My Secret I Never Knew

Rebirth cont.

7 MONTHS LATER

Neesh POV

These last months have been quiet , we’ve been training like crazy but no attacks thank goddess. I finished training early today and decided to sit against the bell tower and read a book. In 3days I will celebrate my 19th birthday with the Alpha triplets of Blood Moon and I’m really excited about Nikki coming back.

I haven’t seen her since Anthony and Eric’s birthday but even then it was a hi and bye situation and she seemed really upset. I couldn’t really show her the attention I wanted because of Alice, one of the shifters that’s here for training. Actually there are quite a few different people here, most are outcasts and runaways, a few are trainers. Apparently, the barrier that Nikki put up around the Inn, which we have named Safe Haven, keeps those wanting to cause harm out but it’s also a beacon of hope for those who need it. Everyone who has come has said that it feels like this place called to them at their darkest hour.

Like Jessie, she’s 18 and a Hybrid. Her mom was a werewolf, her father was a vampire, her mom passed away during childbirth. Her Pack didn’t know she was a hybrid at first and once they found out she was banished. She’s actually been here the longest, one of the firsts, she came about a month or so before Eric and Anthony’s birthday.

Nate, the 13 year old orphaned warlock came the same week as Jessie. Poor kid lost his entire family during a Scourge attack. In fact, there are about 8 kids here that have lost family due to those assholes and I’m ready to get rid of them.

Since the battle at Blood Moon when I embraced my powers I have been able to shift, not into a wolf but an owl surprisingly. Well, I’m surprised I can shift at all but it seems my wolf blood is just as powerful as my witch blood and it caused me to shift, I can also mindlink with the entire Blood Moon pack so that has its perks.

Everyone seems to have forgiven Candice as well, it’s not like she meant to make Nikki a target, well everyone except Eric. He’s not as hard on her as he once was but you can tell he still hasn’t let it go. They had combat training yesterday and he nearly cut off her leg, which is better than when they first started and he would aim for her head.

“Hey Nikki should be arriving soon, do you have everything ready?” Holly asked me as she walked up with twin pups in her arms. Her and Anthony had been going at it like rabbits so it was no surprise when they found out she was pregnant, nor was it a surprise they would have twins. One boy, one girl both have sky blue eyes, dimples and brown hair. Their names are Cory and Carol, both were adorable .

“Yes, I even set her up in her own bedroom as requested. Eric thought she would be staying with him, honestly so did I. I guess there’s still unresolved issues from the birthday incident.”

“Do you know what happened exactly? One minute Nikki was here the next she wasn’t.”

“Nope. Eric has no idea what happened that night either and Nikki refuses to talk about it.”

It’s strange Nikki came for the birthday party to surprise Eric, but she left before even seeing him. Something had upset her big time. I could have sworn that she had tears in her eyes but she never cries so I might’ve imagined it. I know her and Eric talk everyday so whatever it is can’t be about him.

“She’ll talk when she’s ready, we should probably get inside and help place the table.” Holly said as she walked towards the house, I walked behind her.

“Hey, what time is Nikki supposed to be here?” Anthony asked as he and Zack met us at the door, I immediately kissed Zack and ruffled his hair.

“Any minute now” Holly told him before handing him Carol. Suddenly the Bell in the tower began to ring causing everyone to come out front and walk towards it. We looked at each other confused, everyone was gathered out front so how was the bell ringing.

“Awwww how sweet everyone came out to welcome me, now this is the way you greet a girl.”

We all turned to see Nikki standing behind us looking badass, a black panther at each of her sides and a blue owl perched on her left shoulder. She was wearing a black loincloth set, the top had only one strap and covered her breast but the fabric stopped a few inches below her breast exposing her stomach which she had waist beads on. The bottom went down to her knees in the front and back but the sides exposed her firm thighs. Her Locs were cut to her shoulder blades, the back half hanging freely and the top half was in a bun with feathers sticking up. She had white tribal paint one her face and around her neck was her locket that Eric had given her on her 17th birthday. I noticed she had a bracelet on her wrist with an infinity symbol, kind of like the female version of the one Eric wore.

“Well somebody looks hot, like you were always attractive but now it’s like wow.” Anthony said, earning a smack to the back of the head from Holly and a punch in the shoulder from Eric. Anthony grunted and before we knew it a dagger made of energy was thrown at him, he blocked it with a shield before making a sword out of his own magic and racing towards Nikki. She created her own sword and they began to have a sword fight in the front yard. With each strike sparks would fly. I don’t know how or when but somehow this was their way to greet each other.

Soon Nikki had him disarmed with her sword at his throat, both of them laughing.

“Beautiful and a fighter such a perfect combination” a man said walking up behind Nikki smiling.

“Who the hell are you?” Eric said, starting to stalk towards the man who just placed his hands on his wonderfully chiseled abs and laughed. This man looked like a male sss warrior, he was wearing black loincloth similar to Nikki’s. His silver hair was braided on one side going to his shoulder blade and the other side was shaved.

“Sorry, ha, I’m rude today. Everyone, this Anakin, he’s a friend of mine from the tribe we were staying with in the Amazon.” Nikki said as she walked closer to him, placing one hand on his chest and leaning into him smiling. “He’s going to be staying with us a while and help out with a few things.”

“What’s a while and help with what, we have enough help as it is.” Eric said harshly walking towards them, Nikki rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hip.

“Calm down you barbarian, he has very useful skills and Rebecca agrees that his different techniques can come in handy.” Nikki argued

“Yes, Rebecca, where is she? It's been quite a long time since I’ve seen her,” my mother said, walking up to Nikki and hugging her before shaking Anakin’s hand.

“There was an incident on the way here.” Anakin said as Nikki giggled.

“What type of accident?” My mother asked with furrowed brows

“Well I was kind of sleepwalking and she tried to wake me and well somehow I turned her into a bird, an owl, a blue owl to be more precise. I haven’t been able to turn her back.” Everyone gasped and looked at the blue owl now on the porch

“You’re sleepwalking now, you didn’t tell me that. How long has it been happening?” Eric asked and before Nikki responded Anakin did it for her, “ about 3 months ago.” He said as he looked at Nikki and she nodded.

“I wasn’t talking to you.” Eric said with a slightly elevated voice, I noticed small sparks coming from his hand and I linked Zack. He quickly stepped in between Eric and the others and led him inside. We all began walking inside behind them, Nate ran to walk beside Nikki with his armed linked in hers. “It’s the middle of January, how are you not cold wearing that?” He whispered to her and she smiled before giving him a wink and saying, “magic of course.”

Dinner was awkward, very awkward. Eric wanted to sit near Nikki but so did Nate and Anakin, this forced Eric to have to sit by Candice and Jessie both of whom had clear crushes on him even though he was oblivious to that fact. However, both girls spent the entire time drooling at Anakin, Anthony asked if all the women in the sss dressed like how Nikki was, then suggested Holly do a little role play in an outfit like that.

Zack, my i***t mate, asked Anakin if everyone in the sss wore the same type of loincloth or if they have to cut their own animal for something different.

“Ok and that concludes this ridiculous dinner, Neesh I’ll meet you in your room after I show Anakin around and help him get settled so Zack, find something to do with yourself. Holly hand the babies over to dumb Donald for the night and Candice you can join too. Eric I’ll be in your room once I’m done with the girls and hopefully by then your testosterone levels aren’t in overdrive.” Nikki said as she left the table pulling Anakin behind her.

Nikki, Holly, Candice and I were in my room sitting around and laughing about how guys are idiots all over the world.

“Why were you even in the sss?” I asked Nikki

“I had a lead on my mom, well I thought I had a lead. I don't know according to Anakin and his tribe my mother could’ve been born there but to a different tribe. I just want to know something about her, I realize I’ve never really met any of her family or heard anything about her childhood. I didn’t know about my dad’s family having royal blood or being massacred but I knew something at least.” She said with a sigh.

“So, what’s the deal with you and the Amazonian hunk?” Holly asked wiggling her eyebrows.

“He’s just a friend, and a good one at that. Even if he wasn't, I wouldn’t be interested in him like that.”

“So you’re still stuck on Eric?” Candice asked nonchalantly

“I’m not stuck on anyone, Eric made it clear he loves me as a friend and I’m ok with that.” She said, twisting her Locs.

“Why did you cut your hair? It looks great but I never thought you would ever cut it” I asked since the girl never wanted anyone touching it. Her mom had long hair to her ankles and I think it was a connection to her for Nikki so I didn’t think she’d cut it.

“I actually didn’t cut it, a spell went wrong and I accidentally set myself on fire.” She said with a shrug as if it’s just natural.

We all asked if she was ok and she nodded laughing, “I’m alive and here so of course I’m ok. I was a little sad about my hair but it will grow back. I’m just glad no one was seriously hurt.”

“What happened Nikki, the night of the guy’s party? Why did you leave upset? Eric said he never even saw you that night.” The curiosity was killing me, she looked out the window and took a deep breath.

“It’s funny how you think one minute everything is perfect then the next reality slaps you in the face. I thought maybe I was starting to have feelings for him and him for me in an intimate way but that night I saw something that set me straight. I don’t really want to talk about it, he may not have seen me but I saw him.” She stated while looking out the window.

“Wow, whatever it was I’m sorry Nikki, you’re an amazing person and extremely hot. My dumb mate was right about that, any guy would be lucky to be with you.” Holly said before adding something about hitting Eric in the balls with a bat. We all laughed and talked more for a few hours, and I’m glad we did this. I really missed this, I’m glad I had this time with my girls.

Nikki was the first to leave, and the rest of us talked about random thoughts until we heard shouting.

“You’re a complete dumbass, do you know that dipshit like really Seriously Eric!”

“Nikki if the roles were different.”

“If the roles were different I wouldn’t be such a dumbass you dumbass.”

“Stop calling me a dumbass.”

“Fine, how about King of the dumbasses does that make you feel better or Guardian dumbass. Does that work better for you numb nuts?”

“Real mature Nicole”

“Look who’s talking, you know what goodnight and don’t talk to me tomorrow.”

Two doors were slammed followed by silence. “I say we should give Eric the treatment, he’s been such an ass.” I said to the girls, Holly agreed right away but Candice had to be nudged to agree to the idea. You would think she’d jump at the opportunity with the way he treats her but then again her mind is a mystery.