3 - No Time To Think

~Two Years Later~

~Javed’s Point of View~

I stare off into the distance, running my hand over my face. I’d put this off too long and now, there was no more waiting. One hundred and one years, I’d lost. Though it was supposed to be two hundred. The ones who confined me to the tombs won’t be happy but it's been two years since I rose again and there’s been no sign of them.

All the centuries of wondering, waiting for the point to all this, desperate for some sign that I should keep going. I got it, loud and crystal fucking clear. 

Aurora. Her name literally means light, the dawn of a new beginning. A new day. The Goddess of the sunrise. Something I’ll never get to see again. Some kind of twisted irony? Who knows.

The name rolls through my head like a symphony, a sweet melody that I need to have on repeat. There had been a handful of times since she woke me that I’d gotten to hear her voice. Her laugh. There is absolutely no mistaking what she is to me and yet… She’s a damn child. Though any creature is a child compared to the relic that I am. 

“Respectfully requesting permission to speak with your Alpha. My name is Javed,” I state, nodding at the guardian. I’d carefully planned this encounter and spent a lot of time thinking about how I would conduct myself, everything from my words to my gestures and mannerisms. It’s too important, I can’t seem threatening. They need to feel comfortable and believe they have full control of the situation. Rather, of me.

The male wolf eyes me, his nostrils flaring. Of course he knows what I am, and it likely pisses him off to no end that he can’t attack me. Try to fight me. I know his beast is warring with him right now.

“Sit and don’t move,” he snarls, pointing at a metal chair. 

Though I’ve had time to catch up on all the modern marvels I’ve missed during my slumber, it’s still fascinating to see lights. Electricity and vehicles. Since I was left to my own devices when I awoke it was a slow and extremely painful process. I certainly could have sought out another for assistance, and should have. But that’s not my style. The last thing any vampire wants is to owe anyone anything.

But right now, this pack protects my Aurora. So, I need them, as much as it pains me to admit. There’s no way I can even remotely consider trying to take her until she has her wolf. While another may not care about such things, I do. I have to. Whatever mistakes I’ve made in my past will not be my future. 

Once learning Aurora’s true age as well, I realized I had to be patient. But that’s just not something that’s in my bones. Not when she’s so close.

When a large male approaches me, I feel the aura of power emanating from him. He definitely looks like he doesn’t fuck around, and I appreciate that. Even if my appearance isn’t at all intimidating.

“Alpha Killian,” he states, with a curt nod. 

I focus all my energy on moving at a snail’s pace, or at a human pace. Normally I just think my movements and my body does my will. But that won’t do here and now. I’ll spook him.

“I am Javed. May we please speak privately,” I inquire.

He moves his lips around, assessing me. Likely his wolf trying to size me up. I have nothing to hide but he has every right to be cautious and I’d think less of him if he acted differently. When he flicks his head, I follow. Suddenly there are ten men around, all staring me down. I hear each beat of their hearts, though as enticing as so many humans in close proximity may be, their scents do nothing for me.

They reek of testosterone, sweat and other various things that don’t appeal to me. If I were desperate, sure. But too much is riding on this.

The Alpha leads me to a table with a bench attached and we sit opposite each other. I politely weave my hands together.

“I had been entombed on the island for my slumber but was awoken early,” I state, more than choosing my words wisely. His face falls, surprised.

“There are a few of you down there, only you woke,” he whispers, but of course my hearing is superior and I catch it all just fine.

I nod and make a face. The very idea that any of the others could have risen makes me sick. I only know one other that is in their slumber and he’s not at all someone I care to let loose. If I didn’t fear repercussions from his maker I’d pull him apart bone by bone myself. He’s part of the reason I got punished to begin with and it was only bittersweet that he got in trouble as well.

The Alpha breathes a small sigh of relief but stiffens his back. 

“How could you have awakened? I haven’t studied the procedure since no one was supposed to come back during my lifetime but isn’t it rather involved,” he asks. I nod again. Involved and inhumanely painful.

If I were human, I’d be clearing my throat and biting my lip but I haven’t had those mannerisms now in quite some time.

“A female she-wolf on the island is my intended, and somehow she was drawn to me. Able to get into the cavern and below ground. She must have cut her finger because once her blood was in the air, my body came back on its own. Though I had no help and no way to get blood, over probably the span of several nights I was able to crawl to the edge of the cliff. The creatures of the sea got me far enough along until I was able to properly handle the rest,” I explain, leaving out the most important part. That being, it's been two years. At least I think. The first several months were a blur, I could barely understand time I was in so much pain.

I watch as he considers my words. He’s clearly not happy.

“Have you approached her,” he whispers. His eyes stare into mine, and I have to admit he’s got a face that gives nothing away.

“No, of course not. Though…” I trail off, looking in the direction of the island.

“She’s still a pup so, clearly I can’t do anything. Though I know I need to make you aware of my intentions and the delicate nature of the situation,” I continue.

He huffs and looks away, leaning back and crossing his arms. My kind and his kind may share a special arrangement and have for many centuries, but it doesn’t mean we have to like each other. Really if they understood the depths of the monsters they protect they wouldn’t be keen to do it. But I hardly need to tell a werewolf that trusting a vampire is a deadly mistake.

“So you haven’t notified your nest,” he asks. I shake my head.

A slight chill creeps into me at the thought of those bastards. I highly doubt that during the time I’ve been away a single one has changed in the slightest. Well, I have. Her scent, her blood did that to me. There’s no going back to my old ways. If I have to be a borderline human then so be it. I’ll figure it out.

“I want nothing to do with them. The slumber was a punishment of sorts. I will fully revoke any allegiances with them and sever all ties. Aurora is my only concern,” I say.

His eyes widen and his heart immediately races. His hands ball into fists and I know he wants nothing more than to shift and tear my head off my neck. I put up my hands to indicate I’m not a threat.

“Aurora? That poor girl has been through enough. This is the last damn thing she needs,” he bellows, his voice loud and drawing stares from his guards.

My black heart seizes, instantly pissed off that she hasn’t had a good life. That she could be unhappy. The idea never even occurred to me. She’s always around others, surely they care for her, they’re her family. Though for months now I haven’t been able to catch her outside at night and didn’t know why.

“What has she been through,” I immediately question. 

He proceeds to tell me what little he knows: orphan, even left by her sister. Essentially a rogue being sheltered by the pack. She has nightmares of when her pack was raided, even years after the fact. He said she’s lonely and sticks to herself most of the time, not wanting to be a bother to anyone though they all try their best to help her fit in.

“I’ve offered numerous times to have her come to the mainland and be a part of the larger end of the pack, but she won’t leave Matthew,” he explains. 

I immediately raise my eyebrow and swallow the fire blooming in my throat. He shakes his finger in my face and explains that his Beta was to mate her sister who left. 

“It’s been a couple years, though she blames herself. Actually, that night she…”

Well, shit. I try my best to remain calm as he pieces everything together. Should have known.

“You’ve been awake two fucking years and you just now present yourself,” he whispers, leaning in. I quickly note the males behind him are furious.

I more than realize this could be an offense worthy of taking to the vampire/werewolf council that oversees this arrangement. Tries to keep a delicate balance between our species.

“Well in all fairness since I was on my own and had little nutritional sources down below so it was painfully a year before I was strong enough to get above ground,” I say, keeping a straight face. Living in the ocean was far from ideal, but food came right to me and it was dark. It wasn’t as if I needed oxygen.

Nevermind that the first night I was able to stand on my feet I was out looking for her. If I could break into her home and steal her pillow, anything with her citrusy scent… I’d damn well do it.

He scoffs and moves to stand, indicating he’s done with our conversation. But this is how things are done, at least… They’re supposed to be. 

Something pulses through my veins, completely catching me off guard. A feeling I haven’t been familiar with in over a millennium. 

Fear.

Without a second to even hesitate, I shoot into the air, likely pissing off the Alpha. But she needs me. My Aurora needs me. While we’ve not mated, just her proximity is already allowing me to feel some of her emotions from time to time. Not only that, the night I got out of the tomb I licked the several drops of blood that I was able to find of hers which helps.

She’s upset, crying. Her entire body is shaking. Once she comes into focus, I freeze. She’s standing on the edge of a cliff, teetering dangerously close to joining the rocks below. From this distance I can more than save her if she jumps, but then I’ll be exposing myself. Which I’m not supposed to do without the Alpha’s consent. 

There’s no time to think, no time for anything when she tilts forward, opening her arms to welcome the fall. She whispers something so softly that I actually can’t hear it.

Fuck the rules.