Born of Two

The End of Agony

Day 3.

Rosie's POV

More of the same today, except I was allowed to be on the couch and watch movies today. The pain in my body was subsiding, but the voices didn't stop. Heather and Jo taught me to decipher them and how to not fight against what was happening. This wasn't normal, but somehow I understood what they were saying to me. Occasionally the pain would get awful, and Lochlyn would get concerned and call Doctor Henley. I finally learned his name, he would give me some meds that helped with the pain levels and let me rest, but that is when the voices would get bad.

"Challenge him."

"DON'T CHALLENGE HIM!!"

"Fight him, win."

"Stop."

Lochlyn could tell when the voices would worsen because I would space out and not be receptive, according to him. My face would scrunch up, and I would put my hands over my ears and whimper in my sleep. He would move from my feet up by my head when that would happen and try to settle me without waking me up, but the moment his body and scent were there, I would wake up because I just wanted him. I feel like I am going slowly insane. The voices are getting louder by the day, and I don't know what to do. I don't want to tell anyone because they might not understand. I continue to listen to the voices blaring in my head.

"The underground"

"She can't win in the underground."

"Rosie the underground."

"Challenge him to the underground and fail."

"Stop fighting us…. Stop resisting."

"Please stop trying to take control… you're hurting her. Rosie, stop fighting and sleep, child…. The earth will be your protector…. Sleep child."

I sat up and screamed with my ears covered. "STOP TALKING! PLEASE JUST STOP TALKING!"

Everyone looked at me, confused. I got up to run, but my body was so weak I collapsed on the floor. I could feel Lochlyn try to grab me, but it was too late. My body went down, and I collided with the ottoman tray top in front of me and managed to cut open my forehead. I could feel the tears stream down my face. I could taste the metallic iron coming from my forehead. "I just want them to stop. Please make them stop."

"Rosie, we need you to breathe and calm down. You are summoning things again."

I opened my eyes to see a lynx's in the door. I froze and grabbed Lochlyn's arm… "Lochlyn, what is that?"

"A lynx. You have been summoning different animals. First a bear, the two eagles, and today a lynx. It's been here since this morning. It doesn't stay as long as the first two, but it always comes back. We don't know why but they come to you when you are stressed or in danger."

"I can summon animals?"

"Yes, Dad and Helena have been looking into some research as to why. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, the voices just got to be too much."

"How many voices do you hear?"

"Just the two. Lochlyn, what's the underground?"

"What?"

"The underground…. The voices say to challenge you to the underground?"

"Crap. The underground is our defense system. When our warriors become of age, we put them in the underground-"

"LIKE A PRISON" I shout at him.

"No… not exactly. It is a maze. They have three days to figure out to survive, work together and come out the other side, all while dealing with traps and different scenarios. If they can't get out, they can find a button and forfeit, but they forfeit elite warrior status. I wonder why your voices would tell you to challenge me to the underground."

"I don't know, but I want to sleep." Suddenly the lynx's started moving towards me. Finally, when it's within a foot of me, it raises its head to meet my eyes. For whatever dumb reason, I stick my hand out, and like a kitten, it rubs me up and down before laying down next to me. Lochlyn climbs around it back down to my feet, and quickly I am back in a world of darkness.

Day 4

Lochlyn's POV

Two days ago, I called back Alpha Mark. I sent Chase to his pack and checked out the wounded guy. I couldn't believe the photos I saw when he sent me information from the doctor. Even with wolf healing abilities, this guy still looked like he was on the brink of death. I had him stay in Mark's pack. The Sapphire Pack is superior in its doctors and medical staff. If they have him, they can take better care of him. I will eventually speak with him to understand what plans Red Moon has against my Luna.

Rosie has been sleeping all day. I can tell her body is most tired today, but that is good. IT means her transition is almost up. I have moved my office down to the living room to be closer to her. I don't want another scolding from my mother again regarding Rosie's welfare. That was the worse I have felt in all of this was knowing I endangered her and disappointed my mom. I can see Rosie getting restless on me and try rubbing her back to soothe her. The voices in her head must be deafening right now because nothing I am doing is working. Just then, I heard the door. I expected to see Chase coming in, but I wasn't expecting Marco and Finn.

"Is it ok if they are with me, Lochlyn? I know you didn't want anyone to see her, but they need to talk to you."

"Yeah, it's ok. Guys, please be aware she is in a lot of pain right now, and there's other stuff happening. Don't do anything that can wake her up. She doesn't know you and is just getting comfortable with me. I don't need her to be worried or embarrassed."

"Yes, Alpha," They say in complete unison.

"We have some news warriors that we need to make plans for. There is a total of six that have expressed interest in moving up to Elite, and we believe they are ready." Finn speaks up.

"Yes, they can take a beating well," Marco adds with a devilish look on his face.

"Are they are intelligent and of age? "

Marcos speaks first. "Yep, they are of age, smart, yes, but some lack maturity."

"What do you mean."

"He means if you say boobies in front of them, they will either snicker, look around for a girl with her boobs out or have to go home to ummmm…." Finn added.

"Ok, I get it. Is that all of the recruits?"

"No, we have Halloway, who is mates to Hazel. We also have Deren, she is by far the fiercest, and Hazel, Halloway's mate, is ready to come up as well."

"The other three?"

"We have Jarid, Ray, and Quinn."

"Those three boys have always been a pain. Let's do their underground tournament in two weeks. Have Halloway, Hazel, and Deren work with them. In the meantime, let's focus on training Halloway, Hazel, and Deren together and pushing them as far as we can go." As I am discussing these with them, I can see that Rosie is starting to stir more and more. I rub her back to try and soothe her, but it's not working. I just understand that we are in for another summon of some sort. I don't know if I have time to get the other guys out before it happens. I will have to trust their loyalty to keep this a secret. "Guys, something is about to happen that will freak you out, but honestly, I need you to keep it quiet, so the pack doesn't hear about it right away." Just then, I see Chase's eyes get huge, and sweat starts to form on his hairline. Marco and Finn both bring their legs up to not rest on the floor. Just seeing their reactions form, I know what she summoned. Down at my feet is a black Diamondback Snake.

Day 5

Rosie POV

I wake up to Helena at my feet, watching the TV. She has on Andy Griffith and is whistling to the soundtrack. The voices in my head are the loudest they have been. They kept repeating the same thing for a couple of days. I woke up a few times to eat yesterday but other than that, I slept all day. However much I tried, the voices were warring in my head. I know Lochlyn woke me up to calm me down so that the giant DiamondBack would leave. That brings my total to four animals I have summoned, and we don't know why. This morning was different than the other; I felt like I had the flu, like the terrible flu. My skin felt like I was covered in a million beetles. I could feel them crawling inside and outside.

My eyes felt like they could focus on everything, including the dusty bunnies gathering by the fireplace. I could see the grains and the light coming through windows differently. Smells were stronger. Like the woods were overpowering with the different scents coming from them but nothing compared to the lingering smell from Lochlyn. His smell is on everything, and it makes me drool thinking about it. I remember the day I ran into him on the street and how good he smelled then, but now it's all-consuming. I want to wrap myself in it, wear it, burn it, shower in it…. Oh my gosh, I am getting weird. The more I think about it, the louder the voices get.

"CHALLENGE HIM!!!"

"Choose wisely, child."

"GIVE US CONTROL!"

"Breathe, Rosie."

"SPEAK UP, BEAST!!!!"

"Let me help you."

"ROSIE… ROSIE, SPEAK UP!!!"

I continue to fight against them. I look up at Helena, and she is inches away from me, her hands wrapped around mine. "Rosie, I need you to listen to the voice and let them decide who will be the victor in your mind. The two voices you are hearing are yourself and your wolf. I know them well; very few people have this effect during their change when their wolf emerges. You need to breathe; whatever wins will be your last summon. Please just breathe."

"I want Lochlyn."

"That's not what I expected you to say."

"Please just go GET HIM!!!!!" The voices started screaming when I asked for him, it hurt so bad I screamed out the last part. I felt so lousy after yelling I covered my mouth and started to cry. Helena pulled me into her and assured me it was ok. I saw Jo and Heather walk into the hallway on the bottom floor; both were very concerned but never voiced it.

"Helena, what's happening to her?"

"It's the voices, Heather. They are battling in her mind… she has to choose who to control for this process to work. The wolf must battle the inner conflict inside Rosie. Her fears, doubts, insecurities. Her brain only has space for one."

"What do you mean?" I strained out.

"Your fears, doubts, and insecurities, darling. You need to face them, face the dark."

"NO!"

"Listen to her, Rosie, face the Dark."

"She isn't strong enough to face me, but she can take out the mate."

"No. Rosie, you need him. You have to fight now. Let me fight with you."

"She would have to face her feeling about her precious parents."

"Rosie, we don't have time... I am ready. You must be ready."

"She isn't."

I got up from the couch and moved to the kitchen area. Feeling a surge of strength and the room was spinning, the voices were warring louder and more potent. I felt like I was being torn apart. I started to move towards the doors that led outside. I needed air and space as something was ripping inside of me. It was hurting me. I felt my bones stretching, my muscles tearing. I felt two big arms around me just then, but the scent didn't match. It was Chase.

"My turn." He said as he brought his mouth down by me. "Rosie, listen to me. You are fighting too hard against this. It is happening, so you need to stop fighting so hard against the changes."

"Chase, I can't see."

"It's your wolf trying to take over. You are overwhelming yourself and your wolf. She is trying to close off your senses so you can focus on one. Relax, and she will give your sight back."

"Chase…. I can't," I can feel the straining in my body as the pain ripped through every part of my body. "I can't do this. Please let me go."

"I am not letting you go."

"IT HUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRTTTTTTTSSSS!” I screamed out.

My whole body was on fire. Then I smelled him. I could feel his touch sending sparks and vapors through my body. I reached out for him, but he didn't take me to him.

"Lochlyn, please. I am asking for you… please, I can't see. Where are you?"

"Honey, I am right in front of you, but I can't hold you back. I can't hold you the way Chase is holding you. To see you like this and what needs to happen here is something I can't do. I am right here, honey, but I can't stop this as much as I want to."

"You beg me to let you in, and now in my worst, you won't come to me?!" Angry is surging through me in the blackness. I am so mad I can't understand what is happening and why Lochlyn would abandon me in this. Why do I care so much about what he is doing?

Fight Rosalynn.

I begin kicking and flailing my legs, trying to break Chase's hold on me. "LET ME GO!!!" I fling my head back and collide with Chase's nose. c***k. I broke it.

"Get the girls out of here, Dad. Then come back!" I can hear Lochlyn bark orders at his father.

I fling my body forward, trying to break Chase's hold again. SNAP. However, this time I feel the pain. "AHHHHHHHHHHHH" yep, that was my ribs I just broke. I don't listen to this to the pain at the moment. I keep fighting against this prison and bite down on Chase's arm. I can taste the metallic iron as it fills my mouth.

"SON OF A b***h! SHE BIT ME!"

I smile, knowing I at least hurt him.

"ROSIE, STOP!!!"

Just one voice, not the other who was egging me on the entire time, was present anymore.

"We won… I won. You were not an easy fight, though."

Just then, my sight returned, and my body slumped in exhaustion. I leaned against Chase, and the tears let themselves fall freely to the doom onto the marble tile flooring. My vision was still spotty, but I could see the outline of Lochlyn in front of me.

"Please…. Please…"

"Ros, what do you need?"

"Space." I tap on Chase's arm. "I am ok, I promise." I can feel Chase's hold on me loosen. Air fills my lung, and I immediately yelp in pain from where I broke my rib. I try to stand up on my own, but my body is different. I feel like a deer trying to stand for the first time. I am mentally, emotionally, and physically spent. I have nothing left to give, yet I could run a mile in less than five minutes. I have this energy coursing through that I have never felt before ever. I could lift a building but sleep for a solid month. MY vision is fully back to normal, and I look up, and I just see Lochlyn smiling. I want to hit me and kiss him… what in the world.

"Rosie… I am-"

"I challenge you to the underground."

"Rosie, no."

"I challenge you, Lochlyn... to the underground." I stand up straight and stare him down.