Quite A Night

Teddy misted back to his pack in Virginia and James left around sunrise with his guards. They had discussed things all night and no one seemed to have any good solutions.

Haldir sat on the porch and twirled the axe around on the ground by its blade. He always liked weilding an axe, you had to be close up when you killed a man. It was bloody and messy. The way Haldir liked things.

Rhett wanted to make peace with Haldir, he was important to Hazel and showed up when she needed him. There aren’t a lot of people left in the world who would show up to kill some people with you without a moment of hesitation.

Rhett opened the door and took a seat on the porch next to Haldir and handed him a beer. “So, quite a fucking night huh?"

"Quite a fucking night," said Haldir.

"Teddy told me you don’t really approve of witch-Lycan relationships much Haldir.”

“No I guess I don't.”

Rhett nodded his head and smirked, “Can I ask why?”

“Teddy’s sister, my daughter Tessa, is married to the Hexom brothers who were the alphas before Stella. I guess I just never warmed up to the idea. Tessa was a free spirit, loner type. When she married them, she didn't do real well. It killed her fire inside. She sacrificed everything she was for those two and they didn't exactly treat her well. I had to rescue her more than once because of their bullshit. Witches are meant to be wild, not locked down like a fucking prisoner in their own homes. It’s not right,” said Haldir.

“Hazel chose this life.”

Haldir laughed out, “Did she now?”

“That’s right.”

“You know when my Tessa met her mates, Logan marked her without her permission and kept her locked down tight for months. Does that sound familiar?” asked Haldir.

Rhett clenched his jaw and looked off into the distance. “Right, I thought so,” Haldir said. “If it weren’t for that damn bite, you really think she would still be here?”

Rhett nodded his head, “Yes, I do.”

“Right. RIght. Then why'd you have to bite her at all? She ran away from that castle she lived in because she was locked up, for her own protection of course. Just like that little love bite, for her protection wasn't it? You’re not really different from that tyrant at all,” said Haldir.

“This is a friend of yours?” asked Rhett as he took another sip of beer.

“As much of a friend as he is to anyone,” Haldir said as he laughed. “I saved his wife and daughter’s life, he trusts me. If I'd seen beforehand that this was going to happen to Hazel, I never would've agreed to bring her here.”

Then Haldir paused before he said, “ My Tessa, someone tried to kill her, nearly died because of the Lycan family she married into, so yeah, I got a bit of an attitude about you fucking wolves. But in Logan's defense I guess, when that all happened, he walked away from his whole life...his pack, his family, everything to save her life. Hazel gave up everything to be here with you, I mean she was a damn fairy tale princess. What are you willing to give up to save her from herself Rhett? The way I see it, you either got to send here back alone or go with her. Either way, she needs to go.”

Rhett looked down and licked his lip.

“If she stays here with you, Rhett, something fucking terribles going to happen eventually and she’s not going to be able to help it. It’s not her fault. It’s not your fault. It’s just the damn curse of that family. She can’t control it. She has a family there that loves her and can help her. There’s not a soul alive here that can do that. Anyway...I’ve said all I’m going to say about the matter. I’ll be around. If Hazel needs me all she has to do is yell. By the way, Merry Christmas. It’s the day for it.”

“Oh shit, it is,” said Rhett.

Then Haldir asked, "You mind if I keep this here axe?"

"Merry Chrismtas Haldir," Rhett said. Then Haldir disappeared into a mist.

Rhett took off his clothes and climbed back into bed with Hazel. He spooned up against her and put his hand on her belly. “How are my babies?”

Hazel smiled with her eyes shut and rubbed her fingers up and down his arm as she said, “Sleeping.”

“With all this shit going on, I completely forgot it’s christmas.”

Hazel said, “It’s alright. We can celebrate later, I got you something. I know you’ll love it.”

“Really, I got something for you too, right here,” he said as her rubbed his cock against her ass.

Hazel giggled, “Get some sleep Rhett. I’ll unwrap that later.”

“Can I ask you something baby?”

“Anything,” Hazel said as she began drifting off.

“If we were to go to the other realm, what would I do there? I mean, would I have a job or do we just sit around being royalty all day?” Rhett said jokingly.

“I suppose you would serve in my grandfather's army.He would give you a position of respect. Or, we could go to my other grandfather's city. It’s full of Lycans. That’s where Tessa Hexom and her family are. But, I’m not asking you to move there. Your whole life is here. Your pack. Your house. You don’t have to give up anything for me. I’m happy how things are,” said Hazel.

“I’m just thinking out loud. I’m just trying to figure out what the best thing to do is baby.You and the babies are my life. I’m not afraid of giving all this shit up. I’m afraid of what I’m walking into. I know here what my babies lives are going to look like. I’ve never been to the realm, I don’t know how I support my family or where we live. Here I have money and power, but if I don’t have you three none of that means shit,” said Rhett.

Hazel rolled over to face him then put her hand on his face, “I trust you to take care of us no matter what. Don’t be afraid. Whatever decision you make, it’s meant to be. Everything will be ok,” she said.

Tears ran down Rhett's cheek. "I'd shrivel up and die without you sweetheart. I can't live without you, but this thing is too much. I can't run this territory and constantly worry about you. If you're ok, if you're going to hurt someone. If our babies are even safe with you acting out like this. I can't do this anymore."

"What are you saying Rhett?" asked Hazel as a sinking feeling began insdie her.

"I'm saying you have to go back home sweetheart. You can't stay here anymore."