King laid Klaus onto the bed and he remembered the first time he was in this bedroom. King wanted to christen the bed by making love with his mate. Now, it seemed wishes do come true. This night truly had brought a lot of surprises to King. But the one that took his breath away was merely staring into the eyes of his mate.

King eyed the platter of dessert like he had Klaus's lips; with lust. "We shouldn't waste the cake," King whispered.

He scooped some of the vanilla icing off and coated the buttercream onto Klaus's neck. The exact spot where King's mouth ached to taste; his teeth throbbed to take a bite of the pale skin. His mouth latched onto the pulsing nerve and his teeth elongated enough to leave the deepest mark possessing Klaus. The jolt of the marking shot through his body and he flared alive with the dangerous urge to fuck Klaus. His shaft throbbed in his pants and the agony was intolerable.

Klaus's fingers laced into King's hair and the feel of his nimble fingers was spectacular. King's eyes rolled back and his pheromones flared violently.

King's teeth grazed Klaus's skin, marring it red as he trailed down the column of his throat. "Mmm, just like I thought," he moaned as he breathed in Klaus's scent deeply as he could. "You taste much better... especially when you're blushing." King grinned as Klaus drew King away from his neck and to his lips.

They kissed long and hard, until there wasn't any place left unexplored...

A few hours passed after King was done collecting his gift for his birthday. Although, he only had twenty minutes until midnight. But Klaus didn't care about time after King had him under his whim and practically screaming for release.

King returned from the shower after Klaus had already bathed and snuggled under the duvet from the long night. He towelled his damp hair before he walked into the bedroom again, he closed the light from the bathroom behind him and the only guide he had was the small moon perched on the side table.

A silver glow illuminated the dark room to a comfortable ambiance. The air in the room was a bit chilly, but King didn't feel a thing, since his skin was raw from the hot water and the markings all over his body that Klaus generously left behind. The claw marks on his back and the bites all over his neck made King a little bit too chirpy, that he felt unrecognizable to himself.

King circled around to his side of the bed, he stood over his mate who appeared soundly asleep. Klaus laid on his side, his arms tucked under the blanket and his face peaceful; no sign of restraint or frown of any sorts. Although, King couldn't say the same about himself, since his glower was very noticeable. Not because he was distressed or angry, but he was just always like this. He had forgotten that he wasn't one to be in a good mood, or to look forward to getting into bed at the end of every day. King wasn't used to receiving any love or even any care. However, since Klaus entered this life, all that had drastically changed.

A day that King never celebrated, was now full of memories of Klaus and even Bone. Something as trivial as a birthday was precious to them, when in fact, this day wasn't important to King because it was a reminder that he was born alone in this world. His birth wasn't monumental; it wasn't a day to be celebrated or remembered and that was what King knew best, but all that changed now.

King never thought it was important to celebrate his birth when his own family didn't care about it, since he was born an orphan. But Klaus didn't think that way for him. Klaus thought it was important to start small and show him that his birthday was meaningful.

King watched his mate, his phenomenal and kind mate for a moment longer, when suddenly, Klaus had lifted the duvet up and presenting the empty spot. He had soundlessly motioned for King to return to him.

King smiled. He slipped under the duvet and into the warmth of Klaus's comforting heat. King drew Klaus into his arms, but he was afraid. He was petrified to close his eyes thinking that all off this could disappear, since it was too good to be true for him. But as his need to be with Klaus a little longer grew, so did the sleep in his eyes. It slumbered him to give in to the exhaustion of the long day, and like that, he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

King had slowly woken up to the water running in the bathroom. He opened his eyes to an empty bed and he hated that Klaus had gotten up without him.

King lifted his head off the pillows and turned from his stomach onto his back. The sun was right on top of his face, so the most he could've done to keep it from making him kill himself was keep his eyes closed and his hand on his face. He pushed his tousled hair away from his eyes and stayed in bed until Klaus returned. King's mood instantly brightened the moment he thought of when Klaus would return; smelling divine from the shower and all ready for King's insatiable appetite.

The shower turned off and King pretended to stay asleep, so Klaus wouldn't see it coming. King's keen ears caught the shuffling of cupboards, footsteps and Klaus's levelled breathing, which was faint but King caught it.

"I know you're awake," announced Klaus. King didn't move or show a reaction, but he couldn't believe that Klaus had caught on so quickly. "Good morning to you too," Klaus's voice was laced with amusement, before his voice went quiet, and so did any movement.

King wanted to open his eyes so badly and see what Klaus was doing, but before he could, a shadow casted over him and that fresh body-wash and the scent of his mate basked over him. King's body hardened. The exhilarating desire surged through his body down to his shaft, and now, so early in the morning King was ready to claim Klaus. Klaus had bent over to check him. A light breeze hit King's cheek, but he kept a straight face as hard as he could, so he wouldn't jump Klaus because he needed Klaus to come a little closer.

"King," Klaus's voice caressed King's ear. "Wake up, baby."

King's eyes snapped open. "Baby?" he repeated.

Klaus laughed as he dodged King's hands to grab him. "I knew you were faking being asleep," he alleged. He moved back to the open closet.

King rolled his eyes and sat up on the bed. He rested his back against the headboard, he leaned his arm on his knee that was propped up. "You caught me," he mocked. "How'd you even know?" he asked merely out of curiosity.

Klaus, dressed in his boxers only, was rummaging through the closet when he looked back at King. "You only sleep on your stomach," he pointed out.

King bit his lip stopping himself from smiling. "Is that so?" he mumbled as he awed his mate's chiseled body and clever head.

Klaus nodded. "It's the most comfortable position for you."

"I can think of a lot of positions that are more comfortable for me," he teased.

Klaus blinked innocently with those big green eyes. "You should get dressed," said Klaus, changing the subject. "We have to meet Marcello today."

King straightened on the bed. "You're coming too?" he asked, his tone not hiding that he was very alarmed by this discovery.

Klaus pulled out a fine suit from inside the cupboard. "Of course, I'm coming with you," he said. "I'm not letting you go back there without me."

King faced Klaus's stubborn face ready to argue about this. But then, King yielded and decided that he didn't want to go without Klaus either. "Alright, but you stick to my side," he instructed strictly.

"More like you stick to mine," corrected Klaus. "I don't want you getting shot again." Klaus's eyes that were lashed with grief had gone straight to King's arm, where the red marks had faded and some bruising was left behind.

King frowned. "Come here, Klaus," he said with a whisper of a voice, but his mate heard the command in his tone and eyes.

Klaus came over and King pulled him over to sit on the bed across him. King looked into his mate's sweet gaze and melted into them. He never saw such concern, love or beauty ever before.

"Nothing will happen to me," said King. "I'm not as reckless as I was before."

Klaus tilted his head. "What's with the sudden change in you?" he asked. "Not that I don't approve."

King tilted his head in the same direction. "Because I have you now," he said. "And I don't want to die knowing that I lost my time with you. That's all there is to it."

Klaus smiled pleasantly. "Good," he professed. "You should've known this earlier." He tried to get up but King stopped him.

"Uh-uh, where do you think you're going?" he wrapped his strong arms around Klaus's waist and held the man against his will. He pulled Klaus back on top of him, making Klaus straddle his legs.

"To get dressed," answered Klaus puzzled.

King tightened his hold. "What time is it?" he asked.

"Almost eight o'clock," said Klaus.

King nodded. "Alright, we have an hour," he said.

Klaus pushed back King's shoulders as he moved forward. "I already took a shower," he said. But King didn't really understand why Klaus thought that would stop him. Klaus gave King a stubborn look. "Which means, no touching for you," Klaus further explained.

King blinked twice blankly. "You're going to deprive me of my right to make love to you," he astonished. King laid his forehead on Klaus's shoulder in defeat. "I'm so hurt," he brooded. "This hurt me more than the bullets."

"Oh, don't be so melodramatic," Klaus retorted. "I just said that you can't touch me-" Klaus moved back- "I didn't say that I couldn't."

King lifted his head. "Huh?"

King was sure that his heart exploded when Klaus removed the duvet from his body and grasped his hardened shaft in his tightened fist. His long and pale fingers wrapped around his thickness. Klaus's pink tongue lathered the head enticingly; he seduced King to crumble apart from an excruciating release at that very moment. But King bit back his urge and savoured his mate's soft lips and hot mouth as much as he could.

King collapsed back on the bed. His only view was Klaus sucking his shaft and it was a beautiful fucking sight.

The need was blazing hot when King buckled from the arousing sensation as Klaus licked up his aching shaft. He didn't want Klaus to stop, otherwise he'd lose his mind. King's fingers combed into Klaus's soft, slightly damp hair and he gripped it tight. He solely watched Klaus swallow his length deep down his throat and the mere sight of that built the release in King.

King's heart started to race and his breath accelerated. It was like Klaus picked up on King's quickened breath and he quickened his own pace.

"Fuck, Klaus," King growled his desperation.

Klaus's eyes gleamed with amusement and he used his tongue to torture King. However, King wasn't one to be teased like that. King gripped Klaus's soft hair and forced him to take his shaft deeper into his mouth. He controlled the pace to be slow and long now, because he wanted Klaus to know the taste of his strong arousal and the power of his desire if he was seduced.

A carnal moan released from Klaus and King felt it up his shaft. He didn't stop nor did he fight against King's control, which King fucking adored.

"You don't know how hot you look right now with your mouth wrapped around my cock," growled King. "You look so erotic with that blush across your cheeks, Klaus." King smirked down at his mate who had moaned a little louder. "You never did this for anyone, yet you're so good at it."

King thrusted his hips and he watched his shaft go in and out of Klaus's mouth. The heat flared in his body and his body fastened from the urgency to orgasm. But King held on a little longer.

"It drives me insane when I think that I was your first for everything. Your first kiss was with me... first fuck was me... first blow-job was me. Only I was allowed to mark you, wasn't I?" his voice grew heavy with animalistic need.

Suddenly, those emerald green eyes lifted from under thick lashes and its piercing gaze shot through King's heart. The knot in his gut unravelled and his throbbing shaft exploded from its release. His hot essence shot down Klaus's throat and he took as much as King gave.

King collapsed back from the surge that he felt when he came undone. "Damn, mornings are going to get addicting if you keep this up," he said as he shoved a hand through his hair.

Klaus licked his lips. "It's good to know that my efforts are working," he shared.

King gave him a puzzled look. "For what?" he asked.

"For you to wake up early," answered Klaus, as he winked at King and got off the bed before King caught hold of him.

King flopped back on the bed in defeat. He couldn't win against Klaus even if he tried.

So, he silently got lost in the simple task of watching Klaus leisurely get dressed in a slick black Valentino suit. Klaus drew out a simple white linen shirt and draped it over his body. He fastened up the small pearlescent buttons, closing up the front. He then pulled out a silk black tie, wrapping the fabric around his neck and he carefully tied it around his collar, that he folded over once he was done. He buttoned his sleeves and then the man pulled on the black trousers, zipped it up before he buttoned it and used a black leather belt; the leather wrapped around his lean waist and secured it.

King wondered if putting on a suit was always such a sensual task? Klaus pulled on the fitted jacket last and was done getting dressed. He looked radiant and was sexy enough to kill with his looks alone.

King's lips lifted. "Naked is nice, but this is good too," he proclaimed.

Klaus raked his hair back. "Aren't you going to get dressed?" he asked. King got up from the bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up upon his mate's order.

King had a spare suit in his car and Klaus retrieved it for him to use for today's meeting. After King had gotten dressed too, they both went downstairs which was rather quiet for this boisterous household. It didn't seem like everyone had gathered for breakfast yet. The members from the other packs hadn't arrived yet either.

King heard Klaus talk to someone in the kitchen when he walked ahead of King. He joined him in the kitchen and saw Vincent, Ryder and River already awake and ready to go for the day. Except Vincent was in his silk black robes and pyjamas, he appeared rather noble although he had woken up. King guessed that Vincent wasn't joining them to meet Marcello. But River and Ryder were dressed in lethal black suits and their leather holster gear was strapped to their broad shoulders. They stood side-by-side behind Vincent as they drank coffee, appearing rather formidable.

"Good morning everyone," Klaus greeted them first.

King didn't hear the rest of their conversation because his eyes went to the front door, that was left open. Zero was sitting in the middle of a familiar group. She was surrounded by Leo, Dante, Jake, Levi and John who were all still in their pyjamas and drinking warm coffee with Zero. She wasn't dressed in red anymore from yesterday, instead she had all white on this chilly but sunny Autumn morning.

Klaus poured King a cup of coffee and made it how they both liked it. He gratefully accepted the cup and went over to the front door where they were sitting, that was when he heard the conversation.

"What about your mission in Russia?" asked Leo who was sitting cross-legged on a wooden chair. His red-plaid pyjamas weren't protecting him from the cold very well.

"No, no," interrupted Jake. "I want to know the one where you had to jump off a plane onto an island on the china sea."

"That was a great mission," recalled Zero.

"I want to know how you got out of the prison last year," said Levi, who was also in twin pyjamas with his brother, but Levi was dressed in the colour black unlike Jake who wore green. "They captured you for stealing drugs, right?"

Zero chuckled. "I needed them to capture me," she said. "There was someone in prison I had to kill."

"Woah!" The kids awed.

"How'd you get out?" asked John. Zero grinned over the rim of her coffee cup. And even King was curious how she got out.

"I never go into a place without knowing how to escape first," answered Zero.

Dante who was in a grey hoodie and black track pants leaned towards Zero. "I want to know about your mission in Rome," requested Dante. This was the first time that King had seen any interest in this kid. Usually, Dante had a nonchalant attitude towards everything. Well, everything except Leo.

Zero frowned and regarded Dante. "That was one of my very old missions," she said. "How do you know about that? Hold on, how do any of you know about my missions?"

"We're taught about them in our class," replied Leo.

Zero's brows shot up. "In class?" she astonished. "Why would you be taught that in class?"

"Because Klaus wanted it that way," affirmed Dante. "He said that we should learn about the people who are changing our history and making a new future for us."

King smiled and so did Zero. "Well, your teacher flatters me," she said.

"It's true though, right?" said Dante. "You annihilated an entire organization in Rome."

Zero nodded as she took a sip of her coffee. "I had gotten word of a league of wolves that extorted pups that were your age," she explained. "They went by the name-"

"The Plague-" claimed Dante and Leo together.

"Yeah," said Zero. "They were small group back then. So, I decided to get rid of them before they grew."

King knew exactly what Zero spoke of because when he was in the cage-fights, many offers came for him from this Plague organization. Although, he was never sold off to them because his owner made too much money off his fights. King was the golden card that wasn't to be touched to be exact.

"So, how did you do it?" asked John who was shivering in his shorts and t-shirt. He was snuggled up against Levi.

Zero put her hand on his shoulder. "You're too young for me to give the gore details," she said, and the kids immediately protested against the cliff-hanger. "Okay, okay," Zero gave in. "Let me just say that I had a very hard time washing out the stains."

The kids laughed with her and so did King did. No one saw him standing with them, but he knew that Zero saw him or sensed him for sure.

Klaus walked up behind him and saw the kids. "What are all of you doing awake so early in morning?" his stern teacher tone came out as he walked onto the porch. "Don't bother Zero."

"We wanted to talk to her," protested Leo.

"Yeah, we learn about her in school all the time. So, we wanted meet her for real," said Jake as he turned his baseball cap on his messy auburn hair.

Klaus smiled at them. "Sorry about them, Zero," he said. "Hope they didn't trouble you too much?"

"Not at all," Zero said. She got up to her powerful height and tenderly smiled at Klaus. "Listen to your teacher, boys," she eyed the kids now with a stern gaze, "get back into your beds."

The kids groaned and complained, but they moved their butts off the porch and walked back to their homes. King noticed that Leo and Dante went to the same cabin and he thought about how close those two were. They truly were inseparable, before King never would have understood bond. But now, standing with Klaus, he got it.

Klaus turned to get back in the house when he looked at King. Zero walked between them into the house first. Their eyes locked and it was like lightning whipped through King's entire body. Every nerve in his body flared; every cell fired up and he was subjugated by Klaus.

Klaus frowned. "Is something wrong?" Klaus asked.

King eased back his stiff expression. "No, everything's fine," he said.

Klaus stayed quiet, like he was tinkering a thought in his head before he spoke. "I actually had to ask you something," he began, but then froze.

"Yes?" urged King, wondering why his mate was being so hesitant.

"I know we just met and it's probably too early to even ask you-" Klaus's voice fell again and he couldn't continue. Except, King didn't need Klaus to say anything because his eyes told King what he held in his heart. King would wait for Klaus though to gather the courage and ask if he'd join the pack.

King leaned on the door frame as Klaus struggled to find the words; it was quite entertaining to watch actually. Klaus's eyes went everywhere except King's amused gaze. Klaus tried so hard to gather his composure but the bumbling, shy and adorable man was making a mess out of himself.

"Hey," King put his hand on Klaus's cheek. "Just tell me when you're ready. I'm not going anywhere and neither are you. Okay?"

Klaus leaned into King's touch and seemed to calm down. "Yeah," he mumbled and released a breath.

"Excuse me, lovebirds," announced Sabrina, as she came through the door with one heel on and putting the second one on as she clambered onto the porch.

"Wait for me," said Helen who was back in her black gothic t-shirt, flared skirt and fish-net stockings. "Oh, good morning-" she smiled at Klaus and King before she joined Sabrina on the porch too.

"Good morning," said Klaus. "Are you two going to work?"

"You know there's no rest for me, Klaus," beamed Sabrina as she winked at King. "You two joining Gabriel on his man-hunt today?"

Klaus looked at King worriedly. "Yeah," answered King for him.

Sabrina straightened as she got on her platform heels that matched her brown dress. "Be careful," she told them both. "I don't want any of you getting hurt."

"We won't," alleged Gabriel. He appeared in front of his mate and he walked past King and Klaus to hug Sabrina. "Get to work safely."

Sabrina hugged him back. "I will," she said. "I love you." She kissed him before she left with Helen.

The slight gleam of warmth that was in Gabriel had vanished the moment his mate had left him. He stared behind her like he didn't want her leaving and the mere distance hurt him more than any physical wound. The air around Gabriel thickened and he put his hands into his black suit's pockets. He turned towards King and his eyes spoke of the dangers, that would befall on them today, if things didn't go as planned.

"You two ready?" Gabriel asked sternly.

"Are you?" King asked grimly. "You're the one that has to convince Marcello to convert to the good side."

Gabriel didn't answer him and King could understand why because even the Centauri alpha was unsure. He just left them standing at the front door as others came down to join them too.

Everyone had their breakfast and Gabriel had instructed that not all of them were going to go today. King, Klaus and Bone would ride in their own car. Isaiah would be joined with his brother Lazarus, but it seemed that Zeiden, Adrik and Ronin weren't keen on sending the brothers alone, so Gabriel gave in and let them come too. Zero had her own ride. Zachariah and Victor were in their own car. Alec and Vadik had paired together as well. Evangeline, Dimitri, Ashley and Evelyn, all stayed back with Hailey at the house.

Once they said their goodbyes to their mates and kids, the men went to the cars leaving Bone, King and Klaus waiting for Gabriel.

As Gabriel turned to leave, his pack followed him but he stopped them with his hand. "I don't want you coming with me on this," said Gabriel. King saw the confused looks on all of their faces and shit was about to get real, especially when Hunter had turned demonic.

"No," argued Hunter. "We're coming."

"I need you to stay," insisted Gabriel. "All the alphas are gone and our mates are here. I need you-" he looked at Azura, Hunter, Vincent, Viola and the twins- "to keep the pack safe."

"Are you sure?" asked Viola as she crossed her arms.

Gabriel nodded. "Listen to me and keep the pack safe while I'm gone," he looked at Hunter now. "Can you not argue with me on this one."

Hunter scowled. "Fine," he gritted out.

"Thanks-"

"But the twins go with you," interrupted Hunter.

River and Ryder stepped up and they were already dressed to go. "Damn straight we are," said Ryder.

Gabriel raked his dark hair. "Seriously," he shook his head.

"No compromise on this one, brother," asserted Hunter. "I'm the beta of the pack and I say what goes when you leave me in charge." Gabriel drew in a breath as his pack chuckled at Hunter's tone.

King snickered too. "Looks like you're out voted," said King to Gabriel.

River matched Gabriel's height. Both of them dressed in black and guns strapped under their arms. They matched in their dangerous level, that was off the charts today. "You don't have a choice, Gabriel," he said. "I'm coming with you whether you liked it or not."

"I think we'd all be more assured if River and Ryder went with you, Gabriel," reasoned Vincent as his eyes watched the twin's backs.

"Jeez," Gabriel groaned and at the end gave in to his siblings.

"We'll be back," Klaus told his siblings and they smiled at him before they all left following Gabriel.

King usually predicted the outcome of any mission, but right now, his mind wasn't coming up with any conclusion. He looked at his side where Klaus sat in the car with him. He wondered what Klaus saw in King that he saved him from his demons. The answer did not come to King.

That night when King had confronted Marcello alone, Marcello had confessed that he was an orphan like King. He didn't believe that someone like Gabriel could accept them into his pack. Would Gabriel accept men like Marcello and King no matter what their past brought into light? thought King. He didn't know.

They arrived at the skyscraper that King had come to once. They parked at the front and right away the tension accelerated from every one of them. King noticed that it was quiet; the type of quiet before a storm rose or before a predator emerged to hunt its prey.

King got out of the car and joined right beside Klaus, even Bone had positioned himself next to Klaus's left side, which King approved of greatly.

They all appeared inside the entrance of the building and they were instantly surrounded by guards, in black suits, with guns pointed at all of them. The alphas weren't afraid and neither were their pack members.

A man who was bulky and reminded King of a grizzly bear appeared before them. "Lay down your arms," he ordered sternly, which was a bad idea to do especially to alphas like Gabriel and the rest of them.

However, the enemy held them at gun-point, so it seemed that none of them really had a choice right now. They slugged off their weapons and holsters at the entrance.

Gabriel hadn't moved though, which the guards caught on to and made an attempt to take it off of him themselves. They expected that Gabriel wouldn't do anything at gun-point, but even King knew that wouldn't stop Gabriel.

"Don't fucking touch me," Gabriel growled when a man tried to search him for weapons.

The man looked at his partners, when suddenly, his ear piece went off and he gave them all a weary expression. He moved to the side without searching Gabriel or the rest of them anymore. King was glad that he still had a gun secretly strapped to his waist.

They all got into the elevator and that lame music played once again as they stayed eerily quiet. King remembered the irritating fight he had here, but not one trace of that day was left behind in the building. All the bullet holes, blood, broken glass had been removed; it felt like it was only alive and real in King's memories, making it appear as if he fabricated an entire nightmare all on his own.

The doors pinged open and the emerged on the top level. Gabriel and Zero stepped out with River and Ryder glued to their sides. Isaiah Iron was guarded well by his brothers too and so was Zach and Alec. But King wondered if this was going to be enough to stop whatever Marcello's plans were for them.

The door at the end of the vast hall was opened by a guard. Bright sunlight streamed through the glass walls of the entire floor. King realized that this place really appeared heavenly, although the mafia ruled the place. Last time, King had talked to Marcello alone, but now, the bachelor's pad was packed with armed security. Frankly, King felt a little flattered that Marcello went through the need to get himself protection.

Standing amongst his security, Marcello was dressed in all black like the grim reaper itself. He had a villainous look in his gaze and his face showed no sign of patience or understanding.

"I'll kill you if you enter," announced Marcello as he came to the front.

Gabriel dared and moved a single step when shots were fired at the floor near his expensive Italian shoe; the bullets dented the floor and smudged it black. Gabriel raised a brow at Marcello. "That's not very welcoming, Marcello," mocked Gabriel. He tried to move again despite River's protests and everyone else's too, but Gabriel didn't pay attention.

It was only until Zero walked up from the back and put her hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "Stop," she said to Gabriel, but King felt like everyone listened to her, even Marcello and his men.

She daringly walked inside the apartment. She passed the threshold and no one shot at her feet; they couldn't, because enemy or not, shooting Zero was a wrong move entirely.

From the back, King watched her long white coat trail behind her as she approached Marcello. She reached at the back of her white trousers and took out a gun giving it to guard next to Marcello who seized the weapon.

"We're not here to shed blood," Zero's strong voice resonated in the quiet room.

Marcello's gun was held at her heart now. His golden eyes were angry and confused. "Why'd you come back?" he asked. "Do you want another bullet in your back?"

King saw Zero's eyes darken, her sharp canines bared at Marcello. Abruptly, she grabbed the gun in his hand and unloaded it with swift movements. She tossed the weapon on the ground as if it was a toy and not a lethal killer.

"Killing people isn't as easy as it looks, boy," Zero menaced with animosity dripping from her voice. "And trust me when I say, that I can kill each and every one of you without batting a fucking eye."

The room drowned by her dangerous tone that warded off the enemy. Gabriel didn't hesitate then to enter the room, they all followed and the door had closed with all of them inside. Now, it began; the mission to salvage what was left of Marcello Tricomi.

Everyone stood around the room. Silence between them festered and brewed until King couldn't handle the silence any more than he could noise.

"Why are you here?" asked Marcello irritably. "I thought I made myself clear the night you two almost died here." Marcello glared at King and Zero.

"That seemed more like a cry to help to me," said Zero.

Marcello scoffed. "You people never get tired, do you?" he raked a hand through his pale sun-kissed hair.

"We need to know, Marcello," Gabriel spoke next. "What's it going to take for you to stop all this and admit you want the same as we do?"

"I want billions of dollars and people to kill when I'm bored," Marcello mocked with a smirk. "Is that what you want too, Gabriel Centauri?" Gabriel didn't answer. "Yeah, I didn't think so." Marcello crossed his arms. "Everything you know about me is fabricated. None of you know the truth about anything. So, don't stand there and think that you do."

"I knew this was a bust," grumbled Isaiah.

Marcello grinned at him. "It's nice to meet you too," he mocked. "How's your mate?" The entire room drowned with reserve. "I heard she had a run-in with Vito Donovan last year. He's nasty man for girl like her."

"He was!" snapped Isaiah. "Until I sliced his fucking neck in half." Isaiah stepped up and he looked feral as his iron wolf. "If you want I can do the same to you."

King shared a weary look with Klaus who was sure just like everyone else, that Isaiah was about to kill Marcello, just for mentioning Ashley here. But Lazarus was quick to act, he held his brother back with his arm and whispered something to calm him down. King hadn't caught what Lazarus had said, but it worked and Isaiah stepped down.

Marcello rolled his eyes. "Not really the iron alpha people say you are," he remarked.

"You're exactly as we thought you are though," said Zachariah. "Is fighting with us really that entertaining for you, Marcello?"

Marcello raised a brow. "More than you'd believe," he retorted with a snicker.

"Who are you trying to fool, Marcello?" stated Alec. "We all know that you're lying."

Marcello's eyes found King; they froze on him and King knew right away that Marcello hid effortlessly behind the perfect mask. The mask that concealed his true intentions, the mask that protected his entire soul from being reached.

"How are any of you different than me?" accused Marcello. "Almost a year ago, all of you killed for sport and had a hand in exploiting wolves, killing our kind and humans too."

"We stopped, Marcello," said Gabriel. "And we know that you can stop too."

Marcello shook his head. "Don't sell me that trivial shit that you sold to all of them," he snapped at Gabriel. "You're just like the rest of the alphas. Always looking for the prize and selling whatever story to other wolves, so they can yield to you."

"If you really think that, then you don't know me," believed Gabriel. "And it seems you don't really want to because you have blindfolded your eyes with hatred."

"It's not hatred," seethed Marcello. "It's truth, that I see now."

Gabriel was pissed now. "What fucking truth?" he snapped using a harsh tone. "All I see from you is man who was hurt and something was killed inside of him a long time ago." Marcello's eyes flickered with sadness as he recoiled back, like he couldn't accept Gabriel's words.

King had never seen Marcello act like that before. But it seemed that Gabriel had struck a nerve in the man.

Zero stepped in front of Marcello. "Would he want this?" asked Zero. King didn't know what she spoke of, but Marcello knew right away.

"Everyone, leave the room," Marcello ordered sternly.

"But boss-" a man objected.

"Leave-" asserted Marcello and the men cleared out the room. "Don't you dare," snapped Marcello. "Don't you dare bring him up, Zero."

"Does that part of your past still bother you, haunt you?" she asked, and as always, this woman knew everything about everyone. She had told King that night when he came here alone, that she knew Marcello better than them, and she wasn't lying about it. "I know all about how you killed your father because he exploited wolves, like he did to you and your brother-" Zero faced Marcello who was simmering with rage- "Except, your brother still died. He died because you couldn't walk away from your stubborn side, which at the end made you the orphan that you despise being," she stated. "He died protecting you from the men you serve now," she mocked with disgust in her voice. "The people you are protecting are the very same I kill to quench the thirst of our goddess."

"That's the thing with people like you," menaced Marcello. "You walk amongst the light thinking that you're wise and above everyone. But you don't know and will never know what lingers in the darkness behind you. It festers inside me, Zero. I can't be saved and neither can anyone else." Marcello locked eyes with King.

"Is that supposed to scare me?" asked Zero, her voice lashed with grief and an eerie tolerance. King had never seen her blue eyes so broken before though. "You do not know pain like I do, Marcello," she told him, but they all listened closely.

"When I was a kid, a man tried to kill me by setting me on fire-" the entire room silenced because no one knew about this at all- "I screamed for help. No one came, so I crawled and saved myself. From that day I made a promise to myself. A promise to never let someone beg to be saved and I've kept it since. But why is it that I can't seem to help my friends?" she looked away from Marcello and her head dropped. "You have a choice Marcello. Everyone always does. No matter how much darkness consumes them."

"There's no choice for me, Zero!" Marcello raised his voice at her- at all of them. "I can't stop the people who are always looking to kill me or any of you."

Zero whipped around at him. "What don't any of you understand?" she snapped with anger. She held her strong hands in front of him. "These hands held life and death. My eyes have seen unbearable pain but also unimaginable love-" her voice broke like her eyes that stared at Marcello- "My skin has turned to steel from the bullets of hatred. But those bullets never pierced my soul because I knew that I have to stay alive to protect innocent, good people." Zero looked at everyone in the room. Her piercing blue eyes sent a chill down their bodies and they all sensed her formidable wolf standing amongst them. Zero turned to Marcello. "I am here to protect you. All of you-" she reassured them. "So, I beg you. Please don't succumb to evil that I fight days without rest to defeat."

"I can't join you, Zero. But I'm the least of your worries," warned Marcello. "Do you even know how many people are out to kill you."

Zeiden scoffed on the side. "That's nothing new," he remarked.

Marcello glared at Zeiden. "This is not a joke," he growled viciously. "Especially not for Zero or Gabriel who are trying to make a difference around here. People see that and aren't liking it one bit."

Zeiden reeled back lifting his hands up in truce. "Okay, calm down," he said, which oddly relaxed the frown on Marcello's face as he moved back in the middle of them.

"The Plague, you remember them?" asked Marcello.

Zero's eyes darkened. "I killed them," she said. "And I know for sure because I never left any survivors back in those days."

"You did kill all of the founding members," said Marcello. "But it's the name, Zero. Wipe out the plague another will take its place. A man that goes by the name Reaper is after you for killing his father."

"Seriously, Reaper?" mocked Ryder. "We aren't vampires." He made the guys laugh with that joke.

"He wasn't in Rome at the time of your attack," said Marcello ignoring them.

"I would've known if Menza had any kids," believed Zero.

"Reaper's no child of Menza by blood," alleged Marcello. "He was an orphan, who fought on the streets before Menza took him in."

"Are you kidding me?" Gabriel's temperament was visible like smoke around him. "So, that's why you're not joining us."

"Do you think I want a target on my back like all of you," jeered Marcello. "Yeah, no thanks. I'll pass."

"At least tell us where Reaper is, so we can kill him first," suggested Alec.

"If I knew I would've done it already. But I don't," admitted Marcello. "He's like a shadow. No one knows where he is."

"Is this Reaper guy hunting all of us?" asked Lazarus.

"As far as I know, he's hunting Zero and anyone close to her," stated Marcello.

"So, that's a yes," remarked Zachariah. "This is great, puts my mind at ease."

"There's nothing to be worried about," claimed Alec. "We know Reaper's out there coming for us now. We'll be ready for him."

"Wow, that was very optimistic, Alec," Ronin remarked.

"Let him come," said Isaiah. "We'll rip the bastard to shreds before he touches Zero."

"I agree," added Gabriel.

"I would suggest hunting him," added River.

"I agree with my brother for once. Reaper can't be that smart if he's coming for us," added Ryder.

King couldn't believe the group. He shared a tense look with Bone next to him and it seemed that even Bone was caught off guard by the group's positive thinking.

"You guys do know that he's coming to kill us in cold-blood, right?" confirmed King.

Ryder shrugged a shoulder. "A lot of people tried," he replied. "I honestly have lost count over the years."

"No," Zero spoke up. "This isn't your fight. I'll handle Reaper myself. You all need to protect your packs and mates first." The room silenced and that was the end of that discussion.

"What's your decision, Marcello?" asked Gabriel. "Are you going to let Reaper dictate your life now too."

Marcello glared at Gabriel for his condescending tone. "I won't join you, Gabriel," he affirmed. "But I'm not going waste my time to stand against you either. That's my final decision." Marcello's eyes found King and then he looked at Klaus. A realization seeped into his eyes, like he understood why King had refused his offer that night.

Gabriel straightened. "And what will you do if Reaper hands you a gun to kill one of us?" he asked.

Marcello visibly tensed. "I don't have an answer for you, Gabriel," he admitted. "But no one controls me to do anything. Frankly, I don't understand why you protect all of them. Why do you risk your lives to help each other?"

King thought the same about himself being uncontrollable too. But as he eyed Klaus next to him who was watching Marcello inquisitively, he gave up that presumption about himself. Klaus controlled King now and their mating-bond reigned over his heart. Marcello didn't know any bonds like this one. He didn't have a family to share a barbecue with; to have and to care for him when he was hurting all alone. Marcello was a mirror of every lonely soul that seeked companionship, even if that companion was evil; it was better than being alone.

"Family," Klaus spoke up to Marcello. King didn't try to stop Klaus from approaching Marcello, because it seemed that Klaus's gentle voice had done something to Marcello. "We protect our family, Marcello," he said. "We would all die before we let anyone hurt the people we love. Let it be Reaper, Vito Donovan, Lucas Waldorf or even you."

King was reminded of the story Azura had told him that day he visited Trez. The story of when Klaus had put a warm blanket over Azura and reached his hand out to help her.

"If you want to have a family?" asked Klaus. "Then all you have to do is join us." Klaus held his hand out.

Marcello stared down into Klaus's tender eyes and so did King. King remembered when Gabriel had told them last night that he'd save those who needed a hand and not the end of a blade. Right now, Klaus held his hand out to Marcello; a warm welcoming hand that surprised Marcello beyond belief. King had grabbed that hand like a lifeline too; it saved King when Klaus came into his life. He really loved this mate for being the support that he needed, the whole pack needed.

King possessively circled his arm around Klaus when Marcello got too close. "He didn't mean literally," said King taking Klaus's extended hand for himself.

Marcello looked up and met King's gaze. "This is who stopped you from killing me that night," he acclaimed.

"I told you that night," said King. "This Centauri pack isn't normal. They protect and help men like you and I who have done nothing but evil their entire lives."

Marcello looked at all the faces. "I think it's time for all of you to go," he turned his back to them.

King shook his head. "Stop sulking, Marcello," he remarked. "It doesn't suit a man of your pedigree."

Marcello turned and glared at King who was grinning like the sly wolf he was. "Leave before I shoot you," he grumbled.

King looked at Gabriel and Zero. "I think this answers your concerns," he said. "Marcello is with us."

"I didn't say that," protested Marcello.

"Oh, don't be so tough," Ryder teased as he came up beside Marcello. "You know you want to join our fun pack."

Marcello rolled his eyes. "I swear I hate all of you," he growled. "Get out of my house."

Zeiden came up beside him too. "Not gonna happen without at least one drink to celebrate you joining us," he laughed with Ryder.

Marcello glowered at Zeiden. "For the last time, I'm not joining you," he repeated but it didn't sink into them.

"I guess this settles it," announced Zachariah.

"This settles nothing," rebuked Marcello before Ryder and Zeiden and Ronin crowded him to calm down.

"I need to head out," said Zero. "Take care of yourselves." she told all of them.

"You too," responded Gabriel.

"What are your plans for Reaper?" asked River and they were all curious.

"Not sure yet," Zero admitted truthfully. "But you take care of this guy-" she looked at Gabriel.

Gabriel scoffed. "I always do," said River.

"Just don't die on us, Zero," said Gabriel. "You call if you need us."

"You know there was a time when all of you gave me so much trouble," recalled Zero fondly. "Now look at you. All grown up and taking care of me." They laughed. Zero looked at Marcello who was surrounded by the pack members. "He'll come through too," she said. "I believe in him like I did for all of you."

Marcello finally managed to kick them all out after a few drinks. King was sure that they gave the man a headache that would last a few days.

They gathered on the street after their plan was a success, but they had another worry to fret over now. Reaper was a new threat, but King knew that they'd all handle it together. They weren't weak, especially not when they all had each other's back.

"Seeing them work up close is really phenomenal," Bone whispered to King.

King nodded. "Their positivity is contagious," he supposed.

"It convinced me to be with them, all of them," believed Bone. His pale blue eyes looked at King. "Our lives changed so much without us even knowing it. This is going to take some time getting used to." Bone went to get the car started for them.

Klaus came up beside King. "Ready to go?" he asked.

"Actually, I have some place I need to go," said King.

"Oh, okay," said Klaus. "Then I'll go home with Gabriel." Klaus turned to call out for his brother who was standing with the other alphas on the street. The had sent off Zero who was cutting through the street on her bike.

"Hold on," King grabbed a hold of Klaus. "Can't you be a little curious as to where I'm going off to alone."

"But Bone will be with you," he said.

King pouted. "So," he frowned.

Klaus put his hand over King's cheek. "I trust you," said Klaus making King blush uncontrollably.

"I want to kiss you," asserted King.

Klaus smirked. "Not on the street," he said.

King groaned. "I had a feeling you'd say that," he said. "Also, can you meet me at a restaurant later?"

Klaus titled his head. "Er- sure," he said without much thought. "Just text me the address later." Klaus waved goodbye and went with Gabriel to go home with him. King went to Bone who was waiting inside the car.

"Bone, Bone," King called out repeatedly.

Bone rolled down the window on the driver's side. "Yes... King," it was clear that he wasn't used to calling King by his name. "I have to go somewhere and I need you to come with me."

"I thought I had the day off from you," Bone alleged. "I was planning on helping Klaus plant some roses around their house. Their home was lacking them."

"Reschedule it," demanded King and Bone rolled his eyes at him. "Did you just roll your eyes at me!" Bone ignored and rolled the window back up. King shook his head and got in the car with his friend who was showing his true colours now that Klaus rubbed off on him.

"Where to?" Bone asked as he drove through traffic.

"Go to Van Cleef and Arpels' on Fifth Avenue," directed King.

Bone looked at King surprised. "Are you in the mood for some diamonds?" he asked.

"It's not for me," said King. Bone braked the car violently that they both jerked forward. "Are you insane!" King glared at his side where Bone was gaping at him.

"You, you, you-" Bone stuttered and this was the first time King had seen the man be speechless.

King rolled his eyes. "We're getting honked at, Bone," he said as the drivers behind them got impatient. Bone pressed on the gas as it sank in what King intended to do at the jewelry store.

They finally arrived outside the elegant, light taupe building that held great pieces for jewels by Van Cleef and Arpels. Bone parked the car on the side of the busy road and the entered the quiet ambiance of the store, that had display after display of precious jewels, and a few customers shopping with sales-associates with each pair or individual.

"Welcome," a young male dressed in a suit greeted them with a warm smile. "How can I help you two gentlemen today?"

"We're here to buy an engagement ring," Bone spoke up. "A classic band should do the trick or maybe a marquise band."

"Both great choices, sir," said the worker as he moved between the displays pulling out trays.

King looked at Bone suspiciously. "Do you even know what you're saying?" he inquired.

"Nope," said Bone. "But the worker should know for me. I'm here to see only."

The worker brought a bunch of different options, that didn't sit well with King's vision. "No, I think Klaus would like something simple," King said as he briefly skimmed over the extravagant options.

"I'm thinking more diamonds," Bone laughed away with the worker.

"Klaus likes vanilla cake, Bone," King pointed out. "I'm pretty sure he'd want something simple."

"I say diamonds all the way," alleged Bone.

"I agree," chimed in the worker.

King glared at the worker. "Just show me simpler bands," he ordered.

"Yes, sir," he moved on his feet to pull out more boxes.

Bone laughed. "I can't even believe we're doing this," he said. "This conversation doesn't feel real at all."

More trays arrived every hour with all different simple gold bands. However now, they were even more confused because all of them looked the same. King and Bone were on their feet for hours by the time they went through all the options.

"Do you mind if I suggest something," said the worker as he eyed their lost faces. "If you are picking a band for your lover, then I suggest you pick something that reminds you of them. If you do pick a diamond it has to be meaningful."

King and Bone stared at the man impressed. "Do you have emeralds?" asked King right away.

The worker smiled. "Yes, I do," he said and pulled them out.

King eyes the thick gold band, that had emeralds embedded into the band. King was reminded of Klaus's eyes and the emeralds danced like Klaus's gaze too.

"Do you know his size?" asked Bone.

"Of course, I know his size," King said proudly. "I know everything about his body."

King paid for it and had it packed quickly because he had to meet Klaus. King looked down at his watch and it was half past three o'clock now. They really took a lot of time here to pick out a ring.

"What about yours?" asked Bone.

"What?" asked King, as he decided to text Klaus to meet him at the restaurant just here on Fifth Avenue.

"You need one too," alleged Bone.

"I do," astounded King. "Why?"

Bone laughed. "You're getting married to him." King returned and bought the same one but Bone suggested the sapphire diamonds this time.

"Does this also mean we're joining the pack?" asked Bone. "Did you tell Klaus?"

"No," King said. "But I think that's what he wanted to ask me this morning."

"He didn't ask you yet," said Bone wearily. "Why not?"

"Maybe he was afraid of what I'd say," believed King.

They left the store and walked onto the street.

"Well, this ring should clear up all doubts in Klaus," believed Bone.

King put the red case into his pocket, that had both the rings stacked inside the cushion. "I hope so too," he took a deep breath of the crisp air. "We should head to Claudette. Klaus said that he has already arrived."

"Let's not keep your fiancé waiting then," jested Bone.

The got into the car and Bone drove with haste to the restaurant and for some reason King was getting nervous.

The arrived at Claudette's bright, luxurious restaurant. Bone stayed in the car and told King to text him once he popped the question and got the answer. King had just entered the place when he saw Klaus's golden hair pocking up at a booth. He was about to call out when he saw another man sitting at the booth across from Klaus.

The blood drained from King's face when he realized that it was Robert Centauri.