Disasters

We walked in no hurry to get back to the estate while I looked at the icicles dripping off the trees in wonder. Quill tells me about his childhood, talking about his relationship with his parents, and how his father was the one that carried the alpha gene.

Apparently, the chances of getting the werewolf gene were determined by the father since there was no account of female werewolves until Cersei came along. The werewolf gene, though common from past ancestors passing it down from the father's side. The Alpha gene was a bit more complicated to explain though.

"Cersei really was the first one born with it?" I asked, slipping my hand in his.

"It's a bit more complicated than that." Quill said, and he sighed, running a hand through his hair, the curls sticking up a bit.

"Yeah?" I asked, trying not to seem too invested.

But I was. In all my years of being alive, I didn't know much of the werewolves. Having them treated of the norm was still kind of a new thing in general.

"Cersei was actually a human like you, my love. And she was stripped of her humanity when a crazed werewolf bit her. She was only thirteen, and the werewolf was trying to make his own pack." A muscle flexed in Quill's jaw, and I tried to control my facial expressions.

Cersei had been human.

She had either been at the wrong place at the wrong time or something worse had happened.

"In due time, she will tell you about it. I can't say much, as her story isn't mine to tell." Quill said as he helped me step over a still melting puddle. We were close to the gardens at this point, and I stopped, turning to Quill.

"What about Lip? What can you tell me about him? I know he can use magic." I said, the faint memory of him healing me or warming me with the strange colored crystal.

Quill's face changed at that, going paler, and he cleared his throat. Clearly, he thought I had been more out of it than I let on.

Suddenly, he stiffened, his eyes darting to the woods. A warning growl sounded out from Quill, and he shoved me behind him.

My eyes weren't as good as his; my ears were not as sensitive as his. But the faint noise of someone stepping on a branch caught my attention, and even I turned.

Quill lifted his head, and took a deep breath through his nose, taking off into the woods.

I didn't know if I should stay or go, but snarling and growling caught my attention.

Instinct took over then, and I ran forward, some fallen branches snagging at my clothes.

I felt the air leave my body as I saw the familiar giant black wolf with honey-colored eyes, snarling and baring his teeth at my betrothed.

My betrothed was a massive dark colored wolf with edges of brown at his ears. His jade green eyes were filled with fury at the sight of Mason, and he charged at him until he skidded to a stop.

Quill's ears were perked straight up as a strange melody sounded out, soft bells jingling in the woods. Mason looked smug, as he glanced over his shoulder, and stared at what looked like to be a walking tree.

The thing came closer, and I realized it looked like a person, with a sharp chin, and pointed ears. Vines covered it from head to toe, but I could see black metal shining underneath the flowers.

"A Fae knight." I whispered, feeling my heart race against my ribcage, trying to take a step back.

Something hit my back though, and when I turned, another Fae knight stared down at me with no expression on his cold face.

I tried not to lose my mind as it stalked towards me, and then grabbed me roughly by my right arm, dragging me ahead, and then throwing me into the clearing. Quill whined softly at the sight of me, standing over to guard me with his huge wolf body, growls sounding out as Mason got closer.

I was panicking then; there were too many of them, and it was just Mason and I at that point. I scooted back on my hands and knees, and then my bracelet stood straight up, softly glowing blue.

Quill barked and growled at Mason, and my chain stood straight up, until finally something else came out. The lake that was pacing so gently, and slowly, suddenly trembled, as if something was stomping on the earth.

It seemed to only catch my attention, as in that moment, Mason charged at Quill, throwing him to the side of a tree, as he turned to attack me.

I know it was moot point, but I held up my hands in defense, and terror, waiting for the clash to happen.

It never did.

I had my eyes shut tightly, and when I peeked out of them, a strange black shadow stood in front of me, giving out a warning neigh. Looking at it fully, the dark form shifted into a horse, shaking it's head as water splattered on to the grass.

The kelpie had answered my call.

And this one wasn't alone.

The lake was soon going dry as more and more kelpies stepped out from the lake, all letting out neighs, as they awaited what to be told.

Mason nor the Fae hadn't expected this, so they shrank back away from them, Quill up on his feet and looking as each kelpie came between Mason and I.

I stood up then, wiping my hands on my coat as I glanced around. There were too many to count and each one shook their heads, water flying everywhere.

"Mason, if this is what you came for, then this is what you're going to get." I said, looking into his eyes with no fear. A warning growl sounded out, and even without turning, I knew it was Quill, letting Mason know that he still had to deal with him.

I waited to see if Mason's pride would win, or if he would surprise me and actually use his brain for once.

Letting out a huff, Mason turned around, walking back into the woods. The Fae knights waited for a bit, before following after him.

Once I could no longer hear him or the others, I dropped to the ground on my knees, shakes and trembles taking over my body.

The kelpies one by one disappeared back into the lake, seeing that they were no longer needed.

I tried to ground myself, as my hands pulled out grass, bits of snow making the tips of my fingers numb. Eventually, the cold and wetness of the snow seeped into my clothes, and it wasn't long before my body was not only shaking from fear, but from cold too.

Arms wrapped around me then, making me flinch. I turned, and Quill's calm green eyes met mine, as he lifted me up into his arms, whispering words of comfort to me.

I didn't understand; I hadn't died, yet I felt like it was a close second to it. Quill brushed my hair away from my face, hugging me close, and I realized that he was naked.

It was one thing seeing the werewolves at a distance; big, majestic beasts that were graceful and beautiful.

But seeing them fight like that? Being threatened like that by one? It was enough to put someone in shock.

Or at least a human like me.

Quill hugged me close, and I simply let him, not really knowing how to react. Mason was going too far, and I didn't know how to make him stop. If not for the kelpies, the story would be different.

As we approached the estate, the maids coming out in a rush with towels, and clothing, I blinked, coming back to and tears dripping down my face.

No longer would I stand for this. I was tired of Mason making a fool of me. I wasn't going to take this anymore.

Looking at Quill, I squared my shoulders as he wrapped a towel around his shoulders.

"I need to get in touch with my father."