Gabby stopped her jumping and looked at me, confused. “I don’t know, actually. Eli went to explain it to Dad, but I had to come to you first. It was so weird, Selene! This-this thing, some part human thing just came out of nowhere. We fought it off, but I think it bit me…” Her voice got deeper and trailed off, as she morphed into an ugly beast. Her skin was peeling, and her teeth were rotting away. The smell of blood was suffocating me as she lunged for my throat. I screamed, unsure what the hell was going on.
I moved back, hitting the wall. Her hand reached out, yellow talon-like nails begging to sink into my flesh. Her body was disfigured, moving toward me in an unnatural way. She was snarling viciously, saliva and blood pooling out of her mouth. I was screaming, kicking my legs out at her to keep her away. I couldn’t fight her.
“Selene!” Something was shaking me, waking me up from my nightmare. I looked up to see it was Leith. “Wake up. It’s not real.”
My light was turned on as Brett came inside. “You good, girlie?”
I looked up at him, tears rolling down my face. That dream was horrible. She had never turned into a wendigo. I never had to witness that, and now I did. What an outstanding day for a welcome home party. Every part of me was shaking, and I felt sick. I shook my head no, “This one was bad.”
Leith hugged me, “They’re all bad.” We heard a door slam and then someone running before Sebastian burst in, growling when he saw Leith hugging me.
“What’s the matter? Are you hurt?” Leith rubbed my arm and moved away so my mate could see for himself that I was fine. He moved forward quickly, holding my arms as he examined me. “You don’t look hurt. Why’d you scream?”
“It was an awful dream.” I’d been getting them more lately. They tend to wake Leith due to my crying, but I’ve never woken up screaming. This dream was just too horrible. Gabby had never tried to hurt me.
“If you’re good, I’m going back to sleep.” Brett said. There wasn’t much light coming from the window, so I knew it must’ve been late. Brett was very good about supporting me and being here, so I’m sure he was only ditching me because Sebastian was here. I nodded to him.
“You can both go back to sleep.” I looked at Leith. He still looked worried and hesitated at the door. “I’ll be fine, Leith. Thank you, though. Go back to sleep.”
He nodded, “Just let me know if you need anything.”
After the door was closed, I turned to Sebastian. “Before you give me that ‘you should talk to people’ speech, I have been.”
He nodded, “I wasn’t going to give you any speech. I was going to ask if you wanted to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “I never want to think about that dream again. I just want to forget it ever even happened.” I started crying again, the tears unstoppable. It wasn’t fair that I had to relive my worst nightmare over and over. Why couldn’t I get away from it? Thoughts and memories swirled through my head like a tornado and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was getting lightheaded as I couldn’t control my breathing. The crying wouldn’t stop, and I couldn’t calm down. I just wanted it all to end. Why couldn’t it all end?
Sebastian wrapped his arms around me and rocked me gently, as if I were a baby. His touch settled warmly over me. My heart slowed down naturally, my breathing evening out. It didn’t stop my hysterical tears as my mind was attacked with images of my laughing sister. I fucking missed her. Constantly. All day, every day. It was a feeling I couldn’t escape and a hole in my life that would never be filled.
He lifted my face to look at him and gently wiped away the tears from my cheeks, shushing me softly. He stroked my hair and just held me until I calmed down, my mind going blank. I hated this empty feeling. That feeling of despair that I’ll never be okay. “Thank you.” I whispered, my voice hoarse from my crying.
“There’s no need to thank me. Is there anything I can do?”
I hesitated, unsure if I really wanted to go through with what I was thinking. “Stay?” He had gained enough of my trust the past few days that I was comfortable having him around. I knew he was a kind person and would take care of me, and right now, I needed his comfort.
He stilled, looking at me. “Are you sure?”
I nodded, “I enjoy having you around.”
He smiled softly, “I enjoy being around.”
I laid down, expecting him to lie down next to me, but he grabbed a pillow and tossed it on the floor. “You should get some sleep.”
“You don’t have to sleep on the floor.”
He smiled sheepishly, “I should. It seems improper for me to share your bed without my mark on your neck.”
I laughed. Improper. I forgot he was old. “If you say so.” I would have to be satisfied by his presence instead of his touch. I gave him the blanket hanging off the foot of my bed and closed my eyes, silently pleading for a dreamless sleep.
✽✽✽
Brett had picked out my dress for the evening, claiming I couldn’t pick something cute if it was put right in front of me. I took slight offense to that, having no issue with the way I dressed. He said that was his point. He picked out a slim midnight blue dress. The material was smooth, allowing me to move easily. I insisted on the dress having a zipper on the side, so I could easily remove it if it was too constricting to fight in. He didn’t seem to care that it wasn’t practical, claiming the suits the men would be in weren’t practical, either.
“Honey, we want your mate to die.” Brett said smiling at me. “That is the only positive way tonight could end. Show him what he’s been missing for the past 6 years.” He was emptying his makeup bags and setting up a little desk for himself. Apparently, he thought he was doing my makeup too.
I raised an eyebrow at him. “You do realize he’s like a super-alpha? Maybe testing his beast isn’t the best idea.”
“You do realize that you are a super-alpha? He left you wondering for 6 years, and I haven’t seen him making any moves to make you his queen. Make him suffer, baby girl.”
I growled, not liking his point. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a little fun, right? “Also, I think you should stick with Leith tonight. Make your alpha all jealous and sexy.”
“No. And why would he be jealous of Leith?”
“Because Leith swore loyalty to you over him. That’s got to get under his skin.”
I shook my head, “This isn’t a game to me. Jealousy creates a lack of trust, and we’re working really hard to have some.”
Brett nodded, “If only lover-boy were here.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing he was going on about Clyde. He still thought there was a crush going on, the crazy reaper. “I’ll agree to let you dress me up, but you won’t get me to play along with making him jealous. And you aren’t doing my hair.”
He gawked at me. “I am too doing your hair; you are absolutely not wearing this dress with your messy ass braid”
“I love my messy ass braid, thank you very much.”
“Yes, yes, everyone knows. It’s cute, I agree, but I want a sleek low pony for the dress.” He made puppy eyes at me, “Pretty please?”
I groaned. “Fine, but can you hurry and give me the dress already?”
Brett sighed dramatically, “No. I want to gossip. You’ve been too busy lately to give me all the gory details. What the hell is going on with Mav and Diana?”
I shrugged. “I’ve hardly seen them all week. It’s like they’re avoiding me or something.”
Brett snorted, “They’re just chickens. They pressure you into forming a pack and want to ditch you. It’s pathetic.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s werewolf nature. Di only left her pack for Clyde. Clyde isn’t around her to remind her of that anymore. Mav only left because of guilt. It’s a fresh start here, and it’s a good pack. I don’t blame them. I just wish they had the balls to tell me.”
“Ugh, you’re too kind to them. I want my cliché mean and angry alpha back.”
“Was I ever?”
He stopped loo
king through his makeup and looked at me. “Did you really just ask me that? Did you forget about Drake? Or even a few days ago when you decided to fight Leith? Sweetie, being around your mate has calmed your ass down and I miss my crazy alpha.”
I shook my head. “You’re the crazy one. Besides, you didn’t even really like Maverick.”
“Or Clyde. Or Leith. I don’t really like anyone. They all think I’m annoying for some reason. I don’t know.”
“I wonder why.” I stated sarcastically. “Just dress me up, will you?”
✽✽✽
Jackson certainly had outdone himself. There was a banner outside the pack house that welcomed me back and that was the only simple part of the entire event. Inside there were streamers hanging across the walls. There were silver and gold stringy things that hung from the ceiling, twirling around as the wind blew them.
He had set up some sort of altar in one of the rooms for the treaty. On it were pictures of Lunar Island, pictures of lycans and wolves. There were images of alphas, pictures of me, of Sebastian. In the center was the treaty they had drafted. There were chairs along the walls in the room, and I’m assuming Jackson planned to make some speech. The night would begin with the alphas meeting here to sign it before going off to enjoy their night.
There were long tables set up in the kitchen and dining room. The tables were filled with unique types of food for everyone to enjoy. There were tables for drinks and alcohol. Even one filled with candy. I smiled, remembering how much candy Jackson used to eat growing up.
Outside, there were torches set up for when it got dark. They would also make it easier for the wendigos to be killed. There were games set up outside in case anyone wanted to play. Inside were cards and darts. He had a few TVS’s set up for different video games. One of the younger wolves was there to be the DJ for the night. I laughed in disbelief that Jackson had done all this in a few days.
Eli saw me looking around as people arrived. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Um, yeah?” I’d spent some time around Eli while I’d been there. Not too much, as he reminded me a lot of Gabby, but we’d talked about my nightmares before. Apparently, he used to get them too. He said they had to lock him up after she first died because he’d hallucinate during the day and try to kill my father and Tate.
“I heard you had a pretty dreadful nightmare this morning, are you ok?” I forgot how fast word traveled around here.
I smiled tightly, “It was different than usual. They’re usually just flashbacks, but this time she turned into a wendigo.”
He looked shocked for a second, “I can’t even imagine what that would’ve been like. I’m sorry.”
I nodded, “Thanks. Jackson really went for it, didn’t he?” I motioned to the room we were in.
He chuckled, “You could say that. You know you can talk to me anytime, right? I understand what you’re going through with Gabby, and I will always be here for you.”
I pulled him in for a hug, “I know, Eli. You can talk to me too, if you ever need to. You’re still family.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting?” Jackson came over.
“Not at all. We were just about to go to your little treaty room.” I joked. “Did you really need an altar?”
He looked offended, “This is an enormous deal. I wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing.”
“I’m just teasing, little brother. I think it’s sweet.”
“I was going to put up pictures of Dad and your mom, but Dad didn’t want me to.”
I frowned. What was his problem? “Your mom wouldn’t have minded?” Jackson’s mom had lost her mate long before she met my dad. After Dad let Mom get killed, he ended up moving on with her. Some people call them second chance mates, but I’ve seen no evidence of a mate bond.
“You know she doesn’t.” He was right. Jess was a very kind woman, respecting my dad’s mate. She knew what it was like to lose her mate and felt that it was something sacred. “Either way, she’s not here. She’s out of the country touring with some friends of hers.” That would explain why I hadn’t seen her since I got back. Not that I had looked for her. She had given my dad hell for killing Gabby. I didn’t want to have her looking at me the way she had back then.
“Oh, well. I’m not bothered by it. But we should probably go before the alphas think you’ve stood them up.”
CHAPTER 19
I had been right. Most of the alphas had arrived and were standing around speaking with each other when we had walked in. I assumed they were all waiting for Jackson. I looked around, curious about the alphas attending. I hadn’t been very interested during the planning, not caring who attended, but I wondered now.
I saw some familiar faces, some who I remembered from my time here and others I had encountered after I’d created my pack. Some alphas brought their reapers.
“Selene,” Alpha Dylan stepped toward me just as I had sensed Sebastian enter the room.
I looked at Dylan, the man who still held Clyde captive. “I trust my warrior is still alive and unharmed?”
“If you would be so kind as to meet with me after we sign, I’ll explain everything to you.”
“Explain what, exactly?” My heart sunk, a bad feeling coming over me. What the hell did he do to Clyde?
“I fear we don’t have time for this now, let’s talk later.”
I growled at him, teeth extending, “I really think you better tell me now.”
He hesitated, “Calm down. It really is better if I tell you later.”
I was fuming. Why tell me anything now? If it had to wait till later why not just wait until later to begin with? People are stupid.
“Whatever.” I turned away and walked right into Alpha Drake. What the fuck is my luck? He stood in my way, refusing to move. “Excuse me?”
He bowed his head, “It’s good to see you again, Alpha.” He smiled politely, and I felt myself frown. Didn’t we hate each other?
“No, it isn’t?”
He laughed pleasantly, “I know we got off on the wrong foot but I’m hoping we can put all that behind us.”
The wrong foot? “You were disrespectful over the fact that I was a female alpha with a small pack. For years. That’s not really getting off on the wrong foot.”
“Well, yes, but that was before.”
Before what? I opened my mouth to snap, but Jackson was standing near his altar. “If everyone could take a seat, I’d appreciate it.”
I sighed, disappointed that I hadn’t gotten to speak to Sebastian. Stupid alphas distracting me. I wanted to see his reaction to how good I looked. I looked over at him and he looked just as disappointed. He, too, was surrounded by other alphas, no doubt trying to gain his favor.
Once everyone had sat down, Jackson motioned for Sebastian to come forward. “I would like you all to meet Lord Sebastian Drakov. As you all know, we have a wendigo problem. Drakov here has been kind enough to lend a helping hand. In return for the training his warriors provide, we think it’s time for a treaty between our people.”
Some of the alphas in the room nodded their heads in agreement while others looked like they’d rather be anywhere else. “I’ve emailed you all the treaty, so I’m assuming you’re all here to sign it, but does anyone have questions regarding it?”
An older alpha from a pack I’d never visited raised his hand. “I have a concern with mating. Will they be taking our women for their mates and stealing them away from their packs?”
Sebastian looked confused, “Do werewolves steal mates from other packs?”
“Well, it’s usually an agreement between them.”
“Then why would this be any different?”
“I know what your kind are like. You didn’t betray your father because he was a kind man, did you?” The old man sneered at my mate, his dislike for him obvious.
“I know what my father was like.” He snapped.
“Then why would we trust you?”
I felt a surge of anger for my mate. He
had done what was necessary to protect his people and even that got shot back in his face. Sebastian’s eyes met mine, probably feeling my anger. He looked ashamed, his eyes showing more hurt than any of us understood. I got the feeling he misinterpreted my anger, as he looked down defeated.
I stood up and turned to the alpha. “Why wouldn’t you trust what you know about mates? No one would hurt their mate.” I hesitated, thinking of my father with my mother. He had let her die, so wasn’t it possible others could do the same?
The alpha smirked at my hesitation, “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
I didn’t even have to look at my mate to know that my hesitation had hurt him. He thought it was because of him. “No, I don’t.” I started. My wolf howled at me, knowing how my mate would see this. “I’ve known wolves who’ve been responsible for their mates being killed, so I know every case is different. The lycans have waited, some of them centuries, to find their mates. They wouldn’t do anything to hurt them.”
The alpha narrowed his eyes but nodded. He must know my father, considering he shut up. I knew he didn’t like that I was right, but he didn’t argue.
I looked at Sebastian to let him know I was on his side, and he gave me a slight smile of thanks. The rest of the questions went by smoothly after that, no one else getting into arguments.
Drake found me after the signing. “Really, no hard feelings, yes?”
I frowned, was this guy serious? Why did he care about my opinion all of a sudden? “Since when do you care about being on my good side?”
“I would never do anything to upset the future lycan queen.”
I narrowed my eyes. Was this how my life would be? Because I was going to be mated to Sebastian, I would get respect? “How do you know about that?” As far as I knew Sebastian had kept it very quiet. Hardly anyone around here knew about it aside from the lycans, and I knew they weren’t talking about it with werewolves.
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