Fated

Eve

Sitting beside Dante I can feel the energy of the world around me. You ARE the energy. The elder’s words echo in my head as I raise my hand drawing the energy to it and as if it could sense my intentions the air around us began to shift and rain began to pour. This energy was mine. I did not own it, but I created it. I raise my other arm and clap my hands together as a bolt of lighting strikes the ground only a few feet in front of me. I have never felt so free…so….whole. I turn to Dante and see the excitement and wonder in his eyes which shoots heat through my core as I feel a burning desire build uncontrollably within me. My hands grab him by the collar of his shirt and pull him to me with our lips crashing together as a loud crack of thunder rips through the forest around us. Rather than frightening us, the sound drives up deeper into the throws of passion as our kiss deepens. I pull back with a playful smile taking hold of my lips.

“Catch me if you can.” my words barely escape my throat before I feel my wolf take hold with a sound of crackling energy and bones filling the air as I feel my paws hit the ground and I break free. I know he has accepted the challenge when I hear Faros howl as the thundering sound of his paws hitting the earth grow closer. I increase my speed and so does he. I weave in and out of trees, over rocks and through brush as he keeps pace behind me. He lunges at me and I can tell he thinks he has me, but I dodge to the side just in time to avoid the impact. As we come up on the lake I run straight for it and jump in with water splashing all around me. A moment later there is another splash only feet away from me causing a wave to push me back a few feet. I shift back laughing as I soak in the feeling of freedom that is washing over me. Dante rises from the water having already shifted and I stare into his deep green eyes as he wades closer to me.

“You are so beautiful.” his words are but a heated whisper in the moonlight. I respond by sliding my arms around his neck and crashing into him letting my body show him the feelings that my words cannot. The cool water around us settling as our hunger rises. His hands wander as I feel him slowly guiding us back to shore. He lifts me as we reach the more shallow water and my legs quickly wrap around him in response. I feel his warmth, his need is made apparent by his erection pressing against my entrance. I hear a growl erupt from his chest as I begin to rock my hips causing friction which obviously has the desired reaction. We rise from the water and I feel the soft grass caressing my skin as he lays me down. His mouth trailing kisses along my jaw and down my neck, the skin left warm and tingling everywhere he touches. His mouth slowly makes its way down my chest…then stomach and then I feel his tongue slide across the sensitive bundle of nerves that rests between my legs. I let out a moan voicing my need for him and he presses on more forcefully. His tongue twirling as he slides a finger inside me curling it as he thrusts it in further. I feel the pressure building as he continues thrusting his finger into me while licking, sucking and gently nibbling on my clitorus. My eyes roll back as my orgasm takes hold, sending wave after wave of pleasure through me causing my toes to curl. He rises back up to kiss me and I can taste myself on his tongue which only fuels my hunger even more. In a motion that surprises even me, I force him over until he is on his back and I swing my leg over him so that I am straddling him with the head of his needy erection pressing hard against my entrance. I see the look of surprise on his face as I quickly lower myself with the feeling of him filling me tearing through me in a mixture of pain and pleasure. I begin rocking my hips to the motion of my heart beat, increasing speed as my heart rate rises with the need for release becoming stronger for us both. As I feel his body stiffen, I grind harder against him and in a matter of moments we both feel the explosion of ecstasy wash over us. I collapse onto his chest with him still inside me as I can feel the warmth of his seed spilling into me. He sits up with me still straddling him and with one look in his glowing eyes I know what is to come. I slide my hair off my shoulder exposing my neck as I slowly lower my head to the side. Without question extends his fangs and sinks them into the soft flesh on my neck forever marking me as his. I can hear my wolf howl in approval as he pulls back and gently licks aways the blood that glistens in the moonlight. Oh the things I would do for this man.

The next 4 weeks pass by in a blur. They were filled with warm talks, runs through the forest, amazing food and even more amazing and almost animalistic sex. We took the time to get to know each other on the deepest level. 2 weeks in he surprised me by telling me of Sedira and their time together. We both opened up to one another in every way possible. For the first time in my life, I know I am Home. I found myself hoping that this bliss could last forever, but the darkness always find a way of creeping in doesn’t it?

I hear a knock on the bedroom door followed by Martha’s kind voice.

“Miss Eve? You have a phone call. Press 3 and it will connect you dear.” I hear her footsteps echo through the hall as she walks away. I stretch and slowly slide out of Dante’s arms as I make my way to the phone on the wall, picking it up and pressing 3 as Martha had instructed.

“Hello?” my voice reflecting my still half asleep state.

“Hello Eve.” Her voice grips at me and it feels like ghostly tentacles wrap around my throat, choking the air out of me.

“Mom?” this one word has Dante sitting at attention in the bed as I feel my color drain.

“I think we need to have a little chat.” her voice sounds as if she is speaking to her mortal enemy while being forced to “play nice”.

“When?” ask with my voice giving away my emotions as it trembles.

“I am already on my way. I should be there in an hour.” She hangs up the phone before I can say another word.

I turn to Dante with my surprise and fear written plainly across my face.

“She will be here in an hour.” Dante sits rigid as he feels anger filling him to the breaking point. In an hour he will be face to face with my mother who he now knows murdered Sedira in an attempt to gain more power. You have to love a good old fashioned family reunion.

We took a shower and get dressed without speaking a word to one another. He was not cold toward me, but I could tell he is not happy with the situation, not that I can blame him in the least. Just as we begin to descend the grand staircase there is a knock at the door and I feel my blood run cold. “She is here.” I whisper my thoughts out loud.

“Victor, please bring her into the conference room, we will be in momentarily.” Dante quickly rushes me into the dining room and down the hall into the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” I ask as my eyes flash between Dante and Miguel.

“Miguel, get her a glass of water please. Eve, you need to take a deep breath. She does not know your powers have returned and does not know about your wolf. It is important that you do not give away anything about it. You need to remain calm and centered. Please Eve, you HAVE to execute this meeting flawlessly.” His words sting as I hear the grave tone that carries them.

“Yeah, no pressure.” I scoff as I take the glass of water from Miguel. We slowly make our way back down the hall and through the dining room then enter the foyer. The door to the meeting room is open and I can see my mother sitting in one of the green chairs as we approach. As soon as she hears our footsteps she rises from her seat.

“It is not polite to keep your mother waiting.” her words are venom laced with fake playful intent.

“I’m sorry mom. What brings you here?” I make my way to the large leather chair on the other side of the table as she cocks an eyebrow at my choice to sit away from her.

“Isn’t a mother allowed to visit her daughter? Or…does your new master have a problem with that?” I can tell she is annoyed with my question as she shifts in the chair resting her hands in her lap.

I see Dante’s anger rising as he makes his way to my side.

“You are welcome to visit…so long as Eve wishes it. I am not her master Monica, no man could ever dare to claim to be.” Dante speaks out with his words sounding far more venomous than my mother was prepared for.

“Then what is it that we should call you? Is the owner of a slave or property not the master after all?” I see the smirk as she says the word once again and I can instantly feel the heat radiating from Dante.

“She is my mate…my lover, but I do NOT possess her…though she does possess my heart.” he looks down at me with his last words and I can feel the truth behind them.

“Your….your mate? That is impossible Dante and you know it.” she no doubt meant to project her disgust over the thought of it, but instead it came out sounding as though she was surprised.

“It is true mom.” I offer my confirmation of his declaration in a smooth matter of fact tone.

“What kind of magic could give you a second mate? As I recall, your true mate died years ago.” she asks in a taunting tone as though she is trying to rub the truth in his face, likely assuming he has not told me of Sedira.

“YOU mean she was murdered all those years ago…by you!” I shout without thinking. The air in the room becomes electrified with my anger as I watch her eyes grow wide in realization.

“How…but…this is impossible!” She shouts back as the sound of thunder cracks through the air around us.

“Why is it impossible mom? I thought you would be proud of your daughter for finding her powers after all this time. That’s the thing though, they aren’t mine are they?!” I feel the charged air shifting as it begins to swirl around us manifesting my anger and heart ache.

“Eve, how can this be?” her words are but a whimper.

“How could it be? How could my powers return after you had them stripped from me as a child? How could I possibly be anything more than a weak bargaining chip for you to use for your own selfish means? Playing my life out like a fucking game of chess?! Well checkmate mom!” with my last words she is flung backwards landing in front of the front door which she scrambles to open before running from the house. I have a slight twinge of pride over my actions…that is, until I hear his words.

“What have you done.” Daunte’s words pull me back from the edge as I look up and see the color drained from his face with his eyes looking as though he had just watched Sedira Die all over again.

“I…I am so sorry. I just couldn’t take it anymore. Being in this room with her…knowing what she has done and watching her wave it in your face! I couldn’t stay silent!” my voice is desperate and angry.

“But you should have! Now that she knows, she will stop at nothing to attain the power that you now have!” he is yelling at me and I am not entirely sure that I understand why. Can’t he see that this is a storm that has been brewing for longer than I can remember? Why can’t he see how free it made me feel? He lets out a deep sign as he walks out of the room and disappears up the stairs. I am left in the room alone with only my thoughts as my anger and sadness collide into a storm of biblical proportions. I run out the front doors and through the lawn, breaking the tree line and beyond. I run until I feel like my legs will give out and in that moment I let my wolf break free. She tears through the forest floor kicking dirt, pine needles and rocks up around her feet. She dodges and weaves around the trees letting out a strained howl as she feels all of my emotions pulsing through her. She stops in a small clearing as we wait. We wait for a sign…for a voice…for anything that might make this pain fade, but nothing comes…not even Dante. My wolf lies down in the grass with sadness pouring out in the sound of whimpers as we both fade into the darkness.

‘Open your eyes young one.’ the voice beckoning me from my dreams. I rise from the ground and follow the voice through the darkness. She is calling me once again and I feel a sense of relief wash over me. I come through to another clearing in the woods where a weather worn log cabin sits. It seems no one has been here in decades….maybe longer. I continue walking as I feel the harsh earth tearing at my feet.

‘Where am I?’ my voice is raspy and rough.

‘Where the end will begin young one. This land is sacred, but the energy has weakened over the years. I will charge the land, but it will take time. You must prepare for the inevitable young one. I fear that not even I can shield you from the darkness that is descending upon you.’ I can hear the sorrow in her voice as she speaks the last words.

‘By darkness..you mean my mother.’ I voice my own understanding of her warning.

‘She is something else now. She has harnessed the power from the bones and instead of creating darkness, she has become darkness. She twists and bends nature in an unnatural way. You will face her and you must not fail.’ Her voice is now stern and sure as if she knows of the grim fate that will befall the world if I should fail.

’But…Dante said he had ensured that she could not draw power from them! I-I can’t even control myself most of the time. My emotions set it off and I can’t stop it! How can I beat her?” I am pleading with her for anything that can help me at this point.

“He kept her from drawing their purity, but their darkness cannot so easily be bound. The lycan god is the key to your control. You must let him guide you and steady you. It is not just the fate of the world that rests in your hands. It is the fate of your world and what you will soon bring into it.’ her words confuse me at first until it occurs to me what she is saying.

‘But…’ she raises a hand to silence me.

‘I cannot answer the questions you wish to ask as I have not cannot reveal the futures that I have seen beyond the war. Have faith in yourself young one, as I have faith in you.’ I feel as she fades with the last word sounding more like a breath than a word.

The dawn has just begun to light the horizon when I hear footsteps approaching my right as I sit on the ground with my back resting against the cabin.

“I have been looking for you for hours. How did you find this place?” Dante asks in a voice that shows how exhausted he must feel.

“She led us here.” my voice trembles out of me as I slide my knees to my chest and wrap my arms tightly around them.

“Us?” his question does not require a response as Faros can sense it the moment the word left my lips. Dante’s eyes grow wide at the realization and lowers himself at my side.

“She said this is sacred land that has faded over time…she said that this is where the end will begin.” A single tear slides down my cheek as I try to process the fact that not only have I been tasked by a goddess to kill my own mother, but that she will stop at nothing to kill me, even if that means killing the little one growing inside me.

“You said ‘US’ “ he repeats in shock.

“If I fail…there will be no ‘us’ anymore. What if I am not strong enough?” I feel more terrified after voicing my concerns out loud only to look over and see Dante sitting with a half smile on his visibly shocked face.

“US” he whispers the word as if it is the most important word in the world as he quickly pulls me to him and holds me tightly.

“Are you even listening to me right now?” I bark out angrily as his grip does not let up.

“No one will ever hurt you Eve, not as long as I am alive.” his words are strangely comforting as he chuckles and once again I hear the word slide past his lips as he slides a hand down to my stomach, “Us”.