Sep 18, 2025
I NEED HELP WHEN WILL U UPDATE THE BLOOD ATONEMENT FANFIC TOTOTOTOTTOTOTOT
Hello! I'm bringing back Blood Atonement this year. :)
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I NEED HELP WHEN WILL U UPDATE THE BLOOD ATONEMENT FANFIC TOTOTOTOTTOTOTOT
Hello! I'm bringing back Blood Atonement this year. :)
Please consider: Ethan standing at the top of a flight of stairs to be able to kiss Alcina’s neck
Pride & Ruin CH 6
on A03 as well
Alcina X Ethan
summery: Determined to find his daughter Ethan Winters, an omega, storms the castle of Alcina Dimitrescu, an alpha. While fleeing her three beta daughters Ethan has the unfortunate luck of being snagged on the alphas claws. Slipping out a yelp, Ethan fears the worst. Instead, luck will be in his favor under a prideful alpha and Miranda’s plans will fall to ruin.
Status: Incomplete
Rated: M - fowl language and gore
Previous chap: Ch:5 A Bitter End
Next chap: Ch:7 Cataclysm
___________________
~Ch:6 Before the Storm~
Donna was cowering down on the couch, wheezing, arms holding her maimed face. Blood seeping past to fall off in a downpour. Collected on the floor in a vast puddle counting down the lord's dwindling life by each drop.
“one of you will find them. Or we'll be short another lord.” Miranda yanked the shocked group out of their daze. “grab Heisenberg and go to the reservoir immediately.” shoving her demand on Alcina.
Who locked herself to her seat. “Yes, mother.” speaking through a grimace she passed off as a wide set smile. To be falsely excited over Donna's suffering until the butcher bird flew from the home. Soon as they were sure of her departure, Alcina had appeared over Donna to get her seated straight up. Tossing the two remaining pieces of her veil away to look at her face. “Donna! Donna, I need you to open your eye!”
Those golden talons Miranda had weren't just for show. They had carved deep to forever be a permanent reminder on Donna's face. Without the healing factor like Alcina or Karl there was a deep fear of what was damaged. Flooding blood had distorted far too much to make out what was or wasn't untouched. Donna was fighting Alcina's grip to cower away. Sobbing and wheezing into a panic attack they couldn't let her collapse into. Angie had become what Miranda had called her, an inanimate object doing nothing.
Ethan was up from his seat running through what he could do. Daniela had froze, Bela was trying to help, unsure of what to do and Cassandra flew off toward the elevator. Looking to Bela he handed over rosemary. “take her.” grabbing the blanket they had to wrap it around Donna. Mainly her head to stop the bleeding. Hugging her as he held the blanket tightly to the wound. Doing what came naturally to an omega. Soothing her back from a breakdown he held her close quietly without trying to rush anything. She was shivering, but no longer sobbing so harshly between wheezes. He slipped the blanket back down to reveal her red coated face. The disastrous gouges looked to be caused by a bear. Bleeding profusely soon as the blanket was taken away. Donna flinched her face away for Ethan to not see her other half. He caught a glimpse of a mass, but that wasn't important to him.
Alcina covered that half of her face with a hand to keep her comfortable. Every lord had seen it before, although not recently. Taking the blanket she patted more blood away to see the damage. “Donna, can you open your eye?”
Her face twitched before struggling a small movement. Skin freeing itself from blood layers to part. There was a lot of red streaming down on tears just as stained.
Alcina let out a breath. “It's fine.” reddened by blood, but the clawed gouges narrowly missed the good eye. Allowing her to close it as they soaked the blood off her face by the blanket. Cassandra had flown in to open the first aid kit she hunted down in the lower floor. Prepping an emergency stitch job between careful cleanings of an alcohol soaked rag. Reaching a point the blood was stopped she doubled up the stitches in a bit of facial reconstruction. “Daniela, take Angie and help your sister take Donna to be cleaned and changed. We don't want an infection developing on those. When you're done, get her to bed.”
Delicate in taking the lifeless doll. “Yes, mother.” standing by as Cassandra picked up the injured lord into her arms. Following them toward the back rooms of the house. Donna was worryingly lifeless since the stitches were done.
Alcina looked to her remaining daughter. “Bela, I want you all to stay here. You'll be the betas of the house now. Take care of them and watch out for Miranda. I don't think she'll return, but if she does you all need to evacuate.”
“you're leaving?”
“I must, Miranda's temper is getting too dangerous to risk. Me and Heisenberg will do what she demanded, search the reservoir. I'm not sure, but maybe I'll be back by nightfall.”
Ethan’s eyes darted between where the girls took Donna and to Alcina readying to leave. “Wait, how long until Donna's healed?” Not liking the sullen looks he got.
Alcina gave the grim news. “could be weeks, maybe months, if nothing goes wrong” gaze down to the large amount of blood covering everything. “Her healing is nothing like ours. Those marks will be permanent scars, no doubt.” asking her daughter next. “read any books on herbal remedies?”
“many.”
“Think you can recreate the tea she's been giving Ethan? She'll need to take it now as well.”
“Yes, I can pick up on what she's been using around the pestle and mortar.”
“good. Keep the house warm. When Beneviento wakes, get her to eat something. She'll need help getting her blood up.”
“yes, mother.”
She spoke a few Romanian words to Bela, then kissed the top of her daughter's head. Ethan catching a few of them as “... -stay safe- … -hold post- ...”
His heart warmed at hearing her speak the language again. He'd been trying to learn it since moving here, but other than the basics he knew little. Ethan felt a bit useless as he just stood there. Donna was gravely injured because of him. Alcina left to leave a false trail for him. The girls were here taking care of him while he recovered. His dampening mood redirected by Bela. “Let's go to the kitchen. Find a distraction for the two of us.”
“yeah.” about to take back rose when he saw how much blood was on him. “I should clean up.” walking ahead to reach the sink he scrubbed himself clean.
“Do you remember anything about the tea she gave you?”
“bitter, yellow green color, some little purple petals. A ton of honey to cover the flavor.”
“Hmm, I think I got all that here.” picking up a few glass bottles to read. “I'll make a tea for you and a slightly different one for Donna. A poultice to coat the wounds would really help too.” chuckling at rose reaching out for the jars. “I was worried about her making noise earlier.”
“so was I.”
“She's really good at reading your cues.”
“yeah, I didn't know she was until this place.”
Opening a bunch of jars Bela took bits here or there to drop into the mortar. Cassandra had returned a little wetter than before. “got the fire stacked with more wood. Daniela's getting Donna to bed, still out of it.” letting Ethan know next. “bathrooms ready for you.”
“He can go after some herbal tea. We don't want his fever spiking between all of this.”
Without the emergency of stopping major blood loss, Ethan's curiosity came to the front. “What happened to her other eye? Did Miranda do that too?”
“sort of. It's the implanted Cadou Miranda gave. Each lord had various luck with theirs. Hers allows a bit of splitting between the dolls. Most her skills go into the hallucinogenic golden flowers everywhere. As for her eye, that's the only bad part. It overgrew and split through from its placement. Mother says it worsened over time into the mass it is now.” pushing a grounded paste into a tea cup. Grabbing more herbs to make a second batch. “first time we've ever seen it. I always thought it'd be a lot worse.”
“think she'll wake up anytime soon?”
Cassandra answered as she filled a bucket with water. “maybe in a few hours, or not 'till night arrives.” grabbing a mop to clean up the living room. “we should think of what we're going to do when mother returns.”
“What do you mean?”
“the lords were never close. It'd be odd for mother and us to care about Donna this much. It could be suspicious.”
“So what then?” Bela asked. “we abandon them as soon as mother returns?”
“We may have no choice.”
“... could take them home, but-” looking toward Ethan.
“oversteps the courting, doesn't it?” glancing at Ethan as she headed into the living room. The sounds of mopping heard from the room.
Ethan and Bela passed looks to each other. Silently asking what he thought about it. With him unsure about returning to the castle tower after last time. Daniela returned with nothing much to report. “Donna's asleep, her hearts still beating fast. think she'll be fine, but weak when she wakes.” following her sister's gesture to put the kettle on.
“better than slow beats after all that loss.” setting up a large bowl of a herbal poultice. “I'll go apply this. Give them their tea, then get him clean.” The sisters carried out their tasks of managing the house.
While their mother had pulled Karl out to scour the reservoir. Grumbling the whole way they avoided doing much talking until they could make noise. Karl lifting up a hunk of rusted boat stuck ashore. “wanna tell me about the blood?” he whispered to her before letting the boat slam down. “Nothing here.” he announced.
She ripped off the rusted door of another shipwreck. Whispering back. “Donna was maimed.” throwing it off.
“what'd you do?!”
“I didn't do anything!” keeping their voices low. “Miranda came in the middle of our meeting.” slicing junk out of the way. “which is why we're out here.”
“does she ...?”
“no, we excused the meeting about trying to find winters. With Salvatore gone and my girls unable to search here, it was the perfect place to mark his whereabouts.”
“So now we gotta search all this muck?” flying junk out of his way. Announcing something else. “we should check Salvatore's cave. Could've taken it over.”
“mhmm.”
“how long?”
“How long do you think until Miranda satisfied?” stepping through the dripping entrance to Salvatore's home.
“ugh, that's a fucking never. If she attacked Donna and forced us out here, her tempers getting too far ahead of us. We may have to call a meeting ourselves to lure her.”
“That would be too suspicious. We've never called a meeting together.”
“we're running out of time. She's cutting down lords and Donna's clearly next in line. When she's gone, it'll be you next.” crunching a metal gate out of their way.
“What makes you so sure?” a glare shot his way.
“If she threatens me, she only has me to threaten. If she threatens you, she has three other lives to torture first.”
Her hands tightened to fists. Taking a deep breath to sooth the fire in her gut. “Tomorrow then?”
“Do we have that much time?”
“Do we have the energy today to face her? Donna's bedridden, hopefully only until the night comes. Wasted energy here already. Keep searching until the day's end. I'll report we found some things and we're on his trail. Enough to keep her passive, set up ourselves for tomorrow. When we're ready, send the call that we've caught Ethan and she'll rush right over.”
“works for me. …” looking over papers scattered across a desk. Covered in gunk and soaking wet to the point the writing had blurred away. “I've been wondering why she wants them, doesn't make sense.”
“why doesn't it?”
“If she wanted him for a pairing, you'd think she wouldn't tell us to kill him. That kid, she wants most for the ceremony. And it's been what, three- four days since he arrived and she sent you looking for him. That's a big risk if his cycle was approaching and she was aiming the ceremony around that.”
“Hm, does it matter? In too deep now. An alpha who mismanaged a clan so badly it's running against her. What a disgrace after such a rising.”
“a rising? If that's what you want to call it.” he chuckled. “Just curious is all. Has she asked you about those soldiers hiding out?”
“soldiers, what soldiers?”
“a group of armed soldiers showed up two days ago. Small group, only six of them, lead by a guy named Chris Redfeild. She had me look into them hours after our meeting finished. Haven't gotten much on 'em and she doesn't seem too interested in them yet. Far more focused on Ethan and his kid.”
“where are they? What are they doing?”
“investigating it looks, nothing much else. Last I saw they entered the village to scope it out.”
“perfect, outsiders invading between all of this.”
“eh, if Miranda ain't worried then they're probably nothing. When they see there's jack all here they'll leave.”
“mm.” she hummed in knocking furniture away.
Carrying on their false search for hours. By the time the sun set she had returned to Donna's house along with Karl. The girls warmly greeted their mother, announcing they made dinner. Hearing the good news that Donna was up and eating with Ethan sitting at her side. Angie was up and back to being a nuisance toward everyone. Smacking Daniela away with a wooden spoon to not ruin her glorious soup on the stove. Which Alcina was complained to about by her daughter wanting to help cook. “Girls, we need to have a meeting. Can you check on Lady Beneviento to see if she's well enough.”
“She's fine now.” Angie stepped from the kitchen. “She ate on her own while talking to Ethan for the past hour. But don't go throwing around a bunch of big words. Too tired for that.” seeing even the lords exhaustion seep through Angie.
“alright. Let's gather around her then so she won't have to move.” waving her girls forward.
Ethan was in the room holding rose while talking with Donna. Keeping the conversation light around her garden or cooking. She faced a bit away to keep half her face hidden. When her bandages were changed she was more worried about the uninjured half being uncovered. Her injured side being the most Ethan got. Everyone had come down the elevator to meet in the room.
“eesh, what happened to you?” Karl looked to Ethan, but talked to Donna as well.
Ethan glared at him. “Well, to start, you stabbed me with a fence post when I first got here.”
Karl shut his mouth after that. Not liking that his attack on an omega was brought up. while right in front of the alpha wanting to claim.
“business meeting.” Alcina started. “Most of us will be going home tonight. Bela will stay here. When I get back to the castle I'll make a call that were on Mr. Winters trail in the reservoir. Me and Heisenberg will meet tomorrow, then call an announcement that we've caught winters and will meet Miranda for the final time.”
“tomorrow?!” the girls asked in unison.
Daniela spoke first. “That's so soon. I thought we'd have a few more days?”
“We don't, unfortunately. Miranda's targeted her anger toward Donna. If we drag out our search for too long ...” her daughters looked toward Donna's injured face. “She'll be the next to fall and I won't allow that after what she's done for us. Tomorrow morning you'll all meet up with the duke as we planned. … take care of each other” closing up the meeting. “get some sleep. Daniela, Cassandra, let's go home. Having most of you around will cover Bela being here.”
“Can we all have dinner here?” Bela stopped her. “we won't have another meal together … until after the meeting.”
“...yes, but we can't stay long.”
receiving a hug from Bela before her two other daughters joined in. returning the hug she kissed each of their heads. Separating to grab themselves dinner. Donna had her bowl refilled to help her body recover. Rosemary got a few spoonfuls of Ethan's soup. Most of it landed on her fabric bib before given her normal bottle of milk. He glanced around the room to each one there. Alcina was eating with her daughters in one room corner. Karl was eating in the opposite one with Angie annoying him through conversation. Donna was slowly sipping off hers. Entertained by the debate, maybe more of an argument, between Karl and Angie. Drowning out the noise, he thought of his final answer.
It was still no, but when to give it? Before the fight would be most fair. No expectation, no false hope of a yes if she wins. She could back out, follow us to Spain without risking anything. I wouldn't be using her as a sacrificial shield. He took a deep breath in and out. Smiling at his baby girl playing with his shirt. Tomorrows gonna be a day.
First thing early morning, Ethan had been up for hours. Anxious what this day would bring. He got up to head for the elevator. Leaving Rose alone to sleep for as long as she could.
Upstairs he found Bela awake prepping breakfast for everybody. “awake already?”
“been awake, can't sleep.”
“stressed? Want some regular tea with your herbal remedy?”
“Yes, that'd be great.” sitting down in the living room. “couldn't sleep either or just an early bird?”
“Me and my sisters don't sleep like everyone else. In the night half of our swarm is awake at all times while the other half sleeps. Switching halfway to stay alert at all times.” grabbing herbs to collect in the pestle and mortar. A few large jars nearby contain lots of premade healing poultice for Donna. “Guess you can call me an early bird still. I start the day when mother does while my sisters stay in their rooms.”
“wish I could do that.”
“anything specific you want for breakfast?”
“anything but soup again.” tired of having it for every meal. “I want off this liquid diet.”
“heh, I'll make an omelette then.” Coming to him with two teas for him to take. With a grimace he shot the medical tea down to hand the cup back. Bela swiftly returned to the kitchen she grabbed various ingredients alongside a basket of eggs.
Ethan relaxed as much as he could while sipping on his tea. Chuckling a little at thinking how he ended up here. One of the girls made breakfast for him. “when I first met you and your sisters. I thought I just broke into a castle of four alphas.”
“because of the scent on us?”
“That, and you're all really tall. Maybe some beta males might be that tall, but not usually.”
it got a small laugh from her. “Cassandra wishes she was one.”
“What about you?”
“I would've been fine with any while Daniela I don't think is interested at all aside from her normal curiosity to new things.”
“you would have been fine as an omega?”
“yes.” a soft look given to him. “why not?”
He snorted. “this.” loosely gesturing toward the air. “dealing with alphas entrapping you. Able to take everything you have by smacking down money and a single paper. Owning every piece of you as a sex slave.”
“It is a serious problem, and I'm sorry that, that's how it's turned on the outside. It shouldn't be like that. Omegas should be revered like how they used to be. You have far more potential than being simple breeding fodder. You can chill my mothers rage better than any of us. You soothed Lady Beneviento and managed to stay in her home. She hates visitors and rather we talk in the garden then step into her home. You naturally gather others around you. You could make a clan from scratch, even unintentionally, without ever sleeping with anyone. clans fought for their omegas without an alpha to lead them, because they were cherished. The heart and soul of a clan, it's a shame they're going away. The things they can do, I can only hope to mimic through practice.”
he rolled his eyes. “I think you've read too many romance novels.”
“mm, maybe, but isn't it all true just the same?” cracking eggs into a bowl.
He looked to the side. “once upon a time.” mumbling down into his tea. Almost choking on it when he was startled by a shrill voice.
“MORNING!” Angie shouted upon entering the living room. Rushing into the kitchen soon as she saw Bela cooking. Hopping up on a stool to see. “good god, what's in that pan?!”
she chuckled, not taking the doll too seriously. “It's an omelette.”
“this? It's practically raw!”
“I just put them in. they are raw.”
“Where's the rest of it then? No peppers, bacon, cheese, SEASONINGS?!”
“they're over there, go grab them.” shooing the doll off.
“Does anyone know how to cook around here?!” jumping off to fetch various things.
If Angie's here, then Donna must be up. Swallowing his last bit of tea to go check up stairs. Knocking softly on her door he listened close for her soft voice.
“come in.”
He stepped in, closing the door to stand beside it. Donna was in bed in dark sleepwear that may as well have been regular day clothes. A long sleeved button up shirt and baggy pants mostly covered by her blanket. Holding up a part of her collar to lean her uninjured side into it for hiding. Despite the wrappings already covering the mutation.
“I want to give my final answer.”
“too soon.” softly noting.
“I know. It's not even been a week, but we don't have time.”
“you do have.” pointing it out without arguing. A normal courting was given a minimum two weeks to get a feel for each other. She had to check his doubts weren't for anything rash. “why? Just a no?”
“I don't want Alcina going off to fight Miranda with the idea I'll say yes. I want her to fully know what she's getting into. How there's not going to be a prize if she wins. Maybe she'll come to Spain instead of throwing her life down for nothing.”
Donna dipped her head at his reasoning. “very well.” pointing toward the door. “open it for them.”
his brows furrowed, but did as he was told. “wha-” quieting at seeing Angie shove Bela along into the room.
She spoke quick to Bela. “you talk, I make the omelette!” then ran back downstairs.
Looking confused Bela and Ethan looked to Donna for the sudden summons. “It's a no.” she told Bela. “you have to tell her.”
Ethan tensed from the unexpected turn of telling Bela first. How would she react to her mother being rejected. How would she take giving the news. He expected Donna to, being the unbiased party. “can’t you tell her?” anxiety seeping into his words.
“Must I?” Bela didn't sound angry, simply saddened by his answer.
Donna gestured to herself in far too terrible a condition. Everybody was nervous enough about her being able to travel for evacuation. An added trip to the castle could be far too much on her body.
He hummed in knowing. Glancing at Bela from the corner of his eye for her reaction.
Donna answered her. “you have to.”
Her posture straight with arms behind her back she looked toward the ground, disappointed. Closing her eyes. “I'll tell her.” opening them in bringing her head up. “I have to go pack at the castle. I'll tell her then.” leaving after Donna dipped her head toward her.
Bela had thrown on a coat down stairs. “I'll be back soon with my sisters then we can all go.” announcing to Angie still cooking.
“you better get back before these omelettes get cold!”
Rolling her eyes with a smile. “Yes, lady Angie.” Rushing off on foot toward her family's castle. Unable to fly in the cold, she was revived by the inner warmth of the castle. Flying now she found her sisters instantly around their rooms shoving everything into their limited bags. Laughing over their stumbles to how their body slammed the bags shut with her help. Now it was her turn to pack, but she had something important to tell her mother.
“do you know where mother is?”
“I think she's in the library.” Daniela answered as she heaved her bloated suitcase out of the room.
“meet you two down stairs.” flying off to complete her important task. She found her mother where Daniela said. Sitting at a desk under the skylight drinking a glass of wine catching the blue light above. She was dressed no different from any other day. No armor or hidden weapons up her sleeve. “mother.”
the tall lord looked toward her daughter. “Are you packed my dear?”
“not yet. … Ethan spoke with Donna on giving his answer.”
“already? …” her expression was flat. “is it a no?” expecting nothing different. Her daughter's silence only confirmed it. “mm.” standing from her seat. “that's that then.”
“Will you come with us?”
“no, we can’t leave without crippling Miranda in some sense. If we just run, she'll track us down. Even with all I may do, you have to be careful on the outside. She'll hold a grudge against all of you until the day she does die. Don't attract too much attention or you'll be found. … You and your sisters will have to go by different names. ... The business can’t have our last label.”
Bela looked away as tears built in her eyes. Hating the thought of losing her mother and even her very name all in one day. Her mothers grand legacy would end while still going on, a miserable punishment for defying Miranda. Shoving them down to give her mother a hug. Holding back a sob upon her mothers returning hold.
Rubbing her daughters back to comfort her. She was forced to pry away. “Love you dear, be strong. Go pack, and when you and your sisters have left I'll wait a bit longer before setting the meeting in motion.”
“yes mother.”
Pride & Ruin CH 4
on A03 as well
Alcina X Ethan
summery: Determined to find his daughter Ethan Winters, an omega, storms the castle of Alcina Dimitrescu, an alpha. While fleeing her three beta daughters Ethan has the unfortunate luck of being snagged on the alphas claws. Slipping out a yelp, Ethan fears the worst. Instead, luck will be in his favor under a prideful alpha and Miranda's plans will fall to ruin.
Status: Incomplete
Rated: M - fowl language and gore
Previous chap: Ch:3 Standstill
Next chap: Ch:5 A Bitter End
___________________
~Ch:4 Splintered~
The next day, Ethan had been staring down at the cold bowl of soup given to him. After Rosemary was fed he ate three spoonfuls before rejecting the rest. There was nothing particularly wrong with it. But his mind repeatedly told him. something’s wrong. something’s wrong. something’s wrong. it went over and over. Rose was still sleeping as he gently picked her up to move. Sneaking around as if unwelcome in the space given to him. Shuffling things around to try and force a new nest to appear out of random items. Sticking around it then shortly abandoning the unappealing nest. Tired, he returned to the original one. Jumpy around the alphas scent filling the small room. Fearing he'd see her there in waiting. Thoughts torn on relaxing in the nest to, it's not safe.
Without any windows he wasn't sure how long it'd been since he'd arrived. How long will I be down here? Until my heat hits? And then- his hand stopped fidgeting with the blankets. Shaking from the rush of adrenaline building. Swallowing on a dry throat, he felt overly hot. something’s wrong. something’s wrong. something’s wrong. He had to get out. He'd spent far too long down here. He scooped up Rose to scramble around the winding basement. Checking rooms and doors for an exit. The only one he knew of was the elevator, but he'd have to get past Donna. And she wouldn't let him flee.
It's all a trap. She's working with her. It doesn't matter what I say. I'm a prisoner just sitting around until I'm handed over. Tears threatened to fall as his situation crashed down on him. NO! I'm not sitting around here a moment longer! Setting Rose down he carefully placed her into another makeshift nest he aimed to abandon. Taking up a chisel meant for wood he began carving at one of the walls. Ripping chunks away to reach the dirt behind it. Digging painfully while ignoring his roughed up hands worsening condition. Startled away when Donna called his name. Looking out his measly tunnel before rushing back to work. Almost out, need to hurry. Ripping rocks to roots out of his way to coat himself in crumbling dirt.
Donna knew though, that he wasn't anywhere near an escape. He was two story's down underground. She thought he knew that, but his behavior was becoming extremely strange. What he really didn't know was she had been watching him through the smaller friends she had. Little dolls that could ride crows if given the chance. Seeing Winters trying to escape she came down to try calling him forward first. Attempting to stop his digging or anxious nest abandonment. When he didn't come of his own volition she had to go to him. While also pretending to have no idea where he was or what he was doing. Revealing that would make him more paranoid.
“Ethan?” Angie shouted, whispering the next. “How deep are we going to let him dig?”
not much more, we don't want dirt collapsing on him.
“Ethan!” Angie repeatedly called before they “found” him. “what are you doing?!” feigning shock when seeing his tunnel.
“Get away from us!” he snarled. Coming out only to stand between them and Rose. “you've kept us here long enough! Let us out!”
“We can't! We can tell her no, but you can't leave like this!” the doll gestured at his injuries.
“why not?! I've been here for far too long! How long has it been?! Weeks?! How much more will you keep me?!”
“It's only been a day.”
The fevers made him worse. Donna thought between her and the doll.
The doll grumbled to herself before speaking. “you should sit-”
“NO! I'm not doing anything else for you! Let us out!” roaring his demand. Eyes flicking around to land on a pair of scissors. Snatching them up in readying to fight his way out.
the two stiffened up. “whoa, wait a minute.”
His body shivered uncontrollably with a white knuckled grip on the scissors. “get out of my way.” letting out a deep set growl.
It was not as intimidating as an alphas, but the threatening display made Donna's skin prickle. taken aback by the threat. it was impossible for omegas to growl. Donna spoke up for the first time in a long time rather than through Angie. “You can't go.” expecting her soft voice to bring him down. “settle.”
He let out another deep huff followed by an increasing growl. In two steps he swung at her with the scissors. Missing her by a mere inch he couldn't swipe a second time before the lights went out. Back on a moment later, Angie and Donna were gone. Standing alone he tensed up to breath through his fever that felt to be suffocating him. Have to get out. Turning to Rose he was about to scoop her up and flee the lower level.
“Mr. Winters!”
Alcina's roaring voice yanked him around to face her. He locked up under her furious gaze threatening to crumble him.
“you're sick, you need to sit down. When you do, Beneviento will bring you some medicine.”
Her words rumbled in his head. Sit down? He shivered with his grip twitching on the scissors. “no!” he snapped, body tensing up for a fight. “get out!”
“settle and sit, then I will.”
he growled at her. “get out!”
her gaze turned cold. “you're growling at me?”
His shivering tension built under the pressure of challenging an alpha. He couldn't crumble this time. This was life or death. Fighting her wouldn't be taken so lightly. I can't submit. Have to get out. He growled and snarled at her. Hacking and wheezing on the exertion he was forcing himself through.
“Winters, I'll go when you calm down.”
“You'll go now!” he slashed furiously at her. Feeling nothing but air before falling forward hard into the floor. What?! Wheezing in looking around to find no one else. A sniff of the air told him her old scent, off the bedding, was all that was there. But- The lights switched off as he got to his feet. Turning on, he looked around expecting something else to confront him. Heart stopping when he saw Rosemary was missing. NO! He bolted for the elevator closed shut and off his floor. “GIVE HER BACK!” he shouted up the shaft. Shaking the bars to cutting up his hands in trying to yank them open. Refusing to budge he broke down crying on the floor between wheezing fits. Have to get out! His mind repeated to run back for his failed escape tunnel. Digging more desperately to get out and onto the first level.
“stop!”
he tensed up against the tunnels back to growl at the doll on the other end.
“Hold on a minute. Let's talk.” Angie's attempts to sooth him doing anything but that.
Ethan grabbed a rock in the dirt to fling at her. “fuck off!” missing his throw as the doll dodged. Trying to dig was halted when more dolls crowded at the entrance. Threatening to come in and drag him out. A standoff was happening and they needed someone else to step in.
Donna was upstairs, waiting, with Rosemary carefully bundled in her arms. A knock on the door she'd been expecting had her rush to open it. When lady Alcina saw that she had the child, her brows furrowed. “Why do you have her?” sounding accusatory, but not meaning to.
“He's really sick.” speaking in her hushed tone. “he's trying to escape.”
“Where is he now?” coming in to hear a break down in the living room.
“still below. Angie's there.”
“what happened?” setting down the bundle of food she brought to offer.
Donna took up the bottle to feed Rose. Starting on the events. “it's the fever. He started nests and abandoned them all.”
“He's beyond stressed then. Doesn't feel safe anywhere enough to settle.”
“he tried digging up. We went down and he attacked.”
“What'd you do to try calming him down?”
“talking. … you.” Donna brought up a closed hand to open. A symbol of her golden flowers shaking their hallucinogenic pollen.
“You used me to try calming him down?!” hating that a false representation of her had worsened her chances. Pulling herself back to what Donna had said. “Never mind. Is he still trying to escape?”
“Yes, he attacked you too.”
“That's not surprising. He's taken shots at me in the castle before.”
“but he- ...”
“he what?”
“ … he growled.”
“growled?” not believing her, she chuckled. “you must be mistaken, from being a bit startled I'm sure. Omegas don't growl.”
“he growled at you to.”
“... me?” a challenging threat display done by an omega toward an alpha? no, it has to be a mistake. She chuckled again with a shake of her head. “has to be something else. hm. ...” thinking of what they were to do. He needed to calm down and was too much for Donna to handle. “May I go down?”
Donna tensed. It broke the traditional courting rules. Alphas couldn't see them unless the omega agreed. It kept them safe from aggressive alphas coercing them into accepting against their better judgment. Giving the lady some grace that she wouldn't try anything, but what was necessary. Having nothing better added to that, but there was another issue. “It could be a high fever, or ... something else.” she warned the alpha.
She took a deep breath. “... if it is, I'll see how fair I handle. I'll know once the elevators down and either stay on it or go forward.”
Satisfied by the answer, Donna nodded in acceptance. “you may.” walking her to the elevator that would bring her down. Both stepped inside. Donna escorting her down to judge her reaction for herself. Upon reaching the floor, the doors opened, Alcina took a slow deep breath of the air.
Able to give her answer immediately. “He's not in heat, but I can scent him now.” The suppressants were fully out of his system. Revealing his clean scent he would normally have. The clock was running out on getting another dosage before his heat would kick off. It could hit at any time now, in a few hours to a few days.
Donna dipped her head and waved for Alcina to go. Soon as she was off the elevator Donna pointed down a hall. Elevator shutting to take her back up. Alcina watched the other lord disappear.
Turning to step down the hall in continuing to scent Ethan out, really enjoying his sweet earthy scent. A rich fresh roasted coffee blended with sweet toasted hazelnuts. It was comforting and kept her calm in her approach. “Winters?” she called, not expecting an answer.
“Oh perfect, reinforcements!” Angie came out from around a corner.
“Yes, where is he?”
“We got him cornered in the bedroom. He's been very feisty and taken a few of my friends out.”
“mm, lead the way.” following the doll down multiple halls and through multiple rooms. “Anything useful in here?” passing the medical room.
“nothing for illness, for cuts or burns, mainly the basics.” passing down a few more halls they stopped short of the last room. “he's in there.”
“mm.” heading on without the doll she waited as a group of others came out. Leaving the room to her and him unless needed. “Winters?” she stepped in, ducking under the doorway. if he runs here it'll be a miserable chase. Ducking past so many archways and doorways on the way here.
“where is she?!” he confronted without shying away from the alpha.
Oh dear, he looks awful. Worried at seeing him shivering, wheezing and sweating heavily through his clothes. A death grip on a pair of scissors surrounded by broken dolls. Covered in dirt sticking all over him. “she's upstairs.” calmly answering him.
“bring her back!”
“not yet, you're-”
“Shut up! Bring her back! I'm not sitting down or taking whatever drugs you're giving me!”
She glared at him, hating to be interrupted. “don't you snap at me.” scolding him as she bit her tongue of any aggression seeping through. Intrigued by him holding an aggressive glare back, refusing to submit to her. She took a deep calming breath. “I'll shove the medicine down your throat if I have to. You're not getting out like this.” gesturing over him. “I prefer you settle down quietly and that I won't have to.”
he didn't answer, holding his glare from the back of the room.
Not liking the idea of grabbing him, but having no choice she stepped closer. “if you keep pressing yourself like this-”
He tensed against the wall in readying to fight. Letting out a low clear growl that stopped her.
She shook it off the first. No … they don't. stepping forward again she tested and heard what she wanted.
A deep snarling growl, louder than the first, from him to threaten her away. “FUCK OFF!”
He had caught her full attention. Omegas don't growl. Staying back she settled her hands on her hips. Contemplating how he was like this. not in a few millennia. she'd read that omegas were once more feral then their current submissive stature. They lacked the bulk strength of an alpha, but they were once just as fierce when aggravated. Challenging others for precious nesting dens. Long ago evidence supported that omegas mauling each other was more common. It was hard to believe how they once were, but seeing it here brought a warmth to her chest. His threatening growls were adorable to her. Giving her a strange sense she couldn't pin. Interest, pride, wanting to bond with such a strong omega? A proper mate to court that she had chosen well. She wanted to press him further. Holding her hand out toward him earned another growl followed by a lashing out of the scissors. She was quick to pull away. Removing herself to not press him too hard and make him worse.
She broke her glare to sit on the bed nearby to present herself as less a threat. It worked in seeing his body less tense then before. Trying to have him sit wasn't working so she changed tactics. “what's wrong?”
“what's wrong?! I'm stuck here, you took Rose away, none of you will let me leave!”
can’t argue much with that. “you're here for now until Miranda is taken care of. Rose will be-”
“Liar, all of you are! You're all holding me down here until I accept!”
She was about to say something, then shut her mouth. She had to offer something big and what he wanted right now, she couldn't. “I'll be back in a moment.” hating to leave him like this without any progress, but she had to.
Followed by Angie asking what happened. “where are you going? Is he any better?”
“no, he's extremely stressed. I may have something that can help, but I need to see. Make sure he doesn't escape until I return.”
“ugh, some help you are lady.”
“Oh shut it you little tick.” waving the doll away as she stepped into the elevator.
Donna didn't try to stop her as she left the house to rush over to hers. Meeting with the duke immediately in the hopes something had changed since she'd ask in the early morning. “Duke, do you have it?”
“yes, my lady. Just came in.” smiling in handing off a small bottle. Filled with deep green pills she winced at the pharmaceutical chemical smell she knew well. “it's enough to last through a week. More are on the way.”
“Thank you.” rushing off to return all the way to Ethan's room. Stepping into another standoff she interrupted. Calmly she made her offering. “Will these help?”
He stared at them. Tensing and relaxing in questioning what to do. Were they suppressants or a fake that could kick him off immediately.
“please Ethan, you have my word that I'll stick to the traditional courting. You have the final say, always. This is enough to last for a week, just a start, more will be coming.”
He quietly shivered from his spot, eyes darting around in searching for an answer. Someone to tell him it was fine or if it was a trap. Flinching by the bottle landing on the bed next to him. Far closer to him without need to approach her. He snatched the bottle up to examine it. Catching the recognizable scent of suppressants he double checked the label. Popping open the bottle to inspect each pill. When he finally took one, both were a bit relieved. “Now can I leave?” not dropping his goal.
“no.” she stated.
“I never agreed to this courting! All of you forced me into this!”
“this isn't about the courting! What do you think is going to happen if we let you run out there?! Miranda's still looking for you along with an army of Lycan's built to scour these lands for prey. You had a graze with death the last time.” gesturing to his condition.
“I could get away!”
“Don't be ridiculous, you'll have to figure out a way over the mountains after that. and then what? Go into hiding for the rest of your lives? She found you once, hunted you down, and got you here in the first place. And what about Rose? You think she'll be happy fleeing her entire life?”
Ethan's fight to get out chipped away by each point she was making. Wanting to snap that she was wrong, but was stuck in a corner.
“Were you aware Miranda wanted her to be torn apart? crystallized into jars. Rose was meant to be a lure to keep you here, that's all. but I'm sure after all this Miranda wont be so soft the next time. She told me personally Rose will be crystallized by her own hands.”
He felt sick, more so than before. Thinking how if he had fallen to the Lycan's it would have been over for both. Worse to be caught by Miranda, Rosemary taken and killed to be used as a lock and chain for him to stay. Wanting to run far away to get into hiding felt less and less within his grasp. Staying wasn't an option in his mind. “and you were willing to go along with it!” growling out all his hatred toward his captor. “I'll never accept you, NEVER!”
Her jaw tensed, biting her tongue to hold back her anger. “say what you want. You're not getting out.”
His fury bubbled over into lashing out at the alpha standing before him. Bringing her hand up she caught his scissors by the blades piercing through. Shoving him onto the bed with the other. The weight of what he'd done hit him like a semi truck. Somewhat literally by being smashed into the bed by such little effort from her. He let out a panicked yelp while crumbling down in half expecting claws to stab into his side upon landing. Shivering in a curled up ball he froze in waiting for her to maul him apart.
While she herself had froze from his yelp. Relaxing off knowing she didn't hurt him, it was a fear reflex. She kept him down while inspecting her stabbed hand. Biting onto the looped handles she yanked it free to drop on the floor. Blood free falling next to it not for long. Sealing shut the moment it could she squinted at the small hole in her glove. Pay Donna to fix that. Attention back on the submissive omega under her hand. Glancing over his wounds, some stitching had popped while bandages were thoroughly bled through. She worried about letting Donna try to patch him up. If he would ever let her get close again to do so. Gently taking him by the jaw and his side she helped him into sitting up. He flinched away with a tight shut of his eyes. Opening them by the gentle face petting she was giving.
She sat down next to him for a gentle talk. “maybe hearing a confession will help? …” sorting her thoughts for him to take in easily. “She was my mother and my alpha. Of course I was going to follow her orders. I would have been loyal to the ends of the earth for her. Through the years however, she's shown to lack the same formalities. I've willingly admitted- shown my deepest secrets to her. I ignored that she never shared anything with me. Mother knows best, after all. But you-”
He wanted to shiver under the look she gave him. Fighting his inner self to run or stay still not to activate a hunt. Her light smile followed by a chuckle wasn't any more reassuring of his safety.
“you're her biggest kept secret. I know it, absolutely. I would have understood if she had told me and sent you off for another lord to watch. But she didn't. Even after you escaped my moronic brother she acted like I stole you from him. Again, she had a chance to tell me. My reward for my years of unwavering loyalty was to be treated as a threat. I even gave her a chance. I was fully willing to tell her I had you and your daughter. I want to be very clear how much your lives were hanging by the thinnest thread. She just had to show the most minuscule bit of regret for not telling me sooner. It didn't have to be through words. A hesitation, a sideways glance, those little tics I've known she does for years to show her consideration.” she shut her eyes briefly to let out a long breath.
Ethan sat quietly listening while her hand still gently held his face. Waiting for her silence to break, it stretched onward for too long. Her hold was softening in changing her mind on telling him all of this. She was about to shut down and leave her confession at that unless he did something. He pressed into the hold that kept her there more then him now. Eyes softly closed to the soft petting she gave in return.
Her hold returned alongside her admittance. “I wanted so badly to see it. But there was nothing. Her little hesitance was not from regret. It was fear. That I'd find out about her secret. A few barked orders was all I apparently deserved. Head high with pride, off she went expecting my unwavering loyalty as always with nothing in return. Well, no longer, after giving so much I'm demanding my repayment in blood. Whether or not you say yes, her kingdom will come to ruin.”
A quick flick of a glance away hinted her doubts to Ethan. Reassurance that she'd win wasn't a guarantee. So, he kept his mouth shut about it. What could he really say?
“settled now? ... Come on, I'll patch you up for Beneviento to check you over.” gingerly herding him to the medical room. Shooing away the dolls he flinched back from in the halls. “tell Beneviento to come down in a few minutes.” waving Angie off from her stand by post. She had Ethan sit on the long table while grabbing a wet cloth. Washing a lot of the dirt off him to see the fresh cuts he'd caused himself. Dabbing an alcohol soaked cotton ball on them. His head hung low the entire time to focus on the floor. Just being submissive or-? “no need to sulk.” her voice kept soft. “You still have a fever and need to focus on resting.” her soft words didn't feel like enough to perk up the omega. Urged to help somehow, she gently lifted his chin to leave a soft forehead kiss. Pulling back her jaw tensed in regret. An overstep. Donna will never let me down here again after- when she pulled away he took her hand into his.
sounding tired, but truthful. “Thank you.” He'd been wanting to say something with this being the best he could offer.
She smiled. “no need.” patting his hand. “but please don't make any more holes in lady Beneviento's manor.”
he smiled out a puff of air. “yeah, I'll stop redecorating.” attention snapping to the lady of the house herself coming in. the pair making an immediate separation of space between them. Early contact could get them both scolded by the beta before them.
Alcina cleared her throat to go over everything. “I cleaned him up and tended to the scuffs he's gained. He’s back on suppressants now with enough to get him through the week. The duke will be bringing more soon.”
the calm air broken by Angie jumping out from behind Donna. “you kissed him you perv!”
she had to hold back a growl. “I was- fixing his mood after all the stress.” you snitch.
While Ethan had a blush as Angie continued her screeching accusations. “yoooou can't do that!” pointing up at the tall lord. “the audacity! One meeting and you're already drooling all over him. Haven't even taken him out to eat!”
“I've been feeding him everyday.” waving the doll off. “throw whatever punishment you deem fit, but I will not stand here being finger wagged by Pinocchio.” leaving with the doll still ranting behind her.
“yeah you better leave sicko!” swiveling to Ethan. “and you! We raised you better than this. We warned you about girls like her!”
“what the fuck you talking about?” It was stupid, but it got his mood up. “You ain't my mom.”
Angie gave a feigned gasp. “ugh! How could you say that?! After all i-” Donna must have had enough and shut Angie up with a hand covering the struggling doll's face. Letting go when she went still to speak again. “you're too soft on him!” pointing at Donna, then speaking to Ethan. “Alright, you're getting off scot-free. This time. Let's get you clean, fed and back to bed.”
Ethan agreed by nodding. Glancing over himself at the dirt still sticking to his fevered skin coated in a sheen of sweat. Following Donna he could hear the elevator leaving, along with that lovely scent he wished had stayed.
The tall alpha stepped out of Donna's home to pass through her garden back over the bridge. Back home she greeted her girls as she headed for something important. It's been so long. What if it rotted away in its place? I always hoped it would before being found by someone. Slipping it from its hold. Being in such pristine condition it put a Cheshire cat grin on Alcina's face. Leaving her castle toward the one place she hated to step near. After today's events, should I go tomorrow? no. sooner the better. Miranda will charge the hunt herself as the ceremony turns later and later. can't afford to slack for even a moment. growling to herself. He better not waste my time. The sun blotted out by the huge smoke stacks towering off his factory. Bits and pieces of metal strewn about like a massive scrap yard. Does he ever clean this place? Taking out her building anger on a few Lycan's running away over the junk. Fearing her gaze after the massacre last time. She approached the door to stand before his camera's view.
His annoying voice crackling through a speaker. “Well, well, well, look at who it is. Here to deliver me pizza I assume?”
“Let me in, now, Heisenberg!” snarling at the camera near the main doors.
“geeze, cant even get a “howdy do” outta ya?” a buzz noise sounded to release the door lock.
She had no time for his childish jokes. Managing to restrain herself long enough to not shred the door down. Her usual calm stride far more rushed, she reached him in his inner workshop in no time. Surprising even him on the lack of her usual strict poise. “heh, where's the fire?” his joking dying momentarily. “… ain't the smoke stacks again is it?”
“I'm here to talk about the man-thing and his child.” straight to business.
bored already. “oh, that.” answering what he assumed she'd ask. “no, I haven't seen him since he escaped the gauntlet.”
“Did mother Miranda tell you what the ceremony is about?”
“uh … no?”
“Do you have any idea what it's for?”
“no? She didn't tell any of us jack shit, as always. Why?”
She glanced around, anxious that Miranda was watching from the shadows. Time to really test how comfortable he was speaking out against Miranda. She put on a fake smile. “Since your failure alongside Salvatore's, she's put me in charge of babysitting.”
“what? Like hell she did. Last I heard you fucked up to by letting him escape.”
“she’s also told me how the ceremony's to commence. You're officially put under probation allowing little mistakes. If you want to earn her favor back I suggest you shape up. The child and the man-thing need to be found. Get out there and lead those dumb dogs instead of tinkering with junk. Take your work serious for once, clean up this pig-sty you call home, make yourself presentable. or you'll be left behind. Trust me, Heisenberg, you don't want to make any mistakes right now.”
“earn her favor?! Pah, what kind of mistakes is mother so worried about? That you'll trip and bring the whole ceremony site down upon impact?”
She grit her teeth at the insult. Don't lose your temper. “This is serious.”
“as the plague I'm guessing?” rolling his eyes. “Sooner or later winters will show his face. We’ll get the stupid ceremony over with and get on with our lives. tell her I'll be ready. I don't need to be nagged by bitch mountain.”
He didn't know how much he was testing her patience. All these years Alcina kept her claws sheathed because of Miranda forcing her to. Nothing was holding her now except herself. Karl wasn't an ally, he was a beta under Miranda. An unwelcome intruder that should be disposed of if he didn't submit. She had to take a deep calming breath. “Will you? You always slacked on your duties. It's as if your heart isn't in it for mother Miranda. Was it ever? Even now you take not a single step toward the outside. Waiting for winters to magically drop by? Something I should know about?” She always wanted to do this. Challenge who he was really loyal to, himself or mother Miranda. Thrilled at the dream of having Karl be exposed while she earned all the praise. Unintentionally letting out a chuckle over how things were turning out. Her being the first to betray Miranda, testing Karl to see how on board he'd be with her plan.
“I'll find winters and his little brat. I ain't afraid to go out and get my hands dirty, unlike you. I’m smart enough to know there’s only so many places he could hide with a baby.” He reached out a hand to fly his hammer into it. “now fuck off already! Is this all you're here for? To be the big bitch in town throwing her weight around after a few head pats from mother? Bet you it won't last soon as the ceremony’s over. We don't mean anything to her. Just a bunch of pawns she shuffles around the board. Congrats, you're the top kiss ass. Look where it's gotten ya, living in some bird bitches shadow for all eternity!”
“Heisen-”
“can you hear me from up there?!” shouting over her. “Maybe the severe altitude is cutting off your oxygen! Piss off! Cry to mother, I don't care! Get out of my factory!” shoving his hammer toward her face.
It was one insult too far. A challenge she wouldn't submit to this time. Her claws ached the whole time to be freed. In one swift motion there was a blaze of sparks between them. Clattering screeches of metal shrapnel rained down onto the floor to spark up a flurry of more fire. Left holding nothing but the handle of what was once his mighty hammer. The severity of what had just happened weighed down on him more than the world itself.
Pride & Ruin CH 2
on A03 as well
Alcina X Ethan
summery: Determined to find his daughter Ethan Winters, an omega, storms the castle of Alcina Dimitrescu, an alpha. While fleeing her three beta daughters Ethan has the unfortunate luck of being snagged on the alphas claws. Slipping out a yelp, Ethan fears the worst. Instead, luck will be in his favor under a prideful alpha and Miranda's plans will fall to ruin.
Status: Incomplete
Rated: M - fowl language and gore
Previous chap: Ch:1 Misstep
Next chap: Ch:3 Standstill
___________________
~Ch:2 Scars & gauze~
Alcina put on a show of absolute disappointment in herself. “I apologize mother, he escaped my castle in the night. I couldn't track him and my daughters couldn't follow in the cold. I had hoped I would have caught him again before you found out. I was sure he ran toward the village to hide. When did the child go missing?”
The other snarled. “In the night, The father must have her.” settling her anger. “he cant have gotten far with the snow storms. Fool must be lost out there, hunkered down in some barn perhaps.”
“Did Salvatore say where he went?”
“no, that failure blubbered a million apologies that I've had enough of hearing. This mistake couldn't be forgiven. I've already informed the others there is one less lord today.”
Holding back a smile at the news. “you struck him down?” Easy to brush the feeling away as guilt crept in for her betrayal. Was this a mistake?
“This ceremony cannot be done without them. Everything's been ruined by his mistake. The child hadn't even been crystallized before she was taken. When I find her, I'll have to do the job.”
If I tell her I found them. Would she be happy then? “If that's the case, could the Lycan's find them? A crying baby isn't very quiet.”
“mm, yes. I fear they'd make it worse if one of them were harmed beyond repair.”
Did she really trust me? “May I ask why they're so important? could another pair do?” Will she admit why they're so important? “This feels like a lot of trouble for two betas.” Maybe I was wrong. A simple fear she'll realize was nothing to worry about. She'll tell me, admit her worries. A fleck of a flinch proving her guilt of keeping them secret from me. To see that worried look I used to see on our walks so long ago.
The question flustered Miranda, her feathers disturbed from their lax stature. “no.” Her stare was hard, cold at the idea. A fury stabbed into the tall lord's heart. What secret Miranda was keeping would never be admitted to Alcina. “I don't want to risk the ceremony more than it already is. I've looked long and hard and they're exactly what I need. When you find them, bring them immediately to me.” The look she gave was anything but friendly. “I'm tired of hearing every one of you failing me.” huffing out her annoyance.
Heart aching, Alcina brought her hands behind her back. One hand gripping her wrist as the other held itself tightly closed. Wanting to unleash her claws so badly, but now wasn't time. Oh mother, how foolish of you. Biting her tongue when Miranda continued.
“send out your girls to try finding them. I'll be requesting that Heisenberg send out the Lycan's to scour the land.”
“Of course, my girls will certainly find the man-thing and the child.” bearing a forced smile up until the other left. Smile turned to grit teeth she growled through.
“what should we do?” Cassandra asked.
“take an hour or two to run around the village in a fake search. after a few days you can stop bothering.”
Daniela whispered next. “Is the man-thing still here?”
whispering her reply. “Yes, I lured him into the den last night.” waving for them to follow deeper into the castle.
then Bela whispered. “You have him?”
“yes.”
The girls flooded her with questions from there.
“What's he doing?”
“Can we see him?”
“Is the child with him now?”
“Can we still hold her?”
“Does he like the den?”
It brought a smile to her face to see them so curious. Answering their questions quickly in order. “nesting for now. Not until he's comfortable enough to wander the den. Yes. No, they need time to bond. We must wait and see.” taking some time to share a meal with her daughters along with a bottle of fine wine. Allowing Ethan the time to explore the den without being intimidated by her presence. They needed to bond eventually though.
Bela, her wonderful hoarder of knowledge, brought up the topic. “what's to happen with him? Will you claim him soon?”
“A fresh meeting had bonding go far quicker. ours has been ruined by my aggression toward him. Each attack drove him further away, that now need tender gestures to win him back. For now, I'll have to give him space to familiarize himself with the den. Confidence there would bring him out to see me more. As for a claim, it's far too soon. It'd fall apart soon after without any sort of bonding done beforehand.” tapping her fork on a piece of soft egg.
Daniela finished a bite to ask. “But wouldn't it keep him safe from Miranda?”
“It'd make it far harder. Being unclaimed, it's easy for him to drift toward any alpha. I can see he's incredibly touch starved without one already. A claim will stop his drifting, but she could tear that away with enough pressure. And me claiming far too early can poison any further bonding.”
“aren't betas supposed to help with that?” Bela took a quick sip of wine. “what if we talked with him?”
“Yes, they provide a safety buffer.” sipping her own. “I wish you could, but not being born betas is a block. Instincts wont come naturally, you'll have to be trained somehow.”
“on what?”
“care, body cues, social cues, when to post.”
“post?” Cassandra joining the conversation she'd thought nothing much of so far.
Daniela answered before her mother could. “short for fence post. you go on guard by posting around the omega through body blocking, like a fence. It's not always because of threats, it keeps them calm when traveling outside the den.”
Her mother praised. “Yes, that's right. Been studying the books have you?”
“Hmph, that's all?” Cassandra stuck her tongue at her sister. “Sounds easy to me.”
“It's an important responsibility.” The stare given by her mother had Cass shrink in her chair. “there's a lot to the position. You should study the books with your sister to get a sense of it.” eating through their meals quietly. After their breakfast she carefully made a meal for him. Unsure if he'd even eat it with how skittish he was.
Choosing something hearty she made a baked pheasant on mashed potatoes sided by green beans. One way to catch an omegas attention was to give them a filling meal. It wasn't exactly a breakfast, but it's what he needed. Taking it up to the den she opened the door purposely slow and loud. Announcing her arrival, if he was out, to prepare him. Approaching the bed she opened the curtains to glance over it. Finding a disturbance at the blankets end and where the pillows began. Setting the tray of food near it she Stepped away to sit on the couch by the fireplace. afterwards she noticed the bottle was gone.
Ethan waited after feeling a shift of weight on the bed. It wasn't much from what he could tell. strong smell of fresh hot food reached him under the covers. Stomach painfully growling at him to find its source he climbed out. spotting the plate right away he looked between it and the parted curtains. Dragging it closer to breath in the delicious smells. He couldn't hold back from ripping into the meal. Swallowing chunks down at a time he slowed briefly to breath. In a few minutes the plate was cleared of anything edible. A pile of bones left as the only clue to what it had before. Setting his chin on the bed he closed his eyes to digest. That's the best I've eaten in a while. him and Mia being so busy rarely cooked at home. Fast food was what they had for every meal until Rosemary came along. Doing better to sit at the dinner table when he became a stay at home dad. What he cooked was nothing fancy. Some frozen vegetables and what frozen meat looked good at the store. Didn't think I could burn a whole casserole. Thing was frozen solid when I started. At least the garlic bread came out perfect. Drifting off on the memories he failed to stay awake.
Unsure how long had passed his mind was slow to wake after a deep sleep. Ready to knock right back out he was so comfortable. Imagining he was in his own bed back home. Rosemary resting in her own crib. A soothing scent of chilled mountain air blowing between pines laced by- … wait. … he breathed in. That's not right. That's ... her sce- his eyes shot open followed by the rest of him. Shoved back down by a hand across his back.
“don't.” she commanded gently. “stay still.”
Ethan froze in place as his thoughts raced on what to do. Checking on what she was doing in leaning over him. His shirt was raised to reveal his side while her free hand felt along him. Smoothing over the wounds there that were mere dips. His skin prickled against her touch in holding back a shiver. Enjoying the physical attention he didn't want her to notice. Subtly letting out a breath when she finished.
“we need to get you cleaned. Come on.” tapping his shoulder after he was allowed to move again.
He glared at her and refused to move at first. Shoving himself back to hide back down when she stopped him short.
Gripping onto his shirt and sweater she yanked him forward. “no, come on! You're filthy and you can't stay here like this.”
He remained adamant of not going and leaving Rose alone while she was nearby. Distract me and let her girls snatch her away. I'm not letting that happen. tugging on her lifting hold.
“... I promise she'll be here when you come back. Look at yourself, you're covered in rot that can make her sick.”
When he looked he saw what she meant. Forgetting how bad he was before he even stepped into this castle. Dried on Mud, dried Lycan slobber, blood from monsters and some of it his own. He slumped, knowing she was right, but didn't want to leave Rosemary alone. Her grip tight on him until he begrudgingly left the bedroom to follow. Keeping close to the walls while ready to run back to the bedroom if he saw someone approach. He'd been refusing to leave the spot without duplicate nests to confuse. Omegas always had two to three others that were used to confuse attackers. Move their young around if one was deemed unsafe to stay at. Back home he had a few that Mia always found inconvenient. Needing to ask him where Rose was hidden this time after he got too paranoid of the last spot. Here, he had no extras to pass between. Watching diligently past the door space he refused to let it out of his sight. It took a lot for him to glance at anything else. Wanting to get into the tub, but she was still here. “can you go?” tempering his aggression toward her.
“I have to look you over.”
a blush hit his face. “for what?”
“check your wounds.”
“the ones you gave?”
“Yes, and the others.” stating so flatly.
He grumbled in stripping down one piece of clothing at a time. Awkwardly waiting in his boxers while she circled him. Twitching the few times she touched him in inspecting a wound. Fresher Lycan bites, cuts, stabs, bruises decorated most of him. Flinching at a few thorns she flicked off his skin. Holding his chin she moved his head up in inspecting his neck. Struggling against her to dip his head back down. No, not claimed. His inner thought burned with anger. Ethan knew she was checking to see how hard a claim would be. Alphas always marked their omegas through a scarred ring of bites around the neck. as a warning to others they had an alpha ready to kill for them. Without one on him, his claiming would be easy the next time his heat would hit. By how much he was tolerating her touching him, he knew it'd be soon. I have to get out of here. tensing his jaw to not snap at her hand he only relaxed when she let go.
Crossing the paths of his older scars from Louisiana she checked every one. She recognized the fresh, but began asking about the older ones. “Where's that one from?” tapping her own wrist to gesture about his.
“uh. ...” he wasn't sure how to put it. “a parasitic mold infesting a body hacked it off with a chainsaw.” rather avoid painting Mia in a bad light. Even though it wasn't her, a part of him feared that the aggression she had toward him was real. They had to overcome a lot of problems after Louisiana. All the secrets she hid from him.
“that one?” asking about another had him refocus.
“stabbed by a shovel.”
Her circling inspection slowed to a stop as each next scar told a more complicated story. Now she was standing there, just staring, and he came to prefer the circling more. He should have been worried about what she was going to do, but was instead worried about his presentation. She's seen I'm a mangled mess. He'd been so fearful of running into alphas it had slipped that maybe they didn't want him. Not to mention all the mental scars. It made him appear as a sickly omega any alpha would scrunch their noses at. I should stop talking. She thinks I'm crazy after all I've said. Monsters in the swamp, A fiery car battle, some puzzles with tapes and giant mold mutants. An omega whose far too much trouble for what his mangled self is worth. He felt sick being seen so weak. He wanted to hide, he had to, before he'd be discarded as trash. Everything around him was dark and suffocating. He took a step back in readying to turn into a run. Jolted by a hand holding his face. He tried to yank away on reflex of being attacked. Imagining his face being mauled into. Splashed by some warm water his dark world melted away to being back in the bathroom. Wheezing for air as he clawed into Alcina's arm out of fear, that then lessened into holding on to stay standing.
“Winters.” She spoke his name and tapped his face with a finger resting along his jaw.
He swallowed between a few more wheezes. Unable to answer at the moment.
“Come here, sit down.” gently moving him to the tub steps she had him sit halfway in the bubbling water. The steam soothed his aching lungs down from hyperventilating. Stilling from his traumatic flash she released his face. “stay here.” leaving his side to head out of the room.
He didn't react at first until Rosemary! He rushed out of the water to stop just behind Alcina. Water flowing off him and his soaken boxers to create a puddle at his feet.
She turned to glare for the disobedience. “i told you-” readying to scold him, but let it go with a glance out of the room. “stay here then.” pointing to the doorway. Long as he had a clear view of the bedroom he wasn't so anxious in watching her go to the main door. “Bela!” her voice carried far down the castle halls. The sound of a buzzing swarm made Ethan's skin tense. Hearing Bela and her mother pass some foreign words in Romanian then she flew off. He didn't understand them, yet enjoyed how smoothly the alpha spoke them. She waited a moment for Bela to return with a bag of items. Taking them she waved her daughter off with a closing of the door. Returning to Ethan, bag in hand, she shooed him back inside.
“back in the water.” she ordered. Pulling a short wood table over to set things across it. A brass bowl of sorts with a pile of herbs. Some piles into a small burning incense while she chucked more into the hot bath. The whole room took on a warm comforting scent. It reminded him of a fall festival outside. Scents of apple cider, spices, and a smooth vanilla pairing well with hers. He was still on edge, but it helped. A part of him missed the physical attention he was getting. Wanting to relax into the affectionate warmth of physical contact he rarely got. Mia would give him a kiss, a hug, but it was never enough. Betas couldn't be as in tune with an omegas needs as much as an alpha could. Similar instincts to make nests, bond, and courting were easy to see. Although betas had an important place being the middle ground. It would have been better for both to have one now. His and her interactions too close so soon came off as intimidating for him. Alphas could be extremely aggressive and unsafely forward on claiming an omega upon first meeting. Brutalizing them into submission or worse, outright killing them when rejected. Omegas were flighty in an alphas presence and would hide away until they left the territory. A preferred slower courting by an alpha, without a beta, was limited to gift giving outside an omegas den.
Specifically meals the omega needed while too anxious to leave. A task she'd taken seriously on having each offer being better than the last. “I'll clean your clothes in the meantime. When you're out and dry I'll have dinner for you both.” stepping away she left him alone for some privacy.
He questioned in thought. Dinner? How long was I out? Another day lost, another day closer to his heat kicking off. I have to get out. His mind repeated. I can't get past the door. That things built to survive a battering ram. rubbing his face to rake his hands through his hair. Ethan went to look outside the bathroom to check if she was fully gone. Relaxing that she wasn't poised in front of the bedroom. He got back into the tub for a scrub down in record time. Refreshed in the warm water soothing his bruised body. Resting his head down at the tub's edge he relaxed across from the doorway. Stuck in the water until his clothes were returned.
Soaking for a while he tensed when she returned. His neatly folded clothes set on a lounge chair. “dinner will be ready soon.”
He waited until she was gone to get redressed. His layered outfit still warm from the dryer and smelling of softener. He hated everything about this. Have to get out. His mind buzzed with ideas of what to do. Exploring further out in the den for any other weak point. Only one wall connected to the hall and it felt far too strong to chip through unlike the lower levels. Locking onto the windows next, he ran over expecting them to be fixed to the brick. Hope filled him by a turning roller at its corner. After not having been used in forever it required some extra force to get it open. Peering over the window sill down to a drop that was a good six stories down. Ooh boy. Breathing out his fear of what a drop like that could do. How would I even get down?… an idea hit him, but he needed to be fast before she got back.
Many floors down below, Alcina was in the kitchen distracted by dinner and her girls asking questions again. Focused on not burning the delicate white wine sauce she'd been preparing. Pausing only to check on how the rest of the meal was doing. A pot of bubbling pasta on the fire stove. A side piece of shredded chicken turning crispy in a skillet. Dusting fine herbs across it or adding a little more butter. When the sizzling pan calmed down her girls asked the next important question they had.
Casandra asked. “What will we do about Miranda?”
“I have an idea, although I loath the things I'll have to do for it. So, for right now I'll be focused on courting and possibly coming up with something better.”
Bela asked next while taking the pasta off the stove. “is courting like how betas date?”
“no, it's a bit more intricate than that.” grabbing various things for plating. “even more so after the harm I've done.”
“hasn't he healed yet?”
“his physical body, yes. Not so much the mental. He's been through far more than just our village with all the scars to prove it. His anxiety runs higher than many, for good reason, with determination to keep his daughter safe being the lone factor to press him on. Simple courting through gifts may not be enough.”
“what will you do?”
“I'm thinking. For now it's being as pleasant as possible when I'm around. Keeping him calm and relaxed enough to feel both him and his daughter are safe. This would be far better if we had a beta between us.” Her stirring paused, their conversation dying when they heard the long howl of a Lycan. They'd found something of extreme interest to call the whole pack onto.
Daniela hopped down from sitting on a countertop. “what do you think it is?” trying to find out by a window.
“deer maybe?” Cassandra answered boredly. “one of the last around since they got the rest. You think Miranda will have us keep searching after the three days? I'm tired of wrecking the empty houses for something that's not even there.”
Alcina scoffed. “Even if she does I'll put a stop to it soon enough.” taking the sauce pot off to pour onto the plate of pasta. Each piece carefully handmade from scratch to be beautifully presented.
“Can we see him now?” watching her mother set the plate on a wooden tray.
“no, he still hasn't come out much. I wont be down here often aside from cooking. Longer I stay with him the more used to me he'll get.” next to the plate was a porcelain teapot with a matching tea cup. Taking the set up in one hand as she grabbed the baby bottle in the other.
“Is there really nothing we can do?” Bela asked. “Would us being nearby help calm him?”
“mm.” she hummed. Wanting so badly to see her daughters as excellent alphas. However, their inability to click into hierarchical cues and scents locked them out. Locked down as betas being the closest they can be. They'd have to learn to be betas somehow and wasn't learning by doing the best? “... maybe, if you stay calm you can come up.” hoping they could become that much needed buffer to coax him out. Second guessing when Daniela yelled with joy at possibly seeing him and the baby. “You have to be quiet dear.”
“yes mother!” still too excited.
Maybe I should have Bela go in alone to start. followed up the whole way by the three.
Daniela reached the door first, about to rush in when she snapped back. “It's freezing in there!” flashing back behind the group to a warmer part of the hall.
“what?” her mothers brows furrowed. Can't be that cold. Did the fire go out? Approaching the door she felt the icy chill of high mountain air. Alarmed, she rushed right over to the bedroom noticeably missing its canopy. “WHAT?!” she shouted toward the stripped down bed. Every single layer but the pillow pile was gone. Roughly setting the food down she didn't have to look far for the escape window. A crafted together robe attached to a pillar went out the entire way down to the roof. A set of prints set running away in the snow. NO! That howl earlier stirred up a cloud of dread. Too late for the girls. It was getting dark, the snow fall was too big a risk for them. Racing faster than she ever had to, to leave the castle.
“we can go-” Bela's offer was shot down.
“no! Stay here, I'll find him by tracking the Lycan's.” if Miranda hasn't reached him. She didn't bother to grab a coat, bashing her iron fence out of the way with no care toward it. Listening for any sign she was closing in while following the scent of wet dog. Inner rage kept her warm at the scent of blood. His, drifting on the blowing wind. How dare they! She grit her teeth together. On the hunt for the source she found an unfortunate Lycan first, covered in his dried blood. it didn't have time to react to her sudden appearance when it was turned into a flying pile of sliced meat. Each following Lycan suffered the same deadly fate that had the pack fleeing in terror. Clearing the village it was easier to find his trail without distraction. A mess of blood had her fearing he wouldn't survive the injuries caused. Even with her long striding gait it took a lot of time following his bloody trail. Visions of finding him dead occupied her mind the whole way. Trudging up a steep hill side she heard a familiar waterfall. Squinting through the dark, a large building wasn't far. Beneviento. A growl left her chest. If she did anything. Heading right for the door his trail ended.
Inside the house was a small figure watching her out the upstairs window. A delicately crafted doll in a tattered wedding dress it'd always had. “Oooh boy.” the doll would be sweating bullets if it could. Her connected life line, Donna, certainly was.
Ethan had run inside their house half an hour ago a bloody mauled mess to go hide in the basement. Donna didn't think much about it, but that he was an annoyance barging in. posturing her flowers to shake their hallucinogenic pollen in the basement. A call ready to be sent off to Miranda that he was here when the scent of his blood hit her. It took her a moment to guess what it was. Something warmly sweet that didn't match a neutral betas. Wide eyed at the distorted scent hitting her like a ton of bricks. It had been so long since she'd seen an omega she thought they were extinct already. Caught between the alpha mother Miranda and a horribly injured omega she so badly wanted. Donna just wanted to kick him out and wipe her hands clean as if nothing happened at all.
She sent her doll companion, Angie down to try and scare him out. Cursing at him that he was “fucking up the floor!” with his blood getting everywhere.
He was disturbed by her appearance, yet refused to move. In part it was because he couldn't. His blood wasn't seeping out from a few cuts. About torn apart four different ways by the Lycan pack cornering him in the village. Wheezing through the blood filling his mouth. Nose dripping blood onto his shredded chest. Legs equally mangled as bits of flesh hung off in shreds. Claw marks, bites, stabs, arrows jutting from his back. It was a miracle he fought them off and lost them in the snow to make it here.
On the verge of passing out he told the doll to “fuck off.” head ticking up to stay awake.
When the baby wrapped in his arms began to cry the two backed off on chasing him out. They missed seeing her when he ran through to hide among a cotton filled barrel pile. and Unlike him, she was unharmed. Donna let him be alone to rest, hopefully heal, to eventually leave on his own. After ten minutes she wanted to go down and check on them. Fighting her beta instincts to care for him. They didn't provide care in the same way alphas could, but acted more as a family bond kind of care. Betas attached to alphas or omegas in starting a clan structure. Many would say alphas were the top, betas the middle, and omegas were at the very bottom in a power hierarchy. It was More of omegas were alongside the alphas at the core. as an important pair that was the head of the family. Betas were more of a circle around them and treated with just as much respect. They cared for the sick, injured, helped care for the pairs needs, and provided a separation of safety between the two. A bond that Donna was naturally picking up, begrudgingly, around the two. Twelve minutes passed when she gave in by sending Angie down. The knocked over barrel of cotton he had burrowed in was stained red with his blood. His body wheezed in its passed out state, his child keeping quiet. unaware of why, but instinctively knowing it wasn't safe to make any noise.
She debated for a minute or two then grabbed some supplies. A bunch of blankets, herbs, a first aid kit, and a jug of water. “annoying, annoying!” her friend spoke fast in skipping along beside her. Taking the elevator down where Angie led the way to him in the workshop.
What a waste of stuffing. She thought, removing the tainted cotton. Checking over him she gently shook his shoulder. Flinching when he was startled up, slamming his head into the barrel. He groaned in pain and looked to her. Flinching away when she got close. An offer of water helped to ease his worries.
It was easier to relax around her, a beta then an alpha. They didn't kill young who were potential competition. They had no urge to claim omegas. They didn't want to kill over territory. They were far calmer in temperament and Donna's whispering tone made it extra easy. Scrubbing out his wounds using a bottle of alcohol. Letting her patch him up with healing poultice and stitching wire. Chugging all the water she brought him. Managing to patch up his shredded pants with dark fabrics Angie fetched from upstairs.
Angie gestured toward him. “Can you take off that mangled rag you call a jacket?” it needed more work then his pants did.
Stiffly he did as he was told. Removing his jacket and the sweater underneath. Skin prickled at the cold hitting him before he was handed the blankets. Shuffling them around to fill the emptied barrel. It wasn't as fancy as the other den, but it would do. Hidden underground in a dark corner among a pile of barrels was the closest one could get to a natural underground burrow. Hunkering down beside Rose, who at least made quiet babbling noises when her father relaxed enough.
Donna collected everything to put away. Fixing his jackets up stairs using similar colored cloth. While Angie talked to her about the suddenly acquired omega. “so, do we tell mother Miranda?”
And get blamed for his injuries? I won't take the chance of dealing with an angry alpha. Speaking to the doll without physically needing to. Especially after Salvatore was vaporized. I'm going to wait and see what he does. Maybe he'll leave when he's rested enough.
“mother Miranda complained about him getting that kid last night. You'd think he'd be gone by now.”
The mountains around here aren't exactly a lovely stroll. All this snow blocked off the roads until spring. unlucky, but lucky for him it must've covered his trail from the Lycan's for the most part. He must be on suppressants too. I could hardly smell him when he came in.
“Why do you think she didn't mention it? Think she didn't know?”
no, she stole the child for a reason. I assume the same reason is why she gave winters to Heisenberg. Since lady Dimitrescu-
“is heading up here.”
huh? - what?!
Now, presently, they had an incredibly pissed off alpha coming for them. “DONNA!” her name was roared from outside.
“uh, lemme talk to her.” Angie ran out the room to meet downstairs. Donna could always put the doll back together if it was sliced to pieces, unlike herself.
Their door was chopped to bits for the other to crouch through impatiently. “Donna!”
“whoa, whoa, whoa lady! You didn't have to kill the door!” gesturing to the scattered pieces.
“Where is he?!” claws out in preparation to shred the doll down. “I know he's here! Did you touch him?!”
she took cover behind a wood pillar. “He's here, safe, fine!” quick to answer.
“where?!”
“he's hiding. Sleeping off his injuries.”
“where?” her anger doused enough to set her claws away.
“won't say.”
“you-!”
“no! Hang on Godzilla! He's resting! You'll freak him out and ruin all the stitches!”
Alcina let out another growl. Hot air blew out her nose to fog the air. Reigning in her anger to speak more civilly. “How bad is he?”
“they mauled him pretty good. You saw the trail. Took forever to clean the floors. Got him stitched up and packed with herbs. He did a lot better than others we've seen torn the same.”
“Is his daughter with him?”
“Yes, she didn't need any care.”
“Have you told Miranda he's here?”
“no, we tried to avoid having an angry alpha in our house. Have you?”
“no.”
“going to?”
“… I don't plan on it.”
“oooh?”
“tsk, shut it.”
“whyyyy? Is Miss mountain hiding something?”
“Yes, and so are you. So I suggest you keep your mouth shut unless you want to end up like Salvatore.”
“Yeah, yeah, don't have to tell us twice.” leaving her minimal protection behind the pillar. “How long have you known about him?”
“these past days. He escaped Heisenberg rather effortlessly after the meeting. Took me longer than I'd like to admit to recognize after chasing him around my castle. Got him once on my claws and he yelped.” a sting felt in her chest when she recalled the sound.
“aaaand?”
“and I've had him in a den since yesterday before he climbed out a window.”
“If he was there, then who got the kid for him? Hmm?”
“ugh. … my girls.”
Angie manically laughed. “heh heh! oooh, you are in trouble.”
“So are you, pest.”
she laughed again. “ha, ha, sure are.” Calming down. “Do you want some tea?”
she let out a tired sigh. “yes.”
Without the threat of being turned to meat cubes, Donna came down stairs. Starting a kettle on the stove to sit at her dining table with Alcina. Angie sat on a stack of books atop her own chair. Together they Discussed the one resting down below. Sipping cups of freshly made hot tea in between Alcina's questions.
“What did you give him?”
“a few blankets.” Angie answered for Donna.
“that's all?”
“We weren't expecting a guest.”
“That's hardly a nest.” Alcina's judgment of his new nest went on and on. Switched to debating how to get him back to the castle.
“Move him? You can’t possibly move him right now. The stress between that and you looming over would send him into shock.” Angie pointed out as they argued. Coming to the conclusion that he shouldn't be moved right now. conversation shifting gears into negotiations. “you can't move in!” the doll screeched.
“I'm not, he is. I'll bring everything he needs.”
“And what if we don't want him?”
“He's already moved in for a little too long. You treated his wounds and stopped me from simply taking him. You've developed a soft spot, surely.”
Donna let out a sigh knowing it was the truth. If he's moving in, I'll be watching him. tell her-
Angie grumbled before speaking clearly to the tall lord. “Fine, but you can't see him.”
Alcina's immediate reaction was fury in the form of claws gouging deeply into the table. “why not?”
“what do you mean “why not?” he ran away because he's terrified of you! For god's sake lady!”
“He's my omega, not yours.” releasing a deep growl of warning.
“don't you “Rrrr”, me. You wanna see him all the time. Take him back to that tacky castle of yours. I'm sure he'll be absolutely thrilled! Make sure there are bars on the windows this time.”
Alcina swore she was breathing out fire with each breath. Speaking her reply through grit teeth. “fine.” cooling the bellowing dragon within. Tapping her nails on the counter. “shall I assume this will be a classic courting then?”
“yes.” setting the rules. “Cant see him, but bring what you want and we'll pass it along. When all sides are ready, we'll gather.”
“very well. I'll bring everything over while it's still dark.” tapping the table one last time then she stood to leave. “Sorry about the door. I'll bring you another.” apologizing as she leaned through the doorway. Mildly regretting her lack of coat now. The winds chilling her skin without a roaring fury inside.
Pride & Ruin CH 1
on A03 as well
Alcina X Ethan
summery: Determined to find his daughter Ethan Winters, an omega, storms the castle of Alcina Dimitrescu, an alpha. While fleeing her three beta daughters Ethan has the unfortunate luck of being snagged on the alphas claws. Slipping out a yelp, Ethan fears the worst. Instead, luck will be in his favor under a prideful alpha and Miranda's plans will fall to ruin.
Status: Incomplete
Rated: M - fowl language and gore
Previous chap: None
Next chap: Ch:2 Scars & gauze
___________________
~Ch:1 Misstep~
Ethan Winters was an injured, exhausted, incredibly broken omega. His baby daughter stolen from him after his wife was murdered by his ex-friend for unknown reasons. Waking confused after a serious truck crash. He fought off multiple Lycan's in a strange land far from home. Was captured by some beta male, a lord of the village lands, with telekinetic powers. taken before three other lords and some witch who he discovered now has his daughter captive. Two in that room he was terrified of in particular. That witch decorated in gold, surrounded by large crow wings and the other an extremely tall lady dressed in white. both were alphas, that he hoped would never notice what he is. His heart skipped a beat when the notion of who would get him came up. Partly relieved that the alpha lost to the beta. Almost killed by the same male lord who caught him, but lucky enough to escape his tunnel of torture. Ethan had set out on finding his daughter through the village.
The first was a cryptic hag who pointed him toward a large castle. Outside by the gates he met a strange overly large man with a bright jolly attitude. He got more information out of him than anyone else in the past twelve hours. Hearing of each lords reputation he perked up at the mentioned alpha Alcina Dimitrescu.
“the grand lady of the castle, you must've seen her. Her reputation and that of the castle of blood and death have traveled far. Not so surprising of an alpha, but don't assume she doesn't have a gentle hand. she was always interested in having children, maybe your Rose is hidden away in her castle. It wouldn't hurt to start there.” The large man gestured toward the gates right before tempting Ethan to buy supplies. If Rose was in the castle, he'd have to get her out quick.
Now, he was risking so much by being inside. Soon after entering, he was caught. She had three daughters, he couldn't tell what they were at first. Terrified they were alphas as well by the scent stuck to them. Dragging him by a sickle stabbed through the leg toward a room where she was. Heart nearly leaping from his chest upon entering a bedroom. Terrified she knew until she did her little introduction. Extremely lucky so far that she still thought he was a beta. He took his suppressants a while before all of this. It was hiding his true nature, but those were on the verge of wearing off. He was meant to take his next dosage this morning, but Chris's assault on his family prevented that.
Escaping the painful hooks hoisting him off the ground. He was running around with not much of a plan. Fearing someone would notice something off the longer he lingered. He himself was already feeling himself crumble inside. The lovely scent of that alpha was everywhere and he couldn't help but relax to it if he stopped for too long. He was getting caught too much by the lady's three daughters because of it. A few times by the lady herself, he soon learned had the intimidating trait of grow able blades for nails. Bitter to admit that he found her as beautiful as she was dangerous. Figuring out quickly her daughters weren't human at all, being a swarm of shape changing insects. that may be considered the beta types with their lack of scent, if even that. Figuring out they had trouble scenting him at all.
Fleeing away from them, for possibly the fifteenth time, he stopped to crouch for a rest. Wheezing air into his burning lungs aching behind his bruised ribs. Cuts, stabs and other broken things were taking its toll. Ultimately this would lead to a terrible mistake. He was being herded in the halls and didn't realize until it was too late. The girls attacked him into fleeing down this hall, in particular. They caught up while making their presence well known to get him running ahead again. Distracted by the pain his body was going through he didn't hear the crackle of Alcina's stretched out claws. He passed a corner without looking, and a severe pain hit his side. Multiple pinning stabs had him slip out a yelp. The worse he could have let happen right in front of her.
Fortunately, and unfortunately, he wasn't the only one regretting their actions. Briefly, just before the hit. It had all come together for Alcina. She was about to be rid of this rat in her castle. For hours he'd been destroying her property. Taking what wasn't his and leading her poor girls on an endless chase. Imagining the praise she'd be showered by her mother for containing him when that dunce Heisenberg couldn't. Her claws unsheathed, she readied them at his approaching footsteps. Soon as he turned the corner she stabbed them right into that pathetic man-thing. Excited at the thought of causing him pain. The scream she expected didn't come, but a cried out yelp. High pitched, quick, it didn't last long and yet the sound hit her like a bolt of lightning. Her heart seized in her chest, body locking up in immediate guilt, she yanked her claws back soon after he was slammed into the ground from them. Freed, he wasted no time scrambling away to disappear within the castle. Her body stayed locked in place to process what had happened. She caused an omega to yelp.
It was a unique sound to them. An alert to let alphas know they were being harmed or a depressing bid to not be attacked by one. Any alpha who heard it would have an instinctual reaction to it. To run and protect their omega or freeze what they were doing alongside immense regret. She already wanted to find him and treat the wounds she caused. Driving her regret further in remembering the few other times she clawed him, but he hadn't yelped. Mildly Relieved by the fact he seemed far sturdier than any other she has lashed out against. His healing was remarkable against her hits. The other times he was nabbed by her daughters his wounds were hardly a worry.
Those three lovely daughters of hers ran up to their mother, who stood frozen in place. The man-thing long gone from their ambush. They worried about having failed her in setting the trap. Bela, her eldest with blonde hair, looked up at her in concern. “mother, what happened?”
she let out a long drawn breath. “he's an omega.”
An omega, in their castle, was the biggest shock. her daughters looked to one another, a bit of curiosity mixed with excitement. being non-human they didn't fully understand the mechanics of alphas, betas and omegas. Far too easy for them to miss their pheromone cues when evolution never required it of their insect species. Confused when their mother got extra snappy during her rut. Or why betas in the village were always anxious of them, even when not seen. bearing an alphas scent everywhere after living with their mother 24/7. however, they read up on it all and knew the strong bond an alpha and omega could have. A shared presence between the two would calm one another, boost healing, and most importantly would create strong brood. Far more than what a beta and omega pair could create.
Daniela, her youngest child with bright red hair, asked. “aren't they rare?”
“extremely, as much as alphas.” both were slowly disappearing in the world. Evolution no longer had much of a need for them in modern society. Alphas could breed with betas just fine, but it only resulted in betas. Betas together only beget more betas. An omega was the only one that could have children in each branch. There hadn't been an omega in the village in centuries and like hell she'd let this one escape her grasp.
Is this why you wanted him so bad? A raging fire filled her lungs. Mother Miranda said he was important for the ceremony and stole his daughter for it. She knows how far omegas will go to keep their offspring safe. she must know what he is. Why didn't she tell me? Her claws threatened to extend on their own. A secret she didn't want me to know. To have. Instincts urged her to claim him first. Fighting the other part of her demanding loyalty to Miranda after all she gave. Gifting a pathetic diseased alpha immense power, three darling daughters to have, all the wealth of her ancestors. Could she steal such a mate from one she owed her own life to?
Broken from her thoughts by her daughters. “should we go after him?”
“no.” He's long gone and in hiding. That was a perfect hit then all the others. Heart aching for what she'd done and not wanting to cause him any more stress. “My dears, we'll have to change how we react to Mr. winters.” making sure she had her daughters' full attention. “don't harm him if he comes out, herd him away from escape and nothing more. … I need to think.” heading off to grab a bottle of wine in the cellar. How didn't I notice? I tasted his blood, smelled it so many times and still- suppressants. She glared to the side. No, there's more to it than that. Face crinkling in remembrance. Long ago In her time living out of the village she came across omegas under their influence. Each of them smelled like a pharmacy. She knew the scent well, loathed that it reminded her so much of the hospitals she used to see regularly for her blood disorder. Her nose had grown too sensitive toward it, hating it wafting by in the jazz clubs when omegas were more abundant. while other alphas had no idea what she was talking about when it was brought up. He didn't smell anything like that, his blood wasn't strong in taste. A strange flatness she mistook for some disease causing staleness. she'd never tasted something like it before on anyone. His healing is closer to mine than any other. What else hasn't she told? Miranda said he was special. Another detail to hide from me? His scent was still suppressed, but lacked the medicine smell. which meant. They're wearing off. It's only a matter of time before his heat.
Stepping into the kitchen she perused the wine for her special bottle of red. Delicately decorated with silver across the large bottle. Staring into her reflection across the glass. She gave me everything and I'm ready to steal from her. She's right not to trust me if that's my first thought. Grabbing a few glasses in her free hand before returning to the main room. She gazed down onto the freshly opened bejeweled bottle to pour its rich red wine. The heavy scent of iron flowed off it when swished around her glass. Sticking more than a regular wine would to the glass cup. Her daughters drinking the same vintage on the couch opposite to hers. Bela mixed a dash of it into a hot cup of tea to sip alongside reading her book. Daniela sat next to Cassandra, her middle eldest with dark brunette hair, drank theirs from similar wine glasses. as they talked about something their mother couldn't focus on right now.
I couldn't steal him from Miranda. The immense disappointment she'd have for me. A weak feeble creature whose logical reasoning fell to primal urges. Bringing up a hand to slightly extend her claws in bored inspection. To go against nature and hand an omega over to competition? She never expected me to be strong. Preferring that false alpha Heisenberg over me, after being so loyal. She even gave him that omega to keep him from me. Claws threatened to pierce the couch's armrest. Remembering back to the meeting then to the call she made right after capturing winters. She expected something from her after reporting Karl's failure. A “well done.” or a simple “handle it since Karl couldn't.”.
But no, she was practically scolded. “Why is he in your castle?”
She was taken aback by Miranda's snippy tone. As if accusing her of inviting winters over. “he came in after escaping Heisenberg.” she restated. “that overgrown child has never been responsible with anything. I'll take on his responsibilities and make sure business is taken care of with Mr. winters. Shall I have the girls-”
“no, he's needed for the ceremony. Keep him contained until then. If that's too hard for you then hand him off.”
“... yes mother. Nothing to worry about.” every conversation felt the same since her gift given day. What did I expect? Remembering the olden days she used to get so much praise and pleasant greetings when she was ill. Walks around the castle grounds where they happily chatted about life. Those brief times were when she felt free from her illness that left her mostly bedridden. When she was offered a gift, a chance at a cure, she didn't hesitate to accept. When she got better from Miranda's gift it became more of a battle between them. She didn't know what changed. Miranda was excited to see her do so well, until a few flaws came to the surface. Her tall growth shouldn't cause this much ire. Alphas were always bigger. Didn't this make her better than any other? Was it because her bad blood still stayed? That was handled for the most part, like taking medicine instead of a slow death. Blood was far more preferable to choking down useless pills. She was made strong enough to kill an army of men! A pure being of horror any place would fear her name... and yet.
Why am I never enough? She prefers a beta over me. One who clearly has no loyalties to her, but does she listen to my warnings? A clink sound from her glass forced her to calm down. Watching a drop of wine escape through a stress crack. A little more pressure would have smashed it and ruin her white dress. Is it because I'm an alpha? I wasn't a threat before when dying of bad blood? Why was I given such a gift then shortly tossed away? Is that all she sees me as? Competition, a threat to her power after all I've given? Her frown twisted into a smile. She knew I'd want him and knew I'd see how valuable he was. Of course, my blood disease still lingers, but my fertility was revived. What true alpha would let such a prime mate go? I've never denied myself of any pleasure. For fresh blood to take over the old must fall to the new. Swirling around her glass. With him, I could make a mighty clan of royal blood. I just have to claim him before she does. How could someone fumble a prize so badly for it to land in the competitions den on a silver platter? Now, how to lure him out?
Meanwhile the hidden omega, injured, was currently hiding in the walls. Making a sad little nest to lay on out of torn up couch cushions he stole from the attic. Depressingly feeling like an actual rat infesting the house of blood. Recovering from his injury in record time compared to any other. His body still felt the after soreness. Bruising seeming to take the longest to heal. Guess my body doesn't see it as a problem. Wincing when he sat up to look over his recent stabbing. The holes were still there, but shallower than before. Startled by a sound he mistook for buzzing of the sisters. Calming down at it being his hollow stomach. He hardly ate dinner before everything went so wrong.
I can't chance leaving right now. Not after- ugh. I held it all the other times, why then? She knows now. That yelp had trapped him deeper in this place. She was annoyed when he escaped before. That would change to an obsession. She'd be more subtle in her hunts to catch instead of kill. He had to find out where Rose is and run from this castle. If he was caught and claimed, she'd never let him go. He'd struggle to escape her, his anxiety problems crippled his body beyond functionality enough as is. Even his bond with Mia was difficult after the Louisiana incident. Constantly grating on her nerves to stick close to her at all times. She understood that it was how he was, but she wasn't an alpha. Her scent couldn't calm him and his couldn't tame the annoyance he unintentionally caused. He always felt bad whenever he tried to talk about what happened. It helped him, but upset her every time. Eventually he stopped and focused on his daughter instead. Her small smiling face giggling at him always warmed his chest. Taking her tiny hand that grasped his.
I'll find you. I promise. Wiping away the tears stinging his eyes. Stomach growling again to find some food. Dammit. … can't if I starve in the walls. Grabbing onto some wooden posts he lifted himself up. Following alongside the walls to a map in his head. Stopping by one wall he guessed was attached to the kitchen. Picking up a nearby broken stone he knocked it into one that felt loose. Popped free he peeked through its empty space. It was the kitchen with food scattered around the place. Good, didn't fuck up. Trying as quietly as possible to knock more stones free. Slipping through the gap he cautiously searched the room. Skipping any meat for fear they were once other people. He took up an apple instead from inside a basket. I should take- fleeing at the sight of a swarm of flies rushing in.
“hey! He went into the wall!” he heard one of the girls shout behind him.
He took no chance in checking, sure that they were following. He ran the entire way back to his micro den. Taking less than a second to crumple down and slide a fake chunk of wood over it. He laid still and quiet in waiting. Watching what little light he saw disappear while their footsteps thudded above to run past. Letting out a breath when they were gone. Holding onto the lone apple he snagged that he would have to eat later. Hope they leave soon, I can’t hunker down all day.
But they didn't. Searching for hours until the sun touched the mountains. The inner walls too cold for them to hunt any longer they returned empty handed. Disappointed, they failed in helping their mother. She didn't feel the same, more amused they tried so hard. Omegas were always skillful in hiding and the inner walls were far more perfect then they knew. She couldn't get him herself, far too narrow. The girls could go in, but being unable to smell him, like her, they couldn't track. He could leave and pop up anywhere in the castle. Throughout the day she was tempted to break the walls. A thin bit of stone being her only blockage. However she couldn't ruin her home by having it look like Swiss cheese.
He came here for something and as soon as he realizes it's not here he'll leave. If he can get through the kitchen wall he can break through to the outside. Catching him out there would be impossible. The girls can't go after him long and I have too tall a stature to follow. “Girls, follow me. We need to discuss someplace else.” gesturing the three to follow. Leading them into the library where sound didn't travel well. Bookcases lining the walls would stop him from spying. She kept to whispers anyway to not chance a thing. “I have an important task for you. It'll be incredibly hard, but we have no more time.”
“what is it?” “what do we do?” “an ambush?” they questioned all at once.
“You have to fly to Salvatore's. Fetch me what he has there. You know what.”
“but mother Miranda-”
“She kept him a secret, because she saw me as competition. Me, her most loyal then any other. If she sees me as competition, then I will be. only one can have that omega and he'll be mine.” she proudly smiled. “We can't pass up this opportunity. He can help our family grow far and wide. No other blood line would compare to ours. I know what he wants and it wouldn't hurt to add another to our castle.”
they simultaneously agreed. “Yes, mother.” energized for the mission.
“heat up some pouches of dry rice. It'll keep you warm enough for there and back. With luck, that disgusting creature hasn't completed what Miranda asked of him. Even If so, bring his results anyway. This is the most important part, you cannot be seen by anyone. I expect she'll find out eventually, but we cannot have Miranda discovering what we did so soon.”
they simultaneously spoke. “Yes, mother.”
“if what you find is the same as it was. I need some important supplies to care for it.” giving them a list to scavenge the dead village for. disappearing when she waved them off.
If she's been crystallized already it would make things so much harder. If not, her cries will lure him out in no time. For now, he must be far hungrier than before. Wouldn't hurt to try other things in the meantime. Heading back to the kitchen she set up a simple trap. Not expecting it to work, more so just to catch a glimpse of how he was doing. Watching his escape tunnel using the reflection of a large silver platter hung on the wall. A little away from it, was a small set up of food in a wooden bowl. A few hard boiled eggs freshly peeled, a bread roll, a wedge of cheese and some fruit. Close enough to tempt and far enough she could stop his escape. Waiting patiently quiet it took some time before he peeked out. Excited to see him she drummed her fingers against her crossed arm to keep herself still. He glanced around then stopped on the baited bowl. Staring at it blankly before his face scrunched. Well aware it was a trap he looked very insulted by it. Disappearing back to where he came from within the walls.
Oh well. She held a chuckle at his expression. Was worth a try. Worried that she still didn't see his injuries. If I could get him out a little further I could-
“Mother! Mother! Mother!” Daniela excitedly whispered while running over. “She's in your room!”
Alcina rushed to go see what her daughters had brought back. Thrilled to see the small child the same as glimpsed in mother Miranda's arms. Perfectly fine and curious of everyone surrounding her. The baby smiled up at her without an ounce of fear.
Bela handed her over to her mother. “She was quiet the whole way. A happy little bundle of sunshine since we nabbed her.”
“How bold, a clever alpha for sure. Miranda must've not wanted me to see you either, such a giveaway.” she smiled, letting the child take her hand. Her heart felt like it was melting while holding the little bundle of joy. She always loved holding her girls, but they were never this small before. “such a charming little girl. She has golden hair like her father.” his blood must be strong to have such a child with a beta. She faced her daughters. “anyone see you?”
“no.” Cassandra shook her head. “Salvatore was too busy looking at his equipment. we kept low in the alleys while raiding the village.” pointing to bags full of supplies. “We found a couple goats and left them in the courtyard.”
“perfect, as always.” she praised. “Please, bring the bags up to the den in the high tower. I'll handle the rest from there.”
“Yes, mother.” flashing away with the bags. Alcina carried the joyful child to her new room. An old omega den deep in the castles core high in the upper levels. A difficult point to reach for any challengers looking to claim. It provided everything a pair could need equal to a whole house on its own. A bathroom, a small dining room, a living space, a separate nursery and a bedroom. Entering the area she frowned at its condition. Scoffing at the dust coating everything had. Shameful. She scolded herself for letting it get so bad. Although, with her blood disease she never expected it to be used. She wouldn't have survived bearing a child and the child would be still born if she did. With her new ability to heal that was no longer an issue. She'd have to keep up on drinking her blood is all.
She left to swiftly grab some cleaning supplies. Leaving the small child with her three daughters to bond. Starting on the small side room nursery. Clearing the hand carved crib of all its cobwebs. Dusted and shining like new she prepared it with fresh silk bedding. Resting down the little darling for a much needed nap. passing good-nights with the girls they separated. She started a fire in the main fireplace for some better lighting. Dusting to sweeping the whole area until she saw her reflection in the furniture. Prime waxed wooden floors to dark wooden furniture covered in fine cushioning. Pillars of fine marble went along the walls to reach up to the ceiling. Covered in golden swirling designs around a chandelier of hanging crystals. The back of the living room rose by two steps physically separating the living half from the bedroom half. Furthest at the back was a circular room with a fitted circle bed to fill most of it. Allowing only a small walking crescent at its front to get in. Its bed surrounded by thick dark red canopy strung from the ceiling. Canopy dusted clear She stripped the bed next to re-cover it in clean layers of plush blankets and pillows. Enough that any omega would be satisfied getting lost under.
Checking on her newest addition to the home. She scooped her up into her arms for a refreshing bath and a change of her dingy baby clothes. Holding back a repulsed look at the lake sludge on them from Salvatore's lair. Humming as she dried her laughing daughter. Grabbing things she needed from the bag to dress her in a fresh diaper and new clothes. They didn't fit the royal quality she liked, but they'd do for now. Only one thing left. “I'll need a little assistance from my new daughter.” she spoke to the smiling child she picked up. Playing with her on the way to the kitchen by teasing her with her hand. Posting at her last spot to watch through the silver plate. The bowl of food left untouched since she left. Her attention turned onto the bundled child in her arms. Tickling and teasing her to let out some hear-able laughter.
Resting in his hole, Ethan shot up at the sound of Rose. His heart raced, head whipping around to locate the noise he took off the false floor. Determination to keep his child safe shoving down any fear of being caught. Racing down the narrow path to the kitchen once again. Peeking out to carefully listen on how his daughter was. What could be happening to her and who was nearby. His revealed omega status made her presence here so much more unsafe. If Rose was a beta, her existence would have been shrugged off. As an alpha, she was competition to the others who wouldn't tolerate her. Swiftly killed if they so decided she was. He was in a race against the clock to save her. Stepping out a bit too fast by her sounds getting farther away. He swallowed roughly on a dry throat. Jolting forward between stopping every time the halls had a crossing. Preparing for one of the girls to be waiting around a corner eventually. It got to a point he had to stop hesitating to pass. I'm falling too far behind. Having trouble hearing Rose he had to rely on something else. The alphas scent strongly lingering in the halls. Tracking her down halls, up many stairs, then many more halls when he came upon an open door. It was the only one open at the end of a short pitch black hall, its light from a fireplace beamed out in a golden ray.
He knew a trap when he saw one. What happens when I go in? Could I knock out the wall? He crept closer to the doorway. Examining the strong door for any weaknesses. If I can break it, it won't stop me from running later. I can grab Rose, dodge all I can and get out. Peeking past the open doorway he couldn't see anyone nearby. The alphas strong scent told him otherwise. Slipping a knife from his pocket in preparation to be lunged at. No, this wont work. Has to be another way in. Maybe I can break a wall somewhere. Make it outside and- he got two steps back from the door. out of the corner of his eye, two gold flecks shone from the darkness. Catching on too slow that it was her eyes reflecting the light.
She scooped him off his feet into a large blanket. Chuckling at her catch struggling inside to break free. Having prepared this trap just in case he got too spooked and doubled back. She was anxious when he passed by to reach the door. Hiding in the shadows she almost jumped too early when she saw him getting close. Releasing her held breath once inside the room she slammed the door shut. After the loud thud announced his entrapment a knife pierced through the blanket to frantically lash every which way. Forced to lean back, she almost dropped him to the floor. Letting out a warning snarl that froze him enough to yank the blade away. Tightening the bundle in preventing him from reaching anything else on him. She kept him calm up until he heard his daughters babbling. First she felt his heart race then he scrambled to get away again. Unable to calm him like before she worked to unfold his cover.
Admiring his protectiveness while also annoyed. “She's fine, she's fine.” she repeated when he was partly freed. His body slacked at seeing Rose set carefully on the bed. His feet set on the floor she held him still by the throat. Careful how strong her grip was while she looked him over. Hating all the weapons on him she began cutting the straps using a claw. Confiscating everything she could find before letting him loose. Gently pushing him to stay calmly off to the side.
Pressed to sit on the couch he looked back to her, shrinking away when she passed him. Fearing what she was going to do at approaching his daughter. He leapt off the couch to run for Rose. Stopped by her grabbing onto his shirt collar to keep him partly off the ground. He had no traction to squirm away and no where near the strength needed to pry her grip away. His heart sank in his chest at failing to protect his daughter. Wheezing between his struggle to break free and take her into his arms. So close yet so far while the alpha drew closer to take his child. He resorted to the only thing he could do, plead with their captor.
“please, please don't!” shutting his eyes to what was about to happen. He didn't want to see those claws carve into her. Worse being a cruel slow torture he couldn't imagine. Body locking up in threatening to go limp he was hyperventilating so hard alongside tears escaping him. Releasing a sob when his face was grabbed. Flinching at first in expecting pain by the firm hold, but it was gentle enough. Rubbing the side of his face his hyperventilating stopped. Replacing it was his body shaking uncontrollably. If she let go of his collar he would surely collapse. Needing all the comfort he could get he leaned into her gloved hand. Swapping each others scent through the markers along his jaw and the ones at her wrist. His scent, still suppressed, wasn't giving much of anything. While hers was the chilled mountain air blowing between pines laced by a crisp freshly cut apple. Moved back by her she sat him down on the bed. He still refused to open his eyes when she released his collar. Holding his face in both hands now to pet away the stress. His body calmed down enough to grasp a normal breathing pace. The last few tears were rubbed away by her before letting go. His eyes shot open at hearing his daughter babble from being picked up. Chest collapsing in on itself again from Rose being in her arms.
“She's fine.” Alcina reassured. “Follow me, we can talk.” In a few steps he was up on unsteady legs to follow her. Crossing over into the living room she sat on the couch before the fire. Pointing to the spot next to her. “sit.” smiling at him doing as he was told. She rubbed along his jaw in comforting praise. Setting the back of her palm under his chin to raise his head up. Feeling him roughly swallow between the twitching urge to flinch away. Avoiding her intent gaze to submissively stare at the floor or glance at his daughter. “you wanted to say something?”
Her question threw him back into a breakdown. If he had to beg, he would. However his voice was failing him. Eyes shut tightly he would have started to wheeze again if it weren't for her comforting words.
Holding a soft tone. “Calm, Mr. winters. She's perfectly safe.” waiting for his panic to settle enough for him to listen. “I don't harm children, they are a gift. Long as you stay here, you're both safe with me.”
His submissive posture tensed, eyes opening to challenge her through a glare. “That's not what I’ve experienced. I'm not risking my daughter. how do I know you won't do anything?”
“Doing this is going against mother Miranda. You saw her at the meeting. She's the one who wanted you both for the ceremony, or at least one of you. I sent my daughters out into the night, at the risk of their lives, to save her. Don't take my betrayal for you two, so lightly.” tapping his head before she was swatted away.
He rubbed the pain from the spot. “so, what is the ceremony?”
“What do you think?” a spark of light in her eye told him everything. “she didn't tell me what you were. If I had known I would have handled you with far more care.” lifting up his shirt to try and see his wounded side. Swatted away again she let out a chuckle. “and you're suppressed, but I smell no chemicals on you. so-” she left the rest unsaid.
Ethan swallowed, losing the last bit of moisture in his mouth. A blush threatened to form the longer he thought about it. He'd never been anywhere near an alpha. Being around her had awakened so much he never knew he was missing. Her calming scent grounded him instantly from a panic. Even now he was turned exhausted by fighting to stay alert. Wanting to pour out his soul of every worry he had. The nightmares that latched onto him in Louisiana. Mia couldn't give the stability he wanted so badly. Instincts telling him to submit to this beautiful alpha while a small crumb refused. No alpha could just saunter in to claim him without some sort of effort. Herding him to be trapped in a den away from other alphas wasn't good enough. Repeatedly stabbed and tortured by this demon. “I'll get out of here somehow before I let a monster like you near me. Fucking vile bi-”
“don't.” a deep guttural snarl shoved him back down into submissiveness. “Think carefully of what you're going to say. I'll remind you first, you're in my home. I saved your daughter from being torn apart into jars for mothers plans. I've put myself and my daughters lives on the line for you two. When we both know I didn't have to take that risk for your daughter.” pausing to the small child squirming in her arms. Their conversation turned too tense for her to stay quiet. Drawing closer to tears if Alcina hadn't done anything. A small glance and letting Rose grab her hand was enough to calm her down.
Ethan felt a pang of annoyance laced with jealousy at his daughter's reaction. Her own mother, Mia, could never get a reaction like that out of their daughter. This alpha who tormented him and threatened his life was joyfully being smiled at. Rose's reaction softened him into listening a little more, if only for now. She must like the lord for some reason he didn't understand.
Alcina took in a calming breath to cool the conversation down. “Whether its a few days or maybe a week. I doubt it's more than that.” speaking softly so that Rose would fall asleep between the conversation. “I'm patient, Winters. there aren't many of us left in the world. We may try to push our self's in saying we have no need for our other half. But we're still left miserable knowing somethings missing. Why run away to torture yourself like that all over again?”
He locked his gaze down, chin touching his chest to avoid meeting her gaze. His body crumpled low into the couch in a sad attempt at hiding. Leaning back when she leaned toward him. shaking at hearing his daughters tired mumbles. Swallowing his heart back down when she set Rose before him. Gripping tightly into the couch in wanting to move, but not until she said so.
“take her and go nest in the bed.”
It took less than a second for him to hold onto his daughter. Being far more hesitant to leave for the bed up until he saw that she wasn't moving. Wanting to avoid making her angry again after that warning snarl, he crawled into bed. Gingerly checking his daughter for any injuries he had to clear away the tears building in his eyes to see. Hugging her close when he knew she was okay. Sobs held back to not draw more attention on them he wanted to hide. Fighting the urge to make a run for it instead. Mind flashing through the facts of why that was a bad idea and hiding was better. She was still nearby watching him, past her he'd have to deal with the door. Solid wood with reinforced metal framing it. Her daughters would come running and then he'd have to deal with all four of them. He couldn't risk Rose through all of that. Glancing over his shoulder he couldn't see anything past the canopy. A thin line of light at its center divide, flickered with the fire. Facing forward he parted the bedding layers as deep as he could go. Burrowing under the pillows that gave a comforting weight over him. Back against the cool wooden headboard he curled down around his little girl.
“Hey sweetie, it'll be okay.” kissing the top of her head. “We'll get out of here and move someplace far away. Off grid where no one will know who we are. Nobody will take you then.” smiling at her touching his face. He rubbed along her back to warm her under the cool covers. Petting her head to soothe her to sleep while he kept guard. Exhausted after hours of paranoia that someone would grab them from under the covers. Tensing at the heavy door opening and shutting sometime in the early morning. Listening to hear anything else, it was quiet when the door opened again. Waiting briefly he knew the door wasn't shut. Shuffling the bedding to surround Rose in a makeshift crib he shifted out from under the layers. Watching the line between the curtains for a break in its light. Ducking down when the door loudly shut again. Hiding down long enough for his racing heart to steady. Peeking out again to listen, take in the scents and decide his next move. Glancing back toward where he hid Rose he got out from under the layers to delicately set everything back. If someone tried to find her he'd have time to interfere in their attempt.
Slipping out from the bed he searched for her from the doorway. Approaching further out into the room when he couldn't find her. Walking faster up to the door to inspect it. Tying the knob first. Of course it's locked. Eyes going down to his waist to grab something, hand stopped in the air. And I have nothing. Running off to another part of the room to try and find something he could use. A simple kitchen he looked for a knife of any kind. All the drawers empty except for basic plate ware. Checking the cabinets he paused at something left on the counter. A bottle of milk.
His shoulders slumped over its existence. He had to feed his little girl, but- what's in the bottle? Fear of the contents tainted by a poison to be rid of her. Swiping it off the counter he scrutinized it closer for anything amiss. Smelling it for anything chemical like, there was nothing amiss there. Popping off the lid to taste it next, it was nothing but regular goat's milk. Giving it a few minutes to settle in his stomach. Is that it? Stomach knotting … No? then going away. … Yes? Stomach knotting, then going away again. No? … Yes? Tossing back and forth for a few minutes. Settled that it was his nerves causing the twinge in his stomach. He returned to the bed, bottle in hand, to Rosemary. Gently he rubbed her chest until she woke. It'd been a whole day since he fed her and he didn't want to put it off a moment longer. She almost cried at having her sleep disturbed. Quieting down to latch onto the warm bottle. He smiled at watching her eat. “At least you're taken care of.” Ignoring his own hunger that his stolen apple from yesterday hadn't satisfied. Eyelids heavy on the lack of sleep catching up to him. Ugh, what to do? Resting his forehead down to quickly bring it back up. He couldn't fall asleep here, it wasn't safe.
Even more-so now than ever, unaware that Miranda had arrived. Alcina however, was prepared for mother Miranda's arrival. It was why she had to leave the den so early in the morning. Getting caught in a space that was “useless” to her would out her instantly. Leaving a bottle for Ethan to grab when he willingly came out. Her and her daughters treated today like any other. When Miranda burst in through the door to furiously demand Lady Dimitrescu they acted perfectly surprised.
Alcina greeted the other, holding back a smug. “Mother Miranda, why the visit?”
“That idiot Salvatore lost the child! You saw the man-thing last! Where is he?!” she roared at the other. Many black wings spread out in agitation.
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i wanted to get some story's done and out by Halloween, but life's been kicking me in the ribs. this ones not finished, but has a good amount of chapters done. so here we go. :v//
I was thinking about shit and a random part of my fucked up brain started to wonder what would finn the human look like using a gun and then fucking ethan winters popped in my mind for no apparent reason like alcina and Marceline popped in there too and than I started drawing parallels between the four finn with ethan and marcy with lady dimitrescu anyway im hoping for fan art
man-thing is obsessed with giant girlfriend who's 4 times his size
based on the little rabbit meme/ story that floats around.