Chapter 43
~Derek POV~
"I can't believe how big he's gotten, so fast!"
"I know, he's going to be like his daddy." Aaden's eyes briefly lit up lavender as she glanced over to me, flashing a smile. I stomped the urge to let my fangs grow out, and returned her simple smile.
"Four months old today! Such a big boy!" Jessica cooed to the infant in her arms, stroking his feathery soft cheek. As he usually did for everyone, he flashed her a precious, toothless smile. It lit up his whole face, and once again, the pride must have shown on my face, because Aaden was playfully shaking her head at me.
She amazed me more than she had as a human. She had been learning so quickly; in just four months, there was nothing left for me to teach her. She wasn't aware of my watching eyes, and I smiled when I saw her twisting her ring. I could feel my mother's smile as if she were really here.
It hit me then that even without his teeth, my son had her smile. The way it had lit up her face, the fact that it was genuine…it all appeared in Galen's innocent face. Watching Aaden play with her ring, I realized that she was here, just not physically.
"Alright, alright, Aunt Farren's turn." I turned to look at Farren standing in the doorway. She wore a tight smile, like she had bad news, and it occurred to me that she probably did.
Jessica smiled then and handed Galen to Farren. He stared at her before offering another smile, which brought one to Farren's.
When she handed him back to Aaden to be fed, I rose silently and motioned for her to meet me in the den.
"Why the tight lip?" I asked as soon as the door was shut. I crossed my arms, feeling seriousness seep back into me. "Just more bad news. Bastard's getting persistent. We were supposed to have four allies coming in tonight. That won't be happening." "Son of a bitch," I growled, running frustrated fingers through my hair.
"Derek," she waited until I looked up at her, "the war is here. We can't afford to wait anymore. Aaden has been trained, the baby is here. There's no more room to linger. We have to strategize, and we have to make plans now,because he's not playing around anymore." I sighed, letting my head rest in my hands. "Any other known allies coming in?" "None that we're aware of. We'll warmly welcome any newcomers though. Tonight's count would have been seventy-two." "Sixty-eight people against a King's army. Doesn't that sound fair?" I grumbled.
"It's the best we can do. We didn't even expect to get this far." "We have Aaden. She and I will be your best defense." "Obviously," she smiled wickedly, "Aaden will go ape shit if Galen is endangered. Thought about a plan for him?"
I nodded once. "We spoke with Amy. Aaden trusts her most of all after a few of you. Amy is willing to care for him in our absence." "And should you die?" "…If we die…" I had troubled piecing together those words. "If we die, Amy is to take off with Galen. If you, Spencer, Jared, whoever the hell is left, survives, you make contact, and you raise that baby how we would have. You raise him to fight."
Farren's eyes went misty. If only I could let her taste the anguish I felt. Realizing that I may not come home to my son, that Aaden might not, was a vicious blow.
Aaden startled us both by coming into the room unannounced. "I can feel your stress from two floors up. What's going on?" "Aaden, we can't put off fighting anymore." "Agreed. When do we head out?" Farren's eyes shifted to me.
"We have to make a plan first." "I already have one." Farren's bold statement confused me. "What?" "We need to take out his best players first," she said, not meeting my eyes, "That means Natalie, Kyle, and Peyton. Natalie is thus far the most powerful."
"I've been itching to get my hands on that bitch." Aaden's Luna voice rose slightly, "When do we go?"
"Here's what we'll do…"
~Aaden POV~
"Got it."
I could feel power pulsating throughout my limbs. Derek's powerful emotions completely boosted what I already felt. This is why we were more powerful together.
We were heading out tonight to stake out Natalie. I was ready to take her out. For too long, she'd messed with me. And for too long, I could do nothing about it.
This time, my time, she wouldn't live.
I climbed into the bed, pulling Galen close to nurse while I practiced pulling my fangs in and out, and sharpening my claws.
I melted upon catching Galen watching me, a content look on his face. "One day, you'll have bigger claws and fangs than Mommy," I smiled at him. I retracted my claws for the last time, resting so that I didn't get worn out prematurely.
When the time finally came, I swallowed the urge to cry as I passed my sleeping son to Amy. I knew I'd come home, I was damn determined, but this was the first time since he'd been born that I was legit leaving him. Thank goodness he didn't understand.
We would be gone for two days. I felt anxiety slipping up on me, but was immediately calmed when Derek's strong arm rested around my shoulders. "Two days." "Gonna be a long two days." He agreed, kissing my temple.
"What do we know about her? Any idea what she'll be doing when we get there?" "No, but she won't expect a thing. Since Marcus and Victor are dead, she has no strong protection anymore. All she's got are unwilling pups and vampires." Derek's triumphant grin made me smile. "You were my girl even then." "I can see that now. I was just pissed at the time."
Derek laughed before settling back into the seat. "Derek?" He looked at me. "There's something I have been wanting to ask you about." "Go on." His look became guarded. "I've heard time and time again about some shit with you in Natalie's bedroom. I just want to know: Willing or unwilling?" His look didn't change, but his nostrils flared at the same time his temper spiked. It took him a while before he muttered through clenched teeth, "Unwilling."
"That's all I needed to know." I said, lacing my fingers through his. I would make her death bloody.
That bitch's throat was mine.
**Hey everyone! So, a bit shorter chapter, but we're getting close to the end of the fanfic! That is so crazy for me to say! When I started this story, I never figured it would have gone this far, but here it is! I hope you're all enjoying! R&R! Have a good one!**