Unedited.
Embry POV.
The sun is shining in through the window when I open my eyes. My hand stenches out to find my nights source of comfort. The emptiness hits my heart as soon as my brain catches on to the fact that he is not here. He's gone. Cyrus is not here.
I roll over to look at the empty space next to me and trace my hand over the spot that he laid in. I miss him already. Last night, was quite the emotional roller coaster for me and my mate held my hand during the ride. For what seems like the first time since we met,
Cyrus was there for me.
Last night events really have got to me. When Claire passed out my heart dropped, literally fell out of my chest down onto the floor. There was this bizarre feeling that I can't even begin to explain. I felt like I have met my long-lost sister, began to bond with her and then suddenly her life was snatched away. The connection I feel with Claire is that strong.
I mean Claire is.... Well, she's... she's a lot of things. Claire is brave, beautiful, bold but most importantly, she's something special. I've never encountered anyone like her and I don't think I ever will. Claire is that special.
The entire experience with her scared the crap out of me. I was a mess maybe even a little overly dramatic. Luckily for me, Cyrus decided to take care of me. My beloved was very attentive. He gave me a shoulder to cry on without me even knowing why I was crying at all.
He whispered sweet and assuring promises into my ear and I couldn't help but to soak up every second. I needed him. I felt like I couldn't breathe and my mate was my air. He proved that he could be what I want, or more like what I need. I miss him already.
Our little moment was perfect but it was just that. A little moment and I have learned my lesson when my mate is involved. I will not give in that quickly. I can't sit here and pretend that I'm not already head over hills for him because I am, but I know better than giving into my true heart's desire.
No matter, how much my heart aches for him and trust me when I say my heart aches. It aches. My heart is bleeding love for my mate.
There is a constant sting that lingers, even right now. I can feel my heart breaking. There is a crack in the middle. The pieces will never be put back together again into my mate claims me the right way. Other than that, I'm screwed or better yet, I'm doomed because I'll never be complete into I have him.
Why does our relationship have to be so complicated? It feels like a never-ending storm, though it's a beautiful storm. Cyrus and I together are a beautiful disaster.
I lie in bed for a little longer before finally deciding to get out of bed, just in time to catch Gutter Butter strolling right in. The door is still broke thanks to my bipolar mate. It's things like that which prevents me from fully trusting him. He's too unpredictable.
"Hello gorgeous," greets Gutter Butter as he walks in carrying a tray of what looks likes a nice hearty breakfast. "I hope that you're hungry,"
Gorgeous? Okay, I really don't know what that's all about, but I'll go with it because he's carrying my heart on a tray? Food.
"Hello handsome," I greet back, while snatching one of the home fries off the plate with a big smile on my face. "Um mm these are delicious," I moan. How can fried potatoes taste this good? Actually, they're great!
"I figured that you would like them," says Gutter, while placing the tray down onto the table in front of the window. "Shall we," he asks as if he's going to eat with me. The very idea is laughable. He's a vampire.
Vampires don't eat good food, they rather feast on your blood, I think. At least Cyrus didn't eat breakfast we me back at my dream house. He just sat quietly and watch me demolish my food like the starved beast that I can be.
"We," I question him while lifting an eyebrow.
"Yes we," he explains, while taking a seat. "Vampires like to eat human food as well, Embry," he explains with an eye roll. "Besides, you're on room arrest, so I figured that I'll feed you and then bother you too death,"
"Plus, you owe me after that little stunt you pulled yesterday and I figured it would be best to discuss payment over some breakfasts. Don't you agree?"
"Yes," I agree, while taking a seat even though I don't have the slightest clue about what he's talking about. In all honesty, I'm only agreeing because there is no way that I'm turning down food. So if I have to pretend to listen to him, just to chow. I'm down.
I take a seat and waste no time diving in, I didn't realize how hungry I was into a take a huge bite of the French-toast that's soaked in cinnamon and topped with some thick white sugary powder. Gosh, this is so good. Very, delicious! Vampires really are great cooks, seriously. As expected Gutter Butter doesn't eat he is just sitting here quietly, watching me. However, I have no complaints if watching me give my stomach a party suits him then so be it. He can watch.
"You wolves have such the appetite," he voices his disapproval of my table manners without really voicing his disapproval.
"You vampires sure can cook," I ignore his insult with a smile, before licking some cinnamon syrup off my finger. Gutter shakes his head in disapproval and then take of sip of his drink that smells like coffee and blood.
Coffee and blood, gross!
"Well we can't argue there," he tells me, before placing his mug back down. "So how was your meeting with the Golden Hair Chosen. I heard that human is something else,"
"She is," I answer right away. Do you see what I mean? Everyone who is anyone seems to be interested in Claire. "She's a nice girl," I add in, while popping another home fry into my mouth.
"You're the first person to say that," Gutter advises with a smirk. "My comrades swears that girl is a walking death trap. I thought I had it bad with protecting a she-wolf," he explains and I can't help but to roll my eyes. "Apparently, I'm lucky. Commander Vlad is the one, who really got to sleep with one eye open. I wouldn't want to be him,"
"Who's Commander Vlad," I question. I have no idea who's he talking about.
"A highly ranked soldier, who will soon be on the bottom of the food chain. Thanks to that Golden Hair Chosen human girl," he expresses while taking another sip of his coffee and blood. Yuck, that is so gross.
Suddenly, an idea pops into my head. "Can you take me to see her, " I ask. "Claire, I asked Cyrus. I mean King Cyrus," I quickly correct myself. I don't know if Cyrus would like to hear that I didn't utilize his tittle appropriately, not that I really care. It's just I rather not argue over stupid things right now and we all know that my mate just loves to pick fights.
"No," answer Gutter Butter flat out. "What part of you're on room arrest do you not understand?You almost got me killed twice since you have become my charge," he says before suddenly appearing to be lost in his own thoughts. "You know what? I take that back. Commander Vlad and I are most certainly in the same boat," he says with a deep sigh.
"I'm just the fool to have willingly signed up for it," he mumbles before taking one off my home fries off my plate.
The fresh scent of clean linens and more breakfast food blows into the room, preventing me from responding to Gutter Butter right away. My nostrils flare widely as I take in the smell. It's Abigail. She also walks in with a tray filled with a hearty breakfast. Room service twice oh, my! Today must be my lucky day.
My mouth begins to water as I take in my second helpings and I have to hold back the urge to drool. Now, I know what you thinking. I'm a pig. That's correct, I'm most certainly a pig!
"Now that's just greedy," says Gutter Butter, knocking me out of my food trace. "Wipe the drool from around your lips. It's not lady like," he calls me out before throwing a handkerchief in my direction. He then turns into Abigail direction "You," he says to her. "Who asked you to deliver food,"
"King Cyrus, sire," she mumbles under her breath without spearing me a single glance. I turn around to fully take her in. The absolutely adorable human girl appears to be experiencing tremendous grief. I can see it all over her face. Her usually big, bright, and ocean blue eyes appears to be dull and puffy.
Actually, they are swollen and the red rims around her irises tells me that she must have been crying for hours. Plus, Abigail normally tanned skin is extremely pale. She's look sick, like she would faint in any second. Instantly, I feel bad. Here I'am so worried about my tummy when this poor girl has obviously been experiencing a day full of sorrow.
"You can sit the tray down and then go back to your station," directs Gutter Butter. His voice tone isn't harsh or demanding, but he does sound rude. Anyone with eyes could see that this girl is already having a hard time. She needs to rest, not work. Unfortunately for her I'm not brave enough to speak up on her behalf, not that it will change anything if I did.
I already caused a lot of trouble with Claire. I can't do that to Abigail. I watch her follow direction at once, still refusing to spare me a single glance which turns my concerns to flat out worry. I hope that the trouble that my wolf caused yesterday didn't get the humans in trouble. Goddess knows that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if it did.
Abigail places the tray down in front of Gutter Butter, bows and then turns around to take her leave. Once again, she refuses to look at me. It's like I'm invisible or at least that's how she is making me feel. I don't like it. I mean sure we just met and I know that slaves can't be themselves around the slave owners but based upon the hours I spent around this girl. I know for a fact that her behavior is not like her. The Abigail that I met is way too bubbly for that.
You know what, "Abigail," I suddenly say, right before she walks out of the door, or through the door frame. She pauses for just a second but then continues to walk away. The breakfast that Gutter Butter delivered to me must have had some courage juice inside it because I get up and follow right behind her.
"Death Trap," warns Gutter with an agitated sigh.
"I'm just going out here in the hallway," I advise and then quickly catch up with Abigail.
"Yup! We're certainly in the same boat," mumbles Gutter, but thankfully he doesn't follow.
"Hey, are you okay," I question, while grabbing a hold to her wrist
She turns around to face me with tear drops falling from her ocean eyes. "Sam's dead," she cries out, completely catching me off guard. "Sam's dead, Embry. My best friend is dead," she continues to cry, instantly crushing my heart.
"Oh, Abigail," I whisper, pulling her into my arms. "Her fight is over," I state the declaration of independence the human way, while holding Abigail closely.
She cries harder and then state, "Her fight is over,"
We stand in silence for a while longer with her crying her heart out and me refusing to let her go. The both of us need one another, our grieving hearts is the lock that solidifies our friendship. Abigail and I maybe from two completely different worlds but the both of us have truly loved and lost.
From this day forward, I'll be the shoulder for Abigail to cry on. I'll be her comfort and that's a promise. Everyone needs somebody. She shall forever and always have a friend in me.
"It's going to be okay," I lie in attempt to calm her but the truth is that losing a love one, friend or family will never be okay.
One thing that I have learned in this short period of time is that some wounds may close, but they never will truly heal. Losing someone that you have loved with all your heart hurts like hell.
My heart bleed's for this poor girl.
The last pass couple of hours seems to have pass slowly. Ever since, Abigail left I've been siting inside this room alone, just thinking. She's been gone for a while now. I wanted to go with her to her room, but Gutter absolutely refused to allow that to happen. Apparently, he wasn't kidding around when he said that I'm on room arrest.
I've even got a new door to prove it, equipped with about seven locks. Cyrus doing I'm sure, which is absolutely ridiculous if you as me. He's extra but I didn't have the energy to argue about it.
Honestly, I'm drained. Attempting to help someone cope with a tragic experience that you don't even know how to cope with yourself can do that to a person. Still, I did my best. It took me awhile to calm Abigail down. She didn't go into detail about how her friend died and I didn't want to force her to talk.
All I know is that her friend Samantha really meant a lot to her. Based upon, what Abigail shared with me Sam was the light to her fire. She kept her going when Abigail felt like giving up and make Abigail feel safe, even though the both of them was born into slavery.
She was the only person in this entire world that Abigail felt like she could really trust. I'am truly sorry for her lost. I know how it feels to lose a sister because let's be clear. The two of them were most certainly sisters. They may not have been related by blood, but they were bonded by loyalty. Losing Kaya was hard.
It's still hard for me but losing Celine would break me. I can't begin to imagine what Abigail is feeling. All I can do is pray for her.
Gutter wouldn't allow me to go with her but I did manage to convince him to allow her to have the rest of the day off. Gutter Butter assigned another slave to cover the remainder of Abigail shift and then ordered for her to go get some rest. He made it his point to stretch out that it was a one time courtesy and that it will never happen again. I don't believe him.
Gutter Butter is a lot nicer than he likes to admit. He just maybe the sweetest vampire that I've ever encountered, though I'll never admit that to him.
Gutter Butter maybe sweet, but he's a head ache. He reminds me of nicer version of Rug, who is also a head ache, or a less scary version of Cyrus, who is a little more painful than a head ache... A migraine. Yes, that's what Cyrus is. He's a major migraine and I must be insane of something because other than my thoughts about Abigail. Cyrus is all that I can think about.
I miss him. He's been gone all morning. I wonder what time it is, judging by the position of the sun it's two hours into noon. That means that someone will be dropping me off lunch soon and after I eat back to isolation I'll go.
I can't have that.... if I continue to say inside this room, I'll lose my mind or worse. My mind will continue to be plagued with thoughts of my mate, which is really not so bad but then again it is. Uh! The point is that I need some air. I just need to figure out how to escape.
By none, I've finally figured it out. The window! Yes, the window that's exactly how I'll get the air that I need. The fall doesn't look that bad really and the floor length windows design will make the jump a piece of cake. Plus, there is a little garden on this end of the house that is just calling my name.
My mind is made up. I'm jumping.
With that thought in mind, I quickly eat my lunch that was just delivered, raid the closet filled with my mates clothes and then jump out of the window.
My escape was sweet and the inner peace that I'm currently experiencing is sweeter.
The fresh winter air is refreshing and just what I need. I'm surrounded by a bed of white snow and sky length oak trees. I must admit this place is filled with a mass amount of nature's true beauty. It's enchanting.
My mind is clear. Currently, I'm at peace, even though I can't stop thinking about all of the bad. I'm calm for now.
I continue to quietly sit on the bench, just taking it all in when suddenly the wind blows in a fresh and clean scent, sort of like Abigail but a tad bit different. The scent isn't human. Actually, it's a vampire.
"The vampire," suddenly growls my wolf.
Oh, gosh! She's back. "You should be lucky I'm still here," she snaps. "It's the vampire who snapped our neck, who else will protect you from him? Our mate is currently M.I. A as usually," she just has to add in.
Instead of arguing back I start to panic. I hate to admit it, but she's right once again. That vampire is bad news and no one is here to save me. In fact, no one doesn't even know that I'm not inside the room.
"Quite human, no one will harm you," she values while making her presence known and then advises. "He's not alone," Next, she takes a deep whiff of the air. The sweet and addictive scent of milk and honey tainted with the very distinctive scent of burning cedar wood and expensive cologne also invades my nostrils.
"No, he's not. He's with Claire," I release an inner sigh of relief the very moment that my hazels eyes lock onto Claire's electrifying green ones.
She looks breathtakingly beautiful. The sunshine sparks her wavy golden hair on fire, officially bringing the sunny waves to life. Claire's naturally tanned skin also reminds me of the sunshine. It's so bright and radiant, completely blemish free. The rare beauty that this girl is possessed with, will make any supernatural question her humanity.
She is blessed.
The Gods were most certainly smiling down when they created her. Claire is truly an enchanting human being.
"I'm starting to question your sexuality," mentally teases my wolf, I choose to ignore her.
"I'll be sitting in there," says the vampire while pointing tiny house behind. I'm starting to believe is this Vlad guy that Gutter Butter was talking about.
In other words, I think the scary vampire is her personal body guard, if that's the case I feel bad for any poor creature that decides to mess with Claire. He's that scary looking.
"Just remember, our talk about my kind having heightened senses." He adds in, which earns him a huge eye roll from the one and only Claire.
I can tell that she wants to say something, based upon her facial expression, but to my surprise she doesn't., most likely for my benefit. She must be able to tell that I'm not to find of him. In an addition, into all of Claire's awesomeness she seems to be able to read people easily.
This girl is really something else, I'm glad she's okay. Oh, my Goddess! I didn't even ask her if she was okay. That's the first thing I should be asking her after last night episode. Where are my manners?
I turn around and place my undivided attention onto Claire.
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Awake Update. I'm so sorry for the late update. Please don't forget to hit that golden star ⭐️ comment and follow. If you want to read ahead the next chapter it is available on.