by Taylor, Reba
“What are you doing up here with guards no less?” He complained.
“I’m sorry my lord, I misunderstood. I’ll go now.” She said, leaving with the guards, but not before giving me a glare. Aiden slammed the door and stormed over to me, snatching the flash drive from my hand.
“Is this what Sarah has come to alert me?” He asked, I stood with him and nodded.
“Yes, but please allow me to explain. This information is helpful.” I tried to assure him, but he did not listen. I followed Aiden to the fireplace and stopped him before he could try to throw the drive into the flames.
“No!” I said, grabbing his arm. I did not want to fight him, this was not the reason why I was here. The more time I spent with Aiden, the more my feelings were beginning to grow. Despite our differences, I was falling madly in love with Aiden and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt him over this.
Snatching the flash drive roughly out of his hands, I held the drive, wondering if this was worth hurting Aiden for. I was certainly going back on my word, and judging the way Aiden popped his wrist back into place, I knew that I was getting out of hand with this. Aiden did not try to fight me anymore, knowing that he would be fighting a very skilled hunter, and a woman that he loved dearly.
“The files on here are irrelevant, especially if they are going to cost me my relationship with you.” I said, tossing the drive in the flames. I threw myself in Aiden’s arms, kissing him passionately. Aiden welcomed me wholeheartedly, carrying me over to the bed and laying me down. He crawled on top of me and the kiss intensified. I felt my body, scream out for him to take me the way he did before and not to hold back.
“You’re tired. I should let you rest.” Aiden encouraged between our kisses, though he was finding it hard to stop. He wanted me just as much as I wanted him and with each kiss, his hands began to explore my body further. Once my dress was ripped into shreds, I knew there was no changing my mind. Aiden devoured me and I wanted every moment of it.
This time it wasn’t so painful, the ecstasy I felt when he entered me, it felt like we were one. It was a passionate feeling, one that I found difficult to describe. Aiden felt getting close to the edge and followed me, capturing my scream of pleasure with his mouth.
Chapter 8
The passion between us lasted through nightfall into sunrise. When I opened my eyes, the sun was setting again and I found him in the chair across from the bed, watching me.
“I didn’t think you would ever wake up. You were sleeping so peacefully, I did not want to bother you.” He said.
I pulled myself out of bed and pulled on the gown he had laid out for me. I wasn’t one for dresses, but I knew that I would never be able to wear my combat clothing again. Aiden made certain that I was showered and fed before we opened up any discussion about my relationship with the Agency, and my quest to destroy Lumar.
“Being here is so perfect Aiden, but it’s time for us to talk.”
I had not given up on my quest for revenge, nothing Aiden said or did could stop me. It was time for me to make it clear to him that I was going get my revenge whether he agreed or not. I did not know what that meant for his pack, but this was a personal matter that I could not let go.
I’ve already risked everything during this quest. I needed to talk to Julian, explain my betrayal, but I wasn’t even sure at this point. I was certain that he already knew of my determination, and he proved me right when he sat back in his seat to listen.
“Lumar has killed my parents, I’ve lost everything Aiden. I cannot allow him to get away with this.” I reminded him.
“If you would have given me chance before, I would have had the opportunity to tell you that I will support you in your quest. However, there is a more demanding issue right now, and it involves Lumar.” He explained.
“What issue?” I didn’t understand what he was talking about. Aiden pulled out his cellphone and handed it to me, showing me the latest updates on Fox 2 News.
Appalled, I gasped in disbelief as I watched the breaking news even from his phone. Vampires had invaded the city, attacking any human in site and their numbers were too great for the hunters. Lumar stood confidently in front of Detroit’s City Hall, broadcasting his message in front of a camera crew.
“We have been oppressed for thousands of years, kept in darkness from the world, a world that is just as rightfully our own. We have been ridiculed, diminished, and oppressed. Not anymore, humans. Tonight, we stand united, and I guarantee you that our message will be heard. We will not hide in the shadows any longer. We will not so mercy, we will not submit. This is a warning to all humans roaming the streets at nightfall. This is our city, our world, and we roam free when we please.” Lumar ended the video with a devilish grin.
I handed the phone back to Aiden, shocked by what I had just viewed. I had not only turned my back on the Agency, my rage and quest for revenge had destroyed the many lives of the innocent humans of the city.
Guilt washed over me. What if I could have done something to stop this? What if I am the blame for this? I put my face in my hands and sat down. I needed to get in touch with Julian and find out what I can do to help, if I could do anything at all. I wanted to run away, but this was the poor judgment that blinded my vision on my duty as a hunter. It was time for me to step up and own up to the protection I swore to give the humans.
Chapter 9
“Is Julian aware of us?” I asked him. I did not know how to explain my relationship with the enemy, but I wasn’t going to give up Aiden for the agency. Our actions last night confirmed that I was in this for the long hall. Aiden nodded.
“Yes, he knows that you are my mate.” Aiden answered. I didn’t know how Julian felt about that, but I knew that he wasn’t happy. Julian had always pushed for me to marry a hunter, but I knew that was never in the cards for me. I wanted a man that could match me in strength and I did not want it to be a competition.
Aiden proved to be all that I wanted and more. Now that I had given myself to him, I could not imagine going back to my life as a hunter. I loved slaying Vampires, but I suppose it was time for me to make a change.
How could my life be if I had gotten my revenge? I wasn’t sure, but what I did know was that I had already begun to accept that I would not be a hunter forever. I needed to talk to Aiden about my relationship with him, make him understand that even though I loved him, I could not spend my life here in this Den as his Luna. I did not want to lead a pack of Vampires, but for now, that was just the ammunition I needed to help stop the Vampire attacks.
“We need to do something about this.” He offered, “But the agency will not accept our help.”
Julian’s stubbornness was going to cause a massacre in the city. I hoped that he had something secure, but I knew that he could only do so much. This was highly dangerous, I did not know if it was worth risking Aiden’s pack for.
“The flash drive…” I muttered, “It contained information from the archives on Lumar. I destroyed it last night, in order to prevent any divide between you and your pack.” Aiden smiled and placed my hands over my shoulders.
“My dear, you do not understand. You don’t have to fight for information any longer. All the information you seek is right here on the Island. Since you are my Luna, you have free reign to our archives, with information that humans do not possess.” He explained. I pulled him into an excited hug, relieved that I was finally beginning to see results from my quest.
“Do you know how to kill Lumar? He is the problem of all of this, we have to find a way to stop him.” Aiden shook his head.
“No Hanah, Lumar cannot be killed. He is the creator of all things of the paranormal. If you kill him, then you kill all of us. Please sit down and allow me to explain.”
Nervous and confused, I sat down, giving Aiden the time and attention. I wanted Lumar dead more than anything, but was this worth losing Aiden over? If I had to choose, I knew that I would choose Aiden over my quest for vengeance.
“Luma
r is a very old Vampire, one of the first Vampires in existence. It is Lumar who created the wolf originally. If Lumar dies, anything tied to his bloodline dies along with him.”
“Does Agency know this?” I asked him. Aiden shook his head.
“No, they know nothing of it. They continue with their meaningless weapons, not realizing that it only fuels his power. The only way to rid ourselves of Lumar is if we can find a way to return him to his resting place. He’s awakened for a reason, but I believe it’s more than just the army he’s creating. Lumar is trying to prove something.”
“Is it me?” I asked him. I had to face the facts here. I held a connection to Lumar in some way, a way that I was uncertain of, but I knew that Lumar had killed my parents for our connection. Was I really destined to become his Vampire princess? Aiden looked away, seemingly not wanting to answer. I knew why he was looking away. I drew in a deep breath.
“I’m not going to join him Aiden.” I declared. “We have to find another way. I will not give myself to the monster that killed my parents.” Aiden took my hand in his.
“I do not know another way Hanah, but I promise you that we will find a way to deal with this.” He vowed.
“We need to visit the archives. There has to be some information there that can help us.”
Chapter 10
As we prepared to leave, we were stopped at the foyer by Marcus and the other pack members. They kept their eyes on me, as if their new found anger was geared towards me. We stood together, waiting for them to speak.
“The Captain from the Agency has arrived to meet with you.” Marcus announced.
They took a step aside, making an opening as Julian entered with the council at his side. Nervous, I tried to pull my hand away from Aiden, but he would not release me. I felt so many things as Julian approached me. The look of disappointment was evident on his face, but Julian bowed his head and greeted me as the Luna of Aiden’s pack. I held my head down in shame, knowing that Aiden would find it offensive, but I did feel some shame.
I was staring the Agency in the face, letting them know that I had chosen the other side. I hadn’t expected to deal with this so soon, but I suppose now was as good a time as any. I was happy to see Julian come to his senses and ask for help rather than try to deal with this alone.
“Please, follow me.” Aiden gestured, leading them into the dining room. Julian stayed behind me to speak.
“Your betrayal speaks volumes, Hanah.” Julian confirmed, the disappointment thick in his voice.
“Please do not make this seem as if this is all my fault. We are all to blame in this.” I reminded him. Julian paused, grabbing my arm to stop me.
“I loved you like you were my own daughter, I still do. But what you have done is unforgiveable.”
“I didn’t ask for any of this Julian. If you were honest from the beginning, maybe then you would have gotten the outcome you wanted.” I snatched my arm away from him and stormed into the dining room.
Now was not the time to bring up old grudges. We had to find a solution to rid the world of the plague better known as Lumar. I found my connection to him irrelevant, and I did not want to be held accountable for his wrong doing. Julian knew more than he was leading on. This cover up to the knowledge of my relationship with Lumar was now coming to an end. Before we would be able to begin, I needed to know just why Lumar believed that I was destined to be his wife.
“I don’t think we can begin anything until one question is answered, the question you’ve been hiding for over fifteen years. What is my connection to Lumar?” I asked. The pack members looked amongst each other strangely, unaware of what I was talking about. Aiden looked to me and shook his head.
“I don’t understand, why is this such a forbidden topic? Who am I?” I demanded with frustration. This was never going to be resolved with unanswered questions.
“Because not everyone knows who you are. We’ve made it that way in order to keep you safe.” Julian answered. I sat down nervously, realizing that I had let the cat out of the bag.
The pack members were eager, pressing for more information about my identity. While I anxiously wanted to know my connection to Lumar, I quickly realized the dangers that I had put unknowingly put myself in.
Now, I would not only have to defend the humans, but I would be defending my own life, all because of my stupid temper.
“Who is she?” Marcus asked, he seemed cautious of me from the moment he met me. Everyone in the pack felt the same way. There was certainly something about me that never say right with anyone my entire life.
Julian felt backed into a corner. Now, he would never be able to leave the Den without disclosing who and what I was. Julian looked to me and frowned, disappointed in my once more.
Julian took a deep inhale. “I kept this from you for your own safety. Many years ago you had an ability to speak to the dead, and somehow you stumbled upon Lumar’s resting place. You spoke with him often, building a relationship with him as a child. When your parents hired a gypsy to block your powers, Lumar awakened in rage, killing your parents from trying to disconnect you from him. He was going to take you then, but we stopped him.” Julian explained.
“This bitch is the reason why he’s awakened?” Marcus complained. I could see the rage burning in his eyes. He and other pack members were ready to punish me for my actions.
“I don’t get it,” I said, standing up cautiously. “How is it that I don’t remember any of this?”
“Because I blocked your memories. You knew Lumar well, but you were too devastated by what he had done to your parents. Lumar agreed to let me take you under the condition that I would help you forget what he had done.”
Shocked, I stood nervously in place. Marcus and the other pack members stood from their seats and began to approach me. Aiden was also hurt, but I was still his mate. He wasn’t going to allow them to harm me. He leapt to his feet, baring his teeth. I placed my hand over Aiden’s shoulder.
Chapter 11
“Don’t risk yourself for me.” I told him. Aiden would not hear it, I could feel the his muscles tense under my hand. Preparing himself to change into his wolf form and fight for me. I looked to Julian and he nodded. I did not want to do this, but I had no choice. Pulling the pen knife out of my pocket, I stabbed Aiden in the back of the neck and he fell to the ground groaning in pain.
The betrayal was unbearable. My lover’s blood covered my shaking hands. Aiden looked up at me from the ground, the life temporarily draining from him.
While Julian fought to get the council members to safety, I joined in the fight with the pack members, saving Marcus for last. He was the largest of the pack and possibly looking for an opening to take Aiden’s place. However, he still held loyalty for one of his brothers and immediately came after me. He stepped over Aiden as if he were nothing and attempted to strike me with his massive hands. Thankfully, I was quick enough maneuver and miss his strong punch. His fist flew into the wall, lodging itself deep inside, Marcus pulled as hard as he could to pull his arm out but it wouldn’t budge. I ripped the knife from Aiden’s back and struck Marcus in the chest with it.
I could have left Aiden there to face his pack for what I had done, but I loved him too much to leave him. I put his arm around my shoulders and helped him out of the Den. The pack was in a frenzy, shifting into their wolf form to come after us. Julian helped Aiden into the back seat of their SUV.
“Leave me here. Let me slow them down. I’ll catch up with you.” I said to Julian. He shook his head, he wasn’t leaving without me.
“No, I’m not leaving you.” He denied. I looked over to Aiden whom was already beginning to heal.
“Get Aiden out of here. Please. I will find you.” I pleaded once more. Julian wanted to deny me, but when the pack began bursting out of the Den in wolf form, Julian climbed into the driver’s seat and took off.
Once again, I found myself in the same position; running from another pack of wolves. But this time Aiden wasn’t there
to hold them back. I ran as quickly as I could, but the wolves were gaining leverage; they knew the Island much better than I did.
It wasn’t long before they had me cornered. Marcus shifted back into human form, looking down at his chest. He pulled the butter knife from his chest and tossed it to the floor. There was nowhere else to run to.
“Do you think killing me will satisfy Lumar? He killed my parents simply because he lost connection with me.” I warned, not that it was going to help me any.
“Do you really believe that I care what that Vampire wants?” Marcus snarled. I quickly picked up the bloodied knife from the ground, prepared to defend myself as much as I could. I knew that there was a strong chance that I would not make it out of this alive, but I was going to try.
Marcus shifted back into wolf form and charged at me. With no chance of running to get away from him, I prepared myself for impact, closing my eyes and holding the knife tightly in my hand, angled towards the charging Marcus.
But the moment never came.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Lumar standing over me, with his fist plunged into Marcus’s chest. Lumar pulled out his fist along with Marcus’s heart and tossed his discarded body into the snow as if it were nothing to him. The remaining pack fled in fear of Lumar’s wrath, leaving me to stand against him alone.
“Did you really believe that I would let anything happen to you?” Lumar asked, tasting the beating heart before discarding it with Marcus’s body.
