Sylvester 'Sylver' Stanton vs. Enzo Jilani

Pix: Sylver's wolf and the twins

Video: Someone is a year older... hooray!!!

Dedicated to: All lovers of Sylver

Cheers!

***

Eighteen years earlier...

On a lush, green lawn, two beings locked eyes in a moment of intense connection. One was a stunningly handsome young man in his twenties, about six feet tall, with pale, flawless skin. He lay on his back, gazing up with a mix of shock and amusement at the small wolf who had knocked him onto his back and now sat comfortably on his chest. It stared back at him with eyes filled with curiosity and unspoken understanding.

'My dad says it's not good to swear.'

The man's eyes widened in astonishment as he realized the little wolf in his arms was communicating with him telepathically. How was that even possible? They were two different species, so such a connection shouldn't be feasible. Yet, the thoughts and emotions flowing to his mind from the wolf were unmistakable, defying all logic and reason.

"Did you just speak to me?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

'Yes,' the wolf answered, abruptly turning its head to look behind it.

For a fleeting second, the man thought he saw someone—his uncle Piero, by the looks of it— hurtling through the air. But before he could comment on his uptight uncle's sudden skydiving antics, a bubble-like shield materialized around them, capturing his full attention and leaving him speechless.

"I'm sorry for swearing," the man apologized. "You surprised me. You're wet," he observed, gazing admiringly at the wolf's glistening silver fur. "Were you swimming?"

The little wolf giggled. 'No, I was having a bath.'

"Are you done with your bath then?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice as he continued to admire the wolf's shimmering, wet fur.

'No. I wanted to come and see you.'

The man chuckled. "Why did you want to see me?"

'Because you're mine,' the little wolf responded with unwavering seriousness, flicking its tongue across the man's cheek in a gesture both affectionate and possessive.

The man laughed. "Is that so?" The scent of urine hit him before he saw the cub peeing on him, but he didn't mind at all. He was enjoying their conversation too much. "Well, I'm pleased you came."

'What are you doing here?' the cub asked, languidly licking the man's face.

"I honestly don't know why I'm here," the man responded, combing his fingers through the cub's soft fur. "But I'm happy I came. What's your name?"

'Sylver.' It wagged its tail happily.

"Beautiful name. Is it because of your silver fur?"

'I don't know.'

"You're gorgeous. My name is Enzo. Can we be friends?"

The wolf giggled on their mind-link. 'Yes, Enzo.'

"Thank you, Sylver. Can I see you in your human form?"

'Okay.' Without any hesitation, the wolf shifted right there on the man's chest.

The man couldn't suppress his delighted grin as he watched the infant, about seven months old, sitting on his chest. If he'd been told then that his new friend was actually just two months old, he would have laughed it off as implausible. The child grinned broadly, revealing four tiny baby teeth: two on the top and two on the bottom The man found them so adorable that he momentarily forgot how deadly they could be... especially to a vampire like himself. The infant's bright, captivating green eyes, thick, soft-looking black hair, and smooth, glowing skin radiated health and vitality, reflecting a beautiful heritage. He was utterly adorable, with a rosy glow in his chubby cheeks, a little button nose, and delicate features that gave him an angelic look.

"You're the most beautiful baby in the entire universe," the man said, hugging the baby to his chest as he sat up.

The infectious giggle that the infant let out at his compliment would have melted even the most hardened heart. In that instant, the man knew that he would do anything for that baby. Somehow, it dawned on him that the adorable infant in his arms was the reason he'd felt the urge to come to that place. Being with him gave the man a profound sense of contentment, a feeling he couldn't ignore as he pressed a kiss against the baby's cheek.

Neither the vampire nor the little werewolf knew what they were to each other: mates!

***

It was a well-known fact that vampires and werewolves didn't see eye to eye. Historically, they had viewed each other with suspicion and hostility, each species considering itself superior, which led to a long-standing rivalry and conflict. Both were formidable forces in their own right: vampires, with their incredible speed, could swiftly wound a werewolf in battle, while the tiniest bite from a werewolf could be fatal to a vampire. Thus, it was unheard of for a vampire and a werewolf to be mates. What made the case of Enzo and Sylver even more extraordinary was who they were.

Enzo Jilani was the son and heir of Leonardo Jilani, one of the most powerful and revered vampires in the world. As his father's son, Enzo stood to inherit not only his vast wealth and influence but also his powerful position within the vampire hierarchy. That legacy came with the expectation that Enzo would continue to uphold the family's dominance and prestige.

Top-class vampires like Enzo possessed extraordinary abilities, speed, and agility, allowing them to outmaneuver most opponents in combat. This exceptional prowess made Enzo an even more formidable adversary than an ordinary vampire, solidifying his reputation as a powerful and elite force among his kind. Until he got that strange urge to visit the Stanwood Pack, Enzo knew little about werewolves or the possibility of being mated to one—much less an infant.

Sylvester Stanton, on the other hand, was no ordinary werewolf. He belonged to the Stanwood Pack, the strongest pack in the world. He was born to the alpha of all alphas, who was also an Ojah—a rare form of shape-shifters who were both ruthless assassins and skilled conjurers and could raze a whole community to the ground with just a snap of a finger; and a powerful warlock-werewolf hybrid so formidable he could pass for a god. Sylver, as he was affectionately called, inherited both the Ojah powers from one parent and the warlock abilities from the other. That made him the most powerful baby in the Were Kingdom and the youngest to ever be assigned a mate by Luna.

Inheriting those rare and potent abilities of an Ojah meant Sylver had enhanced senses, strength, and the ability to conjure and manipulate energy. His warlock powers, on the other hand, gave him immense magical prowess, allowing him to perform feats of magic that rival those of the most powerful warlocks. Being born to the alpha of all alphas meant Sylver was destined for leadership and greatness within the werewolf community. His unique combination of powers made him uniquely powerful even among his kind and positioned him as a future leader of unparalleled capability. The fact that Luna assigned him a mate at such a young age underscored his extraordinary significance and potential within their society.

Although the mating of Enzo and Sylver challenged deep-seated prejudices and rivalries, that was not the main focus of the adults from both the Stanton Pack and the Jilani Clan on the day the two met. The real problem was that Sylver was just a baby. And nothing was more dangerous than an infant powerful enough to get their wish at any time. Sylver could teleport to his mate whenever he wanted to see him, without considering the consequences, simply because he was just a kid and didn't know any better. The adults knew this could create major problems. Both sides, therefore, agreed it would be best to cast a spell to divert Sylver's attention from his mate until he was old enough to be with him. Enzo, however, was adamant and refused to consider or allow it. Determined to make their point, the families had to present their case convincingly...

"Imagine what will happen if Syl shows up when you're amongst humans. That would expose the supernatural, and we can't have that. It might be even worse if he pops up when you're with your own kind. Only God knows what some vampires would do if they suddenly found a werewolf in their midst."

"At this point, we need to think about Sylver. He's just a baby, Enzo. You have no choice but to wait until he comes of age to make things solid between the two of you."

"The problem is, he's a powerful little kid. So although the spell is potent, there's a high probability that the more he sees you, the weaker it will become. It's best if he doesn't know who you are. That can only be accomplished if you don't visit him."

"He's yours, and you're his. That will never change. But for now, he needs to be a child."

"This is not going to be permanent. When he reaches the appropriate age to be with a mate, the spell will naturally dissolve."

"Sometimes we need to make sacrifices for the people we care about."

So, with a heavy heart, a dejected expression, and his sad gaze fixed on the inconsolable, crying infant in his arms, Enzo finally agreed...

"Do it," he whispered, tears finally spilling down his cheeks.

***

Present day...

Under the vast expanse of a starlit sky, fourteen-year-old twin girls, Emma and Gloria... also called Gigi, identical in every way except for the shade of their jeans, busily arranged containers filled with colourful water balloons in a wide-open backyard. Moonlight and strategically placed garden lights illuminated the scene, casting a soft glow over the entire area. The girls couldn't contain their giggles and occasional squeals as they happily went about their work, the lights glistened in their beautiful white hair.

"Oh, this is going to be good, Em," one of the twins told the other excitedly as they surveyed their handiwork.

"I think we need more balloons," Emma responded, looking at the vibrant balloons that were in shades of blue, red, green, and yellow and ready to burst at the slightest touch.

Gigi chuckled. "There are over a thousand balloons, Em. That should do," she said, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes as she placed her hands on her hips sassily and recited:

"Let the colour bombs take a hike now, as I cause the Seen to be Unseen

And become visible when our Snuggles appear."

All the containers that held the balloons instantly disappeared from sight at Gigi's words... obviously a spell. The backyard appeared bare, as though nothing had been planned. The twins, although yet to undergo their premier shift and gain their wolves, already possessed powers inherited from their warlock father.

"Cool," Emma muttered, clearly pleased with their strategy. "It's about thirty minutes to midnight," she said, rubbing her palms gleefully. "We need him here before midnight. Ready to start crying?"

"I was born ready for this prank," Gigi said, striking a pose that made her sister laugh. "Let's do this."

"Showtime!" Emma squealed, unable to contain her excitement.

The twins quickly huddled together on one of the outdoor swing chairs. Emma gently draped an arm around her sister's shoulder, seeming to offer silent comfort. Then, as if prompted by an unseen director's cue, Gigi began to cry, her tears flowing freely. Her strategy, to think about her horse who had passed away when she was just nine, worked flawlessly.

They didn't have to wait for long.

***

On a rooftop bar some miles away from the scheming twins, a group of friends was having a blast. While some played darts and pool at the nearby game area, others danced with abandon to the live band playing in a corner, their movements illuminated by colourful lights flashing in time with the music. There were plenty of drinks and hors d'oeuvres for the group to enjoy, and those who wanted to eat were being served delicious dishes. Their friend, who was a genius, was turning eighteen at midnight, so the plan was to welcome the special day with mad fun.

At the edge of the rooftop bar, a handsome hunk leaned against the rails, looking down at the city lights sprawled out beneath him like a sea of twinkling stars. At an impressive height of six 'four, he had a commanding presence. His lovely tanned skin added to his rugged allure, while his thick dark hair, cut short with stylishly faded sides and back, gave him a sexy look. What stood out, however, were his striking green eyes, which sparkled with a playful glint, hinting at a fun-loving personality. With his relaxed and easy-going demeanor, he exuded a charm that made him instantly likable and approachable.

Taking a swig from the bottle of beer in his hand, the young man turned around to survey his friends. Each individual, with their unique background and personality, contributed to the colourful tapestry of the group. He was deeply touched that they had come together specifically to celebrate him.

He couldn't help but laugh as he watched Kwesi, one of his friends... a human, doing a funny dance with Mia, another human and a fellow doctor, who was laughing uncontrollably. And there was Flynn, another close friend and a werewolf, busily challenging everyone to a round of darts.

"Come on, Sylver, show us what you've got!" Flynn called out from the darting area, waving the birthday boy over.

Sylver laughed and made his way to the dartboard, feeling the camaraderie and excitement of the night. As he took aim, Mia playfully bumped his arm, causing him to miss the target completely. They all burst into laughter, the playful teasing adding to the fun.

"Here," Kwesi said with a grin as he deftly swapped Sylver's bottle of beer with a glass of whiskey. "If we're going to have any chance of beating you at this, we need to get you drunk. After all, you're not on call tonight."

"Good thinking, Kwesi," Mia said, slapping her palm against Kwesi's raised one. "The dashing doctor is off tonight, so we're going to ensure he gets wasted," she purred, sparking laughter from the others.

"I'll get you for this, lady," Sylver chuckled, his eyes swiveling towards the entrance expectantly. "Finally!" he exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face as Colton and Andrew, two of his pack buddies, emerged onto the rooftop. "You've been missed, guys," he exclaimed, striding over to embrace them warmly.

"Looks like we arrived just in time for the dart-throwing competition," Colton said, his grin wide with excitement. "Oh, I'm winning this time. Let's do this!" he bellowed, his enthusiasm echoed by the cheers of the crowd gathered around them.

No one had ever defeated Sylver in a game of darts, so his friends never missed an opportunity to try and beat him. As an extremely powerful being, Sylver Stanton was extraordinarily smart... a genius. He didn't have to study much to gain knowledge. Despite his childhood aspirations of following in the footsteps of his Uncle Will as a soldier or his Uncle Stan as a warrior, he ultimately chose a different path, dedicating himself to the field of medicine. With a natural affinity for healing, Sylver had chosen the path of medicine to put his gifts to use for the greater good.

As a prodigious child genius, Sylver graduated from Harvard Medical School at the remarkable age of twelve, topping his class and earning his degree as a neurosurgeon. His towering height and commanding presence gave the impression that he was closer in age to his significantly older colleagues. Neurosurgery, which encompasses complex surgeries of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, is often considered the most challenging medical specialty due to its technical demands and life-altering stakes. Sylver's supernatural abilities, therefore, came in handy. He was one of the finest in the field and was affectionately called Midas because he was said to have the magic touch, turning every surgical procedure he handled into a success.

Sylver possessed an extraordinary capacity for learning and was driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His academic journey was marked by remarkable achievements beyond the realm of medicine. While still in medical school, he seamlessly mastered diverse disciplines. He earned a degree in mathematics with a perfect 4.0 GPA and went on after to acquire degrees in law and engineering, showcasing his unparalleled ability to excel across multiple fields.

But despite his brilliance and good looks, Sylver was humble, down-to-earth, and fun, qualities that endeared him to everyone. Over time, he grew accustomed to comments on his looks and would simply chuckle and credit his exceptional genes to his parents. Even though he was only turning eighteen, he could easily pass for someone in his early twenties, thanks to his mature demeanour, confidence, towering frame, and deep voice.

"So you lot simply want to get this birthday boy drunk, huh?" Sylver chuckled as he downed the amber liquid in the glass.

"That's the plan," Kwesi laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief and anticipation.

"Okay, here goes..." Sylver murmured under his breath as he took aim. With a quick movement of his wrist, he launched the dart into the air, striking the bullseye precisely in the center.

As the crowd erupted in cheers, an amused smile danced on Flynn's lips. He found the humorous efforts of their human friends to intoxicate Sylver particularly entertaining, knowing that it would likely take an entire bottle of whiskey just to make the formidable son of the alpha of all alphas even slightly tipsy. Indeed, it took a considerable amount of alcohol to have any effect on werewolves.

"Let's go!" Flynn clapped encouragingly as more friends gathered around to see who would win the challenge. "Midnight is approaching, so we need a winner soon!"

And indeed, the competition was filled with sheer delight and excitement. Sylver, surprisingly, went all out, loving the shocked cheers from those gathered, until he suddenly stiffened and missed, causing another to take his place. Flynn didn't miss the worried look on Sylver's face.

'What is it, Syl?' he asked on their mind-link.

'It's Gigi. I've gotta go,' Sylver muttered.

'Want me to come with?' Flynn asked.

'Nah, I'm good,' Sylver muttered, bumping fists with Flynn. 'Cover for me, will ya?' he said, making a beeline for the bathroom.

'You got it.'

***

"Gigi?" Sylver called out, his voice filled with worry as he ran to his sisters, who were huddled together on the swing chair. "What's wrong?"

But before he could reach them, both girls threw up their hands and screamed, "Surprise!" as suddenly, containers filled with water balloons became visible to Sylver's bemused gaze. It quickly dawned on him what his sisters were up to.

"You little..." But his words trailed off when a water balloon hit him squarely on the shoulder, exploding in a satisfying splash. "Are you serious?" Sylver shouted, spinning around with mock outrage on his face, which only made the girls giggle uncontrollably. They started pelting him with precision and inhuman speed, their laughter filling the night air.

"Nowhere to run, birthday boy," the twins squealed as they hurled water balloons at their brother.

"Oh, three can play that game," a soaked Sylver laughed as he ran to grab some of the balloons. "You have to wait for me to get some first, girls. Those are the rules."

"Says who? You?" Emma asked, crouching behind a deck chair as she signaled to Gigi, who was hiding behind a tree with a bucket full of water balloons, to resume the attack.

Gigi sprinted into the open, balloons in hand, ducking expertly as a retaliatory balloon whizzed past. With the twins' determination, Sylver didn't stand a chance. Even when he shifted into his beautiful silver wolf in hopes of garnering some sympathy from his naughty sisters, they didn't stop. It was two against one, and the odds were decidedly not in his favour.

For the next few minutes, the siblings had a blast. They enjoyed the sight and sound of water balloons flying through the air and bursting with a satisfying pop and a spray of water. The garden lights cast long shadows, adding an element of surprise as they darted in and out of the illuminated areas. The night air was cool, but the excitement and movement kept everyone warm. Their laughter and playful shouts echoed through the night, creating a magical and unforgettable birthday eve for Sylver.

As the balloon supply dwindled, the siblings collapsed in a heap on the grass, breathless and dripping wet. They lay there, staring up at the night sky, the only sounds their heavy breathing and the distant chirping of crickets. The scene had transformed from the energetic chaos of the water balloon fight to one of peaceful serenity, a satisfying end to their playful escapade.

"That was fun," Sylver chuckled. "You two are crazy, you know that?"

"But you won't have us any other way," Emma retorted confidently, her smile bright and unwavering.

"Damn right, I wouldn't trade my favourite grannies for the world," he murmured with a teasing grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. His sisters responded exactly as expected—with a chorus of groans and a flurry of light punches aimed his way, which made him laugh.

The twins were named after their grandmothers, Gloria Stanton and Emma Hicks. Sylver never missed a chance to poke fun at them by affectionately dubbing them "the grannies." It had become a running joke, and he loved watching how it never failed to get under their skin. The twins always reacted the same way—launching themselves at their brother, determined to make him eat his words. The trio's laughter and mock battles had become a familiar, endearing routine in the household.

"Make a wish, Syl," Gigi said as a particularly bright star twinkled above them.

"I don't see any cake and candles," Sylver snorted.

"The stars are better, moron," Emma said, rolling her eyes.

"Perhaps I should simply wish for you both to vanish," he said with an evil laugh.

"Puleeze, as if you could live without us," Gigi snorted. "You love us too much."

"Unfortunately," Sylver sighed dramatically. "Why else would I be here with you crazy brats when a perfectly good party is being held to usher in my birthday?" He drawled. "Shit, what's the time?" he gasped, pulling on Emma's t-shirt to wipe the wet surface of his wristwatch.

"Happy birthday, son," they heard their dad call out from the balcony. The siblings turned their heads to look at Ryan Stanton, smiles spreading across their faces.

The trio adored their father, as he also embodied the role of their mother, having literally given birth to them. Due to an extraordinary supernatural anomaly, Ryan was equipped with a womb. Consequently, after mating with Jeremy, the alpha of all alphas, Ryan became pregnant and gave birth first to Sylver and then to the twins through cesarean section. As was often the case between mothers and their children, the profound emotional connection forged from the very beginning of their lives fostered an intense sense of security, belonging, and attachment, mirroring the typical maternal bond.

"Ryan Stanton, don't tell me you were in on this." Sylver gave a mock growl just as the alpha of alphas stepped onto the balcony and wrapped his arms around his mate from behind.

"Don't you dare growl at my mate, boy," Jeremy called out. "I thought you were out."

"I was," Sylver said, sitting up. "Until your evil daughters decided to play a prank on me."

"How did they get you here?" Jeremy asked, his voice filled with amusement.

"Gigi cried, Daddy," Sylver said with an expression so comical that Jeremy burst into laughter.

"Good one, Gigi." The alpha of alphas called out to his giggling daughter.

"Don't encourage her, Jer," Ryan groaned. Then, turning his gaze on their daughter, he said sternly, "That wasn't a good thing to do, Gigi. Remember the boy who cried wolf?"

"Err... she is the wolf, baby," Jeremy pointed out in an amused voice.

"Shut up, Jer," Ryan murmured. "And technically, she's not a wolf yet." With that, he proceeded to give Gigi an earful. "Joking like that can lead to a loss of trust and have serious consequences when you truly need others to believe you. I taught you better, young lady," he added, his voice carrying a firm undertone.

"Sorry, Dad," Gigi groaned.

"We couldn't come up with any better reason to get him here that's why Gigi had to cry," Emma said defensively. "And that worked." She added with a shrug as if that made everything okay.

"Next time, think harder," Ryan retorted with a scowl.

"Or better still, just ask me to summon him," Jeremy added, grinning as he gently tilted Ryan's face toward him.

"You spoil them, Jeremy," Ryan muttered, accepting the kiss his mate pressed against his lips.

"Allow them to have their fun," Jeremy murmured against Ryan's lips as the kiss ended. "We both know there's no way their brother would ever ignore their call, even if they pranked him a billion times."

It was a well-known fact that Sylver held a deep, unwavering adoration for his sisters, and he would rush to their side in literally the blink of an eye, regardless of the circumstances. From their infancy, the one surefire way to soothe Gigi and Emma was a comforting embrace from their brother's wolf form. This consistent source of solace earned Sylver the affectionate nickname 'Snuggles' from his sisters, a testament to the warmth and security he brought them with his protective presence.

"I know," Ryan sighed. "Anyway, it's already midnight, so we might as well give him his present before he... where's your brother?" he asked in confusion as he looked back down to find only the twins where all three had been relaxing moments earlier.

"He just teleported out," Emma responded with a yawn.

"Probably gone back to the party," Gigi added.

"Strange," Ryan muttered, puzzled by Sylver's unusual behavior. "It's not like him to leave without a word. I thought he would check out his birthday present first. We'll have to wait until morning then. You ladies should clean up and get some sleep."

"Alright, Dad." Both responded in unison as their parents went back to their room.

**

Meanwhile, contrary to what his parents and sisters thought, Sylver had been forcibly whisked away to a very strange room, thousands of miles away. A few things hit him at once: the room's opulence, the dimmed lighting that set a mood for intimacy, its occupants—about thirty—lost in the throes of passion, and finally, the mixture of various scents... perfume, scented candles, the metallic smell of blood, sex, and... death. But most captivating was the extraordinarily unique and wonderfully intoxicating scent that assailed him. It was so deliriously sweet that a sudden blast of lust flooded Sylver's veins, instinctive and undeniable. He got instantly hard.

"What the fuck!" Sylver bellowed.

***

End of chapter one.

Sylver and Enzo's story is finally here. Another Stanwood Special. Buckle up for the ride.

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Jah bless!