Valentina stood at the edge of the clearing, surrounded by the fir trees.
She looked on at the family of happy wolves playing and feasting on their latest kill.
Usually, a smile would play in her lips because she saw Aaron, her best friend, had achieved his goal through his son.

But as Valentina stood there, her eyes were filled with tears.
Was it even possible for...
Valentina shook her head at laughed at herself for still asking these kinds of questions.

It was clear that she wasn't a regular spirit and it was all his fault.
That Vampire had done something awful to her and now she was miserable.

Obviously, most of her misery was hemmed in the fact that she'd broken her promise to Niko.

That was it and nothing else. No, she didn't miss Nicholae, that would make no sense.
He'd kidnapped her, kept her against her will and then drank her blood.

She couldn't miss him.

Valentina floated to where Semi sat talking to Liza.
'Valentina.' She hastily got to her feet.

'Whoa there lady. You're pregnant, remember?'
Semi smiled and waved away her concerns.
'I've missed you. Why did it take you so long to return to us.'
Her opportunity to throw Nicholae under the bus easily presented before her.
'I wasn't done with snooping around our neighborhood vampire.'

'The necklace... that's new. Is that a gift from Nicholae?'
Valentina's hand touched the stone on her throat thoughtfully.
The answer to Semi's question? She honestly didn't know.

Liza must have spoken. Thankfully Semi translated.
'Liza likes him, and Niko. She says their good people.'

Valentina sent her a forced smile.
She wanted to scream that Nicholae wasn't a good person but now she had no basis. Now her memories were messing with her.
She saw one jumbled up one flash by. It was of her and Nicholae holding hands and hugging, then he handed her a cup. The memory made her happy but then her gut tried to tear it all down.
It told her something was wrong, that she wasn't supposed to be happy.

'You can't judge a person just by meeting them once or twice, Liza.'
Semi frowned at her statement.
'Nicholae brings his son here to train with Lupé, Liza and sometimes Cayden when he's around. Didn't you know?'

'What he does with his son is really none of my business.'
Semi had a retort ready for that.

'When has Valentina ever minded her own business?'
Valentina glared at Semi. She couldn't take offense since the joke had some truth to it.

'But why would he subject a young boy to such rigorous training? He's only seven for crying out.' Valentina complained.
That's why Nicholae hadn't mentioned it to her because he knew she'd react this way.

'He doesn't act like a seven-year-old sometimes. He's smart for his age. And I've watched their training sessions, he can hold his own against Lupé and Liza. Sometimes he even comes close to giving Cayden a run for his money.'

That did not convince Valentina. She'd have to see it for herself.

'He'll be here soon. He usually comes with the witches.'
That brought Valentina's attention back to a subject she'd completely ignored as a result of her self centeredness. It was a disease that plagued her these days.

'Are they any help?' Valentina asked.
She could read Semi's restrained expression.
'As much as they can with what little information we can give them.'
She sighed and looked up to the heavens.

'It's so hard Valentina. We don't know what we can trust them with. Nicholae says he trusts them with his life, but we don't trust him, not completely. For all we know, whatever information they gather about Osei will be reported to Nicholae or worse the entire Tchkovsky household.'
Tears welled up in Semi's eyes. Valentina felt for her, she couldn't completely understand her frustration because she'd never been in such a situation yet her heart still went out for her.

'Nicholae wouldn't do that. His relationship with his family is... uh, fragile.'
Valentina didn't know whether to tell Semi everything she'd gathered on her long stay at the Tchkovsky manor.
The fact that she was in a dilemma was infuriating.
She didn't have to weigh the option of telling her friend the truth and secrets about Nicholae.
Yet here she was, debating whether or not to do so.

The flapping of wings over the den sent the young pups into a frenzy.
Valentina watched them jump up and down trying to reach the bats who were returning home from wherever.

'How do you know we can trust Nicholae?' Semi asked.
'Was he not the one who killed you?'

'I don't know.' That was an honest answer.

It was safe to say that her mission to the manor had been a huge failure. She went in certain that Nicholae was a murderer but she'd come out with more doubts than she'd initially had.
Was that possible?
Apparently, it was.

'All I know is that he believes he's saving the world.'
Semi sighed.
'So far he has kept his word. His witches brought ancient books filled with so many spells and potions, I'm learning something new every day. They even let me borrow one. I was surprised Nicholae said I could borrow it.'

'You want to be the one who saves him.' Valentina said out of the blue.
She could read the plain show of determination and love for Osei in Semi's eyes.
'I want him to live long enough to see his children grow up. I want him to grow old with me.'

Then Valentina went to hug Semi.
Semi was surprised when she actually touched her.

'Just... don't ask. I can't explain it, it just happens.'
Semi enjoyed it until it was over.

'Where is Osei?'
Semi giggled hysterically.
'He's preparing for the banquet tomorrow. And he's not happy about it. He's been complaining about it the whole day.'

Valentina and Semi walked to their abode.
The floor was covered with animal hides and fake fur.

On the far left corner was a pile of discarded clothes were the bed should have been.
The culprit of the mess stood before them.

Osei stood in front of a mirror violently tugging on his necktie.

'I'm not wearing a tie.' He growled.

Semi slowly walked up behind him sliding her arms beneath his. She removed the troublesome necktie and dropped it on the floor.

'You don't have to wear a suit and tie, baby. We'll figure something out.' She said then kissed his neck.

He pulled her around so she stood before him.
His strong muscled hands encircled her waist and trailed down to her butt.

'Good. Did I tell you how much I hate ties.'
Semi giggled.
'Every second of today.'

He lowered his head and claimed her smiling mouth with his hungry ones.

Valentina looked away when she heard Semi moan when Osei played with her butt.

Valentina cleared her throat to remind the two of her presence before they started tearing away at each other.

'Welcome back Valentina.'
Osei said in between kisses.
He wasn't distracted in the least.
Thankfully, Semi pulled away.

'Semi told me about your misadventures. So. What did you find out?'
He hugged Semi's back and placed his hands in her round belly.
Valentina's heart swelled at the obvious love Osei felt for his new mate and their unborn child.

'Nicholae has been doing some investigations of his own. In Shepherd's creek as well.'
She blurted.
'I found newspaper clippings from Shepherd's creek all around.'

Osei scowled.
'I guess we do have more to discuss, this Vampire and I.'

'Yes. And you can do so at the banquet. Which you have no clothes for.'
Semi reminded him.

'I didn't have time to pack my good clothes.'
He complained.

'Then we'll go shopping.' Semi put her hands together. Unfortunately, her joy was only hers because Osei groaned. He was awarded a smack on his hand.

'I meant, yaay.' He said dryly.

'You know I almost believed you.'

Their romantic banter made Valentina smile but it also sent an empty feeling inside her heart.
She hated to admit it but there was also a twinge of jealousy and loss.
A feeling like she was supposed to have this too. It was unexplainable and so sudden that Valentina quietly excused herself.

In no time, she heard a cheerful laugh followed by mews and moans of pleasure.

She roamed around and for the first time, she felt like an outsider. As if she didn't belong here. Yet, this was the place she called home. Where she'd longed to return to when she was trapped in the Manor.
There was only one person to blame for this.

'Valentina!'
She turned around and found Niko making a beeline for her.

She didn't know if she was still in solid mode or spirit mode so she yelled.
'Stop! Hold it right there.'
Niko came to a screeching halt.

Valentina tentatively poked his head.
'Hey, what's that for.' He said rubbing his forehead.
She hugged him then.

'What are you doing here?' Was his next question.

'I'm here visiting friends.'
Niko's eyes went round.

'You mean you know this pack too?'
Valentina nodded.

'I train with them. I didn't tell you because Papa said to keep it a secret. He tugged at her hand. Come and watch me. I'm getting better.'

And Valentina did.
At first, she interrupted so many times.

'That swipe was a little too ferocious.' She complained once.
'Did you have to bite him lupé? Really, was that necessary.'

She even shrieked at some point when Lupé's kick had Niko flying into a tree.

But Niko shook it off as if it was nothing.

He walked to her with a determined expression on his face.

'Listen. I'm fine. Vampires heal quickly. But you keep interrupting, maybe you can't take it. So maybe, you don't have to watch if you don't want to.'

She simply stared at the child. Then blinked sheepishly.
'I'll control myself. I promise.' She said.

'Thanks, mom.'
Then he ran back into the training ground as if he hadn't dropped a bomb on her head.

Valentina stared after him in astonishment.
She knew he was kidding. He'd called her that because of the way she was babying him. But his words.
He threw a new discovery in her face. She wanted to be called mama.

Then she saw herself in another memory. She was looking in a blurry mirror caressing her very pregnant belly. But with the memory came a great bout of sadness.