The Second Star (Book Three of the Star Series)

The Aftermath

•Kaleys POV•

Me and mom pull up to the Jackson house and I see Arc is running into the woods. I get out as Siri amd Bella are coming out onto the porch. "Where is he going?" I ask pointing towards where Arc disappeared into the woods. "Who knows." Siri says. I turn around and start to run towards where he went in. "Be careful Kae." mom yells and I just keep running.

It has been a long two years. And I cant go any longer without talking to Arc and telling him what has been going on. We were best friends and then all of a sudden he started to avoid me. I hear the stories. About how he is sleeping around. And I feel broken everytime it happens. I know that he doesnt know. At least I hope he doesnt.

The past year all I could think was that he knows and he isnt happy about it. Why else would he disappear everytime I come around. But I made up my mind. I couldnt take anymore. So me and mom came so that I could finally speak with him. I need to tell him the truth. And I need to know how he feels about it. So I run.

I follow his scent and I feel like I'm never going to catch him. He is fast. Faster than he was two years ago. I see that I'm almost to the bottom of the mountains so I slow down. I catch his scent and follow slowly and call put to him so he knows it is me that is tailing him.

"Arc? Where are you? We need to talk?" I yell as I step into a clearing and there stands Arc behind a massive bear. He spins around. "Watch out." I yell as the bears claws come across his side.

The bear smacked him to the ground and before he can get back up it clamps its powerful jaws onto his leg. He screams out and punch the bear in the head. It releases his leg but then swipes again with its claws right across his face. He falls back and then I start towards the bear. I have to save him. The bear spins around towards me and Arc leaps up and jump on the grizzlies back.

He tries to wrap his arms around its neck but it turns quickly and he slides down alittle. His arms wrap around the bears chest. The bear stands straight up and I can see Arc squeeze the bear harder. Just then the bear falls backwards to the ground and Arc is underneath it. I run up towards them to attempt to get the bear off of him when he pushes the bear to the side.

He lays there looking at the sky breathing heavy. "Arc. Oh my goddess. Arc. Look at me." I scream kneeling down next to him. He doesnt respond just closes his eyes. I look over him and see the horrible injuries inflicted by the bear. What did I do? I made him loose focus. This is all my fault.

Tears start to fall down my cheeks and I do the only thing I can think of. My teeth elongate and I pierce my wrist to get the blood flowing. I place my wrist to his mouth and let my blood drip into his mouth. I then feel his teeth pierce into my skin and I let out a small gasp. I have never been bite by a vampire before. And it was quite painful. But it was instantly replaced by an intense pleasure.

It catches me off guard and I pull my wrist from his mouth. I look down at him and see that his leg and side is already starting to heal. I notice the pool of blood forming behind his head. He must have hit a rock when he fell back. I lean closer to see if I can spot the injury when he opens his eyes and looks straight into my eyes. "You sure are beautiful." He says as he lifts his hand and brushes my cheek with his fingertips.

He closes his eyes again. "Arc? Can you hear me?" I ask and he doesnt respond. Hes out again. The claw Mark's on his face start to heal and are now thick scars. I slowly and carefully pick up his head and find that a sharp rock is pierced straight into his skull. I gasp at the thought and as gently as I can pull him up and place his arm around my shoulders and start to drag him home.

I am strong but carrying him that far is taking alot of strength. Once I reach the border I yell out. "Somebody, get help. Arc is injured." A few warriors run to my side and grab Arc so that I can catch my breath. Then Right in front of me Siri and Georgia appear. "Oh my goddess, what happened?" Georgia says running to Arc. "There was a bear." I say. And before I know it Georgia touches Arc and they disappear. Siri takes my hand and the next thing I know I'm standing in the infirmary.

The doctor is already rushing to Arc and me and Georgia are ushered out of the room by a few of the nurses. "What happened?" Georgia says to me. "I followed him to a clearing and then when I stepped out of the tree line he looked at me and I must have startled the bear with my yelling. I didnt know there was a bear. I was just looking for him. I'm so sorry." I cry. The tears are coming freely now Siri helps me sit in a chair.

"Its not your fault." Siri says rubbing my back. "Well, if a bear was involved then I'm glad the only injury is to his head. How did that happen?" Georgia asks sitting next to me and taking my hand in hers. "They were fighting and the bear turned towards me when Arc jumped on it's back. The bear fell back and he must have landed on the rock." I say sniffling. "So, how did you kill the bear?" Siri asks. "I didnt. He crushed it. He wrapped his arms around it and crushed the life out of it."

Just then mom, Donovan, Johnny, and Bella come rushing down the hall. Georgia tells everybody what I said and they all sit down to wait for the doctor to come out for more information. "Dang, he must be pretty tough to take down a bear like that with a head injury and not get mauled." Johnny says alittle proud that his brother is that tough and I let out a whimper and the tears fall again. "What? What did I say?" Johnny asks.

I shake my head trying to get the image of Arcs mauled body out of my mind. "It was horrible. His legs were mauled. His face had gouges, His side was ripped open. I cant get the image out of my head." I say crying. "Wait? He didnt look that bad." Siri says confused. "I...I..I gave him my blood." I said and my mom gasps and everybody looks at her. "What? What does than mean?" Bella asked.

"Honey, hes going to know now. I thought you were going to wait." Mom says. "What did you want me to do. Let him lay there injured like that? You didnt see him. I couldnt." I say. "Somebody please tell me what is going on." Donovan says. "If a vampire drinks the blood of its mate it helps speed up the healing process. So if a vampire is gravely injured it could take weeks to heal but if they drink the blood of their mate then it speeds thing up and they can heal in days. Sometimes hours. But they can only drink their mates blood. Any other blood of a human or a supernatural will turn the vampire feral." Mom explains. "So what? What does this mean?" Johnny ask looking worried.

"Oh my goddess, it means that Arc and Kaley are mates. Finally. I didnt know how much longer I could keep that secret." Bella says letting out a huff. "You knew?" Georgia asks looking at Bella and then Siri. "Weve known since Johnny's coronation. But we promised Kaley we wouldnt say anything after Arc was all over those other girls. Kaley was devastated." Siri speaks up. "I cant believe nobody told me." Georgia says. "I'm sorry. but it wasnt ours to tell." Mom says to Georgia amd Georgia face softens. "I suppose your right. So what does this mean then?" Georgia asks.

"Well, unfortunately since Arc drank Kaleys blood she has started the mating process. So once Arc wakes you need to tell him what has been going on amd what you did." Mom says looking at me. I nod and slump down in my chair. We sit and wait for what seems like forever. It turns out to really only be about an hour.

The doctor comes out. We all stand up and rush around him. "Dont worry. The prince is going to be fine. We removed the rock that was through his skull and stitched him up. We did xrays and a CAT scan. Everything looks good. By the time we returned from all the tests his head wound was already starting to heal. I say about another six or seven hours and it will be just a scar. He does have some scars across his left cheek and his legs are pretty scared. But he will be fine. No lasting injuries."

Everybody let's out a breath that they were holding. "Can we see him?" Donovan asks. "Yes. But I would suggest that you be quick as he needs rest. Only two people at a time please." He says and we all nod. I have a seat and Georgia and Donovan go into the room with Arc. After about five minutes Donovan comes out. "Your mom wants to stay so go ahead and go in one at a time." He says and Johnny gets up to go in. Donovan comes to me and gives me a hug. "I'm glad it's you." He says and smiles. "Listen, if you wanna go in last you can stay with Georgia. She said she not leaving him here alone so you are free to stay with her." "Thank you." I say amd give him a weak smile. He turns and walks away.

One by one everybody goes in to see Arc. And when it's my turn I walk in and cant help but whimper when I see him laying in the hospital bed with his head wrapped up and the scars across his face. I sit down next to him and Georgia stands up. "I'm gonna give you some time alone honey." She says and she walk out. I place his hand in mine and kiss the top of his hand.

"Arc. I know that you are going to be ok. I am so sorry that I distracted you. I just wanted to talk to you. I love you Arc. Please wake up soon." I say and lay my head down on his bed. I slowly drift off to sleep with his hand in mine.