Whiskey.
I closed my eyes and drifted off, only to relive the same dream that has taunted me all my life.
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She was back. Just like always. She stood before my small and beaten body, looking down at me. She looks just like me, or like I did a I child. Her mouth was moving as per usual. She was talking to me, but she didn’t make a sound. I strained my hearing trying to hear her words, but there was nothing. I stood up slowly, and as I rose, I grew. I went from being a small broken child to the strong woman I am today. The me in front of me changed as well. She grew as I did. I watched her body change, get taller and more womanly. I watched her face grow, chubby cheeks morphed to a slim face with big eyes. But when she stopped aging, she looked back at me and smiled. She moved her hands down and placed them over her swollen stomach. She was pregnant. I looked down at my own stomach, and I was pregnant. This had never happened before. How could I be pregnant.
Whiskey. As I laid on the ground, trying to regather my mind, I could hear shouting and more gunfire. I tried to lift my head, but each time I moved, my body screamed back in pain. Pain was something I am used to. I was able to shift myself so that I was sitting up, leaning against a large piece of concrete. I grabbed at the spot on my head that hit the ground. My warm blood was seeping down my face and getting into my eyes. I wiped it away and tried to peer through the blurriness and the pain. I followed the sounds of the shouting and was able to make out a few shapes. People shapes, but their attention wasn’t on me. I wiped away the fresh stream of blood and looked to where they were focussing. It was Saxton, or Saxton’s wolf. He had his jaws buried into the neck and shoulder of one of the hunters, he was shaking his head furiously as the man screamed in pain. The other men were lining up their guns and aiming at Saxton. A feeling of fear filled my entire being. In a split
Whiskey. I headed back to the top deck and peered out into the darkness. The air coming off the water was cold, I liked it. The icy freshness seeped into my skin, chilling my bones. My skin prickled with goosebumps and a shiver ran down my back. I love that feeling. It tickles at my dark frozen heart. I knew I was getting close, I could sense it. Perhaps an hour out now, maybe less. And just in time. Dark storm clouds were rolling across the sky, coming from the direction of the land. Hopefully, I can dock before they hit. The waves were bashing against the sides of the fishing boat, throwing it all around the place. The metal screamed under the pressure of the water. The land was right there, I could see it through the pouring rain, I just couldn’t manoeuvre the stupid boat through the storm to reach the shore. Fuck it. I collected my bag, shoving my clothes and shoes back inside it. I then put it, and the document case, into watertight plastic bag. With some extra
Whiskey. Saxton leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. The crowd moved back, creating a large circle in the middle of the hall. Dante removed his shirt and danced around the middle of the space, showing off to the crowd. I am really going to enjoy this. I do wonder what Saxton is trying to prove by having me fight his father. Perhaps it's just some kind of unresolved childhood vendetta thing. Lord knows I have enough of those. “Last chance to back out little girl” Dante teased, “No. I'm good” I said with a smile. This seemed to anger Dante more. He stretched out his arms and jumped up and down on the spot, warming his body. I stood facing him with my hands behind my back, waiting for him to advance first, which I know he will. He is going into this too cocky, he already thinks he has won. He'll be sloppy, and he will concentrate more on showing off for his comrades than he will on his movements. I can use that against him. Unsurprisingly, I
Zelena. Numb. That’s what I was now. Numb. Numb to the pain, numb to the fear, numb to the emptiness. I had nothing left. No emotions, no feelings, just deep dark nothing. The happiness that my memories were meant to evoke, was non-existent. The sadness that I thought his departure would cause me, was nowhere to be found. I had nothing. My lifeless body laid motionless on the bed. I don’t know what day it is, nor do I care. I don’t know how long it’s been since he left, nor do I know where he is. I just know that he isn’t here. And without him with me, there was nothing for me here. Hours turned to days and days turned to weeks. But in my mind, it was one long and unbroken patch of darkness. I was conscious to faces that appeared in the room around me. I could hear the low whispers of pleading and encouragement that accompanied them. But I had nothing. No motivation and no desire to be present. I didn’t want to be here without him. I wanted to close my eyes and leave this pl
Zelena. “It’s nearly time” was all he said. Time? Time for what? Before I got the chance to ask, the door opened and a set of heavy footsteps entered. Tobias growled a warning from behind my head. I forced open one of my eyes and looked at the person in the doorway. “Watch yourself guardian. Don't forget who I am to that girl” Lunaya growled back. She looked dishevelled and tired, but her eyes held a wildfire deep in the brown of her eye. She shifted her angry gaze from Tobias and down to me. Her face softened the moment our eyes connected. “Zelena” she huffed. “Lunaya” I croaked back. Her eyebrows shot up and she stared at me with wide eyes. “You’re talking again?” she said surprised. I didn’t answer her. There was nothing to say. She stood there unmoving, and I laid on my bed watching her. A second later, another searing pain shot down my back. I hissed again and jolted on the bed, colliding my back into Tobias’s chest. Lunaya jumped forward
Zelena. I looked to my mother-in-law, my two best friends, my guardian, and my mother. Then I lost any semblance of control I had left. I began to hyperventilate as the sobs racked my body. Tobias lifted my weeping body and crawled onto the bed behind me, he wrapped himself around me like a protective blanket. Lunaya took my hand and kissed my knuckles. Roe came over to the other side of the bed, took my other hand and held it to her chest. “I... can’t...” I forced out between sobs. “You can, sweet girl” Roe said encouragingly. “I need him” I cried. “I know baby. He'll be home soon” she said encouragingly. Another contraction came on, the intensity caught me off guard. The pressure, the pain, it’s indescribable. I breathed hard, trying to calm myself down. I've been so selfish. I've put my baby at risk, all because I wouldn’t face the heartache of Gunner’s departure. If something happens to my baby it will be all my fault. And then I will trul
Whiskey. The numb emptiness didn’t leave me, it faded somewhat, but I could still feel it. If I wasn’t so used to blocking myself off to pain and emotion, I would guess that it would frustrate me. But I actually kind of enjoyed it. The uncaring and unfeeling state of mine was freeing. I lost any guilt I had for what I had done over the past few years, however small that piece of guilt may have been. Though that slight sliver of doubt still lingered in the back of my mind. Always on repeat, eating inside my thoughts, ‘did I do the wrong thing?’ With this new hollow feeling, I could no longer see or feel that small slice of doubt. It was fantastic. All that aside, the fact that I still don’t know what has brought on or caused this new state of mind, it bugs me. I am determined to find out. And I will, I always do.
Whiskey.“You know what this could mean for us, for the pack. It's huge. The world will bow at our feet” he said happily.“There are still tests that need to be done. We need to confirm this, multiple times, be one hundred percent sure of it before we make any moves. Which includes alerting the rest of the pack. You are not to say a word to anyone until I give the go ahead” the Alpha spoke firmly.“What else is there to confirm, I've given you all of the information you need” Saxton clapped back.
Zelena. Gunner’s arms came around my stomach and he leaned his chin on my shoulder. “You okay?” he asked softly. “I’m good” I answered and reached up to tap his cheek. He turned his face and kissed the palm of my hand. “You were crying again” he said, like I hadn’t already known that. “Well, pregnant ladies cry, Mighty Alpha” I quipped and turned to face him with a smirk. He didn’t answer me right away, just gazed down at me. “You sure you’re alright?” he asked more gently. He cupped my cheek and I leaned into his touch. “I’m fine. Thinking of Cole and Tobias just makes me sad sometimes”. Gunner smiled sadly and ran his thumb over the corner of my mouth. “Me too” he said softly before leaning in to press a soft kiss to my waiting lips. “I love you” I said looking up into his beautiful blue eyes. “I love you more” he smiled back. “It’s not a competition” I grumbled and pinched his peck. He laughed and rubbed at the spot. “It’s not. There's just more of
Zelena. Grief is difficult. It's a hard feeling to navigate. With the addition of my bouts of guilt and regret, I wasn’t sure I was ever going to find my way through it. If I’m honest, I’m still working my way through it. Every new day is different from the last. It's strange really. One day I will be fine, filled with happiness and joy, enjoying my family and my life. The next, something as simple as hearing the term ‘Little One’ will set me off on hours of crying and wishing for things to be different. Grief is weird. It's true when people say that you never actually get over the pain, you just learn to live with it. Not being alone with my pain is a huge help. Gunner and I are both working through our grief. Everyone is really. Losing Cole, Tobias, and Aurora. Plus, Cleo and all the other fighters that sacrificed their lives. Those losses hit us all really hard. Even with all that loss, we’ve gained a lot as well. Thanks to Aurora, the hunters are basically extinct. A special t
Whiskey. “I know” Zelena whispered with a slight nod of her head. She pushed her other arm forward with her palm facing me. A wave of energy hit me, like a truck hitting a mountain at top speed. My entire body jolted with the force, down to the tiniest atom. The air was stolen from my lungs and my vision went black. I felt like a giant hand was inside my body, pulling it apart piece by piece. The pain was incredible. I could feel every part of myself being torn to shreds. I tried to scream, but no sound came. I tried to fight, but my body was no longer under my control. This must be what death feels like. I can’t imagine it being anything else. There was a pressure inside my chest, like something was pulling it open. It built and built, tearing and ripping at my essence. It was almost too much, I was ready to give in to it. After all that I have endured, and all the pain that has been inflicted on my body over my lifetime, I still kept fighting. I was never worn down to the point of
Whiskey.It was a fucking dragon. The glowing light dimmed, just enough for me to find a small human frame within the dragon's glow. It was Zelena. The dragon was with Zelena. How could this be possible? “Whiskey” a voice called out. I took a step back as I looked up at the beast. Dragons aren’t real, I told myself. Plus, this dragon was odd. It wasn’t a physical being. Its face, its wings, its body, it was all made out of light. I could see the electrical currents tethering all the pieces together. Almost like it was made of pure energy. “Whiskey” the voice called again. It came from both Zelena and the dragon, almost like they spoke at the same time, in the same voice. I stumbled back a few more steps, but Zelena and the dragon just kept coming. “You’re reign of death is over” the dragon called. This is unexpected. But I’ve never quit before, and I sure as shit won’t be starting today. I steadied my feet and squared my shoulders. I summoned another icicle sword, now holding
Whiskey. I swung my arm towards Zelena, letting fly the spear of black ice. It got her in the upper right side of her chest, sending her flying back to the ground. A proud smile filled my face as another weapon materialized in my grip. I was about to hit her again when I was sent flying back through the air. I dropped the shard of ice and used my own power to cushion the landing. Gunner was poised and ready to attack. Zelena was still laying on the ground, I knew she was going to be easy to be rid of, just one hit and she was out. I pulled on that dark feeling inside me, tugging on the string of power that was in me now. Another icy shard appeared in my hand, and I hurled it toward Gunner. He dodged to the side, missing the spear, and then charged toward me. I didn’t even need to think about it now, the weapons just came to my hands as I thought of them. I leaned on my back foot and steadied my feet, then I hurled dagger after dagger at Gunner. One hit his shoulder, but it didn’t
Whiskey. Tobias hit the deck like a sack of shit. A pulling sensation tugged at my heart. Like the shriveled piece of brown beef thumping in my chest was going to suddenly come to life and feel something for the big dumb oaf. Yeah right. Once he was down, the fighters that he waved away all charged at me in unison. Some shifted into their beasts, others tempted fate on their human legs. It didn’t really matter either way. They were all going to die by my hand one way or the other. I cut each of them down easily, and all the others that tried their luck with me. It appears these animals are just as dumb as all the other stupid dogs that I’ve fought. Never learning where they lay on the food chain. Never realising that they’re doomed from the moment they decide to fight against me. They’re all the same. Single minded, foolish animals. The fight had us slowly moving through the village, leaving a breadcrumb trail of bodies along the way. They just kept coming, one after the other. I
Zelena. I flew off to the side with so much speed. The force at which I hit Gunner’s shield made my brain wobble inside my skull. My hold dropped and Whiskey landed back on the ground on her feet. Keeping the shield in place, Gunner growled and stepped toward Whiskey with his claws ready. I quickly stood up and raced to stop him, but I was sent flying back into the shield once again. When I went to get back up again, a sharp pain shot through my chest, and I yelped out in pain. I looked down to the source of the irritation and froze. Shit. A long black jagged piece of ice was protruding from my chest. It’s the darkness. I produced the same type of weapon once. The sting of ice in my veins intensified and the cold emptiness of the darkness filled my chest. I snapped my head to Whiskey who was about to launch another in my direction. Before the fresh shard of black ice left her hand, Gunner swung his arm out in her direction. The shield around us dropped and Gunner retrained all of his
Zelena. Gunner took my hand and I turned to follow behind him. Lupus was marching at his side, the two of them whispering harshly. I couldn’t focus on what they were saying, I was too taken aback by the bodies we passed. My eyes caught on a woman lying face down on the ground with a gaping wound in her back. Another with his neck broken at an ungodly angle. Three or four wolf bodies followed quickly after. How could one person do so much damage? A rush of magic tickled across my skin and the air around us felt thinner and light. Gunner stopped walking and turned to look at me. “Do you feel it?” he asked. I nodded and lifted my head higher. “She’s literally sucking the air out of the village” I answered. “How are you supposed to fight against that?” Lupus grunted angrily. “I have powers too” I said as I lifted my hands and erected a shield around the three of us. The air immediately felt normal again, further proven by the sigh and deep breath Lupus took. “Let’s go” I c
Zelena. I swallowed the pain in my chest and stood up slowly on shaking legs. Gunner grabbed my arm, half to help me stand, and I expect half to stop me from bolting right for the door. Smith and Felix followed my movements, both of them also rising slowly. Smith’s growl rumbled lowly through the room, quickly followed by Felix, then Lupus. The symphony of growls rolled around the room, all blending into one angry song. I hadn’t realised it at first, but my own growl joined the angry tune. All of us rumbled out how worried, angry, and ready to fight we were. I pulled my arm from Gunner’s hold and stepped toward the door. My claws extended and my bones ached through my anger and the desire the change. I pulled the Goddess power into my body. It tingled across my skin, fed my soul, and filled me with energy. “Let’s get to it then” I snarled. My anger was palpable. Family be damned, if my own sister has hurt Tobias, MY Tobias, I will finish her where she stands. I will reign the pain