Rejected Mate and Following Fate

“I expected something a little less run down, grander. Do you wolves not believe in modern conveniences, like electricity and running water?” Varro mocks as he scans the large hall of the manor, scoffing at its dark and drab appearance. I can’t blame him, as since we’ve been gone, this place has fallen into some urban war disarray that I never imagined could possibly happen to this place. It feels and looks abandoned, dust and dirt on every available surface from neglect. I have no idea what happened and why Juan returned the valley to the dark ages.

“Funny.” Colton dismisses him with the dry tone he reserves for people liked Deacon, a wolf who once stood against him.

“We could try find the generators and power them up.” Meadow followed us in here when we moved and cuts in with a snappy tone, also peeved at having her home turf mocked. The other subs are here too, those who didn’t follow Jasper in pursuit of Juan and I give her a smile and nod in answer.

“They are running and powering the security system outside. It seems the main electric is cut off though.” Carmen is still hovering by the door, eyeing up the stranger in our midst with an air of suspicion and watching him like a hawk. Colton isn’t too relaxed either, but weirdly, I feel like the danger isn’t in here with us, even with Varro beside me. He has a presence for sure, of darkness and power, but yet there’s also a sense of calm and security about him. He’s weirdly vibed.

“Juan lost interest in maintaining the valley as somewhere to live comfortably. It became an army base and all home comforts were sacrificed as unimportant while he was busy ruining what was left of the pack.” The bitter tone of a stray wolf who was lurking in the shadows where we left him. One of those we first encountered when getting in here.

“We can figure something out. Come on Chica, me and you and our boys here.” Meadow clicks her tongue at Carmen, nodding to the subs and takes off at speed to light this place up. Reading the room and thinking maybe Varro, Colton and I need to be alone. I think she’s right. The atmosphere is somewhat strained and Colton is tense as hell now we’re in here with my bio father.

“Cozy.” Varro raises a brow, oozing sarcasm once more.

“Remind you of home, huh?” Colton bites back impulsively and I eyeroll at his obvious show of testosterone. Colton is in alpha mode and high on adrenaline. Right now he sees Varro as a male encroaching his territory, rather than someone needing to be negotiated with. I sigh it out and ignore the obvious sparks between them.

“So….. we’re here, alone. You wanted to talk, let’s do that.” I have no patience for this and the babies in my belly are fast sucking what energy I have. It’s the middle of the night and I’m tired and hungry. I need solutions soon so I can lead my people back out of here and see how many we lost. Then I can eat, sleep and recover this hellish night.”

“I didn’t expect our first real meeting to be under these circumstances, and honestly, I am not sure how to make this a little more pleasant. Getting to know one another is something I want, and I realize tonight there are too many strong emotions and a lot of mistrust lingering in the air.” Varro strolls about, running a pointer finger over a nearby mantle and tutting at the debris that dirties his hand.

“I’m not in the frame of mind to be talking about a father and daughter bond. My people are hurt, god knows how many dead. Tonight is a complicated mess and they come first. If this is an end, then let us go do what we need to do on the promise that this is truly over. Jasper will bring Juan and then I want you to leave.” I stand my ground, irritated by my own discomfort and fatigue. My head’s a mess and tonight I can only think of going home.

“A treaty. We meet to sign one, formally, in a few days. My own kind will want this in writing, and I assume so would yours. I know it’s a little old fashioned, but you are dealing with an ancient species with a flair for the dramatic.”

“Whatever. I just want this to be over. We have lost many, and I’m sick of the bloodshed and fear. I want a future where my children will feel safe and we can stop always hiding in the homestead, fearing the world outside our own door. If a piece of paper does that, then we can meet up and sign it.”

“It was always about my loss. I hope you can believe that and trust that this is truly over. You are alive, and my bloodline is about to be further spread with your offspring.” Varro seems genuine and yet so much is swirling inside of me while standing in this dirty and dark mess, that I can’t begin to unravel my feelings.

“If you go back on your word, and your hybrids rise up again….” Colton interjects, his biting tone clear.

“They won’t. As of tonight, their existence is surplus and they won’t be an issue in a few days.”

massacre them when not needed. As wolves who value pack above all, its not

around you. I have no need for them. And without purpose, they are rabid nuisances that create havoc for the human world.” Varro has given up surveying the dust and is now examining his overly long

He snorts and turns away, unable to hide his feelings on

understand yours either. Living as you do. I guess that’s the beauty of our separate species. Neither can stand in the shoes of

debate on Lychan versus Vampire while I’m standing here with one foot in both rivers. It’ll only end in

into their conversation and try to steer the attention back to me. Determined to know for

him well but now he has a place to go and a purpose, I

If Jasper causes issue….” Colton bristles up, instant defensiveness and spins around to face us once more. His mood

Jasper needs time and patience. We can bring him home and back to the pack, don’t be so hasty to dismiss him. He’s

He belongs among wolves. He has become so used to our community that I fear he maybe forgets what he is and might need some kind of rehabilitation. To remember how to be a dog!”

family.” I cut in to dampen the mood and slide in between the two

that is needed is a time and place for our reunion. Treaty in hand of course, and maybe some prettier surroundings. I am partial to a fine dining room with rich cuisine. Somewhere clean…. with

his every word, and I eyeroll. I know it’s going to take time for a born and bred vampire slaying warrior to warm to what was ingrained as an

your hybrids behind. You and Darrius come alone.” Stern and to the point, I know the only way to deal with these two is to take

Imagine the uproar if two vampires walk into

was that he will have a relationship with me and bring peace. The sooner the pack get used to seeing them, the better.” I reach out and lay my palm on Colton’s forearm, feeling his tension bristling under the surface as he turns and paces. A sign he’s itching inside for action instead of words. He hasn’t

hybrid vampires into their home. Who knows how your children will turn out. It’s not always a given that the wolf gene reigns supreme. One of them might look a lot like me.” Varro winks at me, and all I can do is elicit another heavy sigh. This isn’t what Colton

Alora would have more than a

never tell. My DNA is strong, and well, this is the first tri-brid mix that I have ever heard

me flinch instead. Covering my eyes as I adjust to new light and then look around in dismay at

out here if you wish to bring this place back to what I assume was

never even thought of the fact that Colton might want us to come back here, but it’s the only solution if Juan is out of the picture. The fractured pack need to be brought back together and the homestead just isn’t big enough for all of us. It hits me so suddenly with just a simple word from him, that this is where our future lies. I’m not sure how I feel

and thrive. I’m not worried about it.” Colton just can’t seem to drop his defensive attitude, but I don’t blame him, even distracted by my own thoughts. An entire lifetime of being conditioned to hate the vampires

Meadow appears, seemingly jovial at their accomplishments and Cesar is hot on her heels. Neither fazed at all and at least they don’t seem

out what’s next.” Cesar drops a hint, meaning they too want to know what’s going on now we’re all in here and the fighting has stopped. It feels surreal and not like a bloody battle was raging outside not so long

to their homes for now. Juan can only hide if there are crowds outside.” Varro rubs his temple for a second, his blood red eyes seeming to glow a bit bright and then he gives me a crooked smile when he catches me staring at him. “Sending them off. No need for them anymore; Darrius informs me that they have Juan and are heading our way. Sadly, his

outcome. Those wolves had to pay for their

stead. We need to find out who we lost and make arrangements for the dead. Keep only our best sub packs here to carry out the orders tonight.” Colton is commanding Meadow, pacing towards them and setting things in motion as I adjust to

of it, knowing it was too good