Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 41

Everything was perfect. Ambrose and I had just announced that we were having another baby. Our family and friends cheered for us. The love that I could feel coming from my mate brought tears to my eyes. Then it was all gone. All it took was one second and our happy moment was ruined.

“Something is coming.” Tia told Ambrose.

People were starting to panic. All members trained to fight took stance against the forest line. Max was barking out orders to Belle and Acaisia to get all the children and anyone who isn’t trained to fight to get back. Tia is trying to snap some sense into Ambrose who seems to be too shocked to understand the depth of her words.

Something broke through the guards patrolling the territory. Everyone here is in danger. Our friends. Our family. My old pack. Our son.

I looked down at Tate and scooped him into my arms. I ran over to Belle and Ziggy and set Tate down. All of the kids aside from Ziggy and Tate are sobbing messes. They’re scared.

“I need you to stay with Ziggy and Belle okay Tate?” I asked my son.

Tate is staring into the forest looking lost.

“Tate!” I shouted as I shook his little body.

My son turned to me with a frown and glowing orange eyes.

“Skoll says we stay and fight.” He told me.

I shook my head.

“No. You are going with the others.” I said sternly.

“But Momma-“

“No buts!” I interrupted him.

“I am your mother. Both of yours. I said you are going.” I stated angrily. Tate growled at me. “Listen to me, both of you. You are going with the others because they need protection. They are scared Tate. You need to protect them, calm them down, help Belle and Aunt Acaisia. They are pregnant Tate, they need you.” I told him.

Tate’s eyes continued to glow orange but they softened at my words.

“Skoll says you have to come too. Momma you have a baby in you too.” Tate argued.

I nodded. “I will be right behind you butterscotch. Now go.” I said as I shoved him to the group.

I ran back to Ambrose who is now at the front lines of people. He, all of his trainees, Most of his siblings and their mates, and many of my old pack members were all there, ready for what is going to break through. Max and Tia are aruging about her needing to go with the rest of the non-fighters.

“Do we know what it is?” I asked everyone.

Tia shook her head.

“Bexley and Phoenix are chasing it here. All they said is that it’s huge and fast. Nothing like they have ever seen before. Bexley can’t even teleport to get to it because it’s moving too fast, but they said it’s making a bee line straight here. It must know where you are.” She told me.

“You two need to get out of here. Now.” Max ordered.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Tia and I said at the same time.

Max grabbed ahold of Tia’s arm and they were gone. I looked around but then was yanked by my upper arm towards my home. Looking up I could see Ambrose dragging me away.

“What are you doing? I need to stay here and help.” I argued.

“You are not staying here.” Ambrose said in the most dangerous voice I have ever heard from him.

I frowned and yanked myself free of his hold.

“I am staying. I can’t ask all of these people to fight while I hide.” I said.

“Epperly, this is not up for debate. You don’t get a f*****g choice. You’re leaving this area. Now.” His voice sent chills down my spine and not in the usual good way.

My frown deepened.

“We don’t have time for this Ambrose. I am staying. You can’t force me.” I said.

“You’re pregnant with our child. Tate needs you. I can force you Epperly and I will.” Ambrose stepped up closer to me.

“I. Am. Staying.” I made sure to enunciate each word.

Ambrose let out a furious growl, his eyes flashed orange.

“I know that I’m pregnant. I won’t join in the fight but I’m not leaving. I can do something. If you wish for weapons I can make them appear.” I said and I could see the war waging behind his glowing eyes.

“What if they are tracking me by scent? Tia said that this thing is making a bee line for right here. If I go with the others who aren’t trained I could put them in more danger. I could put our son in more danger.” I said.

“Ambrose! Bexley says it’s getting close!” Max called out.

My mate’s jawe tensed.

“You will stay behind everyone. Do you understand?” He asked and I nodded. “If it get’s too close I will teleport you out of here. I mean it Epperly. Stay back.” He said.

I nodded. “I will.”

Ambrose sighed and turned around.

“BOC members! Congradulations, you have earned your first mission. Whatever is coming is fast and big and after my mate. If it talks, try to keep it alive, if it doesn’t… You have my permission to slaughter it!” Ambrose called out.

“Finally! Some action!” One of the members shouted.

“Memebers of Alpha Kiah’s pack! If you want to back out, now is the time to do so.” Ambrose called out and not one of them moved. “Epperly, I wish that all the weapons from the shed are here.” Ambrose said to me.

The magic swirled inside of me.

“Your wish is my command.”

A loud clatter sounded as all the weapons dropped in a pile in the middle of all of us.

“Grab as many weapons as you want. This thing doesn’t make it past us, ya hear me!?” Ambrose shouted to the group.

Everyone shouted back to him. Then the ground started to rumble. It’s like an earthquake. I had to grip onto the back of Ambrose’s shirt to keep myself steady. It just kept coming. Everyone struggled to gather up some weapons. Ambrose managed to grab a sword for each hand before returning to stand in front of me.

“An earthquake?” Ahkari asked from beside us.

Why isn’t it stopping?

Ambrose shook his head.

“No. Foot steps.” He said.

Fear struck through me. What was I thinking staying here? I’m going to get all of these people killed.

This thing has to be massive if it’s making the whole ground shake as it runs. I should have kept running instead of staying here with Amborse. I should have left Tate here and ran away before things could get this far.

“What the hell is she still doing here?”

I turned my head to see Kiah stomping up to Ambrose, fuming. How is he able to walk with the ground shaking like this? Am I really so weak?

“She refuses to leave and we don’t have time to argue.” Ambrose said.

Kiah looked like he wanted to keep fighting but Max interrupted everything.

“Bexley says it’s about to be on top of us!” He shouted.

I took a deep breath. This is it. Any moment that thing is going to break through the trees. Everyone seemed to be waiting for it to crash through the trees.

Then it all stopped. The ground stopped shaking. There was no yelling. Nothing.

“What happened?” One of the BOC members asked.

“Shhh!” Bianca ordered.

We all waited on batted breath. The more powerful ones of us seem to be able to hear something but not me. I wish that Adria was here with me right now.

“Ahhhhhh!” Came a loud battle cry.

Then it broke from the treeline. My jaw dropped. It’s…. a giant?

The thing is huge, easily 60 feet tall if not more. It looks human.. in the creepiest way. It might look human but it has no skin, only muscles. The giant has a wide creepy smile on it’s face. It’s dark hair and hazel eyes seemed almost fake. It has a cloth covering it’s butt and genatiles.

“Oh my Gods.” Bianca breathed out.

“I’ve never seen anything like this.” Kasyn said.

“A giant? Your the Devils son and you’ve never seen a giant?” I asked him.

Kasyn turned to me with wide eyes. “This is not a giant Epperly. This is different. Giants don’t give off this menacing aura.” He told me.

I looked back at the thing. Pure fear froze my b***d. It threw it’s head back and let out an enormus screech. I had to cover my ears. It sounds like a thousand screams all at once.

Looking at the thing I could see Bexley on the back of it’s neck with a sword. She’s stabbing and stabbing but the thing barely seems bothered. It looked around at all of us like it was searching for someone. For me.

“Bexley says that it doesn’t seem to respond to her but has tried to eat them both anytime they get too close.” Max told us.

“Eat them?” Kasyn asked. “Definitely not a giant. Giants are gentle creatures. This thing…” He trailed off.

“Alright listen up!” Ambrose’s voice boomed over all of us. “Don’t get too close or you’ll get eaten! Take it down! Attack!” He shouted.

Loud battle cries sounded from all around me. Ambrose was the only one to stay by me. I gripped onto his shirt. He was right. I should I have left with the others. This is too much. Sure I have been trained with the rest of them but I always hated th violence.

A gut wrenching scream had my eyes snapping up. I looked up just in time to see the thing grab one of the female BOC members in it’s hand. She struggled in it’s grip and the others tried to help her but it was of no use.

The thing brought her to his mouth and bit her in half. I watched in pure horror as it devoured her like she was a delicious snack.

I took a couple steps back.

No.. This can’t be real… When the Gods told me that things would start coming for me I never pictured this. This is all my fault. If I would have just left then she wouldn’t of died.

I had a few weeks of happiness, but at what cost? Was this all worth it?

I looked to my mate to find him taking off to the fight.

No! I can’t.. I can’t do anything. I can’t tap into his power, I can’t tap into my own, I can’t shift. I’m useless.

Adria started to push through but I was too afraid to push back. I’ve never felt her push this hard before, but I’ve never felt this helpless either. All of my friends… my family… They’re struggling to take this thing down. I watched frozen with fear as it ripped apart two members of my old pack.

I shook my head. No. This can’t be real. I can’t be worth all of this.

“Epperly!” I turned to see Acaisia running up to me. “Epperly, you have to get out of here!” She called.

Everything started to move slowly. I turned my sight back to the giant. Fear like none other struck through me as I watched it pick up my father. Kiah struggled just like the others had. Ambrose and Max tried to get him free. I watched as the thing brought my father up to his mouth.

He’s going to eat him.. but I just found my dad..

Something started to build up inside of me. Something that I have never felt before. Magic more powerful than I have ever felt poured through my viens. Then I felt her. She broke through.

“NOOOOOOO!” We screamed together.

The ground shook once more. Everything got so bright that I couldn’t see. A powerful force burst through me. The next moment everything went silent. My eyes started to focus again to find the creature gone.

We did it. Rest now.

Adria?

Before I could get an answer, everything went dark.

*********************************************

A sharp pain in my head woke me. I put my palm to my face and g*****d. From the smell of things I think I’m in my bedroom. Removing my hand from my face I peaked an eye open. Yup, in my room. With both of my eyes open I looked around. It’s dark and I’m alone. That’s strange..

How could I be alone? Where is my mate? My son? What happened?

You mean you don’t remember? Came a voice in my head.

My eyes went wide as I sat up in my bed.

Adria? I asked.

Yup. We did it Epperly! We finally broke free. She told me.

Tears filled my eyes. Really? No more being without you? I asked.

No more being without me. She said. I have missed you dearly Epperly.

I’ve missed you too. I admitted.

Do you remember what happened? Adria asked softly.

I tried to push past the pain in my head to remember.

I remember that thing attacking… And… what it did. I swallowed. Then I remember this power pushing through me but then… nothing. I told her.

Adria huffed in my head.

What an odd feeling. Her anger poured through to me and a low growl sounded from deep in my chest.

Your power pushed through in all the panic. It was about to eat Dad and you couldn’t take it. You cracked the seal the Gods put in your mind and it was enough for me to break through and help you. Unfortunately, it took too much out of you and we passed out. Adria explained.

What about the others? Tate? Are they okay? I asked her.

Adria whimpered.

I don’t know. All I know is that our son and mate are okay, as for the rest… I have no idea. She told me.

Swinging my legs over the bed I got up and left the room. I need to know who all died, who lived, how many were lost.. Just before I was about to exit the hallway I could hear voices. I paused to listen to them.

“She took that thing down all by herself Ambrose, of course she is going to sleep for a little while.” That was Acaisia.

“It’s been four hours and she hasn’t even moved.” Ambrose growled out. Adria whimpered in my head and I could feel her pain over our mate.

“She needs time. You saw what she did.” Acaisia argued.

“You shouldn’t have seen anything.” Bou gritted out at her. I haven’t spent much time around them but I have never heard Bou sound like that. I didn’t even know he had another mode other than being a goofball.

“I went back for Epperly. After Tate calmed everyone down and set up that barrier… I couldn’t get back through it and he didn’t know how to let me in. I had to do something.” Acaisia defended herself.

Barrier?

Adria do you know what they’re talking about? I asked my wolf.

Skoll told me that Tate set up some kind of barrier once there were to the safe house. Our pup did wonderfully. He protected everyone while Ziggy calmed them all down. She told me.

Even though I couldn’t understand much of what she said I still felt proud. Tate did that. He’s a powerful little thing. He protected everyone just like I told him to.

Where is he now? I asked her.

Sleeping. The barrier took too much out of him. As soon as Skoll felt me surface they passed out. I think they will be out for the night. She told me.

“You are pregnant Acaisia!” Bou’s angry voice pulled me back to their conversation. “I know you didn’t want this right now but that does not mean you can put yourself and our child in danger.” Bou sounds furious. “We have been over this how many times?”

“And how many times will we have to go through this before you realize that I am a warrior!” Acaisia shouted back. “This is what I have been trained for my entire life! I can’t just turn it off! I was thinking about our baby! All I was going to do was get Epperly and go. I had no intention of fighting.” Her voice grew softer at the end.

Someone sighed heavily.

“If the two of you are just going to fight then f*****g leave. I have enough on my mind.” Ambrose said.

“I am not leaving until she wakes up.” Acaisia stated.

I smiled. Acaisia and I have spent more time together over this last week. She was helping Belle and I to prepare for my fathers pack to come. We grew very close in that time.

“What do you think happened?” That was Max.

“I have no idea.” Ambrose said sounding more tired than I have ever heard him. “One second that.. thing was about to eat Kiah, and then… that fire.” He said.

Fire?

“I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Kasyn is here too?

“It burned that thing to the ground without harming the rest of us. Do you understand how much control someone needs to be able to do something like that? Not to mention the kind of power it takes.” Max said.

“There’s a huge scorch on the ground where it was, but not any ashes.” Lydia chimed in.

“What was that thing?” Tia asked

“I don’t know.” Kasyn said. “Your mother and I are going to talk to Pops. Now. We will be back by morning.” He said.

I assume they left after that.

“So, Epperly killed that thing with an intense fire that ate it up within seconds, but didn’t hurt the rest of us. How was she able to get that much power? I know she is pretty much a Goddess but..” Bou asked.

“Max, can you do something like that?” Tia asked.

“I’m not sure. The closest I came to letting out a power like that was when I saved you from my father but that was different. I’m a different kind of God.” He said.

“But.. That thing was about to eat her father, the father that she just found out she had. Epperly watched a few of her friends die in front of her face. If it were me in her shoes… I probably would have lost control and killed the thing too.” Max said.

“So, why didn’t you then?” Bou asked.

“I had no idea how to kill that thing. If you happen to remember it was the scariest thing I have ever seen in my life. And you have no idea about the creatures that came for me when I first got here.” Max said.

“My head wasn’t where Epperly’s was. Something I have picked up on over the last six years is that my powers react more to my emotions than anything. Epperly lost her s**t when her dad was about to die. Her powers reacted to that. Not to mention that I am 100% positive that Epperly is more powerful than me. I’m a God, not a Demigod, but her.. Epperly is a Demigod, a Wereworlf, and a Djin. She’s a tribrid like none other.” He concluded.

“Do you think that she broke the seal inside her head?” Tia asked.

“I have no idea T.” Max said to her.

“I wish Kee was here.” Ambrose said.

Someone scoffed.

“I tried to call her but she isn’t answering.” Acaisia said.

“She’s been with this contact of hers for a while now. Maybe we should send someone after her.” Bou said.

“She wants to go off on her own then she can handle it on her own.” Tia said.

“Don’t be like that T.” Max scolded his mate softly.

“Enough.” Ambrose said before they could get going. “Kee will be back as soon as she can. I’m tired. I’m going to go lay down with my mate. If you want to stay then stay.” He stated.

Ut oh, we are about to get caught. Adria said just as Ambrose rounded the corner of the hallway.

My mate’s eyes connected with mine instantly. His jaw slacked and he looked me up and down. Before he could say anything I flung myself into his body. I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest.

Ambrose lifted me up and walked us silently back to our bedroom. Once he shut the door the sobs started to break from me. Ambrose leaned against the door as he held me tightly.

“Shhh. It’s okay my love. You’re okay. It’s going to be okay.” He cooed.

His words only made me sob harder. How many had died because of me? How late was I to save everyone? What damage did I cause?

“Baby, I know you are very upset right now but I need to know that you are okay. Are you hurt? Tired? Hungry? Do we need to go see Olive to check on the baby?” He rushed out question after question.

I pulled back and put a hand on my stomach. Tears are still streaming down my face but at least I stopped wailing. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the little fetus.

Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump.

I can hear her heartbeat.

She is fine. Adria told me. Our pups are strong. She said proudly.

“Calliope is fine.” I said and then sat on the bed.

“Are you hungry? Do you need anything?” Ambrose asked me.

I shook my head. “How could I eat right now?” I asked as more tears fell.

“Eppe-“

“Don’t.” I said interrupting him. “Don’t try to make me feel better.” I whispered.

“Baby, it’s going to be okay. None of this was your fault.” My mate told me.

I looked up at him and frowned.

“How could you say that?” I asked.

“Because it’s true.” He told me sternly.

I scoffed. “How many died?” Ambrose jaw tightened. “How many of my friends died today?!” I shouted.

“Baby, please-“

I shot to my feet. “How many of them died protecting me Ambrose? How late was I? How many?” My voice kept getting higher and higher.

Ambrose held my gaze as I waited for an answer.

“Five.” He finally admitted. “Two BOC members and three from your fathers pack.” He told me. I brought a hand to my mouth. Five? Five people. Five lives lost because of me. Because I couldn’t do anything. “Baby, you can’t blame yourself.”

I scoffed again. “But it’s my fault.. If I was faster.. If I had more power.. If I wasn’t here..” I trailed off.

Ambrose shot to his feet and got in my face. He grabbed my left bicep in a death grip. My mate’s eyes started to glow orange.

“Stop it.” He ordered. “Everyone who faught that battle knew what the outcome could possibly be, they had the option to leave. They stayed to fight. That is not your fault. There was nothing you could have done. If you would have left when I told you to, we would have lost a lot more than just five. You can’t keep blaming yourself Epperly or you will never get past this.”

I’ve never heard Ambrose sound so stern. Unless you count when he tried to make me leave the battle field… our backyard.

More tears fell from my eyes.

“I can’t stop hearing their screams.” I whispered.

Adria whimpered in my head. It was true. Everytime I closed my eyes, even to blink, it was like I was back there watching all of my friends get eaten, their screams filled my ears. Panic threatened to consume me. Ambrose pulled me against his chest.

“Breath in my scent.” He ordered.

I clung onto him like I was afraid he would disappear if I let go. Inhaling over and over again. Eventually his scent did start to calm me, and then the guilt took place of the panic.

“This was all my fault. I know you said not to blame myself but how can I not?” I sobbed.

Ambrose ran his hand up and down my back.

“You think about the good you did instead.” He told me. “You saved your dad, his entire pack, and the rest of the BOC. You save our son and all the others that couldn’t fight for themselves.” He said softly and then pulled back to look me in the eyes.

My mate’s deep blues bore into me in a way I have never seen before. It’s giving me hope.

“You killed that fucker. You avenged their deaths and proctected the rest of us. Epperly you burned it down within seconds while sparing the rest of our lives. You lost control in the most controlled way I have ever seen. Yes we lost some good people, but you saved everyone else.” He told me.

“But… What if they all hate me?” I whispered.

Surely everyone is either scared or mad at me. Those five people had families and friends. They probably think I’m a monster.

“I wish that I could tell you that no one would ever hate you but I can’t.” Ambrose admitted. “Not everyone is able to understand through their greif.” He told me. “But, I am happy to tell you that not one person who is here blames you.”

My eyes snapped up to his.

“What?” I asked.

Ambrose gave me a small smile.

“None of them blame you for what happened or what you did. They all think of you as a hero Epperly.” He told me.

I just blinked at him.

“You really think it was just those few here?” He asked as he pointed to outside our bedroom. “I had to force everyone to go rest, they all wanted to wait for you.” He told me.

“What about my dad? Why didn’t he stay?” I asked.

Ambrose gave me a pained look.

“Kiah is in the infirmory.” My eyes went wide. “He’s fine!” Ambrose rushed out. “He just has a few broken bones from that thing trying to crush him.” He told me.

I nodded. “What was that thing?” I asked.

“I don’t know baby, but we are going to figure it out. For now I need you to get some rest.” My mate told me.

“But-“

“No buts. Our son is asleep. We are both exhuasted, I can feel it.” Ambrose argued.

“Fine.” I grumbled.

Thankfully I have already been changed into one of my mates shirts. Ambrose stepped aside and I crawled into our bed. I watched as Ambrose stripped down to just his boxers and climbed in the bed with me. He snuggled up to me and I rested my head on his chest.

“By the way, Adria broke through.”