The Crescent (21 page)

“Alex your judgment is clouded.”

“Now then.” She turned her attention back to the table and Alex turned away completely and headed to the kitchen.

“You have to stay.” Sophie commanded.

“I can’t watch you hurt her.” Alex defied her and broke my heart as he kept walking.

“Alex… Please.” I said barely above a whisper. I watched him walk from the room wishing he would rush back and save me, but he didn’t.

I surveyed the room trying to find an escape. Every inch of my body hurt so badly that it seemed impossible to wiggle out of Gavin’s grip. I’d have bruises around my wrist from his fingers when this was done; if I survived. Jillian sat motionless with tears in her eyes staring down at the grain of the table. My parents held each other’s hands but neither of them looked at Sophie as she continued.

“Ok. I promise to make this quick.” Sophie knelt again at the opposite side of the table from me. “I can’t guarantee that it won’t hurt.” She smirked, chills rushed down my arms.

I looked towards the kitchen longing for Alex to rush back into the room and be the persistent boyfriend that I was used to. “What if I agree to be with Alex? What if I put the bracelet back on?”

Sophie let out a small laugh. “The bracelet didn’t stop Brandon from coming for you before.” She sneered. “Besides, we would be forcing you to be with Alex.”

“No no- you wouldn’t be forcing me. I love Alex.” I tried to calm myself, but it still felt like I was screaming the words. Both my parent’s looked at Sophie.

“Maybe we could call the healer again? Maybe we could further delay her change… Give her and Alex more time.” Mom said.

Sophie looked enraged. “I already told you. Her date of birth was wrong. Her change will occur too soon. If she had never come in contact with Brandon…” She stopped and shifted her weight. “It won’t work.”

Dad pleaded, “Can’t we try? She admitted she loved Alex. It is only a matter of time before the bond is completely broken.”

She gritted her teeth. “We don’t have time. Do I need to remind you what is at stake? The bond must be severed for Alex to truly connect with her.”

“But what if this doesn’t work? What if she doesn’t survive?”

The corner of Sophie’s mouth slightly rose, “Then she is not the one of the prophecy for Alex.”

Mom was taken aback. “Is that all this is? Finding the mate your son is supposed to steal?” Both my parent’s stood. “We won’t allow this.” My mother continued. Gavin stood in response, unaffected by my weight, and yanked me upwards with him; my wrist still secured in his tight grip.

“OWWWW…” I screamed. It felt like he had just broken every bone in my body. I kicked and punched at Gavin’s side to no avail. Alex ran into the room frantic; he looked at Sophie and then my parent’s, who were locked in an intense stare with each other. I was dangling from Gavin’s hand. The scene had turned rapidly chaotic. Jillian rushed to stand between Alex and Gavin, obviously protecting her mate. I knew I was screaming, but I don’t think anything was really coherent as I hung there like a rag doll.

“Put her down.” Alex’s voice was deep and forceful screaming at Gavin. He only momentarily stopped the confusion. The noise in the room had tripled.

“Alex! Stop!” Sophie’s voice screeched above Jillian and mom’s voices. She flung herself between Gavin and Alex throwing her hands up hastily stopping the two from clashing.

“I’m going to kill you Gavin.” Alex’s arm extended over his mother’s head to press firmly into Gavin’s chest. The veins in his forearm rolled under his skin as his muscles pulsed and twitched. The force caused Gavin to shift backward and the tips of my shoes slightly brushed against the floor.

“Fuck you Alex! You thought you were invincible! Well now what? She dies because you couldn’t seal the deal. I told you!” Gavin turned his rage to Sophie. “You should’ve had me try first.” He scowled at her.

“What?” Jillian squealed from behind us. “How dare you!”

Gavin’s grip loosened when he turned to look at Jillian. I released the grip I had on his wrists and waited until the perfect moment, when he was distracted by Jillian’s crying.

“Jillian, you know how important this is. OUR future rests on HER.” Gavin tried to reason with her. I pushed against his body until I was fully on the floor and caught myself before I fell over my dad’s favorite chair.

The room fell silent. Jillian covered her mouth with her hand. Sophie stepped backward. Alex’s pitch black eyes darted between Gavin and I. My parent’s stood frozen in their spot. I took in several deep breaths and felt each of my muscles twitch. The room was silent except for the heavy breathing coming from Alex and Gavin. My heart stopped beating; I was already dead. But I couldn’t be, my eyes carefully surveyed the room but barely moved.

Just as swiftly as it all stopped, everything flew into fast-forward. Gavin rushed at me, Alex threw himself at Gavin and Sophie rushed after them both. I turned, now suddenly aware of my heart again, and ran towards the front door. My feet felt like cement blocks as I tried to get to the door. Gavin’s hand dug into my shoulder stopping me instantly. Alex screamed at Gavin; my parent’s were screaming at Sophie. Jillian and my Aunt were huddled together in the corner of the living room.

Alex tackled Gavin causing us to land in a pile of bodies on the floor. Gavin’s weight crushed me. I put both of my hands against his shoulders trying to wiggle my way out from beneath him. Alex hit Gavin repeatedly. But Gavin laughed and kicked Alex squarely in the chest causing him to go flying backwards. I looked towards the door again, only another five feet away.

“You’re a fool Alex!” Gavin yelled as he got up.

“No Gavin!” Jillian and Sophie both yelled as Gavin leaned forward and put both hands to the floor. His body cracked and contorted. I scrambled backwards feeling the rug slipping beneath my feet. Gavin snarled and growled as his arms transformed into long, black fur covered legs. His large hands replaced by ferocious claws. The growling from Gavin’s chest filled the room as his back and ribs twisted into the body of a beast. The scene was so familiar. I tried to calm my breathing and gather my thoughts, but it was no use. My arms ached and my legs were not cooperating to get me to the door.

Alex stepped forward and started to lean on his hands. His eyes met mine and a low growl came from his chest. I willed myself off the floor knowing fully what would happen next; not sure that I could bear to watch him turn into a monster. Gavin stood directly in front of me; even on four legs he was almost as tall as I was. He bared his sharp teeth and snarled. I bumped into the table next to the front door as I jumped backwards.

“Gavin!” Alex yelled pulling the attention away from me. His body was fully crouched in attack position; the growling and churning in his body was more threatening than Gavin’s. I blinked hard, still not sure if I had really watched Gavin turn into a monster
. I hope this is a dream.

Gavin turned his attention to Alex. He howled calling Alex out for a fight. Sophie put her hand on Alex’s shoulder, prompting him to stand.

“This is not the time for this.” Sophie’s low voice was directed at Gavin. “You both know what needs to be done.” She yanked at Alex’s arm. “You know what we must do. We have no other choice.”

“I love her.” Alex said squarely to Sophie.

Sophie baulked at his confession. I was still trying to back my way to the door without Gavin turning on me again. “You don’t know what love is. You only know mortal love, physical love. You haven’t been blessed with the need for your mate yet.”

Alex looked at me from the corner of his eye; I was almost to the door now. “I need her. I dream about her, I feel like I can’t breathe without her.”

“Son, those are all childish, human emotions.” She put her palm to his face. “Your mate is the only one that can make you whole.”

“You said she would be my mate.” He replied, scowling at her.

“We thought she was the one. But the mark of your true mate did not appear.”

Alex looked down at his hand and then to me. “Even with the bracelet, she was never yours.” Sophie almost seemed to be gloating. “You haven’t experienced true love yet. When you do, you will know.” Alex’s face dropped to the floor as he tried to hide the sorrow in his eyes, but his entire body shown it. Tears blurred my vision as a few trickled down my face; I hurt for him. I hurt for me.

Without thinking I said- “It was real for me.” I covered my mouth just as panic rushed onto Alex’s face. I had just drawn the attention of the room again. I put my hands on the front door but couldn’t get it open before Gavin leapt onto me. His paws pushed into my back, causing my stomach and chest to hit the door knocking the wind out of me and crushing my ribs.

Alex let out a blood-curdling yell and advanced on Gavin, ripping his body off of mine. He flung him across the room like he weighed nothing at all. Gavin’s body hit the hallway wall and crumpled onto the floor. Jillian screamed and ran to his side. Gavin let out a few small yelps as Alex put his arm around me and helped me from the floor.

“It was never about all of this.” He motioned towards Sophie. “It was always real to me.” Alex whispered.

TWENTY

THREE

I could feel the longing in Alex’s lips as he held me tightly in his arms. I could no longer hear Jillian sobbing over Gavin or Sophie yelling at Alex. It was only the two of us in the world. The terrorizing nightmare was over being wrapped in his arms. Alex’s forehead rested to mine, both of us perfectly content to be trapped in time.
I know you are having dreams of him. I wish I could show you the dreams I’ve had of us. I wish you could see them.
His dark brown eyes showed how much he wished things could be different for us. I wish he were the one. I loved him, but like Sophie said, it was a mortal love. My mate was destined to be Brandon and it hurt Alex to know it. Hell, it hurt me to know it.

I love you.
I whispered against his lips knowing that we wouldn’t have much more time together.
I wish you were the one.
I’m sure if Brandon didn’t exist, that Alex would be, other than the fact his mother was trying to kill me.

I could still be the one.
Alex replied rubbing his face smoothly against mine.
I need you. I told you I would do anything for you. I meant it.
Alex’s eyes were hopeful.

How?
My mind raced feeling his soft skin under my fingertips. His silky lips made me want to forget about this whole conversation.

You have to be with me. You can’t be around Brandon anymore. The bracelet won’t work unless you stay away from him and stay with me.

“But… wouldn’t he die then?” I pulled back from Alex and stared at him. He wouldn’t look at me.

“I wish it could be different.” Alex replied. “He has to die. He plans on killing us, killing me.” His grip tightened around my back holding me closer to him. “I know he wouldn’t hurt you but I don’t want you with him. I can’t stand the idea of him touching you, getting to be with you when I can’t.”

“Alex…” I said but my words were halted by the horrible, overpowering smell. My skin crawled and my stomach started doing back flips. I was in trouble being this close to Alex. My nose and throat incinerated. My body started to crumple as the invisible hands set to ripping my skin away from my body.

“Lacey? No. Lacey!” Alex’s words were muffled as I fell onto the floor, slapped by reality and writhing in pain.

The door to the house flung open. Alex picked me up intensifying the pain. His skin stung mine; the horrible smell surrounded him as I coughed and gasped for air.

“Let her go!” Brandon screamed at Alex. Brandon, Matt, Trevor and Michael surrounded the doorway. I stayed limp in Alex’s arms but I knew I needed to overcome the pain and tell Brandon not to hurt Alex. Alex had saved my life.

“It’s so nice to see you again Michael…” Sophie’s voice was haunting as she twisted the ornate knife in her hand, a thin line of blood trickled down her wrist. “You are just in time for the festivities.” She started to make her way towards Alex with the knife, but Alex stepped closer to Brandon.

Brandon looked at Alex confused and then at me. My body was still convulsing and shaking, it wouldn’t be long before I threw up again. Alex’s eyes met mine briefly.
I love you.
He mouthed. I tried my best to say it back, but I couldn’t. My body was being torn apart and the only thing that would stop it was to be away from him.

Alex’s arms flexed and extended towards Brandon. I looked wearily at him through my tears and was thankful when the pain instantly stopped. The comfort of Brandon’s arms made the pain melt away. Matt and Trevor both stepped forward in front of us and Brandon gently stepped backwards towards the door trying not to jostle my body too much. He buried his face in my hair briefly and let out a deep breathe. I couldn’t look at Alex, I’m sure it broke his heart to see Brandon helping me heal from his touch.

“What are you doing?” Sophie screamed at Alex. My parents both rushed to Brandon’s side.

“Brandon?” Mom tried to talk around Matt as Sophie continued to yell at Alex. Lily was standing just behind us with five other much larger men.

“What?” Brandon growled through his teeth as he brushed hair away from my face.

“We never wanted to hurt her.”

“You lie.” His jaw clenched and his arms were shaking. I was weak but I lifted my finger to trace his arm.

“Babe…” My voice trembled. “Please don’t…”

“You’ve done this to her.” Brandon screamed at my mother and set me on the ground. He stood swiftly pointing his finger forcefully at her. I tried to press myself back up, but the comfort Brandon had momentarily given me was gone. My body started to shake and twitch where Alex’s skin had touched mine.

Lily wrapped her arms around me tightly and another stronger set of hands wrapped around my arms. A tall guy that looked a lot like Brandon pulled me up until I was standing anchored against his side. “Did they cut you at all?” His eyes searched my face and my arms.