Chapter 5- When the Nightmare and Dream Meet

 Chapter 5

Renee’s POV

We arrive at the ceremony and Tristian is showing us off to all the Alphas who made the trip. 

“A beautiful family, Alpha Tristian,” Dexter Bryant says, handing Tristian and I a drink.  “All of your ladies look amazing.”

“Thank you, Alpha Dexter.  I have been blessed by the moon goddess.  My daughters, Jade, Emeral, Hazel.  And you know my wife.”

Dexter looks at me and smiles.  “Still the most beautiful she-wolf in the world.  You better know how lucky you are.”

Tristian nods before leading us away.  “Baby, don’t drink that.”

I giggle as I put my glass down.  “I’m sure he is over me.  I know I don’t ever think about him.”

Ro-I do.  Something about him. 

“Still,” Tristian tips his glass into a plant.  “We aren’t going to drink anything he gives us.”

I look at the girls and the four of us laugh at our man. 

“Daddy, you are so goofy,” Hazel teases him and Tristan kneels down before tickling her.

“Oh, I remember those days,” my dad smiles, walking over.

“Grandpa!” My girls run into his open arms.

“Who is this woman?  Where is my Jade?” Daddy smiles at my eldest. 

“Sorry, Grandpa, but,” Jade shrugs.  “I have to grow up.  I’m the next Alpha.  I can’t stay little forever.”

“And what an amazing Alpha you will be,” Daddy kisses her head as he hugs her again.

He talks to Emeral about her training and sneaks Hazel a candy when he thinks I don’t see. 

Ro-He is such a wonderful grandfather.  I love our Dad.

Tristian pulls me to a corner and kisses me passionately. 

“Ready to try for number four?” I tease him as we snuggle together. 

“I will never see you go through that pain ever again.  My heart cannot handle it.”

Ro-I’d swoon but it might scare him.

I smile at him and we kiss again.

“You two are completely shameless,” Carolyn teases us, breaking us apart.

“We have three kids, we take what we can get,” Tristian tells her, making her laugh.

“How are you tonight, Alpha?”

“I was great until this Beta Female decided to break me and my mate apart to tease us.”

I explode with laughter at the two of them.

"Jade is growing so beautifully.  Any marriage ideas for her?” Carolyn asks, sipping her wine.

“Well judging by the way Wade is cozying up to her, I think you do,” I point to Carolyn’s grandson flirting with my daughter.

“Not me,” Carolyn fakes innocence.  “But Wade.  He likes her a lot.”

“Too bad she is the next Alpha and he is a Royal Beta.” Tristian fake pouts. 

“Oh, he is not in a direct line.  There are three above him in birth order,” Carolyn smiles at Tristian.

“Excuse me, Baby,” Tristian kisses my cheek before going to interrupt Wade and Jade. 

“He is so dominant,” Carolyn chuckles at him. 

Ro- He is her father.  And he is a good father!

Me- Yes, he is.  He is a good mate.

Ro- We chose right.

The dinner bell rings and I join my family at the long table. 

“Rachel and Enzo are here,” Theodore tells Daddy as the fish is served.

“Well, it is about time!” Daddy tosses his napkin on the table and leaves. 

After dinner, we all are ushered into the Grand Hall.  We find our seats at the front below the thrones. 

“I’m excited to finally see your twin,” Jade tells me and I nod.

I haven’t seen my sister in 14 years.  It was never a good time to visit, Enzo didn’t want her upset by the girls, the territory was not safe.  Always an excuse.  Always ‘maybe next year.’

When Rachel steps out, she is a shell of herself.  Enzo looks happy and bright.  Rachel’s dress barely fits correctly. 

I look at Tristian, he also looks confused. 

Tristian- What happened to her?

Me- I don’t know.  And who are all the little girls moving around behind them?

Tristian- They all look like Rachel and Enzo.  Did they have daughters too?

Me- I was always told they didn’t.  That Rachel miscarried a lot.

Tristian- She looks like a walking skeleton!

Me- If she is being abused, what can I do?

Tristian- We, Baby, we will save her.  Don’t worry. 

Me- Thank you, Tristian.

“My Royal Subjects, the identity of my heir has been suspect for a long time,” Daddy starts.  “But tonight, we are joined by every member of the New York, New York, Shutter’s Moon Pack to announce their Next Alpha will also be the King of All Werewolves.”

Enzo steps up holding a bouncing baby boy. 

“As the father of the future King, my pride is high.  I am grateful to my wife for giving me my son.  And to my father-in-law for trusting me with his daughter.”

Rachel closes her eyes on stage and when she opens them again she looks directly me.  She looks at each of my girls and I see her start to cry. 

“FIRE!” Someone screams as an Omega teenage girl steps up holding a torch. 

“I am the first born daughter of Alpha Enzo and Luna Rachel.  I and my 11 sisters were never given names.  But we took names.  My name is Victory!”

Enzo lunges for his daughter but Victory breaks a jar of a clear liquid at his feet.  When he steps in the wet spot she throws the torch.  The flame explodes taking him and the baby with it.

Victory screams, “NOW!”

Jars of gasoline break everywhere and the hall is set on fire.

Tristian pulls all three girls close and runs for a window. 

I am separated from them and trampled.

“Mommy,” I hear Hazel scream.

“Leave her.  You three are more important.  She has served her purpose!” Tristian disappears leaving me behind. 

As the flames close off the exits, a figure runs toward me. 

“Renee!” Dexter finds me and our eyes lock. 

“He left me,” I mumble.

“I won’t leave you,” Dexter whispers.  He scoops me up bridal style and tries to get us out. 

I see Rachel laying down next to her dead son and husband.  How did all this happen?

“Dexter?” I question him as he kicks a window out and then runs to a door.

“Pulling the fire to the new air.  If its focus is there we can get out,” he kicks the door open but the fire rushes us.  “Fuck!”

We are cornered and he is holding me. 

“Dexter, I chose wrong.  I’m sorry.”

“I would rather die in this corner, than live another second without you.”

When we die, it hurts but we both are comforted.  We are holding each other.

The next breath I take I and staring into Rachel’s eyes.  We are both 25 and about to enter the hall to meet our suitors.