Juniper listened to many people speak over each other. Everyone was trying to control the conversation, Raphael growing impatient with how much the Bordoas were expecting from this possible alliance. Phoenix often chimed in on conditions that Elora might mention and how it was unrealistic without an official Berserker army.

The shadow demon assumes they were thinking the Berserker's were as closely knit as the Lycans. However, being the oldest species with arguably the smallest population lead to strain and eventual estrangement.

"I'm going to get some air," Juniper abruptly interrupted. The blue haired woman stood up stiffly, Raphael's eyes immediately darting to her, gripping her hand needily. Tugging her down, he spoke quietly in her ear.

"Don't leave me to the damn dogs, dear," his deep voice was sickeningly sweet with a twinge of desperation.

Her gray eyes were stern, meeting his dark brown orbs evenly. Others around them still spoke, Phoenix and Warren both filling in the conversation for their king. "I wasn't built for this political shit, handsome." Pinching his cheek gently, her plump lips pressed to his nose.

His brows fell, he knew this setting was foreign to his mate. Honestly, the lifetimes of experience in strategically controlling a debate weren't enough to withstand the sheer irritability that was the Bordoa couple. Both of them were relentless, Elora was brash and Demetrius barked out responses to whatever it seemed both of them were thinking. Raphael sighed while threading his fingers into the hair at the base of his neck. "Five minutes."

"I don't appreciate your tone," she cocked her hip. Her eyes narrowed down at him.

"I don't appreciate you leaving me- the love of your life."

"Stop being needy."

His mouth fell open, glaring up at her. His hand reached down, gripping her ass tightly, "Speaking of fucking tone." Her berserker sassed through grit teeth.

Amusement crossed her face as they bickered back and forth quietly before she cut him off with a hard kiss on his lips.

Licking her own pout while smirking down at him, "Don't be so pissy, pretty boy. I'll be right back."

"Five minutes," he repeated again while dragging his eyes down her face and figure heatedly. Her brows lifted in mild surprise, laughing quietly before dragging her hand over his jaw while taking a step away.

Her head tilted at his stern tone, eye squinting in thought before shrugging. "Maybe," she kissed him gently one more time. "Sera!" she rasped in her rich voice that made his dick jump. "Outside," cocking her head demandingly to the door after eyeing her nymph friend who jumped at the opportunity of leaving the stifling room. To be honest, Seraphina was in over her head. Always willing to support her friend and Phoenix had led her straight into a room with obnoxiously powerful people when she was a mere nymph.

They walked out into the cool air, finally able to breathe.

"I've never been so intimidated in my life," Seraphina heaved while leaning against the wall. Juniper hummed as the wind blew her hair out of her face, the curly blue tresses falling freely today.

"Would you have ever guessed we'd be here right now like... seven months ago?" Juniper asked her friend.

Seraphina shook her head, straight black hair falling out of her bun, "God no, I thought the scariest thing that would ever happen to me was when I bled through my tampon in fifth grade lunch and stained the seat. Not being kidnapped and now meeting the biggest figureheads in the game since Jesus for the humans."

"If I remember right I took the blame for staining the seat in fifth grade," Juniper added slyly. "And comparing the Bordoa's to Jesus? Really? When they get their own holiday, then we can talk." The shadow demon snorted quietly.

Seraphina's gaze softened despite Juniper's jokes, "You did take the fall for the blood bath huh? God Juni, I'm so happy that you found Raphael. You deserve to be happy more than anyone I know."

Juniper smiled at her friend softly, "We both got our boneheaded berserkers. Phoenix is lucky he treats you so damn well, I was this close to beating his ass when I found out about the two of you."

Seraphina giggled, retelling how the two first met to Juniper even if she'd heard the story three times now. Still, Juniper listened while looking at the clouds.

Her face was peaceful, finding shapes where she could while nodding along to Seraphina's babbled storytelling.

Squinting suddenly as something caught her eye, Juniper stepped up more. The sky... it looked... wrong? The blue in the sky was normal until she would tilt her head a certain way, watching it shimmer and reflect unnaturally.

Her hand reached out, smacking at her friend distractedly. Sera trailed off, craning her neck to look up confusedly. Just as the two were staring, Demi came out holding her pup.

The witch's multicolored eyes were a little wild, hair sticking up in every direction. "Do you feel that?" her already soft voice was hushed while clutching Gracie close.

"Feel what?" Seraphina kept her voice at the same volume as the witches. Juniper felt herself stiffening slowly, her hackles rising.

"Something's not right."

"It's quiet...no music..." Demi swallowed hard while looking around frantically. "Onyx!" She yelled out while rushing back in.

Juniper gripped Seraphina's hand and dragged her inside, jogging back in and straight into her mate's chest. The previously rambunctious but calm atmosphere was now tense, it made her feel suffocated.

Raphael pulled her close in his arms, dark eyes examining her and then the others in the room. His skin had paled, veins going dark as his demon rose. Juniper could feel his anger rising, something was off and he was not on familiar grounds. They were not in an advantageous position, if something goes wrong Raphael is not in as much control as he is used to.

"If this is some kind of trick Bordoa I'll have your fucking head!" Her berserker snarled.

Demetrius who was crowded over Elora who was not looking her vibrant self, growled loudly. "This isn't us!-"

"No magic,' Elora grunted while peering up in confusion. Her hands sparked in front of her. In the corner, Onyx held his mate against him closely. Their baby secure between them as Demi was near tears. Onyx covered her ears while cooing quietly to her, Juniper could hear her panicking over a lack of music- whatever that meant.

"I-Is she alright?" Juniper tried to get closer but Raphael held her still.

Demetri and Elora both enclosed around their family, both groups separating as Phoeniz and Warren once again flanked Raph. Seraphina sandwiched between the two.

"My daughter, she and the magic around are closely linked. She can hear the magic as if it was music like Elora can feel it... Neither of them can do either at the moment..." Demetri trailed off.

Both he and Rapahel spoke at the same time, "A ward." A magic barrier, they weren't often used. They weren't often successful. 

"A ward that blocks magic?" Juniper's eyes widened, "Is that even fucking possible? And how would they know we were here?"

"When we find out we'll let you goddamn know," Onyx snarked as the black in his eyes bled into the whites.

Gripping Juniper's arm, Raphael pulled her outside cautiously. His dark eyes focused on the sky, seeing exactly what his mate did.

"Bordoa! Make your way out here, now," the Berserker demanded. Soon the whole group was outside, circling around one another. The wolves that were acting warriors flanked them, Onyx began barking orders.

Levi, the young wolf warrior panted, "I don't know boss... the perimeter was secure one second then the mind link Luna set up went down!"

Simultaneously, Demetri and Raphael caught a scent. Many scents in fact. One in particular that Raphael recognized.

"Damn!" he snarled and his fingers dug almost painfully into Juniper.

"What?" Elora shook out her hands once again to try to get her magic out.

"The asshole I mentioned... Sebastian Aldine. Fuck!"

Demi was next to tears, "I-I can't teleport- I can't get Gracie out of here!"

"I would hope you all aren't planning on leaving so soon."

The powerful group all looked straight into the tree line. A broad-shouldered man strode forward confidently, and a motley crew of demons and lycans alike crawled behind him. Dozens upon dozens.

The man, Sebastian they could all assume was unnaturally blonde. His brows, his cropped hair, and even his lashes were all an icy blonde that stood out against his tanned skin. Juniper took sharp breaths to cool her nerves as power radiated from the enemy.

"Is this your big plan? How do you think this is going to play out for you?" Elora barked loud enough for the group in front of them to hear.

Sebastian rubbed his face, "Elora. So nice to meet you in the flesh, you've been on my shit list. I think this will work out nicely, I've got the two biggest threats- the witches- immobile. And I have you outnumbered. My two biggest obstacles came together, just like I hoped. I could cry." The strong demon grinned widely, rubbing his hands excitedly.

Raphael pressed his hand to Juniper's chest, guiding her behind his large form carefully. His mate was silent, the wheels behind her eyes churning. Her eyes dragged to Demi who clutched her pup while standing behind Onyx.

"I think you're hurtin' Demetrius's feelings," Raphael rolled up his sleeves while cracking his neck.

The lycan king snarled while his veins bulged, his form shifting and bones cracking. "Looking over the Demon and Lycan king is ballsy, boy."

"Boy?" Sebastian scoffed as if it didn't bother him but the crook in his jaw made it obvious the comment irked him. Elora stalked back and forth behind her mate, eyes locked on the blonde berserker. Juniper watched her unsheath knives from behind her back, the woman's demeanor turning deadly.

"A real man doesn't blindside." Demetri started, Raphael continued, "Allow us to give you a demonstration."

Juniper's eyes widened as she watched Raphael shift in real time, his body paling as if all the blood drained from his body. His skin stiffened to the point where she was sure it was truly impenetrable, resembling stone as he grew bulky. His clothes ripped as his teeth sharpened, his veins black. "Phoenix- protect them. Warren you're with me," Juniper stared into his dark eyes as he pressed his cold forehead to her own. Her eyes fell shut for a moment before she kissed his stony cheek, in the background, Demetri barked orders to the wolves while shifting.

Elora looked impatient, the second Sebastian laughed boisterously and waved his hand, she leaped into action. The wolves that Sebastian brought charged, Elora, darting out to meet them halfway.

"Elora! Fuck!" Demetrious leaped into attack mode with Raphael following suit.

As soon as her mate was far enough away she turned to the distraught Demi and Onyx who tried to console her.

"I can take her," Juniper panted as the adrenaline kicked in. Her stormy eyes were wide as Phoenix grabbed her arm to try and take her back into the meeting room. "No- let me go! I can- I can take her through the shadows! I don't need magic... the same way they shift without magic I don't need it." Her breaths came out shallow.

Demi's glossy eyes shined while staring over at her. "You have weapons... I can fight but not half as good as you in battle. I can play defense... it's what I'm good at. Let me do what I'm good at. She's small enough I travel through the shadows with her, I promise." Juniper's gaze was pleading and urgent as the couple looked at her.

Only swallowed hard, looking at his mate. "Give her one of your knives."

Demi held her baby tight, looking over at the battle that was inching closer and closer to them as her parents, the pack wolves, and the Saint berserker's fought. "Okay.. okay.."

Seraphina latched onto her friend, stricken with fear. "Juni please just stay with us. It's safer with Phoenix."

"Grayson needs to be as far away as possible, I can get her farther quicker. Nix, you watch her fucking back. I'll be back, I'll be okay," she coached herself as her friends looked at her like crazy. Phoenix cursed, knowing Raphael was going to kill him.

Demi was helping her into the swaddle, where Grayson whined at the loss of her mother's warmth. The new mother cried softly, kissing her head while pressing the long dagger that had been strapped to her thigh into Juniper's hand. She pulled out two more just alike and readied herself to fight.

Onyx stared at the shadow demon, doubt, and reluctance written on his normally stoic face. "Take care of her. I'll tear you apart, berserker mate or not."

Swallowing hard, Juniper nodded. "Won't let you down."

~

i actually got hype writing this, so now I'm excited for the next few

 the only reason i was struggling with these next chapters was how to write so many things at once without losing the story while also timing everything right chapter to chapter without putting too much filler in so I'm so glad you guys were patient with me thank you so much