Beyond her time

Torn between 2

*Zane*

What was supposed to be a special night, quickly turned to sh!t.

I was proud watching Chloe fight for me, she moved with such grace, and never submitted.

I hadn't even finished speaking to Eliza and before she was gone..

My head spun as I looked around at my surroundings, my head was pounding, and I instantly regretted drinking so much, with panic coursing through me, I immediately went to follow her scent to the graveyard, I could see she was upset, and then she was gone, she disappeared.

Dad mind linked me "So son, there is a rift, we can all feel it, what happened??"

"Dad she's gone, Chloe my mate is gone"

"It will be fine son, lets find your future Luna, we will sort it out".

Then why the heck was he feeling like this? He had to talk to someone, he had to make sure of what was happening. He excused himself and made his way over to the closest men's room, making sure no one followed him. Once inside, he checked the stalls to make sure they were empty, and took out his cell phone and dialled a number.

A few rings later, a voice answered. It was the Marshal who had been protecting him. He was the only man he trusted. He told the Marshal about his suspicions. The uneasy feeling that somehow he felt like he may now be in danger. The Marshal assured him that he has nothing to worry about, they would send their best to help search. They have several of the best trackers and warriors in the North pack, he knew they could do this, but he will never give up on the search. But unfortunately still no one knew of her whereabouts and it started to get to him, the idea to relax and not to let his nerves get the better of him, was not in his vocabulary in this time.

Maybe he was right. Maybe all this was just in his head. He thanked the Marshal and hung up. And yet the feeling of uneasiness, of danger hung over him like a dark cloud. He needed to get her home as soon as possible. He needed to tell her everything. She deserved to know the truth about him. Had he put her life in danger by not telling her??.

He left the men's room and made his way over to where his friends were still drinking and told them he was calling it a night, he needed to search for Chloe, He finally was able to make his way out the door amidst loud protests, with plenty of help in tow in aid of the search.

But something was different. He couldn't tell what it was. All of a sudden he felt uneasy, like as if someone was watching him. He dismissed the idea at once. How could anyone not possibly know where she is, it seemed no one knew.

Zane had mind linked all he could to search for Chloe, who he didn't mind link Zane's dad did.

Zane's wolf was starting to go stir crazy, he could sense her, but yet she is still so far away, he could tell she was not dead.. he just wanted her back in his warm embrace.

Chloe has been missing for two hours. she had been seen left running, towards the old cemetery. "Was she really missing, or had she left him? Is he having an affair with another man?" he said to himself, "impossible" my wolf scoffs "we would feel it", feel it we would, I could still sense her but something did not feel right, as an unsettling feeling layed deep in his abdomen.

Zane is still searching and finds him self upon the docks, his wolf senses Chloe, instinctively he looks up, the window, "Chloe" he yells, he swears he seen her, hand against the pane, he darts across the well manicured lawns, although her scent barely a whisper, he knows she has been there, he strides up the steps taking 2 at a time.. he follows what he feels of her scent that is now almost faded away, the room is empty, nothing, all the rooms upstairs upturn nothing.

Xander, Tyler are waiting down stairs, there is a flickering of light coming from the study, as Zane enters, taking in the room, he looks around.. the smell of fresh ink hangs around the cool night air, crossing paths to the lonely lit lantern. You could clearly see the tiny splodges of ink shining on the floor.

"Zane it is getting late, you're going to have to take a rest mate" Tyler pleads with him, "we have patrols, were all working together on this, try and get some rest"

It was now 2am and they had nothing but a faded scent and ink blotches on the floor, he took comfort in one of the commanders top bedrooms, the one he could still slightly smell Chloe's scent, it was some time before he had drifted off, he would of swore he could hear a whisper on the breeze "I love you Zane, please don't worry, I am safe and will be home soon" to that he fell asleep.

*Chloe*

Stirring I roll over, replaying the strange night in my aching head..

"Good morning to you, Sleeping Beauty. I trust you're well rested?” he asked, smiling wide. I half expected him to look at my body, but he kept his focus on my eyes. Point for him, for being a gentleman. He was dressed similar to Commander Long, but not as high ranked, My senses say he is definitely wolf, my body stirs inside, intrigued by this new wolf.

In the next moment, before I could answer, a graceful woman seemingly dressed in expensive clothing walked in, flanked by her entourage. The gaze she set upon him made him leave although she seems human and he has definite Aplha aura. This was not the way I wanted to start the morning.

"I am commander Byron Longs wife, Marie". Her voice was stern and quite harsh.

"get out of that bed this once young lady, breakfast is served 6am sharp, cover your self appropriately". She turned on her heel abruptly storms out.

Her entourage seemed to linger and stare, they looked as if they were all dressed in hand maiden outfits, the older of them grabbed me by my wrist to pull me up, she looked in to my eyes and let me go, "pardon miss we did not know", ahhh did not know what?... "I'm, sorry" I begin to say "I.. I don't understand", I look at her questionably.. "you are a scarlet witch miss, second to our high priest Commander Long", I look at her bewildered, the entourage bow their heads, similar to a wolf submission.

"We are mere cunning folk, still learning our practicing ways", I smile at them, and nod, I knew I was a strong witch, bit scarlet witch was pushing it.

"The lady of the house requires you to wear one of her spare dresses miss" one of the handmaid's holding a beautiful dress, intricately designed.. she holds it up to dress me, have you ever seen that movie Marie Antoinette, they have that bed room scene where they dress Marie, it was similar to that, I was quite capable of dressing my self.. but here we are, I smile warmly and nod at the Madness

My mind wanders trying to remember what Alicia the tour guide had said about the senior lady's maid.. I've researched this house, even done an essay on it for English lit last year...

Elsie Carson (since 1835)

The lady's maid is the personal attendant to the lady of the house or another female member of the family. She is responsible for dressing her mistress, styling her hair, mending and altering her clothes, cleaning her jewellery and shoes, tidying her bedroom, drawing her bath, preparing and delivering her breakfast and tea trays, accompanying her into town, running her errands, and packing her cases for travel. She is the only member of staff permitted to touch her mistress's dressing table. She is often a confidant of her mistress and may speak more freely to her than would be proper for other servants.

The head lady's maid lead me down the stairs to the kitchen nook, as the keep going down to the basement.

"You do not eat with us, kitchen is your place" Marie spits at me. I nod in reply and follow the Lady's maid.

The cook is solely in charge of the kitchen and is in charge of her own servants, her face is kind, as she smiles and ushers me to sit with them.

She had made scones as a treat with porridge on the side, I lick my lips as I take a bite, mmm absolutely delicious, and to think she hand makes them all, no conventional oven in sight. My tummy grumbles hungrily as I devour the little food we were given, servants always ate but smaller portions to the house.

"Thank you ma'am, your food is delicious", I pat my very full tummy, "your more than welcome lass".

Thunderous steps begin to be heard down the stairs, stopping at the kitchens edge, she stares down the head cook..

"You didn't put enough butter or milk into my eggs. Make me something better for lunch my dearest," she turns to walk away, but looks over her shoulder and looks at me with a cruel smirk, she then throws the remaining scrambled eggs from the edge of the table over the floor narrowing miss me, "Oh and do clean up your mess dear, and while you're at it, maybe go clean yourself up, you look and smell disgusting."

Mistress Marie turns her back and leaves.

"Ah lass, it will be fine, I shall speak with commander for you".

Ashamed I walk out the back door to the garden, the Kitchen doorway reveal a succession of intricate and distinctive mini gardens. The effect is a bit like walking through the maze in Alice in Wonderland, meandering stone paths, bright pockets of flowers, deep green lawns, a glasshouse, and an orchard all call out for exploration. You never know quite what you’ll stumble on next.. and that’s part of its allure... far at the back is a man made waterfall, I make my way down there.

There runs a beautiful waterfall. The water is clear and sparkles through the sunlight, with deep green bushes, with red, blue, purple, yellow and pink wild flowers. The roses have exquisite swirl designs, with gorgeous.double delight roses with the colours of yellow and red, I've never seen such a beautiful place before, to see it in all its glory was beyond amazing. I kneel beside the water and let my hand flow through it, thinking of Zane, tears prick my eyes and fill to the brim, I close my eyes, letting the tears run their own waterfall. I inhale a deep breath only to exhale a grieving sob's, I decide I want to go home.

I smell him as he comes near,

"W-who're you?" I hesitantly ask.

"I'm Xavier, son of Alpha Cross. He paused, then continued, "I saw you run into the garden. I didn't want you to be alone, so I followed you."

I get up and walk over towards a thick tree trunk and sit down, "I just want to be alone." I sighed.

"Everyone says that, but they sure don't mean it."

Hmmm he was right "That is true."

Xavier walked over to me and sits down. "What's your name?" He asks.

"Chloe." I reply.

He smiles. His smiles was beautiful. It instantly transforms his face. "That's a really pretty name for a really pretty girl"

Xavier nods and looks at the glistening water, just as the wind makes ripples across the water, it shines and flickers in sun light, he gently puts his arm around me and I take in his warm comfortingly embrace.

"You're going to be okay Chloe." he says.

He stands me up and fixes my dress, he looks down at me square in the eyes, that is when I felt him imprint me.

Imprinting is a rare and an involuntary mechanism through which werewolves of the midnight tribe find their soulmates, and as such, it can’t be forced on anyone, as it’s meant to be a profound and intimate phenomenon, it has not been done in hundreds of years according to legend, it was rarely heard of.

Xavier still staring down at me with those hypnotic eyes, he ran a hand through his tousled, light blond hair. “I’ve waited a long time for you now dear Chloe.”

I kiss him on the cheek.

Chloe asked if she was pretty, he said "No". She asked him if he wanted to be with her forever, he said "No". Then she asked him if he would cry if she walked away, he said "No". She had heard enough; she needed to leave, what was the point of imprinting if his answer was no, I was feeling torn.

As i walked away he grabbed my arm and told me to stay. He said to me "You're not pretty, you are beautiful. I don't want to be with you forever, I need to be with you forever. And I wouldn't cry if you walked away, I would die."

"I can't Xavier, I just can't"

Dear goddess, imprinting was not even the same emotion as mating, but a fair bit similar, my wolf was anxious, my earth wants Zane, my wolf wants Xavier.

Much to my Amusement Byron was standing there waiting for us.

"When you two are finished we have some business to attend to", Byron is amused by what he see's.

We are to meet in the drawing room. Leading in to the formal drawing room, the ceilings suddenly lower. Framed by two large corner picture windows show case the views from the boudoir of the garden outside. But this is no ordinary garden. British formal architecture has been characterised by geometrical designs in which trees and other plantings were clipped into axial vistas, often leading to various sculptures and fountains indicating the status of the commander was a very rich man.

Between the two end windows of the stately drawing room there stood a harp, the late sunshine gleaming in a soft radiance from its gilded frame and slender wires like the glory of angels song.

As we sat down in the warm red chairs, and looked around the room but not a moment later, "One who would tolerate no waste in the kitchen and no disorder in the parlor." Marie boasts about her hand maids, "Exactly so," responded Lorraine, "I am too time poor to fix my own" The ladies both laugh, "But I assure you, my dear Countess." As steps sounded near by, and the curtains swung back, disclosing the entrance to one of the adjoining parlor.

"Ah my dear Marie, Countess" Byron nods to the ladies, "Dear husband, Xavier" she nods politely.

Byron comes and stands beside my chair, "Countess meet my wonderful great great niece Chloe", Byron is beaming with delight, he is sure Chloe is some what his very own great grand daughter, he decides family business is not to be discussed with the Countess.

The head lady's maid is called to escort the Countess out and bids her fair well, her carriage driver was waiting in Parkway of the house.

"Marie dear, it is time you officially meet your official great grand daughter Chloe",

Marie's fast is aghast.

"Dear Chloe, I must apologise" she says regretfully.

Xavier is beside me and puts his hand, close next to me beside my thigh, my wolf stirs, Instinctively I put my hand down beside his and we cross Pinky's together, my wolf calms down.

"Chloe" Marie chimes, "Oh you must fill me on our family tree, please dear child",

her tune has sure changed, im not sure I believe her innocent act.

I look her in the eye, trying to avoid Xavier's face.. "I'd be more than happy to over lunch, but I'd like to use the rest of the day to explore a little more and then I'd like to go home", I fidget with my necklace my eyes not leaving her's. As she continues to look and watch me with her hard eyes, her skinny fingers trace along her neck upon necklace, they both gleam bright as she realises, our necklaces are one and the same.

"I shall be heading forward in time tonight dear Chloe, I shall endeavour all my might to take you with me on this trip".

Xavier look's at me, I can feel his sad eyes upon me, he's tearing up inside at the very thought of my leaving him.

Xavier look's over at Byron, "Commander Byron may I ask you for your grand daughters hand in marriage, I shall be honoured to take Chloe and show her around the village", Byron seems to think for a minute, before he answers. "Yes.. yes that could work, Chloe would be able to come and go as she pleased.. Yes Xavier, you may take her hand, and yes you may take her show and show her around the village", I was shocked, we may have imprinted, but I do not want his hand, you can't help you imprint with, but it shouldn't have happened, it was a accidental.

Pulling me away from my thoughts, Xavier is in front of me, hand held out "I would appreciate if you would allow me the honour of showing you our quaint village miss Chloe,"

oh thank the goddess he did not ask for my hand.

"Thankyou Xavier that would be lovely".

Marie and I nod to the gentleman and excuse our selves to get ready for lunch, not moving far I can hear Xavier and Byron whisper quietly.

"Apologies Commander Byron, if I may have offended you, I do plan to ask for her hand, but in a more intimate setting", he seems very apologetic.

"I'm proud to call my you future grandson in law, call me Byron with in the home, but formal session's it will have to be commander he laughs aloud. I quicken my step to catch up to Marie.