Chapter 21

The next day was Saturday, and I had planned to read and have a relaxing day at the mansion. I assumed I would be alone most of the day, and was fine with that idea.

I was sitting in the garden reading, when I heard the patio door open behind me. I turned to look and saw Armand coming towards me.

I smiled and sat my book down. “Hi.” I greeted him brightly, actually glad to see him. He had been gone a lot recently, and had seemed more stressed than normal.

“Beryl dear, how are you?” He sat down in the chair across from me and smiled warmly at me. I was happy to have at least one person in the house who treated me kindly.

“I’m good. How are you doing? I haven’t seen you home much. I work keeping you busy?” I was intrigued to find out more about what he did everyday. I wanted to learn more about the werewolf world that I had fallen into.

He sighed and looked down at his hands, which were folded elegantly in his lap. “Work. Well, work is always busy. Lately though, hmm. It’s hard to explain I think.” He looked as though he didn’t want to say more, but I pressed him.

“You can try. I’ll try my best to understand. I know it helps to have someone on the outside of things to talk to sometimes.”

He chuckled, looking back up at me. “Sometime I forget you weren’t born into this world. Well, I guess there’s no harm in giving you more information about it then is there?”

I smiled at him, encouraging him to continue, and he did. “Our empire, our family, have been alphas since as far back as I can think of. My father, his father, and so on were all alphas, all kings of the werewolf world.”

“We’ve governed the werewolf world fairly, but sternly as well. I like to think its been a good reign, and will continue to be. Every now and then a young alpha will consider himself strong enough to usurp us, but he finds that he is mistaken quickly enough.”

“Those little things are common and easily dealt with. Other things, well…” He pauses looking at me intently, almost as though he choosing his words with care.

“Other things are harder to manage sometimes. There are outside forces that want to break us. What else to you know of the supernatural world?” He asks me, watching my face.

I think, and am shocked to realize I haven’t though about it before. Surly if there are werewolves, then there must be other supernatural creatures out there.

“Not much, honestly. It was only when I met you that I knew about werewolves.” I told him, hoping he would keep talking to me.

“There is so much more out there, my dear.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, and I feel as though he is sad to have to tell me these things.

“One of those things is vampires.” He pauses, waiting for my reaction. He sees the surprise and fear cross my face. I shouldn’t be surprised be this, but the thought of real vampires scares me.

“Real vampires? Are they like you hear in the stories? Drinking blood and can only come out at night?” I ask, wondering if, hoping, maybe he meant humans who had aversions to light.

“For the most part, yes. They do drink blood, but most clans have their own donors or have an understanding with hospitals and blood banks. They do have an aversion to light, but there is a special kind of sunblock they can use if the need to go out during the day.”

“Crosses and thresholds have no affect on them though. They can come and go as they please, just as we can, even into churches the need arises.”

“They have their own businesses and empires, the same as we do. The problem is, they are our competitors. For centuries, werewolves have held onto superiority in the supernatural world, but it seems our competition is growing restless.”

I listen intently as he continues, “There have been attacks, merchandise has gone missing, there have even been kidnappings in our lower level families. We aren’t sure what they want yet, but they are building up to something.”

Shocked and terrified, I remain silent, but I continue watching him and listening, yearning to learn more. “I feel as though they are leading up to an attempted coup. I believe they want to take over. Ultimately, I think they want what we have. What I have.”

He looks me in the eye, saying his next words carefully. “I need you to be vigilant. Don’t go anywhere alone. Be alert. Stay home, here on the grounds at least, as much as possible. I need to know you’re safe.”

“Of course.” My voice is barely above a whisper. He leans across and takes my hand is his. It’s warm and comforting. “I have something for you. I think it will help keep you safe. I was planning to wait until your birthday, but in light of these circumstances…”

He rummages in his coat pocket for a moment and pulls out a small, dark blue box. He hands it across to me. “It was meant to be from your mother and father. They were supposed to be the ones to give this to you.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I open the box. A necklace with a shining stone is settled on a small ivory cushion. It’s one of the most beautiful and delicate things I’ve ever seen.

“It’s a moonstone. It’s a conduit to your inner wolf. It’s also a connection to your parents. ” His voice is low and tender. He reaches out and takes the necklace, opening it to place it around my neck.

“Thank you, its amazing. Thank you so much.” I am overwhelmed with emotions. Gratitude, grief, happiness, and love. I’m thankful that I have Armand in my life.

As the stone settles itself at my throat, I become overwhelmed in a different way. Heat and tension fill me, and my skin feels as though its going to tear apart, but I feel no pain.

The world around me ripples, and I feel my whole perspective shift. Wynter and I meld into one, and the wolf rises to the surface.

The need to run is all I can think of, and as I shoot forward towards the forest, the last things I see is Armand’s enormous smile and I hear his joyful laughter fill the air behind me.