In the arms of my father

6. History

Valen's POV

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My eyes widen at the feel of Bas’ cool, soft but strangely tingly lips on mine, my nostrils flaring with surprise and body tensing ready to reject the intimate overture, I lift my hands to his chest getting ready to push him away from me. 

That is until my body succumbs to the feeling of the mate bond and all that I am is held prisoner to the tingles on my skin and the cushion of his lips.  His tongue deliciously darts out to tease my closed mouth, asking for permission to delve deeper into the passion that is just beyond our reach.  

No sound reaches my ears.

No light penetrates my now tightly closed eyes.

I am nothing but a bundle of euphoric feelings, until finally I open my mouth to taste the tongue of a sexy vampire, the feel of slightly sharpened teeth against my tongue draws a moan of pleasure from my heaving chest.  Feeling a need to be closer to him, to somehow get under his skin, moving my hands away from his chest to wrap my arms around his shoulders and up diving my fingers into his velvety hair, gripping tightly from the base of his scalp.

Totally forgetting that we are in a room full of Werewolves, I feel a flicker of burning need at the centre of my body just begging for the tips of his fingertips to gently touch and play with me.  My arousal is so strong at this point, that even I can smell the musky scent of my excitement, I feel like I'm about ready to explode when all of a sudden Sebastian is ripped away from me and thrown across the room, but just before he was to hit the wall he stops and hovers in mid air.

He slowly turns around and faces the Werewolf men surrounding my bed, all of them in protective stances, while I stare stupidly at nothing in particular in a state of shock.

I'm not sure whether I'm shocked over the discovery that Sebastian is my mate, the kiss, how quickly I got turned on without him doing anything more than kissing me or the violent way in which he was thrown off me.

Maybe it's a combination of it all.  I don't know.

“Valen!” 

The commanding voice causes me to look up into Bas’ face, my heart stutters to a halt at the forlorn look that skitters across Sebastian's face and the livid looking snarl on Boris' features while he stands off against my family and ex-mate, bending low at the knees and battle ready in front of Sebastian.

"Stop!” I shout but what comes out of my mouth is a breathy, hushed sound, barely discernible over the growls and aggravated shouts from both sides.

“STOP IT!” I shout, gaining the attention of everyone in the room.  Shaking my head in consternation while I briefly glance at everyone.

In the ensuing silence, my eyes greedily run all over the vampire who is, from what Snow suggests, my second chance at happiness.  I take note of the almost haggard, greyish sallow appearance and unkempt clothing, under his cheek bone I can just make out some discolouration to his complexion and wonder what it is, because it doesn’t quite look like a bruise but it could  very well be one.  It's the first time that I’ve actually seen Bas’ in such a way, he looks like total s**t.

“Can someone please tell me what the f**k is going on and why the f**k do you look like s**t Bas’?!"  I finally managed to gruffly say.  

Right now, I'm not sure who to trust in this room.  It's obvious that they've all been intentionally keeping Sebastian away from me, and I get it.  I totally get it.  But what I don't get is why no one has said anything about, or even indicated, that something like this would happen.  Wait...only one person has actually hinted at what could possibly be going on.

I train my eyes on him and raise a questioning brow, “Boris...explain.” I demand in an authoritative tone.

Taking me by surprise, I watch as Boris bows his head in submission before raising his head with his eyes on the ground.  “You are Grand Regis Sebastian's second chance Beloved.” he bluntly states.

I scoff in impatience, “I gathered that but what I want to know is h-...” 

“Sweetheart, maybe we can discuss the details of this when you-...”

“I wasn't talking to you!  I'm not talking to anyone but the person who’s been the most honest with me since he stepped foot into this room.  None of you even thought to prepare me for this, even after I was screaming for him.  None of you even thought that I...oh I don’t know, could be freaking the f**k out over feeling the way that I’m feeling?!” I cut my father off rudely, my eyes flicking to Sebastian who stands behind Boris, a hurt expression flickers on his face followed by a look of pride and finally a shutter closes off his emotions to me and everyone else in the room.

Briefly glancing at each of the wolves in front of me, feeling a sense of disappointment in each of them, I take a deep but quivering breath and almost choke on a new and horrific thought.

Hysteria slowly crawls its way up my throat as I consider something so much worse, "Oh my goddess!  This is Tiernan all over again isn't it?  He did'nt want to be with me because I'm human, but me and Bas...we're not allowed to be together at all!  I mean have you ever heard of a Were-pire?  s**t, s**t s**t!  We'll be burned at the stake or what ever the f**k that punishment is because like f**k I'm going to let him reject me, that s**t hurt!"  Pure panic has my hushed whisper rising in pitch and volumn until I'm nearly screaming in fear.

My wide eyes connects with the stern gaze of my father as he takes a seat next to me so close our thighs juxtapose tightly together and grips my upper arms firmly.  "No Valen!  They wouldn't dare touch a Guardian, calm yourself down." he reassures gently.

Nodding with a swallow even though it feels like my mouth is so dry I'm gulping down on dust, I pat my father on his shoulder and watch as he stands to his feet before looking at Boris once again.

“As I was saying, I want to know how Sebastian is my second chance mate and why he looks like something dragged him from the crypt, coffin, dungeon or what ever the f**k you guys hibernate in after being tortured by village people with pitchforks.” My tense voice grates my own ears harshly as my eyes move back to Boris.

“Beloved...my Regent.  For our species, soul chosen are called Beloved.” he corrects me in a hushed tone.  No one else in the room dares to speak after my outburst, and I sure as f**k don't want to talk to any of them until I get all my answers from Boris.

“If you would like, I can explain it to you, Beloved.”  Sebastian's deep voice breaks the silence after what feels like ten or so minutes.

My body reacts by shivering with longing, shaking myself free from the pull.  I hesitantly reply, “No offence Bas, but if you talk with your sexy voice again, I won't be able to control myself.  And I really don't want to hurt the father of my unborn children...any more than I already have.” 

The slight tug on the corner of Sebastian's lip is the only indication of his smug amusement as he nods his head once in acquiescence. 

Shaking my head over the craziness of yet another drama filled situation,I take another deep, fortifying breath and said, “Everyone relax and sit down, while I listen to Boris explain the fuckery that's become another aspect of my asshole life.”

“Language, princess.” my father admonishes me in the only way that parent can.

Scoffing I deadpan, “Given the circumstances, swearing is the last of our problems daddy.”  

He turns to look into my eyes. Despite his smile, his eyes convey a bleakness that I have never seen before, “I understand that princess, but I still have to be a dad to you...it's my job.”

I flick my eyes to my lap needing to hide the turmoil of my mixed emotions from everyone in the room, the sounds of rustling and quiet footsteps ensues as everyone settles into seating positions.  When my eyes once again find Boris, I notice that Brody and my father have remained standing to my right.  Tiernan stands to the left of my bed, while Boris and Sebastian are still in their spots in front of my bed, the latter thankfully no longer hovering over the ground.

I didn't realise how uncomfortable his levitation skills made me until now, because let's be honest, that s**t is so not f*****g normal.

But then, nothing about this whole situation is f*****g normal.

“This would be exponentially easier if you would allow Grand Regis Sebastian to explain, however I shall endeavour to do my utmost to ensure that you completely understand.” Boris says into the quiet, his eyes still focused on the floor like it's the most interesting thing revolving around his world right now.

“I would appreciate it very much, if you could.  I'm sure that if there's more I need to know, Sebastian can fill in the blanks when we're alone.” I replied in a matter of fact manner, pulling a full blown naughty as f**k grin from the Guardian Vampire, that smile is going to get me into all sorts of trouble.  I can just feel it.

"Easy there, dino dude.  You and I won't be alone together for a little while, I'm mad at you for leaving me!” I deliver chidingly letting my annoyance shine through.  The answering drop of his jaw pulls an amused grin from me while I hear choked coughs from my brother and Kaiah who are obviously trying to cover up their laughter, and doing a bad job of it.

“She called him dino dude.  As in a dinosaur because he’s a fossil.” Kaiah chokes out in amusement.

Sebastian opens his mouth to bite back at the joker of the group, but I swiftly cut him off by addressing the other vampire in the room,“Boris.  Talk to me like you're teaching a freaky little vampire toddler, make me understand everything including how you found out that I'm his second chance mate - I'm sorry, Beloved.”  

“My Regent, please understand when I say, that though it is naturally expected of me to apprise you with the history of my kind, which will also in a roundabout way, appease your inquisitive mind.” he informs with a flash of wince so quick I almost missed it.  

He pauses as if searching the words that would least offend me, before he continues with a strong and clear tone in his voice.

“Regrettably I am unable to divulge very much information while we are in the vicinity of another species.  When we are safe within the land borders of our Coven and you have accepted the Beloved Bond between Grand Regis Sebastian and yourself, I will be more than happy to tutor you in all things Vampire.  But in saying that, I am still able to share with you the common knowledge of which is available to other Nations.  However, you may want to speak to your father in regards to all things historical in the meantime.” he advises his tone imploring me to accept his explanation and request.

I can do nothing else but nod my head in compliance and turn my head to my father expectantly.

“Princess, before we begin I need you to promise me that you’ll keep an open mind.  This isn't just a bedtime story, or legends of make believe.” my dad says seriously, his facial expression transmitting the gravity of his words.

Once again, I find myself nodding my head in understanding as I wait for him to continue.

“In the beginning before the creation of many universes and worlds, there was te mātāpuna or in reo Pākehā the Source.  No one truly understands the great power it holds or how te mātāpuna came into existence, it just is.  It is believed that te mātāpuna is the essence, the very meaning to every single thing that we see, hear, smell, taste and feel, the physical and spiritual structure of all non-living and living things.”  (reo Pākehā meaning reo = language, dialect, speech.  Pākehā = of English descent)

“I think it would be better if we transposition the rest, otherwise this could take all night.”  Dad's inscrutable expression broaches no argument from my end as I remember the last time my father shared a large amount of information with me through visions, it was the day after my first shift, while we danced to our very first father daughter dance. It seems so long ago now, but he had managed to impart so much information about his past with and without me in only a matter of a few minutes.

Upon reaching New Zealand after our time in the United States of America, my father spoke to me about the things that I would be able to do, transposition being one of them.  I was supposed to learn how to do it, I think I probably would have been taught it by now, if I hadn't been kidnapped.

It  would undoubtedly be the fastest way for me to learn and comprehend vast amounts of information, and so I nod my head, giving my father permission to send me on a trip down memory lane.

I feel my heart kick start into a nervous galloping rhythm as I watch my father take a seat beside me, a reassuring smile on his face.

“Alright, Princess.  Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”  my father’s soothing voice has me obeying him in an instant.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and one more for good measure and slowly relax my body, willing my mind to stop with the internal chatter, until I can hear the deep breaths of Snow in my mind.  Until she and I are breathing in sync.

I feel a whisper of my father’s breath as one of his hands ghost the side of my face stopping at my temple and the other grasps one of my pliable hands.

An explosion of images and sounds has Snow and I gasping in surprise.  I thought the imagery that I would be receiving was memories of my father's past as he learned about the history of our kind and the beginning of our world, but what’s happening now is something else entirely.  

Things that I don’t understand flashes before my eyes, I can hear, see, smell, feel and taste things that I have never experienced before in my life.  There is a rawness and newness to the world around us.  

Wait.

That’s wrong.  What I’m seeing isn't a world, it's empty.  

It’s dark but not exactly dark.  

There is light but not enough light.

Though I’m exceedingly confused over what I’m experiencing, I understand enough to be certain that somehow I’m standing on a large body of water and in the far distance I can see what looks to be some sort of land.  But there is nothing on the land, no trees, no blade of grass, just what looks like brown dirt or sand.  

I can feel water on the soles of my feet, but when I look down into the inky depths below me, it’s blatantly void of vegetation and life, the water itself is clear and dark as it ebbs and flows like it should, serous in nature but solid at the same time.  Hard enough, that when I lift my foot and take a hesitant step towards the large clumps of dirt that passes for land, I watch with avid fascination as the water drips from my feet, chasing it’s way back to it’s home until my foot lands on the ocean of liquid, firm and strong so my body doesn’t sink into the water.  It’s like I’m weightless.  

What the hell is this?  

My already galloping heart picks up speed, my panic attack is so sudden, I don’t have time to fully grasp what’s happening to me as my eyes start to water with tears of fear.

Beyond the blurriness of my tears, I notice a shimmering in the distance.  Growing and pulsating until a slight tear rips mid air, widening and gaping; ready for something to step through.  

My panic reaches epic proportions because I don’t know what to do, or how to cope with this new threat to my existence.

However, the person that steps through is someone that I know and love very much.  Someone I’ve willingly sacrificed my life for and would happily do it again at the drop of a hat.

“Be calm, Princess.” my father advises as he steps closer to me and takes my hand.

As soon as he touches me a rush of peace envelopes my whole being.  My panicked breaths slow, the tears in my eyes cease and the frightened beat of my heart decreases.

“If you were a normal werewolf, you would have learned of our history by conventional means.  However, as you are Guardian of the Werewolf species, your ancestor gave us the ability to experience the past in this way.  This is how I learned, how your grandfather learned, and so on and so forth until the beginning.  And now it’s your turn.” my dad says with excitement.

I wish I could appreciate the thrill my father is experiencing, but my mind is officially too blown to even know how to formulate words.

My father taps his head while grinning and cheekily reveals, “I understand, Princess.  My mind was pretty out of it  when my father did this with me as well.”

Shaking my head in bewilderment, I ask, “Why didn’t you just tell me what to expect before we did this?”

“Because just like every other species, we all must hide certain aspects of our species from each other to ensure the continuation of our kind.  This sharing between you and I now, is the only one of the many that we Werewolf Guardians must keep from everyone at all costs.” my father intones seriously, he tightens his hand around my own as he gazes into my eyes with a fierce intensity.

“No one else knows that we can do this, not even our own kind...not even our mates are permitted to know.  And when the time comes for you to share this with your Guardian child, you will do the same.  You will show him or her this past, and you will do your best to ensure that your child understands the great gift and burden we carry.”  my father fervently says.

“I understand.  I swear I won’t tell a soul that we can do this.” I promise him with just as much staidness.

“But won’t everyone know what we’re doing?  Our bodies are in a room full of people, remember?” my expression scrunches up in query and disbelief.

“No, princess.  To everyone in that room, we are doing exactly what everyone else in our world knows that we can do.  Are you sure you can keep this secret from Brody and your brother?”  He asks gravely.

Lips firming into a determined line and one determined nod of my head I voice, “I promise, on my life that I will only share this with my guardian child when he or she is ready to learn it.”

Nodding his head in approval my father smiles at me genuinely and sighing in relief.  “Good.  What you are about to see and experience, happened in the past.  You are here to learn the truth of the origins of our world and our species.  Through this experience you will learn much about yourself.”  He informs me seriously.

“Don’t try to fight it, let the knowledge flow through you.  Fighting it will only hurt you and before you ask, the only reason why we’re doing this now is because, you asked for it, this should have been done before we went to that damn meeting and after what I saw with Tiernan, your mind is strong enough to handle this now.  Resistance is very much futile, don’t fight it.”  he ominously tells me.

“Okay.” I reply confidently.

“Good. I will see you on the other side.” He says mysteriously before the world starts to glimmer behind him until once again until there is a gaping whole in the fabric of our current existence which he steps through.  My father turns as the seams start mending themselves.

“Remember, don’t fight it.” he repeats, and then he’s gone.

I am alone once again.  In my head, I repeat my father’s words over and over.  “Don’t fight it.”  If only I knew what that means, it would make life a hell of a lot easier that’s for sure.

The quiet of the environment around me is so profound that I feel like the silence becomes its own peculiar noise.  It seems like I’m waiting for forever and day, but still nothing happens, I start to feel antsy while I wait and just when I’m about to open my mouth to shout in irritation a sudden sensation of implosion hits me from the inside out.

Light explodes all around me, whiting out my vision and scaring me beyond any horror movie or nightmare.  Then complete warmth and a feeling of all things fluffy and good encompasses my body, chasing away the chilling sense of foreboding and uncertainty.

The world around me comes back into view as the light dims so that I can clearly see the vast emptiness of dirt and water and standing directly in front of me is a being that I've never even seen in any sort of fantasy imagery.  Not quite human or animal in form, not quite angel or devil, but just as fantastic and beautifully supernatural just the same, then it whispers in my mind words that are foreign but comprehensible, basically telling me to buckle up and enjoy the show.

Let the history lesson begin.