Book 2: Chapter 97
Heidi
John was happy… at least on the outside it seemed… Since we’d gotten to our packhouse… the smile he dawned was likely, undoubtably false. He’d blocked his true feelings through our bond, and I did as well…. He felt enough. He didn’t need me weighing us both down while there was still work to be Done.
The Church knew of us, and that priest marked the pack members’ souls…. So long as they lived here with us, they should be safe… but none who were in this pack today can leave to become members of another.
We pulled up when the sun was on the brink of rising, though I would be lying if I said I knew how much time had passed since the attack, the Archbishop arriving, or the burning of Rahrraam’s body happening…. I would also be lying if I said that I was fine now.
We both silently got out the car, but we held hands. It was by his touch that our smiles were genuine now… but I would say nothing. As Alpha, it was his place to be the one to address the hundreds of wolves.
We could barely get to the top step, even though everyone moved out the way to accommodate our path. I held my head as a Luna, but the smile for my people was real…. If there was anything positive from this night… we’d gotten at least partially rid of a problem….
“Pack.” Boomed John over the crowd. Their attention was on us, and I leaned into my mate’s side. It had gotten cold…. You could see your breath this early morning, even though the forecast had it at 74….
The packhouse was also unfinished. They’d gotten mostly done, however there still needed to be siding, some windows, and other things here and there that weren’t finished. The kitchen had a working clock in and out machine, a stove, and a fridge, but many homely things like tables, TV’s and other appliances were missing at the moment. I could see this through the stained glass double doors.
Wolves bowed their heads, and many of our pack, nearly all of it and at least two thirds of Ron’s was as well…. They’d surrounded us both inside and outside. All were worried, but in their eyes was hope…
“Pack, fear not the words of your Alpha, for what I am about to say will startle some of you. I Cannot lie to you all… I see in your eyes you want the truth, and I think you can handle it.”
He paused a long time, allowing the pack time to brace for the bittersweet news. “For those who kneel under StoneMoon’s banner…. And those who kneel to my father’s, the greatest threat of Hunters has been removed… However,… a Priest’s blood was spilled… one favored by Arviel, the Lord of Light himself. Everyone in this pack has been Marked.”
He paused to let the gasps and fear wave through the crowd, but he held his hand high to stop them. “I have, in blood, have the Word of the Church, the leader of the XIII…. I have a blood bonded oath that they will not harm any in this pack, and we have their direct protection from priests and Hunters… So those who are here, stay within our pack. Do not leave for greener grass, or else you will mark wherever you run to…”
“Alpha…” Said Beta Dion. “We were uprooted by silver… only to be hunted by priests and hunters…. Are you Sure you can trust a Human?” He asked. His head was bowed nearly as low as it could go. John was stronger than any in our pack by double; even my wolf could tell that….
“No need to bow so low, Beta.” He said walking through the crowd, patting him on the shoulder. “With his blood, he sealed his fate should any attack, via his order or not. All who try will belong to the Horned One for oath breaking….” He said seeing a lot of them relax after that.
“Above all… No One wants to go to Tartaron, I assume that would be double true for a favorite of the Adversary’s Adversary….” He said quietly, but most, if not all wolves could hear that.
“Yes, and with that said… I will be in my office at 9, possibly 10, that any who have questions may ask.” He said stopping in front of Ron. I silently followed.
“Do you see why I asked you to handle it?” Said his father.
“So that if anything goes south with You, that all deals made are already with Me.” He said shaking his wrist.
“You are this land’s future, and I am its past…. One day I will Be dust, but my blood will trudge on, unafraid, honed in honorable combat, but more importantly… honed in honorable trade.” He said with a smile. “Go rest in your bed. Go into your office… the building isn’t done, but with lights and walls, it’s ready enough… When things calm Down we’ll have a party.”
“I look forward to that.” He said taking my hand. I’d been next to him this entire time, not really having any words to share… I still partially blamed myself.
Every spell I ever cast, every potion I made… all of it had put a beacon on my home…. But I didn’t know. It didn’t change the fact that They did… or at least their intuition led them here, but that was because of Me.
/Do not feel bad…/ Said Sparkle… and she was right. She was upset because I was, so for her sake, and John’s I would drop it.
In our room, the royal colors were on full display, along with the crest as a painting. It looked exactly like the banner over the High Council Seat, and he smiled. “I learned that that painting is the silhouette of my grandfather, Zuvi, the First Earthen One. He was Unshifted.” He smiled taking off his shirt.
He was already healed, though the scars were there to show where the silver was….
“I like it.” I said taking off my shirt too, revealing the unhealed, painful holy burns across my body that he didn’t feel. I wouldn’t allow that.
“Oh my gods Heidi….” He said coming to touch them, but I slapped his hand away.
“You’ll get hurt.” I warned, not really sure if that was the case… but I was confident enough about it to bet it could….
“I don’t care.” He said simply, getting closer.
“I am a witch… I am allergic to both holy things and silver….but I don’t know what this curse will do to You…” I mumbled.
He hugged me close, pressing my breasts to his bare chest. I could hear the sizzle as he was burned too, but he did not wince in pain… he did not hesitate to Show me that he loved me.
“You’re hurting yourself too… stop.” I said trying to shove him off me, but he held me closer.
“It doesn’t hurt.” He said kissing me softly on the lip.
“Liar.” I almost growled, but it turned into a sorrowful whine.
“It’ll be okay after a shower and some sleep.” He said encouragingly. “Let me wash off the scent of blood and magic off you… That hurts me more than any scar.”
“Then let’s shower together.” I said quietly.
“Don’t feel bad for me. This was my choice. I am marred with scars already. As a Warrior it makes me Proud to know I bear them for your sake.” He said kissing me gently on the top of the head.
We took the rest of our clothes off, and in the shower, the water stung. He lathered unscented soap on me first, then himself.
“John…” I was cut off.
“Let me do this for you…. I know those wounds won’t close for days… I can tell…. So let me help soothe the aches with my touch.” He said with a small growl.
“Alright.” I said feeling the tingles off him… and it did soothe my pain.
The scent of priest and magic was replaced by the power of my mate…. I could feel it radiate off him, though it comforted me. As it was, I knew he was at least as strong as Ron if he really put his mind to it…
“Nah, you give me too much credit.” He grinned. “But however strong I am… know that all of it is meant to keep you safe.” He whispered in my ear, sending tingles down my spine.
I hugged him tightly. “And my magic is for you…” I said rubbing my face in his chest as the water rand down my back. I loved this man…. I was mated to my first crush… I felt him wince slightly from the hug I gave him… and felt a little guilty. “You must still be a little sore…” I said quietly.
“Only a little. I am immune to the burn that comes from Silver, however, those wounds still heal a lot slower than a regular one would.” He commented.
He then got the shampoo, and gave me a head massage. It felt amazing, but I got him to bend down so I could wash his hair as well. Mine was long and curly, but his was long and straight. We towel dried it when we got out, and laid on the bed together.
We didn’t even put on clothes. I don’t think we put the blanket over ourselves or anything… I was so tired. I didn’t have any dreams…. But I felt called to speak with the Horned One.
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