Chapter 55

~Tony~

They were werewolves; living breathing supernatural beasts that could shift their forms with a single thought. Like vampires, they were the things of nightmares; savage and unnatural. Yet, I felt oddly at ease around them. It was been merely a week since Kandane's depature and I had already grown accustomed to living in the wolf camp. There was just a familiarity here; like home, and I dreaded the day Rien and I would leave to return to his coven.

I made my way along the corridor and down the staircase, which would take me to the courtyard. I took a deep breath the moment I stepped onto the concrete, and felt the warmth build in my chest and travel all the way down to my toes. Everything smelled so fresh and clean; nature at it's finest. Out in the courtyard, wolves in human form stood in small groups talking, some sparring, and some simply sitting on the ground relaxing.

Everything in the wolf camp screamed comfort and serenity. Everything felt easy. I stepped between two wolves who were discussing weapons, and took the quickest path to the mess hall. It was around 7:00a.m and I was starving. I wondered briefly where Rien had disappeared to, but all thoughts of him vanished when I caught the first whiff of sizzling bacon and pancakes drizzled in maple syrup.

The mess hall had to be my favorite place in the camp. No matter what time of day I visited, there was always food and there was always a small crowd. Everyone knew each other and this was the place they came together to commune and it was crazy just how much the camaraderie in the camp reminded me of army life. I felt a wave of nostalgia at the thought.

I grabbed a large tray, along with a couple of plates and made my way up to the buffet, where I promptly began to fill my plates. I loaded on a stack of pancakes, far too many strips of crispy bacon, ham, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, gravy and just a little bit of everything that caught my eye. By the time we returned to the coven, I would probably need to invest in bigger pants.

When my plates could hold no more, I filled a tall glass of orange juice and a small mug of coffee and glanced around the room for an empty table. I spotted one just as Grady and Laken stepped into the hall, and said a silent prayer that they wouldn't spot me. No such luck.

Grady, who looked as though he had been searching for me in the crowd, grinned from ear to ear when he spotted me walking toward the table and, true to his nature, began to shout my name across the hall; arms waving about him like the madman that he was.

I sighed, setting my plate down before me and taking a seat. As I took a sip of the hot coffee, I watched him and Laken as they quickly made their way over to where I sat. Laken smiled shyly, and I nodded to him in welcome. I liked Laken; no drama.

It was Grady who was the menace. In fact, just about every time he struck up conversation with me, I felt the almost overwhelming urge to reach over and strangle him. This time was no exception, but with Laken standing there watching me expectantly, I had no other option but to invite the two to join me.

"Thanks." Laken said as he sat, while Grady dropped himself down noisily and of course dramatically onto the bench across from me.

He glanced around the room. "Where's your bloodsucker?"

"Around. Where's Thomas?"

Grady seemed to think on this for a moment, his brows furrowing in genuine confusion. "Hmmm. Come to think of it, I haven't seen the guy since yesterday. Where is he Laken?"

Laken shrugged. "How should I know? He's your mate."

Grady shrugged. "I'm sure he'll pop up at some point. He's probably hunting or something." He told me, then leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, "He's got a thing for deer meat. I personally don't get the appeal, but to each his own, you know?"

I blinked. "Are you some kind of court jester or something?" The guy just didn't have a serious bone in his body.

"There he is." Laken nodded in the direction of the buffet, and sure enough, there stood Thomas and Carson, lost in deep conversation as they filled their own trays with enough food to fill two small armies.

I took a bite out of the pancakes and nearly groaned in satisfaction. Why was everything here so perfect?

"You remind me of Grady when he first moved here." Laken commented with a grin. "He practically lived in the mess hall."

Grady shrugged. "It's because all the food is either grown or raised here so everything tastes better when you're new, but when you get used to it, it's whatever."

"Yeah? Is that why you still come down here for every meal even though you have a perfectly functional kitchen at home?"

We all looked up when Thomas approached; Laken with a grin and Grady with a frown. "I wouldn't have to eat out if you could cook."

Thomas snorted. "Scoot over." He told his mate, and Grady slid across the bench to make room, while Carson grabbed the seat next to Laken.

I watched in fascination as the Alpha and the Beta, slid the extra plates they had filled over to their mates, who took them as though they had expected nothing less.

"You didn't get me any honey wheat toast?" Grady was asking Thomas, as he popped a stick of bacon into his mouth.

"Carson got the last one."

"Don't even think about it." Carson slid his plate out of Grady's reach, then broke the toast in two and handed a piece to Laken. No words were exchanged between the Alpha and his mate.

I watched them for a moment. For whatever reason, the ease which they interacted fascinated me; literally everything about them was so zen, that half the time I found myself wondering if they were real.

I liked the fact that they obviously knew each other, to the point where words were sometimes unnecessary when conveying their thoughts, intentions and emotions. I liked that they respected each other and how, despite the Alpha's position, he allowed his mate to learn in his own way, or rise to he occasion.

I couldn't help but to think how very different their relationship was from mine and Rien's. Even before I'd gone to the Army, we'd spent half our time arguing. I wonderered if that would ever change.

I watched as Laken reached across and helped himself to a thick slice of ham from Carson's plate at the exact moment that Carson reached across to remove a pancake from his. They were like two sides of a coin, moving in unison, perfectly complimenting each other. More importantly, the valued each other's opinions. The moment Laken opened his mouth, he had the Alpha's undivided attention, no matter what the situation they found themselves in and vice versa.

In the week since I'd been fully awake and aware in the wolf camp, I had been to so many pack meetings and informal gatherings that I had learned more about them than I would have thought possible.

If I was in a shitty mood, all I had to do was sit for a few minutes in their presence and I automatically felt better. The two wolves just had such a calming effect and it was no wonder that people continuously gravitated to them when they were together. It was certainly an interesting dynamic, because when they were apart, they were completely different.

Carson was harder, very blunt and intimidating, while Laken was shy and quiet. Together however, they were just two happy people, and that happiness completely transformed their personalities; everyone could see it. I hadn't really believed in soul mates until I'd met them.

"I'm going into town for a few hours later, do you want to come?" Laken was asking the Alpha, who shook his head.

"I have an all-day strategy meeting with the elders in an hour. Where are you going?"

Laken shrugged. "I don't know yet. I just wanna get a break from camp for a little while." He said, then frowned, before glancing at his mate. "And I don't want Ezra to be apart of my guard this time."

Carson raised a brow. "Because of what happened yesterday?"

Ah yes, Ezra. I remembered him well; only because his interaction with Laken the day before had completely altered my view of the little wolf. I had had the distinct pleasure of watching as Laken had cut the asshole down to size with but a few choice words, and I had been impressed. Who would have thought that the little bunny had some bite.

But what had intrigued me even more, was the fact that not once did the Alpha step in to shelter his mate from the abuse. He, like everyone else, had simply stood aside and watched as it played out, and the only sign he had given that he had been even mildly interested in the whole affair, was the fact that he had tried to conceal a grin when Ezra the asshole, had stood there in shocked silence after the ordeal.

My respect for Laken had grown tenfold that day, and so had my respect for the Alpha, who clearly knew when to step in and when to stay out of it. I couldn't help but compare the situation to Rien, who no doubt, would have broken Ezra in two, had his words been aimed at me. I thought that one important thing Rien needed to learn, was when to allow me the opportunity to fight my own battles.

Laken nodded at his mate. "I just want a relaxing day without his attitude for once." He said, then his eyes narrowed and he poked the Alpha's arm. "This is your fault you know."

Carson chuckled. "How is it my fault."

"You know how he gets, so of course he'd be insulted to be assigned to be one of my guards out of the blue."

The Alpha was still grinning. "There's no reason for him to be insulted. It should be considered an honor to guard you. I've done it a million times and I like it well enough."

Laken shook his head. "Of course you like it, you're my mate. For everybody else, it's just a hassle."

"Then who are you going to replace him with?"

"Nelson, I think."

The Alpha wrinkled his nose. "I'm not really a big fan of Nelson."

Laken shrugged. "He's alright."

Carson took a sip of his coffee. "Do you want to tell them or should I?"

"I'll do it. I have to run down to the training hall anyway before I leave."

"Hey if you're going to pass my Suzy's I'll go with you." Grady spoke up, and the Beta glanced at him.

"You're leading the strategy meeting today. You can't go."

Grady shrugged. "I led it last time. Fill in for me, I haven't been off camp grounds in a while and I'm practically suffocating in here."

"The elders called this meeting because they want your views, not mine." Thomas responded, and Grady rolled his eyes.

"Missing one meeting won't hurt. It's not as if it's urgent anyway. Tell them I'm on my death bed if that helps."

I glanced between the Beta and his mate and shook my head. They were the polar opposites of Carson and Laken in all ways but one, yet still, I couldn't help but to respect them just the same. As a couple, they were a force to be reckoned with, and by now I was sure that the entire camp knew to thread lightly when it came to them.

When it came to matters of importance, they thought with one mind and if Grady gave an order, the wolves treated it as though it had come from the Beta and it was clear they all respected him.

I had to admit though, that the Beta was generally an angry son of a bitch, and there was rarely a time his expression wasn't set in an emotionless mask, but I had learned that despite his demeanor, he was fair, and like his Alpha, he led with an iron fist.

Then there was Grady, and as much as he spent his days buried in a cloud of mirth, I had to admit that he was intelligent to boot. I remembered the first time I had gotten a peek of what really went on in that brain of his, and to this day, I was still in a state of disbelief. He was smart; disturbingly so, and while he was the camp jokester, everyone listened when it came time to be serious, because when it mattered, he was one of the people they depended on to get them out of any tricky situation.

The only strategy meeting I had had the chance to sit in on, had left me in a daze. Grady had led it with ease. He strategized like a commander and lectured like a well-seasoned college professor, with the brain of genius. He had impressed me, and sometimes I found it impossible to reconcile the genius with the jester.

I watched them now as the bickered like children; always bickering, those two, but not even a fool couldn't miss the fact that they loved each other. Furthermore, no one could miss just how protective the Beta was of his mate. As long as they were in the same space, Thomas' eyes were on Grady; as though the moment he let his mate out of his sight, was the moment he would lose him. Though to be fair, that would probably be the outcome, considering just how easily Grady got himself into trouble.

When it came to political matters though, both couples were the epitome of strength and dependability. They understood their duties to the camp and carried out their various roles as though they had been born to do them. Whenever I watched them all together, I saw one solid wall of support, unwavering friendship and a deep sense of loyalty. These were four people who would die for each other, and as strange and ill-matched as they might seem on the surface, they somehow all fitted together like the perfect puzzle pieces.

The wolf pack was in good hands. I felt a strange sense of longing, knowing that I would never be apart of something so profound. Soon we would return to the coven, which lacked any true sense of community or warmth and where the only thing that mattered was deceit and social status.

When I glanced up again, Grady was rolling his eyes at Thomas. "Where have you been anyway? Last time I saw you was yesterday afternoon when we were setting up for the bonfire."

"I had some things to take care of across the territory lines."

"What kind of things?" he interrogated his mate, who glanced at me and then back at Grady. I got the message loud and clear; I was an outsider and their secrets weren't mine to hear.

Luckily for the Beta, his mate also got the hint and fell silent. I dug into my meal with far more gusto than necessary, and was grateful when I looked up and spotted Rien standing by the door; his eyes on me. His expression, which was usually closed off and difficult to decipher, was an open book, and in it I read confusion, and for the first time since I'd known him, I also saw worry.

I took one last sip of the orange juice and excused myself from the table, before navigating through the rows of tables and finally making my way over to him.

"Rien?" He offered me a small insincere smile, and my concern grew. "What's going on?"

He glanced past me, and I followed his gaze to the table I had just vacated. Both the Alpha and the Beta watched us; their own expressions indecipherable. I frowned.

"Walk with me." Rien said and when he turned to go, I followed; keeping pace beside him.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"Not here." Was all he said, and we walked in silence across the camp grounds. When we came upon the large camp gates, the guards standing on either side of them, pushed them open without a word and we made our exit.

We walked for a long time after that, in complete silence. The only sounds that could be heard were the movement of the forest's inhabitants and the sounds of the wind blowing through the trees. I watched him carefully as we went; noting his stuff posture and as time went on, his breathing became strained.

I grabbed his arm and was surprised that he allowed me to spin his around without protest. As I watched him I noticed for the first time what I had somehow failed to see before; there was blood running down the fingers of his left hand, which hung limply by his side. I took hold of the arm, which was hidden by the long sleeves of his black tunic and realized it was soaked through. I released him and stared down at my own hand in horror; blood.

"Rien?" I called, dragging my gaze from my hand to his face, where I noted that his brow was dotted with sweat, and his eyes were slightly unfocused at he looked at me. He took a step forward and I pressed my hands to his chest to stop him, then gaped in horror when my hands once again came away wet with blood.

"We must continue." He said, clenching his jaw as he pushed forward.

"You're hurt. How is this possible, what happened? I don't understand." The words fell from my lips as I followed him, glancing around us now with a sense of urgency and growing disquiet.

"Stay close to me." Was his only reply and the weak, breathy sound of his voice sent my heart galloping faster in my chest.

"We need to stop. I need to look you over." I said, but he grabbed my arm in a punishing grip and I bit back the grunt of pain.

"Tony," he gritted out, and a moment later, his knees buckled. I caught him before he hit the ground and lowered him carefully onto the forest floor. Afterwards, I dragged him a short distance and leaned him against the bark of an old oak tree.

His eyes were closed and his breathing was ragged. I glanced around briefly once more to ensure we were alone, before I began to peel the tunic from his body. I discarded the bloodied shirt and my hands shook as I cataloged his injuries.

I clenched my fists and squeezed my eyes shut before taking a deep breath. "Relax Tony, just pretend he's nobody." I whispered to myself in between breaths. "Just pretend he's nobody." I reopened my eyes and unclenched my fists.

He had been shot several times in the chest, and once in the arm, but for whatever reason, his wounds weren't healing. I eased him gently off the bark to check for exit wounds, but there were none. I also took note of the fact that there had been no holes in his tunic, which meant, he'd changed before he had come looking for me.

I didn't have a knife to dig out the bullets, which meant I would have to use my fingers. I was worried about things like infection and blood loss and whether they would affect a vampire. I pulled my shirt over my head and pressed it against his more grievous injuries, and shook out my right hand, hoping desperately to steady the shaking.

It was a damn shame that Kaio and all the others had left for the coven the day before. "Fuck!" I cursed at my shaking hands, before taking yet another deep breath. "Just pretend he's someone else." I whispered again to myself as I tried to still my shaking hands.

I realized then that when it came down to it, I was useless. "Get your head on straight soldier." I commanded, but despite everything; despite my training, it just wasn't as simple a task trying to save the life of someone you loved.

"It's okay." I glanced up at the sound of Rien's weak voice. "These are no ordinary bullets. My condition will not improve simply by removing them." I didn't realize that my face was wet with tears until he reached up to press a hand to my cheek.

"Run." He said, eyes meeting mine. "Run as far away from here as you can and do not look back."

I placed a hand over his. "This can't be happening."

"The wolves cannot be trusted. I need you to run my love."

"Just—" I looked around the forest floor, searching for something; anything that I could use to help him. "Tell me how to help you."

He opened his mouth but no words came, then his eyes drifted shut and his hand went limp under mine. I took his face in my hands and tapped his cheek. "Rien!" I shouted, but there was no response. "Rien!"

"You cannot help him."

I froze when I heard the voice behind me, then released Rien and turned around slowly.

"Christophe." He stood watching us with his white robes billowing in the wind behind him. His expression was indecipherable. "Christophe, what do I do?" I looked quickly between him and Rien in desperation, when two other figures melted from between the trees not far from behind him.

Kandane and Noah. I stood quickly, trying to block Rien from their view, while knowing full well that they had already seen him. I realized then, that there could only be one reason they were all there; to finish the job.

"We trusted you." I said to Christophe and he glanced toward his companions. Kandane took a step forward. His eyes were just as cold and hard as I remembered them in the courtyard only days before, and his presence just as distressing.

"You touch him and I'll kill you. I swear to God." I warned Kandane when he took yet another step forward.

"Step aside human." He said, and I felt goose bumps rise along my skin. There was no way I could take him on and come out alive. I glanced back at Rien; terrified that it had all come to this.

Everything was happening too fast. Just yesterday we had been roaming the wolf camp together; making promises that we had both expected to keep. This couldn't be happening; not now when things had changed for the better, but here was no way I could protect him from two vampires and a hunter and we all knew it.

I glanced at my best friend, whose eyes were trained on my injured mate. "Noah." I began, and his eyes met mine. In them, I saw his compassion but there was also anger. He glanced at Kandane.

"He'll fight you." Noah told his mate. "try not to hurt him." he said, and my only hope turned away from us to rest his back against a tree; arms folded in front of him.

I crouched down in front of Rien and shook him as gently as I could. "Rien, open your eyes." I begged him. If this was going to be it for us, then I needed to see those eyes one more time. If this was the end, I wanted to at least hear his voice first.

As I pleaded with him to wake up, I thought of how much time I had wasted. All the time that we could have spent happily together, I had thrown away, and for what?

The arms that suddenly encircled me were as firm as unrelenting as stone. Christophe dragged me away from him, and held me against him in a grip that I couldn't hope to break. and When I began to fight and curse him, he covered my mouth with a firm hand.

I was forced to watch in horror, thrashing like a madman, as Kandane approached him. I bit down on the hand that covered my mouth, kicked viciously at the legs behind me, and clawed at the hands that held me, until Christophe's skin was raw and bloody. Unfortunately, he healed quickly and the madness continued.

My vision was blurred enough by my own tears that I could hardly see what was happening, yet still I fought; desperate to run to him; desperate to save him from whatever evil was about to befall him.

"Take him with you. I wish to be alone with my brother." I heard the devil say, and my world went black.

............................

When I came to, I pressed the heel of my palm to my aching temple and groaned. I felt as though I had recently gone two rounds with a Mack Truck. My entire body was throbbing and when I opened my eyes, I remembered why.

I was being held in a small, poorly lit bedroom by the two people I had made the mistake of putting my trust in. I shifted on the bed they had dumped me in upon arrival, and noticed that my right foot had been chained to the post.

"Kandane won't hurt Rien."

I glanced up at Noah when he spoke from his perch on the windowsill, and massaged my sore temple with the pads of my fingers.

"Where is he?"

"Lord Kandane wishes to have but a few moments with him. He will be returned to you in due course, healed and in good health." Christophe, who stood by the door with his arms locked behind his back, spoke.

My eyes narrowed. "Why should I trust the word of a traitor?" I asked through clenched teeth, and he looked away.

"Then you can believe your best friend." Noah spoke up. "I've done everything for that asshole and his fucked up family and the only thing it got me was a fucking fist in my chest, but we're still going to help the bastard." Our eyes met for a moment before I looked away, but in them, I saw the truth. I knew when he was lying, and released a breath of relief that he wasn't.

"What happened to him? Who did this?"

He shook his head. "That I don't know. There's a lot going on that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to be honest."

"So you, snowflake and Kandane huh? The dream team." I clenched my fists. "You fought with us. You were on our side"

He simply shrugged. "I don't really get why there has to be sides, but if you ask me to choose between Rien and Kandane, there's no question where I'm going to end up."

"Yeah? And what if you had to choose between your best friend and your blood sucking boyfriend. What then?"

He shook his head. "We're on the same team Tony. We just have different objectives."

I laughed without mirth and it sounded harsh even to my own ears. "Do you hear yourself right now?"

"Do you? Dane's going out of his way to save Rien as we speak, and I know he healed you, so shouldn't that tell you something? He's not the bad guy. None of us are."

"Yeah well, as far as I've learned, he's a manipulative asshole, so forgive me if I don't exactly trust his reasons for helping us. What are you guys planning?"

"In all the years we've known each other, I've never given you a reason to doubt me."

"Until now." I snapped, and though he glared at me, he fell silent.

I pressed a hand to my head again and closed my eyes as the throbbing intensified, then froze in shock when I heard it; the earth shattering sounds of Rien's agonized screams. That didn't sound like healing, it sounded like torture.

My heart pounding wildly in my chest, I grabbed hold of the chains that locked my foot in place and pulled with everything I had. Noah sighed when he heard the creaking of the wood that the chains were attached to, and though I tried to dodge Christophe when he approached me, his hand shot out as quick as lightning, and gripped my neck. I knew nothing after that, as the darkness swallowed me whole.

..............................................

~Kandane~

I trailed my fingers over the raised veins on his chest and frowned. This was not the work of any hunter that I was familiar with, and Noah had reported the same thing upon his own earlier inspection. The poison used, carried with it the faint whiff of charcoal; a strange ingredient to use in these types of matters, and the other scents that I could not even begin to decipher.

Whoever had done this, had done so with the intention to murder, not incapacitate, and when I found them, they would rue the day they had lain a finger on him. I pressed down gently on the center of his chest and he gasped; a shallow rasping sound that provided further evidence of his rapidly deteriorating health. Not much could truly harm a master class blood-drinker, yet here my brother lay, close to death in this dusty old log cabin.

I followed the trail of the enlarged veins which were transporting the poison across his body.

"Where is Tony?" came the soft rasping question, and I glanced up, surprised that he had fought his way back to consciousness.

"Perhaps you should focus on your own health."

Rien blink slowly, and even that small act looked painful. "Do not hurt him."

I shook my head. "Will there ever come a day when you no longer think so ill of me?"

"Do not hurt him." He repeated, and I frowned.

"I have no quarrel with your mate. He is safe." I promised him. "Why is your flesh riddled with holes? Who has done this to you?"

"As if you do not know." He whispered, and I took hold of one of his hands and squeezed gently.

"I am not responsible for this Riener. Why would I cause you harm?"

His smile, when it appeared, was weak and it did not reach his eyes. "It is in your nature." He sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. "What is it that I had done so long ago to cause you to forsake us? I have always wondered."

There was so much I wished to tell him then; so much I wished for him to understand, but I simply said, "You are not to blame."

Rien closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, they were filled with moisture.

"I have missed you dreadfully." He whispered, and I tore my gaze from his, choosing instead to focus my attention on his injuries. I pressed down gently on the center of his chest, and the tainted blood continued to ooze from his wounds.

"Are you going to kill me brother?" he asked softly. "Is this the end?"

I reached over and brushed the sweat from his forehead with the pads of my fingers. "Even as a fledging you tended to ask foolish questions. Will you never change?"

I shifted his hand in mine, so that our fingers were locked together. "This will be far more excruciating than any pain you have ever felt. Brace yourself." I told him, and without giving him a chance to respond, I dug the knife into his wound in search of the first bullet. As I worked, the screams tore from his throat even as he fought to hold them back.

Moments later, I deposited yet another bullet into the tray beside me. When I poised the blade over another wound, he shook his head.

"Wait."

I paused. "The heightened pain is the poison's doing. You needn't fear that I will think you weak." I reassured him because I knew him like the back of my hand, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. "That you are still conscious is testament of your strength."

I set aside the blade and reached down the pry his fingers from mine. I looked down at my mangled hand and proceeded to reset the bones he had broken during his torment. They healed instantly, and he reached for my hand again, locking our fingers together.

"Where is Tony? I do not wish for him to hear me." He rasped.

"Why? Do you believe he will think less of you for this?"

His silence confirmed my words. "You must have faith in your mate brother. You are both bound together for a reason."

I picked up the blade once more, and he looked away when he saw it. The instant his hand tightened in mine, I began. His ensuing screams would likely haunt me forever.

Minutes later, when all the bullets had been pulled out and he lay on the narrow bed, spent and unresponsive, I lay both my hands upon his chest and began the arduous process of healing him.

I closed my eyes against the world around me, focused my energies and my mind on his weak flesh and chanted the ancient words taught to me by the elder shaman. Not once did Rien shift while I gave his body aid, and I blocked all emotion I held for him from my heart, so that I could heal his aching flesh without hindrance.

In my mind's eye, I saw images of the wound he had suffered and I traced the enlarged veins from memory; slowly and carefully urging the poison from within their depths. I felt the steady stream of energy flow through me, and whispered my thanks to the spirits of the ancient ones who stood around us, waiting and watching the slow rejuvenation of my brother's broken frame.

Three times already in such a short space of time, I had called upon the charms gifted to me by the ancient ones, and I knew that soon it would begin to take its toll. I could already feel the weakening of my own being as I pulled Rien back from the brink of his own demise. Still, I continued long into the daylight hours, until every last drop of toxicant was removed and his wounds finally closed.

By the time I was finished, six hours had passed, and I knelt by his bedside and gripped his face in my hands. Rien watched me, still disoriented from his ordeal, and I chose that moment to speak with him.

"Listen to me Riener." I commanded, and his unfocused eyes met mine briefly, before drifting away again. "Do not for one moment believe that I was responsible for the butchering that took place within our coven. I take responsibility only for the war I brought upon the wolves, but no more.

"This means that there are others out there who wish our people harm, and you must remain vigilant at all times." I patted his cheek, and his eyes once again met my own. "It may be a long time before I see you next, so I will leave you with one final warning; be careful who you trust because things are not always as they seem."

I watched him for a moment, memorizing every detail of his face, though I already knew it so well. I then placed a kiss upon his forehead, and as quickly as I could so that he would feel no pain, I wrung his neck.

I released him, stood and turned to go. I could not take the risk of him following me, and this would give me a head start. The moment I stepped out of the room, Christophe released the human, and I stepped aside to allow him to run to my brother. I watched as he crouched by my Rien's bedside, inspecting him for injuries.

"He will awaken in a few short hours." I reassured Rien's mate, and turned to go. Behind me, Noah and Christophe followed, and Tony's angry glare remained pasted on my back right up until we exited the cabin.

From there, we began our journey to the wolf camp, where the Alpha and Beta awaited my arrival. We made quick work of the distance, reaching the pack's territory under two hours, and the camp gates opened to allow us swift entry.

I left Christophe and Noah to their own devices, and made my way up to the roof above the Alpha's quarters. "Kandane." They both greeted when I arrived, and I nodded in response.

"How's Rien?" The Alpha inquired.

"If not for you, he would have perished hours ago. Thank you for informing me about his condition."

"Did he tell you what happened?" The Beta asked, and I shook my head.

"He was not very coherent. Have you learned anything since?"

"No. Last night we received a report of hostile humans along the border. We went with a group of our men, but we lost them. We think they were hunters and somehow Rien must have stumbled upon their scouts or their camp. We found out this morning that he followed us without our knowledge last night." The Beta said.

"And when he stopped by the mess hall this morning and we smelled his blood, we knew something was up."

I nodded. "Which means he suspects you. Do you think he knows that we are cohorts?"

The Alpha shook his head. "I think he suspects something's up, but I doubt he knows we've been working together. Any news from the others?"

"No, nothing yet. Did you lose any men during our incursion?"

"No, everything went as planned on our end. What about you?"

"Those who went up against my brothers lost their lives. It is tragic, but they knew the risks when they joined."

Carson nodded, and dropped a hand to my shoulder. "Regardless, we're sorry for your loss."

"What's the next plan of action?" the Beta spoke up then, folding his arms before him.

"I will continue to visit with the leaders of the distant covens. You must continue your talks with the other packs."

"What about the hunters? They're in as much danger as the rest of us."

"No. The hunters cannot be trusted with this knowledge. They are but human and will betray us if given the chance"

"Then we'll do what we can to protect their kind as well. Your brother earned my respect the day he first busted through our gates, are you sure you don't want to bring him into the loop?" asked Carson, as I knew he would have.

"Our father has conspired to commit the genocide of hunters, lycanthropes and all blood-drinkers who stand against him. As much as I would like to trust my brother with this information, he can be naïve and I fear he will put his faith in those who cannot be trusted. If my father learns that we are amassing an army to stand against him, he may act sooner than expected, and we cannot allow that."

"Fair enough." The Beta said. "Do you think he bought our fake war act?"

"I think he will once he hears of it. As you know, the entire raid was carried out to fool my father into thinking that I am standing against him because he has made Rien heir. This will remove suspicion from our true objectives." I said, "And if that did not convince him, then Marcan's foolish actions in the courtyard certainly will."

"You sure this was the best way? They're going to hunt you down for this."

"They will, but it had to be done. Had I not created some kind of believable rebellion against him, I would have been expected to remain in the coven, and it would have proven far more difficult to carry out our plans. This attack was serious enough that he will believe I have broken away from him, and he will not suspect our true motives.

"What about your coven. Have you found out who orchestrated the attacks?"

"Not yet, but the timing was suspicious. I believe it was planned in such a way as to force the blame in my direction, while the true culprit carried out their own objective, but I know not what those objectives could be, and that in itself is cause for concern."

"Well you know we'll lend aid in any way we can."

"Thank you, but I wish for you to keep your attention focused on our plans. This has been years in the making, but the sooner we nip this in the bud, the safer it will be for us all."

They both nodded in agreement. "Then the only thing we have left to discuss is how your little talk with Kaio went."

"I have planted the seed of doubt, and I am confident that it will grow." I told them with a smile.

...............................................

My eyes followed him as he paced the room; back and forth he went, with his head bowed and his hands clasped behind his head. Occasionally, he would glance my way and mumble indecipherable words to himself. I had ignored his behavior for the better part of the day, but as time progressed, it was getting more and more distracting.

"Why are you pacing Noah?" I finally broke the silence, and he paused to glare at me.

"Would you look at that. The great Lord Kandane speaks after all!"

I shook my head. "We have much to do today. Speak your mind or remain silent, it is entirely up to you, but your incessant pacing must stop."

Somehow, his eyes managed to narrow further, and he stepped forward until he was but a foot away from my desk. "Can we discuss this like adults and not high school children please?"

I acknowledged his obvious anger and gestured for him to continue. "If I hadn't gone when Rien asked, it would have been suspicious." He argued. "It was the right decision and I don't regret my actions."

I frowned. "Plans are put in place for a reason foolish human. I understand that meeting Christophe when you did was inescapable, but you should not have been present during the incursion." I said, my voice low and contained. "My brothers are ruthless. How could you not have realized that they would not hesitate to use you against me? Everything that we worked for could have been lost because you wished to make foolish decisions."

"I've put my life on the line a million times for those assholes, so no, I didn't expect them to turn on me, but guess what? what's done is done, so why can't we move past this?"

"The fact that you fail to grasp the seriousness of your actions makes it clear to me that this is likely to happen again, and if it does—"

"I made a calculated decision when put in a tough spot. I understand that it could have ended badly, but if you were thinking rationally right now, you'd realize that it was the right call." He interrupted me.

"Tomorrow I wish for you to return to your hunting party." I said with a ring of finality. He deflated before my very eyes, and I watched as he pulled up a chair and sat directly across from me.

"Don't do this Kandane." He said; all the fight gone from his eyes.

"I am not being vindictive Noah. Do not forget our agreement; you either go far away from all this where it is safe, or you continue your duties with the hunters, but you cannot stay by my side during this time of strife."

He leaned forward, bracing his arms on the surface of the table. "There's no way they'll trust me after what happened. They know I'm your mate."

"I am confident that you will find a way." I told him.

"Dane—" his pleadings were interrupted when Christophe burst through the doors of my study.

"My Lord, Zahir's scent was spotted along the trail." He reported, and I gestured for him to come further into the room.

"I should have expected this." I murmured to myself. "How far along is he?"

"I expect he shall find us within the hour my Lord. Shall we make arrangements to depart?"

"No." I told him. "Let him come. This should prove to be interesting."

And so we waited, and he did not disappoint. Exactly forty-five minutes later, Zahir burst through the doors of the study, fuming with rage and looking ready to maim.

"I had wondered if you would appear." I stood and made my way around the desk to stand before him. I respected the fact that he did not shrink back, but stood his ground like the fearless warrior that he had long ago proven himself to be.

He glanced around the room, first spotting my mate, who watched the exchange with an expression of abject boredom and then on Christophe, before finally, he returned his gaze to me.

"Release him." He commanded through clenched teeth, and I smiled.

"Perhaps you should be more specific."

He gritted his teeth. "Lord Christophe. Release him."

"I do not hold him captive. He is here of his own accord."

"I refuse to believe that." His insolent gaze ran up and down my body, and his lip curled in scorn.

"Why have you come here with my name on your lips?" Christophe asked in clear confusion.

"Members of the guard spotted you in his company. Our people are of the impression that you have turned traitor, and I have come here to take you home so that we may prove them wrong."

Lord Christophe frowned. "I am here of my own volition. I will not return with you."

"I refuse to believe that." He said, stepping toward Lord Christophe with purpose. The young Lord folded his arms before him, and took a step back.

Zahir paused. "I do not understand you. You are not a renegade Christophe."

"He has pledged his allegiance to me and my cause. I am not holding him against his will." I explained as Zahir turned his horror-filled eyes upon me.

"And what is your cause tyrant? Will you continue to oppress and massacre your own people? Families have been left broken because of the war you brought against us." He turned back to Christophe; his eyes pleading. "It is not too late. This is not the impression you should leave. Think of your family and think of your people."

"I am thinking of my family, and I have made my decision."

"They will hunt you down like a cur and they will have your head for your actions. Do you not understand that?" he pleaded with the young Lord. "Our leader will have me lead the hunting party, and I will have no choice but to follow his orders. Do not put me in such a position."

"I fail to understand why my decisions should matter to you. Why have you come here to plead with me?"

Zahir looked back and forth between us; torn and helpless. I took the opportunity to offer my own thoughts.

"After today we will disappear without a trace. It may be many a year before you see any one of us again." I told him. The glint which appeared in his eyes told me he planned to fight.

"You and I both know that you will not emerge the victor if we are to battle. Do not make a grave mistake Zahir. My brother is fond of you and I do not wish to see him suffer."

The young warrior's jaw clenched.

"Did you truly travel such a great distance simply to end your life?" Christophe interrupted Zahir's thoughts. "Our cause is a noble one, so if you have no will to continue, then perhaps you should join us. You will find that the long term goal is worth the temporary strain."

He shook his head, taking a step back as though he had been slapped. The expression on his face was one of ultimate betrayal. "You ask me to turn from my people? You ask me to follow in the footsteps of this madman? Have you lost your sanity?"

"As far as I see it, there are but two choices here young warrior." I began. "You barged in here with not a care for your own life, so that you could recuse who you perceived to be a damsel in distress. You have since learned that that is not the case.

"We have each made the decision to follow a path worthy of our energies, and as touching as your worry and your words might be, they have no effect." I continued. "The choices are thus; leave this place and return to the coven where my father will undoubtedly command you to hunt and slaughter the one you love, or join us and lend your aid in keeping him safe if you must."

"The one he loves..." Christophe trailed off; his eyes darting between me and Zahir in shock.

"Christophe." I said, and his wide eyes turned to me.

"My Lord?"

"Return to your post." I told him, and after but a brief moment of hesitation, he bowed low and left the room. I waited until the sound of his feet against the forest floors beyond became faint, before I spoke again.

"Christophe is to be your mate." I surmised. "I can see that you have felt the pull of it, but the young Lord has yet to recognize what it is. I will make it easy for you so that you do not one day blame me for making you a traitor amongst your people.

"Return to the coven, as is your duty; hunt us if you must or turn a blind eye. It is entirely up to you, but know that the more you continue to plead with him to return, is the more he will come to resent you. What we are doing is far greater than you or I Zahir, and one day you will come to understand that, no matter which territory you stand in at the time."

Silence descended for quite some time, during which his angry gaze remained fixed on me.

"You have always been the expert manipulator Kandane." His tone was cold, and his eyes murderous.

"Call it manipulation or call it matchmaking." I said. "but we both know that you are not easily swayed by persuasion or manipulation, so no matter which path you choose to take, it will be entirely your decision."

Noah and I watched as he ripped the warrior's compass from his neck and threw it to the ground. It smashed to pieces at his feet, then within the same breath, he knelt to the ground on one knee and placed his right hand over his heart.

For a moment he glared at the ground, until finally, and with great effort, he raised his head and met my eyes. The vicious anger in his gaze was as clear as the day, just as it was clear in the very set of his mouth and the clenching and unclenching of his left fist which hung by his side.

"I pledge allegiance to you...my Lord." His words were dripping with hostility.

                                                             AUTHOR'S NOTES

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-DoUbLe.A

-unedited