Fractures of Eternity

Luckily, my savior from the ravenous hybrid inspecting me would come from the place I least expected.

“Mom… Stop causing a scene because of your damn jealousy!” A girl I had never seen before declared from the side.

I hadn’t noticed when Thea, Rem’s oldest child, approached us, wearing an eye patch on her right eye, which was a result of the accident Loki caused when he lost control—a year after we met. Dad only had simple details, but from the way they gazed at each other, there appeared to be no ill feelings between them.

She had the same appearance as her father, but a female version. Within it all, I never saw when Leo approached us, as he was staring at Zoe, who smiled at him.

“Don’t worry, Thea. I’m not going to let your mom do anything too embarrassing today.” Alijah spoke softly, followed by a slight chuckle.

The man he was today didn’t reflect how my dad described him, as he was soft-spoken, and his eyes were tender whenever directed at his family. He was nothing like the man who used to desire the destruction of the world. In fact, it appeared like little stars of happiness were coming out of him as the years had softened him up into a gentleman. Even though they fought those demons almost every day, their bonds were stronger because of it.

I would’ve envied the way he gazed at his love, if his wife wasn’t intent on figuring me out. Emma and Zoe, though, were admiring Alijah’s appearance, as the picture I had seen didn’t do him justice. Though to me, he couldn’t hold a candle to the gentle vampire in my hands.

“Oi! Last time it was a mistake!” Rem pouted, shooting a soft glare at her husband.

Sadly, it wouldn’t be long before her eyes returned to me.

“Yes, yes, if you did that, I wouldn’t have to babysit you both, Pa.” Thea rolled her eyes, gazing towards me too.

I felt my heart stop again when our eyes met, though she quickly moved towards Alijah.

Reaching out to little Luna, she smiled. “Come, little one. Let’s see grandpa and grandma! Oh, and Uncle Aiden! They all want to see you!” Thea cooed to her little sister, whom she quickly claimed.

“Oh, wait, Sophie didn’t come?” Rem asked, focusing on her daughters instead of me.

“No, Uncle Aiden said she stayed behind with Amelia looking after the kids,” Thea answered.

With all of your family here… This is looking more likely where our…

“What about Uncle Caden?” Leo questioned, snapping out of the trance Zoe had him in.

“He stayed behind on the ship, since his wife didn’t want to dance or walk for long. Well, not that I blame her. She’s six months into the new pregnancy, and their kids are out in the town rather than here.” Rem informed him.

“I see,” Leo mumbled, pouting somewhat.

It was apparent this little wolf loved his family, but the fewer Silver Fangs in the building, the better it was for me.

“You two don’t want to see them?” Thea asked, turning towards the twins.

“Uh… Maybe later.” Loki sighed, holding onto me.

“Ah, well, alright.” Thea shrugged, taking little Luna to see her grandparents.

At that moment, Rem’s attention came back to me, yet the short breather I had from them allowed me to collect my thoughts better.

“So, Leo tells me you’re the maid who saved Loki in the videos. What’s your name?” Rem asked, placing her hands on her hips.

She had a friendly smile on her lips, leaving me wary of her.

“Vivian,” I mumbled.

“Oh, what a lovely name.” Rem smiled, though her eyes narrowed.

Even behind that mask, I could tell she was hostile and suspicious of me. If only Loki weren’t there with us, she probably would’ve pounced on me for information—something I couldn’t blame her for, since I had the same shade of eyes and hair as the young girl she met all those years ago. Although I was in her grip, it wasn’t for long. Since humans commonly had brown hair and green eyes, there was no way for her to know if I was the same child from back then, though.

All of this could’ve been a coincidence, which was obviously making her wary, but thanks to my necklace, it appeared like she was unaware of my true self. Though Oswald…

“It means life in witchcraft,” Oz commented, causing me to tighten my grip on my vampire.

This stupid warlock!

Loki scowled at his brother, who smirked at us, before shifting his gaze towards the side.

Another test or… Do you know? Did you see my mark this morning? No… I would’ve been in chains by now. Argh!

I felt the hair in my back stand up straight, not knowing where the next blow would come. Rem’s eyes didn’t twitch or move away from me upon hearing that, though.

Cool it! I’m no longer the helpless girl she held up all those years ago! I’m… I’m… thecruel, heartless, and cunning monster this world has ever seen.Yes… That’s all I am, what I must be to survive.

“Oh, I know,” Rem assured the treacherous twin.

Oswald fiddled with his familiar, which lay on his shoulder, carefully watching my reactions.

Mother fucking Oswald. If you weren’t my link… I would…

I gripped tighter on my vampire as his clothes were getting the brunt of my rage.

“Are you shy? Is that why you’re hiding behind Loki?” Rem asked, tilting her head, catching me in her vibrant gaze.

“Nervous,” I mumbled.

“Ma, don’t,” Loki sighed, yet his words didn’t matter to her while she was on the hunt.

“How so?” She followed up. “I promise I don’t bite the innocent.”

My hands twitched as I took a deep breath. Unfortunately, there was no outrunning this. I had to face it head-on or risk my misery, as no one would ever separate me from Loki until I wished for it.

Not even you.

Letting go of my darling vampire, I shook my head.

“Isn’t meeting the family always nerve-racking? Especially…” I trailed off, taking a step forward, closing my heart.

“Especially?” She echoed my last word as her eyes were locked on me.

Rem was formidable and dangerous, but also beautiful. Even though we were enemies, I could admire the wife of the most handsome Lycan to walk the mortal plane. It was obvious we were reincarnations of the divines. Sadly, for her, she was tainted by being a hybrid in the eyes of many, leaving her undesirable to men—something her husband didn’t mind.

“When we aren’t in any relationship other than the pleasures of the skin,” I answered straight on, swallowing my emotions.

Even then, it stung to say that, especially after the moments we both shared before coming to the ball. I still felt Loki’s warmth in my core. Even my breasts were still sensitive from the affection he showed me earlier. The soft way he spoke to me when I didn’t want to dress like this. All of it was for naught, as I wouldn’t dare gaze at my vampire, knowing full well that his expression would cause me to crumble.

“Okay… That’s enough. Ma, do you want to ruin my love life anymore?” Loki huffed, voice cracking, which made me shiver.

I… I don’t mean it… But at the same time, there isn’t a future for us!

“So, this is casual?” Rem continued, ignoring Loki’s words.

“Remi, why won’t you listen to me?” Loki tried to separate us again, but there was no stopping it.

Rem and I were oil and water, which meant that as things were, we would never get along. There was only one way to shut this down.

“Yes, this is only a physical relationship that happened due to circumstances. It isn’t like your son’s bite left me a choice when I saved him, and he refused to lock me up in a room while it passed.” I answered plainly, denying myself the emotions swelling within.

Loki grabbed my arm, and I found myself gazing at him, my heart stinging at the sight of his painful expression.

Hah… crap…

“Oi, that’s enough!” He growled, prompting me to shift my gaze away from him.

Ah… Damn it.