Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 60 - Regrets.
Maggie's POV, A few days later.
I didn't know how to approach her or even how to really talk to her. She's been avoiding me like the plague and I wasn't happy to say the least. Nor was I mad at her. I was just sad and depressed that nothing seemed right between us. I stood outside her bedroom door and just contemplated knocking. With my hand about to reach up, I widened my eyes when her voice appeared behind me asking.
"What are you doing?"
Jumping out of my skin and turning around to face her, I replied nervously.
"Ah! Sam! Holy crap, you scared me."
Her face showed her feelings towards me very well. She wasn't even giving me emotion as she had a few pieces of clothing wrapped around her arm. Looking now at her curiously. I replied to her question.
"I was just gonna check up on you and see if you needed anything. What are you up to with those?"
The clothes appeared to be an M.E.A.F training uniform. Walking by me to open her bedroom door, she replied.
"I was told I can't really go outside to train unless I was in uniform. So I got some clothes from the quartermaster."
"You're gonna train? Can I….can I join you? You need a chaperone anyway."
I followed her slowly into her room. Not looking back at me as she laid out the clothes, she replied back calmly.
"Sure, but don't get in my way. I'm not trying to be distracted."
"I won't. I swear." I informed her as she now looked back at me to ask.
"Can you please leave? I need to change."
"Of course. I'm sorry. I'll just wait out here for you."
"Thanks." She replied back as I stepped back out into the hallway and shut the door. When the door closed, I was left feeling worthless. Why does she treat me like this?
It took a few minutes, but when she came back out she made me drop my jaw. The uniform fit her body perfectly, but somehow she made it look amazing. It was also the first time I saw her outside of her jacket and her normal clothes and my eyes caught onto her arm where there was a tattoo of some kind. I couldn't see the whole thing due to part of the shirt covering it, but regardless she was the only female I've seen in the M.E.A.F to make the training uniform look hot. It also just showed me how massive she was in scale. She was bigger than me now and in a way I felt insecure. I was always her big sister.
"Wow." I exhaled as she was busy putting in some wireless earbuds. Strapping her phone onto her bicep with the help of a sleeve, I watched in awe as she put on some music and began to zone out.
"You look amazing. I never thought I'd see you in a uniform." I then told her as she was quick to ask me.
"You ready?" I wasn't even sure if she heard me over her music, so I just gave her a quick nod and led the way towards the main entrance of the capital. The whole time we walked I could see everyone staring at her. Sam either didn't notice or she just didn't care, but for a wolf like her she was making jaws drop. Jesus the men on the field will drop dead once we get out there. I thought to myself as we walked downstairs and stopped by the entrance guard detail who asked me while trying not to eyeball Sam.
"Ahh…going outside?"
"To train, yeah." I replied as I looked at Sam to see her booping her head up and down to whatever it was she was listening to. Looking back at the man in front of me, I informed him of the situation.
"We have clearance. She's a VIP and she has me with her."
"We figured. Train safe. He said back as we were allowed to pass. With Sam now going out in front of me, I heard one of the men behind us whistle at her. I made sure to ignore it as we were soon baking with the sun up high above us.
Sam's POV.
I was zoned out now that I was finally going to train. Maggie was close behind me as I walked onto the training field to begin looking around for what to do first. Figured first I'd get a small run in around the track. Maggie was probably gonna ask what I planned to do so she could follow along, but I just ignored her and made my way to the track to start jogging.
Plenty of soldiers were out here doing the same thing I was, but unlike them I was my own unit. I didn't plan to follow anyone's lead. I just got going and focused on my music.
On autopilot now, I took in the troops around me. Had to be at least two hundred people out here. You could tell just from looking around who was actually a soldier and who was just trying to stay in shape. Only other people that stood out were Zandro's men who wore slightly different patches. They were sticking to the shooting range it seemed.
"Lot's of eyes." Lia whispered inside my head as we had agreed to be together until I decided to go back home to my family who was currently stuck in Moscow. This was good because this gave me and the goddess time to hang out. She was dangerous, but she was genuine and I loved that about her. After mediation she was honestly a great person to talk to. We had a lot in common.
"Mortals are easy prey for you Samantha." Lia chuckled as she was referring to my sexual attraction.
Making my first lap, I replied.
"It was the same before I met Roslin. I was just never really paying attention to anyone other than Teddy. What about you? You attract the same attention. I saw how people were looking at you back when we met at the mall."
Sounding somewhat flustered, Lia chuckled nervously.
"To be honest I'm a nervous wreck when it comes to anything involving romance. Even though I'm a god I still prefer when someone else takes charge. Otherwise I'm gonna hide, you know?"
"What happened with you and Roslin? You told me you two got…..personal once. Did he take the lead?" I then asked her as I looked back to see Maggie stretching back at the beginning of the track. I guess she planned to join me now.
"Roslin acts tough and pretends to not be interested, but given enough signals he'll act on his own. Last time we were together we had a pretty good date. It was my first visit to this realm so I didn't know what to think about mortals, but he took me to some place that served raw fish. It was surprisingly good."
I let out a physical laugh now which got her to question.
"What?"
"He took you, a goddess, out for sushi? For your first visit to our realm? God he's special."
Chuckling back, Lia replied.
"He is indeed special. He's very good at what he does, but Anubis wouldn't have chosen him to take over if he wasn't. Being from the realm, Roslin claimed he knew what a woman like me would be into and he was right. Would love to try that…..what did you call it?"
"Sushi." I said back to her as I again made a lap, but this time had Maggie running as well. She kept a few meters back, but stayed in pace as Lia went on to admit.
"He was also pretty good as a mate. Something about him seeming so tough on the outside makes sex so much nicer once you get down to his soft interior." Curious, I asked her back.
"Are there any rules against that?"
"No. We're from separate realms so I could be with him if I wanted to. Gods can be with whatever gods they want. Only rule is applied to breeding. I know from your memories the times you and him have fucked. Your body wants to sire his children, but regardless of your body, it is against the rules to have his children."
"Why though?" I then asked her as I looked over my shoulder to glare at Maggie.
"Simply because a god can't make their offspring a demi to continue their line of work. They'd still have to go find someone suitable and for the job at hand that person needs to be special. Cold and emotionless. Just like you when you're not hiding it. Realms need someone evil to run them. Someone who wants to do the job. Someone who enjoys the job. Kids are naturally happy and hopeful and typically don't grow up wanting to kill people for fun. Culling the herd isn't their concern and a realm strictly needs to have an even amount of power revolving around it. Too many godly beings can end a realm completely. Any kids would have your combined gifts. That's why there can only be two. A god and his or her demi. Breeding is a choice. You get knocked up by him and you'd have to be prepared to maintain the rules. It's not a choice then. The kids must die."
"What if it was a mortal who gave me a baby?" I then wondered as I was now on my fourth lap after that long explanation.
"Same rules apply except now the mortal must die as well. Can't have any emotional connections left when the torch is passed. You must restart fresh."
My thoughts went to Jari because to be honest he might be the only man besides Roslin I'd sleep with willingly. Sensing my concerns, Lia said to me happily.
"You could still have kids if you wanted. It would just have to be with another god outside of this realm. The only thing preventing you from meeting anyone outside of here is your father and Marcus. You won't gain leave of this realm until they have been killed and Roslin has passed you the torch. Then and only then could you take a break and see beyond this existence and trust me, you haven't seen anything yet."
Slowly I got back to focusing on my running and my music. Lia went silent from within as I decided to pick up the pace a little just to gain some space from Maggie who had been getting closer this whole time.
She knew I didn't want her near me. I made that clear to her on day one. Just to upset her some more, I planned to beat her in endurance. She'd start to question herself if all the sudden "little" Samantha was stronger and faster then her. I couldn't go all out just because I had to seem normal. I start moving at an ungodly pace or display strength stronger than bears and I'll have too much attention and with my parents coming back today; I had to play safe. Or safeish. I thought to myself as I just ran.
I wasn't going to stop until she was behind me panting.
Maggie's POV, Twenty minutes later.
I was dying. My legs were on fire trying to keep up with her. She was basically running at this point and I was good for ten or so laps of that, but it's gone on another twenty and I was running on empty as she seemed perfectly in form and somehow not breathing from her mouth. She was just jamming out to whatever she was listening to and that made me question how she had all this energy.
Nearly tripping over my own feet, I stumbled and came to a halt.
"Holy crap!" I exhaled as I looked up to watch the younger wolf keep going, but when she came back around she saw me stopped; looking at her in confusion. Slowly coming to a stop she asked me curiously.
"You good?"
Not wanting to seem out of shape, I replied to her confidently.
"No, I'm good. I just almost tripped though."
She began to laugh at me and I stared at her in disbelief as she backed away to inform me happily.
"Well take a breather then if you have to, but I'm feeling up for some upper body. See you at the bar?"
She was fucking with me right? Ain't no way she was this cocky. The way she said all of that made me feel inferior and like this was some kind of challenge she was putting me into by pissing me off. Regardless of my answer though she had already given me her back and began to now walk her way off the track. I caught my breath shortly after and decided to jog my way up to her left side as we were on track for the benches where most of the men were at for the moment.
Tapping her arm, Sam took out an earbud to ask me.
"What?"
"What are we doing now?" I asked her back as she put the earbud back in to reply.
"Pull ups. My warmup before lifting any serious weight."
"Okay? Do whatever you want."
She was annoying me. I felt like she was intentionally being disrespectful and trying to make me feel like shit. With Sam and I getting mixed into the crowds of men lifting and spotting their buddies, I got tapped on my back by one of them. Stopping to see it was my friend Craven from one of the recon teams, I was asked by him and his friends.
"Who's she with? You?" Nodding my head I replied.
"Yeah."
With Sam finding a bar to use in no time at all, we all stared as Craven then asked.
"Who is she?"
"Commander Voltz's daughter."
"What? She's fucking jacked. She's the same size as Keith." Craven claimed which got me to follow his hand until my eyes had spotted a wolf around my age. He was six foot four and full grown yet Sam was just as big as him. Her arms were just so perfect in figure as she flexed her muscles when taking the bar. I widened my eyes and looked back at Sam as she started.
"Must run in the family, god damn." One of Craven's buddies chuckled as we weren't the only ones getting a good look at her in action.
Sam was never the physical type and never once had I seen her do even a single pull up. Her form and her ability to remain perfectly steady during each rep was breaking what I thought a good pull up counted for. She wasn't missing a single one and they were real pull ups. She was going all the way down and back up to hold her chin. She was pumping them out like they were nothing with her eyes closed. After twenty reps Craven whistled out proudly.
"That's what I'm talking about! Keep going!"
He was trying to get the other guys excited and soon enough everyone was watching as Sam kept up while seemingly ignoring the chants for her to keep going. I was at a loss when she got to thirty. I could only do twenty five on a good day and that was nearly second place on the capital's leaderboard for female wolves my age. I don't think anyone has done as many as this. Not for our species at least, but at the rate she was going she would be making all the other species look bad.
The commotion was getting the attention of some of the officers and to my surprise they were even watching my sister. Where was dad when I needed him? My thoughts went to him as Sam made it to around sixty before slowing herself to a halt at the top of the bar. Her eyes reopened to see the crowd she had drawn and the chants got louder as she lowered her feet down to the canvas.
"Ahahah! You fucking beast!" Craven screamed at her as him and the rest of the men ran at her to shower her in even more praise. Sam looked surprised at first, but once she took out her earbuds she had begun to laugh and share a bright burst of energy with my friend Craven. They were hyping her up to no end and now she was trying to hype them right back. I didn't know what to think of it as one of the officers came down to get in the middle of the group.
"Break it up!" He ordered with a smile as they began to go back to their benches.
"What's your name? I'm Lieutenant Crader. Head of the first force recon division."
"Samantha Voltz sir. Pleasure to meet you. Thank you for your service" She replied with a smile and an extension of her hand. I remained where I was in awe of her now completely different mood. Where the fuck was this when it came to me?
"No way. You're the Commander's first born? You used to be salt and pepper right?" He was referring to her coat of fur and that's when Sam started to laugh while admitting.
"Yes sir. You have a great memory. When did we meet?" She asked as I approached the conversation.
"Oh, a long time ago. You were a kid back then. Maybe twelve or so. You used to be a lot smaller too." Again Sam laughed with him and replied back nicely.
"When I moved to the states about a year ago I really got into bodybuilding and just bulking up in the healthiest way possible. I agree with you though, I was a lot smaller back then. But I got some good trainers and put in the effort to get here."
"You're as big as Keith." Crader chuckled which got Craven to shout.
"Said the same thing Lt!"
"You come back to join the army? After that display you clearly have the strength." Crader informed her as me and Sam both replied back.
"Those were just pullups."
"Record for women of your species is thirty four. You just did sixty two." Crader informed my sister who widened her eyes and questioned.
"What? Really? I wasn't really keeping count."
"Yeah! I think you might have actually beaten most other species in fact. I'd have to check the charts, but I think fifty three was the highest from one of the smaller groups of trainees." Charder was starting to sound more like a fan than an officer at this point to me, but my whole mood shifted when Sam had the balls to mutter under a baited breath.
"Damn. People struggle around here."
I took that comment to heart and ordered her with a stern poke at her arm.
"Shut up, you smartass. You haven't even lifted anything heavier than yourself."
Crader sensed my anger as Sam gave me a sinister smile to wonder aloud.
"Did I offend you? Sorry sis. I just thought you would have set the bar higher than that being as strong as you look."
Grabbing her by the frame and pushing her at a nearby bench, I growled back.
"Shut up and just get a move on. God. Sorry Lieutenant." I whimpered back now at the man who was fully aware of how disrespectful Sam was being towards me after that comment. She was aiming at me with those kinds of statements and I wasn't going to have it. However it didn't help that even the Lieutenant enjoyed the smack talk going on. All these men got off on what they call "friendly banter" between equals, but Sam wasn't my equal. She was just being a bitch.
Taking a bench for herself, I watched as she began to load some weights onto the bar. As I continued to watch, so did the same amount of men who were just hyping her up. My eyes widened when she kept loading weight onto the bar that was well past her limit. She stopped at around three hundred and fifty and that's when Craven asked my sister cautiously.
"You need a spot Sammy?" As she got down on the bench and laid back she replied.
"Please and thank you. Someone else isn't in the mood." Again directed at me, but that didn't stop Craven from getting up and taking my place. Even though I was annoyed with her, I asked her with concern behind my words.
"That's a lot of weight Sam. Don't lift that. You'll hurt yourself. Craven, tell her."
Looking down at her he asked.
"Have you lifted before?"
"Plenty of times. She's just being overprotective. Trust me I can handle this."
"Okay." Craven replied as he looked at me to shrug his shoulders. I just shook my head and prepared myself to watch her fail. As she lifted the bar off the rack and allowed it to come down to her chest, you could see her mentally preparing. She took a breath and then went for it and me along with everyone else who was watching began to stare at her in amazement that she was able to lift the weight easily and come back down.
"One! Go for another!" Craven urged her in excitement as I was in disbelief as she followed orders and lifted it again and then again and then again. When she got to her fifth rep she put the bar back up and sat up to urge Craven who was about ready to congratulate her.
"Put another fifty on. I feel good so I'm gonna beat my record."
"No Sam! Stop!" I yelled at her out of disgust that she was showing off now. Craven however was no longer trying to prevent injury. He got the weights for her and once they were on the bar he shouted at the wolf.
"You got this! Hit that shit!"
Sam was feeding off that energy and it blew my mind when she began to lift the bar just as easily as she did the first time. Craven was screaming at her in excitement as were the rest of the boys again. She was drawing too much attention. I thought to myself as Crader came back to my side to ask me in a whisper.
"Is she on something?"
"Not that I know of." I told him back as Sam lifted the bar another five times before putting it back on the rack.
"Let's go!" Craven laughed out as he punched Sam twice in the chest jokingly, but it was enough to get her to yell back.
"Let's fucking go!"
"Sam!" I screamed at her as she was having too much fun with the troops. Giving me a glare back as she was still being cheered by the men, I urged her.
"Let's go find something else to do. These guys need to focus on their training and you're distracting them. Right Lieutenant?" Crader knew what I was trying to do and thankfully agreed with me while being a little too polite in my opinion to my sister.
"We do have quotas to reach. I'd appreciate it if you did give us some space Sam. You can have the bench back as soon as we're done. Give us twenty minutes."
Approaching the pair of us, Sam wiped her brow before replying back to the officer.
"I'm sorry sir."
"Don't be. You're one of; if not, the strongest woman I've seen grace a bar. Be proud. If only Captain Vacus was here to see you for herself." Even Crader was licking her boots now. Grabbing Sam by the arm and dragging her behind me, I looked back at Crader to state back.
"She'd probably yell at us for taking up your unit's time Lieutenant. I'm sorry again for the distraction, but I'm sure we'll see you around."
"I'm sure." Crader replied as Sam took the hint and stormed off. I ran after her as she was now going towards where they had sparring matches lined up.
"Sam!" I yelled as she stopped to look back at me and question.
"What? Can you not be such a downer?"
Giving her a wild look back I growled.
"Can you not be such a bitch?"
"Excuse me?" She smiled back which got me to then say.
"You've been taking shot after shot at me ever since we got out here. Don't act like you haven't. What's your problem with me?"
Sam lost that smile for a moment, but was more than calm enough to reply.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I would. We're family now. Officially. The least you can do is pretend like you remember who I am and show me some respect. I've earned that much." I went on to yell at her which in turn got her to growl.
"You've earned respect? From my mom and dad maybe, but it's a lot like that last name you have. It's fake. You're not my sister and that's by choice. They made the decision to adopt you all by themselves. I wasn't even fucking asked what I thought about it."
"You would have said no?" I then asked her back in disbelief as she proceeded to state in some anger now.
"You fucking left me. Left me when I needed you the most in my life. Damn right I would have said no. In fact, I'm saying it now. To your face." Sam physically put herself right in front of my muzzle as she now whispered in a growl.
"You're not and you're never going to be a Voltz. Just like how you'll never be my fucking sister. You ran away with everyone else who I thought cared about me. Only person who stayed was Teddy and it's thanks to him I'm still here now to say this to you."
I was speechless and wide eyed as she put up her hands to now push me. I was in shock she touched me at all and because of that I actually fell back onto my ass. A few of the nearby guards noticed our argument and began to blow whistles as Sam shouted at me from above.
"You don't just get to walk back into my life. I'm not that scared little girl anymore. I don't need your protection. You try to act like you care about me one more fucking time and I'll show you all the emotions I've buried away since you abandoned me. Now stay the fuck away from me."
With two of the men jumping between us, Sam turned her back and walked off towards the sparring mats. I got helped up by another set of hands and when I got back to my feet I was asked.
"You good?"
"I'm…okay." I replied back nervously as I wasn't aware that my body was shaking on its own. Looking at my legs; even they were shaking. My tail had tucked itself away between my legs and now I was asking myself if I was really just this scared of her? She wasn't the same girl I remembered. She wasn't that girl at all anymore. What was that? She had a nasty look in her eyes and all I saw was death when she threatened me. Was she serious? Would she actually hurt me? I had to ask myself as I was starting to panic internally.
With tears coming to my eyes, I caved in from the shakes and just made my way to a nearby spot to rest my legs. I made sure to stay as far from her as possible as I did. After a few minutes alone, I heard some yelling from the front gate and that's when I saw a small convoy of trucks pulling in. I got right up to run at them knowing mom and dad were finally back from their trip. Sam didn't even care to notice and remained by the fighting as I was quick enough to get the door for my mother; who jumped out of the truck to instantly fall into my arms with an outburst of excitement.
"Hey baby! I missed you so much!"
"Hey mom." I chuckled back into her ears as I was leaning over her shoulder. Raptor got out of the truck next and that's when he ordered some of the men he was with.
"Take our bags inside."
"Yes sir." The soldiers replied as Yoga jumped around the other side of the truck to shout at me.
"Hey! Hands off missy!"
"Fuck you." I smiled back as Zeta was still hugging me close. Yoga just smiled and laughed at my response, but Raptor came in not a moment later to take me away from her. We hugged and that's when I heard him whisper to me curiously.
"You look stressed. What's been going on since we left? Where's your sister?"
Pulling away from him to fix my hair, I replied nervously.
"She's on the field training. By the sparring mats. Raptor looked me over carefully. He knew something more must have happened but decided against asking more questions. Instead he smiled and asked Zeta with a hand coming to rest on her back.
"You wanna go see our other girl?" Giving the man a warm smile and a single nod of her head, the two of them turned to see if they could locate Sam among the swarm of people in the yard. Raptor knew where she was and once he did he took Zeta's hand and informed Yoga of his intent.
"Gonna go see my daughter before unpacking Yoga. We'll be fine. Go get settled in now that we're back. Maggie can tag along now."
"About time I got a break. Good luck kid. These two are quite the duo." Yoga chuckled as he collected his bag and made his way to the main building. I followed behind my parents not soon after he left and as we neared the sparring mats; Zeta couldn't help but yell her name.
The moment Sam heard it she turned around along with everyone else who heard her voice. I dared to not look her in the eyes as Raptor was again surprised by how fast the mother wolf was when it came to embracing her child. Sam was as well surprised but reacted warmly as her mother slammed into her with a scary amount of force.
"Oh my god! I missed you! Look at you Sam!" She urged her as she was referring to Sam being in uniform. Probably something both her parents never expected her to wear. I could see the awe in Raptor's face as he stood next to my side just to wait for his turn to engage in the moment. Going forward a few steps, Sam released her mom and opened herself up for her dad who gave her a much less embrassing hug. Regardless of that though he said to her with pride.
"It makes me proud to see you in your homeland's colors. You look great."
"Don't get any ideas. I'm not joining the army. I was told I had to wear this if I wanted to train out here." Sam told him back with all respect behind it as she was trying not to offend either of her parent's expectations. Both of them were perfectly content with her response though, but her mom soon discovered what I saw earlier on her body. Grabbing onto her arm, Zeta asked in shock.
"Samantha Voltz! What is this!?"
Pulling her arm away she replied defensively.
"A tattoo? What? I can't express myself?"
Her father was interested now and came close to take her arm. Sam just gave them both a huff and a puff as her dad lifted up the sleeve to get a good look at the full thing. It damn near covered half her arm.
"What is it? It looks really well done. How long did it take to get?" Her dad asked surprisingly, which got all three of us to look at him in confusion. I thought he would be yelling at her.
"You aren't mad?" Sam questioned as he pulled her sleeve back down to shake his head.
"No. Of course not. I'm not like her." He directed with a point to Zeta who now growled back.
"What are you assuming?" Laughing in her face, Raptor replied as Sam took a step back.
"You were always against me getting one. Figured when the time came you'd feel the same way. Especially when it comes to her."
"I'm just surprised, you crying cuck. And what can I really do now about it?"
Raptor again let out a chuckle as his focus went back to Sam.
"So why that?" He asked her as I crept a few feet closer to the conversation. Looking down at the tattoo, Sam replied back casually.
"It's my own design. I always wanted a sleeve, but wasn't ready to commit to a full one just yet. Each level represents a form of grief I experienced when Mocha died. From the pain, to the anger, to the guilt. It's not all somber though, because I could feel inspiration and motivation to improve myself during such strides. I had to cope somehow."
"You made this?" Zeta questioned as she came right back up to her to examine the tattoo up close.
"Yeah." Sam mumbled as her father's attention went to the fighting going on in front of us. Sam continued to discuss the tattoo with her mother, so I figured now would be a good time to approach Raptor and state in a lower tone.
"We've not been getting along."
Leaning over he whispered back.
"Something happen?"
"She…..she doesn't care for me anymore. She's mad and…she's holding a grudge. Told me I wasn't even family. Or even a friend."
Raptor kept his mouth shut, but seemed understanding despite what he just heard. Giving me a small hug as Sam's eyes darted over to us, I hugged him back and just listened as Sam asked.
"How were the rides?" Smiling back her dad replied.
"They were pretty fun actually. Had myself a good time and even got your mother on a few of them. Rollercoasters included."
"Are you scared of them?" I asked Zeta who was quick to defend herself.
"I'm not scared. They're just unsafe. I don't trust my life with a single seatbelt."
"She's scared of them." Raptor admitted for her which in turn earned him a quick rebutled from the wolf.
"I'm not scared. How many times do I have to tell you?"
"You nearly pissed yourself twice." Raptor jokingly chuckled back which got both Sam and I to also laugh. Zeta on the other hand was a little ticked, but it wasn't anything outside of the normal for her. Raptor always knew how to press her buttons.
Looking back at Sam, Raptor asked her curiously.
"How long are you gonna stay for hun? Decided yet?"
"A week? Maybe two? Depends."
"I can work with a week." Raptor sighed as her mother questioned.
"So glad you can work with a week Raptor, but I can't. Stay longer honey. Please." Zeta took her hands into her chest and Sam just stared back into her eyes with a small frown. She was clearly unsure of what to do with her mom begging. After a few seconds she said to her directly.
"I said maybe two. It just depends on what I got going on mom. I'll keep you guys in the loop, don't worry."
Pulling on her shoulder, Raptor got Zeta to release her daughter and with a smile said to us both in a calm voice.
"No worries. From either of us. We just want to spend some time with you while you're here. We're gonna go unpack and settle in. I gotta see what's been going on since my departure, but once I'm good can I join you out here? You plan on training anymore today?"
Sam's POV.
I was gonna say that was fine, but right when I went to speak I spotted Zandro coming out from the main building and making his way towards us. I thought he would give my parents time to settle in before bringing this up. Losing my more calm look, I stared at Zandro while replying to my dad.
"Not anymore." All three of them looked confused, but my dad was the first to notice my eyes. He turned to see what I was looking at and once he saw Zandro he smiled and said to him as he approached.
"Out of everyone I expected to come greet me, I didn't think you of all people would be the first to come running out. How were things while I was away?"
Entering our small group, he replied while crossing eyes with me.
"Good. No problems to concern yourself with."
"So why did you rush out here?" Zeta questioned as Maggie was content with just keeping her mouth shut in the corner. Giving my mom a quick glance he replied.
"Because we need to talk. It's important."
"Can I unpack first? I just got back." My dad assumed this had to deal with him, but he was wrong and Zandro was quick to state that.
"This isn't about you in all honesty. It's about her."
This time he pointed at me and that's when I jumped in to question.
"Couldn't wait? Let them rest a little?"
My parents were lost as Zandro was fully focused on bringing this subject out into the open. He didn't care one bit about waiting.
"No. I can't and you know why."
"What's going on? Zandro?" My mother asked with concern as my dad took a step in front of me to face Zandro directly and ask.
"What's this about Zandro?"
Looking at Maggie as he withheld the answer, Zandro whispered back.
"Confidential. Can't discuss this out here and not with just anybody, but both of you need to be a part of it though. Maggie on the other hand isn't authorized. She stays here."
"Excuse me? I'm his bodyguard." Maggie growled back.
"And you're guarding his body well, but you're not an officer and this doesn't concern you. Raptor? Tell her." Zandro urged him.
Both my parents were concerned now by this talk and I could see it in Maggie's eyes that she expected my dad to fight that request, but was shocked when he ordered her cautiously.
"He's right. Go to my bedroom for the time being Maggie. We'll be there as soon as we're done talking."
"But….?" Maggie was cut off immediately by Zandro who shouted.
"That's an order! Go!"
I smiled at her as our eyes crossed and just watched happily as she walked off for the main building. Once she was gone my mother asked me in worry.
"What's going on hun?"
"Let's just go inside mom. Okay?" I replied back as I was the next to break away from the group. My family followed in tandem and once we were all inside the main building Zandro suggested while taking the lead.
"Let's head up to your office, Raptor."
My mom held my hand as we went, but my dad was the most concerned with what was going on. Looking over at me as we climbed the steps he asked me deeply.
"Did something happen? Are you in trouble?"
My mom looked inside my eyes as I shook my head and replied.
"No. Of course not. That's not what this is about."
"Then what is it?" My mom asked me as we reached the top of the steps to hear Zandro order out.
"Not out here Sam."
"I know." I informed him back as we walked into the office together. Zandro got the door shut and locked and without anything else to contain the conversation; my father asked both of us.
"What's this about?"
Zandro and I shared looks, but he was the first to say something. Looking me over calmly he asked out loud.
"Do you wanna explain? Or should I?"
"You're the one who's all excited. Why don't you start?" I replied back sarcastically.
"Fine. It's no secret to either of you that your daughter worked with one of my operators before leaving the country last year. It's no secret she had him steal all of our viper venom research and the supplies we had on site, but what was a secret was what she did with all that while she was stateside."
Getting defensive, my dad stated back to the man while again getting close to my side.
"She didn't do anything with it. Peek went there and got it all back. You yourself said everything was fine."
"I did, but there was a small decline in the stock when it all got back to me. Not enough to trip any alarms, but it was enough to convince me that maybe Rosco took some for himself just to stay topped off while the network hunted him down."
"So what are you accusing her of?" My mom asked back which is when I jumped in.
"He's not accusing me of anything. I just didn't tell anyone why I wanted all that shit in the first place."
My parents now were focused on me and Zandro wasn't about to say anything more. So I readied myself and took a small breath before explaining.
"I wanted to know how to control the venom. To harness that power and not go feral in the process. I needed to run some tests and figure out what exactly was wrong with the normal chemical makeup of a standard dose of viper venom. I figured I could make some alterations to the formula and maybe fix what had gotten me all mad in the first place. To fix what no one else could seem to understand. To fix an imperfect user. To cure them of that struggle."
My mother was the first one to say anything as I paused myself.
"But honey, that's just not feasible." Looking right at her, I replied back confidently.
"Why not? Is it because no one had figured it out yet? How long has this drug been used for? A near half century? Mom, it is feasible. Everything is feasible when you actually apply yourself. You taught me that growing up."
"But you can't just change the formula and have no one to test it for you. Did…did Rosco?" My mom then asked me as I shook my head and claimed.
"He was aware of the reasons I had to want to do something so stupid. He knew and he supported it, but that's not important. I tested the doses on myself. I had to see the effects first hand. I had to experience it and learn from it if I was to ever narrow it down."
"Hold up Sam." My dad cut in now as he came around my side.
"You've never been given venom before. Not once in your life did your mother or I dose you behind the scenes. Your body back then wasn't what it is now. You could have died."
"I almost did dad." I informed him as I turned on my venom for him and my mother to see. Just like my tests, they had to experience the results first hand. My dad widened his eyes and took a step back as my mother gasped. Zandro just stayed silent as I cracked my neck before stating.
"But instead of dying, my research gave me this. I'm no longer plagued by feral urges when I feel this run through my veins. I have perfect control. My emotions no longer control me when this comes out. I do. I'm a perfect user. Just like you. Just like Uncle Cody or Aunt Pepper. Only difference is that I'm the one who figured it out. I'm the one who solved that problem and I did it all by myself. Despite what others thought was possible."
I turned off my venom and once my eyes came back I looked up at my parents. Both of them were still stunned. Zandro on the other hand was ready to play ball now that they saw for themselves what I had accomplished. With my dad and I staring at one another, the man came between us to mutter.
"The results are right there for you to see Raptor. Your daughter is a perfect user now and she claims that she could help us by giving us the recipe to design these alterations."
"But?" My dad already knew there was a catch because he knew how smart I was. He knew if I had really done this then I wouldn't just hand it over.
"I'm not giving the M.E.A.F this without getting something from it in return. I love my country and the people in it, but I need to think about myself at the end of the day dad. And I know what the information is worth. No one else has done it but everyone else is looking to do it. Call it a breakthrough."
My dad wasn't upset. He would be acting the same way if he was in my shoes. Hell any of them would be. My mother on the other hand came up to put a hand on my shoulder. Zandro however was the next to speak as my father was still thinking.
"She's an opportunist Raptor. Just like her parents. But even though she claims she wants to sell the information; she's still not even sure if she wants to sell it to us. Right Sam?"
Nodding, I replied.
"The M.E.A.F would take all the credit for something I did. That doesn't sit right with me, even if I walk away with some money. So yeah I'm not completely sure on what I want to do yet, but I offered to at the very least demonstrate my formula to Zandro and his scientists; just to prove it works."
"You want to make it?" My dad asked me as I shook my head and replied.
"No, of course not. Not here anyway. I'd have them all watching me do it, but before Peek came to take all the research; I managed to make an extra dose of my formula. I want to give it to someone who suffered much like I did." My eyes then looked at my mother who instantly widened hers. Taking a small step back she admitted nervously.
"I haven't used my venom for nearly twenty years now, Samantha. I stopped when I got pregnant with you."
"But you still feel that urge right? The need to break out?" I asked her back which got her to now look at me differently. She seemed understanding now and that convinced me that she did feel that urge. Keeping up the pressure, I said back to her confidently.
"No one else is gonna take the chance. I'm not gonna be taken seriously until someone takes a risk. I need trust and I would expect that from you. You've always had my back mom. I wouldn't suggest this if I thought it would hurt you. I know I did this." I turned back on my venom just so she had to look into my eyes. Still calm and collected, I begged.
"Please trust me. I can take away the itch. You'll be free from it. You'll be in control again. Complete control. No doubts or second guesses. You'll have your life back."
My mom was stuck on how to respond. That's when my dad stepped up to us to get in front of her. Looking me in my eyes with the presence of a caring father, he calmly whispered to me.
"Her life is okay Sam. She's not in any danger and your mother has worked very hard over the years to control herself and that….itch. She doesn't need this. We have a few imperfect users among the military. Those men could use this more. Let me find you one."
"I want this for her. I know what I'm doing dad." I told him back.
"I know you do hun, but even if she wanted to we can't just give her a dose of venom. It's been too long. She'd have to get leaned back on it gently before even attempting this."
"Not with my formula." I urged him with open arms as my eyes darted behind him and towards my mother who now looked me back in my eyes.
"Sam….it's not….?" Cutting my father off, my mom stated bluntly.
"I wanna do it."
My dad looked back at her now in confusion.
"I want this too. You don't understand the stress."
"But…?" My dad again was stopped as this time my mom asked him back forcefully.
"You don't have faith? Look at her. Look at your daughter! Look at her eyes!" My dad connected back with my eyes now but this time I saw it in his face. He was worried for my mother and I understand that perfectly, but he was conflicted up until he saw me again. His whole face changed as my mom went on to state.
"She's perfect. In control of her venom. Whatever she changed worked and as her mother and as a scientist at heart; I want to do this. For her and for myself. Raptor? Please." My mom ended with a plea that made my dad fold his hand. Stepping aside he looked at her to sigh out.
"Fine. You're right, but I've always been the negative one in our lifetime Zeta. I always have fears. You can't hold that against me when this involves your life. But….Sam is clearly not the same girl she was before she left home. This Sam is…..confident and determined." He then claimed as I widened my eyes slightly.
"If you trust your work this much Sam and…..and if you're one hundred percent confident for her safety…we'll do this. With my consent. Are you sure though?" He then asked my mother who nodded her head.
"I trust my daughter. I trust her instincts and I trust her intelligence. She's cut from my cloth and the scientist inside me wants to see this for myself. Do you have the dose on you Sam?"Shaking my head, I replied back while turning my venom off.
"Not on me. It's with my things back at my room."
Hugging me she then urged.
"Go get it then. Where should we do this Zandro?" Looking back at the man we watched as he went for the door while urging us as a group.
"Medical. Raptor can get Marx to prep a room for you. I got to go grab a few of my men before we start. They need to see this for themselves. Give me ten minutes." My dad nodded as Zandro ran down the steps. Left with both my mom and dad now, I remained strong as my dad put a hand on my mom's shoulder to ask.
"Can you handle a full dose after this long?" Unmoving, she replied.
"I'll handle whatever comes to me. You have my word I won't leave you. I swear."
My dad lowered his head until both of their foreheads were connecting. I just smiled as my dad seemed genuinely open and vulnerable. Two things I rarely saw growing up. Taking my chance, I said to them again in confidence.
"I'm not taking any risks with my mother. I know what I made is good. It'll work. I promise it will."
"I hope to god your right." My dad mumbled as he was clearly stressed. Tears rolled down his cheeks and that alone got me to look at him in fear for his health. My mom was faster than me though and was the first to urge him.
"Breathe hun. I'm not going anywhere. You know that. Don't get all emotional now otherwise you're gonna fuck up my confidence."
My dad nodded and began to wipe his eyes. As he did he smiled and urged me.
"Go get it Sam. We'll be in medical waiting."
"Okay." I said back to him as we exited the office and parted ways. I jogged my way to my room and once inside its walls I felt Lia from within my mind wonder out loud.
"So what's the worst that could happen if this goes wrong?"
Not wanting to consider that, I replied back sternly.
"Not going to happen. She'll be fine."
"This could kill her?" Lia questioned as I teleported back to the hotel I had my gear stashed at. Going into my bag to find the needle still inside its case, I let out a small breath before refocusing my efforts on teleporting back to the capital. Lia however again asked me curiously as we landed back in my room, needle in hand.
"This could take her life?"
"Yeah." I mumbled back as I tried to refocus on anything other than this.
"You're confident though." Lia stated as I calmly said back to her a moment after.
"I have to be. This has to work. I know it will work. I know it will."
"Then smile." Lia chuckled now which honestly helped level my emotions in this time of need.
Exiting my room and making my way back to my dad's office, I looked over the balcony to lock my eyes on Zandro and two of his men walking their way over to medical. Both of the men with him looked about as nerdy as could be. Real scientists who I bet were skeptical even now.
Taking my first step down the stairs, I prepared myself for this as Lia began to hum a sweet song in my head. Her voice was soothing and it helped me relax. Hopefully for once I wasn't just full of myself. I hoped this was real faith I was having in my own work and not just some false beliefs.
mT Shadow.