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noun ~ lack of understanding or uncertainty

NOVA

I awoke gently, the faint murmurs of talking met my ears. I felt the all-familiar warmth of Phoenix surrounding me as he spoke softly to someone. I inhaled deeply as I opened my eyes and wriggled my toes beneath the bedsheets. I blinked to find myself horizontal and laid between Phoenix's legs, face down with my head on his stomach. I focused on his shirt before looking further and finding Charlie sitting on a chair to the side of the bed, his gaze focused on me. I noticed the conversation had stopped since I began to wake, and I went to lift my head to look at Phoenix when an ache in my shoulder and chest had me pause.

I winced at the movement, confusion washing over me until I remembered the vampires. My heart darted to my surroundings in alarm but I relaxed when I noticed I was back in my room. Phoenix was hushing me, his hands coming to cup my face from where they had previously been laid on my back. He brought my face to him and I blinked in confusion.

"What happened..." I mumbled.

He smiled sadly, "You were bitten."

I licked my lips, feeling thirsty. "I remember that... I passed out?"

He nodded, a faint look of regret covered his face. "Aldren saved you, brought you to me and they injected some of his blood to help heal you."

"It was a pretty nasty wound," Charlie commented.

I turned to look at him from the corner of my eye to see him looking at my shoulder. I followed his gaze, with support by Phoenix, and frowned at my shoulder. It had healed now, thanks to the Lycan support but a jagged pink scar laid across the top and back of my shoulder. It was about three inches wide, and my brain flashed with the image of my bloodied hand. So much blood.

I flexed my arm and fingers before looking back to Phoenix. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"It's the next morning." He replied.

My mouth fell open in a small O, and I looked down to find I was in one of his tops. "Did...did anyone die?"

He frowned but shook his head. "No deaths, just a lot of injured."

"Any...poisoned?" I wondered.

Again he shook his head. "None."

"How come they aren't?"

"It's a myth, but it is lead to believe that there is a difference between changing bites and feeding bites." He shrugged. "Still can release a venom, but they weren't out to kill last night."

"How many were there?"

He glanced to Charlie who spoke. "I killed about seven."

Honey eyes darkened when they returned to me. "About twenty."

"Injured?"

His hands rubbed circles on my knee, from where I sat between his legs. "Only ten."

I let out a breath, nodding my head. "That's not too bad."

"Ballroom full of high ranking wolves, a perfect place to stage an attack." Charlie pointed out.

My head began to ache but I nodded in agreement. "Do we know who is behind it all?"

They both shook their heads and I sighed. I dropped my head to try and place my memories of last night. My mind seemed to blur between reality and dreams, unable to remember it all. I just remember the blurs, the merging of colours looking just like...

"I painted this."

"What?" Charlie snorted.

I looked to Phoenix, with a pointed look. He was frowning at me, trying to figure out what I was talking about. I sighed before opening my mind to both of them and sending the image of my painting. It was the one that was a merge of colours; blurs of browns and blacks with smears of red and grey upon a creamy white background. It had no edges, no outlines as it spread much like the battle in the smog last night.

Charlie's eyes widened in realisation just as Phoenix inhaled sharply.

"You see?" I probed, before showing them the memory I had of last night.

"It's the same," Charlie muttered.

"I'm sure now... my paintings are visions." I frowned. "I remember when I painted this when I saw it... I felt dread, that it was something bad."

"You were right." Phoenix sighed. "I wonder why this happens."

Samson flashed into my mind, Celimene's curiosity to see the old Lycan surfacing.

"The Lycan's, are they gone?" I wondered.

"They left last night," Phoenix replied.

I cursed, knowing that somehow, Samson was my answer. "I need to speak with them. In person."

"You do?" Phoenix wondered.

"I do." I giggled at his confusion. "I think they may know more about me than I do myself. Last night, a few things were said that I wasn't aware of. Lycan's have the same name as their wolf counterpart, did you know that?"

He shook his head so I continued.

"Me either. There is so much more about me, about my history and my blood, that I need to figure out." I shook my head.

"We will arrange it once we are home. Do you wish to visit them?" Phoenix smiled, cupping my jaw.

I nodded, determined. "I do. Freaky visions and freaky wolf things... I need to know."

"Then we will arrange something."

I grinned at him, before leaning forwards and kissing him gently. I heard Charlie faux barf from beside us and pulled away from my mate to laugh at him.

"If you two are gonna get freaky, tell me now before I have to witness it," Charlie warned.

I laughed, shaking my head. "We're not gonna-"

"Don't lie to me." Charlie narrowed his eyes.

I giggled again, pulling away from Phoenix. "We're not. In fact, I am needing a shower and something to eat. What time is it?"

"A little after nine," Phoenix commented.

"Great," I said, climbing out of bed.

I shivered at the cool air that greeted me, lost from Phoenix's warmth. That was one thing he had over me too; I wasn't as warm as him nor any of the wolves around me. Just as I went to take a step I felt my head rush and stumbled. Charlie was quick to jump from his chair, his hand coming to shoulder and waist to steady me. I blinked heavily, shaking my head to clear the blurring around me. Once sure I was okay, I released the hold I had on his shoulder, lifting my head. Charlie was a good friend.

"Thank you," I muttered, looking into his eyes.

He must've understood the message I was portraying, more than just making sure I didn't face plant. He nodded firmly, slowly releasing the grip he had on me. He glanced at Phoenix behind him as I began to make my way around him and just as I entered the en-suite, I saw Phoenix was poised on the edge of the bed, his eyes watching me walk away.

I gave him a gentle smile before shutting the door and getting myself clean. I scrubbed away the remains of the blood, brushed the reminder of bloodied fangs from my mouth as though they were mine. I half blow-dried my hair, and set it in a bun, still wrapped up in a robe from my shower. I moisturised and deemed myself done for the morning.

I peeped around the bathroom door to find only Phoenix, now dressed in a button-down shirt and black trousers. His head snapped up from his phone when I entered and I gave him a gentle smile. He set the phone on the bed before walking over to me. His smile was soft as he bent down to kiss me gently, his hands holding my waist through the gown.

"Get dressed and we will go down for breakfast."

I inhaled his fresh scent and nodded gently. He excused himself to the bathroom and I walked over to my clothes to pick an outfit. I only had formal style wear but went for the most casual. It was blue skinny jeans, with a delicate white blouse. I pulled on some pretty lace underwear before the clothes and frowned at my shoe choice. I know I let Molly pack my bags, but there were only heels. She had it out for me to break my neck.

Phoenix had entered the room some while ago whilst I had still been choosing but he paid me no attention as he pulled on his shoes. I turned to him once I was done, to find him patiently watching me. He was sat on the bed, his hands behind him to support his balance. I eyed him, satisfied in the way the buttons strained against his chest.

A low chuckle met my ears and he stood, coming to take my hand. "Come on beautiful, Charlie is waiting outside.
"What is the plan's for today?" I wondered.

He sighed. "After breakfast, we have a meeting with all the Alpha's from last night, and the King. Although, I am bringing you and Charlie inside with me."

"Why just the Alpha's?" I wondered. "Why not the Luna's too?"

He frowned. "Only the Alpha's were really requested. I believe most of the Luna's wanted to stay out of it anyway. You are more than welcome to join them; I believe they will be in the south conservatory having their own talks. I won't force you into this meeting, Nova."

I shook my head. "We need at least one Luna there."

He chuckled, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as we exited our room. Charlie was leaning against the wall and immediately complained about how long we took. I rolled my eyes at him as we descended the stairs towards one of the dining rooms. I could smell the faint hint of pastries and pork from down the hall and licked my lips eagerly.

Breakfast was as informal as it could be. Long tables much like the ones in Harry Potter, thanks to Molly, filled a dining hall. Plates and bowls of food lined a table to one wall and we helped ourselves to the buffet before finding a secluded place to sit. Phoenix sat beside me, Charlie opposite us as he dug into some croissants. I also had croissants, with chocolate inside, whereas Phoenix chose old man porridge. He had rolled his eyes at mine and Charlie's teasing, wrapping his arm around his large bowl as if to shield it.

"I can't believe you are eating porridge whilst in a castle." Charlie snorted.

I giggled along with him, covering my mouth with my hand. I took a drink of my orange juice to hide the laughter, just as two familiar figures came to sit beside Charlie. My eyes widened in delight and I swallowed before greeting the pair.

"Hey, Aila, Demetrius, how are you?" I asked.

Demetrius frowned. "Shouldn't we be asking you that?"

I laughed him off. "I'm okay. Did you get out okay?"

Aila nodded, sitting opposite me. "We did, we didn't get hurt thankfully. I can't believe what happened, it's so crazy isn't it?"

I noticed the way Charlie and Phoenix shared a look and I picked up on their hostility. I remember what Phoenix said about Demetrius being too nosey for his own good, so chose to keep my mouth sealed on what I knew.

"I know, but at least everyone is okay." I smiled, "When do you guys leave?"

"After the meeting." Aila shrugged.

"Us too, I think." I gulped another mouthful of my drink.

It felt suddenly awkward and I glanced to see the three males in stiff positions. It was strange but I chose to set it aside and engage in conversation with Aila about visiting her soon. I had mentioned I was thinking about visiting my Lycan family and she all but encouraged me to go, telling me how my mother would love it if I could connect with her sister.

When we had finished with our breakfast, it was time for the meeting so we all made our way out of the dining hall. Phoenix's hand stayed on the small of my back as he guided me through the vast hallways, Charlie behind us with Demetrius. He had said goodbye to Aila who gave me a confused look when I said I was staying, but went without further questions.

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Two guards stood at the door of the meeting room, giving us stern once overs.

"Alpha's only." One grumbled.

Phoenix growled. "Try me."

He winced at the threat and bowed his head. Phoenix huffed just as they opened the doors to allow us in. The room was almost silent as we entered, many eyes falling on us. I noticed it was only half full, the large rectangle table seemed to have its own placements. Phoenix leads us to the top of the table, beside the throne chair at the end. He sat at the edge, pulling the chair out next to him for me to sit. Charlie wedged himself in the chair beside me, sandwiching me in between them. Demetrius was sitting opposite me, leaving the chair next to him on the end empty.

As the room filled, I noticed the other so-called King's Alpha did not attend and I turned to Phoenix with a confused frown.

I thought it was mandatory for every Alpha? I wondered.

He kept his gaze on the wall beyond us. He was one of the injured.

I felt the confusion grow, as I recalled the strange Alpha from last night. Injured? I racked my memory of the night to in fact recall seeing him in shock as he was knocked to the floor. But the images of him giving me strange glances throughout the night didn't settle right with me. Another image of him marching over to me with vengeance in his eyes before the lights cut flooded my mind, but I wasn't sure if it was real. My brain was telling me it was a figment of my imagination. But something didn't feel right, the memory of him being attacked felt...strange.

Weird... I muttered.

Phoenix turned to me this time, curious. How so?

I shook my head. I am confused. I seem to have two memories of him last night.

Which are?

Him getting taken down, from the side by a vampire. I explained. Then of him coming towards me, before it all went black.

He frowned. He definitely got taken down, I saw it myself.

No. I thought to myself, he couldn't have...

I was confused. My mind was mush and even Celimene couldn't help me out of the sludge; she was set on the fact he was injured. But it just didn't feel right. Then again, I had been bitten, by a venomous creature and lost a lot of blood. Perhaps I was just imagining it. If Phoenix had seen the Alpha get bitten, then I must be losing it.

••••
Helloooo hump day peeps
Ooooh, something spooky going on

Question of the Day:
Warm nights in or fun nights out?
I'm an introvert by heart soooo... Speaks for itself

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