by G. Bailey
"New healing power, as well as the others," she says, and I nod. I knew she was going to say that.
"I guess the new power will help," I say.
"You were impressive in the arena," Atti says, and I smile slightly. I only did what felt natural.
"I can’t see the next task," Dabriel says, and he looks down at me with worry.
“Faster, pony,” I hear and glance towards the open doorway just in time to see Milo riding on Jewel’s back. Milo even has a ribbon, and he’s swinging it around in the air.
We all burst into laughter, even Leigha. That’s not something you see every day.
Chapter 14
Winter
“Get up, and let’s go out, you look bored,” Atti says as he walks into his lounge. He’s dressed more casually than usual, in jeans and a tight, black shirt. I wouldn’t say I’m bored, I’m just seeing how many of my chocolate biscuits I can balance on Mags’ head as she sleeps on my lap in her glamor. I get to seven before Atti speaks, and she moves her head. The biscuits fall to the ground as Mags looks up at me. She gets off my lap and walks out, pushing her body against Atti’s leg as she goes.
“I’m not bored, exactly,” I say, and Atti just smiles as he comes over and pulls me up to his chest. He wraps his arms around me and gently leans down to press a simple kiss to my lips.
We disappear as he pulls away from the kiss. When I open my eyes I see that we are at the pack.
"Thought you might miss a broody fucker that lives here," Atti shrugs, and I laugh.
"I hope she does," Jaxson says, coming out of the front door and walking over to me. Jaxson is just wearing jeans and a grey shirt, but he somehow manages to look every bit the dangerous and sexy Wolf-man I love. His hair is newly shaved at the sides; the top part is shorter letting me see his bright-green eyes. Jaxson doesn't care that I am standing next to Atti, as his hand goes into my hair and his lips meet mine. I moan as the taste of him fills my senses; I underestimated how much I missed him.
"This is strangely turning me on," Atti says, and I break away from Jaxson with a small smile.
"I really didn't need to know that, witch," Leigha says as she walks past us all. I can’t help the small laugh that escapes when Atti winks at me.
"Anna’s in labour, I was close to calling for you." Jaxson says, and I lean back, shocked.
"Me?" I ask nervously. Why the hell would she want me at the birth of her child?
"She wants you here," Jaxson confirms my worries.
"Okay, let’s go," I say, because I can’t say no when I hear a scream come from the house. Jaxson grabs my arm gently as I walk past.
"Esta is up there, she’s a midwife," he says, and I nod.
"You’re my mate. We don't have to argue or hate each other anymore. It’s the past," I say. I can’t say I like her, but she hasn’t actively tried to go after Jaxson for months. He told me she is mated with another wolf she met when the packs joined. She’s moved on, and the past is the past. It’s not like I don’t have enough enemies as it is.
"You’re too nice, love," Atti says, and I wink at him. I turn and walk into the house, leaving the guys to catch up. The two wolves at the door lower their heads when they see me, and I look back to see my guys watching me as I open the wooden doors. They look so strong standing next to one another. Atti is slightly taller than Jaxson, but Jaxson is a little wider in his shoulders and arms. I close the door behind me, and a scream directs my attention upstairs. I follow the noise until I find Anna's room. I knock before coming in, and Anna is on her side in her large bed. There’s a wooden cot on one side, and a changing unit filled with things for the baby.
Esta stands at the side; her back going rigid when she senses me. She turns to stare at me, I don’t know why I feel threatened around her, but I do. I don’t get it.
"Winter!" Anna shouts, and I look down to see myself going blue.
"Shit, sorry Anna, I can't control the glowing," I say. I didn’t even notice I was doing it.
"Come here," she says before she screams again. I run over and pull a chair close to her bed. I hold her hand, her other is holding her stomach.
"Here, wipe her face, while I see what's going on," Esta hands a cold, wet hand towel to me, and I nod as I take it. I do as Esta says, and Anna rolls onto her back with Esta’s help. She checks her over.
"So close, I can see your baby’s head," Esta says, and I give her a shocked look. She just looks at me like I'm an idiot.
"Push for me when you get the next contraction, Anna," she says, and Anna squeezes my hand tight as she screams. I don't dare move in the next few minutes until we hear a baby cry. I choke back tears as Esta passes a small baby wrapped in a white towel to Anna.
"A girl," Esta says, and I look in shock at the little one. Girls are so rare for wolves, and this girl is a child of an alpha to boot. She has a little blonde hair on her head, and she opens her eyes. They’re blue, just like Fergus’s. Anna bursts into tears, and I kiss her forehead.
"She looks just like her dad," I say, and Anna nods watching her baby.
"Her name is Marie, after my mother. Her middle name is Winter after you. The queen that will give her a future," Anna says, she meets my eyes, and I nod. It’s the first time I realise that I’m not just fighting for a future for me; I am fighting for a future for all of the children. If that’s not a reason to fight, then I don’t know what is.
"Thank you," I say, and she goes back to staring at her little baby.
"Why don't you go and tell everyone?" Esta says. It's not rude because I know she has to clean up Anna.
"Okay. Is that alright?" I ask Anna, and she nods still staring at her little one.
I walk out and down the stairs. Everyone is sitting in the lounge, and Freddy runs up to me.
"Is the baby okay? We heard a cry," Freddy says.
"Yes, you have a new cousin. A girl called Marie Winter," I say, and everyone starts clapping. Jaxson meets my eyes, and his smile is so wide, I can't help but grin back. Wyatt nods at me, his gaze watching Freddy closely. It must be strange to talk of babies when he missed Freddy being that young.
Wyatt looks as hot as always, I notice his hair looks a mess, like he’s been running his fingers through it. I kind of like it. He’s a hot mess. He’s dressed in jeans and a white shirt, so casual compared to what I’m used to seeing him in.
"The first girl born in two years for the packs. The first alpha girl in fifty years," Lucinda says coming into the room, and she comes over to me. I give her a hug when Freddy moves away, and she smiles.
"I’ll go and see if I can help," she says and walks up the stairs. Freddy pulls my hand and leads me to the sofa.
"Wyatt, how are the vampires?" I ask him.
"Stupid vampires," Freddy mutters under his breath, and I glare at him.
"Settling in at the castle. Others have been turning up, but it's a slow build to get the place suitable for the people. Jaxson’s been helping us," he says. Jaxson nods his agreement.
“That’s good. I was wondering what all your last names are, what’s the baby’s?” I ask Jaxson.
“Jaxson Ulrika, but we don’t use last names often. The baby’s last name will be the same,” he tells me.
“I know Atti’s is Lynx, Wyatt?” I ask him.
“It’s simple, Wyatt Reynolds. Like Jaxson said we don’t use last names often,” he says.
“And Dabriel?”
“Dabriel Demetri. The royal name is as close as they can get to Demtra,” Atti explains.
“Mine was Bloom. My real last name that is,” I tell them all. It’s weird because it’s a connection to a father I don’t remember. I don’t feel connected to the name, because I don’t feel connected to my father, I guess.
“Winter Bloom. That’s kind of strange, like your full name is a representation of the cold month and the spring month in one. They’re opposites of each other,” Dabriel says.
“It sounds like a randomly generated name you would get on The Sims,�
� Freddy says, and I grin at him,
“That’s true. They come up with some weird names,” I say.
Chapter 15
Winter
“So sweet,” I say to little Marie as I hold her in my arms at the pack house. Marie’s blonde hair is the same colour as Anna’s, but everything else is from her father. Anna is sitting next to me, watching as I hold little Marie’s hand. Her tiny fingers squeezing my thumb as hard as she can.
“Do you want children?” Anna randomly asks. I look up at her, thinking on her words. Anna has her dressing gown on, and she looks so tired.
“I don’t know, maybe?” I say.
She nods, “I never wanted children, not in this world. It was Fergus who wanted a child.”
“Anna–” I start.
She shakes her head. “I couldn’t imagine my life without her now. She is the image of Fergus,” she says, looking at her daughter with love. I couldn’t imagine bringing up a child after losing their father; it must be so hard.
“She is,” I say. I stare at the door when I hear something; something loud, and then the ground starts shaking.
“Jaxson just sent out a message using the bond. There are demons attacking,” Anna says. I pass her Marie carefully as she rushes to me. The fear in her eyes is clear, and she holds Marie close.
“Go upstairs and hide,” I tell her. She steps away from me when I start glowing, not in fear but shock.
“You’re coming, too,” she says. The earth shakes harder, making me sway a little. Anna leans on the wall to stay standing. Something is really wrong.
“No. I can’t, and as queen I’m telling you to go upstairs and hide. Please,” I say, and she nods finally. I run towards the door and outside. The wolves are running in one direction, so it’s easy to follow them using my increased speed.
When I break into a clearing of broken trees, Jaxson is right in the middle, looking every bit the powerful king with his green, glowing crown on his head. He’s glowing green as he holds a sword in his hand, and he swings it down onto the neck of a man. The man’s head rolls off, and he disappears into a dark-blue dust. Jaxson’s eyes meet mine across all the wolves fighting with the men. I see his eyebrows crease together with worry, but two more of those men jump in front of him, and he has to fight. The ground is still lightly shaking, and a hand goes around my throat. I try to pull the hand away as I manage to turn to see who is holding me. The demon man has glowing, blue eyes that remind me of me when I glow blue. The man is grey, and his face is covered in blue veins, giving him a scary look. There is no emotion on his face, not happiness or fear, just blank. The hand is burning hot enough to leave a mark, and I feel for my own power as he tightens his grip and lifts me off the ground. I start glowing just before my power sends the man at my back flying in the air. He isn’t the only one that goes flying, so do lots of wolves and all the demon men they were fighting as well.
Whoops.
The wolves use it to their advantage and rip the heads off of the men on the ground. I fall to my knees when the ground shakes harder than before. I look up to see Jaxson, his sword in the ground at his feet, and his hand is glowing green as he holds the handle. Hell, his whole body is glowing a bright-green. I can’t stand up as I watch the earth split open from his sword, causing a massive crack that spreads towards the herd of demon men running towards him. They don’t even notice as they fall into the hole, no screams or anything leaves their mouths as they fall. The wolves make quick work of killing the last of the demons, and Jaxson closes the hole he created. When the shaking stops, I walk over to Jaxson. He’s still staring at the place where the hole was, and he’s still glowing. I put my hand over his on the sword, and he seems to snap out of wherever he had been.
“Eight,” he says to me. I frown, not understanding until I hear a cry and then the pain-filled screams. I turn to see Angela holding a brown wolf to her chest, Katy is behind her and crying silently.
“We lost eight,” I say, and Jaxson nods. I watch as he walks over to Angela and places his hand on her shoulder. He speaks quietly to her, and I walk over to Katy. She lets me hug her, and we stay quiet for a long time.
“I need to redo the ward, they shouldn’t have been able to break through,” Atti says. I didn’t even realise he was here. His eyes meet mine, but he only nods. I forgot he was coming to take me back to his house for a movie night today. I’ve been at the pack for a few days, and I spent a few days with Wyatt at the castle, too. The castle is improving slowly, Wyatt thinks that one quarter of the six hundred bedrooms are finally done. It’s a big job, and there is only so much they can do in a short amount of time. The kitchens and bathrooms are done, which is a big improvement. Wyatt showed me the ten buildings outside of the castle. He thinks they used to be where the humans lived because they have about ten rooms in each of them and their own kitchens.
“No, we are moving.” Jaxson’s says suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“What, J?” Atti asks.
“The castle has the best ward. They just walked through our ward like it was nothing and started killing. They could attack us at any time here,” Jaxson says.
“The castle is safer,” Atti agrees. The wolves standing around us start speaking quietly.
“What do you think?” Jaxson asks me. I glance around at the wolves; most are covered in blood and blue dust. I see two men covering a black wolf with a large coat.
“It’s smart for us all to be together,” I say quietly. There are several wolves around us, and I blink when I see Harris push them out of the way. He comes over and drops to his knees in front of his mother and the dead wolf.
“No,” he says and places his hand on the wolf’s back.
“Harris,” I say gently as Jaxson stands. He moves next to Atti.
“Go and get Dabriel. We have many that need healing,” Jaxson tells Atti, and he nods. He disappears a second later.
“I couldn’t get here in time; they attacked near the other cabins but not as many. The weapons don’t work on them, you could stab them, and they just carried on. We had to cut the heads off, and I couldn’t leave them,” Harris mumbles.
“No one expected you to, my boy,” Roger, one of Angela's mates, says coming out the trees with three other men following closely. They all fall to their knees around Angela and place a hand on the wolf. All of her mates band together to mourn the one they lost.
“We move tonight after we bury our lost wolves. We are at war!” Jaxson shouts, his voice vibrating around the trees. They seem to carry his message along with the fear that follows his words.
We are at war.
Chapter 16
Winter
Once again, I find myself in the middle of the arena, a little scared, but more determined to make a better future for the children like Marie. Her sweet face flashes through my mind, I have to do this. I have to win. I have no idea what I'm up against, and Dabriel has tried desperately to see any part of this future. He says a blue wall is blocking his vision, and we suspect Taliana has found a way to block visions like the vampire king did before his death. Atti has tried finding out by asking around the witches he trusts, but no one is talking. Everything we are hearing is just rumours.
The queen smiles down at me, her black cloak wrapped around her head today as she sits alone on her throne. She’s wearing a long, green dress that I can see through and a black cloak. Atti, Dabriel, and Leigha are at the sides watching me. Wyatt is helping move all of Jaxson’s pack into the castle. There’s space, but it’s cramped. It doesn’t help when the werewolves and vampires don’t get along. There have been many fights, but Wyatt and Jaxson end them quickly. Alex and Drake are working closely with Harris to keep the guard up on the castle. They run twenty-four-hour watches around the castle grounds and in the local village. We haven’t sent any people to check out Paris yet. There’s little point, the red wall is impossible to see through, and our magic won’t work on it. The humans say technology can’t get near it without exploding.
So, what little photos they have are from a distance. That’s good in a way, but people are angry they can’t get in touch with their loved ones, and I fear that the demon king has them possessed to make an army.
I glance back at the queen when she claps her hands, and the arena goes silent. I look around, noticing that many witches have their cloaks down today, and many smile at me as I meet their eyes.
"Witches have the ultimate control over the elements. The next challenge is to see if the human can defend herself, or if she will die when the elements are used against her. Any true queen would be able to survive this," the queen’s voice surrounds the arena; her sarcastic tone isn’t lost on me. The crowd cheers, and the metal gates open. I look down as four witches come out. Two light witches and two dark. There seems to be one male and one female for each side. They all stop in a line a few steps away from the gate and a good distance from me. I can’t see what they look like as they have large cloaks covering their bodies, the only reason I know what side they are on is because of the colour of their cloaks.
One of the dark witches, wearing a black cloak, steps forward and holds his hands high in the air.
"Fire," he says into my mind, and a stream of fire leaves his hand and surrounds me in a circle. The heat warms my skin but not enough to burn. The second dark witch steps forward, she bows her head slightly at me.
"Earth," she says, and the ground underneath me rises. I fall to my knees, unable to stand, as the loud sounds of the earth cracking fill my ears. The ground rises around ten feet in the air before it stops. I stand up and move as close as I can to the edge. The fire rises higher until I can’t see the witches anymore, only the tops of the arena.
"Air," a man speaks into my mind. The fire mixes with the air and twirls up into a whirlwind tornado of fire. The tornado stretches high into the air, leaving only a small hole of sky when I look up.
