Kane
Scrawny pulled me by my collar from the oozing pile. I opened my eyes long enough to see into the depths of his.
If I cannot lead, then I will follow you. The one who has bested me is my master.
Selene's hands were soft on my head. "Stay still, Snow. Stay with us. Hang in there." She had a concerned tone to her voice.
I felt Brogio's strong hands on me as he silently pulled the sword from my side. The pain sliced through every nerve ending; blood spurted from my open wound. I could feel my body changing from demon to dog, making the pain even worse.
Scrawny moved closer and growled a warning.
I fought to stay conscious and reassure my fledgling child by invading his thoughts. It is all right. They are my pack. He is my master. They are trying to heal me.
I could see the battlefield from where I lay. Kane, who had continued to fight from the air above us, landed nearby and morphed back into human form. Realization spread across his face when he saw me on the ground. He dashed to me in a heartbeat. Examining me thoroughly, he bent and licked the inside and the outside of my gaping wound. The gush of blood ceased. The pain slowly calmed.
Brogio bit his wrist and force-fed me his blood. He lifted me from the ground, gently wrapped me in his arms, and carried me to the house, some one hundred yards away.
The screams from Apollo's dying army swirled around me. I felt myself fading into slumber. With my last thought before the darkness took me, I commanded Scrawny to obey Brogio until I returned. If I returned ...
*****
Selene's hand rested on my leg as she slept beside me. Light streamed through her bedroom window. I wondered how long I had gone into the darkness. Raising my head, I sniffed my shoulder and nibbled at my side where the wound had now disappeared. Not even a scar where Apollo's sword had pierced my flesh. Six pairs of golden eyes peered at me from the foot of the bed.
How long have I ...
Scrawny silently spoke to me. Two days, my Alpha. We have been by your side, as has the silver woman. His eyes shrewdly accessed Selene. You healed. We all healed. Are we invincible?
We can die, my children, but only by fire, or a wooden stake, or silver bullet through the heart. The stake must be made from a magical tree. I stood up on the bed and shook off sleep. Selene breathed softly and remained in slumber.
We are hungry. Their six voices sounded like petulant children cueing me to teach them what I knew. I tentatively climbed down from the bed. Cautious steps around the room assured me I was sound. My coven surrounded me, playfully nipping and wrestling with me on the floor. Then, I jumped up and ran out the door.
I'm feeling like myself again. Getting hungry too. Let's go hunting!
We hit the woods in our natural form and stalked our animal prey. I watched with pride as my young neophytes used the technique I had taught them to trap and take the blood from their prey. Scrawny, though not participating in my first lesson, appeared to have learned well from afar.
After gorging on wild boar, we sprawled under several large trees, and my mind turned to naming them.
I looked at Scrawny.
He snorted. I already know. Scrawny. Not much of a name, but so it is.
I barked my approval.
Next, my eyes fell on the large black wolf that I had thought would be their leader. His yellow eyes watched me expectantly. I shall call you "Chase." You appear to always be after something!
Chase sat up and barked. He fell over backwards and scratched his back on the acorns, leaves and branches underneath him.
I moved on to my lanky, tall, dark brown child. One ear always seemed to flop over when he relaxed, giving him a playful appearance. Before I could give him a name, he dashed and scooted around the trees, in and out. Then, he turned and chased his tail. Joker! I want to be Joker!
I barked my approval. So it shall be, Joker.
My large light brown wolf lay at the perimeter of our resting place. He reminded me of a guardian. You will be called Gaspar.
He turned to me and bowed his head in acceptance. I sensed he would be a valuable part of our pack.
One gray wolf lay nonchalantly asleep on the forest floor in a blood coma. I willed him to look at me. Shall I call you Sleeper?
Sleeper? No! I am like thunder in battle! Do you not remember?
I thought for a moment. Ah, yes. Then, you are Thor.
Thor jumped to his feet and went crashing through the woods, making enough noise to scare off any prey that might have been available.
Enough, Thor! I get it!
That left the final wolf. His multi-colored coat had highlights of black, brown, gray and even white fur. He was large and magnificent. The oldest of the pack, he was wise and had to have been a pack leader at one time. He sat back on his haunches and stared into my eyes. I answered him. You are Fergus.
Yes, you are wise.
So, Scrawny, Chase, Joker, Gaspar, Thor and Fergus – my progeny.
They all looked at me expectantly. You are our pack master. We are yours to command.
I thought it a heavy burden, indeed.
*****
We returned to the front of the house as darkness fell, just in time to see the vampire covens preparing to leave. The coven leaders mulled around Brogio and Kane. Hundreds of remaining bats hovered in the surrounding trees. The air smelled of their sadness at the loss of hundreds of their brethren. I could only imagine how each coven master suffered during the days I lay unconscious and healing at the loss of their progeny who had suffered the true death. Young as my children were to me, I could not bear the thought of losing even one of them.
Leander stopped squarely in front of Brogio and searched his Alpha's eyes. "Are you sure, Master, that you do not want us to all stay a few days more?" A blonde lock of hair fell over one eye.
"No, Apollo is immortal, but he knows now that Selene stood by me in battle against him. I sense that it will be some time before he returns to torture us again."
Leslie, Ian, Joseph and Alexander joined them. "We are hesitant to leave," Ian added. He threw a long slender arm around Leslie's waist and pulled her close to him.
Joseph stood back a bit, doing cartwheels around Alexander who laughed at the boy vampire's antics. Kane lingered around a tall red head, one of Leslie's coven. He leered at her with obvious intentions to mate her at the next opportunity.
"Snow Blood and his coven will take up guard during the day. Nothing that you could do in the sunlight anyway. Go home and take my undying appreciation for all that each of you has given to me."
He motioned to the two men who had driven us here so many weeks ago. They stood aside holding a cart that contained numerous bottles of wine. They moved forward, and Brogio handed several bottles to each coven leader. "Take these. They are the most treasured of my vintage. Salute those we have lost as you drink it, and think of my undying love for each of you."
Leslie grinned and pointed at Brogio "I think he wants us gone so that he can bed the silver one without interruption." Her fingers tip-toed up Ian's broad chest.
"Be gone, all of you!" Brogio smiled and waved his hand in the air.
The bats that lined the trees rose in the air and flew away. Folding their wine bottles inside their long coats, each coven leader turned and left a blurred trail behind them as they moved at vampire speed away from us. Brogio and Kane stood looking after them for a moment.
I sat staring at my Alpha, my thoughts lingering on Leslie's words.
Brogio turned to me with a questioning stare. "Do you have something to say, Snow Blood?"
I sat back on my haunches. I think it is time to make Selene your mate. Don't you?
He scowled at me, frustration oozing from his every pore, like blood dripping deliciously from an open vein. "Mind your own business, vamp dog!"
I took up a momentary flea chase on my left paw, ignoring his withering stare.
Kane, surmising my taunt from Brogio's outburst, sputtered with laughter and wandered off into the house.
My coven will rest now during the dark hours. I led my pack into the house, and we all took up the beds that had been installed for us. Each of my coven selected one of the beds placed around the den near mine. I was at once asleep, but dreams filled with Artemis' oily voice plagued me. "Soon, Snow Blood. We have a deal. Soon you will be mine."
*****
I awoke abruptly. The hairs stood up on my neck. They were arguing. Their voices were distant, upstairs. I walked to the window to find the night still upon us. My progeny slept the sleep of the undead. I followed my master's voice.
"Selene, stop torturing us. I need to possess you completely. I have waited ... forever." His voice revealed his pain.
"But the moment we are joined, will you turn me into ..." Her voice faltered.
"Into what? A monster like me?"
"Brogio, please, don't make this more difficult. I ... I'm not ready to be turned."
"But don't you see? It's the only way!"
"Why? Why is it?"
"You know why! She tricked us before and took you away from me!" I could hear him struggling with his words, his voice strident. "Apollo will never stop until he wins you for himself. If you are no longer ... virgin ..."
"No, I don't remember. That was your wife. I have no memory of it!"
"Why won't you believe me?"
I climbed the stairs in stealth mode and went to the slightly cracked door of Selene's room. My curiosity consumed me.
He stood next to her as she sat on the bed. Her shirt had been ripped, and the bed showed signs of a struggle. She stood abruptly, pulling her torn shirt over her heaving chest.
"I love you, but I will not be bullied into giving myself completely to you without proof that it is me you love. I won't be her substitute!"
He ran his hands through his silver hair and shook his fist at the ceiling. "You are not a substitute! You are my wife! Don't you think I would know that?"
"Then, why do I have no memory of us before I felt compelled to meet you? Why am I so drawn to you anyway?"
"Listen to yourself, Selene! Why do you think? Because you are MY ORIGINAL SELENE! Why do you not know it?" He took long strides to the door and yanked it open just as I bolted away.
"Snow Blood! What the hell?" His violet eyes turned red, and I froze in my tracks.
I heard arguing. Wanted to make sure you were all right.
"No, you were spying on us! Why?"
I just want to help you ... help you both.
"How will your eavesdropping help any of us?"
I couldn't tell him that Selene would be safe from Artemis if I kept my part of our bargain. However I can.
"Then stop snooping about and get some rest! I need you alert tomorrow." His footsteps appeared heavier than usual as he went down the stairs and out the front door.
Selene's sobs pulled at me. I wanted to retreat to my bed. Our friendship prevented it. I nosed her bedroom door open and trotted to her bedside.
Tears stained her pale cheeks with red blotches. I looked up. She sobbed harder at the sight of me. I gently leaped on the bed and curled up next to her. She immediately flung her arms around me and through ragged gulps questioned me. "Was it hard ... for you? What is it like ... to be a vampire?
Knowing she couldn't hear me, I put my chin on her hip and whined. I remained until she cried herself to sleep.
Fergus lifted his head as I crawled back into my plush bed. This is something the humans must work out, my Alpha.
Yes and no, Fergus. Yes and no.
*****
The air in the household reeked of tension at night. Brogio's pursuit to mate and turn his beloved into a vampire consumed us all. I took Scrawny, Chase, Joker, Gaspar, Thor and Fergus on nightly hunts to quench our thirst, and to get away from the toxic atmosphere. I forbade them to harm humans, so they had no comparison and seemed satisfied with the large game that we took down. Our days passed uneventfully, but we remained ever vigilant against the immortal Apollo, or other intruders who might try to take out Brogio and Kane while they slept.
My coven and I found rest in the wee hours of the morning before sunlight. After their nightly argument, Brogio would slam through the front door in search of victims to satisfy his lust. One such night, I wrestled with sleeplessness. When Brogio slammed the front door, I got up and stared after him at the window until I watched him disappear into the woods.
I felt the discomfort before the voice came, slithering through my brain, calling me. It had been weeks since I had heard Artemis' whisper, and I felt a jolt at the sound of it.
"Snow, come to me. It's time."
The words pulled at my body. I looked back at my pack. They all were asleep.
"Come to me. To the field."
Before I realized it, my feet moved out the front door. I couldn't resist. Her pull on me was as strong as Brogio's. I walked as if in neck-high water and mud through the fresh snow that covered the ground, like a prisoner going to his execution. I found her in her field, an exact duplicate of the other two before it. Surrounded by snow-covered trees, she filled the clearing.
She created a circle of changing colors of light and shimmered just above the ground. Rabbits, deer, squirrels, and even a boar stood outside the light, frozen in awe of her. She beckoned to me, and I stepped inside her glowing circle.
"My Snow Blood. The time will be soon. You have done what you must for Brogio. Prepare to leave everything behind."
So soon? I have progeny that I must care for. I must protect my pack from Apollo.
"You need not fear Apollo as far as the others are concerned. His pride is wounded. He will leave your Alpha alone for now. He was humiliated in front of the one he prizes. It is you that worries me." She shimmered. Her light darkened.
I sat back on my haunches. Why?
"You are the cause of my brother's humiliation. You, not Brogio, you and your coven took him down." She reached out and touched my head. A shiver went up my spine.
Do you mean ... do you think he will come after me and my coven? I shifted my weight from one leg to the other in anticipation of her answer.
"Yes. And I must protect you. Say your goodbyes. Come back to me here in two days."
Two days! I need more time! I have children ... I can't protect them ...
"Enough! Two days at this time!" She faded and the light dimmed.
Wait! I need more time!
She shimmered and her light slowly faded and vanished. I stood surrounded by creatures that scattered without the protection of her light.
I pondered what I would do. I couldn't tell Brogio. He would try to fight for me. He would want to know why I had agreed to go. But, I had to protect my coven. Light footsteps alerted me, and I swirled to see Kane in human form glide out of the trees.
"So, my brother, she is calling in her chips?" The smirk on his face annoyed me. Ever since he had applied his healing licks to my back and wounds, we seemed to be able to communicate freely.
Why are you following me?
"Someone has to help keep you out of trouble." He wiped his long fingernails on what Brogio called his "foppish" jacket, and crossed his arms.
You can do nothing. She wants to take me in two days. I have to figure out how to protect my progeny!
"I heard. The sun will be rising soon. Let's go back to the house. Rest awaits me, but meet me here tomorrow night after sunset. I might just have a plan to help you."
He turned and walked into the trees until I could see him no longer. How did Kane think he could help me? I only felt more confused by his words.
*****
My appetite for blood and sleep left me while I waited restlessly for my meeting with Kane at sunset. I arrived early and sat sniffing the air, breathing in the essence of pine, juniper and the last snow of winter. I would miss not being able to have the wind catch the hairs around my face. I sucked in the smell of the pine cones lying dormant under the surrounding trees. What kind of life would I have with a selfish, vain goddess who would most likely tire of me quickly?
I heard Kane's light footsteps and turned to meet the steady gaze of his dark eyes. His long, flowing black hair was pulled back in a knot. He had dressed in a silver grey jacket over black pants and a silver turtleneck. Brogio always said Kane dressed like a dandy.
Tell me of your ideas, Kane. I'm running out of time.
"Not ideas, my dog brother. A proposal." He swiftly removed his jacket, shirt, pants and shoes and hung them on the branch of a nearby tree.
I don't get it. What are you doing?
"Wait. Hear me out. First, let me give you a demonstration."
Suddenly, Kane shrank before my eyes. His eyes met mine but changed from dark brown to steel blue. His face elongated, his nose became a snout. He sprouted hair all over his naked body. He had transformed into ... me! He had replicated me down to the hairs around my ears! He turned in a circle so that I could see all of him.
I don't understand. How did you do this? And why?
He morphed back to himself, held up a finger and smiled. "Wait." Next, he transformed into ... my Alpha. He was Brogio! He even smelled like Brogio!
What are you doing? And how is this possible?
Instead of offering an immediate answer, Kane morphed back into himself as a human. He redressed in his clothing and sat on a fallen tree trunk. He motioned for me to come near.
Kane, I don't understand. You are very talented, but why did you show me these powers?
"Ah, but my dear boy, let me clarify." He looked deeply into my eyes. "You don't want to go with Artemis and be her play thing. On the other hand, I am bored with this life."
I cocked my head at him and continued to watch him closely.
"Snow Blood, I have been in existence almost as long as Brogio. I bore easily. And, I have no Selene to burn over. Going with Artemis would be an adventure for me!"
I can't ask you to do that, my brother! And, why do you think she would accept you in my place? She's going to notice the difference.
"Look, she wants someone willing to play her little games. She said she could turn you into anything she wanted. You wouldn't be a willing partner, but I would be. I will show her how I can be you, or Brogio, who I know she secretly desires. I can be anyone, or anything else she wants. I could keep her entertained for centuries!" He jumped up, threw back his head and roared. "It would keep me from being bored as well!"
But Brogio would never let you go. We all need you with us!
"No, that's where you are wrong. You see, when I get bored, I start to make mischief. I would screw with all of you – Brogio, Selene, you, your pack. You would come to hate me! Why do you think Brogio goes for a hundred years at a time without summoning me?" He sat back down and looked into my eyes. "Remember how we fought when I first arrived?"
But, I can't let you do this! Why would you do this for me?
"Don't you get it, dog? It's not for you. I want to do this.” He stood again and walked in circles. "Well, maybe it's a little bit for you. You need to be here to help protect Brogio. I do care about him. But I can't keep watch for him during the day. None of his minions are as effective as you, and now your pack. And, you are more loyal to our master than everyone has ever been. Let me do this for you, and for him."
I sat in silence pondering his generous offer. I then stood and walked up to him, the top of my head almost touching his belt. I looked deeply into his eyes again and knew that what he said was the truth.
What will we tell Brogio?
"Nothing. Like I told you, he is used to me disappearing for long stretches of time. Besides, he is completely obsessed with Selene right now."
But what will happen when he summons you?
"At that point, there will be nothing he can do."
But I won't be able to hide the truth from him. I stood my ground.
“I repeat, at that point, there will be nothing he can do.” He shrugged as if to say it was all settled.
And Artemis? How will we convince her?
"Leave it to me, Snow Blood. I will convince her that she is getting what she wants. I can be pretty persuasive when I want something."
*****
I wrestled with this course of action. It wasn't in my nature not to try and handle my own problems. But Kane was adamant. He appeared to look forward to it all.
I spent the rest of the night avoiding the house. I summoned my coven and we hunted near the lake. We all slept in the woods, gorged on our blood feast, and then slunk home at sunrise. We took our positions outside the house. Scrawny took the back of the house near a large pine tree. I sat under a shade tree next to the front door that gave me good coverage of both the house and the wine cellar. The others positioned themselves under trees all around the house and winery.
When the sun was high in the sky, Selene joined me under the tree. In that moment, I wished I could communicate with her. I wanted to tell her that being a vampire hadn't been a bad thing for me. I wanted to share how I had resisted, but that I knew Brogio loved me, and that had made the difference.
She sat with her knees drawn up to her chest and one arm thrown over my neck, her fingers scratching at my right ear.
"I wish you could talk, Snow. I would want your counsel." She switched her fingers over to my left ear, and it felt so good that my left leg began to spasm.
A loud noise caused me to sweep the yard for intruders. It was probably just thunder, or a faraway car backfiring. I stood and turned to face Selene eye-to-eye. I concentrated as hard as I could to try and get through to her. My thoughts repeated a litany. Yield to him. Yield to him. He loves you. This is the way he can protect you.
I forced my thoughts into her mind, my stare mesmerizing her. The pupils of her eyes dilated, and I imagined she might have heard part of my message to her.
"You ... You want me to become one of you?" She scooted back away from me, her gaze never leaving mine. "Do you believe that I am his wife?"
I barked my response, and disbelief spread across her face. She stood abruptly, swaying as if she might fall. She steadied herself, raised her chin and searched the landscape for some unknown point. "Very well, then. I will take your advice under consideration." She turned to go to the house, but I blocked her with my body.
I placed my head under her hand to show her my feelings, and her fingers buried into my fur and caressed my ears gently. Then, she took long strides up to the house. When she reached it, she turned and smiled at me and slipped through the door.
I returned to my watchful post and spent the day in heavy thought.
*****
Night crept up the lawn and surrounded me. I ordered my pack to quench their hunger.
What about you? Scrawny turned with a question toward me.
Go on. I have things to tend to tonight. You can lead the coven in the hunt tonight. If I had to keep my promise to Artemis, I knew Scrawny would lead the coven.
He howled and ran, the coven all following right behind him.
I found Kane in the den with a glass of wine in his hands. Brogio was strangely absent.
"Snow, he's so frustrated. He took off and left the house as soon as we rose from our rest. He went out the backdoor to avoid Selene." He sighed. "I'm not sure why Selene has stayed. I guess it's all about love or lust. She wants to be with him. I feel sorry for her. Anyway, it's good that he's absent. We don't need to make excuses to meet with Artemis."
Kane, are you sure that you still want to go through with this?
"My boy, I've never been so serious. But, you know that if it doesn't work, you won't be able to say goodbye to Brogio. Being anywhere around him would give it away. If he wasn't so distracted right now, he'd be all over this in a heartbeat."
Yes. I know. I will meet you in the field at the required time. I turned to go, and then circled back. Walking up to Kane, I stretched my neck toward him and licked his hand, which rested on an arm chair. Thank you, Kane. For being my brother.
He lifted the same hand and placed it on my head. "It has been my honor, Snow Blood."
If this works, will I ever see you again?
"Who knows ... I hope someday, perhaps." He drained his glass and stood to refill it.
I crept out of the house quietly and wandered in the woods until it was time to meet Artemis.
*****
We stood together outside her circle of light. Kane had left his clothing in the woods and stood naked with me. I thought, if nothing else, this would pique her interest.
"Why have you appeared before me during this important moment, savage?"
Kane failed on an attempt to enter her light. "Let me enter your presence beautiful one, so that I might give you a gift."
The light swirled, expanded upward and then changed to a pink hue. "A gift? Snow Blood, is this your attempt to go back on your word?"
"A gift, goddess. Not from Snow Blood, but from me. Snow Blood has come in good faith for the taking. But, before you take him, consider an exquisite alternative.” Kane bowed with his words.
"Alternative? I want NO alternative. What tricks do you play, blood sucker!"
"Ah, but my lady, Snow Blood is a vampire too. Or have you forgotten that?"
"I have not forgotten, but I can make him into any image I want! We can be dogs together, lovers together, anything that I want!"
"Yes, but consider this. Do you want an unwilling mate whose heart will always be elsewhere, or do you want one who will be totally devoted to you?”
I squirmed on my haunches, waiting for the explosion I feared would come at Kane's words. Instead, the light darkened, then turned a brighter pink.
"I want what I want!" Artemis stomped her foot like a petulant child and swirled stirring the wind in the trees around us. Then she settled on me. "Snow Blood, what of our bargain?"
Kane interceded. "Please, Artemis, let me into your light so that I may show you what I can be for you."
"Very well. It won't hurt me to see what you propose." Her light shimmered silver, and Kane immediately stepped into it.
My heart skipped a beat. He's in! She's curious!
Kane stood before her, and the goddess commanded, "Show me."
Kane immediately transformed into the exact image of me.
Artemis instantly rose above him in her bubble of light, surprise written on her face.
Kane then jumped up and put his paw on her hand to pull her down. She followed. Then, he rubbed his (my?) body around her skirt, smothering her hands with licks and nibbles.
She chuckled with pleasure. Kneeling down, she inspected every inch of him as he eagerly licked her face every chance he got.
"It's amazing! You are exactly like Snow!"
Then Kane immediately stood on his hind legs, placing each of his paws on her shoulder as he morphed into Brogio. He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. She responded, her light swirling and turning from silver to blue to pink and then a hot red.
Kane slowly released her. "I can be anything, or anyone you want me to be. Instead of forcing Snow Blood to become what you want, let me anticipate what you need and become it. Let Snow Blood go, and take me, for as long as you want. I am willingly yours."
"But why?" The goddess appeared confused and excited at once. "How can you do this?"
"In addition to the ability to heal others, it is my gift. Snow Blood can walk in daylight. Each of us has a gift, or two." He turned and became a gorgeous winged horse.
He was so beautiful that it took my breath away. Artemis giggled with delight. "I love Pegasus!"
Kane instantly transformed into his naked self and stood before her. "Don't you see? Because I am a creature of the night, as are you, we were meant for each other. You will take care of my needs, and I yours. In any way you want."
Her light expanded in shades of blues and pulled me inside. Yet, I had no fear. I felt somehow loved in an odd way.
She placed her hand on Kane's chest. "Become Snow Blood."
Kane instantly obeyed. Holding the exact replica of my red collar around his neck, she fixed her gaze on me. "I accept this proposal. Snow Blood, you are free of your obligation to me. Return to Brogio."
She knelt down to Kane the dog and wrapped her arms around him. He placed his neck over her shoulder and hugged her to him. Her circle of light glowed rosy pink and then red. Her eyes filled with delight. They began to swirl, the light turning into spectacular colors of pinks, reds, oranges. The brilliant colors made it difficult to see the outlines of their bodies. The circle rose and carried them into the sky. Then, they disappeared.
I stood in any empty field alone. It occurred to me that the goddess' concern for my safety had dissolved with her new fascination in the instant gratification that Kane could bring her. What shallow beings these gods were! At least I was free to return home.
Sadness permeated my bones. I had lost a good friend, but it was what he wanted. How could I ever repay him? I knew that somehow, some day I would find a way.
*****
"Kane! Kane?" Brogio walked through the den looking for his number one child. The sun was about to rise. "Where the hell has he gone?"
He told me to tell you he was bored. He's gone off to find adventure.
"Since when are you his messenger, Snow Blood? Why didn't he tell me himself?" Brogio glanced through the window as the sun began to streak orange across the sky.
An impulse. He said you'd understand.
He stared deeply at me, and I jumbled my thoughts, thinking of my pack, imagining Kane on a wild excursion with one of Leslie's progeny, the sexy one with the red hair.
"Why are you trying to block me, Snow Blood?" The sun slowly streaked through the windows. "Damn! We will discuss this later." He was out the door, smoke trailing behind him as he made his way to the cellar for the night. His speed prevented him from igniting before he hit the wine cellar door.
I sighed, then turned to find my coven staring at me with suspicion.
What? Get to your posts! I barked out mentally. It's for the best. For all of us.
As you wish, my Alpha. As you wish. Scrawny eyed me again as he led the others out into the rising day.
*****
As night fell, I took my pack into the forest to sate our thirst for blood. Two boars and a deer later, we all napped under our favorite trees not far from the house.
“Snow Blood!” My Alpha's voice seeped through every corner of my mind. “Snow Blood, I would speak with you now!” It would only be moments before he began to probe my mind and discover everything.
I was resigned to fess up to the truth about Kane. Standing and shaking thoroughly, I glanced at my progeny. Stay here and relax. Enjoy your time in the woods. Brogio needs me. I will call if I need your help.
I made it through the woods to the house. Grabbing the door handle with my paw, I pulled down, slid through and then pushed the door shut with my body.
Selene was descending the stairs as I entered. She walked to the den and approached Brogio. He sat in his familiar arm chair, nursing a glass of blood.
I made myself small in a corner, where I could watch and listen but not be seen.
"May we talk?" She put a pale, beautiful hand on his shoulder.
Dressed in his usual black, he took her hand and stood to face her. "Always, my love."
"I ... I've been thinking about our ... discussions." She bit her lip and then lifted her chin defiantly.
"Yes, it is all I think about these days. It has clouded all my abilities." He sat and pulled her onto his lap.
She ran her fingers through his pale hair and stared deeply into his eyes. "I've made a decision."
I could see his shoulders tense up with her words. "And?"
"Your argument is convincing. I know that if I am to be with you that I need to be able to protect myself from harm." Her fingers walked up his chest. “If being what you are will cool Apollo's desire for me, then that is what I must do."
Brogio threw back his head and laughed heartily. Standing with her in his arms, he swirled her around with joy. He then stopped, lowered her feet to the floor and look deeply into her eyes. "You will belong to me. In every way?"
"Yes, even Snow Blood believes in our history. After everything, I believe in our past." She smiled shyly.
His eyes pierced into hers, and pure joy spread across his handsome face. He smiled down at Selene. "Snow Blood? That devil. I owe him!" He picked her up again and began to run with her up the stairs, four steps at a time.
"Wait!"
Her voice halted him mid-step.
"Not here in the house. Our first time should be under the full moon."
My intensified hearing allowed me to hear her whispered words.
"If I am to be a creature of the night, let me be born there."
Brogio turned and carried her gently down the stairs and out the door.
I followed them. They went directly to Artemis' field! Could he have sub-consciously known this is where I had always met the goddess? Had I ever hid anything from Brogio? Did he know?
I slunk behind a stand of trees with a perfect view of them. Why I needed to witness their mating is unclear to me. Perhaps because I knew this would forever complete my Alpha. I felt joy for him.
"For centuries when Artemis kept you with her in the moonlight, I waited until the moon's rotation brought you to me. I knew you were there." He slowly removed the silver dress she had worn on their first date. "I waited for the three nights when your touch crested full in the night."
He removed his black clothing and dropped it on the ground. They both stood naked. They were beautiful – a pale, silvery glow surrounded them.
Brogio touched her long, silver hair gently. "I'd strip down in a spot such as this. It mattered not how cold or hot, I soaked in your embrace. Just as humans stand and bask in the sunlight, I stood and writhed with pleasure at your moonlight." Brogio spread her shimmering silver dress on the ground, then gently laid her down on them. "Sometimes your rotation was during the day, and I'd have to wait another cycle. Sometimes there would be a blue moon, and I'd have you twice in one month." He laid down next to her.
She put one arm around his neck and touched him gently with the other.
He gasped. "You who I called for. Still call for."
She slid her hand up and down the length of his body.
Brogio's words came in short gasps. "Over 200 moon cycles past since the last time I felt you with me. I'd thought your ardor waned. You'd tired of waiting and found another. Or that Apollo had finally won you back completely."
He rolled over on top of her, and she moaned.
"But now, to feel you. To have more than a phantom touch. Yet I know it's you. Holding you is a simplicity of my undoing. I want you Selene, I want you, and it scares me. I've never had you. What if all this time, what if those hands of yours bite through the layers of frost I've built? What happens when the heat of your love touches my heart? Do I incinerate to dust? Take me, Selene. I am paralyzed with duty and repetition of endless nights."
The scene was too intimate, too personal, but I couldn't leave.
"I am here, which means it's a full moon." Selene raised her chin. "You have wanted me for a thousand years. So take what is yours to keep."
Their love making was slow and beautiful. They kissed every part of each other. Before they consummated their love, he raised himself above her and stared into her eyes. "Tell me that you remember. Search some deep part of your mind to remember when we first met."
His will and his love for her seemed to compel her. A glimmer of realization spread across her face. She cried out, "I remember! I remember. Oh, my poor love, what you have suffered for me!" When he could hold back no longer, he plunged himself into her. His words came out in forced breaths. "My gods, I love you!"
Her cries of pleasure joined his and mingled with her words of love for him.
I wish I could have known such joy from mating.
My Alpha surprised me in their moment of joy. Brogio's face contorted, his fangs descended, and with one quick movement, he bit into her neck. Selene fought against him with her fists, crying out, shocked by the surge of pain that invaded the ecstasy of their love-making. Brogio held fast and sucked until she stopped fighting him. Then, she stopped moving.
The sky suddenly filled with lighting and thunder! The wind stirred the trees almost lifting the mated couple from the spot with its strength. The gods knew what was happening and rang their displeasure!
My Alpha quickly bit into his wrist and drizzled his blood into her mouth. The wind blew harder, and the trees began to bend even more. Minutes ticked by as Brogio held onto her and watched her intently, keeping his wrist placed over her mouth. Selene’s limp form slowly stirred. She tentatively took hold of his arm and began to suck. Moments later, she arched her back as Brogio’s blood infiltrated her body. The intensity of her feeding escalated. Brogio appeared in ecstasy again as she drank hungrily from his wrist. He instantly pulled her to her feet and kissed her passionately, blood running down both their faces. He picked his bride up, his wife at last, and twirled her around. Raising her to the heavens, he screamed, "Mine! She is mine forever!"
Lighting struck the trees, splitting many in half. Rain began to pelt them, and the wind moved it sideways, smacking them with the force of a hurricane. Unmovable, Brogio held onto his beloved, defying the gods. He lowered her and encircling her in his arms, threw back his head, his laughter ringing upward into the sky.
Selene’s body shook in spasms as she began to transform. Brogio held her close, shielding her from the pelting wind and rain. But, even in her struggle with the transformation, Selene's voice joined his. "We are free!"
I threw back my head and howled at the moon. My coven slowly crept out from the trees behind me and joined me in celebration of my master's triumph.
THE END