WICKED NOT DEAD : CHAPTER 18

REBECCA

" Concentrate Mon cher"  Rebecca listened to the french cajun accented voice behind her and refocused her energy on her the task in front of her. She had started to let her mind stray ( thinking of Alcide of course) and the sphere's she had floating in front of her in the circle by the water had almost dropped to the ground. Elva Beniot stood directly behind her niece dictating yet another exercise constructed to help Rebecca's gain focus and control her powers. They had been working non-stop since Evla had pulled up in her cherry red dodge viper moments after Alcide had pulled out of the drive that morning. They had started in the alter room her Aunt drilling her on the meanings and usages of just about every object in the room. They had worked on writing spells coming up with several more powerful ones to help ease the ball of energy that turned summersaults in her gut. They placed wards though out the house and grounds. It was time to ensure nothing and no one got in without her knowledge or permission. Now they were within the cast circle working on focus. Rebecca's mind had been controlling varying number of crystal spheres for more than 30 minutes. Her Aunt would call out how many and what she wanted done with them in the beginning she had failed at several of the tasks asked of her but now she was pulling her Aunts commands from her head before she had a chance to call them out. 

" Very good my girl now add another" Elva mentally patted her on the shoulder

Rebecca did as she was told but then held out her hand to her Aunt. " My phone if you will dearest Aunt" She felt trouble was brewing down the road in Shreveport. She could feel Alcide's anger from here. 

" Mon Cher No you need to" Her Aunt stopped as the cell phone popped out of her pocket and floated into Rebecca's hand.

" I suppose I should have emphasized that that was not was not a request you could deny." From across the circle the spheres danced and as she started to dial they began to fall but before they could reach the ground the basket they had been sitting in slid across the ground and caught each one. 

She heard her Aunt's pleased intake of breath with one ear while the other listened to the sounds of Alcide's answering machine. She hung up and dialed Janice. After several attempts she got Janice on the line " Janice sorry to disturb. I know you are busy but if you don't have a visual on your brother I suggest you stop what you are doing for a moment and find him." She listened to Janice on the other end. " He's loosing control of his emotions and it feels like it may get ugly unless someone stops it." Janice seemed to know exactly what could cause that sort of reaction in her brother and with a promise to go right away and to call her back once she had defused whatever it was she found she hung up. 

" You feel this man's anger and trepidation from here?" Her Aunt sat down in front of her. 

" Yes I do. The more connected we become the stronger the ties are. I can feel him the same as I feel Mason if not more so." 

" Then the lifeline between you is strong. Not broken for many generations if ever. Soon you will feel his pull from across seas." her Aunt's face blossomed into a smile. The laugh lines around her eyes deepened as did the dimple in the corner of her left cheek. He coco colored skin showed little of the time she had spent here on earth. She looked exactly the same now as she did the first time Rebecca meet her. Eventually she would grow old and leave this world but at the moment she was ageless and perfect. She saw her father reflected back in Elva's eyes. Darker even than Alcide's a shade away from onyx but with flecks of gold floating through them. The color grew brighter when she practiced and when they became more gold than black you could bet you were about to get your ass kicked. 

" He is the one Aunt" Elva was the last one of her family to try to dispute her declarations. She had listened to all Rebecca had to say when she had visited and had been insistent with Rebecca's Mother on her behalf. 

" Then it is very fortunate you have found him." She smiled again and ran her hand across her nieces cheek. It filled her with joy to see the light that surrounded her brothers only child. If August were here he'd wear a stern outer shell. Be the voice of reason and watch his girl and her wolf like a hawk. But quietly on the inside he would be relieved that his baby had finally found the one she'd dreamed off. Her brother had been a believer in his daughter and had fought his wife tooth and nail about the matter of their girls heart.

" Poppa had much in common with Alcide. I believe you will see your brother in him when you meet." 

" I look forward to meeting this man who's changed your outlook on the possibilities of love. You would never have tried again if you hadn't discovered him and so I thank the Goddess and the other powers that be for finally bringing you two together. Eternity is a very long time to be alone Rebecca Anna." She'd have only so long with him as it is. Unless of course?

" Do not even think it." Rebecca chastised her Aunt for letting he mind wonder to the one place she'd been trying desperately not to go. 

" Your telling me not to do so means that you have given it some thought yourself. It is possible. The same connection you have with Alcide is what drew our Grandparents to one another." She was right,the thought of Alcide being like her had creeped it's way in a time or two, in the rare cases she let her guard down enough for it to permeate her already crowded mind. 

" I know and everything in Grandfather's research leads to the possibility that Alcide could be an immortal but you know there is only one way to know for sure. So you will have to forgive me if I am not to keen on testing that theory."

Elva nodded her head " A considerable risk that is true. But watching him grow old and have to let him go, that can be no easier a choice." Her Aunt's mind cast doubt in Rebecca's mind by moving through several different possible lifelines for Alcide and the causes for why they could possibly be shortened. 

" He would return." Rebecca didn't want to think of loosing Alcide under any circumstances. 

 " Yes and you would have to wait. You will loose almost everyone you know mon cheri it seems to much to have to wait decades or more for him to return to you. Only to have to experience the same pain over and over." 

Rebecca placed her head in her hands and through slitting fingers looked over at her Aunt. Elva was right it would be a never ending cycle of all encompassing love ending in earth shattering loss and longing. And waiting. Many Many Moons of waiting. 

" Has the thought occurred to him at all?"  Elva doubted the idea could not have flittered across his mind. 

 " He has not asked if it is possible though he's more than capable of putting the pieces together so if he hasn't already he will." She knew after reading her journals it had crossed his mind. How far he had taken the thought though she was unsure. 

" And what then?"

" I'd like to think he wouldn't go out of his way to die but I don't think he would want to be without me. Or for me to have to be without him" Alcide would be fare more willing to take the risk than she would and that was precisely why she had not discussed it with him. It was just to soon. If he left her now so soon after coming together she didn't know what she would do. There was time. They were still young and no one would think it strange if an older more distinguished Alcide spent his time with a younger woman. 

" Stop trying to justify Rebecca. You will have to deal with this sooner than you'd like to think. You will also have to grasp and accept the idea that it will be his decision and trying to influence him with guilt, as I know you ARE capable of doing, will not be right."

" I do not want to loose him." Her chest filled with emotion and it heaved heavily and she sighed biting back the swell of fear that threatened to fill her eyes with tears. 

Her Aunt said nothing just grabbed her up in her arms. She welcomed the comfort she felt being held by a beloved female figure. Elva was not the touchy feely type of woman, which made her embrace carry even more meaning. 

Elva pulled back and brought the moment to an abrupt end. " Enough wallowing. I am here to help you get yourself together not break you apart. We have several more lessons I wish to get through this afternoon and then Mason wishes to work with you this evening. I believe he and the Vampire Compton will be working on your survival instincts. The trouble surrounding this town seems to have found you my girl." 

" Unfortunately so." She couldn't bring herself to tell her Aunt that the trouble finding her probably had more to do with her past than her new home. 

                                               

Rebecca melded her body against the tree and scanned the perimeter of her view. She'd managed ( of course) to find a spot where the bark was broken and jagged and of course it scratched right through the thin fabric of her top. Even though she worried about the probability of it ripping ( and ruining the top) and breaking skin (exposing her location by spritzing the scent of her blood into the air) she didn't move. She listened to the rhythm of her heart as she took a few deep breaths and wondered how the hell she had gotten herself into this mess? She'd had such a quiet existence until she'd arrived here in Bon Temps, she'd hated that at times but in this moment she wished she was back in New York sitting in her garden sipping chai and eating a cupcake from Magnolia bakery. She'd just gotten an e-mail from them this morning introducing their latest  confection. Once this was all over she would have to have a box shipped to her here. She was sure that she will have more than earned it by the end of this weekend. If she made it through this night intact that is. She sighed inwardly and wondered how her life had taken this turn. The day had been bright and productive. She had been pleased with her progress and had expected the evening to be relaxing. Instead she found the night dark,evasive and as far from what she had expected as could possibly be. The darkness came courtesy  of her good friend the moon, which was but a sliver in the sky. It and dark clouds that were quickly forming across her property were doing little to light up the sky. They were however casting a shit load of shadows through the woods around her. Every tree, shrub, weed and piece of dirt seemed to be moving which made her eyes dart from one spot to another more often than not quicker than she could focus. Above her an owl started to call. It had been nestled quietly in the tree waiting for a snack to come scurrying by. Her presence hadn't done anything to move it but something else in the wood with them had. One night predator greeting another no doubt she thought as she looked up into the tree. She wanted to capture the birds point of view and hoped not to end up with poop in her eye. Funny to be worrying about bird shit when you were being stalked through the woods by blood sucking vampires bent on your destruction. The owls eyes meet hers yellow to green for a second before it spread it's wings and sprung off of the branch sending a shower of leaves in it's wake. He was gone but he'd told her what she needed to know. She clung tighter to the tree and started to silently chant. Once in the zone she could feel them approaching. Creeping through the underbrush sniffing the air for her scent, ears upturned listening for the sounds of her foot fall, her heartbeat. She repeated the same lines over and over, the words of spell that rendered her invisible to any creature living or dead fell like liquid off of her lips she felt exhilarated by the energy that ran through her. She felt liberated and accomplished in a way she had not felt in ages. She also felt humbled to know that while she had closed down and walked away from this part of her it had not abandoned her. Just stayed tucked away inside of her soul until she was ready and willing to free it.  As intended she had remained unseen and she watched with smugness as her two assailants passed her by. 

She waited until they were a good distance away before removing herself from the tree's side and taking off running in the direction she had come. Back towards the safety of her shelter. Back towards her hot shower, cool bed and out cold sleep. She was tired but even though her body was rebelling and her head was pounding she was determined to get the hell out of this in one piece.

The whisper of her name passed by her with the breeze. Unfair she thought, no one else would be able to do that. She turned still invisible to even the keenest eye and stopped. She saw the blur of him coming closer and with outstretched hands and as much force as she could muster she called upon the wind. It flowed through her and towards the vampire advancing holding him in his place about ten feet from where she'd decided to make her stand.  The blur cleared, the man's face stoney, fangs extended appeared and he was held a few inches off the ground. 

Rebecca glazed at Mason with an agitated look." Part of the rules of this exercise, rules that you made up by the way, were that  you were not allowed to use your personal advantages." She paused " Trying to break my concentration by invading my brain." She gave him a bit of a shake " Now that was just plain cheating." She'd been playing this game with Mason and William for hours and she'd been tossed and flung, bruised and battered by them each time they had caught up with her. The reason? To prepare her for a fight ( just in case) with supernatural foes. The goal? For her to make it to the confines of Belle Vita without either Vamp catching her. This was the closest she had come and while she had been sure she would have made it if she'd just kept the trap shut on her brain the idea that he would cheat pissed her off more than the idea of getting thrown against a tree or tossed to the ground.... AGAIN.... 

" Now dearest there is a reason for what I did. If you would just let me down I will gladly explain myself." Mason's mood that evening had been vexing in more ways than one. He'd been demanding and dismissive. Cold and Brutal. With the exception of one fleeting moment any tenderness between them had been squelched. Tonight was about survival and few vampires emoted mercy. Mason's face softened and became less predatory. His fangs snapped back into his mouth and his lips turned into an easy smile. The look may had been intended to comfort or cajole her into letting him down. Instead it made her uncomfortable and even less willing to let go of her hold on him. That smile held something else. She'd seen it once before that evening. She'd been pinned to the ground, having been caught looking left when she should have been looking right. Mason held her wrists above her head with one hand, her torso still with the other and her legs were securely incased between his. She'd been working through a plan to free herself when she'd caught sight of his his expression. She'd froze and lost her breath and felt the rush as the chemistry between them ignited. She hated that she felt it. Horribly horribly guilty that it was there. The mere idea of reciprocating it made her a marked woman in regards to the feelings of her current lover and a tease to the feelings of her previous one. The extent of Mason's feeling were being laid out in front of her. She could see it. Feel it actually and there was absolutely no denying them. He'd ben so close to her within moments of taking whatever he wanted from her but he didn't move. He just laid atop her, his fingertips kneading the skin they held and with that look on his face sent her images of a past he clearly wished to revisit. Gratefully when she thought she could not stand any more of it William had arrived and broken the spell. But now there the look was again and Rebecca's stomach was once again churning. His treatment of her tonight had less to do with keeping her safe and more to do with his need to release some of the pent up need inside inside him. She'd witnessed the worst rage of his vampire nature and the loving compassion of his human one during the course of this night. Mason was no more in control of inner turmoil than she was. 

  From behind them came a thud and a swoosh. William hissed and cursed as he tried to free himself from the vines that now held him upside down and swaying back and forth in between the branches of a big oak. She'd made her stand in the clearing. No better place for her. NO worse place for the Vampires to have pulled their last little trick. " Nope. No need. I know very well why you cheated. The whole if someone holds me hostage and used me against you issue. I understand the why's. But cheating is cheating. So now you two can stay just as you are until I make my way back to the house. I'm tired, dirty and sore and I believe with my final little trick I proven to you I can handle myself if and when I am faced with a personal vampire apocalypse." She marched up the path and bee-lined it towards the house. On top off all of the things she mentioned she also really had to pee. She flew past her Aunt who was sitting on the back porch waiting for her to return and into the downstairs bathroom. Shimmying and shaking her way out of her pants she plopped down and as she found relief she released the boys. She read both of their relief and then listened briefly to their conversation. They were both a bit pissed and more than a little amused. William had questions that Mason refused to answer and the discussion stayed on a purely tactical level. It had taken a few tries but she had finally gained the upper hand. As her reward she would shower and change and have a nice drink on the veranda with her Aunt before sacking out hard for a well earned rest. 

 Upstairs the red light blinked on her cell phone and she found a good night text from Alcide. It had been left an hour ago and knowing he was probably tossing and turning or pacing a hole in his floor waiting for her to answer ( he was aware of what was going on in the woods on Bell Vita that night. Surprisingly he hadn't put up to much of a fight about it but she figured that wasn't because he wasn't worried about it. No he was he just didn't want to talk to her about what had happened at the Salon that afternoon. So by leaving her be he got left be. She'd left it at a fair trade and they both went about their business of the evening) she sent him a gooey 160 character message right back. 

After cleaning up and examining herself in the mirror she dressed and bounded down the stairs ,phone in her hand reading a text that made her blush bright red. Alcide was missing her it seemed. Naughty but nice she thought as she grabbing a glass filled it with ice and poured herself a long island ice tea from the pitcher her Aunt had left on the counter. She took a huge gulp which was a bad idea since her Aunt had made it strong enough to rock out the gut on even the strongest of humans. 

"Jesus Elva could you have added any more alcohol to this drink?" She said as she came out onto the back porch. But it wasn't her Aunt waiting for her there it was William. 

" William." She grinned against the lip of her glass. He still had a few leaves attached to his shirt and his hair was misshapen about his head. He looked cute much younger than his human years all disheveled the way he was and the upturned closed smile on spread across his lips only added to the looks appeal. " Where is Elva?"

" She went down to the clearing to speak to Mason." From his head Rebecca plucked his concern. Mason had refused to return to the house. Had asked to be alone. William had obliged the request but when Elva had inquired he had not hesitated in telling her what he had witnessed.

" William. Why?" He wasn't trying to make trouble but knew what Mason was going through. To have uncontrolled feelings for someone he could not have. Someone he had loved deeply but who had moved on. 

" He needs someone. Rebecca. He can not turn to you for you are the reason for the angst. Silvia is less than useless on this matter, filling his head with.... " William stopped. He did not want to call Silvia out. He did not like her all that much, thought she was more trouble than she was worth at the moment but he didn't want to make more of her part in this situation than was necessary. 

" I am well aware of what Silvia wants Mason to do, William." Silvia was had made herself scarce tonight. With both Elva and Mason under the same roof she had more than one confrontation to avoid. Mason was not thrilled they were lovers and could command her to stop the affair. Elva had certain expectations of her lovers and being rebuffed because her lovers maker forbid the match would not please her. But even worse than that would be Elva's reaction to Silvia's medaling in her nieces affairs. Any affinity that Elva felt for Silvia would be lost. Elva would not stand for anyone who's actions threatened the life or love of her kin. Without a doubt Elva would be much harsher than Mason had been up to now. 

" It is brutally hard to deny yourself what you know you could easily take. Mason is fighting the demon within to keep him from ruining what he has here with you. He knows what you want. You have been clear." After what he had seen tonight he couldn't help but feel that she needed to reiterate where she stood. What he had seen had not been one sided. "But that makes little difference in how he feels. "

Rebecca leaned on the railing and sipped her drink. Although it was clear that she wanted to be with Alcide she couldn't help but feel that there were still things left unsaid between her and Mason. There had never been what most people would call closure to their sexual relationship. They had never discussed their feelings. What they had wanted or expected. Why it ended.  She knew why she had always held back. Why despite their connection, their love and admiration for one another it didn't work. He had been the one to end it. She hadn't fought the decision and now she wished she had. If she had been the friend that she thought she was to him she would have asked for his reasons why. With what was happening between them now there had to have been a struggle inside him then. You can run but you can't hide... She finished her drink and placed the glass on the railing. 

" Thank you William." His words had fully opened the door and now it was time to walk through it. "Elva will return shortly would you mind staying and keeping her company?" 

He nodded. " I will do so,gladly ." He would stay and play distraction to a seductive woman any day. He would also remain and be at the ready if he was needed. 

Rebecca headed down the steps and strode with purpose down the path and into the woods. The air was getting thicker a hard rain would fall before the night was through. Moister enveloped her and clung to her clothes and skin erasing the cool cleansing of her shower before she'd reached the clearing. Not all of it came from the heat and humidity of the evening but she hoped that she would successfully use both to hide her nerves. 

The conversation between her elders ceased as she came into view. Elva gave Mason a angry pointed look and started to say something but Mason brushed her off by turning his face and staring out at the water. Giving up on getting through to him she walked towards Rebecca brushing her cheek lovingly as she passed leaving them alone to hash it out amongst themselves. 

She moved to him and stood next to him for some time before reaching over and touch his hand. He jumped at her touch and pulled away from her. His rebuff stung. The simple act of her touching him was to much. 

" It's not that I can't stand it." his voice startled her she'd been lost in her own pity. She must have looked confused so he continued to clarify " The idea of you touching me, it's not that I can't stand it. It's the opposite, I crave it and when you do I want more. I want it all." She opened her mouth with an apology on her tongue.

 " No! Rebecca NO!! he screamed. Tears sprung to her eyes and her hand flew to cover her mouth. Mason never yelled. No matter what she put him through no matter how angry he was with her he never yelled. Not like this. 

He didn't want to hear anything from her. Nothing she could say could make it better. She could only hope that telling her what he was feeling would. She sat down on the fallen tree trunk and stared out at the water. She wouldn't look at him. She wouldn't listen to his thoughts. She would stare straight ahead letting the ripples on the water mesmerize her and she would listen. 

" From the moment of your conception you gave your Mother hell.  Your parents spent the entire pregnancy on edge, their mood swings kept everyone at arms length, no one wanting to say or do the wrong thing. They even keep their distance from one another. Your Father didn't want to add any undo stress and your Mother didn't want to hear any more of his we shall overcome speeches. They spent most of their time waiting for the moment when the other shoe would drop. Their fears were well justified considering...." 

 While her family line had existed for centuries and their bloodline was strong the Keane's had experienced more than their share of loss. Some believed it was because the strongest of the line could only successfully carry the next generations strongest. If the right soul did not take hold then the body must reject in order to be prepared for when the newest generations chosen soul was ready to be reborn. There were many myths and wives-tales intertwined within their magic but much of it had to be given respect and credence for there was more evidence to prove them true than prove them false. Whatever the reasons they brought little comfort to the women who had to live with the loss of the lives that had grown inside them. 

" Your Mother had lost three children when she became pregnant with you. She had lost faith that she would be able successfully bring a child of her own into this world. She counseled the woman of the coven, delivered their children, oversaw the blessings of their souls. She was strong,powerful but not without weakness. Her body betrayed her repeatedly. Either by months and months of uninterrupted cycles or by the heartache that consumed her right before the cramping started. They signaled the spotting that soon followed and then yet another as she saw it personal failure. But when she became pregnant with you something changed. Every scare turned out to be just that and with each week that passed inwardly their confidence grew. They began to believe that this time would be different." Mason paused his voice grew softer, sweeter the way she remembered it being when she was young and he would pull her aside to share with her a secret. " I knew that you would be born. That you would be strong and smart and filled with brightest of lights." he swallowed hard " You spoke to me. Whispers at first. So soft even I couldn't understand.  Usually when I was trying to rest" He chuckled as it was tendency of hers til this day " I thought I was going mad. That some sin from my past was haunting me but slowly as your grew inside your Mother your voice became louder. Clearer. It became familiar to me and so I started to listen. You told me you'd lived before and it was your time to live again and that no matter how desperate things may appear I was never to give up on you. I took heed of what you told me but didn't understand the reasons for them until the night you were born. 

   Your Mother's water broke at sunrise but you patiently waited until it was dark again, for me to arrive at your Mother's side to make any serious attempts at a debut. The labor came on quickly and it was rough on your Mother,. The pain was excruciating and it wore her body down. Her vitals were erratic and there was quite a bit of blood. " At that memory he breathed in deeply. It had to have been hard for him to stay in the room. " It took everything in me to keep my need in check. But I managed because you had told me I needed to be there. I wouldn't be moved not even by my blood lust." 

He moved a little closer and she knew he was looking at her but she kept her eyes on the water. She didn't want to look at him. Afraid that if she did he would stop speaking or she wouldn't have the strength to keep listening to what he was saying to her. She felt both of their emotions running through her, they were overwhelming but he had to continue. She had more than an inkling of where this story was going. Their puzzle... So many pieces. So many fit perfectly and some no matter how hard they had tried had never gone together. She sent him a plea to keep going. 

"When it was time for the final push your Mother had little left in her. Your Father did everything he could to make her fight. He yelled and screamed telling her she had come to damned far to give up now. That she was but moments away from laying eyes on the baby she had waited years to hold. She clinched his hand til it turned blue and beat him with the other but he just kept at her." Mason had admired her Father. August was honorable and loyal. He said what he meant and meant what he said. His word was his bond and he took absolutely no shit from anyone ( well except on occasion his wife). Their second natures clashed at times but they had always saw eye to eye on the important things. 

  "I'd been focused on the sound of your heartbeat. How it would speed up when your Mother pushed and would slow down at the contractions end. Up and down it went and when your Mother bore down for the last time it became unnaturally quick. I'd heard the beating in that manner so many times, the hearts rapid ragged clinging, the sound of life draining away. As you came into the world you left it. Your little body blue and unmoving. The room closed in on us. The midwife and her nurse started working to bring you back. Your Mother sobbed and pleaded to hold you. Your father tried to hold and comfort her while tears flowed freely down his face. The ramifications of the moment cut us all to the quick. They believed you gone but I knew you were still there. I could feel you, Rebecca and when everyone else had given up and huddled together in silent grief I stood over you and gave you the one thing I had to give."

" Your blood" The bond between them had been forged the day she'd been born. 

"Long before that dearest." he sat down beside her "You have always been told your soul was old. As a child it infuriated you when people used that reasoning as a way to contain you. You hated the idea that you were not allowed to be young and frivolous because those around you deemed it unworthy of the being you were before. But from the day that I bled life into you I did everything within my power to help you live your life on your terms. It was the least that I could do for my soul reincarnate." he reached out for her and she let him take her hand into his. 

She shook her head back and forth letting what he was saying sink in. It would be unbelievable in a world where Vampires, Werewolves and part Fairies didn't exist. If she was a skeptic she'd have looked at him and laughed knowing that he had gone off the deep end. But she couldn't laugh for she was as far from a skeptic as one could get. She was a believer in all things possible and what Mason was saying, that she had somehow come to embody his soul made sense. Everything that they had shared, the feeling that he had always been a part of her, how he understood her in a way no one else ever had. How he had protected her either full on or from the shadows her entire life. Her battles had been his and he'd fought for her as if he had been fighting for himself. Rebecca did not believe that a Vampire lost all of his soul when he "died" some had to be left behind in order for them to return but what was keeping what did move on to the next plain from coming back? Nothing, and it seemed that Rebecca was living proof of the theory. 

" Why did you never tell me any of this before?" Yet another thing kept from her. She'd expected this from her Mother but not Mason. This revelation answered so many of her life questions but now she had so many more. 

" Your Mother forbid it. She knew from the moment you started to cry that day, why you had come back." He sent her the image of his finger wiping away the blood. Washing away the evidence of what he had done before he picked her up, a bundle of blanket and now pink skin. Handing her to her Mother who while relived beyond anyones comprehension knew that Rebecca had been dead and that the man handing her her very own miracle was responsible for somehow breathing life back into her daughter. 

 "She was afraid of the ramifications of it. A vampire bringing a lost soul back from the brink."

" But why would Mother worry about such a thing. The pact between our families would have just become stronger."

" Yes it would have. But it was not the Keane line that worried her. The witches would have had no objections. You would have been seen as a blessing no matter the circumstance. They believed in your Mother and saw your life as a blessing from the Goddess. So strong and with abilities that seemed effortless. You learned and absorbed everything you saw. You were their golden child, a marvel and my part in your life would have made no difference. It was your Father's people your Mother feared. So much so he never knew."

" But my Father respected you." 

" Yes your Father and I had a good relationship. But many of his pack did not trust the alliance your family had with mine. They followed him but there was always whispers, doubts and from time to time plots that your father had to disable. Your eyes were always open and from a very early age you could see so much of what he had to deal with. If the truth of you had been known even to him there is no telling what would have happened." 

Mason was right she'd seen the attempted uprisings over the years in her Father's pack. He somehow managed to come out on top. Those participating in the potential coop dismembered or dismissed depending upon his mood. But if he had known he'd have never have held on as long as he had. He'd have loved her exactly the same but those who already despised his wife's allegiances to a nest of fangers would have considered her the ultimate deal breaker. They have considered her an... "Abomination" 

" Yes...." It was painful for him to hear her breath it. " But nothing could be farther from the truth"  He pressed her hand to his lips " You were the light of your parents life. You brought happiness to your family. You were a gift from the Goddess that they gave thanks for everyday. You were their Angel" 

She thought of all the times she fought with her Mother. How the smallest of things turned into a battle. Both strong willed, defiant it was a constant never ending clash. Her Mother claimed everything she did was to protect her. Rebecca had never understood from what she needed protecting from until now. Her mind worked through so many memories, exchanged looks and snippets of conversations that had never made sense to her until know. She thought about the last days of her Father's life. How unhappy he had been. How angry.. She also knew now why her Mother hadn't fought her when she choose to leave and why when Alexander had died Mason had cut his bond with his Mother so easily and became part of her everyday life.

"My Mother never told my Father but she told someone didn't she." Mason stiffened and the hold on her hand grew tighter. 

 " Yes"

Bradley Wright and his wife Cate and their four full blooded Were children (all boys) had shown up when Rebecca was sixteen. Her Father had known Brad's brother they'd been in the same platoon in Vietnam. He had died a violent death in a dark wet trench during a skirmish and August had held on the the memory of that night as well as the guilt he'd felt over not being able to do anything to help him ( and of having come out of it alive when so many else didn't). When Bradley got in contact, in need of a fresh start and a new pack her father had welcomed them with open arms. Fresh strong new blood was never a bad thing and August knew that the Wright's came from good stock. They assimilated, became invaluable parts of the Beniot pack. But Rebecca had distrusted them from the moment they had arrived. Cate was a second wife ( though she never copped to that) married because the first wife hadn't been able to produce the children he had been promised when the union had been arranged. Cate herself had to be past her best years all four of her children in and around the same age as she was and there was an air about her that spoke clearly to Rebecca that Cate knew it was just a matter of time before she was replaced herself. She wore the mask of the dutiful wife but her mind told the story of a woman who wanted something more.  She was a woman who had never intended to live in the backwoods, cutting wood and baking biscuits for a family of mutts. She'd planned on a life of luxury and what she had was as far from it as one could get. Bradley was a few years older than her father, imposing but with a smile of a shark. He could charm and maneuver his way in with anyone and into anything. "Sell snow to the Eskimo's" her father had said and she would think then shank them in the back, load the snow back into the back of his truck and then sell it to some other unsuspecting Eskimo's. As a watcher she learned all she needed to know about the Wright's within a week of their arrival. The Witches were just as welcoming as the Were's especially the teen girls who know had brand new meat to swoon over. She couldn't say a word to Christian who befriended the new boys and took them under his wing. He was happy to have some of the attention taken off of him, it was hard being a hunky teen Were boy. Especially one who had already been promised to the Wiccan Family princess. Her Great Grandfather was away at that time and even it he had been there to be a confident he'd have abstained. He remained Switzerland in such matters. To much supernatural blood running through both sides of his family to take sides in inter family conflicts. He may have been immortal but he was just to old to deal with that sort of bull shit. So she turned to the Vamps, Mason and Alexander in particular who listened to what she had to say and came to the same conclusions she had. But they did nothing for so long that Rebecca's suspicions were tucked away under a huge pile of mess that became her late teens and early twenties. Her own war with her Mother over Christian and Alexander and control of her own life became her focus. The Wrights simply became an pesky afterthought and it wasn't til a party for Sage's fourth birthday that her suspicions were reawakened. It was a simple look. One that passed across Mason's face at the sight of her Mother with Mr. Wright just a flicker gone before it had been fully conceived. Mason had sensed her near and it was probably the tenseness of his mind that had attracted her attention in the first place. She watched the remainder of the evening and confronted Mason afterward but having no proof had resisted even thinking of such things. Temperance would not do such a thing he had said but after several months of watching the two of them together Rebecca knew that there was something there. She knew now the exact moment the affair had started in earnest. Became more than flirtatious conversation and longing glances. Her Father had gone away under the guise of pack business but somehow before he had left her Mother had found out his true plans which were to meet up with Etienne here in Bon Temps. The fight had been the deadly quiet type, no doors slammed, nothing tossed and broken but the rift that was left behind was enough to send her mother into the arms of another man. It was the worst best kept secret in the village. Everyone whispered but no one confronted it directly. Not even Rebecca who had at first gone numb. She couldn't stand the idea of her Father being hurt. Found it hard to believe that her mother who had condemned the arrangement she had in her marriage, would ever lower herself to adultery. She couldn't bare the thought of what would transpire between her parents when the truth came out. What would have to go down between her Father and the swarmy Mr Wright filled her with anxiety. There were consequences within pack law for laying with a masters wife. Her Father wouldn't be able to look the other way. Even though a part of her had always thought he had done just that. She opened her eyes and glanced around her. The sky was a shade away from true black, the wind was pushing and pulling the green the surrounded then. The rain would fall soon. Rebecca wasn't in control of it but she sure was helping the storm come along. 

" My father knew of the affair all along didn't he." Mason confirmed with a silent yes. " and it wasn't the affair that brought about the challenge was it?" 

" Your Father was aware of your Mother's betrayal. He was just as observant as you and he was not a fool. He loved your Mother but things had been bad between them for a very long time. The fought all the time about you and he felt as if his opinions and his wishes for his child were often unrightfully disregarded. They put on a good show, a united front for the sake of those who looked to them but privately they were a shell of what they had once been. Your Father turned a blind eye because the affair calmed your Mother and kept her out of his hair, and out of yours. I did not approve and told him so but he enjoyed the storm free environment to much to care about the long term ramifications. He should have taken Wright out into a field and ripped him to shreds or at the very least put a bullet in him for his betrayal and if he had known the real reasons for the affair then he very well may have. 

"I wish you had killed him yourself." She hated that man. Even now when he was no longer a threat to anyone she hated him. The breeze crawled through her skin sending a shiver through her head to toe. A reminder from the powers that be that she should be more forgiving. 

" I wish that as well dearest." He wish he had offered. How different their lives would be now if he had. So may what ifs.

She turned to him " None of it, NONE of it is your fault." Mason's lips moved upward in a sad almost smile. The vampire way though would have been so much simpler. Just as messy but over quicker and easier to clean up and move on from.

" So how did Wright find out about me?" It was the only thing that would have woken her Father out of his haze. 

" Your Mother tried to end the affair and when she did Wright threatened to tell everyone what he knew. Apparently he had used your Mother's trust to gain access to her personal writings. There he found the smoking gun he'd been looking for all along. It was then that your Mother confessed everything to your Father. 

" And then the shit hit the fan." Her Father used all of his power to stop Wright from ruining his family. His efforts had been valiant but futile. He'd died trying to keep her safe. 

" Why didn't Wright tell everyone after?" He could have gained control over the pack but he had never used it and after a battle of wills between he and her Mother the Wright family had been banished. It was not the ending that Wright had anticipated. Nor the one by pack right he should have happened but her Mother's rule supersede any other on her land. It was to late for her to realize the love she'd had for her husband. She had broken her vows and wronged her family and she lived with those mistakes to this day. But she'd be damned if she'd have to live in the same place as the man who killed her husband. Every time she saw him would be a new snack in the face. A everyday reminder of her folly. 

" I Glamoured him. Your Mother had wanted me to do it as soon as the challenge had been handed down but your Father had refused to let me. But the three of us worked together and made plans. Your Mother and I knew exactly what  would need to be done, whatever the outcome may be. During the two days leading up to it I probed the minds of everyone he could have told. He had kept the information to himself. He didn't trust his wife and he was right not to. She wanted him dead. She hoped your Father would mutilate him so she could get the hell out of there before the next sunrise. He hadn't told is sons he didn't trust them not to blab in one way or another to Christian. He commanded them to stand beside him but he deemed it unnecessary for them to know all the details of his plans. He wanted your Father dead first knowing that the evidence he held would find no challenge if your Father was no longer around to dispute it. I located the documentation he had copied from your Mother's journals. With it I found endless notes and contingency plans. Most of them involved the end your Father and you and in the later entries your Mother. He was an egotist and wanted his declaration to be a spectacle. He had come to hate your Father and the way he handled his pack. The essence of what they were was stifled by the connection to the witches and of course their alliance with Vampires." It had always struck Mason as odd that Wright would ever want to come live within among them. August had explained the dynamics of their way of life before he had extended his invitation. Mason could only guess that at the time whatever the Wright's were running from were fall more disagreeable than the idea of cohabiting with other Sups. 

"We figured that if he won the challenge he would declare what he knew then. In front of the pack where he would have their undivided attention and at a point when everyone would be at their most primal. From there the uprising would begin. Your Mother worked on a spell that would allow me to get to Wright and clean out his mind before he had a chance to say a word. She could have done it herself but it was important that she stay as far removed from the situation as possible."

 In the packs eyes she was just as copiable as Wright for the affair and held equal responsibility. Temperance never worried about the judgement of the Were's. Most of them had lived far more immoral lives than she had but she did feel horrible for what she had done to your Father and the effect her actions had on her family and her coven. Her Witches were the ones she felt she had to answer to. She was still trying to mend broken relationships to this day.

"We were ready when the time for the battle came. Of course I had hoped that none of our plan would have been necessary." Mason's regrets filled the space between them. 

" He was a lying cheat of a bastard." she spat the words out. It was shameful that the thought of him, of what he did that night still filled her with so much hate. Reliving it now with new perspective pushed her back to that place. 

     The night her Father died had been cold, wet and dreary. The promise of the first snow of the season hung in the air. Rebecca had begged him not to do it. But he had his pride and his place in the pack was on the line. He had been openly challenged and there was no other recourse. They were forbidden to shift or to use weapons. There would be no outside help, just a one on one battle until one could no longer continue. If death resulted there would be no repercussions for the survivor. Rebecca stood silently hidden from anyone's view and watched. Pack Master's daughter or not it was not likely she'd be welcomed if she were seen. Her Mother and several others of the coven were veiled around the room. Mason and his men were just a present, just as unseen. The room had started out silent but the noise level grew as the punches started to connect. The smell of blood, sweat and animal pheromones adding to their excitement. The two men were evenly matched which made the fight brutal on both of them. August though was just biding his time letting Bradley dictate the flow of the fight. Waiting until Wright's cockiness got the best of him as he knew it would and when the time came he struck a blow that had put him to the ground. Wright was knocked unconscious and it seemed the challenge had been won. Bradley was surrounded by his sons, one of which had a knife in his back pocket. A knife that ended up in her father's back. He'd bleed out within minutes and he didn't come back to them. 

" It was his hope that he would." There had been the chance and that chance had been what had sold him on his course of action. Rebecca wiped the tears from her eyes. Her Fathers death had set the darkest period of her life in motion. When she thought of him, of his last moments her thoughts travelled to what happened after. There were other losses that resulted. The great loves of her life all gone within a two year span. It was a time she mostly refused to let herself revisit. 

She shook all of her upper body trying to loosen some of the hold of the pain that clung to her. " Where was Alex in all of this?" 

Had he really had no part in this part of her story? 

" Alexander was rash and impulsive in times of crisis. He rarely thought through a situation before acting. I spent hundreds of years cleaning up the results of his uncontrollable bouts of anger and at that time my progeny was already tinkering on the brink. He was angry at Wright for the pain his part of the affair with your Mother had caused you. He was displeased with the arrangement between you. He felt disconnected from your life. I spent many an hour calming him down. Keeping him on course. If he had known the secrets that had been kept from him." He paused to gage her reaction. 

She was more confused than anything. She felt like he was talking about another man. Alexander had been upset for her, would have done anything for her but she did not know the man as Mason described him. He filled her mind with images of a life that she never knew Alex had lived. Mason's memories made her stomach turn and she buckled under the weight of what he showed her. He'd really have no cause to be angry about anyone keeping secrets. 

" Mason you never let on for a moment that you felt anything other than love and trust for Alex. If you had doubts about him why would you bring him over ( the traits you held in life magnified in death) Why would you let him walk beside you? Let him become a part of my life,my lover, my guardian?" 

" Dearest, I am sorry to give you the impression that I did not love Alexander. I did.  To much at times and my devotion to him despite his flaws, or perhaps in an effort to suppress them lead me to indulge him. He was Vampire Rebecca and in his past he had fallen back on the excuses our kind used to justify bad behavior. When he came to join me with your Mother he changed. He was more content than I had ever seen him. I thought he had turned a page and I believed that the sins of his past should not define his future. He deserved a chance to be happy. So little of his past had been filled with it." Mason gripped his hands together tightly concentrating all of his strength in that one part in the hopes it would keep him from falling apart. " When you became enamored with Alexander I discouraged him from pursuing it. You were young and I believed that it was just a passing fancy or worse an attempt to alienate your Mother by focusing your affections on anyone other than Christian. But you were relentless and you melted Alexanders resolve and bewitched him so much he was utterly useless to me. As with everything else that pertained to you I eventually caved and reluctantly gave him my permission to court you. He was never your intended guardian however. That was and has always been me." Mason's role in her life had been profound, a teacher, a champion but she had always believed that her chosen guardian had been Alex. His number one priority had always been to protect her.

" I served him with the task. He needed a purpose he felt was worthy and Temperance thought it would be best if I removed myself from that role in your life. Since the matches were delivered from the powers that be directly to your Mother no one was the wiser when it was announced that Alex has been chosen for you."

" So when Alex died Mother's lack of fight about your leaving had nothing to do with indifference." It was the guardian's responsibility to shadow his charge. She should have known Alex would never have been chosen to watch over her. She just never bothered to look to deeply into the matter. Maybe if she had things would have happened differently five years ago. Alex would still be here. She'd often thought of his role in matter. Looking again now with eyes that held more knowledge she could see he had feed her anger and had done little to stop or discourage her. He got off on what she became. 

" He should have come to me long before he did." He had hated to admit any sort of failing to anyone. Mason would have been the last one he had turned to. Which had been the case when she'd lost her senses. 

" If he had I could have save him and stopped you. I believe he enjoyed himself until you were backed into a corner and it was to late." Loosing Alexander had cut deep but it finding her in such a state that had pained him the most. He had entrusted her to someone else and in doing so had not been there when she needed him. He'd spent every moment of time since then trying to right the wrong he had caused. He'd given her every bit of himself and only had one regret. 

" Oh Mason" she let out a half sob half sigh. He'd let himself fall for her. Ending that time with few words or explanations was just another example of him letting her have her way.

" My love for you rooted itself far before the time we were lovers but I had no desire be anything less than your only. The closest I ever came to having all of you came at the expense of the lives of your husband and your first love. It was shameful on so many levels but when you reached for me I felt compelled to take what you were offering me. You needed me and I had waited for so long to have you and once I did any past reservations or promises to self evaporated. But I saw the change long before you did. I felt that part of you slipping away. Your kiss and touch changed. Your every response to me became different. Even your scent. But you wanted to honor all I had done for you. I knew I had to let you go when you started dreaming of the wolf again. It wouldn't be the thoughts of the men you had lost that would keep you from loving me fully. NO they were gone and time would move your forward and further away from the life you had with them. But the Wolf he was always going to be somewhere lurking in the background. You would always be waiting for the day when he finally showed... and now he has. The reality of which has knocked me around more than I'd care to admit. You have found your other half. The rightful one and I have to let you go yet again." 

He stood and walked to the edge of the water. " I have let my personal feelings get in the way of doing what was right by you. Often letting my decisions be lead by the thought of what would make you happy and not what would keep you safe. Now that it seems you have found the one thing that will bring you contentment and I need to refocus and get back to the real reasons I was brought into your life."

Her heart ached for him. But what could she possibly say to make it any easier? There'd be nothing anyone could say to her if the rolls were reversed. Somehow though he had to know that he was so much more than the man who watched her back. He was her best friend. Her confidant. She held his soul within her. 

She found herself next to him, slowly extending her hand to touch his the back of his shoulder. He wanted to bolt and could evaporate at any moment. As soon as her fingertips grazed his shirt her hand was grasped in his with the whisper of the wind. He pulled her to him " You can not fix me Rebecca." His eyes were full of fire but his words held no harshness. Swiftly he lowered his lips to hers so he would not loose his nerve nor give her the time to protest. They were cold but the feel of them was soft and familiar thought it had been a long time since they had made contact with hers in such a heated manner. She wanted not to respond but found she could not deny him this moment and in the sweetness of it he sent to her the best of the memories they had shared. He made her feel what he felt and made her hear all that remained to be said. Her eyes were closed, soaking up joy when she felt him move away from her. 

" I will always be those things to you"  one last touch of her cheek and then he was gone. 

The wind whipped around her pulling the tears away from her cheeks and in the direction Mason had left.  Any solo contemplation would have to wait for she was still not alone. 

" He has asked me to stay here with your for a few days and for William to stay close at night." Elva oozed out of the shadows and made her way to her niece. She should have known he'd have put all things right before he finally let the stirring inside him boil over. Rebecca had thought it was she who had called for Elva's help but Mason had set the visit in motion long before Rebecca had finally found the nerve to ask for help. This night would never have happened if he were not sure she would be fine without him for the time he needed to set himself straight. 

" You should also know I will be taking Silvia back with me to New Orleans when my stay here is over. She has made things exponentially more difficult for Mason these last few weeks and he no longer wishes for her company. Sometimes progeny forget their place." Elva was disappointed in Silvia's behavior. Rebecca tried not to think to hard on what kind of punishment her Aunt would find suitable. 

" Mason told you all he told me tonight?"

" Yes. I demanded answers and once they were given I demanded that he give them to you. Your Mother had been right to keep this from you as a child but you have long since been grown and I believe your fate would have been altered greatly if she had seen past her own fears and bias and told you the whole of your truth. Your Mother is a great witch, one of the best I have ever known. But her human skills and emotions have always been sorely lacking. I do not believe she ever should have married or had children" That comment didn't sting nearly as much as one might have expected. She and her Aunt had often discussed her Mother's shortcomings. Mason's view of her Mother and her relationships with her husband and daughter were far more sugar coated than Elva's but then Elva had lost her brother and grief can make you turn bitter towards the one who is left remaining. 

 " She did so more out of responsibility for her station and for the titles than for the love of you or your Father. Supremely self-centered and selfish and contrary to your belief at this moment you are nothing like her in those aspects. The tears you shed over the pain your friend is feeling at this moment is a testament to that. I do not recall your Mother sparing an emotion for the pain and loss she has experienced. Your Mother loved your Father in her own way but when he died it was my feeling she was more mad at him for leaving and the inconvenience that caused her that sad that he was gone. When you tried to leave her fight was more about how your absence would make her look in the eyes of her coven and less about the love or fears she had for you. Your Mother believes in order and control. She does not do well when either of those things are in chaos around her. It was the way of her Mother and her Mother before her and she had expected you to follow that same path. Your family lines strength has come from their ability to focus completely on honing their craft. Enhancing the bloodline so that each generation would be more adept and powerful than the next. Little did they know that eventually those ideals would come back to haunt them. Eventually their would be a child born who would buck against their system and forge their own path. You my girl were doing that before your were even born. I saw it in you the first time we meet but never understood the difference between you and the rest of us until now. You have always had other ideas . Asked the questions no one else would dare ask. Demanded things to be different. It is why your Mother has always been so hard on you. You are the only one who has ever dared to defy the absolute sovereignty of her rule. You will never be what she expects of you and in the end she will respect you for that. You were able to do what she could not. Make her own mark instead of living in the shadows of someone else's." She handed Rebecca a handkerchief. " Wipe your face. You look like shit."

Rebecca laughed and snorted snot . Her Aunt pulled no punches. She grabbed the hankie out of her Aunt's hand and blew her nose and wiped her face. 

" Please keep hold of that until it has been properly washed." Elva grimaced as Rebecca made another exaggerated blow of her nose.

" For a Witch you are easily grossed out dear Aunt. I've seen you put your hands on and in worst things than a snot filled hankie." She folded it up and shoved it in her pocket. 

Elva pursed her lips but made no further comment about Rebecca's current state. The ingredients needed for the casting of some spells were often far worse than human snot. 

" Rebecca, you know that I am extremely proud of the woman that you are. Of all that you have accomplished these last few years. You have travelled the world and built a successful thriving business but in doing so you have let other parts of who you were meant to be lie neglected or forgotten. You were born a Witch. A very powerful one and the Goddess has never forsaken you or denied you the right to move through this world without using the gifts she bestowed on you. I do not expect you to become an active part of any coven but I do think you need to free the magic that flows through you and use your powers to better your life and the life of those you care for. You suppressed them for years but now they can no longer be contained. They grow by the minute. Your shimmer is brighter at this moment than I have ever seen it.  I do not know all of your reasons for pushing magic aside. Frankly from what I have managed to learn and put together myself over the years it would probably be best if I did not know it all but I do know that if you do not release it steadily it will explode inside you. Your life has already been filled with enough madness Rebecca. Keep your sanity and the life you have built and are building here with your wolf by letting your light shine on the outside." 

The rain started to fall in sheets that should have soaked them to the bone in seconds but the water never hit them. Rebecca incased them both in a safe dry bubble. 

" Very nice start." her Aunt smiled and laughed. 

" Better than any umbrella." she leaned into her Aunt's shoulder. She felt closest to the Beniot part of her when Elva was near. She held the energy of those living and spread throughout the world and those who had crossed over but still watched from the shadows within her.

 " Dream a little dream of your life" her Father's voice whispered into her ear. Every night he'd tucked her in he'd said those words. He believed they walked her through and towards her future. 

" My brother was grateful for every moment he had with you" She put her arm around her niece and squeezed. " His death came before his time but he went into that fight believing he would walk away the victor. Neither he nor your Mother foresaw what Wright did. Your Mother does hate herself for that I know. Her gift has failed her in times where it was most needed. But he did not blame her for that, nor does he blame you. From the moment you were conceived he'd have laid his life down for yours. He was glad he was able to see grow up, to walk you down the aisle at your wedding and see his first grandchild. You gave him more of a life than he thought he would have and he knew there would be people left behind to love and protect you the way he did. You need to stop interrupting his peace with your missteps and get moving down right path." She have her a good shake and a push which put her off balance. With a little help from the wind she righted herself and kept control of their witchy umbrella and gave her Aunt a look that said " I can make this a bubble for one at any second"

" Think of my hair Mon Cher" Elva took Rebecca by the crook of the arm and together they walked back to the house where Rebecca lifted the spell just before the top step which caused her Aunt to shriek and run into the house and left Rebecca in stitches on the porch floor. From his seat half hidden by darkness William watched Rebecca and their surroundings with rapt attention and chuckled silently to himself. 

ALCIDE

He tried to ignore it but the knocking simply wouldn't stop. It was a soft wrapping on the door, one meant to not bother the neighbors which meant whomever was on the other side of the door knew that Alcide would be able to hear it. He stumbled out of the bed and headed towards the front of the apartment. His mind cleared after a few seconds and he stopped just before turning into the living room. If it was someone meaning him harm he doubted they would be knocking but all things considering it would probably be best if he gave his surroundings a bit of thought before opening the door at three am. He opened his ears and took a whiff of the air. Vamp. He ran his hands through is hair and walked quickly to the door. " Is she alright?" he growled in greeting. 

Mason Leary stood on the other side of the door a slight smile curled in the corner of his mouth. " Rebecca is fine Alcide. I have left her with William and her Aunt."  The mention of William brought him little comfort but was relieved that Rebecca was safe. 

" I am sorry to disturb your sleep but I am leaving Bon Temps for a while and I wanted to speak to you before I had to go to ground." 

Mason was one of the few men who's gaze could hold his without some adjustment. He had a few ideas to the reasons for Mason's departure and as someone who had felt the need to escape a few times himself he felt he should take the time to hear Mason out. No matter what anything that concerned Rebecca effected the both of them.

" May I come in?" The smile had grown just a bit as he'd watched Alcide consider. 

" Yeah, come on in." he nodded. Mason walked past him and Alcide took a quick look around the hall before closing the door. He had nothing to offer the vampire so he didn't bother with any pleasantries just sat across from the other man in his woman's life and gave him the respect of his full attention.    

    The next morning despite his promise to stay in Shreveport the entire weekend and keep an eye on Malcom Alcide found himself driving back to Belle Vita. Mason had stayed for several hours and when he'd finally left with a handshake and a blessing Alcide's head had been reeling. Mason explained himself, what he was feeling and how he didn't want his emotions to get the better of him or to let his anger lead him to do something foolish. He asked for a truce between the two of them and acknowledged that Alcide was the one Rebecca's heart belonged to. He promised not to interfere in their relationship but wanted Alcide to understand he would return. That he had a duty to protect and look out for the best interests of Rebecca and would always do so. Alcide understood a man's sense of duty and there was no man besides himself who had Rebecca's back and best interests at heart. Mason was a fixture that was unlikely to be replaced in Rebecca's life and he didn't need for Mason to disappear he just wanted to trust that he respected that Alcide was permanent now to. He was sure Mason told him things he probably should not have and he'd made it clear there were things that still needed to be said but the rest was not his story to tell. After letting Mason out he'd sat on the couch staring at the ceiling working through all he'd heard. Non-stop surprises and drama came to mind but he pushed those aside when another voice reminded him that if the surprises didn't keep coming it meant you already knew everything there was to know and how sad would that be a few weeks into knowing someone. He just never thought he'd find someone more complicated than himself. He wasn't frightened by Rebecca's story. Every piece of her he was given brought him one step closer to her. Most would say he should run like hell. That he had seen enough with Debbie and who knew maybe someday he'd hear some I told you so.'s running around in his brain. But his gut and his heart were in agreement. With her is where he was supposed to be. No matter what. Somewhere along the line he'd fallen out but when he came to, the sound of a car alarm forcing him awake he gave in to his desire to be where she was and got himself together and hightailed it back to Bon Temps. 

He cruised the impala into the drive. Taking in the little black porsche that now sat next in the drive next to Rebecca's car. 

A tall dark woman with long black braided hair dressed in a tank top and long flowing skirt slinked from the side of the house as he headed towards the steps. 

" We weren't expecting to see you today, Wolf." She held a trowel as if it were a shank and Alcide's eyebrows raised and his back locked as he moved with her until they were standing directly in front of each other. 

" You must be Rebecca's Aunt."  The woman looked him over without answering and after settling her gaze far to long on certain parts of his body Alcide began to feel uncomfortable and wished he had something to hide behind. He was a predator being sized up by someone higher up on the food chain and it wasn't a position he was fond of being in. 

" You are everything she claimed you to be and more." the woman's grabbed a hold of Alcide's arm and squeezed his biceps. " Very nice indeed." She nodded her approval. " It's been a while since I've taken a man to my bed but you certainly have all the goods to make me want to give my hetero side another whirl." He saw a band of gold flash through her black eyes and her smile reminded him of a cat who had just swallowed the canary. She clearly knew what she was doing and enjoyed what it was doing to him. Just like someone one else who's trap he'd wondered in recently. 

" Jesus" he thought. How the hell was he going to get himself out of this one without pissing this woman off? He looked around for anyone to save him. Having already pissed off and reconciled with the one other important person in Rebecca's life he wasn't looking to make any more enemies within her camp. Especially at first meeting. 

" She's harmless love. Don't let her get under your skin or she will toy with you for eternity." Rebecca leaned against the side of the house the sun beaming off her red hair giving off the illusion of a halo hovering over her head. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Sensing the compliment she gave him a killer smile and a mental kiss. His apprehension shifted to happiness at the sight of her. Something he didn't see happening behind him caused Rebecca's face to scrunch up and her eyes rolled up into the air. He sensed he was in the middle of a mental conversation between the two woman and he turned his attention back to Rebecca's Aunt who guiltily threw her arms behind her back and snacked her lips together trying not to laugh. Alcide had a pretty good idea what had been going on behind his back and he felt a blush creep up the back of his neck. What was it about the women in this family? He'd blushed more in the last few weeks than he had in his entire life. He stuck his hands in his pockets and kept his eyes down. 

" Enough Elva. Your going to freak him out and I've had to chase him around enough already." Rebecca's reproach was more playful than serious. To be expected he thought. She enjoyed toying with him to.

"Well if you get tired of chasing him I'll be happy to give him a run for his money." something that sounded like a cross between a purr and a growl escaped Elva Beniot's lips and Rebecca gave her Aunt a not so friendly swat on the arm. 

" Back off old lady that slab of beef is mine."  She challenged her Aunt to continue but whatever passed between them backed the older woman down and she tossed the trowel like a knife into the dirt beside her and extended her hand. He took it giving it a firm strong shake. Her grip wasn't as strong as Rebecca's but Elva clearly could hold her own and appreciated a man who didn't feel the need to handle a woman with kid gloves. A lot could be determined about a man by his handshake. He hoped his was good enough to pass the whatever test Elva had put to it. 

 " Elva Beniot. It is a great pleasure to finally meet you Alcide Herveaux. I hope now that we are acquainted I will be seeing much more of you." With a wink and a evil grin ( that she clearly passed down to her niece) she headed back in the direction she came. " I'll give you two a moment. But don't forget your manners niece. No time for to much play you've got company." 

" Yes Auntie Elva" Rebecca smiled sweetly and and batted her eyes at her Aunt as she passed. More conversation passing between them until Elva moved out of sight. 

" The Whitstaff's are here" She bounced up the steps and kissed him lightly. He reached to pull her in but she pulled away and continued up the stairs.  Alcide turned to look at her. 

"Nice car. Very Sam and Dean. I like it." there was a mocking flirtatiousness to her voice but still she retreated further onto the porch. He let the car comment go. It was a set up he wasn't falling into. He was more upset by her reaction to his arrival. He'd expected more of a greeting than that.

" You not happy to see me?" He hadn't done anything wrong ( that he knew of) so had to wonder if she had. She looked at him straight on. No guilt. Then what?

" Of course I'm happy to see you. I hadn't expected to though. You were so adamant about staying in Shreveport for the weekend and we have company." 

Oh, now he got it. She was worried he'd be worried about people seeing them. Hadn't she realized he was far to gone to worry about that? Her body was dancing but her feet remained planted. She waited for him to give her the go ahead to come closer. 

" Rebecca come here." She returned to the edge of the stairs. " I don't give a shit who's around to see." He grabbed her around the waist and brought her to him

" Show me how much you missed me Becca." She smiled and leaned in to kiss him, proper sighing as his lips moved to get the upper hand on hers. She tasted like benyas and powdered sugar and smelled like grass and sunshine. She pulled her neck back and let him breath her in. He laid light kisses on her exposed skin as a thanks. God how he loved drinking her in. He could stay like this for hours but he needed to talk to her before he got to intoxicated by her closeness. 

" Can we go inside for a minute. I'd like to talk to you as close to alone as we can get." He could sense Elva lingering just around the corner. 

'" Sure. Yes of course. Let's go in." She paused for a moment and turned towards her Aunt. A few seconds later Alcide heard the sounds of her foot fall heading towards the back of the house. The front door opened before she touched it and closed before he could put his hand on the knob. 

" Been working on my skills" she said with a shrug and headed into the living room sitting down on the couch. He sat down next to her and shook a thought from his head. 

" Naughty Naughty. If your gonna think about that every time we sit on this couch together I may need to replace it." She giggled and sent him a thought of her own from that night. 

" Don't bother I'll probably take you on that one two." He flashed her her grin and took her hand. 

" Is everything all right? You were upset yesterday so I didn't want to bother you but I've been worried ever since." 

" I let Malcom get under my skin. You were right to call Janice. She stopped me from killing the fucker in her parking lot." 

" I am sorry this man can get to you like that. From what I could feel he is very good at pulling strings. I know that you consider this man pack business and I will do my best to keep out of it" she paused and he felt a but coming on. " Buuuuuuuut.... I have to say I am concerned about the effect he has on you. Whatever his intentions he sends you into a dark place. I fear you will end up doing something rash because you feel your hands are tied to tightly and have no other recourse. He has already gained some pull within the pack which means he is very charismatic, that or the pack is easily lead because of their current circumstance. Your Father likes him. Thinks that they are allies. But I can say with certainty that this is not the case. I know things with your Father are precarious and that may be why he is so swift to let this man into his trust. You know all of his secrets and have grown tired of cleaning up his messes. You've attention has strayed elsewhere and this pisses him off and he wants to do something that will piss you off to. Malcom Lawrence pumps him up and that is much more appealing to be around than a disappointed son. You are not a pack man Alcide. The politics and the gamesmanship just doesn't appeal to you. So I ask you why do you stay? A loyalty to a Father who clearly does nothing to deserve it? The pack is suffering under your Father's leadership and you have no desire to take control of it yourself and I am not saying that this Malcom man is the solution, far from it I believe. But perhaps Alcide his arrival will lead the others who have stayed complacent into doing something to save themselves. Most of them stay silent out of respect for you. A pack's life breath is their leader. I have seen the strongest and the weakest of both. 

" You don't think I could do it, be a leader?" He was conflicted about his role in the pack but that didn't mean he wanted her to think he couldn't handle himself. It bruised him know she thought so little of him. 

" No Alcide, I know you could be a great leader. You have the right balance of intensity and sensitivity. Your rule would be respected because you are honest and forthright but you would be understanding and helpful to those who needed it. The skills to be a great pack leader isn't the issue. The issue is the lone wolf in you rules and how would you tame him into submission? 

" I don't know?" he ran his hands through is hair. His Father's reign was in jeopardy. Alcide didn't even believe he deserved to be pack leader any more so how was he supposed to convince anyone else that he should be? Would anyone see him as the right man to take over if his Father was overthrown? Or would he be considered collateral damage because of his roll in the cover up? He wasn't sure he wanted to go any further in the hierarchy of the pack but he knew without any doubt that he didn't want Malcom Lawrence anywhere near the pack or his town. 

" Then you will have to step up when the time comes." She smiled a sad smile knowing that it wasn't going to be easy for him. " If there is anything you want me to do you will let me know? 

He nodded absentmindedly. " I started following him last night." He hadn't planned on admitting that but he wanted her to know now. Just in case. He couldn't tell anyone else and if anything happened to him she needed to know who to go after. 

" Did you find out anything?"

" Nothing except he's got even less of a life than I do. Had a few beers at the bar with some of the pack then went home and sat in his drawers the rest of the night.  I finally gave up around two. 

" Did you expect him to whip out the smoking gun for you in a few hours?" Rebecca mocked is impatience.

" No I didn't." He had hoped though. 

" You want me to put someone on him?" He raised and eyebrow at her. She asked as if it were absolutely no problem. 

" That's cause it's not. I've got people if you want me to have him followed I can arrange it." Very matter of fact. She grinned. 

" I'll let you know" He sucked the skin of his gums between his teeth to keep from asking anything more about her on call P.I's. 

" You do that." her eyes danced and she bit her bottom lip. So full of mischief. 

That subject closed he moved on to the real reason he'd brought her inside. " I had a visitor last night. About an hour after I got in from my stakeout."

" Well your here in once piece minus a good nights sleep so it couldn't have been anyone bad? Who had the nerve to come knocking in the middle of the night?" 

He searched her face and took a deep breath looking for changes in her scent but if she knew who it was she wasn't letting on. " Mason, Becca." 

" Oh" her head fell slightly and her lip quivered once before she caught it. She hadn't known but she did know he was gone and this hurt her immensely. 

" What did he tell you?" her gaze held his but was clouded by emotion. 

" He told me everything he felt he could. Everything you talked about last night. Everything that happened between you."

" Everything?" He played their conversation back to her and when he was finished she nodded. " Yeah that's everything." she sighed and bit back any tears. Resolving herself for whatever he had to say next. Outside he heard the wind pick up and things began to fly around outside. From the back of the house he heard cursing in what sounded like spanish. 

" Shit" She went to the window and said a few words and everything went back to normal. She slapped her hands across her thighs which sent sparks flying around her. Her shorts started to smoke and she jumped trying to put it out only to have more sparks fly. Alcide jumped up and grabbing her hands with one of his and put an end to the smoke with the other before she really ignited. 

" Elva's here to try and help me control my powers. You can see we're doing a bang up job so far." He looked her up and down and turned her around. When the smell of smoke started to disappear he lead her back to the couch. 

" Come on now girl you don't want to send this place up before we've finished it now do you?" he took her hand which was warm but steady. He hadn't meant to rile her up or for a moment think that anything he had heard had changed his mind about her in the least. 

" Your Mother's a witch, Your father was a Were and your soul once belonged to a Vampire... It's the Supernatural trifecta. If I was a betting man I'd put it all on you for the win." Despite being born a Were and everything he had seen ( especially the last few months in Bon Temps) he's still remained at the heart a skeptic. But somehow nothing that Rebecca was was a surprise to him. None of it made him want her any less. " I love you" he said softly. 

" He kissed me." she whispered. 

" I love you" he said again. He already knew that to. It had been the hardest thing to swallow. It tugged at his pride and self-doubt. 

" I kissed him back." she closed her eyes. She didn't want to lie but she hated what the truth might do to him.

" Yeah but you were kissing him goodbye. Every relationship needs it's closure Becca. You just got yours years after it ended. I can't fault either of you for that." Rebecca was not Debbie. She may not always do the right thing but she wouldn't lie or keep it from him. He found that he cared enough to give her his trust. What was that when she already held his heart? " I love you. Rebecca Anna Beniot-Keane Sullivan."  

Her eyes closed and she breathed in deeply. Calm filled the room and when her eyes reopened she saw belief. " I love you to Alcide Herveaux." She moved into his lap wrapping her arms around him " So freaking much" 

As her lips meet his he heard was sounded like a click coming from inside him. Like he had just opened up a long locked drawer and each kiss that came after electrified him and he felt her energy move through every nerve of his body. Somehow he felt like this moment sealed an unspoken deal between the two of them. There was no going back, he had put his signature on a binding contract. It was the best decision he had made in a long time. 

She pulled back and breathlessly announced" There is more to my story Alcide and I may need to remind you of this moment someday soon." She ran her fingers across his face " You've handled everything with remarkable grace and understanding. I expected nothing less but have gotten even more" 

" I am not going anywhere Rebecca." He'd already readied himself for the rest of it. She could tell him now or later. It wouldn't matter either way. He was hers.

A tiny smile formed at the corners of her mouth. " Ah my sweet sweet man. You say that now and I believe you. But if the day ever comes that you feel the need to flee I will not hold it against you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as if he may disappear. 

" Never" he whispered into her ear holding her even tighter.

"One should never say that my love" Her body started to tremble and he moved his hands to the spot on her back that he knew would calm the shaking. 

" NEVER"  He picked her up and carried her up the stairs. She buried her head into his shoulder and gave no protest. She wanted him to convince her. So they left everyone outside to fend for themselves and she let him spend the rest of the afternoon doing everything he could to make her a believer.