His lips curl into a faint smile as he slowly stands. He offers me his arm and jerks his head slightly back the way we came. “Smells like dinner is almost ready.”
As I stand and take his offered arm, I realise the sky has turned red and orange. I had no idea so much time had passed. We must have been wandering for over three hours. The phrase ‘time flies when you’re having fun.’ Springs to mind.
We walk in a comfortable silence back to the ranch which is only a short way from the play park. This calm break was just what I needed. I feel refreshed and ready to begin my place within the pack. This is far from where I thought my life would lead me, but its looking hopeful and promising.
As we get closer the smell of barbecue wafts through the air. Jason is stood over the sizzling food with a pair on tongs in his hand whilst Penny keeps watch out of the corner of her eye. I get the impression she’s usually the one to cook. She’s busy ata nearby table unwrapping potato salad, buns and sauces. Izzy is sat next to the camp fire in the centre of the clearing between the main house and the cabins. Logs have been placed around it for seating. She sees me and smiles patting the space next to her.
I drop my arm from Lukas’s and head over to her. As soon as I sit down she shuffles right up next to me. “So? What do you think?” She gestures proudly around us.
“I love it! Everyone is so nice and this place is just so beautiful. I’m in love with it already.” I grin back.
There’s something so instantly likeable about Izzy. I can see me and her being really good friends.
“It’s so good to be back home. I thought I’d never come here again. You’ve changed our lives for the better and given us a future we never thought possible.” Her voice breaks with emotion. I see her eyes water and she shakes her head to clear it.
I can’t help but think about the glass cells they were kept in and I faintly remember seeing a flash of red hair which could have been Izzy. Had they lived in those for the entire time? I don’t think I would have been able to keep my sanity.
“It must have been the most awful thing to go through.” I say sombrely.
She nods. “You end up a little numb at points. Finding things to while away the time. They kept us fed and clean. I guess Hades wanted us looking our best. Living trophies that he kept polished.” Her hands ball into tight fists. “We were allowed out into a fenced courtyard to exercise once a week. It was the only time we were able to talk to each other and shift so that our wolves could burn off steam.”
I rest my hand over hers and she visibly relaxes.
She takes a breath then continues. “Those were days when things weren’t so bad. On other days though they would take it in turns to torture us for information on Gwen and you. We never gave in though. I’ll never let one of those bloodsuckersbreak me. The more they tried the more I was determined not to give them the satisfaction. When pure pain didn’t work, they switched to humiliation. Some of them can be real sick Bastards. It was all in vain though because here we are. I made it though and I’m stronger for it.” She stares into the fire for a few moments. “If I ever see one of them again though… They will die screaming.”
I don’t know what to say. What can be said after hearing about someone go through that? The fact that they all endured that for 18 years. It’s unfathomable. My hatred for vampires returns tenfold. I can’t help but wonder what part Alistair played in this. What terrible things he has done to my family. Because that’s what they are.
My family.
I would do anything to stop any of them from going through that. I would rip Alistair apart again in a heartbeat if it meant saving them from that life. To think I felt guilty for him! I felt awful for torturing him, but him and Hades and their vampires have been doing that and more to my pack for years! For information on my mum and me when Alistair knew where we were all along! Him and Hades have been waiting, biding their time to make our capture all the sweeter whilst they did whatever they wanted to poor Izzy and Lukas, Jason, Penny, Caleb and my dad. They had already slaughtered half the pack and that wasn’t enough for them. They wanted to torture and humiliate them further for their own sick enjoyment.
They were shocked by my power before but that is nothing compared to what I know I can do now. The unlimited source of power thrumming through the earth around me is wild and ravenous. This entire area is sitting atop one of the biggest volcanoes in the world. Its untamed energy would be unstoppable if I used it. For now, it’s sitting, sleeping, but if Iasked it to awaken then Hades and Alistair would rue the day they ever came near us. That’s a promise.
I take both of Izzy’s hands in my own. “I swear I will never let them touch you again. If they come anywhere near you or any of us they will feel pain like they have never felt before. Alistair got just a taste of what I can do. They’ll be fools to come near our pack again and if they do, I will serve them to you so you canmakethem die screaming.”
Izzy hugs me tight and I squeeze her back. Behind us I hear clapping and I turn to see the whole pack had stopped what they were doing to listen to our conversation. My dad’s face is filled with pride as he claps along. My mum is stood next to him and smiles at me in support but I see concern flash across her face. Just then my dad steps forward and raises both his hands.
“And on that note how’s about we get the food and drink flowing?!” He roars.
There’s cheers all round as everyone makes their way over to the barbecue. Jason dishes out sausages, burgers and kebabs, whilst Penny scoops potato salad, cold pasta dishes and other sides onto waiting plates. There’s cases of beers and ciders for everyone to help themselves to so I grab myself a dark fruit cider. I sit back down with my huge plate of food and Caleb takes a seat next to me.
“That was quite the speech.” He says before taking a bite of burger.
“I didn’t mean for everyone to hear. Izzy was telling me about what you all went through and I just got so angry…”
I take a bite of my hot dog and its tastes delicious. Jason done a terrific job as chef.
“I think your just what the pack needs now. Our spirits were almost broken but your fire has given that back to us.” He finishes his burger in just a few bites then starts to stand. “I just hope you live up to the hype because well… We lost terribly lasttime against Hades and if he decides to mend his bruised ego, we wouldn’t stand a chance against him and his armies. You’re our only real protection now.” He looks at me pointedly before getting up and heading back over to the food table.
The weight of what Caleb said takes a moment to sink down through my throat and settle like a rock in my stomach. Would Hades think to get revenge after what I did to Alistair? Would he risk it to claim back some pride? I know I’m strong but has that power gone to my head and made me feel too cocky and comfortable? Am I really the only thing keeping the pack safe?
For Fuck Sake! I thought I was done with questions and worry! Looking around at the pack I can see how happy they are. All laughing and enjoying the freedom they so deserve. My mum and dad are together and everything is as it should be. This is our future. We are safe here and I’m determined to enjoy it. Alistair, Hades and Vampires are a thing of the past. We survived them and now we all get to enjoy life.
“Sweetie are you OK?” My mum asks softly as she sits in Caleb’s vacant spot.
“Yeah just something Caleb said…” I try and enjoy a couple more bites of food. “Do you think we’re safe here?”
She sits quietly for a moment. “I think this is the safest place we could be.”
