Ch 8 Something Wicked This Way Comes
"Num omnis magnus Neptuni oceanus hunc sanguinem ab manu mea lavabit?"
"Charlie, you can't be serious," Beau said, his voice laced with desperation. He stood in the living room, the dim light casting long shadows that flickered as he moved. The familiar scent of home did little to soothe the storm brewing within it.
Charlie glanced up from his spot on the worn couch, his expression stern. "I am serious, Beau. There's a pair of hikers that died, and we can't take any chances. The town's putting together a hunting party to find the bears that got them and clear out the trail."
Beau's heart pounded in his chest. "You don't understand. The bears aren't the problem. Sending a bunch of people into the woods... it's a bad idea."
"Why is it a bad idea?" Charlie's eyes narrowed. "We need to make sure it's safe for everyone else. We can't just sit back and do nothing."
The frustration in Beau's voice grew as he struggled to find the right words. "Because it's dangerous, Dad! You could be walking into something far worse than bears."
Charlie's brow furrowed, and he set his jaw. "Like what, Beau? You're not making any sense. We've dealt with bears before."
Beau clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his secrets pressing down on him. He couldn't tell Charlie about the supernatural horrors that awaited him in the dark. It'd only put him in more danger than he already was. Leaving him impotently begging to his father like a child.
"Bears don't eat people, but something did," Beau said, his voice trembling. "Whatever it is, I hope we never have to find out."
Charlie stood, crossing the room to face Beau. "Some clearly do, or we wouldn't be wandering around all night in the woods waving guns around. I promise you this Beau, if anyone should be worried, it's that stupid bear."
"You don't know what could be out there, not really." Beau's voice trembled, his eyes pleading with his father to understand.
Charlie shook his head. "Worse than a man-eating bear? I doubt it, besides we'll have a big group. I have to do my job, Beau. We have to keep the town safe."
Beau felt panic rising within him. They weren't looking for bears, even if they themselves didn't know it. He couldn't shake the images of those deadly creatures lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. How could he explain this without revealing too much? The burden of his secrets felt like weights atop his chest, constantly dragging him down.
He knew the wolves weren't responsible, or the 'bears' like the rest of the town thought they were. He couldn't say why, or even explain that they weren't going to find any bears, not out there at least.
Neither could he tell Charlie about Lauren, the vampire who had actually been responsible. He couldn't tell him anything, which only frustrated him further.
All he could hope was that his father would trust his word. "Dad, please. The people who are going out there... they could get hurt. Or worse."
Charlie's face softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "I appreciate your concern, Beau, but we have to do this. We can't ignore it. More people could end up hurt if we sit around waiting for the next attack."
Beau's mind raced. He knew the wolves didn't hunt humans, but that wasn't the only thing that could be lurking out in those woods. He couldn't bear the thought of his father and others walking into danger blindly. "Just... be careful, okay? Don't take any unnecessary risks."
Charlie nodded, placing a reassuring hand on Beau's shoulder. "I will. And we'll find out what happened to those hikers. I promise."
As Charlie turned to leave, Beau's anxiety only grew. He had to find a way to protect his father and the others without revealing the truth. The burden of the knowledge he held weighed him down.
The wolves didn't kill people, or at least they didn't go out of their way to do it. Would they be so kind to humans sent with guns to hunt them down? The uncertainty weighed on him, it didn't make up for his treatment of the man before.
It did unburden some of the guilt from his heart. He'd keep his father safe, so he had all the time in the world to make up for the way he'd acted before.
He was already tearing out of the driveway shortly after his father had left, making a beeline straight for the reservation.
The short drive to the reservation felt like an eternity as he sped his way through the long and winding roads, the forest road leading up to La Push seeming to stretch out for miles ahead of him.
Beau didn't know what he was supposed to say, or where he would even begin to look for the pack. He had to try, otherwise he'd spend the day fearfully awaiting Charlie's return, and if he never came home…
He forcefully shook his head, knocking the dark thoughts to the side as he focused on moving forward. There was only one place he could go, hopefully she wouldn't be too upset that he knew their 'big secret.'
The reservation was quiet when he arrived. No sign of Samantha and her gang or Jules and any of her friends. In fact, the entire place felt like a ghost town as he made his way to the familiar house waiting for him at the end of the road.
His fist rapped against the door to the black house. There was no response. He peeked through the window blinds and saw Bonnie was home.
She had herself positioned directly in front of the large TV; the sound blaring so loud he knew why nobody had answered the door.
He tried to announce his presence but still ended up giving the older woman quite a shock when he entered.
"Beau! What are you doing here?" Bonnie asked, rolling onto the porch in her wheelchair, beckoning him to follow.
"The town's organizing a hunting party," Beau said urgently, stepping closer. "They're going after the 'bears' that killed those hikers. I need to talk to Sam."
"Sam's busy," Bonnie replied, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I can pass a message. Tell your dad good luck; those bears can be nasty."
"Bonnie, it wasn't bears," Beau insisted, his voice tight with anxiety. "They don't know what they're hunting. Does Sam know?"
"Beau, I don't know what-" Bonnie began, her tone defensive.
"Bonnie, stop," Beau interrupted, desperation creeping into his voice. "I know what's really out there. I just want to keep Charlie safe."
Bonnie sighed, rubbing her temples. "He'll be fine, I promise. Anything else?"
"Where is she, Bonnie?" Beau demanded, his eyes pleading. "I need to hear it from her. I trust her to tell me the truth. If I know Charlie's safe, I'll leave. You'll never have to hear from me again."
Bonnie looked away, guilt flickering in her eyes. "They've already left, but I swear on the Black family's honor, your father and his group will be safe from any harm."
Beau's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "I wish I could believe you. Tell me where they are, or I'll go into the woods myself."
Bonnie sighed. For the first time he could remember she swung herself around, pivoting her chair to look right up into his eyes, her hazel-eyes, exactly like her daughter's, filled with a mix of guilt and concern.
"You look tired, Beau."
"I haven't been getting much sleep," Beau spoke sharply, keeping his expression hardened as his foot steadily tapped against the house's ancient floorboards.
"You know where the Cullens live, don't you? Two miles east of there, you'll have to walk most of it. They're only observing from a long distance, making sure they don't stumble across anything they shouldn't. Your father's group will never even see them."
"Thank you," Beau said, his voice softer but still edged with tension.
"Beau?" Bonnie's voice held a note of concern.
"If you see her, go easy on her. It's not her fault things turned out this way."
He wasn't sure how to respond, so he didn't, nodding his head before gently shutting the still open door behind him. Rushing to his car as he repeated her instruction in his head.
Archie was prowling through the alleys of Port Angeles, his sharp eyes and sharper nose scanning for any sign of Victor. Dancing throughout the shadows and dark corners of the small city. The vampire was proving to be elusive, and Archie's frustration was growing.
He'd grown so used to relying on his visions for what to do next that without them, indecision had paralyzed him. Leaving him and Edythe to wander the countryside with their noses to the ground, like a pair of crappy bounty hunters.
His visions had provided him with nothing useful, and he felt the sting of their uselessness. Each and every day his best friend's life hung in the balance. Neither he nor anyone in their family were gifted trackers. All Vampires had a supernatural sense of smell, and his wasn't particularly impressive. The best they could do was search high and low for the faintest whiff of another Vampire.
Once they had Victor's trail. They'd chase him out of the country, this time for good. He was worried that Edythe would be the one to find him first. The state she was in now, he'd actually feel sorry for the poor bastard when she got her hands on him.
As he was about to turn down another street, a vision hit him with the force of a speeding train.
There are no words to describe how unpleasant it feels to have your current train of thought smashed to bits and replaced with usually terrible portents of what could be.
He saw a vampire, with glowing red eyes, sprinting with reckless abandon. Its marbled skin sparkling as stray rays of sunlight touched its skin, its movements erratic and uncontrolled.
It was still new to its supernatural form, wild with the unrefined power of its kind. The vision cut off abruptly when the vampire neared the woods outside the Cullen house, just as his vision of Beau in the meadow had been severed before its conclusion. The sudden darkness left him with an uneasy feeling.
Archie didn't waste time. He needed to understand what was blotting out his visions, and why. He drove quickly but cautiously back toward Forks, his mind racing with possibilities of what he might find.
Arriving near the edge of the woods, he continued on foot, certain that he'd arrived at the spot from his vision. Blending himself into the shadows as he moved with supernatural speed and grace. Leaping up into the tall branches of the trees and bounding between them with the elegance of a trained acrobat.
An overwhelmingly powerful stench assaulted his nostrils as he reached the outskirts of the woods. It was the smell of wet dog. The fact that it smelled so strongly told him exactly what had blocked out his visions before.
The wolves, they must've been in the woods that night Beau was attacked. It made sense, and explained why there'd been such a strong vampiric scent near the Meadow. The scent of vampire blood was distinct, distinctly awful, especially to their sharpened sentences. There'd been no sign of a vampire attack aside from it, a sign of the pack's work. They don't leave behind a trace of their prey.
Yet he knew for a fact that Victor was still alive. Had he sent another newborn then too? Like he was now?
No, he could still remember the vision. A newborn vampire wouldn't be able to stand that close to a human without killing them in a wild frenzy. The only reason Beau was still alive was because whoever it was had been restrained somewhat.
There was only one person he could think of that he'd met, whose silhouette could be mistaken for Victor's in darkness. It would seem her attempt to join the Denali Coven hadn't stuck. A shame. Last time he'd been over one of the brothers had taken a serious liking to her.
He hated the idea of owing that pack of psycho mutts anything, but saving his best friend earned them serious points, enough for him to consider intervening.
He stumbled upon the newborn vampire in the midst of attacking the wolf pack. None of it made sense. Edythe and him together were deadly, deadlier than most Vampires and even he was certain they'd stand no chance against the full might of the wolf pack. Especially, if we charged at them with an apparent death wish.
They'd grown in numbers since the last time he'd seen them, counting 9 in total. One of them, separated from the pack, was still in their human form. He was about to go down and warn them. However, they did already seem alerted to something, and jumping down right in the midst of a werewolf pack was not something he wanted to start his day off with, or end it with.
"Hey! Over here! I need to talk to Sam!"
Archie instantly recognized the familiar voice, his palms colliding with his face as he held his head in his hands.
Of course, Beau would show up now, of all times. That left 8 wolves and one human who was either purposefully trying to get himself killed or had a curse of bad luck placed upon him by a witch.
Now he probably would have to intervene. He didn't want to imagine how his sister would react if he died before they ever made up.
The scene was chaotic, the wolves seemingly caught by surprise. Archie was taken aback; he had always seen the wolves as dedicated vampire killers, ones who would have no trouble against a single vampire, especially a newborn. The newborn's scent mingling with his own must have confused their normally sharp senses.
There was only one wolf he recognized, the one he'd met months ago, a couple of weeks before Beau's birthday. Despite her youth she had held a wisdom beyond her years, speaking of the treaty between their people's with the same vigor and knowledge as her ancestors had.
Edythe had told the girl herself during their meeting, a rare moment when his sister didn't act like a moody teenager when meeting someone new. A benefit of Beau's influence on her, even if she didn't want to admit it.
There had only been one shifter then. Which hadn't deterred her in the slightest from stopping them both whilst they were dangerously close to crossing the dividing line separating their people. Brave but stupid. If they'd been any other group of Vampires, they'd cull the lone shifter before more started showing up.
In hindsight, it annoyed him to no end to know that his sister's gift had no trouble working on the wolves while they created nothing but headaches for him.
He knew then that Samantha would be an outstanding leader, worthy of the title originally held by Edna Black. On that day, the tribal leader had earned his respect. Watching the unfolding battle from the treetops, he felt confident in his earlier assertion.
In the fray, Samantha threw herself directly in the path of the rampaging monster to protect Beau. Placing her own body in the path of the speeding Vampire, sparing Archie from intervening.
He watched, his breath catching, as the wolves surrounded the newborn, trying to coordinate their attacks. The higher functions of a newborn's brain ceased working when they were hungry. All that was left was instinct and that eternally unquenchable thirst. It was a good thing they had gotten Beau out quickly.
The newborn moved with a frantic energy, striking out at anything within reach, leaving none of the enraged wolves able to get close enough to finish the battle.
Archie's frustration grew as he witnessed the struggle. If he wasn't a vampire, he'd have given himself a migraine by attempting to brute force his visions into working on the unfolding battle.
His inability to find Victor gnawed at him, each failed search a reminder of his impotence, this being only the latest complication forced by his own incompetence. Victor seemed to be one step ahead, always out of reach, and now this newborn was adding to the chaos. Proof that their efforts had amounted to nothing. Victor was still running circles around them.
The largest wolf of the pack lunged at the newborn, nearly twice the size of its faster brethren, its massive form colliding with it in a flurry of fur and fangs.
The vampire's strength was formidable, and it managed to throw the beast off, sending it flying before crashing into a tree.
Before it could recover, another wolf bounded in from the trees, leaping atop the newborn's compact frame, its powerful jaws latching onto one of the newborn's arms.
The foul scent of vampire blood mixed with the pungent smells of the pack to assault his nostrils, forcing him to look away as he ceased breathing altogether.
When he looked back up, the wolf hadn't let go.
Its sharpened teeth threatening to tear off the vampire's arm as it flailed around wildly, smashing the large canine's massive body against the forest floor with incredible strength. Each strike a resounding Thud! that reverberated across the woods.
Samantha, still in her human form, used a tree trunk to launch herself into the air.
Transforming into her wolf form before she even hit the ground, pushing off against a tree mid-air with her powerful hind legs and lunging with renewed ferocity.
Her jaws snapped shut mere hairs away from the vampire's throat before it released the wolf holding its arm, tossing it aside like a rag-doll to focus on its new target.
Before she could retreat, it tackled her in a tight hold, like it was hugging the enormous wolf around its neck.
Its bony arms were barely long enough to wrap around the beast's burly neck, its grip tightening by the second.
Archie didn't need to see the future to know what would happen next.
The wolf's jaws closed around the vampire's head, and a sickening, bone-crunching sound echoed as he watched Samantha cry out in pain.
Despite the desperate situation, the wolf decapitated the vampire with a final, brutal effort, sending it flying overhead until it disappeared amongst the trees.
Archie felt a strange mixture of pride and fear, watching the way the newborn was quickly dispatched by the rest of the pack before it could regenerate.
It had all happened in the span of a minute, and now it was quiet. Deathly quiet.
As the chaos settled, Archie stepped forward, his eyes scanning the aftermath.
Samantha lay still, the fatal wound evident even from a distance. The wolves surrounded her, their mournful howls echoing through the woods.
They had lost a leader, a great leader, and the impact of that loss would ripple through the pack and beyond.
Without his visions to guide him, he had no way of knowing how his interference could have altered the outcome. For all he knew, that would've been the death of him. A pack of angry werewolves in the middle of combat probably wouldn't take the time to listen to his explanation that he was actually coming to help them.
Still, his inaction didn't sit right with him. He was so used to just knowing what the best choice was that picking his own felt wrong. He hadn't known the wolf, aside from her name and an obvious dislike of 'leeches.' That didn't mean he wished death upon her. Seeing her killed in such a brutal fashion would make him sick to his stomach, if such a thing were possible.
Archie's mind wandered back to his brief conversation with Beau about the Black family. Was Samantha the Alpha? If she was the first one to regain the magics of her tribe, she would have to be. The others must be even younger than her.
He knew of the original werewolf pack, never himself, but he had heard all the stories. Enough to know that these wolves were only their descendants.
Idly, he pondered if there would be another Black family member leading the pack. Beau had once mentioned having a friend with that last name, and the historical leaders of the tribe had always been from the Black family.
Watching the wolves' interactions, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. The pack was strong, but they were clearly mourning the loss of their leader. Despite knowing they existed for the sole purpose of hunting and killing his kind, he sympathized strongly, trying to imagine how their family would cope with the loss of someone like Carine.
As Archie turned to leave, he glanced back one last time. The image of Samantha's broken body and the grieving wolves stayed with him, a stark reminder of the cost of their ongoing battle. He knew that this was only the beginning, and that they would all need to be stronger than ever to face the challenges ahead.
He'd make it up to the pack and himself. Victor didn't have the same immunity to his sight that the wolves did. Somehow, he had figured out a method to avoid appearing in any of his visions.
All he could see was the result of choices, actions taken, whether conscious or not. If Victor chose to walk down a particular street, he'd see it, every idle moment of his being spent trying to find the future of the elusive vampire. It was as if he was driven purely by instinct, or blind rage, not deciding anything.
Archie should've seen it. This was his fault as much as it was Victor's, even if they didn't know it.
The moment he decided to send out a lackey to poke and test their defenses, then he'd know the motive behind the attack, some idea of where to look and find Victor. Instead, he'd not seen the newborn until it was practically on top of him. Either his gift really does hide his future from being seen by him, or Victor wasn't the one making those decisions.
Archie's brow furrowed, his brain slowly but surely connecting the pieces of the puzzle laid out before him.
If Victor had passed all his decisions on to a lackey, a loyal lackey who'd make the choices for him, he couldn't see that. He'd have to look into the future of everyone he came across in a hundred-mile radius, even then it wasn't a guarantee he'd find Victor's partner.
That answered one lingering question that had nagged at him, only to be replaced by a far larger one that hung over the day's events.
Why was this newborn here? Based on its direction, it was making a beeline for their house, but it had been left abandoned for months now. Victor should be able to tell that by scent alone, the same as with the growing presence of the Wolfpack.
It didn't make any sense. There was no universe where this attack would succeed. If the wolves hadn't found him, he certainly would've. Unless…
It wasn't meant to succeed.
Newborn vampires knew nothing of their kind, or of the world they now inhabited, of the dangers that still existed despite their supernatural power. They were easy to manipulate, naïve, that and their incredible strength made them nearly the perfect soldiers, the perfect pawns.
Victor was a coward, afraid to come and attack Beau even after they'd left. Was Victor that willing to throw away a perfectly good soldier for a suicide mission? What did he gain?
Information, and if he never expected the Vampire to return, there'd be only one way for him to learn anything from it.
Archie caught the scent, another reason the Wolves had been caught with their proverbial pants down, it wasn't just himself and the newborn they could smell.
As he retreated into the shadows, Archie's mind was already racing with plans. He needed to get back to the Cullens and prepare for whatever came next. The wolves were strong, but Victor was relentless. And if this newborn was any indication, the battles ahead would be fierce and unforgiving.
Beau followed Bonnie's directions into the forest, but the dense wilderness quickly overwhelmed him. The towering trees and underbrush blurred together, making it nearly impossible to find a clear path. His heart raced as he realized he was lost. Desperation fueled him as he scanned the area for any sign of the wolf pack.
After what felt like hours, a flicker of movement caught his eye. A massive wolf, its fur glistening in the dappled sunlight, stood watching him. Beau took a deep breath and started yelling.
"Hey! Over here! I need to talk to Sam!" His voice echoed through the trees, but the wolf didn't move. "Please! It's important!"
He continued shouting, making enough noise to draw the pack's attention. Soon, more wolves emerged from the forest, surrounding him in a tense standoff. Beau's eyes darted from one wolf to another until he found Samantha. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, met his.
His breath caught in his throat as he saw Jules, trying to hide her massive canine form behind the others. Her hazel eyes, so familiar, brought a wave of conflicting emotions crashing over him.
"Can I speak to Sam, please?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
The wolves exchanged glances before Samantha stepped forward. To Beau's shock, she began to transform, her fur receding as she shifted back into her human form. He quickly covered his eyes, when he caught a glance of her bare chest, realizing she would be naked.
"Okay, you can open your eyes," Samantha's voice called out after a moment.
Beau peeked through his fingers and saw that she had grabbed a robe tied to one of the pack's backs, using it to make herself decent. She stood there, her gaze steady and unyielding.
"You shouldn't be here. What's this about, Beau?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"There's a hunting party going after the 'bears' that killed those hikers," Beau explained, his voice urgent. "They don't know what they're really hunting."
"We already know about the hunting party," Samantha replied, her tone calm. "But I've been wanting to talk to you."
"His name is Victor, the vampire you're looking for." This conversation felt like a long time coming, it was actually a relief. To speak to someone about the constant threat against his life and be treated seriously afterward, a weight lifted off his chest.
"Good to know. The leech we killed spoke to you before attacking, right? Did you know her somehow?"
Beau flinched at the term "leech," memories of Lauren's brutal death flashing in his mind. The pack's cruel indifference to the life they ended disgusted him.
How could they feel nothing after taking part in something so awful, so inhuman, so monstrous? Did they not hear her cries? Had they already forgotten?
Beau hadn't forgotten, he couldn't. They were scarred into his brain, as if someone had taken a brand and seared every last detail of that night into the back of his mind. At least he had the decency to feel guilty for his role.
"She had a name," he said, his voice tight. "Her name was Lauren. She was human once, too."
Samantha snorted derisively, crossing her arms. "Centuries ago now, her name isn't important, not anymore." Both her eyes fixed on his, the two colors sizing him up as she gave him a mixed look of pity and disgust.
"I supposed you're about the only human who'd ever feel that kind of sympathy for a leech. Considering your past loyalties."
"Yeah, well, looking at the alternative, I'll stick to having sympathy for those 'leeches,'" Beau retorted.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Samantha asked, her voice tinged with irritation.
"If that's how you deal with all 'leeches,' you may be protectors, but there is nothing noble about what you do," Beau said, his voice rising.
"Vampires are monsters, as pure as they come. They exist only through the bringing of more death and misery to those who come across them. They are creatures of consumption, they do not create, do not give, only take and destroy that which already exists. Ridding the world of them is now and always will be a noble deed," Samantha argued, her tone firm.
"The world isn't that black and white. There's more to vampires than you think," Beau countered, his frustration evident.
"You may think that it is possible to be a 'good' vampire. You may even be right. That does not change the nature of what they are. A vampire that isn't a monster is one whose existence contradicts itself," Samantha said, her voice unwavering.
"You know the difference. They're not all the same. They're all different, just like you. The eyes are the biggest giveaway. If they drink human blood, they turn red, only animal blood and they're gold. It's how you know the Cullens aren't just talking about saving human life," Beau explained, his tone pleading.
"So you say."
"Maybe you'd know more if you tried talking to them before you ripped them apart like a pack of wild animals." He spat the words out, finding Sam's cool demeanor more grating as their argument continued to escalate.
Beau's temper flared, and he took an angry step toward Samantha. The pack of wolves around her snarled defensively, but she held up a hand, ordering them to stand down.
"I'm going to treat that as a joke because it sounds like one. We'll deal with this Victor the same way we did Lauren," she said confidently. "As soon as that filthy leech sets foot in Forks, he'll be ripped to shreds. This is the strongest our pack has been since its founding. No bloodsucker will survive our wrath."
Beau was stunned. It was one thing to fear Vampires, that was healthy. This was hate in its purest, undiluted form. He didn't know why they hated Vampires so strongly. There was no mistaking the look in the multicolored eyes of the pack's leader. She meant every word, and then some.
"Do not worry, we'll be watching your house carefully. I already know someone who'd be willing to volunteer." She must've thought that why he looked so fearful, it wasn't fear of vampires that made him uneasy now.
Beau's anger simmered just beneath the surface. He wanted to shout, to make them understand the complexity of the situation, but he knew it would be futile. Instead, he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I'm not here to argue," he said, his voice low and controlled. "I just want to make sure Charlie's safe."
Samantha's expression softened slightly, though her stance remained firm. "We'll protect him, Beau. We'll protect all of them. But you need to trust us."
Beau nodded, though his mind was still a whirlwind of fear and doubt. "Thank you, Sam."
She gave him a small, reassuring smile. "We're in this together, Beau. We protect our own."
As Beau turned to leave, he cast one last glance at Jules, her eyes still locked on him. For a moment, everything else faded away. A courage he didn't know he possessed took hold of him, if this was the last time he saw her, this wasn't how he wanted it to end. They had been best friends. It couldn't end with them avoiding and ignoring each other for the rest of time.
"Do you think I could talk to Jules, alone?"
"I believe that would be best. I'll leave you to it."
Sam produced a phone from the pocket of her robe, flicking it open and pressing it to her ear. His brain struggling to comprehend how this completely normal looking girl had been in the form of a giant wolf mere moments ago.
Warily, the wolf with the hazel brown eyes approached him, first shooting a look at Sam before continuing to trudge over to him. Its posture shrunken and its nose nearly dragging in the dirt as it refused to meet his gaze.
Then it started shaking, the fur receding from the large canine as Beau covered his eyes and waited for her to be decent.
"Beau, I'm wearing clothes. You don't need to do that."
"Oh, okay." Jules was clad in a pair of skintight shorts and a white crop top that seemed a size or three too small, the fabric appearing to be almost painted on her skin.
"So? You wanted to talk, talk."
"What…happened?"
"Haven't you heard? I'm a monster." Jules crossed her arms, speaking in a cold, detached monotone.
Beau winced as she spoke his own words back to him. He hadn't thought that his words might affect her, now he wished he could travel back in time and slap himself before he ever said them.
Despite the hostility in her tone, he could see that her eyes were watering, her lean muscles almost imperceptibly trembling as she watched him.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that, not really. I just thought…" He stopped himself, struggling to find the words he knew needed to be said.
She started to turn from him, a coldness coming over her normally warm and expressive features that made him take a few desperate steps over towards her.
"You're not a monster Jules."
"You're just saying that. You don't even believe it."
"Jules, if you were 30 feet tall and spewed flames whenever you exhale. You'd still be my best friend, and I'd still miss you."
"Really?" Beau recognized the look on her face immediately, her vulnerable expression convulsing as she desperately tried to fight the tide of tears threatening to spill out.
He didn't answer her question, instead stepping close to her, ignoring the wary look she gave him as wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.
Her resistance crumpled as he clung to the girl, softly stroking her hair as she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably into his arms. A growing wet spot forming on his shoulder.
When he looked up, he saw Sam, watching them from a distance, still in her human form, a growing smile on her lips that matched his own. Giving him a quick thumbs up and a nod of approval that made his cheeks burn as he realized their position.
Still, he couldn't pull away from her now, not when she was like this. After weeks of helping hold his sanity together, this was the least he could do. So he squeezed her even tighter, rubbing his other hand in slow circles along her back as her crying slowed before ceasing altogether.
Then, without warning, the entire pack sprung into action.
With growing horror, Beau watched Sam and Jules' head snap to observe something in the distance. Jules took sharp breaths through her nose as Sam made a shooing gesture, looking at him then Jules with a look of steely determination.
Before a blur of motion came flying through the trees. Colliding directly with Sam, who was all that stood between him and the vaguely humanoid shape that had shot at him like a bullet.
That was all Beau was able to see before Jules scooped him up in her arms and broke into a dead sprint.
The position was more than a little awkward with Beau's height, but Jules didn't seem to be under the slightest strain to carry him. Running faster than a human ever could whilst carrying him bridal style.
After a tense couple minutes, where the only sounds were that of Jules' steady footfalls and the occasional sound from the unseen struggle, they arrived back at the road he'd come from.
Jules laid him gently on the forest floor, close to the road. Before he could even react, he watched her entire body vibrate before her body exploded into that of a large, russet furred wolf that bounded back into the woods with superhuman speed.
Once again, he'd come far closer to death than he wished. All that had saved him then was Sam being gracious enough to place her body in the path of whatever monster had leapt from the underbrush to attack them.
Of course, he was completely helpless even now. All he could do was watch and listen, a choice he'd come to regret almost immediately.
He heard a sound, muffled by the distance separating them, but the echoes seemed deafening as the whole of nature surrounding all went deathly quiet.
It was the sound of bones being cracked and crushed, of a wolf letting out a cry of pain that was cut off abruptly.
The forest was still, the birds no longer chirping, the insects stopped buzzing, then another sound pierced the overbearing silence like a knife, aimed directly at his heart.
First, it was just a single howl, low and deep, full of mourning and pain that he'd never heard in the cry of an animal before now. Then another, and another, before the entire pack joined together, creating one loud chorus of grief.
Beau's heart pounded, eyes widened as he made a mad dash back the way he'd come. Horrid images flashed through his head, of the wolf with hazel eyes, laying on the cold forest floor, its life slowly ebbing away as the monster looming above her sank its fangs into her.
When he made it back to the small clearing, Beau felt a dizzying cocktail of emotions bubble up from within him, each fighting to reach the surface.
A wolf lay on the ground, its eyes struggling to stay open as it took slow and labored breaths, a horrible rattling noise coming from inside its throat during each pained inhale and exhale.
Beau approached slowly, as if in a trance, his body propelling itself forward on autopilot, recognizing the eyes he'd been looking into mere moments ago. The vibrant twin colors steadily losing their brightness.
His mind was clearer than it had been in months. He didn't understand why they had stayed in their animal forms, but didn't begrudge them for it.
He had to be the one to do this.
All eyes of the pack were on him as he tentatively reached his hand out, gently stroking the side of the large canine's head. Its fur still slick and matted with foul smelling blood that he paid no mind to. Forcing down the wave of nausea and dizziness that overcame him.
"Thank you."
The beast nodded, a muffled yelp of pain escaping its jaws from the motion. Its eyes filled with understanding, he forced a smile, keeping up his steady petting as its eyes fluttered closed. Each time staying open for less time, the light slowly sapped out every moment that passed between them.
Death. It didn't scare him. Not like it had before. Now it felt more like an old acquaintance than an unwelcome stranger. Always lurking behind the next corner. It was familiar, a constant companion he found it best to ignore.
It should've been him, and it very nearly was. Sam had chosen to intervene, to put herself directly in harm's way to save him, the second time the wolf pack had saved his life. The second time, someone wasn't alive because of him. An idiot who put himself in a new life and death scenario each week.
"It's okay, you did good, they're safe. You can…rest now." He choked out the rest of the words, unable to speak further, knowing that the instant he did, he'd break his promise.
With a final huff of air. Sam's chest rose and fell one last time, her body growing still as the crushing silence of the forest returned.
The howls started again. First, it was Lee, creating a deep and booming noise that seemed to project itself straight from the essence of his soul.
The other joined in, one by one, the sound amplifying and ringing in his ears as the chorus of grief reached its crescendo.
Gently, Beau's fingers reached for the large lids that hung over her glassy eyes, and closed them.
Once that was done, the unexplainable strength propelling his actions left. Leaving him mentally and physically exhausted. Looking at the blood on his hand as his stomach turned and legs trembled.
Beau felt he was intruding, so he left, staggering back up to his feet and moving as fast as his unsteady legs could carry him. Picking a random direction and walking. He heard large footsteps crushing the underbrush as something followed him. He made a gesture with his hand and waved them off, hoping they would understand his desire to be left alone.
Joss, Lauren, and now Sam had all died so that he could be safe. How many more would have to die before this ends? Vampire or human, he hoped the answer was zero.
This had to be the doing of Victor. He didn't know why, but he was certain of it.
His fists clenched, teeth gritted, for the first time, his seemingly endless fountain of anger was directed at someone besides himself.
In his mind's eye he saw him, ginger hair flowing wildly behind him, raucously laughing at his terrified expression, relishing his suffering with a grin of pure sadism.
He hated Victor, more than he thought it was possible for him to hate anyone. This…monster willing to kill anyone, all for the sake of his idiotic revenge quest.
Beau wandered aimlessly through the woods, unaware of where his feet were taking him as his mind was elsewhere.
Beau's steps were slow, sluggish, nearly tripping several times as he moved through the increasingly familiar woods that surrounded him.
It would be his first time coming here since his birthday. When he finally broke through the trees, he was able to spot it, the large mansion looking far more imposing than it had on his last visit.
Beau stepped cautiously onto the winding driveway that led to the Cullen house, its grandeur still striking even in its emptiness. The modern, three-story structure loomed ahead, its white facade standing out starkly against the lush greenery of the surrounding forest. Tall, wide windows wrapped around the house, their glass panes now cold and lifeless, reflecting the dense foliage like dark, unblinking eyes.
As he approached, the immaculate landscaping—once a testament to the Cullens' meticulous nature—had begun showing signs of neglect. The flowerbeds, once vibrant with carefully tended blooms, were now choked with weeds, and the once-pristine lawn was overgrown and unruly.
Beau hesitated at the front steps, his eyes tracing the clean lines and elegant design that he remembered so well. The porch, with its sleek, minimalist furniture, was covered in a thin layer of dust, the cushions slightly askew as if the occupants had left in a hurry.
The house itself, though, still held an aura of timeless beauty. Its wide, open spaces visible through the windows felt eerily still, the grand piano in the living room gathering dust, its keys untouched. The kitchen, with its state-of-the-art appliances and spotless counters, looked like a showpiece, unused and abandoned.
Inside, the absence of the Cullens was palpable. The air was heavy with silence, every step Beau took echoing through the vast, empty rooms. The walls, adorned with tasteful, modern art and family photographs, seemed to whisper of the life and laughter that once filled the space.
Beau wandered through the house, each room a poignant reminder of the family that had lived there. The library, with its towering shelves of books, felt like a mausoleum for forgotten stories. The bedrooms, each uniquely decorated to reflect their occupant's personality, were frozen in time, beds neatly made, personal items left in place as if waiting for their owners to return.
In the living room, Beau paused by the grand piano, running a finger through the dust on its polished surface. He looked up at the large, floor-to-ceiling window that offered a breathtaking view of the forest. The sunlight streaming in felt colder, less welcoming, as if the house itself was mourning the loss of its inhabitants.
Despite its emptiness, the Cullen house had retained its undeniable elegance and charm. But without the family, it felt more like a beautifully crafted shell—hollow, silent, and waiting.
He returned to the living room, his thoughts still stuck on the grand piano sitting centerpiece, the empty bench beside it beckoning him. His fingers slid along the smooth keys. Aside from the layer of dust, it was pristine. One of his fingers pressed too hard, playing a singular note that bounced throughout the empty space. His hand recoiled from the sound as if burned.
They were back, or at least she was. Why hadn't they returned here? Had she come alone?
Part of him had tried to convince himself that their encounter was another nightmare, a vivid hallucination pulled from the darkest place of his mind. Meant to force him to lower his guard, turn around and clean off a nice spot to put the next knife.
If she had lied then, it wouldn't be the first time. What even was the truth? Had it been that night in the woods? Where she rebuked the entire idea of their relationship, called it impossible and him nothing more than a pet.
Or the forceful confession on the side of the road? That seemed to be a direct answer to his calls and prayers, too perfect, so much so that it still felt like a dream he'd had.
It couldn't be both. She'd said it was a mistake, that she had always loved him and never stopped, but if that were really true, she'd never have left.
Beau wouldn't have left her, even if he knew it was bad for them both, he was selfish like that. It's not like he'd been blind or deaf. He could see the strain and pain he put her through each day. Still, he stayed with her, because he loved her, and a world without her was like a world that had lost its moon. He'd survive, but never be the same again.
That was the answer, wasn't it? Return to Edythe, everything goes back to normal, he's happy, she's happy. What's wrong with that?
It would only be temporary. Sooner or later, she'd lose interest again, move on to the next thing that catches her interest. He couldn't go through that again, wouldn't.
Victor, that was another problem, one that wouldn't be magically solved if he returned to her. He'd be safe, for the moment, all it'd take was a momentary slip, he'd still be watching his back every time she left to hunt. Until the day his human body was too old and frail to keep up with her eternal youth.
If Edythe left again, he'd be right back at square one. Add onto that it'd permanently cement his reputation as a 'leech lover' to the Wolfpack. They'd abandon him inevitably, assuming they even helped him after Edythe dropped him again. He wasn't useful, only a waste of resources spent to keep him safe.
It wasn't a coincidence that she'd shown up at the same time as Victor, Lauren too. Why did she care about Victor? Didn't she know it wasn't her that he was after? There was a possibility that if his death wasn't satisfying enough, he'd come for her, but that was a hypothetical, a far-fetched one at that.
He knew Edythe, or at least he thought he had. Perhaps she had truly meant her words, some of them at least. After seeing his state after leaving him, she must've felt guilty being the one responsible. She offered to return the status quo to please him, like a parent giving their crying child whatever they want for lack of better options.
Edythe was an immortal. Spending a few decades in a relationship she had no actual interest in was perhaps a noble deed to her, helping the needy.
She thought he was weak, nothing without her. A burden she could either carry with her or let sink further. Not worthy of standing beside her, but willing to allow it out of pity.
The worst part of it was that she was right. He was.
If he wanted to stand beside someone like her, he had to earn it. He hadn't, hadn't come close.
His fingers hesitated at the keys, torn between his desire to play and knowing what that would mean.
This had been her instrument. He didn't think he deserved to play it.
It was in a perfect spot. He always preferred playing without headphones, letting the music flow openly, but refrained from doing it when Charlie was home. He still didn't know that he played, and Beau was intent on keeping it that way.
He never understood her. That had always been a lie. He could understand the parts she'd allowed him to see, but even while they were together, he knew that was only a small piece of the puzzle. Her actions puzzled him, her words contradicted themselves, and her nature was indescribable.
It was an impossible task. Yet Beau still wanted, no, needed to try.
If he understood, he could move on, wouldn't have to spend his days questioning where the lies ended or began. He could love this girl who loved him and showed it in the worst ways, or try to move on after he's been discarded like garbage.
His fingers idly played the keys as his mind was adrift, lost in thought. It had helped, and playing the genuine article felt far better than his electric keyboard.
His desire to play beat out his feeling of unworthiness and it only took a few minutes for him to start playing, with a zeal only reserved for these rare moments of solitude. His fingers flying through the melody that seemed to now be permanently lodged in a part of his brain.
So lost was he in his playing he hadn't noticed the sudden arrival of an audience member, quietly watching him play with a faint smile threatening to peek out from their expression.
When he finally looked up, he must've jumped at least ten feet, grabbing the object closest to him and throwing it with all his might at the intruder out of sheer panic.
Archie caught the flying lamp with an exaggerated flourish, twirling on his feet and spinning the large object between his fingers before gently laying it on the floor.
"See? What did I tell you? You sound incredible for a beginner," Archie said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Go away, Archie." Beau crossed his arms and spoke coldly, feeling a rush of emotions as his eyes scanned the face of his former best friend.
"Listen, Beau, I'm-"
"You're what? Sorry? Fine, apology accepted." Beau took a deep breath to calm himself, unclenching his fists and simply shaking his head at his former friend. "Leave me alone, Archie. I don't wanna talk right now. I've had a…rough day."
"I know. I made-"
"You made a mistake and you're really sorry? Save it, Archie, I don't wanna hear it, not now."
"Come on, Beau, you're stealing my thing. At least let me finish," Archie pleaded.
"It's been months, Archie. You never called, never wrote, never said goodbye." Beau spat out each syllable, his words laced with venom. The cool anger inside him ignited, creating a spark that grew each moment he looked into the black eyes of the man he had once trusted. "You didn't care what I had to say then. Why should I care what you say now?"
"Because it wasn't my choice. I wanted to say goodbye, I really did, but Edythe wouldn't let me."
"Really? She put a gun to your head? Said that if you told me anything, she'd pull the trigger?" Beau retorted sarcastically.
"Well, no, not exactly. Bullets actually make me ticklish, that was her reward." Archie replied, attempting a joke Beau was in no mood for.
He only glared at Archie, the fire in his chest roaring higher, making his blood boil. He had half a mind to sock his former friend in the jaw, only held back by the knowledge that it'd hurt him a lot more than it ever would him.
"Sorry, bad joke. I see your point, and you're right. It was a lose-lose situation whether I betray Edythe or you. Honestly, I think I might've just betrayed you both instead," Archie admitted.
"Archie…" Beau spent a few minutes trying to collect his thoughts, the words he'd been prepared to say the next time he saw Archie, how he was gonna tell him off, harsher than he could ever be to her.
The fire in his chest had gone cold in the blink of an eye. All he felt now was fatigue. Too tired to continue playing, too tired to blow up at Archie, too tired to…exist.
"Just leave me alone, please. We can do this later. I just… I can't right now. Too much has been happening."
"Hah, you're telling me. Beau, I know I don't deserve it, but please, could you make me one small promise?" Archie asked, a hopeful tone in his voice.
"Fine," Beau sighed.
"Please, even if it's only once. Listen to the CD Edythe gave you. I know you still have it. I can't tell you why, but it's important. It doesn't have to be today or tomorrow, but you need to do it at some point. You'll know when it happens."
"Okay? I guess I can do that."
"Great! We'll talk then, and please, stop riding that godforsaken motorcycle. You're gonna get hurt or worse, and I'm not speaking hypothetically."
"Yeah… You're probably right about that," Beau conceded.
When he looked up again, Archie had vanished. With it the silence of the now abandoned house surrounded him once again.
The sun hadn't even set and Beau knew he'd be asleep the instant he got home. Exiting out the foreboding mansion, he began his trek into the woods, half-remembering where he'd left his car.
The Quileute Reservation was cloaked in an aura of profound sorrow, the loss of Samantha weighing heavily on everyone present. The usually vibrant community seemed muted, as if the entire place was possessed by a spirit of mourning. Grief in the air was palpable, reverberating in the grief-stricken faces of her former comrades in arms.
The reservation, with its picturesque setting along the rugged coastline and dense forests, had always been a place of resilience and camaraderie. The small, tightly-knit community thrived on the strength of its bonds, with the elders' stories of old and the youths' laughter creating a symphony of life. But now, a heavy silence blanketed the land.
The homes, simple yet sturdy, stood in stark contrast to the vibrant natural beauty surrounding them. The usual sounds of children playing and families conversing were replaced by quiet conversations and the occasional muffled sob. The forest, usually alive with the calls of wildlife, seemed to hold its breath in solidarity with the grieving humans.
The faces of the people reflected their collective pain. Friends and family members, especially those who had once fought alongside Samantha, now struggled to contain their tears. Their eyes, red and swollen, spoke volumes of the battles they had fought and the bonds they had formed. Each glance at one another was a silent acknowledgement of their shared loss.
Even the natural elements seemed to mirror the community's grief. The sky was overcast, with dark clouds hanging low, threatening rain. Waves crashed against the shore, more turbulently than ever before, as if the ocean itself mourned Samantha's passing. The wind, usually a gentle caress, now blew with a somber intensity, rustling the leaves in a mournful dirge.
Despite the heavy atmosphere, there was a sense of unity among the people. They gathered together, offering silent support and comfort to one another. Amidst their sorrow, they found strength in their shared history and the knowledge that they would continue to protect their land and their people, just as Samantha had.
The reservation, though enveloped in grief, stood as a testament to the enduring spirit of its inhabitants. They mourned their loss, but within their sorrow lay the seeds of resilience and hope for the future.
Beau pulled up to the reservation, his mind racing with the plan he was about to propose. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the forested land, casting an eerie glow over the entire place. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation that awaited him.
He found the members of the wolf pack, sitting around a small bonfire in solemn silence. Each of them gazing into the flames with a look of sad contemplation.
Paula was the first to notice his arrival, her usual scowl snapping into place. "What are you doing here, Beau? More Cullen business?" she sneered.
Beau ignored her tone and jumped straight to the point. "Did Sam tell you anything, before she…" His words trailed off as he found the end to the sentence caught in his throat, regretting immediately that he had to remind them of a loss that was still so fresh to all of them.
Jules spoke for the rest of the pack as they all fell silent. "We know everything she did. It's a good thing you came here yourself. I was about to send someone to get you."
"You were? Why?" Jules simply looked at him, the answer immediately obvious when he saw the grim determination. If it were an impression of how Samantha had looked at him, she'd be spot on.
"I have a plan to deal with Victor."
Paula scoffed, "Seriously? You have a plan? Let me guess, ask very nicely for the mean, nasty vampire to leave us alone?"
Jules glared at her. "Paula, enough. Let him speak."
Paula rolled her eyes but fell silent, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I know he's after me, and that means I could make the perfect bait. All I need is to get close enough while you're with me. If I can provoke him somehow, he'll throw caution to the wind and just try to kill me. That should give plenty of time for you to close in."
Paula raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by his boldness. Before she could respond, Jules appeared, her expression unreadable. Lee and the rest of the pack soon followed, curious about the commotion.
Beau continued, "I know it's risky, but there's no other way. Victor is smart and cautious, but if I can provoke him, he'll lose his head. And that's when you can take him down."
Paula's expression softened a fraction. "I may have misjudged you, Beau. You've got serious balls."
Lee nodded in agreement. "It's a bold plan, and it might just work."
Jules shook her head vehemently. "No, absolutely not. What you're proposing is a suicide mission. A vampire could kill you in seconds, long before any of us could make it in time to save you."
Beau met her gaze, his resolve unwavering. "I know, but there's no other way. If you've got a better idea, I'd love to hear it."
She was shaking her head in disbelief, looking at the pack members murmuring in agreement with a look of utter disgust.
Lee glanced at Jules, a challenge in his eyes. "Are you putting him before the pack? Sam would never make such a foolish decision."
Jules' eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not Sam, and I never will be! Are you seriously questioning the last decision she ever made?"
"No, but-"
"But nothing. If you're so eager to sacrifice someone to kill a vampire, why don't we do it every time? Use a human as bait to kill the bloodsuckers. It'd probably work, and it's better than putting ourselves in danger, right?"
The pack fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in.
Lee shifted uncomfortably. "That's not a fair comparison."
Jules' gaze hardened. "Isn't it? We're protectors, full stop. That means we protect the lives of humans and kill vampires, with no exceptions."
The tension in the air was palpable as the pack considered her words. Finally, Beau spoke up, his voice steady. "I understand the risks, Jules. But if we don't do something, Victor will keep coming after me, and he'll hurt anyone in his way. We have to stop him."
Jules took a deep breath, her eyes locked with Beau's. "Alright. But we do this my way. We protect you, and we kill Victor. No exceptions."
Beau clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. "It's not your decision to make, Jules! Let me do something, anything! I can't stand waiting around just to die."
"I am the Alpha of this pack! It is my decision!" Jules practically roared, their faces less than inch apart. Her hackles raised, as her body tremored with the force of her outburst.
Her expression softened for a moment as she took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing. "I've decided that getting yourself killed is a nonstarter for any plan. We protect you and we kill Victor. Those two are not mutually exclusive."
"How!? I know where he is! We either kill him or wait for him to kill more innocent people?"
"You do!? Why haven't you told us, where the hell is he?"
"Well…about that. Do you remember that party we went to? The one where we had to leave very suddenly."
Jules' shocked expression changed to one of growing horror as his words finally sunk in. "Victor's in Seattle."
Beau nodded his head, grimacing as he saw the traces of hurt in the scorching glare she was now giving him.
"You lied."
"I'm sorry, I didn't want you to be involved with…all this." He gestured to the air as he spoke. "I wanted you to be…free? I guess."
Jules laughed, a deep and husky laugh that never reached her eyes, sounding hauntingly familiar. As the pack dispersed to prepare for the coming battle, Jules pulled Beau aside, her expression snapping back in an instant like elastic.
"You better not get yourself killed, Beau. We need you alive." She stole a quick glance at the pack before placing her lips to his ear, her hot breath making the hairs on his neck stand up.
"I need you alive, more than ever." She finished by faintly pressing her lips to his cheek, sending a warm current of electricity from the spot she touched.
Beau managed a small smile, wanting to tell her not to do that again. She looked happy, if only for a moment, she deserved a moment like that.
"I'll do my best."
The sun had fully set now, and the forest was cloaked in darkness. Beau was paralyzed, unable to do anything aside from wait for Victor's next move. Knowing full well that more people could end up dead because of a feud they had no part in. He hated that but had no way of doing anything on his own, he was a walking liability. A magnet for death and destruction.
All he hope now was that Jules was right, and she'd find some magical way to keep him safe and kill Victor, though a voice in the back of his head, on a streak for being correct, told him it would never happen.
"Will all the great oceans of Neptune wash this blood from my hands?"