Stella
“NO! Rick! Dammit, Rick, come back!” Stella screamed as she thrashed in his bed back in his home.
Stella felt like her throat had been ripped from her chest. As she started to calm down, she looked down to find herself still clothed in Rick’s shirt, with her bra and panties still in place. A brief moment of doubt danced in her mind, but Stella shut it down. She knew what she had experienced with Rick had been real. He was alive and well, living in a studio apartment somewhere.
She needed to physically find him. Reaching out to him was great, but it wasn’t getting her closer to finding him in person. Whoever was against them knew exactly where he was and had ripped them apart, and for some reason didn’t want them being together.
Stella got out of bed and pulled her jeans on, not bothering to change her shirt. Having his scent near her helped her stay focused and calm. There was somebody she knew who knew where Rick was, or at least how to figure it out. Stella was done playing games. She set out to find Grandma.
As much as Stella didn’t want to cause a scene, she found Grandma at Jasper and Emma’s. Not only was she there, but Austin and Kate were as well. Stella didn’t have time to wait. She needed answers. She barged in the door and followed their voices to the kitchen.
“Grandma, I need to speak with you,” she said in lieu of a greeting.
“Mom? You alright? You look a little crazy,” Emma said.
“Just a bit. Grandma, a word?” she said again more sternly.
Grandma didn’t budge, but she looked over Stella thoughtfully. Stella was sure she was sizing her up and trying to decide what her mental state was.
“Dammit, Grandma, I don’t have time for games. She’s out there, and she’s going to win! She’s going to win before I even figure out the damn game! Tell me!”
“What are you talking about, Stella?” Austin asked, holding his hand up to stop Emma from moving closer to Stella.
“Rick. She knows where he’s at or at least where to find him. I’ve been on a stupid freaking scavenger hunt, and I’m sick of it. Every time I get close, he gets ripped away from me.”
“Is this true, Grandma? Do you know where Rick is?” Austin said, turning to the older woman who still hadn’t said a word.
‘Well?” Stella yelled.
“Wait, what did you mean by you had gotten close to him?” Jasper asked, walking around to stand next to Stella.
Everybody’s questions were annoying her and causing her panic to increase. The longer she wasted explaining herself, the more time Rick was left alone. Grandma continued to stare at her as if waiting for her to say the right thing.
“Stella, answer Jasper,” Austin commanded.
Stella still didn’t answer anybody. She kept her eyes locked on Grandma.
“Tell me where my mate is!” she yelled, washing away all of her previous doubts. One thing she was one hundred percent certain of was that Rick was hers.
“He’s mine. Rick is mine, and you know where he is or how I can find him. Now you’re going to tell me. I don’t care who it is you’re afraid of, if she comes between Rick and me one more time, I’m going to hunt her down and kill her myself,” Stella said, passionately feeling the rage inside her build.
Then Grandma smiled. She stood up from where she had been sitting, and walked over to Stella. Taking both of Stella’s hands in hers, she took a deep breath and then blew into Stella’s face. Stella’s initial reaction was to step back, but Grandma gripped her hands tighter and held her in place, continuing to blow on her face.
Magic started to spread inside of Stella. When Grandma finally released her, she took a step back. She stumbled for a moment before Jasper reached out to steady her.
“What did you do?” Emma asked her grandmother.
“I gave your mother my power. She is now your healer. I’ve grown tired and old.”
“I don’t want to be a healer. I just want Rick. You’re supposed to help me!” Stella threw her hands up as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“You have the power to help yourself. I’m too old to fight your foe. You, your pack, this is your fight. Stella, you have watched me heal and use my powers for years. Do not doubt yourself,” Grandma said, looking somehow older.
Stella took in the woman who had been her friend and confidante for so many years. The only person who knew all of her sorrows, and celebrated her joys. There was no way Stella would ever be able to fill her shoes, but she was determined to try. Grandma had chosen her, and Stella would not let her down.
“I can do this,” she said, taking Grandma’s hands, and then moving in to embrace her lifelong friend.
“My darling, there is no doubt in my mind. Now, you must know the truth about Rick; you all do. It’s the only way you can truly be prepared for what is to come.”