The Conjuring

"So, you're shacking up with Damien now?" asked Haldir as Gretchen sat down beside him.

Gretchen's eyes widened and she curled her lips under as Jason looked up to her and smirked before returning to his food.

Haldir laughed and straightened his beard. "Relax, I'm just messing with you, Gretch. Not like you to be so uptight."

Gretchen bit her lip and pushed her food around on her plate. "You don't approve of it? Weren't you the one who dragged me here so we could make up?"

Haldir took a drink from his cup then said, "Don't be silly. Damien's a good man. I'm happy for you both, Gretch. About time something good came along for you." Then, he looked across the hall to Eason and shook his head. He should probably tell him that Gretchen's off the market permanently before he gets smashed under Damien's boot heel.

"Gretchen Mason! Just the fucking wolf we wanted to see," Rhett said as he walked into the Great Hall arm in arm with Hazel.

Gretchen looked up from her plate of food as they sat down beside Jason across from her and Haldir. "Oh yeah, why? If you two are looking to add a third to your little late night fairytale freakshow, you're barking up the wrong goddamn tree, let me tell you."

Hazel smiled as she licked the juice off her lips, then she sat her cup on the table. "From what I hear, you have your own little show going on at night, Gretchen. You want me to give you back that red nighty?"

Gretchen cringed and said, "No, thanks.You can just burn that when you're done with it. So, what's up Rhett?"

Rhett lifted his hands in the air as he looked up to the ceiling. "Tonight's the full moon. I'm so fucking pumped." Then, he dropped his hands and lifted his chin into the air as he howled, "Owoooo!"

Gretchen laughed out loud. "I'm aware of that." She thought back to her conversation with Damien earlier. Her whole body was just buzzing with anticipation.

"You want to go on a chase with me and Jason tonight? It's kind of a tradition," Rhett said as he wrapped his arm back around Hazel.

"Hell yeah! What kind of hunting is there here?"

Rhett shoved a piece of bacon into his mouth as Jason answered. "Mostly hare and deer."

Gretchen tilted her head from side to side as she considered it. "Yeah, that sounds great. It's been a long time since I've been on a full moon run. Thanks, you guys."

Rhett nodded. "It's no problem at all, Gretchen. Daniel and Rosemary got a little surprise for you later too when we get back."

Gretchen blinked and scrunched up her face. "For me? Why?"

Rhett shrugged as he pushed out his lips and shook his head. "I don't know, but you're going to fucking love it. Seriously."

Hazel poked Rhett's chest. "Surprise, Remember? That means you're not supposed to open your big, fat mouth."

Rhett winked at her and said, "Maybe later I could get you to open your mouth for my big, fat..."

Jason rolled his eyes and shook his head as he interrupted Rhett. "Enough! I'm eating."

Rhett laughed and then drank from his cup. "You're just jealous, Jason. You're going to be wrapped around that girls finger too someday, just like I am Hazel's."

Gretchen looked at Jason's face when Rhett said that. Jason licked his lips and looked away quickly, a flush of embarrassment flooded his cheeks. She looked at him curiously as she wondered who the girl might be. Jason was a very shy, but sweet and loyal man. He'd make a good mate for some lucky girl.

Haldir chuckled. "Watch it Rhett, that's one of my girls you're talking about."

Gretchen's eyes snapped over to Haldir then she glanced back to Jason who was growing more uncomfortable. "One of your girls, Pap?" asked Gretchen as she stared at Jason. Then, she remembered how Tessa showered him with affection yesterday and put her hand over her mouth as she realized who it was. "Marissa? You're mated to Marissa?"

Jason blew out through his mouth then nodded as he grinned nervously.

Gretchen said, "Oh shit, Jason. That must be just gut wrenching for you. Is that why you're living here instead of with your family?"

Jason nodded his head. "I grew up beside of them. When I was 17, I realized she was my mate. I told her fathers straight away. I didn't want them to think I was trying to...well, I wanted them to know that I wouldn't do anything dishonorable. We all sat down and talked about things.I...I didn't want her to think that I was some creepy man trying to force her to grow up before she was ready to. I wanted her to be a little girl and have fun. I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself from watching over her and intervening in her life so I agreed to stay here until she was ready for me to come claim her. Tessa, she writes to me often and lets me know how she's getting along, though."

Gretchen put her hand on her chest and pouted. "I'm sorry. It sucks to be separated from your family like that."

Jason nodded as he bit his lip. "Yes, it does. Thorin is my uncle and Daniel is a distant relative, but I miss my parents and sister."

Gretchen nodded. "No, I understand completely. That's great though, Jason. She's just the sweetest and cutest kid. It's only a few more years. I guess that's not much consolation though, is it?"

Jason huffed through his nose. "It's alright. I'll wait forever if I have to. I just want her to be happy. We have all the time in the world to be together someday."

Gretchen grinned at how cute Jason was. He seemed to only barely be out off his teens himself. "Oh you poor bastard, you're marrying into our family." Gretchen shook her head. "I can't imagine having those three as my in laws."

Jason smiled and said, "It can be a little overwhelming to think about. Jacob and Logan are quite overprotective fathers, in case you hadn't noticed. I was terrified when I told them. It went well enough, though."

Gretchen raised her brows. "No, they're great parents, really. You lucked out there, Jason."

"I know. They're very close with my parents. Erik and I were the best of friends when we were growing up."

"I know we're a loud and rowdy bunch sometimes, but there's a lot of love there. We are just really, really affectionate and outgoing people, Jason."

Jason nodded. "Yes, I know. Believe me.Your family really shook things up when they arrived in the North Woods. It was quite entertaining to watch, really. They just sort of own every space they inhabit." Jason closed his eyes and shook his head when he realized how that sounded. "No...not in a bad way. They're just very confidant people."

Gretchen rolled her eyes and smirked. "100%. Tessa and Logan are pretty strong personalities for a laid back place like that. Anyway, welcome to the family."

"Thank you," said Jason. He looked off out the window and rolled his neck from side to side. It seemed like a heavy weight had been released from Jason's shoulders.



Meanwhile in the library, Damien and Daniel stood at the table reviewing their charts and notes. Damien wiped his hand across his mouth then went to the window and looked out across the mountainside. "I'm so full of nerves. Are you really certain, father?"

Daniel stood leaning over the table and said, "I'm always certain, Damien. There's no room for doubt when the lives of the people you love hang in the balance." He closed the book then turned to look at his son. "I've commanded his spirit to halt, but he can't wait much longer. She's in Season and the moon is full. The timing is perfect. Every vision I've had is playing out just the way I saw it."

Damien looked back over his shoulder, "After all this time." He stopped and took a ragged breath as he shook his head. Daniel came to his side and put his hand on Damien's shoulder. "I can't wait to hold him in my arms again, father. He's all I think about. I feel so guilty about conspiring against Gretchen like this, though. If she knew how I was using her, she'd never forgive me. I wish I could just..." Damien clenched his teeth as he hissed through them. "I hate myself for doing this to her."

Daniel shook his head no. "She would forgive you, Damien. You're mates, she won't be able to stay angry with you forever. It's been difficult to keep this from Rosemary, as well, but they just don't see what we do, my son. They can't fathom the stakes involved. We need him. We can't do any of this without him. There is no other way."

Tears rolled down Damien's cheek as he looked off in the distance. "I hope that the Fates are kind this time. I don't know if I have it in me to go through all of this again. This waiting is torture. It's tearing my soul apart."

Daniel sighed then put his arm around Damien's back. "You'll be reunited with your son soon, Damien. Drago is coming. You'll never be parted again, I promise you this."