"So what exactly are we heading out to?" Vladimir asked, surprised at the sight of none other than Dracula himself at the Council table.

It was rare for his Uncle to make an appearance or to be called to help the Council. After he was mated and the following witch hunts that nearly killed his mate, Dracula had hardly stepped away from his Beloved.

So to see him present without his aunt, made Vladimir's blood pump with excitement.

Because there were very few reasons why Dracula would come out of retirement. And all of those reasons ended in bloodshed.

His boots thumped on the floor with each step towards the table. Vlad knew he was later than usual but after feeding, he was always lazy and tired.

Like a fat cat snoozing in sunlight.

"I would like to know as well." Alaric stated, steepling his fingers before leaning forwards. Eyes pinned on Lady Alurea as he added, "All I know is that my brother and I were summoned and are apparently sent off towards a werewolf pack."

At that, Vladimir smirked. "Ooh, one of the pups got their knickers in a twist? What did they do? Try to steal another's turf? Encountered too many rogues to handle by themselves?"

Both Vladimir and Alaric knew that Dracula wouldn't be called for anything lesser. Domestic disputes, interspecies fights or pack politics were all beneath their uncle's attention.

Lady Alurea sighed, rubbing her temples as she squinted her eyes in clear frustration. If it weren't for the twitching at her eyebrow and her thinly pursed lips, Vlad would think she was calm.

Yet the shimmer in the air around Alurea, the growing, sweltering heat that fanned from her very being were all signs that she was more than a little frustrated.

In fact, the phoenix looked like she was about to spontaneously combust.

"Earlier this morning, we were notified by Alpha Roland's pack that one of their own is in the process of being Smothered."

A chill swept through the room. Neither Vladimir or Alaric dared to breathe as they glanced at their uncle, slowly understanding why he was there.

"Dare I ask for the cause behind the Smothering?" Vlad drawled slowly, watching as his uncle's gaze narrowed, the maroon depths becoming more vibrant with barely suppressed rage.

A rage that only intensified when Alurea's lips parted on a single, sighed word. "Rejection."

"Though there are reasons for concern from the Alpha as well." Alurea tapped her perfectly manicured nails on the table. "He doesn't believe that the rejection is the sole reason, as nobody has realized the pup's Smothering until recently."

Vlad and Alaric shared a surprised look, turning their gaze back towards Alurea with a frown. "Hold up a moment," Vlad said, holding up his hand to add to his words. "You mean to say this Smothering isn't recent? It didn't start today?"

"Afraid not." Alurea responded sadly, shaking her head in disgust. "Alpha Roland can't say how long ago it started but it's somewhere between the moments that the Alpha-to-be exchange program started and when Alpha Roland returned home to his pack. Ten months at the bare minimum."

That was a cause for concern. They had all discussed the Alpha-to-be exchange program in great detail, underlining the benefits of exchanging young Alphas with other packs, learn from someone else besides their own parents.

And that discussion had been months ago. Nearly a full year had lapsed from that point.

Of course, they had to consider the facts that all packs that were partaking in the event, had to plan and put rules into place.

But even if the preparations took several months, that still left more than half a year to consider.

For a single wolf to be fighting back against their beast, all on their own...for six months?

Vladimir shook his head as Alaric agreed verbally with his silent statement. "The pup's done for then."

Alurea clacked with her tongue in disgust. Normally she was the one to always look at things positively. But even she realized the repercussions of a Smothering in process.

"Are we gonna contact Alpha Drake again?" Alaric asked, reaching for his phone and a small notebook. He flicked the cap off of the pen with his thumb, starting to jut things down as he added "After all, he's one of the few Alphas who has not only helped a Smothering in process, but actively prevented it from continuing."

Several other council members hummed in agreement. They all had been impressed at the formerly rejected Alpha, now mated with his own Choice mate.

They had all been contacted to be aware of what happened in the pack. An Alpha-to-be, rejected by their own mate for ridiculous reasons.

When the news first spread, everyone had assumed the same; they would soon receive the call of a Rogue Alpha, needing to be exterminated.

Instead, to their utmost surprise, the Council was notified that not only had the young Alpha-to-be recovered, he flourished.

Using his own pain and suffering, he was given the reigns of his pack and turned it into a safe haven for rejects of all kinds. Nomadic wolves, rogues, Fated mates who had to flee their packs to avoid bigoted opinions and forceful betrothals.

The Council had observed that pack closely for a while. And when Alpha Drake kept surprising them, taking in rejected shifters and helping them recover, they had officially pronounced their support of the Alpha and his pack.

To the point where they even funded part of his pack's expenses. After all, the reason why several of his pack members had to join, was due to the actions of other packs. And those packs weren't under his jurisdiction.

But they were under the Council's. And they were more than happy to support such a good cause. In return, whenever they received word of a rejected wolf, they were quick to inquire with Alpha Drake, if he was willing to accept a new pack member.

And each time Alpha Drake received new members, he would make sure to notify the Council so they could take the appropriate steps towards the offending pack.

"I think that would be wise." Dracula spoke, surprising most at the table. The man brushed his sleek black hair out of his face before adding, "If this pup has clung onto life for this long, they deserve the best chances at survival."

Vladimir murmured something in agreement, kicking up his feet on the table. "I'm more interested in finding out the truth behind the rejection. And which one of us is going where exactly?"

Alurea looked at their Kitsune Hisoka, who presented the group with several papers as Alurea explained. "Master Tepes has volunteered to inspect the pact of the rejecter." She motioned towards their uncle, who smirked slightly.

Vlad and Alaric nodded in unison, not at all surprised. Their uncle was known for his deep and utter hatred for anyone willingly tossing away what could be the perfect bond.

"Theo, huh?" Vlad's eyes flitted over the papers, landing on a single image of the pup in question.

Soft blue eyes shyly peeked out from underneath a mess of brown hair of such a dark pitch, it could be mistaken as black. Their entire demeanor in the picture was that of a typical, camera shy Omega.

Alaric sucked his teeth in disgust as he read through Theo's data. "An Alpha rejecting his fated Omegan mate?" His voice snapped through the room, rising in pitch to show his surprise.

"Ah. Alpha Borya's son was the Fated mate. Well, ex mate." Vladimir said, tapping his index finger on the paper to highlight the information. "And we all know how the more archaic packs think."

The two vampire siblings rolled their shoulders, having plenty of experience dealing with such packs. Werewolves that believed they should breed for power and not love.

Any fated mating that didn't fit the picture, was erased on the spot. And while Alpha Borya was slowly coming to terms with the modern times, it was clear that bad habits were hard to break free from.

"Still, most Alphas would jump for the opportunity to have an Omegan mate. Someone who isn't going to question them or fight against their wolves with every step of their relationship." Alaric stated, resulting in a smattering of laughter from Hisoka.

"My Lord, may I remind you that not all Omegas are submissive? Being an Omega is not their entire identity and there are just as many submissive Omegas as there are, what's the term again...power-bottom brats?" The kitsune smirked, baring pointed teeth in amusement.

Vladimir snickered, remembering all too well that there were several single Omegas that had tried to come onto him during a pack's inspection.

None of those pups had shown a glimmer of submissiveness as they had stared at Vlad as if he was a piece of prime meat, waiting to be devoured.

And the few times that he had given into temptation with rejected Omegas, none of them acted demurely.

Especially not like the pup in the picture. That young man, seemingly trying to hunch together in an attempt to hide from the camera, yet giving off a weak smile, screamed submissive.

Vlad's lips curled into a grin when he spotted a single dimple in Theo's plump cheek. One of his few weaknesses.

"Well, Alpha Borya's son is a damned idiot. This boy looks absolutely delectable." He stated out loud, making Alurea sigh and grab her head in exasperation.

"Please don't make me regret sending you there Vlad." She uttered softly with a pointed look towards him that made Vlad raise his hands in defeat.

"I'll be on my best behavior. Pinky promise."

The phoenix snorted at that. "With how many times you've broken your promises, that doesn't bode well."

Vlad just grinned cheekily before lowering his feet, pushing off of his seat and closed the distance between them.

"It'll be fine. Some of those pups need to be put in their place and you're sending Alaric with me to keep me in my place. Win-win situation." He stated, giving her a peck on her cheek that made her grimace and push his face away.

"Leave already before I change my mind and have to study up. I'm sure that Hisoka would be thrilled to teach you some ancient history." She stated with a look towards the Kitsune, who grinned and raised their brows at the vampire.

Vlad instantly straightened up while stating "Aaaand, that's my que to get the fuck outa here." His words were followed by amused chuckles as Alaric and Dracula both pushed away from their own seats.

"I'll send word to Alpha Drake on the way over. He can contact the pack and give them first aid for the moment." Alaric stated, tapping away on his cellphone before finding the Alpha in question's contact details.

Ducking into their vehicle, Vlad stretched out his long legs, letting out a yawn that extended his fangs for a moment. He settled into the seats, preparing for the long journey ahead.

"So, what's our course of action?" He drawled once the doors closed and the car hummed softly underneath them. Their uncle hummed thoughtfully, turning his head to look out the window.

A few white strands peeked through the inky void that spilled over Dracula's shoulder. "I'll inspect Alpha Borya's pack thoroughly." The vampire smirked, maroon eyes narrowing with deadly intent.

"We'll have to first check the condition Theo is in before we can proceed with the investigation. "Alaric stated, making Vlad nod as his brother continued, "After that, we'll interrogate everyone in the pack, see if they noticed anything off about Theo and inquire about Theo's treatment before his Smothering."

The three of them shared an eerily similar smirk, one that promised bloodshed and torment to those who had broken their most sacred laws.

They were going to set an example to the supernatural world. And these two packs had unwittingly volunteered for the task.