A vampire's Choice

"A resurrection of souls. That is impossible." Sarah objected.

It sounded crazy, but the more Vanessa thought about it, the more sense it made. "You remember Roger, right?"

Sarah snorted. “The vampire. Yes, I do. What has he gotten himself into now?"

"Well, it seems like his past has come back to haunt him."

"He is so old. Which past?"

Vanessa paused for a moment, not knowing if telling Sarah was the right thing to do. For what if her suspicions were wrong and the girl is who she says she is. "Rebecca is back. Or more like her body."

The shocked hiss from the other end of the line was so loud, Vanessa pulled the phone from her ears slightly, waiting a second before pressing it back. "That cannot be," Sarah exclaimed.

"That is what I thought. The first time I saw Lisa, I attacked her and almost killed her. Luckily, Mark and Roger stopped me. It felt like a piece of my past had returned to taunt me, to rub it in my face that I had failed that first time."

A shuffling noise sounded on the line, the faint voices of others sounding in the background. "Sarah," Vanessa tried calling her back, but the noise only got louder. "What is happening?"

Seconds passed, leaving Vanessa to ponder if she did the right thing, for the witches took any situation seriously. Unfortunately, with this one, they might actually try to harm Lisa, making it Vanessa's fault for Roger losing his mate twice. "Hello?"

"Sorry, I needed to gather the other girls." Sarah finally returned. "I put you on speakerphone."

"I don't think that is necessa—”

"From what Sarah has told us, this is a serious matter that could affect all of us,” a familiar voice interjected, which Vanessa recognized instantly.

"I understand, Courtney, but what if I am wrong?" The woman who infiltrated their conversation was the leader of the Red Oaks coven, a close friend of her old coven, and an ally.

Sarah answered, "I know you might not think that this is a big deal, but since you have been gone, strange occurrences have happened. Signs of the apocalypse predicted have begun appearing all over the world. The most in the states, that is why the covens are here. We need to discuss a plan, and with the knowledge you have provided, it is clear now. The end of the world is upon us."

Knees buckled under Vanessa with the last words, and all she could do was crumble to the ground, landing on her knees while gripping the phone tight to her ear. "Impossible...” was all she could mutter.

"It gets worse." Sarah revealed, "a Resurrected soul will start the end."

"No." Vanessa hoped it could not be accurate, but witches were never wrong. They were the silent protectors of the world, the only defense between the innocent and the darkness that wanted to consume all. "She was right.” It finally all made sense. The dangers Nix has been warning them against are real and more dangerous than they ever thought possible.

"Who, darling?" Sarah asked.

Straightening her back while still on her knees, Vanessa resumed keeping an eye on the house, knowing the wolves were gathering in the front, their full moon run starting the second the sun set. With the fading of the afternoon light and the appearance of stars, she knew it was almost time, but she needed to tell them about Lisa and Rebecca. "It was Nix. She appeared to us days ago, coming with a warning of great evil, saying only we can stop it."

"Did she say who?" questioned Courtney.

"She called him Deimos, which is all we know. She has always been vague about details since the first meeting in the castle."

"Of course," Sarah's voice rose, "She mentioned it to us, but I did not take her seriously, but now I do. Listen, Vanessa, can you get ahold of her—”

A figure appeared at the side of the house, moving in her direction. Vanessa's heart fluttered as she recognized Mark, still in awe at her reaction every time she sees him. "I need to go. It is the full moon tonight, but before I go, there is something I need to tell you." Vanessa cut off Sarah.

"What is it?" Sarah asked.

"Nix told us that Lisa, Roger's mate, is the reincarnation of Rebecca, his old mate. I could not believe that a second chance mate is possible, but she confirmed." Mark got closer, leaving her with only a few seconds remaining to convey what needed to be. "She said that the darkness in Rebecca's soul was killed that night. Only the good part survived. That is why Lisa is here."

"Nix is telling the truth then if—”

"You don't understand." Vanessa stopped Sarah. “This morning Roger and Lisa consummated their status, but Roger insists Lisa is not human. I do not have all the details about what went down, but Roger would not lie. So, something is up with Lisa, even if she does not know it, and you have to find out what. I will explain in more detail in the morning, and then you can explain why you think it is the end of the world. But I need to go now. Love you." Just as Mark reached her, Vanessa pressed the end button, shoving the phone back in her pocket.

"Everything good?" asked Mark, noticing the strained look on his mate.

Forcing a smile, Vanessa said, "I am not sure, but we can wait until the morning."

Wrapping his arms around Vanessa's waist, Mark pulled her into a hug, burying his head in the crease of her neck, inhaling deeply. "Are you sure? It sounds serious."

Leaning into his touch and closing her eyes, Vanessa marveled at their connection, loving the way he comforted her without even trying. "It is, but there is nothing to be done tonight, especially since we will be forced to shift."

With final deep inhale, Mark leaned back, keeping the tight hold on her. "You are right, but first thing in the morning, we are calling a meeting and discussing what is clearly bothering you."

Giving Mark a faint smile and nodding in agreement, Vanessa and Mark remained entwined as they made their way to the rest of the pack. Dozens of wolves already in their form gathered in the front yard, some playing with each other by lightly snapping, while most couples rubbed their bodies against their mates. The view of so many wolves still shocked Vanessa while at the same time making her heart swell. Living with them is fantastic, filling the void that has grown over the years.

"You ready?" Mark asked, letting go of her waist.

"As I'll ever be," Vanessa confessed as she watched Mark undress. Usually, seeing her mate naked and proud before her aroused her, but she was proud in these situations in front of the whole pack. Tonight was about strengthening the bond within the group, nothing sexual.

Within seconds, the man vanished, leaving in its place the familiar brown wolf, with fur softer than any blanket. Mark trotted to Vanessa, rubbing his body against her leg before letting out a smooth bark.

"I'm coming." Vanessa rolled her eyes at his demand. Vanessa hastily shed her clothes without a second thought of her nudity in front of so many wolves, leaving her only naked for a second before the shift. Initially, the pain was unbearable as bones broke and rearranged with skin pulling taught. Now the pain was bearable, only lasting seconds.

Vanessa marveled at the experience in her wolf form, shocked every single time, no matter how often she has done it before. Her senses were heightened with her eyesight near perfect, making it easier to see in the dark. Sparkes brushed along the sides of her fur as a warm body pressed into her. Turning to see, Mark rubbed himself against her to help with the pain before letting out a howl. The whole pack followed, with each lifting their heads to the sky. As the moon slowly appeared, the howling increased as a sudden need to run itched at their bodies, but they had to wait for the Alpha. An enormous dark-furred wolf walked to the group's center with a smaller, white-furred wolf slightly behind him as on queue.

Are you ready? Roland mind linked the whole pack.

Everyone released a bark, confirming to their Alpha.

Then let us run.

The sound of dozens of wolves howling at the sky unnerved Lara, for she has never seen a sight like this. Peeking out the corridor window directly above the front yard, Lisa could not help but admire their beauty. She had always wanted a dog at a young age, but in foster care, it was impossible. As a grown-up, meeting any dogs on the street with their owners made her stop and pet each and everyone, enjoying the precious few seconds with them. Unfortunately, with opening her bakery and the work hours she had to invest, it was impossible to get her own beloved dog. Watching the wolves in their natural habitat was something she never thought would happen, but here she was, spying on a pack of them.

A big dark wolf strode to the middle of the pack, with a white fur wolf behind it. Without confirmation, Lisa suspects Roland and Ruby are for the wolves and held an air of authority radiating from him. Then, as she suspected, the giant wolf left with a sprint, with the rest of the pack following behind. Within seconds, they were all gone, God knows doing what and leaving her alone in this big house with a vampire who does not like her.

Strolling back to her room, Lisa went over the conversation she had with Ruby in the afternoon, right after leaving Vanessa. The Luna had been busy coordinating the younger kids into vans, securing the babies in car seats while their mothers hugged and kissed them.

"What is happening?" asked Lisa as she strode through the front door, bombarded by the unusual scene.

Quickly peeking over her shoulder while finishing strapping in a 2-year-old, Ruby replied, "Since the whole pack is forced to shift tonight, the ones not yet able to send to a daycare."

"Wow," Lisa jumped in to help, "I did not even think about that when you told me about it this morning." A baby cried, and Lisa moved to calm him down. Picking up the fallen pacifier on his lap, she softly pressed it against his mouth, coaxing him to open it. The tears dried up as the baby opened its mouth to suck the pacifier vigorously. "That's a good boy." Softly massaging his head, Lisa enjoyed his soft skin, and the baby loved it as he smiled brightly up at her.

"He likes you." Ruby pointed out. With all the tiny passengers secured, she stood next to Lisa, watching their little encounter.

"He is so cute." Lisa looked to Ruby. “Don't you think?"

"They all are.” Closing the van door and stepping back, Ruby knocked on the door. The engine sprang to life and slowly pulled away. As the van disappeared, they watched in silence as the children moved to a second location. "They are our future. The ones who will lead our pack when we are gone."

"So, where exactly are they going?" Lisa pondered, knowing whoever took care of them for the night has to be trusted completely.

Turning to face her friend, Ruby slowly rubbed her belly while answering. "All the packs in the states are connected. Sure, we fight within ourselves, but the one thing we agree on is the safety of our young. So, years ago, the Alphas gathered and created a company that will take care of them once a month. It consists of humans and witches who have been thoroughly screened for the children's protection. And paid handsomely for their silence, I might add."

"Seems like a doable solution, but how did it work before this plan?" Lisa became curious about their lives, but she also genuinely wanted to know.

With a soft touch on Lisa's arm, Ruby made her way to the porch, Lisa following. Leaning against the stairs, Ruby looked out at the growing crowd. Fathers comforting their wives, newly turned wolves eagerly jumping around. "In the old days, the parents would change but stayed at their homes in wolf form as they watched over their young. It took a lot of self-control not to break out and run, like our nature demands. That is when, as a community, the Alpha's came together."

"That sounds wonderful. Even with all their differences, they can still come together for the good of all."

Straightening up, Ruby locked eyes with Lisa. "I agree, but this is where I leave you. We are about to get ready, and I think it best you retreat to your room, maybe take a long bath and forget about your troubles."

"Of course, I will.” Giving a parting hug to Ruby, Lisa went into the house and up the stairs to her room. Walking down the corridor, their movements caught her eye in the passing window, making her stop to watch. And so, she watched until they all ran into the woods, admiring the world of supernatural but also fearing for the humans, unaware of what was happening just outside their homes.

Turning towards the direction of her room, Lisa took her time as she walked down the now familiar hall until she reached her room. Then, opening the door and moving in, she locked it behind her, ensuring an extra level of protection against a vampire who might want to visit her.

Glancing around the empty room, Lisa felt lonely. Tonight might be the first time in ages there were no footsteps up and down the hall, no whispers around the house. Leaning back against the door, exhaustion gripped her. Today had been an emotional drain, plus the physical parts. Taking a deep breath, she pushed away from the door and made her way to the bathroom. Undressing as the shower water heated up, Lisa eagerly stepped underneath the hot spray, allowing the heat to uncurl her stiff muscles. After a quick soap down, Lisa turned the knob off, already missing the welcoming warmth as the cold air stroked over her wet body. Grabbing the towel hanging over the side and wrapping it around her, she ignored the woman in the mirror, having no strength to face her. Turning the light off and making her way to the bedroom, the towel dropped mindlessly to the floor as she collects her pajamas, welcoming the comfort and warmth.

Snuggling deep into the soft mattress and closing her eyes, sleep swept down fast and hard, pulling Lisa into a dream void, one which will change her life; for the worse.