Between Rubies and Opals

Erin glanced at the two outfits laid out neatly on her bed and frowned.

“Casual, or feminine?” she whispered to herself, cocking her head. She looked at the clock against the wall and bit her lip in frustration. “Oh my hell, Erin. What the hell is the matter with you? It doesn’t really matter what you wear, right?” she scolded herself and decided on the feminine looking outfit. As she was hanging the other outfit back in her closet, the doorbell rang.

“Oh drowned rat,” she muttered and raced to the door.

Slowly opening it, she saw Sam holding a bunch of white flowers, that she had never seen before in her life.

“Hey gorgeous.”

“Hey yourself, handsome.” She smiled at him and he pulled her close, kissing her slowly.

“I got these for you.”

“Oh my hell, they’re beautiful,” Erin whispered and took the bouquet from him. “What are they?”

“They are snowlillias, all the way from the top of Telstrofe,” Sam said proudly as he watched her fill up a large crystal vase with water.

“They’re extraordinary.” She placed the flowers into the vase and leaned in to smell them. “And they smell amazing.”

“I was hoping that you’d like them.”

She looked over at him and smiled happily. “I don’t like them, I love them.” She walked over to him and he put his arms around her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he answered smile and kissed her forehead. “Are you ready to go?”

“Not quite.” She tilted her head at him. “Would you like to help me get ready?”

“That’s okay. I’ll just wait out here,” Sam nodded.

Erin pouted slightly and frowned. “Okay.”

“Go on, baby. Hurry up, I’m kind of hungry.”

Erin nodded, and without saying a word turned around and walked to her bedroom.

When she was inside, Sam fished his phone out of his jacket pocket and quickly dialed a number. He glanced down at the fur rug by his feet and frowned again as he waited for the call to connect.

“Hey Vik. Yeah, I’m at her house now. How are things going over there?” he asked in a whisper and walked through the living room, to the large window overlooking Methys Park. “Okay, great. We shouldn’t be there too late. Okay. See you soon. Oh, and Vik? Thank you. Bye.”

“Okay, I’m done,” Erin announced behind him.

“That was fast,” Sam answered as he whirled around, trying to hide the guilty expression on his face. She had a short white dress on, with her leather jacket and her black ankle boots.

“You look pretty,” he smiled at her.

“Thank you. I figured I better get used to looser fitting clothes,” she shrugged and ran her fingers down her still-flat stomach. “Who were you talking to?”

“My dad, he’s staying an extra few days.”

“That’s quite a long trip.”

“Yeah. Changing the world doesn’t happen overnight,” Sam nodded and looked around the apartment. “So where’s Alex?”

“I have no idea, probably sleeping with my brother again,” Erin shrugged and grabbed her bag.

“Ouch, really? That happened?”

“Yes, and before you ask any more questions, I don’t want to talk about it.” She grimaced and held her hands in the air.

“Okay,” Sam surrendered and frowned slightly. “No offence, but I thought she had better taste than that.”

“None taken. I also thought so, but clearly you can’t deny your true feelings for another, no matter how hard you try.”

“I can definitely vouch for that.” He pulled her close and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about this rug.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s Alex’s. She insisted on bringing it along. She reckons it completes the room, but I hate it.”

“Is it…”

“Yeah, unfortunately.”

“Do you know where she got it from?”

“From her father, it was one of the wolves he killed back in the day. Why?”

Sam hesitated for a moment and Erin felt something wasn’t right. “Sam?”

“It’s just really creepy, thinking you have the fur of a dead wolf in your house.”

“I’m sorry. I told her I didn’t want it in here-”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Are you okay?” she asked, detecting Sam’s distant expression.

“Yeah.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” he answered vaguely and turned to her. “Ready?”

“Yes,” Erin said with a nod and took his hand, as the two of them exited her apartment.

An hour later, Sam and Erin were at his apartment having dinner. Erin noticed a slight detachment from Sam, and stared down at her food.

“Sam?”

“Yeah?” he asked, with a mouthful of potatoes.

“Is this pregnancy thing freaking you out?”

“No, of course not. Why would you ask me that?”

“Because you’re acting really strange.”

“I’m not acting strange. I’m fine.” Sam shook his head and took a large sip of wine, swallowing loudly.

“Does it have something to do with Alex’s rug then?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Yeah, I don’t buy it.” She shook her head at him, and lightly threw her napkin onto her plate. “If you have something on your mind, tell me please.”

Sam finished chewing and looked at her, without saying a word.

“Nothing?”

“But I’m eating, baby.”

Erin sighed with frustration and shook her head, studying the glass of water in front of her. A few moments passed and she looked at Sam again.

“What?” Sam asked.

“What is with you? Are you going to talk to me, or not?” she asked, raising her eyebrows at him in annoyance.

“You don’t miss a thing, do you?” he asked with an amused chuckle and stood up from the table, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

“Clearly not,” she said, also standing up from the table.

Sam placed the napkin back on the table and walked over to her. “Nothing is wrong, I swear.”

“Then what’s going on?”

“Okay, have a seat on the couch, I’ll be right back,” he said and motioned to the couch.

Erin walked over to the couch and frowned at Sam, who was already halfway down the hallway. “Wait, where are you going?”

“I said I’ll be right back. Just stay there.” Sam waved his hand in the air as he ran down the hallway and Erin sighed.

She walked over to the couch, but instead of sitting down on it, she slid down onto the ground. Slipping off her ankle boots, she stretched out her legs and dug her toes into the fluffiness of the carpet. She heard Sam’s footsteps coming down the hallway and as she looked over her shoulder, she saw him entering the living area, carrying a wooden chest. He placed it in front of her and sat down beside her.

“What is this?”

“It’s a chest.” He flashed a sexy and mysterious smile and she cocked her head at him.

“But I already have a chest,” she smirked with a naughty twinkle in her eyes.

Sam’s mouth twisted into a crooked smile and licked his lips. “A damn good one too, I can’t argue with that.”

Erin giggled, her cheeks slightly flushed and she looked back at the wooden chest. “What’s inside?”

“Your belated birthday present,” he said simply.

“Sam, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“I know, but I wanted to. This is just to show you exactly how much you mean to me.”

“Ah, you’re so sweet,” she whispered. “I’m sorry that I was such a bitch back there. I don’t even know what I was thinking. I guess I was just worried that you-”

“It’s okay. It’s probably my wolf DNA that’s pumping through your system, making you act all crazy.”

“Yeah, probably,” she answered sarcastically and narrowed her eyes at him. “So, can I open it?”

“You can look, in a minute.” He placed his hand on the lid of the chest. “First I want to ask you something, if I may?”

“You can ask me anything. You know that,” Erin whispered.

“You know that I love you, right?”

“I do,” she nodded.

“And you know that I would do anything for you, right?”

“I do,” she repeated.

“Erin?”

“Yes?” she asked, almost impatiently.

“Would you consider marrying me?”

Erin took a deep breath and looked at Sam for a second. As she opened her mouth to reply, he started talking again. “Please don’t think that this is only because you’re pregnant. I would marry you, whether you’re pregnant or not. You’re the one that I’m meant to be with, until the moment I take my last breath.”

She let out a gasp and shook her head. “I don’t need to consider it.” She smiled slowly and placed her hand against his cheek. “I’ll marry you right now if I could.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Sam said with a smirk and shifted the chest closer to her. “Now you can open it.”

Erin looked at him for a few seconds and ran her fingers along the smooth surface of the chest. “Okay.”

She unlatched the lock and lifted the lid. Inside, there was something wrapped in soft grey fabric, but Erin noticed the small box on top of it first. She swallowed loudly and looked at Sam.

“Go on,” he nodded.

She picked up the box and slowly opened it. When she saw the beautiful diamond encrusted ring, with a large black diamond in the center, she bit her lip and looked at Sam. “It’s beautiful.”

Sam took it from her, and slowly slipped the ring onto her finger. “You’re beautiful.”

“I love you, Sam.”

“I love you, Erin,” Sam whispered and motioned to the chest. “There’s something else in there.”

“I can see that.” She wiped a tear from her cheek and slowly unwrapped the fabric. “Oh my hell, Sam…”

She closed her eyes for a brief second as she lifted out a beautiful white dress that was inside the chest. “Oh Sam…”

“Do you like it?”

“I love it,” she said with a nod as she ran her fingers along the crystal beading on the bodice. “It’s so beautiful, but I don’t understand.”

“You said you’d marry me right now if you could. Did you mean it?”

“Like right now?”

“Yes.”

“But what about-”

“Don’t worry about all that.” Sam shook his head and looked into her eyes. “Did you mean it?”

“I totally meant it,” she whispered.

“Well, then I suggest you go change, because we’ve got a wedding to attend,” Sam smiled at her and she stared at him for a few seconds.

“Oh my hell. Really?”

“Yes.”

She let out a breath and stood up, still holding the dress. “I’ll be right back.”

“Just don’t take too long.”

“I won’t.” Erin ran down the corridor and Sam chuckled. He took out his phone from his pocket, dialed a number and held the phone against his ear.

“Hey. It’s me. It’s on. We’ll be there in twenty,” Sam said and as the call disconnected, his eyes flashed brightly and a satisfied smile ran across his lips.

Lukas pushed through the double doors leading to the ballroom, and as he entered the dark room, he spotted Countess Lewandowski standing by the window, staring out into the darkness. Looking around him to see if there was anyone else in there with her, he walked closer to her. He could only hear the Count in the library on the other side of the manor, paging through a thick book. Lukas walked closer to Cassandra, but she did not acknowledge his presence as yet.

“Countess?” he whispered.

“Lukas,” she nodded and slowly turned towards him. Her face was tight and drawn, and her eyes pierced right through his soul. Not like he had one to start off with.

“Countess, is everything all right?” he asked.

“My daughter is very important to me, as you are already aware of,” she said to him, turning away again and crossed her arms.

“She is your only daughter. It goes without saying.”

“I also want her to be happy, Lukas.”

“What are you implying?”

“Arjen and I have spoken about your proposal, and he thinks that you are the worst possible match for Erina,” she said flatly.

“That does not surprise me one bit, Countess-”

“But,” she interrupted him with a wave of her hand. “You do know Erina better than most people, I believe.”

“Not as well as I would like to,” Lukas said with a frown. “But I know that I can make her happy, provide for her, and look after her. I will give her everything she desires, I swear it.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second, Lukas. You come from a well-respected and wealthy family,” she answered. “There is only one concern I have.”

“And that is?”

“I’m not sure how your father would react if Erina expresses her distaste for the way he runs this city. You know how she likes to openly say what is on her mind. She lacks the art of keeping things to herself, especially if it displeases her.”

“She has firm beliefs, Countess, and is very opinionated, yes, but with all due respect, you underestimate my capabilities as a vamp,” he said with a frown.

“I wish not for my daughter to be compelled, Lukas, for her will is strong, and I refuse for her to be broken in that way.”

“My capabilities stretch much further than mere compelling, my lady. I assure you, Erina will not be compelled by me, in any way. There are other ways to enforce obedience.”

“I was hoping you would say that,” she answered and turned to him. “You have permission to marry Erina.”

“Thank you, Countess,” Lukas said gratefully and nodded at her. “I shall tell my family at once.”

“Please inform your father that Arjen and I will be visiting with him in a few days,” she said.

“As you wish,” he answered and bowed slightly. “I’m grateful that you have enough trust in me to permit me to marry your daughter. You most certainly will not regret this.”

“I hope not, Lukas.” Countess Lewandowski gave him a dismissive nod and disappeared into the darkness.

Lukas looked out the window and smirked to himself. “Now, to deal with that blasted mutt.”

Alex rolled over in her bed and glanced at the naked vamp sleeping next to her in dissatisfaction. This had been the first time that she had ever brought a stranger to her house, but since Erin was out with Sam most nights, as she was tonight, Alex was feeling more alone than usual. Not that she blamed Erin for spending time with Sam. She was happy for Erin, even though she was slightly jealous.

Even though Alex would not admit it to anyone, she craved what Erin had with Sam. He accepted her for what she was, and treated her with respect. He made sacrifices for her, he protected her, and most importantly, he loved her. Alex saw that by the way he looked at her, protectively hovering over her. The way he talked to her, and the way he made her the best version of herself.

After that whole fiasco with Lukas, Alex was afraid Erin might not find someone that she loved again. The wounds were still too fresh, and the shards of her broken heart were still much too sharp, but when she was with Sam, he made all that pain, hurt and emptiness disappear. He made her whole.

That was something, and someone she wished she had. Someone like Sam. Maybe the wolves weren’t so bad after all. They were warm-blooded creatures, filled with passion, emotion and warmth. Something she needed in her ice covered life.

The naked vamp next to her stirred slightly and she groaned. She shoved him and his yellow eyes opened.

“It’s time to get up and get out,” Alex retorted.

“What?” he answered sleepily.

“You heard me, get out before I kick you out,” she snapped and the vamp quickly climbed out of bed.

She reached over and threw him his clothes, not even interested in looking at him.

“Alex…”

“You know where the door is,” she muttered as she motioned towards the door.

He nodded wordlessly and within a flash, he was gone.

Alex slid out of bed, pulled a t-shirt over her head and walked to the door. She made her way down the hallway, flicking her hair over her shoulder and absent-mindedly raked her fingers through her tresses, untangling her freshly sexed hair.

She paused in front of Erin’s bedroom door for a few seconds, but shrugged off the anxious feeling she had in her stomach. She entered the living area and frowned.

“You should really learn how to knock,” she said with a sigh and turned towards Nikolai, who was standing by the large window that overlooked Methys Park.

“And you should really learn not to bring strangers to the apartment. It’s a big risk.”

“What I do is of no concern to you.”

“You should be more careful. There are a lot of psychopaths roaming the streets of Algharakh these days.”

“Since when do you care?” Alex crossed her arms and glared at Nikolai.

In the moonlight, he looked even more appealing than in the daylight. The shadows created flawless lines on his face, and his amber eyes flickered like candles in the darkness. His presence created a stir inside Alex, but she refused to give in to it, as the last time she did, it ended in disaster.

Even though they fucked like a couple of animals, Alex was left with both physical and mental scars. The emptiness inside her after he walked out on her in the library nearly killed what little emotion she still had inside her, and she refused to be hurt any more by him.

“Alex, I need you to do something for me,” he said suddenly and his words took her by surprise.

“You need me to do something for you? Since when do you need anyone?” Alex retorted and shook her head. “Why would I do something for you in the first place?”

“Because it’s of grave importance.”

“Nothing is of grave importance to you, except your own fucking well-being.”

“I need you to give a message to Sam,” Nikolai continued, ignoring Alex’s retorts.

“Oh no, I am not doing your dirty work for you.”

“Listen to me, Alex. This is important.”

Alex looked at him warily. “What type of message?”

“I want you to go to Sam, and tell him that Lukas and Erina are back together and he is to stay far away from Erina as possible.”

“What? No! Are you mad? I can’t do that! I don’t believe in lying like that, Nikolai.”

“It’s not a lie, Alex. Erina and Lukas are to be married.”

“No way. The Count would never allow that!”

“The date has been set. It has been settled.”

“Does Erin know about this?”

“She will soon enough, but first I need you to do this.”

“Did you massacre a playschool or something, because you’re really fucked up evil today?” she exclaimed exasperatedly but he stared at her blankly, not saying a word. “You can’t do this to her. This is wrong. She hates Lukas.”

“What’s done is done, Alex.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? You can’t be serious.”

Nikolai stepped away from the window and turned to Alex. “Try me.”

There was a dark glimmer in his eyes as he hovered over her, and there was a bitter taste in her mouth.

“You’ve totally fucking lost it, haven’t you? You’re supposed to be her brother, how can you do this to her?”

“I’m doing this for my family.”

“They’re not even your family.”

“I wasn’t talking about them, Alex.”

“The wolves killed your family, but that was centuries ago. How is this going to bring them back?”

“Do not speak of things you know nothing about, Alex! You know nothing about my family and what they’ve been through!” Nikolai exclaimed.

“I won’t do this. This will break her.”

“If you don’t do this, I will break her myself,” Nikolai threatened.

“You wouldn’t.” She gritted her teeth and her blue-green eyes flashed.

“Oh, I would.”

“All because of one wolf?”

“It’s not only because of Sam. I despise their entire race, what they are, what they supposedly stand for.”

“You can’t do this to Erin, Nikolai. She won’t survive it.”

Nikolai grabbed Alex around the neck and the next second he pushed her up against the opposite wall, her feet dangling in the air. “She won’t if you don’t do as you’re told,” he threatened again, his voice low, and lethal.

Nikolai was stronger than any vamp she had ever encountered, in fact, the bite marks on her neck and chest still hasn’t healed properly. His venom was vicious, and still caused Alex unbearable pain some days.

“You know you can’t compel me.” Alex struggled against his grip, but she knew her efforts were futile.

“I know, but I know that you wouldn’t let anything bad happen to Erin.”

“You were right. There are a lot of psychopaths around lately.”

“No need to flatter me, Alex. I’ve already fucked you once, and by once, I mean never again.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.”

“Of course not,” Nikolai laughed sardonically and glared at Alex again. “So, will I have your full cooperation with this matter?”

“I would rather drive a stake through my heart than betray my best friend.”

“That can be arranged.”

“Go to Hell, you fuck.”

“Another word and I will make her suffer, Alex. I mean it.”

Alex could see that he was dead serious as his eyes changed from amber to pitch black and her eyes widened in fear. A single tear ran down her cheek and she nodded slightly. “You have my full cooperation.”

Erin had her eyes closed as Sam lead her along the flagstone footpath leading to the manor gardens, and her heart was pounding in her chest. The smell of the outdoors was all around her, and she shivered out of sheer anticipation. Sam suddenly came to a stop and squeezed Erin’s hand.

“I’m going to let go of your hand, but keep your eyes closed, okay?” Sam whispered.

“Okay,” Erin nodded, her eyes still closed.

A few seconds passed and Erin’s heart pounded in her chest. “Sam?” she whispered.

“Okay, baby. Open your eyes,” she heard Sam’s voice a few yards away and she opened her eyes.

A gasp escaped from her throat as she looked out in front of her. Sam was standing at the end of the pathway, and the trees along the edge were decorated with fairy lights. “Whoa…” she said breathlessly and looked at him.

He had changed into a black suit, and Vikki and Gowan were standing next to him, one on each side.

“Erin, you might want to walk this way,” Vikki whispered to her with a wink and Erin let out a giggle.

Erin slowly made her way down the footpath and her heart pounded in her chest. She looked over at Gowan, who had a smile on his face, his dark eyes sparkling, and she flashed him an excited smile. He returned with a nod and she looked over at Vikki, who was almost jumping out of her skin.

Her gaze then settled on Sam, her beautiful Sam, waiting for her, holding out his hand. Their fingertips touch lightly and he had a happy smile on his face.

“This is amazing, Sam. You’re amazing,” she whispered as he brought her hands up to his mouth.

“Anything for you.”

A breathless chuckle escaped from her throat as Sam’s lips touched the top of her hand, sending shivers down her spine.

“Erin Lewandowski?” His voice was smooth and there was no shred of fear in his eyes. There was only love.

“Yes?” she smiled.

“You’ve seen every side of me. You can tolerate me. You know how to calm me down, cheer me up, keep me smiling. Better yet, you didn’t walk out on me when I know other people would have.” Sam held her hands tightly and looked into her eyes. “I love you, Erin.”

Erin let out a slow breath and looked into Sam’s blue eyes.

“Nothing I can say right now would even come close to describing how beautiful you are to me, and how happy you make me. You’re the home I never thought I had, and the kind of love I never thought was possible,” he said to her, his voice a bit louder. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but loving you was the best mistake I ever made, and for once I don’t have to pretend or try to be happy, because when I’m with you, it just happens.”

“Sam…” she breathed, her chest tight. There was a fluttering in the pit of her stomach as the silence enveloped them.

Erin took a deep breath and squeezed his fingers, knowing it was her turn. There were no words that could describe how she felt about him, but her heart urged her mind to at least try. “Sam Morton?”

“Yes, my love?” Sam smirked at her.

“I can talk to hundreds of people in one day, but none of them compare to the smile you can give me in one moment, and looking into your eyes, is like falling in love all over again. No-one is ever going to love you more than I love you, and despite all the chaos that is around us, I will always love you. Against all reason, against all promise, against all peace, against all hope, against all happiness, against all discouragement that could be, my heart will always belong to you,” Erin smiled at Sam. “Because no matter what, I will always choose you, Sam, and when I die, I will die loving you, implicitly, and unwaveringly.”

Gowan and Vikki stepped up to them, standing opposite them.

“Sam, do you take Erin to be your mate for life, to love, protect and support until the end of your life, regardless what happens?” Vikki asked Sam and winked at him.

“I do,” Sam nodded.

Gowan cleared his throat and turned to Erin. “Erin, do you take Sam to be your mate for life, to love, to protect and support until the end of your life, regardless what happens?”

“I do,” Erin answered with a nod and glanced briefly at Gowan, before settling her gaze back onto Sam.

“We, Gowan and myself, now pronounce you, husband and wife, mates for life, Sam and Erin Morton,” Vikki said, trying to contain her excitement.

“Sammy,” Gowan said and Sam looked at him. “You may now kiss your wife.”

“Thanks Gow,” Sam smirked and pulled Erin close to him. Erin stood on her tiptoes and their lips met in a sensual and excited kiss. Fireworks of love exploded in Erin’s heart and for the first time in her life, everything was perfect.

“I love you,” Erin whispered against his lips.

“I love you too, Missus Morton,” he whispered.