"Christine & Daniel"

Chapter 1 clip

Christine

(Going back six years)

As she launched her attack, her eyes caught his through the window where he stood watching them. Because of the distraction, she gave Lyric the upper hand and found herself and her sister bound by wind, water, and earth. Laughing, Lyric pulled back, and the bonds vanished. She smiled at her, Lyric said, "You stopped, something distracted you. I guess I don't need to ask what."

Lyric looked over her shoulder towards the window where the two men stood watching. Lyric turned back towards her, as she said. "Well, looks like there has been another connection made." Laughing, she put her arm around her cousin as Grandmother pushed them towards the house saying they had practiced enough for today.

As they entered from the back of the house, four others came in from the front of the house. Lyric ran towards the one who seemed to be injured. Christine guessed she was Becca the one who had been in the hospital.

They all moved into the living room. As the group started to sit down, there was a loud boom, and a woman stood in the doorway of the living room. Before anyone could move, the girl was flying like a rag doll across the entryway and up against the far wall. Grandmother chanted as she walked towards the woman. When she was directly in front of the doorway, she flipped her wrist and opened the doors.

Something above to her right caught her eye. Grandmother turned her head and nodded then proceeded to throw the limp body of the woman out and slammed the door behind her. She turned back towards the living room. She walked back in silently with two more individuals at her heels.

Esmeralda saw him first then Christine. They ran towards him, and squealed, "Blaine!" He just stood there as they reached him and wrapped their arms around him. She had a million questions for her brother, but she could tell something was not right. He was tense and almost emotionless. She looked up at him as she pulled back. He nodded at her and then at their sister.

He cleared his throat and started to talk. He spoke of how he had been a spy for the one who was after Lyric now. He said she called him back to the states a couple of days earlier. He looked with agony at the injured woman. He admitted it was when he heard she had been injured he was not going to help assist the woman any longer.

She did not understand everything he was talking about, but he was very sincere. He had been hurt, and she could tell, but he had healed. He told his story; as she looked around the room, she caught eye contact with the man she had seen in the window. She still did not know who he was.

She looked back to her brother. He was so sad. She could see it in his eyes. The woman standing behind him mirrored his sadness. Esmeralda noticed her first and moved towards her. Esmeralda reached out to touch her face but stopped when the woman pulled back a step.

As Christine looked back at the group in the room, she could see the injured woman was in shock and stared at her brother. Becca spoke only a couple words, and Blaine started to slump. She reached out to him, but he told her to stop. She pulled his hand into hers and stood straight and strong next to him. Lyric was on the other side of him standing just as straight and strong. When the injured woman was finished speaking, Blaine bowed his head to her and turned to leave with the security guys and the woman who had been standing behind them.

Lyric said a few things as the group left the room to head for the impromptu meeting which had just been called due to the information Blaine just provided. As the group left the room, she moved to sit next to Grandmother. Emily, Lyric's mother, sat next to her. Grandmother spoke to the group who remained. "I am not yet sure of the full abilities Lyric may have. She is strong and very strong-willed. Her powers will show themselves as they are needed. Right now, we know she is telepathic and can control the wind. She can control what someone launches at her, but I have not seen her control any of the other elements directly."

Emily nodded, as she asked, "So we have to wait to see what else she can do?"

Grandmother nodded, "Yes, Emi, we will. But like I said, they will show themselves as she needs them."

Charlene asked, "Are her powers enhanced as we thought by my son's connection with her?"

Grandmother looked up at her, as she confirmed, "Yes, just as his, are enhanced by the connection with her. We will have to wait to see what powers and how strong. It will all happen in its own time. It cannot be rushed, only as circumstances present themselves with the powers be revealed."

Charlene looked at Emily, as she stated, "So all of this is real?"

Emily nodded her head but said nothing.

Grandmother continued to tell them of the stories which were foretold about the chosen ones. Christine had heard these stories all her life. Until now, she had not given them much creditability. She had taken them for bedtime stories and nothing more.

When the group came back in Lyric headed straight for her. "Chris, I would like to introduce you to Daniel, Michael's brother."

Christine nodded, "Okay."

They walked across the room to where Michael was standing with his brother near the window. They were talking as she and Lyric moved up to them. They both stopped and turned to face them. Michael smiled at her. Lyric moved up next to Daniel and turned to face Christine, as she introduced, "Daniel this is my cousin Christine. She came with Grandmother to help train me in getting control of my powers."

Daniel put out his hand to her, as he greeted, "Very nice to meet you, Christine."

Christine extended her hand taking Daniel’s, as she replied, "Very nice to meet you too, Daniel."

Taking that moment, Lyric grabbed Michael's hand and led him away so the two of them could get to know each other. Michael laughed, as he teased, "Are you trying to play matchmaker?"

She retorted, "Who me? Now, why would I have to do that? You know as well as I do they are already matched. I am just hoping by putting them together will help your brother let go of the regrets and sorrow he carries."

Daniel looked down at Christine, as he confessed, "You have the most beautiful eyes I think I have ever seen. I can't get them out of my head."

Christine blushed, as she accepted, "Thank you. I haven't had anyone ever speak about my eyes before. So, what do you do?"

Daniel looked away for a moment then looked back at her, as he answered, "I am in the security business. I have just opened a business locally."

Christine smiled, "So you plan to stay around the family?"

Daniel nodded but said nothing else. They stood near each other but did not speak. She could feel his need for her growing, as well as her need for him. He never touched her again after their first-hand shake. She looked at Lyric but did not want to add more to her plate. She would wait and see if things would progress between them on their own.

Everything around them was moving so quickly, and in different directions, she wanted to get him talking again but could not think of what to say when he turned to her and said, "I am sorry, would you please excuse me for a moment."

She looked up at him smiled, as she conceded, "Yes, of course, I know you are in charge of the security for all of us right now."

Daniel regarded her in kind, without thought he bent and kissed her on the cheek. When he realized what he had just done, he stumbled back and apologized, "I am so sorry I shouldn't have done that."

He turned and rushed away from her. She stood there in shock and watched him go unsure how to take what had just happened. She brought her hand up and touched her cheek where he had just placed his lips. Her skin was warm to the touch, and she could almost still feel his lips on her skin.

As he walked away from her, he tried to make it look casual, but he was trying to get out of the room as fast as possible before he turned around and went back to her. If he did, there would be no going back because he would take her to his room. It was taking all his willpower to walk away from her and not drag her with him.

Earlier standing at the window with Michael as they watched unable to do anything as the women sparred, he felt the jolt when they locked eyes even at a distance. Her eyes were forever imprinted on his soul. He would never be able to forget those eyes, and he would love to have those eyes looking at him for the rest of his life. Michael told him he knew she was his true mate. The information had completely shocked him since most of the time no one, but the two parties knew until they announced it and were both marked.

He could see himself happy and live a real life, nothing like the life he had been living. He had to get a hold of himself. He could not be with her. Not now, she would be in too much danger. Joe had just let him know Cyrus was spotted in the area, and they needed to lay low until they knew what he was up to and why he was here.

Joe had his suspicions it had something to do with them, but he could not be for sure he was still looking into it. Daniel knew with everything going on with Jessie he could not let his guard down for anything and it meant keeping his distance from Christine to keep her safe.

Before he could reach the door, there was a yell and Sasha came rushing past him. His first instinct was to pull his weapon until he realized Blaine was fast on her heels and they were arguing. He watched with everyone else as she went out the door slamming it preventing him from following her any further. He could have almost found this funny if he did not feel as defeated as Blaine looked.

He watched as Blaine moved up beside Lyric and Grandmother who stood next to her. He listened as Blaine started talking then watched as Christine moved up next to the others as did the youngest sister. He could feel himself getting angrier the more Blaine spoke, but he also knew what it was like to be indebted to someone for your life.

Daniel heard his sister start talking, but he was not listening anymore because he could not get his mind off Christine. He was not sure how long he would be able to keep his distance from her. The only hope he would have is if she left when the rest of her family left. It would not be easy, but it was necessary no matter how he felt or the fact she was his true mate. Her safety was all he could focus on, and she would be in danger if anyone knew what she meant to him.

He was brought back to the present when he heard his brother Michael’s raised voice as he spoke to Blaine. He knew Michael was angry, but as the alpha and would have to deal with this as the pack would see as justice. He would follow the instruction without hesitation no matter what. It was his responsibility to the pack. Plus, if it is accepted, he will be third-ranked, and he will have to do what is best for the pack no matter the personal consequences.

Michael had just turned to him and Ethan calling for a meeting to be held right now. He had also given instruction to have the security team escort Blaine to an upstairs office. Daniel gave the instructions to the team as they moved with Blaine and he led the way to the holding area. As he passed Christine, he caught the scent of sweet caramel & honeysuckle which shot right through him. There was an immediate reaction in his pants. There was no denying the effect she had on him, and when he caught her eye, it was all he could do to move past her without grabbing her hand and pulling her with him.

Without realizing it until they were on the stairs, he had grabbed her hand pulling her with him as they climbed the stairs. She followed without question or hesitation. After showing the security where to take Blaine, Daniel looked at Christine, as he informed, "We need to talk now."

She lowered her eyes and smiled as she looked back up at his face and agreed, "All right."

Daniel kept a hold of her hand pulled her towards his room. Opening the door, he pulled her in closing the door quickly because they did not have much time. He was expected in the meeting. He spun towards her and kissed her. He pressed her against the door and moved in as close as he could get to her.

She did not hesitate and returned the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck as Daniel's hands moved around her waist. Her pulse started to race, and her blood hummed as her need increased. She wrapped her legs around his waist when he stopped suddenly, pulled back and put her at arm’s length forcing her to release his neck.

Shaking his head, as he discouraged, "This can't happen. I am so sorry. I shouldn't have brought you up here. My world is way too complicated right now. I know who you are to me, but I can't be with you. I am sorry."

He moved past her and out the door. She tried to understand what was going on, but she was confused with the mixed signals she was getting from him. She could protect herself. Why was he saying things were too complicated? They would be finished with Jessie soon enough. What he said made no sense to her. She turned and left his room and went back to the living room where the rest of the group was.

As she came down the stairs, she watched as Lyric and Sasha came back into the house. Sasha moved past her up the stairs as Lyric looked up at her. All she could do was shake her head at Lyric. There were no words she could find to tell Lyric what had just happened, but one look at her face and she knew Lyric already knew.

After the meeting, Daniel moved about the house checking with the security teams. He went over all the needs and where each team should be as well as the individual guards who were specific to each couple. He then assigned a two-man team for Christine, Esmeralda, and Grandmother.

He watched from afar as Christine moved about doing little things for her grandmother. She was so graceful in her movements. He could watch her with ease all day. Whenever they would make eye contact, he would feel a surge and the whining of his wolf. He would have to have her at least once before she left his life. Caught up in his own thoughts of her, he did not hear his brother return until Esmeralda squealed and ran past him.

Turning, he saw his brother's face and knew he was not pleased. There was a stranger with Lyric and it was who Esmeralda had rushed towards and embraced. Walking towards Michael quickly, he inquired, "Is there a problem which needs to be taken care of? Who is the newcomer?"

Michael let out a low growl, as he barked "No! Just another magical cousin."

He looked over to where Lyric stood with the newcomer and now Christine, he looked back at Michael, as he inquired, "You don't seem pleased. What happened?"

Michael looked back over his shoulder then back at Daniel, as he admitted, "He was brought here by Grandmother to test Lyric and push her to see if another power would emerge."

Daniel encouraged, "And?"

Michael glared at him, as he spat, "He shot a fireball at Lyric's head; there was nothing I could do but watch. I couldn't protect her."

Daniel put his hand on Michael's shoulder, as he consoled, "I know it has to be very frustrating for you, but you know she really doesn't need you to protect her."

Michael cut his eyes, as he retorted, "It doesn't mean I have to like it. Besides, what about you," He looked past Daniel to Christine, as he continued, "You seem to be ignoring your own advice."

Without looking, Daniel replied, "Different case and you know it. You know I have to stay away from her to keep her safe. You know what I did for a living. So, the evil I have to protect her from, she can't protect herself. The evil I face is not of the supernatural kind and can’t be dealt with supernatural powers. Besides mine isn't the chosen one nor am I the chosen one. So, I can protect mine only by not being with her. It is the only way no one will try to harm her to get to me."

They made it through the next few days without any interruptions from Cyrus. The trip to London to help out Becca and get the security set up for that office done was the next adventure. He kept his distance from Christine so he would not be tempted to mark her as his. It is not as though the humans would have known what those marks meant, but others of their kind would, and it would keep her from finding a mate and being happy. He did not like the thought of it, but to keep her safe he knew it was all he could do, and he would have to live with the choice.

While they were in London, he was too close to taking her the night they had both been unable to sleep. That next morning, Wesley told him she would be leaving when they arrived back from London.

He tried to keep his mouth shut and not say anything to her, but it was a complete failure. With true purpose, he stormed towards the car. He opened the door to the car and pulled her out. He set her down inside the door of the lobby. He grabbed her by the arm and moved her to the other side of the lobby to the couch. He looked down at her, as he asked, "Why are you going to leave when we get back to Boston? Lyric needs you."

She looked him straight in the face, as she informed, "I can't stay around you with you acting like you are. We are mates, but you act like I will bite you or something. I know you want me, but you refuse to give in to it and allow yourself to be with me. I can't remain around you and not be with you anymore. It hurts way too much."

Unable to argue with her, frustration set in, and all he could do was walk away because he knew she was right. He could not be with her. He could not explain it to her to where she would understand and agree with why he was keeping his distance.

When they arrived back in Boston, they all headed straight for the hospital. Christine watched Lyric as they road through the busy streets of Boston to the hospital, where Sara was about to have the first of the next generation of their family.  Christine thought about how much she wanted to have a child with Daniel but did not see how it would ever happen. He was being just too stubborn and would not let go of the past to move forward to the future.