REHV: [The young squawked some more, his legs and arms flailing on his wet body laid out on a towel atop of our mated bed. Both my hands were scrubbing over my mohawk eyes flicking towards Ehlena asleep and back to the young. I seemed to have lost the power of my brain. I had no fucking clue what to do for him. My shellan had died. fuck. The spear of pain I’d felt in my heart threatened to swallow me whole again. I backed up from the bed, my red orbs never leaving that of my son. My son. Dear Virgin. I had a son. A son that had almost taken my shellen from me for good. I rubbed over my bare chest, the pain as real as if i’d stabbed myself. Before i knew it I’d fumbled out my cell from my pants pocket hit out a number and found my voice graveled thick with emotion hearing the familiar tone of my sister] Bella…[her voice sleepy had me looking towards the windows, the shutters only just opening] Shit. i woke you. sorry. Ehlena… [I scrubbed my free hand over my face feeling the day old beard] Tahlly gave birth…. no, she’s fine, sleeping.. yes, will you? we’re at the house near the adirondacks [the young whimpered again making my panic grow in size as I hung up with my sister. I paced back to the bed and couldn’t stop the flashes seeing Ehlena’s lifeless body, her blood on my hands holding the still body of our tiny young before he’d taken that first gasp of air and tested out his lungs with a bawl of noise. I wanted to pick him up, and fuckme if i could force myself to do it. I reached a hand to touch his foot and felt his soft skin] What’s all the noise for little man? 

BELLA: [Bella woke with a start, for a moment thinking it was Nalla disturbing her sleep, she was ready to groan and roll from her mated bed to see what mischief her daughter wanted this early. Instead she surfaced to realize it was her cell] Hello… [she leaned up slightly in the bed, Zsadist still passed out at her side sleeping peacefully, her brother’s voice not quite sounding right made her blue eyes focus real fast] yes, but that’s okay…you okay, Rehvenge? [her face paled hearing her sister in law had delivered their young a whole two months early. Oh dearest virgin scribe, please let them both be well] Do you want me to come?..Is Ehlena okay? where are you? [she was already throwing back the covers and rushing over to the closet grabbing jeans and a shirt before he’d hung up, her heart jamming a beat in her chest. Dressed in record time, Bella leaned over the bed, woke Zsadist quickly explaining, promising to call if she needed him there too.. if… no, she wouldn’t let her thoughts go there. Her feet quickly took her down the hall of statues, down the grand staircase and out the main door where she sent herself in a scatter of molecules across town to her brother’s beautiful secluded home. A doggen opened the door, his face a mask not telling Bella anything, she was directed up the stairs and found the new family in a bedroom, eyes taking in Ehlena, her chest rising and falling. Oh thank you virgin] Rehvenge… [she gasped to see his eyes red and her brother stood unaided without his cane, his shirt open, what hair he had cropped on his head had obviously seen a lot of fingers tugging through it, it stood up in tufts, she tried to see around him to the young making all the noise] 

REHV: [I’d caught your emotional grid the moment you stepped into my house, i felt relief wash through me too. fuck. what a cocksucking pansy i was, felled by this tiny young before me. I met your eyes, reading your shock and i smiled a little] stress burned my drugs from my system, sister dear [i couldn’t keep my eyes from Tahlly for long, needing to verify the breathing thing was still happening] Can you see to him, Bella..he [I scowled confused down at the small naked bundle, knowing my large hands would surely break him. Had Nalla ever been this small? I couldn’t think. I pushed fingers over my skull stepping aside knowing you’d do as i asked and comfort the young as he needed until Tahlly was awake] 

BELLA: [Her blue eyes narrowed sweeping by her brother leaning over the bed assessing the little one. oh he was beautiful. Small, giving Bella some concern but he sure did have a set of pipes on him. Remnants of birth still clung to his body telling Bella no one had gave the young a thorough cleaning yet. She scooped him up gently] there you go precious, what’s all this fuss for huh? [cradling him in the towel he’d lain upon, Bella sat on a chair opposite the bed, and laid him gently on her lap and began to clean him with soft strokes over his little body, all the while her brother hovered and rubbed more at his head, a sign of self comfort she recognized from her own hellren, although now wasn’t the time to voice their commonality,  his body turned towards his shellan, Rehvenge’s worry all too apparent, she couldn’t imagine what had gone on here for the past few hours but Bella had a nagging feeling that she’d seen a version of this scene once before, with her own hellren, who hadn’t wanted to hold their young either. Her brow furrowed instructing Rehvenge to bring her a diaper and onesie for her to dress the little one in. Once done, his mewls continued, Bella marvelled at her new nephew, his features so similar to his father] Rehvenge! [she garnered her brother’s attention] sit on the bed.

REHV: Wh-what? [I brushed back Ehlena’s hair from her forehead, kissed her gently and was startled by Bella’s command, feet carrying me across to the bed to park my ass as if a well trained pup, my red 2D vision zeroing in on my son, a fang clipped back and forth on my lip watching the tiny bundle wriggle in my sisters arms] 

EHLENA: [the weight of exhaustion still weighed heavily on my entire body. I could hear the wail from my young ringing loudly in my ears, mixed with the low voice of his father and someone else. Concentration creasing my brow I listened closer, still unable to muster the energy to open my eyes. Bella, it must be Bella, she is the only other female who could have gotten away with using that tone with my hellren no matter what mental state he was in. Relaxing a bit when I feel the brush of your hand on my hair, and your lips on mine I relax into a sleep once again, the tone of our son’s screams the only thing getting through my haze.]

BELLA: He needs his father [Not giving Rehvenge time to protest, Bella recognized the swirl of panic on his face, she carried the young over to him and placed him in Rehv’s arms, stepping back only when he had a firm hold on the young] that’s right, hold his head [Bella smiled, her fangs appeared as her lips spread wider watching her brother] Rehvenge, he’s not a bomb.. bring him in closer to your body, he needs to know he’s safe with his papa [As if by magic, the moment father and son connected, the little one settled settling the room in a hushed silence] 

REHV: [Fuckfuckfuckfuck! Ivories dug into the inside of my mouth until i tasted my own blood. He was wriggling and those lungs of his became sonic. I was going to drop him i knew it. fuckme! my sister issuing commands like a drill sargeant, her grid bouncing with all kinds of shit that i had no time to process, the squirming young in my large hands held me hostage with fear, trepidation..and shit..with love. Instant fucking love. I cradled him to my chest, and he silened immediately as if someone had found his remote control and had hit that magic mute button. I dragged air into my lungs and exhaled in a rush. He felt so small in my large hands, I briefly looked over at Bella, her eyes brimming with tears and a smile the size of the grand canyon on her face. I smiled back and mouthed “thank you”] There you go, little man. I got you.. [Instant love. For my son grew and grew inside me] 

EHLENA: [it wasn’t until the room quietened, the young no longer testing out his little lungs that I made the conscious effort to peel open my eyes. The sight of you holding our precious son caused my heart to swell with pride and love] 

BELLA: [Bella stayed for a few moments more, so happy for Ehlena and Rehvenge, she kissed her brother’s cheek while he held his young, kept her voice low as to not disturb Ehlena, knowing how vital that first sleep was after giving birth] I want a proper visit with my nephew soon, we’ll all come back soon. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything [her smile widened] congratulations, brother mine. He is precious [She rested her hand softly atop of Rehvenge’s for a moment, knowing just what an extraordinary father he was going to be. And with that, Bella left the new family to bond together, so happy and excited to materialize home to the mansion and share the good news with everyone] 

EHLENA: [now alone with my new family I watched as you spoke to your son. The one who would carry your legacy far into the future, his rightful name bouncing around in my brain. I was so amazed that we had done this all by ourselves, that our young was here, a living and breath being in the world. My heart full and content I slipped back into the arms of sleep, needing to regain my strength for the days ahead with my family.] 

REHV: [Checking Tahlly once more, rooted to the spot on the bed afraid to disturb the titanic of importance i was holding in my arms. I rubbed over his back cradling his head i lifted him away from me slowly as if he was a grenade ready to detonate at any time. So tiny, he fit in my two hands and while i gazed down on him, i crashed back into reality, my fog lifted, auto pilot kicked out and gave me back the controls. I cursed aloud. Fuck. Me. We had our young. He was here. Born. And in my hands. SHIT. Rapid blinking, the past night had seemed a nightmare, so much blood, almost losing my reason for being and now our son sleeping soundly. I cast my eyes towards Ehlena, feeling like the luckiest SOB there ever was that she was still here with me. All the green in the world meant nothing without her. A bonded male is only as prosperous as the shellan who ruled his heart] I think you wore your mahmen out, Bob [voice rough, I cracked a fanged grin, the name Ehlena and I had decided on if we had a son forefront in my thought I lifted my son and kissed his forehead] Welcome to the world, Nehmesis... #BornToBePurple

REHV: [Minutes. It had only been fucking minutes since my shellan had lost consciousness yet the chasm felt endless. I cradled her blood soaked body, muttering prayers in the Old language while my fingertips lay over her thready pulse, only breathing properly as it gave a hard thump then another and another. I leaned over her fragile body, the prayers a mantra on a loop in my grid as I lay lips gently to hers] Come back to me, Tahlly. I need you. [I searched her frontal lobe relieved to find it alight with life still. No greater joy had I felt when your croaked words were mumbled] Jesus, Ehlena! [I brushed strands of your hair back, met those beautiful toffee eyes hazy with exhaustion, the fear lifting from me. I brought your hand to my mouth, kissed your inner wrist] I love you [I took my first full draw of air into my lungs and felt my world shift back into place once more]

EHLENA: [my eyes met yours, and the relief and love that shone in the amethyst depths washed over me. My hand, still held in yours reached to brush the blood tears from your cheek.] I love you, Rehvenge. [my fangs I noticed, were riding low in my mouth, the hunger almost overwhelming, but something else over shadowed that need.] where..where is the young? Where is out Bob? 

REHV: I wanted to sag with relief. I sat on the side of the bed, stroking your face unable to look away from my beautiful Tahlly. My beautiful Alive Tahlly. I zeroed in on your mouth, your fangs prominent and knew you needed to feed from me] Bob is being cleaned up to be presentable for his mahmen [voice gravelled I met your eyes, snaked into your grid, the fear of losing you still riding me. You were weak but still very much in the here and now] You need to feed, baby. Then I will bring bob to you and get you cleaned up to rest. [Arms around your waist, I lifted you forward, to meet my offered throat, a hand cupping the back of your head gently] Take, baby.

EHLENA: [I wanted to argue, to beg to see the young I had given birth too] His?? It’s a male? We have a son? [my hunger took over as you brought me closer to your throat and I struck hard, fangs sinking deep as I drew hard, pulling your strong blood into my mouth and down my throat, extinguishing the flames of need. Your blood tasted like heaven, my return from the other side leaving me more open to all things in this world. Gripping your shoulders hard I melted into your arms, your blood already strengthening me.]

REHV: [My grid was a million miles away while you fed, I went on auto and stroked your back, and afterwards fast tracked through a bed change so I could go and bring bob to you, the doggen were fussing over our young like he was the revered prince. I stood and watched, fangs peeking, I clipped one to my lower lip holding back a grin listening to his lungs getting a good work-out. I felt like i was carrying a time-bomb taking him back to our chambers, he was so tiny and strong at the same time] Time to meet your mahmen, little man [The flood of my tahlly’s emotions made me smile. If any female was made to be a mahmen it was her. I placed Bob in your arms, stood back a little, hands jammed into my pants pockets, my red vision watching you both bonding] 

EHLENA: [i laid back weakly against the pillows of our mated bed, anxiously awaiting your return with our young..our son. Though I felt considerably stronger than before I had fed I was still exhausted. The ordeal of my labor and trip to the other side had taken every ounce of my strength. Looking over at the pile of discarded bedclothes and night gown that lay in a crumpled pile in the corner I wondered how it was possible that i was laying here now, alive and about to meet the tiny being that I had carried inside my womb for so many months. I could hear the two of you, my new family, as you traversed the hallway back to our chambers. My eyes lit up as you slowly opened the door with our son swaddled tightly in blankets of pale blue silk.] Come to Mahmen little one. [I beamed down into the eyes of our tiny miracle, eyes so much like his fathers that there would never be a question whom he belonged too. Surveying the remainder of his tiny features I found that he most assuredly would have my facial structure, from his proud slender nose to the lush perfect lips that, at the moment were wrapped around a scream so loud it might possibly raise the dead.] Well, little one, you need a name. [meeting your eyes I motioned you to sit on the bed next to us and took your hand.] What shall we name our little prince love? I believe we had narrowed the names for a male to Schorn, Mahlice, Cahrnage and one more. [a light chuckle fell from my lips at the look on your face.] Okay baby, we don’t have to decide right now. [Bob let out another squall and I realized that I didn’t know how long I had been out, and that he was probably hungry. Adjusting myself on the bed and moving a pillow to my lap I rearranged my clothing and brought his tiny full lips to my bosom for his first meal.] #BornToBePurple —-TBC—-

Ehlena: NO!! No, no, no, no!!! REHV! No! [my screams would ever go unheard. I was dead, I had to be. Forcing myself to calm down I looked around, taking in my surroundings. Was I…home? Like the home of my parents..before the events that had led to my Mahmen’s demise? Was that even possible? Yes..that exactly where I was, though something seemed off.  Upon closer inspection I noticed the wisps of fog winding it’s way along the floor, wrapping around my legs. Something was wrong, very wrong. Heart racing in my chest, i started running through the house] Mahmen! Father! Is anyone here? [thoughts of Rehv and our young threatened to drag me to my knees as I searched, checking my fathers study, then running down the hallways towards  Mahmen’s library. No, this couldn’t be happening, i wasnt supposed to be here! I should be there, with my hellren in our house.] Not here! Not now! [the smooth calm voice of my Mahmen met me as I turned the knob to the library, “Ehlena, dear. What ever is the matter?” There she sat, as perfect and proper as I remembered her, seated elegantly on one of the antique sofas, a book laying opened across her lap. Sobs threatened to take me over as she looked up at me, her hazel eyes smiling.]

I…I shouldn’t be here. [my voice shook with each word, lip caught between my teeth as my eyes suddenly filled with tears.] I need to be back..back home with Rehvenge and our young! [her eyes traveled slowly from my head to my toes, taking in her daughter who was a female of  worth, despite the hard times her family had fallen on. Her face revealing nothing, she patted the sofa beside her, indicating for me to sit. Wait, there was something wrong with her wrists..they had been slashed, and blood continued to well from the brutal wounds and dripped slowly onto her open book. Legs that were practically knocking together carried me across the room to her, pausing and staring down at her before I sat. “Please, do sit daughter mine. There is much we need discuss, and very little time.” oh no, little time? What the hell did that mean?what had happened to her that she was sitting so calm and proper as she slowly bled to death? I had to get back home, I couldn’t stay here.] Mahmen? Where am I? Why am I here? What has happened to you? You are bleeding! [her features seemed to soften before my eyes, and the sorrow they held was unbelievable. Slowly, as though she was using the extra seconds to gather her thoughts she turned to face me. “There is so much that I need apologize to you for, daughter mine. The first being the way I left your world.” with that statement she motioned to her wrists. My mouth opened with the intent of letting her know that I had long ago forgiven her for taking her own life, but she raised a hand to stop me. “No, Ehlena. You must allow me finish this.”] Yes Mahmen, [i fell silent again, searching those elegant features for some clue as to what was going on. I found nothing but bone deep sadness in her face. “Ehlena, I know that I can never make things between us right again, but all those years ago I didn’t give you the chance to explain.

I was already so distraught from the happenings with your father and losing our place among the glymera that the words I heard that night was the final loose brick in an already crumbling wall. Mine actions were not those of a sane female, but one teetering on the edge of insanity.” I sat quiet while she spoke, and for several moments thereafter, searching my mind for the answers that she was trying to give.] Verily Mahmen, are you telling me that your decision to take your own life was not based solely on the accusations against me, the daughter of your own womb? [her nod was the only answer for a long time. “It had all become too much for me to handle.” She reached out and squeezed my hand, the blood drops making a strange plopping sound as they hit the fabric of the sofa. “Ehlena, darling, I have been watching you all these years swearing off males and any thought of young. I was elated when you mated Rehvenge, and now the young. But you have to release your fears and believe in yourself. You cannot live your life fearing the choices that I made.” The tears that had been threatening finally spilled from my eyes and great sobs racked my shoulders.] All these years I have blamed myself.. I was convinced that I was the reason you did what you did. [shaking arms wrapped around my shoulders and the Mahmen I had long missed, and resented, comforted me. “I have spent these many years yearning for he chance to speak these words to you, Ehlena, to relieve you of the guilt you feel.” her long slender fingers gripped my shoulders pushing me back and as I met her eyes the wounds at her wrists began to heal and the room threatened to disappear.] Mahmen! Mahmen, what’s happening? [she seemed to radiate with an inner light which I had never seen, her smile widening as if I had given her an extraordinary gift. “I need to hear the words, daughter mine, please.” without a doubt I knew which words she was speaking of. ] I forgive you Mahmen, and I love you. I swear to you that if I can go home to my family it will all be okay. I am no longer afraid of the future. [with those hurried and rambled words the female before me disappeared in a flash of light and no longer was I sitting in my childhood home, but standing in a colorless courtyard, before a fountain, surrounded by white trees full of colorful singing birds. The place was astonishingly beautiful, and I knew, from listening to some of the males of the brotherhood describe it I must be on the other side, in the sanctuary of the Scribe Virgin.] Hello?? [i called out as I turned in a slow circle taking everything in before resting on the edge of the fountain.

I didnt know why I was here, if I had died during child birth I should have gone straight unto the fade. The soft clickIng of a door pulled me from my confused thoughts. When I raised my head I saw a figure moving towards me, clothed in solid black robes. Slowly I dropped to my knees and bowed my head. The breeze that wafted past me was warm and when a hand rested on my shoulder it felt of sunshine, composed into a solid. “Ehlena, daughter of Alyne, please rise and look upon mine face, we have much to discuss.” The mother of the race was wrapped in black robes and her feet, if she had them didn’t touch the ground. It was as if she hovered. Slowly I rose to my full height and turned to face the other female who slowly slid her robe from her head.] Dear Scribe Virgin, wh.. [quickly and just in the nick of time I remembered that one is never to question the Scribe Virgin at any time.] I am honored that you have brought me into your sanctuary. [my questions caught in my throat as she began to speak again. “Your family, though young, will be very important in the war against the Lessening Society.”  She paced back and forth in front of me, pausing again to speak, “Your race needs you to be strong and stand beside your hellren, as both he and your son will be instrumental in keeping the lines of communication open between the vampire and sympath races. I am returning you to your life so that together you and Rehvenge can raise your future soldier and king.” [tears sprung to my eyes.

My joy overwhelming me and bringing me to my knees before the glowing female once again.] Oh, Scribe Virgin! How can I ever repay you for this most glorious gift? [the soft chuckle from the female brought my head snapping up realizing what I had done. “Ehlena, there is no need to repay me. Just do your best to bring your son up with the proper values and a knowledge of what his future holds”] I can do that! Oh yes I can do that! Thank you so very much! But… [then thoughts of my Mahmen bombarded me, she had just disappeared before my eyes and I needed to know what had happened to her. I let my eyes meet those of the female from who our race was formed, and saw the flicker of understanding as it cross her face. “You are concerned about your Mahmen.” my nod brought her stepping up closer to me, offering her hand to help me rise. “Her selfless act of helping you to understand her feelings and changing your mind about your future with your hellren and young freed her.” her words confused me, I had spent these many years thinking my Mahmen in dhunhd, now she was free?] I apologize, Scribe Virgin, but I do not understand. [“My child, your Mahmen was not in dhunhd, but stuck in a place that is neither there nor the Fade, your forgiving her released her from that place and allowed her to go unto the fade to be rejoined with those she loves.” the thought seemed foreign to me, my Mahmen had taken her life by her own hand, and now she was in the fade. Realization slowly donned on me that in life we have many chances to right our wrongs an make things good once more. I didn’t have time to thank the Scribe Virgin for all that transpired during the time I was away, between one heartbeat and the next I was back on the blood stained sheets of our mated bed. My eyelids heavy as I attempted to pry them open almost too weak to accomplish the small task.] Rehvenge [I whispered, my voice scarcely more than a breath, as I looked up at your blood tear stained face.] I’m here….[my voice failing I thought….I’m back with my mate where I belong.] ——TBC——- #BornToBePurple

EHLENA: [settling back into the pillows I breathed deep to slow my too rapid pulse. My labor had progressed far more quickly than anyone could have anticipated. I had to come up with something to calm you, I didn’t know what would work. Reaching out I clasped your hands in mine, my eyes locking with the glowing red of your symphath side. I was thankful for the red glow, to do what needed to be done I would need you fully functional.] listen to me Rehvenge. The first thing I need from you is for you to calm down. [i took a deep breath, lips turning up into a smile when your breathing fell into line with mine.] I love you so much, Nallum. I know you can do this… [all thoughts left my brain as the most severe pain yet slammed into me, my hands fisted your shirt and breathing became as erratic as my heart beat. I could feel what was happening in my abdomen and between my legs. Bob was coming, and fast. The scream that ripped from my throat was part pain, but mostly terror. We were trapped here, it was day time, the sun still had hours until it set. We were going to have to bring the young into the world, without the aid of medical professionals. Not once during my pregnancy had I allowed myself to consider the distinct possibility that one..or both of us might not make it through the birth. I was a nurse, I had assisted Havers in too many deliveries to fool myself, the probability of both Mahmen and young coming through the process alive and healthy was low. Though we had attended a couple of Havers’ birthing classes neither of us was ready..or prepared for what was happening. After what seemed like an eternity the pain subsided and I knew that this had been the longest, most intense contraction yet.] Where was I? [you were no longer looking at my face, but staring at the crimson stain on the sheets beneath me] BABY [i snapped to draw your attention back to me.] 

REHV: [So that’s what my heart being ripped from my chest felt like. I saw the blood beneath you and lost the fucking will to breath. Time became the biggest currency. I knew I was holding onto the last hours with you and our young with a grasp that was loosening as the minutes ticked by. I couldn’t lose you. Wouldn’t. Couldn’t even think past that. Seeing the shell of a brother Tohrment all those months after the angel had returned him back to the mansion, it had been like looking at the walking dead. He was there yet wasn’t. He was somewhere in the fade with his dead shellan. I couldn’t do that. I scrubbed hands over my face and got myself back in the fucking game real fast.  A game of life and death. Focused and there. Voice a rumble of concentration, I lifted your shaking hand to my lips, kissed once twice and got you looking at me] We got this, Tahlly. Trust me, Bob is ready to come meet us, feel me? [I rolled my shirt sleeves up, grabbed a bundle of towels the doggen had brought, got them laid under you and tried not to show my utter terror on my mug seeing how bad your blood loss was. I rubbed the hard ball of your belly soothingly and felt the contractions rack your small frame. Up on the bed with you, kneeling at your feet. Red eyes trained fully on the scared toffee gaze and felt my heart constrict again. Fuck .We had to do this, no fucking choice] It’ll be over soon, female mine [I watched a fresh wave of pain contort you and with a growl of pure fear instructed you to push. I snaked into your grid calming your fears and soothing what agony I could, blocking out your pain receptors. The hours seemed to fast track and yet not move a damn inch while my shellan and I were trapped on that bed, both of us choking with the task at hand, each roll of contractions weaking my female before my eyes as she fought to bring our young into the world] 

EHLENA: [my entire body sagged into our mated bed, the steady stream of blood still flowing from my womb weakening me to the point I could scarcely concentrate on your words. I could feel you in my mind, doing your best to control the overwhelming waves of pain that continued to hold me in their bloody claws. Hands fisted to the sheets on either side of me, as I focused in the one person that was holding me to this world, you. Your glowing red eyes We’re all that I could see, your pleas for me to bare down and push somehow got through, though I wasn’t sure  if I heard them in my mind, or my ears. An all new wave of pain threatened to pull me under as another contraction started its journey to a brutal peak] I love you [i panted as I curled my chin to my chest, and bared down with every ounce of my waining strength, the next sounds that filled the room were screams of agony as the young’s head passed torturously slow through the birth canal and Entered our world. The massive gush of blood that followed would have been alarming had I not been cocooned in an icy river, being drawn ever deeper by the invisible current that had taken me. I tried hard to focus on you, and caught a vague and blurry impression of you lifting our young from between my thighs and holding it up for me to see. Tears flooded my eyes as the blackest clouded my vision even further, until it was all I knew.]

REHV:[Elation filled me like a fucking balloon. I held the slippery wet tiny body of our son in my hands, his bellows ringing out showing his lungs worked just fine. I detached him from you, laid him onto the bed wrapping him in a towel, the blood on his face soon wiped clean. And I stared down at the small bundle we’d created together. He was perfect. I looked down at him, my vision pure red and for the first time I knew how Z must feel with nalla. Fuck if I’d ever admit to having something in common with him. I smiled down at my young, ivory fang tips showing, I cast eyes up the bed to show you our son once more. And my heart flatlined. straight up stopped fucking beating. You were laid so still. deathly pale, your chest barely moving. Fuck. FUCK!] Tahlly! [the terror filled growl ripped from me, I was at your side in a second, fingers fumbling around your throat, your pulse thready..faint..skipping. oh dear fucking virgin in the fade. NO not now. fuck no please.. [ice filled my veins as I checked your vitals becoming slower by the second, I must have roared for a doggen, because two appeared, faces colorless in the doorway, I growled for the young to be taken away. I lifted my female into my arms, dropped lips to hers briefly. They were cold, unmoving] Wake up, Ehlena.. come on baby, open your eyes [Acid burned my gut, fear choking me with every breath. Desperate pleading words in the Old in the language were strangled from my throat, holding you to my chest, a blood tear fell to your cheek] Please Tahlly.. [ I was losing my shellan…and powerless to stop it] #BornToBePurple ——-TBC——-

EHLENA: [it had been days since I had felt like myself, the fatigue I had come to expect as I progressed through my pregnancy had intensified one hundred fold. The little miracle growing inside me had been extremely active as of late, apparently unable to find a comfortable position to lay in the confined space of my womb. My hand rubbed over my rounded belly as a smile curved my lips] Settle down little one, Mahmen would like to rest for a bit. [The young acknowledged me with a strategic kick to the ribs, which while it hurt had me laughing] Now Bob, [i laughed at the nickname Rehvenge had given our tiny bundle early on in my pregnancy] Remember what your father says, it’s not nice to hurt Mahmen. [i knew it was silly, but I couldn’t help but talk to our child. It just seemed like such a big part of our family, though the day of birth had not yet arrived.  At that moment my stomach let a lionlike growl, not that i should have been hungry at all yet.] Is Mahmen’s little Bob hungry? [I chuckled at my own funny as I scooted to the edge of the bed, a feat that shouldn’t have taken the amount of energy it did. My legs finally dangling of the edge of the bed, I slid myself  further to the side until my bare feet hit the cold, hard, slate floor. A little gasp revealing that I was not expecting the temperature to be Quite so cold. stepping into my slippers and pulling my robe around my shoulders and making a futile attempt to tie the thing over my belly.] This is just getting ridiculous! [i grumbled despising the fact that Havers had confined me to the bed for the remainder of my pregnancy] I am perfectly fine! [i huff to myself. Making my way down to the kitchen I take out the chocolate chip cookies and rainbow sherbet. Before i could stop myself I had tossed two chocolate chip cookies in my mouth. Soon I was headed back up to our chambers a platter of cookies and half a gallon of rainbow sherbet balanced between my hands. The pain came out of no where, slamming into me like a freight train that had lost it’s breaks. The platter clattered to the stairs as my body jackknifed throwing me to my knees. A scream ripped from my throat] REHVENGE!!! [ before he could arrive at my side several doggen had rushed to me from every direction]

REHV: [The crux of any bonded male, no matter what drives him on a daily basis, whatever greeds he chases, the fights he has, at the very heart of him is his shellan, she is his very reason for everything.  And when he hears that shellan let go of a blood curdling scream, the very plasma inside his veins roars to get to her. I was laid in bed drifting between asleep and awake when I heard your cry. Now, I’d heard my name ripped from your throat hundreds, thousands of times, when you were pissed at me, the fire brimming out of you, fuck, that was a sight to behold. When you writhed beneath me, and you begged for more with breathy pants of my name. This time was somethnig new altogether. I moved like I was shot in the ass, getting to the top of the staircase and seeing you crumpled to the steps, doggen ashen faced assisting. I had no  time to get to your side, i materialized beside you, your grid off the scale with pain and panic. I pinned a forced stare at the doggen gaining their attention, their grids too, full of the alarmed WTF’s] Be of ease…go and prepare your mistresses bag just as she showed you [With their task given, both doggen slipped away with worried looks and hushed words between them, I slipped around to bracket over your body, the pain contorting you, hands reaching for mine I grasped easily, I’d know later that the terror riding through my body had completely burned up all the dopamine and right at that moment my vision was returning to brilliant red. I was too concerned with my shellan to notice. I stroked back your hair, rubbed the hard ball of your belly, the pool of liquid beneath us both telling me all i needed to know. Bob was on his way. My impatient young was eager to enter this world and do it early] I don’t think Bob likes your cookie choice, beautiful [my voice rough, I slid arms around you and took to the stairs quickly leading us back to our chambers laying you out on the rumpled bed, I cursed with a growl setting eyes to the clock, it had only just gone sunrise. We were trapped inside our home. There would be no hospital. And no Havers to get to us. My terror for my female as she moaned in pain grew to fucking colossal size. What the fuck was I going to do now?..]

EHLENA: I think you are right, baby [i laughed as the pain seeped from my body and I relaxed against the wall of your chest, only now noticing the wet clothing that clung to my body. Oh, was this really happening? Was it really time for our young to enter the world? My mind raced backwards through the months since my needing, though it didn’t seem like nearly enough time had passed, our precious bundle had only chosen to be born only a few months early. Praying that little Bob had spent enough time growing in my womb I attempted to scoot towards the edge of the bed, with a mind to change out of the saturated clothing I wore, and into something more comfortable for what would inevitably be the many long hours of labor. I could feel your hard stare as I moved, telling me to stay put and ignored the silent demand. As my feet hit the floor another contraction coursed through my veins. This time I reached out and gripped hard to your upper arm, nails digging white crescents into the bronzed flesh, my breath coming in pants as I struggled to control it] Fuck Rehv, this little ball doesn’t like it when Mahmen tries to move. [as the pain subsided again I braved a smile knowing that we would be able to meet our little Bob soon] Do you mind getting me some dry clothes while I stay here, baby? 

REHV: Dammit Ehlena, stop moving! [As I tore a drawer open with some force i knew my words were as ridiculous as they sounded to my own ears. With my grid working fucking overtime with the possibilities, the logistics of what we’d both have to do if the labor progressed much further before the sun dropped from the sky drilling a hole inside my mind while I tried to keep my shit together for you. I smoothed a hand over your sweat sheened cheek before helping you out of the wet clothing, replacing it with a simple cotton nightie and I got you situated back onto the bed amongst a nest of pillows. While i paced, fingers dragging over my mohawk, the doggen hovered in the doorway no doubt stunned to silence by my own muttered curses and frigid cold rolling from me. My aversion to any doctor not of our race touching my shellan, it would only be when events had already unfolded that my fucking grid would jump start that I should have called for Jane or Manny. But right in that moment Rehvenge King of the Symphath’s was trapped inside the pain and terror mirrored in Ehlena’s eyes. I paced back to the bed, sent a glare to the doggen who got gone real fast, and I took your hands, brought them to my lips, kissed softly and offered a weak smile] We got this, Tahlly, feel me? [I pushed back the nagging thought I would lose you this night and got my head back in the game. Taking care of what was mine]  

EHLENA: We do, baby. It will all be fine. [settled back into the mounds of pillows that you had positioned around me I reached for the television remote, flipping through the channels in search of something to watch. With the last wave of pain subsided my mood was lighter and I actually believed that things would be okay. The frigid cold rolling from your skin clued me into what you were thinking and it wasn’t good. I needed to find a way to calm you or this would be the longest day in history.] Rehvenge, Nallum, come sit with me and watch some television with me. -I could tell that you were frightened, but trying hard to be brave for my sake. I reached for your hand just as another contraction worked its way through my body, my hands tightened around yours, nails digging into the flesh as I pulled you closer, wrapping my arms tight around your waist until the pain once again subsided and I was left panting.] please sit with me baby. 

REHV: [Watching tv! my female in the midst of labor wanted to watch the fucking tv?! I scrubbed hands over my ‘hawk, red eyes blazing, i took long strides to the bed parking my ass next to you as I felt the wave of pain hit you hard as a 4x4. I wanted to will it into me instead, take it all from you] shhh baby, i got you [hands stroked up and down your back, you were tight rigid and so fucking brave it swelled my heart to witness] just a while longer we can get you to Havers, darling [I bullshitted myself and you. The sun had only risen, and from the length of your contractions, little bob wanted out into the world NOW. fuck. fuck. I took deep rythmic massages over your back while my grid went into overdrive] Lets get you comfortable, Tahlly [doggen knocked bringing a pitcher of ice tea, towels and more towels. Whatthefuck they think we’re going swimming or to the damn beach? my irritation kicked up a notch as I ushered them out barking orders not to be disturbed] You’re the nurse, Tahlly [I peeled back my shirt sleeves my gaze never wavering from yours] you need to tell me what the fuck to do, feel me? exactly. [All those months ago, watching the birthing dvds you made us sit through, my stomach recoiling from the shreiks of the human females in the throes of their labor hadn’t prepared me for this cocksucking moment when I’d have to deliver my own young ] ——-TBC——- #BornToBePurple 

Rehvenge and Ehlena welcomed their baby boy, Nehmesis to the world. 

We’re all looking forward to spoiling the little one. 

Beth:

“You will be our greatest weapon in this war, Elizabeth” Xcor’s words filtered into Beth’s mind as she sat at her mothers grave. It was her thirtieth birthday and she wanted to lay flowers in respect for the mother who have gave her life. The only person to truly love her. Blue eyes sought out her father, Darius, stood by a grave a few feet away. He’d agreed to accompany her back to the old country, much to Xcor’s chargrin. He looked pissed and impatient. She sighed and rose, trailing fingers over the worn marble of the simple headstone. Telling her mahmen goodbye once more- I’m ready, Darius. -She told him and before he could respond, she’d sent herself scattering to the night sky, back to that place Xcor had took all his bastards to not two weeks previous. Caldwell New York. 

Wrath

-The brotherhood, if that is what it could be called, came to me the night before after my feeding from Marissa.  The band of bastards requested a meeting and our fallen comrade Darius would be there.  Reluctantly I agreed, something inside of me told me I needed to be there, to head the brotherhood in a way I never did, stand with the brothers instead of alone. It was always my choice to be alone, only feed when I desperately needed to, or find sexual release when I damn near couldn’t stand myself.  Even then there were no emotions, just two being fucking.  Rubbing the bridge of my nose, mostly out of habit, as I long since lost all of my sight as I stood in the room that I kept as my own. I didn’t want to be King of our race, I wanted to continue walking the nights alone, spending the nights alone in solitude, it is nothing but what I deserved, nothing more, and nothing less.   Hell, I didn’t even deserve Marissa, yet she stayed available for me, in all ways, even though I’d urged her to find her a male who would serve her in the ways she was entitled to, and wanted, as I was not that male for her, never would be.  That fucking ship had sailed long ago for me, never to be touched by my palms.-

Beth

The run down converted barn smelled bad and had housed barely anything inside. She pulled open the door sensing her father’s return behind her. Xcor’s second in command made Darius slightly less spit-mean. Not much. She’d seen him slain many a human without an ounce of compassion. Beth held no doubt she’d only been kept with him for the reason they were now in this place. She’d become useful. He’d trained her to be the best assassin. She’d had to be. The band of bastards didn’t tolerate weakness. A few month after her transition Beth had found herself tossed into a locked cabin with eight captured lessers. Xcor’s initiation into his gang. She’d been covered in stinking black blood when she’d emerged beaten, bloody and wearing deep gashes. Eight lessers slain by her one dagger. And had earned her place. Beth’s boots hit the stairs, foregoing food. She would grab a nap before they all headed out hunting for the night. She fell to the bottom bunk and moaned at how good it felt to lay down. Eyes closed and relaxed, Beth’s senses heightened and she caught the hand that came down from the top bunk just as fingers grazed her breast. Zypher’s wrist clasped in her fingers, she twisted it back, fangs bared with a hiss as his laugh and groan mingled- Touch me again, pretty boy and lose your dick -Emphasizing her point, Beth jacked his hand back further and released him, he swung down from the bed above standing a towering mass of sex that oozed from him in waves. It pissed him off and equally amused the bastard that his movie star looks and hypnotic eyes didn’t work on her. He had about as much chance of getting into her leathers as he did their bastard leader’s- “I’m wearing you down, Beth. We’ll be mated soon. D’s already approved it” -He hunkered down and met her blue eyes, the smile all over his gorgeous face. She ignored him and closed her eyes once more until the scuff of his shitkickers across the floor and out the room told her she was alone finally. 

Wrath

-Standing in the home that was purchased for Marissa for always dealing with the way I kept things between us, I strapped the remaining throwing stars against my chest.  Unlike most nights, I wouldn’t be alone; I would be standing behind members of the Brotherhood who would die to save my bloodline, that’s all it ever was.  Sliding the daggers into their sheaths as Vishous and Rhage materialized in the small foyer, Marissa’s soft call announcing their arrival came from the room beside my own that I never stayed in with her.  My sightless eyes drifting toward the movement as they entered the room. - “We need to go, the others will be there in five, true.”  -Nodding to acknowledge V’s information.-  Let’s go.  –Walking the short hallway to Marissa’s room I knocked softly.- “Come.”  -Her smile, as always, was present in her words, opening her door slowly, even if I couldn’t see her, I knew she sat at her table with the chair and mirror.  Striding to where she sat, I gently placed my hand on her shoulder.-  You need to feed, Marissa.  –I may have ignored it, but I knew as well as anyone with eyesight could see, she was pale, unfed.. subtly giving a shake of my head as her words take me out of my own thoughts.-  “No Wrath, I know you have a dire meeting and will need your strength, I shall feed upon your return.”  - Nodding before I backed from her seat to leave the room, there was no need to press her to feed, I wouldn’t force her unless it was her life that was in the balance.-  I will return before sun-up.  –Quietly shutting the door behind me as I left her room.  I had a meeting to get to.-

Beth

A jolt brought Beth from sleep. Xcor’s roar for her to get her ass down. Weapons grabbed and strapped, she materialized in front of their feared leader knowing this was the night. Her family. The band of bastards all sent themselves one by one scattering into downtown Caldwell. A meeting was about to go down. A very important meeting so Xcor told her as he’d informed her of her duties several nights ago. His meaning was clear. She fucked up, it would be HER spinal cord he collected for his morbid box of souvenirs. The air stirred, Beth felt a frisson arch down her back, making her breath stutter in her lungs, Blue eyes searching…searching out the source of her unease. So unlike her, she was calm in all situations-

Wrath

-The cold night air greeted me as I waited with the Brotherhood before arriving at the requested meeting with The Bastards.  For once Z and Phury weren’t about to tear each other’s heads off but for some unknown reason Tohrment had to quiet everyone. “They should be there now, my Lord, stay in the middle, please.”  -I nodded; even though I knew it was their attempt to “Save the King” I’d agree, for now- Time to put those bastards where they belong, and that’s not our town, feel me?- The brothers The brothers dematerialized one by one from our collected area.  Dread bubbled in the pit of my stomach, something would not end well this night, and I could taste it on the chilly air.-

Beth

-Her heart gave a kick as she caught a scent on the breeze. Intoxicating. The bastards formed a formidable barrier as six, seven, eight and a ninth vampire appeared before them. The roll of menace and tension was palpable from them all, and Beth took the time to gaze upon these males dressed all in black leather and death. Heavily armed they stood surrounding the tallest of males, his hair long and the color of midnight, he wore dark glasses despite there being no light to shade from. And then it happened. An unknown feeling stirred inside Beth, as if awakening. That frisson of something Beth had felt became a loud roar in her ears, her heartbeat picked up until it was a thud inside her chest. She knew her bastards were talking. And these vampires were responding, she watched their faces change, anger twitched between both parties. Yet she heard nothing. She couldn’t look away from him. She couldn’t know it, but she felt his eyes on her, the charge crackled between them while the world ticked by. While her father and Xcor engaged them in heated threatening words. Beth stood rooted to the ground. And stared at the male. He was…he was…hers. She knew it with every molecule going wild inside of her skin-

Wrath

-The ends of my coat flapped against my heels as I materialized, the air was different here; filled with menace, dread, and…  my nostrils flared as the scent hit me, a scent I’d never encountered before, yet it sent shivers slowly down my spine.  Female.  My fangs slowly elongated, puncturing my bottom lip.  Tohr was arguing with Xcor’s second in command.  I could feel him staring daggers in my direction…  MINE!  Shaking my head as my mind screamed for that female.  She was not mine, could not be mine, she was with the enemy.  My lids closed over my sightless eyes as I inhaled deeply her intoxicating scent was calling to me, urging me to step forward, remove her from their hold, but she wasn’t being held captive, she chose the band of bastards.-

 Beth

“You will be our greatest weapon in this war, Elizabeth” Xcor had told her “No one will expect a female” His laugh had been dark and frightening and skirting a little on the mad side. She looked at this male and felt the sick slide of dread seep into her every vein. She didn’t know why. Her heart felt alive for the first time in her thirty years. This male with his lethal fangs bared, was magnificent. 

 And as Beth’s fingers discreetly grasped around the butt of her 9mm pistol, she felt the shift in the band of bastards, as they’d planned, they as one each stepped slightly to the side, giving her room to aim.  Her insides curdled, her brain screaming NO! and she waited for the subtle signal from their leader.-

 Wrath

-Something shifted, moved, straight in front of me, coming from the female, her mood changed burning the air with the taste of regret?  Regret for what?  For choosing The Bastards, fine, I will take her from them; keep her safe in my arms.  MINE!  Growling as the taste of my own blood fills my mouth, I didn’t even realize I bit into my own skin as I assessed her from afar.  My useless eyes darted from side to side to find what the truth of the chance was for.  Why would she be moving so slowly, why would she regret moving?  I could hear her breathing quicken then stop as she held her breath.  I heard the click, the trigger being squeezed slowly.  My ears registered where the sound came from, it was from that female that was sending me on a roller-coaster of emotions.  A barely audible growl left from my lips just before the shot filled the ally.  A piercing sting went through my entire body, sending me straight to my knees as I tried to keep myself upright.  Hands shaking as I reached for the wound to stop the blood if that were possible, my fingers found the hole in my chest.  She shot me in my chest, through my heart.  I could feel my heart attempted to beat with the tips of my fingers, but the beating failed.  Blue eyes I had never before seen before stared down into my soul, the scent of midnight blooming roses filling my senses.  My heart convulsed under my fingertips as I took my last breath.-

 Beth

The signal that would tell her to raise her gun, aim it and shoot to kill. Beth couldn’t understand the warring feelings she had inside her. She couldn’t look away from this phearsom male. But too many years in the bastards camp had done its work. She was loyal if nothing else. And her arm raised, her gun trained on him and she fired once. Without caution, but the remorse was burying her alive. Her blue eyes squeezed shut as a roar filled the night. She’d hoped she’d missed. Knew she hadn’t. She never missed a target. Her mind was filled with images, flashing one after the other, of sitting on this males lap, laughing, loving, cuddling a golden dog and being so adored by him that all her empty places were no longer a gaping hole in her soul. She was whole, complete, with him. And as Beth opened her blue eyes, knew that what she’d seen would never happen. Pandamonium was all around her, blades drawn, blood laying in a pool on that cold ground, and silent tears tracked her face, she saw as she knew she would. Her bullet had found its target. 

Beth had killed the Blind King, Wrath. …And felt herself die inside too- #AlternateUniverse

Wrath:  -The drapes were pulled by the doggen, the sun would rise and keep me here in a matter of seconds.  Even though I could no longer see the hallways I walked, I could still find my way back to my room and that’s where I was heading now.  My room, quiet, far from any of the brothers who would come knocking on the door.  Rubbing the bridge of my nose as I turned the last corner to my room, and that’s when I caught her scent.  How I did not realize it until I do not know, but it was now dead ahead.  Dropping my arm to my side stopping in my tracks.- Marissa?

Marissa: [I had been so busy the last few nights making decorative changes to our new home that I did not realize just how tired my body really was. As I stood up from sitting on the floor selecting color samples for my new room, I got a serious case of the dizzies. Clutching one hand to my chest, the other swinging out to the dresser I caught myself from falling. Then it finally hit me. It had been so long since I had fed from Wrath. We had much going on the last few days, moving into our new house and he fighting alone every night….I neglected myself. Hearing his heavy footsteps coming from outside the room, I garnered my strength and stepped into the threshold of the door to greet him home just as he called my name] Yes Wrath….what is wrong?

Wrath:  -Out of habit my eyes narrowed in the direction she stood.-  You’ve not fed in too long, Marissa.  –I never realized how long she would wait to feed, maybe I didn’t give her the attention she deserved, she had always been there for me, in more ways than I wanted, yet she was there offering herself to me.  Rubbing the bridge of my nose as I closed the space between us.-  In your room, I’ll feed you. 

Marissa: [Seeing the slight frustration is his body movements as he turned to me I plastered a smile on my face. Knowing he could not see me anymore, at least if I smiled when I spoke he could catch it. After all the centuries together, we were yet to actually be together. I accepted it…heck I found myself welcoming anything I could get and knew our situation would never change. He had just gotten in from a night of patrolling and surely must be worn out. The last thing I wanted to do was inconvenience him. Placing both palms on his chest, I looked up at his wrap around shades and spoke softly] No Wrath…not now. [I pushed against his strong form but failed in my weak state to stop him] I….I am fine. You are tired, we can wait.

Wrath: -Lips tightening into a thin line, she thought she could fool me, she was always thinking I could not see past her façade, I didn’t need eyes to see through it.  Grabbing her wrist, gently but with force I turned her towards her door.-  Now, not later.  I will not take no as an answer, Marissa.  –Sitting her onto what I was desperately hoping was her bed, I had only been in here once prior to moving in and had no idea where things were, frowning as I pulled the sleeve of my coat up to expose my wrist.-  Feed.

Marissa: [Breathless and dizzy, my fangs ached at the site of your thick forearm being exposed, the vein already swollen and at the surface. If this was going to happen, I at least wanted him sitting down. He could try to relax as he fed me. Looked up from your wrist to your face] Fine Wrath, I will feed but will you please do me the honor of sitting down…so that it doesn’t seem like such a chore for you? [my eyes lowered back to your wrist, my face flushed with a slight tinge of embarrassment. I did not like feeling like a bother. Before you had a chance to respond, I wrapped both petite hands around your arm and brought your wrist to my lips, piercing swiftly]

Wrath:  -My lips tightened to a thin line as I sat, the same instant her fangs pierced my skin.  Many times I was told the act of feeding could be sexual for most people.  Yet for me, it was like she said a chore.  Not that I didn’t want to feed her when she had always stayed to deal with me and any inconveniences I threw at her for being the way I was, and had always been.  Sitting in complete silence as she fed from my wrist, my mind drifting to anything but where I was in this moment.-

Marissa: [Taking quick short pulls on your vein, my eyes opened and fell on your face. Your face was turned away so that I could see the corner of your eyes. Your eyes were open and glancing around, even though they lacked the ability of sight. Without knowing the why, anger built up inside of me and I broke the connection between your vein and my mouth. Wiping the blood away from my lips, I looked at you and grimaced] I can’t do this tonight. You clearly would rather be any other place than here…at this moment…feeding me. [swinging my legs up and onto the bed, I climbed over to rest against the headboard] Please leave me. I need to be alone.

Wrath:  -She was no longer in the mood I found her in, she didn’t even take more than a handful of pulls from my vein, if that many.  She retreated, what exactly did I expect?  I had a close call tonight.  I’d get grips on my inability to see soon enough.  However tonight I come close to getting a good look at what the Fade was like.  Standing as I pulled my sleeve down my arm as I sealed the small wounds she left behind.   Subtly nodding before I left the room in complete silence.-

Marissa: [Willing all but one of the lights out, I balled myself up and rested my head on my knees. I don’t know why I thought that having our own house would change anything. I had done this to myself. Given myself a glimmer of hope in our existence. Why did I get myself so worked up and mad that he would not find joy in feeding me? Feeling embarrassed now at how I reacted, I convinced myself that the stress of the move had obviously had something to do with it. Sighing one last time before I closed my eyes, I knew that I had not gotten enough blood and would have to do this over again very soon. Praying to the Scribe Virgin that I could get my act together before then, I let my mind wander as I desperately tried to sleep.] #AlternateUniverse

PAYNE: The search had taken decades, both males and females begged to serve yet none were able to give the level of submission she demanded. She knew all too well some were not able to be broken without destruction being the final outcome. That was until the night she strolled into Tower Zero hungry for blood, thirsting for a savage unhinging. A slave by day. A business man by the night. The unruly smoothness of his voice gave nothing away of what he was capable of.  Whether he drove the wickedness of his cock to release her pressure or he lay bound and bleeding at the end of her studded whip, the male before her was now broken to perfection. The scars he wore branded into the flesh of his chest and back were the markings of his breaking the triumphant of his submission to dark irrefutable desires that crawled through her veins. The demand to unleash the madness that had cloaked itself behind the once innocent female…that female no longer existed. To the one that bent at her call she was known as….Lady Payne.  

Smoked curled from perfect crimson lips, a haze of cloudy ribbons misting over flawless features set against smooth tawny skin, face enhanced by high cheekbones & arched black brows topping heavily lashed-fringed eyes the color of diamonds…and just as hard, cold even. From a darkened space known as ‘the gallery’, Payne survived the crowd from one of the balconies of Tower Zero. The long length of her cornrows swished about above the ass of tight leather black pants she wore along with cinched bustier the color of midnight…she moved fluidly on 5 inch stiletto thigh-high boots to lean against the baluster, the tiny diamond stud on her brow glinted under the ever changing strobe lights above as she waited…] Fucking hell [a stream of colorful words momma would have washed out with soap dropped from her lips as she took another long drag from the red smoke and waited…and fuck how she hated to wait…punishment would have to be dealt with accordingly, she thought with a smirk. Waiting meant her mind took her places she didn’t care to see any longer but fuck it she thought. If it wasn’t for those memories of her past, she wouldn’t be who she was today and that was free, fuck you very much. Paynes chuckle dripped with sarcasm, tipping back half-full glass of Stoli, she slammed it hard on the lip of the counter surrounding the balconies edge. The reel of her mind hit the fast forward button, taking front and center as glimpses of the past played out like children in an open field…white robes, long rope-like braid the color of Onyx, diamond eyes wide and innocent…curious…but bored with the sanctuaries blandness. So she had escaped to the ‘other side’ with hopes of a new life and sure as the sun rises in the morning and by chance she had fallen in love. And it was good…passionate, an all consuming type of love where there was no beginning nor an end, where time ceased and existed in each other’s skin and whispered promises…just to have it all pulled away like some sick nightmarish magic trick from under her feet. She’d gone to meet her male, thought to surprise him climbing the steps to his place when the door swung open and out he came with another female tucked all cozy under his arm. Stopped dead in her tracks, Payne had stared unbelieving trying to find something to say, something to grasp on to,  when she heard him speak words that sliced like a thousand knifes through her chest, ‘Have we met before?’ Snap…her resolve snapped she reached for the dagger she kept hidden in her boot and with a loud cry, went for his heart. All to have it stopped by mahmen dearest herself. Right when she was about to end it all for the male that had betrayed her, the Scribe Virgin had stepped in and whisked her away to be punished in suspended animation for an indefinite time. What hell. A hell those years upon years of confinement, only festered the bitterness, resentment and hate that only grew stronger with each passing day until eaten with remorse, her beloved mahmen had reanimated her form. Payne recalled that day vividly, slinging back another glass of Stoli, the burn nothing compared to what came next…upon her reanimation, she spat on her mahmens face and demanded she be set free to look upon her brother, Vishous, just to hear vile, almost relished words spoken…‘He is to the Fade’….ice…like someone had poured ice where Paynes blood ran and she stilled for what seemed endless seconds until she let loose a roar that shook the foundations of the very temple she had stood in at the time. She had roared for her losses, she had screamed from the pain, the inability to do anything about anything, the uselessness of her existence, the control she never had…..until now.] Stupid, stupid silly little female…[she tsk’d under her tongue at the Payne of once and resumed her impatient wait.]

[Control. It was something she craved. It was the reason for her existence. Her life she had spent upon the mercy of others and now the tables were turned where SHE made all the rules and played the game HER way.] Love is for the foolish…for the weak. [She paced the lounge, lighting up another cigarette and leaned against the back wall, hard crystal gaze survived the crowd until she felt his presence near…he was there. Her skin coiled tight, fangs lengthening to sharp ivory points, she inhaled deep on her red smoke and dematerialized to the room she kept at the Tower where the club was located. The only sound heard as she entered the room was the click-click-click of her stilettos boots and the soft creak of the leather encasing her curves, the soft, sultry tone of her voice belied the bitch within as she walked circles around him.. .] What a good male you are…] He knew the rules. He knew where to wait, how to wait…always with his head down, no shirt, no shoes, hands to his sides, just pants…easy to come off…eventually. He was a strong male, muscles corded over tanned skin from his back to a chiseled chest, over arms as thick as oaks to abs you could eat from…] Mmmmm…you will do tonight [Words said on purpose to test the male, for he was the only toy she played with but he didn’t need to know that…the barely audible growl she heard from his throat was enough for her to bring up her whip and with a twack! Brought it against his chest] You dare growl? Do you own me? ANSWER! [his chest heaving, his voice a delicious cocktail of lust & simmering fire ‘No, Lady Payne’ she could see his fangs through his lips, which sparked dominion over his body…and by fuck she would have it all ] Turn…back to the wall, facing me…[doing as he was told, always with his head down, he presses his back to the cold concrete wall…] arms to each side, legs spread….DO IT and do NOT waste my fucking time! [bringing up his arms to either side, she made quick haste of cuffing him to the chains bolted into the ceiling, followed by setting the links around his feet bounding him to the wall. Although he was close to a head taller than her, Payne stood to his front, a hairsbreadth away from his lips and commanded…] lift your head… [she unrolled the blindfold from her slender fingers and lifted it towards his eyes as they settled upon her own in a hungry stare she didn’t care to see…before plunging his vision to darkness, she leaned into his neck and licked a fiery path with the flat end of her tongue from his collarbone to his jugular, nipping at his earlobe she whispered…] I own your blood, do you understand? ‘Yes, Lady Payne’ [the shiver that ran through him was undeniable as was the rock hard cock straining to get out of his pants…lifting the blindfold once again, her diamond gaze caught his for seconds before she covered amethyst jewel eyes she knew she would see again sooner….rather than later but for now….it was  play time. #AlternateUniverse

BELLA: The pain of coming back to Caldwell New York even 27 years later still leeched into Bella’s heart. The town looked the same, mostly. New buildings had gone up, some fire bombed in the Lessening Society war of 2012 still remained raised to the ground, rubble and despair. She remembered that feeling well. Remembered the worst night of her life that coincided with the brotherhood almost being wiped out for good. 

It was also the night Bella gave life to Nalla. 

And then with her heart breaking into a million pieces she’d gave her precious young to her father to raise and left her life for good. 

Her brother had died several nights previous in that same war. The reason Bella was back in town. She made the trip every year, to lay flowers at his grave, to let him know he was still missed. 

And her subconscious kicked in, whispering in her mind: she hoped to catch a glimpse, a fleeting sight of her grown daughter. Every year she hoped for the same and nothing ever came of it. It was the one thing in her entire miserable existence that kept air pumping into Bella’s lungs each and every day. Hope, that silly little emotion, it was forever being burst, yet she kept it alive. It was all she had. 

Kneeling by the sedate plain gravestone, Bella lay the purple bellflowers onto the ground, whispering a quiet pray to the scribe virgin, her fingers tracing her brothers name on the cold slab of black marble] Miss you, Rooster.. 

“How touching” The voice came from behind, quiet and feminine and made Bella’s gasp echo in the night sky, she whirled around taking to her feet, her heart gave a hard thump and seemed to stop dead while she met the brilliant citrine eyes. Of her Nalla]

Nalla… [Bella laid eyes on her daughter, tall and beautiful with a cascade of firey hair over her shoulders and looking so like her father. Words trapped in her throat, surprise had grabbed her tongue and wouldn’t let go. Too many thoughts were vying for attention inside Bella’s head, all those months of carrying Nalla, hoping to see her born, the complications, the pain, holding her for those so few hours, crying knowing what she had to do. The heartbreak she’d since carried with her and subsequently the self punishing that had followed all this time, never allowing herself a moment of joy or happiness. Not when she was without the two people she loved the most. 

Nalla and the male she could never have. 

“You remember my name then” [It wasn’t a question and was spoken in a flat tone, Nalla’s eyes showed no surprise or emotion, she coldly stared at the woman who had given her life] “You come here year after year and yet do not visit the mansion. I know you know where it is” [Bella’s daughter so beautiful and graceful stepped forward] “I had to wonder if I’d been forgotten altogether”

Never! [Bella’s outcry was loud and rang with truth. There had never been a day she hadn’t thought of the young she’d placed into her fathers arms. Unable to be with her or the male she loved ever again] I’ve never forgotten you, Nalla [thick emotion strangled her words] I longed to visit you but… [she trailed off. She’d longed for this moment right here yet brought upon her unawares Bella didn’t know what to say or do to try to explain the circumstances] Is… [Blue eyes searched around, not seeing anyone else, yet she knew he could be here and not visible if he so wished] Is your father with you? 

[Nalla pushed her hands into her coat and assessed the woman before her. She’d watched her for four years come to this place in honor of the uncle Nalla had never met, each year she’d been filled with elation and angst. Would this be the year her mahmen finally came back to the mansion to see the daughter she’d abandoned? Each year Nalla watched this visit and watched her mother leave again and she was filled with a little more resentment each time] 

“No. Phury isn’t with me” [she announced coldly, eyes flat] “I’ve long since stopped needing my father’s hand to lead me everywhere. I am to be mated soon” [She didn’t know why she’d told Bella that. Perhaps to jab home that she’d been raised perfectly fine and well without her. She cringed however, seeing the look of longing and regret on Bella’s face] 

Oh, Nalla.. [Her heart gave that hard tug again. She’d missed every event in her daughters life] That’s wonderful. I hope you and your mate will be truly happy [She meant every word. She’d always wanted Nalla to be happy. Giving her up, knowing she had no means to take care of her, newly born, Rehv had died, Bella had been lost to the man she loved and longed for, Zsadist wanted nothing to do with her. He’d rescued her from the ForeLesser David, brought her to the brotherhood mansion and proceeded to push her at every opportunity at his twin insisting he was better for her. 

 And that fateful day that changed everything for all three of them. She’d known the feelings Phury had for her, she’d been mad and frustrated with Zsadist’s constant distance he put between them. She’d taken Phury’s vein, starved of blood and wanting to lash out at the male she loved. Yet it had become more complicated, a twister of events that changed everything, she remembered with a sigh. She’d gone into her needing, right in the middle of feeding, in so much pain and sexual need that boiled out of her, she’d cried for Zsadist, begged Phury to get him, she needed him. His refusal made tears burn her eyes as they poured without stopping, his angry words that Zsadist didn’t want her but HE did gave no such comfort and she gave in. Weak and wanting the agony to come to an end she’d laid with Phury over and over, seeing a different male behind her eyes while Phury eased her suffering, hands clutched smooth skin yet felt that of another the entire time, hours that blended into each other until her needing had dissipated and left her hating herself. 

Zsadist had hated her too when he’d arrived back at the mansion. Hated her more when she became pregnant. There was no going back for them then. The die was cast. Futures made. She couldn’t be with Phury either. No matter how she’d tried. She hadn’t loved him in the way he’d deserved. 

If she’d stayed, these males would have been in her life every single day. Each of them living in a miserable existence. 

Bella had made the heart wrenching decision she would leave once the young was born healthy. And she had. Only she’d gone alone. Phury, much like his name had been furious with her, his yellow eyes full of anger and hate and had thrown the words at her, if she left she did so by herself. Nalla would stay and be raised in a safe environment with the brotherhood. 

What choice did she have? She’d had no money, not even a place to stay. She’d never do that to her beloved angel. 

Time had gotten away from her, month turned into month into year after year. Bella had always intended to go back for Nalla. She had. But as she sank deeper into her own depression and self loathing, telling herself no mahmen deserved such a gift as Nalla after leaving her just a few short hours old. And so they’d come full circle. The mother faced with the daughter. All the locked away memories and feelings were set free, tormenting her behind the blue of her eyes while she gazed at her grown baby]

“You know him” [Nalla’s voice penetrated Bella’s thoughts and she pulled her jacket around herself, eyes raising in expectancy] 

“Zahk. Rhage and Mary’s eldest child. [It was only at the mention of her future mate that Nalla’s face softened, her smile grew showing her small brilliant white fangs and Bella could see her daughter was happy with the young man that small rambunctuous toddler had grown into.

Bella would never be able to justify ever leaving her child. No matter how long she lived for. But seeing her happy in front of her, to know she had found her mated soul gave her some peace in her heart] Did you.. have a good childhood, Nalla? I don’t deserve to know… [Pleading in her tone, Bella ached to reach out and fold arms around Nalla.

Nalla nodded and actually smiled at her mother] “I did. Papa made sure of that and all his chosen” [Bella blinked and blinked again..] “Phury became the primale. [Nalla answered in question of the puzzled look Bella gave] I have at the last count 14 siblings. Two are about to begin their brotherhood training” 

Wow. The Primale. Bella was pleased for Phury finding his purpose in life. Seemed a lot had changed in the Brotherhood. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask about Zsadist. She almost did and had to stop the words from flowing. 

She didn’t want to know he was happily mated with a nursery full of children and puppies. She was selfish enough to not want that in her head for the rest of time. Before she could change her mind, her feet carried her over to Nalla, she foraged in her purse with unsteady fingers and pulled out a plain white card and pressed it into the young girls hand] My number. If…if, you should ever want to see me again. Call [Blue eyes held Citrine] Please. 

[Nalla hadn’t thought much past this first meet. She was confused and wanting to hate this woman for never being there. And found she couldn’t. She’d planned to say all the hurtful things she’d thought and the moment she’d heard her mothers gasp at seeing her she’d simply deflated inside and felt like that small child again who had longed for a mahmen. Nalla nodded briefly. Not sure if she was agreeing but she carefully slipped the card into her pocket] “I have to go…Goodbye, Bella” [And with a last look, she dematerialized back home, needing the calm arms of her mate.

Bella’s knees crumbled beneath her and the sob she’d been holding back erupted with a vigor. Oh dearest virgin in the fade, she’d finally been face to face with her child.  Her Nalla was lovelier than she’d ever imagined. 

And for the first time in 27 years, Bella felt a spark of true hope revive deep inside. It flickered and grew until she found herself sat on the cold grass by her brothers grave sobbing and laughing all at the same time.

Hope for a better future ahead. One that just may include her daughter after all…] #AlternateUniverse