Fall of kNight (32 page)

Richard was not ever planning on seeing me again. He knew the love I could give him wasn„t enough to satisfy him. The floodgate opened as I watched Casey and Nathaniel wave goodbye. I would see Casey again. But not Richard.

The sun rose causing my eyes to sting and burn as I finally backed away from the front door. It was only then I realized I had been standing in one spot in total numbness for three hours. Where had the time gone? How could I just remain standing there like that in one thought? One heart wrenching thought. Richard.

The memory of our last moments played over in my mind. Remembering the sadness in those beautiful eyes, the crushing pain in his heart and the longing he felt and my heart finally broke. The pain gripped me, ripping my soul apart. I turned and headed back to the stairs. Hot tears fell from my eyes. The pain was intolerable. I gasped for breath as my hand slapped over my mouth. My body became weak, trembling as the waves of the oceans crashed against my wearied heart. How much more pain could I endure?

Slowly I dropped to the floor. The tears continued. The shattering pain blistered against me. No, I couldn‟t fight it anymore. The storm threatened to wail out of me once again.

Footsteps were heard as they stepped slowly down the staircase. Even through my own tears and stuffy nose, I could recognize Daniel‟s scent, the spicy masculine fragrance I so enjoyed. My watery eyes lifted to him as he sat down on the step. Gently Daniel reached for me, pulling me close into his arms. My very heart and soul were tormented. Swells of the ocean‟s storms beat down against me. Its winds, hurricane in strength, terrorized the very seat of my emotions, ripping and tearing me from beginning to end.

Daniel pressed a kiss on top of my head and the warmth of his body pressed close to mine. Softly, gently he whispered words into my ear.
My love. My angel.
He cooed sounds of assurance and I cried even harder. Feeling the pain once again of a broken heart. Was there no end to what my heart could endure? Was there no salvation for the brokenness that I had succumbed to? My heart broke for Richard. Fate help, but I loved Richard. Daniel, as much as I would have wanted to keep this from him, knew. The words I never expected to hear were spoken clearly as I grieved.

“Julie, my love, I know you love him,” Daniel whispered softly. “I can feel that love in your heart.”

Hot tears ran down my cheeks as I raised my weary head. My watery eyes barely focused on his face. His fingers wiped the tears away from my face. The remnants of my heart still ached inside. What could I say? How could I explain these feelings to the man I loved? Did he know better than I?

I opened my mouth to make some sort of comment. It was only the right thing to do. Daniel gently pressed his finger over my lips. Leaning forward he pressed his lips against mine softly. Then he pulled me closer to him, closer to his heart.

He inhaled a deep and ragged breath. “You really cannot blame Richard for falling in love with you. I mean, you are the most desirable woman I have ever met. I guess you would be considered desirable to any man. Vampires included.” He chuckled softly.

“Daniel, what are you trying to say?” I couldn‟t bother with reading his thoughts.

The thoughts in my head were enough to deal with.

“What I am trying to tell you is this; I understand. Jewels, I know you love Richard.

It is only natural for you. You have the heart of a wolf. I know you are not in love with him. There is a distinct difference. A difference I can tell and feel. Your heart belongs to me. As long as I have that, I am a happy man. Besides, Richard looks like he needs a little piece. Not yours, of course. I mean I would have to kill him for sure if it came to that.”

For some reason, I hesitated on Daniel‟s last sentence. A frown crossed my forehead. The comment would have probably been taken more seriously if Daniel‟s lips had not twisted into a grin. Yes, it was not a piece of my heart Daniel was implying Richard needed. My eyes widened in surprise. Daniel let out a chuckle.

“Daniel!” I snorted and pushed away from him.

Daniel roared out in laughter. “What? What did I say?”

“I really thought you were being nice to Richard,” I snapped out.

Daniel continued to laugh. “Julie, I am a male wolf. What did you expect?”

“Ass!” I huffed out then stood up. My stomach growled loudly. Daniel‟s eyebrows rose. The twinkles in his eyes told me something was coming. I just didn‟t know what.

“We need to find you something to eat before that stomach of your jumps out and grabs a body or two.”

For once, my feelings were soothed. I shook my head as Daniel‟s arm went around my waist. He guided me in a little more hurried motion than I would have liked to the kitchen. My heart was so full. There was no way I could explain how much I loved Daniel. For once, I was beginning to believe we really did understand one another.

Daniel understood the compassion and capacity of my heart. He understood how I could love someone so deeply and unconditionally. I didn‟t have to “fall in love”. Love was just a factor of life for me.

Foremost, I was finally beginning to see Daniel‟s point of view. Daniel wasn‟t just a male. He was an Alpha Male, providing protection and leadership. These were the things Daniel regarded as his duty. His odd sense of humor had grown on me, and I knew this was just a part of him. Even if it did appear he was being asinine, I was learning how to enjoy his humor.

Everyday our bond was growing. We were developing a beautiful relationship. The closer we became, the more love and understanding we shared. Even now, I understood how I could love them both.

The rest of the day went smoothly and quietly. Heather and Jason spent the most part on a run. Daniel and I spent a comfortable day just relaxing. We both needed it.

Mainly, we stayed cuddled up on the sofa watching movies. Which after two of them, we decided we needed to get out of the house for a while.

Daniel and I decided to visit Gramps and John. I admit, it was Daniel‟s idea, but I really wanted to see my family again. As the evening approached, we headed out to the Qualla Reservation. He knew Gramps and Aunt Tess would be excited to see me.

Especially to know I was doing well.

We arrived around four p.m. John was outside in the driveway working on an old car he purchased. Daniel and I pulled up into the driveway, and he looked very excited to see us. I could honestly say I was glad to see him too.

It was not the kind of excitement I had expected. We soon found out everyone was meeting in the heart of the reservation, the same place where the family gathering took place. He didn‟t mention why, just that it was important.

Daniel and I went directly to the site. When we arrived, we found everyone standing in the field. Most of those gathered were men. I immediately recognized Gramps and Taylan. We hurried out of the car and went to meet them.

“Well, there she is!” Gramps said with a smile on his face. “How ya doing?”

“Better,” I said as a smile crossed my face.

“Good. Good. You look a little peaked. After what you‟ve been through, I would say you might need a little more rest,” his strong voice filled with concern.

“Yes, well, she is pretty stubborn,” Daniel said slyly.

Gramps nodded and smiled. “Yep, most of the women in our line are. They have to be in the middle of everything.” He shot me a wink.

“John said everyone was meeting out here. Is there something wrong?” Daniel asked as his arm slipped around me.

Gramps expression suddenly changed. He glanced at the others a moment, then turned his attention back to Daniel. It was evident his concern was strong. The anxiety was written all over his face. He moved toward us and placed his hand on Daniel‟s shoulder, he led us away from the others.

“This is not good. Daniel, you need to take Julie back home immediately.” Gramps voice was firm.

Daniel‟s spine straightened. I could feel the immediate anxiety build inside of him. His dark eyebrows met in a frown. “Why? What is wrong?”

“It‟s a matter we need to take care of. One of which will be handled by our tribe.”

His voice was still firm. The urgency for Daniel and I to leave was more prevalent.

“Gramps, what‟s going on? Is there something we can do to help?” I spoke out.

Gramps looked lovingly into my face. He knew I would help. A soft smile crossed his lips.

“I know you will. But you, my granddaughter, need to be safe. This is not a place for you in your condition.”

My next words were distracted as I saw twelve men dressed in robes come out from the forest. Daniel‟s body shifted closer to mine. His arm went around mine and pulled me closer to him. Gramps turned slowly to see the approaching men. One I recognized clearly, Clayton Powers. What were they doing here?

“Daniel. I must say I‟m surprised to see you here.” Clayton announced as he moved closer.

“Clayton, I could say the same thing.” Daniel replied.

“Well, I came to put an end to all of this,” Clayton stated, moving within a few feet from us.

Taylan had drawn closer his grandfather‟s side. Daniel took a step forward, shifting his body between Clayton and me. It suddenly hit me; these were the other Council members. They had come to confront the Dark Wolves. My heart suddenly started racing loudly.

“Clayton, I think you have things a little out of order.” Daniel voice was low and controlled.

“Oh, on the contrary. These are the Dark Wolves we were searching for. It seems that you have made some acquaintances of your own.” Clayton eyed Daniel carefully. “I hope you know which side you are on.”

“I believe there are some questions I have for you, Clayton. If you know these are the Dark Wolves, then you should know they are the originators of our line.” Daniel replied not taking his eyes off Clayton.

“Yes, I am well aware of this. However, Daniel these people are the ones which have caused our clans to come to war against us.”

“For a good reason as I hear it. Tell me Clayton, how is it the Council has grown to such strength over these long years? Could you also explain to me how we have drifted so far away from our responsibilities?”

Clayton‟s eyes narrowed slightly. “Are you challenging me?”

“From what I understand, the Council has become a little more than a high priced organization. Too controlling in corporate America. How much money did you think you would obtain from the work of Dr. Miller?” Daniel shot out at him.

Money? Corporate America? Dr. Miller? What on earth was Daniel talking about?

Eyes widened with surprise. I listened carefully. Indeed, Daniel had learned more information than I was aware of.

“Lies!” Clayton spat out. “Lies these heathens have been telling the clans! You above all people should be able to see through this! Daniel, let‟s not forget who we are here.”

“Forget who we are?” Daniel sneered. “Clayton, I believe you forgot who you were when you began your tyranny with Dr. Miller! You used the clans to protect you. Hide behind them. Control them. Now look where it has gotten you! How long did you think it would take before the truth came out?”

“Truth?” Clayton snapped. “Truth? You want the truth? Without me, our little organization of wolf hybrids would have died out years ago, suffering from the growth and change in this world. Standing behind quietly while the humans live it up in the lap of luxury. And Martin Knight!” His harsh glare shifted to me. “You spit your accusations at me, what about him. He used the Lycan DNA to repair skin cells to the point of no scarring. You have the audacity to accuse me of tyranny? He was the one with the idea to save the world!”

“My father only did what he felt was necessary to help humans! He wanted to save lives! Not kill people!” I spat out angrily.

“Your father was not the saint you make him out to be!” Clayton sneered.

The hair bristled against the back of my neck. How dare he talk about my father that way? The blood boiled in my veins. Daniel‟s arm slid around mine, gripping me tightly.

“What Martin did was not for his own benefit. There is a difference!” Daniel snapped out. “What you and Dr. Miller were doing was changing the course of human life, the very existence of mankind. You have lost your way, Clayton. Lycans have always been hidden away from humans. What you were planning was to convert every human into a freak! Combining Lycans and werewolves together. Selling your prototypes to the Government?”

“YES! Millions would have been made. Daniel, I thought you could see this. You and your father are opportunists. You are an adventurer of science. I thought you would understand the money to be made here.” Clayton looked behind Daniel, sizing up the others as they approached silently.

“You are wrong, Clayton. I see something evil in this. We are meant to protect humans. That is what I stand for.”

“So be it then. You will die with everyone else here.” Clayton said sharply.

Before I had the chance to even consider the options, the twelve Lycan Council members changed. It was not Lycans I saw standing in front of me, but something different. Not a wolf. Not a werewolf. But what appeared to be a combination of the two.

They were much larger than the Lycans in form, big, strong and bristled with the spiky wirehair of the werewolves. Their heads were larger than wolves and their jaws more muscled and their teeth larger. The same red eyes of the werewolves glowed within them.

This night was the nightmare I feared. These animals were an abomination to our kind. They were the evil creation of man and science. Daniel pushed me behind him.