Beyond Beta's Rejection

(Drake’s POV)

I looked down at the werewolf in front of me in sympathy. I had heard many things about Elias Owens. I knew his family were allies of the order and also knew they had been ripped apart by the destructive Circle twenty or so years back. I even remembered Owen’s brief time at the Council. He had disappeared one night, and then a couple of days later, I heard about the attack on his pack. I had no idea that he had a demon bloodline in him. He had hidden it well.

And now, here he was, cradling his dead lover. The sweet Harper. The beautiful woman who had risen in the ranks of the warriors with ease over the years. I was unsurprised by her progress as I watched her. I could tell at first sight who she was or what she was. Her ethereal glow was unmistakable and would be recognised by others of our kind. I was almost surprised that she didn’t recognise me until I realised she had no idea of her origin. I had tried to enlighten her about her unique powers early on. I seduced her to my castle with the intent of showing her who she was. But it wasn’t long before I received word from the Sovereign, the leader of our Council and the one who maintained balance, to leave her alone. He wanted her untouched, wanted her kept in the dark about her destiny. I didn’t understand why, but I complied, and when young M.r Aaron turned up a few hours later, I allowed him to play the white knight with ease. But I kept watch. I watched the fledgling as she fell into mentorship with Nathaniel. I didn’t like that he was so close to our little angel, especially with his bloodline. But again, I was instructed by the Sovereign to stand down and watch from afar. Something about keeping enemies close. I had no idea that Nathaniel was working with the Circle until Aaron contacted me the other night.

If I had known, I would have pulled Harper from his grasp a lot sooner. That was a conversation that the Sovereign and I were due to have. But for now, I had work to do. I reached for Harper’s body, but the grief-stricken werewolf growled at me.

“Mine,” he growled, and I hesitated before I spoke.

“I’m sorry, friend, I can’t let you do that,” I said. It was important that no harm came to the body he held. But I couldn’t tell him that, not yet. I wasn’t sure if I was on time, and I didn’t want to be responsible for him losing a mate all over again if I was too late. I remember that pain all too well. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I nodded to Jacks, who was waiting behind Owens. He leaned forward and injected Owens with a sleeping concoction designed for werewolves. It would put him out for an hour or so. It worked almost immediately, and I was able to safely remove Harper from his arms as he crashed to the floor. I laid her gently down on the floor and called to Jacks.

“Take him to the base,” I said, and Jacks nodded and picked Owens up and headed out of the cell. I looked around at the people. I saw Tommy standing to one side, watching me.

“I failed her,” he said sadly. “What kind of a guardian am I if I couldn’t even get my niece ready?”

“Not yet, friend,” I said and nodded for a warrior to come forward.

“I need the room cleared,” I said. The warrior nodded and began to usher people out of the room, and although Tommy resisted a little, I knew that he was also eager to get his own mate back.

“It’s okay. I will take care of her,” I said, and he nodded.

Once the room was cleared and quiet, I kneeled beside the still form of Harper Kirby.

“Oh dear sweet girl,” I said as I stroked the hair from her face. I used my shirt to wipe away the b***d. I remember my own battle, and even for an immortal such as myself, the burn was enough to knock the breath out of me.

“I do hope I have got here in time.” I reached into my jacket and pulled out the package that I had there. I unwrapped the cloth to reveal the angel blade. There was a slight hum to it that was promising as it recognised its rightful owner. Once Aaron called me and told me that her grandfather had taken Harper’s angel blade, I knew I would have to detour to see the old crank. I knew he didn’t want his granddaughter to suffer the fate of many before her, but he had to understand that fate was fate, and if the girl were to have any hope of survival, she would need to be released into her true image.

I held the blade over her stomach and plunged it in quickly. It slid in with ease, and I felt the energy spring out into the body. I took a deep breath and sent out a prayer before I removed the end of the cloth and grabbed the handle of the blade. I hissed as the burn hit me. Each blade was made in its own bloodline, and only that divine warrior could wield it. But this was the only way I could get the connection I needed. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be transported in soul to the Neverplain.

I looked around at the desolate landscape around me and sighed. The Neverplain was the plain of existence between heaven and hell and existed outside of earth. It had been called limbo, purgatory, and many other names over the years. But it didn’t matter the name. It was still the place that souls went to before it was decided where they would go. Or most souls, at least. I searched the plain for Harper. I knew she was here and that I had to get to her. I saw a light up ahead, and the blade in my hand seemed to pulse, so I followed that direction. I had gone maybe a hundred steps when I heard a voice calling out.

“No, no, no, leave me alone,” the unmistakable voice of Harper called. I could tell she was frightened, so I quickened my step and rushed forward. The light grew brighter, and I rounded the corner to see the angelic form of Harper standing over a huddled figure. The angel turned to me and gestured to the figure frantically. She was silenced by Harper’s death but still clung on to hope. I nodded to her and kneeled by the terrified girl, who was hiding her head in her arms. I touched her arm gently, and she jumped.

“No, no, don’t touch me,” she screamed through sobs.

“Harper, sweetheart,” I coaxed quietly, and she looked up, startled. Her face was dirty and tear-stained, and her eyes were wild with fear.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Drake?” she exclaimed in surprise, and I nodded and smiled.

“Hello, sweetheart,” I said, and she threw herself into my arms and began sobbing on my shoulder.

“Oh Drake, what are you doing here? Why are you in hell?” she sobbed. I gently pulled her away from me so I could see her face.

“Harper, you aren’t in hell,” I said gently, and she gestured around her.

“How could I not be?” she asked. “I’m doomed to be chased by that for all eternity in this wasteland. How is this not hell?”

“Sweetheart, you are in the Neverplain,” I said. “You have the power to change how it looks.” she looked around and then back at me. “Just focus on yourself. Calm yourself. See the world around you shift to what you want it to be.” I watched as she closed her eyes, her sobs became quieter, and her breathing evened. As she calmed down, so did the world around us. The wind calmed, and the desolation gave way to lush green trees. Finally, Harper opened her eyes and looked around. She smiled and looked at me.

“I did it!” she exclaimed. “What else can I do?” I wiped the tears from her face and smiled.

“You can’t stay here.” I looked up at her angel self, who was standing patiently to one side. Harper followed my sight and frowned.

“No, why didn’t that go too?” she cried in despair. “I told you to leave me alone. I don’t want you stealing who I am?” I gave her a quizzical look.

“Harper, she is you. She can’t go anywhere.” I said, and she frowned at me.

“Drake, she killed me,” she said. “Because I wouldn’t let her consume me.”

“Harper, sweetheart, your body couldn’t contain you both being separate, but your angel self is a part of you. She isn’t separate.” I sighed. “I wish he had let me take you and teach you everything. Your transition would have been a lot easier.”

“What?” She looked confused.

“Harper, you are the shifter bloodline Divine Warrior. I knew it from the first moment I set eyes on you,” I said. “That’s why I brought you to the Castle. I wanted to teach you and guide you.”

“That wasn’t how I remembered the Castle.” Harper eyed me suspiciously, and I felt the sly smile creep across my face.

“Well, I may have gone about it the wrong way, but I have never experienced passions with another divine warrior before. I was curious.” I said, and her eyes widened.

“Another one, do you mean…” she trailed off as I nodded. I stood up, and with my free hand, I reached into where I knew my own angel blade was and pulled him out. I twirled his hilt in my hand, and the blade flew through the air, leaving a trail of lights.

Harper watched with fascination until she noticed the other one in my hand.

“What’s that one?” she asked, and I smiled and held it out to her. She looked up at the angel and shook her head.

“Doesn’t matter now. I’m dead,” she said and glared at the angel.

“Sweetheart, we have angel b***d running through our veins. We are only dead if we want to be,” I said, and the angel held her hand out. Harper flinched.

“I don’t want to lose who I am. I don’t want to be like Nathaniel,” she said, and I smiled again.

“Oh, Harper, Nathaniel was a bastard before he accepted his demon,” I said. “I remember him as a young boy at the academy. He had a self-entitled attitude even then. It is a curse of his bloodline.” Harper looked at me, confused. Then she looked at the angel and shook her head.

“I’m tired, Drake. I’ve been fighting for too long. Can’t I just stay dead?” she said. “It really hurt to be alive,” and tears slipped down her face.

“Harper, there are some major things about to happen. I need you to be walking around to help us.” I didn’t want to say the next part. Still, she had to know. “Also, Nathaniel has your friend Louise and your other friends, and your lover seeks to go up against him. I am not sure that even with my help, they will be successful.” Harper looked up at me with the force of determination that I knew to be at the core of her spirit.

“I will kill him,” she said and then looked at the angel. “Promise, I will still be me?” she asked, and the angel side smiled and nodded, and I smiled too.

“I have to go, little angel, but I hope to see you on the battlefield. We will attack soon.” I laid the blade at her feet, stood up again, bowed, and closed my eyes.

I opened my eyes in the dark empty room of the cells and looked down at the body. I had done everything I could. Even if she agreed to come back, it could be too late. The window was unpredictable after the death of the vessel.

“I really do hope we are in time, little angel.”