AN: Enjoy this chapter! Happy Reading! :)

Chapter 14

SPOV

I wake between my vampires and my hands are automatically trailing over their pale, cool arms, a fond smile crossed over my face as I remember last night's joining. I never thought I'd fall head over heels for any man, let alone two, but I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing between us.

Mine and Eric's relationship developed naturally enough, but Godric is a whole different story. Logically, I know I've only known him for a couple days, but given this profound connection between the two of us, this just feels right, like it's meant to be and I suppose in a way, it really is. I can't help wondering what our shared lives might have been like in my previously incarnated body and I'm really hoping Godric will be able to enlighten me to more, only having seen glimpses in my dreams.

I sit up then, looking to the bedside clock to realize I'm soon due at Alcide's for the pre-challenge cookout. Damn vamp hours, ugh, I used to be a morning person. Oh, well, guess I might as well get used to it. I have to squirm between the heavy bodies of my lover before I'm able to crawl from the large bed. I scoop up my overnight bag and slip into the adjoined bath to ready myself for the evening.

I step inside Eric's massive shower and let out a soft sigh as the heated water washes over me, washing away the dirt of the previous day. As I wash, I ponder over Amelia's spell and wonder when I may hear back from her. God, I really hope she has something ready for us soon. The guys may not be upset with me about my little magical mishap, but I still feel awful knowing I'm the one to blame for Godric's current, memory-less state.

I step from the shower and am soon dressed and readied for the night before my face pinches in puzzlement. What the hell? I feel an icy panic running through me just before the bathroom door flies open beside me.

"My beloved," Godric sighs out, stepping up to pull me into his comforting embrace. "Your missing presence upon my rising troubled me greatly," he admits against the skin of my throat as I shake my head at him. Overprotective vampire.

"I was right here, Godric, I just had to get ready for work," I explain, feeling yet another spike of panic run through me as my soulmate shakes his head vehemently, apparently not liking the sound of this at all.

"You wish to leave my side?" he questions as Eric enters the room, looking between the two of us in concern.

"Godric, I have to work," I explain, looking to the Viking for help as Godric's anxiety is rising ever higher. If I thought it possible to bring him along, I likely would, but given the tense relations between weres and vamps, I couldn't risk taking him with me, at least not in his current state. "I promise to make this as quick as possible and I'll return here just as soon as I can," I assure him as he continues to shake his head, completely undeterred.

"Master," Eric says softly, reaching out to place his hand upon Godric's shoulder. "Our lover is quite adept and given the strong bonds we both share with her, we will sense directly if she comes into any form of danger," he explains as Godric looks to me, worry shining in his emerald eyes.

"I'll be alright, Godric, I promise," I assure him before he lets out a defeated sigh, nodding lightly.

"Be cautious, my love, and return to us promptly," Godric beseeches, pulling me into yet another tight embrace that seems to ease his worries marginally. I wrap my arms around him, meeting Eric's anxious gaze as he eyes his Maker warily.

"I'll ask Pam to open the bar tonight, Lover," he informs me and I have to agree with his plan as having Godric in such an environment could prove problematic. "I had her drop off your car for you last night so you can return to us when you are finished."

"Thanks, Eric," I tell him, approaching to hug him tightly before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

"Who is Pam?" Godric questions curiously, making my heart pinch in pain. Damn, we really need to get him back to himself. I feel Eric's own concern and he nods to me, apparently agreeing with my inner musings before I leave the two of them to their discussion.

On my way to the car, my flesh is already tingling, begging to be reunited with my counterpart and I pull out my cell, dialing up my witchy bestie in hopes of keeping me somewhat distracted from my inner yearnings before starting the drive to Shreveport.

"Yo, Sook," she answers promptly as I pull the car from the drive.

"Hey, Ames, I was just wondering how that spell was coming along," I inform her, hoping we won't be kept waiting too long.

"Uh, yeah, I picked up all the stuff and got it made up already. I was actually planning on swinging by in the morning to drop it off for ya," she informs me as I let out a sigh of relief. Thank God. "But, while I've got you on the phone, I thought I should let you know a pretty nasty coven has shown up in town. Apparently, they're, like crazy powerful, using V to enhance their magics and they've got the local witches pretty spooked," she says as my brows rise in shock.

"That doesn't sound good at all. Isn't there some way to run them off, like with a spell or something?" I question, hearing her sigh loudly through the speaker.

"If I could convince the others to join up with me and fight, sure, but these bitches have the locals just about pissing themselves, threatening their livelihoods and worse if they don't align with them. They're not fucking around, Sook," she explains as an icy chill runs through me.

"Ames, you're not gonna try anything alone are you?" I question nervously as she chokes out a laugh.

"I'm not that dense, but we really do need to come up with a way to run these bitches out of town," she answers and I feel at least somewhat better knowing she won't be running off, halfcocked, against what sounds like a pretty intimidating coven.

"Yeah, I'll talk with Eric tonight to see what we can come up with and you and I can discuss it more when you swing by the house tomorrow," I inform her, wondering how Eric will take this bit of news, especially given his Maker's current state.

"Alright, sounds perfect, good luck tonight, and tell that hunky werewolf I said hi," she says before the line goes dead, bringing a snort of amusement from me as I pull before Alcide's house. Wow, this place is packed with numerous vehicles lining the streets and it takes me a minute to find a spot before I begin heading towards the backyard, following the delicious smell of barbeque.

"Hey, Sookie!" the Alfa calls out, waving a set of tongs in the air as he stands before the smoking grill.

"Hey, Alcide," I greet, walking up to meet him. He puts his arm around my shoulder before leaning down to my ear.

"All the competitors are here tonight, so if you wouldn't mind just taking a peek, I'd feel better knowing their thoughts in a casual situation like this," he whispers softly as I nod my understanding. I lower my shields then, carefully picking out what I can detect are female, were minds and am left frowning as I cross my arms across my chest.

"You are not thinking about letting Debbie compete," I hiss out as he hits me with green, puppy dog eyes.

"She's clean now, Sookie, she swears it this time and I just couldn't tell her she was out of the competition," he explains as I let out a loud sigh, shaking my head at him. Some men, they just never learn. This bitch has run his heart through a freaking wood chipper, cheating on him, using drugs and all together treating him like absolute shit. He deserves so much better than that.

"Sookie," is spit out then and I turn to face the aforementioned devil herself, Debbie freaking Pelt, ugh. "I didn't realize you would be here tonight," she adds, curling her lip distastefully as I force a fake smile whilst biting back the word vomit sitting at the tip of my tongue. God, this bitch really has it in for me and I've literally done nothing to deserve her ire.

"Debbie, what a pleasant surprise," I lie through my teeth, through my forced smile. "Alcide was just telling me you'll be joining the fights tomorrow night," I throw out, picking through her thoughts to see just what she's up to, because I don't believe for even one second she's in this for anyone but herself.

"Alcide, I really don't see why you insist on her being at all our meetings," she purrs, rubbing herself against the Alpha provocatively. "I mean, it's not as if she's pack," she spits out, hitting me with a hard glare. I just roll my eyes at her, having heard this little spiel of hers many times before.

"Debbie, you know Sookie's input is vital to the running of this pack," he explains softly, showing the rude were way too much kindness as per usual. "She's proved this time and time again."

"Yeah, well, once I'm Lupa, I'm putting an end to this little 'arrangement' between the two of you," she sneers before marching off, looking back with a parting scowl. She seems so sure there's something going on between Alcide and I and for the life of me, I can't understand why, we're just friends and will never be anything more.

"Sorry, Sookie, I really do appreciate all you do for the pack," Alcide insists, giving me a kind smile as he begins loading up a platter with a pile of ribs. "But could you tell if she's really off the V?" he questions softly as I shrug to him, letting out a sigh of defeat.

"For now, yeah," I assure him as he nods firmly. "But you should know, I also caught from her the only reason she's even competing in this thing is to ensure you don't end up with anyone else, Alcide. Her motivations are completely selfish and you know it," I challenge, knowing exactly what he's thinking as he hits me with a wary gaze.

"She held my heart for a long time, Sookie," he sighs out. "It's hard to put a damper on a love like that," he explains softly as my heart aches for my friend.

"I know, Alcide," I tell him, placing my hand upon his broad shoulder, following along as he carries the tray to the packed line of picnic tables. "I just don't want to see you get hurt again. After all, that's why you asked me here tonight, right?" I remind him as he nods firmly, placing the steaming meat upon the crowded table before pulling me into a tight hug.

"You're a good friend, Sookie. Thanks for looking out for me," he tells me as I catch Debbie's murderous gaze across the way. Oh, shit. I pull from our hug, giving my friend a small smile as my heart beats rapidly, watching the irate were fix her hard glare upon me.

"I'll, uh, just listen in during dinner then," I inform him before turning away to find an open spot among the rowdy crowd, trying to put just as much distance between me and Alcide's crazy ex as possible.

I soon find a spot and smile at the surrounding, familiar faces before the lot of us are working to pile up our plates; all the while I'm keeping careful attention to the surrounding female's thoughts that are unsurprisingly fixated on tomorrow night's challenges.

By the end of the meal, I'm convinced Alcide should just stay single the rest of his life, having heard nothing but selfish, arrogant thoughts from the surrounding weres. That, or they're just fixated on getting him in bed, which, yeah, he's a great looking guy, but that's shouldn't be your sole motivation in looking for a life mate. Ugh.

"Oh, hey, you must be Sookie," sounds behind me then as I turn to take in the kind, smiling face of what must be a new, female pack member. "I'm Maria-Star, the pack speaks pretty highly of you," she greets, holding out her lightly tanned hand to me.

"Sookie Stackhouse, pack consultant," I introduce, standing to join her before shaking her hand. I begin probing through her thoughts and a knowing smile stretches over my face. Bingo. "It's very nice to meet you, Maria-Star, I'm looking forward to watching you compete tomorrow night," I inform her as she glances over at Alcide, a slight blush crawling up her tanned cheeks before her curly, dark hair falls before her face coyly.

"You really think I have a chance?" she questions softly as I nod to her, feeling so much better about this whole ordeal after meeting this sweet woman.

"I really do," I tell her. "I'll be rooting for you, Maria-Star, the pack could really use a Lupa like you," I inform her as a wide grin stretches over her face, her dark eyes sparkling in the soft light of the yard torches.

"Thanks, Sookie, I'll see you tomorrow then?" she questions as I nod firmly before Alcide is joining us. He raises a questioning brow at me and I smirk, seeing Maria-Star's besotted gaze as she stares up at the Alpha werewolf. Too cute.

"Sure thing," I tell her before she turns away, stealing one, last glace at the oblivious packleader.

"Walk you to your car?" he offers, holding his muscled arm to me. I put my shields back in place before taking hold, letting him guide me through the winding maze of vehicles. "So, what's the verdict? Did you find my 'Mrs. Right'?" he questions with a smirk as I grin up at him.

"Actually, I think I very well may have," I inform him as he raises an incredulous brow at me. "Maria-Star, you know her well?" I question, lowering my shields to get an idea of his impression of the kindhearted, female were.

"She's pretty new to the pack," he starts thoughtfully and I'm reading from his thoughts that there's certainly some attraction there. "Why, you think she'd make for a decent Lupa?" he questions as I shrug dismissively, raising my shields once more.

"Well, I think so, but I suppose it'll ultimately come down to whoever wins the fights," I answer with a small frown; hoping the sweet, female were is a decent fighter.

"Yeah, you're right about that," he sighs out, opening up my car door for me. "But, it's tradition," he adds with a shrug before hugging me tightly. "Thanks for tonight and at least now I'll know who to be rooting for during the challenges," he adds with a bright grin as I nod my agreement.

"See you tomorrow, Alcide, and don't worry, fate has a funny way of bringing the right people together," I assure him, a fond smile coming to my lips as the faces of my vampires float to the forefront of my mind. A thoughtful smile comes to Alcide's face before he closes my door for me and I proceed to pull away from the house, heading back towards my own fated pair.