AN: Happy New Year!
Today is exactly one year since I first published Ever After, so to mark the occasion, I thought I'd update early! Enjoy xoxo
– Forks, Washington –
The first thing Bella saw when he entered the living room and brought her into his arms was the most intense cerulean blue eyes staring back at her. She'd seen these eyes before, in her dream. They were a lovely dark blue with hints of green around the pupil and a hard line of dark azure around the outermost edge of his Iris.
She wasn't sure how she'd dreamed about these eyes. Maybe it was a witch thing. She'd be sure to ask Nan about it later.
He was the most handsome man she'd ever seen. And that was saying a lot. She'd spent time with cold ones. Before this man walked into her home, she'd believed nobody could rival Edward's God-like beauty. And maybe that still held true—cold ones are exquisitely beautiful, after all—but this man was real. He was flesh and bone. She could feel the heat coming from his skin and . . . okay, he wasn't soft, Bella could feel all his hard muscles beneath her, but being in his arms was nothing like being draped across a boulder in the artic!
And then there was the taste of his blood . . .
She was pretty sure blood wasn't supposed to taste good to her. She's human, after all! Usually, just a drop of blood was enough to make her feel faint. The scent always made her stomach churn. But his blood was like the sweetest nectar.
Why was that?
Perhaps, more importantly—she should be asking—who is this man? Is he a vampire like Uncle Damon and Uncle Stefan?
The moment he burst into her home, the world around her was once again altered.
Bella and Stefan were sitting quietly waiting for Nan and Uncle Damon to return with their guests. Bella figured Stefan was listening to the conversation outside. If the little creases between his brow were any indication, he was straining to hear what was happening.
She wasn't sure why he was straining so hard. They'd told her traditional vampires are stronger than cold ones. If that were true, why was Uncle Stefan breaking a sweat over eavesdropping on a conversation not fifty yards away?
"Uncle Stef, are you okay?"
"Hmm?" He looked back at her.
She smiled. "You look like you're about to pop a blood vessel straining to hear whatever's going on out there."
He chuckled. "Oh. I, uh," he sighed, "I'm not as strong as Damon."
"How come?"
"I don't feed on human blood," he told her.
"Oh, I see. You feed on animal blood like the Cullens."
He nodded. "Yes. But, uh, for our kind, the way I choose to feed makes me weaker than those who feed on human blood. Human blood is our natural food source, it's what our bodies crave. But, uh, I'm . . ." He chuckled, "my best friend Lexi would tell you I'm a blood-aholic. I have, uh, problems controlling myself . . ."
She sensed he was editing himself. She wasn't sure if that was for her benefit, because he didn't want to scare her, or if he was too ashamed to tell her the truth right now.
"Jasper's a bit like that, too," she told him. "He's an empath so when he feeds on humans he feels everything they're feeling. That's why he chooses to drink animal blood instead of human. But after a century of feeding the natural way—according to the Cullens—he has very limited control around human blood. He was considered the weakest member of the family because of his control but I think that's a load of crap."
Stefan frowned. "How come?"
She shrugged. "If he had such poor control, why would they let him attend high school every day? From what I could tell, it wasn't pleasant for him to be there, but he was there and nobody died, so his control couldn't have been that bad. And also," she went on, thinking it over now, "if his control was that bad, how was he able to enter a building where I was bleeding to death?"
"If he considered you family, maybe he was able to withstand the bloodlust . . ."
"But that doesn't explain why he lost control on my birthday. Is there a difference between me bleeding profusely from a major artery and one drop of blood due to a paper cut?"
"Could've been adrenaline," Stefan mused. "In the ballet studio, you were injured and he was focused on your attacker. But the papercut caught them off guard. It wasn't something they were expecting and so it had a different effect."
Bella nodded as she took in what Stefan had suggested. It did make sense. They were having fun on her birthday and nobody—maybe not even Alice—expected her to be injured that night even if it was only a tiny paper cut.
"Do you feed on smaller animals or bigger game?" She asked, shocking Stefan.
"Uh, usually whatever I come across in the forest. Small critters. The occasional deer."
Bella nodded. "You might want to try bigger predators. Emmett once told me bigger animals, especially carnivores, keep their bloodlust satiated longer because it's closer to human blood." She shrugged. "I have no idea if that's true but it could be worth trying."
Stefan smiled. "I'll keep that in mind."
She and Stefan were talking about their favourite books when it happened. It wasn't something Bella had been expecting. But, it made sense. If the father of her little bundle of demonic joy is inhumanly strong, then, of course, his child would be, too. Right?
Her mind was so focused on getting to know Uncle Stefan that the movement inside of her took her by surprise.
For a moment, everything was fine.
And then it happened again. And this time, she heard the snap of her ribs breaking.
Is that even possible? Did I hear my ribs snapping from inside my body? Or did I just imagine I heard it because the pain was so bad?
It hurt like a motherfucker.
As soon as she screamed, Stefan shot off the sofa and blurred into action.
"Son of a nutcracker!" She hissed.
The pain rushing through her body was horrendous. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to move!
Stefan tried to give her his blood but the taste was disgusting. It felt like acid being poured down her throat. She gagged and choked as her stomach churned. She vomited a fountain of blood. That was pleasant. It went everywhere! All over her. All over Stefan. It was almost worse than being kicked in the ribs by a baby boulder!
When she thought the pain couldn't get any worse, he appeared. Like a beautiful blue-eyed, blonde-haired angel sweeping her up in his arms and feeding her his healing blood.
As soon as he touched her, she felt a surge of electricity sweep through her connecting every molecule, every fiber of her being to him. But there was something else there, too. Something she didn't understand. It was like a dual connection. Neither was stronger or weaker than the other. They moved in tandem, intricately woven all around her, like a soft, cozy security blanket.
She couldn't see it, but she imagined both threads like two balls of wool. Each thread was weaving and curling around her soul, pulling tight and unbreakable as his soul and hers were joined.
Though she didn't know for sure, some part of her instinctively knew what had happened.
Something locked deep within her shifted. Bella knew this was her inner wolf answering the call to her mate. She was still bound and unable to rise to the surface, but she was there, an intricate part of Bella that would one day break free and join her mate completely.
When he was satisfied she'd had enough of his blood he removed his wrist from her grasp and she twisted in his arms, wanting a better look at the man who'd just claimed her heart as his.
Unlike Edward—whoever this was—he was a grown man. She put him in his mid-twenties. No older than 25, she guessed. He had dark blonde hair and a rugged, scruffy face. She didn't mind that. The scruff suited him.
Absently, she wondered what it would feel like to kiss him. She wanted to know what his facial hair would feel like against her bare skin. Would it be uncomfortable? Or pleasant? She imagined his lips were soft. But the stubble across his jaw . . . would it distract or enhance the experience? And what would it feel like pressed against her inner thigh . . .?
.
..
…
Oh, my.
.
..
…
She wasn't expecting that thought.
She felt the blush rise on her cheeks as her arousal surged.
.
..
…
She shook her head. She didn't even know his name! And isn't she supposed to be in love with Edward?
Who the hell cares about that tween when you're lying in the arms of this gorgeous man? Feel the raw power and strength and masculinity . . .
In the arms of this man, she could hardly remember what she felt for Edward. She was certain it wasn't love. It couldn't have been. Infatuation, maybe. Lust, definitely. But not love. At least, not the kind of love that lasted centuries. Eons. Eternity.
Carefully, moving slowly so as not to startle him, she reached up and gently pressed her hand against his cheek. As soon as he looked down at her she was met with the most gorgeous, vivid golden eyes gazing back at her.
Weren't his eyes blue a moment ago?
"Why are your eyes glowing?"
─── ･｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ. ───
As soon as she was in his arms, her lips on his wrist, consuming his blood, Klaus felt every part of him awaken.
He wasn't sure how it was possible. In a thousand years, he'd only ever felt his wolf once, and that was the night he'd triggered his curse and transitioned for the first time. Without breaking the curse, this shouldn't be happening.
"Peter," Klaus said, tearing his eyes away from his mate to look up at the only man in the room with answers. "What's happening?"
"I told ya, Nic," he smiled. "Your mate is key to breaking your curse. Your bond with her—even at this early stage—is what awoke your wolf from his eternal slumber. Now, I'm not sure how your mate fits into all of this or what her part will be when it comes time to break the curse, which, I believe still needs to be fully broken. But I do know, this is a step that was needed to ensure your future. It means you're on the right path, a path Nature and The Original Witch didn't want you to take."
"But The Fates did," Klaus realized, "that's why you were able to lead me here."
"Yes." Peter nodded and then sighed. "Well, partially for you, but also for Miss. Swan. For what's to come, she is vital, which is why we needed to be here now and why Kol needed to be undaggered so that he could be here to help her."
In his arms, his little mate shifted. "Is he psychic?" She whispered. "I have some experience with a teacup-sized psychic, and, I gotta say, so far, I'm not a big fan."
Kol chuckled.
"I'm not psychic," Peter assured the girl. "I am a conduit. A, uh, mouthpiece for The Fates. When they have something to say, I . . ." he shrugged, "just know."
She nodded. "So, your stuff's legit?" She asked. "It's not like subjective or something?"
Realization dawned in Peter's eyes. "You've met Alice Cullen," he growled.
Bella nodded. "Her brother, Edward, is my ex. And the, uh, possible father of this little bundle of demonic spawn I'm carrying."
A low growl came from Klaus' chest, drawing her attention back to him. She shifted against him. Her dark eyes met his and the world around them melted away.
He never imagined a mating bond could feel so . . . freeing. If someone had asked him an hour ago, he would have described it as a restricting bond, something he really didn't want or need in his life. The idea of being bound to one woman for the rest of his eternity seemed stifling and boring. But that's not how he felt at all.
This was . . . freeing. An immediate sense of familiarity took hold of him as his instincts screamed at him to mark her and claim her as his. The feeling was warm like a blanket had been draped across his soul, keeping him safe and loved. It was such an alien feeling to him but, every part of him relished in it. Now that she was here in his arms, he couldn't imagine spending one moment of his life without her. She was essential to him.
His heart.
His soul.
His mate.
"All right," Marie called, "everyone out. Let's give these two some time alone. I'll make us all a nice lunch. I'm sure you boys are hungry after your long trip . . ."
Peter, Kol, and Damon followed the little white-haired woman out of the room.
Klaus was grateful to her. He desperately wanted a moment alone with his new mate.
"Hello," she whispered, gazing back at him. Her bottom lip made its way between her teeth.
"Hello love," he said, a soft smile on his face.
"So . . ."
"So . . ."
This was new. A thousand years on this earth and he was at a loss for words!
He cleared his throat. "Allow me to introduce myself," he began. "I am Niklaus Mikaelson. But you may call me Nik."
He wasn't sure why he wanted her to call him Nik and not Klaus. There are only three people in the world who call him Nik. Only three people he's ever allowed to call him Nik. But . . . the thought of her, his mate, calling him Klaus didn't sit right with him. He would be Klaus when he needed to be, but he would always be her Nik.
She smiled. "It's very nice to meet you, Nik. I'm Isabella Marie Swan. But you can call me Bella."
"Isabella," he whispered, her name sounding like a prayer on his lips.
"Is, um," she looked toward the entryway, "is what your friend said the truth?" she asked, turning back to look at him. "Am I your mate?"
─── ･｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ. ───
As soon as she spoke the words she was dying to know the answer to, Nik's eyes began to glow once again. It was fascinating to see, but she didn't understand why it kept happening.
"Yes, love, it's true," he confirmed. "Peter doesn't lie, especially not regarding the information he receives from The Fates."
She nodded.
She believed what he was saying. There was a vulnerability in his eyes that assured her he was being truthful. But she didn't understand it. Edward and Alice said she was meant for Edward.
Was that a lie?
Of course, it was! Those two do nothing but lie and manipulate.
"Is . . ." she sighed, she needed to know, ". . . is it possible to have two mates?"
"No," Nik answered, his tone hard, unyielding. His arms tightened around her, holding her close to him. "No matter the species, it isn't possible to have more than one soulmate."
He sighed and closed his eyes. "I have heard of cases where a bond has been broken. It's rare. The bond would've had to be weak. But it's possible."
She placed her hand on his cheek. "I guess, even supernatural bonds take work."
He sighed as he opened his eyes to meet hers. "Yes, love. They do." He agreed. "Werewolves are a little different because they're not immortal. They mate for life. The bond only breaks if a mate is lost . . ."
"You're a werewolf," she smiled and then frowned again. "I didn't realize werewolves had healing blood like vampires . . ."
"They don't," Nik smiled. "I was born a werewolf and then turned into a vampire through a spell my mother cast. Upon my first kill as a vampire, I triggered the wolf curse and became a hybrid."
Her eyes widened in shock. "That's how you become a wolf?" She whispered. "You have to take a life?"
Nik nodded. "Yes."
"Oh," she said softly, taking a deep breath. "My dad and I haven't had that conversation yet. I'm still wrapping my mind around true vampires and witches . . ."
"Your father is a wolf, too?"
She nodded. "And Nan is a witch and I'm," she smiled, "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma . . ."
He smiled. "You would be a witch until you trigger the wolf curse. Once you become a wolf, you'll no longer be a witch."
She shook her head. "Nan said I might be different because my magic is special."
He frowned. "Special?"
She lifted her hand between them and concentrated. A moment later the purple tendrils of magic curled around her fingers. And as she lifted her eyes to meet Nik's, they were glowing dark purple.
"Nan's not sure why my magic is different but apparently I'm destined to be pretty powerful," she shrugged as the wisps of magic disappeared and her eyes returned to their dark brown.
─── ･｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ. ───
Nik stared at his young mate in complete shock.
Her father's wolf. Her grandmother's a witch. And she was . . . exceptional.
He had no idea why her magic was purple, why her eyes glowed, or what the tendrils were that flowed around her fingers, but he knew raw power when he felt it. And his little mate had it in spades! In all his years, he'd never felt magic like that.
"It's all new to me," she admitted, her voice soft. "A few days ago, I thought I was a regular human and then I blew up the coffee table by accident and found out my dad turns into a wolf once a month. Turns out, I'm not that normal."
"You're extraordinary," he told her.
"Not really," she shook her head. "I don't know the first thing about magic or this world. I'm just a girl . . ." she shrugged, "just an ordinary girl . . ."
"If that were true, love, your eyes would not be purple right now, your fingers would not glow purple, and you would not be sitting here in my lap."
He didn't understand why, but tears welled up in her eyes as she stared back at him. "I've never . . ." she shook her head. "I spent my whole life taking care of my mother. I never got to be a regular, normal girl. I never got to be a kid and do . . . whatever kids do." She huffed. "I don't even know what kids do, but I know I never got to do it!"
"I was always too busy taking care of the house or my mom or working small jobs so I could have money for groceries and to pay whatever bills Renee forgot to pay."
She wiped the tears from her eyes. "I know it sounds bad," she sighed. "And, to some extent, it was. But it could've been so much worse. I know that. But . . . I never got to be . . . me . . . I don't even think I know who I am besides Renee's caretaker and maid . . ."
"And now after Edward and . . . and . . . this," she pointed to her bloated belly, "I'm probably going to end up dying and I haven't even begun living yet!"
Klaus tightened his arms around her. "You are not going to die," he growled.
Her death was not an option. He would not lose her now he'd found her.
He took a breath and held his mate close to him as he gathered his thoughts. He hadn't comforted anyone in decades, centuries even! He wasn't even sure how to offer her comfort. She didn't protest his actions, so he took that as a good sign.
"I've lived a very long time," he told her. "And I've learned that in every moment a choice exists. We can cling to the past or embrace the inevitability of change and allow a brighter future to unfold. As long as you are up to fighting this," he indicated to her belly, "and not allow it to conquer you, then a new day will rise. A better day."
"And on that day," he continued, "you can choose how you wish to live the rest of your life. Embrace every moment. Allow the world to guide you and take you wherever you wish to go. Be whomever you wish to be, Isabella. You're young. Your life is just beginning. Embrace it. Take hold of it. Accept the changes you're going through. Embrace the power you've been given. And live however you want to live."
She leaned back and looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I don't want to die, Nik."
"You are not going to die, love," he promised her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I won't allow it."
With a sigh, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. It felt strange to comfort someone, but he found he enjoyed it.
Perhaps, after all, he would enjoy having a mate.