10 comments/ 23520 views/ 10 favorites A Life or Death Struggle Ch. 01 By: AshiraDatya This is my first attempt at a non-human story, I appreciate feedback and suggestions; please leave a user name or email address so I can respond to comments that are left. Ashira * She shivered in the cooling evening air, her hands going over her arms, wishing she had brought a jacket or at least worn a long sleeve shirt. Her green eyes looked around before coming to rest on him and she smiled. He was so tall that he looked like a Titan and his skin was bronzed like a spartan. "Hi Cole," she greeted with a smile. "Hi Beth," Cole returned, smiling at her. "Shall we?" he asked, motioning towards the door of the night club. Beth nodded and followed him inside where the music was playing loudly. "You look beautiful," Cole said into her ear before pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Thanks," Beth murmured, smiling at him. Her green eyes locked with his brown eyes and the gaze he was staring at her with made her shiver with anticipation for what was to come. There was an air of danger that surrounded Cole, a sense of that which was forbidden that she couldn't wait to taste. "Beth!" Both Beth and Cole looked up and Beth's smile widened as she saw her two best friends walking quickly towards them. "Cole, this is Mage and Raven," Beth introduced. "Nice to meet both of you," Cole said politely, hoping his irritation at being interrupted wasn't overly obvious. "They're my cousins," Beth added. Cole gave the women a polite smile. "We won't bother you for long, we just wanted to say hi and see if you're up for getting together tonight," Raven said. Beth glanced at Cole and shrugged. "I'm not promising anything," Beth told Raven who grinned. "Well, you know where we'll be if your plans fall through," Raven said, grabbing Mage's arm and pulling her away. "They have interesting names," Cole observed. Beth rolled her eyes. "My aunt is obsessed with weird names. Her favorite poet is Edgar Allen Poe, hence Raven's name and my Mage's full name is Magenta and she hates it. Magenta is more mysterious. We have an odd family," Beth said. "Then how'd you get such a normal name?" Cole asked. "My mother died when I was born so my father named me after her," Beth answered. "I'm sorry," Cole said instantly. Beth smiled as one of her favorite songs came on. "Don't worry about it. Come on, let's go dance," Beth told him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "He looks dangerous," Mage told Raven as they left the club. "I know, but Beth likes him so we need to keep our suspicions to ourselves," Raven said. "He wasn't happy about the interruption," Mage reminded Raven. "Think about it Mage, would you want to be interrupted if you were on a date with a hot girl?" Raven asked. "True," Mage murmured. She followed her sister to the car and they sped off to the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "So where do you want to go for dinner?" Cole asked as they left the club. "How about my place," Beth suggested. "You cook?" Cole asked. "Professionally," Beth answered. "Why don't we go out tonight," Cole suggested. "Sure. How about Gambit?" Beth agreed. "Sounds good to me," Cole said, holding the door to the passenger side of his car. When they got out of the car at the restaurant, he whistled. "Are you sure this is where you want to come? It's kind of swanky," Cole muttered. "Worried about the expense? I can promise that you won't be spending as much as you think," Beth murmured. Cole looked at her uncertainly but nodded and followed her inside. "Hi Beth," the hostess greeted. "Hi Carrie, how about a table in the back," Beth suggested. Carrie nodded, grabbed a menu and led them to the back. "Just one menu?" Cole asked, raising an eye brow. "I already know what I want," Beth said with a grin. Cole studied the menu and sighed in relief when he saw that the prices weren't as bad as he thought they would be. "How'd you know?" Cole asked. "I own this place," Beth admitted. Cole stared at her in surprise. "My grandmother left me a lot of money and I love cooking, so I bought the building, renovated it and started my own restaurant," Beth told him. "Nice," Cole said with a smile. "So, what do you do again?" Beth asked. "I'm a teacher. I teach American History and American Government," Cole answered. "Cool," Beth said with a smile. She looked up as one of the waitstaff walked over to the table. "Hi Ben, it's good to see you. I'm going to have my usual," Beth told the waiter. "And for you sir?" Ben asked turning to Cole. "I think I will have the lemon chicken, broccoli with butter and a hint of lemon and an ice tea," Cole told him. They talked and laughed while they ate the bread that sat in the center of the table. "It smells wonderful," Cole said when Ben set plates full of decadent food in front of them. "I can guarantee it is," Beth told him with a smile. Cole moaned when he took his first bite and Beth grinned. "Good?" Beth asked. "Better than good," Cole agreed. "Glad to hear it. I'd hate to have to fire my head chef," Beth teased. Cole laughed and took a sip of his tea. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "I had a great time tonight," Beth told Cole as he walked her to her door. "So did I," Cole said, his hand tightening around hers. "Would you like to come in for coffee?" Beth asked. Cole felt his blood rushing to his groin as he watched her bend down to pull her keys from her purse, her luscious cleavage out on display. "Sure," Cole said finally as Beth turned around to fit the key into the lock. He followed her inside and sat on her couch while she made the coffee. "Here we go," Beth said, walking over to the couch with a tray in her hands. "Damn it Cinnamon!" Beth exclaimed as she tripped over a reddish brown cat, the tray of coffee falling to the ground. Hot coffee spilled all over Cole's shirt. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Take it off and let me wash that for you," Beth rambled. Cole chuckled, despite the stinging of the hot coffee on his skin. "I'm fine, it's just a little coffee," Cole said, unbuttoning his shirt. He handed it to Beth and glanced down at his undershirt. "I guess this needs to be washed too," he added. "And your pants," Beth told him with a blush. Cole glanced down at his pants and saw the coffee spreading over his pants. Cole hid a grin as he pulled his jeans down his legs, leaving him dressed only in his boxers. Beth scooped them up and hurried to the washer before returning to the living room to clean the mess. "I'm so sorry," Beth whispered. "It's okay, really. I've tripped over my animals too," Cole told her. Beth blushed and handed him a large blanket. "I don't bite," Cole said, patting the couch next to him. Beth sat down next to him and sighed when Cole slid his arm around her shoulders. "You're beautiful," Cole murmured before kissing her gently. Beth closed her eyes and kissed him back, moaned as Cole's fingers slid up under her dress to cup her breasts. Before Beth knew it, her dress was laying discarded on the cushion behind her. "God you're beautiful," Cole breathed, his brown eyes going dark with desire. Beth swallowed hard, not used to the feeling welling up inside her. "Are you okay?" Cole asked, reading the insecurity in her eyes. "Yes. I've never done this before," Beth murmured. "Done what, made out?" Cole asked with a grin. "Been almost completely naked with a guy," Beth answered. "Does that mean you're a virgin?" Cole wanted to know, sliding his fingers around the back of her bra. He unhooked it, slid it down her arms as he pressed an urgent kiss to her lips. "Cole," Beth whispered. Cole chuckled as Beth pulled her own panties down her legs, letting them drop to the floor. "Tell me what you want," Cole's voice rumbled in her ear. "Make love to me, please, please, make love to me," Beth whimpered. Cole grinned and slid his fingers down her abdomen and slipped them inside her, groaned at how wet she was. "Are you sure? There will be no turning back," Cole warned. "I'm sure," Beth whispered. Cole groaned as he pulled his briefs down his legs, let them drop to where Beth's clothes rested. Cole eased Beth back on the couch, the hardness of his cock pressed against the soft folds of her pussy. "Last chance Beth," Cole warned, the head of his cock slid just inside her warmth making her squirm. "I'm sure," Beth whispered, her green eyes wide with desire. Cole groaned as he kissed her gently. "Tell me if you need me to slow down," he said, his voice husky as he eased forward. Beth whimpered as the head of his cock brushed her hymen. "You okay?" Cole asked. Beth nodded and unable to control his desire any longer, Cole surged forward, busting through the thin barrier causing Beth to cry out, her nails digging into his back. "Do you need a minute?" Cole asked. "Please," Beth admitted. Cole held himself still, his breathing ragged, until his desire got the best of him and he began to thrust gently but firmly deep inside her. Beth whimpered, her face buried into his neck. Cole groaned as Beth nipped at his neck lightly with her teeth. "You're playing with fire," Cole warned, feeling the part of him that he kept hidden rising up. Beth wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling them closer. Cole groaned and thrust faster as Beth's cries came closer together, getting louder with each cry. "Cole!" Beth whimpered, her breathing fast and irregular. Cole moaned as he thrust once more deep within her, grinned when he heard her vocalize the start of her climax. Cole couldn't stop that part of him he tried to suppress and he bit down on her neck hard. Beth's eyes flew open as she felt his teeth pierce through her skin. He growled loudly as his seed erupted from his body and into hers. Beth whimpered as a sudden pain gripped her and she tried to pull away but that only made it hurt more. Cole held her close as he slid his tongue over the bite marks he had left in the tender flesh of her neck. "What are you?" Beth whispered, wincing as she felt his cock lurch deep within her. Cole stared into her green eyes which were now wide in fear instead of desire. Cole sighed and hoped she wouldn't freak out when he told her. "Cole?" Beth asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her green eyes remained locked with his brown eyes. "I'm a were," Cole said finally. "You're a were. As in werewolf?" Beth asked. "Yes," Cole said calmly. He was surprised when the fear left her eyes and understanding dawned. "I take it we're fairly well screwed now, aren't we," Beth murmured. "Most likely," Cole agreed. "Why aren't you surprised?" Cole asked. Beth held his eyes with hers for a moment before saying, "Lights fade into darkness so dreams can reign." Cole watched as the lights turned off, leaving only the glow from the street lamp outside. "You're a witch," Cole said in surprise. "Yes," Beth said. She winced as his cock twitched within her again. "Sorry," Cole apologized. "You can't help it," Beth reminded him, but she was relieved when Cole was able to slip out of her. "How powerful are you?" Cole asked. "Alone, not that powerful. With Raven and Mage, pretty damn powerful," Beth answered as she stood up. She motioned for Cole to follow her and he did, right into the bathroom. They cleaned up without saying another word and Cole watched with disappointment as Beth pulled her bathrobe around her. "I should probably go," Cole started to say, reading her discomfort. "Where are you going to go? Your clothes are in my washer," Beth reminded him as she walked into her laundry room. Cole watched as she pulled his clothes from the washer and deposited them into the dryer before turning it on. "Besides, you just took my virginity and bit me, shouldn't you stay around to make sure I'm not going to pass out from shock?" Beth asked, walking into the kitchen. "I suspect you're stronger than that," Cole said dryly. Beth smiled and nodded, sighed softly when she saw he had pulled his briefs back on. "Would you like some tea or cocoa?" Beth asked. "Cocoa sounds good," Cole answered. Beth smiled and made two mugs of cocoa, topping them with homemade whipped cream. "So, how were you able to afford a house like this?" Cole asked. "My grandfather left it to me in his will," Beth answered. Cole smiled and finished his mug of cocoa. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Beth, are you up?" Raven called as she and Mage walked into the house. "That's strange, she's usually up by now," Mage murmured, looking in the dark kitchen with surprise. Raven headed upstairs to look for her cousin. "I know why she's still asleep," Raven told Mage softly. "Why?" Mage asked, her eyes narrowing. She followed her sister up the stairs and peeked in her cousin's room. "Oh my," Mage murmured. She knocked loudly on the door, startling Cole and Beth awake. "Good morning Sleeping Beauty," Mage called cheerfully. Beth and Cole glanced at each other and Beth pulled the blankets up over her. "Have a good date?" Mage asked. "Shove off Mage," Beth grumbled. "I'll be downstairs in a minute," she added. Mage and Raven walked back downstairs. "Are you hungry?" Beth asked Cole. "Very," Cole's voice was husky, sleepy. "Pull your clothes on and come down to the kitchen. It's a Saturday morning tradition for me to make breakfast," Beth told him, pulling on her bathrobe. "So you've joined the ranks of the sexually satisfied," Mage said with a grin. Beth blushed and lashed out at her cousin. "Where's Logan?" Beth asked. "Golfing with his boss," Mage said, wrinkling her nose. "That boy missed one of my breakfasts to go golfing? Is he insane or does he just not love me anymore?" Beth asked with a mock pout. "Who's Logan?" Cole asked as he walked into the kitchen, a look of possessiveness in his eyes. "Mage's husband," Raven answered, not looking up from the coffee grinder. "He's aiming for a promotion, that's why. He did ask for you to send some leftovers," Mage told Beth. "Well, I guess he's forgiven then," Beth said with a grin, reached up in the cupboard. Soon, waffles were being cooked in the iron, eggs were scrambling and turkey bacon was cooking. "Oh my God, do you guys eat like this every weekend?" Cole asked as he savored the decadent food. "Every Saturday," Mage confirmed. "I might not ever leave," Cole groaned. Beth blushed as she pulled the eggs out of the frying pan and into a large serving bowl. "You guys started without me!" a loud voice complained from the doorway. Cole instantly growled and stood up, as if defending his territory. "Beth, when did you pick up a were?" he asked. "Cole, this is my soon to be cousin Jimmy," Beth introduced. Cole relaxed and sat back down as Beth slid a glass of orange juice to him. "Nice to meet you," Jimmy said, waving at Cole before giving Raven a hug and a kiss. "When did you hook up with a were?" Jimmy asked. "I met Cole a few months ago and we had our first date last night," Beth answered. "I see," Jimmy said, exchanging glances with Raven. Raven nodded and grinned. "It's about time girl, we always thought you'd die before you lost your virginity," Jimmy said with a grin. Beth choked on her cocoa, her face bright red. Cole growled but grinned. "We're picking on you hon," Mage told Beth. "I know," Beth whispered, setting a plate brimming with food in front of Jimmy. "You're a goddess," Jimmy said with a grin as he dug into the food. When they finally left, Cole and Beth were alone again. "How do you do that every week?" Cole asked. "I love it," Beth answered. "You're crazy," Cole teased. "Maybe," Beth agreed. She fell quiet as she washed the plates. "We should talk about what happened last night," Cole said. "Am I going to turn?" Beth asked. "No. I'm one of the few that while I can morph as my family has always called it, I can't turn anyone," Cole answered. "That's a relief. I have enough complications in my life," Beth murmured. Cole gave a crooked grin. "You have to know that I'm not going to let you go," Cole told her. Beth sighed and set the plate in the strainer. "We made love Beth and there is a very real chance that you're carrying my child," Cole said. "I'm not rushing into a more formal relationship just because you may have knocked me up," Beth told him. "I'm not walking away from you," Cole warned. "Then stay near me at a distance. I don't know you well enough yet to know if I want an actual relationship with you," Beth said. Cole growled, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'm not a were, I don't have to live by the same rules you do," Beth reminded him. They looked up in alarm as Raven and Jimmy staggered back in. "What happened?" Beth asked. "Car accident," Raven managed. "Cole, can you call 9-1-1 while Jimmy and I go check out the accident?" Beth asked Cole. Without even waiting for an answer, she followed Jimmy out of the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "How is she?" Cole asked as he walked up to Beth and Jimmy into the hospital. He wrapped his arms around Beth and pulled her to him, inhaled the scent of her perfume. "Unconscious," Beth answered, feeling surprisingly comforted by his embrace. She pulled away reluctantly. "Cole, this is Mage's husband Logan. Logan, this is Cole," Beth introduced. Logan nodded to Cole and paced anxiously, waiting for word. -Hours later- Beth groaned and opened her eyes to find Cole peering at her in concern. "Any word?" Beth asked. "The doctor is talking to Logan now," Cole told her. Beth groaned again and stretched. "You okay?" Cole asked. "Just sore," Beth assured him, taking the cup of coffee. "They call this coffee?" she asked, wrinkling her nose. Cole laughed and they looked up as Logan walked over to them. "Mage is going to be fine. She has a concussion and a broken arm, but they've stopped the internal bleeding and she'll make a full recovery," Logan rambled. Beth laughed and gave Logan a hug. "Glad to hear it," Beth told him. "Now go home and go to bed," Logan instructed. He watched with an amused smile as Cole led Beth down the hall and to the elevator. He waited for them to get in the elevator before returning to his wife's room. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "Beth, are you here?" Raven asked, walking into her cousin's office. Beth looked up from the paper in her hands, her eyes red and puffy. "What's wrong? Did you and Cole have a fight?" Raven wanted to know. "No, not a fight. These are the results of the blood work the doctor took last week," Beth answered. Raven sat across the desk from her cousin and reached for the paper. Raven's wide eyes met Beth's. "What are you going to do? You and Cole have only been dating nine weeks," Raven asked. "I don't know," Beth admitted. Before she could say another word, Beth bolted for her private bathroom. Raven look up as Cole knocked on the door. "I'll see you later Beth," Raven said, pushing the paper at him. Cole looked at Raven curiously before poking his head into the bathroom in concern. "I'm fine," Beth managed to say before leaning back over the bowl. Cole looked down at the paper in his hands and gasped a little as he read the words. "Why didn't you tell me you thought you were pregnant?" Cole demanded to know. Beth sighed as she stood up shakily. She rinsed her mouth out with water and slowly returned to her desk and sat down. "Not now Cole," Beth said wearily. "Please," she added. Cole sighed but nodded. "You're still coming for dinner at my parents aren't you?" Cole asked her. "Yes," Beth murmured, nibbling on a saltine cracker. "Good. We need to go talk though. Let's go back to my place and have some lunch," Cole suggested. He looked at her in concern when she practically turned green. "Just chicken broth," Cole promised. Beth sighed and nodded before standing up. She wavered a little and Cole hurried to study her. "You alright?" Cole asked worriedly. A Life or Death Struggle Ch. 01 "I'm okay," Beth murmured. Cole dropped an arm around Beth's shoulder and led her from the restaurant. "God don't let me screw this up," Cole thought as he held the car door for her. CHAPTER TWO "This house is amazing," Beth murmured. Cole nodded. "Growing up here was a wonderful experience. My parents were very loving to my brothers, sister and me," Cole agreed as the car came to a stop behind a forest green Jeep Wrangler. "Ready?" he asked. Beth gave a nervous smile and nodded. "My parents are harmless," Cole told her, sliding out of the car. He walked around the car and opened the door for her. "My brothers on the other hand ..." Beth looked up as two tall men with golden blond hair and striking green eyes strolled towards them. "Oh my," Beth murmured. "Cole, you pain in the ass, it took you long enough to get here!" one of the men exclaimed, punching Cole playfully in the shoulder. "Good to see you to Charles. Back of Xavier," Cole growled, seeing his younger brother looking at Beth appreciatively. "She's gorgeous," Xavier rumbled in his deep voice as he ran a hand through her hair. "She's mine," Cole shot back. "I'm not property so both of you just back off!" Beth shouted. She brushed Xavier's hand away and as she did, a wave of energy left her hand, sending Xavier backwards; he landed on his back twenty feet away. "Oh God," Beth groaned. She stuck her hands in her pockets and watched as Cole's parents and sisters rushed from the house. "You brought an unstable witch to our home?" Cole's father growled as Cole wrapped an arm around Beth's waist. "I'm sorry, that hasn't happened to me in nearly a decade," Beth apologized, her eyes wide, unsure. "Your power is tied to your emotions?" Cole's mother asked. "Can we hold off on the inquisition for a few minutes?" Cole asked. "This is Beth, Beth, you've already met Charles and Xavier. This is my father Dominic and my mother Marie," Cole introduced. "And my sisters Rogue, Sydney and Rachel," Cole added. "Hello. I'm sorry about before, I hope Xavier isn't too badly hurt," Beth murmured. "Damn, you must be one powerful witch," Xavier commented, brushing himself off and cracking his neck. Beth winced at the sound. "I'm not that powerful usually," Beth admitted. Cole gave her a piercing glance and she shrugged. "Let's go inside. I would love to hear all about the girl that has stolen my son's heart," Marie insisted. Beth followed Cole inside. "Is there a bathroom I could use?" Beth asked. Cole led her to the half bath between the living room and the rec room. "Are you alright?" Cole asked. Beth glanced at him before pushing past him to get into the bathroom. Cole sighed when he heard the sound of her retching and he slipped inside the bathroom, closed the door and knelt next to her. He held her long hair away from her face and rubbed her back. "Beth?" Cole murmured. Beth sighed and leaned against the wall. "Are you okay?" Cole asked again. "Peachy," Beth said sarcastically. Cole frowned when he saw how pale she was. "I'll be fine once I stop puking my guts out," she told him. "Have you told them?" Beth asked. "No, not yet," Cole answered. "Your dad didn't seem thrilled with the idea of you bringing a witch over," Beth reminded him. "He doesn't mind witches as long as they are in control of their powers," Cole said. Beth took a deep breath and stood carefully. "You okay?" Cole asked. "Yeah. Go back and be with your family, I'll be out in a minute," Beth murmured. Cole nodded and slipped from the bathroom. "You brought an untrained witch into my home, are you insane?" Dominic asked Cole the minute he walked into the living room. "Dad, it isn't like that. Beth is normally very in control of her powers," Cole argued. "Well she wasn't today and she could have hurt your brother," Dominic said. "I'm sorry for that," Beth said softly from the doorway. "My God Beth, you've gone completely pale! Sit down!" Marie exclaimed, ushering the her to the couch. "Would you like some tea?" she asked. "Tea would be lovely," Beth answered with a small smile. When Marie returned a few minutes later with a cup of tea, Beth smiled again and thanked her politely. "Are you ill?" Marie asked kindly. "Not exactly," Beth murmured. Marie studied Beth carefully and her eyes widened with surprise and then narrowed as she turned her eyes towards her son. "Cole Marcus Black, kitchen, now," Marie growled. Beth looked at Cole; he could read the question in her eyes and he nodded. Beth swallowed as she watched Cole head for the kitchen, his parents following close behind. "Why didn't you tell us?" Marie wanted to know. "It's complicated," Cole began. "What didn't he tell us?" Dominic asked his wife. "The reason that Beth's powers are on the fritz is that she's pregnant," Marie told her husband. "Yours I assume?" Dominic asked his son. "Yes," Cole and Marie said together. Cole didn't know why he was so surprised; nothing escaped his mother. "Are you going to make her your mate?" Dominic asked. "If that's what she wants," Cole answered. Before anything else could be said, Charles burst into the kitchen. "I know you guys are having a serious conversation in here, but Thomas and his family just drove into the yard and they're hurt," Charles announced. "We'll discuss this later," Marie promised before following her husband out to the yard. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "What's going on?" Beth asked. Cole sighed. "Thomas is part of our pack, he and his family live on the outskirts of our land. Their home was attacked this afternoon," Cole answered. "Cole!" a young woman ran into the living room and flung herself at him. "Hi Chloe," Cole said with a small smile. "When did you get back?" Chloe asked. "About a half hour ago," Cole answered. "This is my girlfriend Beth," he added. Chloe turned to look at Beth, her eyes full of disgust. "You're dating a normal?" Chloe asked. "Not really a normal," Cole argued. "I'm a witch," Beth said. "Show me something," Chloe insisted. "That isn't such a good idea Chloe. Beth's powers are a bit off right now. She sent Xavier back twenty feet," Charles said from the doorway. "Hmpf. So Cole, how long is this little romance of yours going to last? Are we still fulfilling our parents wishes in the spring?" Chloe asked. "No Chloe. Beth and I aren't going to break up, and it was just your desire," Cole said. "How do you know you won't break up?" Chloe asked. Before Cole could answer, Beth's cell phone rang and she answered it quickly. Instantly, Beth wished she hadn't taken the call. "What do you mean Luka's missing?" Beth asked. Cole let out a soft growl at the sound of another man's name passing by her lips. "Have you called the police? Yes, I know you can't file a missing person's report until ... oh for crying out loud Georgia, why don't you call Jimmy? He's a Private Investigator ... Laura, just call Jimmy and if Luka gets his ass to work and he's been getting stoned again, call me right away," Beth instructed, hanging up the phone. "Who's Luka?" Cole asked. "My pastry chef," Beth answered, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "Does he flake out a lot?" Cole asked. Beth groaned at the well timed pun and Cole grinned. "No, not often, but about every six months, he goes off and gets stoned; forgets about everything else. If he's gone out and gotten stoned, then he's either had a fight with his parents or his ex-girlfriend on visitation rights for his son," Beth answered. She slid her phone back into her purse and sighed as Cole's mother walked in with Chloe's family. "Beth, this is our good friend Thomas and his wife Kerri; these are their boys Paul and Davis and you've met Chloe," Marie introduced. "She's a witch, one who can't control her powers," Chloe informed her parents. "You allowed an unstable witch in our territory?" Thomas asked, his eyes narrow. "Thomas is in charge of our security. She's alright Thomas," Dominic said as he walked in. "But if she's unstable ..." "Just some hormone changes," Marie said lightly. Beth shifted nervously in her seat. "Still ..." Thomas trailed off as Beth stood up suddenly and made a mad dash for the bathroom. Cole sighed and met his father's gaze over the heads of their guests. The look on Dominic's face was a mixture of compassion and laughter. "You allowed not just an unstable witch but an ill one into the territory? Are you mad?" Thomas asked. "She isn't ill and she isn't normally unstable," Cole growled. "Then what is she then?" Thomas shot back. "Pregnant," Beth said from the doorway. The look of horror and fury in Chloe's face would have been funny to Beth if they hadn't been directed at her. Cole stood as he watched the color drain from Beth's face moments before her knees gave way. Gravity pulled Beth's body down quickly, her head hit the end table next to her with a sickening thud. Cole hurried to her, scooped Beth up in his arms and carried her back to his former bedroom while his mother called for the healer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "She'll be alright," the healer told Cole nearly an hour later. "What happened?" Cole asked. "Beth is human Cole. She may be a witch, but she's still human. Her body isn't used to carrying the child of a were," the healer said. "Will she miscarry?" Cole asked. "No. I'm leaving these herbs here. Mix them in a cup of tea once a day and make sure she drinks them all. In a few weeks, her body should adjust and we'll be able to tell how many she's carrying, and if the baby or babies will have a more human appearance or a wolf appearance," the healer answered. Cole nodded and took the packet from her and watched as his father led the healer to her car. "Go sit with her. Beth will need some company when she wakes up," Marie told her son. Cole nodded, handed the packet to his mother and headed for his old room. "Cole?" Beth asked groggily. "Hey, how do you feel?" Cole asked. "Fuzzy," Beth groaned, touching the lump on her head. "You'll be okay in a day or two," Cole promised. He looked up as his mother walked into the room with a tray of soup. "Are you hungry?" Marie asked. "A little," Beth murmured. "Have some soup and tea," Marie said, setting the tray over Beth's legs. She patted Beth on the shoulder and turned to her son. "Your father and I would like a word with you," Marie told Cole. "I'll be right back," Cole promised, following his mother out of the room. "Are you going to mate with her?" Dominic asked his son. "I've answered this already Dad. Only if that's what Beth wants," Cole answered. "So you're going to allow her to take your child or children away?" Dominic growled. "Dad ..." Cole began. "How could you allow this to happen?" Marie asked. "It wasn't planned," Cole told his mother. "Why didn't you make sure she was on the pill?" Dominic asked. "My brain melted?" Cole asked. Dominic chuckled and shook his head. "How do you know she isn't infected with any of those STDs?" Dominic wanted to know. "Because she was a virgin," Cole answered. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "Are you sure you're okay to go into work?" Cole asked. "Don't you have a job to do?" Beth countered. "Yes, but right now your health is more important," Cole told her. "I'm fine Cole," Beth told him. Cole gave a wry smile as he drove her to the restaurant. "Oh, bring your family tonight, I want them to see that I'm self sufficient," Beth added. Cole nodded as he pulled to a stop out side of the restaurant. "I'll see you in a few hours," Beth told him as she got out of the car. ~~~~~~~~ "This is one of the coolest places in town," Xavier commented as Cole met them out front of the restaurant. "The food is great," Cole said with a grin. "No restaurant is great," Dominic grumbled as he followed his son into the restaurant. Cole waved to Beth who was talking with a young man at the bar. "Your girlfriend is flirting," Dominic said. "No, she isn't," Cole said easily, leading his family to the bar. "Hi Parker, how about a ..." before Cole could finish his statement, Parker slid a bottle of Sam Adams across the bar. "Thanks," Cole said. "Do you want some wine Beth?" Parker asked. "Just an Italian Soda Parker," Beth answered. "One apple Italian Soda coming up," Parker said, turning away from them. "Our table will be ready in a few moments," Beth told Dominic. "Can I get you guys anything?" Parker asked the rest of the clan. "Beth, your table is ready," Ben announced. "Thanks Ben," Beth said with a smile. "So which one of you picked the restaurant?" Marie asked. Before anyone could answer, Ben hurried back to the table, a look of panic on his face. "What's wrong?" Beth asked. "Joe's back," Ben told her. Beth stood up quickly and followed Ben to the main dining room. "Call the police," Beth said quietly. Ben nodded and slipped away. "What are you doing here Joe?" Beth asked gently. "I just want to see my son," Joe told Beth. "Melly didn't bring Zach with her Joe," Beth said. "I haven't seen my son in three weeks! The frigid bitch is keeping him from me!" Joe shouted. "I can't have you harassing my waitstaff," Beth told him firmly. "She can't keep my son away from me!" Joe exclaimed. "How long have you been off your meds Joe?" Beth asked softly. "I WANT TO SEE MY SON NOW YOU FUCKING CUNT!" Joe screamed. Cole stood up and headed towards Beth but she motioned him back. "Joe, I understand you want to see Zach, what good father wouldn't want to see his son," Beth said, her voice low, soothing. "Where's Zach?" Joe asked, his voice breaking. "He's with mom, safe. You know that Melly would never hurt Zach, she loves him," Beth told him. "I just want to see my son," Joe whispered, sinking to his knees on the floor. Beth knelt down next to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Look at me and listen to me," Beth said quietly. Joe looked at her. "The reason that Melly hasn't let you see Zach in the last few weeks is he's been sick. She called you and told you he had been sick and not to visit him; he was too contagious. He's better now and she was going to take you to see him in the morning," Beth said. She glanced up at Cole as she felt hot tears leak onto her shoulder. "When did you last take your meds Joe?" Beth asked again. "Last week," Joe admitted. Beth sighed and reached into her pocket and pulled out a plastic bottle. She opened it and dumped the contents into her hand. "Take these Joe," Beth told him. "Cole, hand me that glass of water that Melly is holding," she added. Cole wordlessly handed Beth the glass of water who passed it to Joe. Joe swallowed the pills. "Is everything alright ma'am?" an officer asked. Beth looked up and nodded. "Everything's fine officer, just a misunderstanding," Beth answered. She turned to Melly. "Call Doctor Fisher," she instructed. Melly nodded and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I'm sorry about that," Beth apologized. "Can we go somewhere else?" Marie asked. Beth sighed but nodded. "We'll go back to my place and I'll have our meals delivered," Beth answered. "Just give Ben your orders on the way out. Here's my address," she added. "This is your house?" Rogue asked when the van pulled into the driveway. "Yes," Beth said, looking up as Ben drove up with their meals. Beth handed Ben her keys. "Take them into the kitchen for me Ben while I make sure Joe is okay," Beth told him. "Why is Joe so important to you?" Dominic asked. "He's my brother," Beth answered. "Food is in the kitchen," Ben said, walking out of the house and tossing Beth the keys. "Thanks Ben. Have a good night," Beth said with a smile. "How is it everyone at Gambit knows your name?" Marie asked as they all walked into the house. "It's my restaurant," Beth answered. "Your restaurant?" Charles echoed. "Yes mine. I bought it, I developed it and I created the menu," Beth said, taking a bite of her pasta. "Very nice," Marie complimented. Beth gave a small smile. "So what's wrong with Joe?" Rachel asked. "He's bi-polar," Beth told them. When they finished eating, Beth cleared away the dishes and took a moment in the kitchen to collect herself. "Are you okay? I'm sorry if my parents are overwhelming you," Cole said, walking up behind her. "It's okay. I'm just tired," Beth told him. "Should I have them leave?" Cole asked. "No, I'll be fine. I just need a minute," Beth murmured. Cole gave her a gentle squeeze and returned to his family. Later that night, after Cole had seen his family off, he returned to the living room. "Beth?" Cole called softly. He smiled when he saw her laying on the couch, half asleep. "Did I pass?" Beth asked sleepily. "With flying colors," Cole said with a smile. "Good," Beth mumbled. Cole smiled again and scooped Beth into his arms. Just as he tucked her into bed, the whole house shook, jarring Beth awake. "Stay here," Cole instructed. "What is it?" Beth asked. "Your barn is on fire," Cole announced, grabbing the phone and dialing 9-1-1. A Life or Death Struggle Ch. 02 Beth looked up from the french press when Cole led two police officers into the kitchen. "Coffee officers?" Beth asked wearily. The officers accepted the carryout cups of coffee that Beth slid towards them. "How bad is it?" Beth wanted to know. "The barn was completely destroyed. We found this just outside of the blast range," one of the officers said, placing a piece of plastic covered paper in front of her. "Does it mean anything?" he asked. Beth studied the picture and shook her head. "I've never seen that design in my life," Beth answered. "Are you sure? You've gone pale," the other officer wanted to know. "I'm sure," Beth said. "Have you had your tea yet today?" Cole asked. Beth shook her head and Cole rolled his eyes before pouring hot water over a tea bag. After it steeped for four minutes, he pulled the tea bag out and poured the herbs in, mixed it around and passed the mug to Beth. "Drink," he commanded. Cole turned his attention to the officers. "If Beth says she doesn't recognize the symbol, then she doesn't recognize the symbol. As for her complexion paling, it's most likely all of the stress; we recently found out we're expecting a child," Cole said, taking charge of the situation. The officers nodded. "We'll be outside for a few more minutes to look around, then we'll be leaving," one of the officers said. "Thank you. And please congratulate Officer Williams on his daughter's wedding," Beth murmured. The officers nodded and left the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "What's going on?" Mage asked, walking into the living room and sitting in an overstuffed chair. Logan sat on the foot stool and hovered anxiously. Beth winced when she saw the cast on Mage's arm and the bruises on her face. "I'm waiting for Jimmy and Raven," Beth said. She looked up as they walked noisily into the house. "Someone set the barn on fire tonight," Beth announced. "More accurately, someone blew it up," Cole added. He watched as Beth pulled out a large book and flipped to a book marked page. "They left this symbol on a piece of paper and left it just outside the blast area," Beth said. Raven gasped and Mage's face lost all color. "What does it mean?" Cole wanted to know. He studied the design; it was a crescent over a mountain with a black line through the crescent and mountain. "It's called the dark crescent and it is to witches what the swastika is to the Jews," Beth told him. "Someone is coming after witches? Why?" Cole asked. "I don't know. Jimmy, will you call officer Williams and find out if this mark was left somewhere on the car?" Beth inquired. Jimmy nodded and slipped from the room. When he returned a few minutes later, he had a strange look on his face. "Jimmy?" Beth asked. "He confirmed the dark crescent was drawn on the car, on the hood and there was something else left," Jimmy began. "What?" Raven wanted to know. "He also said the words 'all witches will burn' were spray painted on around the dark crescent," Jimmy said. Beth, Raven and Mage shared looks of concern. "I don't like this," Logan grumbled. "Neither do I," Cole weighed in. "We're moving in," Raven decided. "What?" Cole asked, surprised. "We should be together, we're strongest together," Mage agreed. "I agree," Beth murmured wearily. "Go back to bed sweetie, Mage and I will take care of the preparations," Raven told Beth. "But ..." "No butts Bethany Leann, get yourself back up those stairs and into bed. We'll let you know when we need you again," Raven said firmly. "You're over ruled," Cole told Beth, reaching for her hand. He led her upstairs and watched as she climbed into bed. "Try to rest," he murmured before returning downstairs. "What can I do to help?" Cole asked Raven. "Beth has a barrel of holy water downstairs in the basement. Fill up these jugs please," Raven told Cole, shoving two half gallon empty milk jugs into Cole's arms. ~~~~~~~~~~ "Beth, we're ready," Mage said gently from the doorway to Beth's bedroom. "Give me five minutes," Beth told Mage. Mage nodded and walked back downstairs. "How are you feeling?" Raven asked Beth as she walked into the kitchen. "Drained," Beth answered, watching the birds flutter around the bird feeder. It was early morning, around seven thirty and the first rays of the sun's warmth were peeking through the clouds. "What else do we need?" Beth asked. "Ashes of birch wood," Mage answered as Jimmy walked into the kitchen with a few small branches from the birch trees that surrounded the back side of the house. Beth pulled out one of her roasting pans and poured a half cup of water in the pan before setting a wire rack in the pan. Jimmy placed the branches on the rack and Beth set them on fire. "What's going on?" Cole asked as he stumbled into the kitchen. "Did you get any sleep?" Beth asked in concern. "Some, on the couch," Cole answered, looking around the kitchen. "Why are you burning branches in your roaster?" Cole wanted to know. "It's part of the protection spell," Beth answered taking a large sip of the chocolate milk Logan set next to her. "Thanks Logan," she added giving him a smile. "No problem, that's what family's for," Logan said easily. When the branches finally burned to ash, Beth took a silver scoop and lifted them out of the roaster and into a pewter bowl to cool. "Cole, can you bring in the holy water?" Raven asked, popping the last bite of toast into her mouth. Cole nodded and walked out to the back porch where the jugs sat. He lifted the lid to the cooler and pulled the jugs out and carried them into the kitchen. He watched as the girls went to work finishing up the potion. Beth pulled three good sized pewter bowls down from a cupboard and set them in a triangle on the lazy-susan which sat on the counter. She scooped the ashes up in a small spoon and placed several tablespoons into each bowl. Raven took the holy water from Cole and poured just enough to moisten the ashes in each bowl. Then Raven, Mage and Beth formed a triangle around the island so that each one of them was standing in front of the bowls. Raven added a few sprinkles of rosemary into each of the bowls and said, "Witches of the past, witches of the present, witches of the future, we call on thee for your guidance." Mage sprinkled a large amount of sage over the rosemary and continued with her part of the spell. "Guide the light to abolish the night, protect us now." "From fire and hell. Encircle us all in a boundary of light to protect us from those who seek us harm," Beth chanted the last part of the spell as she added something dark, pungent and squishy. Each girl lifted up a lit match and dropped it into the pewter bowls. A soft blue flame shot up from the bowls and had it not been for the unconcern on Logan and Jimmy's faces, Cole would have pulled Beth back from the counter. He watched as the blue flame turned to a blueish white light that washed over the girls. Beth smiled as the light receded back to the bowl and each girl grabbed a turkey baster and several small, round glass jars. When the jars were filled, the girls walked outside to place the jars around the perimeter of the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What do you mean someone is after Beth?" Dominic asked. Cole sighed and took a large bite of the roast beef in front of him. "Someone threw a Molotov cocktail into her barn last night after you left. Just out side of the blast range, the person or persons left a drawing of what Beth called the dark crescent. The same drawing was left on the hood of her cousin's car which had been tampered with and crashed," Cole answered. "And you didn't bring her with you because?" Marie wanted to know. "She is with her cousins. They did a protection spell at Beth's house and they need to duplicate the spell at the other girls' homes," Cole said. "You're letting her do spells in her condition? What if one backfires?" Dominic scolded. "Not letting Beth do spells would be like telling me I couldn't shift," Cole pointed out. "Someone's coming," Xavier said from the doorway to the kitchen. Cole and his parents walked out to the front porch. "It's Beth and her cousins," Cole announced as the blue Jeep came to a stop in the driveway. "Who are the men with them?" Xavier asked. "The guy with the black hair is Jimmy, he's Raven's fiancee and the blond is Logan and he is Mage's husband," Cole answered. He tensed as he heard an unfamiliar noise rush through the air. "Beth, incoming!" Raven shouted. Beth turned to see an arrow hurling through the air at her. "Powers of old, powers of new, stop the bad and help the good," Beth chanted. The arrow stopped in mid air and dropped to the ground. "What the hell was that?" Cole demanded to know as he stalked towards Beth. Xavier jogged up to the arrow to look it over. "No Xavier! Don't touch it!" Beth exclaimed, but it was too late, Xavier had picked up the arrow. The minute his hand touched the arrow, it levitated off of the ground and impaled itself in Xavier's chest. "What is that thing?" Marie asked. "Don't touch him Marie," Beth warned as the woman bent down next to her fallen son. "Nobody touch him!" she added. "Mage, get the bag, Logan, get the book!" Raven called, taking charge. She and Beth made their way over to Xavier and knelt next to him. "God Beth, it's a witch killer," Raven said, her voice trembling. "It isn't going to kill any witches today," Beth said, the anger in her voice unmistakable. She looked up as Mage and Logan knelt next to them. Mage set the bag down on the ground and pulled out a large blue blanket while Logan opened the book to a page in the middle of the book. "Ready girls?" Beth asked. Mage and Raven nodded and together, the three girls chanted, "One become three, ancient powers, hear our call. Heal the injured, help the sick, save him from the dark." Cole and his family watched as the arrow pulled out of Xavier's body and dropped to the ground. Logan grabbed a black cloth from the bag and picked the arrow up with it while the girls put the blue blanket on Xavier's chest and pressed down where the arrow had been. "Will he be alright?" Marie asked anxiously. "I don't know," Beth said before turning her attention back to Xavier. "Something's coming," Cole growled. Beth looked up in time to see a man step out of the forest. His clothing matched the woods, but had it not been for the aura of evil that surrounded him, she wouldn't have been able to see him. Beth stood up and flicked her arm towards the man. The power radiated off of her and sent the man flying backwards. "Charles, Cole, check him out!" Dominic exclaimed. "Rogue, call the healer," he added. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "How are you feeling?" Cole asked Beth later that night. "That took a lot out of me," Beth admitted. Cole rubbed her shoulders and Beth moaned when Cole hit a knot. "I'm scared Cole," Beth whispered. "Of being pregnant or of whoever is trying to get you?" Cole asked. "Both," Beth murmured. "I'll protect you and our child," Cole promised. Beth turned to face him, a serious look on her face. "You can't protect me from a witch killer or anyone who yields them. They are powerful and well versed in black magic. Only a witch well in control of his or her power can stop them," Beth told him. Cole pulled Beth to him and pressed a tender kiss to her lips while his hands slipped up under her tee-shirt to cup her breasts. Beth moaned and leaned into him. "I promise to protect you," Cole murmured as he lifted her tee-shirt up over Beth's head. "You're so beautiful," he groaned as Beth pushed her jeans and panties to the ground. Beth looked up at him, her eyes hazy with desire. "Cole," she whimpered as his middle finger slipped up inside her. Cole groaned as he felt Beth fumbling with the buckle on his belt. She cursed under her breath when it refused to budge, muttered something and flicked her finger across the buckle and to Cole's surprise, his pants and boxers fell to the ground. "I can't wait," she moaned. Cole chuckled and eased her back onto the bed. He kissed her again as his hard cock slid into her warmth. Beth whimpered as he began to move slowly and deeply within her, his fingers teasing her nipples until they were tight buds. They moved together as if they were one person, their thrusts hard, fast and desperate. Beth's cries came hard and fast as Cole brushed against her g-spot. The passion spiraled through her and she arched against him, the delicious friction was driving her crazy. Together, they tumbled over the cliff of passion and Beth screamed her pleasure, Cole's deep moan caused her orgasm to last twice as long as it normally did and they collapsed together, their arms tangled around each other. "I love you," Cole whispered in Beth's ear as sleep claimed them. "Wake up sleepy heads!" Cole's eyes snapped open as his the door to his room opened. Rogue's eyes twinkled knowingly. "Thomas is here with Chloe," she added. Cole rolled his eyes and shook Beth awake. When they walked back into the living room, Marie handed Beth a hair tie and Beth blushed. "Have fun with your little fall fling?" Chloe asked, her eyes filled with rage. "For the last time, Beth is not a fling," Cole growled. Before anything else could be said, Thomas delivered a bone crunching punch to Cole's face. "What the hell!?" Cole shouted. "Chloe's pregnant. She says you are the father," Thomas growled. "I've never touched Chloe!" Cole protested. "You deny fathering my grandchild?" Thomas asked, his voice low, angry, dangerous. "I deny even touching your daughter, with the exception of shaking her hand!" Cole answered, he reached for Beth's hand. She was unsure about what was happening, but something told her that Cole was telling the truth. "He lies! He raped me and now I'm pregnant!" Chloe exclaimed, her eyes full of tears. "I swear to you I have not touched Chloe! I've never been the type to force a woman to do anything she does not want to do," Cole exclaimed. "I know how we can get to the bottom of this," Beth said softly to Marie. "How?" Marie asked. "There is a spell to reveal any truth not being told," Beth murmured. "Gather what you need and do it," Marie told her. "I demand that Cole mates with Chloe immediately!" Thomas shouted. "Over my dead body!" Cole yelled. "I can arrange that!" Thomas growled. "No! Please, there is another way!" Beth exclaimed, stepping between Cole and Thomas. "Beth, you need to move out of the way," Cole cautioned. "I agree with the boy on this. It is not safe to come between two wolves who are about to fight, especially if you are a foolish human child who has managed to get herself knocked up," Thomas growled. "Raven, Mage, light the green candles please," Beth instructed calmly. The girls lit the candles and Beth turned to face Chloe as Jimmy handed her a small ceramic bowl. Beth walked up to Chloe, dipped her thumb into the bowl and touched Chloe's forehead. "Through darkness and deception truth remains. Break through the dark, bring truth to light and allow doubt to fade," Beth chanted. Chloe shrieked in rage as her lies were revealed to everyone in the room. "You mated without permission of the alpha!?" Thomas shouted at his only daughter. "No! We didn't mate! We only had sex!" Chloe protested. "In the way of the mating ceremony while you were shifted! That counts as a mating!" Thomas roared. "We never said the incantations!" Chloe argued. "It does not matter you little deceptive bitch!" Thomas shouted. "Daddy, please!" Chloe's eyes were wide with fear, a fear she had never known before. "Go home Chloe while I discuss with our Alpha what to do with you," Thomas growled. Chloe sniffled and turned towards the door where she caught sight of Beth standing with Raven. "You little whore!" Chloe shouted, lunging at Beth. "You took my intended!" Beth's eyes widened as she quickly chanted an incantation and Chloe gasped as she became suspended in the air. "I didn't take anything from you, you took it away from yourself," Beth said, her voice low. She swung her arm out towards Chloe, breaking the suspension spell and Chloe was sent backwards against the far wall. "You have worn out your welcome," Cole growled, placing himself between Beth and Chloe. He watched through narrowed eyes until Chloe was out of the house and out of the yard. "I'm sorry about that, I don't know what got into her," Thomas apologized. "Just keep her away from me and from Beth," Cole grumbled. "You're an incredibly brave young lady," Thomas told Beth. "Or very stupid," Beth finished the statement for him. "I wasn't going to say that," Thomas said with a wry grin. "What will happen to her?" Raven wanted to know. "Most likely she will be banished from the pack," Cole answered grimly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Are you even able to see a regular OB?" Mage asked Beth a few weeks later. "I don't know. In theory, probably not since Marie told me there was a very real chance that the baby would be born in were form," Beth answered, taking a sip of her latte, which was unfortunately decaffeinated. "What are you talking about?" Raven asked as she sat down at the empty chair. "If Beth can see an OB or not," Mage said. "I think Jimmy knows a guy," Raven murmured. "Really?" Beth asked with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, a client came in last week, a were-panther. She said her sister is a doctor," Raven told them. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Jimmy's number. When she hung up, she handed Beth a piece of paper with a name and number. "Here. Her name is Doctor Mary Lewis and she specializes in weres," Raven told Beth. "Great, thanks," Beth said, smiling as Ben set a large salad in front of her. "Thanks Ben," she told him as he set the pizza subs in front of Raven and Mage. "So any word on who is sending out the dark crescent?" Raven asked. "Not on my end," Beth answered, taking a large bite of her salad. As Beth left Gambit, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number on the piece of paper. "Doctor Lewis' office, this is Carla, how may I help you?" "I was wondering if I could make an appointment to see Doctor Lewis," Beth said. "We have an opening at three-thirty, can you make it then?" Carla asked. "Sure can. Where is the office located?" Beth wanted to know. Carla gave her the address and directions to the office. "Great, see you then," Beth said before hanging up the phone. She dialed another number and smiled when Cole answered the phone. "How was your lunch with the girls?" Cole wanted to know. "It was good. Raven gave me the name and number of an OB that specializes in the weres. I have an appointment at three-thirty, can you make it or am I going alone?" Beth murmured. "My day ends at two fifty so depending on where it is, I can make it," Cole confirmed. Beth gave him the address. "I'll see you around three thirty," Cole told her. ~~~~~~~~~ "Hi Beth, I'm Mary Lewis. What brings you in today?" the doctor asked with a warm smile. "I'm pregnant and my situation is, well, not normal by human standards," Beth answered. "You're not were, so I'm guessing the father is?" Doctor Lewis guessed. "Yes." Before Beth could say anything more, a nurse knocked on the door. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but there is a Cole Black looking for miss. Olsen," the nurse said quietly. "Send him in," Beth said with a small smile. When Cole was shown back to the exam room, he pressed a gentle kiss on Beth's forehead. "Did I miss anything?" he asked. "I was just about to begin the exam. My name is Doctor Lewis, I assume you're the father?" the doctor murmured. Cole nodded and slid his hand into Beth's. The doctor began the exam and gave Beth another kind smile. "Well Beth, it's looking like you are nearly ten and a half weeks pregnant, does that sound about right?" Doctor Lewis asked. A Life or Death Struggle Ch. 02 "Yes, it does," Beth confirmed. "Let's do a quick ultrasound," Doctor Lewis said, pulling the machine over to the bed. "I thought it was too early for an ultrasound," Cole said. "An abdominal one yes, but we can do a vaginal ultrasound," doctor Lewis answered. She drizzled some lubrication on the top of a condom covered wand and eased it inside of Beth before pressing a button. "There's the baby," she added. "Only one?" Cole asked. "It's a little hard to determine if this will be a multiple birth, but everything looks good so far," Doctor Lewis said. She pushed a button twice and pulled the wand out of Beth. "Here are a few copies of the ultrasound," she added, handing the photos to Cole. "Would you like to hear the baby's heart beat?" Doctor Lewis wanted to know. Cole and Beth nodded and the doctor pulled out a small instrument from the drawer. She squirted a small amount of gel on Beth's abdomen, pushed a button on the instrument and placed the wand over the gel. A soft wooshing sound filled the room and Beth raised her eyes to met Cole's. Cole grinned at her and Beth smiled back, her eyes wide with awe. "Everything looks and sounds good. Schedule an appointment for a month from now with the receptionist," Doctor Lewis told them. She wiped the gel off of Beth's abdomen and left the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "You can't banish me daddy! I'm your daughter!" Chloe exclaimed, grabbing a hold of Thomas' arm. "I didn't banish you, the council banished you," Thomas reminded her. "But you're on the council!" Chloe whined. "And you and Tech mated without Dominic's permission! That is a crime that is punishable by banishment! Had you not lied and attempted to make Cole your mate, you would not have been banished, however you would have had to mate publicly with Tech. You should not mess with the Alpha's son," Thomas growled. "But daddy!" Chloe shrieked. Thomas winced at the high pitched noise. "You have two hours to pack and be out of the territory," Thomas told his daughter before pushing her towards her room and stalking out of the house. Chloe attempted to follow him but was waylaid by Xavier and Charles. "We will keep you on that schedule. If you aren't packed and ready to leave in two hours, we'll throw you out on your ass, pregnant or not!" Xavier growled. Chloe growled but retreated to her room to begin packing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Beth, are you here?" Cole asked. He stepped inside the kitchen of Gambit. The restaurant had been closed for the night for over three hours and Beth still wasn't home. "What are you doing here Parker?" Cole wanted to know. "It's inventory night. I had to take stock of all the alcohol from behind the bar," Parker answered. "Have you seen Beth around?" Cole asked. Parker looked puzzled. "Beth left an hour and a half ago," Parker told Cole. "She never made it home," Cole said. Parker's eyes widened. "The last place I saw her was in the back of the kitchen by the alley. She had to dump out some water in the sink off the back wall," Parker said. He led Cole through the kitchen, a frown formed on his face when he saw the back door was still open. "Someone is out there, and they aren't friendly," Cole growled. He glanced at Parker whose eyes had narrowed. "You aren't human," Cole observed. "I'm a witch, same as Beth," Parker answered, his amber eyes unusually bright. "If Beth is out there Cole, you need to use extreme caution, there is something very evil out there," Parker warned. Cole nodded and slinked towards the open door. He sniffed the air and was instantly enraged at the scent of Beth's fear. Cole eased along the wall to where Beth was being held; her hands were suspended above her head, secured on a door and her legs were pulled apart and tied to stakes in the ground. Cole nearly growled aloud when he realized she was unconscious. Cole's head snapped forward when a large person in dark clothing hurled past him and connected loudly with a garbage dumpster. He glanced towards Gambit and grinned when he saw Parker standing in the doorway with sparks flying from his hands, a field of energy surrounded him and his amber eyes were so bright that Cole could see him from his position nearly ten feet away. "How is she?" Parker asked as he flipped on a strobe light and hurried towards Cole. "Unconscious," Cole answered. He took a deep breath and quickly untied Beth's hands. "Go secure the douche against the trash," he added, tossing the ropes to Parker. Parker caught them easily, strode over to the trash bins and tied the man slumped against them. Cole eased Beth to the ground and checked her pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt a strong pulse. "Beth, wake up," Cole said, gently tapping Beth's cheeks. Beth groaned as consciousness returned and Cole flooded her senses. "Hi love," he murmured, peering into her green eyes until she blinked. "Can you tell me what happened?" Cole wanted to know. "I got jumped pouring out the water," Beth murmured. Her eyes drifted to the fallen bucket then over Cole's shoulder to Parker and the man he was hovering over. "Did he hurt you?" Cole asked, his eyes going dark as a growl entered his voice. "A little. My head hurts from where he hit it; he was able to block my magic," Beth answered as Cole eased her to her feet, he wrapped an arm around her waist protectively, securely. "What is he?" Cole asked as the man mumbled something that caused Parker to back away. "He aids a dark wizard, one nobody has ever seen before," Beth answered when the man, having muttered an incantation to break free of the rope stepped into the light. The man stepped towards Cole and Beth, his fingers raised as if he were a cat about to strike out at a mouse. Parker tossed something to Cole. "Hold it up in front of him!" Parker shouted. Cole held the long, thin object out towards the man and he jumped back, hands in front of his face, shielding his eyes from the blinding light that came from the object. Parker shouted an incantation and Beth's attacker was encased in a large emerald crystal. "What the hell is this?" Cole asked, handing it back to Parker. "It's a trapper," Parker answered. Cole rolled his eyes at the obvious name, pulled his cell phone out and scrolled through his contact list until he came across the number Doctor Lewis had given him in case of after hours emergencies. He spoke to her briefly before he hung up the phone, scooped Beth into his arms and carried her into the restaurant. "Is Beth and the baby okay?" Cole asked, hovering over Beth like an anxious parent. "They're fine," doctor Lewis assured him. "Check on Beth about every half hour over night and if she starts to feel unwell, call me," Doctor Lewis added. Cole nodded, thanked the doctor and drove Beth home where Raven and Mage were waiting anxiously. "What happened?" Mage asked after Cole had helped Beth into bed. He sighed and sank down onto the couch and accepted the bottle of Sam Adams that Logan passed him. "She got jumped cleaning up at the restaurant by some wizard. She's okay, just shaken up," Cole answered, taking a long drawl of the alcohol. Cole filled them in on what he and Parker had done. "I want to be there when Parker questions him," Raven said, her eyes glowing with anger. "Me too," Mage chimed in. "No. Neither of you will be there, it's too dangerous. The man responsible is after witches and I will not deliver two witches to him on a silver platter," Cole told them. "Beth is our cousin and if she is attacked, we're all attacked. We aren't some little children that need to be coddled, we're grown women with kick ass powers and the ability to protect ourselves," Mage snapped. "I'm with Cole. It's way too dangerous," Logan agreed. "Just because you want to try to start a family, doesn't mean I have to stop being who I am and being a witch is a big part of me Logan," Mage growled. "I know that, and this has nothing to do with wanting to start a family, this has everything to do with wanting to keep you safe," Logan retorted. "Guys, enough," Raven said. She stood up, walked to the fireplace and picked up a bowl. "These are protection charms. We should all wear one, it will protect us from evil wizards," Raven added. She handed two to Cole. "Slip this on Beth while she is sleeping," she murmured. Cole nodded and head up the stairs. Unbeknownst to them, across town, a tall figure clothed in dark cloth cursed loudly as he threw things into a cauldron. The cauldron bubbled and stewed as more things were added to the concoction as his anger grew and grew. A screech from a cage caught his attention. a large black bird hopped up on his wrist. "Would you like to fly my pet?" the man asked. The bird screeched again and the man stepped up to the open window and stuck his arm out. "Fly my pet, and go in search of a witch so that I may have the heart I need," the man said with a loud, menacing laugh. "Find the witch that is more special than other witches!" he roared as the black bird flew from the window as his master roared with laughter. A Life or Death Struggle Ch. 03 "How are you feeling?" Cole asked, sitting down on the edge of Beth's bed. "I'm tired," Beth murmured. Cole nodded and kissed her gently. "Why don't you stay in bed today?" Cole suggested. "I have to get to the restaurant," Beth argued. "No, you don't," Jimmy said grimly. "What? Why not?" Beth asked. "Because it caught fire last night," Jimmy told her. Beth's eyes widened and met Cole's. "Was anyone hurt?" Beth asked. "No, the cleaning crew had just left; the kitchen is completely destroyed, but the dining room is okay," Jimmy said. "Whoever did it left this," he added, handing Beth a piece of paper encased in plastic. "That's it, we're moving to my parents estate until this guy is caught," Cole growled. "I am not leaving my home because some lunatic has it out to get witches," Beth argued. "Beth, you have to think of your safety," Raven protested. Beth looked at her cousin through narrow eyes. "If you were the direct target of this mad man, you would take him on head on," Beth retorted angrily. Her green eyes were flashing with fury and her fists were clenched. "But I'm not pregnant, you are," Raven said gently. "You guys are going to need me to help get this guy," Beth reminded Raven. "I know we will, but until we know where this guy is attacking from and what he wants and how to defeat him, it's too risky for you to be in the open," Raven insisted. "You can't hide me away forever, and besides, how and where are you going to hide me?" Beth wanted to know. "I know a few ways," Cole said. Beth glared at him, he was hovering over her like he was her nurse maid. "Listen buster, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't take care of myself!" Beth grumbled. "But that is my child you're carrying and it is my duty to protect you both!" Cole shouted. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!" Beth remarked. The growl that flew from Cole's throat had Beth's eyes widening and sliding back towards the head of the bed, away from him. "I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU BE SO STUBBORN THAT YOU ENDANGER YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF OUR CHILD!" Cole roared. "Cole, simmer down," Jimmy warned, pushing Cole back slightly from the bed and stepping between Cole and Beth. "Guys, are you up here?" Mage called from downstairs. Cole took a deep breath as Mage and Logan walked up the stairs and into the bedroom. "Are we having some kind of supernatural orgy up here?" Logan asked, his eyes twinkling. Beth gasped and covered her mouth with her hand as she glanced at Raven. The girls began giggling causing Jimmy and Cole to look at them strangely. "Don't ask, just don't ask," Mage managed to say, giving Logan a dirty look. "Promise?" Logan asked with a grin. Beth giggled again before shivering under Cole's gaze. "So what is going on?" Logan wanted to know. Cole filled Logan and Mage in on the events of the last forty-eight hours. "You're going into hiding," Mage insisted, siding with her sister and Cole. Cole gave Beth a triumphant look. "The hell I am! I'm fine right here!" Beth retorted. "NOW YOU LISTEN TO ME BETHANY LEANN OLSEN! YOU ARE CARRYING MY CHILD SO I HAVE FINAL SAY IN ANYTHING REGARDING THAT CHILD AND I SAY YOU ARE GOING INTO HIDING!" Cole shouted. "This has nothing to do with the baby! This has to do with me not wanting to give in to a maniac! This is my life and I am going to live it. I am NOT going into hiding!" Beth exclaimed. Cole growled loudly, grabbed her arms and shook her. "Anything that happens to you happens to the baby, please Beth, just give this once," Cole pleaded, the angry look in his eyes subsided when he saw the fear on her face. "I'm not going into hiding. Give me a body guard if you feel I'm in that much danger, but I'm not giving up my life to fear," Beth said firmly. She pushed against him, sending Cole against the bedroom where he landed against the wall with a thud. Cole stood up and shook his head before lunging for her. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. "You don't have a say in this Beth," Cole growled, a menacing look on his face. "That's enough Cole," Logan said firmly. Cole took look at the frightened look on Beth's face and backed away. Logan placed himself between Cole and Beth. "Are you alright?" Logan asked her. Beth rubbed the red marks on her arms from where Cole had grabbed her. "Keep away from me Cole. We're done," Beth said before sliding out of bed and running from the room. "Beth, wait!" Cole exclaimed, starting after her. "Let her go," Jimmy advised. "She's carrying my child and I'll be damned before I let her out of my sight when things like this are going on," Cole growled. He began to shift right in front of their eyes and the girls took several steps back. "She's a very strong willed person Cole, and you might end up killing each other. Besides, you'll never find her, she has ways of masking her movements," Logan agreed. Mage and Raven began to follow their cousin. Mage paused in the doorway of the bedroom and turned back to Cole. "Cole, if you've hurt her, we'll kill you," Mage threatened. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What are you doing here?" Parker asked when he saw Beth standing in the dining room of Gambit. "I needed to see for myself," Beth whispered. "You shouldn't be here after last night. You should be home resting. What does Cole think about you being here?" Parker inquired. "I'm a big girl Parker," Beth reminded him. "And you're pregnant which makes you a bit more fragile," Parker said gently. "I wish people would stop saying that!" Beth shrieked. "Calm down Beth, people are just worried about you," Parker murmured. Beth took a deep breath and sighed. "Show me the kitchen," she told him. "You don't want to see the kitchen," Parker said. "I sign your paychecks Parker, show me the kitchen," Beth repeated. Reluctantly, Parker led Beth into the kitchen. He winced at her gasp. "At least nobody was hurt," Parker told her gently. He watched as his boss who was normally well composed sank to the charred floor and burst into tears. Parker looked up to see Cole in the door way, a look of concern on his face. "Beth, you should go back to the dining room. It isn't safe for you in here," Parker told Beth. "What do I do now Parker?" Beth whispered. "This restaurant is, was my whole world. I worked so hard to create this restaurant, to create a place that was nice, family friendly, affordable with good food. I put all I had into this place, now what do I do?" Parker looked up again as Cole started moving towards them. Parker nodded and slipped out of what used to be the kitchen and knelt down in front of Beth. "I'm sorry Beth," Cole said gently. Beth looked up with a gasp, her sad eyes widening in fear, a fear he had put there. "I'm not going to hurt you and I'm not going to yell at you, I promise. I'm sorry if I hurt you and I'm sorry for scaring you, I never meant to do either," Cole murmured. "What do I do now?" Beth whispered. Before Cole could answer, Parker started yelling from the dining room. "Stay here," Cole instructed. He hurried towards the dining room in time to see Parker fly across the room; he crashed into a painting on the wall. Cole growled and shifted quickly as a figure all in black approached Parker. "You witches are all the same! You think that just because you are good that you are more important then you truly are!" he exclaimed. "I'm not a witch," Cole growled, shifting to his werewolf form. He charged the shape, baring his teeth and snarling as he ran. The man just raised up a hand and swatted at the air in front of him like he was swatting a fly and Cole was sent through the plaster and steel wall behind him. "Cole!" Beth gasped, kneeling down next to him. "Run," Cole managed, coughing a little. Beth wiped at the blood coming from Cole's mouth. "Beth run, go now." "It's too late for her to run," the man sneered. Beth looked up and gasped, the man was hovering in the air above them. Beth could hear Parker chanting quietly from the dining room and began chanting with him. She could feel the air particles dancing around them. Two more voices joined the chanting and the man started chanting, trying to counter the spell being woven around him. He screamed as the spell overtook him before he exploded into a cloud of smoke and sparks. "Beth! Are you guys okay?" Logan called as he, Mage, Raven and Jimmy ran towards her. "Cole is hurt badly but I'm okay, Parker are you?" Beth asked. "A few bruises and scratches, I'll live," Parker answered. Logan knelt down next to Cole and looked him over. "It's good to have a paramedic in the family," Mage mused as she and Raven pulled Beth back. "It's better than good," Raven agreed. She turned to Beth. "Give me the number to your OB, I want to call her," she added. "No, I'm fine. He didn't touch me, Cole intervened," Beth protested. "But when he blew up, you could have gotten hit by the energy wave," Parker chimed in. "Parker, he wasn't really here, it was a projection. If he'd been here, the wall would have been covered in remains and so would we but we aren't. This guy has some serious mojo about him," Beth said grimly but logically. She gasped as Logan and Jimmy helped Cole to his feet. "Are you alright?" Beth asked softly. "I need to visit the healer when we get back to the retreat, but I'll live," Cole answered. He searched Beth's face and eyes for signs of pain or injury. "I'm sorry about earlier, I was an ass," he added. "I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you or the baby." Beth smiled weakly and threw her arms around him but pulled away when Cole winced loudly. "I overreacted. I know you were just trying to protect me, us. And you guys were right, I need to be out of the open, this guy is far more dangerous than we thought," Beth murmured. "We need to go now," Parker said urgently, his amber eyes glowing. Cole nodded and he and the other men of the group ushered the girls to the large, non-descript SUV that was parked in the shadows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ The dark figure threw a large crystal in anger. How could they have defeated him? He was the most powerful dark wizard of the age and four little young, inexperienced witches had managed to defeat him! He thanked whoever spawned the evil in him for his ability of astral projection and tapping his fingers maddeningly on the granite table, considered his options. He tossed something in his cauldron and watched the interaction between Beth and her family. He smiled darkly when he heard Beth comment on his "mojo." "I am more powerful than you know. And my power will be your undoing," he growled at the figures floating on the surface of the contents of the cauldron. He stalked to the bird cage by the window and opened it. "Find a woman with anger and hatred in her heart so that she may help me kill these witches once and for all," he instructed. The black bird made a squawking noise and flew from the tower and into the darkening sky. A Life or Death Struggle Ch. 04 Chapter 04: The End I apologize if this is a bit more rushed than usual, but I have two other stories buzzing around my head and needed to finish this one up; this is how it came to me within the last few days. I appreciate feedback, just be nice about it. Or at least polite. Thanks for reading! Ashira * "How are you feeling?" Beth asked softly from the doorway of Cole's childhood bedroom. "Achy, but I'll be alright. How are you?" Cole asked, motioning for her to come sit next to him on the bed. "I'm okay," Beth murmured. She walked over to him and sat down next to him. "Beth, I'm sorry for losing my temper," Cole began. "And I'm sorry for not taking this seriously enough," Beth said, her eyes glued to the floor in front of him; her pig hardheadedness had nearly gotten him killed and if that had happened, she never would have forgiven herself. Cole tilted Beth's face towards him. "Beth, I can understand why you didn't want to leave your life behind. Gambit was your baby. I don't want to take that away from you, the family will help you rebuild the restaurant once this is all over. I care about you Beth and I don't want anything to happen to you or to our baby," Cole told her. "What's wrong?" he asked after a few minutes. "Nothing," Beth whispered. "Don't lie to me Beth, I can tell something is wrong," Cole said softly. "I'm scared," Beth admitted. Cole gave her a gentle hug, careful not to hurt her. "It's okay to be scared but you don't have to, I will keep you and the baby safe," Cole assured her. "You can't," Beth told him. "What makes you say that?" Cole asked. "He nearly killed you today, he would have if he had really been at Gambit," Beth reminded him. "I will keep you safe," Cole repeated, his voice hard, his eyes going dark. "Cole, I know you will try but ..." Cole resisted the urge to roar at her, instead, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her hard. "Cole," Beth whispered when he pulled away. Cole growled deep in his throat as he began removing the layers of clothing. Before Beth could say another word, Cole had pushed her back against the pillows and his cock was pulsing hot and thick within her. Beth moaned as he began to move slowly but deeply. "Cole," she whispered again as she began to thrust with him. "Oh God Cole!" Beth wailed as he thrust into her hard and fast. Cole groaned and eased a hand around one of her full breasts, changed by her pregnancy. "You're beautiful," Cole groaned hoarsely, loving the sounds of the cries and whimpers that pulled from her throat as the passion swept over her. He could sense how close she was by the smell radiating out from her and from past experience. Beth's nails dug into Cole's shoulders as she climbed higher and higher. Cole shifted slightly and thrust harder and faster, grinning as Beth began moaning as he stroked her g-spot. "Cum for me Beth, cum now," he groaned into her ear as he tweaked her nipple gently. Beth's eyes widened as passion overtook her; she screamed loudly as she came hard and fast. Her eyes fluttered closed as she convulsed around him, setting him off. He thrust once more and roared loudly as his seed pulsed from his body and into hers. "Are you alright?" Cole asked gently, tucking a strand of hair back behind an ear. Beth nodded and opened her eyes to see his brown eyes peering down at her in concern. "I feel wonderful," Beth murmured shyly. Cole smiled at that and kissed her again before reluctantly pulling away from her. "Get some sleep Beth, I'll check on you in a little while," Cole said softly as he cleaned his cock and pulled his clothes on. "Have a good time brother?" Xavier asked with a knowing grin. Cole grinned back, stretched and grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit on the counter. "She's a beautiful girl Cole," his brother commented. "I know, and she's mine," Cole reminded Xavier. "I'm not trying to take her from you, you should know me better than that," Xavier scolded. Cole nodded and took a bite of the apple. "How are you feeling?" Dominic asked as he and Marie walked into the kitchen. "Much better," Cole answered, glaring at his brother when Xavier muttered, "I bet." "Ignore the moron peeling potatoes," Cole added. "We could hear you Cole," Marie reminded her son. "You were supposed to be resting," his mother scolded gently. "She's irresistible," Cole said with a grin. "That may be son, but you are healing and she is pregnant and will need rest, not energy wasting rutting," Marie told Cole, a edge of harshness to her voice. "You're angry with me for having sex with the mother of my child?" Cole asked in surprise. "Do you plan on mating with her?" Marie asked. "I don't know," Cole answered honestly. "If you don't, then you need to end things and soon," Dominic told Cole. "I am I supposed to mate with someone that I hardly know?" Cole asked. "You should have thought about that before you had sex with her and got her pregnant," Dominic retorted. "Enough, please, if I'm not welcome here, tell me and I'll go," Beth said softly from the doorway. "Of course you're welcome here. You're carrying my child," Cole told her. Beth looked at Dominic and Marie for confirmation. While she saw a gentle look of maternal concern on Marie's face, Beth could see the look of disgust on Dominic's. "Do you have any other place to go?" Marie asked carefully. "Yes," Beth said softly. "Good," Dominic snapped harshly. Cole stared at his father in surprise. "I suggest that until your time draws closer, that you go there," he added. "Dad, she's expecting my child and there is a mad, evil sorcerer after her, it isn't safe anywhere but here!" Cole exclaimed. "She said she has another place she can go, she should go, keeping in weekly contact with you of course, to keep you apprised of how the pregnancy is going. You may come back when it is time for the baby to come, until then, I can not allow you to place my family in any more danger," Dominic said firmly. "You think I planned this don't you," Beth whispered. "Getting pregnant, no. Having a mad man after you, no. I do believe you innocent of those charges, however, danger follows you everywhere," Dominic answered. "How long do I have?" Beth asked, her voice sounding more together than she felt. "Two days," Dominic told her before leaving the kitchen. "Beth, sit down," Cole said, moving quickly when he saw the look on her face. He reached her as her knees gave out and eased her into a chair. "Deep breath sweetie," he murmured, rubbing her back gently. "Mom, can't you talk him out of this?" Cole asked, looking at his mother. "I have already tried Cole. Your father is a stubborn and proud man. You know he won't tolerate his family being in danger," Marie told her son. "This isn't right mom and you know it," Cole growled. "Mate with her Cole and Beth will be family and your father won't ask her again to leave," Marie said softly, her eyes full of regret. "I'm sorry Beth, but if I go against him, it can be seen as a traitorous act against the alpha," Marie murmured before leaving the kitchen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Beth, wait!" Cole exclaimed. He grabbed the closest thing he could get his hands on, a blanket as Beth fled from the house. He glanced uneasily at the sky, noticing the dark, ominous clouds. "Leave me alone Cole, I know when I'm not wanted!" Beth called back. She tripped over a root and screamed as a bolt of lightening hit near her. "Beth!" Cole shouted as a dark form landed behind her. In his head he called for his brothers and father; he knew, that no matter how his father felt about Beth, the child she carried guaranteed his support in keeping her alive. "You foolish girl!" the wizard roared. "Let her go!" Cole demanded. "And why should I do that?" the wizard asked. He began to laugh evilly when he saw the shifted weres that surrounded him. "Do you think that you can defeat me after the beating you took at that pitiful restaurant?" he sneered. He looked down at a trembling Beth. "You stupid little witch! You should never have been born! You're almost worse than the weres! That child you carry is an abomination and it must be destroyed!" the wizard shouted. Beth's eyes widened and she covered her abdomen with her hands. "You won't hurt my child," Beth told him. "And who is going to stop me?" the wizard asked with a smirk. "I will," Cole growled, lunging for the wizard. Beth screamed for Cole to stop but it was too late; the wizard shot lightening towards Cole sending him flying as it hit him. Beth could hardly see through her tears as the wizard advanced on her. "Come closer my dear so I can dispatch your little bastard," the wizard said harshly. Despite her fear, Beth screamed an incantation, the most powerful one she could think of; it wouldn't be as effective as it would have been if Mage and Raven were with her but hopefully, it would be enough. While Beth was distracting the wizard with the spell, Xavier and Charles charged and he disappeared in a puff of smoke. "Beth, are you alright?" Xavier asked, kneeling down beside her. "Call the healer, she's unconscious!" Xavier shouted. He lifted Beth into his arms and carried her quickly back to the house. "Is Beth going to be alright?" Cole asked, hovering behind the healer and doctor Lewis. "Let me see to you Cole Black," the healer insisted, moving away from Beth. "Take care of Beth first," Cole told the older woman. "Beth is in better hands with the human, now sit down," the healer instructed. Dominic pushed his son into a chair to be looked over by the healer. "Please tell me that Beth and the baby are going to be okay," Cole pleaded. "The baby is under some stress, but he'll be alright as long as Beth is kept as stress free as possible. As for Beth, she'll be fine, she's just exhausted from the battle," doctor Lewis answered. "She needs to be somewhere safe," Dominic grumbled. "Beth needs to be with me," Cole growled. "We have never allowed a non-pack member to stay here for more than a few days for security reasons," Dominic said. "Let's move this argument to another room," Marie suggested. Her face was pale, she knew Cole loved Beth, and she knew he didn't know it yet. "She can not stay here Cole and when she has the baby, he or she must remain here so," Dominic said. Cole sighed and rubbed his eyes, he grew very tired of the argument and he glanced at his watch. "I'm going to check on Beth. When I get back, we will discuss this further," Cole grumbled. He walked angrily back to his bedroom. "Beth, are you awake?" Cole asked softly as he opened the door and slipped inside. "Beth?" Cole asked again. He switched on the light in the closet and pulled the door open, allowing the light to cast a gentle glow over the bed. His parents looked up as he ran back into the kitchen. "Beth's gone," Cole said grimly. CHAPTER SIX -Months later- "How are you feeling?" Raven asked Beth as she sat down in the chair across from her cousin. "I'm miserable," Beth admitted. She smiled slightly as the baby moved within her; the only thing she had left of Cole. "But how are you feeling? How is the baby doing?" Raven rephrased. "He or she is doing a remarkable job of destroying my internal organs," Beth answered with a smile. "Have you called Cole to let him know that you're doing okay?" Raven wanted to know. "He doesn't want me Rave, and even if he did, his father won't allow it," Beth said sadly. "Are you sure of that?" Raven murmured. "He cares for me and he loves the baby, he's said as much, but his father told him that if he wasn't going to mate with me that I needed to leave. Cole didn't offer to mate with me. He only wants the baby," Beth said sadly. "I hate to break up the pity party, but we've got company," Logan said gruffly from the doorway. Beth and Raven looked up to see Parker in the doorway. "I found him. The wizard, the one who wants to kill all witches," Parker announced. "Where is he?" Mage asked, looking up from her gardening. Jimmy straightened and turned towards their visitor. "You have to stay here Beth," Logan said when Parker had answered the question. "No. I'm going with you to finish this," Beth argued. "You're almost eight months pregnant Beth, think of the baby," Mage pleaded. Beth rolled her eyes. "I'm aware that I'm eight months pregnant, thank you very much," Beth said grumpily. "You should stay here until we know if it's a trap. We're not going to confront him, just see if the information is accurate. If it is, we'll come back here and form a plan," Raven told Beth. Beth winced as the baby launched a limb into her bladder and nodded. "Fine, I'll stay here," she caved. "Good. Let's get some supplies and go," Raven said. She gave her cousin's hand a gentle squeeze and headed into the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Beth tossed and turned in her bed with a groan. She'd been trying to nap for over an hour but was unable to find a comfortable position to lay in thanks to her ever expanding abdomen. She jumped when she heard the floor boards creak in the hall way and relaxed when Mage's and Logan's cat Luna pushed the door open wider and jumped on the bed. "Hi Luna, are you lonely?" Beth asked, scratching the cat's ears. Luna purred loudly. "Where's Cinnamon?" Beth wondered aloud. She looked up sharply as the reddish brown cat skidded to a stop just inside the bedroom. "What in the world has gotten into you?" Beth asked in exasperation. "I startled her." Beth gasped loudly, her head snapping forward. "Cole? How in the world did you know where to come for me?" Beth asked. "Raven called. How are you?" Cole took a few tentative steps forward. "She called for a baby-sitter?" Beth asked with a groan. "Something like that," Cole admitted. He knelt down in front of the bed. "God Beth, you look so beautiful," he breathed. "You must be blind then, I'm as big as a fucking house," Beth grumbled. "How are you feeling?" Cole asked. "Fat," Beth answered. He growled at her and Beth giggled. "Doctor Lewis said everything is progressing well and that the babies are healthy," Beth told him. "Babies?" Cole asked. "You are were Cole, it shouldn't be that big of a surprise that there's more than one," Beth reminded him. "You're so tiny, how can you handle being pregnant with more than one?" Cole asked. "I'm not so tiny now," Beth pointed out. "How many?" Cole wanted to know. "As far as the ultrasound revealed, at least three," Beth said, rubbing the small of her back. "Let me," Cole murmured, giving her a look of concern when he saw her wince. Beth shifted on the bed and Cole slid behind her. She moaned as his hands started kneading her back gently. "Why did you leave like that?" Cole asked after a few minutes. "Your father doesn't want me at the estate," Beth reminded him. "You're carrying my child. Children. Your place is with me," Cole said. Beth sighed but said nothing. After another moment, Cole pulled her back into his arms, inhaled the scent of her lilac perfume. "Whose been touching you? I smell different men on you," Cole growled. "Just Jimmy, Logan and Parker on occasion. They've taken turns helping to get rid of the knots in my back or to help me stand," Beth answered. Cole relaxed, satisfied with her answer. They sat in silence, aside from the few times Beth moaned when a knot dissolved. "Can you do me a favor?" Beth asked after a moment. "I can try," Cole said carefully. "Will you make love to me? I've missed your touch," Beth murmured. "I don't want to hurt you or the babies," Cole protested. "Doctor Lewis said that as long as you were gentle, that it was okay. She doesn't know that I've moved away from you, I've always said you were at the retreat on pack business," Beth admitted. Cole sighed. "Please Cole, just once more before the babies come," Beth pleaded. Cole turned Beth towards him and kissed her gently. "Once more, but we do this my way," Cole agreed. He helped her to stand and slowly removed her dress. Beth shivered as the cool air danced upon her naked flesh, goosebumps appeared on her arms and legs, part to the cold, and part to the feel of Cole's fingers sliding under the band of her panties. She shivered again as he slid down the panties down her legs. Cole released her long enough to remove his own clothing which he set in a chair by the bed before scooping her dress and panties off the floor and placed them with his. Cole helped Beth get back on the bed, this time on her hands and knees; he positioned pillows around Beth's expanding middle to help steady her before climbing back onto the bed behind her. He sent a message telepathically to his parents as he slipped his fingers inside Beth's moist heat. She moaned and pushed back against his fingers. Cole closed his eyes and took a deep breath, she was already dripping, ready for his invasion. "Cole," Beth whispered with a loud moan. Her eyes widened as Cole began chanting something under his breath, recognizing the chant for what it was; part of the mating ritual, despite the fact that she hadn't heard the words since her magical studies from her childhood. "Cole, are you sure?" Beth asked hesitantly. Cole pushed his fingers in and out of her again making Beth's breathing become irregular. He grinned knowing that after months of being apart, that her body was ready for pleasure. "Say the words Beth," Cole managed as he shifted. He waited for Beth to begin her part of the chant as he thrust gently inside her, his hands on her hips, holding her still. She gasped when she felt him buried to the hilt inside her. She managed to drag the ancient words from her memory and say them softly, just loud enough for Cole to hear. Cole pushed his mother's tears from his mind as he focused only on Beth and her pleasure. Together, they finished the chant as Cole began thrusting gently in and out of her. As Beth spoke the last word, Cole bit down hard on her shoulder. The bite, combined with Cole's thrusts sent Beth over the waterfall of ecstasy and she screamed loudly. Cole roared as his seed propelled into Beth's waiting body; they slumped together, Beth's back against his chest and Cole's arms wrapped tightly around her. His hands rested on her abdomen and his eyes lit up as one of his children kicked against his hand. Cole eased Beth down onto her side on the bed and kissed the back of her neck before he licked the bite marks closed. "Get some sleep," Cole murmured, his voice husky, his eyes dark with his desire for her. Exhausted, Beth's eyes fluttered closed as a deep sleep consumed her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Beth awoke with a start and sat up quickly. She noticed with disappointment that Cole wasn't next to her and wondered if she hadn't dreamed it. The soreness in her shoulder and the fluids that stained her inner thighs told her she hadn't and she slid out of bed to look for him. "You might want a robe love," Cole suggested from the doorway. "Better yet, clothes. They're back," he added. Beth blushed when she caught the look in his eyes and quickly pulled her panties and dress back on. "Beth, incoming!" Raven shouted as she ran through the house. "What?" Beth asked, confused. "It was a trap! He's got Jimmy!" Raven exclaimed. "And Logan and Parker," Mage added with a gasp as the girls stopped dead in the tracks in front of their cousin and her new mate. Mage glanced back and forth between them with a knowing grin. "We'll celebrate later, now we have to save the guys," Raven said with a soft smile. Her smile faded when she heard the sound of breaking glass coming from the front of the house. Beth quickly moved to the chest in the corner of her room and pulled out some dry herbs that had been tied together with twine. A Life or Death Struggle Ch. 04 "We face him together," Mage announced, sliding her hand into Beth's. Raven slid a hand into Beth's other hand. "Together," Raven agreed. "Always together," Beth murmured. Armed with dry rosemary and sage, the three young witches moved cautiously towards the living room, chanting. Cole tried to remember what Beth had said about the chant as many young and old men and women filled the house, chanting with his mate and her cousins. "That's right, the chant brings any witch of the light together," Cole thought to himself. He shifted again, determined to keep Beth and their children safe. "Where is he?" Cole growled. "Not here yet. The breaking glass was a wave of energy he sent," Beth answered grimly as she surveyed the damage to the living room. "We wait," Raven sighed. Beth and Mage nodded as the three moved to the front porch. "He dies today," Beth announced, the tone in her voice left no room for argument. "My brothers are on their way," Cole told them quietly. "We'll need all the help we can get," Mage said with a grateful smile to Cole. The girls straightened as the wizard approached them. "Look at that, the welcoming party!" he cackled. He sent a ball of energy towards them and Mage easily deflected it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Why do you hate us? What did we ever do to you?" Beth wanted to know. "You exist! Isn't that enough?" the wizard shouted. "You use magic freely, how does that make you any different than us?" Raven shouted, rage flowing through her. The girls winced as the wizard shouted his answers, about how they never should have been born, that magic was evil and that he had to destroy all the magic to protect humanity and to make the race pure. "You sound like a fucking Nazi!" Beth shouted. This time, she wasn't quick enough to set up a shield around her and the blast hit her in the chest head on. Cole's heart lurched into his throat. He couldn't lose her now, not after finding her again and mating with her. He roared loudly and charged the wizard. The wizard, not expecting the attack gasped in surprise as Cole's powerful jaws clenched around his arm. The wizard would have shaken Cole off of him if he hadn't been attacked from behind by Xavier and Charles. "We have him son, see to your mate," his father growled before launching himself at the wizard who dared hurt the mother of his grandchildren. Cole shifted back to human form quickly and took the offered robe from Mage. He hurried over to Beth and knelt beside her. "Are you alright?" Cole asked, searching her face anxiously. "I'm alright. Your children have their own shield for protection, they can't be harmed," Beth answered. "I didn't ask if the babies were alright, I asked about you, their mother, my mate," Cole said. "We're fine," Beth murmured. "Then we have work to do," Mage said gently, pushing past Cole and helping Beth to her feet. Mage pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket, set it in a cauldron and set it on fire. Beth, Raven and Mage, along with the witches that surrounded them said the chant, their voices loud, clear, precise. The wizard was bound. Raven walked over to the wizard and pulled back his cape. "Joe! Why?" Beth gasped in horror. "Because sister, our parents bound my power when I was diagnosed as bi-polar. My son will never have his birth right; you have it all, you greedy little bitch!" Joe snapped. Beth could see that the man in front of her was her brother, at least in the flesh, but mentally, he couldn't possibly be Joe. "Joe, who did this to you? You turned you against your own family?" Beth asked. "Years of hate and embarrassment has made me like this," Joe spat. "But I love you, you're my brother! I'd never done anything to hurt you!" Beth whimpered. Behind her, Beth heard Mage and Raven say the spell that would reveal all of Joe's secrets. As the truth flooded out of him, Beth could see the twisted soul that her brother had become. "God Joey, what have you done?" Beth whispered as she saw the murders of witches that he had committed. Cole stepped up behind Beth and placed his hands on her shoulders as Logan and Parker walked into the yard, their clothes torn and their bodies covered in blood. Parker muttered a spell to remove any evil that had been forced upon Joe. "It won't work Parker, but thank you for trying," Beth whispered. She walked up to her brother, she knew what she had to do, even if she didn't want to, she had to kill her brother. Beth kissed Joe's cheek and stepped back. "Good-bye big brother," Beth murmured as she waved her arm at him. Joe's eyes had a momentary look of sorrow as he looked at his sister carefully. "Good bye Beth," Joe managed to say before his body combusted, reducing him to a pile of smoldering ashes. "Beth," Cole murmured, taking a step towards her. He swore under his breath and caught her as Beth's knees buckled and she dropped to the ground, a cry of pain escaped her lips. "What's wrong love?" Cole asked. Beth looked up into Cole's face, her eyes wide and her whole body shaking as a gush of fluid flooded down her legs. "The babies are coming," Beth whispered before the pain overtook her. CHAPTER SEVEN "Beth, can you hear me?" Beth's eyes fluttered open and doctor Lewis' face came into focus. "How do you feel?" doctor Lewis asked gently. "Like I'm being ripped apart," Beth groaned. "Can't you give her anything?" Cole growled. Beth watched as Dominic placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Easy Cole, I know this is not easy to watch, but you need to stay calm if you are going to help Beth through this," Dominic said gently. Cole turned to his father, ready to ask him what he knew about the subject until he saw the look on his father's face. "I went through this while your mother was in labor with you kids, and I remember the pain she was in. Beth will be fine," Dominic told his son. "Cole!" Beth cried out. Cole was at her side in an instant, slipped his hand in hers and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "It's going to take hours Beth, try to rest and relax when you can," doctor Lewis warned. Beth moaned as doctor Lewis left the bedroom, pushing Dominic out of the room in front of her. "Hi," Cole said softly. "Don't hi me, Cole Marcus Black, it's your fault I'm in this mess," Beth snarled. "My fault? You wanted it as much as I did!" Cole snapped, growing angry at her words. "She's in pain Cole, she doesn't mean what she's saying," Marie said softly from behind. Cole opened his mouth to protest but a groan of pain from Beth had him looking at her in concern. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Cole gave her a gentle smile and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Deep breaths love," Cole reminded her. Marie walked to the other side of the bed and took Beth's hand in her own. "Why does it have to hurt so much?" Beth wailed. "I don't know Beth, but I can tell you that the pain is well worth it," Marie said with a soft smile. "I remember when Cole was born. He was in my first litter. He had four siblings, two brothers and two sisters," Marie murmured. "What happened to them?" Beth asked. "We were attacked when Cole was six months old and they were taken. Cole was spared because played dead like a possum," Marie said sadly. "I'm sorry," Beth whispered. Before Marie could say another word, Beth's whole body tensed with a long contraction. "I can't do this," Beth gasped. "Yes you can," Marie said firmly. "No, I can't, it hurts too much!" Beth wailed with a groan. "You're doing great," Marie told Beth. She pulled some herbs out of her purse. "Cole, mix this into some tea and give it to Beth to drink," Marie instructed. Cole quickly did as his mother instructed and brought a cup of tea. "Drink as much of this as you can, the herbs will help with the pain," Marie told Beth. Beth could only manage a few sips before another contraction caught her in its grasp. "What is it?" Cole asked, seeing the expression on Beth's face change. "Get doctor Lewis," Beth gasped. Cole called for the doctor and hovered behind her. He felt useless and helpless, his mate was hurting and he couldn't take the pain away. "What's wrong?" Cole asked anxiously. Doctor Lewis looked up with a smile. "One of your children is right there," Doctor Lewis answered. Cole swallowed hard as he listened to the instructions the doctor was giving Beth. Beth pushed with a loud yell, hot tears fell down her face as the baby was pushed down the birth canal. "You're doing great Beth, just a few more pushes and the first one will be here," doctor Lewis coached. Cole met his mother's eyes above Beth's head and he had to smile at the excitement he saw in them. "Oh God, this fucking hurts!" Beth managed. "Take a deep breath and let it out. It's almost there Beth," doctor Lewis told her patient. "Do that three more times and on the third time, instead of letting it out, hold it and push as hard as you can," she added. She smiled at Beth as she followed the instructions. "Here's the first baby," doctor Lewis announced as the tiny infant slid into her waiting arms, screaming loudly. Cole squeezed Beth's hand gently, a look of awe on his face. "It's a girl," she added. She clamped the umbilical cord and wrapped the baby into a warm blanket before handing the baby to Cole. "She looks more human the wolf," Marie said softly. "She'll be able to shift when she's older, it isn't uncommon when a were and a witch mate for the child to look human at birth," doctor Lewis said, pulling the ultrasound over. "Beth, it looks like you're going to get a break, how are you feeling?" she asked. "I need to get them out now!" Beth gasped. "I know how you feel, but you've got a little while. Baby B is still pretty high up," doctor Lewis told her. Beth groaned and winced as a smaller contraction rippled through her. "Have her drink more tea," doctor Lewis suggested. Beth took a few more sips of tea as she watched Cole cradle their newborn daughter. "Do you want to hold her?" Cole asked after a minute. "She should wait until the rest are born, when the contractions stop," Marie advised. Doctor Lewis nodded in agreement so Cole sat down in the chair next to the bed and held the baby where Beth could see her. "She's beautiful," Beth murmured. Cole nodded and smiled. "Let me take the baby Cole to evaluate her," doctor Lewis said softly after a few minutes. Reluctantly, Cole released the baby into the doctor's care and turned back to his mate. "Is the tea helping?" Cole asked. "No!" Beth gasped as a larger contraction hit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The first baby is a girl!" doctor Lewis announced, walking into the living room. Mage and Logan looked up from their cleaning and smiled. "Let me hold my grandchild," Dominic demanded. Doctor Lewis nodded and slid the baby into her grandfather's arms as Cole shouted for her from the bedroom. "How are you doing Beth?" doctor Lewis asked. "Help her!" Cole pleaded. Doctor Lewis sighed as she saw the blood flowing from her patient. "What's happening?" Cole asked. "I need to do a C-section to get the rest of the babies out. Cole, grab my bag," doctor Lewis said. "What's wrong?" Beth asked. "You're hemorrhaging Beth. Your blood pressure is dropping and the babies heartbeats are dropping. I don't have time to give you an epidural, I'm sorry," doctor Lewis said gently. She quickly wiped Beth's abdomen with iodine as she shouted for Xavier and Charles to hurry into the room. "I hope nobody is squeamish," she added, slicing into Beth's abdomen. Beth screamed, tried to thrash around in the bed and Cole held her down while he murmured gently into her ear. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What happened?" Mage asked as Cole walked slowly into the living room. "Is Beth alright?" Logan wanted to know. "Beth's fine, or at least she will be," Cole answered wearily as he dropped onto the couch. "What happened?" Mage asked again. "Beth started hemorrhaging and doctor Lewis had to perform a C-section. There are two boys and another girl." "What aren't you telling us?" Parker asked. "Doctor Lewis also had to perform a hysterectomy; she couldn't stop the bleeding," Cole said, rubbing his face with his hands. It was then that he noticed the flecks of blood on his hands and started shaking badly. "Are the babies okay?" Raven asked softly. Cole looked at Raven and frowned at how pale she was. "They're perfect. Are you alright Raven?" Cole murmured. Raven shook her head as big, silent tears streamed down her face. "Jimmy didn't make it," Mage said softly. Cole stood up, crossed the room and gave his new cousin a tight hug. "Go lay down honey, we'll take care of the mess," Mage added. Raven nodded and fled to the room she and Jimmy used when they stayed with Mage. "She's pregnant," Cole observed, his keen sense of smell detecting the change in Raven's body. "Three months, she just found out yesterday," Mage confirmed. "I can't believe it was Joe all this time," she murmured. "Neither can I," Logan grumbled. "Poor Zach and Melly," Mage sniffled. Logan gave his wife a tight squeeze as doctor Lewis, Marie and Charles carried the infants into the living room. "Thanks for sitting down Cole, you looked ready to pass out," Marie told her son. Cole nodded. "I was," he admitted. "Well, well, well, how touching!" an angry feminine voice said from the open doorway. "Chloe," Cole growled. "I see Joe dispatched with the little bitch, but not before she had your children," Chloe snapped. "Wrong!" Mage shouted. She and Parker stood up and chanted together. Chloe was thrown into a large oak tree but she stood up, shifted and charged Cole. Cole had had enough as he shifted angrily. Chloe slammed her body into Cole's and he grabbed her and fought with her before snaking an arm around her neck and snapping it like a twig. It was over and Chloe was dead. CHAPTER EIGHT "Raven, how are you feeling?" Xavier asked gently, sitting down next to her on the bench. Raven turned to Xavier and shrugged. "Each day is a little better, but I still miss Jimmy," Raven murmured. "Today is a good day though, especially with Gambit reopening," she added. Xavier nodded and smiled. "Hey guys," Beth said with a cheerful smile. She gave her brother a hug and then turned to her cousin. "Look at you Rave, you look great!" Beth exclaimed. "Hey Beth," Raven said with a small smile. "Wow, look at them!" Beth turned to look at her children who were sleeping in their stroller, their father standing behind them, pushing the custom made vehicle. "Three months today," Beth murmured. Raven pressed a hand to her own expanded abdomen and sighed. "He's watching from Heaven Rave, you know he is," Beth told her cousin. "I know," Raven whispered. Cole glanced at Beth before pushing the stroller into Beth's office. "Jimmy loved you Raven, and I'm sure he's up there, waiting for you. Just don't leave us any time soon. You have his baby to raise," Beth said. Raven nodded and looked around. "I can't believe this place has been repaired," Raven said in awe. "My family does good work, don't they?" Xavier asked with a grin. "Beautiful work," Raven agreed. Beth led Raven and Xavier back to her office. "How's Melly and Zach handling things?" Raven asked. A wave of pain rushed through Beth as she remembered the day she had told her sister that she had helped kill Joe. Guilt followed, an emotion she had been struggling with. Despite his evilness, Joe was still her brother and Beth missed him. "He would have killed you love," Cole murmured, sensing the feelings within his mate. "I know, but it doesn't make the pain any less. Joe was my brother," Beth whispered. "Well feed our Joey before he starts wailing," Cole said, plopping the baby into his mother's lap. Beth gave a half smile and reached for the proffered bottle. One by one, Joey's siblings began calling for food. "I'll take Marissa," Raven said with a smile as Cole placed the cherub looking baby into her arms. "Hello sweetie," Raven crooned to her second cousin as she eased the silicone nipple into the baby's mouth. "Here Xavier, you can feed Gage and I'll feed Melissa," Cole told his brother. Xavier took his nephew carefully. The four of them sat their feeding the infants quietly until the babies were back asleep. They looked up as Parker knocked softly on the door before opening it. "What is it Parker?" Beth asked. "We're ready to open," Parker told her. Beth nodded and carefully slid Joey into the large, homemade crib that sat next to her desk. "I'll be back soon if anyone needs me," Beth told Cole before following her bartender to the dining room of the restaurant. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What do you want Xavier?" Raven asked as followed her out of Gambit. "To make sure you got home okay," Xavier answered. He frowned when he saw her shaking. "Let me take you home," he added. Raven nodded and silently handed over her car keys. Since Jimmy's death, Xavier had taken to keeping an eye on Raven, helping her when she needed help or letting her cry on his shoulder when she needed to cry. He had gone to every doctor's appointment with her. Xavier held the door open for Raven and closed it gently once she was securely in the car. Once they were on their way, Xavier glanced at Raven, a troubled smile on his face. He was falling in love with Raven and regrettably, he knew it was too soon for her. Besides, his father would probably have a massive stroke if he knew another of his sons was in love with a human. Xavier sighed as he pulled into Raven's driveway and glanced at her; she was asleep. Quietly, Xavier turned off the car, walked around and pulled Raven into his arms and carried her inside. He placed Raven gently in the middle of her bed and groaned when her blouse slipped down her shoulder, revealing the creamy skin beneath. Xavier stretched out beside Raven and began kissing her shoulder before working his way down her neck. He knew he should stop but he couldn't. Muttering a low curse, Xavier quickly unbuttoned Raven's blouse and let it fall open. Luckily for Xavier, the clasp of the maternity bra was in front and he gently popped it open. Drops of colostrum beaded on her nipples which stiffened as the cool air touched them. Xavier bent over Raven's body and licked the colostrum from her nipples. The action startled Raven awake and she gave a small scream. "Did I hurt you?" Xavier asked instantly. He knew he hadn't physically hurt her, he could smell her arousal and her hesitation. She was pining for Jimmy, the man she had been engaged to, the man she loved, but her body was craving him. "I'm sorry, I was out of line, I never should have ..." Raven made a split second decision and kissed Xavier hard. Xavier's hands fumbled for the zipper of Raven's skirt and he pushed it down her legs. He raised his eyebrows and pulled away long enough to say, "What, no panties?" "Xavier please," Raven whispered. Xavier quickly pulled his clothing off and let it drop to the floor before he gently slammed into her soaking core. She met him thrust for thrust, her nails raked across his back. Xavier groaned as Raven locked her legs around his waist. It had been so long for either of them that they came together within moments; Raven cried out Jimmy's name as she came and Xavier cursed silently to himself, he hadn't intended on making love to Raven, but he had been unable to control himself. "I'm sorry," Xavier mumbled, pulling away from Raven quickly. He pulled his clothing on and tried to ignore the look of hurt on her face. "I never meant to ... are you okay?" Xavier asked. "I'm fine. It's okay Xavier, I'm not mad," Raven murmured. "I have to go," Xavier stammered. He hurried from the apartment and back towards town. Raven sighed as she walked to her dresser to pull on a pair of sweat pants and one of Jimmy's old tee-shirts. A Life or Death Struggle Ch. 04 "At least he can't knock me up," Raven mused with a dry laugh. She walked to the kitchen and grabbed a container of yogurt from the refrigerator. Raven took a few bites before throwing it away with disgust. "I'm so sorry Jimmy for betraying you. It won't happen again," Raven murmured.