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𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃

𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞. My peak finally over and my body able to move more than a meter without desperation swirling between my legs. I hadn't had a heat like that one before. Normally they didn't fill me with so much pain and arousal. The mating bond was to blame for this, and I hope that I never have to deal with something like that again. In fact, my heats were almost always reasonable. It's my mother who has the terrible heats, she always has. My life would be much better if I knew heats would not become a monthly struggle. I don't want to become my mother.

Felix laid happily at my side, his arms wrapped around my arms and waist. He pressed a sweet kiss to my head and shifted his stance, allowing me some breathing room. I flushed with blush as his hand brushed against my cheek. His only response was a deep chuckle, fingers now running through my thick hair.

"Good morning, Rora," he mumbled against my hair. I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped my mouth. My blush continued as his head moved down, teeth grazing against my ear. His cold lips pressed against my heated neck, nose nuzzling into me coyly. Heat still here, I groaned as my hormones work against me, forcing my hips up to meet his. My mate grumbled, finding himself on top of me once more. "Ah... You haven't eaten yet ━"

"I don't care," I insisted the complaint with wrapping my legs around his waist, pulling him towards me. Whether or not I could get him to do what I wanted remained unknown, but I want ━ no, need him right now. I need him pressed against me, I need him standing attentive for me. Now that he's here I can't get my mind off of him and his scent, our bond and how I feel so damn passionate with him around. "You said that you would be here, that you would give me whatever I needed and I need you right now. Fuck food, fuck water, give me your ━"

"Aurora." I know if he were a wolf he would be blushing scarlet right now, but I don't care. At the moment my mind is polluted with lustful thoughts and my body is begging for him. Begging, something I don't do unless absolutely necessary. Felix must know that! I'm not a beggar. "That is highly inappropriate and my point still stands. As your mate during this time, yes, I do wish to give you what you want and need, but right now your body is shutting down. Nothing my body can give you is nutritional in the slightest," He stopped for a second as I whined, but continued after another sigh, "Are you okay to go out of our room? If you don't eat soon I fear you may not be alive for me to relieve you of your heat."

"Relieve me of my heat? What is this, the eighteenth century?" Felix grumbled, grabbing my wrists before he threw me over his shoulder. I moaned, his hand so close to me. He must have put some clothes on me while I slept because we were out of the door within a second. "Felix why do I have to eat now? I'm not hungry." The growl my stomach gave after that said otherwise. "There's nothing food can give me. Let me die if I get to have you one more time. Let me die a good death. Fucked to death by Felix Volturi, who has the best ━"

My mate put his hand over my mouth to silence me and my comments. I growled, now tempted to bite his hand away and be able to embarrass him. After last night he should understand my neediness for him and his body and should know that I get what I want when I'm in heat. Still, Felix sighed at me again as we made our way down the hall, slow and steady as we went into the human food room. Oddly enough multiple vampires could be heard chatting about with each other. Then I saw the bags of blood in their hands and understood. Demetri and another man of whom I don't know the name of were sipping their blood bags at a large table off to the side, right by the wall.

The two of them snickered as Felix waved at them. I growled at both the men for daring to laugh at us. Fucking idiots, both of them. If Demetri doesn't start getting his act together I'll knock him out again, or perhaps knock him out permanently. "Don't worry about them, little wolf," Felix assured me. "We'll get you food and go back. You can eat in our room if you want."

"Not the only thing you'll be doing in there," Demetri snarked. The other man had to cover his mouth to hold back his laughter.

"Demetri, now is not the time for your idiocy." That sure as hell shut him up. My mate allowed me down on the ground and I whimpered at the stimulating contact. Walking around may be possible, but that doesn't make it easy. Felix rested his hand on my shoulder, playing with my hair as a human woman came towards us. This wasn't the lady who spoke English around here. I groaned, hoping that Felix would take the lead and order some food for me. My language skills are about as good as my patience, both of which are failing.

Much to my relief Felix did order for me. What came back made me laugh. I didn't know Felix had knowledge on comfort food of any kind, let alone mac and cheese. The droopy food made my mouth water. Now I could focus on my stomach and mind, which must have begun to hate me over the past few days. Wolves need much more food than humans, a byproduct of our fast metabolisms. You'll find a pack of wolves having four or five plates of mac and cheese on a good hunting day. My record has been eight plates, but that was after we had to run almost twenty miles in the snow after a vampire coven attacked us. We didn't have any time to kill them, just make our escape with our lives and bodies intact.

Unfortunately I had to walk with him on the way back to our room. My legs felt like they were going to fall off the whole time. Felix asked multiple times if I needed a break but I knew that I had to push forward. It would be terrible for the rest of his coven to see me like this. I can't show any weakness in front of them like I can with Felix. Unlike him, the Volturi can remember everything and use it against me. Felix wouldn't do that to me, the bond would never let him directly work in the favor of my enemy. Then again, he is working for the Volturi, an enemy of my species, but for now they remain a background issue.

But like all the other heats I've had I pushed through, finally flopping down on our messy bed and sprawling out. Felix chuckled at my childishness and put the dish on the dresser. After that was downed (which didn't take much time at all, knowing my appetite) he held me for a long time. We stayed there, completely wrapped around in each other. Today I could reach out to his mind, his very soul, and send him things. I couldn't tell if he knew it was me or not, but every image or happy thought I sent earned a smile from him. In that moment I didn't care about anything but him. He had accepted me and I'd accepted him. I should hate him but I just can't. It's impossible to hate your own mate, Mother and Father told me that when I was younger. Many try, everyone fails. There's just something so enchanting about your mate that you can't find it in your heart to hate them. Their actions, maybe, but them? Never.

How many times had I told myself I hated him? Felix was right when he said I would regret it all. And yet he let me say everything. Was it to teach me a lesson? Perhaps he was just trying to keep the peace between us for long enough that we could understand each other enough. All the things I said... I did mean them back then. I meant them yesterday, before he came back to me. An apology wouldn't work because I did mean what I said. There's nothing to be sorry for if you really, really meant it. But the guilt still eats at me now. I wish I could take it back, but that wish will never be fulfilled. What's done is done and now I'll hold the guilt for the rest of eternity.

"What's wrong?" Felix whispered the question against my neck. Now posed with silence, my mate sighed. "When there is something wrong I would rather you tell me so we can work on it than remain silent and leave me wondering what I could do to make you happy again."

"I'll be fine," I insisted. He frowned. I hate it when he frowns. "Seriously, Felix, I'll be alright. After everything I've been through I can promise that I'm alright and that I'll continue to be alright." Felix sent me a knowing look, making me frown. "Well, there just isn't much to say. Unless I'm going to say something of substance I prefer to stay quiet. It seems that any sort of anxiety from either of us will eventually spread, so it could just be that." He knows I'm lying. I hate to lie. "Fine. I feel guilty. Is that what you wanted to hear? Wanted to hear that your mate is guilty and remorseful for the things she's said? Well here it is, Felix, I'm fucking guilty."

There was a long pause between us. I looked down and he looked away. I felt the guilt pouring in on his side of the bond. It pulsed through my mind, burrowing itself into me. Felix sighed. He did that a lot. "Look, Aurora..." he trailed for a second before continuing, "I understand and I am very sorry that you're upset right now. No matter what, I will always want you to be happy. Is there something I can do to help you feel better."

We're mates, I heard him want to add on. Yes, we're mates, two people who are supposed to be obsessed with each other for the rest of time. The other half to your soul that you never knew you needed. Someone to be there when you're down, someone who lifts you back up no matter what. Just that one person who you need more than anything at every moment. I couldn't see it before and even now the lists of reasons why we're here are small. Felix has always been there. Yes, he came late before, but he still came. Effort. He gives me everything without knowing if I'll give it back. Because he cares. That's more than almost anyone has ever done for me. The closest thing has been my pack, but even then they aren't completely devoted to me. Devoted to the pack, to family, not to me personally.

For whatever reason we're here now, wrapped in each other and longing for more. More kisses, more hugs, more sex. I need more of everything. By the fates, how I crave him. Every little movement he makes triggers a part of my heat. His hands on my body, his kisses to my head and ears, they all make me want him even more. After last night everything changed. Now he's all I crave. I thought the worst of my heat would end after I stopped peaking, but clearly I'm proven wrong yet again.

"Well... if you do want to help me feel better," I start, kissing his forearm, "you could give me what I want." I giggled, turning over to face him. To add some merit to my wish, I ground my hips up. "There's nothing stopping you now. I'm here for you to take."

Felix growled as he grabbed my hips and threw me down on the bed. He's so easy to rile up when you know where to push him. Within a second I was flipped over on my back, almost completely exposed to him. "You're such a tease," he snapped at me, ripping my pants to shreds. "A fucking pain in my ass every second of every day." His voice dripped with lust as he took off my shirt, pulling my sensitive hips close to him. My arms forced to relax, all I can do is look up at his barely-contained smirk. He muttered something in a foreign tongue before he completely pushed me down into the mattress.

It felt like no time passed at all. The only indicator of his undressing was the low groan he gave out when his pants dropped and he lined himself up to my core. He showed no mercy as he pressed himself inside of me, my heat not helping with the stretch. Noticing my discomfort, Felix stopped to whisper sweet words against my ear. They worked like a balm, muscles relaxing and allowing him to thrust until he bottomed out.

That kindness stopped as the blunt force of my heat stationed itself at the forefront of our minds. The connection made ignoring it damn near impossible, although I doubt either of us wanted anything less than this companionship. I ached for his heart to be mine, even when I hid mine away. I selfishly took him for my own and he fell right into that trap I placed for him, taking me like my life depended on it (which I could argue it did).

But Felix preferred to see me when we're like this, to fuck me so passionately, face-to-face. And I'll give into his desires if it means he stays with me, loves me like this, if he holds me and never lets go. I can feel the bond in my heart as we move together, almost as if we were just one being in two bodies. I feel everything he does, or at least I think I can. His fingertips burn cold against my hips, his hands like a sweet antidote to my suffering. Fiery blood is sent to my core, my eyes watering from the pressure in my abdomen. 

Just as I felt myself start to crest, Felix turns me over, still pulling my hips close to his in order to fuck me as hard and deeply as possible. My hand covers my mouth, the embarrassment of my watering eyes and frazzled hair too much, too intimate even during my heat. Those strong hands leave my hips to pin my hands above my head. I whine, turning my hot cheek into the cold bed sheets. Felix laughs at my struggle, it only eggs him on, gives him more of a damn reason to fuck me until I can't think of anything other than him. My mind felt empty, filled with absolutely fucking nothing.

"Someone's close," he teases. When I gave a whimper for my response, he laughed. Fucking bastard. "What? Am I not giving you what you asked for, amore?"

Yeah, yeah, what I wanted. Fucking asshole. Fuck your girl then be mean about her feeling good. Real mature, I complained mentally, unsure if he could hear me. Being so close, so connected, I didn't really know if the bond meant his mind was still flowing over into mine. Unfortunately for me, it was, and I knew that because of Felix's loud groan and slap down to my hips. Open-handed, but it did the trick.

I wasn't the only one reaching the end. Felix's hands tore the sheets below us in two just as they had the night before. His hair was askew and his breathing became ragged as he picked up the pace, now pounding into me harder than I could have imagined possible. The stimulation was sent right to my groin and I finally cried out at my sudden release. Felix fucked me through my entire orgasm, making tears roll down my face from the overstimulation. My body went taut on the bed as he let out a heavy groan, stopping as he released into me.

"We really need new sheets."

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐛 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐱 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐦𝐞. Despite what my mind said I couldn't help but let my heart control my actions during my heat. We shared passionate kisses and loving embraces. For the first time in my life I believed someone cared about me. How much love had I received? Enough to make sure that he wouldn't leave me again. I would give anything to not experience that pain again. The betrayal of a mate almost broke me more than any loss I've experienced before.

Felix shared the burden of my mind and worries about our bond. We remain connected entirely and unable to get each other out of our heads. I'm sure that even when I sleep Felix is watching over me. Maybe not physically, but his thoughts always feel so comforting. Somehow even when asleep I'm able to hear him, feel his heart reaching out to mine to make sure that I'm still okay. It's an odd sort of connection. Deeper than the pack yet just as personal. Messages are heavily blurred though, making any sort of conversation almost impossible. Just simple Hellos are there at the moment whenever I wake up or roll myself closer to him in the bed.

A simple groan let me know that he remained beside me as I woke up. My brown eyes fluttered open, revealing nothing but Felix's chest. A giggle escaped as I tried to remove myself from his arms. At this time I assumed that he realized I'd woken up, but my mate seemed adamant on keeping me put, doing whatever he could to make sure that I wasn't moving away from him. I blushed at his possessiveness. A new side to my mate I'd only been able to see during the past few days with him. When he would roll me around like a ragdoll and bend me to his will or put me places in the room to rest while he brought me whatever I needed to get back to my normal self it filled me with giddiness. 

"Don't move yet," Felix's deep voice rang out as he squeezed me a bit tighter. I shook my head playfully and sent him a legible move through the bond. My mate didn't like this one bit, his previous rumbles becoming loud hisses as I wriggled around in his arms. No, Felix doesn't like it when I get bratty, he makes that very clear, but how can I help myself when it's the morning and he hasn't let me move more than a few inches? No wolf can help themselves in this situation but that doesn't matter to my insistent mate. "Can't you just stay here for a few more hours and be nice?"

"You associate submission as being nice?" I questioned, nipping at his bare chest with my teeth. Felix didn't give a real answer, just hissing at me. I frowned. Mornings may be annoying for both of us, but I'm not in heat and he needs to get on with the day. Hell, I need to get on with my day. There's no way that we can stay here for longer when it's already... 10:00 AM! Shit, we have got to get out of bed and get to our respective places or else we'll have someone barging into our rooms. We'll be screwed if any one of the kings walks in. Lying naked in bed is not something for their immortal eyes to see. "Felix it's way too late in the morning for us to be here. You have work and I have that paperwork that Aro sent me like a week ago that he wants to be finished by tomorrow."

Silence washed over my mate as I felt him look out the window of our room. The sun would be out now, rendering Felix a disco ball. His skin would blind my eyes if I looked at him there in the light for too long. Thankfully no humans would see him like this, not even in the halls. I smiled, taking pride in the fact that I would be the only one that gets to see him so naked and exposed. A vampire in the sun is absolutely beautiful, but it's not for everyone to see. Only for family, friends, and coven mates. That's what Felix had to explain yesterday. Just some vampire customs I'll have to get used to.

"Do we really have to get up now?" He pestered childishly. I rolled my eyes, to which he couldn't see as he pushed my face into his chest. "We could just stay inside. The door has a lock and I'm sure that nobody would dare walk in on us if the door remains locked. You know, have some time to ourselves and get you washed up from your heat. It's been too long since either of us has showered..." I shook my head and did my best to press my feelings about the matter through the bond. A rumble came from his chest once again. "There's never enough time, is there?"

"Not between you working and me needing sleep." Felix frowned but finally allowed me to move away from him. I sighed at the removed pressure from my back and face. "I wouldn't worry too much. You have a job here that you need to do and I have one of my own. We'll find time but beyond that there's nothing much we can do about either of our positions. I'm off my heat but I'll need you for a few more days to keep me company in case something bad happens." He sent me a confused look and I sighed. "Don't worry about it, Felix, nothing is going to happen unless you, for some reason likely being that asshole named Caius Volturi, leave the castle too soon after my heat ends. Just some bond-keeping duties as well and we'll be alright."

I couldn't tell if I was trying to convince him that I would be alright or if I was trying to convince myself that things would be okay if we went to our respective jobs. After days of passionate sex, spending our nights together, and learning everything about each other's bodies I don't know how the separation will work. It's like we've never been away from each other before. But that isn't the case, obviously. I've spent nineteen years without Felix but now that he's here with me I don't know what I would do without him. He's like a shadow behind me trying to keep me comfortable amidst the chaos of this castle. All of my emotions are confusing because at one side of my mind I want to be away from him so I can recollect myself after that traumatizing heat but at the other end I want every bit of him with me at all times so I'll never have to think about what happened between the two of us.

Now I have to remind myself that it isn't just me anymore. It's us. Maybe it's that I wasn't ready for a relationship like this and now that I've been thrust into one I'm confused about the way I feel. But all of the pack told me that I would be able to do this, that mates come at the right time no matter how wrong it may feel. Fuck I have no idea why I'm so damn scared of being close or away from him anymore. It's not like he didn't screw me into the bed every night while telling me he cared about me and wanted to make me feel good. I did feel good. More than good. I felt amazing with Felix.

Acceptance of the bond is one thing, but having a relationship? That seems to be what Felix wants. My mate wants to be with me, not just sleeping together when we have to so both of us won't die. It's such an easy thing, right? This isn't supposed to be this hard for me. Basic communication isn't the worst of it either. Do we have anything in common? Anything we can do together? I'm basically engaged to this man! We'll be together for the rest of time, no ability to age beyond how we are now. We have to do things together or we'll end up getting so bored we would rather die. I bet this is how people who have arranged marriages feel. That's what this bond is for us, arranged and with no sense whatsoever. The fates must be having a field day with the two of us.

Not that I should have expected much. Wolves are passionate lovers who sleep their way through life while spreading their line through children. Then there's that. Children. Vampires are infertile, unable to produce any offspring of their own. It's why they turn people in the first place. He hasn't mentioned that part yet. The one thing keeping me back from my father's throne has always been children. He expects me to have at least one of my own in order to keep the lineage going. I may have well been rendered infertile! While I could rule forever, in a theoretical immortal scenario, I am not indestructible, nor am I able to handle such a life without the closure of knowing that my family would be okay after I die.

First a vampire, now indescribable fear that will lead me down into a hole with no way out. Our arrangement has more flaws than glue to hold us together. A snip at our bond and we'll fall apart. The fates must have made a mistake with us two! How could they put me, the second most powerful in the pack line, with him? While he's a high level guard, Felix is nowhere near on my level, and that leaves me with no safety net to fall back on when this inevitably falls apart. No title means no influence, and influence is everything in politics.

"There's been something on your mind for days, Rora," he persisted after seeing my solemn face, eyebrows furrowed as he looked over my shoulder. "Am I not trustworthy enough for you to talk to me about what is bothering you?"

"That isn't the reason and you know it," I snapped. "I'm a private person."

"Say terrible things to me, but don't lie to my face." My mate sighed, using his strength to speed over to where I was, by the bed. "I understand that you have doubts about... us... but secrets do more harm than good." I hate that he's always right. "Just let me take you somewhere once you're done with your paperwork. We can do something and have fun; get to know each other. It doesn't have to be big. We can stay in town, but I want to get to know you."

And then there's this. How can I say no to him when he's trying so hard? Why can't I give him back the same energy? How is it it that I'm stuck wondering about why this happened and how it'll affect me when there's someone else on the other side of the room that also has feelings? I'm selfish, that's how, and he doesn't deserve that. Fuck, he should have gotten some vampire girl who could give him everything he wants and not be outright mad about the bond in the first place! Because no matter how much we both want each other due to the bond, I'll be the one who can't do it.

I failed to hide my bleakness as I turned around to face him once more. "Of course, Felix."

I can't be what you want me to be.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

𝐌𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐨 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭. The names, dates of birth, and places of residence of my pack members had to be written down before any events hosted by the Volturi for "security reasons." Whether or not I believed him (which I often find myself not doing. He's a political figure and should therefore not be idolized and followed blindly) remains out of the usual binary of yes and no, falling under an underhanded "whatever."

Of my unusually dark thoughts was that of my pack bond. It could barely reach all the way across the world, my father's sheer will the only tether to tie me down and keep me sane all the way across the Atlantic. If I could survive a few more weeks I should hope I'll be able to find a time where I can go back. For the full moon, of course. Not being with a pack could cause damages to property or even human life. Caius would also throw a fit if he were to find me in that state, despite the fact that I can't control Arcadia's deep urge to surface and be with her pack in peace. He would be an obstacle for the rest of my life, always prodding and beckoning his brothers to kill me. His taunting whines are similar to that of a toddler, but I can't say that if I want to keep my head.

To be fair I've lived my entire life not knowing what was supposed to come next. Yes, I've had a basic outline during that time, but this isn't much different from the many natural or supernatural disasters we've had as of late. Last year someone accidentally turned their grandmother. That was a mess. Devi came out as gay. I mean, that was great for him, but the system we have is mates are male and female for procreation needs. Well, the spirits figured out that for us. Onno's trans. Boom, problem solved. Will the spirits be nice and figure this one out for me? Who knows. We can't exactly fix Felix with hormones to make him fertile.

World turned upside down and all, I need to plan things with the other vampires. Meetups and stuff. Aro came in a few hours ago beaming with joy over the prospects of meeting my entire pack in person. What a great idea, you'd think, except whenever I try to talk to Athenodora, who is supposed to be in charge of the vampire end of this shit, Caius sends me away and calls me a dirty mutt. Damn that fucker. I'd cut his head off if I could get away with it. No matter what I do it seems that the bastard is in the way. Makes you wonder how he and Aro are soul brothers. Aro, who is so outgoing and extroverted, and then Caius, who's introverted and borderline racist. Fuck it, he's absolutely racist. Who calls someone a mutt? Racists.

By the time I'm done with all of this paperwork, I'll have starved to death, I'm sure of it.

"Miss Canyon?" I turned my head to see a tall dark-skinned man with bright red eyes. I waved him in and he sat down on one of the bean bags in my office space. "We found a few wolves while out on patrol. Since we aren't allowed to kill them anymore, the kings have requested that you identify them."

"Do I look like Jesus to you?" I deadpanned, sighing at the paperwork on my desk. "Whatever. I'll come out. Tell Aro that since he can't question people himself this shit is going to take at least another few days. Also, tell Caius that I need to talk to Athenodora because Aro asked me to and he's being a total whore about it. Tell Marcus I say hello and hope he has a nice day." The guy looked at me like I was crazy but nodded his head and swiftly left the room. God, after a long morning I'm not the nicest person to be around. Not enough coffee in my system, I'm sure of it. I'll have to head over to the kitchens and get another cup.

Paperwork is the least of my problems now. Hands running over the loose papers, I turn away from them, getting up to go down the hallway. On my right I could see a group of vampires looking eerily at me, as if I were some exotic fruit they'd never seen before. I growled under my breath as they finally left me alone, those red eyes glancing over at the next piece of eye candy in the area, that of which just so happened to be Demetri, who winked at me. Felix wouldn't like that one bit. Perhaps I could find a knife to stab into his hand so I don't have to tell my mate to get his brother under control. Man moment.

When I reach the edge of the castle, where the throne room is (and where I suspect I'm supposed to be), I am happy to find wolves on their knees, being held still by Felix and another guard I don't remember the name of. The first one had wispy white hair and looked to be a few years older than myself, but the other one was young, only around ten, with the same features as the first boy. Two boys on their knees for vampires. They were foreign and I worried that they didn't know any English. Hopefully they do, or this is going to be very, very messy.

"What's the issue, Felix?" I ask, stepping closer to the two boys. The older one's breath hitches as he makes an attempt to connect our minds. He must sense that I'm a higher up in my pack. As I waited for my mate's response I allowed him inside with ease, making sure to put up a wall between myself and the rest of the pack. His wolf was clearly frightened, but not weak. No, he had to be the first born of someone. Not an alpha, but maybe the son of his pack's beta. What happened to you and why are you here today? Volterra is the home of monsters, vampires. You must know that. This was foolish for a wolf. And to bring one of your brothers.

I had no choice, he said solemnly as he bowed his head down to me. The neighboring pack has been working with the devils, I swear it. Antonio can't fight. I was just bringing him away from the bloodshed. We didn't know how far we went. It was chaos.

"Wolves aren't allowed in our territory without invitation. These two broke that rule," Felix stated. "We would normally ━"

"Kill them ━ I know," I snap at him before looking back over at the two boys. "What did you mean by devils? Blood drinkers?" The man nodded. "If there's already been another case of a pack working with vampires we're about to have an issue. I'll ask you, was there any reason for this attack? Dispute in land, attack on one's pride or honor, a lie?" He shook his head. "How long have these vampires been working with your neighboring pack? Up until about a week ago the rule amongst vampires was to kill our kind on sight. Unless word has travelled that fast, which I don't believe it has, there's no way for this to be...." I trailed. I didn't want to accuse him of lying, but this just made absolutely no sense to me.

On the few occasions that wolf packs fight it has a clear reason why, and we don't bring other people in unless we are willing to start a whole war. Atypical wolf behavior, for sure, and abnormal vampire behavior as well. Putting it together in my head with that in mind, the solution was muddled with the thought that by siding with these two boys I could get my pack in trouble. If we side with them too quickly we may find out what they did was worthy of a battle and get ourselves killed off in the process. Damn wolf politics are hard.

Waving my hands, Felix and the other guard release both of them from their grip. 

"Romanian," the older boy sputters out, "they had Romanian accents. All of them. And spoke the language. An older version of it, but Romanian nonetheless."

"The Romanians are your enemies, are they not?" My eyes avert to Felix, who nodded. "We're dealing with a war then. From what I know they won't give up until they're the rulers of the vampires. Must have offered your neighbors a place in their court, to be high ranking after such a long time in the lowest caste of supernatural must have been a dream." I watched as Aro and Marcus entered the room. Both raised an eyebrow as I let out an annoyed huff through my nose. "I don't know how you prepare for war, but do it, and fast. Wolves are quick on their feet and will go to whatever ends to kill you once they decide you're a target.

"Felix, go get my phone, we'll need backup."

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Ah I know I've been absent for a hot minute but I got some free time to write this. Planning for war is going to be fun, isn't it? Let's hope we don't lose track of the main plot though....

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