Alexander “Goddess be damned!” I holler, the stacks of papers, missives and map of the coastline scattering across the floor with one swoop of my arm. “He is certainly playing the long game.” Arthur commented in agreement. My outburst not fazing him in the slightest. He had grown used to my mannerism by now. We had been friends since childhood. Neither of us ever thinking that the burden of running a kingdom and looking after the people within it would ever fall on our shoulders. “I like to think he is running scared.” I growl between my teeth in response. It had been four months since we had arrived in East Anglia. I must admit, as war hardened as I was, even to my eyes the sight off of the east coast was enough to terrify even me. You couldn’t see the horizon through the amounting fleet that had gathered. And if it were not for the magical mask that had been used to shield their presence from the lesser creatures living on this earth, every person, whether man or beast, would h
Rosalie “Helena Walker-Low” I read out loud, my heart soring. “Margaret had a child?” I turn to Estelle. “Yes Rosalie, Margaret had a child. And it looks as if Helena has also had a child born with magic.” She points to the unseen next branch, detailing the birth of another Margaret Walker-Low in bright crimson script. I clap my hands together in delight. I had never felt so much relief. And for the first time since finding out I was pregnant with my own little witch, relief flooded through me. “How do we find them?” I ask, my eyes trailing the paper for any indication of location. “Well, you see, that’s just it…” The dull tone of Estelle’s words were enough to drop me to earth with a bang. “What is it? I don’t understand.” “The Low’s are a very well-known wiccan family. Some may even call them royalty in the wiccan communities. So, it will come as no surprise when I tell you that their location is pretty well known as well.” “Isn’t that a good thing?” I question. My brow furr
Rosalie The wind ripped through my hair, pulling it from its formerly neat chignon, the long strands whipping my face as I the gale changes its course from one side to the next. The current weather was a reflection of the mood we all felt. After I broke the news of what I intended to do, the airy library soon began to feel like a prison. The four walls beginning to cave in around me. It didn’t matter how beautiful it was. I just wanted to escape. I needed air, and the familiarity of my own home. I needed Alexander. This was as close as I could get. Standing on top of an open hill, looking out across the fields, with the wind billowing around me. There was no Castle Black, no little creak in the distance welcoming me home. No flowery cottage, or even the screams of my happy children. But it was the country side, and it would have to do. The weather was growing worse with each minute that passed by, and from these great heights, looking out towards the west, black storm clouds w
Alexander The need to get home to Rosalie was becoming too much. It was like an incessant itch under my skin, and it was become intolerable. Connections to one’s own mate were something no one, in the written history of werewolves, had been able to explain or comprehend. But the connection was next to none. We could hear each other’s thoughts when we were within a close enough proximity. We could sense their pain, anguish, happiness even. And we knew when there was something that just wasn’t quite right. That sense of foreboding had been getting increasingly worse with each passing day. Always the sense that there was something going on that I should have been there for… That danger was nearing. And now that the threat of Xavier being on our boarders seemed to have disappeared on its own, I saw no need to be away from her any longer. I knew that what ever Xavier had planned was far from over. And so, with that in mind, I left my war council in place to continue monitoring the sit
Rosalie “Where have you been?” I spin on the spot. The menace in the words was beyond dispute. They cut through me like a knife. The shocked face of my eldest child, soon forgotten, as I took in the imposing stance of my very angry mate. His body shook with rage. Heat, visibly vibrating around his body. He stood naked. As if he had only just shifted. Doing nothing to cover himself. His eyes bore into mine. And where his eyes were usually blue, two black pits stared back at me, indicating that Silas was still very much present in his mind. “I said, where have you been?” His voice dropped to a deadly low. And knowing that they stood no chance against him, Lucille and Estelle backed away, ushering the children out of the room. Alexander didn’t flinch, didn’t move to chastise them, or refrain them from doing so. He simply stood, staring into my soul. “Your home?” I try to keep my voice light and even. I knew that Alex would never hurt me. But I also knew that when he was angry, not
Rosalie The rain had not stopped since returning from the Malificus Acus. It poured down like a wall of water. The village below the tower, had become a bog. The moat, flooded, and the even the distant stream had burst its banks… not that I could see it trough the gloom. Villagers had migrated into their little ram-shackle homes, and only came out when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the streets and fields below were empty. Even the cows sheltered under the bushy trees looking for an escape from the impossible weather. The tone of the castle was sombre. Despite anyone else knowing the impending doom that was approaching, they could all still feel something was coming. Perhaps the people thought that it was the war that was causing such an atmosphere. But only a select few knew better. Estelle had taken the last few days to perfect her detection spell. And we had tested in several times to ensure that it would work. It was decided that the only way to ensure that Tenebris would th
Rosalie Pain radiated through my abdomen, and down my legs as my body convulsed, followed by the sound of water trickling to the floor. My waters had broken. What happened after that seem to all happen in a flurry of activity. Getting out of Castle Black and to the little cottage in the woods had been no easy feat. Especially due to the miserable weather still pouring down outside. By the time Lucille had found Estelle, Alexander was already by my side. And doing his best to move me from the castle to our planned birthing place. His arms wrapped around my back, and holding me up through each contraction as it hit. The journey was uncomfortable and generally miserable. And by the time we reached the little cottage, what had started out as light contractions ever so often, quickly changed to contractions every few minutes, and I knew the time had come to start pushing. And whilst my body begged to start doing so, I held back with everything within me. “I’m not ready for this Ale
Rosalie A flurry of activity ensued, and just like that the bubble had burst.A mixture of pain and dread filled Alex’s face, and I could only imagine the same was reflected back in my own.Estelle had spent the last weeks preparing for this day.Her protection spell over the cottage was already in place. All that was left to do, was place her cloaking spell over me, so that Tenebris wouldn’t clock on that Adelaide was not with me.The basis of this was simple.She was edging her bets on scent and appearance.Obviously, taking Ada with me would put her directly into harms way. So, it had been dismissed as an option from the start. And the only way that we could think for this work was to fashion a dummy of sorts. This would then work in conjunction with a cloaking spell so that the dummy appeared to be a real human child.That, along with a blanket that held Ada’s scent and we prayed to the goddess that the plan would work.With Estelle having hidden the cottage out of sight, Tenebri
Estelle The dank smell of decay assaulted my senses as I climb down the steep steps. The slick stones beneath my feet threatening to send me toppling with one small miss-step.“I hate this place.” I mutter. Righting my footing yet again as a stone crumbles out from beneath me, sending a wave of small stones rattling down into the gloom below.This place had always reminded me of death.Even as a little girl, when my father had brought me here for the first time, an excitable ten year old girl, surrounded by my brother’s. Eager to see the Schmidtz family vault. The source of our powers, and a historic linage that could be traced back to the awakening of magic. I realised that this place was far from the fairytale tower of my dreams.Our family had held to the old ways.And it wasn’t until the fateful day that my father presented me at the Malificus Acus that I realised just what that meant.Blood.Sacrifice.Pain.Everything that I cringed back from at such a tender age.I couldn’t und
RosalieIt didn’t take long before the whole pack was aware of news about our expanding family.Just in the short distance from his home to the pack house, it felt like we bumped into every member of the pack in turn.The afternoon seemed to go by quickly.And the pack members seemed to amass at the pack house, all gathering around to wish us well.If it weren’t for the niggling feeling in the pit of my heart, then everything would have been perfect.By the time the sun was beginning to set in the sky, I found myself getting ever the more weary. Seeking the refuge of the evening air, I found myself walking out onto the patio, watching the sun setting in the sky. A glass of non-alcoholic prosecco left untouched on the garden wall as mull over the pain I was feeling deep inside.“Rosie?” Landon came to stand behind me, his strong arms wrapping around me from behind, drawing me into his warmth.I went willingly. Relishing the way my body fitting into his. How his slightly heightened core
RosalieThe gate squeaked with a vulgar cry, the sort of high pitch groan that wrang right through your brain setting your teeth on edge.Cringing against the sound, I wasn’t surprised to find the front door swinging open only moments later.“So much for surprising you.” I walk the short distance up the path to the front door of Landon’s home. He was situated just down from the main pack house in the Beta’s cottage.He had grown up here. It belonged to his family before they had been killed, and was gifted to him by Alpha Richard when he came of age. His formative teenage years he has grown up in the pack house under the care of Jo and Richard.“Sorry, I have been meaning to fix that.” He eyes the gate with an embarrassed frown, his hand reaching up to scratch the back of his head as a pale red blush crept up his neck.“On the plus side,” I try to break the awkwardness that had settled between us, “at least you won’t ever get caught out doing something you shouldn’t be!”That was it.
Rosalie Summer was finally here. And feeling the warmth on my face was bliss.Finally reconciling to the idea of my own time, being my future, had been a difficult one. But none the less, I seemed to have found a new rhythm.I hadn’t been ready to fully commit myself to falling headlong into a new relationship. And Landon had been immensely patient with me.No longer wanting to feel a burden to Alpha Richard and Luna Jo, who had taken on responsibility of the pack whilst Drake and Steph took some time for themselves in the wake of all that had happened. I had made the decision to move out of the pack house.It was in Rose Cottage that I found my new normal.It had been difficult at first. Moving into what was my former home. A home which I had made with Alexander and our children.But after the first few months, I found myself now finding comfort in the memories I found here.Some modernisations into the new age, and it starting to feel like a home worthy of times I found myself.It
AlexanderI stood in the midst of the carnage around me.My face taking in the blood-soaked field surrounding me impassively. Bodies littered the ground densely. Heads decapitated; limbs ripped from the sockets.Those unfortunate ones that had now been delivered a deathly blow, lay limp on the ground, crying out in pain. Unable to stand up and leave the battle ground under their own steam, they would eventually succumb to a bittersweet end. Their open wounds would eventually become infected, and they would die miserable and in pain as their blood turned to poison in their veins. That is, if hunger did not get there first.Try as I might, I could not feel anything for the miserable souls lying on the ground.This war had raged for two years.Two years of battle and blood.When one battle was fought, the next would begin. All amassing here, at Castle Black.The blood-soaked ground would never be the same again.I watched as great pyres were built to dispose of the bodies. Pile, upon pil
RosalieI followed the rocky path in the moonlight. Wrapping my arms about myself trying to stave off the chilly evening air.I hadn’t come dressed for such an outing. But I couldn’t put it off any longer.Thorns snagged at my jeans and jumper as I kept walking, determined to get where I needed to go. I barely felt the little scratches as I pushed on forwards.By the time the stone circle appeared before me, the crescent moon was almost at its peak.The bright white slither looking down on me and lighting up the clearing with ease. It seemed especially large tonight.“You don’t get to choose my path for me!” I shout at the sky. I had no idea if she would hear me or not. I guess I am no longer her daughter. I am merely a human.I waited, perhaps for an answer, but none came.Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, one foot in front of the other until I came to the central alter stone. Placing a hand on the hard, cold surface and waited.I am not sure what I was expecting. Even after t
RosalieI woke up to a blinding light coming through the window. Blinking in the early morning sun, using my own hand to shield my eyes from the blinding sun.As my body caught up with the rude awakening, I slowly became more aware of the ache radiating through my body. Every inch from my neck down to my pelvis felt abused.My mind slowly caught up with itself. And for a moment in a blind panic, I realised what happened the day before.Sitting up with a start, looking over to the empty side of the bed.He was gone. Landon was not there. I reached out a hand and felt the sheets. They were cold. He had been gone for some time.Wrapping my bedsheet about my naked body, taking in the wrecked bookcase, the contents now littered over the bedroom floor, I moved to the mirror. Taking in my apparent, “just fucked” appearance. My hair held an uncanny resemblance to a bird’s nest, my lips puffy and red. I should have been aware of how fragile my human body was without the protection and healing
Rosalie“Don’t stop!” I gasp, as he suckled on my collar bone and over my breast. I could feel everything right down into the pit of my stomach. And I could feel myself growing slick under his touch.“Fuck Rosie, you scent is so fucking amazing.” Landon all but growled, his teeth clenching as my top was ripped from my torso and discarded in a pile of rags on top of the broken bookcase.His large hand pushed aside the cup of my bra and fondled the delicate skin of my nipples. His teeth grazing them in turn with want, teasing each peak to a point.“Ohhh!” I moan my hips thrusting towards him, looking for more. “Landon, please.” I moan, begging him for something. I wasn’t sure what, but I just knew I needed more.Landon seemed to know exactly what I wanted without the need to be told. In the next moment, I found myself pulled away from the wall and laid out onto the soft covering of the bed. The rest of my clothes easily discarded so I was laid out in nothing by my underwear. My boobs po
RosalieSilence.That was all I could hear.Silence.It was deafening.It had been a fortnight since Tenebris had been vanquished.Since Steph had been killed.The Eclipse pack was in full mourning for the loss of a daughter. And there seemed to be no end to it. Not that I hoped for an end to it.I simply couldn’t bring myself to believe it was real.Steph had died saving me. And the guilt that surrounded me was overwhelming.“Rosie?” There was a gentle knock on the door. I turned to find Landon stood in the doorway, a tray of food in his hands. “Rosie, you need to eat something. It has been days.”He was right. I hadn’t eaten more than a mouthful of anything since it happened. Nothing tasted right. He all just felt like ash in my mouth.Landon had been patient with me. Even though he was in mourning himself. He still made sure to look after me. I was grateful for him. With him by myside life was a little more bearable.“Alpha Richard has declared that the pack begin to move out of mo