Unleashed (Ongoing- Book 2 of the series Mate of the Waycrest Triplets)

“Remember he is here to help and we won’t let him hurt you.” Famous last words, I thought, as I looked at Chayson. Studying his worried face. He looks bigger today. His shoulders were broader and he even looked a little taller. That's weird. Today our pack welcomed a vampire onto its borders for the matter of science. Well, for the matter of me. I was the one looking for answers and he was just another avenue to explore. In the three months I have been here, no leads, no news, no information about fairies. Fiora had exhausted all her resources and I was left with nothing. I wanted to attempt to go to other packs, maybe up to the Whiteshell pack in Falcon Ridge where Casey had last gone for his research. But the triplets and Alpha Jack refused to let me leave packlands. 'It wasn’t safe, I could die, yadda yadda' and even though we tried to send correspondence to the Whiteshell pack, I never heard back. So, Kaden looked for ways to make it possible for me to leave. By studying the histocompatibility complex proteins found in werewolf pheromones, he got the idea of making a fragrance to cover mine. Together he and I tried to recreate them. Hoping we could turn these lab-made proteins into a perfume that could potentially hide or block my scent from vampires. We had tested it on werewolves and it seemed to trick them into thinking I smelled like Logan. We used his pheromones to mimic him because he insisted. But we haven’t been able to test it out on vampires… until now that is. Somehow Kaden had convinced his father to bring a vampire to us. Yeah, because this seems much safer. So, here we are waiting to greet a two-thousand-year-old vampire. It was gently snowing and everything was coated white from last night's snow. The packlands were beautiful in the winter. Although werewolves haven’t typically celebrated human holidays. Luna went all out at Christmas to make sure I had a bit of my normal traditions. So, an abundance of lights and garlands and these big bulb decorations went up. The gazebo got a tree with beautiful white lights and red bows and silver snowflakes. I appreciated the fact that all of it was still on display and it was February. Considering I hadn’t taken down my Christmas lights until I hung up those Halloween lights last year. I can hear Alpha Jacks's truck coming from a mile out, a big black dodge ram lifted with snow tires on it. I grew tense knowing how close a vampire was, all three triplets seemed to be on edge as well. Logan wrapped his arm around me and gave me a good squeeze. Jack, Gaudry and Kane jumped out of the truck, while the vampire preferred to make an entrance. He certainly wasn’t dressed for snow, his rainbow mauri alligator skinned shoes were the first thing my eyes landed on, he had plum socks and trousers on, with a poet-style blouse, a rainbow alligator belt to match his shoes, his bare chest exposed with a small purple scarf around his neck, he had tiny circular tinted shades on and he popped a giant black umbrella out of the door before he stepped fully out of the truck. He was very handsome, pale and kind of sickly looking with sunken eyes, but the sharp angular lines of his face made him look like a model. He had ash-brown hair that was perfectly styled in a tall pompadour. “Your reputation precedes you," he squealed, his voice was like velvet, way more feminine than I would have expected, but suited him perfectly. "Look at the three of you, all this man meat, delicious!” “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Christian. This is our mate, Caitlyn.” Chayson introduced me. “One girl and all these muscles. Let’s trade places,” He was delighted with himself. “However, I smelled you about 5 minutes out, and let me tell you, you could almost make me straight. It’s no wonder they are willing to share.” He gave me a huge smile and that is when I noticed he had no lower or upper canines. Instead, gold crowns were in their place. He must have noticed my eyes studying then, “I removed them myself about 500 hundred years ago. Being made into a vampire wasn’t a choice for most of us. A life of blood lust and death wasn’t in the cards for me honey. So, I ripped them out, thinking they would either regrow or I would die without them. I did it to symbolize I am not a threat to humans, that I don’t drink blood straight from the flesh and I won’t turn anyone else. It was in a moment of grief,” He smiled again at me. “But who would have known what a great fashion accessory they would become.” “They really are, are those Mauri?” I looked down at his shoes. “My gosh, they didn’t tell me anything about you. Who knew you’d be stunning, have great taste in men and fashion, It’s too much, not fair for anyone else!” “Do you want to go inside or sit out here?” I asked hoping we could get past the introductions and get down to the Q&A. I had a lot of things I wanted to know. He started walking towards the gazebo and we all followed him, “Let’s just get this out of the way. I wasn’t given much info doll. Are you looking for a fairy on the inside? I wouldn’t be much help since I haven’t been allowed in Chateau de Loches in a millennium.” “Well, we wanted to test something out on you,” Kaden said. “I am not a fan of torture, big boy, even if it is you administering it,” Christian winked at Kaden. “No, no. It's a perfume of sorts. We want to see if it can disguise Caitlyn’s scent.” “OH! Give it a go honey.” Christian wafted the air around him with his hands, as if collecting all the smells around him. “You said fairy on the inside? What does that mean?” I asked. “I assumed you were looking to locate and try to break free a captured fairy. I have come across a few fairies in my time, most asked that favor of me. And as soon as I smelled you, I assumed that's why you sought me out. Unfortunately, I cannot offer assistance with that.” “I am the only fairy I know. I don’t know anything about fairies. I’m actually looking more for a history lesson and a handbook. Just help to point me in the direction of where I could potentially find those things.” I took a deep breath, “I’d like to meet other fairies if you might know of any. I’ve been looking for answers and haven’t been able to find any.” I spoke candidly to him. “Oh, I see. Well, let's see. What do I know about fairies?” He crossed his legs and made an audible hmm to make sure we all knew he was actively thinking, “You human hybrid fairies are sexy as f**k. You smell like sweet tea and I’m parched, just so thirsty honey.” He laughed at his analogy. “I know some fairies have powers, others don’t. Do you have powers?” He asked. “Not really. I am part wolf and part fairy. I don’t know how much of either I am. What kind of powers do fairies have?” “Some grant favors, some can shapeshift or fly. I knew a fairy who could breathe underwater, not sure if all fairies can do that or if it was just him. Full-blooded Seelie fairies are powerful, but they don’t come to earth anymore. From my understanding, they live in some magical fairy realm.” “Seelie?” I asked. “So yeah, there are two types of fairies. The Seelie and the Unseelie. Unseelie’s control the undead, they created vampires out of their own likeness. The general consensus is they are a bunch of cunts. They live on earth, calling themselves the high court, with close to 100 vampires under their control. They uhh have a strong liking for your sweet tea. They have these headhunters that capture fairies. Most die, and some are kept captive as pets. They hate humans and werewolves alike, oh and they hate Seelie fairies as well. They have a rivalry as old as time. Unseelie fairies are known for their demented beauty and songs of sorrow. They are responsible for a lot of spooky lore like banshees, redcaps, boogie monsters, ya know evil dark things.” “Why did they make vampires?” “I imagine it was a cruel joke towards humans or to anger the Seelie fairies. I’m not sure.” “What are Seelie fairies like?" I asked, leaning towards him, intrigued by the first information I'd ever heard about fairies. “They are more of your atypical Disney fairy, you know your fairy godmother types, granting wishes, being beautiful and friendly. While some are tiny and have wings, most are human-sized without them. But their beauty is unmatched. They created werewolves in order to protect humans from the vampires.” “Werewolves seem more along the lines of a dark evil thing, don’t they?” I asked sheepishly aware of the audience and my mates around me, but I asked regardless. I too, was some part werewolf, so I'm entitled, I thought. “Well, of course, in human narratives, werewolves are big and scary. How could good fairies create those? But honey, you and I both know what werewolves really are,” He tilted his glasses down, eyeing up Logan. “They are a snack in whatever form they are in.” He moved his sight to Chayson and winked at him. “Seelie fairies loved humans, they always have. So, in response to the creation of vampires, Seelie fairies made werewolves to protect humans. It was a bit of a sick twist that vampires also loved the blood of Seelie fairies. Don’t think that that wasn’t intentional. The high court really hates Seelie fairies.” “If Unseelie fairies have a high court and a home on earth, do they Seelie as well?” “Not that I know of. I’ve never seen a Seelie fairy and I’ve been around a long time. I met a few half-breed humans. Their influence and magic are still felt, but I don’t know much about them. It has been implied that they were other-worldly. Living in realms beyond earth, but that might just be a thing of myth.” “Do you know who might know more or where I could find other half-breeds?” I was so excited to be learning something, anything about faeries, I blurted out my questions with so much excitement. “There are two wolf packs that have taken in the only fairy hybrids I have ever met or even heard of. The Louth pack in Ireland, the largest wolf pack in the UK, and then, just north of here, the Whiteshell pack in Canada, I don’t know too much about either.” “You say just north of here, but Whitshell is in Manitoba, right? That's like a full day's drive, right?” Kaden asked. “I wouldn’t know I hardly drive anywhere,” Christian unfolded his legs and sat up a little straighter as he planted both feet on the ground. “Anything else you can think of that may be informative or useful for me to know?” I asked, hopeful and eager. “Fairies prefer their privacy. Wolfs, witches, vampires… we are all out here showing off. Demonstrating brawn and agility of the body. Fairies do their work in the background or in the shadows. It's very subtle. So, it might be hard to track down the information you are after. “ “Yeah, I’ve noticed. I reached out to the Whiteshell pack and haven’t heard anything back.” “I knew their alpha, not sure if he is still alive or his son has taken over, but I could try to get word to him on your behalf.” “How about that other pack, the Louth one in Ireland?” “Oh, they’d stake me on sight. They still practice the old way, they have no room in their hearts for a reformed vampire. They are one of the only packs that still actively hunt vampires. I don’t know how you would contact them.” “Of the half-breed fairies you have known, what were the circumstances?” “Well, the first one I met was gosh,” He leaned back, rubbing his chin “800 years ago or so, just a terrified fairy. I stumbled across her in a tavern. I had no malicious intent, I tried to help her. I brought her to the Louth pack because I had heard they were akin to the fairies. Barely made it out alive,” “The second one I came across about 500 years ago. He had been swimming in a lake, he was the most gorgeous man I had ever seen, his skin illuminated the water. I was awe-struck, we developed a friendship, “ He smiled to himself. “A very good friendship.” “What happened?” I asked, breaking the trance Christian had been in. “A headhunter. Fernando was a bit of a stubborn but free spirit. He lived under the protection of the Whiteshell pack but I think he thought he was invincible. Once he met me, he became even bolder. Wanting to explore and travel. I led him to believe I could keep him safe. We traveled and honeymooned all over the world. We had shared many years together before one night, he was just gone. I searched for him and discovered his fate was in the blood slave chambers of Chateau de Loches but had been told he had died accidentally.” Christian held his head high, I could sense his grief. “Since then I’ve met a handful of fairies through the Whiteshell pack that asked me for help to find their family that had been taken. I’ve pointed them all to the Louth pack.” “I’m sorry for your loss, truly.” “So about this perfume,” Christian changed the subject, readjusting himself to a more composed demeanor. “Yeah, it's right here.” Kaden took out the oil and began rolling it into my skin, some on my neck and wrists. Christian's eyes grew as he was taking deep breaths in, “Would you look at that, give me a second to step away?” Alpha Jack nodded and Christian in a flash took off, he was running, he was faster than the wolves. He returned with a rush of wind behind him a few moments later. “That is absolutely brilliant. Can’t smell you at all. How long does it last?” “Well, we are hoping maybe you’d be willing to help us find out. For wolves, it's about 8 hours.” “Hmmm, she smells like you, “ pointing at Logan. He sat up a little taller in his seat, proud of the recognition. “It's an awful smell to vampires,” he chuckled. Logan sunk down a little in his seat. “Can I ask you some naive questions about vampires? I know what TV has taught me. You can’t go out in the sun, stuff like that. I am just curious to know more about your kind.” We talked for several hours, Christian telling me more about Fernando and the places they had traveled. Apparently, Fernando had the power to manipulate water, he could amass a ship out of the water that carried them across the sea, then with a wave of his hand, it could be washed away into a puddle. When he talked about Fernando, I could sense his pain and loss. He also talked about vampire wars he had survived, both between werewolves, humans, and other vampires. We talked through their abilities and weaknesses. It was well into the night and we had lost all of our company. It was just Christian and me when I asked, “How fast can you go?” “Faster than your little pups.” He smirked. “I have been running, trying to break my wolf out and I have noticed I can go much faster than the wolves in my human form, I didn’t know if it was a fairy thing or not. I haven’t really tried to push it because I am a bit scared of knowing the truth and showing the truth to them.” “Want to race?” He raised his eyebrows at me encouragingly. “Sure!” I was hesitant but also excited. He started to take off his shoes. “There is a waterfall straight east of here, about four miles away. Wait for me there?” “Of course, let's see what you got. On your mark, get set, go!” He gleefully commanded. We both took off. He was much faster than me, and although I tried to keep up, he moved like the speed of sound. He wasn’t entirely out of sight yet, but when he turned back to look at me and smile, I knew he was only letting me keep pace. Don’t let him win. Push yourself, and let go. Like you’ve been wanting, I thought. When I got to the waterfall, he was already sitting on the river's edge. “Good race.” I congratulated him. “Not a race, you weren’t even trying. But then again, neither was I.” He frowned “The whole point was to see what you are capable of but you’re still stuck in your own thoughts. Try again?” “I’m not sure how to let myself go.” “You know Fernando wasn’t a willing companion.” “What do you mean?” “I mean, he was a fairy and I am a vampire. I drank from him, from the minute I found him I couldn’t resist the smell of him. Fairies are intoxicating. They make vampires go into a blind rage.” His smile turned devious and wicked, “I may not be able to smell your fairy at this moment, but it was dumb of you to leave your wolves behind and come out here alone with me,” He giggled. “They won’t even be able to track you with your fake scent. They gift-wrapped you for me. So, kind!” “Stop it, you’re joking.” I insisted. He clapped his hands, “Am I?” as he gritted his teeth and grabbed my wrist tightly. Squeezing tight around it, staring into my eyes. My wrist burned under the force of his clutches. “But because I will be a gracious captor, I’ll give you a head start.” He released my hand and motioned for me to run, “Go go little fairy, fly.” He cackled. While part of me knew or at least thought Christian was joking. I also didn’t know. It was incredibly stupid of me to go running off, almost dark with him, I suddenly had a ton of anxiety and all the memories of being locked inside that van came rushing back to me, panic, and fear settled in and I took off running. I had only taken a few steps when I could hear Christian behind me. Run. Before I knew it, I was back at the community center where the triplets and Alpha Jack were standing. Chayson caught me as I came to a halt in front of him. “Where did you go?” I knew my face must look terrified as the four of them became alert and defensive. “Whoa whoa, just me. Cait and I went on a run.” Christian said as he jogged past us, heading back to the gazebo to get his shoes. Very nonchalant. Not like the murderous gaze he gave me just moments ago. “She can blink!” He called back to us as he set himself down on the steps shaking out his socks. I looked at him confused. “So, slightly uncool to make you question if I was a friend or foe but I figured you would be inclined to push yourself with a little bit of fear. My apologies Cait, but you are as fast. FAST, fast, faster, than vampires AND you can blink.” “Blink?” Staring at him waiting to elaborate. “It's like…” He lifted his head up and pursed his lips trying to think of how to explain it. “You teleport, not like long distances, maybe 50 yards or so. But you can skip ahead. That is definitely a fairy thing. I saw you do it twice. It's very cool.” “Teleport?” “Yup, like poof, you were here, then the next second you were by the truck." He pointed off to one of the trucks parked by the community center. "Ever notice that before or was that your first time?” I starred at him trying to wrap my head around it. Looking very oblivious, he responded to his own questions, “I took her blink cherry,” He nudged Kaden. Logan immediately started to growl, which was mimicked by all the wolves standing around him. “I’m kidding, I tease.” He threw his hands up playfully, “Caitlyn, help me out here. We were just exploring your abilities!” “We were, I wanted to go for a run because I’ve been feeling like there was more energy there when we go on our runs,” I looked at Kaden lovingly. “Any other areas where you feel more energy?” Christian grinned from ear to ear. “Innuendo intended.” “I have this thing with the wind, like sometimes I feel like I can draw the clouds in with the wind. Bring storms to me or push them away. I’ve also been told I made a few small dust devil-type wind things.” “That's amazing! We certainly need to find someone to help you access and control those powers. I am sure someone in Frost Ridge can help. Also, I don’t know if it's because you used some magic fairy power or because you broke a sweat, but I can sort of smell you now, it's been what 5 hours?” Kaden looked at his phone, “Just about.” “No offense doll, but you’re making me hungry.” Christian smiled at me. "Let's eat!" He chirped, pulling himself up and dusting himself off.