Alastair

Chapter 9

We finished grabbing out things, I handed Alastair the bags and I took Dagon into my arms, my hounds surrounding us as Alastair transported us to the tree top kingdom of the Dark Faye people. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen before, we were so high you could touch the clouds, see the bird flying and dropping into the trees, you couldn’t see the forest floor.

"Welcome to our home, we are so please to have you here." I heard Evan say.

Just as I turned to great him Melody wrapped her arms around me, crushing me into a one armed hug.

"Thank you do much for saving my Evan, Esme if there is any way I can repay you please just tell me. We have your chambers ready if you'd like to relax a little before everyone else gets here and we sit for supper." She said with a smile.

"That would be nice thank you Melody." I replied with a smile.

Just as we walked in Victor and Arabella made it than Rowan and Poppy followed. We were all her in the tree tops safe. My family was safe, even though they are a different species than myself I consider them to my family and it made me feel better knowing they were all close. We said our hello's and than made our way to our chambers. It was a very beautiful room, they even had a space setup for my Dagon to sleep. I looked down at his flame filled eyes and big smile. He looked just like his father, I hope he has his charms and my fight when he gets older. I know my boy will be a great leader some day.

"I have the bath ready for you too my love. I thought after everything you've been though you would like one." Alastair said walking out of the washroom taking Dagon from my arms.

"Yes thank you my love." I said walking towards the washroom dropping clothes as I went. I crawled in first taking a moment to relax before Alastair came in handing my Dagon so I was able to wash him, I finished and was about to hand him back to his father before he started crying, I took him trying to comfort him realizing that he must be hungry. I placed him to my breast letting him latch on, he took deep drinks before relaxing.

"Here Esme, you scoot up and ill wash you baby." he said sweetly.

"How did I get so lucky?" I asked.

"I am the lucky one here." he said placing a kiss to my head before he got soap and started washing my back, moving to my arms, legs and every other part of my body than finally to my hair. Dagon finished eating and was fast asleep in my arms.

"I'll get him dressed and down babe, you stay here and relax." he said with a smile.

"Thank you my love." I said as I settled into the water more.

How were we going to defeat this evil and hold onto our family, I needed to do some research of my own maybe there was a peaceful way to end this. I finished my bath getting out wrapping a towel around me I made my way into the bedroom to find my sweet boy asleep in his crib and my loyal mate sleeping on the end of the bed waiting for me. I got dressed and than placed a blanket over him before leaving the room in search of the library. On my way I ran into the girls talking downstairs.

"Esme, are you alright?" Poppy said rushing to my side. "Arabella told us what happened. Thank you for saving Rowan I don’t know what I would have done if I lost him that way."

I hugged her back, I pulled away with a smile.

"It is my duty to protect this family. I will always protect you even if it means losing my life." I said looking at each of their faces. "If you'll excuse me I need to go do some research."

"Can we help you? 4 of us looking is better than just one." Melody with everyone nodding in agreement.

"That would be very welcomed thank you, I need to know everything there is about the werewolves, more specifically the Nightshade clan and it's prince." I said as we walked into the library.

We read every book there was on werewolves so many things seemed to be the same with us them for traditions. But we all hated each other which I could not understand. I walked into the very back of the library finding a stack of old worn out leather bond journals I pulled out of the shelf, it had a crest and the name 'Nightshade' burnt into the leather. I opened it finding a family tree perfectly preserved.

                                                                     Hanson (First Alpha 1200-1700) [Mate Yanira]

                                                                            I

[Alpha 1700-1893][Mate: Louise] Franklin - Joseph [Mate: Helena] [Alpha when brother Frank died] [Holding title from 1893-1945]                                                                                

                                                                    I                I

                          [Alpha 1978-2017]    Kalian      Rosco [Alpha from 1945-1978: Killed by brother.]

                                                                    I               

                          [Alpha 2017-    ]         Jackson    

So the wolf who stole me was Kalian, and he killed his brother who never had children. From the looks of it neither of them found their mates and Jackson was probably a bastard son. I can help him find his mate, that would be enough payment for his fathers death and seeing as It was me who killed him it has to be me taking this risk. I looked at my friends who were sound asleep with books laid across their laps. I needed to look something else up before I leave. I researched the Phoenix they use to live in these woods many decades ago, if I could find one I could have the ability of flight and some extra protection. I found what I was looking for, I gather supplies and wrote notes, one to my friends thanking and leaving the book I found so they could piece what I am doing together and one for my mate, I knew he was going to be so angry.

My Dearest Alastair,

I found a way to save our people, our family from war. Please do not be angry Please trust me. I will come home to you I swear it.

Watch over our son while I am gone, he is the most important thing to this kingdom right now. Please protect him. Do not come for me, you wont be able to track me.

I love you more than I can ever say. Thank you for saving me, it's my turn to save all of you.

Your loving loyal mate,

Esme

I made my way out to the platform taking a deep breath before jumping, if the book was right I would be diving into a volcano, I welcome the heat of my home. I was falling see all the bones from Evan's ancestors. I finally reached the bottom, looking around I saw it, the last Phoenix laying in the ashes of it's fallen mourning. I slowly approached it holding my hand out letting my fire dance on the tips of my fingers, her head came up looking at me moving off the ashes stretching her wings and letting out a mighty scream before coming towards me. I stood still letting her examine me, she bowed I bowed and we set off on our quest. This was a friendship not an owner ship. Once we are finished with my mission I will help her find another one of her kind. We flew high into the clouds, seeing the moon full and the stars singing. I took a deep breath pushing all my feelings of leaving my family behind me, I needed to do this for them. We set off to the East in the direction of the wolf lands. It took 2 days and 1 night before we made it. She landed on a far cliff just close enough I could see inside Prince Jacksons window, he was pacing back and forth looking defeated.

"My friend, can you take him and bring him to me?" I asked her. She nodded so I got off of her and started making camp. Werewolf's wouldn’t be able to get to us even if they spotted us and Jackson could not run it was the perfect place. I heard a scream and than the prince yelling at my sweet friend as she dropped into the dirt before landing making herself comfortable by the fire.

"Prince Jackson, it's nice of you to join us." I said with a smile.

"You’re the b***h who killed my father." he said standing.

"I am. He was threatening my mate and my child." I said calmly.

"He did what?" he said looking at me confused. "He would never do that, he knew the importance of the mate bond."

"He did, and he used it against Alastair, if he did not bow and hand his kingdom over your father was to kill him and take me forcing my into whatever he like. I would not allow my Mate to be killed, so I killed your father. I can not apologize for protecting what is mine. You must understand that." I said.

"I don’t but I wish I did. My pack has not seen a new mate in many decades." he said sitting down in front of the fire.

I found it odd, he was not at all cruel or crazy, he looked like a lost man to me.

"Your not what I expected." I said still standing ready for anything. I heard him laugh rubbing the back of his neck.

"Neither are you. I was told you were a large red beast, black eyes and flaming hair so ugly men would run from your sight." he said looking at me with his head c****d to the side. "But instead I find a beautiful fierce women willing to die if it means saving her people and her loyalty to her Mate, I could only wish for a women as brave as you." he said studying me.

"I came here to hopefully help you what that. If I were able to help you locate your mate would you be willing to sign a peace treaty with my kingdom so we can all live in peace?" I asked folding my arms across my chest.

"Queen Esme, I would be willing to become a lord under your husband if it meant I could have my mate." he said as he stood.

"Good, go let your men know your leaving and you will be back so they don’t send men looking for you hurting people when it is not needed." I said as the Phoenix stood waiting for him. He nodded letting her pick him up taking him back to the castle. They were gone for 45 minutes. I saw them returning I had camp already packed up and ready for our departure. 

"I am sorry for being gone so long Esme, I had to get this from the cripes." he said holding out a moonstone ring.

I smiled looking at him, "She will love that when we find her."

I climbed onto my new friends back and she picked Jackson up flying us back to the Faye realm. We landed and all the guards made an advance on us.

"Put your weapons away men, he is no threat to you. Nor is my Phoenix friend." I said as they put their spears down standing back at attention.

"ESME!" I heard my mates voice ringing through the air, I stepped forward watching him run towards me with dread and releif spread across his face. He crushed into me wrapping his arms tightly around my waist placing kisses all over my face before he pulled back with black eyes.

"What were you thinking?" he growled.

I ran my hand across his face soothing his demon back into a sweet slumber.

"I am going to fix this war without blood shed." I said before stepping to the side letting everyone see Jackson standing there. Rowan was the first to push his mate behind him before charging towards the Prince. I pushed Alastair aside jumping in front of Jackson staring at Rowan giving him a silent challenge, Alastair stocked over to me making a low growling noise, he reached to pull me out of the away but before he had the chance to wrap his fingers around my are the Phoenix reared up giving out a mighty scream spreading her wings around me. She stared down at Alastair and Rowan challenging them to make another step forward.

"We are going to help him, and than he and his people will become part of our realm Alastair. Do not push me on this, I do not want anymore blood spilled if it can be avoided. Do you hear me?" I asked my mate with a stern voice.

"Yes, but I will stay by your side every step of the way." He said looking at me than to Rowan who made his way back to Poppy who had Dagon in her arms. He will be safe.

"Fine, be nice." I said running my hand across the Phoenixes face before looking at her. "Once I am finished I promise I will help you find him."

At that she spread her wings taking flight, she didn’t go to far, she liked keeping any eye on things making sure everyone was on their best behavior.

"We need to go back to the library, I have an idea." I said leading Alastair and Jackson into the keep than into the room. "Is there a clan that was wiped out by anyone in your family?"

"Yes the Dragoon Clan in the north. My grandfather's brother Joseph killed all of them. " he replied looking at me confused.

"I found the leather journal marked with their crest and name, I pulled it out to see the story of how Alpha Joseph became jealous of their dwellings and friendship with the Elven people. He slaughtered all of them, all of them but one.  Lillian.

"Alastair I need Rowan now." I said looking like a saw a ghost.

A few moments later Rowan came running in, "Yes my Queen." his eyes instantly traveling to Jacksons face.

"Rowan who is Lillian?" I asked him. Studying his face. Quickly surprise and than anger covered his eyes making his body shake, he looked right into Jackson's eyes. I placed my hand on his shoulder. He looked down at me willing himself to calm down.

"She was still in her mother's womb when they came to my father begging for aid and shelter. We were told his father killed them all because of our friendship." he said never breaking eye contact.

"I need her to come her Rowan, I having a feeling who she might be to Jackson. This is important." I said.

"Very well my Queen I will go fetch her now." he said, he was pissed. He transported himself away, I turned to Alastair.

"My love can you take Jackson to an empty room and fetch Poppy for me?" I asked sweetly.

"Yes Angel." he came over wrapping his arms around me pressing desperate needing passionate kisses to my lips before leaving with Jackson.

"Esme, you needed me?" I turned to see Poppy standing there by one of the sofa's.

"I have a feeling Rowan will need you once he returns." I said with an apologetic smile.

"Of course. Is everything okay?" she asked.

"I think I found his mate, but It is going to be hard getting her to accept him. His father is responsible for killing her whole clan." I explained seeing poppy not in understanding.

"Rowan why are we here? Where are we?" I heard a soft voice say.

"Hello Lillian, I am Esme." before I could get any other words from my mouth she dropped down to the floor bowing.

"Please my Queen, I don’t know what offense I have caused but please forgive me. I can work off any debt you give me." She said with a shaky voice. I looked at Rowan and Poppy mouthing 'What the f**k is happening' they shrugged walking out of the room. I took a deep breath walking towards her and helping her to her feet.

"You have nothing to worry about, I called you here because I might have found you mate. And if I did it is going to be a very trying time for you but so important to our realm. Do you understand?" I asked her.

"Yes my Queen I will do all I can to help keep your kingdom safe." she said.

I took hold of her hand walking her towards an empty room wanting her to wash and dress for dinner before Jackson saw her. But as we rounded the corner he was there talking and laughing with Alastair. His face dropped as he took a deep breath looking straight at Lillian.

"Mine." he growled looking at her, stocking towards her, he was close enough to grab her when he was flung across the hallway breaking a table. I looked to see Lillian's shining a bright gold color she was in a ready to fight stance. He stood looking at her confused and hurt.

"Lillian Please." he said taking another step towards her.

"You’re the bastard's son who killed my clan. f**k you." she spat out. She moved around us making her way to the room slamming the door shut. I walked over knocking lightly.

"Lillian?" I said softly.

"I'm sorry my Queen, please give me a moment." she said.

"Take your time dear." I said before walking towards my mate taking his hand we went to our bedroom.

"Will she ever love me?" I heard Jackson ask.

"You need to work at it, show her you are not your father. That you are a good man and she will learn to love you. For now give her some space to think." I said with a smile.

Alastair and I made it back to our room I noticed Dagon wasn’t there, I turned to walk out of the door but Alastair's body was blocking me path.

"You ran away, leaving me a note." he growled.

I'm in trouble.