Five minutes of silence passed before the Elders continued on. It seemed as if she would be handling the transfusion fine. The Elders went to Ari and helped her to get on her feet. Then they helped the Elder up as well. His part was now done.
The blood exchange was complete. When Ari locked eyes with me I could see the change already happening. Contrary to popular belief, a Wolf can change regardless of the full moon. This was our next step.
She would be hearing her Wolf spirit soon, and my next job was to get her to shift. She had to shift for her first time before the ceremony tonight or the ritual would have been for nothing.
The Elders motioned for her to start walking towards the door where I was standing. She ran straight into my arms and I could feel her shaking. She could feel the power of the Wolf spirit manifesting, and it was manifesting with a vengeance.
This is the part where I coach her into accepting her Wolf spirit and letting her inside… And then the part I hated most. I had to hunt her, until she shifted out of fear.
It was the only way for her to shift so soon, I had to put her life in danger, real danger. And I couldn’t tell her what I was doing. Her Wolf had to believe she was not safe or she wouldn’t be able to shift this soon.
Shifting was a painful experience at first, and it was necessary for the next step of the ritual. I took her hand and we exited the hut. We walked back through the lineup of Hybrids, taking the same path as when we first came in.
Once we were outside of the wooden gate I was able to talk to Ari. “How are you feeling?” I asked her. “I, I… Don't know. I have voices in my head, and I feel jittery… Like I had too much caffeine or something.” She explained.
The voices were her Wolf spirit, and the jitter was the pure energy her Wolf spirit brings. “Listen, darlin. I need you to listen to the voices. Whatever they say, listen for them and let them in. That is your Wolf spirit trying to break through. This is the first process in your transformation. Your Wolf spirit will always be with you, it will be your guide, your friend, your protector.” I explained.
“You have to let it in as soon as you possibly can. And I know it feels better to push the unknown away, but do not do that. Reach your hand in and grab the spirit and bring it forward. We need this to happen for the next part of the ritual preparation.” I said.
She nodded to me and closed her eyes. While she was reaching within, trying to coax her Wolf spirit out to the forefront of her mind, I noticed Haven wasn’t waiting for us. Thank god. I thought. I needed some time away from her, she was honestly driving me absolutely bonkers. I needed to find a damn way to get rid of her...
That would be my first priority, after this ritual, of course. Why would I agree to a girlfriend?? I literally had everything I could ever want. Katrina, who was in essence my girlfriend, but without all the clinging and jealousy.
I was free to do whatever and whoever I wanted, and Katrina was always ok with it. Hell, she joined in on occasion too! She knew she was my number one, and that's all she needed to be content. Why would I fuck that up by choosing another woman who definitely didn’t share the same values?
I was torn from my thoughts when Ari suddenly fell to her hands and knees. I rushed to her side, but I knew she was ok. She had accepted her Wolf spirit, and let it in. It takes a hold of you for your first time, and Humans have the worst reactions to it since they are not supernatural.
Everything Ari was going through was a lot harder due to her being Human. The price you pay for immortality I suppose? Once she regained composure she stood from the ground and faced me.
This is where shit starts to get real. Her Wolf spirit was telling her to run, because like all Wolves know, I am their enemy. Hell, a Reaver is the top of the food chain. We are everyone's enemy. I could see conflicting emotions racing through Ari’s face.
On one hand, I had been here, had protected her and kept her safe this entire time. On the other hand, I had just told her that her Wolf spirit would be her protector. She was fighting between listening to her Wolf or trusting me.
“Your Wolf is telling you to run?” I asked with a devilish smirk. “Yes, she is, but you wont hurt me.” Ari said back with conviction. “I wouldn’t be so sure, little Human…” I said calmly, and then I let my Vampire fangs slowly elongate. Ari took a couple of steps back and I could see she was still fighting the urge not to run.
“I would run if I were you.” I snarled and then I lept towards her, causing her to turn and run into the forest. “Here kitty, kitty, kitty. “ I snarled as I ran after Ari. I was faster than her… Stronger than her… And could have materialized to her location at any time. But I had to get her to shift, this was the only way. I had to pursue her, I had to make her think she was truly in danger...
I mind linked her, which I'm sure startled her. It was easier for me to manipulate fear if I was in direct contact with her. “You can’t run from me. I’m faster than you, kitty.” I snarled through the mind link.
“You can’t hide… All I have to do is materialize to your location. Face it, Ari. I am the apex predator, and you will not escape me.” I snarled. Then I closed the mind link. She hadn’t shifted yet, and I knew she was still fighting her urges. I had to resort to drastic measures.
I stopped running and materialized directly in front of her. She ran full speed into my arms before she even realized I was there. My grip was deadly, there was no way she would be escaping. I made sure my fangs were still showing and I grabbed her by the throat forcing her back into the nearest tree.
“You know, the chase is funner than getting my prize.” I purred in a deadly tone. She was terrified, I had never seen a Human this scared. Why wasn’t she turning?
“Please Ramses, don’t hurt me.” She whimpered and I could see a tear fall down her cheek. I was feeling extremely guilty, but I knew this is what had to be done. “I’m sorry kitty, but you didn’t think you could escape from me, did you?” I snapped.
“You are my prize, and I think I’ll take you now.” I snarled. I then showed her my fangs again and just as I was about to sink them straight into her neck her entire body started convulsing.
I let her go from the tree, and stumbled back a few feet. Finally, she was turning. I watched as she writhed in agony and pain while her bones broke and rearranged.
A shiny black coat of fur started to cover her body, and before I knew it a medium sized black Wolf was glaring at me, ready to charge. Now here was the fun part, trying to calm down her Wolf, who literally just thought I was about to kill them.
“Hey, calm down, I wasn’t really going to hurt you. I needed you to shift early for the ceremony. This was the only way to shift early and you know it.” I calmly explained to the Wolf. I could see understanding replacing the anger that was previously flashing through the Wolf's icy blue eyes.
She still growled at me, before turning and running off in the other direction. I, of course, chased her. I couldn’t let her out of my sight. Plus when she shifted back she would be naked. After what seemed like an hour, the Wolf finally stopped by a stream and took a drink of the cool icy water.
The Wolf took note of me, knowing I had been following them. She looked in my direction and nodded her head and then started to shift back. The cracking of bones breaking and rearranging back to Human shape was deafening.
The hair pulled back into where it came from, and slowly she became Human again. Once the shift was over I snapped to produce a fuzzy blanket and wrapped her fragile body inside.
I sat at the base of a nearby tree holding Ari wrapped in the blanket until she came to. The first shift was always the hardest. She would be weak and sore when she awoke… Oh, and she definitely wouldn’t want to see my face. Not after how bad I terrified her…
But I was in charge of her, and unfortunately, she had to endure me just a bit longer.
Chapter 7She started to stir shortly after and her eyes fluttered open. A look of terror flashed through her face and she scrambled to get away from me. “Darlin, calm down, I won't hurt you. Like I told your Wolf, I needed to scare you into shifting early. If I hadn’t you wouldn't have come back after the ritual.” I explained. I could see her expression change as she started to calm down. I snapped and produced her a new ritual dress since she shifted and ruined the old one. But the old one was only for the blood exchange anyways. The dress for tonight was identical to the one she previously had on, but it was black with crystals. I handed it to her, and then stood and turned my back so she could change. “You really scared me, you know. I honestly thought you were going to kill me, Ramses.” Ari stammered. “I know, darlin. It was the only way, I’m sorry.” I said, my back still towards her while she changed. She walked up and grabbed my hand and turned me towards her. To my surprise
Chapter 8The next part was the sacrifice. Normally, one of the Witches grabs the ritual knife and slits the sacrifice’s throat, and then stabs her through the heart. It’s a little brutal to watch, but that's the ritual. This time it was Katrina’s turn. It was nothing she hadn’t done multiple times over the years, and nothing I hadn’t seen her do. Everything started out normal. Katrina stood and walked to the altar, picked up the ritual knife and headed over towards Ari. When she got to Ari she looked up and we locked eyes. I could see something sparkling in her gaze, something devious. That was strange... I watched as she snapped, which was unusual, then I noticed two of my men approach the altar with Haven bound and restricted in their arms. She was screaming through her gag, or at least trying to. They threw her down at Katrinas feet, bowed to Katrina, then turned around and walked away. What the fuck was she doing? I thought. But I knew better than to interrupt her.She ignored
Chapter 9Katrina was still in my arms when the back door of the room opened and Katrina’s sisters barged through in a mess of fury and confusion. “What the fuck was that?” Kember demanded. “Yea, you know that using the ritual for personal reasons is strictly forbidden!” Kiera shouted at her sister. Katrina buried her face in my chest. I knew she didn’t want to face her sisters. They both just stood there waiting for her to say something while I tried to console her. After a moment, she pulled herself out of my arms and faced them both. “Look, I know what I did was wrong… But it was for a damn good reason.” Katrina stammered. “Oh yea? And what could be a good enough reason for you to risk your magic??” Kember shot back. Katrina looked at me and I nodded to her. She looked back at her sisters and took a breath in. “Haven was a Forsaken. She had been messing with Ramses’ memories, and those of a couple of his brothers. I couldn’t let her get away with whatever she was secretly plannin
Chapter 10I materialized all three of us to my house. We set Haven in one of the guest rooms and left the dagger in her chest while we decided just how to go about this. When Haven comes back as a Human, she was going to be pissed. She would have no powers. She would start to age and have to learn to live her life as a Human. I didn’t even feel one bit bad for her either, especially after knowing all of the shit she stirred up. A Human life would be fitting for her. I decided we should go talk to my brother Raziel first before we did anything. That way we could see if the Human town along the edge of the Wolf pack bordering his lands would even be a good fit for Haven to begin with. Katrina agreed, so we materialized to my brother's front gate. Katrina gasped as she took in the sight of Raziel’s home. It was similar to mine. So similar, that you could definitely tell we were brothers. “It’s majestic, isn’t it?” I said to Katrina. “You guys are definitely related.” She replied. “Oh
Chapter 11Raziel moved a piece of hair from my face causing me to inhale again. I was trying so hard not to react to him, but he must have noticed. “Is my proximity affecting you, little Witch?” Raziel asked. “Um, no.” I stammered but his pet name made my heart flutter. He then stepped closer to me, we were only inches apart now. I was bombarded by the smell of his cologne, and it was heavenly to my nose. My hormones were going absolutely wild, and I fought back the urge to reach out and touch him. “How about now?” He purred. A furious blush spread across my cheeks, my thoughts were all over the place. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat, and attempted to take a step back, but it was as if Raziel anticipated my next move, because he reached out and placed his hand on the small of my back, stopping me from moving. I gasped involuntarily at his touch, to which his face remained emotionless but his eyes showed approval. He liked the game. This was something he enjoyed and a
Chapter 12“Once this mark is permanent, I'm going to take you far, far, away from here… And I’m going to leave you there. And you are going to spend the rest of your life trying to find your way back to me. And if you make it back, I’ll just take you somewhere else… I will be yours, but you will never have me again after tonight.” Raziel purred. Haven seemed like she was trying to fight the marks pull but couldn’t. She acted like his words didn;t even phase her, and he pulled her into his arms. She tried to kiss him but he turned his head from her so she kissed his cheek instead. My jaw dropped, what a perfectly terrible punishment… She would, for the rest of her life, be chasing someone who she would never have. Raziel looked up and we locked eyes. I smiled at him and nodded my head. He remained emotionless, but I could tell by his eyes that he was happy to see my approval. “If you’ll excuse us.” Raziel said. He grabbed Haven's arm, and not gently either, pulling her upstairs behi
Chapter 13I handed Katrina the ritual knife. “Thank you.” She said. But something about the sadness in her voice had me worried about her. “Are you sure you will be ok?” I asked her. She looked at me with a confused look on her face. “Why wouldn’t I be?” She mumbled under her breath. “You realize that I can pickup on the slightest behavior change right? You know, Reaver powers and all... “ I said with a grin. She smiled at my dorky comment. It wasn’t Reaver powers though, it was literally her voice that gave it away. We may have solved one situation, but I knew her situation with The Ancestors was really getting to her. I had hoped she wasn’t regretting her decision to save me. A Witch's power mainly stems from the Ancestors… Without access to their magic you were just a person with an herb and crystal collection. Katrina was born a Witch, she’s always had access to them... Until now.“I will be fine, I just need some time to figure out my life.” She said, and she kissed me gently o
Chapter 14I held my arm out for Kember and she walked into my embrace. Now I was holding them both. I mean, I knew I had an effect on Katrina’s sisters, but I was not aware of the extent of it. Neither of them could bear to see me basically sacrifice myself. I had to make it work though, there was no other way. I had to try. Even if it meant I never came back… I couldn’t let Katrina continue to suffer. Not like this.I released the girls and stepped back a few steps, I had made up my mind. “Ladies, listen. I need you to do this ritual for me. I promise you both I will return. Katrina needs my help. She gave up everything to save me, and I will be returning the favor. Please… Help me to help her.” I begged. Kiera shook her head no. “I refuse to help you die.” She cried, and then she turned and stomped off towards the back of the club, wiping angry tears as she went. “Well, that went well.” I said to Titan. “Fucking women.” He retorted. I had to think fast, I needed this to work. “K