Adventures In An Alternate Dimension Book 2

Chapter 3 - Love vs. Legacy

Ashlynn's POV

The scent of lavender and chamomile tea wafted through the air, a stark contrast to the nervous energy crackling between Raven and me. My niece, Bella and Edward's pride and joy, sat perched on the edge of the antique loveseat in my living room, a stormy look brewing in her usually vibrant gray eyes.

"He can't just spring this on me, Aunt Ashlynn!" Raven exclaimed, her voice laced with indignation. "The Choosing? It's barbaric!"

I took a calming sip of my tea, the warmth a welcome contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. Connor, Raven's boyfriend, came from a long line of formidable vampire hunters, the Anderson's. Their name was whispered with both respect and fear throughout the supernatural community. Eric, Connor's older brother, had broken the mold, choosing a life away from the hunter's path. But Connor, on the cusp of adulthood, was now facing the age-old Anderson tradition – The Choosing. A brutal test that would determine if he possessed the skills and ruthlessness to become a vampire hunter.

"It's not barbaric, Raven," I countered gently, "it's their way. A brutal way, yes, but their way nonetheless."

Raven scoffed. "Their way of turning their sons into emotionless killing machines? No thanks."

I knew her anger stemmed from a place of love and fear. Connor was kind, funny, and possessed a gentleness that belied his lineage. The very idea of him being molded into a ruthless hunter was abhorrent to her.

"Connor doesn't have to follow their path, Raven," I assured her, my voice softer this time. "Eric chose differently, didn't he?"

A flicker of hope entered her eyes. "But Eric is different. He never wanted this life."

"And maybe Connor doesn't either," I said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "But you have to give him the chance to make that choice for himself."

Raven sighed, the fight momentarily draining out of her. "I just... I don't want to lose him, Aunt Ashlynn. The Choosing is notorious. What if he..."

She couldn't finish the sentence, the fear choking her voice. I understood. The Anderson's weren't known for their nurturing approach. The Choosing was a brutal test of physical and mental fortitude, designed to weed out the weak and forge the remaining into unyielding hunters.

"He's strong, Raven," I said, my voice firm with a conviction I didn't entirely possess. "Stronger than you think. And he loves you. Don't you believe he'll fight for a future with you?"

A single tear escaped her eye, tracing a glistening path down her cheek. "I do," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But what if that future comes at a cost? What if The Choosing changes him? Turns him into someone I don't recognize?"

The weight of her words settled heavily in the room. It was a valid concern. The Choosing wasn't just a test of skill; it was a crucible that reshaped individuals, forging them into something... different. Whether Connor would emerge unchanged or a hardened shell of his former self was a terrifying unknown.

"We don't know what the future holds, Raven," I admitted, the truth a bitter pill to swallow. "But all we can do is face it together, as a family. Bella and Edward will be there for you, and so will I. We'll support Connor, but we'll also be there to catch him if he falls."

A small, watery smile graced her lips. "Thanks, Aunt Ashlynn. I don't know what I'd do without you."

I squeezed her hand. "You're strong, Raven. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. And you're not alone."

The coming weeks were a whirlwind of nervous anticipation. We rallied around Raven, offering a semblance of normalcy amidst the storm brewing within her. News of Connor's Choosing spread like wildfire through the supernatural community. Whispers and speculation swirled, painting a grim picture of the ordeal that awaited him.