The Vampire's Last Omega

Fires of Hell

Teru was dunked in ice-cold water in the dead of winter. That was what it felt like when he watched Kieran's mouth say, "Abaddon's men were here."

The words drowned him. Nothing else needed to be said.

This was a trick.

A really disgusting joke.

Right.

Right?!

He stared at the bushes beside him, waiting for Hina to jump out of them and laugh. She didn't.

And Kieran would never lie about something so sick.

Teru wanted to collapse, feeling his legs weaken with every passing second. Kieran placed an arm around his waist for support, sensing his shock.

Be strong. Just for this one fucking moment, be strong. They might be alright.

He cleared his throat to stop it from tightening more, a sign he was going to cry. "I, uh, see." His brain went out the window, thoughts static. Was there an appropriate answer to this news, anyway?

"What do you want to do, little one?"

His tongue was only capable of repeating, "What do I want to do?"

"Yes. Stop here and go back to the van. See the damage for yourself. You choose."

What I want to do...I...

Rationally, going ahead would fuck him up. He had seen enough death for several lifetimes. And knowing these were people he grew up with? Shit.

But...he'd regret not seeing it for himself. Blaise told him the numbers of the victims. The Styx Pack was gone. Eliminated. Not even half of the Valley Pack was dead, only missing. The chances of his family being slaughtered were slim.

Slim.

Yet, possible.

"I have to do this. I need to know."

"Then," Kieran said softly. "It would be best if another pack mate was there beside you. I will follow." He brought him closer to Lucas.

Teru raised an eyebrow in confusion. Lucas did the same. When Kieran gave him a light push to his best friend, it clicked.

Valley Pack members who were born and raised together should grieve together.

It was awkward at first when Lucas took his hand. Kieran was fine with this? Pride was okay with standing at the sidelines while another alpha touched him? Blaise was also on board?

The two brothers were troubled; not by their hand holding, but by the gruesome scene that lay behind the hill. They were not from Mammoth Caves, not even mortal. Lucas and Teru had a different relationship as lifelong friends who experienced everything growing up.

'It's only right to let you do this together,' the gesture symbolized.

They headed to the den's entry with the vampires behind to give them space.

He had memorized all the details. Being outside was where Teru had longed to escape after spending weeks or months in the caves. While in captivity with Kieran, he dreamt of returning and watched any nature documentary to relieve the homesickness that'd send him spiraling into suffocating darkness.

Each shrub and tree was familiar. The birds' songs were the same. Every curve of the trail and large, moss-covered boulders. Same. The angle of the sun beaming through the leaves at this hour had never changed. Teru could hear the wind howling into the cave. So close. Their hands squeezed each other tightly until his fingers tingled. The common area was in view.