Woven Fates

“She Is My Beloved”

Sun shone through the open window of the Kings bedroom as Ingrid began to stir on the bed. Aldrich watched her quietly from a large chair he had pulled up next to her. She opened her eyes and sat upright, backing up against the headboard in fear.

“Where am I?” she asked looking at him warily.

Aldrich sighed, “There’s a lot I need to explain to you”, he said quietly.

“I had a dream, someone killed Jules and you turned into a wolf. It was awful”, her lip quivered as she looked at him.

Aldrich moved forward in his chair. “Ingrid, it wasn’t a dream. To answer your question, you are no longer in the human world. You are now in a world populated by those not of your world. The Fae, the Elves, The Dwarves and,” he stopped and looked at her, “The werewolves”.

Tears now streamed down Ingrid's face as she looked around the room.

“Say the word and I will have you taken back to your world immediately and you will never see me again”, he sighed again.

“You’re talking about fairy tales”, Ingrid said.

“Fairy tales had to start somewhere”, he shrugged.

“Can you use magic? Why cant I stop thinking about you?” Ingrid asked.

“That is what we call a mate bond. The Moon Goddess who created our kind made us so that it would take our mate for us to feel complete. Our mates feel it also.” Aldrich explained. “It is nothing to fear and it is not set in stone. If you walked away now you could still live your life no…”

“Normally? Go back to how things were? Before I met a werewolf? And that man with Jules, I’m guessing a vampire? Do you think me insane?” she screamed.

“Tell me what you need Ingrid and I will make it happen. I can have your memories erased from the minute we met and return you to your life. Your friend can not be returned though I am afraid”, he said sadly. “What you must understand is that the vampire wishes to claim you as his mate. What I smelled on you at the tavern was him. He must have been near you at some stage. They can hide themselves or make themselves seem appealing and trustworthy.”

“I had a dream”, she whispered “A man floated to my window and asked me to invite him in but I was afraid”.

“Ohh Goddess you are so lucky you were Ingrid. Jules fate would have been yours.” Aldrich replied. He wanted to hold her, to soothe her but he knew she would have to come to him.

“Is Jules dead?” Ingrid asked quietly.

“Unfortunately it is much worse than dead Ingrid. She is now undead. Hadley drinking her blood would have killed her but because she also drank his she has become one of them.”

Ingrid visibly paled. “Will you kill her?” she whispered.

“Ingrid you must understand something. Hadley will use her to get to you and she will comply with her sire. She has no human feelings anymore, her aim now is to make you one of them”. Aldrich sighed. “I wish I could make this easier for you Ingrid, I feel so responsible for all of this”.

"The night I met you, was it the first night you had seen me or had you been following me too?” she asked quietly.

“I promise you, that was the first time I had laid eyes on you. I would have made myself known to you earlier if I had seen you earlier. The mate bond is very strong and extremely difficult to deny”. Aldrich was watching Ingrid carefully. She seemed to be relaxing a little.

“Then you are not responsible”, she whispered. “It was not the first dream I have had of that man”.

Aldrich took a deep breath. How lucky was he that Hadley had not been able to coerce Ingrid.

Ingrid moved closer to Aldrich. “You saved me?” she asked quietly.

“I would lay down my life for you”, he whispered as she moved off the bed and came to stand before him.

Slowly and gently she sat herself on his lap and curled up in his strong embrace. “Somehow I know this to be true”, she smiled into his neck.

“With my last breath”, he sighed happily.

A knock on the door broke them out of their bliss as they held each other on the armchair. “Who is it?” Aldrich called out.

“Sir, we must speak”, The head of the guard spoke quietly through the door. “I assure you sir, no one would be disturbing you if it wasn’t important.”

“Come in Lachlan”, Aldrich growled.

The door opened and Lachlan walked in. He bowed hastily when he saw Ingrid there with Aldrich. “Your Highnesses, I am truly sorry for the intrusion”, he began.

“Highnesses?” Ingrid whispered

“I’ll explain later” Aldrich chuckled

“Sire, it is imperative that we speak about the threat from the Vampires. They encircled the castle last night until shortly before dawn and have threatened to return until you hand over the Queen sir.” Lachlan began. “George was unable to leave until first light because of the threat”.

“They threaten us?” Aldrich bellowed.

“Yes Sire, they say they will not stop until they have the Queen. Sir, she does not carry your mark?”

“No Lachlan, I will not force it”, Aldrich sighed.

“Can I suggest we meet in the Great Hall Sire? We can discuss tactics. I will send riders out to the others Kingdoms but they may not be able to return before nightfall.”

“Do what you need to, I will be there shortly”.

Aldrich turned to see tears streaming down Ingrid's face. “What does he mean by mark?” she asked quietly.

“I can keep you safe here Ingrid, we do not need to discuss this now”, Aldrich said rubbing her back while he held her close.

“What is the mark?” she asked again. He sighed.

“When two people who are mates make love they mark each other here,” he began, pointing to the spot on her neck that would hold his mark. “It is a bite, it is painless, or so I am told. It is a seal from the moon to say we belong to each other.”

“You would bite me?” she asked.

“Only if you will allow me”, Aldrich answered.

“Like that man bit Jules?” she asked quietly

“Yes, however we do not drink blood,” Aldrich smiled as he wiped a tear away with his thumb.

“Mark me”, she whispered.

“There’s a little more to it than that I’m afraid,” Aldrich began. “I must attend the meeting so the warriors and the guards can prepare. We can discuss it more when I return. I will send some food for you,” he smiled as he lifted her out of his lap.

She nodded her head and curled up on the armchair again. Aldrich knelt before her. “Remember, with my last breath I will keep you safe”, he smiled as he got up and walked out the door.

Ingrid had stood up and walked to the window. It was a lovely day and the view was exquisite. She could look at this view every day of her life and die happy. She shivered as she wondered if that day might be soon.

“We must protect the Queen”, Aldrich said quietly. “He has been stalking her, the wretched creature”.

“How is she the true mate of both of you Sire?” Lachlan asked. Everybody at the table looked to Aldrich for an answer.

“She is the Kings Mate”, Olga, the Kings Seer stated firmly. “My understanding is that that creature is so defiled he would be given no mate. He is trying to claim the mate of another”.

“Sire, he could not take her if the two of you were mated”, Lachlan said quietly.

“ENOUGH! Find another answer”, the King roared furiously.

“Sir, the dwarves use a powder in the mines. When mixed with fire it causes quite the explosion. Can we not sneak into their lair by day and blow it up?” The Kings Captain, Roderick, asked.

“There is no guarantee it will kill them”, Lachlan replied quietly.

“I can’t do this”, Aldrich stood up from the table. “I’m sorry, I can’t focus on this”, he looked around the table at those assembled, including his father.

His father nodded, “Go to her son”, he said nodding his head, “We can work this out”.

Aldrich nodded and walked towards the door. “Thankyou”, he said before leaving the room.

When Aldrich returned to his room, he found his mother and Ingrid sitting at a table by the window. It was open and the sun shone through, the gentle breeze bringing the fragrance from the garden below into the room.

“Hello Dear”, his mother smiled as she walked towards him and gave him a hug. He smiled, “Hello Mother”, he replied kissing her cheek.

“I thought while your father was in the meeting, I would come to say hello. We have been discussing all things werewolf,” she winked at him.

“Your mother has been explaining everything to me”, Ingrid smiled at him. Shyly she stood up and walked towards him. She stopped just before him and he reached out to gently bring her into him, wrapping his arms around her.

“I’ll leave you two to it”, Aldrich’s mother smiled as she left the room.

“It seems there is an easy solution to this” Ingrid said into Aldrich’s chest.

“I wont mate with you because you feel you have to Ingrid. I will only take you by choice. Your choice”. He sighed.

“What if I am choosing Aldrich? Your mother explained the mate bond to me. I understand now why I can’t stop thinking about you or wanting to touch or be near you.”

He stood back and looked at her, “Really?” he smiled.

She reached up and brushed the side of his face with her fingertips. “Really”, she answered leaning in to brush her lips over his. He bent down to kiss her gently as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands slid down and picked her up, carrying her to the bed without breaking the kiss. He laid her down, looking at her. She truly was beautiful, and she was about to be his.

Aldrich and Ingrid lay on the bed, sweating and exhausted after many bouts of love making. Minutes before Aldrich had marked Ingrid’s neck. Now he lay there, running his fingertips over the mark as she smiled.

“Does it hurt love?” he asked her

“A little, I feel very tired”, she sighed.

“You are changing, your body will need time to adjust”, he said quietly. He pulled her into his arms. “Sleep my love”, he whispered.

“Mmmmm”, she murmured as she drifted off to sleep.

Aldrich looked up through the window at the fading light. He slid his arm out from under her and walked across the bedroom to close the window. The sun was laying low in the horizon. He found a pair of pants and a shirt and dressed quickly before heading down to the conference room. He found his father sitting at the table looking at the family crest that hung on a banner on the wall.

“Father”, Aldrich said as he sat across the table from him.

“My Son”, his father smiled at him. “I take it you are now mated?”

Aldrich smiled at his father and nodded.

“We will ensure no harm comes to your Queen my son”, his father began quietly, “But I must have you speak to Olga. She has bought us news of a premonition that has been passed on to her. I fear it discusses the fall of our bloodline”.

“Father?” Aldrich began. His father raised his hand. “It is not set in stone son”, he smiled.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Olga opened the door and walked in to sit at the table.

“Olga, what news do you bring?” Aldrich asked her.

“None good my king. I am told of a Prophecy. The evil will rise up against the good and sadness and despair will fill our lands. Your time as ruler will be cut short My King”, she bowed her head.

And Ingrid?” Aldrich asked quietly. Olga hung her head.

“A child born of both wolf and Vampire will bring forth 2 children. One shall follow the path of good, the other evil. They shall decide our fate”.

Aldrich's body sagged and his face fell into his hands. “What have I done?” he asked himself quietly.

Aldrich returned to his room to find Ingrid sound asleep. It was past dark and he had planned to move her earlier but he wanted her to sleep peacefully for as long as possible. He wrapped her in a blanket and lifted her from the bed. He moved down the hallways and down the stairs. Many years ago as a child, he had discovered a hidden room behind shelving in the library. He was unsure who had known about the room but this is where he would hide his mate while he fought the demon that sought her out. He had had a mattress put in there for her to sleep on and after opening the doorway behind the shelving that is where he placed her. Aldrich's mother had offered to stay with her so she wouldn’t be alone when she awoke.

Ingrids scent had changed through her mating so there was hope that Hadley would no longer be able to follow her scent. Aldrich sighed as he laid her down. He gently traced circles along her stomach. He hoped that their mating had produced an heir so that if he fell tonight, his bloodline would continue.

Aldrich hugged his mother before closing the hidden doorway and returning the shelf to its place on the wall. He climbed the stairs to the top and made his way out into the turrets. His archers were waiting, their arrows nocked and ready to fire. Half of the guard were watching the ground below and half in the turrets were watching the skies.

Hadley's army was silent as they came forward while a howl went up from a wolf who awaited them below. It was Roderick giving warning that they were on their way. Aldrich's father came to stand beside him.

“Have faith my son”, he said quietly as he rested his large hand on his sons shoulder. Aldrich lifted his head to see Hadley leading the army towards the castle.

“Where is she wolf? Where is my beloved?” he yelled, as a cheer went up from the vampire army.

“I cannot answer that Hadley, I know not of who you speak? Our castle has never welcomed any who claims to be your beloved”, Aldrich replied.

Hadley laughed. “Oh you know of whom I speak alright”, he said, floating up to meet Aldrich eye to eye. “You mistakenly think her yours”.

“I know only of my own mate Hadley, she who bears my mark and shares my soul”, Aldrich replied, staring directly at Hadley.

“You lie”, Hadley hissed at him. “I claimed her first!”

“She did not claim you though, did she? You were to busy turning her friend if I remember correctly…” Aldrich replied.

“Show me this mark mutt”, Hadley’s eyes glowed red.

“I will not force my mate out here, she has nothing to prove and neither do I”, Aldrich spat the words at Hadley.

“Then I shall return until you do. Every night until I see my beloved”. Hadley replied smiling. “Count on it.” He said as he floated back to the ground. He turned and walked back away from the castle.

“That was to easy”, Aldrich whispered to his father.

“Indeed”, his father replied.

Aldrich and his father stood in the turrets until dawn, leaving nothing to chance. When the sun began to light the sky they went to the library to uncover the secret room. Each took their partner by the hand. Ingrid was still feeling the effects of the marking and was cold and clammy.

“Come my Love”, Aldrich said quietly as he lifted her into his arms.

“What happened?” Ingrid asked as she leaned into his large chest.

“Nothing love, he made a threat and left”, Aldrich replied with a weak smile.

He reached their bedroom and laid her on the bed. She snuggled in and was soon fast asleep.

Aldrich went to the washroom to clean himself up. The stench of rot and decay followed Hadley wherever he was and Aldrich found it repulsive. As he washed his face he looked at himself in the mirror. His red hair was light, tinted with gold in the sunlight. It fell in loose waves to his shoulders. It was way past time for a hair cut be he hadn’t gotten to it, even with all of his mothers nagging. Ingrid had gripped it tightly in the throes of passion and he wondered if maybe he might keep it. He had liked that.

Fine lines were starting to appear around his eyes, but his face still held a youthful appearance. He grabbed a towel and wiped his face before returning to the bed. He laid down and smiled as Ingrid turned and snuggled into him. How had this woman become his whole life in just a matter of days? He kissed her forehead, closing his eyes.

He awoke hours later to find her still asleep; she was still sweating and warm. He had been told the transformation could be difficult, but he knew he would feel better if a healer saw her. He called for Olga and the healer to come and check on her. They arrived minutes later. Aldrich stood back as they began to check her. Olga held her hand over Ingrid’s stomach and smiled.

“Her transformation is being drawn out by the child growing inside her King”, Olga said. “ It is but a spark now, but he shall become a glowing beacon some day”,

Aldrich smiled brightly, a tear falling down his cheek.

Ingrid blossomed as she carried Aldrich’s child. It had been decided that the child would be kept a secret until they could put an end to Hadley. True to his word he had returned each and every night and each night Aldrich had continued to refuse to let him see her. It was odd that Hadley merely shrugged and left again.

Each night Ingrid moved to the secret room with her Mother in law and waited for Hadley to leave.

As she grew larger Aldrich became more protective. He was frightened that Hadley knew about the child and awaited the impending birth. Aldrich found it harder to control his wolf as he waited for his son to be born, his need to protect them both became everything.

As night fell Hadley again appeared at the castle walls. “I wonder King, has my beloved spawned your whelp yet?” he asked grinning at Aldrich. “She must be close, any day now…..” he called out.

“Watch yourself Demon”, Aldrich roared.

“I know you’ve been curious about why I haven’t attacked yet Mutt. I will allow you to keep your pup, I have no use for it. Then my beloved will come to me”, he smiled. “The pup can be a reminder of all you have lost, if you can survive losing her of course.”

That’s when Aldrich felt it, a tug in his stomach. He looked around quickly.

“Oh its time”, Hadley clapped his hands together smiling. “The wait is almost over for both of us. I shall return for her tomorrow night”, and with that Hadley left.

Aldrich raced to the secret room, removing Ingrid and bringing her to their bedroom. She had only just begun having contractions and they were not close. Ingrid smiled at her mate, the great King Aldrich turning to mush at the birth of his child.

The healer had arrived and was checking the baby and Ingrid. Aldrich had moved away momentarily to eat. He was weak and tired, Hadley’s nightly visits had taken their toll. His mother came to him and hugged him gently.

“Aldrich, the healer needs to see you. The baby is large, perhaps to large for Ingrid to birth naturally. They are concerned”, she smiled gently.

Aldrich put his head in his hands. “Come now son, she needs you”, his mother patted his shoulder softly. Aldrich nodded as he stood up.

Aldrich returned to the bedroom to see Ingrid now in pain. Her eyes were closed as she laid back on the pillows. He went to her, moving her forward so he could sit behind her. He would stay there with her for as long as it took for his son to arrive. Ingrid smiled as she lay back into his chest, the one place she always felt safe. She looked at the healers and their worried faces. “I can do this” Ingrid smiled weakly at them.

“Tell me what you need Love”, Aldrich whispered in her ear. “Anything and it will be yours”.

“I need you my love”, she whispered back.

Hours later and they lay together on the bed, this time with their son in their arms. He was the pinkest little thing they had ever seen with a head of bright red hair.

“Just like his Daddy”, Ingrid whispered smiling.

“What shall we name him Love?” Aldrich asked

“I like Todd”, Ingrid replied. “It’s simple and easy.”

“King Todd”, Aldrich smiled.

“Sire, you are needed”, Lachlan called out barging through the door. In his bliss Aldrich had not been watching the sky for darkness.

“Nevermind”, Hadley called out as he floated to the window which had remained open. “Hello Beloved”, he looked at Ingrid hungrily.

“I am not your mate!”, Ingrid cried.

“Oh heavens no, I am not an animal. “You are my beloved. Mutts take mates”, he looked at the father and baby with distaste.

“I am nothing to you”, she spat at him. “I belong to Aldrich!”

“You belong to me!” Hadley screamed.

Aldrich was up in seconds and had shifted to his wolf. The large grey wolf bared his teeth at Hadley.

“Can you fly mutt?” Hadley asked laughing. “What is your plan here exactly?”

Aldrich's wolf roared furiously.

“Invite me in my love and I will take you away from these animals. You can be the Queen of all vampires and rule over our world with me”. Hadley cooed to Ingrid.

“And be dead?” she asked with venom in her voice. “To be dead and cruel and vicious? To kill people?”

“You refuse me?” Hadley sneered at her. “Perhaps I will take your child and turn him. I could raise him myself. Think on it Ingrid. You or your son!”

And with that Hadley disappeared. Aldrich roared, throwing a chair across the room in anger.

“Aldrich”, Ingrid cried out. “What is this?” she asked as she held Todd up to Aldrich. A red form like a drop of blood had appeared on Todd’s chest over his heart.

“Get Olga”, Aldrich roared at the guard in the hallway. Olga appeared minutes later.

When Aldrich showed her his sons chest, she drew in her breath sharply. “It is a curse Sire. He has marked the child for death”.

“What are you talking about woman?” Aldrich replied angrily.

“You must send the child away. He must go where he will never be found.” She said carefully, moving out of Aldrich’s reach.

“I will not send my son away crone!” Aldrich hissed.

“Then he is marked for death. Your son will die”