Chapter 37: World's Collide (Part 03)
"Get your giant wolf ass off me. I'm not a chair." Claire yelled. She was laying on her stomach with the weight of Alejandro's butt on her lower back. He was so heavy, she couldn't move. He was squishing her. "Alejandro, your fat ass is crushing me. Can you please get the hell off me?" She kept trying to get up but couldn't. His ear twitched and his eyes glanced over towards his tent. She felt his weight lift off her. Just as she was about to get back up. He placed his hand over her mouth. He held up his cell phone, it had a text written on it. It read:
"Stay here and don't make a sound. There's a vampire inside our camp."
"Are you serious?" Claire whispered. He nodded. "Okay, then, we'll deal with it together." She started to leave with him but he glared at her. "Al, I get you're strong but as the medic of this pack. I demand that you let me come with-," His glare intensified. She knew if she said one more word about coming with him. His response would be a punch to the stomach that would render her unconscious. She wasn't going to win this argument. Granted, nobody typically wins an argument with the Beta. For a guy who doesn't talk he has a way with words. The only problem is, she wasn't the type to just stay put.
The first thing she saw when stepping out of her tent was a blonde haired vampire flying through the forest. Her jaw dropped amazed by how far she flew. Claire glanced over at Alejandro who was just standing there popping his knuckles. "Oh my god, I think he killed her. Maybe leaving my tent was a bad idea. If I keep disobeying orders, I might be next." Alejandro looked at her and nodded as if he knew her exact thought. In that case, Claire went to enter her tent but was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Selene, you motherfucker. How dare you strike my sister." Brandon threw off his trench coat and was running full speed at Alejandro. Alejandro casually turned to face him and let out a yawn as Brandon got closer and closer to him.
"Brandon," Claire struck her forehead with her palm. "Please don't tell me you're this stupid. Attacking Alejandro head on, that never ends well." Brandon was just about to punch Alejandro before he could. The Beta took advantage of his longer reach and casually punched Brandon in the face with a straight punch. Brandon did a back flip from the impact and crashed to the floor laying on his back.
"Ou, my nose, he punched me in the fucking nose." Brandon placed his hand over his nose and blood poured out of it. Alejandro glanced at his fist seeing diamond shards caught in his knuckles from breaking Brandon's diamond armor. He plucked the shards out and stared at the shard. "That's it you motherfucker, first you hit my sister, now you've broken my nose. That is it, I'm going to kick your ass." Alejandro was still staring at the diamond he plucked from his fist. It was as if the fact Brandon had diamond armor covering his skin fascinated him. He was looking at the shard then at Brandon. "That's right," Brandon got back on his feet. "I got armor bitch. I can take your punches so you can't knock me through a for-," Alejandro struck Brandon with powerful backhand and sent him flying into a tree. "Okay, maybe you can knock me through a forest. But guess what," He got back on his feet. "I'm still able to fight you and I'm about to whoop your ass." Alejandro shrugged and put the diamond shard in his pocket.
"I think he figured it out."
"That voice, it can't be-," Claire glanced over to see her brother standing beside Brandon.
"Figured out what?" Brandon dusted himself off.
"Well ugh," Ziek rubbed the back of his neck. "You see, ugh, Brandon. Diamonds kind of sell for a lot of money. So part of the reason I spar with you is because." He gulped. "How can I explain this in a way that won't make you mad at me? It's like, when I break your armor, it's like a giant piggy bank just exploded on the floor. So, all I have to do is pick up the pieces and," He shrugged. "I'm rich. I kind of built up a nice savings account. I call it." He scooted his foot across the ground. "The Brandon Donation."
"Ziek, we're talking about this later. But first," Brandon glared deep into Alejandro's eyes. "This mother fucker is going down." He ran toward Alejandro. He dodged Brandon's fist, his body swaying away from every punch. He then caught Brandon's fist and crushed it. His claws digging into Brandon's skin. He kicked Brandon in the stomach, grabbed his throat, lifted him into air, his feet dangling. He quickly slammed Brandon into the ground, the impact so great. Brandon's body left a crater in the ground.
"Brandon," Ziek raised his brow. "Are you sure you don't want help with this?" He asked as Brandon forced himself to stand up.
"No, I can take him, I can-," Brandon's back hit the floor from being kicked in the face by Alejandro. His foot remained on Brandon's face as tried to crush his face using the weight of his right foot. His armor slowly but surely began cracking leaving cuts on Alejandro's bare foot and Brandon face as he twisted and turned his foot rubbing the shards in Brandon's face. "Okay," Brandon winced as the shards kept cutting his face. "Ziek, you can help now."
"It's about time," Ziek ran full speed at Alejandro. He dodged his punches, jumped over his leg sweep. He kept trying to land a hit but Alejandro was dodging him with ease. Until, Ziek's fist collided with Alejandro's jaw. The sudden impact made him turn his head and spit out a canine. He slowly turned his head, glaring deep into Ziek's eyes. He struck Ziek with a back hand. He ducked underneath it once he did. Alejandro jammed his knee into Ziek's face, breaking his nose. While Ziek was backing up and covering his nose. He spun and kicked Ziek knocking him to the floor. He sidestepped Brandon's fist and grabbed the back of his neck. He forced Brandon's face to the ground.
"No, please, don't," Brandon screamed as Alejandro kept slamming him face first into the ground. He slammed his face into the ground four times then threw him at Ziek as he ran toward him. While Brandon was flying at Ziek, Alejandro struck Brandon in mid air with a shoulder tackle ramming him into Ziek using Brandon's body to crush Ziek. The two of them fell to the ground, both trying to get back up. "That's it, it's Team Powerhouse time. Let's jump this motherfucker." Ziek nodded. Brandon got on Alejandro's left side, Ziek took to the right. At the same time the two of them began pounding away at the Beta's ribcage. Their fists moving faster and faster until. Alejandro lifted his arms and struck them both with a clothesline. While Ziek was trying to get up, Alejandro grabbed his shoulders holding him in place. He threw his head back and headbutted Ziek in the face, hitting him until Ziek was groggy.
"That's it," Ziek began wobbling back and forth. "I'm done," He fell on his ass . "I'm going to let you handle this one." He navigated his way to a nearby tree clutching like it was a crutch. "I'm just going to stay right here and rest awhile. I'm done getting my ass kicked."
"But Ziek," Brandon argued.
"Nope, I'm not doing it. That motherfucker," Ziek pointed at Alejandro. "Is crazy strong. You want to fight him, that's you but I'm not doing it. I'm tagging out, I'm retired, I don't care, you picked the fight. You finish the fight. Because I love you bro, but I'm not doing it. Fuck that, I'm going to stay by this tree and hope that after he kills you. He's too tired to kill me. So do me favor and put up a good fight, okay?"
"But," Brandon was cut off by Alejandro's foot as it hit him right in the face. He laid there on the ground fighting to get back up. "It's like I'm being hit by a giant boulder. Except it has claws and teeth and it wants to kill me. That's it, I'm running." He rose to his feet and took off in sprint. Alejandro appeared in front of him, unable to slow down. Brandon ran into his right arm as he held it out. Brandon did a flip over his arm and crashed to the ground. "Ou, he's fast too, bro, is there anything you can't do?" He picked Brandon up the throat, holding him up with one arm. He grinned. "Wait, why is he grinning? No, don't grin, please don't." He threw Brandon aside like a rag doll. While he was in the air, he was struck by two flying tackles that sent him tumbling down on a hill. As he was tumbling down the hill, the werewolves were mauling him with punches and scratches. Wait wasn't that-,
"The twins, shit, I better go save my boyfriend before he becomes wolf meat." Claire knew she couldn't do anything about Alejandro beating up Brandon. The only thing that would do is get her banished to her tent. But the twins were another story. She could at least talk some sense into Jay. She wasn't even going to try to talk sense into Jayson. He had none. As she was running to stop them from beating up Brandon. She felt a cold chill down her spine.
"Just where do you think you're going girly." The silver haired vampire grinned. He had silver weapons floating around him. Was he controlling them? The silver blades flew at her, she leapt out of the way and pulled out her knife. Before she could he took control of her and it floated into his hand. "Is this yours?" He asked. The blade spun around his palm, it stopped and the sharp edge pointed at her. "Here, have it back," Claire's knife flew at her, aiming for her throat. She dodged at the last second, rolled forward and picked a handful of dirt. She threw the dirt in his eyes, blinding him. While he was blinded, she kicked him in the balls. He arched over grabbing his groin. "You bit-," Before he could finish his sentence, Claire struck the side of his face with a rock. He hit the floor, his head busted open. She picked her knife up and put it back in her pocket.
"Thanks for giving me my knife back," Claire took off running into the forest trying to catch up with the twins. Who were no doubt kicking Brandon's ass. As she was running, a blue haired vampire flew past her being kicked back by Alejandro. When will these vampires ever learn, you don't fight Alejandro. It's like asking to get beat up. She sprinted into the forest after the twins. When she got there, Brandon was fighting off the twins. Jay was attacking his left side, Jayson, the right. He had gashes on his chest and three claw marks on his cheek. His diamond armor had been forcefully torn off. The shards of his armor were all at Jay's feet. Brandon spit out one of his vampire fangs after being punched by Jayson.
"Is that all you got," Brandon wiped blood from his lip. Jayson went to hit him before he could, Claire got in the way. Before Jayson could hit her by accident. Jay caught his arm holding him back.
"That's enough, stop fighting." Claire stood in between them.
"Claire, move, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into." Jay spoke calmly. "Now please move aside and let me finish what he started." He glared at Brandon. Brandon went to attack him but Claire stood in front of him keeping him from hurting Jay.
"Claire, babe, I know we just got together but," Brandon began. Did he just-. What part of their relationship is supposed to be a secret did he not understand? Well, it's too late now, he already told them. Claire let out a long sigh. "Whoops, I wasn't supposed to say anything about us was I?" Claire shook her head at him. "Well ugh, anyway, I kind of need to finish this." He explained. "Now please just walk away, this doesn't concern you. This is something that's between me and those boys."
"But it does concern me," Claire argued. "Jay is my best friend and if you did something to hurt him. I," She pointed at herself. "Deserve to know." She glared at him."Now," She crossed her arms. "If you want to continue being my boyfriend. I suggest you tell me what the hell is going on?"
"Boyfriend, did you just call him your,-" Jayson's jaw dropped. "You bitch, you motherfucking bitch, how fucking dare you." He started to approach her before he could. Jay held his arm out to stop him. "No Jay, no, I refuse to let her walk away clean from this. She's dead, I'm killing her. That bitch is so dead."
"I'd like to see you try to kill my Claire," Brandon warned him.
"Claire, you're dating him." Jay's eyes began to build tears. "Please tell me this isn't true. I mean, why would you do that to me? I've done nothing to deserve this. Is this because of Alexis, is that why you're dating him? To get back at me. I thought we were friends and you." He balled his hands into a fist. "So, it's not enough not to date me, it's not enough to attempt to sleep with one of my best friends, it's not enough, chose a vampire over me. Like that's not a kick in the balls. You had to date the guy who murdered my parents."
"Wait, what?" Claire's jaw dropped. "Look, Jay, I had no idea. This is not because of Alexis, I mean it is partially. But not fully. You have to believe me. I would never intentionally hurt you like that."
"But you did, intentional or not." Jayson glared at her. "You know what, fuck you, Claire, I'm so done with your bullshit. To think you would do that my brother. After he took a beating for you after he risked his own life to help you. After he was there to save your ass from Liley. He was willing to protect you even then and you. You know what, you and this dumb ass are perfect for each other. You both have a act for hurting people for no fucking reason. So here's my last comment on this whole ordeal." He glared at Claire. "You go anywhere near my brother again, I'll fucking kill you. How's that for your final warning? You bear trap bitch."
"Don't you dare talk to Claire like that," Brandon went to approach Jayson. He glared back at Brandon charging his fist. A blast of spirit fired off his fist and struck both Brandon and Claire. She laid there in pain trying to get up after being hit by Jayson. She couldn't believe he hit her and Jay wasn't fast enough to stop it or was it because. Jay was too hurt by what she did to care about her well being. "Oh, that fucker, he's going to get it now." Brandon rose to his feet before he could even get to Jayson. Claire slapped him across the face. "Hey, what was that for, he hit you, not me."
"You killed their parents," Claire pushed Brandon down a hill. He fell into the stream being soaked by the water. "When were you going to tell me you killed my best friend's parents?" She walked into the water and punched Brandon in the chest. "Jay is pissed at me now because of you." She punched Brandon once more. "I can't believe this, you should have told me you murdered their parents. This is bad, so bad, Jay is never going to forgive me for this and it's all your fault." She kept punching Brandon's chest as he if were a punching bag. She was so angry at Brandon, at herself, of all the things she could have done to hurt jay. This had to be the worst.
"To be fair, I did tell you, I killed a werewolf's parents. It just turns out that you happened to be friends with those werewolves. That's not my fault, I didn't know they were your friends and besides I didn't even know you back then. You can't blame a guy for his past, it's just not fair." Brandon pointed out, Claire punched his arm. "Ouch, that one actually hurt. So, you are Ziek's sister after all."
"Shut up and don't ever bring up my brother. He's a piece of shit and I hate his guts. So, bring him up again and I will murder you." Claire warned. "I can't believe this, how the hell am I going to fix this? Jay can't be mad at me. I need him to protect me during the war. You can't because if you do it, they'll kill you for being a traitor. This is a mess, a fucking mess. I need to fix this, I'll just buy Jay flowers and apologize. That should work right?"
"No, I don't think that's going to work." Brandon rubbed his chin. "So Jay mentioned that you tried to sleep with one of his friends. So when did you ugh, decide to do that? Because I saw the purity ring and I'm pretty sure you weren't married to the guy you were trying to, you know. Was it recent? Because we could have,"
"Brandon, it doesn't matter, it didn't happen, I'm still a virgin so drop it." Claire ran her fingers through her hair. "Damn it, Brandon, why did you have to kill Jay's parents?" She punched Brandon's arm.
"Okay you get one more punch and I'm hitting you back." Brandon warned. "I'm already Selene's punching bag. I don't want to be your punching bag too. I'm not an object to be hit, I have feelings, damn it." He pointed out. "Wait a second, I just noticed. I was at the Nightshade campsite a little while ago. Does that mean, you're a part of Nightshade too."
"Yes, what about it?" Claire shrugged.
"No reason," Brandon crossed his arms. "It's just that Nightshade is one of Lord Grimm's strongest packs. Every vampire knows that and tends to avoid them. Which explains the big guy with the red hair. Wait, oh damn, that was "The Alejandro." . I was fighting Alejandro. The guy who killed over a hundred of us. No wonder he was beating my ass. So I get him being in Lord Grimm's strongest pack. I can even understand why he'd want those twins in the pack. But ugh," He rubbed his chin. "Look, don't take this the wrong way but why'd he pick you? You're kind of weak compared to them."
"Excuse you, I'm not weak. Last I checked when we fought I was holding my own pretty damn well. So you take that back." Claire scolded. "I also happen to be a really good medic and besides Raven's in this pack too. Are you going to say she's too weak to be in the pack too?"
"No, Raven seems like a tough bitch. I mean my sister is a tough bitch too and after growing up with her. I know a strong bitch when I see one. Plus, Angel's dating her and I know my boy Angel. He doesn't want a weak bitch. He wants a girl that can kick ass even if it's his ass. So for her, it makes sense. But you on the other hand," Brandon paused. " It just doesn't make sense. I mean, this is Nightshade and you're Claire. It's just not a good fit for you. I might be wrong about this. But I think they picked you because Jay likes you. It's the only way it makes sense."
"So you're saying I'm only here because Jay has a crush on me. That is so not true, they'd never pick someone based on the fact one of their pack members has a crush on that person. In fact, it should be the opposite because if he liked me. They want to separate us." Claire pointed out.
"Not if it's for breeding purposes." Brandon added. "Lord Grimm is all about boosting his numbers. It's why we're having a hard time killing the bastard. We kill one pack, he has another two built to replace it."
"Brandon, I'm not here because Jay wants to fuck me. I'm here because I'm a good medic and I've helped a bunch of werewolves. Lord Grimm even said so himself." Claire argued.
"Yeah but see, if I were to put someone in a pack for breeding purposes. I wouldn't tell them that. I'd just make up some stuff and say that's why I chose that person. Granted it might be true that you're a good medic. But are you Nightshade good? See," Brandon rubbed his chin. "I don't know."
"Brandon, don't make me kill you." Claire retorted.
"Relax," Brandon laughed. "I'm just messing with you." He pinched her cheek. "You're so cute when you're angry, I can't help it." She growled at him. "So question, where is Raven?" An image of Liley taking her sister into the castle entered Claire's mind. That's right, her sister is in danger. She couldn't afford to be wasting time here.
"We have to go now," Claire took Brandon's arm. She brought him to the secret cave that was sealed shut by giant rock. "Hurry, move the rock for me. You know I can't move it." She stepped aside giving Brandon room.
"Okay, but first tell me what's going on?" Brandon crossed his arms. "Why are we back at the secret cave where Angel and Raven first you know. Is Raven hiding inside the cave? I guess it makes sense, I mean, apparently there's a werewolf pregnant with a-." His jaw dropped. Looks like he's figured it out. "Raven's pregnant, no fucking way. She's the pregnant werewolf. That means, Angel's the-,"
"Yes, my sister is pregnant with a Hybrid." Claire replied. "Your friend fucked up and got my sister pregnant. On top of that he lied to me about using a condom. So," She punched Brandon's shoulder. "That's for Angel next time you see him and you better punch him hard. He's lucky I don't stab his ass for getting my sister into this mess. What are you doing?" She crossed her arms. Brandon held his phone to his ear as it rang.
"What do you think I'm doing?" Brandon stood there holding the phone to his ear. "Angel's a father, I need to tell him." The ringing stopped, before Angel could speak. Claire grabbed Brandon's phone and threw it. "Hey, I was using that."
"You can't tell Angel about this." Claire pointed at Brandon. "I promised Raven I wouldn't say anything to him and the same goes for you. If anybody has the right to tell Angel he's the father it's my sister and she'll tell him when she's ready. So for now, you can't say anything to Angel."
"But he's my bro, I tell him everything." Brandon shrugged. "You know how the saying goes, bros before," Claire glared at him. She dared him to finish that sentence for if he did. She had her knife waiting to stab him. She is not a hoe and neither is her sister. "I see the knife in your hand so I'm just going to shut up before you stab me."
"Wise choice," Claire put her knife away. "So are you going to move the rock or what?" Brandon moved the rock aside and she went inside. "We have to hurry, I shouldn't need to remind you of what's going to happen to my sister if we don't save her." She took out a bag and filled it with some of her sister's clothing. "They took her to the castle. We're going to have to break in and get her out of there."
"We, what do you mean we?" Brandon asked. "Hello, I'm a vampire sweetheart, I can't just walk into a werewolf castle. Especially when Lord Grimm is inside it. Look, I already got my ass kicked by Alejandro. I'm not trying to get my ass kicked a second time. I'm pretty sure, Lord Grimm isn't just going to kick my ass. He's going to kill me."
"Look, either you come with me or," Claire turned to face him. "I go by myself, but regardless, I'm going to help my sister. So, what's it going to be, are you going to help me or not? I figured since you're my boyfriend you'd want to protect me. Isn't that what boyfriend's do?"
"But, But, But, babe, you don't understand. They're going to kill me." Brandon reasoned. "We can't just go barging into Lord Grimm's castle. That's like asking to be killed. There's hundreds of werewolves in there and on top of that. There's Lycan, There's the Elemental guard, and if that's not enough, there's Lord Grimm who's more than enough to kill my ass. This is a suicide mission, you're going to get us killed." He added. "Claire, you know, I like you a lot, there's a lot of things I would do for you but this. Come on, Claire, you're not this stupid."
"It's not stupid to want to save my sister's life." Claire stared deep into Brandon's eyes. "You lost your sister once. Luckily you have a sister to fall back on. I don't have that, Raven is all I have if I let her die without trying everything in my power to prevent it. I'll never forgive myself, so I don't care if it's a suicide mission. I'm going to save her. So if you're not coming, then, I'll do this on my own." She walked out of the cave holding a bag of clothes for her sister.
Brandon stood watching as Claire headed deeper into the forest. He glanced over at Raven's dresser seeing a shiny object. He walked over and picked it up as it was hidden underneath some of her clothes. The object in his hand, he knew it. The platinum chain and the ring that was attached to it. This necklace, he stared at the enraged wolf head. He knew this necklace, it was Angel's most prized possession. He wore it every chance he got. But for this necklace to be here of all places.
"She really means that much to you doesn't she?" Brandon let out a defeated sigh."Alright, I'll do it," He closed his hand tight on the necklace. "I'll save her for you." He put the necklace in his back pocket and ran after Claire.