Emily's Story (2 page)

Her blue frightened eyes took in the surroundings and her curiosity propelled her up another flight of stairs. White walls changed to pale blue at the top. The first room smelled faintly of her mother but except for a small bed the room was bare. The next room held a more condensed odor of Carolynn and Emily knew it was where her mother slept. Entering, she skimmed her fingers over the bed coverings and along the walls. Her fingers grasped the knob on another door and pulled it open. Several brown dresses hung from a long pole across one side of the small room. They were her mother’s clothing. Three pairs of brown shoes sat on the floor lined up neatly below the hanging garments. Emily’s fingers touched the colorless shrouds but she didn’t remove them. In the back corner she saw faded blue material and reaching over she pulled it out. Her fingers glided softly over the texture, its feel was different than the dresses her and her mother wore. Staring at the strange apparel, it took her several minutes to figure out how it could cover her legs. She continued her search, found soft white shirts, and pulled one over her head to complete her new outfit. She didn’t put on Carolynn’s shoes. Every step she took was a different sensation for her feet and toes and she liked it.

The lower floor beckoned and she made her way back to the translucent barrier. Yearning to touch the colors beyond, her fingers traveled over the smooth surface. Apprehension held her back. Taking deep breaths, she pulled herself away and explored some more, putting names to the words her mother used and described.

Heaviness descended over her body and she grew lethargic. Finally, she sat on a long soft bed with sides where she could see the world beyond. Slowly her body slid sideways and her knees met her stomach. Sleep took over.

“Carolynn.” Thump, thump, “Carolynn, are you all right?”

The loud pounding and gruff voice woke Emily and she quickly slipped to the floor and lay still. The red haze slid back over her eyes. If the person entered the house she would let the demon have them.

The knocking and voice finally stopped. Taking a hesitant glance outside, she saw a large blue object rumbling away. She noticed the light shining into the room wasn’t as bright. Resisting the other side of the barrier was getting harder.

Again, rumbles came from her stomach and she turned away and made her way to search for more to eat. She discovered a cabinet filled with cold food and devoured everything her stomach could hold. When she finished eating, the last rays of sunlight were leaving the sky. Dark shadows enveloped the room and Emily could no longer fight the needs of her beast. Her fingers played with the front door lock until it swung open and the scent of the wild filled the room.

Emily was no longer afraid.

Chapter 3

Dying during a challenge for alpha wasn’t Brandt’s original plan. But the fight continued and he realized it would solve his biggest problem; his lack of a desire to live.

Cheri, his clan leader and the vampire who could help him heal from death injuries, was in Europe working to bring the overseas clans into the 21
^st
century. So far her success was minimal.

Brandt knew she would be one pissed off vampire when she returned and found him dead. Not that it mattered because he wouldn’t be around to feel her wrath. And, she would have no choice but to accept Clem if he won the challenge for alpha. Pack rules dictated that if Clem killed him, he deserved the alpha title. Unfortunately, the pack did not deserve Clem.

Brandt’s blood flowed and his life essence slowly faded. Over five-hundred years old, three-hundred of those years spent being leader of his pack, and a young barely two-hundred year old pup was getting the best of him. He could feel his broken ribs grinding and he knew they presented the biggest danger. He would not survive if one pierced his heart.

Clem’s insanity had shown for years and Brandt should have killed him long before this, but it was too late to go back now.

The large fist landed slightly to the side of Brandt’s midsection and the sensitive wolf ears surrounding the ring heard the grating cracks. His pack had quieted to a hush of uneasy realization.

Clem changed from man to wolf. He came in close for the death strike and his large teeth had one target, Brandt’s throat.

“You fucking wolf, if you die I’ll follow you into the afterlife and kick your ass again.” Loud and clear, Cheri’s voice entered his mind and Brandt felt her presence like a beacon of energy.

She could come to his aid in healing if he won, but according to pack law she couldn’t help him fight.

Brandt’s internal sadness had rarely left him during the past year. He was tired of his life, but in that instant he decided that Clem would not be the one to take it.

Brandt had no time to seek out the eyes of his queen. At the sound of her voice, he decided today was not a good day to die. Wrenching his head away, he avoided the yellow foam covered teeth attempting to tear out his jugular. Brandt’s body flowed seamlessly into his wolf form and twisted. The clang of vicious fangs missing purchase on his neck was satisfyingly sweet. In the next instant fur, flesh, and muscle from his shoulder tore in a savage twist by his enemy’s jaws. The pain caused him to focus.

Brandt’s arms and legs changed to their human form.

He grabbed Clem and brought the wolf’s neck to his elongated fangs. In one savage bite Clem’s life was no more. He threw the body to the ground and then changed to full wolf.

Unsteady aching legs carried him from the ring into the surrounding woods and hills. His wolf form was pitch black in color and the night swallowed him leaving his queen behind.

Brandt knew his injuries were life threatening, but he continued to run until his paws gave out and he lost too much blood to rise again. He lay on the leaves of the overgrown forest and allowed his breathing to slow. He embraced the pain, hoping for death.

Her voice was exasperated, “What are you doing Brandt? Do you really think I would let you die? Even across an ocean, I can feel the turmoil in your stupid brain. You were once my lover and are now my friend. I’m not willing to lose you this way.”

He heard soft footsteps approach and felt her strong arms lift him slightly. His world went black but his last thought was that death would not be his today, maybe tomorrow.

***

The cool cloth brought him back to consciousness. Cheri used it to wipe the blood and sweat from his nude body. He knew this room but hadn’t been there in far too many years. She was aware that he was awake, but he didn’t speak. She continued her attention to his bare human skin.

Her long brown hair fell forward and the smell of strawberry wine touched his nostrils. Dark lush eyelashes swept over large emerald eyes and softened the defined lines of her high cheekbones. Her alabaster skin untouched by the sun felt like rose petals. She was five foot eight, tall for a woman, but the sway of her body when she moved showed controlled grace and confidence born from hundreds of years of life. Her hands were silk but like a spider’s web, their strength impossible to escape once they trapped you in their steel grip.

His strong masculine fingers finally grasped hers knowing he didn’t have the power to stop their movement. “You should have let me go. I’m ready; this life has nothing for me.”

She looked into his gaze. Chocolate brown pain-filled eyes stared from his perfectly sculptured face. His body, a mass of defined muscles flowed one into the other and quivered beneath her touch. Every inch of him a honed fighting machine that reeked of sullen unforgiving alpha power. A human or werewolf would be afraid but she was vampire and spoke to him like she would a child, “You’re selfish, and you can’t stop thinking with your dick. I should let you suffer slowly and heal your own injuries. You think I would allow you to die just because you’re too spoiled to grow up? Besides, do you really think that jackass Clem could lead my people? I would have killed him myself.”

His arm flexed and muscles stood out, punishingly he squeezed her fingers. He couldn’t physically hurt her but his anguish was apparent in the demanding pressure, “I know, but I wouldn’t have been around to care.”

Her tone softened, “I don’t understand what you need Brandt. I would give you anything in my power.”

Her words hurt him more than his injuries. He loved her and shared a far too short time in her bed. Her heart craved another and the knowledge killed him slowly. His pack did not need a weak, lovesick alpha. He died a little more each day from desiring her for his mate. His heart had chosen and this life was not worth living. Anger coursed through his blood. Anger at her and hatred for the man she loved.

Brandt was the strongest wolf she had ever known; fierce, loyal, and loving with his pack. She had reduced him to this and her blood cringed with his next words.

“I can’t live this way. It’s killing me slowly each day. I no longer want to watch the sun rise. You are my queen your responsibility is to put the clan first and give me peace. Hatred and jealousy are eating me alive and I’m attracting death to my pack. It is my brothers I kill. They cannot help but challenge my position with this uncertainty weighing me down. My reign as alpha is over and only you can release my soul to the afterlife. Do your duty.” The words carried all the hurt and fury he contained just below the surface of his human form.

She could also hear his desolation. Sharp fangs again entered his jugular to give him a short time of peace. Her heart ached because she loved him but knew he wanted more. She had cut off their affair many years before. His body, love making, and passion were
almost
the most incredible she ever felt, but she could not give him the ultimate gift; her heart. After the breakup their friendship suffered for years but finally returned. During these past months she sensed his sadness. She couldn’t change the cause and it had grown worse after his return from the Central Clan’s cub naming ceremony in Arizona. Her trip to Europe was a short term solution to give him space.

She stood and left the room giving instructions for Dominique, a pack she-wolf, to stay by his side. Closing the door softly she vanished, only to reappear in a cabin far from the main house.

Strong loving arms wrapped around her as she wearily climbed onto the high bed. He wasn’t alpha nor was he one of the dominant wolves of his pack, but this was where she belonged. His greatest strength lay in his character and his love for her and his family. Killing was not in his nature though he killed for the pack when necessary. His gentleness was what attracted her. She had been part of incredible violence during her early years of being vampire. She was dangerous and deadly but the arms around her brought soothing warmth and the promise of passion.

“He lives but something must be done.” She said with a soft sigh in his ear.

“I couldn’t bring myself to attend the challenge and the longer I stayed in this house the more I sensed he would die.” His arms tightened around the woman he loved. “Thank you for coming to my call and for saving my son.”

Chapter 4

Brandt’s wounds healed quickly from the enzymes in Cheri’s bites. However, his despair didn’t lessen. He knew his father sent the distress call to their queen. He also knew the two loved one another and both deserved the love they found together.

Knowing this didn’t make it any easier for Brandt’s heart to accept. He needed a reason to live.

A soft knock on his door signaled an unwelcome guest. That, the individual could block their mind signature from him, the Alpha of the pack, immediately told Brandt who was knocking and that he couldn’t deny him entry.

With a resigned sigh, Brandt told his father to come in.

Pausing just inside the room, Thomas took a deep breath. He raised his son with pride and honor and tried to keep violence away from him, but early on it was apparent Brandt would one day lead the pack. To do so, Brandt had to kill Thomas’ best friend. It was the way of beastkind. Thomas grieved and missed his friend, but he loved his son more than anyone, except Cheri. He had delayed the inevitable long enough. He took the remaining steps to his son’s side.

Staring with deadly intent Brandt met his father’s eyes. He might behave badly where his feelings for Cheri were concerned, but he was alpha and did not back down from anyone. Just seeing the look on his father’s face, Brandt knew Thomas planned to bring the situation into the open. His dad had not held long eye contact with him since Brandt became alpha but now he would not look away. His words were short and clipped rumbling with a low growl, “I know dad. I’ve known for a long time but I’m not discussing it. You shouldn’t be near me.”

Thomas placed his hand on his son’s shoulder but Brandt twisted. In an instant, he was off the bed. Thomas’ body flew across the room landing against the far wall. Brandt followed with quick strides and his hand circled his father’s throat cutting off his air. “I want you dead. I want to feel your bones crush beneath my hands and I want to hear the last breath you ever take. This is what you have done to me. Tell your lover to end my life or I will end yours.

The punishing grip relaxed and Brandt was out of the room with wolf-like speed.

Thomas flinched when his sensitive hearing picked up the sound of the front door crashing against the large house. Knowing there was only one thing left for him to do, he wiped the single tear from his face and made the decision which might save his son but would bring lasting pain to many.

That afternoon, Cheri sent the call to Brandt and his wolves. They swiftly arrived at the clearing reserved for challenges and clan business. Cheri’s fury rolled from her body in thick waves. The scent of her rage floated throughout the area. Deadly wrath consumed her features and amber eyes stared out at her assembled clan.

Turmoil had besieged the wolves for many months due to Brandt’s disinterest. The lupines had animal natures. Unrest caused them to become unstable. Many of them were angry with Brandt while others saw the opening they needed to become the next alpha wolf for their pack. If Brandt continued on his present course of destruction, the past hundred years of work to civilize the pack would be for nothing. Not only did Cheri not agree with the solution Thomas proposed, but she knew there was a high chance she would kill Brandt herself in the end.