Back To Vivienne's POV:
"I killed Emmett," I admitted. It was something that needed to be said. I think... It's for the best. I could tell by the way Brendon looked at me- he was ready to die for me. I didn't want him looking at me when all I could think about was how many people's blood was on my hands.
Everyone- it felt like it was somehow connected to me. Like I killed Innath with my own hands. I didn't! But it felt like it!
"It's okay," Alpha Brendon told me as he looked at me with understanding eyes. "I don't care that you killed him. I'm more worried about what it's doing to your mental health. You've got to come to peace with his death on your own. He was dead to me the moment he crossed fate and the moon goddess."
It scared me... how much he just didn't care about Emmett.
That was his best friend, cousin, and beta. I know deep down somewhere in Brendon, he was hurting. I was hurting and I never got the chance to like him. I think I was more-so hurting because I couldn't control myself. And, because I killed him... I lost something precious in return. I should have known Lamia didn't hold back.
"Yeah, but..."
"Viv, I don't care that you killed him."
"You haven't even heard why," I mumbled as I felt tears swelling up in my eyes.
"How?" He asked softly as he rubbed the back of my head and pushed me into his chest. "What happened?"
"He attacked me," I whispered.
"What was his motive?"
"He thought he was the victim."
"That doesn't matter. Why would you believe anything he said to you? You need to let it slip from one ear out the other."
"You didn't hear what he said to me," I mumbled.
Emmett's very voice haunted the back of my thoughts...
'The smell of you... makes my blood boil.'
The scent of two lovers that were meant to be was supposed to be sacred. He was supposed to enjoy my scent... not hate it with every fiber of his very being. I was nothing to him... but a big burden. He couldn't live the life he wanted with me around. I never should have confronted him. I ought to have ignored him all along. Would thinks be different?
"Even if I didn't..." Brendon trailed off. His voice reminded me to pay attention to what he had to say. "Let's just drop this. I don't think he was a victim. So why does it even matter? He was a traitor and as good as a rogue to me. I don't want to talk about him anymore." He lifted my head and kissed my lips. "How about we worry about other important things then his pitiful mouth?" He asked me.
I frowned at his sharp words. But, he was right. I shouldn't be bringing it up right now. It probably wasn't the best time after all. I just didn't want to keep any secrets from him. He's been giving me all of him. All his support. He's such a great guy.
"I'm sorry I brought it up," I blurted out. Maybe I can't confide in him with so many ears on us. I ought to have known better. This talk could have waited... or never happened. I shouldn't let him know how bothered I am.
"Even in death!" Brendon growled. "Emmett is winning by upsetting you," Brendon whispered. "Listen, Blair~ Viv~ My Luna~ I don't care what he said to you. In our eyes he was the one that broke your heart. He had no right to our pack because he couldn't deal with the fact you REJECTED him after calling him out on HIS bullshit. I kicked him out because I don't need a manipulative asshole like him as my best friend, my beta, or as someone that might potentially be a threat to my woman." His hand reached to touch the mark he left on my neck. "We stick together, yeah?"
"Yeah," I blushed out as I felt heat rise to my cheeks.
"I don't want to fight anymore about Emmett," he told me as he pulled me into a kiss. "I'm happy you killed him. I just hope you don't think too hard about it," he told me as he pinched my chin. "He's just not worth the thought over."
~~~
A sense of goosebumps interrupted us.
'It's not right,' Arwen told me. I could feel her suddenly become uneasy.
Something is coming...
And, I'm not sure what it could be.
Well, that was until I-
Until I heard the howl.
~~~
My head turned to look in the direction it came from. I was able to hear through the building. Thanks to my advanced hearing. A howl was a loud echo for a wolf.
It came...
'It sounded like it-'
No, it did...
It came and went in a sharp instant. Like a shrieking death howl. Like… Someone could be taking out one of our pack members to try to stop the warning howl.
I know where it came from. Distant- far away. Because it was from the boarder of our pack.
Towards the west. West boarder.
That's Blacktail Growler's pack territory. The line that separates our two packs. Blacktail Growlers- were probably a bad idea to send someone into. Such a short notice. But, that's where Fang went. The howl that broke out from that distance alerted us that it was danger on the boarder. They were requesting back-up.
"Why is..." I trailed off in worry. What if they thought Fang was trying to trap them? And, now they've come to wage a war on us? We can't afford Blacktail Growlers and Lamia's coven to be at our doorstep. Brendon looked deep in thought- with Steele. Before he leaned in and breathed in my scent.
"Vivienne, stay here," he ordered me. I could feel him using every ounce of authority he had.
'LET'S MOVE OUT! EVERYONE TO THE WEST. WE'LL CHECK THE HOWL!' Brendon's wolf sent a telepathic voice into our heads. Everyone was on edge. But with Brendon's strict command they were kissing loved ones and transforming to get a head start on Brendon. I smelled my father as he walked up and I turned to look at him. He was ready to go. He'd run with Brendon with a loyal stride.
"Vivienne, take care of your mother and sister," my father ordered me. It wasn't a question. They're all I have...
"I want to come with," I begged Brendon. "I can be useful," I told him but he shook his head.
"Please," he begged. "I can't loose you," he told me as he parted from my body. "Stay- here."
I growled with displeasure.
"Brendon, we're in this together! If you die- I die," I told him and stomped my foot down. He can't make me stay. I have to see this for myself. I can't stay and do nothing when I feel like this is my problem. I pushed past him- knocking shoulder with shoulder as I headed for the door. If Fang is in trouble I want to be there for him. I have to make sure he's making it back alive from that pack.
"Vivienne if this is because they didn't like Fang's offer for a treaty or if they've come for my head because they now see me as unstable... I want you- this Luna to be here and well- protected."
"Stop asking me to stay."
"I'm telling you."
"This is my pack too. I want to go."
I growled as I couldn't stand arguing with him. I wasn't about to let my pack go off to battle without me! I can make it out there and I will stand with them. He groaned as he understood I wasn't backing down.
"If there is any trouble... the pack can't handle.... You will not be allowed to hesitate. You're to come back here immediately."
"I'm not sure why you're treating me like a delicate flower on a battle field. I can fight too. I took the same training courses you did. My father personally trained me," I snapped at Brendon.
"I'm just worried because I love you," he reminded me in a sweet tone. "If I lost you... I would hunt down every vampire in Lamia's territory. I wouldn't rest until I personally chewed their throats out."
I'm not sure if that's supposed to sound romantic.
His smile told me he was messing with me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the door. "Fine, just make sure not to get yourself kidnapped again," he teased me. I could hear him laugh under his breath. Like he was either laughing at something Steele said... or he was trying to make this light. I could feel Arwen's amusement. This is serious... What's up with them?