A Long Walk Home Ch. 06

"I know my sister," Nors finally said quietly. "She wouldn't have left if she'd crossed over. Her first thought would have been to take out those she felt had wronged her. She would have come after me and Ash first, then the pack to get to Dayton and Rayne. The fact that she left means she's still fighting to retain her humanity."

"Why, Nors?" Ashleigh asked, tears running down her face. "Why now? What's pushed her over the edge like this? I just don't understand."

He looked down at his mate, carefully wiping at her tears. He found he couldn't speak to the entire room but he could talk to his Ashleigh. "We had different mothers," he said quietly. "I was almost fourteen when Freya came along. She was the most darling little thing you could ever imagine. I fell in love with her instantly, was completely besotted with her. She was still a child when I was made into a vampire. I was furious that I had to let her go. I just couldn't stay away. I waited until she had grown up and I went back for her. I told her what I was; I explained about the life I led. I asked her to join me."

He swallowed hard as the memories came back as though they had happened only yesterday. "She agreed to be Sired and I, in my arrogance, did it. I had no idea what I was doing, what I was consigning her to. My Sire had been Ancient, a strong mentor to lead me through the bloodlust that was a craving beyond torture when I was first Sired. I thought I was strong enough to mentor Freya. I was wrong.

The first time she drank blood she killed. It wasn't just one human either, she killed an entire family. I managed to spirit the children away but she went through the rest of them, grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters living in the same house as they did back in those times."

He sucked in a deep breath, his expression haunted as the room sat silently listening to his tale. He kept his gaze locked with Ashleigh's because he couldn't go on without her strength.

"She screamed, Ash. She screamed such a scream of utter heartbreak when she came back to herself. She stood looking at herself in a mirror, completely drenched in blood and she screamed as I've never heard anyone scream before. She broke that first day. She died inside and she's never truly recovered since. I should have killed her then, should have ended her suffering, but I couldn't do it. Not to my Freya. Instead I tried my hardest to teach her, to help her through the transition until she could control herself."

The entire room remained silent with the exception of Ashleigh's soft weeping as she listened to the heartbreak, guilt and self loathing thick in his tone. She could feel his agony through their bond, knew he hated himself for what he'd done to his sister.

"I was able to contain her most of the time though she ran to excess in the first five centuries until she came to the Council's attention. Then I had to do something drastic to try and reach her. It worked. She calmed down, seemed to come to terms with what she was. I thought she had crossed another line when she accepted you and Liam into her life. Again, I was wrong."

Nors' eyes turned to his Alpha who was watching him with such compassion it was hard to meet his gaze. "That's why I know she hasn't crossed over, Rafe," he whispered. "Because she doesn't want to be what she is. She never has. She would arrange her own death before she ever again became what she was that day."

He swallowed hard, glancing back at Ashleigh though he was still talking to his Alpha. "She may already be out there looking for a way to die right now. I told her she was no longer welcome in my home, to stay away from Ashleigh and Liam. I've taken away the only thing that was keeping her anchored. She may feel that she doesn't have anything left to come home to."

The silence was deafening. Then Rafe spoke, looking at the Romanovs with a hard gaze. "This is pack," he said quietly, letting a little of his Command tone come forward. "Make no mistake about that. If I have to command you two to keep silent I will. Freya is pack because of her connection with Nors and Ashleigh. We take care of our own. Until such time as we learn otherwise, Freya is no danger to anyone."

The twins looked at each for a long moment and then slowly nodded. They knew the bond between siblings, the need to protect each other against the world. They had been doing it for centuries. They could understand Nors' need to protect his sister until there was no other option available to him.

"As long as she poses no threat," Andrei finally answered, his tone firm. "If she crosses over then this is Council business, Rafe. We can't have a rabid vampire on the loose any more than you can have a Rogue running around."

It was with a heavy heart that Rafe nodded his agreement. He knew it would destroy Nors if the vampires had to take action against his sister but he also knew that sometimes the hardest decisions had to be made to protect the Pack. He watched the big vampire carefully for any sign of disagreement.

"We have to consider all options, Nors; you know that," he said quietly. "We'll do our best for Freya but you must realise that our best may not be enough."

Nors swallowed hard against the lump of pain wedged firmly in his throat. He wanted to argue with them, to reassure them that this option would never become necessary, but he knew he couldn't because he just didn't know for certain that his sister would be able to recover from whatever had set her off.

"I understand," he breathed softly, holding Ashleigh tightly as he uttered the words that implied his agreement to ending his sister's life should it become necessary.

There was another lengthy silence as everyone digested this bleak prospect. Freya might not be a favourite among the other Weres but Ashleigh and Nors loved her and their pain was evident.

"You're sure Liam was accurately sensing Freya's emotions?" Rafe finally asked, judging it time to move on to another reason for their meeting: to talk about the hybrid children.

"He told me how I was feeling, and Nors," Ashleigh answered, wiping at her cheeks and working to control her emotions. "We're positive he can sense emotions, although we have no idea how."

"Lily can talk to wolves when in human form," Loretta announced, a slight frown on her face. "She talked to Dayton when he was in his wolf form."

They all looked at each other, wondering what other powers the children might possess. They had been expecting some kind of abilities to show themselves but not this soon, not when the children were still so young. They were beginning to reveal abilities the Weres had no knowledge of; they didn't know how to counteract them or how to teach the children to use them safely.

"Neither Dara or Cassia have displayed any signs of unusual abilities," Cedar sighed, referring to her daughters. "That doesn't necessarily mean they don't have any, though. If Liam could keep his a secret--and he's only two--there's no telling what our girls are keeping quiet about." She couldn't keep the concern out of her voice and Alexei hugged her tightly to his chest, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

"The only way to know for sure is to sit the children down and talk to them," he said practically. "Until we know exactly what they can or can't do we can't form a plan of action. Caleb and Annie probably need to know about this new turn of events."

Rafe agreed. "We'll talk to the little ones first and get a more complete picture before we call them in for their opinion. Aaron, will you organise a safe environment to talk to the children?"

His second in command smiled. "Right here is the best place. They all love being in your house; running rampant through here is the highlight of their day. They may be young but they're full of confidence. You lot are probably a lot more concerned about this than they are. To them it's normal."

His words relaxed the group a little as they realised they were most probably true. Their children did possess a strong streak of self-confidence. They knew they were safe at the compound.

"That's settled then," Rafe agreed. "Which leaves us with the last item: Dayton and Rayne. I'm going to recommend they stay at the compound a bit longer despite Freya having left."

His gaze turned to Alexei and he raised an enquiring eyebrow. "I take it you don't have any issues with that?"

A smile quirked the vampire's lip as he hugged his mate a little closer. "No problem at all. Dayton and I are going to get on just fine."

His Alpha continued to size him up, looking for any hint of deception. Only a short while ago Alexei had been ready to rip Dayton's throat out. His sudden turnaround bordered on the miraculous.

"I can control myself," Alexei snorted, a tinge of annoyance creeping into his tone and causing Cedar to laugh softly.

"Keep telling yourself that, love, and just maybe we'll believe you," she teased lightly to break his sudden tension.

He mock-growled at her and then kissed her hard, promising payback for her teasing when he got her alone.

"Keep an eye on the wildcat," Rafe continued as he smiled slightly at the couple's easy banter. "I'm sure she's harmless but there's something odd about her. I don't mean posting guards or anything; I've given her free passage in the compound. Just be aware of anything out of the ordinary where she's concerned."

Parents were suddenly alert, wondering what it was about Rayne that had their Alpha preaching caution. Most of them hadn't met the cat yet, though they had seen her about the compound during the day.

"Rayne won't cause any harm," Jen said quietly, speaking for the first time. "Don't ask me how I know because I can't tell you. I've spent time with her and she's amazing with the children. She adores Dayton too. It strikes me that anyone with that capacity to care isn't a threat, even if she is a little different."

"I didn't sense anything hostile about her either," Aaron backed his mate up. "I was comfortable enough to leave her alone with Jen and the kids. My wolf wouldn't have allowed that if she posed any kind of threat."

"I'm not saying she's a threat," Rafe answered. "She's an unknown, and it's always wise to be vigilant when we don't have enough information about someone. That's all I'm saying."

The others nodded their agreement as the meeting broke up and everyone started filing out. Nors headed upstairs to collect his son as Ashleigh made her way to the first floor room they used whenever they stayed overnight at the compound.

She shook her head when she noticed he had forgotten to pack a nightshirt for her although he'd remembered to pack his own silk pyjamas. She changed into the pyjama top and climbed into the huge bed, her thoughts on Freya. Where was she? Her sister-in-law was out there somewhere, alone, hurting in a way that she understood because she had once hurt that badly herself. She wanted to be able to help but until Freya came home there was nothing she could do.

Nors entered the room and gave her a little smile, lowering their sleeping son carefully onto the bed beside her. He changed into his pyjama bottoms and climbed in, positioning his mate until she was in his arms, their son draped across his chest. This was what he needed so badly at the moment, his family safe around him.

"She's stronger than you think, Nors," Ashleigh whispered. "She'll come home and she'll be just fine."

"God, I hope so, Ash," he breathed, his voice full of anguish. "I hope one day she'll be able to forgive me for what I've done, that she'll find peace and acceptance."

"She loves you. She will always forgive you. You just need to forgive yourself, love."

He lay awake long after Ashleigh fell asleep, listening to his family's deep breathing, his thoughts on his beautiful sister. He would forgive himself only when Freya found peace. Until that day, he would always hate himself for what he had done to her, what he had made her.

*****

Dayton was reading a book, unable to sleep in the unfamiliar surroundings. He rested against the headboard, curious as to what had been going on in the Alpha's house. He had seen the vampires arrive with their mates, heard the soft murmur of indistinct voices behind the library door. It was clear some kind of meeting was taking place and he suspected it had something to do with him and Rayne.

He wasn't surprised when his bedroom door opened silently and Rayne slipped inside with her customary smile. She was still dressed, despite the late hour. He didn't find that too surprising, either. Nothing about this woman surprised him any more.

"Can't sleep?" she asked, crossing the room with feline grace and crawling onto the end of the bed to sit cross-legged, her green eyes intent on his.

"It's been an emotional day," he answered, not even bothering to try to lie to her. It was as pointless as trying to stop breathing. She would just keep at him until he told her everything she wanted to know. For the thousandth time he wondered why he was incapable to getting rid of her...not that he wanted to, but he had always marvelled at her ability to reach him when no one else could.

"You have a wonderful family, Day. This pack is truly amazing, so intriguing in their make-up."

He smiled slightly and had to concede her point. The pack was indeed an amazing place to be. Despite the emotional maelstrom he'd been forced to weather, he felt a sense of belonging--something that had been missing from his life for so many years. He watched his friend carefully and then, at long last, voiced the question that had plagued him for decades.

"Who are you, Rayne?"

He watched her eyes narrow slightly as she pondered his question; then her lips curled in a sad smile.

"I don't know," she admitted honestly. "I'm different, have abilities that no Were should ever have. I know that much. As to who or what I am, I couldn't tell you. I'm just me."

She sounded so alone, so wistful, that he reached out and pulled at her hand until she moved and settled herself against him on top of the covers. Her head rested against his chest and his lips brushed the top of her head gently.

"You don't have to be alone, Rayne," he said softly. "It doesn't matter to me what you are. I'll always be here for you just as you've always been there for me." He pushed down the ironic amusement that bubbled up inside him.

He'd gone from pushing everyone away to opening up his heart to his family and Rayne in the blink of an eye. He was under no illusion that he was healed: he knew there was a long road to travel before the pain would ease enough to make life anything more than tolerable. But he was on the right track and a lot of it was down to his friend. If he could repay even a fraction of the help she had given him then he would try his hardest.

He felt relaxed with her at his side, so relaxed that his eyelids began to droop. His last waking thought wasn't of Rayne, though. Instead a pair of green eyes taunted him, the feel of soft lips pressing against his filled his senses. Denial fought within him as Freya Eriksson's beautiful face swam in front of his closed eyes; his wolf stirred restlessly as he slipped into sleep.

The moment Dayton gave in to his exhaustion, Rayne smiled against his chest and pressed her lips tenderly to him. She opened herself to his emotions, sensing confusion, anger, denial and also the little tendrils of love. Finally, he was starting to mend. It had been a slow road but he was on it now, no longer fighting it, even if he was only taking his first baby steps.

Satisfied, she rose carefully from the bed and walked to the large window, looking out into the dark forest. Was her vampire out there somewhere? Did he lurk around the compound, constantly watching over this eclectic mix of inhabitants?

Smiling, she shook her head and returned to the room she had been allocated for her stay. She was in two minds as to whether to go hunting or to rest. She didn't need as much sleep as normal Weres but allowing others' emotions into her soul always tired her.

She stiffened at a faint sound behind her, then slowly turned to look up into the face of the glorious male she had met a few days earlier. He was resting his back against the closed door, arms folded, as his lavender eyes travelled slowly over her before coming back to her face. He was dressed completely in black, the only splash of colour his auburn hair, which was loose and falling in silky waves over his body. He looked so delicious she felt herself tremble slightly.

Her hands were at the lace bodice of her basque and they hovered there unmoving as she watched him warily.

"Don't let me to stop you," he chuckled lightly, his deep voice full of amusement and something else she couldn't quite place.

"Come to drop me from another tree?" she countered, a slight smile curving her lips as she saw his gaze drop to her hands again as if he were patiently waiting to see what lay beneath her top.

"They've given you a room to sleep in, so you're here by invitation." Another light laugh escaped him as he pushed off the door and walked towards her. "I was serious," he murmured his gazed fixed on her hands once more. "Don't let me stop you."

His words sent a shiver down her spine as she watched him slowly stalk towards her. He really was the most beautiful male she had ever encountered. His sensual lips promised pleasures untold and she couldn't deny the physical attraction she felt for him. It was obvious the attraction was mutual.

There was something about this vampire that made her stop thinking coherently. He made her feel vulnerable in a way no one else ever had. He took her breath away and made her want to surrender to the hot coil of desire sweeping through her body. A tumble in bed with this stunning vampire would be a pleasurable experience indeed.

Smiling, she threw good sense out the window. Her hands moved of their own accord, pulling the laces free to reveal her full breasts to his suddenly hungry gaze. Her breath caught at the sheer need that danced across his face as his eyes raked her body intently.

"Exquisite," he breathed softly as the basque dropped to the floor and his hands touched her waist almost reverently. She shivered as he slid them slowly upwards until his thumbs lazily brushed her taut peaks as he gently cupped her flesh.

A soft moan escaped her as his thumbs brushed over her nipples again, heat spreading through her body like wildfire to pool between her legs. Rayne knew she had to be out of her mind letting him touch her but she didn't stop him. His hands on her naked body felt too damned good.

Gard smiled, inhaling deeply and scenting the hot, heady scent of a woman in heat. It made his mouth water and he had to struggle to keep his touch gentle against the lush flesh filling his palms. "So responsive," he breathed softly. "Your scent is intoxicating, Kitty. You make me want to rip your jeans off and bury my mouth hard between you legs and lick you all up."

Rayne whimpered and then her cat purred so loudly deep within her that she was sure the sound was going to explode from her mouth. Sweet Jesus, her vampire was potent . It was on the tip of her tongue to say 'Yes, please.' Just the thought of his sexy mouth licking at her was almost enough to send her crashing into a violent climax.

"You sound like a cat." Was what she finally said as she struggled to contain the lust boiling through her veins.

"You make me feel like a cat," he chuckled softly, all the while brushing her aching nipples with the rough pads of his thumbs. "I've never wanted to lick someone all over before. I would quite happily make an exception for you."

"Should I be honoured?" she quipped, her back arching into the amazing hands that were driving her insane with need.

"You can answer that when I'm done licking you, Kitty," he laughed softly, bending his head as he raised her slightly off the floor to bring her breasts level with his mouth. His tongue snaked out and he licked at one swollen nipple. He barely grazed it, just enough to send a shudder through her body and force a moan to escape her lips.