Strange Love

"Jos! Jos! Look at me, kitten!" Arei cried out as he carefully shook Jos's trembling body. She had shifted back into her normal form, the now baggy clothes bȧrėly hanging from her body. "What is it, Kitten?" Tears burned his eyes as round after round of gut-wrenching sobs were pulled from deep within her, her eyes blindly fixated on her blood-covered hand. He knew well it wasn't the cut. He'd healed it the instant he'd gotten to her. "Please... say something... you're scaring me..." He could feel the hot tears streaming down his face but didn't bother wiping them away as he set back on the cold stone and pulled her tighter into his arms. He rubbed her hands against the fabric of his pants until most of the blood was gone, but it didn't stop her agonized sobs.

He rocked her for so long his feet began going numb and his knees and ȧss ached. "Come back to me, Kitten... Please, I beg you." He gently brushed the fallen hairs that clung to her wet face, before tugging her forehead over to meet his lips. To his relief, her hands slowly wrapped around his thick torso as she leaned into him. He didn't hold back as he cupped her head in his massive palm and began showering her forehead and hair with kisses. "Tell me what's upsetting you... tell me what I can do to help..." He whispered between kisses.

Her sobs broke as she struggled for words. "Arei? Arei..." She tightened her fists into the soft material of his dress shirt. "You're here..."

"Yes, kitten. Tell me what has you so upset." He didn't try to pull her away as she nestled her face against his ċhėst, soaking the front of his shirt in old and new tears alike.

"This... this is the place where Cam was... was..." Her words were cut short by another round of sobs.

"Oh, I see..." He held her tighter against his ċhėst.

"There... was so much... blood..." She sobbed as she pressed her face more firmly against his hard ċhėst.

"I know, kitten. It's all in the past now... there's nothing we can do..." He whispered soothingly against her hair as he rubbed small circles along her back.

"I... I promised to protect them... her children... but I failed her..." Jos sobbed.

"No, you didn't fail her. They are both safe now, because of you." He whispered as he continued rubbing her back and rocking against the hard, cold stone.

She shook her head against his grip. "I didn't! Look at what happened to Shelly all because I... I couldn't restrain my ŀust for... for..." More sobs broke off her words.

"You did nothing wrong. Shelly has been through something terrible, yes, but she's happy now." He tugged her away from his ċhėst and brought her eyes up to meet his. "How do you think either of them would feel if they knew you were here beating yourself up about things you had no control over?"

Her brows knitted as a heavy frown fell over her features. "I just wish I have done more that day... gotten to her sooner... or in the very least ended that bastard who attacked and killed her..." Her eyes moved to the heavily weeded rose bed. "You know she was pregnant... She hadn't told us yet, but we suspected... it was released in the autopsy report..." She shook her head sadly as tears blurred her vision and streamed down her face. "We never told them... Shelly and Russ... One less horror of that day they needed to know about... I've been terrified that one of them will run across that information while going through her diaries or some of the palace documents..."

"Is that why you've been working tirelessly going through those diaries and documents?" He asked brushing away some of the tears with the pad of his thumb.

She nodded against his grip. "I... I can't imagine the devastation it would cause either of them... they've been hurt enough for a thousand lifetimes... The least I can do is prevent this pain..."

Arei nodded. "I see... I'll talk to Peg and Ry. We'll do everything we can to keep that information hidden. You have my word." He tugged her forehead back to his lips. "It's been a long night; what do you say we head on home?" When she nodded, he tugged his phone from his pocket. "I'll text Ry and let him know."

Jos forced a half-hearted smile as she nodded. "Thank you... I don't think I could face the crowd right now..."

"I understand, kitten. It's very reasonable." He quickly typed out a message and sent it to Ry and his father before pushing them both off the cold ground. He searched her eyes as he asked. "Which do you prefer tonight flight or ride?"

She frowned. "What about the SUV?"

He shrugged. "Dad or Ry can drop it back off later. Maybe Shelly and Rin would like to drive it back. Either way, it's fine."

She thought it over as her eyes moved past the weathered gates to the cliffs. "We used to love running and playing on the beach below... Even if we only walk it, I'd love to take that way back home... It will be a lot longer of a trip though."

Arei cupped her face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs over her wet cheeks. "It's up to you, whatever will make you the happiest. Whether it's a quick flight or a slow leisurely walk, I'm here for you."

Jos nodded. "Can we walk it... at least for a while?"

"If that's what you want." He whispered as he kissed the tip of her nose.

"Thank you." Jos sighed as she circled her arms around his waist and rested her head against his ċhėst. "I love you..."

"I love you, kitten." He gently tugged her loose. "Let's go home."

***

Drake panted against the tight clenching in his ċhėst. He didn't have to guess as to who had killed the previous queen. It had been a story he'd heard often enough when his uncle had drunk too much or had gotten his hands on good high-quality blood. He'd bragged... had been so proud... It had always made Drake sick to his stomach to hear such things, but his father always managed to forge indifference though Drake knew that wasn't the case. Drake leaned heavily against the tree he'd been hiding behind. He'd always be ashamed of the horrible things his family did... had done in the past, but after meeting these people and gathering the last lingering pieces of the story, he could no longer stand it. With his mind made up, he pushed away from the tree and headed back to the banquette. He searched the many faces still gathered before finally finding Russ. He steadied his turbulent emotions as he made his way over to the seemingly irritated prince. "Hey, if it's cool with you I'm going to find Mattie and call it a night. We need to head back tomorrow... I have things I need to settle..."

Russ nodded, his focus trained on a group gathered at one table. "That fine. You didn't have to ask or whatever...

You're free to go as you please. Mi casa es tu casa."

Drake laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, thanks, man... Um... can you tell the girls bye for me?" He ran his hand through his hair. "Ya know in case I don't get a chance to see them before we leave."

"Yeah, sure..." Russ's gaze didn't leave the group as he responded.

Drake furrowed his brows as he followed Russ's gaze across the yard. "What's up, man?"

Russ let out a heavy sigh as he forced his gaze to Drake. "What do you think they're all thinking right now? Do you think they'll ever warm up to me... or just glad that Fern's gone? Maybe instead of taking over as king and alpha, I should work to set up more of a democracy..."

Drake clasped Russ on the shoulder. "Listen, dude, you can call yourself whatever you want... but at the end of the day, you will be their primary leader... and trust me it's easier to do what's needed if you hold on to that power." He let out a sigh. "My dad thought much the same as you right now... and look where it got him."

Russ arched a brow. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't your dad trying to unite all the vampire factions for world domination or some shit?"

Drake frowned. "It wasn't his goal at all. He tried to unite them under the most convincing front he could. Most of the older vampires that followed my grandfather didn't even question his motives when he presented himself as such... but he really was a good guy..."

Russ's eyes narrowed. "And I'm sure your uncle was just as misunderstood?"

Drake's head jerked back in shock. "Fuck no! He was a sick, sadistic bastard. My dad despised him!"

Russ's brow rose again. "Then why not do the world a favor and get rid of him years ago? No offense, but Xavier would probably still be here today had it not been for that sick prick he called brother."

Drake nodded. "I agree, and I'm sure he considered the exact thing on several occasions in the past... but he would have never been able to bring himself to do such a thing."

"You seem very convinced of your father's character." Russ said, doubt heavy in his voice.

"I would think... He raised me by himself after all... Mattie too..." He frowned as his gaze moved over the crowd. "I realize now, being here and seeing what I've seen how easy I've had it growing up. I used to think I had the worst life, being raised primarily by hired nannies and tutors. I see now that my life was very sheltered and privileged."

Russ's brows tented. "What about your mom and Mattie's? Where were they?"

"Mattie's mom was mentally unstable. She was in and out of treatment facilities most of his childhood. As for my mom, if anyone could ever be more self-obsessed as she is... Ha... they'd have to have their head literally surgically sown into their own ȧss. Power and prestige are all she's ever wanted, and it was sold to her when my father was forced to marry her by his father." Drake frowned as he patted Russ's shoulder. "Listen, I'm not trying to change your opinion of him... I just want you to know, not all vampires are bad... I'm on your side, man." He let his hand drop when Russ only stared back. "I'll try to see you before we leave in the morning... Good night." His gaze moved over the people still huddled around the backyard, many of them obviously uncomfortable. "Good luck with your people. I'm sure they'll come around the more they get to know you."

Russ forced a smile as he nodded toward the vampire. His gaze moved back to the people as Drake found Mattie and disappeared into the palace. "I doubt that... If anything, the more they get to know me... the more they'll hate me..."

"Who are you talking to?" Shelly asked as she closed in the distance between her and her obviously distracted brother.

"Myself... mostly... No one here outside of you guys is willing to talk to me anyway..." He muttered grumpily.

Shelly's lips curved upward into a crooked smile. "I mean you're not exactly radiating warm, fluffy wholesomeness right now... I'd say more like a heavy cloud of doom and gloom..." She lifted the hand that had been resting against the baby's thɨġh and flicked her fingers between his eyes.

"Aw shit! What was that for?" He growled.

She pressed her finger to her lips as she tried to stifle a giggle. "Sh, you don't want to wake the baby, do you? Besides, you needed a reminder not to scowl so much..."

He sent her a glare. "So, you flick me between the eyes?! The fuċk, Shell!"

"Because you're my brother and I'm your sister... and I'm always going to be here to tell you when you're being a hateful jerkface, and you're always going to be here to bitch and cuss when I tell you you're being a jerkface..." Shelly said as she smiled sweetly up at him.

Russ let his anger melt away as frustration replaced it. "I don't know if that was meant to be comforting or an insult."

Shelly smiled brightly up at him. "Does it really matter? Either way, we'll always be family, for life..." She gave his arm an affectionate squeeze with her free hand. "And you'll always be a jerkface, for life."

He sent her an amused grin. "Don't you have a husband here somewhere to torment, instead of me?"

She giggled. "Yeah, we were just about to head out. I thought I'd come to say goodbye while Rin gathered our things."

An arrogant smile curved his lips. "I can't believe how much shit you have to carry around just because of one baby..."

She sent him an irritated glare. "Well believe it and get used to it Mr. Alpha King cause your ȧss will be having your own bundles of pooping, puking joy as soon as you're crowned and married off."

Russ frowned as his gaze moved over the crowd, searching for a familiar strawberry blonde head and intense jade eyes. "Sure... if my chosen bride will ever be able to tolerate my touch after all she's been through..."

A dark sadness fell over Shelly's expression as she took his arm. "Russ look at me... I know I've only been through a fraction of what they have... but believe me, the right person can help erase and repair the damages done by others..." Her misty eyes shimmered up at him. "I mean that for both you and her. It's obvious you're still upset with the whole Gigi thing and what happened between you and Jos... but I believe in time we will all be able to look back at this and appreciate the growth the struggle created."

"Ha, you get married and have a kid, and all of a sudden you're some kind of know-it-all philosopher?" He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. "Get out of here before that thing wakes up and ruins the party... wouldn't want my guests to be any more frightened than they already are..." His frown returned as his gaze moved back to the many werewolves who radiated fear and discomfort.

Shelly leaned her head against him. "You'll get there, don't worry... and we'll all be here to help."

His attention moved back to her once again. "Thanks..." He bent and gave the sleeping baby in her arms a light kiss on the head. "Good night, little man... Don't forget to give your mommy and daddy a nice big shit once they get good and asleep tonight." He gently lifted the baby's balled fist and bumped it against his.

"Ready?" Rin asked as he walked up to them.

Shelly nodded. "Yeah, your best friend here was just putting our child up to meanness already..."

Rin chuckled. "Surely not, Russ? Never!" He sent him a wink as he patted him on the back. "I'll hit you up tomorrow, and we'll get started on making plans for the girls and town."

Russ nodded as he clamped a hand to Rin's back. "Thanks, man. Just let me know if you plan to come here, or if you need me to meet you there."

"Alright. Later." With that Rin released his hold on Russ and wrapped his arms around his wife and child. "Ready, love?" She had bȧrėly begun to nod before the three of them were vanishing into thin are.

"I don't think I'll ever adjust to your friends' abilities... they are all so..."

"Much?" Russ filled in with a chuckle as he turned to face Jaden. "I'm glad you're here. I thought you'd already headed to your rooms for the night."

Jaden nodded. "I was just about to. I thought I'd let you know, in case you needed anything..."

Russ shoved his hands into his pockets and squeezed them into tight fists inside in an attempt to resist touching her. "No, I'm good. Um... let me know if you or any of the girls need anything."

She searched his awkward expression for several long seconds. "Thank you, but we're fine... Goodnight, Sire."

"Just Russ"

"Goodnight, Russ."