Lessons to unlearn
~
Accalia
~
"My brothers, are they here?"
So soft he sounded, so becoming of what lurked within. He attacked Cadence, took her blood as a life source and would have killed her if he wasn't stopped.
Gangly with red-rimmed eyes and a citadel of tallness, he was nothing short of breathtaking in the worst way possible.
Rexton Fenris was standing in front of Nina and Accalia like he could do no wrong. Donning an aged attire and blood painting him — Cadence's blood.
Accalia couldn't falter the heartstrings that shifted inside her. He looked like he had been through hell and back, taking a part of him only to return with an outer shell.
And he couldn't be stopped as he stepped through the threshold of the house, his footing reeling the women back.
Accalia concluded how weak she was quickly, how strength and power such as him wouldn't compare to her hunter skill set. She would be crushed against his strength.
Nina could take him on, but with her petite frame and the fear drilling through those green eyes, Accalia doubted as much.
The suggestion of steadiness filtered through Accalia's head amidst the chaos and she gently asked, "You're Rexton. Rexton Fenris, aren't you?"
She got his attention with a snap of the head, nodding desperately at her and she sheathed a knife she had behind her back to her side pocket. Attempting to fight him would only lead to death.
Rexton looked relieved, gently closing his eyes and nodding. "Yes, miss, I am."
When the Fenris manor dinged with knocks on the front door, Accalia knew Cole had come to finish her off. Her days of healing had run its course and she would be left with no way to survive. No way to fight this out. Cole had returned to claim his prize.
Nina comforted her in the fact it wasn't him, there was no smell of a lycan she could detect, but even then, in the grand scheme of things, the bloodstained boy wasn't what Accalia expected to cross paths with when she opened the door.
"I don't want to hurt anyone," Rexton whispered, shifting his head around to take everything in and for a split second, Accalia believed him. "I wish to find my brothers."
"You already hurt someone," Accalia informed him, her back tickling with anticipation and the notion of how weaker she would become if he made a move. She wouldn't mistake his lanky form for weakness and she wouldn't ignore the blood on his shirt. He can't be underestimated.
Rexton paused, his head shifting up and cloudiness hazed those eyes. "She was here, the girl I drank from ... I didn't mean to harm her. I pray no pain lingers with her ..."
Accalia wished the same for Cadence.
But why did he want the same for her? A creature such as him, stalking the earth, how could he find it so easy to lie with such conviction? Perhaps the trait of vampirism? The ease to lie to garner trust and then betray it for blood.
"You're a relative of hers. I can sense it. She's close with you," Rexton came toward Accalia in a few strides and his eyes became haunted, like a ghost latching onto him. "Can you tell her I am sorry? Will you?"
Nina came between them and she raised her hands to mean no harm. "Back up a little."
Rexton squeezed his eyes shut and nodded continuously. "I wish to see my brothers. You two ... you and you are connected to them. Mated."
"I'm Nina and this is Accalia," Nina gestured to the both of them, not offering a hand but an easy-going smile.
"I am Rexton," He cleared his throat and scanned the area, brows furrowing at every detail of the house. "What is that?"
He pointed to a rectangular object and Accalia suppressed a laugh.
"That's a television. You can watch — er, movies and tv shows." She answered, awkwardly.
"What are they?"
Accalia looked to Nina for help.
"A performance that you can see through a screen," Nina responded airily.
Rexton looked bewildered at the explanation, but his focus changed as he brushed his hands along his clothes and he paled. "I apologise for the—the blood. I did not mean ..."
Accalia's breathing shallowed. "Would you like a change of clothes?"
Rexton's lips thinned into a smile and gave her a nod, his tousled hair curtaining over his familiar eyes. "Thank you."
Accalia turned and pulled Nina into her, whispering into her ear, "I'm going to give Lycus a call and get Rexton a change of clothes."
Nina's face contorted into refusal, gripping Accalia hard enough to make her stay. "I know I'm a lycan, but what on earth am I supposed to do with him? What if he bites me?"
Accalia looked back to Rexton who was immersed in the chandelier above him, counting the crystals with his forefinger.
Accalia fumbled for a response and she hastily blurted, "Offer him cereal. Kids like that stuff."
___
"You shouldn't have thrown him out the window, Rexton." Gabriel scolded.
Accalia couldn't get to her feet fast enough, but she swore she could feel the impact Lycus took when he was thrown out the living room window.
Nina's jaw was near the floor in shock and she clutched her stomach.
Tala ran to the window, peeking her head out. "Cadence is laughing at him — he's fine though," Tala stated.
Rexton with his fingers and his mouth opened, quickly closing. Did he recognise his strength? Did Lycus?
"Rexton, it's fine—he should have kept his mouth shut," Gabriel came close to him and gripped his arm in a reassuring squeeze.
"Erm, Gabriel," Tala spun around to the Alpha and pointed behind her. "Lycus is shifting."
Accalia tiredly sighed and staggered outside before everyone else, every shard of pain slicing into her back with a silent hiss.
Lycus should have shut his mouth, he shouldn't have suggested putting Rexton back in the coffin.
Shortly after Lycus left with the hunters, the healers came and restitched the wound Accalia tore open. They informed her it would be wise to not move too much, to rely on the source of her mate and vessel herself to him. Accalia remained perplexed by that, all she knew of their bond was whatever they felt separately, they felt it together.
Slamming the door open with a bang, Accalia stepped outside and shook her head at the sight.
"Shoot him if you have to," Accalia called to her brother who had a gun pointed directly at the back of Lycus's beastly head. "Maybe it will teach him a lesson."
Lycus's other side never ceased to scare Accalia. He was terrifying to the eye and the curse was designed to invoke that for everyone around him.
It felt so long ago now the last time she saw him, tearing bodies apart in pursuit to make her stay with him. She rolled her shoulders back uncomfortably at the memory.
A savage beast cascaded in a dark storm of fur, harsh as lighting with century old scars and a snarling wolffish head took in his surroundings like a rabid dog.
He hadn't been out in a while.
Cadence and Erisa had their weapons drawn, sticking close to Tristan whose hand was close to taking the shot.
Accalia stepped across the deck, cautioning herself to see how far she could go to reach him and Lycus's head snapped to her, canines baring.
And he came at her, furry arms ready to latch around her and take her far away from this place.
A gunshot went off and a shadow descended over Accalia, a shield in front of her.
It was Rexton, the bloodstained hybrid in search of his brothers that didn't hesitate to lurch Lycus away from Accalia.
"Enough of this!" Gabriel growled to the two, coming to the threshold of the door.
Lycus didn't take the fall and mounted on his hind legs, black eyes locking on his brother like he was an enemy.
An arm hooked around Accalia and she swayed to see Nina holding her up, jade orbs reeling in sincerity. "Accalia, are you alright?"
"What's going on with him?" Accalia questioned, puzzled. Since being scratched, Lycus was more impulsive than usual, hurting Cadence and now Rexton.
"Everything, I think," Nina responded faintly.
Rexton and Lycus came head to head.
The youngest brother made the first move and launched himself at Lycus to take him to the ground.
It was a long time coming. Every ounce of rage brewing from being held in that coffin with no one to see, no one to talk to, resurfaced in a mighty tidal wave, waiting to crush anything in its path.
The first punch was thrown, then again and again.
Accalia searched for Gabriel and there was no hiding the disappointment worn on his face, but it was a familiar strain of disappointment.
Blood spluttered out of the beast's mouth, painting his canines red and Lycus threw Rexton off him.
No one could do anything but watch. Tala had a face stricken with anger, wanting to defend her Alpha, but she remained near the door. How could she help him when he could barely help himself?
Cadence, Tristan and Erisa leant by the tree trunks, tucking their weapons away and marvelling at the movie being performed.
In his inhuman presence, Lycus got to his feet and latched his hand around Rexton's throat, impaling his skin with claws.
Lycans, the commanders of wars and bloodshed, and the hunters, to bring forth blood and silver — that made sense. Not brother pitted against brother. Not an older brother clenching his little's brother's neck and looking ready to rip it apart.
"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Accalia seethed.
Lycus froze, looking over Rexton's shoulder and there it was, that fraction of humanity she got to see within him whenever he showed it. His cursed onyx eyes faded into amber, but it wasn't enough.
"You," Accalia pointed a finger at Lycus, her anger bubbling enough to want to punch him again. "Are not putting Rexton back in the coffin, you had no right to do that — I do not care what secrets you have for doing so."
Lycus bared his large canines at her, his furry chest heaving heavily and his claws slowly retracted out of Rexton's skin.
Rexton fell to his feet, catching himself and coughing for air. The claw marks healed away, but the blood remained. Despair tormented that boyish face and he stumbled back from Lycus, wiping both his eyes and neck with a shaky hand, fingers trembling against his skin.
"If you cared to notice, Rexton was fine when he was around me and Nina. Then as soon as you get back, you make things worse. That's all you're good for Lycus!" Accalia spat, disgraced by him.
The beast grunted, snout dripping blood and leered his dark orbs at Accalia.
Accalia stood still, spine straighter than before and resisted the urge to snap a spiteful comment. She didn't want to rattle the cage further.
"I'm not going back," Rexton muttered to himself, walking aimlessly around and keeping his distance from everyone around him.
"You're not Rexton," Gabriel said sternly, stepping down the deck and coming to ward him. "I won't let him. I won't let anyone."
Rexton froze in place and all he said was, "You did before."
Gabriel's face fell and he sent a scathing leer in Lycus's direction. "Leave now, Lycus and don't come back till you calm down!"
Surprisingly, Lycus's legs retreated, beckoning Accalia another glance before jumping onto all fours and allowing the forest to take him body and soul.
Cadence made a point of dodging Rexton who stilled his attentive stare on her, burning a hole on the side of her head as she stalked over to Accalia.
Would this be guilt? Accalia wondered, but the question diminished as Cadence skipped the stairs and hurdled toward her.
Gabriel gripped Rexton's shoulders and led him back into the house.
"What the hell was that about?" Cadence asked, digging her hands in her jeans pockets.
Accalia rolled her eyes, bumping her shoulder with hers and said, "Want to rub it in?"
"Why not?" Cadence baited.
"When you got kicked out of the house for your temper, Lycus who didn't even pay any attention to Rexton since he saw him implied they should confine him again. That was the first thing that came out of his mouth after seeing his brother in over a century and Rexton lost it."
And rightfully so, Accalia believed. She couldn't imagine what it must have been like for him. She couldn't envision Tristan or Cadence doing that to her. Betrayed by your older brothers in the worst way imaginable and for what reason? Why did Lycus and Gabriel have to do this?
"I'm not against the idea."
Accalia craned her neck at Cadence, not surprised by her words. "You want revenge, don't you?"
"Like you do with Cole Canus? Yes, Accalia, I do. And don't try to change my mind on it because it's not happening. First chance I get ..." Cadence trailed off and she didn't have to explain herself for Accalia to know what she was implying.
"Is there going to be a war?" Cadence questioned, changing the subject.
Accalia bristled, her hairs sticking up like she had another brush with death. "There's been too many occurrences. You with Melina, that wolf who wanted to attack me and then ... Cole. When those wolves were slaughtered—"
"I didn't tell you, did I?"
"Tell me what?"
Cadence cringed, eyes closing. "Alexene was the one that did that. As revenge for what Lycus did to her people."
Before Accalia had a moment to delve deeper, Tristan and Erisa came their way, silencing their conversation into whispers.
"It's nearly nighttime." Erisa pointed out, coming to Cadence's side. "Where are we gonna crash?"
The skies had become gloomy and dark, a hue of grey arraying that could bring a thunderstorm.
"You guys can stay here," Accalia confirmed and it didn't go unnoticed how they grew taunt in shoulders from the offer. "Just for the night. You can't drive back now, it's getting late and Nina made tomato soup earlier today."
An arm lounged across her shoulders and Tristan pulled her into him. "I'll stay over, sissy. Thanks for the invite."
"Fine," Cadence mumbled, disgruntled with the arrangements. "We'll stay in the room I was sleeping in. I hope Lycus won't have a problem with it."
——
Cadence debated whether to slit his throat now or wait him out.
It could be quick, just slice the silver across his throat and be done with it. Watching him bleed out would be gratifying for the huntress, thrilling even.
The hybrid slumbered away on the couch, his long frame sprawling and his feet dangled over the end of it. The turtle neck he was wearing snugged over his chin and his long eyelashes crested against his high cheekbones so delicately, that he looked ordinary.
The more Cadence watched him, his chest heaving up and down at a steady pace, slight coos echoing out of his mouth and tousled hair falling over his forehead, she found herself more prone to want to hurt him.
Cadence couldn't tell herself how long she had been standing by the door, watching him for what seemed like an eternity. Time had faded, but her threats had not. Every passing second seemed to bloom into a rose with thorny sides, ready to prick anyone that came at her.
Cadence felt the hybrid's stare throughout the day, it followed her with every move and it would haunt her dreams. Another piece of anguish he gifted her.
Shortly after everyone had eaten Nina's tomato soup, which was deliciously filling, everyone had retired to bed. Gabriel had the hybrid by his side the entire time, ensuring no conversing with hunters occurred or rather, Cadence got too close to him.
Tala left quickly, having to check with patrolling and to make sure warriors were at their posts.
Tristan was catching up with Accalia and Erisa was already in Cadence's old room, sleeping these past few days away.
Lycus hadn't come back yet and Cadence wasn't in the slightest bothered by it.
"Shouldn't you be in bed, Cadence?" A voice smoked around her and she spun on her heel.
Gabriel offered her a smile she didn't return and she turned back around to face the enemy. "I'm not tired."
Gabriel leant against the doorframe, tilting his head to the side in regard. "Your need for revenge will tire you more than you realise."
Cadence crossed her arms, her muscles tensing from the proximity she had with the Alpha, but he didn't seem bothered by her. A fusion of calmness and acceptance.
"My revenge will reward me." Cadence snarled.
"With what?"
"Justice."
Gabriel stepped into the living room, a barricade to all Cadence craved and turned to face her, eyes heating into bluish flames. "He will feel guilty for what he did, perhaps he already does."
Cadence's lips curved into a wild smirk. "I don't care for guilt, it solves nothing in the long run."
Gabriel chanced Cadence a knowing stare, so deep in its midst, it was difficult to look away from. The Alpha had that penetrating aura around him no one could ignore, a force to be reckoned with.
"In the original Fenris pack, Rexton was seen as the runt, the defect — the one my father grew to resent. Rexton wanted to please others, wanted to seek approval and wanted acceptance from the wolves around him. For his differences, he felt the need to apologise for it."
A sob story ... Cadence mulled over Gabriel's confession with a toothy grin and considered throwing a dagger at him for it. Whatever he was playing at, trying to search a matter deeper than what Cadence gave, it would only go so far.
"Spare me, lycan, I'm not Accalia." Cadence drawled lazily, "I don't see the humanity within others."
"Spare yourself, Cadence."
The silver clinging to her side burned her to the core and her neck followed through with the same ache. Not tonight.
Gabriel would protect Rexton as Cadence would with Accalia, Erisa and Tristan. He will be the hybrid's shield.
Cadence mockingly placed her hands up with a loose shrug. "Don't worry, I'll spare dearest Rexton Fenris. Night, Gabriel."
Cadence steered back with a curled lip, fighting back the bundling urge to lunge and clambered upstairs with so much defeat, that she was certain she would scream.
The familiar narrow and windy halls were nothing short of endless. Dimly lit, floorboards creaky enough to set her on edge, Cadence pondered on how Lycus could stay in this manor.
Cadence opened the door to her old room and was greeted by the wind ushering in a cool breeze that made her shiver.
Erisa was curled into a ball on the bed, her black hair splaying around her and the moon's light paled her skin.
Stalking to the window, Cadence caught a glimpse of a dark figure prowling through the lining of trees, his beastly form a sight to behold as he exuded tides of power and dominance that couldn't be conquered against any other Alpha lycan.
How Rexton was able to lay in punches and make Lycus bleed, Cadence failed to understand.
The lycan ruffled his snout into the earth, his ears turning in direction to wherever the wind danced and he rose to his hind legs, growing mightier.
Cadence couldn't imagine outrunning a creature like that, you simply wouldn't be able to get the chance unless they grant you it.
The primal epitome of a monster that should not be.
I freed him to save my people, Cadence raggedly sighed, feeling her eyes lids swell with tiredness. One way or another, this has to be my fault.
Closing the window with a gentle nudge, torment played at Cadence like a game of tag and she couldn't help but think she was on the losing side.