SCOTT'S POV
Her beauty is incomparable.
I can see her fair skin glow under the moonlight, while she dance on moonstones smiling genuinely only for me. With eyes so blue unrelentingly staring back on mine, I reached for the Luna my heart hoped would stay by my side. Then, she looked up the moon as she mouthed something to me. I squinted my eyes while I try to see. The moon was extra special tonight as it makes a bow. When I looked back at my Luna, she's leaning against a tree. Looking frightful like she have seen a ghost, Diana held up a silver dagger with gems of three. As I step further, the more she lifts the dagger up. Then she sliced her hand, squeezing her fist until her blood drops. I closed my eyes briefly, and when I opened them, my hands were already full of blood, dripping as it pool on the ground.
"What a beautiful dream", I opened my eyes at the voice of a woman who seemed to know the series of images that just occurred in my head. Lifting my face towards the light, I saw Tamara looking closely at me while she crouch on the ground in between two large rock formations.
This time, she takes her real nagual form. With head full of ruffled hair which looked hard like wire, rough brown skin with a bit of fur, and toned abdomen that looked much leaner than mine. Truly a sickening sight to be feared. "She's very beautiful in your visions, like she always have", she said with her shining golden elliptical eyes under the beaming sunlight seeping through the century old trees.
I tried to move my hand, and realized I'm bound on a boulder with runic inscriptions. As I look around, I saw Ofir in the same condition as I am. "Where am I?", I asked as I groaned. My head spins and it feels like breaking apart, making it hard for me to focus on my ability to see.
"My home", Tamara stood up as she spread her arms. "Wonderful, right?", she said as she breathe deeply.
I closed my eyes, and tried to relax my mind as I take each breath slowly. With my hands kept on the side, I radiated my powers to release me from being pinned on the rock. Grunting from so much effort, I gritted my teeth as I use the power I have left to escape this captivity.
"That's not going to work.. no matter how hard you try", she said with a smirk. "But you can keep up, it will be my pleasure", she said as the large moonstone resting nearby started to blink like christmas lights.
"Where's Diana? What did you do to me and Ofir?", I asked.
"Diana's busy with some vampire.. who she'll deliver to me anytime soon", Tamara said. "Don't worry, this won't take long..", she stared at the moonstone which have stopped glowing.
When my senses were more than calm, it was only then I was able to observe the place I'm kept in. There were three boulders with runic inscriptions. One was with Ofir, another was with me, and the third one is unoccupied. By the looks of it, it seemed like she's trying to make a connection with our physical bodies using the moonstone. "How sure are you that Diana will bring Claudia at your feet?", I grinned at the nagua looking confident with her plans. "That vampire will die and turn to ashes from the claws of the wolves before it reaches you", I said.
"You think?", Tamara let out a wicked laugh. "It's a good thing my magic never fail me.. With just a little spell, the wolves come knocking on my door.. pleased to follow everything I command… Just like your brother Damon", she said. "He was very obedient until his last breath", Tamara stared at me like a fool who just told me Damon have already died.
I was too stunned to say a word. Is Damon dead?
"You.. possessed Damon?", I asked.
"It wasn't that hard to control that boy. An innocent mind like his was very easy to own. The moment I got Diana in my hands, I was able to harvest her blood unknowingly.. I was in cloud nine when no one suspected. Until that Priscilla noticed one mistake I did… She asked what was the only gift Damon gave to her. How the hell would I know?", Tamara scoffed as she rolled her eyes.
Damon turned seven that day, and he made a pair of uneven gold dangling earrings studded with rocks that he painted green, to resemble Priscilla's favorite stone, emeralds. We all laughed at Damon for being silly, as he felt ashamed soonafter he gave his precious gift. It was not the best looking gift Priscilla received, but, she cherished it wholeheartedly. Damon never gave her a gift from then, making the pair of earrings the only present he gave to our foster mother.
"I had no choice but to kill her too..", she added as she sat on one of the boulders. My rage started to boil in my veins. This nagua is so evil, it's outpouring.
"What happened to Damon?", I asked as I clench my fist.
"I needed to claim you and the lythari. It's now or never. So I had to let Damon start a commotion to divert the wolves' attention. Who would've thought Claudia would come uninvited as well? Anyway, Damon died in the fire. You shouldv'e seen him, he looked so peaceful", she said as I harden my face.
"How.. could you kill my family??", I darkened my eyes in anger. "Were my parents not enough?", I shouted as I radiate my powers to my hands. Noticing the moonstone have started to glow again when I radiated my powers, I stopped and tried to calm myself once more. I think, she's harvesting my powers to transfer all of it on her. "What are you trying to do to us?", I asked
"I didn't kill them on purpose. Besides, I'm not done yet.", she said as she folded her arms. "Your Alpha blood, the massive power of the original vampire and the lythari elf's immense power will be all transferred to me and soon, I will turn myself as the moon goddess", she said.
MOON GODDESS? Have this nagual lost some screws in her head and have gone completely insane? These creatures are truly ambitious and hungry for power, as what they have always ought to be. But, I have never taken into thoughts that their obsession for power and delusions of grandeur would reach up to this extent.
In spite of her absolute atrocious scheme, the nagua's attempt to combine all the powers of us three for the divinity of one body is greatly dangerous not only for everyone else, but also for the recipent of power itself. I have never heard of such thing. According to the clan elders, nagualli can perform transfer of powers when they have discovered it, only one person at a time. As Alphas who are strongest in our clans, we were taught that too much power could kill you. That's why the moon goddess gifted us a right combination of strength, agility and wits. If the plans of this nagua pushed through, I hope the immense power she's forcefully snatching from us rips her apart, for that's what she deserves.
What I know about this kind of dark power, the body of the creatures that will be taken their powers from will become paralyzed like a log. Numb and weak, the physical body won't be able to move even an inch while the mind is still aware of the imminence of the circumstances at hand. They say, you'll just wish you were dead after the ritual.
AND SO, OFIR AND I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE.
"You'll be one ugly moon goddess", I said with a smirk.
"I'll take Diana's form then. As soon as she arrives with my original vampire, I'll slit her throat right in front of you and claim her body, fit for a goddess that I'll be", she said as she lifted her sharp fingernail in the air.
"You wouldn't dare", I groaned as I radiated my powers from my hands. The ground shook and rumbled at the release of my aura, then I noticed her smile when the moonstone glowed again. It seemed like everytime I use of my power, the moonstone glows.
"You won't get out of there anyway.. might as well give you the best seat while I kill your Luna", she said. "Go ahead, Scott Lockwood! Let me feel your rage", she breathlessly said.
I stopped using my powers.
Then, I started using it again as the moonstone started glowing once more.
I get it.
She's trying to piss me off so I would use my powers for her to continue making a connection with me through the moonstone. And when I don't, the moonstone can only get a little power from me.
Clever.
Admittedly, I'm greatly angered for being unable to release myself from this rock. I've got to think better before time runs out. The lythari elf is no use, Ofir is still knocked out and completely out of this world.
"You said.. you possessed another wolf. Who the fuck did you casted a spell over?", I asked while I try to move my hands.
"Ah! Any ideas?", Tamara laughed out loud at my unawareness.
I tried to decipher the indifference among the wolves in the pack. Aside from Damon, none of them are poor in spirits to become possessed. Not anyone of them seemed awkward or not themselves lately. I thought hard, until one person came to my mind..
No shit.
DIANA'S POV
The sun have already shined at its brightest when I walked out of the Devlins Mansion. My tired eyes could hardly open at the warm sunlight kissing my face. No matter how refreshing the breeze was, it couldn't blow my fears and anxieties away. It has been hours since Scott and Ofir were taken by Tamara, and there has been no concrete leads where they might have been taken to. Not to mention Kate being held captive by Claudia. She must have been very scared right now.
Reina insisted to give them time to mourn for Priscilla, Damon, and the rest of the mansion's members of the household. They exchanged roars with their divided aims. Even if I wanted to voice out my priorities, the Luna who cannot shapeshift will not be heard in the argument of the wolves. No one asked for my opinion. I sat there quietly while I listen at their discussions.
Roman and his pack kept mum. They listened with me while we shifted our gaze at every wolf talking out loud. They never intervened. Despite Lucas and Cory's persistence to take some actions immediately before it's too late, they still ended up respecting Reina's decision. The pack also agreed to help in fixing what's left in the mansion until they come up with a plan on how to find Scott.
How about Kate? She wasn't in the picture. My heart beat like a drum, thinking that I'll be alone in this. Roman glanced at me as I tried to hide my anxiety. How about Kate..
"If I may ask", Roman suddenly blurted out. "There are two persons held captive by two separate creatures. Who's first to be saved?", I squeezed my hand when I heard the question from Roman which running over and over in my head. Everyone then looked at me as if the question was intended for me.
Why do I have to be caught up in making a tough decision in choosing between my best friend and my boyfriend?
No one said a thing, until Sebastian spoke up. "Maybe we can plan that out later. For now, let's all rest, recharge and breathe", he said.
Walking my way out, I felt my belly ached a little. I paused and placed my hand on my abdomen as I breathe shakily. Pursing my lips as I exhale, I started to assume that I might be really carrying life in my womb. If so, I need to know.
"Are you feeling okay?", I heard Sebastian ask as he draw near.
I forced a smile as I turned around. "I wish I could say yes", I said as he led me towards his car.
"Everything will be alright Diana. I'll drive you home", he assured me with a gentle tap on my back. Sebastian insisted to take me home first before he lends Reina a hand in setting up the funeral. With no further talks, I said yes.
Sebastian started his car and zoomed his way out of the mansion. He didn't slowed down until we reach the freeway. I asked Sebastian to pass by a pharmacy for there's something I needed to buy which he willingly did. I bought three pregnancy kits, while Sebastian swing by in one of the open restaurants nearby to buy some food. Keeping the kits in a paperbag, I made sure no one sees what I just bought.
As soon as we arrived the building, Roman was already upfront waiting. He went in, as he check the lobby first before he let me in. The three of us went up through the elevator in silence. Sebastian kept me near him, away from Roman's reach. I often see them glare at each other, must be the wolf thing communication they're having.
I went straight to my bedroom just after Roman checked each corner of my house for my safety. It took me a long while before I finally went in the bathroom because there were so many times that I had to stop and get lost in a daze everytime I think of Scott. I wasn't even bothered when I burned my hand in the hot shower. On the bathroom counter, I laid each pregnancy kit while I wait for the result. With a towel twirled up in my head, I rested my hands on the opposite edges of the white granite countertop until the two red lines slowly appeared.
POSITIVE.
I opened the bathroom door and instantly saw Roman who was about hold the doorknob. "Is everything okay? Uhh.. I'm sorry, you were taking too long I got worried", he said.
"I'm sorry, I just got finished", I said as I hurriedly went out. Roman peeked in the bath, hoping he didn't see the kits I threw in the bin.
The three of us gobbled on the Chinese take-outs Sebastian bought. We finished our meals slowly quietly. I was about to prepare some tea when once again, I noticed Sebastian and Damon glaring at each other. "You should at least include me when you guys talk", I said.
Roman exhaled sharply as he folded his arms on his chest, and leaned back on his chair. "Sorry Luna.. I just told your bodyguard here to leave now, since he have other things to take care of. I'm here anyway", he said.
"I'll hang around for a bit. I'm sure Diana doesn't mind", Sebastian said as he fixed his eyes on Roman.
These two will never give up from their incessant mind quarrels. After I cleaned up, I left the two at the table as I walked to the moonflower plant in my living room which have started to wither. With a pen and paper, I sat on the floor while I write down the moonflower concoction for Scott on the coffee table. I even took a piece of the closed bud and sealed it with the note.
"Diana? I'll go home for a bit.", Sebastian said. "I'll come back when everything's settled. Lucas is on his way", he added as I looked at him with a timid smile. "What is it?", he asked.
"Can you..", I cleared my throat as I stood up. "Give this to Scott?", I whispered while looking at him in the eyes.
"What's this?", he asked as he open the piece of folded paper.
"The alternative cure", Roman peeks at us from behind, probably trying to hear anything from our conversation.
"What? No..", Sebastian shook his head as he refuse. "No Diana.. you give that to Scott yourself", he insisted as he gave me back my paper. "Hey.. we can do this..", he said.
"This is not some kind of surgical operation that I usually do.. or a medical situation I'm best at", I said as I push back his hand with the paper. "I'm afraid that Roman might be right. I might not be able to save Kate, much more Scott. And if I have a chance to win this fight, Scott needs more saving even after we get him from Tamara", I said as I squeezed his hand with the note. I noticed Roman sat on a nearby chair, maybe eavesdropping silently. "Keep this, and give it to him", I whispered.
"No Diana, don't ever do that. Don't lose something that gives you strength" he said as he held my shoulder.
"What is?", with Scott away from my side, where do I find my strength?
"Hope", Sebastian smiled. "I'll be there with you. We'll get Kate.. then we'll save Scott" he said as I smile at him. Then he kissed my forehead before he went out. Sebastian made me remember the strong person that I am. He left soonafter while Roman and I sat on the couch.
"Hey..", Roman sat close to me by the couch. I noticed he haven't put down the satchel he's been carrying around.
"Hey, Roman", I smiled a little, worried he might lose it again and force himself to me since the scent of the imprint lures him so much. "Uh..", I hesitated for a moment.
"Your dad... I uh...".
"He was an arse", Roman said.
"
"Sorry about what I said over Kate earlier", he said as he looked down like a sad puppy. "Us, Alphas? Only our Lunas concern us. Our world revolve around our Lunas, like you're the only one in this world. And.. when we had to choose where our Lunas are involved.. without doubts and hesitations, we simply side them.", he said as he explains himself why Kate shouldn't be saved from the vampires earlier.
Then, he took a deep breath as he rub his face with his palms. "I dont know how Scott do it. How he cares for other people who are somewhat special for you.. I'm not saying he's a better Alpha but, I just want you to know, I only said it because of my deep affection for you", he said in a calm tone. "You're the only one I most care about", he added with a sigh. Knowing Roman for quite a while, he's got an image that's all rough and tough. But when it comes to me, I see a softer side of him that not many sees. Maybe that's the wolf in me that partially imprinted on him.
"I don't think our decisions make who we are. Sometimes, our desires and emotions become so strong that we get blinded in making choices..", I looked away as I continued rationalizing. "You know.. when you're angry, there's a feeling of getting violent. And when you're too happy, you could be very generous to others.." I explained not looking back at Roman whom I felt has been staring at me. "Just like how you wolves are imprinted… So, it doesn't mean that you're a bad person just because you didn't sided Kate. I understand where you are coming from, and it's not like you know her anyway", I said with a soft sigh. Scott is might be far more different from Roman because of the variance where they were both raised.
I saw him smile a little. Then, he hesitantly held my hand gently, softer than he usually does. "No wonder why Scott respects you so much..", he tapped my hand before he drew it back. "I'll still wait for the day you'd turn to me and see me more than how you see Scott", Roman was unusually patient which is totally refreshing. Then, he looked at me again as he come closer.
Before he could inch his face on mine, I rested my palm on his chest and asked, "How about you teach me how to kill original vampires?".
"Not a chance", he exhaled sharply with a smile. He moved back and squinted his eyes. "Luna, original vampires are very dangerous.. unlike any other vampires, they are stronger and hard to kill. Their skin are hard like steel, and they have powers in their eyes that compels humans to do something they don't like", he explained. "Anyone who come their way, ends up dead.. I should know, because I've seen it with my own eyes", he said in a serious tone. The difficulty of killing an original vampire coming from a wolf made me realize I wouldn't stand a chance against Claudia.
Roman then put down his satchel and removed his shirt that startled me. "I don't think it's necessary to take your shirt off", I said as I pull back.
"Relax.. Look here", he turned away giving me a good view of his fully tattooed back. I remembered Scott saying that Alphas get involuntarily marked with tattoos when they experience a milestone. This is the first time I'm seeing Roman's.
He pointed a tattoo of a bat with a stake on its chest near his shoulder blade, beside a spiderweb tattoo with a star in the middle. "I've killed an original vampire once. I found out that a small family in the city was being hunted by an original vampire. I had to intervene since, that part of the city is under the protection of our clan.", he said while I graze his bat tattoo. "Magnus was a thousand years old vampire who loves the blood of the children", he said.
"How did you killed him?", I checked out the rest of his tattoos. It's amazing how it looked like a diary drawn on his back. I noticed a head with a galaxy of stars coming out from it, the moon hidden in the clouds, and couple of spiderwebs with a star in the middle.
"Oli arrived just in time.. she brought a stake with her. While I was bathing in my own blood, her voice woke me up and gave me the stake which I used to stab Magnus on the chest", he said.
Curious with the spiderweb tattoos, I decided to ask him. "Are you afraid of spiders?, I asked.
"Luna, do I look Iike afraid of anything? Pfft", he said as he turned and faced me with a proud smile.
"Then, what does those spiderweb tattoos mean? There's a couple of it on your back", I noticed Roman's smile faded slowly. His face turned pale as he hardened his face.
"How.. how many are there?", he asked.
"Three spiderwebs.. with a star in the middle", I clearly described.
He looked stunned, like he was poured with cold water. "There.. there are tattoos that just appear on my back, Luna. I don't even know some of it", he anxiously said.
"What was I saying earlier?", Roman asked as he force a smile.
"Uhh you we're telling how you killed Magnus", I said.
"Right.. I have something to give you", Roman took something from his satchel. "This is the stake that killed Magnus", he said as he handed me an all white stake.
I admired the intricate design on the beautiful stake that he gave me. There were three holes on it's handle. I touched the sharp pointed edge and flinched as it pricked my skin. "Watch it, it's sharp", he warned.
"Teach me how to swing", I can't win, that's for sure. But at least, I could try. Roman nodded as he teach me how to use the stake.
After hours of practicing, Roman took a shut-eye in preparation for whatever fight he'd choose tonight. I'm glad he taught me some skills, and even gave me an of hope through the stake. Lucas and Austin arrived shortly as they shared with me the things that have taken place during my absence. Their laughters and teases cheered me up, despite the sadness my heart has been feeling. They never left me alone, to which I'm thankful for. For when I'm by myself, my head starts to fill with some thoughts that reminds of me of my anxiety.
Before the night falls, the rest of Scott's pack arrived one by one until my home smelled awfully like men. The plan to look for Scott has been set, which will be headed by Lucas. However, none of them planned to save Kate which made my heart sank.
Unable to hear more of their plans leaving Kate out, I excused myself and went up my room. Then, I heard Roman talking, when I thought he was sleeping alone in the baywindow. As I took a peek, I saw him sleeping like a log. I sat beside him as his face turn to a frown. He seemed like having a bad dream. "Roman", I called his name to wake him up. Calling his name a few times more, he suddenly gasped and get up swiftly. "Are you alright?", I asked.
"Yea.. yea", he breathlessly answered. I stood up and before I walked away, he held my hand and said, "I'll find Scott".
Wondering why Roman had a sudden change of heart, I just placed my trust in him for leading the search for Scott. His pack will be in the search with him for he refused to work with Scott's pack. I looked at my watch and realized it's almost two hours after sunset.
While the wolves engage in a meeting about who's going with Roman, I snuck out of the building as I head onto the basement for my car. Not one of them cared for Kate, so I suppose, I'll save her myself. I'm sure they will do everything to save Scott, which I'll forever be grateful. Besides, the vampire only wanted me. Alone. With a stake inside my jacket, I braved the dark road to the Old East Cemetery where Claudia will be waiting.
The dark of the night was particularly thrilling as I arrive at the gates of the cemetery. The lamps which were usually lit up, were all closed, making the cemetery look more creepy. I left my car running with the headlights on to light way up the wall and in the burial ground. With a flashlight on my hand, I walked my way through the field of tombs as I look for Kate.