The Elementalist Diaries

Part II Entry III Forgiven

Seth's POV

Apparently, we were going to be invaded by something called Werebane, evil fanged creatures that are very thin and wiry, and have the skin of newborns stretched across their long, gawky limbs. According to Ashlynne, there are only two Elementalists in the immediate area that know how to destroy them: herself and a classmate named Zane. A few days after explaining this to the lot of us, she brought Zane to meet us. Ashlynne is very close with him, seeing as they were the only two survivors of the Werebane Class they took.

I don't like him.

"Everyone, this is Zane. He's going to be helping out for a while," she introduced him to us as we all sat around in the packhouse. Emily was very thankful for Gwen's return, as she was very helpful in the kitchen. None of the wolves were very comfortable with Zane's presence. We all got a vibe from him that was unnerving.

"So, Ashes, do we have any information at all?" Zane asked, flipping his black hair out of his eyes like a Justin Bieber wannabe.

"About four of them on the outskirts of town. They're staying close to the forest until full moon, I'd guess," she told him, holding Sarah on her lap. The other three quads were with the other kids in the yard, with Alice and Rosalie watching over them.

"I have a question: Why don't we like Werebane, other than the fact they are positively deadly?" Paul asked, Rachel cuddled up to him. Zane's face turned grave.

"Ashes didn't tell you, yet?" We shook our heads emphatically. "They thrive on the children of paranormals, like vampires, werewolves, and Elementalists. The oldest kid is yours, right, Bella?" Bella nodded, not liking where this was going. "And that was... eight or nine years ago?" Bella nodded again.

"At that time, there were so many adults surrounding one kid, the Werebane didn't have a chance. But now, there are more kids to the same amount of adults. They have a better chance of grabbing four or five. They've been tailing Luke, Gwen, and me since junior year," Ashlynne filled in. She covered Sarah's ears. "I'm scared that I won't be able to protect my babies." She was being brutally honest, and I wanted nothing more than to pull both my mate and my daughter to me. But Zane, of course, put his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, we were a great team in class, we can do this now," he consoled her.

"Yeah, but Zane, your entire team died fighting Werebane in that class," she pointed out. Gwen gasped.

"To lose your entire team is like having your mind ripped apart. It can leave you completely crazy," Russell whispered to us so Zane wouldn't hear. "He's the only contradiction there is."

I stored that along with the rest of my knowledge about this creep. He was bad news, I just couldn't tell Ashlynne because she'd tell me I was just jealously judgmental. Anyway, what's up with the nickname? Why does he get to call her Ashes when the two of us aren't even on speaking terms?

"Seth, can I talk to you outside for a minute?" Ashlynne asked, breaking through my thoughts. I sighed.

"Sure, Ashlynne." She and I walked outside to the edge of the forest, where we sat down cross-legged and facing each other. "What's up?"

"I know you probably won't believe me, but I still love you," she said, pleadingly. I looked away, unbelievingly, scoffing. "I never stopped. I went away so you would be happy without me and the quads to weigh you down." She said, trying to convince me.

"Wait, weigh me down? Why would having you and the quads here weigh me down?" I asked, grabbing her wrist as she got up to walk away in defeat.

"On the day I found out I was pregnant, I came home to tell you and you were talking with Jake in the living room about how you didn't want kids with me. You didn't want them, so I took them away," she explained, tears starting to grace her cheeks.

I felt terrible.

I stood up, pulled her to me, and pressed my lips fiercely to hers. When we pulled back, slightly out of breath, I let my forehead rest on hers.

"Before we could finish the conversation, Jake and I had to jump out the window and shift. Sam was calling us," I whispered. Her eyes widened.

"I am so sorry! If only I had known..." she whispered back. She backed away reluctantly, but I pulled her back to my chest.

"Who said you could go anywhere?" I asked with a smile. On the inside, I was desperate to keep her in my arms. She fit with me like a puzzle piece. "Does this mean you'll stay? Forever?" I asked, fearful of the answer. She looked me in the eyes, being brutally honest.

"Only if you want me AND the quads," she replied sternly, a smile on her face. I kissed her again. "I love you, Seth."

Take that, everyone! My mate loves me!

"I love you, too, Ashlynne."

Ashlynne's POV

When we got back to the packhouse I started formulating a plan with Zane to destroy the Werebane. Zane looked at mine and Seth's newfound closeness with a distinct jealousy that only a well-trained Elementalist could pick up on. Which is why Russell started getting agitated. He could barely handle Seth being my mate, how would he handle this?

"Well, since we've got our plan, Elementalists, we need to practice. Especially because I don't have my new Alpha power. Edward, do you think you and Bella could take the quads to... Um..." I stopped for a second. Where on EARTH could I leave my kids while I practiced?

"Don't worry, babe, I'll take them to my place. I'm sure Mom will be glad to know she's a grandparent," Seth said wryly. I lightly kissed his lips.

"Thanks. Elementalists, as Alpha, I take command. Do you accept?" I asked them. Luke and Gwen accepted my command, as usual, but Russell and Stella...

"Um... Ashlynne, Russell has been stand-in as Alpha since you've been gone," Stella explained. Russell hung his head.

"Okay, but do you remember what happens to a rightful Alpha that steps down before their time?" I asked, hurt that Stella could even think I'd back down because Russell liked what he did.

"The Alpha dies an early death at the hands of an unknown sickness that sets the body on fire from within, burning everything and turning the organs to ashes," Stella recited from the ancient lore. "I'm sorry, Ash, just wanted to tell you, in case..."

"In case I start getting too rambunctious," Russell cut in. "Don't worry, I won't make you step down. Your kids need you, as do we." Russell hugged me and I felt a solitary tear drop. "Thanks, guys. Seriously." I said. Zane just kinda stood off to the side looking awkward.

"Um, I'm not a member of your team..?" He said questioningly. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You will train as one," I informed him. I hugged Seth and walked out the door.

Those Werebane are going down.