Cursed with Life and Death

NYE (pt. 1)

I wake disoriented, hot, and with a fuzzy headache that’s made worse by the brightness of the room. 

I blink a few times and begin untangling my limbs from Xander. 

“Mmm 5 more mins baby” he groans out and tightens his grip around me, making me smile. 

“You better hope it’s me,” I recite.

“It’ll never be anyone else I’m waking up with again,” he smiles and peeks his eyes open at me. 

Ok that was good. I swoon a little and look up into his bright blue eyes.

“Good Morning. Should I go make-" he starts to say but looks over to the side, mind linking with someone. 

He sighs. “Everything ok?” I ask, feeling his unease. 

“I have to go back to the pack house.” He replies seriously, sitting up.  

“Right away? Did something happen?” I frown. It’s New Year’s Eve tonight and we were supposed to go out with everyone. 

“I don’t know. My dad just ordered me to come back immediately. He doesn’t know I’m here so I should get going sooner rather than later.” He says swinging his legs off the bed to get up. 

“Hey don’t sweat it, I'll just teleport us back after breakfast. Our friends can fly home on the jet in a day or two.” 

“We’re pretty far, are you sure you can do that?” He asks, studying me. 

“Yeah. We’re closer than the beach house and I teleported back from there mid-fight, while bleeding out. This should be no problem.” I say not really thinking about it. He stills, his eyes snapping to mine. 

Oh right! Av lifted the spell. 

I look away. I’m going to need coffee before that conversation. 

 I slide out of bed hopping a little at the cold floor, making my way into the closet to throw some clothes on.  I land on a pair of leggings and a soft grey cashmere sweater. I grab a weekender bag and pick out a few things to bring with me to the pack house.. I add my purse and the small amount of clothing I had packed from school so I’m all set with one bag.

When I emerge I immediately head down to the kitchen to find Xander pouring us coffee talking to Vi. 

“So I hear Xander’s bailing early?” Vi says to me. “Are you going to stay and party with us?” 

“No. For the first time ever I actually have someone to kiss at midnight I’m not skipping out on that,” I smile while sipping my perfectly made coffee. 

“I’d kiss you!” She says wiggling her eyebrows at me. 

“If it’s not too draining maybe I’ll pop back for a drink later.. but I’m going to go with Xander.” I say firmly.

“Maybe you could come back and help us get into one of the good clubs?” Vi says.

“I wouldn’t rely on it. She doesn’t need to overdo it by going back and forth unnecessarily so you can party at a club. Not to mention it’s risky for her to be using her magic so openly.” Xander scolds. 

I frown. He’s right but it’s still my call to judge how much is overdoing it. I take another gulp of coffee and Vi catches my eye with a mischievous look on her face. 

“Jade, I'm serious,” Xander says, catching the exchange. 

“I know. Besides, you guys can just go back to Crave. Ask for Ashley, tell her Jade Williams sent you.” 

Awkward pause. 

“Are you hungry? I’m going to make some eggs” I reply, changing the subject and standing, pulling out ingredients for breakfast. 

Xander sighs. “I’d love some. I'll get ready to leave in the meantime.” He kisses the side of head and heads out with the rest of his coffee. 

I get the bacon going and start scrambling the eggs. 

“Sooo you’ll come back tonight for a bit?” Vi asks quietly. 

I nod “I’ll see how it goes.” I say as quietly as I can. I can probably sneak away for a quick hello while they’re still at the penthouse without it being a huge deal. 

She smiles just as Katie and Jackson appear, looking worse for wear. Jackson grumbles out a hello.

I add a little bit of salt, garlic, sour cream and chives to the eggs and start scrambling them in the pan,  while tending to the bacon and throwing some toast in the toaster. When I’m pleased with how it all turned out I divvy  it out onto 5 plates. 

 I pull out a chalice-like cup from the cupboard, willing some of my blood into it for Vi. Her fangs immediately appear and her eyes go red at the scent. 

“Christ Jade, that does smell good!” She says, appearing next to me. I hand her the glass 

“Jade are you ok??” Xander comes rushing in with an alarm in his voice. “I thought I smelled your bl-“

“Perfect timing, breakfast is ready!” I say cutting him off. 

He grimaces at Vi who’s slurping her cup of blood. 

“Jade you should be saving your strength, Av can feed Vi.” He says sliding next to me. 

“Don’t listen to him, any time you want to feed me, you go right ahead.  You are tasty.” She grins at me, looking extra vampirey with a bit of blood on her mouth. 

“Hey you lost your vampire don’t be taking mine from me!” Av calls out entering the room. 

“Relax, she already has someone to service her.” Vi appears and taps her forehead. 

I look away and sigh. “So guys. Xander and I will be heading out today. Katie’s in charge - don’t f**k this place up or we will not be having more trips together.” I threaten. 

“What?? Why’s Katie in charge?? She’s the weakest one of all of us!” Av protests. 

“HEY!” 

“Because I said so. She’s the most trustworthy.” I say simply nodding at her. “She’ll actually tell me if you guys need help instead of either making it worse, or being too headstrong to ask for help.” 

She smiles very pleased with my decision. “Guess that means you’ll have to answer to me tonight.” Her eyes burn into Jackson. 

I catch Xander’s eye and laugh. 

We eat and chat a bit before Xander turns to me, nodding that it’s time. I grab my bag and say goodbye, taking him into the living room. I will a bubble to be created - a safe spot to teleport into without any problems. A blue bubble-like barrier shows up around us. 

“Ok where should we pop in?” I look up at him. 

“We can’t be too obvious about it. It would be weird if we didn’t show up in a car.” He locks eyes with me. 

I immediately think of driving the Audi R8,  showing him snippets of my ride with Avalon. 

He sighs, grabs our bags and holds out his hands to me, silently agreeing. 

I hold on to him and take a number of breaths, Refocusing. Counting back. 

We appear in the parking lot of  V. I stumble back but Xander drops the bags and catches me, grabbing me before I bail on the pavement. 

“Are you ok?” He asks, holding me close to his body. 

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.” I take a few breaths to settle. He doesn’t release me. 

“I can stand.” I say after a few moments, appreciating the support. 

He tentatively sets me down. I fish into my bag and pull out the car key from my purse. “But maybe you should drive.” I toss them to him. 

He doesn’t even hide his smile. 

He grabs the bags and loads them into the tiny trunk at the front of the car. I walk over to the passenger side and pause staring at the door. 

I’ve never opened this door myself. Travis was always so fast and so gentlemanly I’ve literally never opened this door before. My heart starts pounding as sadness wells up in me. 

I take a few breaths. This is silly.. I can open a door. Ok ok ok. It’s just a door. 

I open the door and slide in knowing very well that my breakdown was not about a door but choosing to think it was. 

I sit down, look around and realize this was a horrible mistake. I spent a good amount of time talking to Travis from this seat and now I have to sit here and talk to Xander. He starts the car. 

“Ok I lied. I want to drive.” I blurt out. At least if I’m driving I’m focusing on something else and I’m not sitting here. 

He nods and says nothing, trading with me. We make it to the pack house without getting pulled over, despite me speeding horribly the entire way. I let out a breath. 

“You ready for this? They don’t know we’re marked yet.” He says quietly before we climb out. 

“Honestly I’m not sure how ready I am for this, but we’re here now? Maybe we can just lay low a bit?” I say not offering much reassurance, but climbing out anyway. 

“Hey X! Hi Jade!” The same young wolf that greeted us last time bounces up as we reach the door. Zach I think? I go for it. 

“Hey Zach. Nice to see you!” I try to reply with some energy. He grins, obviously pleased I remembered his name. 

“Did you buy Jade an R8?!?” He says to Xander. 

“No. That’s just Jade’s car.” Xander says, shooting him down. 

“Niiice” he says nodding at me. We shut the door. 

“Xander! Jade! I’m so happy to see you!” Elizabeth waltzes in looking stunning in a beautiful flowy long sleeved green dress. She grabs Xander into a big hug, her blue eyes shining. 

“Mom hi,” I feel the warmth radiating off of Xander and smile. 

She embraces me closely as well and it’s almost too much for me to handle. I pull back and breathe smiling at her. 

“Xander your father is looking for you, he’s in his office.” She says to him with some worry seeping out of her voice. 

“I’ll go there as soon as I bring the bags up to the room. Jade?” He holds out his hand to me motioning for me to follow. 

“I’ll see you both later at the bonfire,” she smiles at us.  

When we’re in the elevator I turn to Xander “I can bring these up if you want to go straight to your dad? I wouldn’t mind a bath anyway.” I say, trying to be helpful. 

He nods and clicks the 10th floor. I can sense his unease so I reach up and sneak a quick kiss on his jaw. He catches me and gives me a real kiss instead, holding me in place against him until the doors ding. 

I hang on to the railing to steady myself as he strolls away with a smirk. I glance at myself in the mirror and roll my eyes at how flushed I am, making my way into our room. 

I spend a good hour soaking in the hot water and relaxing, discovering I’m more rundown than I realized. I decide on taking a power nap while I wait for Xander to be done. 

I wake with the softest whisper of a kiss being planted on my neck. 

“Hmm I could get used to waking up with you.” I say as I wiggle into him, feeling cherished. 

“That’s the plan Angel.” 

Travis. 

I try to turn around into him but his cold hands hold me spooned against him. 

“5 more minutes baby.” He murmurs into my mark spot. I shudder at hearing him use Xander’s phrase. 

“Travis.. why are you here?” I ask, trying to understand what’s going on. 

“For you.” He whispers and I feel his fangs pierce into me, marking me as his. 

I gasp and sit up immediately grabbing my neck and turning back to see if he’s there. I find I’m still alone and my marking is unchanged. 

What the hell?

Xander walks into the room and catches me panting on the bed still in shock. 

He rushes over and sits by me, pulling me into his embrace. 

“Will you show me?” He asks quietly after a few moments of settling. 

I take a breath and look up, not quite locking eyes with him. “You don’t want to see.” I say softly, knowing it’ll set us both on edge to have to repeat that. 

He nods. “Jade you mentioned you spoke to him in passing. When you’re ready I’d like to know more about that.”

“Not tonight,” I say quietly, not able to think about him more right now. 

 He nods. 

“We should think about starting to get changed for dinner and the fire.” 

I give him a confused look  “What time is it??”

“Almost 7” he replies. 

Jeeze.  I can’t believe I was asleep that long. I guess I needed it?

“What did your dad want for so long?” I ask, jumping up. 

“Don’t worry about it.” He brushes me off, anger radiating through him. 

I shoot my eyebrows up at him. 

He sighs. “He just wanted to yell at me for not prioritizing the pack more. He’s worried I’m too.. distracted.” 

“Because you’re spending all your time protecting me instead of honoring your responsibilities to the pack. I’m sorry Xander.” I say looking at him. 

“I didn’t tell you so you’d feel bad about it.” He snaps.  

I stay quiet and glance at him, a little surprised at his temper flaring up. His dad must have really got to him.  

He takes a breath, working to calm himself. “I'm sorry, he gets on edge sometimes.” I nod. I'd be on edge too if I had just spent hours getting berated by my dad.

“It’s a little annoying that he demanded you come back just so he could yell at you for hours?” I say softly. 

“Alpha’s orders. You don’t know my dad too well.” He says with a shrug and turns into the closet. 

I pause. I don’t know his dad well. I’ve heard about his mom a fair amount but aside from that very short interaction on my birthday I've basically never spoken to Marcus.

 I don’t think Xander has ever told me a*********s about him either. 

I follow into the closet and see Xander has changed into a black long sleeved shirt with a few buttons on the front, dark jeans and boots. His dark ensemble really accentuates his light eyes, making him look extra sexy. 

I frown at my bag and begin pulling out things, not totally sure what I brought that I could wear to dinner, a bonfire and to maybe pop in and party with my friends in New York. Sounds impossible. 

I pull out a funky looking dress and get an idea. It’s strapless with another corset-structured top but the bottom is a white and black tulle skirt, interspersed in a way that makes it look almost smokey. 

I throw it on and add a black sweater that has cutouts on my elbows on top to stay warm. I pair it with a long necklace and boots. Funky but warm and I can take my sweater off if I go back to New York. I pull out my mirror and glam up my makeup a bit so it has a bit of a rocker vibe to it. I slide into the bathroom to dampen my hair and throw it up in my towel -  It emerges totally straight down my back, a nice compliment to my makeup. 

I magically retrieve a bottle of Crystal that I remember was chilling in the fridge in New York and come out. 

“Why don’t you bring that to dinner. I told my parents we’d eat with them.” He says walking over to me, stepping into his alpha mode as he stares at me with a new hunger in his eyes. 

He starts examining my skirt layers and reaches under it, running his hands along the line of my lacy boy short panties. 

“We should wait until after dinner for that.” I say unconvincingly, my voice already breathy as I react to his attention and soft fingertips. 

He steps closer to me, leans down and plants a soft kiss on my mark spot, sending a shiver through me. 

“Is that how this works, little wolf?” He says quietly, leaning into my ear. I squirm, the chill in his voice when he said ’little wolf’ has me instantly aroused. 

“Answer me.” He orders, still quietly but rougher than he’s been the past few days. He must still be on edge from earlier. 

“You say when, alpha,” I answer one of the fundamental tenants of our s*x life to him, my eyes meeting his. 

“I will consult you and support you as my partner, and I will strive to be a better boyfriend for you.” He says almost as a vow to me. He steps behind me and slides his hands down me as he kisses my neck. 

“But this,” he cups my p*ssy and starts rubbing me through my panties. He grabs the fabric and roughly tears them off me, returning his hand to my bare skin. “This is non-negotiable, Jade.” 

He dips a finger into me easily, thanks to how wet it gets me to have him touching me in his element like this. “Do you understand?”

“Yes alpha,” I breathe, shutting my eyes. I know it’s true.. There’s never a moment when my body is near him that I don’t want him.  I widen my stance a little, giving him more access to me, submitting to him instinctually.

Being consulted and supported as a partner but still getting our wild kinky s*x life is something I can agree to pretty easily. I let out a soft moan at his fingers teasing me. 

“I want you this wet for me all night Jade. I want to be able to have you at any moment.” He orders, sliding a second finger into me as he teases them in and out of me. I moan. 

“Answer me.” He growls again and removes his fingers, spreading my arousal across me, pushing against my cl*t. 

“Yes Xander.. I’ll want you this badly all night.” I promise immediately.

He removes his hand and smells his finger with a perverted grin. He lets out a low growl and grabs me into a rough kiss. 

“You can feel it can’t you?” He breaks the kiss, eyes still burning into me. 

“You don’t hold back anymore. You’ve completely given yourself to me.. You accepted me as your alpha when we marked each other.”

*Yes alpha,* I respond to him automatically in my mind. I snap my eyes away from him. 

Oh sh*t. 

“Look at me.” He orders, causing me to immediately lock eyes with him again. 

*Don’t worry baby, I’ll reward you for it later.* He replies through mindlink with a grin, showing me some flashes of times he’s made me scream his name while I was exploding. 

I feel the culmination of his desire in each of those moments but can’t look away - my body instinctively obeying my Alpha’s orders to stay looking at him. 

A literal drip starts rolling down my leg, I'm so turned on. He grins and smacks his lips, relishing what he’s able to do to me.  

He looks to the side suddenly, breaking the connection to me and releasing his hold on me. I breathe heavily and squeeze my legs shut, hoping to ease the throbbing a little but not risking more contact right now. 

“Time to go,” he smiles and grabs my hand, leading me out of the room before I’ve even caught my breath. I check my reflection in the elevator and frown at how flushed I still am. 

He leads me over to a table where Marcus and Elizabeth are already seated. 

“You’re late,” Marcus growls to Xander in a quiet tone. 

“I brought this for us, we thought it’d be nice to enjoy together to celebrate,” I say as sweetly I can muster, offering the bottle to Marcus as an olive branch. 

He eyes it and waves at someone behind me. 

“How special and considerate. Thank you both, but next time this is too much.” Elizabeth says to Xander. She’s probably assuming he bought it with their money. Or the pack's money? I wonder how that all works. 

“It’s my treat. It’s nice to do something special every now and then,” I smile trying to ease the situation. An omega takes the bottle and pops it, pouring it into 4 glasses for us while we sit across from Xander’s parents. 

Marcus takes an obvious inhale across from me and I flush, looking over at Xander, inwardly cringing. I squeeze my legs together again, trying to hide any signs of my arousal. 

“To unexpected.. treats,” Marcus says in a chilling tone, catching my eye and clinking his glass to mine. His eyes are a dark brown colour - almost black. Xander obviously got his height and build from Marcus, but his stunning blue eyes and beautifully defined features are from Elizabeth. Really the best of both of them. 

*Jade I have a bad feeling about him,* Ruby pipes up. 

*That makes two of us Ruby.* I glance back over to Xander, away from Marcus. He offers me a small smile. 

“So how are you holding up after Brooke’s death?” Marcus says, looking at me. 

Seriously?? My eyebrows shoot up at his audacity. 

“Marcus, maybe we should let the girl eat before we start grilling her,” Elizabeth cuts in. 

“Why? If she’s going to be the next Luna she’ll have a lot worse to deal with than some questions from her future in-laws?” He says, letting another wolf come and place what smells like cream of mushroom soup down in front of us. 

“It’s been challenging, but I’ve been grateful to have Xander’s support.” I answer honestly. “My dad started dating again so it’s all a little strange for me.” I add so as to not draw too much attention to Xander spending time with me. 

“Yes. He mentioned he’s seeing another human. It's one thing if it’s your mate, but to choose a human? I’ll never understand it. I guess he likes them weak.” He replies arrogantly. “No offence or anything.” He sneers at me, obviously disapproving of my supposedly human mother. 

I bite my tongue. 

“Dad, Jade is the furthest thing from weak. Just ask Nel or Lee if you don’t believe me.” Xander says, jumping to my defense. 

“I can tell she’s not as helpless as she looks. How else would a cop's daughter show up with a nice sports car and a casual bottle of crystal? I’m sure she has tenacity.” He eyes me again, trying to goad a reaction out of me. 

I take a sip of my drink saying nothing. I don’t owe him any explanations and I’d like to try to not lose my temper at the table. 

“Of course she’s special; she is mated to the future alpha,” Elizabeth jumps in smiling proudly at Xander. 

“Have you two thought more about the arrangements for your mating ceremony?” She asks, looking at me. 

“We’ve been focused on school,” Xander replies easily. 

“Why don’t you do it the same day as graduation? That’s traditionally when you would step in as alpha anyway, this way it can be graduation, and the inauguration of the new Alpha and Luna.” She suggests with a big smile. 

“They haven’t actually confirmed Jade is going to be his Luna, Elizabeth.” Marcus says quietly, staring at me, still trying to gauge my reaction. 

“Nonsense, look at them, anyone can tell you how in love they are.” She says. 

“I’m not sure that’s love you’re sensing, dear.” Marcus says in a low voice, his nostrils flaring as his eyes slide down me.  

My face turns red again. 

“Of course we love each other,” Xander snaps again, some anger welling up. 

“So you’re committed to becoming Luna then?” Marcus asks me. 

I pause, not actually sure how to answer this. ‘Maybe’ doesn’t seem like the right thing to say. Marcus jumps in before I have a chance to reply, flashing an evil grin. 

“Well I’m glad you two are having fun but Xander you need to start thinking long and hard about who you want to have by your side as you run the pack.. before you go about marking anyone preemptively.”

“Dad, like it or not Jade is my mate. I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side.” Xander says, taking my hand. 

“Then she should be by your side. You’re the alpha Xander, not her. If you want her, you take her. Or has she really tamed you so much that you forgot that’s how it works?” He hisses at Xander. 

My eyes flash to Elizabeth who is looking down and away. I’m briefly terrified for her. This is the current alpha?? This is the guy my dad is friends with?

“Wanting consent isn’t a weakness,” I narrow my eyes at him. 

“You obviously don’t know how alpha’s orders work then. There’s no consent in a hierarchy. A king wouldn’t ask his disciples how to run his kingdom. He makes the call and does what he believes is best for his people, including picking the right queen to be by his side.”

 I smirk at his example,  little does he know Xander actually could have become a king if I had chosen that. 

“Look I get it Xander you’re young and she’s beautiful. It’s fine if you want to have some fun with her while you’re still in school, but you’ll need someone strong and committed to this pack by your side. Not some rogue, vampire loving, half-breed who can’t control herself.” He sneers again, wiping the smirk off my face. 

I stand, but catch myself before I start yelling at him. 

“Yes Jade? You want to say something?” He asks, amused by my almost outburst. 

“You’ll have to excuse me, I’m going to go instead of sitting here quietly while you repeatedly insult me.” I turn to Elizabeth “Enjoy your meal and the champagne. Xander, I'll see you later?” 

I lean over and kiss him quickly and publicly, rubbing it in Marcus’ face just a little that we’re together despite his obvious disapproval of me. I strut out of the dining room and head back upstairs, not having any of that. 

Might as well check in with the gang while I have the time. I could use something stronger than a sip of champagne anyway. 

I make a bubble in the corner of the room hoping it makes it easier to teleport back. I toss off my sweater and close my eyes, focusing on breathing rather than the infuriating conversation I just had. I count back and will myself to appear back into my NYC bubble. 

I hear the familiar thunder followed by Vi shouting,

“F*ck yeah!! There she is!!”