He finally showed, but is it enough??
~Ben’s Point of View~ It was literally impossible for me to listen to Shane carrying on, not with Meadow pacing on the porch. She was quite obviously waiting for me to speak to her, and I was gonna be damned if I ignored her and made her feel insignificant. But how the hell could I get her alone and not make it obvious? Going inside was out of the question. I could hear Skyler’s voice and several children. I couldn’t “out” our secret without her consent. Without her knowing, everything. “So the family is all good,” he asked, with obvious concern. “Yeah, a few issues but overall locked up tight. Called in a couple vampires we trust to do perimeter checks at night just outside the portal. Gives the…” I paused abruptly as Meadow sat on a swing. I caught a foul odor of rotten food. Had she been sick? I’d felt a bit sick a few minutes ago when I was thinking about her and that was partly why I came, although I was looking to talk to the triplets. I thought being Christmas morning they
~Meadow’s Point of View~ I’d really never had to feel nervous about anything in my life. Three huge brothers to protect me, a loud as hell sister to butt her nose in. And most recently, a father who is a councilor. I might as well have bubble wrap around myself. But none of them could protect my heart, my sanity. I never imagined I’d need protection from my mate. From his WIVES. Ben teleported us into the front yard of my parents’ house. I immediately only picked up one heartbeat inside, only my mom. I sighed and took a deep breath. Okay, so maybe this won’t be so bad. Yet. When we got to the door Ben paused, looking nervous. “You’re not a vampire you don’t have to wait for permission do you,” I said, kind of showing my snotty self. My age. Oh well. “If I’d known we were coming to see Daisy I would have dressed better, oh wait,” he said, as a vase of daisies appeared in his hands making me jump. “Pretty cool huh,” he said, winking. I made a face, a bit unsure. But I shook
~Ben’s Point of View~ “What the hell are you doing? You can’t just disappear for two days not with all this crazy shit going on,” I heard, as the sun suddenly blasted into the room. I pulled a blanket over my head and ignored the rude awakening. Well, I hadn’t slept. How could I possibly? A series of clinking and groans filled the air as Sebby likely cleaned up some of the empty liquor bottles strewn all over the house. My entire body hurt, felt close to paralysis but there wasn’t anything in the world that could help it. No amount of liquor, no drug. “Is this about that wolf,” I heard, making me leap out of the bed and fly right at his stupid face with my fist. He caught me, and kicked me into the wall. I hit with a huge thud, knocking a painting off. I didn’t even bother trying to catch myself, levitate so I wouldn’t hit the floor. Physical pain was already crippling my body. What's a little more? “She rejected me,” I whispered, barely able to still believe it. By the time I
~Meadow’s Point of View~ It had been four days since I said the words and everyone was treating me like I was on suicide watch. A babysitter in my face 24/7 but I was adamant that I NOT go to my brothers’ house. The pain wasn’t really getting any better but I was determined to power through. I begged River to let me tag along, help with his investigation but of course dad stepped in. At one point I asked Hunter if literally everyone knew, if all the Shadows now knew all my business. I knew he’d give it to me straight, he’s the least gossip-like one of the bunch. He said dad was doing everything to keep it under wraps but it was only a matter of time. Coral had kind of retreated to the back of my mind, curled up and hurting on her own. We still both felt like we made the right choice, even if our heart didn’t agree. “You need to eat,” I heard, as I turned to see my dad. “Go do your work, you don’t need to be my butler,” I said, trying to convince him I was okay. I wasn’t saying it
~Ben’s Point of View~ I’d just had a huge fight with Sebby and I’d been pacing so hard I was going to wear a hole in the deck of my vacation home. I’d gone back to help with bedtime last night at the coven and most of my wives wouldn’t even speak to me. Some of the older kids were excited, they thought it meant more exposure. More chances for them to get out and see the world, meet more people … meet shifters. Potentially find their own mates. I called a family meeting two nights ago, where I told my wives and children everything. You’d think Moses had parted the damn sea, half were furious with me and half furious with my mate. I didn’t give her name, but they’d probably figure it out or hear it eventually. Katrina and Angel were supposed to be making sure there was extra protection around Meadow, they were going to meet with her tonight and spell her. Since it was obvious she didn’t want anything to do with me. I should absolutely be the one caring for her, but that would of co
~Meadow’s Point of View~ “You’re out of your damn mind, absolutely not,” I snapped, staring up at my father. “This isn’t up for discussion. The council decided, it’s done,” my father said, running a hand through his hair in frustration. My eyes flicked to my mom who was livid. Coral and I had blocked her wolf out hours ago, she was acting possessed. I couldn’t take it. Sky’s wolf was the same, just wouldn’t shut up. Everyone’s got their damn opinions. It was nearly dark and we were all still stuck at Ben’s vacation home. More kept showing up, Shadows and their families who were too afraid to go home. Who were these damn witches that they could wield this kind of power? Making everyone crazy and paranoid? Yes I wasn’t at all happy my parents were attacked, that many acres of our property were destroyed. But we were all alive. This is the damn council! The ones who are supposed to be absolutely unbreakable! The ones who instill fear not cower from it! Goddess I sound like Godfrey
~Ben’s Point of View~ I wasn’t at all sure how the hell Sebby agreed to let nearly a hundred people come into the coven to stay, but I wasn’t about to argue. I knew we were a safe place, but it would be a lot of mouths to feed, a lot of potential clashes having so many different creatures move in. I had certainly never allowed demons or fae of any sort. While they were likely the next closest supernatural creature to a witch, there was always jealousy and animosity there. I saw it even with Angel and Dina. Kind of pissing contest if you will. Many in my coven only ever lived amongst other witches. While we are basically considered human by most supernatural creatures, low on the totem pole so to speak, we of course thought rather highly of ourselves. I had to look at it as gaining a great favor with the council, which was always a plus. Making a good impression with Ash certainly of all people was suddenly high on my list of priorities even if he personally was staying at headquarte
~Meadow’s Point of View~ *This is an awfully dangerous game you’re playing,* Coral warned, as I continued to kiss Ben. It was gentle, not eager or demanding. Not like the stupid males my own age who just wanted to shove their tongue down my throat and grab me everywhere. When I could actually get a guy near me that was, which was rare. I thought it was maybe my fifth kiss ever, but suddenly I couldn’t exactly remember the others. Going to an all girls school means you don’t exactly get many opportunities. Being the youngest Black means few males would even go near me. The way Ben held me, how careful he was, how he slightly moaned even though our kiss was pretty PG rated … it was completely overwhelming me. While our mouths opened and maybe our tongues touched a bit, they didn’t go too far. My entire body was lit up, Coral was too even though she was being weird. She didn’t want me to kiss him but she didn’t want me to stop either. I was willing to bet we were going on nearly five