Unchained

Chapter 11: The Reunion

Scarlett awoke from her nap, startled, hearing commotion outside her door. Everyone was talking at once, several scents blinding her nose. Without much of a thought, she quickly got up and left her room. Multiple pairs of eyes landed on her and the room became chillingly quiet. Not a single person spoke.

Scarlett gulped. Why was everyone staring at her?

Justine approached her friend. Whispering, she said, "Um.. so, we think we found Jax." Scarlett's eyes grew wide. Justine didn't need to say anymore. The werewolf ran through the crowd as they parted to make her a path. Once she got to the couch, there, indeed, laid Jax.

She stopped dead in her tracks, two feet away from him. He was still asleep and bandaged in several areas. Her body shook with both rage and excitement. Who had done this to him? How did he find her? She blinked a few times, calming herself, and took steps forwards to him.

"Jax." She spoke, throat and mouth dry. It felt like she had swallowed sand. Her hands shook as she reached out, placing one of his cheek. "Jax." She spoke again, much louder and more sternly. Looks like the speech practice with Justin and the rest of the group was coming along nicely.

Scarlett, then, ever so gently shook him by his shoulder. She crouched down. "J-Jax.. Please.." she whined, whimpering. Somewhere deep within him, he must of heard her. His eyes shot open with dazzling red pupils. Scarlett took a step back in surprise. The vampire blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes before sitting up. Where was he? How did he get there? Who called his name?

"Jax." Someone said again. It brought his attention to the woman in front of him. A sigh of relief exited his body as his arms reached out to envelop Scarlett in his grasp. He had found her. After almost two years, Jax had found the love of his life again.

Scarlett wrapped her arms around him, his head buried in her stomach. A tear ran down her cheek in awe. He had never given up on her, just as he promised.

The two sat in silence as the crowd around them slowly gave them room. "We're going to give you two some space," someone said. It allowed the crowd to disperse and also leave the two of them alone for a few moments.

"I'm so happy you're still alive." Jax said, pulling back to look at her eyes. He was met with black pupils. Scarlett's face only grew slightly older, more color in her cheeks since the last time he saw her. Her hair still touched her waist, but it was soft and silky. A small, friendly smile curled onto her lips. She hadn't changed much appearance wise, but her confidence was better. She didn't stutter as much.

"You w-would of felt it if I d-died." She explained, taking his wrist. Her thumb rubbed against the imprint mark. Just like Justine said, it would still be there.

"I know.. but I couldn't shake that feeling." He responded back, pulling her closer to him. He winced in pain, looking down at his wounds. His chest was bandaged tight, as was most of his left arm. He didn't recall some of his injuries. Before he could get anymore into that, she spoke again.

"How l-long have you b-been looking f-for me?"
"Everyday. I'm sorry for chasing you out—"
"We don't n-need to t-talk a-bout it. I'm happy y-you're finally h-here." The girl reached down and stroked his hair. Jax purred at her touch. This was all worth his struggle, all worth his pain and suffering. He relished in this moment. And, for a while, they sat in silence, just holding onto each other as they would be separated again.

Eventually, they moved to Scarlett's room. On the wall, hung her portrait. "You still have it?" He asked, taking a second to study the piece. His paintings have gotten better since then, but it was still one of his best works. The fact that she kept it, meant a lot to him.

"Of course." She brushed some hair out of his face gently, then took his hand and sat on her bed. He sat beside her. This was bliss.

"How d-did you find me?" Jax paused for a second, rubbing his thumb on her pale, soft skin. "I ended up reaching out to someone that has eyes and ears everywhere." Scarlett blinked. "W-who?" Did he have people watching her?

"The future king. He's one of my best friends. We grew up together." Scarlett knew Jax powerful friends, but she didn't know he was friends with royalty. He went through all that trouble to find her? She couldn't form any words. "I love you, Scar. Not a day went by that I didn't think of you. You were on my mind morning, noon, and night. I saw you in my dreams." Scarlett's face began to heat up, turning red and warm to the touch. Only he could make her smile like a fool.

"I want to take you home with me." He whispered, staring into her eyes. His gaze caused her to look away. "B-But.. I like it h-here. I have friends."

"I'm glad you made friends. I was worried you'd be on your own. Listen we don't need to go right away—"

"I like it here." Scarlett sternly spoke. Jax was taken aback by her confidence, but he was proud of her nonetheless. "C-could we stay a little while?" She tilted her head to the side, almost pleading with him. She wasn't ready to leave.
"Yes.. but I'm on a time crunch, Scar. I still have duties in the kingdom to attend to." He explained, giving a sigh. He wished he didn't need to return. Everyone seemed so nice and welcoming here, almost disregarding his vampirism.

Scarlett thought for a moment. "I-If.. you are so u-unhappy.." she paused, taking in a sharp inhale of courage, "then.. why d-do you stay?" Jax's gaze shifted downwards, to their entwined hands. He couldn't just leave. It would be virtually impossible. Who would take his place? Would he be exiled from the kingdom? Labeled a traitor? What would Ashton think of him?

"Jax..?" Scarlett asked, bringing the vampire back to reality. She had lowered her gaze to look into his eyes, with a concerning expression. The vampire blinked a few times, simultaneously squeezing Scarlett's hands with care.
"I.. I can't uproot myself and leave. I have a role in the kingdom. I'd have to find a replacement, explain the situation to the royal family.. I... this would need to be discussed."

"And?" She raised an eyebrow.
"And what?"
"And how d-do we g-go about t-that?"

Was he hearing the words coming out of her mouth correctly? This wouldn't be a light or easy decision to make. It's possible that even if he explains things to the royal family, they may not let him leave. Or worse, banish him with nothing to his name.

"Y-You could stay here. W-With us."
"Wait.. you're not coming with me?"
"S-sorry.. not us. I mean.. with m-me. I'd go with y-you to support y-you."
"But... we'd live here?"
"Y-yes. Maybe. I don't k-know."

The two were so focused on finding each other, they didn't even think about what would happen next. Jax assumed she'd returned with him. Scarlett assumed he'd leave with her.

"How about.. we sleep on it, yeah?" Scarlett gave him a nod. As she prepared to sleep, Jax pondered what she had said to him. *'I can't leave without her.. I didn't go this far to find her and not be with her..'* He couldn't care less about his family. His parents no longer mattered to him, Molly was still missing.. and Maya.. Maya would understand. At least, he hoped. Her opinion was the one that mattered. Shaking his head to free himself of his troubling thoughts, the vampire crawled under the sheets and waited for Scarlett.

She returned a few minutes later, in sleep clothes. She wore an eye mask on her forehead and her hair pulled back. Jax was just as stunned with her beauty as he was on the first night meeting. She was his everything. The very bane of his existence.

Her body laid beside his. Almost in sync, the two melted into each other's arms. They were in perfect harmony.
"I love you."
"I love y-you too."
"I love you more." Scarlett giggled in response to his words. "Whatever y-you say."