Werewolf Queen

"Jade don't be hasty." Brent said.

"I think it's time I go home." I said and stood up.

"But this is our home." Brent said quietly.

"Then by all means, feel free to stay." I said but I felt a knot grow in my throat. "You'll always be my family Jed, you and Darla. I count you as brother and sister in more ways than one." I went to my bedroom, not being able to let them see the tears that burned my eyes. I heard Jed and Brent leave.

"So what's your plan oh high and mighty queen?" Marcus asked leaning on the door jam.

"Don't call me that." I said and grabbed my suitcases. I filled them with clothes and then reached under the bed for my guitar and the box of home movies.

"So what's your plan Jade?" He asked.

"I'm going home." I answered and but the guitar gingerly into the largest suitcase. "You can join me or you can stay." I said. "Well, if you stay they'll probably try to kill you so you can't really stay-oh hell you know what I mean."

"You really mean that I can go with you?"

"I claimed you as mine; I protect you, even though you're twice my size and probably don't need protecting."

"I may not need protecting but I could use company." He said.

I offered him place for the few articles of clothing Brent had gotten and he put them in the suitcase before I zipped it up.

"So where is home?" He asked grabbing all three cases while I grabbed my box.

"It's funny, but my town is called Lone Wolf."

"Fitting." He said and we walked out the door.

I called my dad about an hour before we arrived. He was ecstatic that I was going home. I didn't tell him about Marcus who slept almost the entire way there. I stopped in Elk City first to grab more clothes for Marcus who actually hated to shop. He told me his size and I did the shopping. I was half tempted to have a sarcastic Jade moment and buy him a dress but I didn't. Such a shame too.

The forty-five minute drive down to Lone Wolf from Elk City I learned a lot about Marcus. He was 35 when he was changed. He came from Samoa, which explained the naturally tanned skin and hair but his mother was of Irish decent which made up his blue eyes. He had only been a wolf for six years and his creator was killed when The Enlightened attacked his home in Denver just a few days after turning. He had learned the hard way of what it was to be a wolf. He had a mom and dad and a little sister. He did have a fiancé but she couldn't accept the monster he became.

I pulled up the dirt road to my house and my dad was waiting with Daniel on the porch swing. They stood up as I parked and got out.

"What happened with Brent?" Dad asked as he came up.

"He made his choice." I said and went to the trunk as Marcus got out.

"Whoa." Daniel said as he looked at Marcus.

"This is Marcus, he's my bodyguard." I lied.

"Why would you need a bodyguard?" Daniel asked.

"She is very important in our world. She will become legend one day." Marcus said.

"How important?" Dad asked.

"They call me a Queen, dad." I said.

"My daughter is a queen." He smirked. "I always knew you were spoiled."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my box of videos. I handed them to him. "Keep these locked away in your attic."

"Sure thing honey." He said and went to put the box in his truck.

Marcus and I grabbed the bags and Daniel opened the door for us.

"I took the liberty of stocking you with food." Dad said as I noticed a bunch of sheets by the door that smelled strongly of dust. I had to thank Daniel for that. I went upstairs to drop off my bags and motioned Marcus into Jack's old room.

Days passed and no word from Brent. I didn't know what to do. Yes he was my mate, yes I loved him, but I also understood the need for freedom. Marcus seemed to be going stir crazy when I told him to go out to the barn and find something constructive to do.

I went to go visit Brian's grave one day when I smelled the most familiar scent. I turned around and Derek was there.

"What do you want?" I asked trying not to sound rude.

He didn't answer but suddenly rushed me and I was on the ground before I realized what had happened. His hands were around my throat squeezing to the point I couldn't breathe. I clawed at his arms drawing blood but he didn't let up. He was sitting on my stomach so I did the next thing I could think of; I kicked the back of his head as hard as I could. From the position it was awkward but it worked. I heard a crunch and he let go rolling off of me.

I coughed and got to my feet and looked over at him. He was on his knees and his hands were on the back of his head holding his skull together. It would only take a few moments for it to heal and I took advantage of those moments. My foot came up and I kicked him hard in the stomach.

"What the fuck do you think you were trying to do?" I screamed at him as he was trying to regain his breath.

I saw him move for something and I kicked him again. He went flying this time but was able to maneuver himself in a way to point something that glinted in the sunlight at me. I heard the deafening bang as fire tore through my shoulder. Then a wolf as black as night had Derek on the ground. I heard his shrieks but all I could think about was the fire tearing through my body. I dropped to my knees clutching the entry wound. It wasn't bleeding much which was a good thing.

The shrieking suddenly stopped and I looked up. Hot tears filled my eyes as I saw the black wolf with his jaws on Derek's head.

"Don't kill him!" I screamed.

The black wolf let go of him at once. I stood up and went over to the black wolf. I knew it was Marcus, who else could it be?

"I love you." I told Derek. "I gave you my heart; I gave you everything that I was."

"What about you and that nomad Brent?" He asked coughing blood.

"I didn't plan on that happening. Do you think I wanted that? I was looking forward to the white dress, the 'I do's' and the happily forever after with you."

"You hurt me just as much as I hurt you."

"I never said I didn't hurt you." I grabbed the gun and unloaded it and popped the round out of the chamber. "Even after everything, I never wanted you dead."

"I can't bare it anymore Jade. I should have kept you human."

"And what would you do in 60 years? Love an old dying woman? Would you still have looked at me the same way?" I honestly didn't want to hear the answer. "Marcus take him back to the house before anyone sees you."

The black wolf nodded.

I turned to go back to my car and the world swam. I staggered and went down to a knee. Silver shouldn't affect me like this. At least not this bad this soon.

"Wolfs bane." Derek said.

I heard a snarl and a scream that was cut off with a gargle. The ground suddenly came up way to fast and everything went black.

I personally loved the darkness. In that nothing I was at peace. I wasn't a queen, a werewolf, a daughter, a person. I was just me. Where was the bright light? Where were the flames? Was this the afterlife? Where was my paradise? I felt cheated.

After what felt like an eternity in the darkness I felt a burning sensation in the body that no longer existed. It confused me. Death shouldn't hurt, should it?

Marcus

Jade came to screaming in agony, her back arched off the table as the doctor Daniel had called pulled the silver out. It had turned black while being in her body for too long. The wolfs bane had started blood poisoning. Derek hadn't planned on killing her with the bullet. He wanted her to die a horribly painful death.

"Isn't there anything you can give her for the pain?" I pleaded.

"I'm dealing with mythical creatures here. She just went through a dose of morphine that would kill a 600 pound man and she is still in pain. I don't know what to do. Before she was unconscious and felt nothing. Then again it wasn't silver, just lead. I don't know what to do." She said the last sadly.

"Leave the room." I said over Jade's screams. "Please."

She nodded and left the room and even went outside where her husband, Jade's dad, and Daniel were. Jade was on a make shift surgery table which was really her kitchen table covered in sheets. We didn't have to worry about infection, so a sterile environment wasn't really necessary. Good to have, but not necessary.

Suddenly something came to mind and I didn't know whether to follow it or not. It was my wolf telling me. I never dealt with the magic part of this new life but he was stern enough about it.

I got on top of her and laid down on top of her. She almost immediately quieted down. It was awkward with me being so tall but I put my lips to the bullet wound and kissed it softly. I wanted her to heal. I willed her to heal. The air got heavy around us and it became hard to breathe. I couldn't explain in words what actually happened.

She gasped and I looked up. Her hand ran through my hair. The thickness in the air vanished when our eyes met.

"My King." She whispered.

I heard distant howls along with a very close one that was muffled under the ground.

A cell phone went off and she ignored it. We just stared into each other's eyes. Her green ones had a depth to them. I could see the forest in her eyes. Her wolf that I had yet to meet. She was probably seeing the same thing in my eyes.

Her cell phone went off again and she growled softly. She pushed me gently off her and got off the table and went to the living room to the phone.

"What?!" She screamed into it. She paused and I heard her aggravated sigh. "Fine, I'll see you in six hours." I heard the phone click shut.

She came back to the kitchen and put her bloody shirt back on and went to the front door.

Jade

"I'm still not used to this." Dad said and stood up from where he was sitting on the porch swing.

"Daniel, I'm having company in a few hours and I need to make sure that no one from town comes this way."

"How many?" Daniel asked.

"Alphas from Oklahoma City, Lawton, Tulsa, and Albuquerque are coming. I don't want anything to happen if someone gets too close. Albuquerque is civilized but I don't know about the others." I told him.

"How are you feeling?" The woman asked.

"I'm fine, thanks for your help. Another donation shall be made to your hospital."

"Actually, we are trying to open our own practice for those who can't afford to see doctors."

I smiled at her and truly meant the smile. "Just tell me where to send the check and it will be there."

"Thank you Jade."

"It's the most I can do. You have saved my life twice now."

"I would like to talk to you in private later. I understand you have to get ready for guests."

"Alright." I said and picked up on a hint.

Her and her husband left. My dad came up to me and hugged me tightly. I could smell unshed tears.

"I'm okay dad." I said as he let go.

"I'm not. You're going to give your old man a heart attack. Seeing you almost dead twice now, and hearing you scream like that." He told me and turned his head.

"Well I can fix that to where you will never have a heart attack or get sick." I said. "You will never die or get older."

"I want to see your mom in paradise some day."

"You will. Death is inevitable. It happens to all of us. It's just a matter of when."

"I'll think about it." He said and kissed my forehead. "I'm so relieved you are okay. If it weren't for the big fella there I would have put a bullet in Derek's head and watched him heal and do it again."

"Damn dad, becoming a little sadistic aren't you?"

"Nothing will be too sadistic when it comes to my baby girl."

I smiled and kissed his cheek. "Please get home dad. The Alpha from Lawton will be here soon."

"Why are they coming? Is Brent and Jack coming?"

"Because the Queen has found her King and we need to figure out a game plan now on what to do with The Enlightened. And yes they are coming. At least Brent is." I answered.

"Be good to see the boy again."

"You keep calling him that and he's older than you."

"Well honey, when he looks like he's in his 20's he's younger than me."

I nodded and hugged him. "I love you daddy." I said.

"I love you too baby girl." He went to his truck and I watched him pull away.

"I'll make sure no one comes down your road, but I can't block off the highway."

"I wouldn't ask you to do that Daniel but thank you for your help." I said and shook his hand. "I can never thank you enough for all the help that you have been to me and my men."

He smiled and got went to his cruiser. I went inside as he drove away.

Marcus stood there and I noticed he was covered in dry blood. It smelled like me but also like Derek. I went up to him and put my arms around him in a simple hug.

"Thank you." I said.

"Seems we're even now." He said with a laugh.

"Guess we are." I smiled.

"Who gets the shower first?" He asked.

"Go ahead, I'm going to talk to Derek." I said and let go of him and took a step back.

He nodded and put a finger on my chin and lifted my face. "Make me a promise."

"What?" I asked.

"If you're going to kill him, let me be there."

"Wouldn't have it any other way." I said and smiled.

He leaned closer to me. I was taken aback at first but he stayed a breath apart from my face. I could smell his spearmint toothpaste. I thought he was going to kiss me but he let me go and walked away. My heart pounded in my chest.

"We aren't mates, but if Brent ever leaves your side again, he'll have competition. You don't have to be mates to love each other." He said as he got to the doorway.

I didn't say anything. I went out the front door to the barn. The entrance to the tunnel below was easier from the barn. I didn't have to crawl to get to it. I grabbed the flashlight by the hole and jumped down.

I clicked it on and Derek groaned and winced away from the light.

"So you're still alive." He muttered.

I didn't say anything but I went up to him. He was chained like one would do an inmate. Where the silver came from I had no clue. I knelt down and went to his level. I reared my arm back and punched him square in the face. He groaned again as his nose cracked and blood gushed down his chin.

"I hope that scars your pretty face." I said. "You have tried to kill a fellow pack member that wasn't a fight for dominance. I'm taking it as a direct challenge to my dominance and tonight when the moon rises you and I will finish this. You want to kill me you will have your chance. Only this time it is with claws and not fucking silver. Claws and teeth only."

"You aren't alpha. It can't be to the death."

"What you don't realize is I am Queen. I am alpha to all accept my King whom is my equal. So you will fight me to the death."

"And what will I become if I win?" He asked.

"I won't have to worry about that now will I?" I said and got up and grabbed the flashlight. "Pack leaders are coming and they will witness it." I went back to the hole and jumped up instead of using the ladder.

I happened to go up the stairs as Marcus came out of the bathroom. He just wore a towel loosely around his hips. I had to admit I loved the way he was built. Just enough muscle but not overdone like major body builders. I found that hideous and revolting honestly.

He grabbed my hand and I noticed the knuckles were bruised. He kissed the bruise softly and looked into my eyes as he did it. Brent. Think about Brent. How much you love Brent. You would see Brent in just a few hours. What would one tiny kiss hurt? Nope! I am not thinking about this! My mind was arguing with itself. I sometimes hated my brain. Yes I had arguments with myself. Yes I talked to myself. Am I crazy? Probably.

"Fuck it." I said quietly to myself and but my other hand on the back of his neck and brought him down to me. His hand was faster and I ended up kissing his fingers.

"No Jade." He said softly. "I don't want our first kiss to be rough and on a whim of a losing internal argument."

"You read me way too well."

"I've been studying you." He replied. "You're a very strange person. The relationship with your father is the only thing you are definite about. You argue with yourself constantly, even little things and I don't think you realize you do it. Like last night you argued for ten minutes about, and I quote, "Lemon pepper or regular pepper." He smiled. "You change your mind quite often but yet when you set your mind to something it gets done and nothing can stop it. You love Brent but when he didn't come with you, you feel as though the bond you share isn't what you think it is."

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"You talk in your sleep sometimes."

"And what do I say?"

"Names mostly, Nikki, Brent, Jack, your Dad, and shockingly me are the most frequent. Nikki is the most frequent. She is your vampire friend right?"

"I wished she were still my friend." I sighed. "That kind of went out the window when she tried to kill Brent and I."

"I see." He said. He kissed me on the cheek and went around me. I sighed. Grateful that he was the way he was and yet a little miffed because I had never been turned down before. Well there is a first for everything.

I got into the shower and contemplated life like most humans claimed they did in the shower. When I was human the only thing I did in the shower was sing loudly and obnoxiously. I also was a ballerina in the bathroom but that's my little secret.

I scraped the dry blood off with my nails because I really didn't want to be in there forever. I hated it when I got to thinking too much. My finger ran over the new pink scar and I winced. It still hurt like hell. It still burned like a son of a bitch, but I was alive and I was healing. That was the best part. I had a bunch of new scars from fights for dominance in the pack. They weren't horribly bad but my dad would throw a fit if he ever saw me in a bikini. Only lycanthropes leave marks on other lycanthropes and only if it's with claws. That and silver. Silver always scarred. I still had soft pink scars around my wrists from the chains that I was in when the vampires betrayed us. I had a scar that went from under my rib cage, down to my belly button, and to my left hip. A wolf named Rose got me good on that one. I thought I was going to lose after that. Blood everywhere.

I had another scar that I couldn't see but it went across my back. Actually it was four of them that went sideways across my spine. I had more that went up and down my arms and legs but those were barely noticeable. I had one that was on my forehead but that was mostly covered by bangs. It stood out if I stayed in the sun too long.

I turned off the water and got out of the shower feeling better. I grabbed the towel and wrapped it around me. I walked out of the bathroom in just that. Marcus was in his bedroom as I walked by. He gave out a wolf whistle. I flipped him off and went to my room and closed the door.

As soon as I was dressed my bedroom door opened and Marcus had his hands on either side of my face staring at me intently. I could see his internal argument on his face. His brow furrowed together and he sighed and let go of me. He turned and I grabbed his arm.

"Might as well before we never get the chance to again." I said quietly.

He turned to me and the internal argument was still going on. He shook his head in defeat and I let go of his arm. He left the room and my heart dropped to my feet. I didn't feel this way about him until he had become King. He was just my friend before. I was really starting to hate preternatural stuff. Like with Brent. Don't get me wrong, I love Brent, but before I was a wolf, Derek was my whole world. I wanted to marry him. I wanted to be with him. And then Brent came along and I wanted him more than I wanted anything, and now Derek meant nothing to me than a weak wolf that didn't deserve a damn thing.

I didn't want Marcus the way I want Brent. It was different somehow. Not lust nor love but I needed to be near him. I wanted to be near him. This was beginning to suck. How many men would be added to my life? When would there be another vagina bound to me? Jack, Brent, Brian, Marcus, and Derek. I never considered myself a whore. I liked sex. I've always liked sex. And just because you like sex doesn't make you a whore. But for me I had always needed to have feelings for the guy before I slept with him. Then Brent came along and that went down the toilet. It was instant lust. Derek was instant love. Jack I loved and I hated letting him go. Brian, rest his soul, would have probably been with Brent, Jack, and I. I would have loved him too.