Awakening (2 book series)
Awakening – Following Fate Chapter 131

I snort and half laugh half cough at his ridiculous idea. It's not what I expected to hear but then I guess, delusional plans had to be part of the bigger picture. Did he just imagine I would up and follow him home because of who he is. "Not a chance. You kill the pack, you kill me. You know how mate bonds work and my mate won't stand back and let you do anything to our pack. Neither will I. I am not going off to live in some vampire land with you. Get real. I'm still half wolf." My place is with my pack and nowhere else.

"So stubborn, just like your mother. Can't you be more like your brother... so deep in longing for revenge he will do whatever it takes, even if it kills him. He has managed to stay alive among my kind for a decade, and that was no easy task." He seems amused at my words, and pats Jasper on the shoulder in a weirdly affectionate way. A hint of pride that my brother somehow didn't die all these years and I squint at him. My emotions bubbling away as I try to stay on top of the chaos I feel inside.

"My mother would hate you for all of this. You never knew her if you think any different. At the last moments of her life, she was still fighting for her pack. Think about that. She lost her life while still trying to protect them. She died for these wolves, for her child. She went to war to fight against you...don't you see that?"

Jasper shifts on his feet, drawing my attention as he turns away and I catch the glimmer of a tear rolling down his cheek. He walks off, his posture stiff but his emotions are caving as my truths sink home. My words have struck a chord and he can't bear to listen anymore. Varro on the other hand looks smug, mildly annoyed but he stays calm and unmoved in posture.

"You're clever. You have her fire. Her insane logic and way with words. So what's the compromise then? You hand me your father-in-law and his men and skip off happily into your forest to live out your life, oblivious to what you are? Is that what you're offering?" He smirks, a tooth peeking out to remind me I'm dealing with the devil himself.

"I hand you them, you do whatever you want with them but no, I don't skip off into the sunset. We came here to make a deal and if getting to know me is part of your wish, then I won't say no. You want a bond with me, then you'll get one."

"Lorey!" Colton warns with a stern whisper, catches my wrist, attempting to pull me back to his side, his sudden spike of fear and protectiveness kicking in. I know he doesn't want me to have anything to do with Varro after this, but I've been denying our link for too long. Hate these creatures or not, this man is my father. I need to stop focusing on the venom that was ingrained into us all these years for these creatures and recognize his motive behind all of this. He did it for love. He did it because of loss. I have been taught to fear and despise them and I've let that rule all decisions these past months. I never stopped to really think or feel form Varro's point of view.

"You are willing to come with me, back to my home?" Varro seems to visibly relax, his posture smoothing from standing stiff and proper, to more of a casual lounge as he places one finger on his bottom lip and crosses his arms to support his own elbow. It's odd, to see him relax as though he thinks he has this all worked out and in the bag. It disarms me a little.

"No. I said I would get to know you, but this will be on my terms. I say when, where. I need to be more careful, take care of myself from here on in." I subconsciously splay one hand over my abdomen, that inner fierce in me needing to protect these two lives above all.

"Why?" Jasper's voice comes strong from behind and he's back faster than I can blink. Sudden concern for me out of nowhere and he hone sin on where I have placed my palm. His eyes widening and then his brows furrow to a suspicious frown.

Colton bristles and moves right up behind me, so his body heat encapsulates me and that low growl tells me he's getting impatient with this whole thing. He's wary of Japers move towards me and his mate need to protect is getting rebellious. The vampire hybrids are still lurking around the perimeter and the pack is getting restless too, everything feeling tense and heavy as the seconds tick by.

"I'm pregnant with twins." There's no point hiding it. It's something that may sway the whole tone and they would replace out soon enough, should we survive tonight.

"What?" Varro and Jasper snap in unison, the shock pretty obvious that they never expected that at all. A sudden change in both their demeanors and Jaspers eyes widen once more before he chokes on his own saliva then coughs. He seems to sag, his mind ticking over the fact he just gained more family, became an uncle in a blink.

"She's pregnant. Our children are growing in her belly...so she's going nowhere with you, ever. She shouldn't even be here, doing this, but she had no choice. Is this how you protect your daughter and grandchildren?" Colton again with an equally snappy tone, biting words, anger obvious, and I sigh and push him back. His emotions are getting the better of him and he's a bit like rocket fuel on a fire sometimes.

"You're going to be a grandfather, Varro. Do you really want to waste tonight standing here and arguing about the future of my pack? I won't raise my babies away from them, and I won't be bringing them to your people either. These are my children so don't make me do what my mother did. She ran because she knew her child only stood a chance among wolves. I want you to leave them alone and secure your grandkids future in a loving and nurturing pack, in a peaceful environment. That's what I want."

There's strained silence as his eyes eat me up, boring into my skull before travelling down to my abdomen and back up. The air prickly with tension and static as it sinks in that he has more than me to care about now. He takes what feels like an age to think through and then rests back on his heels in a weirdly comfortable way. That smirk fades and I get hints of a real smile which drastically transforms his face.

"I want to know you, and them.... I want to be a part of their future. Those are my blood too. So you have some logic in your requests and I'm not against this compromise. I get more out of it than killing everyone, I guess." His request is quieter, somehow sincere in its deliverance and the glow of his eyes dull a little as he says it with hushed tones. For the first time I get some sort of feeling from this strange being and sense nothing malicious in the intent. His brain is working fast and he's calculating a future with three more to his bloodline.

"You stop this tonight? Call off your hybrids and send them home." I stand firm and cast a quick glance at my now silent brother, who's staring at my stomach and immersed in his own head. Eyes no longer amber and he looks completely lost. His emotions are unreadable now as they are chaotic, and I can see his internal struggle as he tries to figure out how to feel.

"I want those responsible. I will do to them what I see fit. You get no say whether they live or die." Varro won't budge on that, yet I don't care. We always knew if we could replace a way we would sacrifice Juan and his loyal. The fates have made it all happen. "Deal." Colton answers in my place, a quiver in his voice because at the root of this is his father's life. I know, despite everything, his heart is in pain even if he knows this is what must happen. He's loves him, even if it's undeserved and this is killing his soul. I can't imagine the turmoil or his heart in this moment.

"You can never wage war against my people again, for as long as my children and I live. We bind us together. No weapons, no invasions, no more fear of being attacked." I stand firm, pushing my chin up to meet his unbreaking gaze and he nods. My fire growing strong now an end is within my grasp and elation starts to grow from a tiny ember in my stomach.

"I have no reason to play with mutts if the intent is gone. They make excellent guard dogs now I have three lives to protect. I give you my vow, that once Juan is delivered to me, and his loyal...this is over. We have a future to discuss at a more pleasant time and venue. I'm bored with war and mongrels. I have a nice castle waiting for me back home." He can't even admit this is a decision he's made from the heart. For a moment I actually replace him amusing.

I stand and inhale slowly for a moment, my brain whirring with everything he's saying. It feels too easy and I can't believe it really is this simple. That he's willing to end it all right now, and everything we hoped for is happening. My gut says though, this isn't a dream and I shouldn't question it. My worthless persona of many moons ago ingrained this idea into me that I was never going to be enough for anyone.... This just proved it all wrong.

"I want my brother left with me." I add in afterthought, grasping quickly at one extra detail that means everything, seeing Jasper sudden spring back to life at my request. He looks confused and then resistant.

"No. I won't live with these....." he blurts out, his voice husky with emotion.

"Deal!" Varro cuts him off without hesitation, shutting him down with that non nonsense booming command and Jasper spins on him in a flare of anger.

"What the fu......?" It's obvious this is the last thing he wants.