A vampire's Choice
Chapter 28

The second the door closed behind Lisa, Roger leaped out the window, glad nobody was underneath or nearby. Making a sprint for the woods, he ran as fast as he could, going deeper and deeper, trying to put distance between him and his mate. Trees flashed past his vision, the sound of the house and its inhabitants disappearing from his ears. Instead, he focused on nature and all the glory it provided. Jumping over broken trees and dashing underneath overgrown scrubs, the destination was anywhere, and the object was to forget. A small waterfall sounded ahead, the calming trickle of water calling out to him. As it got louder, Roger slowed down until he was only walking, sensing the spot ahead. Pushing branches out of his way, the glorious sight welcomed him. A small pool of water gathered ahead as a waterfall came from the ground above. The sun glinted on the water as he noticed the trees were trimmed to allow the light into this haven. Without testing the water for the temperature, Roger discarded the pants he had quickly yanked on before running, leaving him naked. Jumping into the pool, Roger swam underneath, keeping his eyes open as he observed the occupants. An array of fish lived here, their colors vivid from the rays of light. Moving closer to watch them, the fish scattered away as they sensed a hunter. With a huff, Roger kicked his legs, reaching the surface, breaking the calm of it. Treading the water, he spun around, taking in the details of this place. It was truly breathtaking, a serene spot, making him wonder if the wolves knew about this place. Most likely, for these are their lands, so he hoped that no one would bother him now, for he had a lot to think about.

Taking his time to swim to the edge, Rodger palmed the ground, using his strength to lift himself out. Twisting around, he kept his legs in the numbing water, not caring about its low temperature. Being a vampire helped with not feeling hot or cold, just average, and he secretly hated it. Before this curse, Roger experienced the natural elements, but now it all felt the same. Except for her.

Leaning back into the grass, Roger closed his eyes as he replayed their encounter. Something about her was different, strange. Being as old as he was, sex was not new, but something about Lisa released the beast in him. The taste of her had pushed him over the edge, taking over his mind and body, making him fierce. Plus, the blue light she had released onto him, making him frenzied. But when her scream had shattered the window, it was gone. No more did he believe she was human, but what could she be, and why did it only appear now, after she had lost her virginity. Each day the questions piled up as his days became wilder, filled with Gods and violence.

As the sun baked his nude body, Roger relaxed slightly, enjoying this calm before he had to return to the chaos. A soft breeze dried his body as sleep slowly crept in but was suddenly stopped with a branch cracking in the distance. Shooting upright and opening his eyes, Roger scanned the trees, their thickness easily hiding intruders.

"Who is there?" Roger tried to distract them as he strained his ears, listening for any movement, but it came up empty. Shaking his head and thinking it was just his imagination, Roger lowered down again but froze. Soft footsteps squashed dried leaves as they moved in his direction. Jumping up into a crouch, ready to attach, Roger faced the direction of the steps, his back to the waterfall. Louder and louder, they sounded until stopping. Ready for an attack, the hand is pushing away the branches, revealing her naked state.

"What are you doing here?" Roger asked Lisa, straightening his body out of the attack move.

She remained silent as she walked towards him, her eyes traveling up and down his form, enjoying the view. Having her gorgeous eyes on him made him hard as their actions sprung into his vision; her naked body splayed out before him, but now he had the real deal before him and naked as him.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too," Roger admitted, knowing whatever the outcome of her species, he would always love her.

With a seductive sway in her hips and a slight bounce of her breast, she reached Roger where he stood. Snaking out her palm and slowly dragging it down his chest, she glanced up at him, a slight smile on her mouth. "We can finally be truly together again."

Her words made no sense, but lust clouded his senses. The only thing on his mind was sinking into her soft flesh and staying there forever. "Then let me show you what our future holds."

Grabbing her hips and sinking his fingers into her soft flesh, Roger pulled their bodies together. The feeling of her nipples dragging across his chest tightened him even more. "The things you do to me.” It came out as a breathless whisper.

"It can be like this forever,” she purred, standing on her toes to plant a kiss on his lips.

Not giving her a chance to finish, Roger dropped to his knees, pulling her with him. She landed on her back with Roger on top, pressing her down. The smile remained on her lips as Roger kissed her neck, lapping at her sweet skin. His right hand caressed her body, squeezing her breast before dragging a finger over her skin down, stopping at her core. Grabbing a deep kiss, a finger plunged into her core before pulling it out just as fast.

"I am sorry." Roger removed his weight by leaning on his forearm, letting go of the kiss. "Did I hurt you?" Something was off. Usually, by now, Lisa would be soaked, ready for him. But now, she wasn't.

"I am perfectly alright." Her smile remained.

Roger moved away, freaking out. That smile looked sinister, but why would Lisa be like that. He knew he had been rude this morning after yelling at her, but being so cold towards him was wrong. But then it clicked.

"Rebecca?" Roger put the pieces together. He was dreaming, for he did fall asleep, and it was the only time she showed up.

"Ding, ding, ding." Stretching her arms above her head before sitting up, Rebecca's smile turned into a smirk. Then, looking up at him, she slowly maneuvered herself to stand, all while keeping her eyes glued to him.

"What are you doing here? Why do you keep appearing to me? If it is for revenge for what I did to you, I am sorry. I had no choice."

"Excuses, Excuses, my dear. I forgive you for that horrible act you displayed by killing your mate. But I have a solution."

Roger looked around the valley, thinking of a way to wake up, but it was useless. He was now facing his worst action in life while she stood before him. "And what is that? You are dead. I cannot change that."

The smirk grew more sinister as Rebecca moved closer to him, resting a hand on his bicep. "My body died that night, but somehow I have survived all this time, seeking a way to come back to you.” Her touch stopped before caressing his cheek, keeping their eyes locked to each other. "After all these years, my love for you has only grown, the good memories we shared keeping me positive."

Not being able to help himself, Roger tilted his head into her touch, his eyes closed as he savored the feeling. For all that he is and did, the love for his first mate was still present and now standing before him, albeit in a dream. "I loved you too, but what you made me do, was unspeakable."

Her touch disappeared as Rebecca's hand dropped to her side, sadness displayed. A lone tear fell from the corner of her eye, but Roger grabbing it before it rolled away. "I regret what I did and made you do. But that was not me, I swear. Someone or something made me do those horrible acts."

More tears sprung up, breaking his heart. Pulling her into a hug, Roger soothed his mate by caressing her head as she cried, the tears wetting his chest. "I understand, and I believe you. I saw it with my own eyes."

Pushing at him softly with Roger allowing her, Rebecca turned up to look at him, sniffling her nose. "You do?"

Roger just nodded.

A smile replaced her tears. “Does that mean we can be together again?"

The mention of them being together brought back his new mate, making him step back from her, leaving confusion in her gaze. "I do not think that is possible. I have found someone else."

"You mean Lisa."

"Yes."

"But she is not me. We might look similar, but she could never replace what we had. The true love we shared." Rebecca reached out to him, grabbing his hand and intertwining their fingers. "You can have me again, all of me. With just one simple act."

The feeling of their hands together, coupled with the knowledge that she was before him, made Roger falter. He had dreamed of this moment for years, decades even, but he had Lisa now, and she had him. "But Lisa..."

"She is not your true mate." Rebecca burst out, tightening her grip on Roger. "She is not who she says she is, and you know that. You forget I know everything about you, every look and touch. Right now, I can tell you are doubtful about her, and I am telling you, you should be."

"It does not matter. We are still mates."

Rebecca let out a chuckle, shocking Roger and making him let go of her hand. "You still don't see it." Then, raising her arms, she twirled around, letting him see her whole body on display. "You are not mates with her; you are mates with her body. Her soul is just in my body after I was forced out. I am your true mate."

"That is absurd,” Roger said but knowing deep down there is some truth to her words.

"But having two mates is not." Rebecca continued, "In all of history, no creature has gotten a second one. You told me that."

"But Nix explained..."

Rebecca threw her hands up in frustration before dropping them on her hips. "Right, so you are listening to a witch you just met over the truth of your mate. They have corrupted you. Molded your mind into what they believe." Shaking her head, she looked him up and down before softly saying, "You are not the man I fell in love with. That man followed his gut and believed in his instinct."

"That is still me."

Rebecca snorted. “No, it is not."

"Then let me prove it." Roger stepped forward, his chest high. "Let me show you I am still me." Finally, Roger gave in as he agreed with Rebecca. His heart might be with Lisa and the group, but some do not trust them, and Rebecca's words match what he feels deep down.

Straightening up and letting her arm hang by her side, Rebecca's face turned serious as her chin lifted in pride. "Kill Lisa, and I will return to you, flesh and bones."

The afternoon flew in a blur with all the fun they were having. After a delicious and filling breakfast, Lisa joined the kids for a soccer game, one she had not participated in since her early childhood. After only a few minutes, she had felt breathless, but she was having too much fun. Running around with the kids as their parents cheered from the sidelines was exhilarating. After her team won for the third time, the children moved slower, tired from all the fun, but she had suddenly felt fantastic. Unknown energy had washed over her, and she had been eager to play more. Still, sadly the kids have huddled away, their families needing to prepare for the full moon, leaving her sitting on the porch, Vanessa next to her as they watched the sun's slow descend.

"That was fun." Lisa spoke, "It has been a long time since I could do that."

Vanessa jokingly poked Lisa's side with her elbow. “What? Beating kids at a game."

Lisa laughed at the thought with Vanessa joining in. Together they chuckled before slowly stopping. The air between them was calm, neither speaking, knowing they could just sit in silence and enjoy the wonderful day. Then, roaming a glance across the field, a sudden movement caught her interest, only quickly looking away.

At the end of the field, a figure emerged, only wearing a pair of pants. Lisa was tempted to ogle Roger as he moved towards the house, her position offering up a good view, but she was still too scared to talk to him after their fight. Vanessa sensed the tension between them but opted to remain silent as she watched Roger coming closer, his gaze directed on the house. He only acknowledged them with a slight nod while going up the stairs and disappearing into the house.

Lisa let out a sigh of relief, not in the mood for a fight, especially in front of her new friend.

"Well, that was awkward." Vanessa broke the silence.

"Tell me about it."

Shuffling closer to Lisa, Vanessa grabbed her hand, giving it an assuring squeeze. "I am here if you need to talk about it."

Lisa squeezed back, accepting her touch. "Didn't you hear it this morning?"

"Hear what?" Lisa turned to face Vanessa, shocked.

"All the noise we were making. I bet even the neighbors could hear us." Lisa tried joking about it, but it was useless. The ache was still there.

"Aaah, you don't know." Vanessa stepped in. "The rooms are soundproof, seeing as we live in a house with werewolves who have extraordinary hearing."

A weight lifted from Lisa as she realized no one heard them this morning. No one knows what had happened.

"But I can guess what you are referring to from what Roland told me," Vanessa admitted, dropping the ball again in Lisa. Then, turning to face her, Vanessa saw a red tint creeping up her neck to settle on her cheeks. "Don't be ashamed of it. It is natural, especially since you are mates."

Lisa peeked at Vanessa, with no humor insight like she had feared, only a friend trying to help. "I am not ashamed of what happened between us. On the contrary, to be honest, I am relieved it did. But it is what happened after I am still fuzzy about."

Giving Lisa a slight nudge of encouragement, Vanessa listened as her friend unburdened herself, hoping she could help her oldest friend and his mate.

"This morning, we sort of you know..." The word felt foreign in her mouth, for to say it out loud made it a reality.

"Sex. You had sex with Roger." Vanessa jumped in.

"Yes, we did. And it was great, amazing even, but afterward, he freaked out on me."

Giving a soft squeeze of her hand again, Vanessa asked, "And what do you mean by that? Did he hurt you, because if he did, I am going to yank his..."

"No, no, nothing like that." Lisa chuckled at the idea of Vanessa castrating Roger to defend her honor, but the humor was short-lived. "Trust me. He would not be alive right now if he did. Vampire strength or not." Letting go of her hand, Lisa turned her body away from the breathtaking view and to her friend. "He accused me of not being human by asking me what I am."

Vanessa's head tilts slightly with confusion, wondering if Roger is losing his mind since Lisa is human. "But why would he think that? Did something happen?"

"Well, if you count a window shattering, then yes, something did happen. But I did not do it. How could I?" Lisa replayed the memory simultaneously as she explained to Vanessa, but no evidence proved his accusation. How could someone go their whole lives not knowing they were supernatural? Deep down, Lisa wished it was true, just a small part, for that would mean she would finally be a part of a family, with others just like her. Shaking away the ludicrous idea, she examined Vanessa, seeing the wheels spin in her head. "Could he be right?"

Vanessa studied her finger as they intertwined on her lap, deliberately looking away from Lisa. A dreaded De Ja Vu clutched her soul, the memories of the past resurfacing. History repeats itself is a saying she believed from the day she was born. Being over 200 years old allotted her time to study the history books and watch from a distance the atrocities of man, and the supernatural, have accomplished, just like in the past. Lisa's story sounded familiar, just like Rebecca's.

"Vanessa?"

Glancing up at the waiting Lisa, Vanessa forced a half-smile at her new friend, hiding the rising suspicion. "Sorry, I am just shocked at what you told me." Knowing it must kill Lisa that the first man she has slept with is accusing her of lying, and for a good reason, Vanessa reached out to soothe the girl. Patting her knee, Vanessa calmed her. "If I were you, I would not bother with it. There are plenty of reasons for why the window got smashed."

"Then give me one.” The desperation clung to Lisa's voice, the tension visible in her body.

"Nothing comes to mind, but I will gladly look into it for you," Vanessa confirmed. "As a witch for most of my life, I know there are always logical reasons for weird occurrences."

A genuine smile spread on Lisa as the reassuring words from her friend calmed Lisa down. Vanessa was correct; there had to be another reason for the window, one that Roger is not seeing or refuses to see. "Thank you."

Standing up and stretching her sore muscles from the activities, Lisa nodded to Vanessa. "I think I need a laydown. Enjoy tonight and tell me all about it tomorrow."

"I will." Vanessa followed Lisa's retreating body until she disappeared into the house, counting to 10 mentally before springing into action. Rising from the stairs, Vanessa strolled to the edge of the field before reaching into her pocket to retrieve her phone. Keeping an eye on the house and to anyone who might stumble upon her and her plan, she quickly dialed the familiar number.

After one ring, the call got answered. "Well, isn't this just great? She finally decided to call. Just because you are not a part of this coven anymore does not mean we do not care about you."

Vanessa couldn't help but chuckle at her old friend, happy to hear her voice again. "I am sorry, Sarah. You know I miss you guys, but we sort of ran into a problem on this side."

"So, you only call when you need help. Is that it?" Sarah's words sounded harsh, but Vanessa could hear the humor in her voice.

"That is not—"

"I am just pulling your leg, child. In these crazy times, there is always a problem. I am just glad that you still need my help. It makes me feel like your mother again."

Brushing some stray hair from her forehead, Vanessa closed her eyes, absorbing the familiarity in her friend's voice. But, of course, Sarah was right; nowadays, she did only call when there was a problem and not just to chat. "You are right. I do miss our time together but being here is different. The whole pack dynamic is the opposite of the coven."

"That you do not have to tell me. But please, tell me what is wrong. I can hear the tension in your voice." Sarah was always so observant, a true mother for the one she had lost so long ago.

Opening her eyes, Vanessa zoned into the house as she became serious. The sixth sense she had was still present, even if the powers were gone, and they were screaming at her now.

"I think we are dealing with a resurrection of souls."

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