Death's Daughter (Book 2)

Chapter 4

Ava's P.O.V.

I opened my eyes and saw Henry smiling at me. I smiled and pulled him into my bed. Henry and I have lived together for as long as I can remember. Papa told me that my  mom died when I was two and that my dad had a very important job to do. I've asked about it, but Papa said I wasn't ready to learn that yet.

"Good morning, Henry." Henry may be my cousin, but he's more like my big brother than anything.

"Good morning, Ava. Happy birthday." I smiled and gave him a hug. He always gave me the greatest gifts on my birthday. He said is was because he loved me so much, but Papa said it was because he helped mom give birth to me.

"Thank you." I hugged him a lot in my life so far. Henry has protected me from bullies a lot. The scar on his eye came from Oliver when he first shifted. Oliver was one of my biggest bullies, but that all came to an end when I almost died. Papa said that because of my dads job, I was able to live. Since then, I've been trying to figure out what my dad does.

"Come on. Get up. Today is a special day. Dad wants to make sure you are freshly cleaned and dressed in the dress he got you yesterday."

I furrowed my brow. "That's odd. Papa always lets me wear what I want on my birthday."

"I know, but today is your sixteenth birthday. Today is a very special day. So get up and go shower and put on that dress." Henry left my room before I could protest.

I sighed and gathered my towels and headed to the bathroom. I stood under the water to wash away my sleep, before scrubbing myself clean. Why is today so special? It's only my birthday, like every year on this day. Henry and Papa are up to something.

I stepped out of the shower and looked in the mirror. I looked at my eyes. I hate them. They aren't the same colour. My left was emerald and my right was blue. Papa said that my eyes are rare, but I still hate them. I sighed and brushed my fire red hair free of knots. Wrapping my towel around me, I opened the door and bumped into someone. "Ouch! Sorry!" I said before looking up.

"It's okay, Ava. Are you hurt at all?" I looked up because I didn't recognize the voice. The first thing that caught my eyes were the fact that his eyes are bright emerald, just like my left eye. "Ava?"

I blinked at his red hair, just like mine. "What are you?" I blurted out.

I looked down the hall after hearing a growl. Henry was standing there. "Back off." His growls made me tremble. "Ava, get to your room, now." I didn't bother to argue, I just took off to my room and slammed the door shut.

That man, who was he? Why do I feel a pull to him? Is he my mate? "Oh Goddess, no! Ava, I know who that is even if you don't." I looked around for who spoke, but no one was in my room but me. "Stop panicking, Ava. I'm your wolf. It's time to shift."

"What? No! I'm not a wolf. Henry is, but I'm not." I shook my head.

"Henry shifted the day we were born. He was five and he needed to be by our side like we needed him."

I kept shaking my head. "Nope! I'm going crazy!" I shouted up until the first bone snapped. I screamed out in pain. "What is this?"

"This is your shift. It's going to hurt." Whoever she is, I did not like her attitude. 

As my bones broke one by one, my screams got louder. I hear my door slam open, and a pair of strong arms wrapped around me. "It hurts." I whimpered.

"I know, Princess. It will be over soon. Just don't fight it. Let it happen." I whimpered as my body changed. I screamed again and soon enough, I was howling. "That's it, Princess. Let it happen." I knew this wasn't Henry or Papa, but I felt safe anyways. Like this man was meant to protect me, meant to love me.

It took a whole ten minutes before my shift was complete. I whimpered. I felt tired now and all I wanted to do was sleep away the pain that still lingered. "Who are you?" I thought.

"I am Death.I take the souls of those who died to the land of the dead. I am also, you father." I looked at him strangely. Was he able to hear my thoughts? He smiled. "We have a link. What you did just then was link me. You used your wolf to speak to me."

"You are the Grim Reaper?" I did not want to get anywhere near the fact that he claims to be my father.

"Yeah. That's what humans call me. My name is Death." His words were kind and calm, but I didn't trust him. 

I took a deep breath. "You said you are my father. Why?" I needed to get this out of the way. It was going to eat at me if I didn't. 

"I know it's probably weird for you right now, but I spoke to Hank a while back about taking you to meet your grandmother and aunts. He said that it was up to you and that I may want to get to know you first. My sisters don't really like to wait though, so I--"

"Shut up! Why do you claim to be my father?" He looked shocked that I cut him off. 

"I am your father." There was hurt in his eyes.

I growled. "Prove it."

"Go get Hank. He will tell you."

I hesitated for a moment, but I opened my mind to Papa. "Who is this man to me, Papa? He says he is my father."

"He is. Ask him who helped your mom give birth to you."

I looked at the man sitting on the floor in front of me. "Who helped Mom give birth to me? What is my full name?"

"Henry helped Penelope give birth to you and your full name is Ava May Windford. Henry named you. Henry's wolf is gray, he shifted for the first time when you were born. He needed you like you needed him. He knew when you were crying even if he was nowhere near you."

"What was Mom like? Was she a werewolf like me?"

"She was a werewolf. Her wolf's name was Snowflake. Your mother was a spitfire. Every fight she got into, she got another scar or lost a finger or two. She had beautiful blue eyes. She was small, but she sure was strong. She had a heart of gold and she loved you and Henry like the next day wouldn't happen."

He looked happy, but sad at the same time. "How did Mom die?"

"My father killed her. I wasn't able to do anything without putting you at risk. I had stopped her from dying too many times. My father told me that if I didn't let her die, he would make me mortal and you, at two years old, would be forced to take over my job as the Grim Reaper. I wasn't going to let that happen to you, so I had to let her die to protect you."

"What are you? A God, or a werewolf?"

"I was born a God first. When I met your mother, I was fascinated that her kind existed. Before she got pregnant with you, I took her to meet my family. My little sister liked her so much that she wanted to make more werewolves. The next day, Luna took me and experimented on me, eventually, making me a werewolf. Then, you came."

He seemed to like talking. I guess that's what happens when you live alone for so long. "I believe that you are my father, but I don't trust you. I won't be going anywhere with you without Henry with me. My Big Brother has protected me for all my life. I trust him wholly. You understand, right?"

He nodded. "I do. I will not force you to do anything that you do not wish to do."

I turned away from Dad and looked in my mirror. I swear, my jaw hit the floor. Nightmare black fur with white markings. The markings aren't normal. They look like words. "Can you read these?"

"No. Those markings are a lost language. There is only one being that can read them other than yourself. However, I forbade that being from seeing you. He killed your mother and threatened you."

"My Grandfather." I paused and watched Dads face turn sour. "He will come to me and write down what they say in  language I can understand. Once he is done, he is to get on his knees in front of me. I will be punishing him for killing my mother."

"You are so much like your mother. Heart of gold, but strong."

I shifted back to my human form. "Where is Henry?"

"I made him sleep. He's safe in his room." I looked at Dad, but he had his back to me. "Please put something on, Ava."

I looked down and instantly felt my cheeks burn. I was naked! I looked for my towel, but it was shredded. Oh no. He's sitting in front of my closet and I have nothing to wear. "Umm--" In a flash, Dad had taken his shirt off and held it behind himself for me to wear. He must have just realized that he was in front of my closet. "Thank you." I slipped the shirt on and it fell to just above my knees. I knew I was small, but holy s**t! This shirt was huge on me!

"Are you covered, Princess?" His words brought me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh! Yes, I am. Thank you again."

Dad stood and faced me. No wonder the shirt was huge! Dad's like the size of a f*****g tree! "What is your wolfs name? Has she told you?"

I blinked away my thought. "No, and I do not like he attitude either."

She giggled. "I'm not supposed to be like you. Also, you already know my name."

"No I don't. You never told me it."

She giggled even more. "Oh that's right. I made you shift without telling you my name." She paused and made me wait a while. "My name is Zuri. Also, I believe that my mate is nearby."

"Well, Zuri, I don't want a mate. Not now, not ever."

"You will like our mate. Trust me. He's getting closer."

"No! I don't want one!" I yelled, making Dad jump.

"Is there something wrong?" Dad looked worried.

"Zuri said my mate is getting closer. I don't want a mate." 

Dad smiled. "A mate is the best thing you could ever have in your life. I'm su--"

"No! Not ever! Men are disgusting creatures! There are only two men in my life and those men are Papa and Henry."

Dad looked shocked at my claim. I was telling the truth though. I hate men. They can all rot in hell for all I care. I turned and left my room and headed right to Henry's room. Henry was fast asleep on his bed. "Henry. Henry wake up. I want to go out somewhere with you."

Henry's eyes fluttered open. "Ava? What happened?"

"Dad put you to sleep. I had my first shift and now my wolf is telling me that my mate is nearby."

"That's wonderful news, Ava. I'm sure he will treat you well."

"No! I don't want a mate! I want it to just be you, Papa and me. I don't like men and you know that." I sounded whiney to my own ears.

"He's here!" Zuri yipped and bounced around in my head.

An intoxicating scent hit me hard. It smelled like fresh rain and clear forest. I looked at Henry, but his eyes had changed. He was looking right at me. "H-Henry?" I whimpered.

"No. I'm Kane. I can smell you. It's intoxicating. You smell like Cherry Blossoms, but I can also smell your arousal."

I took a step back. "Bring Henry back." i was trembling because my mates scent was getting stronger. He was getting closer.

Unknown P.O.V.

I could smell something. Blaze was going crazy in my head. Where is it coming from? I followed the scent all the way to a small house. This is a wolf house. I'm not supposed to be near this house. Mother always told me to stay away, but she was human and I was born a werewolf. I never told her what I was. She's so afraid of werewolves and all the other shifters.

I walked up to the front door and knocked, but the door was already open. Odd. "Are you sure about this, Blaze?"

"Yes! Now go get our mate!" Blaze was growling and clawing to get out. 

I pushed the door open and the scent hit me. Cherry Blossoms. I let the pull in my chest take me up the stairs. I wanted to stop at the room that smelled like her, but the pull in my chest wouldn't let me. I could smell others in this house, but that didn't bother me.

I stopped at a male's room. "Henry, please. I want to go." I heard a girl say.

"I'm not Henry, I'm Kane. Also, I do believe there is someone at my door." I heard him stand, then the door opened.

I didn't bother with him and looked right passed him. "Ava?" She's a werewolf?

"No! Please Goddess, no!" She looked terrified. I don't blame her. Next to her cousin Oliver, I was the second worst one to bully her. "No! Leave! Get out of my house now, Kai!"

Blaze took over. "Mate." He growled. I watched as Ava's eyes widened in fear. Blaze stepped forward, but was stopped by Henry. He growled at him, but Henry just growled back. "Move or you die. That's my mate."

Henry flashes his fangs at me. "She's my little sister. Plus, she just said no to you. Leave before my Dad gets home."

I forced Blaze back and took control. "I'm sorry. Blaze is a bit forceful. May I speak to Ava?"

We looked at Ava, but her eyes were clouded over. She must be talking to her wolf. I heard a growl and I was slammed into a wall and held there. "You bullied my daughter? I should write your name on my list." He was stronger than me. I couldn't get out of his hold.

"W-ho a-r-e y-you?" I could see the darkness closing in on me.

"I am Death, the Grim Reaper. Ava is my daughter." I tried to get air into my lungs, but I couldn't. The darkness took over quickly and I passed out.

Ava's P.O.V.

I opened my link to Dad. "Daddy.. My mate is one of my bullies.. Help me.."

I heard Dads growl and watched as he slammed Kai into the wall by his throat. If he was human, he would have just died right there. "You bullied my daughter? I should write your name on my list." Dads grip on Kai's throat tightened. I watch as Kai struggled against him to get air.

"W-ho a-r-e y-you?" I watched their exchange and soon enough, Kai passed out. Dad growled and dropped Kai's limp body.

Dad turned to me, his gold eyes landing on me. "Ava. My pup. It's been such a long time."

I furrowed my brow. "Who are you?" Could this be Dads wolf?

"I'm Luke. Death's wolf, and your father. The last time I saw you, you were only two years old. I've missed you so much, my sweet little pup. He took a small step toward me, as if asking to get closer. 

Zuri yipped in my head that Dad was near us. She was still just a pup herself. I ran and hugged him, feeling the need to have my fathers love. "Tell him that he can't leave us again." Zuri whimpered.

"Zuri said that you can't leave us again."

"I don't plan on it. I will have to leave for days at a time, but I'll always come back."

I heard Kai groan and I looked at him. Maybe a mate isn't that bad. Dad seemed to have scared him enough to know. "Let's go see my Aunts." Dad nodded and shifted into his wolf form. I felt my jaw hit the floor. His fur was solid black, but his size, that was something on a whole other level! His wolf form was nearly the size or a full grown horse!

"Shift. you have the power to enter the shadows. They are waiting for us." Dads voice rang in my head. I slipped his shirt off and shifted. It was still slow and painful, but I'm sure that it will get easier over time. Henry walked up to me and ran his hands through my fur.

"Hurry back. Dad will freak if you are gone for too long." He knelt down and tied one of his bigger shirts around my front leg. "Have fun, Little Sister."

I nuzzled his hand and slipped into the shadows beside Dad. My paws were too big for my body. I guess this means that I still have some growing to do.

It was literally a blink of an eye and we were standing in a large living room. A woman with bright orange-yellow eyes and black hair looked at me and Dad. "You are two minutes late! How dare you keep me waiting, Little Brother!?" She shrieked and I yelped, hiding under Dad's belly. "And who have you brought with you this time? Another lost soul?"

Lost soul? I'm not dead! I growled and stood in front of her. I shifted to my human form. "I'm not dead!" I yelled in her face. Shock and realization filled her eyes.

"Ava? Dearie, you just sounded like your mother right then." She smiled. "She said those exact words when we met her the first time."

I huffed and slipped Henry's shirt on. It hung to mid-thigh and had his favorite band on it. He was obsessed with Metallica right now. I heard Dad shift behind me. "Yes, Big Sister. This is Ava. She's a lot like Penelope." Dad sounded sad.

"Big Brother!" I spun at the squeal to see a silver eyed, silver haired girl tackle Dad to the floor. "I missed you so much! Where have you been?"

"I've been in the shadows doing my job, Luna. Solar could have told you that. It's her light that gives me shadows."

"Moon Goddess!" Zuri said. Wait! What? This young girl is THE Moon Goddess? Not possible! She looks barely older than me!

"Luna! Stop clinging to your brother! You make it look like you are in love with him!" An older woman yelled. Luna let go of Dad with a pout. This place is so weird. "Death, are you going to introduce us to this beautiful young, sadly departed, girl?"

I felt like growling at this woman. "Mom, she's--"

"I'm not f*****g dead! Goddess that is f*****g annoying that you all assumed that I'm dead!" I growled.

There was silence for a moment, then Dad burst into laughter. "That was Penelope right through." He kept laughing. 

"Shut up, boy! Why have you come here with that thing?" An older man had walked into the living room, but I didn't see him first. No. I saw a woman hovering just behind him.

I knew this woman. Papa showed me photos of her. "Mama!" I shrieked. Everyone was looking at me now, but I didn't care. My mom was here. Yes, she's a ghost, but she's here and I can see her. "Papa showed me pictures and told me all about you. Papa said that you crossed over. I guess he didn't know you attached yourself to this nasty fuckhead." Mom smiled and laughed. It seems like I'm the only one able to see or hear her.

"Yes, my baby. I've been watching you. Dad and Henry seem to have raised you well. I'm glad. Tell your father that when i get tired of tormenting his father, he's next. Especially after not seeing you for fourteen years." She gave him a glare.

I giggled. "Daddy, Mom said that when she gets tired of tormenting that fuckhead, you are next. I think, because you haven't seen me in fourteen years."

Dad looked at the floor. "Sorry." He muttered. 

"Introductions, Death." The older woman crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot against the floor.

"Yes, Mom, Luna and Solar, this is my daughter Ava." He paused and they smiled at me. "Ava, this is your Grandmother and your Aunts Luna and Solar." He paused again and turned to the man who was glaring at him. "This man was the one who killed your mother. He is my father. The God of Everything."

I glared at him. "I won't pretend to like you. You took my mother from me. Threatened my father and threatened me. You will never be known as family to me. Your name is Murderer. Clear?"

He glared at me, but stopped. I hurt him. Good. That's what I wanted. Mind you, I was not done with him. "You don't scare me, mutt." He tried to sound unfazed, but he failed at it.

I growled at him. "You should be. I may only be half Goddess, but I will not hesitate to f**k you up. Big Brother has been teaching me to fight. You'd make a nice first target." I could hear Dad trying not to laugh, but Mom was holding her stomach, practically in tears from laughing. "Now, you will write my markings down in a language I can read. Clear?"

He sneered at me, but  nodded. "Ava, let's wait on that. Have some time with us." Luna smiled at me. I smiled back but shook my head.

"I want this to be done and over with so that I don't have to look at Murderer anymore." I was blunt with them. They could clearly see that I did not like him, but what they didn't know was, after he was done, I was going to punish him. I'm not really a violent person, but he deserved this. It's already been way too long for my liking. I kept my head held high as I took Henry's shirt off and shifted. Already, my shift was getting faster and there was hardly any pain now.

I looked at Murderer as he wrote my markings down. Dad had to help me stand on my hind legs, because I refused to roll onto my back. That was a show of submission and it was not happening.

"Done." Murderer grunted out. He had not had to use a pen and paper for a long time according to Nana. She told me that she didn't like the sound of Grandma. Apparently it made her feel too old. Mind you, she barely had any gray hair and not a single wrinkle could be seen on her skin.

I shifted and snached the paper from him. "It looks like spells of some sort." I handed the paper to Dad.

He read over it. His face turned from neutral to horror. "I know what this is."