Willow's Choice

Twenty One

I smiled up at Valor just before he kissed my lips softly, pulling away with a smile as Ava let out a small whine as she lay in her crib a few feet from us.

Valor stood up, rocking her lightly in his arms to quiet her before he picked her bottle up from the dresser and began feeding her.

She ate a lot, and slept a lot, and can't forget about the crying and pooping, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

I loved her more than I could express and she brought so much joy into my life, and to those around me.

It didn't take long for her to fall back into her slumber and Valor and I decided to go downstairs with our family.

I watched Valor as he handed Ava to an awaiting Giselle who took her happily and cradled her to her chest.

Valor gripped my hand tugging me behind him, his excitement to hunt evident as he ran.

Valor slowed when his eyes landed on my father and Pierre, both of them tense as they stared into the trees.

"Get inside. Lock the doors." Valor whispered.

I turned without question, the seriousness of the situation presenting itself as Pierre let out a hiss, his usually serene demeanor completely gone and Cassius rounded the corner with Raven and Solomon stood below in his wolf form, growling at whatever or whoever lay in the trees.

Raven followed me, both of us shutting the door and quickly enlightening everyone on the situation as we closed the curtains.

Giselle went upstairs with my mother and Ava, my brothers, Raven, and myself quieting as a tap on the window took our gazes back to the door.

"Willow. Come out. Only you." I heard in Valor's voice.

I walked to the window quickly, drawing back the curtain to see Valor, his eyes calm as I opened the door and slipped out.

I halted in my movements when I saw Pierre gripped by the neck by a tall man with electric red eyes.

I hissed at the man on instinct, not liking his clearly aggressive behavior and group of obvious aggressors who stood behind him all looking ready to pounce.

"You're the one they call Willow? The hybrid?" He asked with a grin before he released Pierre, his eyes sizing me up as he licked his lips.

"What of it?" I countered.

"I want you." The man said.

I nearly snorted at the statement, my laugh battling the tension in the air.

"Is something funny?" The man said.

"Hilarious actually. I am not interested." I said.

He chuckled darkly, scoffing as if he were stunned at me lack of interest.

The man stepped towards me and Valor hissed out a warning, his body slightly positioned in front of mine as I gripped his arm and he stared down the man.

"Stefan." Pierre hissed.

The man ignored the warning and took a step towards me.

I used my fingers to brush my hair behind my ear, revealing my claim.

Stefan froze and his eyes nearly burned a hole in my neck.

"Who?" He hissed.

Before I could answer, Valor's voice cut through the air, his deep baritone seething with warning.

"It's time for you to get off of my territory and leave my mate alone."

Stefan stared at at me, a grin forming as he turned to Valor and then back to me.

"I always thought you'd take Anya." Stefan said to Valor who hissed when Stefan turned his gaze back to me.

"Don't start." Valor warned.

The unmistakable sound of Ava's cry met my ears, the noise causing my wolf to perk up at her pup and I flicked my eyes to the side on instinct.

I brought my attention back to Stefan as he shifted his weight just as Ava's cry was muffled.

He took a step back, grinning as he spoke.

"Congratulations, Dad." He said to Valor.

I growled, my wolf surfacing at this man who posed a threat to her pup as I got in his face.

"Touch my daughter and I will fucking drain you until you're nearly dead and then I will rip the flesh from your filthy bones." I said as I stared at him.

He flicked his eyes down my frame once more before taking a step back and he slowly retreated, his men following quickly.

"How did he know who I was? And who the hell was he?"I asked.

"He drinks human blood. He stays hidden from the council, but he mostly looks for rogues." Pierre said.

"What does he want with me?" I asked.

"The best of both worlds." Valor said with distaste.