.
"Fuck," I cursed, looking around at the injuries that weren't healing fast enough. What was wrong? Why wasn't she healing?
"Tori, you need to change back and talk to me. Where can I take you?" I questioned, a painful knot forming in my stomach from worry. She shuddered before her body resumed its human form. She looked worse than before. Her fur wasn't covering the damage now.
"It hurts so much, Jade," she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut when a painful shiver made her flinch. Her body was constantly trembling now.
"Careful, don't push yourself. Just tell me what I can do," I pleaded with her frantically, holding a hand on her shoulder to keep her immobile.
"My mother…" she forced out. I nodded and gently gathered her in my arms. She groaned and pressed her face into my shoulder.
"Tori, what did he do?" I questioned, feeling like something more than the visible injuries were hurting her.
"He had silver," she muttered into me, refusing to put space between us. It seemed to comfort her the closer we were.
"What? How did he do that without hurting himself?" I asked her incredulously. She shuddered again, more violently than before. Her hazy eyes found mine with some trouble focusing. The usually bright and clear brown were glassy. She was sweating profusely now and having trouble breathing.
"I don't know, but he had his claws coated in it somehow. When he attacked I could feel it burning my skin and crippling me. I knew I couldn't win once I realized what it was. He would have killed me if-" she tried to explain but I silenced her softly. I didn't want to hear anything that had to do with Tori dying. I was more than happy to have killed the bastard responsible, but Beck got away, and Sabine would surely be after me when she found out what I had done, but I ignored the side effects and focused on Tori.
"Not yet. I'll get you help. He hasn't won anything. Just try to relax and tell me where I need to go," I replied. I listened to her instructions carefully as I began a fast paced stride towards town. I was on auto pilot, determined to get Tori the help she needed with nothing else in mind. Not even the slowly rising sun would put me off at this point. I broke into a run after Tori fell unconscious. She almost didn't get all the information out in time before her body succumbed to the poisonous silver. It turned out the hospital her mother specialized at was in a separate but distinct building right next to the human's hospital. How they managed to do that I had no clue but upon stepping foot in the general vicinity nurses surrounded me in seconds. Vampires, I had sensed. They hurled questions at me all at once while others had a stretcher ready. I set Tori down and growled.
"Hey, shut up and let me answer!" I demanded. They fell silent with offended frowns but I didn't care. My mate was in danger and I had to act fast.
"She's been poisoned with silver," I told them. At the mention of silver they raced Tori inside, shouting orders. I instantly ran to catch up.
"Are you a family member?" a nurse who fell into step with me asked.
"I'm her Bond mate," I corrected tersely.
"Even better," the nurse commented. She made a note on her clipboard before grabbing my arm and bringing me to a stop which made me nearly lash out in frustration. Tori disappeared behind double doors and I lost sight of her. I moved to shove the nurse away when she steadied me with a firm grip on my upper arms.
"Jade, stop struggling please," she commanded firmly. I froze, not because she said so, but because she knew my name.
"What?" I questioned.
"We know who you are and we know Tori. We've known her since she was a newborn pup. We keep close tabs on her at all times seeing how she's our leader, as well as head doctor's, daughter. Therefore, anything or anyone that's associated with Tori we also know. We know you are her Bond mate," she explained. I only grew more frustrated at hearing this.
"Then why the hell did you ask? Shouldn't I be allowed to be with her?" I demanded, my nails digging into my hand, trying to restrain myself from any violent outbursts. I couldn't explain the wary and unfocused thoughts my brain sent out but the nurse seemed to because she calmly shook her head.
"I was told you were a human, not a vampire, so I asked to make sure, but you're clearly Marked if my senses are correct," she observed. I gave her a hard glare and a growl, my patience waning.
"As for seeing Tori, I can't allow that. The doctor needs room to do what needs to be done and you need to feed. It isn't helping your thinking process and your acting on primal instinct more than reason. We'll have you checked in as well," she went on. She led me through the double doors on the other side of the room with a small amount of force. The crazy need to fight anyone I came in contact with grew. It must be due to the combination of panic and hunger festering inside me at the moment. I really hoped Tori would pull through or I was afraid I was going to lose the last tether of control I had left.