Rejected Mate and Following Fate - Awakening Book
Chapter 116: Loose Ends

“I expected something a little less run down, grander. Do you wolves not believe in modernconveniences, like electricity and running water?” Varro mocks as he scans the large hall of themanor, scoffing at its dark and drab appearance. I cant blame him, as since we've been gone, thisplace has fallen into some urban war disarray that I never imagined could possibly happen to thisplace. It feels and looks abandoned, dust and dirt on every available surface from neglect. I have noidea what happened and why Juan returned the valley to the dark ages.

“Funny.” Colton dismisses him with the dry tone he reserves for people liked Deacon, a wolf whoonce stood against him.

“We could try replace the generators and power them up.” Meadow followed us in here when wemoved and cuts in with a snappy tone, also peeved at having her home turf mocked. The other subsare here too, those who didn't follow Jasper in pursuit of Juan and I give her a smile and nod inanswer.

“They are running and powering the security system outside. It seems the main electric is cut offthough.” Carmen is still hovering by the door, eyeing up the stranger in our midst with an air ofsuspicion and watching him like a hawk. Colton isn't too relaxed either, but weirdly, I feel like thedanger isn't in here with us, even with Varro beside me. He has a presence for sure, of darkness andpower, but yet there's also a sense of calm and security about him. He's weirdly vibed.

“Juan lost interest in maintaining the valley as somewhere to live comfortably. It became an armybase and all home comforts were sacrificed as unimportant while he was busy ruining what was leftof the pack.” The bitter tone of a stray wolf who was lurking in the shadows where we left him. Oneof those we first encountered when getting in here.

"We can figure something out. Come on Chica, me and you and our boys here.” Meadow clicks hertongue at Carmen, nodding to the subs and takes off at speed to light this place up. Reading theroom and thinking maybe Varro, Colton and I need to be alone. I think she’s right. The atmosphereis somewhat strained and Colton is tense as hell now we're in here with my bio father.

"Cozy." Varro raises a brow, oozing sarcasm once more.

“Remind you of home, huh?” Colton bites back impulsively and I eyeroll at his obvious show oftestosterone. Colton is in alpha mode and high on adrenaline. Right now he sees Varro as a maleencroaching his territory, rather than someone needing to be negotiated with. I sigh it out andignore the obvious sparks between them

“So..... we're here, alone. You wanted to talk, let's do that.” I have no patience for this and the babiesin my belly are fast sucking what energy I have. It's the middle of the night and I'm tired andhungry. I need solutions soon so I can lead my people back out of here and see how many we lost.Then I can eat, sleep and recover this hellish night.”

“I didn't expect our first real meeting to be under these circumstances, and honestly, I am not surehow to make this a little more pleasant. Getting to know one another is something I want, and Irealize tonight there are too many strong emotions and a lot of mistrust lingering in the air.” Varrostrolls about, running a pointer finger over a nearby mantle and tutting at the debris that dirties hishand.

“I'm not in the frame of mind to be talking about a father and daughter bond. My people are hurt,god knows how many dead. Tonight is a complicated mess and they come first. If this is an end,then let us go do what we need to do on the promise that this is truly over. Jasper will bring Juanand then I want you to leave.” I stand my ground, irritated by my own discomfort and fatigue. Myhead's a mess and tonight I can only think of going home.

"A treaty. We meet to sign one, formally, in a few days. My own kind will want this in writing, and Iassume so would yours. I know it's a little old fashioned, but you are dealing with an ancient specieswith a flair for the dramatic.”

“Whatever. I just want this to be over. We have lost many, and I'm sick of the bloodshed and fear. Iwant a future where my children will feel safe and we can stop always hiding in the homestead,fearing the world outside our own door. If a piece of paper does that, then we can meet up and signit.”

“It was always about my loss. I hope you can believe that and trust that this is truly over. You arealive, and my bloodline is about to be further spread with your offspring.” Varro seems genuine andyet so much is swirling inside of me while standing in this dirty and dark mess, that I can't begin tounravel my feelings.

“If you go back on your word, and your hybrids rise up again...” Colton interjects, his biting toneclear.

“They won't. As of tonight, their existence is surplus and they won't be an issue in a few days.”“Meaning?” Colton grinds his teeth, already knowing the answer. To him it's vile to create your ownkind and then massacre them when not needed. As wolves who value pack above all, its notsomething we can begin to understand

“Do you want specifics? We create them for use, and we return them to dust when they are nolonger required. Hybrids will disappear from around you. I have no need for them. And withoutpurpose, they are rabid nuisances that create havoc for the human world.” Varro has given upsurveying the dust and is now examining his overly long and pointy fingernails on his left hand. Likestiletto shaped daggers which I am sure have a purpose.

“Your kind are cold and heartless.” He snorts and turns away, unable to hide his feelings on thematter, his face a picture of disgust, but Varro just shrugs.

“My kind can’t understand yours either. Living as you do. I guess that's the beauty of our separatespecies. Neither can stand in the shoes of the other or begin to understand them.”

I don't really want a debate on Lychan versus Vampire while I'm standing here with one foot in bothrivers. It'll only end in argument knowing how pig headed my mate can be, and Varro doesn't seemlike a push over either.

"You were serious about my brother? You'll leave him with me? Even if he refuses?” I break into theirconversation and try to steer the attention back to me. Determined to know for sure that I can takemy brother home.

"Yes. He's had to live a very low-key life among my kind. Being one of our mortal enemies. Darriusprotects him well but now he has a place to go and a purpose, I want him here, watching over mychild and my grandchildren. It will be a relief to no longer shield him.”

“She has me to do that. If Jasper causes issue...” Colton bristles up, instant defensiveness and spinsaround to face us once more. His mood rocketing.

"Colton! Please. Jasper needs time and patience. We can bring him home and back to the pack,don't be so hasty to dismiss him. He's no threat to us.”

“Alora is right. As much as I will miss the boy after a decade of his company, he belongs by hissister's side. He belongs among wolves. He has become so used to our community that I fear hemaybe forgets what he is and might need some kind of rehabilitation. To remember how to be adog!” Varro smirks and Colton’s eyes amber ever so slightly, a scowl on one corner of that normallyvery pretty mouth.

"We'll take care of him, you don't need to worry about that. He's my family.” I cut in to dampen themood and slide in between the two of them as Colton and Varro both seem to move forwards intothe clearing in the center of the room and face each other off wordlessly.

“Well then. I guess once my package is delivered, all that is needed is a time and place for ourreunion. Treaty in hand of course, and maybe some prettier surroundings. I am partial to a finedining room with rich cuisine. Somewhere clean... with less dust. I'm not allergic to a little lighteither.”

“Seriously?” Colton snorts again, showing his severe dislike of Varro, hating his every word, and Ieyeroll. I know it's going to take time for a born and bred vampire slaying warrior to warm to whatwas ingrained as an enemy, but he needs to chill a little.

“That can be done at the homestead, as long as you leave your hybrids behind. You and Darriuscome alone.” Stern and to the point, I know the only way to deal with these two is to take charge.“No way, Lory. Imagine the uproar if two vampires walk into the homestead. The pack will go crazy.”“Colton, things have to change and he’s my biological father. The agreement was that he will have arelationship with me and bring peace. The sooner the pack get used to seeing them, the better.” Ireach out and lay my palm on Colton'’s forearm, feeling his tension bristling under the surface as heturns and paces. A sign he’s itching inside for action instead of words. He hasn’t come down fromhis battle fueled adrenalin high yet.

“She has a point. You better condition your mutts to be more accepting, especially if you arebringing more hybrid vampires into their home. Who knows how your children will turn out. It's notalways a given that the wolf gene reigns supreme. One of them might look a lot like me.” Varrowinks at me, and all I can do is elicit another heavy sigh. This isn't what Colton needs to heartonight.

"Doubtful. Or else Alora would have more than a set of red eyes.”

“You can never tell. My DNA is strong, and well, this is the first tri-brid mix that I have ever heard ofin my lifetime. Maybe Alora was just unlucky to pop out as a Lychan.”

I open my mouth to answer but the sudden blink blink and then blinding brightness of instantillumination makes me flinch instead. Covering my eyes as I adjust to new light and then lookaround in dismay at how badly run down this place is now we can see it fully. It's so much worsewhen it can be seen clearly.

“You have your work cut out here if you wish to bring this place back to what I assume was itsformer glory” Varro points out and I frown at him in stupefaction for a moment.

“What?” I never even thought of the fact that Colton might want us to come back here, but it's theonly solution if Juan is out of the picture. The fractured pack need to be brought back together andthe homestead just isn't big enough for all of us. It hits me so suddenly with just a simple word fromhim, that this is where our future lies. I'm not sure how I feel about coming back here aftereverything that's happened.

“Wolves are good at rebuilding. We know how to start over and thrive. I'm not worried about it.”Colton just can't seem to drop his defensive attitude, but I don't blame him, even distracted by myown thoughts. An entire lifetime of being conditioned to hate the vampires and in one night he'sbeing asked to accept one as his father-in-law and be on good terms.

“The main breakers were pulled, and the fuses ripped out. An easy fix once we found them.”Meadow appears, seemingly jovial at their accomplishments and Cesar is hot on her heels. Neitherfazed at all and at least they don't seem as hostile and combative towards Varro as my mate is.“The others are outside, turning on floodlights and restoring power to nearby buildings. Everyone iswaiting to replace out what's next.” Cesar drops a hint, meaning they too want to know what's going onnow we're all in here and the fighting has stopped. It feels surreal and not like a bloody battle wasraging outside not so long ago.

"Allow me... I suppose being clear on one thing will help your pack disperse back to their homes fornow. Juan can only hide if there are crowds outside.” Varro rubs his temple for a second, his bloodred eyes seeming to glow a bit bright and then he gives me a crooked smile when he catches mestaring at him. “Sending them off. No need for them anymore; Darrius informs me that they haveJuan and are heading our way. Sadly, his minions didn’t survive. So, it's a solo prisoner I have totake.”

My heart sinks knowing that with the fall of his loyal, their mates too have perished, even thoughthey were completely innocent in this. More lives lost because of that man and yet it wasunavoidable no matter the outcome. Those wolves had to pay for their crimes and their family isseen as collateral damage. It breaks my heart knowing we just lost more souls in this night, and itwas no fault of theirs. At least now I know Sierra will be spared if Juan disappears for good."Disperse the wolves once the hybrids go. Send the valley pack back to their homes, and most ofours back to the stead. We need to replace out who we lost and make arrangements for the dead. Keeponly our best sub packs here to carry out the orders tonight.” Colton is commanding Meadow,pacing towards them and setting things in motion as I adjust to my overly bright surroundings. I'mlightheaded and exhausted and don’t know how long I can hold on. I need rest.

“What about his dead? Are we left to clean that crap up too?” Cesar snarls at Varro and joins Coltonin that aggressive wolf glare he has going on. My heart sinks at the sight of it, knowing it was toogood to be true to have Cesar seemingly fine with our guest. I know the entire pack are going to beworse than this in the new light of day.

“If you want me to have mine drag away the remains then so be it. It makes no difference to me.They can work to clean up if that's what you want, Alora.” Varro shrugs as if I am merely asking himto pick up his used dinnerware after a meal.

“You're kidding right? By sunup they will turn to ash and no longer dirty our valley. Make the livingones leave and give my pack some piece of mind. The last thing we need is your vermin crawling allover our fallen brothers and sisters.” Colton snorts, his eyes staying amber as the thought of howmany we lost lingers in his heart. His whole aura changing to that of regret and heartbreak.

"Cole, Radar is incoming with...” Cesar cuts in, obviously linked to his buddy on a one to one, andColton stiffens all over. His mood nosediving and I sense the instant hesitation in him. Despiteeverything that's happened I always knew this would be the hardest moment for him. They arebringing his father to us, to be handed over to the person who will oversee his death. Whether nowor in ten years, this will be the last time Colton ever lays eyes on him

“Tell him to bring him here.” Colton's voice deflates and his tone is huskier than normal. Theemotion hitting him hard as he too knows this will be a goodbye, no matter what is going tohappen to Juan. I suddenly feel sick and hurt for him. Knowing how confused he must feel inside."Oh, the fun begins. I hope you don't mind my bringing in my right-hand man. Darrius will takecharge of our hostage once he’s handed over. Don't want an escapee I might have to chase downagain in these newly peaceful lands.” Varro's chipper tone and almost joking dialogue sits heavy onme, and get's only glares in response from my sub mates.

“What are you going to do with him?” Meadow pipes up, cutting the tension with her sharpquestion. Hand on her hip and throwing Varro some serious shade. I can feel the distrust, subtlecontempt, among all of them. The vampire in our midst isn't being welcomed at all but they knowbetter than to show open disrespect given the circumstances. They are behaving for the sake ofpeace, but not one of them has anything but hatred in their hearts for this species.

“Death eventually, but who knows. I have a lot of pent-up aggression over the loss of my love andchild... I have two decades worth of anger directed his way.” Varro is completely uninterested intheir obvious dislike and goes back to admiring his nails.

“Not here. If you kill him then do it far away from us, we don't need any more blood of our kindhere. I don't want to tarnish these walls anymore than they are already.” Colton turns away, hidingthe conflict of his facial expressions and I sense his intense pain.

“I thought some of you would happily stand and watch an execution? No?” Varro smirks, knowingfine well this is cutting my mate deep, and Colton turns and walks off; holding himself in check ashis emotions start to unravel. I know he’s conflicted. It's only natural given that he once loved andidolized his father. I can't even begin to understand what he feels, even though I too am getting asmall amount of it.

"Some of us would, but as he was our alpha, it's not right.” Meadow comes to my side and links herhand in mine, pulling me to her side and throws a wary glance Colton’s way.

“Here!” The main doors are thrown open, disrupting us, as a heavy figure is tossed into the center ofour haphazard group. It's so fast it catches me off guard and we all stare as Juan's bound figureslides across the floor in a dramatic fashion. Sliding to an abrupt halt, as he stops in an almostcenter stage area of our clearing.

Bound and gagged, wriggling for his freedom and yet the only emotions coming from that pitifulfigure are rage and disgust. I can taste it even from here. He has not a single ounce of remorse orregret. There's no fear in what's to be done to him but rather outrage that we would treat him thisway. Juan is insane. I just can't believe he hid it so well for so long while we all lived under his reign.Darrius walks casually towards Varro and gives him a low bow. Bending and staying put as a sign ofrespect and I get the chills from his presence in a way Varro has never caused. Darrius is definitelythe kind of vampire you know the horror stories originated from. He doesn't have to do a thing tobe intimidating.

“The witch held up her end of the bargain. She said she will come to Ladrikmorra for payment in afew days. She isn't needed here anymore.” He straightens up, still keeping his eye son the floormuch like our pack does to me and Colton.

I blink at Darrius in surprise and then glance at Meadow in confusion. It would be nice if the witchtold us goodbye at least, or some sort of debrief after helping us these past days. She can't justhave left without so much as a “see ya’. It actually angers and hurts me to know she just finished hertask and left without a word, as though we meant nothing to her.

“Leyanne never changes. Swoops in to do the bare minimum when she feels others are beingblatantly thick, then leaves without a word, off to another adventure. Don't expect sweet farewells ortears, Alora. That witch is three thousand years of bad mood and loner attitude. Be glad she didanything to help or was pleasant in anyway. She is notorious for not giving any kind of rat's ass.”Varro casts me a smile that doesn't meet his eyes and waves away my frown as though I am beingtoo sensitive to this.

I'm a little gutted, because I thought we meant more than this. This isn't even truly over yetofficially, and she just swoops off into the darkness before sunup.

“To the problem at hand. Now, what are we going to do with you Mr Santo?” Varro turns his fullattention to Juan, eyes locking on his prey as they glow to an almost unreal red that finally sendsthe shivers through my soul. A change in his features as he scans his prey properly and the wholeroom around us turns deathly silent.000000