Present Day
Earth
Blaidd
Blaidd looked around Harper’s unusual dwelling. He wasn’t sure what the brown boxes were for. They certainly wouldn’t make suitable tables. The cubes were lined up near a puffy lump of a settee. It appeared comfortable enough, but a few well-placed cushions would work just as well. Blaidd absentmindedly tapped his hand against the beige wall. It sounded hollow. He could probably put his fist through it without much effort at all.
How does anyone secure anything, in such a flimsy dwelling?
So far, Blaidd wasn’t impressed with Earth. If Harper’s home was any indication, Earth was primitive and bland. Regardless, it was a new world, and adventure awaited. After spending so many seasons in the wretched Hold, Blaidd was anxious to make up for lost time.
“You should have stayed on Torvus,” Harper informed him.
“And miss all the fun?” Blaidd replied in mock offense.
“Alpha males are so stubborn,” Harper huffed. “Blaidd, when we go out, you need to remember to pull that hoodie down. Your ears are poking out. Thank god, it’s getting dark.”
“I don’t know why you’re complaining. You’re not the one shaved near bald,” he groused.
Blaidd scratched his cheek, then moved to his hand, groaning at the momentary relief. He was ready to crawl out of his skin. Every place Harper insisted he shave, itched like a horde of charognard were swarming him, as the hair grew back in.
Blaidd wasn’t a fool. Even shaved, he wouldn’t blend in with the humans, if he ventured out in the light of day. His pointy ears stuck up from the top of his head. His muzzle was pronounced because of his long canines. And the tail begging to be released, was a conspicuous bulge in the back of the pants currently strangling the life from his staff. Still, seeing a new planet was worth it. Blaidd tugged down the hood of his large shirt and tied its string tight, to appease Harper.
“Hush, you big baby.” Harper countered, as Serus and Nameless snickered at his plight.
It was obvious he wasn’t going to get sympathy from his friends.
“You know there’s no way we’d stay on Torvus. Not after tracking Agrippa and Nox to your home-world,” Nameless reminded Harper, who was looking increasingly nervous about everyone venturing out of her dwelling.
“Especially since we don’t know which of us is fated to bring about his end,” Serus, Nameless’ twin, added.
“And I’m along for back-up.” A disturbing grin twisted Blaidd’s face, as he thought about taking down Kral Nox.
“More like comic relief.” Harper rolled her eyes.
Blaidd’s vengeful smirk shifted to amusement. Harper called him comic relief, when she was the one who made their recent adventures entertaining. She was far more amusing than Nameless, who was a bit grim, though a damn good ally in a fight. It was odd being friends with the human female. Not that long ago Blaidd thought Harper was fated to be his. She certainly fit the description Phaedra had given him all those seasons ago. And to be fair, as Primitus, he wasn’t used to being friends with females, having them boldly look him in the eyes, or antagonize him the way Harper did with that smart mouth. How was he supposed to know it was just a human mannerism? But Blaidd had other reasons for coming on this adventure. And one last ditch attempt to compete with Nameless for Harper wasn’t one of them. His human friend was clearly in love with the grim bastard. She was even carrying the future heirs to the Torvus Empire. No - Blaidd had a vested interest in seeing that Kral Nox met his end.
The Lupercalia weren’t native to Torvus, but it was the only home he’d ever known, along with many generations before him. Even after visiting the Lupercalia home-world, Blaidd preferred the planet where he’d been born. Though he was loyal to his people, and proud to be their Primitus, Blaidd much preferred the diversity of the Torvus Empire.
However, just because it was home, didn’t mean Torvus was perfect. In the last generation, Kral Nox had reduced the Lupercalia to mere slaves, mining ore for his endless conquests. So, when fate presented the opportunity to aid Nameless and Serus in overthrowing their sire, nothing was going to get in the way. Blaidd would willingly travel to the ravaged moons of Phobos for a chance at that honor.
“HELLo MISter and MIS KLEIn. HelLO,” Nameless practiced the human language.
Nameless didn’t sound too bad, though he wasn’t as good as Serus, who spoke human English fluently. Both twins bested Blaidd in that department. No matter how much he practiced, there was no way he’d ever sound human. It was simple biology. It grated that the humans didn’t wear translators. Harper said her people spoke numerous languages, so it only made sense to use a language implant or ear cuff.
Primitive people, Blaidd grumbled with a shake of his head, remembering the human’s lack of technology was to blame for the language barrier. What sort of backward people haven’t met other races?
Blaidd stopped mid-stride when the door to Harper’s parlor abruptly opened. Two humans stood stunned in the door.
“Harper!” The female suddenly screamed.
I guess we don’t need to go find Harper’s family. Blaidd recognized and scented the resemblance in the older male and female.
A small ball of fur jumped out of the mother’s arms and raced forward, excited to see Harper. Her mother did the same.
“Is this your pet?” Blaidd asked, bending down to check out the creature.
Instantly the four-legged beast skidded to a halt, and Blaidd realized what he’d done. He was supposed to remain silent till Harper was able to introduce him to her parents. Not only had humans never met other breeds, they were scared of the concept.
Koyat'g fate, Blaidd cursed when the humans also froze upon hearing his voice, and the yappy beast took off for the open door.
“Milo,” Harper called after the fleeing creature. “Mom, Dad, I need you to relax. Dammit, Blaidd. This is already turning into a cluster fuck.”
“I’ll make it up to you. I’ll go track down your pet,” Blaidd rumbled as he headed out the door.
Blaidd knew he fouled up. The least he could do was track down the beast, while Harper had her reunion with her clan. He had the best sense of smell and hunting skills. It would hardly pose a challenge, even though it was past dusk.
“Blaidd, get back here,” Nameless yelled.
“I knew it. I knew it. He’s going to end up in the dog pound or something,” Blaidd heard Harper declare, as he ducked around the building, following the Milo creature.
Blaidd didn’t know what the dog pound was, but if he could survive in the Hold, he could certainly manage on Earth.
Vivian
Vivian knew by the way Steve slammed the door it hadn’t been a good day down at the precinct. The question was, how bad? Vivian plated up dinner and headed to the table.
“Don’t be stupid. Stick that back on the stove. It’ll be cold by the time I get out of the shower. Jesus, Vivian!” Steve didn’t even bother to look at her, as he headed down the hall.
Two years. No - two years, one month, and seventeen days, they’d been married.
And it was two years, one month, and seventeen days too many. She should have seen the signs when they were dating, but Steve had been on his best behavior, and things happened so fast.
Hindsight’s a hundred percent, Vivian thought as she stuck the steak and baked potato back in the oven.
At first, she mistook the way Steve showered her with attention for the all-consuming crush that all relationships start with. After all, she’d been head over heels for him. It was thrilling and flattering that the intensity didn’t abate after dating for a month. Steve wasn’t a couch surfing bum. He was strong, handsome, and had an honorable job on the force, and he couldn’t get enough of her. When they were in the honeymoon phase, it was cute the way he showed up at her job to take her to lunch. It was exciting when he convinced her to stay home for a romp in the hay, rather than going out with her friends and family. Maybe that’s why she agreed to move in the second month, and to get married the third. Vivian didn’t have a clue, till Steve slapped her the first time. But by then it was too late.
I was so stupid.
“What the fuck, Vivian?”
Vivian jumped hearing his voice behind her. Steve stood, pointing at the empty table, still wearing his uniform.
“I’m sorry. I thought you wanted to take a shower first.” Vivian quickly scrambled to pull everything back out of the oven, nearly burning herself.
“I’m tired, Vivian. I’m not in the mood to go around and round with you. Not tonight.”
Vivian silently nodded as she took his plate to the table, along with a cold beer. Steve proceeded to cut into his steak, so Vivian sat and followed suit. She held her breath when he set his beer down with a thud.
“You’re not even going to ask me about the promotion, are you?”
I can already guess how the promotion went.
“It’s nice to know I’m out busting my ass, while you sit around here watching soap operas, and you can’t even pretend to take an interest,” Steve ranted.
Well, I used to care, but no matter what I say it’s wrong. And I’d work, if you hadn’t insisted I stay home, so we could try to build a family. Vivian’s chin quivered at the thought. She’d been pregnant once, but lost the baby. The memory was too horrific to relive.
“I didn’t know they were announcing that today,” Vivian replied, not sure what else to say.
“You wouldn’t believe the bitch they picked,” Steve growled.
She knew it pissed Steve off that he didn’t get the promotion. There was nothing he wanted more than to work his way up to captain on the force. The fact he wasn’t selected, was a double-edged sword. On one hand, Steve was going to be unbearable for weeks. On the other, Vivian didn’t need him pulling any more weight down at the police department.
Vivian wasn’t a masochist. She’d looked for ways to get free of her marriage, but her husband held sway with his fellow officers. He’d hunt her down, and then her life really would be a living hell.
“I’m sorry, sweetie.”
Vivian startled when Steve surged to his feet, knocking over his chair.
“I really don’t need your fucking pity.” He slammed his hands down on the table, making the beer dump over into his plate.
“I’ll get you another plate,” Vivian quickly said, as she jumped up.
“I’m fully capable of doing it my own damn self, but I’ve lost my appetite.”
Steve grabbed Vivian’s arm to stop her, as she headed for the kitchen.
“Steve!” Vivian cried in pain when he wrenched her shoulder out of the socket.
“Seriously?” He yelled. “If anyone should be crying, it should be me. I have the worst fucking day, and what do I come home to - this!” He kicked the table, as he painfully gripped her arm. “Are you trying to kill me with this slop?”
Vivian cringed as his hand came toward her face.
Blaidd
“Where are you, you cowardly little trouble maker?”
Blaidd worked his way through the underbrush, following the scent of Harper’s pet. The little beast fled into the yard several dwellings away. Blaidd moved beneath a window, then paused when he heard the angry voice from within.
“You are fucking worthless. The steak’s overcooked, the green beans taste bland, and you couldn’t even bother to take your lazy ass to the store to get sour cream for the potatoes.”
Each angry word was punctuated by a thud and cry. Blaidd scented blood. He stood up and looked through the window. What he saw instantly made his blood boil. On the floor, a female cowered, as a human male struck her repeatedly.
Blaidd didn’t think twice before launching himself through the glass window. The human male screamed in surprise, sounding more like the female he was beating. The tiny woman lay with her arm hanging at an odd angle, a busted lip, and swollen eye. Her scent of abject fear overwhelmed Blaidd, short circuiting any rational thought. Blaidd tore into the pathetic excuse for a male, flaying his skin open with a slice of his claws. He struck again, then again, then again. Any male that abused females didn’t deserve mercy. When the red haze lifted, Blaidd stood in a pool of blood and gore.
“Koyat’g fate,” he growled.
Blaidd gingerly approached the female. She stared up at him, her mouth moving, but he couldn’t make out what she was saying. She didn’t flinch, though her fear spiked when he knelt by her side.
“He did it,” she murmured. “He finally broke my mind.” Her eyes swung to what was left of the male who abused her. She then focused on Blaidd. “I have to stop watching that TV show, Teen Wolf. Derek?” She babbled.
Blaidd reached out, and the female attempted to scramble back.
“No. I don’t want to be a werewolf.”
“Calm female. I help.” Blaidd wished he’d done a better job picking up the human language Harper tried to teach them.
The tiny female’s head tilted at his words.
Blaidd was having an increasingly difficult time coping with the smell of her blood. He didn’t want to hurt her further, but she needed a medicus. Blaidd slid one arm beneath her legs and the other behind her back, then carefully lifted her. She cried out in pain. The sound tore at him. Blaidd adjusted her, so her broken arm rested over her chest.
There was suddenly a strident sound outside accompanied by flashing lights. Blaidd didn’t know what it meant, but he doubted it was a good portent. He leapt through the broken window, and headed away from the piercing sound. He didn’t slow till he reached the rear of Harper’s dwelling.
Blaidd looked down at the female. Her scent of fear had abated. Now, her eyes were filled with confusion and pain.
“Easy, pet, everything will be fine. I promise.”
Blaidd knew she couldn’t understand him, but he needed to reassure her anyway. For some reason, the delicate female ensnared him. He would’ve promised her the moons, just to ease the pain she radiated.
Vivian
“It’s going to be okay. My name’s Cheryl. I’m a doctor.”
Vivian blinked as she tried to focus on the kind older lady. Her left eye was swollen, making it hard to see, as Vivian looked around the unrecognizable living room filled with boxes. Vivian was out of it. She couldn’t quite recall how she wound up on some stranger’s couch.
Vivian glanced at the people standing at the far end of the dimly lit living room. Three of the men were tall enough to be professional basketball players. They towered over a young brunette woman, and an older man. Vivian couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but the way the tall hooded man gestured gregariously as he pointed Vivian’s way, it was obviously about her.
“What’s your name?” Cheryl asked, while she gently examined Vivian’s forearm.
Searing pain shot up her arm, making Vivian gasp. She took several deep breaths till the wave of dizziness and nausea passed.
“Easy. What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Vivian,” she replied when she found her voice. Vivian cringed as she spoke. Her jaw throbbed.
“Oh, honey, your lip’s bleeding again.” Cheryl held a towel up to Vivian’s split lip.
Vivian stared blankly at Cheryl, trying to piece together what happened.
“Oh, no,” Vivian exclaimed when she remembered Steve losing his temper.
She scrambled to get up, then froze as pain overwhelmed her. Vivian didn’t know how these people intervened, but Steve was going to be livid. As much as she appreciated their help, she couldn’t let them suffer his wrath.
“Relax. I’m pretty sure one or both bones in your forearm are broken.” Cheryl urged her to lay back down on the couch.
Broken! Oh, god. That means I’ll have to go to the ER. How can I possibly salvage this situation?
“You don’t understand,” Vivian stammered, as the gravity of the situation hit her.
Vivian heard a large dog growl when the gray-haired man approached the couch. The older man abruptly paused, looking alarmed.
“Shhh! What the hell is wrong with you?” The young brunette on the other side of the living room chastised.
Vivian glanced around, but the dog must have fled after being scolded.
The gray-haired man didn’t take another step, awkwardly glancing from the tall men to Cheryl.
“Um, darling, I need to speak with you for a moment,” he beckoned.
“Gerald, she needs to go to the hospital,” Cheryl insisted with a quiet hiss. The older woman nervously glanced from Vivian to the others as she stepped away.
“Hey. I’m Harper,” the young brunette woman greeted her. “These are my parents and friends.”
Vivian gave a slight nod to Harper and the men behind her. She recalled seeing Harper once or twice in the neighborhood, but they’d never met. Vivian didn’t like the way Harper looked at her with such pity. Vivian appreciated the sentiment, but it made her feel even more pathetic.
Vivian glanced at the three giant men shadowing Harper. They reminded her of secret service agents with their stiff stance. Two of the men looked like brothers. One was broader with black hair and stern pale blue eyes. The other’s eyes were darker, and he had platinum blonde hair. But it was the large guy in the oversized sweatshirt that captured her attention. Vivian couldn’t see his face beneath the hoodie, but for some reason she remembered him.
He’s the one who found me. How? Vivian hated that her brain was so rattled she couldn’t tease out what happened.
“He did what?” Cheryl exclaimed, as she looked toward the hooded man.
“Can you really blame him? Look at her.” Gerald frowned as he glanced at Vivian.
Vivian’s eyes widened, overhearing the comment.
“What happened?” Vivian asked Harper. “Please tell me your friend didn’t do something to Steve. This isn’t good. Oh, god. He’s a cop. No, no, no.”
Vivian did a piss poor job explaining the situation, while she continued to stare at the hooded man. Her heart hammered in her chest, as she recalled the shadow of the massive man in her dining room. Steve had his hands on her, and then suddenly her irate husband was gone.
He beat up Steve. A part of Vivian wanted to smile. Oh god the poor man could’ve been shot. Steve’s going to have him locked up for life.
The giant hooded man took several steps forward, seeing her panic.
“Blaidd, please stay back,” Harper insisted. The man, Blaidd, took another step, then stopped. “Vivian, try to relax. You’re in shock.”
“We really should get her to the hospital, and try to call someone,” Cheryl again insisted, looking frazzled.
“No!” Vivian replied in a panic, as she tried to get off the couch while cradling her broken arm.
“Okay. Okay,” Harper quickly interjected. “Mom, we need to take minute to figure out what’s going on.”
“Harper, you’ve been gone for so long. Then you bring home these, um, friends. And now this.” Cheryl’s hands fluttered as she looked from her daughter to the large men, then at Vivian. “I just can’t-,” her voice trailed off.
“I know. I’m sorry.” Harper hugged her mom.
Tears started to stream down Vivian’s face. This family obviously had their own thing going on. They didn’t need to deal with her bullshit on top of it.
There was a loud knock, and everyone in the room stopped moving as they looked toward the door.
“It’s him,” Vivian whispered in alarm.
“Dad, Mom, I need you to answer the door. Guys, help me with Vivian,” Harper said in a hushed voice.
“Thank you. Steve can’t find me here.” Vivian smiled appreciatively at Harper, even though it hurt her face.
“Don’t worry about Steve. We’ll sort this out,” Harper encouraged, as she tried to help Vivian off the sofa.
Vivian’s sore muscles were starting to cramp, and she faltered. Blaidd was suddenly at her side, his large arm supporting her back. He was frighteningly immense close-up. Vivian hated how she flinched at the abrupt movement.
Steve really did a number on me, and not just the physical wounds.
Vivian gratefully looked up at Blaidd, but his face was turned away, as they hustled down the hall.
“Thank you. You need to disappear. Steve will send you to jail for helping me.”
Blaidd snorted as he glanced her way, but said nothing more. Vivian caught a brief glimpse of his strong stubbled chin, and a pair of unusual golden-brown eyes, before he turned away.
“Here.” Harper pointed to a bare mattress and box spring, when they entered the spare bedroom. It looked like Harper was in the middle of moving.
Blaidd helped Vivian sit on the unmade bed. He paused, hovering over her.
“Thank you,” Vivian mumbled to Blaidd. She attempted to squeeze the hand that lingered on her shoulder, but Blaidd swiftly pulled it back and retreated.
Harper went to the window. When she pulled aside the curtain, the flashing lights from the squad car lit up the dim room like a terrifying strobe light.
“Yeah, it’s the authorities,” Harper whispered to the large man with black hair.
Vivian stared at the door, expecting Steve to barge in at any moment. She couldn’t help the tremors that wracked her body, as they waited quietly in the dim room. Every moment she hid only made things worse, but Vivian couldn’t bring herself to go out and face the music just yet.
A deep rumble captured Vivian’s attention. She looked to see Blaidd whispering to the others. His voice was so incredibly deep and gravelly, Vivian had a hard time understanding what he said.
“They’ll go away, then we’ll figure something out,” Harper hissed at Blaidd.
Blaidd grumbled something, as he gestured to Vivian. He clearly wasn’t happy.
He probably regrets getting involved.
“Blaidd, relax,” the blonde man whispered in a strange accent.
Blaidd
Blaidd kept his distance so he didn’t frighten the exotic little human, though everything in him gravitated toward Vivian. She looked so lost and alone, as she trembled with fear and pain. He’d seen species who shed tears, but none gripped him like this. The pain in his chest was crushing. He wanted to shelter her in his arms, and stroke her wavy sable hair, to console her.
How could anyone harm such a delicate creature?
Blaidd was staggered by Vivian’s concern for him, when she was the one injured. She thought Blaidd merely beat up her vile mate, and now feared the male would exact revenge. As touched as he was, her concern enraged Blaidd further. He didn’t know Vivian, but she didn’t deserve any of this. And she certainly didn’t need to add concern for him to her heavy burden.
It was reprehensible how this Steve brutalized his mate. Vivian was obviously a caring female, and not some shrew, though that shouldn’t matter. Blaidd thought about the female companions he had while in prison. Females were rare in the Hold, and those imprisoned tended to be the worst the fair sex had to offer. Many of them had murdered family or friends. Blaidd had never been foolish enough to turn his back on any of them. And though he’d been rough at times, he’d never been violent with a single one of them. Steve didn’t know the treasure he had. For that sin alone, the male deserved to die. If Vivian belonged to him, Blaidd would’ve worshipped at her tiny feet.
The thoughts gave Blaidd pause. His protective side had never been stirred like this by any female. Blaidd assumed it was just the tenuous situation that had him riled, but as he glanced at Nameless and Serus, he realized it was more than that. The males were several metra away, but still too close to Vivian for his liking. It was all he could do to repress the agitated rumble in his chest. He couldn’t believe he’d growled at Gerald in the parlor. The old male posed no real threat, but the snarl burst out before he could swallow it. Phaedra’s prophetic words sprang to mind, and Blaidd’s gaze swiftly darted back to Vivian.
Is she?
His confounded train of thought was instantly derailed when he saw Vivian’s condition. She was looking increasingly pale, as she clutched her arm. Harper’s mother was a medicus, and even she insisted Vivian needed to go to a clinic to be treated. Instead, they were hiding from the human authorities, while the petite female suffered. Blaidd wanted to snarl in rage.
“I don’t care about the human guards. Look at her,” Blaidd insisted.
“Hush, Blaidd. Dammit. I think someone’s coming,” Harper hissed as she listened at the door.
Serus and Nameless faced the door, ready to deal with the threat.
Blaidd was done fooling with this nonsense. Vivian needed attention NOW. He adjusted the setting on his remote limen, placed a hand on Vivian’s shoulder, then pressed the sensor.