The Prophecy

|| Chapter Four ||

She could feel his lips. She could feel as he breathed into her neck. The warmth followed his lips and spread throughout out her, had spread between her legs and down towards her toes. She could smell him, like peppermint, smoke, and leather, like the warmth of a fireplace on a cold winter night. 

She remembered his blue eyes and his deep voice telling her to go back to sleep. And she remembered smiling and drifting off.  

Bea opened her eyes and winced at the light coming through the gaps in the window blinds. It took her a moment to adjust to her surroundings and realizing she’s in the medical bay. Groaning and sitting up, she remembered her injuries before she went down. Curious to feel no pain, she lifted up her gown and undid her bandages. Where she was expecting ugly, infected scraps, she instead found light scars where her skin was torn. She shrugged and figured it was just her wolf healing her.  

The clock by her bed read 8 am, just in time for breakfast! Excitedly, she swung her legs around and peeled her wires off, staggering a little as she got on her feet. Her growling stomach encouraged her to keep going, Mrs. P must have some delicious breakfast cooking.  

 ---

Matthias was waiting for Alexander in the hallway. He raised his eyebrow as Alexander emerged in a visibly good mood. “Good nights sleep?”

Alexander shrugged – “good night, I guess.”  

They discussed their plans for the day as they approached the dining room.  

The chatter died down immediately when the Lycans entered. The packed dining room turned to face them as they took seats by Bennett who was happily digging into a stack of pancakes. He acknowledged them with a curt nod before returning to his stack of heaven.  

Matthias chuckled and nudge him – “hey where can I get me some of those?”  

Before Bennett could even swallow, Mrs P emerged with two plates stacked sky high with pancakes and fruit. Bennett gestured to the table “Maple syrup, cream, butter, pick your poison.”  

As Matthias dug in, Alexander noticed Alpha Rhodes enter the room while the other pack members stood to leave, leaving just himself, Matthias, and Bennett. He cleared his throat and stood up.  

“Ah Alpha Rhodes, I want to apologise for last night. I was rude and my comments were uncalled for. We appreciate your hospitality and look forward to working together with you on this investigation.”

Alexander offered his hand. Benjamin stared at him for a while and took it. “From one Alpha to another, trust me, I understand. Now sit! Eat! And we can talk.”  

The Lycans learned that while the pack was average in size, they had strong warriors, and strong leadership. Alpha Rhodes was firm but just and he always had patience for members of his pack. The family owned the majority of the farms and vineyards in the area, using the income to support members of the pack and provide employment.  

“Now, my curiousity is getting the better of me. Why are you here to assist us? The other packs have 10 Lycans now at their disposable, but us, a little pack in the regions of Australia, we not only have 18 but we have both the Alpha and the Beta.” 

Alexander produced the old book from inside his jacket and placed it on the table.  

“These attacks have happened before. And this is just the beginning.”  

 --- 

What usually took 5 minutes took Bea 15. It was lucky too that Gabby had left a coat in her room or she’d be walking out in the frigid morning air with her ass facing the world. She grimaced as she climbed the short flight of stairs into the packhouse and held onto the wall. She didn’t bother calling out for help since most of the pack would be off in the vineyards by now.  

Bea brightened when she heard the voices of her father and her brother but as she approached, she heard that unmistakable deep rumble and the faint smell of peppermint. It was that scent that carried her legs forward, like the delicious smell of freshly baked pie leading a cartoon character on. 

Mate. 

Her wolf howled and fidgeted in her mind. She smiled softly.  

As she got closer, she could hear their conversations clearer. She could hear his deep voice reciting something -  

“… With her as mate 

She will hold your fate  

The daughter of the crescent, the son of the dark 

Only then will you find your spark” 

“Bea? My Bea?” She heard her father whisper.  

“Yes, her. I need her with me. A mate would be incredibly inconvenient right now, but this prophecy. We can’t ignore it. We need her to beat whatever it is this threat is. And when this is all over, I’ll bring her home in one piece, and we can all move on with our lives.”  

It was as if a shard of ice had pierced her heart and she choked. Everyone gets a mate, and everyone howls about how wonderful it is. And here, right here, he’s telling her father that she’ll be nothing but an inconvenience. 

Bea straightened up, fought back the tears and squared her shoulders. She stepped into the dining room.  

 ---

It was as if the world moved in slow motion.  

The moment Bea stepped in all eyes snapped towards her, but it was only those piercing blue eyes that she held. She took a deep breath and spat out “If you don’t want me, then fine. I don’t need you. We don’t need you.”  

The room swam in her vision and her knees hit the ground and bile rose up in the back of her throat. She placed her hands on the ground and tried to steady herself and take slow deep breaths. Bea felt strong hands grasp her shoulders, steady her to her feet and pull her in. Her senses were suddenly enveloped in peppermint.  

She let her tears fall then as she leaned in and suddenly, she was off her feet. Alexander had taken her and sat back in a chair, holding her around her shoulders and tucking her legs in under her. She felt so small but so warm and protected in his arms.  

But he doesn’t want you 

Bea pushed herself away from him and stood up unsteadily. Bennett jumped up and grabbed her around the waist to support her, pulling her behind Benjamin. He swore he could see a flash of pain and regret in Alexander’s eyes but that was soon hidden again with his cool hard gaze.  

“Come on lil, let’s get you back to the hospital bay.” Bennet said as he swiftly bent and picked her up under her knees. As he walked away, he heard a deep rumble from behind him, but he kept walking with his sister in his arms.  

--- 

Benjamin had his head in his hands. Matthias had left to check on the Lycan warriors and Alexander was pacing the hall. On one hand, as Alpha, Benjamin understood what needed to be done. He respected history, he respected the book of the Elders, and he had no doubt that without Bea providing Alexander strength this threat will grow and grow. But as a father, it hurt to see his daughters heart break. He, like many other wolves, was blessed with a mate. Their one true mate who would share their life, no matter the joy and the pain. They would move as one and be as one.  

He looked up as Alexander stopped pacing. “Alpha Knight I understand what needs to be done but I – “  

Alexander held out a hand – “No, Alpha Rhodes, I understand how difficult it must be for you. Let me speak to Bea, Beatrice, please.”  

Benjamin sighed and nodded. “Fine. Go.”  

 --- 

“This is amazing” Dr Simmons breathed. 

Bea was back in the medical bay with her gown pulled up. Gabby and Dr Simmons were closely examining what used to be wounds. 

“Hmm?” Bea asked. 

“Last night when I checked your dressings, the wounds were still open, there was still poison moving through your system. We had no antidote and were consulting the Elders for an antidote. Not 12 hours later this is healed, and you’re on your feet and moving!” 

Bea looked down at the silver scars running from her belly button to her chest and absentmindedly shrugged – “Maybe my wolf finally healed, and she could heal me from the inside. Can I go back to my room now?” 

Dr Simmons frowned at her – “Alright, as long as you take it easy and no training for a week. Don’t worry, I’ll speak to Johnathan.” Before Bea could protest Dr Simmons shot her a glare. But she wanted her own bed, a hot shower, so Bea shut her mouth and nodded reluctantly. 

Gabby moved to readjust her gown and gave her a quick cuddle “I’ll walk you to your room if you like?” She helped Bea sit up and placed some slippers on her feet. As she helped her up, there was a soft knock on the door.  

Alexander stood in the doorway. With his slightly ruffled hair, piercing blue eyes, and just a hint of stubble, he really was a sight to behold. He was dressed in a fitted black shirt and blue jeans both of which left nothing to the imagination when he moved towards the girls. 

“What do you want?” Bea hissed. Having heard about the drama at breakfast, Gabby moved to block Bea from Alexander. 

He stopped in his tracks and raised his hands. “I just want to talk. Please.”

Gabby glared at him and turned to Bea. Bea held Alexander’s gaze for a moment before turning to Gabby and nodding. “That’s ok Gabby, Alexander here can talk to me while he walks me to the packhouse.” 

“Are you sure?” 

Bea nodded. 

Gabby turned her attention to Alexander and narrowed her eyes at home – “You listen here mister, Lycan or not, you hurt my best friend. You so much as hurt a single hair on my girl and I will come at you you hear me?” 

Slightly taken aback, Alexanders lips twitched slightly, and he bowed. With a huff, Gabby turned and left to find Dr Simmons.  

When he turned back towards Bea, he found her getting to her feet and steadying herself.  

“Hey hey” he said as he moved to grab her arm. He felt a pang in his heart as she recoiled from him.  

They walked together out of the medical bay and he couldn’t help but chuckle when he realised she was a full foot and a half shorter than him. She was tiny! But then again, he had seen her fight. He won’t be underestimating this one.

Bea looked up at him and raised an eyebrow – “You said you wanted to talk?” 

Alexander sighed. “Fine. Look, I’m not one to move against the Elders. This threat, it’s real and it will only get worse. This isn’t an ideal situation, but you need to get over this and do what needs to be done so that we can fight whatever it is we’re fighting.”  

Bea stopped in her tracks. This little prick. Get over this?

“And what makes you think I want to help you.” She turned and carried on walking only for Alexander to grab her arm and drag her back. He pulled her into his arms, ran his hand in through her hair, and cupped the back of her head, tilting her head up so she’s looking right at him.  Despite his reservations in opening up to his second chance, he can't deny the mate pull. 

Her scent was like an aphrodisiac and for a moment her vision clouded. He bent slightly and buried his face in the crook of her neck, nipping lightly at her skin to take her in.  

Bea moaned and melted into his touch. Her wolf howled with pleasure at their mates ministrations but then, a whisper. He doesn’t want you. 

Her eyes snapped open and she pushed him away, tears in her eyes. “You can’t just take what you want and leave the rest in pieces.”  

She turned and marched towards the house.