I would like to believe that it could be so simple that passing the torch from one to another with a simple blessing would be enough to relinquish control of something that needed a different approach than our current leader could provide. I could see his point of view, a free society falling in line behind a person who, in our time, was practically considered a dictator wasn't the easier pill to swallow. 

I had wondered which side would be accepted, and how would these civilians respond to an approach that, at times, was rather harsh and unyielding. What caused us to thrive in our time might not stand in this one yet they seemed to stare at him as if he had lost his mind in the same way that I'm sure they stared at him when he killed his own father for a chance to rule. 

Johnathan had been the most outspoken, for following a 'child' was not on his agenda, let alone the idea of following anyone. These people were spoiled with their freedoms, they didn't know what awaited them as soon as they revealed their true identities to the public and the horrors of what the government intended to do to them. 

It didn't take much to put two and two together that a full-scale breeding program was potentially in the works with the success of Marisol's insemination. What they intended to do with their lycans was anyone's guess, but if history had any merit, humanity's cruelty knew no bounds. 

While assurances ran high, I could see the reluctance in the faces of people who looked just like ordinary people. Blinded by the lust for a new army, I had seen a handful of soldiers so easily. Now, looking at them sitting before me in their borrowed clothes, I saw scared people of a variety of ages who knew nothing of what we were asking of them. 

Now, we wanted them to follow an admittedly inexperienced leader to their deaths while one of the only tested people bowed out. Verando would follow me, leaving Helen behind to run things as I made my tour to France. This seemed to be the sticking point of following the new successor.

These people had little reason to have faith in him, little reason to have confidence in any of us. We were telling them things that made little sense, propaganda for all it was worth in their minds. But, their options were slim. It was to join us or be cast out to their deaths or inevitable capture. 

They had no ability to control the wolf, no ability to harness what was beginning to happen to them as they came to terms with their new selves. As much as their human side might wish to leave, the wolf clung to the one true leader that they knew and that was my supposed husband.

 But, as he stated later that night when we finally managed some privacy from prying eyes, no one would ever be pleased with his retirement, but following me meant he needed to make a decision. We could not drag a pack after us once more, he wouldn't make that mistake again. 

Until we left for France, he would continue to train Helen, and I would continue to train Tyler. In a short month, we would need to make a move to save Fergus, but for now, this was the path we were on. We were maintaining, and putting measures into place that would keep systems running here when we took our departure. 

In reality, we were preparing our family for a life without us as it was something our past family had been denied. There was no guarantee we would return from France, no promise that there was a world to return to even. 

Helen would be the leader whether they liked it or not, and truly they should be grateful for Helen over Legardo. 

As much as it killed me, I did offer for Verando to stay. But somehow, it felt wrong, and we both agreed his place was by my side in this last attempt to bring peace to this crumbling planet. The next day is spent in the throws of political warfare, a thing that I find I still thrive in. 

I can hold my own against the onslaught of questions and accusations. We all had lives to live, and we would continue to do so as long as possible. Johnathan and Verando had been missing from the public eye for too long, and the news was starting to become concerning; Senator Campbell had been last seen leaving the benefit not feeling well and hadn't been seen since. 

It was time to release him, but not without help. 

Verando had a concert scheduled back in Long Island, it would be a quick drive and a couple of days' stay before he could return to continue Helen's training. While I could see the desperation for him to remain, disappearing from the government's radar wouldn't bode well for any of us. I had my own obligations to fulfill, even with David Malcom currently at the bottom of my list.

 There was still the matter of Verando's date with Mistress Corina, an obligation she seemed excited for him to fulfill as she had been talking about it on the morning news as they interviewed her for the latest 'miracle' she intended to perform. 

Even with the world ending all around us, people still sipped their coffee and watched their soap opera drama, went to their everyday jobs, and gushed over the next celebrity to cross their paths. Perhaps ignorance indeed was bliss, as things seemed rather bleak from this end of the spectrum. 

"Are you ready?" Verando asks, beginning the trail of buttons as he fastens his shirt. 

"I suppose. So you're going through with this? You know we were told you could decline the date." 

It seems childish to not want him to be alone with her. He was a grown man, and I'd gotten my proof that his appeal for anyone other than me and Marisol, on a platonic level, was minimal at best. He disliked most people, Red considerably more so than others; she could see for herself how unpleasant he could be when his hand was forced. 

Yet, the thought still ticked away in the back of my mind like an annoying clock that wasn't even set to the correct time yet still dared to beat away as if it were relevant. She had had him once before, she could offer him something that I couldn't, and there were more times than once when I wondered if I was enough for him. 

His promiscuous nature never ceased to worry me; he was a man who did what he wanted, and it could be downright terrifying. 

Finishing the buttons up to the center of his chest, he makes a face, packing up the remainder of my clothes so I would have something to wear at home, though I had grown quite fond of his outfits.

 Marisol and I raiding his closets seemed to be getting on his nerves, considering her breasts stretched his shirts, and my cuffing of his pants meant ironing, which was somewhat emasculating, apparently. 

"I'm hoping I can get some information out of her. She wants to talk to me, or she wouldn't have bid on me."

"That's what I'm afraid of. She wants to talk to you." I remind him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Nothing good comes from that woman wanting anything. She's up to something."

"Yes, and I intend to find out what." He kisses my cheek as he carries my suitcase to the living space, and I follow reluctantly behind him. 

Tyler and I will be doing some light work to show activity, though we decided it was best to not be separated from Helen since he seems to keep Malka calm. We've assigned him the task of doing water purification for the inner cities and keeping an eye out for more lycans. With a concert coming up, this time on a larger scale broadcast, we expected more lycans to appear.

 "Go with Tyler, keep him safe, and stay alert. Don't phase unless you have to, remember all your clothes will be gone if you shift unless you take them off. Have faith in this side of yourself; thumbs are a blessing. Keep your pack exercised, give them tasks, and figure out who they are. 

You're going through the same thing they are, and your humanity is just as important as your blood, don't be afraid to show them that you bleed, too." He tells Helen as she stands hesitantly between us and the door. 

Johnathan appears, ready to leave with us. 

Helen folds her hands in front of herself, trying not to shrink up under the prying eyes of the Senator. "Do you have to go so soon?"

"I'll be back. Nic isn't going to let Tyler out of his sight for too long." 

I blink at the call to attention, and Tyler shrugs; I feel his task is much more straightforward than hers. Tyler is responsible for himself and learning his craft; I didn't see the need for a pep talk. The man had helped me turn a hurricane while almost being devoured by his wife; I think sanitation is the least of his worries.  

Tyler puts his arm around her reassuringly. "Don't worry, baby girl. We got this. There ain't a gal out there who tries harder than you."

 Marisol glowers at him from the kitchen, and he clears his throat. 

"Well. You know what I mean. Can't please 'em all. A little bit of talk, a little bit of cleanin', we'll be back before ya know it." 

She smiles at him, accepting the mental fluffing. Sometimes their relationship made me feel I needed to recheck my own standards. Was it possible for two people to be so sickeningly lovely to each other? 

But, thankfully for them, Legardo made up for their kindness with glaring hatred and a sour attitude. It would seem there would be no forgiving his father now that he'd cursed his daughter with life as an 'Alpha'. 

"Good to know you're already breaking your promises."

Verando sighs at him, and Rhea waves their child off. "Don't mind him, Rando, he's just pissed because you didn't pick him. You're not breaking any promises. This will be good for Helen." She seems to consider touching him, dusting off some imaginary lint as Marisol thumps her out of the way as deliberately as possible. 

Bagel in hand, she sneers at the red-haired woman. "Are we done stroking each other dicks? Can we go?" She takes a massive bite of the cream cheese-covered pastry as Rhea gives her a dirty look.

"Good to see nothing's changed. Still chasing after a lost cause, are you Marisol?" The commentary made little sense to me; she knew the woman had to come with us, and yet she still felt the need to throw stones.

"Nah, not ever since I heard he's gay. Must have been one of the bitches he slept with that turned him." She retorts shortly, smacking my warlord on the ass. "Vamos! Vamos! Estoy harto de mirar a esa perra."

"Ok, nos vamos. Cálmese." He responds, giving Johnathan a look. "See, I don't control shit, so yesterday was, frankly, moot. You'd been better off asking this one to storm the castle for you." He raises his hands in defense as she gives him a harsh look. "I know. We're leaving, look, walking towards the door right now. No one likes you when you yell in Spanish."

She storms off for the exit where Marcello has pulled our car around, shouting over her shoulder at a speed that doesn't seem human. 

"I pity any cat with the balls to attempt anything while she's around." I allow as loudly as I dare as we follow after her. 

"She'd tear the whole city down if we let her. Rough night, I'd say. Another month of this, and we won't need a lycan army." 

It makes me sigh as I resist the urge to wrap my arm around his. The intimacy of sharing something like this mixed with the fact that we hadn't discussed what we would do with Soli while in France. Frankly, the woman terrified me, and I didn't want to be the one to tell her I didn't want her going, yet I feared my warlord would meet his match if he dared to bring it up, either. 

Yet, where would she go? She would be due in a few months, and our timeline was short. It felt wrong to deny her the rights to her husband, even if her husband was my own; he was the father of her child. The whole thing just made me ill all over again. At least the Senator had the common sense to stay out of it. 

The drive is tense, with an angry and uncomfortable female crammed in the back of the sports car next to a Senator trying to decide if he's safer outside than locked in this space with her. We dropped him off at his residence with Verando promising to see him at the event this evening where the Senator would appear and Verando would be there to keep an eye on him. 

With him gone, Marisol stretched out over the back and yawned in contentment. "I'm saying it now that Captain Sugartits is gone; your granddaughter and her husband make me want to puke. I bet that's the most boring sex ever. 

I love you. 

No, I love you. 

Please... get choked or something." 

Verando purses his lips in amusement, but it's all I can do not to revert into full-blown hysterics at the woman who managed to settle back into my good graces all over again.  

"Don't be all high and mighty on me now, Doe. Nic gets it; it doesn't mean I love them any less, but damn. I bet they cuddle for hours."

"I tend not to think about it," Verando responds, in mock sophistication. 

 "I agree. That's as far as I'll go." I allow, shaking my head in disbelief and relief all at once, that I'm not the only one with these thoughts. 

"You're both boring. I think women think about sex so much more often than men do. Well. Maybe not. I've never fucked anyone over a loudspeaker before. That was hot." She giggles, effectively making Verando choke and laugh all at once while turning me eight different shades of red. 

"Crash the car; I'm ready to die now," I tell him with a groan.

"Alpha, I can't!" She moans from the back seat, dramatically displaying limbs and giggles. "Dios Mio!" 

And all over again, I allow myself to hate them both and wonder if a fall from this speed would kill me. Jumping out the door into oncoming traffic probably wouldn't be the worst way to go. I don't know what about Marisol brings out the street urchin in him, but at least he seems happy. 

I fixed his tie for the third time to allow him to reset it now that I've messed it up. After the painful car ride from hell, I'm not quite in the mood to entertain him, but with Marisol sleeping on the couch, I can't help but feel as if this will be the only time I'll be alone with him tonight. 

 "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

"I'm going on a date afterward, remember? Turn the telly to the entertainment channel, and you'll see me for most of the night. I'll keep you posted with the texting messages if that pleases you."

 If he had any ability to send them, as slow as he was and as short as they could be, it would be rather useless save for assuring me that he was still alive.  

"But the next event will be in France, and for that one, you will surely be there." He teases, sliding his arms around my waist to pull me closer. I tug at the edges of his jacket; a black suit left unbuttoned with a white button-up underneath and a tie. 

"Are we crazy for doing this? Do you think this is a waste of time?" I ask, making him pause as he slips his hand into one of mine to bring my knuckles up for him to kiss. 

"For freeing a unicorn? Perhaps. For trying? No. My last moments will be spent with you; that is all that matters." He pulls me close, lightly leading me through a half-hearted slow dance. 

I rest my head on his chest, enjoying the last few moments of closeness as he hums me a teaser for the night's performance. I never thought of him as a performer of any kind, though I suppose it does make sense in some ways; I often thought his talent was wasted on casual tunes for my amusement alone. 

 "When we get to France..." I begin, trying to form my words. "Can we finally make this official? It feels right, even if it is four hundred years too late." He slows our pace, and I can practically feel the grin at the corner of his mouth. 

"The world is ending, and you want to get married? We ask each other so often, I figured it was just common knowledge."

"If I'm going to die, I want to die Mr.Mercer. I'm just sorry it's taken so long." 

He kisses the top of my head before dipping me down despite my protests. 

"I intend to see you live a long and happy life, Mr.Mercer." He captures my lips with his own, and I sigh as I tangle my arms around his neck to not mess up his hair. How am I supposed to let him go now? Straightening, he breaks the kiss and brushes his nose against mine. "Think about the details, and I'll do whatever I can to make it happen. But I do need to leave before I'm unable to." 

I swat his ass for his response. 

"I have to, as an act of defiance towards your ex-wife. Nobody smacks that ass but me."