Our Last Hope

Control Is All He Wants

The rest of the trip home was silent. In our small town, the hospital was at least 20 miles outside the city. Good thing most of the inhabitants are immortal. 

When we pulled up the compound was still empty, apparently the party wasn't supposed to start until 7. That would leave me with just under 5 hours to gain my barring's. Of course mother reminded me that it was supposed to be for rest. I went straight up to my room when we walked through the front door. I could give two shits where Will and my father were. I was still infuriated at the way that whole situation was handled. 

I needed a steam shower and some clean clothes. I stood under the hot water and tried to clear my head, it was useless. My thoughts were constant and self-deprecating. After about 45 minutes, I was well pruned. I wrapped my hair up into a towel and slipped into my cotton, waffle robe. I washed my face and decided to start getting ready for the inevitable party tonight.

There was a shift in the energy in my room and I knew that I wasn't alone. My mother's aura was warm, filled with pinks and yellows, like a beautiful sunset. Father's was dark but comfortable, filled with dark blues and emerald green. This one was brooding and resentful, it was William. Before yesterday, his was similar to mine, light blue and greens, like a warm day at the beach. My soul knew that there was a shift in our relationship, it was going to be hard to hide. 

I felt that ignoring the shift was going to be best. It was only a matter of time before he ventured into the bathroom to find me. I heard the mattress shift as he sat down on the bed and the tv turned on, it sounded like a Seinfeld rerun. I turned on my blow-dryer and attached my diffuser, maybe he would leave me alone if he thought that I was too busy to talk. 

I tried to make it last as long as possible. I didn't want to see him or even be near him. I heard mother's warning ringing in my ears. 

"Mates hardly ever fight and if they do, they NEVER do it in public. Do you understand me?" 

I have to put a happy f*****g face on when we go downstairs for the party. Behind closed doors, I could care f*****g less. I took my time with my makeup as well, I normally don't do a full face, but for wasting time, I just might. I completed my look with some highlighter on my cheekbones and placed my faux lashes on my natural lash line. 

I was kicking myself when I realized that I didn't bring my clothes into the bathroom with me. Now I would have to walk out in a robe with my mate perched on the edge of the bed. I then hatched a diabolical plan. Who said that I can't walk around naked? This is still my bedroom. If he tried anything, I would play the mate card and forbid him to touch me. He wouldn't touch me for a very long time. I know he's traditional and I could have been a little more submissive but he had no right to act and do what he did to me. 

I unwrapped the sash from the front of my robe and let it drop to the floor. I held my head up high and opened the bathroom door. I was beyond shocked when I didn't see William at all but Gregor sitting on my bed. 

"Christ!" I frantically tried to cover my naked body as Gregor sprang up off the bed and covered his eyes like a child watching a scary movie. My first thought was to turn towards the bathroom. When I was safely behind the door I took a deep breath. 

"What the f**k are you doing in my room?"

Gregor began sputtering like an engine running out of gas.

"Forgive me Winnie, I'm so sorry. I merely just wanted to talk to you, but I figured I would let you finish getting ready first."

I rolled my eyes and reached down to pick up my robe. I wrapped myself back up in frustration before flinging the door to the side. The wall shuddered at the forceful impact.

"And you didn't think to announce yourself? How stupid are you!" I was fuming, did I not deserve the same privacy as everyone else?

"Very stupid Winnie, very stupid. I'm so sorry. I didn't know that you were going to walk out naked!" He was yelling back at me, but not in anger. He was desperate to make his point that it was a sheer accident. 

"Well, you definitely have my attention now. What the f**k do you want?"

He started sputtering again. "Wouldn't you feel more comfortable getting dressed before we talk?"

I started tapping my foot and my hands were permanently placed on my hips.

"Well it's a little too f*****g late for that! Spit it out!"

Gregor took a deep breath. "I was honestly just coming to check to make sure that you were okay. I heard what my brother did to you in the hospital and I can only imagine how hard that was for you. I want you to feel safe and I don't think that my brother was really thinking about who he was messing with."

I started to relax a bit, Gregor seemed sincere with his check up, not that I really needed it. No matter who I talked to or tried to voice my opinion too, I ended up getting shot down anyway.

"That's really very kind of you Gregor, but I'm afraid that there isn't anything that you can do to change that."

He looked down at the ground, as if he was trying to sort through his inner thoughts. 

"Well not yet at least..." He trailed off and then realized that that statement slipped out of his mouth without his brain's permission. He shot his gaze back up at me and his eyes popped out of his head. 

I studied his purple eyes and almost got sucked into them. I realized that he too had a plan. Was it the same one that mother had? Or was this a different one?

I c****d my head and let the silence fill up the room. 

"Was there more that you would like to share with the rest of the class?" I took a step towards him, hoping to intimidate the information out of him. He became suddenly nervous and couldn't look me in the eyes. He was intimidated by me, good. Not a lot of people are. 

I huffed. "Just know that if you have a plan to harm me or my family, I caution you to do so very carefully. You don't have a solid footing to stand on."

He looked up at me shocked, I must have missed the mark.

"That's not what I meant at all Winnie. You were the only one that actually showed me kindness, I would never do anything to purposefully hurt you."

I rolled my eyes. "Do you mean my raging sarcasm?"

"That's still nicer than most. Most people want to kill me on sight, so I have to put on a face. You saw right through it."

I tilted my hips and flicked my eyebrows. 

"Please tell me that you are not about to tell me that you are in love with me?"

Gregor started shaking his hands in front of his body.

"No, no not at all. I care for you, but I don't love you. I think that you deserve so much better than your current situation. All I want to do is help you, if you should ever need it. My brother is changing, I can feel it, and I know that you can too."

He wasn't wrong about that. William has hit a turning point the last couple days. I just hoped that it was an adjustment period. I feared that it would only intensify the further I got into my pregnancy.

"My brother likes to pretend that he never does anything wrong. And maybe that has changed since I was banished. But when I tell you that he was a tyrant for so many years, I'm telling you the truth. Yes, he's strong and tries to make the best decisions but he hides the bloodlust and desire for power well. I am just worried for those who will try and get in his way. I know that he is going out on a limb for me and trying to work me back into the community, but there will be a price or a tradeoff."

I started to think deeply as Gregor made some very good points. 

"Why else would he jump at the chance to help a meek coven? He wouldn't have done it if it didn't directly benefit him. Your father is very well respected, but the strength of your defenses is feigning. William sees this opportunity to take yet another coven for himself. He will not have his best foot forward when it comes to what is right for your people. He will only take it because he can."

I was fighting with my inner demons on whether to believe what Gregor was saying or not. This could just be another play at my fragile state. Trying to get me to pick sides. What if I pick the wrong side? There was still the contract to think about. I wish my mother was transparent on whether she was actually going to try and get me out of it. I had to play my next moves very carefully, I didn't want to trip an imaginary wire that would make my coven explode. 

"You've given me a lot to think about Gregor. I thank you for your pledge of allegiance. But I need to be careful on who I let it."

He nodded in agreement. "That's all I ask for Winnie. I ask for you to be careful and to know that you have people in your corner. I will leave you to finish getting ready."

There was another small silence that filled my bedroom before he gave me a shy smile and turned to leave. 

I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath. A large exhale escaped me when I was finally relaxed enough. Add more s**t to the pile I thought as I headed for my walk in closet. 

There were several new garment bags handing on the rack. They were all floor length and I knew my mother had  a secret favorite amongst them.

Mama, will you come help me dress?

Absolutely, I will be right there. 

*****

I stepped into the solid black satin. The dress had a high boat neck line and a plunging back. It hugged my body like a glove and was simple, but elegant. I felt like myself, that's all I could have asked for. Mother handed me a pair of drop pearl earrings, I recognized them, they were hers. I stepped into some nude stilettos and fluffed my hair once more before following my mother out of my childhood bedroom, most likely for the last time. 

My father was waiting for us at the bottom of the grand staircase in the foyer. He lit up like a Christmas tree when he caught a glimpse of me. 

"Wow Winnie, don't you look stunning." His mouth was hanging open a bit. Daddy looked very handsome as well, he was donned in a black tuxedo, complete with a bowtie. 

"Thanks dad, you don't look too bad yourself." Mama let me step off the bottom stair before coming around to my right side as daddy took my left. They both led me into the dining room where my guests were waiting. 

Amongst the crowd, I spotted a few familiar faces. Melanie was near the front of the throng waving at me, I caught a glimpse of Mr. Bryson and Mrs. Filbert near the middle. Several of the other girls that were already mated were present as well. It was quite comical how you could spot the new mates. They were always standing just in front of their females with their chests puffed out. I internally shook my head at the immaturity of them. They may be vampires, but they are still stupid men. 

Gregor was standing by, near the main doors. I could feel his eyes on me, he was watching me carefully. Not to sound conceded, but I think that it is more than just 'caring' for me that compels him to be so protective. 

I suddenly felt my heart constrict as I laid eyes on William. He was standing front and center of the room, how did I miss him? 

He had a confident smile on his face that I wanted slap off. I gave him a small smile as we got closer to him. He held out his hand and daddy placed mine on top of his. Mama kissed my cheek and then stepped to the front of the crowd. Daddy squeezed my fingers and then followed after mama. 

William pulled me to him and pressed his lips to my ear lobe.

"You look beautiful Win."

I tightened my smile. "Thank you."

"Oh come on Win, don't be so tense, it's a party isn't it? Try to have some fun."

It took all of my energy not to knee him in the balls, but that would only lead to breaking my knee cap. He pulled away from me slightly and leaned down for a kiss. The whole room swooned at the sight. I internally rolled my eyes, if they only knew that we were at odds right now. 

William pulled away and smiled down at me, something was off, it felt like he was about to put on a show. 

"I want to welcome everyone tonight, it's means so much to Winnie."

My frustration began to grow when I realized that he was speaking for me now. What this going to be a regular occurrence?

Suddenly, William sunk down to his knee. f**k! I didn't have the energy to go along with this right now. I looked past the top of his head and locked eyes with my mother. Her eyes bugged out, urging me to play along. I sucked in my bottom lip and subtly shook my head.

Mama, I can't do this right now!

You bet your ass you can. Remember what I told you.

I put on my best smile and pretended to go out of my mind with excitement, for a second I almost believed myself. 

William began to speak and I tuned him out and just stared a small speck on his shoulder, at least it looked like I was entranced. I was on autopilot as he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a small, velvet ring box. 

He opened it slowly to reveal the most breathtaking ring. It was so unique, it caught me off guard. It was clearly an art decor style from the 1940's I would guess. It was so geometric and interesting to look at. The two side stones were off set diamonds, set in triangle shape. The middle stone was also off set in the same shape setting, but was at least 2 carats bigger than the flanking stones. The band was rose gold, with tiny inset diamonds. It looked heavy but I was in love with it. For a moment, I thought that my yes would have been genuine, but then I remembered that I am not doing this for the jewelry. 

I tried to shake out of my shallowness and focus on trying not to vomit at his sentiment. Finally, there was a small silence and I knew that it was my line. 

"Yes." I tried to sound excited but it came out more monotone than I wanted to. Most engagement videos have the women jumping for joy and then giving a squeaky reply. I'm just prayed that no one noticed. I don't think that the room noticed because suddenly we were being surrounded with our coven. They were all cheering and shouting at us. William slipped the ring onto my finger and I felt it constrict tighter around my finger. I suddenly had the urge to check if it would come off, it wasn't. I felt a subtle burning, like hot wax hitting my finger. The ring was welding itself to my hand. 

William grabbed onto my hand, knowing what was happening and he had a sinister look on his face. I shook my head at him, imagining what it would be like to take his head from his shoulders. 

You better mind your thoughts Edwina.

I was seething, how dare he. How could he think that any of this was okay?

I was pulled from William by my mother who wrapped me into a hug. 

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea that this was happening. I would have warned you." She whispered into my ear and I could feel her heart breaking. It was clear to her that my life was now in danger. She pulled away from me and I could see tears threatening her eyes. 

I reached up and wiped a tear away and placed my hand on her cheek and gave her a sympathetic smile. There was nothing that she could do about it now. 

I was passed around the rest of the room for hugs and congratulations. Most of the girls from school wanted to see the ring. I held out my hand for Melanie to take a look and felt a stabbing feeling in my gut. I don't know what happened but I was suddenly transported to vision in my mind. 

I saw a shriveled women locked up in chains. She was in a dark and dirty room, the air was damn and I could hear mice squeaky around my feet. I was helpless as I saw her fade in front of my eyes. She had beautiful golden hair and bright emerald eyes. I realized that she was pregnant, it was William's mother. I zeroed in on her hands trussed up above her head and saw the ring. I instantly wanted to vomit. He had given me his mother's ring. 

In most cases it would have been a sweet sentiment but this wasn't what this was. He had cursed this ring, it was a reminder to mind my manners and to keep quiet or I would have the same fate as his mother. I can't believe that I had ever wasted my tears on this monster. Gregor was right, he only cared about himself, all he wanted was power and for people to fear him. This was his way of telling me that he held power of me, he was in control. 

I felt my fighting spirit start to fall away, but that's exactly what he wanted. I had to keep my s**t together, it was the only way I could possibly make it out of here alive.