Standing

Chapter 17: Alone Time

CHAPTER 17

ALONE TIME

MEL POV

Sometimes things don't turn out the way you want and sometimes they turn out better than you hoped. Either way there will be some kind of challenge. I had hoped Kade would surpass what I saw for him but he didn't. I hope that in the end he will do the right thing by Ash and Liam or else....Well things could go badly. Sacrifice is something that is often required when striving for something and I'm afraid Riki is going to have her share of that. They don't know that I am watching them, observing what takes place. Usually I don't stay this closely, watching and waiting but something about this one pulls at me. Maybe it's Ash and all her complexity or maybe it's Riki with all her strength but I can't seem to stay away from them. I pray this turns out well, that fate gives them their happy ending. I think it will but I've been wrong before.

Kade bothers me. His emotions are buried so deep within him that I'm not sure what it will take to pull them to the surface. He's more of a lost cause than most of the Guardians we find and I'm not sure if he'll make it. I haven't found what will wake him up yet but I will. I do enjoy watching him find his way through. I'm glad Luke talked to him, it helped I think. Though I was disappointed that he only hit him once. I'm still waiting for Riki to tear into him, I have a feeling that she won't need to use her fists to put him in his place. I really can't wait.

Jarek is still hidden from me but I'm keeping an eye on Phelan. I have a plan for him too. I also have several G.A leading their charges into this fight. So much depends on Kade, Ash, Liam, and Riki. There is a lot that could go wrong. I watch as Riki tosses in the bed her hair soaked in sweat and I smile softly. It's almost time for the next step and I wish it could be a little easier for her but it isn't the way the world works. 

RIKI POV

When someone experiences something painful and agonizing their mind helps them forget about it. But the body remembers and sometimes it comes back to the surface in a dream. Making the dream seem much more real than it actually is. I grit my teeth as the whip slashes into my back and I look up expecting to see Jarek but instead I see Luke wielding the whip. I cry out in denial and Luke's face is replaced with Gabe's. The whip comes down on my face as I scream out my agony.

................. 

I sit upright, my body soaked in sweat and tears streaming down my cheeks. I shiver as hands grasp me pulling me close but I keep my eyes clenched shut. They rock me softly as Gabe starts to sing and my shoulders relax. Then I feel something tremble inside of me as something moves and my eyes fly open. Suddenly a bright lavender light fills the room and I feel a rippling in my stomach. I gasp as the light fades and I look down. Then I scream.

Guards flood the room and the lights are turned on. I realize we're all naked but I don't care. Holy shit, I'm freaking huge. I watch in astonishment as the pups move inside of me and my stomach ripples. Everyone is staring at my stomach when Ash bursts in the room, swords in her hand. I look up to see her mouth drop open. Luke is the first to speak.

"Well this is going to be an interesting pregnancy." I run a hand over my swollen stomach as I gesture for the guards to leave but Ash stays. I look over at Luke.

"Interesting? How the hell am I going to walk?" Ash giggles and I narrow my eyes at her.

"Like a duck most likely." I full out glare as Luke and Gabe start to laugh as well. Then I sigh in defeat as I start to giggle too.