Chapter 25 You Are My Hope

Eric’s POV

This was the moment that I have been waiting for since the night Serenity was taken away. And it will take more than my alpha or the king’s command to make me come back.

It was the exact reason why I was putting a much-needed space between me and the others.

I had no plans of going back empty-handed.

Slow down, Eric. You’ll be too tired when we get there. I hear Jake say.

No, I answered. I’ve waited too long for this. I need to know that she’s ok.

With that said, I pushed harder and widened my gap between Jake and Aaron.

I ran past trees and rocks as my life depended on them. The circus was no longer in the previous town that we went to. According to Aaron, it moved to the next town the day after we came for a visit. A good thing they were still within my pack’s territory. Then the news of Serenity’s escape came, I wanted so much to pick her up myself, but I can’t.

They needed to hide her first from other danger- at that time, it was just the other alphas and the remaining hunters.

We never expected vampires.

And from the looks of it, these are the royalty of vampires too.

Quite frankly, we don’t know what to expect. For me, I was there to get Serenity home, and if a vampire gets in my way, I will kill him.

There has been an attack on the circus! I hear Aaron's report. Vampires.

Shit… I say to myself, blocking them from thinking of a plan.

I shifted the path feeling the change in the wind’s path.

Where are you going, Eric?

To Serenity, I answered.

But that’s not the way to the circus. Jake says.

I stopped and looked around. He was right. It was almost turning in the opposite direction.

Are you ok, Eric? Aaron asked as he came into view.

Yeah… I said, a bit doubtful.

Then I turned to the path where we were supposed to go, but my wolf whined and struggled against me.

What’s going on, Josephine? I asked.

Just follow-

Serenity’s in danger. I will not let you take over now. I snapped at my wolf as he continued to trudge in the wrong direction. What the-

Eric, where are you-

Suddenly the silence around us was broken by a pleading howl.

My head snapped in the direction of the howl, and my wolf- without my consent- ran in that direction.

Eric wait! I hear Aaron call out.

Then another howl broke from behind me. This time it was Jake. I stopped and looked back. The once peaceful forest was now covered with the scent of blood.

Vampires. I hear Josephine say.

Eric behind you! Aaron snapped and jumped toward me.

I ducked as he jumped over me. I turned and saw him land on top of a vampire who he ripped off the head and slashed his chest open, and tore off his heart. It was a sure kill off a vampire.

A shriek behind me pulled me out of my reverie and made me turn to see another vampire coming my way. This time it was my turn to kill him.

In less than thirty seconds, we were surrounded. From afar, we can hear the group we were with fighting with the vampires as well.

I hear a groan behind me and saw Aaron hit a tree with another vampire hovering over him.

Aaron! I quickly bit off the head of the vampire who was in front of me, grabbed its body, and swung it toward the vampire that was about to go for the kill on Aaron. Are you ok?

I see him struggle back to his feet. His leg lifted off the ground. Yeah. He said.

I gave a weak nod and turned back to the fight that broke between shifters and vampires, and I was trying to think of a plan when another howl came through the other side of the forest.

Unlike the howl of war that Jake called, this was a cry of help.

If I were in my human form, I would have frowned, but seeing that my wolf was in control, he broke into a clear line sprint through the wolves and vampires, tracking the howl.

Josephine…

It is her. I can sense it. She says.

Hearing those words, I pushed myself into full speed, making sure that none of the vampires were following us.

My wolf let out a low howl back, assuring the lone wolf that help was on the way.

If I was enough to be called help.

Suddenly I heard a growl, and my wolf anger ran through me as well. This came as a wonder to me. I looked around and made sure that there was no sign of danger around me.

Eric, hurry, they’ve tracked her.

What? Who?

The alphas.

I never knew it was possible, but my anger radiated a hundred folds. But a familiar scent took away my attention. A scent that would always be sweet but now tainted.

Serenity! I called unto her. I can feel her presence, and I knew she could sense me. Serenity!

There was still no answer.

The scent was growing more prominent, and soon it hit me like waves of water, engulfing me and pushing away the pain.

Eric, where are you? I hear Jake growled.

With Serenity. I answered as I finally smell the scent of the alphas that were within the area. Follow my scent to the north side of the forest.

We’re on our way. Aaron says.

No, you’re wounded-

This is Serenity, one of my best friends, Aaron snapped. I’ll be damned if I don’t get to protect her this time.

Remembering the moment I had realized how we all had lost a part of us when Serenity was taken, leaving me with no answer.

Instead, a big brown wolf came into my view a few meters from where we were, crouching into a protective position.

Serenity! Josephine called

I ran faster at the sound of her name and reached them in time as the alphas and their men surround the huge brown wolf in the middle of the clearing. Behind him, lying lifeless on the ground, was a bundle of cloth.

He stood over the bundle and growled loudly at the advancing wolves.

I looked around, assessing the situation.

This is suicide. Jake says.

But we need to help him. Aaron argued.

I listen to them quickly argue while I watch the wolf. I was with Aaron, it may look impossible, but I just can’t let this wolf be killed. Not when it was in my land, Rogue or not.

The wind picked up, and a familiar scent hit me, making me frown. My eyes fell on the bundle of clothing that the brown wolf was now standing over.

Why exactly? Jake snapped.

Cause he has Serenity. I said as I jumped into the clearing, right between the rogue and the advancing wolves. I hear him growl behind me, and he crouched lower on the person I had been looking for.

I’m on your side. I sent a message to him, wishing badly that he can hear me.

I don’t trust you. he snarled in my mind the same moment that Jake and Aaron stood on each of my sides.

I don’t think I’ll be charging at the shifter who is protecting my mate.

I saw his eyes widen, surprised. But as quick as his shock came, it was quickly covered by doubt.

No, he said, I will not let you touch her unless she says that you are her mate.

Then I’ll see into it that you’ll get as you wish, rogue. I said, fighting my wolf back from mauling at the rogue for keeping our mate away from us.

I turned my attention back to the wolves in front of us. They continue to growl and snarl at us. Jake stepped forward in his full height and bared his teeth at what looks like the beta of the pack.

Back down. I hear him tell the wolf in front of him.

Orders are-

I don’t care what your alpha said, Jake snarled and turned his head at the alpha who stood there, his eyes at me.

Take another step, and I will tear you to pieces. I hear Aaron say.

You boys are outnumbered, the alpha said. Maybe you should rethink your threat.

The empty threat coming from a weak alpha. Aaron snapped, stepping up. Leave now.

Not without the princess-

Hearing that, I stepped up to him, shifting back to my human form.

Eric, what are you doing? Jake snapped.

I walked up at the alpha, glaring at him, my fist shaking with anger. I held his glare with a more menacing one. The coldest one I can muster.

“I swear if you do anything of what I think you are thinking,” I said in a low voice, but I knew that everyone could hear, “I will kill you with my bare hands- yes, in human form.” I snapped before he could even answer. “You seem to be forgetting that you are in my land. To harm my mate and me means you will be asking war with three of the most powerful packs in the country.”

His eyes were now filled with doubt as he thinks of what was about to happen.

She is not claimed-

“It does not mean I never would.”

Her scent says she has been taken-

“The bond between mates is greater than physical attraction.” I snapped at him, more anger rushing through with what he was implying.

And so is a tainted bond, an orphan.

I grabbed him by the neck and slammed him on the ground. I pressed on the side of his face, rubbing it on the ground. The wolves around us were about to attack when Aaron and Jake ran to my aid. I pressed on their alphas neck, who instantly whined.

“Come closer to any of us, and I will kill your alpha and will make your life a living hell for trying to help him take my mate,” I shouted at them.

They froze in place as I grimaced.

“Just think what the other packs would say when they hear that the young orphan of the Johansen pack killed you alpha with his bare human hands.”

I knew I was probably looking like a mad man holding a wolf five times bigger than I was. But thinking how they tried to take Serenity away from me again, to keep her for themselves, it was one thing I will not let pass.

Or so I thought.

“Eric…”

I frowned, hearing her. I held unto the wolf underneath me tighter, almost cutting his line of breath.

“Eric…” I heard her call again.

I turned back to the alpha beneath me, “Shift.” I snapped.

He growled and tried to move and bite my arm, but I moved it away and hit him on the face making him whine, and I pressed unto him harder, half his face now covered with dirt. I kicked on his back leg and heard bones breaking, making the wolf underneath me whine louder now.

The other wolves snarled as they watch their alpha being manhandled by a human, a teenager even.

“Listen and listen, good, you pathetic piece of sh*t,” I said, crouching down, whispering in his ears. “If I see you in my lands or in any land that I, my mate, and my friends are in, I will kill you.”

He growled through his teeth, but I crouched lower, leveling my eyes with the one that was not covered with dirt.

“You don’t seem to understand, oh great alpha, I am the better person here, and if I smell you in my land after five minutes, I will hunt you down like the wild animal that you are and have your head prop on my wall at home, do you hear me?”

I guess I was looking crazy cause he instantly shook his head, saying yes.

“I will let go now, and if you try anything-“

I’ll rip you into pieces. Jake and Aaron said, standing near us.

Move between us. Aaron tells me.

I stood up and moved between the two huge wolf friends of mine.

“Leave,” I repeated.

While you still can. Jake says.

Especially now that I’m fancying a good hunt, Aaron added.

I smirked, knowing that Aaron was probably the best hunter- well, aside from Siam, but that expected from him- but no one can beat Aaron’s creativity in torturing his enemies. Finding out about it, I was relieved that we were on the same side and that Dr. Jekyll's side if he only came out when it was for Anna or Serenity.

The alpha struggled to stand, his left hind leg not touching the ground. He limped toward his beta.

“Remember, five minutes.” I reminded them.

The alpha’s eyes widened, scared.

“Eric…” I hear her call me again. This time she had my full attention. I didn’t care if I don’t see those cowards run for their lives after I threatened them. My mate needs me, and I needed her. She will never come second ever again. She and our children would never have to fear anything or anyone.

I ran toward her, only to be stopped by the brown wolf, and growled at me.

“Please, let me through,” I begged to look past him and at the bundle of cloth beneath him.

Stay away-

“Please,” I begged again, unable to keep myself away from her, “please….”

“Eric…” I hear her whimper as she was about to cry.

“Serenity, baby…” I called to her, “I’m right here, calm down….”

The bundle of cloth stirred, and my eyes finally met hers. Her eyes reflected fear, but the moment her eyes landed on me, I felt her relief and calmed down.

“Serenity…” I called and walked toward her, but the rogue cut him off again.

Stay away from her. He warned.

Hold your tongue. Aaron snapped, standing beside me. The land you are standing on is owned by the one you are threatening.

“Calm down, Cole…” I hear Serenity mumble, “He won’t harm us.”

Her eyes held mine, and I saw the doubt in her eyes, fear that I will leave.

I reassured him by shaking my head and taking another step toward her.

Stay where you are. He said.

“She had already said who I am-“

She isn’t in her right mind, he said. She’s sick and is probably hallucinating.

I frowned and looked back at Serenity. Only then did I noticed how much she lost weight and how she was shaking from the cold.

“God, you’re shaking,” I said. This time I succeeded in walking past the rogue, Cole. I picked up Serenity, collecting the bundle of cloth around her, and wrapped her in it.

I looked down at her as I collected her in my arms. She was staring at me as if I was a dream.

“Are you real?” she asked, her voice sounding dry and rough.

“It’s me, baby girl.” I forced a smile, tears wanting to come out, being overwhelmed by the feeling of her back in my arms.

“Eric?” she called again, burying her face in my chest, and took a deep breath, taking in my scent.

“I’m here now, love….” I whispered to her, pulling her closer to me.

“How would I know it is you?” she asked, her voice shaking a bit.

I grinned down at her, “I don’t think anyone can make cherry blossoms smell so sweet, love.” I whispered to her, making sure it was only her who can hear this, “Not even after or during bath.”

Her face lit up, cheeks turning red, and she raised her arms and wrapped it around my neck, “Eric…” she cried.

I could feel her tears running down my skin. I nuzzled in the crook of her neck, taking in her smell.

The scent of humans in her didn’t seem to be that strong either, and she still smelled more like how I remembered her, sweet as a cherry blossom.

I pulled away from her, looked down at her, and pushed away from the strands of hair that were blocking her face. “Let’s go home, love.”

She smiled nodded, leaning her head on my chest as I stood up with her in my arms. Aaron and Jake walked up to us. Serenity turned to them and giggled. Her hand on my chest told me that she wanted to be on her feet. She wanted to talk with her boys. So I set her down on her feet, but instead of moving away, she stood in front of me, leaning her back on me, and by instinct, I wrapped my arms around her waist.

“Hey you two…” she said, “been good boys, I hope?”

Aaron gave a happy yelp making Serenity, and I laugh. While I caught Jake roll his eyes.

“Thank you.” Serenity says, reaching toward Jake, placing her hand in between his eyes. “Thank you for not giving up.”

Jake shook his head, and the next second was in his human form. He walked up to us and stared at her as if still not believing that she was back.

“We never thought of it one second, princess.” He said.

“It would be unlike us to give up,” Aaron added as he made his way to us as well. “Now come here and give me a hug.”

He walked up to her, reached for her hand, and pulled her to him, twirling her around.

Her laughter echoed through the clearing, making my heart beat faster, but at the same time, feeling at peace.

Aaron set her in front of Jake, who smiled down at her and wrapped his arms around her. “Welcome back, princess.”

Serenity smiled, “It’s nice to be back, Jake.” She sighed and pulled away from him and hit him playfully on the arm, “What did I say about calling me, princess?” Jake chuckled and planted a kiss on the top of her head.

“You haven’t changed a bit.” He said as he led her back to me. She smiled up at me. I reached for her and wrapped her in my arms, never wanting to let go.

“I, for one, am happy to hear that,” I whispered to her.

“Still, I wish you boys are like Cole,” she said, “he never once had a hard time not calling me princess.”

“It wasn’t that hard, believe me.” I hear an irritated voice behind me.

We all turned to him, and he stood a meter or two from us, “You have your princess back,” he said, “I need to be somewhere-“

“Cole, wait.” Serenity says, trying to step toward him, but stumbled in the process, and I caught her in time before she fell on the ground.

She smiled, thanking me, and then she turned to Cole again. She leaned on me and took my hand with hers.

“I know what you are planning.” She said, worried, “Let me help you.”

He shook his head and glanced at us one by one, “You’re home now, Serenity,” he said, “you should take care and get yourself healed for your mate here.”

She shook her head, not moving away from me or letting go of my hand. “Cole, I want to find Tasha as much as you do, but I will be damned before I let you go alone.”

“I need to do this, Serenity.” He said, “She’s the only family I have-“

“No,” I said, stepping into the conversation. I can feel Serenity’s temperature getting hotter, and I wanted her to be out of the cold and into bed with some food in her and medicine. “You are as much as part of this family now, Cole.” I said, “You saved and protected my mate when I couldn’t, and I will forever be grateful for that.”

“And I’m sure the king and queen will say the same,” Jake says.

“I don’t need help-“

“A week with Serenity, I’m pretty sure that you know she doesn’t take no for an answer,” Aaron says, sounding amused. “And I can say the same for all of us.”

Cole stared at him, surprised.

“Tasha is stronger than you think, Cole.” Serenity says.

“I didn’t say she isn’t.” Cole says, “I just don’t want to wait-“

“Do you really think that I will wait for another day before getting her home?” Serenity asked, “I’m offended.”

Cole chuckled, “You very much know that you are not offended, Serenity.”

She smiled, seeing him calm down, “Come home with us and rest.” She said, “Then we’ll find her.”

“But Tasha-“

“Will be home and at your side sooner if you let us help you and you get in your best shape,” I said. “Let us help you, Cole, not just to repay for what you’ve done.” I smiled at him and held tighter to Serenity, “But because you are part of this family.”