Katherine's Fate

Chapter 19

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. They all blamed themselves instead of blaming me, and just because I’m the damn princess. Well f**k that s**t; I’m tired of being coddled and not getting the full story. I looked Liam right in the eyes and said, “Tell me the truth, and I mean everything or I’m going to have a nice new fur rug.” He winced and said, “Very well, Austin came to me 6 months before his death and asked if he could do a blood oath with Chad. When I asked him why he said that he was not going to live until the end of the year, he knew he was going to die and that it would have something to do with you. He also told me that you would need someone to protect you. So we held the ceremony and the oath was done.”

He took a breath and looked at a picture he had on his desk. Slowly he reached for it and handed it to me to look at. I said, “Where did you get this picture?” He just shook his head and continued what he was saying, “By the time we heard about his death you had disappeared and no one knew where to find you, so we couldn’t protect you. A year later we heard rumors about this girl the Russians were using to gather information on the IRA. From the description we had we thought it was you. So I sent a couple of people to look after you.” He looked over at Lin as he said the last part. Lin just looked down and refused to look at me. I said, “You knew them before I introduced you? What the hell Lin?” 

He finally met my gaze and said, “I stand behind my actions and I wouldn’t change anything about what happened, other than some things that happened to you. I wish you didn’t have to go through all of that but He told me that it was your destiny and that you needed it in order for your future to turn out the way it’s supposed to.” I was in shock, what was he telling me. Liam is still holding back from me. What the hell is going on in my life that the people I love the most are keeping secrets from me? I turned to face Liam and said, “What do you know that I don’t? You can’t keep me in the dark anymore. I’m a grown woman and I have a right to know what you know about my supposed future.” I placed my hands on my hips as I stared him down just waiting for him to answer me. 

He looked above my head and said something to Alex in a language I had never heard but it sounded eerie yet musical. Alex answered in the same language and they went back and forth for a few minutes before I said, “Okay that’s ENOUGH!! Speak English or don’t speak at all.” I put as much power as I could into it and everyone shut up for a minute before Alex looked at Kris and said, “Did it get you like it did me?” Kris tried to say something but he couldn’t. He spoke in English and said, “Damnit, it did. How did she do that?” Alex and Liam shared a knowing look as Alex said, “To be honest I have an idea but I’m not ready to tell just yet. Let’s finish up here so we can all rest. I don’t know about you guys but it has been an eventful day so far and I’m getting tired.” 

If I was being completely honest I was exhausted and just wanted to lie down and process everything. Maybe cuddle with Alex and see what could come of it. I said, “You’re right. How about this, we will all go home tonight and Liam you can bring whatever it is that Antony left for me to my house tomorrow. Does that sound good to you?” Liam looked over at Will, who just shook his head. Liam said, “It might be better if you take it with you. I don’t really like having it here.” What the hell would Antony leave that would make Liam of all people uncomfortable. I said, “Ok, what is it?” Liam looked down and said something under his breath that I didn’t quite catch. I cleared my throat and said, “I’m sorry I didn’t catch that, want to try it a little louder?” He looked at me and said, “Ehm… No. Let me get that for you.”

 He went over to one of the bookcases and pulled a book out then entered a code into the keypad behind it. He put the book back just as the shelf opened up to reveal a massive vault style door. Kris and Alex had looks of amazement and I could tell they wanted a chance to try and break the security code in order to get into it. I laughed and said to Liam, “I think these two want to try and crack your safe.” Motioning to Alex and Kris, they turned to look at me and Kris said, “How did you know that?” I said, “Your face is very expressive and everyone always wants a shot to crack his safe. But to my knowledge the only one that has was me. Has anyone else done it Liam?” He smirked at me and said, “Nope, no one has gotten anywhere close. You are the only one who has ever gotten around a security system that I designed. Just let me grab it for you.” 

He disappeared for a few moments and when he got back he held a wooden box and was looking at it as if it were a snake that was going to bite him at any minute. He placed it on a table to the side of his desk and stepped away quickly, and then he said, “Here it is. It’s all yours; I don’t want to get near that thing again.” I looked at the box then went to it. I opened it a little and looked inside. Was Antony kidding me? He was giving me this. I looked up at Liam and said, “You know what this is, did he say anything about it?” Liam looked at me and said, “Yes I know what it is and he said it was a thank you and to repay a debt he owed you.” Liam gave me a funny look while Kris and Alex just looked shocked. 

Kris spoke first and said, “What did you do that he was indebted to you?” I looked over at Lin and he shook his head so I said, “That is a long story and one for another day. I will say simply that I saved his life, even against the impossible odds.” One of these days I’ll tell them the full story but not today. To many memories have already resurfaced and I can’t stand anymore pain right now. I took the box in my hands and went to leave saying this as I left, “You guys come by sometime and we can all talk some more. Just not Halloween, I’m throwing a party. But if you come by remember the theme is ninjas. So you better be in some kind of costume.” 

As we made it to the parking lot I tossed my keys over to Alex and said, “You drive, I’m too damn tired.” He caught them without really looking at me. As Kris and Heather got in the back he noticed all the cases of liquor in the very back and said, “What did you do, rob a liquor store?” I looked back at him from the front seat and said, “No, Liam asked how my supply was doing. I told him I needed some stuff and he loaded me up. Oh yea you don’t know, do you?” He gave me a quizzical look and said, “Don’t know what?” I looked at Alex and said, “Should I go ahead and tell him?” He just shrugged at me as if to say, why not. I looked back at Kris and said, “I prefer Scotch over anything else. Liam owns a distillery in Scotland. So I get all the Scotch I want. Alex has tried it; he said it was pretty good.” Kris shared a look with Alex in the rearview mirror then said, “I would love to try it. Should we crack open a bottle?” I laughed and said, “Once we get home yea why not.” We all laughed then fell into a comfortable silence.

We sat and just listened to the music coming through the speakers. The closer we got to my house the more dread I felt creeping into my soul. I knew something was coming, I just couldn’t figure out what it was. No matter what might come my way, I knew one thing above all else: My future was with Alex. The universe didn’t usually have to shout at me to tell me things but for some reason that’s exactly what it was doing. I just wonder what it is that he is hiding from me. Will I be able to handle it? How far will my life go off track before I get a hold of the reins again? The drive didn’t take very long and before I knew it we were back at the house.

As everyone walked in I couldn’t believe what the guys had done. Not only did they fix the structural damage, they also brought in new furniture. I had to admit, they knew me very well. We all piled into the living room and I set the box down on the coffee table and went down to the basement to grab a bottle of scotch for me and the boys, then grabbed a bottle of vodka for Heather. She hasn’t touched scotch since my brother died. He was the one that got me hooked on the stuff, but then he switched to whiskey. He claimed it helped kill the memories better. I could understand that. I came upstairs and grabbed glasses and ice for everyone. Once everyone had drinks Kris said, “So what is in the box? Why was Liam so upset about having it around?” I smiled and said, “I’ll show you.” I opened the box and pulled out one of the two things that were inside. 

The first was a silver tiara set with emeralds, fire opals, and black diamonds. The design was like vines weaving together with Antony’s family crest near the front. Heather’s mouth dropped open as she ran her fingers lightly over the intricate design of it. Kris and Alex just shared a look but said nothing. The second thing was a pure silver dagger designed the same way with the same precious stones on the hilt and the sheath of it. Antony’s crest was on both the hilt and the front of the sheath. This time Alex and Kris both stared at it in amazement as their jaws hit the floor. 

Alex looked at Kris and said, “You know what these mean, don’t you?” Kris was still speechless so all he managed was a simple nod. Heather spoke for the first time in a while, “What do these mean? I don’t understand much of what happened tonight. I’ve always known that Kate was different, but I don’t know what else is happening.” She hung her head in defeat and just waited for an explanation. I looked at her and said, “These mean two things that is the reason there are two different things in this box. The knife means that I am the protector of the DeLuca family and that anyone that attempts to hurt them will have to deal with me in return. Does that make sense?” She nodded and waited for me to continue.

I looked at Kris and said, “The dagger is what Liam didn’t want around, and although the tiara is the same he didn’t mind it because it couldn’t hurt him unless he touched it.” Heather gave me a confused look as she said, “Why would he be nervous about the dagger?” I knew this question was coming and I knew I was going to have to explain that supernatural beings existed, I had just hoped I would have more time. I looked at her with all seriousness and said, “Because the blade is made out of pure silver, it can hurt him very much.” Heather stilled looked confused as she said, “Why? I really don’t get what you’re saying.” I said, “Heather, honey, I need you to calm down and just listen to me, ok.” I waited for her to nod before I continued, “Now this may seem hard to believe but what I’m about to say is completely true. Throughout the world and history there are legends about supernatural beings. Although they like to stay a secret they are very real. Liam, Will, Chad and most of the people at the restaurant are Lycanthropes, wolf shifters. Austin was one as well.” At Austin’s name she looked at me as if I had betrayed her. 

It felt like I was ripping her world apart, but I guess I kind of was. I said, “Trust me I know how this all sounds, I didn’t believe it at first either. But then he shifted in front of me and I couldn’t help but believe it. Would that help, if you saw one of them shift?” Heather looked at me for a minute before she said, “Yes because right now I think you guys are just crazy.” I said, “Ok, give me just a moment. This is not going to be easy.” At this point Alex and Kris were looking at me with questions in their eyes as I turned around and tried to find the wolf that I buried with my brother. 

It took a moment but I finally found her. She was not happy with me for denying her for so long. I quickly apologized to her and explained what had happened and why I needed her strength now. Although we are separate beings we are still the same. I turned around and said, “I am also a shifter, but it was not my choice. My brother turned me without me ever knowing what was happening until it was over.” Alex and Kris shot to their feet and said at the same time, “WHAT??” I knew that was coming, so I said, “You both heard me. I buried that side of me when my brother died. I refused to be part of the pack and I denied my wolf for so long. But I know that I am also something else, that’s why I have so much power I just have no idea what that other power is or where it comes from. If me shifting is what will help then so be it. Let’s step outside in the backyard.” 

I could almost see the questions in everyone’s eyes but I wasn’t ready to talk about it. I just wanted to get this all out so I could sleep. I looked at the boys and said, “Do you two mind turning around? I’m going to need to get undressed, there is no way I’m ripping these jeans.” They laughed but turned around. I undressed quickly and said to Heather, “Are you ready?” All she managed was a nod. I reached for my wolf and she quickly embraced me and before I knew it I was on all fours and looking at all the muted colors around me. I knew that my fur was a mix of white and silver with black socks on all four feet. I also have a black star on my muzzle and that is what signified that I was of the royal line to Liam. Only those of the royal line had stars on their coats somewhere. Austin’s was in between his ears on the back side of his head, except he had a white star on his black and gray coat.

 I heard Heather tell the boys they could turn around. Kris was the first to recover from the shock of seeing my sitting on my haunches looking up at them with my Emerald eyes. I thought to myself, ‘Why are they staring at me like there is something on my face?’ I don’t know how it happened but I heard Kris this time instead of Alex in my head when he said, ‘We are staring because you are just as beautiful as a wolf as you are a woman. Why would you ever hide this part of yourself?’ I looked at him and growled a little and said to him, ‘My reasons are not in question here. I had my own reasons so I ask that you just respect that. I would hate to have to bite you. Besides how can you even talk to me?’ 

He could tell I was kidding but still backed up a step. He said, ‘I can respect that, although I do have a surprise or two for you as well. I’m able to talk to you because of the secret Alex hasn’t told you yet. Who says you’d be able to catch me in order to bite me?’ He wants it like that then, ok. I hunched down on my front paws with my tail in the air ready to play. He looked at me and said out loud, “Now wait a minute, I didn’t mean that as a challenge. I don’t want to ruin my good clothes. Please let’s just go back inside and tell us about the tiara.” I sat back down on my haunches and waited. When no one did anything I huffed at them and said to Kris, ‘Turn around dummy, I’m not shifting back with you guys staring at me,’ 

He laughed and said, “She’s waiting for us to turn around.” Alex looked at him with a puzzled look and turned around. I shifted back and got dressed then we all went in to sit down and talk about everything. I waited for the questions while I admired the gifts Antony had given me. The knife was no big deal but the tiara was. It meant that he signified me as the next head of his family. It meant a lot to me that he had finally come to terms with the death of his beloved little sister Gabriella Marie. I wondered what Kris and Alex will say once they know the truth.