I Don't Take Orders From Anybody

"You're so stupid, Gretchen. Why do you keep getting sucked back into their stupid goddamn mind games?"

She paced the room as her embarrassment over being repeatedly mislead escalated into a fury that was quickly consuming her. "I can't believe I've been so fucking stupid. Rhett was right, I must be the most hardheaded woman on the goddamn planet. I must be pretty entertaining to you all." She walked to the bookshelf and grabbed a row of books then screamed as she threw them to the floor making Jason startle. "You mother fuckers are always telling me I need to remember and see the truth then you keep shit from me all the goddamn time." She pointed at Jason. "Every fucking one of you. Is this some kind of sick fucking game, Jason?"

Jason shook his head. He grew up right beside Tessa and her husbands and was more than familiar with their family's poor tempers and tendency to act irrationally. He had warned Damien more than once that keeping secrets from Gretchen would end badly. "Damien knew you would try to go to him, but you don't need to, Gretchen. He's already on his way and you'll be together soon. Going out there on your own isn't safe."

Gretchen scowled and clenched her teeth as she shook her head in disgust. "I'm so fucking done with this family." Gretchen went to the door and pulled on the handle. "Open!" She struggled against it and put her foot on the wall to brace herself as she tried desperately to open it. "Goddamn it, I said open."

Suddenly, a frigid wind swept through the room and the light around them faded as the forest began to take shape again. Gretchen turned away from the door and pushed the hair back off her face as the wind whipped around her. She slowly walked to Jason and he pulled her close to his side as they watched the mirage come together in front of their eyes. "What's happening?" asked Gretchen as she held on to Jason's arm.

Jason looked around at the scene unfolding around them. "This is your doing, Gretchen. You're having another vision."

The sounds of pained screams and swords clashing together could be heard beyond the hazy shapes of men and horses. Gretchen stepped closer as the mist finally washed over them. Agamori and his riders were under attack and they were heavily outnumbered. As the small squad of horsemen fought against the rogue wolves, wizards, goblins and trolls, Gretchen's father sat huddled under a tree with his hands over his ears as he rocked back and forth while the battle happened around him.

Gretchen tried to run to Teddy, but no matter how hard she tried to move, the vision pulled away from her. "Daddy! What are you doing? Get up and fight, daddy!"

As the vision disappeared into the mist, Gretchen's body trembled while the thought of her father being in danger took her over. She looked at Jason and he shook his head no. "No, Gretchen, I know what you're thinking, but I can't let you do that."

Gretchen exhaled forcefully through her nose and smirked. "I'm not asking you, Jason. You can either get the fuck out of my way," Gretchen stretched out her hands and her nails began to shoot out from her fingers. "Or I will fucking kill you. Don't you even think about keeping me away from my father. I'll tear apart any motherfucker who even tries."

Jason put up his hands. "I have strict orders, Gretchen. I can't allow you to leave the castle."

Gretchen rolled her neck from side to side then glared at Jason. "Orders? I'm a goddamn Alpha. I don't take orders from any fucking body." Stepping backwards, Gretchen sneered at Jason. "Don't even try to follow me," then she closed her eyes and disappeared into a black mist.

Jason wiped his hand across his mouth. "Oh, you tricky witch. You got your powers back. Shit!" He quickly opened the door and went in search of Gretchen.



"Son of a bitch," Gretchen said to herself as she shoved her clothing into her bag. "I hope it was worth it, Damien."

When she was finished, Gretchen walked out her room and came face to face with Jason and Eason. She smirked and shook her head. "You two picked the wrong fucking day to test me, but what the hell. I have a few minutes to spare, who wants to go first?"

Jason stepped closer slowly. "We'll go Gretchen, but you have to stay here. That's not negotiable."

Gretchen chuckled to herself. "No fucking way. All you assholes have been doing since the day I met you is lie to me and scheme against me and you want me to trust you with my father? Get the fuck out of here with that nonsense."

Eason and Jason looked at each other, then glanced back to Gretchen. She raised her brows and shook her head slowly from side to side as she laughed an evil chuckle while her hair started to blow around her. She lifted her palms into the air as a glowing sphere appeared on each one. "Ok, don't say I didn't warn you."

She gritted her teeth and threw the orbs at Jason and Eason, sending them flying through the air and crashing into the stone wall behind them. As she walked past, Gretchen looked them over and smiled. "You did know I'm half warlock, Jason, you should really be more careful next time. This was just a warning; I suggest you two stay the fuck out of my way before you really piss me off. I can be a real bitch when I don't get my way."

As Gretchen stalked off through the castle, she saw Rosemary in the foyer speaking with some guests. "Don't need you sticking your fucking nose into my business." Gretchen misted to the town below to avoid being seen. As she walked into the forest to the South, she looked around for signs of being followed. "Good fucking riddance Darke family, it's been real."



"Wake up Eason, get up." Jason shook Eason and slapped his face.

As Eason's eyes gradually opened, he smirked and grabbed his head. "I can't believe I let that girl slip through my fingers. She is quite a beast, isn't she? Poor Damien bit off more than he can chew, I believe."

Jason huffed out through his nose as he took Eason's hand and pulled him up. "You're alright then?"

Eason shook his head and rolled his shoulders. "Aye. She's got quite a temper, doesn't she?"

As they started down the hall, Jason nodded. "She does, but that's nothing Eason. Her fathers a warlock, if she's anything like him at all we may be in trouble. We need to find her at once."

While Jason wiped the blood from his nose, Rosemary ran to him wide eyed. "What happened?"

"Gretchen got her powers back, she's left the castle."

Rosemary closed her eyes and tried her best to reach out to Daniel and Damien. "How long has she been gone?"

Eason trilled his lips. "Not really certain. She knocked us both out."

Rosemary put her hand to her mouth. "Oh no! Why would she do that? What set her off?"

Jason rubbed his head. "She knows about her father. She saw a vision of him being in danger and she's gone off in search of him."

Rosemary closed her eyes and shook her head no slowly. "She must be so furious with us."

"I'm afraid that's an understatment. She told us she'd kill us if we tried to follow her."

"Oh, but you have to, Jason. Daniel and Damien are fighting their own battles as we speak. We have to bring her back." Rosemary tapped her foot on the ground as she thought. "Alright, you two start out, but don't get too close to her. Give her space until Damien or Daniel can get to her."

Jason pushed out his lips and shook his head. "If Damien finds out Eason's even been within an arm's reach of Gretchen, he'll kill him." He turned to Eason. "I'll go. You stay behind on Watch."

Eason smiled. "You really think you can handle Gretchen and whatever she's running to on your own?Haldir's been my friend for nearly 400 years and I owe him my life many times over. If Gretchen is in danger, even Damien will not stop me from trying to help her. We need to get moving, she's already got a hefty start."

Rosemary grabbed Eason's arm as he tried to walk out. "Jason's right, you can't go. Damien's terribly jealous, he doesn't want you anywhere near Gretchen."

Eason shook his head. "My Queen, if something terrible happens to her, I would never forgive myself and I'm certain that your son wouldn't either." As he pulled away from her grasp and walked out the doors with Jason he said, "I'm a knight of the Darke kingdom. It is my duty to protect its people. I'll take whatever punishment his Highness sees fit."

As Eason put on his leather riding gloves while they barreled to the stables, Jason looked over to him then studied his face. "Why are you doing this, really? You know you have no chance with her. She's Damien's woman now."

Eason laughed aloud while his blonde hair flowed behind him as he bounced with each step. "Gretchen's a beautiful woman, there's no doubt. I would not try to part Damien from his mate, although I would be happy to pick up the pieces of her broken heart if the day ever came. Honestly, Jason, I live for this. I like the surge through my veins, the danger. I like never knowing if I might return and the excitement of seeing what might be out there for me. Wherever Fate leads me, I'm happy to follow."