***After arriving at the Ever Green Pack, memories flooded me. Just eight months ago, I had left this place with a second chance to find my beloved. Clara had graciously pardoned me, along with two of my friends that had gone back to Bergarian with their own mates.“What’s going on? Why so many cars?” Christine stuck her head out the window. Rowan slapped his hand on the steering wheel, honking at the other cars.“Everyone is being a rubber necker, trying to look at the portal instead of parking,” he grumbled. “Just park and we can walk right through!” He waved his hands in annoyance. Adaline flipped through her phone, chuckling at some cat video on the screen.Once we parked in the four-story garage that sat hidden in the middle of the forest, I grabbed Christine’s hand while she stared at all the wolves, vampires and children running playfully. It was more chaotic than it normally was when we stood by the large stone arch with a mirror-like an appearance.“Settle down!” Alpha Adrie
Under the Moon“It’s stunning.” Sebastian’s shoes could be heard coming down the hallway. Christine could hear him a mile away with those god-awful shoes. She would never get used to the clothing here. The heavy, dark clothing was almost dreary, but Sebastian was right it was needed.Whether it be by eating, crying or snagging one of her claws over her skin, there was always blood to be shed. She cut herself several times when she was first learning how to control the claws that could form out of her fingers. Now she could do it on command without a blink of an eye.“You sure it looks alright?” Christine questioned, not daring to look away from the oil painting. Christine had put to good use of her degree from college, despite thinking she would never be of any help. She was not only the reigning queen, but also the palace artist. Her work was beyond anything Vermillion had seen in decades and her work had been busy since the day she and Sebastian were crowned.Christine painted mural
Christine“I’m just going to become a nun,” I whispered harshly. Banging my hand on my of a car, I winced at the impact. The leather wheel groaned in protest as I used to push myself out of the deep bucket seat.The car I parked beside was a beautiful, black, freshly waxed Maserati. We did have neighbors that had such beautiful cars but why it was parked outside my house was something weird. Maybe dad bought it with all the money he hoards away from mom.I wanted it to be over, this pain in my stomach. I wanted to just scream it all out and just be done with the pain with the yuck. He didn’t’ deserve my pain, he didn’t deserve any of it. He wasn’t worth it; no guy ever was and no other guy will ever make me feel this way.My keys were slung recklessly in my hand, trying to find the correct key. I hadn’t been home in six months. The Christmas lights were gone, and the crisp cool weather had faded now bringing the bright sun of summer. My old plank wood swing swung in the breeze beckoni
ChristineMom observed me, her lips gently parted. Justin looked about the same, but his eyebrows rose above his head waiting. Not breaking their stares, my lips searched for the bright red straw that hung close to the rim of the glass. My lips finally found the ever fleeting straw, I sucked down the rest of my hard lemonade.The harsh sounds of the glass emptying caught my attention instead. Smacking my lips together, I turned away from the stares only to glance at the pitcher of lemonade. I shrugged my shoulders.Oh, hell. Pouring another glass, they watched me until I began sucking on the straw again. Clearing my throat, I set down the mason jar with a click to the glass coffee table. “I’m sorry what was that?” Leaning back in my chair Justin just blinked his eyes back to Mom who gripped his hands tightly.My hand reached out to grab the mason jar again for mom to tug it away. “That’s enough, Chrissy.” Her voice stayed gentle. Tutting I leaned back in the chair. Rubbing my eyes, s
SebastianThe worn-out Jeep had seen its better days. The few times I filled up with gas, I had to put oil in it as well. I was surprised it was still running after the hundreds of miles that were already put on the jeep before I received it. The transmission was failing and my lack of knowledge of vehicles in this realm made me cringe to try and fix it if I landed on the side of the road.If all else fails, I’ll just walk. I had continued north, going with my gut as I traveled across the country. The further north I went, the daylight fleeted far quicker than in the south, which was for the best. The sun was different here than in Bergarian, much harsher on a vampire’s skin. I hope that it did matter much, I was old and used to the many hours in the light sources of home.I wasn’t some noble back in the realm of Bergarian, I was nothing but a commoner. I worked hard as a merchant, buying produce from those that farmed the land, small trinkets from humble witches and warlocks. My wa
SebastianHoly hell.“T-that’s amazing,” I muttered. Rowan’s grin widened, his arm sleeking around his mate. “It is, it has given us the opportunity to have this coven grow, making it one of the only covens in the world that help specifically with human transformations into their new lives.”I let out a bark of laughter, rubbing my hands up and down my thighs. This was insane, never had I thought this would be possible. The opportunities to mate with another species here on Earth? For humans to become like us? Unreal.There had been rumors, long ago that vampires could force a chosen mate, usually done with humans. It was a practice outlawed before my parents were even born and never thought of again. Now that the Goddess had something to do with the pairing it made it more beautiful.“And they are successful, changing their mate.” Rowan nodded, looking out the enormous windows that let the natural light filter into the room. “There is the bite of bonding and a bite of changing. The b
“There was trial and error,” Rowan lifted his hand, waving it about. “He had to learn how to take in her life that she created before him. The children she had, the husband she left, she basically had an affair on the poor bastard, but she knew the bond she felt. It was meant to be.” Rowan smiled, waving at Adaline who blew a kiss his way. Certainly, she was born from a different era, the way she dresses, how she carries herself, and the delicate ways she had placed the tea cups on a sterling silver tray. Single human women, laid out on the lawn, tanning their skin. Not caring if the sun reeked damage on their bodies. Humans, vampires, and children sat on blankets and ate lunches being held by their biological parent. Everyone was happy, at least the younger ones were.“That is why I created this place.” Rowan interrupted. “That poor soul put himself to all that trouble, worried because his mate was to be fragile, not feel a bond, but she was far from it. She was strong.” he humm
Christine:"I'm sorry, Chrissy. You can't come into today." I ground my teeth together, wanting to stomp around like an adolescent child. This was insane. Less than two days after moving here, mom was bitten, and I haven't seen her since.A whole week had gone by, and I could only stare at them through the window if I was lucky. Apparently, my human blood reeked, and it could make her unmanageable. Justin said she was fighting it, that the thought of drinking blood was grotesque. Who can blame her? It sounded gross, but that is who she was now. She had to drink, but the human part of her mind was still there."Can I just give her a hug?" I almost pleaded. He stood at the door, blocking the way for me to catch a glimpse of her. On occasion, she slipped by the window, and I saw changes in her appearance. She looked… good. Her hair had more bounce, her wrinkles had gone, hell, she looked almost just like me. Except I was a darker blonde and had some of my sperm donor's height.My pleadi