Broken and Boldness

It'd been four weeks since Kyle died. A whole month since Jasmine and the entire Vampire assembly has been mourning over the death of their king and for the last seven days, Jasmine had neither eaten anything nor drank anything.

She was standing by the sea shore, staring into space and reminiscing over the last couple of years. The beginning and mid part of the last seven hundred and thirty-one days of her life were bright and eventful so how did everything turn out so blue and forlorn?

The last week of her life at the vampire's camp was unbearable and that was why the heads of the vampire dynasty decided to send her off on a vacation. She needed a breather and a new space as everything back home reminded her of Kyle.

"Kyle, why did you?" She broke down once again, catching her stomach tightened as she sobbed on. Feeling the child in her stomach gave her reassurance that Kyle was close to her and this time even, she hoped he'd answer. "Tell me why, Kyle?"

Dominic was inside the sea house where he'd been staying with Jasmine for the last week. He was cooking breakfast in the kitchen when he saw Jasmine clutching her stomach and bending over. To some onlookers, it would appear as though she was trying to pick the pearl shells that were washed ashore by the wave but Dominic knew better. He had always done so and that was why Kyle handed both Jasmine and his unborn child to his care; the same reason why the vampire's heads agreed to let him accompany Jasmine on her vacation. 

Dominic upon seeing Jasmine hurriedly dried his hands on the apron dangling from his waist. He took the apron off and hurried on to where Jasmine was. Wordlessly, he circled his arms around her and let her cry in his arms for the umpteenth time. He kissed the top of her head tenderly and traced a soothing finger across her back. 

"Shhh," he cooed into her ears, rocking her on his legs. "It is fine... It is going to be okay," he whispered tenderly into her ears.

"When? I don't even know how to move on."

"Well, you don't have to at the moment. That's why I am here. I'll help you. But just for the sake of the baby, try to put yourself together. He needs you to be strong for him,"

"Well, I don't care..."

"This is unfair to the baby, Jasmine," Dominic gently scolded her. He turned to look at her in the eyes but she paid him no regard. "Jasmine?" 

"Let me be, Dominic," 

"You know there's no fucking way in hell I'd do that. Think about Kyle, Jasmine. Think about the promise you made to him. If you don't get a hold of yourself now and start acting, how else do you think you'd make them pay for what they did to Kyle? You know as much as I do that those people won't let it slide. They sure as hell know someone would come for them and so I bet they are making plans of their own. I think it is high time you get your head back into the game," 

"I know," Jasmine said firmly, turning to look at Dominic as his hold on her loosened. "I've been thinking, Dom, and I know you are right. Just like you said, there's no way I'd get my mind back into the game if I continue to sulk away like this. I must return home and join forces with that of the vampire's heads. I must find Bernard and Jamieson and kill them with my hands," 

"And as for the baby?" Dominic asked, looking intently at Jasmine's stomach. 

"I'll take care of him. He'll be fine... We will be fine," Jasmine said, placing her hands on her invincible bump.

"And I'll make sure of that, I promise. I'll protect you both and I'll help you execute your revenge on Jamieson and Bernard,"  

Jasmine disentangled her body completely from Dominic's and focused her attention back on the Sea. Dominic's words were supposed to bring relief to her but they didn't. 

"I don't want you to help me with that," Jasmine said, not meeting Dominic's gaze. 

"What do you mean?" 

"I don't want you fighting for or with me. This is my fight, Dominic and I want to do it on my own." 

"I also have a score to settle with Jamieson. Trisha and I also. If she couldn't pay for her life since, at least her father or her uncle should," On Dominic's side, his fingers clenching by his side. His mind drifted to the time when he had to take his death because of Trisha. He also remembered how she had sold him out to Kyle to be killed. "Jasmine I..."

"My mind is made up, Dominic. I'll return to the vampire's camp and the people there will help me. I don't want to make this any more complicated than it already is." Dominic's nostrils flared.

"Make what more complicated?" 

"This..." She motioned between the two of them. "Whatever this is between us. This is such a bad time and I feel weird about all these things happening."

"I don't understand what you are talking about Jasmine. Please come out in clearer terms." Dominic said frustratingly. 

"You know you don't want to anger her right?" Hunter, Dominic's wolf grumbled in his head.

"I'm not trying to get her angry. I just want her to clarify what she meant," Dominic's mind linked with his wolf.

"You can say that without raising your voice. Don't say I didn't warn you if things go south between you both." Hunter said and disappeared. 

Dominic closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, seconds later when he was much calmer he opened them and turned to face Jasmine. "What then do you want me to do?" 

"Robert" Jasmine replied too quickly.

"Rob?" 

She nodded.

"Yes, Rob. When I'm busy plotting my revenge scheme, I need you to help me watch over him. Will you?"