SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Thirty-seven
Timothy’s Pov:
“Mother, you can’t be serious. You want me to stand by and let her fight a God?” I screamed. “Watch your tongue, boy,” the Girl growled. “I expect you to trust me, as always, Timothy,” mother snapped.
For what felt like an eternity, I gazed at the flames which separated me from Amethyst. My anxiety weighed heavily on me. While I realized she must still be alive as the flames seemed to only burn hotter with each passing moment. But it did nothing to quell the pit growing in my stomach.
Suddenly, from the flames, Amethyst emerged. “Give me your hand,” she demanded. Confused, I obeyed her, placing my hand on hers. “Why did you leave Joseph to fight alone?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
As she brought her finger to her mouth to pierce it with her teeth, she stared into my eyes. Almost as if she was confused by what it is I have asked. “I am there with him as I am here with you. You forget, Timothy, time is not linear for me,” she replied. Her attention fixed on my hand as she drew a blood rune on my skin. I watched in awe as she pulled the hairs to make the braid I needed to safely cross through the fire.
As she completed her task, her eyes flashed to mine. We gazed at one another for a moment before she spoke. “Timothy, I know you want to rush in and protect me, but please, wait for my word. Otherwise, I will fail.”
“Anything you need,” I replied gently, relieved I would ensure her safety. A smile crested her face before she repeated the process for those who remained for the exception of the woman that arrived with Madeline.
As Amethyst completed her task, I noticed she appeared slightly older than she did just moments ago. “I am there with him as I am here with you. You forget, Timothy, time is not linear for me.” Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. This Amethyst was not from this moment. She was from another time, another place. Amethyst took a moment and studied us. “Wait for your signal from me,” she commanded before she and the Goddesses vanished from sight.
One by one, my comrades entered the battle, but I patiently waited for Amethyst to give her signal to me. Wails of pain and fear shatter the calm of the day. Amethyst’s wall of flames was expanding, forcing me to retreat.
The rune on my hand glowed a golden hue, as a paralyzing roar filled the air. Somehow, the beast was gaining in strength. The ground shook violently, causing me to fight every instinct to run into the flames. “Timothy, now,” Amethyst’s voice triumphantly screamed through our link.
Amethyst’s Pov:
“I wouldn’t advise calling the witch a weak blood. She isn’t above turning you into a toad,” Madeline mocked, drawing the beast’s attention to her. Madeline and Joseph locked eyes. Almost as if they’d spent their entire lives training together, they started a glorious attack on the remaining members of the nest. I waved my hand over the arrow and split it into two, transforming the pieces into two swords.
Before I finished my work, the Covenness attempted to ensnare me with deadly nightshade. But Abigail’s unexpected arrival knocked the Covenness and her God off their balance. They landed dangerously close to the moon fire. The small box which contained Victoria’s heart was knocked free, landing between the nest and me.
Shrieks erupted as the remaining members of the nest rushed to retrieve it. A vortex of wind fanned the flames as silver and golden tendrils shot up from the ground. Without warning, the tendrils entwined the nest and slowly dragged some of them down into the abyss below. Howls of fear and pain rang out. Unsurprisingly, the pitiful cries of the nest gave strength to the hideous beast.
An earth-shattering roar reverberated from the chest of the beast as he grew, not only in strength, but in size. “Pathetic weak blood, was this how you planned to defeat me?” he growled, outstretching his wings blacking out the sun.
With each moment that passed, the prayers and pleas of his followers were bringing him closer to his demise. I grinned at the pathetic creature as his arrogance filled him. “Foolish mortal, allowing me to regain so much of my former power,” he laughed.
I held my ground, and I kept my eyes locked on his as he struggled against my restraints. I just needed him to struggle just a little more. “For all your supposed strength, this weak blood still holds you firm,” I taunted.
The hate and anger he held boiled over. He used every ounce of his strength to fight against the weakening restraints. Blood streamed from my eyes and my nose as I struggled to keep control. “Face it, you are just too weak,” he scoffed as my blood cascaded on to the two lightning swords I clasped in my hands.
Unbeknownst to him, I allowed the restraints to disintegrate, so he’d believe I spent my power. The beast let out another roar as he stretched. The ground shook violently as he unleashes his magic, chaos. As the black wall of magic raced towards me, I laughed.
“Timothy, now,” I linked, certain he heard the smirk I wore on my face. The beast laughed as the wave of magic closed in. For a moment, the magic enclosed around me, almost as if it was studying me. Then shattering, stopping the beast’s laughter dead.
The two swords glowed a strange greyish silver, illuminating me like a beacon. Timothy charged in, unnoticed by the beast. “Stop,” I linked. In a flash, I opened a portal and tossed Timothy one of the swords.
“I am a child of Chaos; did you really think that was going to harm me?” I gloated to the beast. Before the God could charge at me, Abigail restrained him. The false God let out a shriek of anger. “You Pathetic worms cannot defeat me. Thanks to you, I have regained most of my former power,” he laughed. This time, he easily tossed off the restraints.
“What did you think that was going to do?” he laughed. “Buy Amethyst time,” Timothy grinned, closing in on the beast. Stunned, the God turned his glare to the unexpected arrival of Timothy. I seized my moment and turned my sword into a hundred, with my magic suspending them all around me, just waiting for the moment to strike.
“Have you not noticed all of your followers are now silent?” the Girl stated dryly. The beast turned to face me with realization in his eyes as I launched the shards directly at him. As each piece struck him, lightning shot straight through his flesh. The smoke from the impact choked us out.
The smell of charred flesh hung heavy in the air as the thunderous crash of the beast hitting the ground echoed. Black tendrils raced up from the ground, greedily wrapping themselves around the God, threatening to tear him apart.
“Humph, some God you are. Didn’t you realize Amethyst offered your disciples to your mother in return for the use of her power?” the Girl jabbed at the beast.
“Could you not hear their cries for help as your mother devoured their souls? Fool, your lust for power was always going to be your undoing. You forgot the cardinal rule: balance.” She shook her head as she disappeared.
Timothy thrusted his half of the sword into the flames which still encircled us. The howl of the raging torrent of flames as they were absorbed into the sword was deafening. With awe in his eyes, Timothy studied the sword for a moment. “Beautiful,” he whispered. His eyes never leaving the sword.
“This is such an amazing thing to witness. So many forms of magic and artisanship were used to make this sword. As my mother’s companion stated, balance is the key to everything. All these things work together to empower one another and complete the bond needed to forge such an instrument. A weapon capable of killing the father of monsters,” he explained in a matter-of-fact tone.
Timothy kneeled before me, offering me the sword as Joseph’s wolf nuzzled against me. Suddenly, Abigail let out an ear-splitting scream as she crumpled to the ground, turning to dust. Amidst the battle, the Covenness somehow avoided being dragged into the ground. Her eyes locked on to Joseph with rage as her rotten mass moves towards us. “Traitorous bitch. No matter, I will have your mate’s head, weak blood. Not all is lost,” she hissed, charging forward.
With the speed of her youth, Madeline intercepted the Covenness, taking her by surprise. “How many times must I tell you sorry excuses for a life, not to call the witch a weak blood?” Madeline snapped, taking the sword Timothy was offering me.
With one clean swing of the sword, Madeline removed the Covenness’s head for her. Black, coagulated blood spewed forth as her body crumpled to the ground before it burst into flames. “Now, witch, let us be done with this thing.” Madeline exclaimed, handing me the sword.
“Never call me weak blood,” I screamed, plunging the sword into the heart of the beast. The earth shook as it writhed in pain. Its body quaked as the sword reverted to the lightning bolt it originated from. His eyes no longer burned the colour of fire, they now glowed a brilliant shade of amethyst.
The heat from within the monster intensified with each shriek of pain he let out. Chunks of the God’s flesh broke away from its body. As a black cloud reached down from the heavens and clawed the phony God into nothingness, absorbing every trace of the beast.
“Back from where it came from. It had always been my hope he would learn his place in this existence,” the Woman whispered, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Come, it’s time to rebuild Eclipse,” she continued. With a wave of her hand, we were back in the dining hall of Eclipse’s pack house. For a long moment, no one said a word as we all took the toll of what we had just witnessed and the amount of life lost.
Joseph pulled me close to him. “What’s the matter, wolf? Can’t handle being naked?” Madeline laughed. Despite not being able to see Joseph’s face, it was easy to tell he was blushing from the heat radiating from his cheeks. “Bashful as always, Main, you’re a wolf, dammit,” Jennings laughed. This only caused the heat in Joseph’s cheeks to grow.
“Now dear friend, where are your Beta and his oldest son?” Timothy demanded. “I have two sons, only Joseph’s father new of my firstborn,” Jennings sighed, crumpling into a chair.
“I was young, and at the time didn’t believe that mates mattered. At an Alpha retreat, I rolled around the hay with a beautiful lady, a couple of years my senior. A few years later, after I had found my mate, I ran into her and her son. She explained to me, the night we had spent together produced a son. She passed him off as her dead mate’s, but they had never gotten the chance to be intimate after he marked her. Everyone accepted this, and he remained with her and her pack. After my legitimate son was taken, I sent my Beta to ensure my firstborn’s safety,” he confessed.
“I worried the nest would kill my legitimate son, and if they found out about this one, he’d be next. Joseph’s mother warded his older brother and father against magic after they took my son and Joseph. This way, the nest could not corrupt them against me,” Jennings continued.
“How long will it take to recall them now that it is safe?” Timothy demanded, still annoyed at being kept in the dark. “About two weeks. I will need Joseph here until they return, as I no longer have anyone to help me run the pack,” Jennings replied. Joseph’s arms tightened around me.
As I tried to protest, Timothy raised his hand, effectively cutting me off. “Of course, Alpha, dispatch your messenger immediately. Joseph will remain here until your Beta’s return. We shall depart in the morning,” Timothy stated. “Now, if you excuse us, I need some time with my Beta and Gamma,” he snapped, expecting both of us to follow him like good little girls.
Madeline followed Timothy without batting so much as an eyelash. I refused to leave Joseph’s side. If Timothy expected him to stay here until his father’s return, then he had better be ready for me to stay as well.
“Amethyst, now. We have much to discuss,” Timothy growled. Obviously annoyed, I did not blindly obey him. Joseph’s lips grazed my cheek as his arms tighten slightly. “While I don’t want to be separated from you, it’s best to speak with Timothy. I will see you shortly, my love,” he whispered. “Fine,” I muttered as I begrudgingly pushed past Timothy.
“You are going to have your hands full with that one, Main,” Jennings teased Joseph as I stormed out. “I would have her no other way,” Joseph replied with just a hint of awe in his voice. Madeline scurried after me as I made my way to Timothy’s room and plopped down on his bed, waiting for his arrival. Anger swelled in my chest as my eyes met Timothy’s as he entered the room. His eyes reflected the same anger that I was feeling.
“I will stay here until Joseph’s father and brother return,” I snapped as I glanced at Madeline. “No, you will return with us,” Timothy growled, his aura flooded the room.
“Uhm, I believe this is where I take my leave,” Madeline piped up, darting for the door. “I just need a few minutes with Amethyst, Madeline. We will talk shortly,” he agreed. Enraged, I moved to leave the room. Before I made it to his door, Timothy’s powerful arms wrapped around my waist and pushed me back to the bed.
“No, you will return with us tomorrow,” Timothy growled. His anger caused his words to shake. “You are just jealous that I chose Joseph over you,” I snapped.
Instantly I regretted my words and crumbled on to the bed. Timothy kneeled before me, taking my hand, lifting it to his lips. “Never, this is what I have always wanted for you, to find the love that the Goddesses meant for you to have. Jennings has no one to help him until his Beta returns. No pack can run like this. After believing you were dead, I need you where I know you are safe,” Timothy explained. Every hint of anger vanished from his voice.
“I told Joseph not to mark you…” he started. “How dare you Timothy,” I cut him off. Timothy’s eyes locked on mine, studying me carefully. “Amethyst, please, I need you to understand. I don’t want you to lose your mate. It is my worry with all that’s happened to him. Being away from you after he has marked you could kill him. I couldn’t bear for you to go through that,” he whispered. “Not after the pain I felt when I thought you had died.” Wanting to hide his emotions from me, Timothy glanced away.
Still, his emotions flooded my senses. “Timothy, I am so sorry,” I bawled, wrapping my arms tightly around him. Since I met Joseph, my feelings for Timothy have been slipping to the back of my mind. I forgot poor Timothy still felt everything as deeply as he always did. Guilt overwhelmed me as I pulled away. “Don’t be sorry. I have always known this day would come, Thyst. It doesn’t change my love for you, it only changes how I am to love you,” he smiled. “I am sure Joseph is waiting for you. I will see you in the morning.”
Timothy’s Pov:
Watching Amethyst leave to be with her mate was one of the hardest things I ever did. I’ve spent more than one mortal life loving her. I sighed to myself as I fell on to the bed. “Take it now is a good time to talk wolf?” Madeline cautiously stuck her head into my room.
“Of course, Madeline, I need to know what happened to you and if we truly defeated this nest.” I tried to smile at my Gamma. “Foremost, are you ok?” I asked as she sat next to me. “I am a warrior, of course. I am fine,” she replied. “As for the nest, we wiped it out.”
“How did they get you?” I asked pointedly. A guilty expression crossed her face, causing me to raise a questioning eyebrow at her. “Don’t you look at me like that wolf. It was your fault, after all,” she huffed. “Oh, do go on,” I mocked.
“Well, when you said the witch was dead, I might have disobeyed you and took off looking for the nest. I stumbled across them, and they trapped me, but not before I killed a handful of them. They tried to break me for answers. I was so sure they took control of Joseph again. My conviction in that belief somehow convinced them Joseph had indeed killed the witch. Timothy, I should have listened to you. I am sorry,” she confessed.
I mulled over her words, trying to hide my frustration. She was reckless not only with her life, but with the lives of Eclipse as well. “Next time Madeline, listen to me please,” I sighed. “You are not as young as you used to be,” I jested with her, getting her to smile. “I suppose not. This old girl needs her beauty sleep. Goddesses, watch over you, wolf,” she smiled, before leaving my room.
The hours of the night passed slowly, thanks to my mind wandering back to Amethyst. I struggled to maintain my happiness for her. Soon the sun crested the sky, shining its warm rays on my face, pulling me from a restless sleep. While I got some rest, it seemed as if I just closed my eyes. “We leave in an hour. We will convene in the dining hall,” I linked both Madeline and Amethyst. “Right,” they both replied.
As the appointed hour came, I made my way to the dining hall and waited for the girls to show. “Think the witch will be on time?” Madeline grinned. “Of course not, I fully expect I will have to drag her back,” I sighed. No one knew her stubborn streak better than me.
“Amethyst, he is your Alpha. You can’t be late. I will miss you more than the night sky misses the moon. But it’s only until my father and brother return,” Joseph’s voice was heard down the hall before he and Amethyst came into view.
Her expression was one I knew all too well, sheer, and utter annoyance with a hint of she was about to protest. Joseph learned this look well already. He pulled her close to him and kissed her passionately. “Everything will be ok,” he whispered after breaking their kiss. From where Madeline and I waited, we heard her sigh as she made her way to us. Madeline and I tried our best not to laugh. “Amethyst, if you will, please take us home.”
She closed her eyes, focusing on our homelands, and with a wave of her hand, the portal opened. I motioned for her to go through first. She shot me a nasty glare. I raised a questioning eyebrow at her. Like a child, she muttered something before storming through with Madeline close on her heels. I took one last glimpse at Joseph. “I will see you soon,” I smiled, making my way through the portal.
In a flash, we were back in our pack house. Tears rolled down Amethyst’s face as she closed the portal. For a long time, neither she nor I said anything. Suddenly, she ran into my arms, sobbing. “How are things ever going to be normal again?” Pulling her tightly to me and stroking her beautiful hair as I rested my cheek on her head. “I am looking forward to the new normal,” I smiled.