Chapter Twenty-Six:

Genovi:

Watching Celly play with the spaghetti disturbed me, her dark emotions plaguing her. Amy devoured two plates of pasta already, my old man doting over her as if she was his granddaughter. The pink dress looked amazing on her, without the lace of course. The fine silk grazed her curves, her fangs chewing on her lips. The bell sleeves covered up her clenched fist, my old man calling out to her. Spaced out beyond belief, he ran his hand through his hair. His eyes narrowed at her, Amy tossing a piece of garlic bread at her head. Seconds from snapping, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Sorry for spacing out. I tend to do that sometimes." She blurted out awkwardly, waving her hands around. "What was it you were saying?" Turning her full attention towards him, her golden eyes focused on his blue t-shirt and black jeans. Sighing deeply, he slid her an envelope. My mother's handwriting was scrawled across the white paper, her trembling fingers wrapping around it. Lumps formed in her throat, dread dimming her eyes. Feeling the envelope, her expression grew more fearful.

"I found this after you guys left her safe. I don't know what it is, but you can open it up when you want to." He uttered simply, trying not to push any buttons. "Is the dinner okay?" Slamming her fork down, everyone went dead silent. Taking a deep breath, her temper seemed to be flaring. Trying to stay calm but failing, teardrops crashed onto his white wooden table.

"It tasted great. I need a spot of fresh air." She blurted out desperately, clambering out of the door. "Today has been long. Do you mind if we crash here tonight? I don't want to head back to the clan members quite yet. Too many reminders." Following her outside, she rested on the third step down. The wood creaked as I sat down next to Celly.

"You can talk about it." I urged tiredly, hoping that she would just tell me what was wrong. "I don't want you to h-" Leaping to her feet, her whole body trembled with a mixture of sadness and rage. Her top was about to blow and it wasn't going to be pretty. Ripping open the envelope, she fell to her knees. Silver bullets poured from the envelope, her eyebrow twitching. Kicking them onto the ground, a steady stream of curse words flooded from her lips. The silver bullets shimmered in the morning sun, her eyes never leaving them. Yet another piece of her puzzle was yet to be revealed.

"He found me." She panicked uncontrollably, leaping onto the ground. "He found me. He is going to kill me. He is messing with me." Popping up behind him, my arms wrapped around her shoulders. Fear widened her eyes, my heart sinking to my stomach. If she was scared, we should all be frightened. Collapsing into my arms, this was the kind of fear that crippled someone.

"Who is he?" I stammered nervously, her head shaking violently. "Jesus Christ, just tell me!" My patience was wearing thin with all of her dark secrets, the desire to protect her growing rapidly. Grabbing my shirt, her claws began to grow from her fingernails. Scarlet stained my white dress shirt, her claws digging into my chest. Intense agony coursed through me, golden energy burning my skin. Tears of mixed emotions flooded from her eyes, her quaking body feeling smaller by the second.

"His name is Saint Decostos, and my stepfather made a deal with him to keep me as his pet." She stammered brokenly, my heart shattering. "A deal I made with my father was the only thing keeping him off of my back. I have to hunt him down and kill him." Sprinting up the stairs, my trembling fingers touched my chest. Scarlet dripped down my fingers, Celly leaping down in front of me. Jiggling my car keys, the car sank slightly as she climbed into the driver's seat. Adjusting the seat, our eyes refused to meet as I collapsed into the passenger's side. Pulling out a map from her boot, a bag of herbs sat in her palms. Spreading it over the dash, curiosity peaked in my eyes while she spread them over the map. Cutting her palms, a wave of dread crashed over me. Dripping her blood onto the map, she hummed to get herself into a rhythm. Pressing her palms to the map, the lights flickered in the car.

"Oh, golden energy guide me to Saint Decostos." She sang darkly, wondering rounding out my eyes. "Take me to the dark soul in this dickhole. Illuminate." Blood poured from her nose, her eyes rolling back into her head. Gritting her teeth in raw agony, her fangs biting into her lips. Her chest rising up and down erratically, her breathing growing shorter. Taking a deep breath, she snapped back into reality. The engine roared to life, my clammy hands clambering for her free hand. Growls rumbled in her throat, her wolf beginning to take over.

"What do you think that you are doing!" I roared thunderously, the car skidding to a halt in front of a random forest. "Can you please be rational about this!" Ignoring me, the engine died down. Steam curled off the hot engine, the chilly evening air nipping at my skin. Tossing me the keys, she ripped open the trunk. Shuffling through the back, she pulled out a worn leather bag. Ripping it open, my jaw dropped to the ground. Ancient weapons of all kinds shimmered up at me, her blood still dripping slowly onto the ground. Drip, drip, drip! The blood was all that I could see at the moment.

"I can't involve you in this." She explained briskly, shoving a couple of granola bars into the bag. "He connected to me at the very same moment. The moment he said that he wanted Amy as well, enough was enough. I am going to kill him for Amy, our clan, and my children. He is a magical werewolf like me, but his magic is dark magic. As a non magical werewolf, one look into his inky black eyes would kill you. Stay here." Snatching her wrist, she ripped it away. A bruise was beginning to form, guilt dimming my eyes. Shaking my head, this wasn't going to do.

"I am coming with you. I promise I won't look." I declared firmly, her eyes rolling. "I refuse to let you go alone!" Tossing me a mirror, fresh tears pouring from her eyes as she collapsed into my arms. Banging her fists against my chest, rage mixed with sadness. Her arms fell limply to her side, my arms clutching her close to my chest. Seeing her so shattered broke me, my finger lifting up her chin.

"I don't want you to die." She whispered gently, attempting to stare into the dirt. "Ever since you met me, you have been dragged into an endless sea of issues crashing with waves of drama. I don't deserve you." Her golden eyes glowed brighter, my lips pressing against hers sweetly. Melting into my arms, it took everything for me not to kill the bastard right now. Panic twisted her face, a black circle swirling around us. A strange humming noise echoed in my ear, her slender hands shoving me out last minute. A snarl curled on my lips as any trace of her vanished, my fingers dialing Rubiana's number.

"Hello?" Her groggy voice questioned tiredly, Gregory groaning behind her. "Genovi? How can I help you?" Unsure of what to say, the silence of time ticking away makes the dread worse. Clearing my throat, the right words just couldn't come. Calling my name irritably on the other end of the phone, the dryness in my mouth reminded me of cotton.

"Ruby! She disappeared in a black swirling circle, and I don't know what to do!" I panicked crazily, tears audible in my voice. "Can you help me?" Waiting with bated breath, she snapped her finger on the other end. The plastic of my phone began to melt, my hand tossing it to the loose dirt underneath me. Rubiana stepped out of the puddle of liquid plastic, her hand offered out to mine. Her curly hair was tied up into a bun, her lilac blouse hugging her ample breasts. Smoothing out her black trousers, she flashed me a genuine smile. Accepting it gratefully, she pulled me to my feet. Pressing her palm to the ground, her smile fell. Shaking her head, a defeated frown plastered itself on her face.

"My ex, Saint really should have just left her alone." She grumbled bitterly to herself, drawing her own circle. "I can safely assume that you know that you cannot look him in the eyes at all. The darkness in his eyes is so evil that it will turn anyone into the evillest form of themselves if they don't have magical abilities. Take this as extra protection." Sliding a golden stone necklace over my head, she cut her palm. Dripping her blood around the circle, a purple light bathed us. The purple circle swirled around us, the humming noise rang in my ear. My car faded to wet deep woods, snarls and growls echoed around us. A black wolf chased after a white wolf with golden stripes, blood soaking her flank.

"Why are they wolves already?" I asked oddly, the two of us crashing after them. "Why duke it out the magical way?" Swallowing the lump in her throat, anxiety glinted underneath her calm gaze. The look in her eye reminded me of a hunter, a shrill howl echoing shattering the still air. My wolf recognized her distress cry, unbridled fury seething in my eyes.

"They are equally matched the magic way." She explained serenely, loading up a black pistol with super concentrated silver bullets. "I am going to do the thing I should have done years ago." Dragging me behind a bunch of bushes, he held the back of her neck in his mouth. Her limp body hung out of his large snout, her fur dancing in the breeze. Setting her down, it took all of Ruby's strength to hold me back. Claw marks covered her body, scarlet dying her fur.

"What gives!" I demanded hotly, his attention turning back to me. Looking away from me, she raised her pistol. A wicked grin danced across his snout, her body flying up into the air. Horror widened my eyes, the silver bullets narrowing missing her. Her eyes fluttered open, her massive claw slamming into his side. Pinning him down, her fangs ripped into his throat. Blood and tissue flew behind her claws tearing him into pieces. Spotting Ruby, she tossed his body into the air. Black blood rained down on her, bullets riddling his body. Fading into his mangled human form, she shook back to her normal self. Requesting the gun, Ruby tossed it to her. Bloody cuts covered every inch of her skin, her eager fingers wrapping around it. Huffing and puffing, gurgles poured from his lips. The whole scene was unsettling, Ruby still holding me back.

"You are going to be put down like the fucking dog you are, or you can join my side?" She offered irritably, pressing the gun to his mangled face. "I am giving you a chance to live. The choice is yours ultimately. Pick wisely." Cold sweat dripped off of his face, the inky blackness fading to a dark gray. Swinging a robe over her body, she waited patiently for his answer. Golden energy swirled around her arm, their blood mixing on the ground.

"I will fight by your side." He wheezed, coughing up an unnatural amount of blood for a guy who had been shredded. "I vow my servitude to you. I vow to be your magical servant. Please accept me master." Ruby stood up next to me, leaning on my shoulder. Both of us watched as she pressed her palms against his bare skin.

"If you attack me after I heal you, I will rip out your throat all over again. Do you understand?" She snapped venomously, blood pouring from her eyes and ears. "I, Celeste, daughter of the White Wolf, take you as my loyal servant. I accept you into my clan." A golden light bathed them both, blinding the two of us. A white wolf laid next to his perfectly healed body, his wild red curls splayed around his freckled face. Wounds still covered her body, my arms scooping her up. A dried brown matted her fur, her snout nuzzling into neck. Shivering in my arms, Saint sat up groggily.

"You are so lucky that she let you live!" I thundered dangerously, fighting the urge to rip him apart. "The worst part is that I can't even kill you if I wanted to. What the fuck!" Trembling beneath me, a crescent moon appeared on his neck. His own blood soaked his shredded black t-shirt and black jeans, my mind wondering how his clothes had managed to stay on him. His five foot nine slender frame looked tiny underneath my muscular body, fear widening his eyes at my death glare.

"I am so sorry. I was consumed by a dar-" He began, Ruby slamming her heel into her jaw. A couple of teeth fell out. A deep growl rumbled in Celly's throat, Ruby backed off. Narrowing her eyes, she folded her arms across her chest. Climbing into the backseat, a gentle pout dimmed her face. Opening the trunk, a red and black plaid blanket gave me an idea. Laying it down on her lap and the back, Ruby accepted Celly with ease. Saint plopped into the passenger seat, scars lacing his skin. The angry red one on his throat would serve as a reminder for his whole life to always behave, her breathing growing shallow in the back. Ruby's lips were moving a mile a minute, the healing spells refusing to work. Cursing to herself, an invisible field of energy protected the idiot in the front seat. Drumming my fingers on the wheel, the engine roared to life. Peeling back towards my old man, he still had my mother's medicine notebook.

"You will need herb magic to heal her." Saint interjected frightfully, shrinking back in fear at my raised fist. "I can mix the herbs. Don't worry about me trying to poison her. It would result in me losing my life. Such is the contract between a master and a servant. Another thing, she will be a wolf for about twenty-four hours. She used up all of her magic to heal me, maybe she should have killed me." Ruby rolled her eyes in the back, applying pressure to the worst wounds. Oppressive silence poisoned the air the whole way back to my old man's, his horrified eyes falling on the twitching Celly in the back. Scooping her out of the back, he held the door open to let everyone in. Saint rushed to the medicine cabinet, shoving jars into Ruby's arms. Measuring out precise measurements, he looked just like my mother did. Grinding them down to a fine dust in her black marble pestle and mortar. Ruby drew up a bath, my quaking arms placing her into the water. Red dyed the water, Saint dumping all of the herbs into the water. A bright light blinded us, the light dying down. Relief flooded over me, all of her wounds sealing shut. Popping up to her paws, water splashed all over us. None of us cared, the fact that she was alive and well. Licking my face, a small smile curling on her snout. Amy rushed in, wonder illuminating her eyes. Pointing to Celly, delight only grew when she began to wag her tail.

"Is that her wolf form? It is so close to the original wolf. Her fur is so beautiful." She commented with awe dripping in her voice. "May I bathe you? I want to get all of the blood out of your fur." Celly's eyes narrowed, half of my lip curling up. Of course, she would still have an attitude. I could see her eyebrow twitching, a gentle chuckle tumbling from my lips. Alas it was too late, Amy already drained the water. Taking the hose, she wet her down. Massaging dog shampoo into her fur, a gentle growl of pleasure tumbled from her snout. Her eyes rolled back with pleasure, my old man and Ruby leaving the bathroom. Rinsing her off, Amy really cared for her. Helping her dry her off, she spun a black hair dryer in her palms with a wicked grin. Plugging it in, an unimpressed expression greeted us. A couple of hours passed of us drying her off with the human sized blow dryer, her white fur a puff ball of adorableness. Shaking a bit, her fur danced around her neck. Scooping up Amy, the poor girl yawned. Carrying her to the living room, a movie was waiting to be played. Ruby had popcorn in her hands, Saint holding a couple of soda cans in his hands. Waving us over, it was a surprise that we all fit on the worn blue couch. Hopping onto all of our laps, a perfect warmth washed over us. All of us played with her fur, the movie beginning. Even as a wolf she was a gentle giant, looking to please her family. Gazing lovingly up at me, scarlet burned my cheeks. Thank the moon goddess that she was mine, her gentle snores telling me that she was slumbering in our laps. Rest well my dear Celly.