Chapter 11 Love Don't Fade Like Photographs

Eric's POV

Trust my grandmother to be one for theatrics as she lead me to the library, not speaking after I ask her to tell me. She lit the room and told me to sit as she scanned a shelf of books across from me.

“Grandma, if this will take long, then it can wait-“

“Be patient Eric.” She says as she pulled out a book, “It is important that you know this.”

Then she walked to the table carrying a book. I stood behind her as she flipped through the pages, until it stopped at one page and scanned it, soon enough I was flipping through the pages.

“Are these family tree?”

“Of every alpha family.” She nods. “The Johansens have had a long line of Alphas and so have the Greys. Unfortunately pure blood alphas had been cut down to a handful. The Johansens lost it when your father was mated to your mot her, who is-“

“Human.” I finished.

“That’s right. Nonetheless, the pack welcomed her, but not everyone liked it. Seeing that the next heir would be paired to the Daughter of The Moon, but since she is not even a shifter, our pack have lost hope of that glory.”

“But not your father, he had never lost hope. And that is for a reason.”

She flipped through another page where the Marx Family was written on top.

“You are the next alpha of the Crystal Falls pack, that is now being run by your father’s brother.” She says, “Your real father.”

“My real father?” I asked.

“Yes, and an uncle and a cousin.” She smiled, “I know how much you hated how small our family is. But maybe you can see them after all these mess.”

I cleared my head, trying to get back to the point of the story.

“Ok, so I am from the Marx family, how can this help Serenity?”

“Your father, Elijah, he’s from a royal line of one of the chosen daughters.” She points at one name, which was somewhere in the middle of the list.

Allana, Daughter of the Moon was married to Alpha Jacob Marx.

I looked at her, surprised. “I’m a descendant of…”

“Yes you are Eric.” She said. “But fate seemed to have tried to tangle you and Serenity’s paths.” She leads me back to the sofa and pulled me to sit beside her.

“When we found you we thought you were dead. If it wasn’t for you healing yourself we would have doubted if you were wolf or not.” She said. “We thought hunters had found some sort of new courage to kill our kind, you were only four years old when your father was killed.”

“The news of the death of the Alpha of the Crystal Falls pack brought surprise and fear through all shifters, he was one of the best fighters of our kind. They drank him dry like vampires, only we knew that this was a hunter’s doing. Many saw them run off from your house but it was too late, when they came to find you, you were nowhere to be found.”

“Your uncle greatly believed that you were alive.” She said with pride, “he had every pack informed of the death of your father and the possibility of you being abducted. And they did, but they never intended to keep you or exchange you for ransom. They tried to kill you.”

I felt my throat dry up hearing her say that someone wanted me dead.

“But seeing that you are the heir of your father, his death triggered your alpha blood.” She says, “They left you, assuming you were dead, an alpha can heal himself hundred times faster than normal shifters, but a young boy, descendant of a deity and an alpha, it was like nothing I’ve seen.”

“When we found you, we were so scared to move you as your cuts were so deep that small movement can easily tear you to pieces. My son, your adopted father, had a camp build around you. I stayed and tried to heal you, but I could only do so much. You were far from shifting yet and the only thing that was possibly keeping you alive was the fact that the alpha blood in you refused to give up.”

She paused as she closed her eyes and caught a tear fall on her lap.

“Grandma…”

She raised her hand, telling me to stop. Then she took a deep breath and calmed herself down.

“We were there for days.” she continued, “until the news of your father’s death and your abduction reached us. We sent response that we found a boy, brutally beaten up and almost dying. The same day your uncle arrived, he saw you and we knew you were the missing boy.”

“We were losing hope of ever saving you, but your uncle didn’t,” then she pulled out something from her pocket, a necklace of some sort. Its pendant looked like an angel’s wings, with a stone resting in the middle surrounded by small studs of diamonds.

A moon drop. I hear Josephine say.

“A moon drop.” Grandma repeats, “I have kept this all these years, in case I need to use it again on you. But the power of it is a bit irritating to tell you the truth. It was a full moon when your uncle came the only time this stone works, the moment he put this on you, it was magic like I have never seen.” She says, you can still see in her eyes that she was amazed and at awe until now. “The cuts, the blood, the bruises, it all healed within minutes. Unfortunately, you didn’t wake up just yet.”

She dropped her hands down her lap.

“While you were asleep, your uncle asked us to look after you.” she said. “He said he wanted to be sure that the killing was random and not a targeted one. If so, the killers will come back for you.” she reached for my hand and gave me a squeeze.

“He told us of the possibility of you being the mate of the deity as it has always been in the past, a descendant is usually the one chosen to be the mate. He thought that it was the reason of the killing, and to hide you was the only way to protect you.”

“Why…” I stammered, “why don’t I remember anything?”

“Because we thought it would be better to hide your past from you as well.” She said, “You saw how your father was murdered, a child’s mind can only take so much.”

“And why is now any different”

“Cause you are fighting for Serenity.” She says, “This is no longer about fate or your past, this is about you and your mate.”

“Even if this is the truth, the king will not approve.”

“The gods and fate can choose a new mate for her, but you are the only one who can protect her.” she says, “No one else.”

Then I try to remember everything from my past, it was only until when I was around five, before that everything was a blur.

“If I was to be hidden, why would father tell everyone that I was the chosen one among all the alpha boys?”

“Because it was the truth.” She said, “And it was what every alpha was saying about their son. Remember what your father says, if you want to hide something-”

“Hide it where it is seen by everyone.” I finished.

She smiled and nodded, “You alone can protect her Eric,” She took my hand and placed her over my palm. “don’t let her down.”

I felt a cold item on my hand and the moment she let me go I saw that she handed me the necklace.

“She needs you too.” She says.

With that said, I ran off to where I have been the last three days.

Back to Serenity.

I stood across the grounds where Serenity’s room was, as usual it was highly guarded by shifters both in human and wolf form.

It was as if they were expecting her to jump out of her window.

Or maybe keeping the likes of you out. I hear Josephine say.

I grinned, They’ll just have to try, don’t they?

I heard her chuckle while my wolf howled.

Ok, we all got the plan. I thought. Josephine-

I got you Eric, don’t worry.

I nodded and shifted into my wolf. The moment I did, I felt a tingle around my body and saw that my fur changed color.

Brown?

It’s the universal colour of all non royal- non pure alpha wolf, ok? I heard Josephine whined making me laugh.

Ok, ok… let’s go.

We casually walk out from our hiding place, making sure no one sees us, easily blending in with the other shifted wolves who were to guard Serenity.

Do you know where she can be? Josephine asked.

Room, I answered, looking around and slipping toward the stairs that leads to the bed rooms. Grandma mentioned that Siam sent word that she isn’t feeling well.

We dodged some guards and help on the way to the room.

My wolf sniffed the air, and even I straightened up.

I can smell her. My wolf runs off to follow the scent. But we were cut short by someone ramming unto us, my body hitting the wall.

Instantly my wolf growled at our attacker, and bared his teeth. A couple of wolves, then three in human form step out. I frowned.

“Just give it up, rogue.” Kent of the Great Gorge sneered.

“Maybe you can fool the guards, but not us.” Martin of Drell Valley says. “We know every movement and sound you make.”

“Pathetic that you even have to dye your fur just to see her.” Luke says, then he tipped his head, “What is that around your neck, Eric?”

He reached for the moon drop necklace, but my wolf snapped to bite off his hand, but he was quick to move away and slap us. We were thrown sideward.

I felt Josephine’s anger, and she radiated it. Making Luke fall back as well.

Josephine no… I said.

I shifted back to my human form, and stood up.

Calm him down Josephine. I can feel my wolf angry and fighting for dominance.

“What is going on here?”

I turned around and saw Siam and Liam at the end of the hall.

“Eric?”

“Siam-“

“He went against your father’s command, prince Siam-“

“He is here under my wishes.” Siam says, “Is there a problem with that Martin?”

“N- none, your highness, but your father’s orders-“

“I know quite well what the orders are.” Siam says, “But you cannot take away the fact that Eric saved my sister, and I will be forever in his debt for that.”

“Leave us.” Liam snapped.

They all bowed and ran off. I gave Luke one last look and then turned to Siam and Liam.

“Are you crazy Eric? They could have killed you.” Liam says.

“I need to see her,” I pleaded, “please, just a moment.”

Siam and Liam exchanged looks, worried.

“As much as I want to let you through,” Siam says, “I can’t disobey dad’s orders, or see Serenity be happy for a moment then not the next.”

I stared at him, questioned.

“She told us what you are to her Eric.” Siam said. “I admit that I couldn’t ask the goddess for a better mate for her, but dad sees so differently. And you very well know that his word is law.”

“At least just let me see her.” I begged, “Just for a moment.”

“Eric, you will just prolong your agony-“

“An agony I accept in exchange of a moment with her.”

“But-“

Suddenly we heard snarling and growling from behind me.

“Shit…” Liam says, “those pricks called the guards.”

“You need to go Eric.” Siam says.

“Siam please-“

“My sister needs you alive, not dead.” he said. “We’ll see you tomorrow at the ball.”

I stared at him, I knew that look. It was the look his father gave me, it meant it was his final answer. So I quickly took the necklace off me and handed it to him.

“Give her this.” I said. “You don’t need to tell her it’s from me, as long as you tell her to keep it on.”

“But-“

“Just do it Siam, it’s to keep her safe.” With that I ran off to from the guards only to be met by more of them on the other side. They had me trap.

I entered a room and looked around. A locked door makes no difference to wolves with orders of killing me.

So I moved toward the window, I looked down and saw that I was in the third floor of house, a few windows down from Serenity’s room.

I heard the guards behind me, so I hooked my feet over the window pane and slowly maneuvered myself down, I saw the guard look over the rail and tried to grab me and the next second I was on the ground, pain ran through my right leg, as I try to push myself to stand and run off.

Stop Eric. I heard Josephine order, you’ll just hurt yourself more.

But they’ll catch us-

Then let them. I slowed down, remember your words to the king?

“I very much would like to see the day that you will eat your own words by questioning the fate.”

With that I turned and faced the guards, two wolves lunged at me, but Josephine took care of them.

They all looked at me, with anger and disbelief. This time three wolves lunged at me, and Jospehine swatted them like flies.

“What in blasphemy is this?!” one guard screamed as he reached for me. But as if there was an unseen shield around me, he could not come near.

“Stand down.” I frowned hearing the man that I have longed to see again. The wolves and guards stand down and stepped aside making way for him. “So you have again fought my orders, young alpha.”

“I know you know why.” I said. “Or would you like me to tell everyone?”

“Even with this new found power of yours, the news of your identity does not change a thing.” he said, I frowned, “You live in lies and I will not let my daughter be part of that.”

“Fighting the fates is useless, King Silver.” I said. “They will know tomorrow-“

“That is why I am banishing you now, Alpha Eric of Crystal Falls.” He says, “You are not to come near here or my daughter. For alpha meetings your chosen beta will be the one to attend for you.”

“You cannot do that!” I moved to lunged at him but he grabbed me by the neck, penetrating through the shield and as quick as he took hold of me, he slammed me on a tree, tightening his hold, making me gasp for air.

“I will do what is needed to keep my daughter safe.” He said. “And that is not with you and your pack. You of all people know that they are incapable to fight the hunters.”

“But I’m not…” I struggled to say.

“I don’t care what you can do, you cocky prick.” He snarled tightening his hold on me. “You will stay away, far away… you are nothing without your pack, remember that young alpha!”

With that he threw me aside.

“Get out of my kingdom, my guards will make sure that you reach your home.” he said, “Harm any of them, then I’ll send more guards to kill everyone on your pack…” he gave me another glare, “both packs.”

I frowned, I held his eyes with mine.

“This is not a stare down young alpha.” He says, “Now leave!”

He turned and walked inside the house.

I looked up the house and saw the other alpha boys staring at me from a window with a look of triumph.

Grandma put a blanket over me as I stared out the car. It has been three hours since I was forced to leave the city of the wolves. Mama Ellena didn’t need to come, but she insisted in doing so. She says it is payment for disrespecting her family, the kingdom will lose its only healer.

I didn’t like the idea of it, thinking what if Serenity or Siam needed her? Liam and Anna? I can’t let them pay because of the king’s foolishness, what more the entire kingdom?

But she, like me, had alpha blood in her. Her pride will not be trampled on.

“We’ll be home in a few days,” she whispered, “we’ll forget everything.”

Forget Serenity… I thought. I knew that was not an option. I still had Josephine with me, I knew it won’t be long until Serenity and I will be together again.

Until then, I’d have to suck up with the pain and cold.

It was a long ride home, wolves were never fond of planes, and I was in no hurry to arrive. By land it would take us two days before we reach our home.

We stopped for the night in a quaint little motel, I was ushered to my room by the guards, doors were locked both inside and outside.

They didn’t want me out as I didn’t want them in.

“Eric, its grandma,” I heard her call out. “I have dinner.”

Dinner… I thought. The ball would have started by now. Has she noticed that I wasn’t there? Was she waiting for me?

“Eric, open the door.”

“I’m not hungry.” I said.

“Love, you haven’t eaten since this morning-“

“I’m not hungry.” I said.

“Please love…”

“Go away!” I snapped.

“Eric…”

“I just want to be left alone, grandma, please…”

I heard a sigh, “If that’s what you wish.”

I finally felt her leave, and I sat on bed, quietly. They took away my phone and all gadgets in the room. All there was is a television and I don’t even watch much tv.

I sighed and lied down.

I wondered what she looks like right now. She must be the most beautiful shifter there tonight. Many wolfs would be meeting their mates tonight, it was one of the biggest events after all.

But the most awaited mating was that of the princess, but they’ll all be disappointed.

I was disappointed. She soon will be too.

I sighed again and stood up to go to the bathroom to change. Suddenly I felt a moment of anger rush through me. I looked up at mirror and saw my eyes turned black.

It was Serenity’s anger, I was sure of it. I guess she found out about me being banished now.

I tried to calm myself, but her anger came in waves, I had to calm my wolf, as I heard Josephine doing the same.

But as sudden as it came it disappeared. I looked up at my eyes as it slowly fade back to my normal blue eyes.

I sat on the floor of the bathroom, taking deep breaths.

I closed my eyes to rest when an image flashed across my mind. I reached for my head, as an unbearable pain consume it. Then more images came. A man in a pool of blood, another man stood over him and pulled out a dagger out of his chest, and drank the dead man’s blood. I was watching a murder.

But whose?

I took a step forward, and in an instant, the murderer look up at me and reached for me, but the image blurred as a new pain rush through me.

This time I couldn’t stop the urge of screaming. I cringed in pain, holding my mid section as if I was repeatedly stabbed myself.

I felt the cold floor on my cheek as footsteps rushed into my room, helping me up.

After that everything went black.

I stirred and slowly looked around. I was back in the motel room.

Eric? I heard Josephine call for me.

What happened? I sat up, shaking the sleep away.

You felt Serenity’s pain. She said, you went under her emotions.

I frowned, remembering the pain that caused me to go unconscious. I walked toward the door where I hear the guards talking.

“She had them killed,” one guard said, “saying she has no use of them.”

“Good riddance.” The other guard said. “Killing an alpha to consume his blood…”

I frowned, were they talking about Serenity?

“How is she doing?”

“The guards there said she was healed by a human doctor.” The guard answered. “They said she’s being stubborn of not healing herself.”

“How could she not heal herself?” the other guard asked. “I mean, it was just a stab wound, it wasn’t even from a silver dagger.”

I stepped back, she was stabbed? I thought.

Then I remembered the pain on his mid section, it was like being stabbed multiple times.

Calm down Eric. Josephine says.

She’s hurt, I thought, she was stabbed…

I shook m y head, clearing it of the images of Josephine’s death.

“No… no…” I said to myself, slowly anger consume me.

The next moment I let my wolf take over, we broke into the glass window and ran back to where we came from.

In the first few hours I can sense the guards following me, but with Josephine’s help, I lost them and I continued to run back to the city of Wolves.

Eric calm down-

Serenity’s hurt. I snapped, your human is hurt, how can I calm down? I was supposed to be there to protect her.

But you were ordered to leave, it was inevitable. She reasoned out, this is not your fault.

It is, I knew she cannot shift without you there. Instead I let my pride take over. I thought, fighting the tears away, I let my pride get in the way instead of telling the king that I have you with me, her wolf.

I chose to stay with you Eric. Josephine said. This is fate.

Damn the fate, Serenity needs me now. And that’s where I will be whether they approve of it or not.

Half a day, that’s how long I have been running through the woods that will lead me to the city. It was way pass midday when I caught sight of the city. At the edge of the forest and shifted back to my human form and entered the city. People were packing their things, some were already on their way to leave.

“Excuse me.” I walked up to a woman, “What’s going on? Where’s everyone going?”

“The king had ordered a move.” She said. “The princess wasn’t able to find her mate and now unable to heal herself.”

“Where are you moving?”

“The king set up a refugee not far from here.” she said. “We would all move their while some guards will be staying here to look after the city, and wait for half a year, if hunters come back, they will have to burn down the city.”

I frowned and looked around.

“If that is all-“

“The princess, how is she?”

She frowned, “No one really knows. They have left early this morning saying that they need to find a healer and take her somewhere safe.”

A healer… I frowned. They were going to grandmother.