ArthurThe dim light flickered, casting long, eerie shadows on the cold, stone walls. The air was heavy with the scent of dampness and decay. Arthur writhed against the unforgiving chains that bound him.His skin felt like molten lava, every nerve ending tingling with an insatiable hunger. He was consumed by an unrelenting need, a primal desire coursing through his veins.He couldn't remember his name, couldn't recall the faces of loved ones, if there were any. All that existed in his consciousness was an overwhelming need for sustenance. His stomach gnawed at him, aching with a hun
Almara POV Our brief moment of bliss comes to an end as we hear Noah and the nurse descend down the stairs. I can only hope that Arthur clings to this moment of clarity and remains strong. I instinctively nuzzle Grace closer to my chest as Arthur retreats further against the wall. I breathe in her scent and hold on to her smell like a lifeline. Grace begins to cry harder as Noah’s footsteps come closer. I try ease her stress, realizing that I no longer have any fear of my own wellbeing. “What did I tell you?” It was a rhetorical question from the nurse with a twinge of panic. She quickly turns to Arthur who is in close step behind her. “I told her to wait, that you would want to be present.” “I couldn’twait.” I remark trying to keep the bite out of my voice. “Grace Elizabeth was ready to come out.” Just saying her name softens my tone, and fills me with even more protective rage. Arthur moves pass the nurse, ignoring her as his crimson eyes settle on my baby like a prized possess
Almara’s POVA blood curling scream rings in all our ears. It takes me a moment to realize it’s not me and recognize the voice belonging to the nurse. Startled by the loud noise, Arthur pulls his opened mouth away from Grace. For a moment no one else moves, that is until Grace begins to cry again.Annoyed by the symphony of cries, Noah lets out an aggravated grunt. “What the hell is that?” He shoots me an accusatory glance and I shrug with wide-eyed confusion. Noah carelessly puts Grace in Arthurs lap and his lack of care has me seething.As he begins to stomp away his heavy footsteps echo off the high walls.“Sire, wait. Please” Arthur beckons. Noah quickly turns around.“What?” He demands with impatience gnawing in his tone.“Would my sire be willing to remove my chains so I may feast on this decadent meal?” Arthur asks while licking his lips and I can’t help but wonder if this is really is all an act.A sly smile crosses Noah’s face. “I suppose it would shut the little darling up.”
Almara’s POV I sit motionless for a moment, waiting for Arthur to tell me he’s joking or that he has some other idea that doesn’t involve him leaving. I absent-mindedly stroke Grace’s hair. “Go.” Arthur commands. I expect to feel a sharp pain in my heart at his cold tone, but instead all that spreads throughout my body is this dead weight numbness. I somehow manage getting to my feet. Though my heart still feels numb, a dull throbbing
Arthur’s POV I climb my way out of Noah’s dungeon. I take in a deep breath of fresh air and only for a moment are my senses cleared. The fresh scent of pine from the trees replaces the smell of metallic blood clogging my nostrils.I shake my head in hopes to clear my vision, but the sun is throwing off my focus. I can’t seem to see straight and my skin is prickling beneath the warm rays, as if overly aware of each sun beam.The more I stand still the more I bec
Robert’s POV The awkward silence is becoming intense. Almara hasn’t said a word since she’s gotten in the car, even the baby seems to taking a dislike to me.“Sorry I don’t have a car seat for her, I wasn’t really . . .expecting there to be a baby.” I say trying to listen the mood, which my comment does anything but that. Almara pulls her daughter protectively close to her chest.“She’s fine right here.” Almara remarks.
Almara’s POVRobert and I step inside the luxurious space of what I used to consider a mansion has now never felt more like home. I exhale a sigh of relief and want nothing more than to take a hot shower and curl on my bed with Grace beside me.The only thing that would complete that cozy image is if Arthur could be here to spoon behind me. Alas, him not being here while Robert is, is the very reason I can’t go off and recuperate in the safety of my own home.I turn to
Robert’s PovI take a seat on the front porch rocking chair. I sink back and the chair swings with my weight. I let the rhythm of the sways carry me further away in my day dreams. I gaze out into the rolling hills and wonder what it would have been like to grow up here.I chuckle as I recall the old-timey saying the sky’s the limit. That’s only true for alpha’s like Arthur, not forgotten throwaways like me. Where I grew up, the sky was only something for me to shout at. It’s peaceful out here. There’s no lingering echoes of screams
Almara’s Pov5 Years Later“Cheers,” Arthur sys clinking his mixed drink of vodka and lemonade with my non-alcoholic lemonade. I’m pregnant, again. This pregnancy is completely different than my first two, I actually get to relax. Which is exactly what we’re doing in the manicured garden of our backyard.We sit stretched out on zero-gravity pool chairs, sweat
Almara’s PovAfter a much-needed week of rest and restoration, Arthur and I are back on the vampire territory. I suppose that it can officially be called that again now that it has been reclaimed.My body healed magnificently after months of not only growing another being, but also fighting a war. It’s amazing what good rest and proper nutrition can do. Of course, the real healing ingredient came from the sacrificial love of my wonderful husband.Even though he suffered his own inju
Almara’s PovFinally, after several journeys back and forth from our homeland to the enemies we come to the final steps. We saw plenty of wolves making their expedition back home and there was a unspoken agreement that what everyone needs right now is peace.Thankfully, no one came up to us with questions, grief, or comments. It’s like we have this new kinship with the gammas in our world that we didn’t before. We seem to understand each other, or at least truly see one another.
Almara’s PovOn the way home we make a pitstop to a very special place. “Why are we seeing more dead bodies?” Grace asks, her tone telling me we are nearing a full-blown tantrum.“This body belongs to someone very important in our family,” I tell her calmly and hike her up on my hip. I’m not sure if my words got through to her, or maybe it’s her father's serenity as we ascend up one final hill to where Bess lays.Bess’s gravestone is set apart fro
Almara’s PovWith the vortex closed off and gone, the air becomes breathable again and the storm lessens. Still, my paws squelch in the wet terrain.Unfortunately, as I look around at the battlefield and see the piles of bodies slumped over one another, I think it’s more than just mud causing the stickiness.I try not to look down at the innocent blood shed on the ground. As I take careful consideration to step over and around the bodies, I tell myself they chose to come out and hel
Almara’s PovCathy and I weave through the castle, barely missing rubble crumbling off from the stony walls. We leap over counters, using everything we have in us to catapult ourselves past knocked over statues of gargoyles and shredded velvet furniture.“Catch!” Cathy calls out and reflexively I snatch a jagged shard of ceramic in my hand. I recognize it from a broken pot on the ground. Then out of the corner of my eye I see something else flying at me, though I don’t catch it this time, I duck.
Almara’s PovI’ve never seen Cathy look more confident and proud than she does at this moment. She stands tall, cuts strewn across her body, but they only add to her tough exterior. She’s covered in her enemy’s blood and she has a thrilling look in her eyes.“Have you seen Arthur?” I ask cutting to the chase. Cathy nods back towards tall white cabinet doors. I turn back to look at my mother who nods in confirmation. I rush over to the door and throw it open.
Almara’s PovI awake to a familiar beeping sound. It’s faint at first, like a distant call from far away until it’s suddenly blaring in my ears. My eyes shoot open and the blood in my body rushes to the important organs and I sit up with a jolt.“Where’s Grace?” I ask before I can make out anything else. “Arthur? Robbie?” I call out, hoping the sound of my distressed voice will cause Robbie to cry back.“Shhh,” a gentle voice says with
Almara’s PovArthur flings open the door, this time it breaks off the hinges. I guess there’s no changing our mind now. I keep Robbie wrapped up in both my arms and under my shirt.Arthur uses his body to guard mine, outstretching his arms and a puffed-out chest as he keeps his eyes zeroed in on every moving body around us all while moving us forward and falling in exact pace with each of my steps.We fight through sideways rain and vicious winds, it dawns on me that this storm isn&