Virgil's (PoV)
"You can't be serious. You can't go with these guys." James turned to look at the PA and then said in a whisper "they're scary as shit."
"Please don't, it can't be that important. You haven't been home for years why now. You're already starting to look like them." He was a little freaked out by my new clothes. I had to smile. He was right, I was doing the men in black thing too, but my version was way cooler.
When I walked in the front door James grabbed me in a huge hug. He had been waiting, not so patiently, for me to come home, his face looked haggard and it was obvious he'd had no sleep. The PA pushed our two man huddle further into the lounge room, accompanied by angry growling from Damien behind him. James stuck to my side like glue. The look on Damien's face was murderous. I'm not sure if he dislikes all humans or just James. He remained down stairs fuming while we went upstairs with Paul.
" I have to go home, family business problems." I was shoving underwear and anything else I thought I'd need into my backpack. "I've explained it all to Kevin, so just go along with me, cause I don't want him to worry. I will be back in a couple of days."
At that point The PA decided to pipe in, letting us know he could hear our conversation. "It will take about a week." I glared at him over James's shoulder. I'd wanted to soften the blow but apparently telling the truth was better. I also wanted Damien away from James as soon as possible. I truly hoped his threat was just him blustering.
"Fuck, seriously? Surely you can Zoom or something?" James sat down on the bed. He looked lost. "Who's the evil looking guy downstairs anyway. Your family business looks pretty shady if these guys are anything to go by. Thugs that drag people off in the middle of the night like in gangster movies. Especially that one downstairs, he acts like he owns you?"
"Virgil use to be mine." Came the growl from the door. We both jumped. "Are you going to be much longer? Our plane is waiting." James stared at Damien for a moment and then looked at me. Damien ignored James totally and tapped on his watch. He filled the entire door way. The perfect Lycan Alpha.
"But I thought I..." James's ego was the first to react but then the better man made an appearance. He stood up facing Damien across the small room. "In that case you didn't appreciate what a special person you had, otherwise he wouldn't have ended up on the street, alone and miserable." Damien took a step into the room and it suddenly shrunk.....four tense people...a small room...not a good thing. His face changed expressions a couple of times and landed on fierce, it was hard to know what he was thinking.
"I gave him financial support to make up for our unfortunate situation. He preferred the street to my help." Well I didn't expect that. I was very surprised that he shared that rather personal bit of information with James but it did have the desired effect. James didn't say anything else, just looked gobsmacked.
"I think I have everything." I looked around the room one more time. I was ready to leave. It had never occurred to me in the last two years how much I'd grown to love my little room and how much of a safe haven it had become. I looked at James, he had his flaws but I would do anything to keep him safe. I was going to miss him, his stupid jokes and his little dramas. I was determined to get back here as soon as possible. This place was home, he was my best friend.
We headed back downstairs and I was dreading saying goodbye, so I tried to make for the door as quickly as I could. Damien and Paul were outside already and I walked fast and waved to James as I went, not wanting to look back. But the bastard grabbed me. He pulled me back into his arms and kissed me hard and fast on the lips and then hugged me like I was never coming back. James always wore his emotions on his sleeve and I could see he was confused and sad. So many things had happened in the matter of a day and now I was leaving with a couple of weird guys, to go somewhere, to do something....he looked lost.
I pushed him away when I saw Damien getting out of the car. Trouble was brewing.
"I promise I will be home soon." I had time to give him another hug." Then I was grabbed by the arm and pushed into the car. Damien sat in the front with the driver. He leaned over with an angry sneer on his face. " Do that again in front of me and you'll regret it." He sniffed the air as if there was a bad smell in the car. "You reek of him again."
......
The flight was quite an experience. Damien hired a private plane to fly us down. All the way I was thinking what the hell is a guy like me doing drinking cocktails on a private plane. The Pure were wealthier than I thought. I felt like pinching myself to make sure I was really awake. Enough luggage was stowed away on the plane for a Rock Star and his entourage. If Damien was trying to impress, grudgingly I have to say, he succeeded.
A flash limousine picked us up from the airport. A stiff uniformed driver sat at the front and we sat at the back with a small bar and beautiful leather seats, all very posh. The PA sat in front of me. Damien was squashed as far as possible on the other side of me. His window open and blowing our hair everywhere. We were going to arrive looking like Muppets. I pulled up my hoodie.
Two hours on and we were heading for the The Pure compound. I never thought I would be making this trip again. The place only held bad memories for me.
"No one knows about The Alpha's trip to see you. As far as they are concerned he was in meetings in another state." I looked at Paul, 10 questions ready to roll out of my mouth but he held up a hand to stop me. "That includes his parents. You're arrival will obviously be a shock for some. The Alpha will take responsibility for explaining your presence. The less you say the better. Keep it polite and brief. He asks that you go along with what he says for the sake of keeping the peace. You will have your own suite. You will only be allowed to go out with either The Alpha or myself."
I was about to complain...but the hand went up. "No, you are not a prisoner. It is more for your safety." The hand went up when I opened my mouth again and I smacked it down. He's lucky he didn't get my fangs.
"I've heard that before when I was drugged for days and couldn't even remember my name." I was fuming. James was right I shouldn't have come.
"When we arrive you will go straight to your suite and shower and change. You reek of human. It's gets quite offensive after a while." Paul scrunched up his nose.
"I like smelling like James. So...up yours." I gave him the middle finger for good measure and rubbed my face on my sleeve just to annoy them. "Mmmm....lovely." It actually was. I could still smell James' cologne on me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Damien's jaw clenching. He continued to stare straight ahead. He opened the window a bit more to make his point.
"We have arranged to meet the Chapel Guardian tomorrow. He will have to know what is going on but he will be the only other person who will be kept in the loop." Paul turned to me. "Any questions?"
"Yes, why am I back...it would help having an idea what I'm walking into."
"I will be telling my parents and any of The Pure who have the courage to ask me to my face, that you contacted me and informed me out of courtesy that as you have come of age you have returned home temporarily to find a mate. You're planning to be here for a short time and then you will be leaving with or without a mate. That should keep them happy....the part that you are leaving in particular will make them happy." Damien made it sound so reasonable. "In turn out of courtesy to my ex-mate I arranged for you to be flown here and offered you accommodation at the compound while you visit."
"People know me well enough not to push their luck by asking me personal questions. We will keep our distance and hopeful the Guardian will come up with a quick and efficient way to end our problems."
.....
The PA lead me to a room that instantly looked familiar. I felt my heart start to race the minute I walked in. I felt the pain start tightening my chest. Paul instantly came to my side and wrapped a strong arm around my waist. "What's the matter? What's brought this on." I was gasping for air and could only just get a few words out. "I've been....here....before." A blurry patch work of memories came back to me in a flood and all the feelings associated with them, the fear, confusion, the terrible heat and yearning for my mate and the pain...the terrible pain.
He yelled for the servants who had been carrying in the suite cases to get out...now. They looked shocked, frozen on the stop for a moment before turning and bolting out the door like scared rabbits. With his free hand he called someone on his mobile. I was zoning out quickly, the pain was suddenly rushing through my arms and legs and I could my breath was threading. I felt myself going backwards into the darkness. I was only just vaguely aware that the door flew open and Damien rushed in. He picked me up in one move. The PA was on the phone again rushing out of the room.
When I woke up I had an oxygen mask on my face. "I'm sorry it never occurred to me that you would remember this room. That it would affect you this way." Damien was leaning over me and a young nurse was rolling up my sleeve, then I felt the prick of a needle.
"I'm moving you straight away to my rooms. Just rest." What ever was in the needle she gave me sent me off with the fairies. As a comeback entrance it was rubbish.
Readers...I'd love a comment if you've actually read this story all the way through. Do I need more of that and less of this. I'd appreciate any fee back.