My Secret I Never Knew

Rebirth

Anthony’s POV

I was driving as fast as possible trying to get to Crystal heart, I felt Holly’s grief so I grabbed her hand in mine rubbed her knuckles with my thumb.

“She died, Anthony. We lost her. How can we be guardians or whatever if we can’t protect ourselves or people around us? We aren’t even able to keep Gemini out, my dad has ruins hidden around the land to keep evil magic out but The Scourge still got in”

“I don’t think that was the full organization, it was just mostly bears and wolves. Remember at Candice’s party dark magic was flying everywhere but not so much now. We can do this baby we just have to train harder and try to stick together during battles, you’re a badass and so is Blossom when you shift. We can do this, we won’t lose anyone else if we can help it.”

“Is Eric ok?”

“I don’t know, he’s not answering. He told me he was taking Nikki to our home and that we needed to talk to father. I told him I’d meet him. Hank is staying in your pack to keep an eye on things until tomorrow.”

“Ok”

“Holly, I know we don’t talk about my home much or my father. I promise I’ll open up more about him later but for now if he attempts to challenge you let it go, I know it might be hard to do with your Alpha blood but you have to. Please.”

She nodded as we pulled into the driveway of my family home, the flower gardens my mother had created were just weeds and dust. I hated coming home to this place, the only reason the house was still standing was because of Eric and I. Father had no interest in keeping the house in shape, he spent most of his time working or further into town with the council.

“This house is beautiful.” Holly said, I nodded. The building itself had 23 rooms, a kitchen, common area, dining area that seated 30 people, the basement was once a rec room but is now storage, and a porch that wrapped around the entire structure. A few yards to the right was a bell tower painted white with swirls of gold.

“This place has been in our family for generations, we have a smaller home in town but mom loved being here, it used to be an Inn. Rooms were filled most of the time, sometimes too many people wanted to stay and would put up tents in the back to do so. There was a small flower maze behind the house at one point but dad removed it when we were 11. The main town is about 35 minutes that way and we drove 2 and a half hours that way to get to school. Father didn’t want us completing school in town when our mom died so we didn’t.”

I said as I looked over the place, remembering how much more beautiful it would’ve been if father didn’t let so much of the nature around it die. We were used to him being strict but he became distant and cold when our mom died, he thought it was a planned attack since the day it happened no one was here. Not one guest was checked in that day and the ones that did have rooms were gone out, usually the place is packed all day long. Eric tried telling him once that the traffic of people does die down during certain times but dad didn’t want to hear it, he threw a tantrum destroying what flowers remained and disappeared for a week.

We walked inside and I showed Holly my room which was connected to Eric’s by an adjoining bathroom. Each room was created with it’s own bathroom originally, but my mom remodeled ours and we have the biggest bathroom in the place. Two sinks, two showers, two toilets, and two tubs. She literally just knocked down the one wall separating the bathrooms, she was way better at plants and people then remodeling we always thought. Father was even confused on why she didn’t just merge everything and her reply was, “they can get things done twice as fast Aaron, and when they have guests they push a button for privacy to separate the bathrooms again.” She had smiled and laughed as she pressed a button on the wall that lowered a wall from the ceiling creating two bathrooms again.

“Ant, are you guys hungry? I have food in here if you’re done with the tour of our bathroom, and don’t be loud Nik is resting” Eric’s voice invaded my head and I rolled my eyes before grabbing Holly’s hand and walking through to Eric’s side. He had 4 dining trays setup and food on three of them.

Nikki was asleep on his bed wearing one of his Jerseys, Eli was perched in an open window watching outside and Eric was sitting near the bed picking at his food.

“I’m glad she’s ok, but I don’t understand what happened. Eric you even burned Anthony’s hand and I didn’t think that was possible.”

“Neither did I Holly, I’ve never been able to hurt Ant and vice versa. I’m sorry I swear Bro I don’t know what happened.”

“It’s not your fault Eric, but what did it feel like what happened exactly I thought you were dying man.”

“I don’t know how I did it exactly but I couldn’t stop it and was starting to panic because I thought I was burning Nikki’s body to dust but I couldn’t move. Eli flew to my side and told me to just let go of my fear and trust my power, that we needed to be healed while she still had a beating heart. She was barely alive guys, and I yelled to release the pain and fear my heart was feeling but that made the fire hotter and brighter. It leapt off my body and formed some type of cocoon around us, then Eli opened his mouth and a snake made of fire came slithering out. I watched as it slithered over her, closing her wound before it fizzed into Ash. When I saw her breathing I felt my heart jump and the fire started to die down. I was, I am still pissed but I needed to get her to a safe place and we need to speak with father. I don’t understand how I was able to do this or half the other things we can do Ant. Think about it even if we are twins we shouldn’t be able to mind link, no witches or warlocks can. They can send an image or a word or two but that’s it and that’s only a handful that could actually do that. Then bursting into fire from time to time, I would’ve said maybe we inherited an elemental gene but NONE of the fire ones fly or sprout freaking wings.”

“You’re a Minokawa, or half Mainokawa. I'm not sure how much of it you are but that’s what you seem to be to me.” Nikki said with a yawn, we all looked at her and she was still laying down with her eyes closed. Eric and Holly got up to go near her and she held her hands out towards both of them. “Please stay back, I’ll hug you both once I sit-up and open my eyes. Which is most likely going to be once my body no longer feels like it’s burning.” She said and Holly laughed sitting back down but Eric hovered over her with furrowed brows.

“Eric, I’m fine, sit down and eat instead of playing with your food please. Oh and can anyone call Mrs. Lee and ask how it’s possible for me to hear Eli please?”

“Wait, what do you mean you can hear him, and what is a Minokawa?” I asked looking around at everyone, this day was so hectic and confusing.

“Geez you guys need to read more, I’ll tell you AFTER you all eat. Especially this guy who’s still staring at me, we got attacked before eating anything so open those mouths and digest. Oh then take a nap, we all need the rest. We can talk later, just eat and sleep if you’ve ever cared about me.” Nikki said, pulling the covers over her head. She then sat up and with her eyes still closed walked over grabbed my plate slid half the food onto Holly’s plate and ate the rest before retreating back under the covers.

“I didn’t just imagine that, right.” Eric’s voice asked in my head, I shook my head no and began to eat with Holly as Eric finally ate his food. We then quickly showered, I gave Holly one of my t-shirts and a pair of my shorts. We climbed into bed to get a few hours of rest.

I woke do to a loud banging sound followed by glass breaking, I looked over to see Holly jump up at the second banging sound.

“Please tell me there’s not another fight going on.” She said looking irritated. I stood up hearing another loud bang, this time Eric came running in from through the bathroom and looked around.

“Where’s Nik, and what the hell is that noise? I don’t see anything outside.” I shrugged and we all headed downstairs, where the banging was louder. We smelled delicious food, and as we walked into the Kitchen there was Nikki cooking and apparently ignoring the banging noises.

“Oh good Morning everyone, well good afternoon. I take it the rest did you all justice, now come eat. I made pasta, steak, chicken, steamed broccoli, corn, garlic bread and a salad. Wasn’t sure what everyone would be in the mood for.” She said with a smile then another bang occurred along with the sound of glass breaking.

“She does hear whatever that is right?” Holly asked with concern and confusion in her voice.

“Of course I hear it Hols, it’s been going on for hours. It’s their dad trying to get into this place.” Nikki said nonchalantly while taking a seat, Eric and I looked at each other before running to the front door and opening it.

“I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET INTO MY OWN HOME SINCE 10 LAST NIGHT, IT IS NOW 3:45 IN THE AFTERNOON. IF YOU TWO DON’T LET ME IN THIS INSTANT THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY!” He was fuming, veins were visible in his neck, his face was reddish, and hair was dripping sweat. Eric and I stepped onto the porch and looked around, we didn’t see a barrier or force field of any sort.

“What do you mean let you in, just walk into the damn house.” Eric said irritated and crossed his arms over his chest.

“DON’T YOU THINK IF I COULD HAVE I WOULD BOY?!” Father yelled, banging his fist in the air causing a loud banging noise that’s when we saw it, a shimmer of light where his fist landed. We ran off the porch to touch where he just had, but there was nothing but air. We walked 6 feet behind him and back to the porch effortlessly, but he couldn’t get through. He then picked up a flower pot and tossed it towards the house, it shattered against the wall.

“Well that explains the loud bangs and breaking glass sounds, but why can’t he get in.” I asked, Eric placed his hand on his chin and stated, “We’ve slept for almost 24 hours.” I rolled my eyes and hit his arm getting his attention before pointing to our father who was currently pissed staring at us.

“Father, we don’t know how to let you in because we don’t know what’s keeping you out. Have you tried an energy or plasma ball maybe ?” I attempted to be helpful and calm him down.

“I’ve tried EVERYTHING. This is your doing so you two undo it NOW.” He yelled pointing at us

“No it’s not their doing it’s mine, and no I can’t undo it. Well not at this moment anyway, I haven’t quite figured out how to take it down or if I even want to for that matter.” Nikki said walking onto the porch with two plates of food, Holly behind her with plates in both hands as well. The girls handed us a plate then sat down on the stairs and started to eat.

“Maybe we should have brought out a plate for their father.” Holly said staring at my dad and Nikki shook her head while scrunching her face.

“He’ll eat once he calms down. Eric, Anthony you two sit and eat now. We can all keep father dearest here company.” Nikki said with a smirk. One thing I always loved and hated about Nikki was her fearlessness when it came to speaking her mind. This was one of those hated times. We ate and watched my father continue to try to get in, throwing magic and objects at the house. The magic would ricochet back to him, while the items crashed and broke against the wall. We were done eating long before he was done throwing things and decided to rest on the ground. We watched him as he stared at us, then the winged man and Angel appeared beside him. We all watched as they walked right onto the porch, we stood and looked at my father who still couldn’t get through.

“Well you must be the beautiful and talented Nicole I’ve heard so much about, I’m Ariel.” He said as he kissed the back of Nikki’s hand, Eric wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer to him and away from Ariel.

“Right, just friends.” Holly whispered to me with a giggle.

“I’m glad to see you are well, Nicole, especially since we have a few things to discuss with you.” Angel said, “can we take our conversation inside or do you all prefer it here?” We all agreed to stay outside and I went in to bring out two chairs for Angel and Ariel.

“Now Miss Nicole, I’ll allow you to ask me three questions and I’ll answer them honestly.” Ariel said, watching Nikki closely as if she would run away.

“Uhm ok I guess. Well my first question is are the others ok, and by others I mean EVERYONE at Blood Moon pack. I know I Candice is ok but we left so many defenseless when I went to help her, then Eric came to help me and now I’m rambling, sorry. Is everyone at the pack safe?” Her question seemed to surprise him but then he smiled.

“The pack suffered casualties, 20 pack members to be exact. Everyone else at Blood Moon is fine.”

“Eric accidentally burned his brother’s hand, I’m hoping it will heal but how is it possible? They should be the same.”

“They were, but Eric is now stronger UNTIL Anthony embraces his full power. They are twins, identical in every way even in cause of their rare magic. Yes identical in every way but still different.”

“I want to know why the magical block on Candice can’t be removed without killing her.”

“It can, the spell in place on her causes her body to react the way it does in order to stop whoever is trying to remove the spell from going forward. This keeps the spell or magical block as you call it in place on her, you my dear were the only one who came extremely close to removing it.”

“Who is Gemini?”

“Aht Aht Aht. I said you get three questions, not four.”

“Yeah I know, and who is Gemini is my third and last question.”

“No, you asked a question about your friend Candice and the spell on her.”

“ Nope I said I WANTED TO KNOW WHY, that was a comment made out loud it wasn’t in a question form. You took it upon yourself to answer my thought.”

“Well aren’t you a clever one. Fine, I'll answer. I don’t know who Gemini is but I do believe that it’s two people not one that makes up Gemini. They are very powerful and organized which is why I believe the Scourge is so powerful, two leaders instead of one working in sync.”

He looked at Angel then to us.

“Will he allow the rest of us questions?” I asked Angel, she smiled at Ariel and he nodded. “I’ll allow you each to ask one question since your friend here was not selfish with her questions and I find that refreshing.” I nodded and motioned for Holly to go first.

“Will we be able to protect everyone once we fully embrace our powers?” Holly asked while looking at Nikki then at her own hands.

“No matter how powerful you become it is impossible to protect everyone, I’m sorry. Although you can protect many, like you did yesterday. There were 500 pack members on your land, you only lost 20. Those are good numbers if you ask me.” He said giving her a slight smile then looked at me.

“Who killed our mother?” I asked, I saw Eric stiffen out the corner of my eye and I heard my father stand to his feet.

“The Scourge, the seer at the time saw power radiating from this house and sent werewolves to destroy the source which should have been a small child. They were given specific instructions on a time to attack but they got a little impatient and attacked too early.”

“They were sent here to kill you Nik.” Eric clenching his fist at his side while holding Nikki tightly with the other hand.

“What are you talking about, you don’t know that.” She said looking at him

“You were supposed to come that day for another session, mom convinced father that she knew of a way to remove the spell Silver Lake placed on you. It would’ve cured you, I stayed behind to help clean and get things ready. Mom was murdered because those soulless bastards were after a child.”

Angel and Ariel nodded, sadness in their eyes. Nikki looked down, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Eric and Anthony. My existence causes so much pain. I shouldn’t have been born.” She said. I walked over to her and pulled her into a hug before speaking.

“Had you not been born Eric here would’ve been a bump on a log, even when mom was alive he was the boring one, I’ve always had the personality. Without you I would have never met the most amazing friends I’ve ever known. You were the one who forced us to eat with you and your friends remember. Candice would probably have been a miserable rec, the Animal Sanctuary wouldn’t run so smoothly or at all. You think I don’t know the stuff you sneak around and do at the place. If you hadn’t been born your parents wouldn’t have been so happy or felt the love you provided them with daily. Rebecca wouldn’t have gotten to experience the joy of having an amazing daughter like you or even left the state to explore anything. Without you so many more lives would have been lost to The Scourge, and let’s not forget the most important thing. I would’ve lost Holly if you hadn’t been here, I would’ve never had my soul mate. This woman that completes and complements me, makes my world so much brighter and exciting. Nikki you are so important to all of us, and you deserve to be alive spreading your love and happiness. Even when you put on your angry girl mask, I can see through it. You're only protecting those you love and care about.” I suddenly felt Nikki being yanked from my arms.

“Dude what the hell.”

“Eric it’s fine, it actually kinda tickles.” Nikki said with a giggle. I opened my eyes to see flames dancing on my arms, Holly touched me and giggled too.

“She’s right, babe you’re not hot but it’s like a tickling sensation and it’s warm but not hot.”

“How do I stop it before it gets more dangerous?” I asked no one in particular.

“You can’t but you can step out onto the lawn and let your powers take over, it’s going to be similar to your brothers but different.” Ariel said, I ran away from the house as the flames grew. Hank was arriving and I held my left arm out for him to land, and I extended my right arm to Holly so she could join me. Soon the fire was dancing around us before it began to swirl like a tornado and we were in the eye of the store. Hank flew off my arm and landed beside me, I pulled Holly into me and kissed her softly at first. Then she stuck her tongue into my mouth deepening the kiss, while wrapping her arms around my neck.

I quickly slid my shorts off without breaking the kiss and started to pull hers off as well.

“Anthony, we're in the front of your house.”

“And no one can see us, come on I’ll be quick.” She rolled her eyes and allowed me to remove the shorts. I picked her up and positioned her on my length, lifting her up and down as she moaned. She bit down on my mark to keep from screaming as I went harder and faster, I could feel her nails digging into my back as she moaned into my neck. I felt the warm blood sliding down my neck, the cool fire around us started to burn brighter, wider and just a little warmer. I laid her on the ground without removing myself from inside her, and her teeth never left my spot. I began to do deep and fast until I felt her release causing her to bite deeper, I placed the palm of my hand on her neck and grunted feeling my own release inside her. She removed her teeth and licked my neck, sealing it, I kissed her then noticed the fire was slowly starting to die, I quickly dressed her then myself before standing and allowing the fire to die completely.

Everyone was watching us once the fire was down, different expressions on their faces. My father looked irritated, my brother embarrassed, Angel curious, Ariel amused and Nikki happy. She was smiling ear to ear.

“Well that’s an interesting way for one to embrace their power.” Ariel said with a chuckle, Nikki rolled her eyes at him. “So guys first off we heard everything, way to go Anthony sounds like you know how to please a woman. Oh and by the way Holly you’re marked and you should really see it, I would definitely get a tattoo like that. Not on the neck though maybe on my thigh or something.” Nikki said grinning, while Eric groaned and placed his hand over his face.

I turned Holly’s blushing face to the side and looked at her neck, she was marked. Usually I mark her with a hawk silhouette but this mark was a heart with an infinity symbol overlapping in the middle of it. It looked amazing and I was confident it wouldn’t fade like the others, I couldn’t help the smile forming on my face.

We starting walking back into the house, we’ll everyone except our father. Who began to fume again.

“Nikki are you sure you don’t know how to remove the barrier?”

“Haven’t really thought about it, but don’t think I want to. It seems to be doing it’s job perfectly.”

“How the f**k is it working perfectly if I can’t get into my own damn home you walking curse, what did you do to my home you filthy w***e?”

“Geez you guys have such a tool for a father. Listen here asshole, you’re not able to enter because you’re such a d**k and you’re trying to cause harm to someone in this house.”

“Nikki don’t”

“No Anthony, he’s a horrible father. Sure he lost his mate but you guys lost your mother. His behavior is not ok. The way he treats you is not ok” she said the last part sadly staring at the stairs. I thought for a second Eric had told her everything but his face showed me that he was just as shocked at her words then I was. He looked at me then his voice floated into my head.

“What all does she know?”

“I don’t know I thought you told her something, I never talk to her or anyone about him. Not even Holly. Stop her Eric, you know what will happen if she keeps trying to challenge him.” I was afraid for her, Eric nodded then whispered in her ear. I could tell she didn’t want to listen to him, she was in her protective mode and usually Eric could pull her out of it but the look in her eyes showed determination.

“Nikki, please just please don’t. It’s ok, we’re ok. We won’t be if something happens to you, please.” I said looking her in the eyes, she looked back and forth between my brother and I before nodding her head.

“I will not remove it, I had a surge of power from Eric healing me so it’s pretty powerful and will take a lot of energy to remove. I am NOT taking it down.” She said as she looked between my brother and I then she turned to our father, “if you wish to enter this house that was once a home you need to calm down and release the anger in your heart. As long as you wish harm to anyone in this house you are unable to get in, if the need to harm someone returns once in the house you WILL be ejected from the house. I think you should also know that your wife created this spell, but I am not sure of how to completely remove it. I know it will take a lot of energy just trying but I am not willing to waste that energy on what you want. I will be starting on dinner, Angel if you and Ariel would like to stay you are welcome to do so.”

She then walked into the house, I turned to Holly and kissed her on the forehead before placing her hand in mine and leading her into the house. Ariel and Angel followed behind us while Eric stayed on the porch.

“She’s hurt that she couldn’t help.” Holly said to me lowly, “I am sorry for what you went through, I.., I am sure that your father loves you both. He’s just blinded by his own grief, once he heals he will regret everything.”

“How do you know, what happened to us? What do you know about what happened?”

“I know everything and I am sure Nikki does too.” She said as tears flowed from her beautiful eyes, I looked at her confused. How could they know everything. “Hank told me, at first he was only able to communicate with Blossom. I didn’t know he asked her to keep it a secret, but then somehow I started to hear him. He was talking to me outside, I could feel Blossom trying to gain control and didn’t understand why so he told me. Including what would happened if I challenged him, Blossom still wants to but I’m keeping her at bay.”

I watched as she cried softly and then I pulled her into my chest, she was fighting an inner battle with her wolf. I didn’t want her doing that, Alpha wolves are very protective and she’s going against herself to honor my wishes.

“Hank you ass why would you tell her or Blossom anything?”

“Why didn’t you tell her anything?”

“I didn’t tell her because I didn’t want her feeling how she is now I wanted to protect her”

“No what I did protects her, she knows of the danger, she has all the information. She can help you dummy.”

“How are you even able to communicate with her or her wolf?”

“I don’t know, and I didn’t want to tell you until I did. I just felt it then did it.”

I kissed Holly and told her we should go upstairs and get cleaned up for dinner, she nodded and we started to head up. I could feel her sorrow and anger through the bond and I knew what it was for, I felt her love as well.

I know we would have to deal with father and the past but not today not know, I scooped Holly up carrying her bridal style.