Willing Heart

Chapter 8: Dracula's Isle

~Ruby's P.O. V~

        It felt good to be in the company of Mythical beings again, I had my own space where I could shift and look out at the sea. Mermen would pop up and, well, drool at the mere sight of me, the Mermaids were all jealous and pull their partners back down into the depths. Siren's tried to get some of the Alpha's crew to kiss them, but that didn't work on me, I made sure to scare them off in my true form. Especially ones that tried to touch Chester. I grew to accept his company and I kind of enjoy his touch, did I love him? No. At least not yet. Alpha Maximillian Andrews with Luna Mable Andrews kept both Chester and his Gamma busy during the trip. There were good occasions where he would sit next to me while I was a Unicorn.

"Your coat is like silk, Ruby. You must tell me your secret." Luna Mable asked as she giggled. I sifted back into my human form.

"It's honestly nothing. I just wash it every other day. Ever since I was a foal, it could never tangle or get greasy."

"It's still weird that you're only like what? 25?" Gamma Rachel chimed in.

"I'm actually 28, but yes. I am still very young in my kinds eyes." 

"I heard that you were banished, why?" The young Luna asked.

"My Alpha Mare. She saw the red gem on my flank and said I was a vessel for Satan. She then..." I couldn't talk about my parent's deaths so easily with them as I could with Chester. It still hurt, 2 decades is a long time to grieve, but I haven't truly grieved yet.

"You don't have to say anymore. It's painful. Who knew Unicorns were not as great as the humans make them out to be." Rachel had taken a sip of her juice.

"We weren't always like that. We could love humans and other Mythical kind, but that left us open for attacks. So, we shut ourselves off from the world. We only found love in our herds." I hadn't even noticed that I was tearing up until a gentle hand wiped a tear away. 

"That's why you've been a shut in? Afraid to love?" Chester knelt down and caressed my face.

"I don't want to talk about it." I pushed his hand away and went inside the ship.

~Alpha Max's P.O. V~

        The Gemstone Mare. My beta is mated to her and he has to keep it unknown to her. I couldn't help but feel bad for the two. Overhearing their conversation, I could see why she hated to talk about it. It isn't common knowledge for those not of Alpha rank or higher to know what exactly happened. When we had a meeting of Leaders, her Alpha Mare said she killed 2 traitors of her herd and banished their demonic offspring. Seeing her as a Unicorn, I don't see evil, I see pain, hate and a lack of what she truly needs. Love. At first I was pissed when he told me about her, but when he said the rumors about her were nothing but, I had to see for myself. As she was passing me to go inside the ship, I saw the flow of tears falling. How long has she been grieving, I wondered.

"Chess." I called.

"Is it me or did she really just push me away again?" He had a lot of her walls to break down.

"No. It seems that she needs time. I need to tell you something. It's important." I brought him down to the captains quarters.

"Sure. What's up?"

"Did she tell you what happened to her parents?"

"Only that her Alpha Mare killed them."

"This does not leave this room, Chester. This was only for Alpha status or higher. Got it?" I had to use my command on him.

"Of course." He bowed.

"Clarissa of the Meadows Peak herd is her Alpha. Not only did she kill Ruby's mother and father, my good friends, she tortured them. Lawrence and Emily were amazing Unicorns. They helped our pack you know." They weren't traitors of Meadows Peak, they were acting as spies for us, them and the Fairies. "When Clarissa became of age to take the herd, she learned that someone had leaked information to the Vampires who were opposing Dracula's return. The real spy has been found, but that was just recently found. Clarissa herself was the spy and used them as scape goats."

"W-What? No. Why would she?"

"The Fairies believe that the Vampires offered her a position of power among the human world. Being a Queen to the largest population of the humans. We must teach Ruby how to use her powers on that Island. Clarissa must die by her hands alone. It's only right." I turned to face the ocean.

"Drac only said her, not us and she isn't allowed near his castle." He protested.

"Do you want to lose her?" I simply asked.

"Of course not. As her mate, I love her, but I cannot sit while my woman is being threatened."

"Then do the right thing. I'll send the Gammas home and stay with you and her to train her. Dracula should be happy for the company." I walked away after that. We were nearing Dracula's Lost Island.

~Ruby's P.O. V~

I was sitting on the bed in my room, hugging my knees close. Chester was right, I am afraid to love again, I've been called disgusting, traitor, Satan Spawn and everything else in between just because of this red mark. "Ruby?" Chester knocked on my door. "You'll want to come out and see this. We're nearing the island." I quickly regained my composure and plastered a smile on my face. 

"Coming." I should be used to this, used to the numbness, I tried to force my heart back into it's cold steel state. I opened the door and saw Chester waiting for me.

"This will be my first time seeing it too. Oh and Ruby?"

"Yes?" He pulled me into another hug, I was no i***t. Back when he hugged me for the first time, it gave me a clue as to what was going on, but I needed him to say it. I needed him to say goodbye to me. His sudden affection? It's clear that he means to leave me on that island alone and I don't know if I could handle being alone. Maybe Dracula can have him stay.

"We'll be bringing you home soon enough." He said it with a low tone, I faltered then. My knees quaked, my eyes swell up with tears. He really is leaving me. I bit down hard on my lip to hold back the urge to hug him back. 

"Right. Just hurry up and kill that good for nothing wolf." My voice didn't come out as strong. I made him let go before I side stepped him to go on the main deck. Before anyone could see me, I wiped my eyes off and took a look. The island was massive, there were trees that were said to be extinct, I saw birds that were just beautiful flying around. A ripple in the barrier formed as we entered. From the stormy rain clouds to the tropical sunshine that looked like Maui. Dracula was standing on the other side, holding a drink in his hand and wearing the most ridiculous outfit. Red shorts, an ugly beach shirt with palm trees that threw up over it, socks with sandals and a red golf cap. I almost died laughing on the inside.

"Ahoy, there!" He called out. "You must be the infamous Ruby Nicholson." The ship was docked at a the nearest docking. Chester grabbed my bags and left the ship, as did the Alpha and Luna. "Whoa! Hold on. I said only her. You three, go back."

"The plans changed, Drac. We need to talk." Chester set down my bags as I got off the ship. 

"In a moment. I need to make sure it's really her." He patted Chester on the shoulder and came to me. "Miss Ruby. A pleasure to meet you." He held out his hand. I took it. "Oh wow, your skin is super soft." His were hellish cold! "Indeed, I was hoping you were still alive. Chester, you can go now. I got what I needed."

"Hell no am I leaving you here with her alone! Not after that!" He quickly came and put himself between me and Dracula. "Didn't you say you were off women for the next eon or so?"

"She's a beautiful young Unicorn. Her blood will taste so good." This shocked everyone. Including me.