The Things That Love Can Do

Leaving Her Safe Haven

Beep! Beep!

The city was bustling as it always did. The skyscrapers drew long shadows over the pavement below. The sun glinted off of every window in sight. Cars polluting the air had created a rather thick feeling to it. The honking of horns everywhere almost made you wish you had headphones in all the time. Cop cars flashed their lights up and down the streets regardless of what time it was. Homeless people sleeping on people's cement stairs. Cops on horses always circled the parks.

It seemed like the worst place for a vampire. Too much light. Strangely enough, it was also too open for a werewolf. And yet, one did. Well, not completely a werewolf... she was a hybrid. A vampire-werewolf is an extremely rare and dangerous creature. The speed and strength of a vampire, combined with the loyalty and shapeshifting abilities of a werewolf, make for an extremely powerful and deadly combination. The sheer coldness of a vampire with a living body, and the extra heat of a werewolf made it extremely easy to blend with humans.

Brrrriiiinnnngggg! Brrrriiiinnnngggg!

"Hello?" Asked a beautiful redhead with slate grey eyes.

"Is this Ms. Amethyst Harvey?" Asked a deep voice on the other side of the line.

"Who are you and what do you want?"

"Unfortunately, we cannot tell you. We fear you may either try to hide from us or kill us, so for now just listen. We know where you are. We know what you are. If you know what's good for you, then you will rendezvous with our contact at the park behind the high schools this evening at about 9:00 PM, under one of the picnic gazebos."

Click!

"Well, that was strange..." Amethyst proclaimed.

"Who was that Ams?" Asked a tall dark beauty.

"I dunno. Probably just a prank call. Now, where were we, Jade?"

When they came to a stop, Jade tossed her bleach-blonde hair over her right shoulder and put it in a side ponytail so that it stayed out of the wind coming from the car window.

"We were on our way to that beach party a couple of towns over! How could you forget?"

"Distracted I guess..."

"Girl, get your head out of the clouds! We are going to have fun! Maybe we'll even see that tall handsome boy that you seem to be so interested in." Jade winked her stark blue eyes at the mention of the beta Amethyst had been trying to recruit.

"Jade, don't exaggerate! He's just a friend."

"Uh-huh, that's what they all say." Jade chuckled.

After another 15 minutes of driving, they ended up at Ocean Beach. A beautiful beach in New London, Connecticut that had a small array of kiddie rides, a pool, and a wooden boardwalk that went the majority of the beach's attractions. There was an ice cream shop, an arcade, a small restaurant connected to a gift shop, a gym, and a few other places. It was always pretty here. One of the back beaches, which can be found by a small path through some vegetation, was covered in purple sand caused by the decomposed shells the gulls often left behind after their meals. Sunsets were Amethyst's favorite here. The red and orange hues reflecting off the water were always so breathtaking. The couples kissing on the beach often made her stomach churn, but they could easily be ignored.

"Yo! What's up with the contacts babe? This is a beach, not a beauty pageant." A 19-year-old dark-skinned guy asked Jade.

"Excuse me?"

"Your eyes aren't usual for someone with such dark skin. They're f*****g sky blue and that isn't natural!"

"For your information, dickhead, this IS my natural eye color! I have a genetic mutation and I love it! Now get away from us before I wanna break something of yours..."

The wanna-be gangsta ran off. Something about this woman scared the living daylights out of him. Was it the muscles completely visible since she was wearing a camo bikini? Was it the way her eyes glinted in the sun when she had that death glare? He didn't know. All he knew was that this woman was dangerous.

"What is it about you that everyone seems to find so scary? "

"Dunno. Don't really care. " Jade said with a shrug. "Let's just go have fun."

"Alright, off we go then."

--------

Amethyst's POV

As we reached the end of the boardwalk, we becan to hear music. Someone had brought their yellowing iHome stereo. How was the thing still working? It could have gotten sand or salt water in it... it could have even melted or dried from the overexposure to the solar radiation. It was a very hot day at the beach after all.

Our makeshift DJ was taking song requests. He had his phone hooked up to the stereo, so he could play any song you wanted. Provided that it could be found on the internet. Some one had requested a rap song.

Oh no... why did it have to be rap? I hate rap! I've got extremely sharp hearing on account of being part werewolf and even I can't understand what the f**k they are saying!

As soon as that abomination was finished I went up to the "DJ" and requested a Katy Perry song. He gladly put it on. Apparently he only put it on because some random guy who wasn't invited, threatened to break the stereo.

I started looking for Michael. I expected to see him surrounded by like EVERY girl on the beach or their angry ex-boyfriends they had just dumped for him. Nope.

I almost assumed that he wasn't here yet until I saw him down by the water watching the kids. He always did that. It was as if he was waiting for something to happen. Anytime we went somewhere with kids, he had to watch them. Creeped out parents often approached him to ask him to stop, but he always said "I'm trained in children's CPR. I watch in case something happens and my help is needed. Occupational hazard, sorry." They usually understood that, but a lot of them also asked what he did. "Well I have a younger sister who unfortunately has cerebral palsy, so I volunteer at her daycare." Most people are sympathetic and leave him alone after this but select few people are special. These are the people who think that only a pedophile man would be willing to watch children. I find it funny because a lot of their kids have a Male doctor and the same logic that could be applied seems to fall apart here...

As I sauntered across the sand, I kicked a tiny seashell. I picked it up and a wide cheeky grin started making its way across my face. This was going to be funny.

"HEY Eagle eyes! I don't think the kids need you watching when the lifeguards are here." I teased throwing the tiny seashell at the back of his skull.

He began looking around for me. Turning his head from side to side before realizing that I was behind him. He spins around wrapping me in a hug and shouts "ALPHA!"

My face gets redder than a tomato when I realize that a lot of people are staring. Many look at us with confusion or suspicion, while others are brushing it off as teenage fun.

"Can you NOT SHOUT that everytime you see me? Also please let go. You're crushing my ribs." I scold, trying to wiggle free without hurting him. I'm much stronger since I'm part vampire but I don't think he knows that.

"Make me!" He teases while making that face. The face you expect from a 5 year old who doesn't want to share their favorite toy. That eye shut, nose crinkled, tongue sticking out face.

UGH... He can be such a child... I think to myself.

Yeah he can be, but it's kinda cute when he does that... my inner wolf interjected.

And just where have you been all day?

Oh, you know. Around... around the vast places of our mind... I can't really go anywhere else...

I ignored that last bit and returned my attention to Michael.

"MICHELANGELO MATTELIANO! PUT YOUR ALPHA DOWN! NOW!" I commanded, with the Power of the Alpha.

He whimpers slightly. If he were in his wolf form his ears would've been drawn backwards. He reluctantly put me down. Clearly he wasn't done teasing and having fun. As my feet hit the sand I realize my flip flops must have fallen off as he was swinging me around. Probably during my inward conversation with my wolf, as I don't recall them slipping off. I put them back on and as I stood up I noticed what he was wearing.

I'd have expected him to wear that tight-skinned long-sleeved shirt he always does. But boy was I sure glad he wasn't. This Puerto Rican had a six pack of the gods. And his arms were just the right kind of muscular. His legs were that you'd expect to match with the rest of his body. And that golden brown skin tone just put everything together. I knew I'd find out who my mate was in another couple of months, but I wouldn't mind having him for a mate. Sexy and funny were just my type. This man had it.

"So hey... We need to talk... Away from prying ears..." he almost seemed to stumble over his words. As if he couldn't figure out how to phrase it.

"Alright how about the open gazebo back on the end of the board walk?" I suggested.

"Eh. I was thinking more of the purple beach... Hardly anyone goes there."

"Alright, lead the way."

When we got there he looked around. Ensuring that we weren't within the earshot range of a werewolf from anyone. When he was sure he put his hands on my shoulders as his voice darkened. "Have you heard what happened to the local pack and vampire coven this January?" He asked.

"No. Why are you only asking me this now? Why not bring it up when it happened?" I asked confused.

"Because you had just gotten here at the beginning of the school year and I wasnt quite sure that I could trust you yet." He said, dropping his arms and head in what looked like... disappointment? Embarrassment? I couldn't quite tell.

"Ok... So why tell me now?"

"I've been contacted by the Alpha Association and Holy Council. You have been chosen as the bride to a werewolf and a..." he paused for a moment before spitting out the word with disgust. "Vampire."

"Why me?" I asked, completely dumbfounded.

"Because apparently the human's world conference met to see who might better benefit from such a coupling... or something."

I stood shocked, mouth agape. I quickly shut it before thoughts of fear began to surface. Could they have found us? Was that what that strange phone call was about? I can't have been tracked that easily so soon... They never visited... Why haven't they shown up in person then? So many questions so little time.

I must have been standing there with a weird look on my face, because he soon asked "What's wrong?"

I explained the phone call I had earlier this morning. His eyebrows furrowed as I explained the details.

"He didn't say you had to go alone did he?"

"No, I don't think so. Why?" I asked.

"Because I get the feeling you may need some backup."

We talk a bit longer about our plan for this evening before heading back to the party. We stayed until a little after sundown. Jade was distracted with one of the boys at the party and was slow dancing with him. I gathered up my things before heading to the bathroom to change out of my black bikini. I put on a shoulder-less blue crop top and my favorite shorts that stopped just after my butt. Most girls my age preffers the ones that stop halfway up their buttcheeks, but I find them weird and uncomfortable. I put my bikini in my beach bag, wrapped up in my towel.

Michael and I jumped in his jeep and headed to the park. As we passed our school, a smile spread across my face. Remembering that I had already graduated. If I was going to potentially die here, at least I had one achievement I could be proud of. We pulled into the park. Technically we could be arrested for trespassing at this hour but no one ever really cared here. I hopped out of the jeep and walked towards one of the gazebos that protected the picnic tables. And Michael soon followed careful to hang back in case we offended the "contact."

"Who's your friend?" A woman, cloaked in shadow, asked.

"My second in command, otherwise known as my beta. I was never told to come alone. I have him for extra security. Who are you, and what do you want?"

"I can't tell you who I am. I can only tell you I know a friend. My boss wants me to send their regards but I'm warning you to stay away from them. They are very dangerous and very close to you. The things that are happening are their doing. If you can, RUN! That's all I can say. Now go before I'm caught betraying my boss!" She soon dissapeared and we left.

I sat in the jeep thinking. When I looked up Michael was looking at me.

"So. What are you gonna do?"

"I guess I have no choice... I've got to go get... MARRIED." I spit the word out like I just ate something foul.

"But what if the two you're supposed to marry are old guys or women o-o-o-or um um um um wh-what if they hate you? What will you do?" He stuttered quickly. He does that whenever he gets nervous.

"Wait until the threat is over with and break the marriage off. I have to find my fated one. I can only love him." I looked at him as I said that.

"Oh. Right..."

We went to our houses to pack a few things... I packed whatever I could into my suitcase... it was a magical suitcase that I had gotten one year for my birthday. I'm not sure who sent it, because it was left outside my tower when I was little. I managed to get all of my clothes and a few books. Along with my laptop and game consoles. I couldn't fit my flatscreen because the suitcase was too small, but I grabbed anything else small enough to fit. I assumed where I was heading would have a flat screen or tv in general. As my suitcase was a neverending storage space, I could fit whatever I wanted and still move it around like it weighed nothing. When my house was pretty much cleaned out I zipped up the suitcase and rolled it out to the jeep. I put it in the small trunk, and secured it with the straps.

When Michael had finished packing we headed out. Apparently the werewolf I was supposed to marry lived on the local pack's territory. When we got to the edge we were met by a pitch black wolf and his entourage.

"Who are you?" He growled. His voice sounded like honey. His eyes were enchanting. I realized I had zoned out..

"Ummm... What?"

"Let me try that again. WHO ARE YOU?" He seemed to be the alpha's son or something. He actually thought he could command me to speak?

I folded my arms before speaking. "Someone looking for the Alpha. Clearly daddy hasn't taught his pup what happens when you try to command another Alpha." The sarcasm dripped from every word I said but I guess he didn't pick up on it.

"You don't seem like any Alpha I know." He growled again, more menacingly this time.

"Woah there kiddo, I'm here looking for the Alpha because I'm supposed to marry one of your pack along with a vampire..." Again the sarcasm rang loud and clear at the word kiddo but he seemed to take it to heart for a moment bed for shifting his focus.

"You are the one I'm supposed to marry with that bloodsucker?"

"I... wait...you?" My arms dropped to my sides as I began to realize I was actually talking to the Alpha...

"Yeah, as Alpha that duty falls upon me. They never said the woman was gonna be a fellow werewolf... I thought you would be human." And there it was... Those few words made me regret being rather standoffish.

I looked off to the side and began to shift my weight back and forth on either leg. "I'm part vampire... that may explain why..." I started messing with my long hair. I wasn't entirely comfortable viving up that information but if we were going to get married be might as well be aware of that fact. Michael didn't seem at all surprised... I guess it was something he just suspected or knew... I'm going with the latter...

"Great just great." He muttered. "What are your names?" He said loudly obviously annoyed.

"I'm Amethyst Harvey, this is my Beta Michaelangelo Matteliano. Just call him Michael or Mikey."

"Follow me." He turned around and pointed down the road with the side of his muzzle as he watched us obviously still a bit suspicious.

The alpha lead our jeep on the windy dirt road. His pack members surrounding the car to prevent us from escaping or trying to hurt him. I looked back over my shoulder, and knew that I was going to miss my hiding place.