Even though the fledgelings protested, their fathers were not in a mood to listen and they were dragged off for some much needed rest. "Why don't you all stay here while we go with Pai and Win? That way, you can keep your mates safe as well," Charn said, looking at the four boys looking at their Draugs leaving. "Khun Charn," Phayu spoke up. "Yes Phayu?" he replied. "This was not a random attack. I hope you all know that," Phayu asked. The elders all looked at each other. "What do you mean?" Tharn asked. "The rogues knew exactly where to go. And that is not a coincidence the 2nd time," Pai said. "The boys were lucky that they were not together, so Rain and Sky got the element of surprise and could harm the rogues the way they did," Dean said. "And while we are not completely convinced about how they managed to subdue 3 feral rogues on their own, it still begs the question as to how they got there," Win said.

"These are questions the Council needs to be asked," Phayu said. "You think they will tell us anything?" Vegas asked. "No, but at least we get to know if they are lying or not. And that reminds me. We need to fit you all with cameras and listening devices," Win said. "Won't they be detected?" Pete asked, confused. "Nope. Not the ones Win has," Dean said proudly. Pai and Phayu just smirked. "Where do we do it though?" Pai asked. "We can go inside one of the houses," Porche said. The four younger men immediately shook their heads. "No, your homes are not safe at all," Phayu said. "We can do it here. Pai and I are already wired. And I can put yours on here," Win said. "Go ahead. We will cloak you. Don't worry," Dean said. "And honestly, it would be better if you all can come to our house. It's safer and we need our Command Centre," Dean said.

A couple of hours later, a very worried set of people sent off their Draugs into the lions' den. Many warnings about safety were given, as well as many suggestions as to handle the situation. Charn was a legal advisor to the council once and Porche was an enforcer. While officially they were still on the roll with them, this appearance with their children was going to come as defiance of mammoth proportions and they were ready to take the displeasure. This was going to make their stance clear. They would stand by their sons and their mates. Charn and Porche were both older, turned vampires, who had been born with immense powers even as humans, like all the turned vampires in the group, except for Min. Min had been a Lycan, and converting him had taken help from all of them, as he had needed more blood for the transformation. But they were all at a point where no questions could be asked.

Keeping them constantly travelling to make deals and negotiate, as well as set out wars, and put out fires, the need to keep them occupied and not them meet their sons, had been the Council's biggest mistake. Now, they were a force to reckon with, and probably had more allies than the members of the Council. So, it would be in very poor taste if the Council really decided to harm them. Plus, Charn and Porche were very sure that the four young men they had met were more powerful than the Council knew or even imagined. Their sons had an aura that was clearly menacing and despite their sweetness and docility towards their family members and their Draugs, everyone was clear that Phayu, Pai, Win and Dean were not going to take the attack on their mates lightly. And the trackers Win had put on them, they were not the regular ones. It was obvious they were state of the art and something they had never seen. The boys had taken their car because they knew it was safest. Meanwhile, the others would make their way to the boys' mansion, because that's where everything they needed to listen in and watch the conversations was.

The command centre in the boys' house was nothing less than impressive. For Vegas and Kinn, who had worked with people like Arm and Pol, who had seen these things, this was way more brilliant than what they had. "Wow! This is amazing boys!" Kinn said, his awe and pride ringing through clearly. "It's all Win. He is amazing at everything related to technology. And Dean is our resident researcher," Phayu said, sounding proud of his brothers. "And Pai?" Pete asked. "Negotiator. There is nothing he cannot do when it comes to getting the perfect deals. He can also detect when someone is lying and when there is a traitor in the midst. Which is why he is the one who is the public face of our companies," Dean said immediately. "You have companies?" Tharn asked.

"Yes. We have an architecture firm, a technology firm, an import-export company, a biotechnology lab as well as several research firms. Our companies, under Dean, are trying to build safe medicines for vampires, since human medicines become ineffective due to our venom," Phayu said. "What made you think of that?" Type asked, intrigued. It was something he had also wanted to research on, but unfortunately, he did not know any lab that could help. "Around 25 years ago, we saw a young vampire actually suffer from a weirdly human disease called anaemia, which ideally should not harm us. But her mate was human, and she could only drink his blood. He suffered from it, and so she did too. He took medicines to improve it, but they dissolved in her blood. She tried to turn him, but he died because he was too weak. It broke her mind. From a simple problem, it became something else," Dean said. "So your labs have only vampires working there?" Tae asked.

"Yes, they are regular vampires who have studied and are not involved in the Council or anything. They stay to themselves. We have some excellent people working for us. Plus, they can work long time. No need to keep changing jobs, so they are able to put their heart and soul into research. And with the other companies also, we usually hire within us. It is easy for us to know them, and they too don't struggle," Phayu said. "Most young vampires we know would just sit on what they have," Vegas said. "But you seem to have given back to our world," he added. The other elders nodded. Even the young ones looked proud of their mates. Just as Phayu was about to answer, there was a crackling sound from one of the systems behind him.

"Win is connected," Dean pounced on the system and switched it on. The screen filled with the office of the Council. There are still several questions running through the heads of the elders, but they want to see what is happening first. "That is Nefertiti. When did she become a member of the Council?" Tinn asked. "It's been a while. She is the only mated female in the Council. Do you know her?" Dean asked, as he and Phayu continued to watch the screen. "Kinn and I had a run in with her around a couple of 100 years ago. She was hell-bent on destroying a human village because they had sort of harmed her mate. We managed to drag her out, kicking and screaming. She didn't like that. But she had no choice," Vegas said. "I can't believe they put someone like that in the Council. Someone with so many anger issues," Kinn said.

"It's not surprising at all. That is Decha, former enforcer, and not just that, former cleaner for the Council," Phayu pointed out. "Cleaner?" Fiat asked. "He was the enforcer sent in to get rid of vampires who were a problem for the Council. He was the one who gave the command for our assassination as well," Dean said. "And he lives?" White asked. "We will not kill the members of the Council. That will just get us a bounty on our heads," Phayu smirked, just as they heard Pai coming in. "Here is a special gift for you," Pai's voice came first as he himself moved into focus. Porche and he dropped the three fallen rogues on the table. "Bad idea Decha, to send them after our Draugs," Win said, calmly buffing his nails.

"What do you mean? I didn't do anything. And moreover, how can we take you at your word? You could be lying about the fledgelings being your Draugs," Decha said, going on the defensive. "We don't lie Decha, unlike you," Pai said calmly. "You will address the senior respectfully," Aroon, another member said. "Or what? Will you try to assassinate us again? Or try and kill our mates? Or try and keep us from our families?" Win said. "Moreover, in your crazy power trips Aroon, you seem to have forgotten that we are older than both you and Decha. Showing us a bit of respect would go a long way," Pai said. "Getting the position you have now, thanks to your parents, it must have been easy, but these boys are not alone anymore," Porche said.

"You and K'Charn still work for the Council," Nefertiti said. "Used to. We used to work for the Council. As of yesterday, we have already turned in our papers to your representatives," Charn said. "We didn't get any information about it," Decha said petulantly. "Not our problem. We don't have to give you shit," Porche said. "Khun Porche," Aroon said, an appeasing note in his voice. Porche raised a brow. "We understand that you are angry, but we hope you understand it was for the best," he said. "Are you serious right now?" Charn stood up. "Sit down Pa. Pointless talking to him. he has no mate, and no family. He doesn't get their importance," Win said, one hand on Charn's in a clear show of solidarity. Aroon looked shocked, not only at Win's casual address, but also at how easily Charn listened. There was a speculative look on both his face, as well as the face of the other council members. "Did they really think we can't see their expressions?" Sean said wonderingly.

"They are fools. As of right now, they are not considering anything except the fact that they are not in control of the situation," Phayu said, his glee clear. Vegas looked at his son. "What do you mean?" he asked. "If they feel they are losing control, they will try to take it back. And that's when we will strike," Phayu smirked. Pete suddenly giggled and everyone turned to look at him. "What? What is it?" Leo asked. "I can't imagine how much Phayu looks like Vegas when he does that," Pete said. Everyone shook their heads. "What? I know what I know," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. Phayu looked at Vegas and the two shared a small smile. There may not have been complete acceptance yet, but there was respect, and trust, and that was a good beginning.

"We apologise if we have inconvenienced you. But we did not harm your Draugs," Decha said. "We don't know still if they are your Draugs. A test of compatibility must be done. you need to bring them..," Aroon trailed off when both Win and Pai raised their hand. "You dare question us?" Pai narrowed his eyes and tilted his head to one side. "One, we don't need you to tell us who is our mate. Two, our mates will not come to this office, come hell or highwater. Three, there is no compatibility test in the world that will keep us away from them. You can take all your tests and your hidden agendas and stuff it up your ass. It will make us happy," Win said. "And did you seriously think you could say what you wanted to us and get away with it? Just because Phayu is not there, doesn't mean he doesn't know what is being discussed here. Don't test the limits of his patience," Pai said.

"We.. we..," Decha was reduced to sputtering when Win and Pai stood up. "Decha, and the rest of you, you will be well advised to stay away from us, and our Draugs, and our families. All our families. Take it as a friendly warning. You know that if it was Phayu, you wouldn't be standing here, much less throwing out demands," Win said. "And you will also be well advised to remember which families the boys are actually talking about," Porche said, his voice holding a warning that could not be ignored. "The day you cross the line, your lives will be the least of your worries. You are monsters, and we are enforcers, and you know well what enforcers do to monsters," Pai added, his voice low and carrying the threat clearly. "Are you threatening us?" Aroon asked, trying to sound angry. "Aroon, are you really asking this question? Do you think you should? After everything that you did to us and our family? You are lucky this is all that you are getting. Don't forget, I am a lawyer, and I am not kind like my husband is. And there are still authorities higher than you whom we can go to," Charn said, now standing as well, and looking down his nose at the members of the Council.