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reddogf13 · 7 months ago

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Pride & Ruin CH 9

on A03 as well

Alcina X Ethan

summery: Determined to find his daughter Ethan Winters, an omega, storms the castle of Alcina Dimitrescu, an alpha. While fleeing her three beta daughters Ethan has the unfortunate luck of being snagged on the alphas claws. Slipping out a yelp, Ethan fears the worst. Instead, luck will be in his favor under a prideful alpha and Miranda’s plans will fall to ruin.

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - fowl language and gore

Previous chap: Ch:8 Cascade

Next chap: TBA

___________________

~Ch:9 Tokens & Memoirs~

Quick scrawling on one of her fine document papers with imprinted flowers. She folded it into an envelope for Bela to hand off. Her daughter took it without complaint, but wanted to. What glimpse she got of it was long and dense, beyond a regular list of chores. Aggravated by her mothers temper trickling down to Ethan. Clearing herself of anger before meeting back with Ethan. Talking with Cassandra at the dining table about the nearby lands to settle best. Flourishing deer populations to the rivers full of fish by well flat lands for farming. Daniela, sitting nearby, wasn't paying much attention. Rather keeping rosemary preoccupied with a small teddy bear.

“The colder seasons will be the hardest to get through. That's why you want to smoke as much meat as you can the rest of the year. Learn to jar your harvest soon after to keep longer.” explaining while Ethan looked overwhelmed taking notes.

Helping him take a break, Bela interrupted. “I have your list.” slipping the thick envelope into his hands.

“oh, thank you.” slipping out the list for a quick read over.

Cassandra squinted at the dense list. Brows furrowing, she looked to her sister. Who gave a half roll of her eyes. She knew that look after Bela talked to their mother. Rolling her eyes in a similar fashion.

Daniela's curiosity had her ask. “What's the list for?”

“work.” Ethan answered.

“ALL of that?!”

“erm- it's not too bad.” awkwardly smiling in slipping the list away. “I’ll get it done.” standing he looked to his daughter.

Bela answered a question he hadn't even asked yet. “we’ll watch her.”

“are you sure?”

“She'll be fine, focus on your work.”

“thanks.” knowing the first thing was chopping firewood. He headed toward the more open half of the property. He’d been outside before, but that was in the courtyard. More nervous than usual that a Lycan would come out of nowhere. Cassandra said she hadn't seen any on her patrols. Having looked for them since after the fight. Finding the chopping block with a prepped stack of logs nearby he slipped out the list. Double checking for any instructions to cut he read a general “restock the castle piles.” There was nothing else to read from it and yet he enjoyed going over her curvy handwriting. Taking in the scent of her, flowing off the paper. He tucked it back into the envelope, leaving its top folded open to continue catching its gentle fragrance. Carefully tucking it into an upper pocket of his jacket he got started on his first task. By the time he was done he felt that he was falling behind. Heart slowly weighed down that he was failing. A thought nagging at the back of his mind. Have to work faster. Simply moving to the next task turned into a running sprint. Dusting everything, reordering the library after returning books piled around. Mopping, cleaning carpets alongside the drapes, scrubbing the windows until it looked like the glass was non existent. finishing hardly a quarter of the entire list. Inner thought drilling him to work faster. She’ll be disappointed.

Skipping lunch he burned through a heap of other tasks. Waxing furniture, polishing floors, tossing garbage, going over the kitchen for rotten goods. Clearing the lower roofs of tree junk. He was going to polish metal suits in the armory, but Cassandra chased him out as it was “hers”. By dinner he had managed to complete the impossible list. He was sure there were easily five-hundred chores on that floral paper. Everything ached and it was the first time he devoured his whole dinner to Bela's surprise. It didn't make it out the kitchen when Ethan came in to devour his set plate.

“you alright?”

taking a deep breath after swallowing his last bite. “I finished the list.”

“the whole thing?!”

he leaned against a counter, giving an exhausted nod. “yeah, I’ll need another.”

“Alright, let's go see mother. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to know you finished.” she better be. Bela thought while escorting him back to her mothers den. Giving a swift knock she received no answer. Annoyed, she was going to knock again more harshly. Seeing how tired Ethan was standing beside her she decided on entering anyway. Chancing her mothers temper, but they found the room empty. “ah, she must still be in her office.” glancing back at Ethan struggling to go any further looking about ready to die if he had to walk anywhere else. “stay here, I’ll fetch her.”

“you don’t have to.”

“It's fine, she has to eat dinner anyway. can't do that over business papers.” rushing off to leave Ethan alone in the room.

He let out a tired breath after she was gone. Fuck, what will I feel like tomorrow? A Lycan's chew toy? Swallowing through the aches and pains, what helped the most was breathing. Surrounded by her scent around the room gave some ease. He looked toward the couch, wanting to sit, but it felt so far a walk. The next closest was her bed. He hesitantly took the few steps over to lean on it. Hissing at the mixed feeling of relief and re-freshened aches elsewhere. Staring down at the plush bed calling him to lay down and rest. Sitting would be fine. Long as I get up when they come back. already easing on the bed's edge by the time his thought finished. Body letting out all sorts of cracking pops as if settling back into his proper positions. He winced the most when his back relaxed, despite still giving a sense of being locked in bent shape.

A few deep breaths tempted him to relax further. Coming up with an excuse he didn't bother to fight. Just to stretch my back out. Doing just that after laying back to further sounds of snapping down his spine. Groaning out of pain mixed relief he shut his eyes to lay there briefly. Okay, I should get up. his mind thought, but body refused to follow. Hesitation leading him into a deeply needed sleep.

While Bela had just reached her mothers office. Baby rose on the verge of sleep in her arms, assuming Ethan would want her back for bed time. She gingerly entered her mothers office. “dinners ready. … and Ethan finished his chores.”

Alcina seemed disinterested in the announcement. “good.” was her only answer while looking over papers. “I’ll be done here in a few minutes. You can set my dinner in my room.” writing a few things.

Bela hid her building frustration. Taking in a calming breath she requested. “He needs a list for tomorrow.”

“tomorrow?!” attention snapping to her daughter. “He finished that whole list?!”

“yes?”

“that list was for the month!”

“...oh. … we thought-...” fidgeting with Rose at the misunderstanding. Usually her mother formatted lists a bit differently on how they’d be taken each day. “It was really dense.” pointing out the issue.

Alcina rubbed the bridge of her nose. “...yes, it was.” recognizing the mistake. “Where's he now?”

“I left him in your room. He’s waiting for another list.”

setting down her pen she stood from her desk. “Well, let's go talk to him then.”

Bela perked at her mother going to see Ethan. After trying so hard to gain at least some crossing of each other's presence. Thoughts going back and forth on how their meeting would go while following her mother. Passing to get ahead on opening the door for her.

“mm.” Alcina hummed when she found Ethan sleeping at the end of her bed. Arms resting on his chest with his legs hanging over the edge.

“he worked through the entire day. I don’t think he had lunch by how quick he got dinner down.” trying to pacify any anger her mother would have toward finding him on her bed. “want me to wake him?”

softly spoken, so casually. “no, he’s earned it.” hiding her excitement for the omega sleeping on her bed, in her personal den.

“Should I give Rose to Beneviento?”

“mm, no, I’ll take her. When he wakes we’ll talk and he can take her to bed.” gently taking the bundle who woke from the moment. Humming to her a soft tune from long ago the fussing little girl went right back to sleep. Smiling in satisfaction to herself she turned to Bela. “has she eaten?”

“Yes, mother. Should I bring your dinner?”

“Yes, and a few bottles.”

Her daughter nodded and swiftly swarmed away to fetch what was asked. While Alcina stepped over to her large arm chair to sit at a small side table. Softly looking down at the child sleeping in her arms, then over to winters. Looking just as sound asleep on the thin bedding. That annoying itch of the improper nest coming to haunt her. Followed shortly by the bitter knowledge that it doesn't matter. Smile drooping then forced back on with Bela's arrival. Loving the elegant plate before her of roast pork in a hot broth of mixed vegetables. “wonderful choice.” she complimented the plate set for her.

“Thank you, mother. Cassandra caught it this morning.”

“should have known.” dipping her head as Bela left for dinner with her sisters. Taking up a fork to get started she eventually finished her meal. Ethan was still deeply sleeping on her bed and rose being the same in her arms. He needs the sleep. Passing on waking him she gathered up her nightwear to go change in her private bath. A simple switch into fresh pajamas covered by her silk robe she lightly tied at her waist. Shutting her bed canopy for the most part without disturbing Ethan. Going around to the other side to get into bed. She was still going to sleep here, despite Ethan's presence. It was the only bed big enough for her height and there was more than enough room for them both anyway.

Meanwhile Bela finally had time alone to bother Donna without her sisters watching. A bit late on catching up she had to shake Donna awake. “Donna! Donna!”

she sat up with Angie waking too in the chair sat near. “What do you want?!” snapping from their disturbed sleep.

“Ethan's sleeping in mothers bed! What do we do?!”

“Wow, already?!” looking to Donna. “we’re better match makers than I thought.”

Donna waved up a hand then rubbed her face to wake up more thoroughly. “wait.” she mumbled in her whispered voice.

“think they’ll be okay?”

“They are in bed together.” Angie snickered. “then again with the height difference-”

“not like that! He fell asleep right after finishing that huge list of chores and mother let him stay.”

“gah, got our hopes up for nothing!” tossing her arms up then dropping them to create a small clacking noise. “same as before, gotta wait. This is progress still. If you keep passing gifts he’ll keep drifting toward her. And as long as he doesn't leave to some vacant forest plot. All should be well.”

After Ethan's rejection, they all assumed that was that. Ethan would eventually leave with rose. Alcina would naturally go through the rejection stage. The agitation, the seclusion, destruction of objects, and short fuse with others. But they didn't expect it from Ethan. The two refused to see that some bonding had occurred. First sign being during the alpha battle, running off to provide support for his bonded alpha. then his following symptoms in the castle. Lack of appetite, lack of sleep, his wandering nights of the castle were an urge to find her, but of course she was going through rejection in seclusion.

Everyone refused to confront the elephant in the room. Ethan had nowhere to go, they had bonded and the vast denial that they were in was harming both their health. Donna and Bela, as each sides betas, agreed to nudge them together. Starting with the courting gifts. Alcina certainly wasn't going to give more, so they had to sneak some from her. Instincts couldn’t tell the difference between a gift and a gift. All they needed was to pass something from her with her scent all over it. The list of chores worked perfectly with Bela lacking her own scent to taint it before delivery.

“I hope this speeds up mothers healing.”

“if he stays all night in that room it will. Maybe she’ll actually join the dinner table again.”

“What should we do tomorrow? I’m sure mother will give him another list. That’ll buy us more time before he leaves.”

“A lot of waiting, try to up the meetings. We’ll have to leave to press that.”

“leave? but what if he wants to follow?”

“he won’t, can’t- sorta. he won’t want to and can't if he works here. A small talk will convince him to stay, no problem. Without us he’s going to attach to someone else. Maybe you, for a bit, but it won’t last. We’ll see how he is tomorrow.”

Bela nodded. “Thank you, sorry I woke you for this.” stepping toward the doorway.

“part of the job.” even Donna's need for sleep oozed through Angie’s voice.

Donna managed to whisper mumble a “good night.” as Bela left.

Ethan slowly woke to the cold coming over him. Aches throbbing at every part of his body he slowly opened his eyes to the darkened room. The fire had been out for so long that even the embers had died. What light there was, was of the moon coming through the large windows. Squinting at the canopy being mostly closed and blocking that. He was slow to notice the other in bed with him. Opening amber eyes, catching the light, flicked fully to his direction at the minor moment he did. He tensed, remembering where he was and who he was laying before. Sitting up suddenly, locked up in pain he winced out an apology. “sorry.” wanting to get up, but his sore body wouldn’t allow it. Stuck wallowing in guilt at his stupid action.

“you’re fine.” she softly soothed. “your rest is well deserved. I didn't mean for that list to be done so soon. It was meant for a whole month. I apologize for not organizing the list better.”

“oh, it's fine. …” glancing around in preparation to get up. The mere thought had his body screaming at him. Developing a fear that he’d faceplant right out of bed.

Even she could see his inner fight over leaving. Softly coaxing him. “You can rest back down.”

“...thanks.” still mildly worried about being intruding, but if she said it was fine. About to ease back down when he stiffened up again. “I have to get-!”

“She's here.” easing him as she lifted a hand to gesture over the child resting at her chest. “Do you want her?”

not wanting to wake her. “...no.” Fully easing back again he held in a groan of pain rushing over. Breathing out a long tired breath the worry of leaving his child in the alphas arms hadn’t crossed his mind. Neither did the thought of how the alpha would react. She was elated to be trusted with the omegas child. He only began worrying when he heard Rose fussing from her sleep. Opening an eye to watch if she’d calm down again. He didn't have to watch long after Alcina began to hum a tune. Ethan himself was eased into almost falling asleep again when Déjà vu hit him like a truck. He heard that tune before, many times, when putting rose to bed he’d start the CD player. Taking out a disk, snapping the case shut, reading the band's name as- “Miss D?!” he leaned up, pain stopping him from sitting up too fast. The mentioned name had Alcina's face scrunch. “You were in a band! With the Pallboys!” everything on the CD case hitting him at once.

“ugh, who told you about that?”

“No one, we have a CD back home.”

“oh, one of those is still around?” giving a half eye-roll.

“Rose likes it. It helps her fall asleep.”

“Well, of course.” she smirked. “She has good taste.”

“you don’t seem to like it much.”

her smile dropped. “mm, those bright stardom days on stage weren’t very bright behind the scenes.”

“oh.”

“that was long ago.” waving as if she could shoo the memories away. “my girls hardly know about it and I rather keep it that way.”

“Do you still sing?”

“somewhat, not for show. For myself when I’m bored over paperwork.”

“… what happened?” treading lightly on the subject.

She let out a long breath through her nose. “… a lot of messes. Money, drugs, politics wrapped up in death. So many cover ups. … I couldn’t keep up with that life. Even if my-... health had been better. At the time. I needed the money and most jobs were too strenuous. But singing was easy, started in late night bars. Got wrangled into a band who needed a singer. We grew to play at all the grand jazz clubs. We traveled for a time to play place to place. We even went to America on a few occasions. Then things unraveled when world war two hit. Money was tight, travel was restricted, clubs and bars didn't have the party atmosphere they used to have. The nights under the spotlight weren’t worth it anymore. Most of the band was suddenly drafted. Us remaining tried to go on. We dipped into addictions to escape the stress and nightmares of a worsening war. I hated everyone that I used to see as family. It was all business deals, to keep us on stage or to keep our lives. We were at each other's throats. Favors had to be paid, far too degrading, for a measly bit of time until the next demand. Even after the war and things turned back to some form of normalcy. We had far too much debt to pay. some of the boys never returned from war. The ones that did drowned their sorrows and took it out on me when they had no bottles to stare into. For years I stayed for the money in the end, but that was drying up. It hit me how far I’d fallen when I started paying to keep us going to the next show. I was fighting alone to get the remaining boys on stage. I was cornered and desperate for an out when I got a letter. Some distant relative of mine had died and being the lone decedent I was to be given all the estate.” remembering that elegant letter, its cursive writing was far too familiar now to who wrote it. “by what was promised I didn't know if it was true or some cruel trick. Either way, I couldn’t keep living how I was. My only out was to spend all I scrounged up to flee in the night.” taking another deep breath. “hopped on a ship, some flights, a carriage ride and made it here. You can fill in the rest.” letting out a low growl she changed to a rough hum to keep from startling him. “may they all be rotting in hell.”

“… I’m sorry.”

“No need, you weren’t there.”

“Is that why?... you hate men?" During all his running, there was a curiosity for her rich hatred. All the insults thrown his way to how she reacted to him like a plagued rat. All that hate had to come from somewhere, after all.

“mm, very much so. … but I’ll give you a pass.” she clarified. “you’re harmless, mostly. Far too good a shot.” her joke had them both chuckle.

“mm, had a lot of practice.”

“the Bakers?” remembering all the descriptions Ethan gave about his scars.

“yeah. My wife disappeared - she had a lot of secrets. I got a message from her, years later, after I thought she was dead. I rushed to Louisiana and swam through corpse water. Fought off black mold creatures with teeth that would make a crocodile jealous.” smiling lightly when he heard a chuckle. “a whole family infected by the stuff that twisted and mutated into things I can't really describe. A false human being who looked like an old woman and a child. Mocking me for not wanting to join the family she was making. Destroyed the infection and was swept away to be interrogated for hours about things I hardly had a clue about.

Lots of therapy, lots of couples therapy. I thought I could get it all behind me, but I don’t know. A part of my sanity’s gone? It's like a chunk of me has been left behind in Louisiana. We kept living, had Rose and I felt more whole again in a long while. Replacing it was living in paranoia for something to happen...” gesturing an arm up to flop back down. “Here we are.” ow. Wincing at the movement.

“I imagine you’re still tired from it all.” taking up one of the extra blanket layers to toss over him. “Let's put those memories to rest, before the sun catches us, and let yourself recover after today.”

He hummed in agreement. Shuffling the blanket around to cover him he caught the comforting scent of her off it. Shutting his eyes easier than the past few nights.

-----------

aye, merry Christmas. :v//

managed to get this one done for the holiday, but unfortunately i am officially out of pre-written chapters. so from here on updates will be very random.

#resident evil village #alcina dimitrescu #ethan winters #bela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #donna beneviento #angie beneviento #alcithan #ethan x alcina #re8 village #pride and ruin fanfic #Alpha/ Omega diet flavor #Alpha/ Omega non-traditional

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reddogf13 · 7 months ago

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do you remember?

when you realize the person your daughters stalking and who you just insulted can easily snap your castle in two.

----

Alcina is VERY terrified of witches and for good reason. after hearing that a witch has smote a whole city near by. she fled not only the castle, but the country to across the seas. only returning centuries later with her daughters after assuming all witches are dead.

only to find that exact terrifying witch is now living in her town and being annoyed by her daughter.

Donna has come to warn the vampire to get a hold of her. only to shortly be dismissed. and Alcina learns very quickly shes been stare- paralyzed. this is also why Donna swapped off her veil for the odd mask. she needed her eye cleared for a direct gaze.

all this just to basically say. "have your kid stop stalking me and stay off my lawn."

----

last panel i kinda hate/ love. angles a bit wonky. decided to make it taller. making the bottom stretched last minute. but oh well.

that last panel is practically a poster.

#resident evil village #alcina dimitrescu #donna beneviento #re8 village #Witch of Beldez fanfic

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reddogf13 · 7 months ago

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Pride & Ruin CH 8

on A03 as well

Alcina X Ethan

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - fowl language and gore

Previous chap: Ch:7 Cataclysm

Next chap: Ch:9 Tokens & Memoirs

___________________

~Ch:8 Cascade~

After visiting their mother, the girls joined Daniela in the kitchen. Daniela excitedly brought Ethan a bottle of warm milk. Saying hi to rosemary who smiled and giggled up at her after being awoken for her dinner. Returning soon after to help set up the dining table before calling everyone in to sit. Still tuckered out, Ethan tucked rosemary back into bed. The sleeping quarters were close enough to hear her if she started crying. Bela checked in on Donna's health, then on Ethan's. “your fever hasn't spiked again. Feel hot at all?”

“haven't for a while. I think it's actually gone this time.” sitting next to Donna he looked to the large chair further down. “Is your mother coming?”

“no, she's staying in to not strain herself.”

“how is she?”

“doing fine.” Cassandra answered. “lots of stitching needed to be done. Her face I couldn't do anything about. The skinned half has to grow back on its own. She hopes it won't scar. Her leg had the muscle pierced, that'll need time even after I closed it. She says she's sure her ribs are broken and will take the longest to heal.” digging something out of her pocket to slide across the table. “That's yours.”

“what is it?” squinting at the silver piece.

“a bit of bullet that fell out of her side. Must've gotten stuck between the quick healing.”

he awkwardly looked away. “oh. ...” dipping his head down.

“After resting a few days most things should be healed.” Bela finished.

“ah.”

“You shouldn't have run away earlier. What were you going to do? Try not to get crushed in the fight? You would've been Miranda's prime target and then-”

He let out a whining sign. “Why am I getting scolded again? I said I was sorry.”

“because mother asked me to.” she smirked as she poured him a glass of tart blood orange lemonade. Setting the pitcher in the middle of the table. It was a brilliant orange color mixing with fresh cut slices of both fruits. Sipping on his glass, he watched the pieces settle around the ice in waiting for the food. Stomach growling at the savory smell traveling from the kitchen. Once everyone was served and seated they dug into the meal. Mini open faced pies baked with smoked salmon, cheese and a few other savory things he wasn't used to. Still he liked it and was happy to have it.

“at least it isn't burnt.” Angie mumbled. Receiving an elbow from Donna to be nice. “what? She burns everything, doesn't she?”

Ethan almost choked on a sip of lemonade from holding a chuckle. Hearing the girls talking about their mother. Daniela, overexcited about it, talked fast about the new things they learned about their mother.

“She can't breath fire, but she has a swarm like ours – The second head has some separate thought processing, but no self of its own - It's actually harder to eat with all the jaws and takes some shifting of them to swallow the food back. - She can choose when to change, except when she hasn't had any blood in a while then-” Daniela went on and on.

Ethan listened to a good chunk of it as he ate through his meal. Mind drifting off onto his plans for the future. The girls seemed to have had their own already.

“we're still going to Spain?!” Daniela had to be pushed out of Bela's space.

“Yes, I asked what we were going to do with the property. She said it wouldn't hurt to have a home for the colder months. Expanding the business was a grand idea as well. With Miranda gone we can go wherever we please.”

“when?!”

“maybe close to spring. Depends on her getting better. We'll visit for a little while to set it up as a proper home. Maybe some maintenance as well.”

Ethan took a sip of his drink in drifting off in thought again. Sounds like they got a plan. Maybe I have until spring to move out. Setting the date for himself then have the girls enforce one.

Easier said than done with the days passing by. It all felt incredibly slow and yet distressingly fast. Three days later, Ethan had been scribbling ideas. Only to toss them away in crumpled piles collecting in a milk crate. Ethan looked across the spread papers duke delivered to him earlier that day. Crossing over job offers the entire day for what he discussed. Thankfully farmhands were needed everywhere and provided lodging of some sort. Off to the side was a bottle of fresh suppressants to keep him going for a while. When he finally did choose he wouldn't have to worry when his next dose could be afforded. Scanning across the offerings he felt light headed and sick. Torn on wanting to choose and wanting to stay where he was. We can’t stay, I already said no. I'm just being a mooch now. Raking his hands through his hair he leaned back. Taking in a deep breath to settle his stomach. ... I haven't seen her in a while. Glancing toward the door leading into the main castle halls. Is she doing okay? Must be, the girls aren't too worried. All their chats had been surrounding their eventual trip to Spain.

He rubbed his face in breathing out his stress. Fighting back the exhaustion weighing on him. Sleep of any sort had been fickle for him. Half the nights he’d been up wandering in the hopes that he’d sleep after returning to bed. He would, however, never very deeply. The lack of sleep was starting to affect him in the waking day. He didn't even notice Angie had come up to stand by him.

scanning across all his papers. “How stressful can it be to pick a farm, ain't they all the same?”

“no, most the jobs are seasonal. Sends most of these into the trash.” crumpling another paper to toss. “Maybe I’ll just pick one for now and be a bit of a nomad when the seasons end. Can’t sit around here forever.”

“better stay.” Donna softly whispered.

“huh?”

Angie clarified. “Lady Dimitrescu needs to do a lot of healing and your presence helps that along. Better you stick around.”

“you sure that’s a good idea? I feel like I shouldn't be here after the refusal.”

“you’ll be fine, like she’d kick you out, and it's better for her.”

“mm.”

“you’ll be closer to the duke for any documents you need. Rose will need a lot of them if you plan to travel. What if you need to cross some borders?”

“That's true.” glancing over his awkward pile of papers. “but…”

“but what?”

“my healing presence isn't worth much. I’m just taking up space here.”

“You take up the same space as a broom closet. If you're so worried about sitting around, go talk to lady.”

“and say what?”

“ask for chores. Maybe get some courage and ask for a job. She's had like twelve positions open since the- uh- staff firings, and no one else is lined up.”

“hmm. Not a bad idea.” do something, maybe earn my own money for the move. Shuffling papers back into a stack he shoved them into a drawer.

Bela peaked her head in. “dinners ready. We’re having venison and mashed potatoes.” swarming away back to the dining room.

“food!” the doll excitedly screamed. Running ahead of everyone else.

“You don't even eat.” Ethan called after her. Taking rose with him to sit at the table before his hot meal. To the side a small plate of mashed potatoes and a bottle for Rose.

“Rose does and it's fun making potato castles with her.”

“Yeah, and you don't have to clean her up.”

“exactly!”

He rolled his eyes. Pulling the small plate away for Rose to eat a couple spoonfuls without Angie sticking her hands all over it. Looking to the large seat left empty for the 4th night in a row. He worried again how well Alcina was doing having not seen her since the fight. I can try seeing her tomorrow for that talk. wincing when a splat of mash hit his face. Rose had gotten started on her potato mountain without help from Angie. He chuckled while taking up a napkin to clean himself off. Chatter filled the dining room over the course of their meal. Half of Ethan's plate was gone while the rest was picked at. Another trip up he’d been facing the past few days. Coaxed a few times by Bela to eat more from his plate until that no longer worked on him. Simmering down, Ethan helped clean the dishes despite Bela telling him it wasn't needed. Partly he hoped it would tire him out in preparation for bed.

Castle, calm in darkness from the normal daylight hustle. Became the perfect time for one's thoughts to run through the quiet night. A black nail tapped a shattered piece of mirror. The desk covered in similar pieces littered down to the floor. Alcina stared into the half remaining of the destroyed mirror. The glow of her eyes caught in the reflection of the cracked glass. Looking back at her miserable self sitting alone in the dark. Why am I not enough? Looking over her knuckles. Still too slow. Continuing to bleed from punching the vanity mirror. Was it worth it?… Well, Heisenberg is gone. Softly smiling about it. Her lovely landscape view was always tainted by the black smoke of Karl's running factory, but now no longer. No more meetings with him, or anyone. No one can call me useless, worthless, a disappointment. These are my lands now and I doubt Donna will challenge me for the title. She sighed at the dreadful feeling sinking in again. Ethan was still here, she wanted him to leave already. But wasn't about to chase him out. Why bother? to make the position available? Could I find another omega out there? Should I take the time to travel? She shut her eyes until a plik noise had her look down. Growling at her side, pooling blood that dripped down to the floor. Great, hate getting blood on the carpet. She stood from her small stool, wincing at a stabbing pain from her ribs. Limping out into the darkened hall down to the large cleaning closet. Grabbing a handful of gauze rolls to return with.

Ethan hadn't been wandering the dark castle for too long. He tossed and turned in his bed for hours. Tired of that he left the room to wander the castle. Having no goal of where to go, but hoping his buzzing thoughts would be silenced. Questioning whether it was anxiety or for other reasons. Her scent was gone from the common areas. He missed the talks, her gentle care to calm his nerves. He felt alone, even with the girls still happy to hang around. He avoided the alpha for as long as he could and now all he wanted was to see her.

He stopped at a crossing hall, having heard unsteady steps. Overly quiet, he knew whose they were right away. Shrinking slightly against the nearby wall when she came into view. It was the first time he'd ever seen her in a more relaxed presentation. A short sleeved buttoned up nightshirt of varying grays that draped to her hips. Matching baggy pants went down to cover a pair of simple black slip-on shoes. Her hair flowed down loosely into wavy curls ending at her shoulders. Her beauty captivated him, as much as it did when he first saw her. Despite keeping quiet her eyes flicked onto him. A golden glow from them catching the minimal light.

Spotting him immediately, she stopped to ask. “Why are you up?”

He swallowed before answering. “couldn't sleep… why are you?” trying not to over step in asking. He cast his eyes down from hers. He didn't know how she'd still be taking the rejection.

“Bandages... Do you need anything?”

“No, I'm fine.” Ethan studied her hands without their usual gloves for cover. He saw the start of her sharp black nails along with the oddity of her finger tips being black as if frostbitten. Maybe it's just an illusion from the shadows. Concerned about the fresh blood on her knuckles, but he didn't ask about it. carefully glancing over he did spot another concerning issue. The edge of a large bloody patch at her side. From his angle he couldn't tell exactly how big. A plip noise hit the cool marble floor, now marked by a drop of blood. Following where she came from he could see a small trail highlighted by the moonlit windows.

She glanced back just as he did. Scowling at the mess she was trailing. “You should go to bed.” limping past the crossing halls to leave Ethan alone.

Leaving the way she was had Ethan's anxiety spike. She can't be left like that. “Can I help?” he offered before she got too far.

She stopped to look back. “If you wish.” giving him the grace of catching up to her side before continuing.

The quiet of their walk only broken by the sound of their steps. Along the way he watched the steady drip of blood turn thick in a steady trail. Slowing behind to catch up to her other side. Getting a good look at the wound staining from her ribs to pool at her hip. Blood collecting at her nightshirts edge to flow off. This needs more than a change. Glancing repeatedly at the growing stain he debated on asking about it. Trying not to stare at the bloody bandage siding the left half of her face. Alphas didn't like weaknesses to be pointed out. Watching her step through the darkened doorway of her room, he stood back at its edge. Instincts warning him that he was about to jump into an abyss where something dangerous lived. An alphas den could turn into an imprisoning nightmare for an omega. He couldn't run or claim some space to himself like the other den, she had full control here. His chest tightened at the idea of entering. Jumping at her stern voice.

“It's rude to linger in doorways.” she tempered her agitation to not snap at him. “come in, or go away.” Not happy about leaving the door open while he stood between it. Regretting she took his offer to help, even if the extra hands made it easier. Flicking a match she tossed it into her fireplace. Lighting up a small patch of kindle on a lone chunk of wood. Just enough fire to make a working light, but one that would die quickly. Grabbing a black jug from the side table she popped off the cork. Pouring the pure blood into a wine glass only cut by some added spices. She didn't want to be drunk off blood wine all the time and her healing demanded it straight. Taking a sip as she grabbed the medical kit she'd been keeping close. Long out of bandages after these past few days. She sighed in setting aside the bottle of medical alcohol. Where to begin?… my face. Staring at herself in the broken mirror. Coming into view of its reflection was Ethan, stepping inside after his long hesitation. Her focus on treating her injuries was lost as she watched him react to her den. Chest fluttering at an omega approaching so close.

His curiosity of the décor around the room to how he was carrying himself. Nervous, yet overall he was relaxed in his bold approach others wouldn't do. Taking notes of his health being. Less than subpar. She tapped a finger against her bandaged face. Wanting to herd him into nesting down on her bed. Not liking the circles darkening under his eyes. his clothes looser than before made it tempting to offer him a meal. Switching to his anxiety over the blood bottle nearby. She considered putting it away to make him comfortable. … doesn't matter. He's leaving soon. Moving her resting hand to remove the bandage on her face.

The peeling sound of medical tape reminded him what he was here for. approaching quietly over to her side while she inspected her face. Appearing quite gruesome by the layers of revealed muscle her skin once hid. Deep claw marks funneled down the collected blood to drip off her jaw. blood dabbed away from where it smeared around, now clean for a new bandage patched on. Maybe this will be gone in a few more days. It better not fucking scar. Full willing to mangle her own face to erase Miranda's mark upon her skin.

Facing toward her side to tackle the larger wound next. She lifted the edge of her bloody nightshirt to scowl at the fabrics drenched condition. It'll take forever to remove this stain.

“your stitches popped.”

glancing at him then back toward her side. “was afraid that was the case.” It was hard to see from her angle, but by the amount of blood she knew it was true.

“I can restitch it, if you let me.”

She nodded. “Yes, let's do it by the fire for some light.” grabbing the med box to take along. Setting everything on the coffee table she grabbed the alcohol rag to clean away the blood as much as she could. Pressing dry gauze to hold in the rest long enough for Ethan to start stitching. Wincing at him pulling out the old torn wire first. The rest went far more smoothly needing a small clean up at the end before the new bandage was wrapped on. Reaching the end of the wrap he dug around the box for a pair of scissors to cut it off. Knowing he wouldn't find any she offered a sharp claw. He leaned away at first, then slipped the wrap against it. Sliced through without resistance he taped its end down to the rest of it.

She spoke a soft. “Thank you.” taking the glass of blood up to her lips.

“welcome.” setting the items back into the med box.

The silence settling in made him tense in her presence. Not liking that, she struck up some conversation. “Where do you plan to go?”

“not sure. … the country side somewhere? I was aiming to be a farm hand. Get my own place, maybe travel a lot.” clearing his throat. “I-i don't think I want to be around people anymore. Everyone I’ve gotten close to... My wife worked for some company that nearly killed the both of us after she went missing for years. A man who was supposed to protect us-” choking up on his words. “killed her. … him and his squad took me and rose away. ...Miranda discovered me and rose through a leak... I’m tired, I want to settle. was aiming to be self reliant and off grid from society. Live in the countryside enjoying some views and the fresh air.”

“What about your daughter?”

“... it'll be hard, but we'll make it.”

“how will you explain her?”

He scratched the back of his head. “stay cautious, like I did before.”

She didn't feel his plan was the best. Being on the run is hardly a life. So many things could go wrong, especially if anyone saw her and connected the dots to him being an omega. Strict homeschooling for her, then what after? They don't deserve this. A burning anger burst alive in her chest. The feeling of being useless to help him in the long run. What'd he even do wrong? If I could find those men I would- the wine glass in her hand shattered.

Ethan shrunk under the aggression. Much of the blood poured to the floor as the rest flowed down Alcina's arm. She closed her eyes to breath out the anger. Wanting to reassure him when she opened them again. “that wasn't toward you...” setting down the glass remains down onto the coffee table. Flicking the blood off toward the fire where it sizzled off in the heat. “You should go to bed.” leaving his side to get changed and clean. “You have a lot to plan.”

Ethan stayed quiet, nodding as he slowly got off the couch to gingerly walk out the door. All his actions oozed anxiety of accidentally catching her wrath. Soon as he was gone she felt a little relieved to be alone again. The fire dying down for the room to engulf itself back in darkness. She scooped up some new nightwear from the nearby dresser. Glaring at yet another blood stain she'd cause.

A fresh morning brought by the rising gold sun beaming through the windows. Ethan was still up after returning to his room. Those wounds were really bad. Breathing out his worry to rise from bed. Cleaned and dressed he did the same for rosemary once she was awake. Water splashed toward him from her bucket bath. During breakfast she tried to feed Ethan some banana he sliced for her. He smiled whenever she giggled at the faces he made. Holding her in a soft bundled blanket he held her hand through his breakfast. Chewing through another wave of anxiety. What am I going to do? Hiding it the best he could from his daughter. People will notice. A lone omega will spread like wildfire. Tapping his fork on his pancakes. Can I hide her away until she's older? Smiling at his little girl, patting his face, faltering briefly. I can't do that.

“you alright?” Bela asked, being the only other up so early.

“yeah... can you ask your mother for a list of chores?”

“you want chores?”

“mm... maybe a job.” he half mumbled.

“You want to be our maid?” an amused smile set on her face.

“better than me sitting around being useless.”

“you’re not being useless, you’re getting back on your feet after Miranda. That takes time.”

“not really. Earning money before I go can help. So why not?”

“mother would just give you the money.”

“no, I don't want to do that. Not after everything else.”

She smiled. “alright.” cleaning up her plate. “I’ll have a talk with mother before everybody else wakes.” preparing the later serving of breakfast she set aside a gathering of foods across the table. With an assembled plate she grabbed a special bottle from the cellar. heading toward her mothers room, knowing she would be up by now, like she was. Swarming away she reached the elegantly carved door to give a quick knock. Entering after a quick answer she saw her mother leaning over the bed.

The room was still kept dark with the curtains shut. dressed in her usual morning robe, draping all the way to the floor in a silvery blue, its soft silk was tied close around her waist. Long sleeves draping over her hands onto the bed. Alcina was fixing her bed spread by repeatedly smoothing the covers. It's too thin- no-... it's not. Glaring down at the bed being such an improper nest. But it wasn't supposed to be one in the first place. Repeatedly telling herself so since Ethan left her den last night.

“Mother, breakfast.”

“mm.” she hummed, taking in a breath to ease her tension. Straightening herself she winced with a hiss at her ribs causing problems. “Have you eaten yet?” taking her plate she smiled at her daughter's concerned face. Wanting to calm Bela's worries that she worked so hard to hide.

she smiled back. “yes.” Wavering at seeing the vanity broken since yesterday.

To keep her from asking about it she redirected their focus. “ready to go over numbers?” being the guiding hand to fully settle Bela in the role of business owner. Not with the current winery, but their new Spain based one. Excited to do so, she looked forward to her other daughters gaining their own winery branches some day.

“Yes, but I wanted to talk about Ethan first.”

“winters, why?” tensing at the topic, but hiding it as her ribs hurt while she sat down. Was he leaving? Her chest turned unbearably tight. I have to- no. don't let him- no. scolding herself at every turn.

Bela's voice stopped the rushing thoughts. “He’s interested in working for us.”

“working?” tension dying to confusion. “what for, doing what?”

“money.” shrugging. “whatever you ask of him?

She scoffed. “That's all?” taking up a piece of bacon to bite a piece off. “why doesn't he a-”

prickly toward her mothers attitude. “He doesn't want to ask for it!”

“tone.” shooting her daughter a look, Bela dipped her head with a look away. “wasn't his plan to become a farm hand? He can get a place and a job elsewhere. He has to go.”

“he can’t.”

“Bela-”

“he can't!”

“tone.”

“no! You know he can't! And what about you?! Your healing-”

“will improve, but-”

“but it hasn't! Because you keep hiding in the dark!”

Alcina stood from her seat to snap back. Instead she hissed through a bolt of pain taking her breath away. Leaning against her small writing desk to recover.

“The healing hasn't improved at all. You’re still bleeding.” Bela continued while her mother couldn't. “and you need to stop acting like a child.”

she growled through grit teeth. “I'm not hiding.” snorting the next. “I'm healing, and doing so in private is not childish.”

“I wasn't referring to that! What happened to the mirror? Hm?… same thing that happened to the end table? The couch pillows, the statue or your last canopy?”

Her mother looked away. “my temper slipped.” she excused every time, however there was more to it. “What would you have me do then? Walk out and bleed down the halls?”

“Go hide in your office. At least you’ll pick up Ethan's presence while crossing the halls. Give him a job, it’ll keep him around and you can make a schedule to avoid him.”

She mumbled a list of curse words. “very well. I’ll give him a list.”

#resident evil village #alcina dimitrescu #ethan winters #bela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #donna beneviento #angie beneviento #ethan x alcina #alcithan #re8 village #re8 #Alpha/ Omega diet flavor #Alpha/ Omega non-traditional #pride and ruin fanfic

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reddogf13 · 8 months ago

Text

Pride & Ruin CH 7

on A03 as well

Alcina X Ethan

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - fowl language and gore

Previous chap: Ch:6 Before the Storm

Next chap: Ch:8 Cascade

___________________

~Ch:7 Cataclysm~

Ethan was holding his daughter in the back of the duke's carriage. Donna sitting next to him alongside Angie. Bela was sitting across from them holding a large long leather tube case. Nobody knew what was in it, just that she “couldn't leave without it.”. Her sisters were keeping a large fire going to keep everyone warm in the abandoned train tunnel. Duke sat toward the front reading books to pass the time.

“How long should we wait?” Daniela asked.

Cassandra looked to Bela. “How long do alpha fights last?” She knew who knew the topic best.

“usually not long, but mother and Miranda are way too different from the average alphas. Could be anywhere from an hour to days.”

Days. Ethan thought. I didn't think it could be that long. His imagination wandered to what that would entail. He'd only ever seen the results of a fight through pictures or on the news. Each one was extremely brutal like the fighters came fresh out of a war zone. Maimed beyond ever living normally again and those weren't fights to the death. torture could be inflicted on the other over the course of days. How much of Alcina's healing could keep up against Miranda's powers? His stomach knotted that he was the reason for this. Wanting fresh air he handed his daughter to Donna. “I need to step out for a second.” facing no argument as he stepped out to stand by the fire. Followed by Bela, who had been keeping close by his side.

Daniela tried to perk up the mood. “Spain will be exciting. Not a lot of snow. Won't need our coats full of hot rice anymore.”

“new things to hunt.” Cassandra added.

“new foods to try.”

“think the people will taste that different?” she snickered. Hearing their elder sister clear her throat, she stopped joking about eating people around Ethan.

“we have to lay low while there.” Bela reminded. “It's not like the village, who was used to us.”

“we know. Can't blame us for wanting to explore our new home.” Cassandra took it all a little less serious. “I'd like to taste the grapes. How fine are they compared to our mountain fed vines.”

Daniela nodded. “I hope they're sweeter. Ours are a little too sour to eat by the bunch.”

While they went on, Ethan had been mulling over his thoughts. Useless, absolutely useless. He scolded himself. Am I really going to stand around before running away? then hide in Spain with the girls for the rest of my life? While they know I'm the reason their mothers gone. I don't want that to be their main connection to me. I have to help somehow, even if it's causing a distraction. Checking on the girls from the corner of his eye. I'll have to sneak away first. Cursing how they were actually very good posters for never having done it before. Bela wasn't about to leave his side for anything. Comforting, but went against his current plans. Cassandra had been standing firmly on guard at the front of the tunnel with Daniela scouting for anything nearby while out for firewood.

He knew one excuse to get away without an escort. “... I'm gonna go take a piss.” he clumsily stated in walking off.

“Hurry back.” Bela called to him.

Answering back. “just need a minute.” soon as he was out of view he bolted into a full on sprint toward the church where the lord's last meeting was. Hoping they'd be there and not anywhere else. Banking on the fact he had a minute before the girls would call to check on him and that they didn't have the speed of flight on their side out here.

Meanwhile, ever since she made the call. Alcina had been unintentionally holding her breath. Going through the motions she felt disconnected. No turning back now. Karl was to be there first while she’ll be a little late. Ultimately they gave her the excuse that Ethan was caught early this morning. His child was found with him and both were being brought immediately. Even at such grand news, Miranda still gave no praise. Not like it was expected now.

Karl knew when to arrive, waiting there first to go on and on to Miranda. How much of a pain Ethan was to catch. To rant about the other tall lord “getting in his way”. A mild distraction and to make him less targeted by the time she arrived late with nothing to show. Already hearing him now as she approached the ruined church. Locking eyes with Miranda as she stepped inside.

Not giving her a moment to settle, Miranda asked. “You have the child and Mr. Winters?”

“Yes.”

“Where are they? Why didn't you bring them here?”

“Why didn't you tell me Mr. Winters was an omega?”

The priestess wings tucked in toward her body. “how do you know?” Feathers ruffled, she glared behind her mask.

“his suppressants wore off.”

“pfft, I thought he got his dosage before our interruption. a misstep I didn't consider.” Miranda scoffed. “No reason for you to know. Where are they?”

“No reason or didn't want me to? Afraid I'd claim him for myself?”

“You need no explanation.” her tone warned. “Remember your place, hand them over. Now.”

“where's that, in your shadow? I've outgrown it, mother. For years I've given you everything. I trusted you as any daughter would toward their mother. After all that time and- … Ever since your gift I've been disregarded. Tell me, what do you really think of me? A fancy secretary, an errand girl, a mere attack dog?”

She laughed. “don't think yourself so highly. You’re an experiment, just like those three gnats of yours. And like them, you were a failure with some perks.”

the dragon deep down snarled a snap of fire. “don't you talk about them that way!”

“you'll be lucky to have them after this. Bite your tongue and submit, for your own good.” nose stuck in the air she repeated. “bring me the omega and the child.”

she snorted. “The omega and his child are mine.”

“yours?!” appearing in a flash of black smoke before the tall lord. Wings spread wide and tall enough to block the other from the light. “Do you realize what you’re claiming?! Submit, NOW!”

“An omega, here after the first time in centuries, for his stolen child.”

“it's not about him!” Miranda let out a deep challenging growl. “that child is mine!”

“they're mine.” Alcina returned a threatening growl of her own.

“You insolent child! I gave you a new life and you dare bare your teeth at me?! I knew this would happen! None of you were ever truly loyal! I should have finished you myself then send Winters to do it!”

“what?” her brows furrowed. “you sent him?”

“Yes, his presence was only tolerated to deal with all of you. Surviving the mass wave of Lycan's showed great promise that he would have dealt with you and your daughters. If only that Mr. Redfeild didn't offset his dosage schedule. Now I have a bigger mess to clean up and when I find that pathetic omega. I'll be sure to rip out his heart and crush it under my boot!”

A deep growl rumbled through her chest. Claws ready to take the first strike. Before they could even be unsheathed they both heard a loud.

THUNK!

Miranda tensed into an overly straight posture. Brows creasing together she whipped around to face Heisenberg. left completely forgotten during the argument. Alcina looked down to a bloody patch building at Miranda's lower back side. Catching the silver handle of the titled, dagger of deaths flowers. So entwined with their argument, Alcina had forgotten their plan.

“WHAT DID YOU-!” Miranda roared, taking one step toward Karl when he reached his hand up toward her. The dagger aggressively spun to drill deeply into her side. “AHH!”

With Miranda doubled over in pain, Alcina took her chance. Claws out she delivered the first blow in their horrifying battle. In one motion, half of Miranda's wings smashed into the church's floor to crack the tile beneath them. Crumbled away to dust, the sight had Miranda retaliate despite the toxic knife deeply embedded in her. Slashing wildly she landed blow after blow in her fury. Alcina's once white dress was tainted more and more into a crimson red. Falling to the side were shreds just as deep a red color to liter their warring path. Smashed pillars, fallen walls, to chunks of floor flying to the ceiling. Miranda called upon the many roots of the black god to her side, but they were no match for the dragon's claws. As fast as they sprouted they crumbled in her presence. As much as Miranda's blood was falling to the floor a black sap joined it. “You'll regret this betrayal, child! The black god will not forgive!” her body twisted between cracks to stretch her limbs into black masses. Limbs resembling the very roots she called to her bidding. Yet, seeping from her eyes to be further spat from her mouth, the black ichor seepage encouraged Alcina. to take flesh in any way she could. Slashes left skin dangling off Miranda like leather tassels. Bone was making its presence known to the both of them. “How much longer can you hold?” Miranda mocked. “with that water you call blood. Ever fought before, alpha?” she laughed through the ick muddling her words.

Alcina's healing could only go on so much without a break. Blood loss wasn't as easily a fixable problem for her. Taking such blood back from Miranda wasn't possible after its poisoning. Still, she wasn't about to let Miranda keep it. Shredding off flesh in swipes or even vicious tearing by her teeth. Sharpening into razor blades she had to hold back many other rows wanting to sprout for a bite. Resorting to more slamming down of the other to hold herself stable. She couldn't afford such a shift after the damage done already. Smacking away more of Miranda attempts to choke her in roots. “This is getting old!” she snarled in shredding through the black vines. “Is this it, mother?! Your god you boasted so long about?!” taking up a chunk of the crumbled roots to throw at Miranda. Kicking away other pieces out of her path. She wasn't sure anymore if the red tint in her vision was by anger, or blood seeping into her eyes. “THIS-” slamming another chunk up by her claws to fly at Miranda. “IT?!”

Karl kept his distance in watching the fight go on its path of destruction. He could only offer a brief respite with the twisting blade. The deeper it dug, the harder it was to focus on. Preserving its meager presence still showing for an emergency. What little metal he found to toss or stab into Miranda was treated as him tossing annoying party confetti. Quickly brushed off with no harm done. Mistaken for another piece of church falling down on the two amongst their thrashing.

Alcina had pinned her one moment to bite a chunk off Miranda's face. Forced off by claws taking half of hers in return. A root slamming into her ribs forced her off entirely to crash through another wall. Under all their abuse, the old church couldn't stand anymore. Its ruined half collapsing over the two as Karl escaped out a side opening they destroyed earlier. Rubble shifted down to its final resting place. Clouds of stirred dust drifted away on the winds to stain the snow a reddish brown. Left standing above the rubble was Miranda wheezing through sludge forcing itself up. Spitting to hack it out she got a grip on her voice. Taking a breath of fresh air, she let out a long laugh. “ooh, what a shame.” spitting blood to the side. “I warned you, child.” mocking the ruins around her. eyes turned onto Karl watching through the dissipating dust. “one more down. let's see how you do.” grinning snarl cut into a roar of pain by the digging knife. “AGH!” sinking claws into her wounded side she desperately clawed the blade free. Gripping the dagger dripping the black ichor down its whole length. She looked back for Karl, seeing him gone she growled. Tossing the blade aside she spread her remaining wings to find him. Shaken from her take off she stumbled away from the shifting rubble. Wide eyed at the sight of a great big beast clawing free of its grave of ruin.

Many rowed jaws of teeth roaring at its prey stuck petrified before it. Miranda had seen it once before, but not like this. The bloody wounds she caused stretched the flesh apart in the shift. Muscles exposed as tendrils spreading to squirm along their shredded length. with its hidden tunnels of a flesh eating bug swarm weaving in and out as a threatening swarm. Limbs twisted and long far past its normal stature stretched outward at its sides. Coated in blood its white appearance was hidden to reveal a more disturbing flayed look. A massive pair of wings blotted out the noon high sun. Blood rained off its every movement and upon its back, set between its two wings, a seam split apart. From it a human-like torso covered in bristling tendrils. Grinning a wide smile of sharp teeth. “already forgotten what my gift can do?” Each step forward shook the remaining ruins. Shoving aside chunks with his clawed hands. A wing knocking a half fallen pillar out of the way. Looking back with annoyance, a wave of her tendril covered tail crushed a nearby house it had been hitting against. “There, now we have more room. Ready to go again, mother?” a deep inhale of that many jawed maw caught the scent she'd been wanting. Fear.

Roots sprouted to grab at the massive reddened dragon, only to be swiftly dealt with. Ripped free of the earth by its jaws to crumble away. Gripped on to be ripped out of the way like a weed, and seen just as much as a nuisance. The roots' appearance slowed to a stop as Miranda’s blood pooled around her. Breathing ragged, Miranda realized.

Seeing it so clearly in Miranda's eyes, Alcina knew she had won the war already. She just had to make sure to clean up the remains. Her hearty laugh was paired by a sharp toothed smile down toward the old crow. Miranda, out of desperation, took off with a swift spread of her wings. Alcina's wide victorious grin dropped to a grit tooth snarl. “COWARD!”

Charging after the other, she didn't need to take flight. Up the steep hillside her over stretched limbs caught her up in no time. to slam her jaws down on the mangled crow of a witch. A satisfying crunch made upon catching Miranda's leg. The other flapped frantically against the dragon's jaws. Agitated by the repeated wing slaps against her snout she shook the twisted crow as a dog would. Her swarm flowed out to bite chunks off the caught prey. Falling soon after by consuming too much of Miranda’s black ichor. Forced to let go by a root shooting up to pierce through her back leg. Roaring past the pain she lashed out on the root. Ripping it free of the ground it crumbled out of her leg. Whipping her head forward in search of Miranda she spotted the other as a flying shadow heading toward the horizon. Refusing to let her get away and return for revenge. A few shakes of her wings had her soaring off after the old bird. Catching up in record time the panicked witch swooped and dived around the various buildings. Crashing right through, the dragon refused to let anything slow its hunt. Snapping jaws at each turn to spit out an annoying collection of feathers. A path of destroyed forest covered in thick dripping blood and a spread of black feathers became their newest trail of chaos.

The old crows' flight turned wild as a moth. Struggling to hold a straight path while Alcina's jaws clipped more and more feathers free. Close enough for another attempt she spread the trap of teeth, felt the feathers fill her mouth, then slammed them down. Briefly it reminded her of a mass popping of bubble wrap off all the bones snapping at once. Jaws filled by a disgusting bitterant she recognized as a mix of blood and the ick. Wanting it out of her mouth as quick as possible she landed at the closest flat surface, the ceremony site. Wincing at the flavor, but unwilling to release her prey just yet. She gnashed her jaws repeatedly quick to grind what she had into the most vile paste. Only when her stomach threatened to revolt at the taste did she spit out the mess. Spluttering out all the feathers sticking across her teeth that held residue of the gunk. Drooling the rest free of her mouth she finally had the chance to take everything in.

Watching the thoroughly mauled pile shift into a white stone, then crumbling into dust. huffing at it to blow off the platform out of sight. Taking some deep breaths after, she still searched the horizon for Miranda escaping. Part of her couldn't believe she had done it, Miranda was dead. She could smell the alphas scent on the dust stainage left, the scent of death and stale mold. The dragon snorted at the air before stepping away in examining itself. Covered in far too many wounds to count that seeped far too much blood. She was tempted to lay down. Can’t do that. She swallowed out of fear. Standing wasn't looking any better. Adrenaline wearing off, the pain set her body aflame. Keeping stiff enough to stand her body shivered on each threat to collapse. Well, I'm not falling here. Glaring at the dust stain not far. Urging her body forward she limped along. Reaching the edge of the village buildings.

“uh. ...” came a gruff voice. She paused, eyes drawn down to Karl hiding behind a cobblestone pillar. “we done here?” he asked, trying not to annoy her.

“yes.” she growled. “stay in your factory, or leave. I don't care, but stay out of my way.”

“works for me.” he mumbled, disappearing off to where she didn't care.

Down the village's steep road she winced in slowing her descent. Stopping at the sight of scurrying black things in the fields she walked over. Taking a moment her fogged brain focused on a few of the ones watching in the distance around her. Lycan's. Despising their presence. Followers of Miranda, they were not welcome in her territory. Even more so since they didn't understand the meaning of submissiveness to their new owner. Stepping further toward the village they kept scurrying from her presence. Getting stupidly close she snapped a few in her jaws. Two bites and they were down her throat. Ugh, did eating all the villagers give nothing to fatten them? Tough, with hardly any meat it reminded her of the first rabbit Cassandra dragged home from one of her first hunts. Wanting to encourage her daughter, she ate it, but it felt more like gnawing on meat flavored bones. Still, after the small snack she felt a pinch bit better. Hmm, no other options for blood. These pests have to go anyway. Shifting herself she snatched a few more left and right. They weren't the brightest and tried hiding from her reach on roofs. Their scurrying was a simple few steps for her massive size. Flea bitten dogs. What a regal meal for a dragon. she sarcastically thought. Couldn't go the traditional route of sheep. Feeling like a big lizard snapping up ants. devouring more and more thinned the packs while picking up her own healing. Happy to see her wounds had stopped bleeding. Her whole self breathing out a groan of pain. She still wanted to lay down, maybe she could without risk of dying. Maybe after a few more. The bleeding's stopped, but I need to catch up on what I've lost already. Wincing again through her limping she slowed down between the tight spaced buildings. Huffing air at a few panicked chickens that would offer nothing. Spotting nothing else roaming around. She focused a swarm out from her hidden hive. Buzzing not far they searched for more prey to find nothing else around. Back to the fields? The strong hold would have far more, but could I get that far? Stretching herself up to see the large tower in the distance.

If she had turned the other way, she would have seen something else approaching. Ethan had made it back to the village with barely any air left in him. Fleeing from the girls was easier in a building with smooth flat floors. Down a scraggly mountain side, snow fall up to your waist while weaving between trees to hide should be seen as an Olympic sport. Why does Cassandra have to be a good tracker? What could she be tracking in castle halls?! There's no need for this kind of training! Tired, but still determined he kept navigating between the buildings. I haven't heard anything in a while. Is it over? Or did the fight move? Remembering the crashing and roaring in the distance sounding like a war zone going off. Did Miranda win? Was she looking for me? Repeatedly these thoughts pressed forward, then were shoved right back. Stopping to lean against a building he wheezed in some more air. Skin prickling at a loud buzzing noise. Girls? No, they can't fly out here, but- the buzz disappeared soon after starting his thought. Second guessing himself if he heard right he didn't have a chance to investigate.

“Ethan!” he had heard her scolding voice enough by now, to know who shouted. Looking back he saw Bela right away followed by her sisters. “You can’t go! Get back here!”

“nope!” running away as they still shouted for him to come back. Slowing after turning down three more alleys. He stopped to lean again. Maybe I'm far enough I can just convince the girls to walk me there. Determination to keep running, dying like his lungs right now. Ethan walked out of the alley, sure he heard the girls running footsteps right behind. He caught the large movement of something on the roof. Freezing that he had just run into a camping Lycan, what he found was much more terrifying. Some massive bloody torn beast over looking the building. Seeing only sections of it between the buildings it stood by.

A sudden breath in and a scuffle turned Alcina's head. Far too different to be a Lycan she scented the air. Unable to catch anything with the scent of her own blood overpowering her surroundings. Limping toward the sound's origins she scented the air again. Catching the hint of a few differentiating scents. Stale blood, rice, and a pharmacy. Doctors office? She would have shrugged, if not for the scent of rice throwing her off. Taking in another deep breath she caught another. Her own, although offset between age and the stale blood. Squinting, she knew who was there and wasn't happy about it.

Ethan had been yanked back by Bela a moment before to hide him beside her sisters. “What's that?!” he whispered.

“don't know.” Cassandra answered after peeking toward it. “never seen it before.”

“Can we outrun it?” Daniela asked.

“no chance, best bets to hide and stick to narrow spaces. If we can reach the forest-” quieting at the sound of heavy footsteps. Deep inhales taken to sniff at the air. Silence followed by another deep breath. Then came a dreaded growl that rumbled through their chests. Cassandra tugged their sleeves to get them moving.

Stumbling to a stop upon hearing. “girls!” their mothers voice shouted.

Daniela zoomed past them to peek around the corner despite Cassandra's orders to not. A huge smile grew on her face. “mother!” zooming off from their view.

Alcina sighed at seeing her youngest run up to her. Despite how poorly presentable she was while like this. “Hello dear, what are you doing here?” being patient with her excited daughter. “You were supposed to stay at the tunnel.” despite the anger for having orders ignored. Being greeted by her daughter happy to see her perked her up while feeling so awful.

Seeing that it was truly safe. Her other daughters rushed out. “we wanted to help.” Bela stopped her younger sister from saying much more. Already seeing their mothers agitation on her face. No matter the massive change in looks.

“and where's Ethan?” already having a clue.

Her eldest opened her mouth to answer, but Daniela blurted it out first. “he's here, we chased him here.”

“chased?”

“He ran away to help.”

Her sisters couldn't say anything to shut her up. Throwing her angry side eyes in the hopes she would get the hint. Digging them ever deeper a pit of trouble with their mother.

A low growl escaped her, cut short. “Winters.” sternly calling him forth. Locking onto his face peeking around the corner.

“yes?” he answered quietly, knowing he was probably in as much trouble.

Huffing out her great big jaws, she was too tired to scold them. More worried of what they'd think of her like this. Everybody knows now. She had kept her other half a well kept secret for decades, until today.

“Is Miranda gone?” Daniela asked.

“Yes, it's done.” happy to say that at least. “you may all go back to the castle.”

“What about you?”

“mm, I'm not in the best state right now. This change isn't exactly a blessing, my healing’s in the gutter because of it, but it had to be done. My bleeding's just barely stopped because I've taken to devouring the Lycan's scurrying about.”

Cassandra suggested. “What about all the blood in the basement?”

“Later, the vermin need to be gotten rid of anyway. It's best I keep at it. Handle two problems in one.”

“Can we help herd them to you?” it didn't take much to see how bad of a state she was in. hesitant to put weight on her injured back leg.

“oooh, I guess so.” relenting on letting her daughters help. “Bela, take everyone else back to the castle. We can care for Donna better at home. Since there's no trouble looming over us anymore. Set her and Ethan in the maid quarters.”

“yes mother!”

“come along girls. We have a lot of work to do.” trying to hold back her winces between limps. Finding it a little easier as her daughters unloaded a mountain of questions of: why she was like this? if she could fly like them, how many teeth she had, was it harder or easier to eat with so many jaws? It warmed her to hear all the innocent questions rather than judgment.

While Bela shooed Ethan along back to the camp. Lightly scolding him the whole way without being too harsh. Knowing where an omegas heart was in helping others close to them. They gave the grand news to everybody. Allowing the duke to keep the payment for their evacuation, since he was a great help anyway while putting his life on the line. Both were settled into the maids quarters. A basic long running room with many beds. For every two beds a thick curtain separated the next set. It wasn't too terrible with a view of the mountains out a few windows. A fireplace lit at the rooms end kept it comfortably warm. No leaks or signs of mold festering the place. Yellowed lamps lining down the room. The bedding wasn't the softest, but that was replaced with better bedding provided by Bela. Gauging Ethan's reaction to it, she kept bringing more for him to layer until satisfied. Setting up the crib to be brought down next to Ethan's bed. Rose fell right to sleep after all the stress of moving all day. Bela brought hot tea with a plate of deserts to relax their guests. She spent most her time with Donna to provide better care than the makeshift poultice they had to use to avoid suspicion. Ethan returning here felt incredibly put off, but Angie was quick to distract him by complaining how ugly the décor was. Dull carpets to dusty drapes the maids never bothered with. Old furniture dented and scratched through the years of use. Onward to the “tacky” wall art they then moved on to talk about – what now?

“so, what are you planning to do?” Angie sat on a bed beside Ethan's.

“... um. ...” his mind drew a blank. “live in the countryside I guess? Become a farm hand.”

“that all?”

“I don't know what else to do. Miranda found me out through some leak. my- who I thought was my friend, killed... Took me and rose from our home before I woke up here after the truck crashed. Him and whoever might still be looking for me. I have to live off grid as much as possible. Maybe become fully independent on my own land.”

“What about Rose? Schooling, then when she's older?”

“I don't know. Homeschooling I can do, but the future?” gesturing loosely in a wave. “I don't know if I can get that for either of us.”

“hey, what about the duke?”

“huh?”

“He's pretty good at getting things. Ask him to make you false papers. Won't have to hide, as much.”

“mm, I'll look into it tomorrow.” glancing at the darkening view of the sunset. “It's a bit late now.” turning his head to an entering buzzing sound.

It was Daniela happily announcing. “We're back!”

“How's mother?” asked her sister.

“doing better. Cassandra's with her in her room to patch up what hasn't closed.”

“some haven't closed?”

“no and others had no way to. Her face is still open- oh! I need to grab some bottles. I only meant to give the news and go.”

“Let me do it, I want to see her. You can get started on dinner. Maybe make something out of that smoked fish?”

“ooh, Yes!” she exclaimed, excited in following her out.

-------------

so, just to clarify, Miranda's motivations were the very same as in game. she only wanted rose for eves vessel and couldn't give two shits about Ethan. and was more of using him to try and kill the lords + boost the black god for the ceremony with those deaths. (sending him from the beginning as the disguised old hag.) BUT because of Chris's interference and off setting Ethan's dosage, he not only tossed a wrench into Miranda's plans, but a whole bundle of dynamite. a mix of assumptions on Alcina's part to Miranda letting her mask slip as she turned impatient. in the end the black god hardly had the power it needed to assist Miranda in her fight vs Alcina, compared to in game vs Ethan.

#resident evil village #alcina dimitrescu #ethan winters #bela dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #donna beneviento #angie beneviento #The Duke #karl heisenberg #mother miranda #alcithan #ethan x alcina #pride and ruin fanfic #re8 village #Alpha/ Omega diet flavor #Alpha/ Omega non-traditional

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reddogf13 · 8 months ago

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*minecraft cave noises

meeting the lady's must be intimidating, but i imagine its so much worse when they're towering gargantuan bats.

while the girls are excited to meet the new toys.

#resident evil village #bela dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #re8 village

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reddogf13 · 8 months ago

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aye its a thing!

girls vampire bat looks, kinda a description about their behaviors. kinda did these for self reference and just added the blurbs for more of something to post.

#re8 village #bela dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #resident evil village

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reddogf13 · 8 months ago

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Pride & Ruin CH 6

on A03 as well

Alcina X Ethan

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - fowl language and gore

Previous chap: Ch:5 A Bitter End

Next chap: Ch:7 Cataclysm

___________________

~Ch:6 Before the Storm~

Donna was cowering down on the couch, wheezing, arms holding her maimed face. Blood seeping past to fall off in a downpour. Collected on the floor in a vast puddle counting down the lord's dwindling life by each drop.

“one of you will find them. Or we'll be short another lord.” Miranda yanked the shocked group out of their daze. “grab Heisenberg and go to the reservoir immediately.” shoving her demand on Alcina.

Who locked herself to her seat. “Yes, mother.” speaking through a grimace she passed off as a wide set smile. To be falsely excited over Donna's suffering until the butcher bird flew from the home. Soon as they were sure of her departure, Alcina had appeared over Donna to get her seated straight up. Tossing the two remaining pieces of her veil away to look at her face. “Donna! Donna, I need you to open your eye!”

Those golden talons Miranda had weren't just for show. They had carved deep to forever be a permanent reminder on Donna's face. Without the healing factor like Alcina or Karl there was a deep fear of what was damaged. Flooding blood had distorted far too much to make out what was or wasn't untouched. Donna was fighting Alcina's grip to cower away. Sobbing and wheezing into a panic attack they couldn't let her collapse into. Angie had become what Miranda had called her, an inanimate object doing nothing.

Ethan was up from his seat running through what he could do. Daniela had froze, Bela was trying to help, unsure of what to do and Cassandra flew off toward the elevator. Looking to Bela he handed over rosemary. “take her.” grabbing the blanket they had to wrap it around Donna. Mainly her head to stop the bleeding. Hugging her as he held the blanket tightly to the wound. Doing what came naturally to an omega. Soothing her back from a breakdown he held her close quietly without trying to rush anything. She was shivering, but no longer sobbing so harshly between wheezes. He slipped the blanket back down to reveal her red coated face. The disastrous gouges looked to be caused by a bear. Bleeding profusely soon as the blanket was taken away. Donna flinched her face away for Ethan to not see her other half. He caught a glimpse of a mass, but that wasn't important to him.

Alcina covered that half of her face with a hand to keep her comfortable. Every lord had seen it before, although not recently. Taking the blanket she patted more blood away to see the damage. “Donna, can you open your eye?”

Her face twitched before struggling a small movement. Skin freeing itself from blood layers to part. There was a lot of red streaming down on tears just as stained.

Alcina let out a breath. “It's fine.” reddened by blood, but the clawed gouges narrowly missed the good eye. Allowing her to close it as they soaked the blood off her face by the blanket. Cassandra had flown in to open the first aid kit she hunted down in the lower floor. Prepping an emergency stitch job between careful cleanings of an alcohol soaked rag. Reaching a point the blood was stopped she doubled up the stitches in a bit of facial reconstruction. “Daniela, take Angie and help your sister take Donna to be cleaned and changed. We don't want an infection developing on those. When you're done, get her to bed.”

Delicate in taking the lifeless doll. “Yes, mother.” standing by as Cassandra picked up the injured lord into her arms. Following them toward the back rooms of the house. Donna was worryingly lifeless since the stitches were done.

Alcina looked to her remaining daughter. “Bela, I want you all to stay here. You'll be the betas of the house now. Take care of them and watch out for Miranda. I don't think she'll return, but if she does you all need to evacuate.”

“you're leaving?”

“I must, Miranda's temper is getting too dangerous to risk. Me and Heisenberg will do what she demanded, search the reservoir. I'm not sure, but maybe I'll be back by nightfall.”

Ethan’s eyes darted between where the girls took Donna and to Alcina readying to leave. “Wait, how long until Donna's healed?” Not liking the sullen looks he got.

Alcina gave the grim news. “could be weeks, maybe months, if nothing goes wrong” gaze down to the large amount of blood covering everything. “Her healing is nothing like ours. Those marks will be permanent scars, no doubt.” asking her daughter next. “read any books on herbal remedies?”

“many.”

“Think you can recreate the tea she's been giving Ethan? She'll need to take it now as well.”

“Yes, I can pick up on what she's been using around the pestle and mortar.”

“good. Keep the house warm. When Beneviento wakes, get her to eat something. She'll need help getting her blood up.”

“yes, mother.”

She spoke a few Romanian words to Bela, then kissed the top of her daughter's head. Ethan catching a few of them as “... -stay safe- … -hold post- ...”

His heart warmed at hearing her speak the language again. He'd been trying to learn it since moving here, but other than the basics he knew little. Ethan felt a bit useless as he just stood there. Donna was gravely injured because of him. Alcina left to leave a false trail for him. The girls were here taking care of him while he recovered. His dampening mood redirected by Bela. “Let's go to the kitchen. Find a distraction for the two of us.”

“yeah.” about to take back rose when he saw how much blood was on him. “I should clean up.” walking ahead to reach the sink he scrubbed himself clean.

“Do you remember anything about the tea she gave you?”

“bitter, yellow green color, some little purple petals. A ton of honey to cover the flavor.”

“Hmm, I think I got all that here.” picking up a few glass bottles to read. “I'll make a tea for you and a slightly different one for Donna. A poultice to coat the wounds would really help too.” chuckling at rose reaching out for the jars. “I was worried about her making noise earlier.”

“so was I.”

“She's really good at reading your cues.”

“yeah, I didn't know she was until this place.”

Opening a bunch of jars Bela took bits here or there to drop into the mortar. Cassandra had returned a little wetter than before. “got the fire stacked with more wood. Daniela's getting Donna to bed, still out of it.” letting Ethan know next. “bathrooms ready for you.”

“He can go after some herbal tea. We don't want his fever spiking between all of this.”

Without the emergency of stopping major blood loss, Ethan's curiosity came to the front. “What happened to her other eye? Did Miranda do that too?”

“sort of. It's the implanted Cadou Miranda gave. Each lord had various luck with theirs. Hers allows a bit of splitting between the dolls. Most her skills go into the hallucinogenic golden flowers everywhere. As for her eye, that's the only bad part. It overgrew and split through from its placement. Mother says it worsened over time into the mass it is now.” pushing a grounded paste into a tea cup. Grabbing more herbs to make a second batch. “first time we've ever seen it. I always thought it'd be a lot worse.”

“think she'll wake up anytime soon?”

Cassandra answered as she filled a bucket with water. “maybe in a few hours, or not 'till night arrives.” grabbing a mop to clean up the living room. “we should think of what we're going to do when mother returns.”

“What do you mean?”

“the lords were never close. It'd be odd for mother and us to care about Donna this much. It could be suspicious.”

“So what then?” Bela asked. “we abandon them as soon as mother returns?”

“We may have no choice.”

“... could take them home, but-” looking toward Ethan.

“oversteps the courting, doesn't it?” glancing at Ethan as she headed into the living room. The sounds of mopping heard from the room.

Ethan and Bela passed looks to each other. Silently asking what he thought about it. With him unsure about returning to the castle tower after last time. Daniela returned with nothing much to report. “Donna's asleep, her hearts still beating fast. think she'll be fine, but weak when she wakes.” following her sister's gesture to put the kettle on.

“better than slow beats after all that loss.” setting up a large bowl of a herbal poultice. “I'll go apply this. Give them their tea, then get him clean.” The sisters carried out their tasks of managing the house.

While their mother had pulled Karl out to scour the reservoir. Grumbling the whole way they avoided doing much talking until they could make noise. Karl lifting up a hunk of rusted boat stuck ashore. “wanna tell me about the blood?” he whispered to her before letting the boat slam down. “Nothing here.” he announced.

She ripped off the rusted door of another shipwreck. Whispering back. “Donna was maimed.” throwing it off.

“what'd you do?!”

“I didn't do anything!” keeping their voices low. “Miranda came in the middle of our meeting.” slicing junk out of the way. “which is why we're out here.”

“does she ...?”

“no, we excused the meeting about trying to find winters. With Salvatore gone and my girls unable to search here, it was the perfect place to mark his whereabouts.”

“So now we gotta search all this muck?” flying junk out of his way. Announcing something else. “we should check Salvatore's cave. Could've taken it over.”

“mhmm.”

“how long?”

“How long do you think until Miranda satisfied?” stepping through the dripping entrance to Salvatore's home.

“ugh, that's a fucking never. If she attacked Donna and forced us out here, her tempers getting too far ahead of us. We may have to call a meeting ourselves to lure her.”

“That would be too suspicious. We've never called a meeting together.”

“we're running out of time. She's cutting down lords and Donna's clearly next in line. When she's gone, it'll be you next.” crunching a metal gate out of their way.

“What makes you so sure?” a glare shot his way.

“If she threatens me, she only has me to threaten. If she threatens you, she has three other lives to torture first.”

Her hands tightened to fists. Taking a deep breath to sooth the fire in her gut. “Tomorrow then?”

“Do we have that much time?”

“Do we have the energy today to face her? Donna's bedridden, hopefully only until the night comes. Wasted energy here already. Keep searching until the day's end. I'll report we found some things and we're on his trail. Enough to keep her passive, set up ourselves for tomorrow. When we're ready, send the call that we've caught Ethan and she'll rush right over.”

“works for me. …” looking over papers scattered across a desk. Covered in gunk and soaking wet to the point the writing had blurred away. “I've been wondering why she wants them, doesn't make sense.”

“why doesn't it?”

“If she wanted him for a pairing, you'd think she wouldn't tell us to kill him. That kid, she wants most for the ceremony. And it's been what, three- four days since he arrived and she sent you looking for him. That's a big risk if his cycle was approaching and she was aiming the ceremony around that.”

“Hm, does it matter? In too deep now. An alpha who mismanaged a clan so badly it's running against her. What a disgrace after such a rising.”

“a rising? If that's what you want to call it.” he chuckled. “Just curious is all. Has she asked you about those soldiers hiding out?”

“soldiers, what soldiers?”

“a group of armed soldiers showed up two days ago. Small group, only six of them, lead by a guy named Chris Redfeild. She had me look into them hours after our meeting finished. Haven't gotten much on 'em and she doesn't seem too interested in them yet. Far more focused on Ethan and his kid.”

“where are they? What are they doing?”

“investigating it looks, nothing much else. Last I saw they entered the village to scope it out.”

“perfect, outsiders invading between all of this.”

“eh, if Miranda ain't worried then they're probably nothing. When they see there's jack all here they'll leave.”

“mm.” she hummed in knocking furniture away.

Carrying on their false search for hours. By the time the sun set she had returned to Donna's house along with Karl. The girls warmly greeted their mother, announcing they made dinner. Hearing the good news that Donna was up and eating with Ethan sitting at her side. Angie was up and back to being a nuisance toward everyone. Smacking Daniela away with a wooden spoon to not ruin her glorious soup on the stove. Which Alcina was complained to about by her daughter wanting to help cook. “Girls, we need to have a meeting. Can you check on Lady Beneviento to see if she's well enough.”

“She's fine now.” Angie stepped from the kitchen. “She ate on her own while talking to Ethan for the past hour. But don't go throwing around a bunch of big words. Too tired for that.” seeing even the lords exhaustion seep through Angie.

“alright. Let's gather around her then so she won't have to move.” waving her girls forward.

Ethan was in the room holding rose while talking with Donna. Keeping the conversation light around her garden or cooking. She faced a bit away to keep half her face hidden. When her bandages were changed she was more worried about the uninjured half being uncovered. Her injured side being the most Ethan got. Everyone had come down the elevator to meet in the room.

“eesh, what happened to you?” Karl looked to Ethan, but talked to Donna as well.

Ethan glared at him. “Well, to start, you stabbed me with a fence post when I first got here.”

Karl shut his mouth after that. Not liking that his attack on an omega was brought up. while right in front of the alpha wanting to claim.

“business meeting.” Alcina started. “Most of us will be going home tonight. Bela will stay here. When I get back to the castle I'll make a call that were on Mr. Winters trail in the reservoir. Me and Heisenberg will meet tomorrow, then call an announcement that we've caught winters and will meet Miranda for the final time.”

“tomorrow?!” the girls asked in unison.

Daniela spoke first. “That's so soon. I thought we'd have a few more days?”

“We don't, unfortunately. Miranda's targeted her anger toward Donna. If we drag out our search for too long ...” her daughters looked toward Donna's injured face. “She'll be the next to fall and I won't allow that after what she's done for us. Tomorrow morning you'll all meet up with the duke as we planned. … take care of each other” closing up the meeting. “get some sleep. Daniela, Cassandra, let's go home. Having most of you around will cover Bela being here.”

“Can we all have dinner here?” Bela stopped her. “we won't have another meal together … until after the meeting.”

“...yes, but we can't stay long.”

receiving a hug from Bela before her two other daughters joined in. returning the hug she kissed each of their heads. Separating to grab themselves dinner. Donna had her bowl refilled to help her body recover. Rosemary got a few spoonfuls of Ethan's soup. Most of it landed on her fabric bib before given her normal bottle of milk. He glanced around the room to each one there. Alcina was eating with her daughters in one room corner. Karl was eating in the opposite one with Angie annoying him through conversation. Donna was slowly sipping off hers. Entertained by the debate, maybe more of an argument, between Karl and Angie. Drowning out the noise, he thought of his final answer.

It was still no, but when to give it? Before the fight would be most fair. No expectation, no false hope of a yes if she wins. She could back out, follow us to Spain without risking anything. I wouldn't be using her as a sacrificial shield. He took a deep breath in and out. Smiling at his baby girl playing with his shirt. Tomorrows gonna be a day.

First thing early morning, Ethan had been up for hours. Anxious what this day would bring. He got up to head for the elevator. Leaving Rose alone to sleep for as long as she could.

Upstairs he found Bela awake prepping breakfast for everybody. “awake already?”

“been awake, can't sleep.”

“stressed? Want some regular tea with your herbal remedy?”

“Yes, that'd be great.” sitting down in the living room. “couldn't sleep either or just an early bird?”

“Me and my sisters don't sleep like everyone else. In the night half of our swarm is awake at all times while the other half sleeps. Switching halfway to stay alert at all times.” grabbing herbs to collect in the pestle and mortar. A few large jars nearby contain lots of premade healing poultice for Donna. “Guess you can call me an early bird still. I start the day when mother does while my sisters stay in their rooms.”

“wish I could do that.”

“anything specific you want for breakfast?”

“anything but soup again.” tired of having it for every meal. “I want off this liquid diet.”

“heh, I'll make an omelette then.” Coming to him with two teas for him to take. With a grimace he shot the medical tea down to hand the cup back. Bela swiftly returned to the kitchen she grabbed various ingredients alongside a basket of eggs.

Ethan relaxed as much as he could while sipping on his tea. Chuckling a little at thinking how he ended up here. One of the girls made breakfast for him. “when I first met you and your sisters. I thought I just broke into a castle of four alphas.”

“because of the scent on us?”

“That, and you're all really tall. Maybe some beta males might be that tall, but not usually.”

it got a small laugh from her. “Cassandra wishes she was one.”

“What about you?”

“I would've been fine with any while Daniela I don't think is interested at all aside from her normal curiosity to new things.”

“you would have been fine as an omega?”

“yes.” a soft look given to him. “why not?”

He snorted. “this.” loosely gesturing toward the air. “dealing with alphas entrapping you. Able to take everything you have by smacking down money and a single paper. Owning every piece of you as a sex slave.”

“It is a serious problem, and I'm sorry that, that's how it's turned on the outside. It shouldn't be like that. Omegas should be revered like how they used to be. You have far more potential than being simple breeding fodder. You can chill my mothers rage better than any of us. You soothed Lady Beneviento and managed to stay in her home. She hates visitors and rather we talk in the garden then step into her home. You naturally gather others around you. You could make a clan from scratch, even unintentionally, without ever sleeping with anyone. clans fought for their omegas without an alpha to lead them, because they were cherished. The heart and soul of a clan, it's a shame they're going away. The things they can do, I can only hope to mimic through practice.”

he rolled his eyes. “I think you've read too many romance novels.”

“mm, maybe, but isn't it all true just the same?” cracking eggs into a bowl.

He looked to the side. “once upon a time.” mumbling down into his tea. Almost choking on it when he was startled by a shrill voice.

“MORNING!” Angie shouted upon entering the living room. Rushing into the kitchen soon as she saw Bela cooking. Hopping up on a stool to see. “good god, what's in that pan?!”

she chuckled, not taking the doll too seriously. “It's an omelette.”

“this? It's practically raw!”

“I just put them in. they are raw.”

“Where's the rest of it then? No peppers, bacon, cheese, SEASONINGS?!”

“they're over there, go grab them.” shooing the doll off.

“Does anyone know how to cook around here?!” jumping off to fetch various things.

If Angie's here, then Donna must be up. Swallowing his last bit of tea to go check up stairs. Knocking softly on her door he listened close for her soft voice.

“come in.”

He stepped in, closing the door to stand beside it. Donna was in bed in dark sleepwear that may as well have been regular day clothes. A long sleeved button up shirt and baggy pants mostly covered by her blanket. Holding up a part of her collar to lean her uninjured side into it for hiding. Despite the wrappings already covering the mutation.

“I want to give my final answer.”

“too soon.” softly noting.

“I know. It's not even been a week, but we don't have time.”

“you do have.” pointing it out without arguing. A normal courting was given a minimum two weeks to get a feel for each other. She had to check his doubts weren't for anything rash. “why? Just a no?”

“I don't want Alcina going off to fight Miranda with the idea I'll say yes. I want her to fully know what she's getting into. How there's not going to be a prize if she wins. Maybe she'll come to Spain instead of throwing her life down for nothing.”

Donna dipped her head at his reasoning. “very well.” pointing toward the door. “open it for them.”

his brows furrowed, but did as he was told. “wha-” quieting at seeing Angie shove Bela along into the room.

She spoke quick to Bela. “you talk, I make the omelette!” then ran back downstairs.

Looking confused Bela and Ethan looked to Donna for the sudden summons. “It's a no.” she told Bela. “you have to tell her.”

Ethan tensed from the unexpected turn of telling Bela first. How would she react to her mother being rejected. How would she take giving the news. He expected Donna to, being the unbiased party. “can’t you tell her?” anxiety seeping into his words.

“Must I?” Bela didn't sound angry, simply saddened by his answer.

Donna gestured to herself in far too terrible a condition. Everybody was nervous enough about her being able to travel for evacuation. An added trip to the castle could be far too much on her body.

He hummed in knowing. Glancing at Bela from the corner of his eye for her reaction.

Donna answered her. “you have to.”

Her posture straight with arms behind her back she looked toward the ground, disappointed. Closing her eyes. “I'll tell her.” opening them in bringing her head up. “I have to go pack at the castle. I'll tell her then.” leaving after Donna dipped her head toward her.

Bela had thrown on a coat down stairs. “I'll be back soon with my sisters then we can all go.” announcing to Angie still cooking.

“you better get back before these omelettes get cold!”

Rolling her eyes with a smile. “Yes, lady Angie.” Rushing off on foot toward her family's castle. Unable to fly in the cold, she was revived by the inner warmth of the castle. Flying now she found her sisters instantly around their rooms shoving everything into their limited bags. Laughing over their stumbles to how their body slammed the bags shut with her help. Now it was her turn to pack, but she had something important to tell her mother.

“do you know where mother is?”

“I think she's in the library.” Daniela answered as she heaved her bloated suitcase out of the room.

“meet you two down stairs.” flying off to complete her important task. She found her mother where Daniela said. Sitting at a desk under the skylight drinking a glass of wine catching the blue light above. She was dressed no different from any other day. No armor or hidden weapons up her sleeve. “mother.”

the tall lord looked toward her daughter. “Are you packed my dear?”

“not yet. … Ethan spoke with Donna on giving his answer.”

“already? …” her expression was flat. “is it a no?” expecting nothing different. Her daughter's silence only confirmed it. “mm.” standing from her seat. “that's that then.”

“Will you come with us?”

“no, we can’t leave without crippling Miranda in some sense. If we just run, she'll track us down. Even with all I may do, you have to be careful on the outside. She'll hold a grudge against all of you until the day she does die. Don't attract too much attention or you'll be found. … You and your sisters will have to go by different names. ... The business can’t have our last label.”

Bela looked away as tears built in her eyes. Hating the thought of losing her mother and even her very name all in one day. Her mothers grand legacy would end while still going on, a miserable punishment for defying Miranda. Shoving them down to give her mother a hug. Holding back a sob upon her mothers returning hold.

Rubbing her daughters back to comfort her. She was forced to pry away. “Love you dear, be strong. Go pack, and when you and your sisters have left I'll wait a bit longer before setting the meeting in motion.”

“yes mother.”

#resident evil village #alcina dimitrescu #ethan winters #alcithan #ethan x alcina #bela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #donna beneviento #angie beneviento #karl heisenberg #pride & ruin fanfic #Alpha/ Omega diet flavor #Alpha/ Omega - non-traditional #re8 village

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reddogf13 · 8 months ago

Text

Pride & Ruin CH 5

on A03 as well

Alcina X Ethan

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - fowl language and gore

Previous chap: Ch:4 Splintered

Next chap: Ch:6 Before the Storm

___________________

~Ch:5 A Bitter End~

Karl looked at Alcina while his mind shot through calculations. She'd never made a go at him past verbal insults. To be so physical meant only two things. An order from on high to deal with him or a revolt and one was far more likely than the other.

“I warned you, Heisenberg! You can't afford any mistakes right now!” she roared him into stepping back.

“you and that witch ain't taking me down!” shooting up chunks of metal toward her.

It was swiftly dealt with by clashing claws. Untouched metal sliced through with the ease of a hot knife through butter. Forced back he called more and more to his side for an encasement of armor. “you don't stand a chance here, I got way more! Even if you take my ass down, I'll gladly take you with me!” facing off with her on a narrow railing. “What did she tell you, huh? What's the ceremony about? She ordered you to get rid of me, what about you? Or your daughters? You don't think they'll be next?”

Her furious expression shifted to indifference, then a smile. She laughed, claws retracting to cross her arms. “I'm not following Miranda.”

Karl lowered his fists, gathered metal drooping, but stayed close in case of another attack. “... dropped the mother title, aye? ... what are you here for?”

“I want Miranda dead.”

“why?! After all this time, what changed? You expect me to assume you switched out of the blue?”

“the man-thing and his child, never escaped. I've always had them. my daughters were the ones to steal her from Salvatore.”

“What's so important about them?”

“He's an omega.”

his shoulders fell as chunks of metal clattered to the floor. “oh.” building a nervous sweat that he had injured an omega under not just one alpha, but two.

“I used to be unwavering in my loyalty, you know it. Despite it all she showed how much trust I truly have. While she's around, she threatens both their lives. You have some brains, right? The ceremony, an omega, a stolen omegas child used to lure him here.”

“I get it. … is he … close to uh-”

“I just got him back on suppressants. Donna has been acting as his beta in an agreed traditional courting.”

“so, he hasn't agreed yet?” holding in a laugh.

“no.” grumbling. “I didn't realize at first, our meeting after escaping your hands wasn't the most pleasant, to put it lightly. I've been having to rebuild and despite his answer, Miranda must fall to ensure his safety. I'm done with submitting, which is why I'm here. To talk business.”

shedding the metal. “mm.” floating pieces falling down. “alright, I'll bite, what you got in mind?”

She reached into her waist band to pull out a long rectangular black box. “this I feel will be perfect for you. Take extreme care when handling it.”

The business meeting was longer than expected without being too overly drawn out. Leaving his factory she pulled out a silver case from her waistband. Slipping out a cig to tap into her long black holder. Flicking it alight by a snap of two claws, to take a deep inhale. Pluming smoke the whole way home to crush the last bit under her heel before the front door. Right as she stepped through, Bela came to greet her.

“Did it go well?” interested to know since her mother left toward the factory. Her sisters were just as interested, but knew that harassing their mother for details would get them nothing. Forced to wait for Bela to return with the news.

“a bit of yelling, but things are settled.”

“what next?”

“arrangements with the duke. Then we wait for the inevitable meeting. … see where things land.”

“arrangements for a suppressant schedule?”

“no. … if i- ...”

the cheerfulness her daughter had disappeared. “... can I join?”

“yes. Try not to tell your sisters too much of what you hear. They don't show it, but I know they're anxious. Especially Cassandra. I'd rather save the news for tomorrow after we've all rested.”

“Yes, mother.” walking closely at her side into the duke's room.

A cheerful tone spoken on a puff off his cigar. “ah, wonderful to see some visitors. How may I help you two ladies?” happiness lacked from the two sitting down. “need lifting of a burden?” he figured out before they spoke a word.

“The next meeting Miranda calls won't be very pleasant. I need insurance if Miranda walks out and I don't.”

He nodded. “I'm not a fighting man, as you can tell.” waving a hand over himself. “I can offer many other services. Special requests to be carried out to full customer satisfaction.”

“I need an evacuation plan for my girls, Lady Beneviento, Mr. Winters, his daughter and … Heisenberg.” nearly gagging on the last name. “if he manages to escape the meeting.”

“that I can do. Where to?”

“I've recently fulfilled an arrangement of purchasing vineyards in the southern part of Spain.” slipping out a paper detailing everything on the property. Bela was most interested in the wine making there as well as the housing. Not as big and grand as the castle, but well adorned in local styled luxury within its tall arched halls. The land being wide open beautiful expanses in the countryside far from snooping neighbors. “far enough it may escape Miranda's eye. The temperature of the area will give the girls room to run without suffering drops like here. A whole business to earn a living that they've been raised to learn all about.”

If it weren't for the reasons why, Bela would be excited to move to Spain. Being able to freely go out all times of the year instead of only half was freeing. A whole new world to explore with culture and foods not like the miserable village left to rot.

“Wonderful taste as always.” complimenting Alcina on her choice. “Any luggage coming with?”

A lot of talk back and forth went into what could be carried. Many things would need to be left behind. Then to where they would gather as the meeting was held. What would happen depending on which IF came true. Bela hated each point brought up, but wanted to hear it. Ultimately being the eldest, she'd be the lead in taking over. The reason why her mother allowed her in on this deathly serious meeting. It went on long into the night before payment was handed over. Following her mother to her bedroom for another discussion. Being the eldest, most responsible of the three, she was entrusted to take over most the estate. Accounts, ownership, to business dealings were handed down. Bela went off to give her sisters something to placate their hounding for updates. Telling that mothers meeting at the factory went smoothly and now it was a waiting game. Leaving out the meetings between them and the duke to keep the peace. Satisfied by what they got, everyone went to bed. A mix of fear and anxiety looming over the fast approaching storm counting down the days.

The next morning Donna was cooking in the kitchen. A simple broth she had to stand a few feet from as Angie kept launching bunches of chopped vegetables in it. Expecting details to be shared later on the final set up between Alcina, Heisenberg and the duke. In the meantime she'd been keeping a close eye on Ethan after yesterday's fiasco. Sending Angie down to go check on him as she cooked. Refreshed from a bath Ethan was stitched up again. Many smaller injuries were just about gone with the bigger ones no longer a worry. His fever was the biggest concern now. A second crisis almost happened in the night when he woke up to Rose still missing. Busting the elevator gate before being tackled down by dolls. Donna had to up the meds she forced him to take until he calmed down enough. Chugging down the herbal tea every few hours to stay ahead of his sickness.

Coming down from it had him feeling isolated down below. Alone in bed, Donna appeared only to give him tea every few hours. Rosemary was up top with her, so close yet so far. The separation was having him feel horrible. After his fighting panics he didn't blame her for taking Rose. Taking a chance he left the room to meet his guard.

Angie back at her post on a chair out in the hall. “you're supposed to be in bed.”

“I know. Can I come up?” hoping for a yes, but expecting a no.

The doll was quiet for an awkwardly long time. “what do you want that's up there?”

“Rose. … not being down here in the dark.” there were no windows down below. Only a few aged lamps that weren't very bright.

“fine. You have to stay seated up there. You're not allowed to get up unless we say so.”

“alright.” knowing they were taking a risk letting him up. If he panicked and ran outside the Lycan's could nab him or worse, mother Miranda would see him. Going up stairs had him feel a bit better already. Seeing sun for the first time in a couple days he basked in it down the hall. Given a moment before Angie ushered him forward to the living room. He sat on the long couch, by the fireplace, to curl up at its end. Resting half himself on the arm rest he closed his eyes. Coming to by Donna lightly waking him. He looked at the grandfather clock for the time. About ten minutes had passed since he closed his eyes. Looking to a cup Donna handed him full of more herbal tea.

“Foods coming.” Angie informed.

Ethan chugged down the medicinal tea with a disgusted face off the taste. Swapping the empty cup for the soup Donna brought. A warm broth swirling with thinly shredded veggies. Without using the spoon he took to drinking it straight from the bowl. Light pounding in his head went away after the first few gulps. Donna took the bowl when he finished, more was offered, but he refused for now. On the verge of sleep again when he heard a familiar giggle. Snapping his attention to it he saw Donna carrying Rosemary over. Handing him his baby girl to hold with a blanket to wrap them both in. snuggling down with Rose in his arms left him content. Smiling at his precious child who smiled back. Holding onto his hand to playfully patting at his face. She was making baby babble, a noise of comfort, rather than staying quiet. An instinctual safety measure for hiding if anything felt off. Since Ethan fell sick she had practically been playing dead. Quiet, unmoving except for when it came to eating. Looking for her missing dad since the separation yesterday. Wanting to be with him as bad as Ethan did. Handed a bottle he happily fed her and by the time that was finished he was notified of visitors.

Angie was by a side window. “they're coming if you want to hide back down.”

thinking for a moment, he shook his head. “I'm fine.”

“she's going to be here for a little while.”

“its okay.”

“if you're suuuuure.”

He pulled the blanket up to wrap them deeper. A minor claim of space where he sat to feel more secure. Hearing the front door open, some light conversation in the distance then a buzzing noise coming into the room.

“you're up?!” It was Daniela, far too excited to see him. “ooh, can I see the baby?” zooming over she heavily leaned above him far too close. Agitated by her attempts at a look he growled at her. She backed off a bit puzzled over what she'd done wrong. Another buzzing swarm entered the room.

Bela yanking her sister away. “You can't invade his space like that!” scolding her away from Ethan. The alarming growl attracted everyone's attention to come check on him.

Alcina's face shifted from concern to interest. “He's up here?” glancing at Donna.

“We told him you were coming, he wanted to stay.”

She was careful when looking toward him. Doing her best to avoid making him nervous enough to hide back downstairs. A minor meeting by his choice was a big step in the courting. Annoyed that Angie confiscated her gift today as punishment for that small kiss. Oh well, least he's doing better. Crossing the room she took a seat on the opposite end of the couch. Preserving the required space between them. Cassandra sat on a separate chair next to her. Donna across from the two while Daniela explored the house and Bela was wrangling her for the meeting.

Peeking through the doorway, Bela wasn't the most enthusiastic when asking. “Lady Beneviento, may we have some soup?” shooting a glare at Daniela giggling out of view.

Angie waved her arm up then dropped it. “yeah, yeah, take it before it gets cold. No reason to let it go to waste.”

A happy screech from Daniela was heard. a swarming buzz chased by Bela complaining about her behavior. A moment later they returned with bowls of soup on trays for everyone. Donna handed a cup instead for easy eating under the vale.

Angie started the meeting off officially. “So what did Dr. Frankenstein say?”

“as gun ho as I thought he'd be. He argued about trying to wait for his experiments to be ready. But knowing the circumstances, he knows there's no waiting. All that's left is for Miranda to trigger one final meeting between us.”

“what then?”

“Me and Heisenberg will go. The rest of you will meet with the duke by the old train tunnel. Wait there until one of us returns, or it's been too long. When one of us does come, we've decided a password to let you know right away who's approaching. The duke has been paid to take you all to Spain if-”

“we're going to Spain?!” Daniela's excitement getting ahead of her.

“... we'll see. Don't interrupt.”

“sorry.” slumping down in her chair.

“... I bought a lot of property in Spain. Another winery the girls will know how to run. I've given Bela the accounts. She has all the paperwork to get started on-”

Cassandra sat up to cut her off. “What do you mean?”

“don't interrupt.”

“No. What do you mean? Why is she getting everything?”

“she's the eldest who's the most-”

“no! That's not what I'm asking! Why is she getting it at all?! Why won't you be managing it anymore?!”

their mother sighed. They had to know at some point. “Cassandra, if i-”

“no! There's no if! There can't be an if! You'll-”

a knock at the door silenced them all.

Angie looked to Alcina to whisper. “you expecting?”

She shook her head. Donna went to calmly answer the door with Angie staying behind. Alcina looked toward the door next to them that led to the elevator. Too noticeable. The sound of the elevator leaving for no reason would be suspicious. They watched Angie for a cue as to who was at the door.

Snapping forward the doll warned immediately. “hide him.”

They looked around to where they could stuff him away. Useless spaces of behind the couch or under a coffee table were the only options. Thinking fast, Alcina shifted over to sit as close as possible. “don't move.” covering him entirely in the blanket. She leaned herself over him and crossed her legs. Blocking the view of him almost entirely. What wasn't was hidden by the blanket blending into the couch. Bela stood closely at their side to block another view of him if Miranda got close. If they played this off as a normal meeting she wouldn't suspect a thing. Alcina scented the air in a deep breath. Wincing at the pharmaceutical smell. Good, she won't smell him. Putting on a big smile when the grand ruler herself stepped into the room. Decorated in her golden crest down to a matching mask of a curved beak. Accented by chains to sharp talons ending each finger. “Mother Miranda, lovely seeing you join us.”

“I wanted to speak with you, but the castle was empty. What's the occasion of this meeting at lady Beneviento's?”

“to discuss where the man-thing could be. Lady Beneviento hasn't seen a hair of him and neither have my girls or that clod Heisenberg.”

“you spoke with him too?”

“tried to.” rolling her eyes. “a child as always who never takes anything serious. Do you have any news?”

“no.” stepping around the couches with Donna not far behind. “I was going around to speak about this.” shooing Cassandra from her seat to take it over. Donna sitting back in her original spot. “You've all disappointed me.”

Great, A long talk is just what we need. Holding herself together as Miranda sat within reaching distance. She could be here for hours talking about every minor detail. “ah, I'm sorry we haven't been up to par-”

“What have you discussed so far?”

“mm, he's not in the village. Heisenberg hasn't seen him. The Lycan's haven't given a call since his first appearance. Nor have Beneviento's watch dolls.”

Angie threw out a bone for Miranda to gnaw at. “Salvatore's reservoir is the only place left.”

“haven't your girls checked there?”

“no.” Cassandra answered. “We can't afford to get wet in this weather.”

Bela spoke up next. “We've only done flyovers. Never entered the cave system.”

Angie added on. “Maybe he never left after getting that brat back. The whole place is rotten and falling apart. Are we sure they didn't drown?”

Miranda's gaze flecked away then back in a second. Alcina knew she was questioning that as a possibility.

“she's right mother, what also of the child? It has to eat doesn't it? He certainly can't do that.”

Her relaxed face contorted to a hint of anger. “by outsmarting all of you he's proven to be capable of keeping her alive. The black god has shown no recent changes if he had fallen. My disappointment in you grows each day. I've waited so long for this and you all lounge in your houses. This ceremony should have been done days ago!”

“is- is it too late?” part of her hoping to hear it was. Was she expecting Ethan to pass his heat by now?

“no, a minor bump in the road. That should have been solved if you all weren't so lazy!”

“mother, please.” Alcina was about ready to claw into the couch. “if we knew we would-”

“It took you this long to bother searching the reservoir! Why didn't one of you search days ago?!” locking onto the tall lord. “I know why. Don't want to mess in the muck. So you send your daughters out, who are absolutely useless. But what do I expect from flimsy experiments? Should have had you dispose of them, they've only been a distraction to you.”

Each insult was a coal thrown into the dragon's heart. A raging fire readying to unleash itself in this very room. Snorting fire past a maw of gnashing teeth demanding blood to slate its thirst. Everything gained a red hue, voices distorting to deep rumbles of air. A gentle bucket of ice doused the boiler threatening to explode as Ethan's hand rested on her back. Grounding her down into holding it together in reminding her why. Retracting her claws seeping into the couch unintentionally. Breathing out the fire and brimstone filling her gut.

“I don't tolerate slackers.” Miranda continued her verbal lashes. “the man-thing slipped through your grasp after only a day. Did you bother to do anything at all? Perhaps you left a door wide open for him to be someone else's problem?” each one another coal that soon Ethan couldn't cool.

“We'll find him.” Angie jumped in to block. “Let us-”

“we?! What we?!” Miranda shot up from her seat. “you're an inanimate object. That I shouldn't expect a high lord to use for basic talking!” her cold glare switching to Donna shrinking in her seat. “a mistake that should have never been a lord. If only your sister survived. She had potential. You never leave this place unless it's to mess with your pointless garden. You'll never find winters, even if he came here I doubt you'd handle him at all. All the power to make an army kill itself under hallucinations and what do you do with it? Nothing! a wasted gift of new life after sparing you of a decaying brain! Ungrateful wretch!” hand lashing out in gleaming gold. The sound that came wouldn't be forgotten. Fabric torn away as did the flesh underneath. separated as two parts of velcro. white skin revealed changed to a vibrant red instantly. Blood fell as a waterfall onto the couch to stream down onto the floor into a fast growing pool.

#resident evil village #alcina dimitrescu #ethan winters #bela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #karl heisenberg #donna beneviento #alcithan #ethan x alcina #re8 village #pride and ruin fanfic #Alpha/ Omega diet flavor #Alpha/ Omega non-traditional #angie beneviento

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reddogf13 · 8 months ago

Text

Pride & Ruin CH 4

on A03 as well

Alcina X Ethan

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - fowl language and gore

Previous chap: Ch:3 Standstill

Next chap: Ch:5 A Bitter End

___________________

~Ch:4 Splintered~

The next day, Ethan had been staring down at the cold bowl of soup given to him. After Rosemary was fed he ate three spoonfuls before rejecting the rest. There was nothing particularly wrong with it. But his mind repeatedly told him. something’s wrong. something’s wrong. something’s wrong. it went over and over. Rose was still sleeping as he gently picked her up to move. Sneaking around as if unwelcome in the space given to him. Shuffling things around to try and force a new nest to appear out of random items. Sticking around it then shortly abandoning the unappealing nest. Tired, he returned to the original one. Jumpy around the alphas scent filling the small room. Fearing he'd see her there in waiting. Thoughts torn on relaxing in the nest to, it's not safe.

Without any windows he wasn't sure how long it'd been since he'd arrived. How long will I be down here? Until my heat hits? And then- his hand stopped fidgeting with the blankets. Shaking from the rush of adrenaline building. Swallowing on a dry throat, he felt overly hot. something’s wrong. something’s wrong. something’s wrong. He had to get out. He'd spent far too long down here. He scooped up Rose to scramble around the winding basement. Checking rooms and doors for an exit. The only one he knew of was the elevator, but he'd have to get past Donna. And she wouldn't let him flee.

It's all a trap. She's working with her. It doesn't matter what I say. I'm a prisoner just sitting around until I'm handed over. Tears threatened to fall as his situation crashed down on him. NO! I'm not sitting around here a moment longer! Setting Rose down he carefully placed her into another makeshift nest he aimed to abandon. Taking up a chisel meant for wood he began carving at one of the walls. Ripping chunks away to reach the dirt behind it. Digging painfully while ignoring his roughed up hands worsening condition. Startled away when Donna called his name. Looking out his measly tunnel before rushing back to work. Almost out, need to hurry. Ripping rocks to roots out of his way to coat himself in crumbling dirt.

Donna knew though, that he wasn't anywhere near an escape. He was two story's down underground. She thought he knew that, but his behavior was becoming extremely strange. What he really didn't know was she had been watching him through the smaller friends she had. Little dolls that could ride crows if given the chance. Seeing Winters trying to escape she came down to try calling him forward first. Attempting to stop his digging or anxious nest abandonment. When he didn't come of his own volition she had to go to him. While also pretending to have no idea where he was or what he was doing. Revealing that would make him more paranoid.

“Ethan?” Angie shouted, whispering the next. “How deep are we going to let him dig?”

not much more, we don't want dirt collapsing on him.

“Ethan!” Angie repeatedly called before they “found” him. “what are you doing?!” feigning shock when seeing his tunnel.

“Get away from us!” he snarled. Coming out only to stand between them and Rose. “you've kept us here long enough! Let us out!”

“We can't! We can tell her no, but you can't leave like this!” the doll gestured at his injuries.

“why not?! I've been here for far too long! How long has it been?! Weeks?! How much more will you keep me?!”

“It's only been a day.”

The fevers made him worse. Donna thought between her and the doll.

The doll grumbled to herself before speaking. “you should sit-”

“NO! I'm not doing anything else for you! Let us out!” roaring his demand. Eyes flicking around to land on a pair of scissors. Snatching them up in readying to fight his way out.

the two stiffened up. “whoa, wait a minute.”

His body shivered uncontrollably with a white knuckled grip on the scissors. “get out of my way.” letting out a deep set growl.

It was not as intimidating as an alphas, but the threatening display made Donna's skin prickle. taken aback by the threat. it was impossible for omegas to growl. Donna spoke up for the first time in a long time rather than through Angie. “You can't go.” expecting her soft voice to bring him down. “settle.”

He let out another deep huff followed by an increasing growl. In two steps he swung at her with the scissors. Missing her by a mere inch he couldn't swipe a second time before the lights went out. Back on a moment later, Angie and Donna were gone. Standing alone he tensed up to breath through his fever that felt to be suffocating him. Have to get out. Turning to Rose he was about to scoop her up and flee the lower level.

“Mr. Winters!”

Alcina's roaring voice yanked him around to face her. He locked up under her furious gaze threatening to crumble him.

“you're sick, you need to sit down. When you do, Beneviento will bring you some medicine.”

Her words rumbled in his head. Sit down? He shivered with his grip twitching on the scissors. “no!” he snapped, body tensing up for a fight. “get out!”

“settle and sit, then I will.”

he growled at her. “get out!”

her gaze turned cold. “you're growling at me?”

His shivering tension built under the pressure of challenging an alpha. He couldn't crumble this time. This was life or death. Fighting her wouldn't be taken so lightly. I can't submit. Have to get out. He growled and snarled at her. Hacking and wheezing on the exertion he was forcing himself through.

“Winters, I'll go when you calm down.”

“You'll go now!” he slashed furiously at her. Feeling nothing but air before falling forward hard into the floor. What?! Wheezing in looking around to find no one else. A sniff of the air told him her old scent, off the bedding, was all that was there. But- The lights switched off as he got to his feet. Turning on, he looked around expecting something else to confront him. Heart stopping when he saw Rosemary was missing. NO! He bolted for the elevator closed shut and off his floor. “GIVE HER BACK!” he shouted up the shaft. Shaking the bars to cutting up his hands in trying to yank them open. Refusing to budge he broke down crying on the floor between wheezing fits. Have to get out! His mind repeated to run back for his failed escape tunnel. Digging more desperately to get out and onto the first level.

“stop!”

he tensed up against the tunnels back to growl at the doll on the other end.

“Hold on a minute. Let's talk.” Angie's attempts to sooth him doing anything but that.

Ethan grabbed a rock in the dirt to fling at her. “fuck off!” missing his throw as the doll dodged. Trying to dig was halted when more dolls crowded at the entrance. Threatening to come in and drag him out. A standoff was happening and they needed someone else to step in.

Donna was upstairs, waiting, with Rosemary carefully bundled in her arms. A knock on the door she'd been expecting had her rush to open it. When lady Alcina saw that she had the child, her brows furrowed. “Why do you have her?” sounding accusatory, but not meaning to.

“He's really sick.” speaking in her hushed tone. “he's trying to escape.”

“Where is he now?” coming in to hear a break down in the living room.

“still below. Angie's there.”

“what happened?” setting down the bundle of food she brought to offer.

Donna took up the bottle to feed Rose. Starting on the events. “it's the fever. He started nests and abandoned them all.”

“He's beyond stressed then. Doesn't feel safe anywhere enough to settle.”

“he tried digging up. We went down and he attacked.”

“What'd you do to try calming him down?”

“talking. … you.” Donna brought up a closed hand to open. A symbol of her golden flowers shaking their hallucinogenic pollen.

“You used me to try calming him down?!” hating that a false representation of her had worsened her chances. Pulling herself back to what Donna had said. “Never mind. Is he still trying to escape?”

“Yes, he attacked you too.”

“That's not surprising. He's taken shots at me in the castle before.”

“but he- ...”

“he what?”

“ … he growled.”

“growled?” not believing her, she chuckled. “you must be mistaken, from being a bit startled I'm sure. Omegas don't growl.”

“he growled at you to.”

“... me?” a challenging threat display done by an omega toward an alpha? no, it has to be a mistake. She chuckled again with a shake of her head. “has to be something else. hm. ...” thinking of what they were to do. He needed to calm down and was too much for Donna to handle. “May I go down?”

Donna tensed. It broke the traditional courting rules. Alphas couldn't see them unless the omega agreed. It kept them safe from aggressive alphas coercing them into accepting against their better judgment. Giving the lady some grace that she wouldn't try anything, but what was necessary. Having nothing better added to that, but there was another issue. “It could be a high fever, or ... something else.” she warned the alpha.

She took a deep breath. “... if it is, I'll see how fair I handle. I'll know once the elevators down and either stay on it or go forward.”

Satisfied by the answer, Donna nodded in acceptance. “you may.” walking her to the elevator that would bring her down. Both stepped inside. Donna escorting her down to judge her reaction for herself. Upon reaching the floor, the doors opened, Alcina took a slow deep breath of the air.

Able to give her answer immediately. “He's not in heat, but I can scent him now.” The suppressants were fully out of his system. Revealing his clean scent he would normally have. The clock was running out on getting another dosage before his heat would kick off. It could hit at any time now, in a few hours to a few days.

Donna dipped her head and waved for Alcina to go. Soon as she was off the elevator Donna pointed down a hall. Elevator shutting to take her back up. Alcina watched the other lord disappear.

Turning to step down the hall in continuing to scent Ethan out, really enjoying his sweet earthy scent. A rich fresh roasted coffee blended with sweet toasted hazelnuts. It was comforting and kept her calm in her approach. “Winters?” she called, not expecting an answer.

“Oh perfect, reinforcements!” Angie came out from around a corner.

“Yes, where is he?”

“We got him cornered in the bedroom. He's been very feisty and taken a few of my friends out.”

“mm, lead the way.” following the doll down multiple halls and through multiple rooms. “Anything useful in here?” passing the medical room.

“nothing for illness, for cuts or burns, mainly the basics.” passing down a few more halls they stopped short of the last room. “he's in there.”

“mm.” heading on without the doll she waited as a group of others came out. Leaving the room to her and him unless needed. “Winters?” she stepped in, ducking under the doorway. if he runs here it'll be a miserable chase. Ducking past so many archways and doorways on the way here.

“where is she?!” he confronted without shying away from the alpha.

Oh dear, he looks awful. Worried at seeing him shivering, wheezing and sweating heavily through his clothes. A death grip on a pair of scissors surrounded by broken dolls. Covered in dirt sticking all over him. “she's upstairs.” calmly answering him.

“bring her back!”

“not yet, you're-”

“Shut up! Bring her back! I'm not sitting down or taking whatever drugs you're giving me!”

She glared at him, hating to be interrupted. “don't you snap at me.” scolding him as she bit her tongue of any aggression seeping through. Intrigued by him holding an aggressive glare back, refusing to submit to her. She took a deep calming breath. “I'll shove the medicine down your throat if I have to. You're not getting out like this.” gesturing over him. “I prefer you settle down quietly and that I won't have to.”

he didn't answer, holding his glare from the back of the room.

Not liking the idea of grabbing him, but having no choice she stepped closer. “if you keep pressing yourself like this-”

He tensed against the wall in readying to fight. Letting out a low clear growl that stopped her.

She shook it off the first. No … they don't. stepping forward again she tested and heard what she wanted.

A deep snarling growl, louder than the first, from him to threaten her away. “FUCK OFF!”

He had caught her full attention. Omegas don't growl. Staying back she settled her hands on her hips. Contemplating how he was like this. not in a few millennia. she'd read that omegas were once more feral then their current submissive stature. They lacked the bulk strength of an alpha, but they were once just as fierce when aggravated. Challenging others for precious nesting dens. Long ago evidence supported that omegas mauling each other was more common. It was hard to believe how they once were, but seeing it here brought a warmth to her chest. His threatening growls were adorable to her. Giving her a strange sense she couldn't pin. Interest, pride, wanting to bond with such a strong omega? A proper mate to court that she had chosen well. She wanted to press him further. Holding her hand out toward him earned another growl followed by a lashing out of the scissors. She was quick to pull away. Removing herself to not press him too hard and make him worse.

She broke her glare to sit on the bed nearby to present herself as less a threat. It worked in seeing his body less tense then before. Trying to have him sit wasn't working so she changed tactics. “what's wrong?”

“what's wrong?! I'm stuck here, you took Rose away, none of you will let me leave!”

can’t argue much with that. “you're here for now until Miranda is taken care of. Rose will be-”

“Liar, all of you are! You're all holding me down here until I accept!”

She was about to say something, then shut her mouth. She had to offer something big and what he wanted right now, she couldn't. “I'll be back in a moment.” hating to leave him like this without any progress, but she had to.

Followed by Angie asking what happened. “where are you going? Is he any better?”

“no, he's extremely stressed. I may have something that can help, but I need to see. Make sure he doesn't escape until I return.”

“ugh, some help you are lady.”

“Oh shut it you little tick.” waving the doll away as she stepped into the elevator.

Donna didn't try to stop her as she left the house to rush over to hers. Meeting with the duke immediately in the hopes something had changed since she'd ask in the early morning. “Duke, do you have it?”

“yes, my lady. Just came in.” smiling in handing off a small bottle. Filled with deep green pills she winced at the pharmaceutical chemical smell she knew well. “it's enough to last through a week. More are on the way.”

“Thank you.” rushing off to return all the way to Ethan's room. Stepping into another standoff she interrupted. Calmly she made her offering. “Will these help?”

He stared at them. Tensing and relaxing in questioning what to do. Were they suppressants or a fake that could kick him off immediately.

“please Ethan, you have my word that I'll stick to the traditional courting. You have the final say, always. This is enough to last for a week, just a start, more will be coming.”

He quietly shivered from his spot, eyes darting around in searching for an answer. Someone to tell him it was fine or if it was a trap. Flinching by the bottle landing on the bed next to him. Far closer to him without need to approach her. He snatched the bottle up to examine it. Catching the recognizable scent of suppressants he double checked the label. Popping open the bottle to inspect each pill. When he finally took one, both were a bit relieved. “Now can I leave?” not dropping his goal.

“no.” she stated.

“I never agreed to this courting! All of you forced me into this!”

“this isn't about the courting! What do you think is going to happen if we let you run out there?! Miranda's still looking for you along with an army of Lycan's built to scour these lands for prey. You had a graze with death the last time.” gesturing to his condition.

“I could get away!”

“Don't be ridiculous, you'll have to figure out a way over the mountains after that. and then what? Go into hiding for the rest of your lives? She found you once, hunted you down, and got you here in the first place. And what about Rose? You think she'll be happy fleeing her entire life?”

Ethan's fight to get out chipped away by each point she was making. Wanting to snap that she was wrong, but was stuck in a corner.

“Were you aware Miranda wanted her to be torn apart? crystallized into jars. Rose was meant to be a lure to keep you here, that's all. but I'm sure after all this Miranda wont be so soft the next time. She told me personally Rose will be crystallized by her own hands.”

He felt sick, more so than before. Thinking how if he had fallen to the Lycan's it would have been over for both. Worse to be caught by Miranda, Rosemary taken and killed to be used as a lock and chain for him to stay. Wanting to run far away to get into hiding felt less and less within his grasp. Staying wasn't an option in his mind. “and you were willing to go along with it!” growling out all his hatred toward his captor. “I'll never accept you, NEVER!”

Her jaw tensed, biting her tongue to hold back her anger. “say what you want. You're not getting out.”

His fury bubbled over into lashing out at the alpha standing before him. Bringing her hand up she caught his scissors by the blades piercing through. Shoving him onto the bed with the other. The weight of what he'd done hit him like a semi truck. Somewhat literally by being smashed into the bed by such little effort from her. He let out a panicked yelp while crumbling down in half expecting claws to stab into his side upon landing. Shivering in a curled up ball he froze in waiting for her to maul him apart.

While she herself had froze from his yelp. Relaxing off knowing she didn't hurt him, it was a fear reflex. She kept him down while inspecting her stabbed hand. Biting onto the looped handles she yanked it free to drop on the floor. Blood free falling next to it not for long. Sealing shut the moment it could she squinted at the small hole in her glove. Pay Donna to fix that. Attention back on the submissive omega under her hand. Glancing over his wounds, some stitching had popped while bandages were thoroughly bled through. She worried about letting Donna try to patch him up. If he would ever let her get close again to do so. Gently taking him by the jaw and his side she helped him into sitting up. He flinched away with a tight shut of his eyes. Opening them by the gentle face petting she was giving.

She sat down next to him for a gentle talk. “maybe hearing a confession will help? …” sorting her thoughts for him to take in easily. “She was my mother and my alpha. Of course I was going to follow her orders. I would have been loyal to the ends of the earth for her. Through the years however, she's shown to lack the same formalities. I've willingly admitted- shown my deepest secrets to her. I ignored that she never shared anything with me. Mother knows best, after all. But you-”

He wanted to shiver under the look she gave him. Fighting his inner self to run or stay still not to activate a hunt. Her light smile followed by a chuckle wasn't any more reassuring of his safety.

“you're her biggest kept secret. I know it, absolutely. I would have understood if she had told me and sent you off for another lord to watch. But she didn't. Even after you escaped my moronic brother she acted like I stole you from him. Again, she had a chance to tell me. My reward for my years of unwavering loyalty was to be treated as a threat. I even gave her a chance. I was fully willing to tell her I had you and your daughter. I want to be very clear how much your lives were hanging by the thinnest thread. She just had to show the most minuscule bit of regret for not telling me sooner. It didn't have to be through words. A hesitation, a sideways glance, those little tics I've known she does for years to show her consideration.” she shut her eyes briefly to let out a long breath.

Ethan sat quietly listening while her hand still gently held his face. Waiting for her silence to break, it stretched onward for too long. Her hold was softening in changing her mind on telling him all of this. She was about to shut down and leave her confession at that unless he did something. He pressed into the hold that kept her there more then him now. Eyes softly closed to the soft petting she gave in return.

Her hold returned alongside her admittance. “I wanted so badly to see it. But there was nothing. Her little hesitance was not from regret. It was fear. That I'd find out about her secret. A few barked orders was all I apparently deserved. Head high with pride, off she went expecting my unwavering loyalty as always with nothing in return. Well, no longer, after giving so much I'm demanding my repayment in blood. Whether or not you say yes, her kingdom will come to ruin.”

A quick flick of a glance away hinted her doubts to Ethan. Reassurance that she'd win wasn't a guarantee. So, he kept his mouth shut about it. What could he really say?

“settled now? ... Come on, I'll patch you up for Beneviento to check you over.” gingerly herding him to the medical room. Shooing away the dolls he flinched back from in the halls. “tell Beneviento to come down in a few minutes.” waving Angie off from her stand by post. She had Ethan sit on the long table while grabbing a wet cloth. Washing a lot of the dirt off him to see the fresh cuts he'd caused himself. Dabbing an alcohol soaked cotton ball on them. His head hung low the entire time to focus on the floor. Just being submissive or-? “no need to sulk.” her voice kept soft. “You still have a fever and need to focus on resting.” her soft words didn't feel like enough to perk up the omega. Urged to help somehow, she gently lifted his chin to leave a soft forehead kiss. Pulling back her jaw tensed in regret. An overstep. Donna will never let me down here again after- when she pulled away he took her hand into his.

sounding tired, but truthful. “Thank you.” He'd been wanting to say something with this being the best he could offer.

She smiled. “no need.” patting his hand. “but please don't make any more holes in lady Beneviento's manor.”

he smiled out a puff of air. “yeah, I'll stop redecorating.” attention snapping to the lady of the house herself coming in. the pair making an immediate separation of space between them. Early contact could get them both scolded by the beta before them.

Alcina cleared her throat to go over everything. “I cleaned him up and tended to the scuffs he's gained. He’s back on suppressants now with enough to get him through the week. The duke will be bringing more soon.”

the calm air broken by Angie jumping out from behind Donna. “you kissed him you perv!”

she had to hold back a growl. “I was- fixing his mood after all the stress.” you snitch.

While Ethan had a blush as Angie continued her screeching accusations. “yoooou can't do that!” pointing up at the tall lord. “the audacity! One meeting and you're already drooling all over him. Haven't even taken him out to eat!”

“I've been feeding him everyday.” waving the doll off. “throw whatever punishment you deem fit, but I will not stand here being finger wagged by Pinocchio.” leaving with the doll still ranting behind her.

“yeah you better leave sicko!” swiveling to Ethan. “and you! We raised you better than this. We warned you about girls like her!”

“what the fuck you talking about?” It was stupid, but it got his mood up. “You ain't my mom.”

Angie gave a feigned gasp. “ugh! How could you say that?! After all i-” Donna must have had enough and shut Angie up with a hand covering the struggling doll's face. Letting go when she went still to speak again. “you're too soft on him!” pointing at Donna, then speaking to Ethan. “Alright, you're getting off scot-free. This time. Let's get you clean, fed and back to bed.”

Ethan agreed by nodding. Glancing over himself at the dirt still sticking to his fevered skin coated in a sheen of sweat. Following Donna he could hear the elevator leaving, along with that lovely scent he wished had stayed.

The tall alpha stepped out of Donna's home to pass through her garden back over the bridge. Back home she greeted her girls as she headed for something important. It's been so long. What if it rotted away in its place? I always hoped it would before being found by someone. Slipping it from its hold. Being in such pristine condition it put a Cheshire cat grin on Alcina's face. Leaving her castle toward the one place she hated to step near. After today's events, should I go tomorrow? no. sooner the better. Miranda will charge the hunt herself as the ceremony turns later and later. can't afford to slack for even a moment. growling to herself. He better not waste my time. The sun blotted out by the huge smoke stacks towering off his factory. Bits and pieces of metal strewn about like a massive scrap yard. Does he ever clean this place? Taking out her building anger on a few Lycan's running away over the junk. Fearing her gaze after the massacre last time. She approached the door to stand before his camera's view.

His annoying voice crackling through a speaker. “Well, well, well, look at who it is. Here to deliver me pizza I assume?”

“Let me in, now, Heisenberg!” snarling at the camera near the main doors.

“geeze, cant even get a “howdy do” outta ya?” a buzz noise sounded to release the door lock.

She had no time for his childish jokes. Managing to restrain herself long enough to not shred the door down. Her usual calm stride far more rushed, she reached him in his inner workshop in no time. Surprising even him on the lack of her usual strict poise. “heh, where's the fire?” his joking dying momentarily. “… ain't the smoke stacks again is it?”

“I'm here to talk about the man-thing and his child.” straight to business.

bored already. “oh, that.” answering what he assumed she'd ask. “no, I haven't seen him since he escaped the gauntlet.”

“Did mother Miranda tell you what the ceremony is about?”

“uh … no?”

“Do you have any idea what it's for?”

“no? She didn't tell any of us jack shit, as always. Why?”

She glanced around, anxious that Miranda was watching from the shadows. Time to really test how comfortable he was speaking out against Miranda. She put on a fake smile. “Since your failure alongside Salvatore's, she's put me in charge of babysitting.”

“what? Like hell she did. Last I heard you fucked up to by letting him escape.”

“she’s also told me how the ceremony's to commence. You're officially put under probation allowing little mistakes. If you want to earn her favor back I suggest you shape up. The child and the man-thing need to be found. Get out there and lead those dumb dogs instead of tinkering with junk. Take your work serious for once, clean up this pig-sty you call home, make yourself presentable. or you'll be left behind. Trust me, Heisenberg, you don't want to make any mistakes right now.”

“earn her favor?! Pah, what kind of mistakes is mother so worried about? That you'll trip and bring the whole ceremony site down upon impact?”

She grit her teeth at the insult. Don't lose your temper. “This is serious.”

“as the plague I'm guessing?” rolling his eyes. “Sooner or later winters will show his face. We’ll get the stupid ceremony over with and get on with our lives. tell her I'll be ready. I don't need to be nagged by bitch mountain.”

He didn't know how much he was testing her patience. All these years Alcina kept her claws sheathed because of Miranda forcing her to. Nothing was holding her now except herself. Karl wasn't an ally, he was a beta under Miranda. An unwelcome intruder that should be disposed of if he didn't submit. She had to take a deep calming breath. “Will you? You always slacked on your duties. It's as if your heart isn't in it for mother Miranda. Was it ever? Even now you take not a single step toward the outside. Waiting for winters to magically drop by? Something I should know about?” She always wanted to do this. Challenge who he was really loyal to, himself or mother Miranda. Thrilled at the dream of having Karl be exposed while she earned all the praise. Unintentionally letting out a chuckle over how things were turning out. Her being the first to betray Miranda, testing Karl to see how on board he'd be with her plan.

“I'll find winters and his little brat. I ain't afraid to go out and get my hands dirty, unlike you. I’m smart enough to know there’s only so many places he could hide with a baby.” He reached out a hand to fly his hammer into it. “now fuck off already! Is this all you're here for? To be the big bitch in town throwing her weight around after a few head pats from mother? Bet you it won't last soon as the ceremony’s over. We don't mean anything to her. Just a bunch of pawns she shuffles around the board. Congrats, you're the top kiss ass. Look where it's gotten ya, living in some bird bitches shadow for all eternity!”

“Heisen-”

“can you hear me from up there?!” shouting over her. “Maybe the severe altitude is cutting off your oxygen! Piss off! Cry to mother, I don't care! Get out of my factory!” shoving his hammer toward her face.

It was one insult too far. A challenge she wouldn't submit to this time. Her claws ached the whole time to be freed. In one swift motion there was a blaze of sparks between them. Clattering screeches of metal shrapnel rained down onto the floor to spark up a flurry of more fire. Left holding nothing but the handle of what was once his mighty hammer. The severity of what had just happened weighed down on him more than the world itself.

#resident evil village #re8 village #alcina dimitrescu #ethan winters #alcithan #ethan x alcina #pride and ruin fanfic #Alpha/ Omega diet flavor #Alpha/ Omega non-traditional #donna beneviento #angie beneviento

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reddogf13 · 8 months ago

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"oh, hell no!"

another goofy self reference to my "Witch of Beldez" working fic.

Alcina was perfectly happy settled in the civil war across her homeland. easy body snatching for her blood needs. however after hearing that a witch smote a whole city. she not only fled the castle, but the entire continent. only returning after a few century's to bring her new daughters to her homeland.

mother (of monsters) Miranda made witches, lycans, vampires, other creatures and eventually humans.

witches were seen as the closest to Miranda on the totem pole. being the most powerful and deadly they are labeled "the eldest". a once terrifying force able to crack a mountain in two with a snap of their fingers. now thought as only a fairy tale of long dead priests.

#alcina dimitrescu #donna beneviento #resident evil village #re8 #re8 village #Witch of Beldez fanfic

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reddogf13 · 9 months ago

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momma needs a drink.

they know their mother wouldn't leave. she'd never abandon them. but some strange lady keeps taking her away.

since the girls were adopted. their new imprinting takes a couple extra steps.

#alcina dimitrescu #bela dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu #cassandra dimitrescu #re8 village #re8 #slight disneys home on the range reference

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reddogf13 · 9 months ago

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Pride & Ruin CH 3

on A03 as well

Alcina X Ethan

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - fowl language and gore

Previous chap: Ch:2 Scars & gauze

Next chap: Ch:4 Splintered

___________________

~Ch:3 Standstill~

Ethan was sleeping lightly inside his barrel. Shivering around his daughter to keep her warm. Regretting giving up his jacket with the blanket he had replacing it was far too thin. Waking repeatedly to stretch out his stiffening back. Sure, the barrels felt safer, but it was hardly comfortable. He groaned with a stretch earning him multiple satisfying pops along his back.

damn, this isn't going to work. glancing around the barrel. Where to go from here? Tensing when he heard calm steps approaching. He first saw the black dress covering the black heels of that beta. Then that creepy porcelain doll peeking in.

speaking to him in that shrill voice. “Hey, we're gonna move you to a room with a bed.”

he hesitated, shifting around reminded him of the uncomfortable spot he was in. “okay.” his voice almost as quiet as Donna's. Wrapping his daughter in the blanket he peeked out first. Seeing only them he unsteadily crept out with Rose in his arms. Looking at Donna's hands he saw his jacket bundled in them. Held out to him he took it to gingerly put back on. Wincing at the stabbing pain arching across his muscles.

“how ya feelin'?”

He cleared his throat to speak clearer. “better, sore.”

“at least you're not worse. I'm the wonderful Angie and this is lady Donna Beneviento. You're Ethan, right?”

He feared answering the question. Don't they work for Miranda?

“Look, we know who you are. I'm just making sure not to butcher your name. We haven't told Miranda about you and we're not going to either.”

“... yes. … thank you.” tired after everything. He didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but his curiosity was getting the better of him. “... why?”

“… been a long time since we've seen an omega. You kinda caught us off guard when you ran in here.”

“mm.” replying without knowing what else to say. Dammit, is there anyone left who doesn't know?

“follow us.” the doll gestured down the hall.

He took a deep breath and limped behind them. Hoping that the bed would be far more comfortable on his torn body. Worry grew worse the longer he walked on his weakened legs. Pausing to lean against the wall in readying to slip down if he couldn't stand a moment longer. Refusing Donna's offered hand out of fear his hold on Rose would weaken. Continuing and pausing down the halls gave a moment to sit down for a breather.

“not far from here. Just gotta get down one more hall.”

He nodded and took in another readying breath. A few steps forward and another breath drew in a familiar scent. He would have ran right back toward the elevator if his body was able to. Frozen in place Donna and Angie stopped to wait for him. Judging by the look on his face it wasn't pain stopping him this time.

“She's not here.”

The answer didn't comfort him at all. “Whys her scent down here then?” holding back from snapping.

“She gave the bedding.”

“She knows I'm here?!” wanting to run away he turned back for the elevator.

Stopped by the doll blocking his path. He would've kicked it if he could. “Hold on!” holding up its hands to have him pause. “yes and no. She came here a bit after you did. So she knows, but we stopped her from finding you. She doesn't know the layout of the house past the main floor. You can take over this whole area, it's just been storage for years.”

“Whys she giving bedding?” his glare locked onto the doll.

“So you're comfortable here.”

“it's more than that!” he snapped. “what are you doing? What did you agree to?”

“traditional courting agreement.”

He practically gagged. “NO! Tell her to fuck off!”

“you ain't even going to consider?”

“hell no! Why would I?!”

“When's the last time you saw an alpha?”

“I'd be fine taking a beta.”

“Are you? It's not a very fulfilling pairing is it?”

The truth hurt to hear. “I've made it work.” or at least he tried. It was as if part of him was always rejected by Mia. It got worse after the incident in Louisiana. He wanted to feel safe, not need to explain each little action he did, not be judged on his “weird” decisions, not be given a glare because he had to adjust the bedding to be comfortable. He was tired of holding this false beta appearance to keep someone else happy. Maybe it wouldn't be so- no! I can't, not her. “I'm leaving soon as I can. That's it.” reaffirming his stance.

“very well. It's a traditional courting though.” the doll let out a sigh of annoyed exhaustion.

“Who are you to even make an agreement like that? You're not in any clan of mine.” closest to that kind of negotiating would've been- Chris. He growled in thought. Disgusted that if it came down to it he would have been the one to falsify paperwork. Being a fake alpha who owned him if any other alphas tried to claim.

“you wanna face off that angry tower alone?”

“not like I haven't already.”

“aaaand how'd that go?”

He huffed out a breath. If I hadn't yelped it would've been all over. “... you shouldn't be making decisions for me.”

“Well, if not her, mother Miranda has her eye on you. She controls the whole region and based on what she has said. She's been after you for a while.”

Ethan went pale. “for how long?”

“a few weeks at least. We can both guess why she pounced now.”

She knew everything about us? “how'd she find out about me?”

“a leak from someplace. We don't know much more than that.”

Perfect, who else knows about me? Or Rose. Glancing at the child in his arms.

“I suggest, despite your aim to refuse, you keep Alcina close. She's the only defense you have against Miranda right now. We're not as powerful as the other lords and as far as we know lord Heisenberg is still following Miranda orders.”

“Heisenberg, that one with the metal hammer?”

“Yep, that's him. He controls the Lycan's, unless Miranda says otherwise. He doesn't like Miranda, but he also doesn't like Lady Dimitrescu either as I'm sure you noticed at the meeting. So, for now, the courting will go on, but we'll uphold your decision at the end.”

He accepted the disappointing answer. Slow to follow again out of fear he'd see her hiding in the shadows. Hating the effect her scent was having on him the closer he got to the room containing it. Donna held the door for him to limp in. He stopped before the bed to stare down at the mass amount of bedding. It was as lavish as the last set up he could easily bury himself under. Both loving and hating it was from her. He glanced back to possibly reject the offered bedding. Hating the barrel set up more, he crawled into bed. Digging out a small space to lay deep down with Rose in his arms. Donna left and closed the door behind her. Alone he took in his new predicament. A traditional courting, Pfft. Guess it's better than the modern way.

Traditional courting was set between betas in both clans. ultimately It was all about the show given by the alpha. Alphas would bring various gifts to be passed off by the betas to the omega. If the omega liked their offerings enough they'd accept a first meeting. Usually a gathering between both clans that would eventually turn into a merging of clans into one. It was a slow and carefully tended process that could take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months. Rarely did it take a year or more as the omegas heat would kick in long before that. An undeniable urge to take a mate that felt like a fire needing to be doused.

A modern “courting” went far faster, but far more demeaning toward omegas. It was where the nasty false hierarchy of alphas vs omegas came from. Because alphas and omegas were going extinct, the government gave alphas extreme claiming rights. Alphas could simply claim an omega by filing a huge fee alongside papers of ownership to a courthouse. Many omegas had the nasty surprise of alphas suddenly barging into their home to be taken away. Marriages didn't matter unless another alpha was involved. Betas were treated as useless burdens who got in the way. Omegas were turned into breeding fodder like cattle with hardly any rights unless their alpha said so. Any owned items up to owned property would only belong to their alpha. A reason why Mia had everything under her name. Suppressants were a lifesaver due to this. Ethan made sure to stay on top of them as much as possible. His anxiety spiking if he was out with Rose, she was a massive give away to what he was. Lucky for him, he hadn't ever met an alpha, until now.

Of course it's not just one, but two. They can say my decision will be held, but I doubt her reaction at the news will follow that. I have to plan my next escape. For now I can have some time to heal up. Figure out where the next town is as I pack for the trip. First I have to deal with whatever comes tomorrow. Already feeling extra double exhausted to face the new day. All through the night his sleep was disturbed. he woke, soaked in his own sweat. Body burning as his throat burned in an irritated itch. Swallowing through the pain past a drying mouth. After waking the 5th time he flinched away from someone's hand touching his forehead.

Donna took her hand away. Letting out a soft “sorry.” before the doll took over in talking.

“You have a bad fever. Your wounds must've caught an infection. We have some plants to treat it, but it'll take a while to beat.”

“ugh.” he groaned. “Can I have some water?”

“Yes, we'll bring some down with a medical tea for you to take. Are you hungry?”

“not really. Rose needs to eat.”

“You should eat too. We'll ask again later after you get the medicine down.” they heard him give a hum before they headed back upstairs. It was still far early in the morning right as the sun was rising. Donna stepped out from her warm home with a basket in hand. cautiously she crossed the snow into the small garden containing all sorts of plants. Plucking various leaves and flowers to grind down inside. Mixing the made paste into a cup of hot water into a bitter tea. Attempting to cut the flavor with lemon and honey. Bringing along a huge jug of water down to Ethan's room. Knocking on the door before entering and helping him take the tea. He sniffed at the cup and grimaced at the obvious flavor he was about to choke down.

“we know. It's about as nasty as every other medicine, but it'll help.”

He glanced at her, then back to the cup. Taking a deep breath before chugging it down. Gagging on the mush at the bottom and hacking. “This is worse than cough medicine.” taking the water jug next to chug the flavor away.

“works better than that watered down swill. Try to get some sleep while the fevers down.” taking the empty cup back up with them. Waiting for the eventual arrival of Alcina they weren't surprised by the knock on their freshly installed door. Answering it, Donna was surprised by Daniela leaping into her for a hug.

“Donna!” Daniela squealed with delight.

“Daniela!” Bela yanked her sister off. “sorry lady Beneviento. You know how she is.” moving the two of them for their mother to come inside.

“Morning, lady Beneviento.” she greeted Donna.

“Morning, come in and sit. We need to discuss a lot if this courting is going to get any better.”

“you spoke with him then?” expecting the worst reaction from him. She stepped inside to stop by a dining chair. Slipping off her thick white fur coat to hang over it. Her daughters keept their dark fur coats on at all times to keep ahead of the cold. Sitting down at the other places full of excitement. Their mother told them the importance of betas in courting arrangements. Tempering their excitement by stating she'd be doing the bargaining. This was far too delicate for them to handle as a first try.

“We had a small talk and he's absolutely on the path of rejection. You'll have to do something big to tempt him anywhere near a “maybe.” What's worse is all those Lycan's did a number on him and now his health has taken a hit.”

“he's sick?”

“Yes, an infection most likely. We gave him something and it helped cool his fever down. With how nasty those Lycan mouths are, we're sure he'll be sick for a while.”

Alcina rubbed the bridge of her nose. Thinking of what to do while her daughters joined the conversation.

“Will he be okay?” Bela asked.

Daniela next. “Is the baby sick too?”

“he will.” Angie answered. “as long as we stay on top of his medicine. His little girl is doing fine. With how caring he is, we doubt anything will happen to her.”

Their mother was happy to hear the child was fine. No surprise after how far he went to save her. So many were protective, but survival instincts were always complicated. The few I've seen sacrifice their children if it meant a stronger alpha swept them away. He'll make sure she's safe and taken care of before he is. Beneviento and I will have to make sure he doesn't neglect himself. This will take a while… I won't be able to handle Miranda any time soon. If he goes into heat now then his health will take a further dive. ... Sipping the last of her tea she tuned back into the conversation. The girls had been asking a long list of questions on how to be proper betas to Donna. She cleared her throat to gently interrupt. “courting within this narrow window won’t lead to anything fruitful. I’ll keep presenting, but expect nothing. Unfortunately Miranda will have to take my attention. Long as she's around, neither us nor him and his daughter are safe. She has to go before any proper courting can be attempted.” rubbing the bridge of her nose.

“wanted to suggest that but-” Angie gestured a wave toward Alcina. “Anywho, he needs to heal and the stress won't help. Since the courting will be eased back something else needs to be suppressed. What do you want to do?”

“has to in his condition.” She nodded. “Girls, stay here. I'll go make a meal for them and be right back.”

“Yes, mother.” they answered in unison.

Oh no. Donna thought as another on coming tsunami of questions came at her. Even the fast talking Angie was struggling to keep up on getting answers out.

Alcina trudged her way through the village. Scaring off the lingering Lycan's prowling for the escaped omega. With all the snow it had hid any evidence of him being out and injured. Miranda certainly hadn't found out or she would have visited her or Karl by now. Karl wouldn't know anything either. He must've stayed home in his warm factory then travel the blizzard that day. One good thing about him being a lazy oaf. Stepping into her castle she enjoyed the wave of heat engulfing her. Wanting to get business done first she went off into a small side room.

“ah, the lovely lady of the castle. Been a while since I've seen anyone.” The duke greeted her warmly. “A lot of business going around?” he raised a brow to her.

“mm, you could say that. I have another shipment of wine ready for you.”

“ah, lovely. Was afraid business would slow after all the, heh, staff cuts.”

“it may, later. … I also need something else.”

“oh?”

“This is an extremely private order. You're not to tell anyone about it.”

“Of course not. You know I never tell my customers business. Confidentiality always, now what can I do for the lady?”

“... I need suppressants.”

“oh? What a peculiar request. Could they be for Mr. winters?”

she rolled her eyes. He knows. “What makes you think they're for Mr. winters?”

“eh, hasn't been an omega around in centuries. Mr Winters being the new guy in town whose now the talk of it. Mother Miranda being extremely interested. Was certainly wondering what for, but looks like I've found my answer. Heh. had a nice chat with the poor fellow a few days ago. He was looking for his little girl. very interested in questioning about you and Miranda.”

Now her curiosity was hooked. “about what? What did you say?”

“oh, the usual village warning about your reputation. That you were fond of children and most likely you'd have his little girl.”

she squinted at him. “mm, is that all?”

“yes mam.” he nodded. “Now, about your order. I'll have it ready in a week.”

“I'm not sure if a week will work. I need this on express delivery.”

“mm, I can try. At least a small dosage that will hold out 'till end of the week.”

“that'll do.” dipping her head in turning to leave. Great, another mountain to leap over. My own reputation of blood lust that he'd certainly want nothing to do with. Then again, what alpha doesn't have one nowadays? Killing each other over a two bit beta harlot they spotted across the bar, pathetic. Ducking down the many archways to reach the kitchen. Preparing a soup to ease his illness somewhat. Slow cooking a bone broth with ginger until the bites of vegetables were incredibly soft. Pouring it into a thick ceramic bowl she wrapped in a tied cloth. A fresh bottle of goat's milk warmed and slipped between the cloth handle. Making sure it'd stay hot the entire way back to Donna's. Careful to carry it back in total secrecy. Upon her return she saw that Donna and Angie had completely shut down on answering questions. Sitting without a word as the girls argued or debated answers they got earlier.

Well, they'll be perfect betas when they're trained. Smiling at her girls enthusiasm for the position. “Okay girls, I think you asked them enough.” settling them down as she handed the food over.

Donna took a glance inside the soup pot. Immediately criticizing it through Angie. “ugh, you want to feed him this?”

she crossed her arms. “What's wrong with it?”

“over cooked for one.” the doll sighed. “I guess it's not that bad for an amateur. We'll pass it along.”

oh, how I've forgotten. She thought as she watched them leave with the offering. Betas aren't just buffers, they're goddamn judges too. Drumming her fingers on her arm. Was hoping Beneviento would be biased to my side, but apparently not. Should have expected it. Mr. Winters was the first person to be in her house for longer than five minutes. Being an omega certainly added to that.

“What was that for? Pretty rude.” Cassandra grumbled to her sisters.

Daniela seemed excited for it. “oh! we're at the judging rounds already?”

“What's there to judge? Mothers absolutely worthy.”

Bela added in. “That's just how it goes. Alphas and omegas will get together even if it costs their health. Betas are what make up most the clan and will have to deal with both when they combine. No clan wants to deal with an overly aggressive alpha taking over or a cowardly omega that'll leave a clan in shambles.”

“Is it really necessary here though? Say yes or no and stop wasting time.”

“Lady Beneviento just told you why. Alphas can be...” whispering the next word. “temperamental. And clans don't want a blood bath on their hands before they're ready. Besides, our aggression didn't help this courting at all and we need to fix the damage done first. Omegas are passive, they'll always hide for their own safety.”

she let out a groan and slumped in her chair. “I thought courting was supposed to be short?”

“it usually is.” their mother answered. “It can be frustrating at times, but make no mistake a betas work is very important. An alpha or omega interfering with that can cause all sorts of havoc between clans.”

“won't claiming solve all that?” receiving a smack from her sister. “Ow!”

“you were just told why not.” Bela scolded. “Instincts attract, but eventually resentment will kill what connection there is. They have to have some kind of bond or else it becomes a fight to keep one around and any brood made will be rejected by one or both parents. Besides, mother has better class then the alphas out there just grabbing mates by brute force through bureaucratic paperwork.”

“Fine, fine.” waving off her sister's lecture. “tsk, paperwork. What does that prove? Least have a battle to the death to show who really deserves an omega.” soon as the words left her mouth, Bela elbowed her in the ribs. “stop hitting me!” she snapped. Rolling her eyes at the scolding look toward her. “what? Mother will win, I have no doubt. Right?” smiling toward their mother.

Alcina let out a hum. “of course.” hiding her worries of what if. Could I? Holding back a growl. I need to be smart about this. I need something to wear her down before I take the first swipe. I can't make that chance by myself, it'd be too suspicious. That means I'll need assistance from him. Turning her eyes toward a nearby window. Within its framed view, far off in the distance, two towers bellowed out endless black smoke. Upon Donna's return, she cleared her throat. “We should talk about tomorrow's plans.”

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