Forbidden Mate: Awakening

Jaxon sat with Aunt Cecelia, his foster mother, in their cozy home. She looked at him with concern etched on her face and he noticed, making him flash a teasing smile, “Mom, why the face? You’ve been looking at me like that since I got back.”

“Who the hell told you it was a good idea to follow a whole army of vampires back to their have? Don’t you think before you do things sometimes?” She complained.

“Oh mom, I was only performing my duty.”

“Which kind of duty is that? Nobody has done it and you thought you could because you’re some super hero, right?”

“Mom, I’m here and I’m fine. That’s all that matters.” He said and held her hands in his.

“You don’t know how worried I was…how Junior couldn’t eat or sleep because his big brother was gone. You just do things without thinking about anybody else.” Her voice broke and so did Jaxon’s heart.

“Mom, I’m sorry…please don’t cry. I know I was stupid…I’m sorry.”

More worry lines etched on her forehead. “Jaxon, I’m really worried about you. You’ve been acting so differently lately even before you disappeared. Is there anything you’re not telling me? You’re now hiding secrets from me?” she asked, her voice filled with genuine care.

Jaxon flashed her a playful smile, trying to remove her worries. “Mom, don’t stress over me. I’m just going through some things, but I’ll be fine. You know I can handle myself.”

Just then, Junior, Jaxon’s foster brother, bounced into the room, full of youthful energy. He jumped onto the couch next to Jaxon, eager to join in their conversation. “Hey, Jaxon! What are you guys talking about?”

Aunt Cecelia chuckled, her worries momentarily pushed aside by Junior’s presence. “We were just talking about how Jaxon here thinks he’s invincible,” she teased.

Junior looked up at Jaxon, his young eyes filled with innocence and a hint of fear. “Jaxon, I’m scared of the war that’s coming. What if something bad happens to you again? I was so scared the last time you left.”

Jaxon’s expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on Junior’s shoulder. “Junior, I understand that it can be scary, but you don’t have to worry. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to keep you and Mom safe. You’re family, and family always takes care of each other. Both of you are going to be protected, I promise.”

Aunt Cecelia watched Jaxon and Junior interact with admiration and slight confusion. She couldn’t quite understand what Jaxon meant by saying “they are protected,” but she trusted that he had good reasons. She always admired Jaxon for being strong and looking out for others, even though he seemed burdened at times.

As the evening went on, Jaxon, Aunt Cecelia, and Junior enjoyed spending quality time together. They laughed, shared stories, and made special memories in their small but loving home. Jaxon valued these moments and realized how important family was and the strong connection they had.

Family…

He had always yearned for it…

His real family…

He had always wanted to find them….

Even though Jaxon had responsibilities with the warrior pack that kept him away from home, he cherished the time he had with his mom and brother. They were his foundation, the ones who kept him grounded and supported him in his mission. He was determined to protect them, to keep them safe from the approaching storm of war that loomed ahead.

As the evening drew to a close and he was preparing to go to bed, Jaxon hugged his mom and ruffled Junior’s hair. “I love you guys,” he said sincerely, his voice filled with warmth.

Aunt Cecelia smiled. “We love you too, Jaxon. Always remember that.”

With a clear goal in mind and a strong desire to keep his loved ones safe, Jaxon said goodnight to them. He was truly determined and cared for these two people he called family. He understood that what he had involved himself in with his father would require him to do a lot of questionable things, contrary to what even his mom had raised him to believe in, but he was prepared to do them as far as his loved ones weren’t going to be hurt and he’d be on the winning side in the upcoming tug for power. The love and support from his family gave him the strength he needed to face whatever came his way.

But was it enough?

He thought about Lily, again, like he’d been thinking throughout the day.

Guilt was the only thing he felt anytime her face flashed in his mind. He did realise how truly he loved her – as a friend or more, he didn’t know or care to know – but he did care for her immensely.

“I’m sorry..” he muttered to himself and continued to count sheep as the darkness of the night grew thicker.

•••••••••

Don stood in the training field, staring blankly at the other practicing. He looked very tired and worn out. Jaxon noticed how exhausted Don seemed and approached him carefully, sensing that something was wrong.

“Hey, Don. You look really tired. Is everything okay?” Jaxon asked.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Jaxon had heard of what Don did, but also that he was undergoing some “mental health” treatment because of what he faced during his captivity by the vampire clan. He was careful not to say anything to trigger him or to sound judgemental. They were still friends after all.

Don let out a sigh and looked into the distance as he replied, “It’s been a tough time, Jax. So much has happened, and it feels like we’re stuck in a never-ending cycle.”

“I understand what you mean.” Jaxon went to sit beside him. “Everything’s just different…nothing is gonna be the same anymore.”

“No more early morning reps and…” Don stopped and looked aside for a minute before continuing, “now, we’ll face the real thing. It’s no longer practice, Jax.”

Jax continued staring into the distance as the silence between them prolonged.

As they talked, Lily’s name came up, and Jaxon couldn’t resist the urge to brashly tease Don, who didn’t take the joke quite well. “Well, Don, are you happy now that Lily’s not here with us? Has it made your life easier?”

Jaxon knew he did say it from a bitter point also but he masked it as a joke, a nudge at Don.

Don’s eyes suddenly filled up with anger. His voice carried resentment. “You think I’m happy? You think I wanted this? Don’t twist the truth, Jax. We both know what really happened.”

Jaxon was taken aback, “I was just joking Don, but it seems you’re on to something. Tell me, what really happened then?”

“That’s no joke and I didn’t cause her disappearance. I didn’t want her to just go like that.” Don faced Jaxon squarely.

“I’d believe that coming from someone who didn’t make her life a living hell when she was here.” Jaxon scoffed.

“Don’t go there, Jax. Yes, I do admit I did tease her a lot but I never held foul intentions towards her. Matter of fact, you also had abandoned her before you disappeared too, didn’t you?”

“And who told you that?” Jaxon narrowed his eyes at him.

“Sarah.” Don replied. “So if you want to use the measure of who neglected her the most to determine who’s responsible for her absence now, I guess you’d be the one leading.”

The tension between them grew, and they exchanged heated words.

“Don’t dump this on me.. you’re not even making sense. You weren’t here so how would you know? What Sarah told you was the half truth.”

“And that’s all I needed to know to judge you, because you also don’t want to hear my truth and why I treated her that way, yet you judge me.”

“Dude, we’ve literally grown up together. What now do you want to say is your reason for treating Lily so badly since you stepped foot in the grove?”

“You don’t look like you want to hear anyone else now, so I’d waste my time by saying anything.”

“Just fuck off, Don! You know you messed her up. If she did even run away, she’d have ran away because of you.”

“Now you’re just being petty.” Don eyed him.

“Fuck it, I’m telling the truth.” Jaxon scoffed back.

“I don’t even care because she’s still alive.”

Jaxon hissed, “And how are you sure about that?”

“She is. I know she is.” Don said while looking into the sky dreamily.

Their frustrations boiled over. The topic of Lily’s disappearance sparked their resentments and regrets. Deep down, they both carried the weight of betrayal, knowing that their actions had contributed to her absence.

“Don, she’s not here anymore,” Jaxon said passively angry. “You’re being foolish to think she could survive with vampires out there. We need to accept the truth and stop choosing who to blame for it.”

Don’s hands tightened into fists, and his eyes showed defiance. “No, Jaxon. I won’t believe she’s gone. I feel it in my heart and soul. She’s out there, and we let her down by not continuing to look for her.”

“Your delusions won’t bring her back! I’m trying to accept it too…even though it’s hard…” Jaxon could barely speak.

Don noticed and asked, “Did you love her?”

Jaxon went stiff at the question. He then replied, “Of course I did. She was my best friend. I loved and cared for-”

“You didn’t love her as something more?”

“And how does it concern you, Don? Can we just drop this talk?” Jaxon was fed up.

“All I know is Lily isn’t gone. She’s still out there.” Don was firm in his belief.

Jaxon heaved in impatience, “For goodness sake, Don. What’s happened to your head? Did you hit it on a rock or something? She’s been missing for a month in the woods. It is hard for me to say it but…even if she’s not gone, I don’t…”

They didn’t know their voices grew louder and echoed across the training field. The others watched with concern. They had heard rumors about Don’s mental state, and this confrontation only increased their worries.

Jaxon stormed off, consumed by anger and frustration. As he walked away, guilt ate at him. He knew that both he and Don were responsible for Lily’s disappearance. Their betrayals had resulted in this actually happening to her.

Meanwhile, the pack gossipped about Don, expressing concern for his well-being. They believed the recent losses and events had taken a toll on his mind.

After the argument, the pack faced the consequences of their actions. Lily’s absence had cast a sad shadow over their once-united group. They didn’t know what had happened to her. They could only speculate one thing or the other.

Though, they continued to have little hope like her parents did but as each day passed and no news of her came through the door, so did the hope slowly fade away.

••••••••••

~LILY’S POV~

The night was dark and eerie in the temple where I was brought to. The heavy chains around me made me feel even more anxious. It was heavier than the ones they bound me with before.

Tonight was the day Leo had told me was coming, the night Adrian would be exorcised. Several tingles ran across my skin.

I saw Adrian being brought in, and it was a relief to see him, but I also worried about the innumerable injuries all over his face and body. He looked tired and weak, and I couldn’t help but feel concerned for him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. My heart was filled with worry and yearning; I only wanted to be close to him for a second, just a second.

Everyone gathered around, and the atmosphere suddenly felt intense. Leo and the vampires started the ritual, saying strange words and gesticulating weirdly to summon the demon. They individually bit their veins and poured their blood into a chalice, then mixed it and drank from it. It was all so frightening to watch.

I watched in horror and desperation as the ritual unfolded. The air felt strange, like something from another world was entering ours. The chanting got louder, and smoke surrounded Adrian. I realized how serious this was and what could actually happen next. My heart raced with fear.

But then, something unexpected happened. Leo’s angry chatting suddenly stopped, and everything fell silent. The smoke disappeared, leaving behind a feeling of disappointment and emptiness. The demon they had summoned didn’t show up, and Adrian fell into a deep sleep, lying motionless. Not a sleep, a coma. I could feel his soul was trapped within a place of limbo.

Leo expressed his frustration by shouting in anger. His carefully thought out plan had fallen apart. I tried to call out Adrian’s name in a desperate plea, but no one could hear me over the chaos. It hit me hard that Adrian had to bear the brunt of this evil man’s desires. I wanted to laugh mockingly at Leo but I was devastated to see Adrian laying there, looking lifeless.

“Adrian!” My shouts couldn’t be heard.

Leo’s screams got louder and he punched anything except the air.

As Leo seethed with frustration, I looked at Adrian and silently said his name one more time, “Adrian…”,

If only it was me instead on that chair. Oh, Adrian.