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One defining moment.
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Lenora was beyond livid, although the baby sleeping peacefully in her arms would never know it. And when Santos casually walked back into camp the next morning, her eyes flayed him wide open causing Santos to halt mid-step. Lenora spoke quietly but nobody missed the steel in her voice.
"In my office now." They walked in utter silence, past the Dhampirs going through their morning defense session and around the blacked-out tent housing the vampires until they came to the entrance of a nondescript cave. Santos ducked his head as he trailed behind Lenora, entering her personal lair. He was surprised to realize that he hadn't been in her space since they came to camp and that somehow seemed significant. Lenora had made the cave her home. The floor was covered in animal pelts, and although he couldn't feel it given his state, Santos remembered that the walls would be warm with thermal rock, and with the way the cave snaked around before bellying out to the main
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In the smaller room next to the hall, Onyx, and Maeve waited to be called outside. In keeping with their base roots, Shadow and Isabella had made the decision to hold the induction outside, leaving the hall for the High Priestess's farewell. It was a shock to hear that Caroline was Isabella and Raeann's grandmother, and even worse to find out that their father was responsible for the horrific way she died. Any loyalty that they had grimly held onto for the man who gave them life, died a quick death after that."Why are you sweating so badly?" Maeve asked her brother, as he tugged his collar for the tenth time trying, and failing to loosen it. Onyx looked sideways at her, avoiding her knowing eyes as he muttered, "Just hot, that's all." And he wasn't surprised when she chuckled, "Yeah okay big brother, you keep telling yourself that.The atmosphere grew even tenser as a certain blonde poked her head through the doorway, choosing to ignore Onyx, Lucy directed her words t
Chasing Bella's shadow Just like your mother
He waited until the camp grew quiet. Vampires were out doing their own recon or feeding; the dhampirs were prone to sleep like they were still human, and Lenora had retired early with Maria. There would be no one there to stop him.Santos had learned early on in life that you generally got further if you could pretend that you belonged to the people or places that you wanted to infiltrate, which is why, instead of sneaking into the Vampyre Queens lair, he walked in as if he'd been invited.The room was fairly dark, but undead sight is sharp, and in no time, he located Lenora, sleeping on the rugs beside Maria's crib. This was almost too easy. He thought to himself as he moved stealthily over to the sleeping Queen. Santos's eyes flared a deep ruby red as he opened his jaws, extending his teeth to deliver the killing bite to the jugular. As he descended with lightning speed, Santos found himself suddenly trapped in a suit made of icy wind. The flakes swirled around him,
Chasing Bella's shadow A call to come home
The howling outside let Valenar know that the wolves' ceremony was over, they were all getting ready to run. Inside students and members of the coven mingled and laughed, while Raeann looked unhappy, and Quinley oversaw the merging of Ravenclaw. Valenar knew there would never be a better time to have the conversation he needed to have with his mate than right now when everything was under control. So he started walking towards her as Raeann stared wistfully at the door. Her need to run with her family must be driving her insane, and Valenar felt sorry for the strain being placed on her from the witches and wizards council, she should be allowed to live as she wished, instead of existing to handle the problems of others. Truth be told, he was wary too."Your Highness, there's a messenger at the entryway for you, he said that it's urgent." A young Acolyte steered him away from his mate and towards the back of the hall, moving deftly around the other bodies so that Valenar could
Chasing Bella's shadow All on my own
Watching the dragons take to the skies was bittersweet for Bella and Shadow. They stood by their statue on the mountainside while the babies slept peacefully in their bed under the watchful eye of the Cerebus, a gift from Quinley as she began her reign at Ravenclaw. Soon Adrastus and April were little more than specks in the dawn sky, carrying with them Bella's brother and sisters as they headed back to Desdayos. "May the Goddess protect you." She whispered when they finally disappeared from view. And Shadow tightened his arms around her, content to watch the sunrise over their land. They could almost fool themselves into thinking that it was going to be an ordinary day, with routine paperwork and normal pack business, but then they remembered Maria."In a few months, they'll be a year old Shadow, Maria has been gone for two months, what have we missed? Has she met her wolf yet, like the others? Does she have abilities from my family? Is she walking and talking, ther
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Santos watched as the fire at the cave entrance grew until it completely covered any chance of escape. The Vampyres and dhampirs were in a mindless frenzy as they chanted "death to the Queen!" And Kronos crowed like a rooster in a henhouse, thinking he would be the next King. The look on his face was priceless when Santos sidled up to him, appearing to require his attention, and instead pulled his heart from his chest whilst the others were busy taking care of their queen.'So easy.'The 2IC thought spitefully, as the vampire slumped to the ground and he casually threw Kronos's heart into a bush."Throw more wood on the fire!" Santos yelled, basking in the power that came with being in control, and the minions obeyed. After he was sure that Lenora was nothing more than a desiccated husk he planned to mount his granddaughters head on a stake and walk straight into Howling with his Army to finish the battle with Shadow that was denied him a year ag
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It was midday by the time the Alpha and Luna finally pried themselves away from their babies, and as the last spell sealed off the door to Ravenclaw, separating the parents from their young, Bella's eyes were glassy and Shadow kept wiping his eyes as they traveled the familiar path towards home. The township was eerily silent, no children played in their yards, and all the businesses were closed, as the pack prepared for the onslaught at nightfall. In their hearts, they knew that this was their last day of happiness before the ugly morning that would bring with it the deaths of family and friends. Behind them, the Cerberus Alpha watched out for their safety, and his pack was already scattered in the forest to prevent the enemy from arriving early and catching them unawares. There was nothing left to do but wait.As if by some unspoken agreement, Shadow and Bella entered the sacred land, coming to rest beside the memorial stones of the fallen."Tarakona, Abigail,
Chasing Bella's shadow March into madness
"Baby girl, wake up." Bella stretched out languidly in their bed with a huge grin on her face, as she prepared for another day at Howling Warriors. She opened her eyes, and once she looked at Shadow, all dressed in black, and the land outside that was hidden by the night, Bella remembered."It's time."She nodded and rolled out of bed, grimly putting on her fatigues, and together they locked the door to their home, before starting the short walk to the packhouse. Scouting from the treeline, the Cerberus Alpha followed the wolves he was charged with protecting, keeping to the shadows as he scented the air, searching for any sign of the enemy, and he stayed like that, on guard and alert every step of the way until the Alpha couple entered the town square, where their Army awaited them.Lucy was already there, checking her equipment for the extraction and Bella took a moment to speak with her friend. Since the incident in Lucy's office, they hadn't really had
Chasing Bella's shadow With magic and pride.
Jarvis crouched low to the ground, as his pride spread out, stalking their prey. The dragons circled overhead and he watched as they threw the scouts' bodies down from the sky, scattering their easy kill. 'Wait,' he commanded as the dragons made their second pass, this time blowing ice from their mouths, freezing the vampire's front line before a lone figure leaped gracefully to the ground. He signaled to his lions to split and take both sides of the wall, as the coppery stench of blood perfumed the air, and in one fluid movement, they burst from their cover, building their rapid momentum to get past the barrier and into the battle unfolding. The Vampyres never heard them coming as the Marcioni pride launched their massive bodies onto the nearest enemy, latching onto their throats and tearing out jugulars with relish. There was an impressive pile of corpses on his right as the Seductress wove her deadly web of swinging swords, pirouetting with lightning speed around an onslaught of
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Shadow felt his breathing begin to slow as he looked up at his mate. He tried to manage a smile, but the pain was too real, and all he could do was grimace as it arced through his torn-up body. Bella was telling him to hold on, that Valenar was reasoning with the threat, but he knew that there wasn't enough time for him, so using the last of his strength, he lifted his hand and gently placed it against her lips. "I waited a lifetime for you, my Bella," he struggled to get out the words, knowing that this was the last time he would feel her touch, "I will search through a thousand lifetimes to find you mate. You have my heart, you have my soul and no matter where you go after I'm gone, know that in your heart I'll always be here." Bella's lips trembled, and her eyes filled with tears as she shook her head at him, "You promised me forever, Shadow, please don't leave me!" As Shadow closed his eyes against the pain, he was vaguely aware of Bella's screams,
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Down in the cellar, the children were quiet. Some trembled while others bristled, eager to get out amidst the fray and earn their place as pack warriors. When the ground above started trembling, and the hatch heaved as though the earth itself was trying to break in, that's when hysteria hit. Onyx struggled to hold back the retired warriors and mothers whose children were valiantly fighting to keep them safe. The tension grew higher as Onyx barked for them all to calm down. Reason was rapidly going out the window, and Lucifer awakened, shining wrathfully through Onyx's eyes as his leadership was challenged. Then, out of the darkness, a clear voice rose, weaving its way through the pack bunched up in close quarters, and Onyx looked gratefully over at his nephew.Tarakona sang of times gone by, the history of the Howling warriors, and his parents' courtship. He spread calm throughout the cellar as they were all transported back to the time of Shadow and Isabella, the magic of th
Chasing Bella's shadow Pyro Diego
Like the plague, Hael's anger washed through Howling, killing dozens in its wake. Pyro's magic was depleting itself quickly under the onslaught of his friend's fury, and sensing his master's struggle, Barghest's howl signaled his hellhound's arrival in Howling. Unfortunately, the boy had only lasted seconds as Hael tore his intestines out, half-crazed by the thoughts of his mate being with another man. For the first time in their lifelong friendship, Pyro doubted his ability to reign Hael in."Marie is going to make me eat my own balls," He thought grimly as his legs gave way, blood dripping from his ears as Pyro faced his death. He was lucky in the sense that while he would die in this space, as an overlord in Hade's realm, Pyro would end up back where he belonged anyway, and Marie would be waiting to tear him a new one, as she did every time he went on a jaunt with Hael. Barghest came at a run, bowling through half a dozen wolves as Pyro's magic finally deserted him. His fa
Chasing Bella's shadow When death walks down main street.
Ratchet left Sal's with a full belly and a grin on his face. Maeve was like the ray of sunshine in his life that made everything okay, and whatever it was that she was dealing with, he was sure she would slay it like she did everything else in her life.Lost in his thoughts, Ian reached his bike in no time, grabbing his helmet and pulling his bandana up to keep the bugs out of his teeth. He didn't see the freight train until it hit him full force in his side. Like a spring flinging loose from a trampoline, he sailed through the air landing heavily on his side. "What the fuck?!" He roared, reaching for his handpiece. When Ratchet found who had rammed him, his mouth dropped open, and the gun fell from his boneless fingers. It was the two giants he caught sniffing around Maeve's shop earlier on. Only now, the one called Hael looked like some avenging angel. His eyes glowed with fury, and his muscles quivered with the urge to smash someone's head in. That someone being Ian.
Chasing Bella's shadow Wake up fool.
"I had to stay and run the pack!" Lucien barked defensively, crossing his arms and glaring at the pint-sized woman in front of him. Bella's eyes widened, and he swore he could see steam pouring from her ears. "I call bullshit!" She retorted, getting right in his face; her eyes crackled, and the fury held barely in check started to leak out, giving the Luna a frightening look."You haven't been running the pack," Bella brutally pointed out, "You've been curled up in your bed like a teenage girl listening to sad songs and eating ice cream. Why do you think I'm back so early?"Lucien couldn't find an answer for that. But it didn't matter because Bella wasn't finished, "You have thirty minutes to get dressed and pack a bag, I've already organized a replacement bike for you, and my strongest tracker picked up traces of her scent on the Eastern borders. Got and get your woman Lucien, before someone else claims her." She tossed him the keys to his bike and looked at her watch
Chasing Bella's shadow To thine eyes be true.
The ground felt strange beneath his feet. Grass tickled his toes as he wandered along, breathing deeply of the mountainous air. Beside him strode his friend; he was aware of the appreciative stares from females as they passed by and wondered if maybe it was unusual to see humans in Howling, but then again, they weren't really human-now were they?"Of all the places Hael? I'm allowed one free pass from Hell each millennium, and you bring me to Hicksville?" Pyro Diego glanced at his friend, who didn't bother to answer, and hoped for the sixth time that venturing into a wolf pack disguised as humans was a wise choice. Shaetan only knows what Marie will think when he returns home in a few weeks, and he rather liked his balls."She's here, man, I can sense her," Hael muttered as he began to look in the shop windows, and as the demi-gods came to the one on the corner, Hael stopped and took a deep breath, a guttural growl sounding deep in his chest."This is it."
Chasing Bella's shadow Tame the savage beast.
The vortex appeared directly in front of them, and Jarvis shoved Lucy behind him as he prepared to shift. The sound was deafening, and when the light pulsed, expelling a figure from the portal, Jarvis shielded his eyes from the glare."Well, damn, this is a sorry excuse for a welcome, but I'll take it."Bella stood there, cradling the pup gently in her arms. She knew that their luggage was already at home. Lucy and Jarvis looked at her with their eyes popping and jaws dropping as she smiled back at them. Lucy was the first to recover. "You weren't gone for that long, Luna? What is this? Immaculate conception or something?" She drawled, and Bella laughed. It was good to be home."It's a long story, my friend, and will need to wait until Caspian is settled in. Now, where is my foolish mate?" Bella easily took control, and as they continued walking down the street, it was a relief for Lucy to hand over the reins. As she revealed what had transpired in Bella's absen
Chasing Bella's shadow Jarvis arrives
Something was wrong in Howling. As Jarvis pulled up to the local herbal shop, it was obvious that something significant had happened here. Many stores were closed, and the usual hustle and bustle of a small town were missing. It made the lion shifter nervous. He was still in his car, wondering at the best course of action, when a familiar figure jogged straight past him."Lucy!"Lucy turned around, and a huge smile greeted him as she jogged back. Jarvis opened the door and stepped out in time for her to pull him in for a hug. "It's so good to see you," She gushed as they pulled away from each other, and Jarvis noticed her eyes sparkled and her mouth curved easily into a grin. If he were ten years younger, Onyx might have had a fight on his hands for Lucy's affections.As he looked at his friend Jarvis, saw the dark circles under her eyes and the weight she had lost, instinctively knowing that something was really, really wrong. When he quizzed her on it, L
Chasing Bella's shadow Let's take it slow
"I know it's late, but do you think you would like to take a stroll with me?"Thorn felt like he was drowning as he waited for Raeann's answer. He couldn't even turn around to see what her expression was like; he was that nervous. There were several seconds of silence where Thorn thought he might actually throw up. Then with the tiniest of voices, she replied, "I think I'd like that." Expelling a breath he didn't know he was holding, Thorn turned and let his eyes drink in her beauty. Raeann smiled softly, "April tells me that the thermal baths on the other side of the mountain are nice at this time of the morning?" And Thorn almost stumbled over his own tongue as he hastened to agree. Raeann held out her hand for him to grasp, and he did, almost shyly, shivering as the ever-present tingles made their way up his arms.For a time, they walked in silence, taking in the beautiful view of the sun coming up, as they slowly traversed fire mountain. Eventually, it flattened out near t
