Chapter 333

Joseph’s POV

Exhausted.

That’s the only word I could describe myself after the day I had. I spent most of today with Bernard and Carter, trying to figure out what our game plan was for Eevee. They think it’s better if we wait until she makes a move, but it might end up being too late. The problem was, we weren’t sure what she was planning so there was no way to stop it.

If without much training, Tessa is the Heavenly Heart and the strongest being to ever exist. But she was also pregnant and the thought of her being in constant danger terrifies me. After our meeting with Ruby and her mother and now knowing why Eevee came back from her trip early, I had a headache.

“I’m just glad that Ruby is safe at the school,” Carter said, rubbing the bridge of his nose like he was fighting off a headache as well. “The last thing I need is to be worried about her constantly.”

I nodded, wishing I could say the same about Tessa.

“There is a battle coming. I can feel it,” Bernard said, staring up at the sky as if the answers were written in the stars. “We are getting our army prepared as we speak.”

“If she succeeds in breaking this curse, we are going to need more than our army,” I told him.

“We have a large army,” Carter said, raising his brows at me. Carter would know because he’s in charge of this army. He knows how prepared we are for battle, but I still don’t think we’d be enough to fight off everybody. There will be a lot of people after Tessa.

“They find her to be a danger or a weapon. They are either going to want her dead, or want her powers,” Bernard reminded us. “It’s not going to be easy to get everybody to submit to her. Especially considering even if they remember she’s the Heavenly Heart, nobody truly understands what that means or what she is. Not even Tessa.”

“She’s training her magic though, right?” Bernard asked, narrowing his eyes.

I nodded.

“Yeah, she’s been training these last several days since her meeting with Ruby,” I answered.

“Good. She’s going to need all the training she can get.”

“We have the banquet tomorrow night so I guess we will see how that goes. I’ll keep you guys updated on everything,” I told them. “How’s Nathan doing by the way? I haven’t talked to him in a while. Is he going to help at all?”

“He’s been busy with tribe problems,” Carter explained.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, but with all of us distracted because of Eevee, he’s the only one level-headed enough to make tribe decisions. He’s taking care of our vampires while we take care of Eevee and her bullshit.”

I nodded, grateful to have them in my corner. I put my hand on Carter’s shoulder and gave him a firm squeeze.

“My priority is protecting Tessa and our unborn child,” I told them. “I don’t care who I have to destroy to make that happen.”

When I got home, Tessa was walking down the stairs with a smile on her lips. When she saw me, her face lit up and she ran the rest of the way, closing the gap between us and wrapping her arm around me.

“I love love,” she breathed, “And I love you.”

I smiled in response, pressing my lips firmly against hers, claiming what was mine and worshiping my prized possession.

“And I love you,” I told her against her mouth. “What’s got you in such a good mood?”

Her eyes lit up her entire face as she burrowed her face into my chest.

“I just witnessed something beautiful,” she murmured, sighing contently as she took in my scent and warmth. I ran circles along her back, loving how she felt in my arms. With everything going on, little moments like this make everything worth it. Almost at least. It’d be better if no one’s lives were at stake.

“Want to share it?” I asked, intrigued about what had happened while were away.

“Austin and Laura are in love,” she said, peeking up at me through her long lashes. “They are making out in her room as we speak.”

I raised my brows.

“Should we intervene? Should that be happening?” I asked, a bit concerned.

She smiled and I knew she was holding back her laughter.

“You might be much older than you look, but they are all around my age, Joseph,” she reminded me. “Which means they are adults and can do whatever they want.

“Yeah, I guess I’m starting to feel like their parent,” I admitted.

She chuckled. I bent down and brushed my lips gently across hers. She sighed contently as the kiss lingered.

“Hold that thought,” she murmured against my lips. “Speaking of being a parent, there’s something I need to do.”

She stepped away from me and headed into the living room. I quickly followed after her. Some of the coven mates were in the living room and I could sense the tension almost immediately.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Tessa said, folding her arms across her chest as she glared daggers at Hannah.

Hannah was seated on the couch, and she sunk even further into the couch.

“She already got an earful,” Esme said, shaking her head with a deepening frown as she glared at Hannah.

Hannah looked as if she had been crying; her face was red, and her eyes were puffy. Cole, Derek, and Amy were also in the room. Everybody looked a bit awkward, but Tessa didn’t seem to notice, or maybe she just didn’t care. Her lips were pressed in a thin line as she glared at Hannah.

“Going through her diary was not cool, Hannah. You embarrassed and upset her. We are a coven which makes us family. We don’t treat family like that,” she continued as she shook her head with dismay written all over her face. “What you did was cruel, and you need to apologize.”

“I know,” she whispered, staring down at her hands as more tears slipped down her cheeks. “I was being a bitch. I shouldn’t have snapped like that. I’m used to getting what I want, and I wanted Austin for a while. But he always ignored my advances. I see the way he looks at her and I guess I just got crazy with jealousy.”

“We laid into her,” Amy said, narrowing her eyes at Hannah. “We also told her we are family, and it wasn’t cool.”

“Yeah, we went through way too much together and we don’t need this type of drama coming between us. Not now, not ever,” Cole agreed, leaning back in his seat, his eyes never leaving Hannah.

Hannah stood and ran her fingers through her hair.

“I’ll go apologize now,” she murmured.

“I would wait a few minutes,” Tessa said quickly, her cheeks growing a bit red. “Austin went to make sure she was okay.”

Tessa bit her lip awkwardly and the message was delivered loud and clear. Cold burst into laughter and pumped his fists.

“Atta boy, Austin,” he cheered.

Derek tried and failed to hide his smirk and Amy looked at Hannah worriedily. Hannah’s face was red, but she didn’t comment. She just sat back down and sighed.

I grabbed hold of Tessa's arm and pulled her into me.

“Are you done?” I asked against her ear. I needed to get her alone because I had missed her today. I needed to feel her body against mine and remind her just how much I love her. I’m not sure what’s going to happen after tomorrow so I needed to claim as much of her as I can.

She nodded and smiled up at me like she could read my thoughts.

“Did you have something in mind?” She asked, a bit of teasing in her tone.

I knew my eyes must have sparkled with something mischievous because her cheeks grew red.

“Come with me and find out,” I winked.

She said goodbye to the others and followed me out of the room and up the stairs. I pulled her into our bedroom and slammed the door shut behind us. She giggled as I wrapped her in my arms and pushed her against the doorframe. My lips descended on hers and I kissed her like I was parched, and she was the last cup of water in the world.

I nibbled on her bottom lip, making her smile as she fought to keep up with me. She wrapped her arms and legs around my body, clinging to me like I was her life support. My erection pressed against her center, our clothes still separating us.

“Joseph…” she gasped as my lips trailed down the nape of her neck.

“Tell me what you want, Baby,” I ordered in a growly tone.

“I want you,” she moaned, rubbing herself against my erection. “I need you. Now.”