Angel packed up his things from his solo honeymoon. While he was packing his clothes. He saw his cell phone on the floor, cracked and broken to pieces from his argument with Raven. Selene had called him twice during their honeymoon. Now that he had to return to the castle. He kind of wished that he had answered her call. He had no idea what was going on at the castle or if it was in one piece. Surely not, he was gone for a day, how much damage could happen in one day?

When Angel arrived at the castle, luggage in hand. That was when he found out exactly how much damage could be done in one day. There was a human girl in front of the grand staircase. She was the first person he saw when he walked in. This human girl was wearing a bandage over her ribs like she just got out of the medical ward. She was standing there like she had no idea she was in a castle full of Vampires. All of which saw her as their lunch. So, either he’s delusional or there’s a human in the castle. He rubbed his eyes, no he’s not crazy, they are or she is. Why is there a human girl in the castle? Wait a sec, he got a closer look at the girl.

This girl, she looked familiar, like, he knew her. Which can’t be true because all the humans he knew were either turned or killed by Blaire. Still he recognized her long brown hair, her green eyes, her lips, her body frame. If she is who he thinks she is, this bad, so bad, she can not be here. Forget the vampires killing her, Blaire will kill her and that’s much worse.

“Oh my god, it’s Iz-,” Angel dropped his luggage and appeared in front of her before she could get another word out. He covered her mouth and brought to his bedroom for a private chat.

“Wow, if I knew that’s all it took to get in your bedroom. I would have said it years ago.” She began exploring his bedroom. She started by opening on his drawers, his underwear drawer in particular.

“Amy, stop,” Angel slammed the drawer shut before she could look inside. “That is not for you, those are my unmentionables. Very private, no, touchy.” She went over to his closet and began checking out his clothes. “Stop it,” He shut his closet. “Just sit down on the bed.”

“So, it’s like that now.” Amy nodded. “I mean, if we’re just going to get right to it. Then, you should have just said something.” She started to undress in front of him. Angel struck his forehead with his palm.

“What’s going on, in here?” Ziek barged into Angel’s room. He glared at Angel as he stood across from the girl. Her shirt was lifted revealing her pink lace bra, Angel’s hands were on her shirt trying to pull it down. “Angel, get away from my girlfriend. She is not yours.” He scolded.

“This isn’t what it look-,” Angel stopped mid sentence. Hold on a sec, did Ziek just call her his girlfriend?! What happened to Selene? Ziek and Selene were dating last he heard unless. He gasped. Ziek is cheating on Selene. Does have a death wish, Selene is going to kill him and the entire castle. This Self destruct level anger, he’s dealing with here. If Ziek thinks, Selene won’t blow herself up and take the whole castle with her over this. Then he doesn’t know Selene at all.

“Zieky,” The girl ran over to him. “I was just messing around, Izzy wouldn’t sleep with me. Trust me, if he was going to do that. He would have done it in high school when he had the chance. But, no, he chose Dez, then he doesn’t even sleep with her either. Instead he chases this Erika chick.”

“You mean my sister,” Ziek answered. “Erika’s my sister.”

“I thought I saw the resemblance. But I wasn’t too sure.” Amy rubbed her chin. “So wait if Izzy’s here,” She pointed at Angel. His name’s not Izzy, it was never Izzy, his name was Issac and Issac is dead. Only Angel exists now. Blaire made sure of that. “Does that mean Erika’s here too, I mean, surely she is, she’d never leave Izzy behind. Those two were inseparable. I bet you two got married already and had kids.”

“Kids,” Angel coughed. “No, Erika and I, we aren’t, we don’t have kids at least I hope not. Because then, she’ll die and it’ll be my fault. So can we not talk about-,” Amy gasped.

“Oh my god, you finally did it after four years. You finally slept with her, you dog,” Amy punched Angel’s chest. “You’ve been barking up that tree for four long years and she finally let you in the treehouse. So how was it? How did it feel to climb the tree house?”

“Can we not talk about the treehouse?” Angel argued. “Especially when her older brother is right there.” He pointed at Ziek. “Besides, Erika’s a werewolf, I’m a vampire, so to say our relationship is complicated is a bit of an understatement at this point.”

“Wait, she’s a werewolf, then,” Amy gasped. “I’ve met her!” She added. “I caught her in a net with this other werewolf. I kind of messed with her a bit but I didn’t know it was her. I swear,” Ziek laughed.

“You trapped my sister in a net,” Ziek arched his head back in laughter. “I love you.” He kissed Amy’s cheek. He pulled her to his chest and pressed his lips against hers. No, they can’t be kissing, if Selene were to see that, she’ll explode literally. The castle and everyone in it would be dead.

“Are you trying to kill us all?” Angel got in between the two of them. “Ziek, you’re dating Selene remember? You can’t cheat on Selene, you know what her ability is correct?” Ziek nodded. “Then you need to break up with Amy right now before Selene finds out about this. We will die, we will all die Ziek. Selene will kill us all with one explosion. I can’t save us from that, we are fucked if she finds out about this.”

“Selene already knows.” Ziek answered.

“She what?” Angel almost yelled. “She hasn’t blown up the castle yet, something’s wrong. The Selene I know would be blowing the castle up over this, I’d be coming back to pile of rubble. So, something is definitely wrong here. Did you drug her?”

“No,” Ziek laughed. “I broke up with her.”

“You what?” Angel yelled. “Why is this castle still standing? She’s going to blow this castle up very soon. Wait, Brandon must still be in the castle that’s why the castle is still in one piece. This is good, we just got to keep Brandon in the castle and nobody dies. I can work with that and what do you mean you and Selene broke up? The fuck Ziek,” He punched Ziek’s upper arm. “I thought you loved her.”

“Well, I did and part of me still does. But, I love Amy more.” Ziek pulled her to his side. “Unlike Selene who put her work before me and Selene who chose to believe her best friend over me,” He pointed at himself. “Her boyfriend when her best friend, you know her, Blaire who lied and said I tried to rape her. Which you know better than anyone, that I’d never do that.”

“Blaire,” Angel let out a sigh. “Why does it not surprise me that she’s behind this. Of course, I take a day leave from the castle and she takes this opportunity to sabotage Selene. I’m sorry Ziek, I should have known better, Blaire just can not be trusted.”

“Angel, look, I’m telling you,” Ziek stared directly into Angel’s eyes. “I would never try to sleep with any girl you’re with. I wouldn’t disrespect you like that ever. Even when I know you have no feelings for Blaire and wouldn’t care if I did. The fact is,” He shrugged. “She’s still your wife regardless of how you feel about her. I wouldn’t betray you like that.”

“Wait a second,” Amy got in between the two of them. “Did you,” She pointed at Ziek. “Just say that Blaire is Izzy’s wife?” She pointed at Angel. He shrugged. He did say that and it is true granted Angel wishes it wasn’t. “You two timing mother fucker, how dare you cheat on Erika.” She began punching Angel’s chest. “She’s been nothing but good to you and you’re cheating on her. Not only that, you married the woman you’re cheating on her with. You sick bastard. That’s it, I see the problem here and I’m going to kick it.” She arched her leg back to kick Angel in the balls.

“Angel’s balls aren’t the problem.” Ziek stopped her before she wrecked Angel’s groin with a soccer kick from hell. “He doesn’t love Blaire and Raven knows about it so it’s not cheating. Besides, she’s kind of cheating on him too.” Amy gasped.

“So, she’s a two timing whore as well.” Amy shook her head. “You both are whores, this is ridiculous how can you be okay with her cheating on you. After all these years you finally get the girl and she’s cheating on you and you’re okay with that. Earth to Izzy, cheating is bad.”

“Look,” Angel began. “I’m not too fond of her being with Lycan,” He stated as fact. He didn’t want Lycan near his girlfriend especially after he raped her. But that was something he had to deal with for their relationship to stay a secret. He didn’t have a choice but to be okay with it. Even if it pissed him off to no end and he wanted to rip Lycan to shreds for what he did. The fact is, he couldn’t, he had to trust that Raven could handle it and he did. He trusted her more than anyone, for their relationship to succeed he had to.

“It’s the same for her, I’m sure.” Angel added. “She absolutely hates the idea of me being married to Blaire. So our relationship may be far from ideal but it’s our relationship and we’re going to make it work. The war may forbid us from being together but I’m not going to let it stand between us and the relationship we both want. We’ve come too far to let that happen. So, judge it all you want but I care about Raven and that’s not going to change.”

“I guess even after two years the feelings you had for her never changed.” Amy smiled. “It’s always been her, since the day you met her, the question is when do you plan on telling her how you really feel?” She crossed her arms. “Don’t you think it’s about time you told her?”

“I told her a lot of things,” Angel shrugged. “But to tell her the feelings that have been there since the day I first laid eyes on her. I couldn’t tell her that, I mean, I can tell her she means everything to me. I could even show her my feelings through action. But to outright say it,” He rubbed the back of his neck. The mere thought of telling Raven those feelings. The more nervous he got, he wasn’t even sure she’d be able to accept those words. What if those were the magic words that ruined their relationship. What if he said them then all of the sudden she doesn’t want him anymore. “I can’t do that, at least not yet. I need to know that when I tell her that, she won’t leave. I care about her too much to risk losing her over words I should have said a long time ago.”

“She needs to hear it eventually.” Amy offered. “I know inside, you’re just dying to tell her. I mean, you’ve chased this girl for six years. You broke up with Dez on prom night for her. Dez told me the story, it was right after prom, she was ready to lose her virginity to you and you told her you couldn’t give her what she wanted. You got dressed and left the room and broke it off with her that night. All because you still had feelings for-,”

“Yes, I know, what Dez told you is true.” Angel admitted. “We did break up that night and it was mutual. She knew that my feelings for her had changed. I tried to get those feelings back but once Erika entered my life. That was it, she was the girl I wanted and nobody else was going to be good enough. It had to be her, I couldn’t keep lying to myself saying Dez is what I wanted when I knew it wasn’t true. So, I had to end it with her.”

“I bet you haven’t even told her that story.” Amy let out a deep sigh. “You may be a vampire now Izzy but you’re still the same Izzy. Still can’t tell the girl you love how you feel without getting choked up.”

“I’m trying, it’s not easy being that vulnerable.” Angel argued. “My name’s not Izzy anymore, it’s Angel. I suggest you start calling me that from now on. Otherwise, Blaire will kill you.” Amy nodded. “Speaking of Blaire,” He shifted his focus to Ziek, if only to change the subject. “You said she tried to force herself on you?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what she tried to do.” Ziek answered. “I went into Blaire’s bedroom for some Sun Repellant. She caught me in her room, kissed me, took my belt off, then when I turned her down. She told Selene, I tried to rape her, which again isn’t true, I’d never do that you Angel. I swear, she’s your wife regardless, I would never sleep with my best friend’s wife. Never.”

“I believe you Ziek,” Angel assured him. “I know you wouldn’t do that. But I know Blaire, she would sleep with you if only to hurt me. Though again, I wouldn’t care if she did. I don’t love her, therefore, I don’t care what she does as long as she doesn’t hurt my friends. But Blaire forcing herself on you, that’s another matter which I plan to do something about.” He wasn’t sure what he was going to do but he had to do something. He couldn’t sit there and allow Blaire to get away with sabotaging Ziek’s name like that. Still before he even approached Blaire on the subject, he needed to know what else happened while he was away.

“Ok, so.” Angel rubbed his chin. “Blaire tells Selene that you tried to rape her. I take it, Selene believes Blaire seeing as Blaire is her best friend. You probably got upset and broke up with her. That’s the jist of it, correct?”

“Yeah it was that and Selene was too worried about her promotion to spend time with me.” Ziek added. “After that, I took the Sun Repellant and went to town where I met Amy,” He pulled his new girlfriend close. “ That’s when we got together. I figured it was for the best. I wanted a girlfriend who could spend time with me and Selene wanted to focus on being commander with no distractions. I thought Selene would understand my logic and she didn’t.”

“Of course she didn’t, her feelings were hurt.” Angel explained. “Selene cared about you Ziek. So to lose you to a human without even getting the chance to apologize and fix it. That’s a tough blow to deliver, especially to someone like Selene who struggles with vulnerability. So, it’s no wonder, she’s upset, you were her first relationship and now her first break up. She’s devastated.” Ziek lowered his head. “So,” Angel crossed his arms. “Where is Selene?”

“She’s in the medical room,” Ziek said shamefully. “She’s healing, we got into a fight, she tried to kill Amy.” He gestured towards Amy’s bandages. “She cracked the bones in Amy’s chest. She couldn’t breathe, Selene wouldn’t fix it. I snapped and attacked Selene and things got out of hand and for that I apologize.” He forced a swallow. “Fate hadn’t been there, I would have killed Selene.” Part of Angel wanted to punch Ziek for causing Selene so much pain. He resisted the urge, Ziek was already beating himself up over it. He didn’t need any more punishment. “I’m really sorry, I was just so angry and hurt, I just lost it and my fists once they started they just wouldn’t stop. I could have killed her, if Fate hadn’t stopped me.” Ziek’s eyes started to build tears but he wiped them away.

“Thankfully Fate was there and stopped you.” Angel placed his hand on Ziek’s shoulder. “I’m not sure if Selene’s ever going to be able to look past all of this. You’ve hurt her Ziek and to fix this. It’s going to take a lot, Selene may never be able to forgive you for what you did. I’ll try to salvage this as best I can as your friend but I make no promises.” Ziek hugged him as tears fled his eyes. “I’ve got to go, Amy,” He let out a deep sigh. “Take care of him and welcome to the team that’s assuming you’re staying, that is.” She nodded.

Angel left his room and started walking toward the medical room. He needed to hear Selene’s side of the story and to see exactly how bad the damage was. Could he salvage his team and make them whole again? He wasn’t sure, this wedge between Ziek and Selene, it was huge. Selene wasn’t going to be able to trust Ziek anymore after a stunt like this. It was going to take a miracle to fix this, so here’s to hoping that he’s that miracle.

“Look who’s back,” Fate walked out of the medical ward. He was dressed in all white clothing. He must have been in the medical ward helping to treat Selene’s wounds. “You walked into a huge mess, let me tell you. The town’s a wreck, we have a human on the team and Selene’s in bad shape. I’ve been healing her around the clock. She refuses to drink, so I’d appreciate it if you talked to her. She listens to you. I tried to salvage what I could of this mess but there’s only so much I can do.”

“Thanks, I’ll take it from here, she’s inside?” Angel asked, Fate nodded. He handed him a blood bag to give to Selene. He let out a deep sigh and walked into the medical room. Selene was lying in bed, she was awake and sitting at her bedside was Brandon. Her skin was covered in bruises from where Ziek had attacked her. Her pale blue eyes appeared empty like she had just walked out of a murder scene. Brandon was holding her hand as if this was enough to mend the damage that was done to her.

“Angel,” Brandon rushed over and hugged him. “You’re here, please tell me you can fix this. Selene won’t drink, she won’t talk, she just sits there like she just doesn’t care about anything anymore.” He explained. “Ziek and her broke up and they had this huge fight. She got hurt pretty bad and I’m so mad at Ziek I can’t even see straight. He attacked my sister over a human girl. She was his girlfriend. Why would he attack her?” His eyes started to water. “Ziek’s my bro, why would he do this to my sister? She didn’t deserve this.”

“Oh, great, you’re here.” Selene rolled her eyes. She turned her back to him. Angel peeled Brandon off him and glanced over at Selene. Brandon appeared to be in shock that Selene even spoke to him.

“Brandon, give us a minute,” Angel ordered. Without another word, Brandon left the medical ward so he could talk to Selene in private. “Drink,” He threw the blood bag on her bed. “You need to heal and to do that you need to drink.” Selene glared at him. “I wasn’t asking.” He warned, she opened the blood bag and began to drink from it. “So,” He sat at her bedside. “I heard Ziek’s side of the story now I need to hear yours.”

“I called you twice,” Selene pointed out. “You could have heard it then but you were too busy screwing your werewolf girlfriend to care.” So what if he was, Raven is his girlfriend and she is a priority. Anytime he can get with her is a blessing and he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to be with her. He was allowed to spend time alone with the woman he-. He let out a deep sigh and ran his fingers through his hair.

“I’m not apologizing for being with my girlfriend.” Angel stated as fact. “The war is starting soon, I wanted to see her before then. There’s nothing wrong with that. Besides, she needs me too.”

“What about us?” Selene asked. “We’re your friends right? So why can’t you be there when we need you? I was betrayed by my best friend, I lost my boyfriend and the only person who could have helped me get through it. Wasn’t there because he was fucking his werewolf girlfriend.”

“Yes, he was,” Angel raised his voice. “That’s exactly what he was doing.” He admitted. “Why, you ask?” He hitched a laugh. “Because his werewolf girlfriend needed him there. She’s going through some stuff and I needed to be there for that. So, yes I agree it sucks. I couldn’t be there for my friends but I chose her, Selene. But,” He placed his hand on Selene’s lap. “I’m here now so please tell me what happened.”

“Master Sozin, he was right,” Selene forced a swallow. “He told me not to trust Blaire even though she’s my best friend. I didn’t listen. How could I? Blaire and I, we’ve known each other since we were kids.” She slowly shut her eyes.

“I remember,” Selene ran her fingers through her blonde hair. “I was five years old. I went into Blaire’s room, we were playing with dolls just being kids. She asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said I wanted to be commander of the world’s strongest army. She laughed and said I would be.” Selene’s eyes started to fill with tears but she wiped them away. “She said that when she became Queen. She’d make me Commander of her army and it’d be up to me to build that army. Together, we were going to create a kingdom worth dying for. I was a fool,” Selene clenched the bed sheets. “It was but a childish fantasy and I wanted it to be true so badly, I believed all of Blaire’s lies and I let her hurt me again and again just hoping one day our dream could be a reality. I was so stupid to believe her, I was so incredibly stupid, But I wanted it so badly, I would have believed anything she said and now it’s all gone and there’s nothing I can do.”

“There was even a part of me that hoped,” Selene wiped tears from her eyes. “When I made it and finally became commander. Blaire would remember what she told me that day. She’d remember our dream and she’d go back to being the Queen I wanted to protect. The Queen I was proud to call my best friend. But, it was all just a lie,” Angel was at a loss for words. He didn’t know what to say to her to make this pain go away. But he wanted it to, he hated seeing Selene this broken. “She stabbed me in the back, Sozin was right and I didn’t listen so this is what I get for not listening. I deserve this.”

“Selene,” Once Angel spoke her name, Selene threw herself into his shoulder and started to cry. He wasn’t sure how to respond but his arms did, subconsciously they wrapped around Selene held her as she cried. This pain she was feeling, he wanted it to go away. He wasn’t used to seeing Selene this hurt. She was usually so strong, this wasn’t the Selene he knew. To think that Blaire could hurt her this badly to the point where he couldn’t fix it. It was unforgivable, he could not let Blaire get away with this. Something had to be done. Something would be done, he wouldn’t let this go unpunished. Not this time,Angel balled his hand into a fist. Blaire was going to pay dearly for this.

“I’m going to fix this, Selene,” Angel held her close. “I promise.” Selene removed her head from his chest and he wiped away her tears. He helped her fix her hair and stared deep into her eyes. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to let Blaire hurt you anymore.” Selene nodded. Now about your test, it’s okay that you failed. I’m not angry or disappointed. I should have known Blaire would pull something like this.”

“But you should be mad,” Selene argued, “You gave me your recommendation and I let you down. You fought for me and I failed, my only chance at being commander and I failed.”

“I’m glad, you did,” Angel confessed. “Because, if there’s anything you need to learn from this. It’s that being Commander isn’t everything. There are some things that are more important. If you lose sight of those things, you risk losing them forever and you don’t want that. You lost Ziek over it and if you had gotten it as you are now. You would have lost more. Next time, if there is a next time, don’t lose sight of the people who love you. They can help you in more ways than you know. Just like you helped me, remember?” She nodded. “I’m only a good commander because you taught me everything I know. Don’t forget that,” He let out a deep sigh. “Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time I faced Blaire, drink plenty of blood, Selene, I need you back on your feet. I can’t have you sitting there like a wounded-,”

Before Angel could finish his sentence. He felt Selene’s lips on his, the kiss happened so fast, it caught him completely off guard. He could feel her tongue trying to force its way inside his sodden cavern. She pushed Angel against the door as her lips continued to taste his. His hands started to shake as the urge to rip that hospital gown off her grew stronger. Still, he couldn’t allow himself to-

Selene grabbed hold of Angel’s shirt and threw him on the hospital bed. She climbed on top of him. Her lips pressed against his as her hips moved against his groin. He could feel himself getting aroused by her actions. Still, he couldn’t, he wouldn’t, this had to-

“Angel, I want Blaire to pay for what she did,” Selene raked her hands through his hair as she kissed him again. “You said yourself, you wanted her to pay, so have sex with me. She’ll hate it and we’ll both get pleasure from it. Come on, Angel, we both know you want to.” He bit his lip drawing blood as Selene’s hips moved against him. He could envision himself, ripping that gown off her, grabbing her breasts, sucking them, as he-

No, stop, Angel couldn’t think like that. What about Raven and his relationship with her? This was a complete betrayal of her and their relationship together. This wouldn’t be like the sex he has with Blaire, which was just sex and nothing else. He didn’t feel anything for Blaire but Selene. She’s different, there was, feeling here, he did feel something for her. He could picture them together as a couple. He could see himself with her but regardless of that. She wasn’t Raven, it would never be the same. He would never feel the same way about her. This had to stop before he lost control and did something he’d regret.

“I can’t,” Angel grabbed Selene’s hand as she tried to take off his jeans. “I can’t do this to her or to Ziek. We can’t do this Selene, we just can’t.” He climbed out of the hospital bed. His shirt was on the floor and he wasn’t sure when she managed to remove it. “I need to go,” He picked up his shirt and put it back on. “While I still have the strength to leave.” He grabbed the door knob but Selene grabbed his arm. “Selene, I already told you I-,” She gently kissed him on the cheek.

“I know,” Selene lowered her head. “I know I could never compete with what you feel toward that werewolf. I know you chose her but,” She tightened her hand into a fist. “If you keep pursuing her you’ll die and I can’t live with that.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “So whatever it is you feel toward me, it has to be close right, it’s better than lunging to your death over a girl you can’t have. So, I’m asking you to reconsider, choose me, you’ll be King and I’ll run your army. We can make this work, I can have that dream with you.”

“Selene,” Angel let out a deep sigh. “I’m not sure when you started to feel this way about me. But, this,” He pointed at himself then at her. “It doesn’t work, Blaire will kill me and you over it. Not to mention what that’ll do to Ziek, he’s like a brother to me. I can’t be with his ex knowing it’ll hurt him. Besides, I chose her, I will always choose her.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “You shouldn’t be okay with placing second to another woman. You deserve better and another thing, you shouldn’t need to stoop Blaire’s level.” He kissed her forehead. “I care about you, Selene, I do. That’s why I want what’s best for you and it’s not me. I have to go, I have some loose ends I need to tie up.” He walked out of the medical room. Brandon was standing right outside the door.

“Brandon?!” Angel jumped and quickly readjusted his jeans so his erection wasn’t so obvious. The last thing he needed was for Brandon to think he and Selene did something sexual together. Brandon’s eyes started to search down Angel’s body before his eyes got any lower. Angel cleared his throat to get Brandon’s attention. “Selene’s inside,” He pointed back at the door. “She’s waiting for you. Make sure, she drinks plenty of blood. “

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Angel,” Brandon said softly. “I think my sister is in love with you.” He confessed. “Think about it,” He offered.“You fixed her when nobody else could. She talks to you, she listens to you. At first, I thought it was crazy but, now, I’m not so sure. I think she’s in love with you.” It was a possibility and in that room. Angel was sure, she felt something for him just as he felt something for her. But to accept those feelings and embrace them would be a betrayal of Raven. He couldn’t do that, Selene could only be his friend and nothing more, it was better this way. Who was he trying to convince? Himself or her? Angel couldn’t answer that. “So, is it possible that you could-,”

“No, Brandon, I don’t feel that way about her.” Angel answered. He knew this was a lie that there was a part of him. That did in fact, care for Selene in a romantic way. Still, he had to drown out those feelings, bury them so deep, they’d never surface. So that he too could believe this lie. “I have to go, just take care of her okay?” Brandon nodded and walked into Selene’s hospital room. When Angel started to walk away, still slightly aroused by Selene’s actions in the room. He bumped into Fate who immediately took notice of Angel’s situation.

“Hey, Angel, nice boner,” Fate gave him a thumbs up. “Now go take that bad boy to Blaire, I’m sure she’ll love it.” He wasn’t sure whether to thank Fate for bringing Blaire up or to be angry that Fate’s mention of his wife completely killed the mood. If anything, it just reminded him of how angry he was at Blaire for hurting Selene like she did. She was going to pay for it this time. He just needed to find out how he was going to punish-, Angel grinned. He had an idea and it would work too but he needed Fate’s help to pull it off.

“Fate, you hate Blaire correct?” Angel asked.

“Gee, I don’t know, Angel,” Fate said sarcastically. “I’ve only insulted her everytime I see her. I talk shit about her all the time. I’m always picking fights with her. So,” He rubbed his chin “It’s either I have the world’s hugest crush on her and I’m in denial or,” He smirked. “I fucking hate that bitch and want her to die. I’m going to go with the second one. Because I’d rather die than fuck Blaire. I’d rather be stuck in a cage full of werewolves and torn to pieces than to spend one day with that spoiled rotten bitch. So, yeah, I hate her, I hate her so much, so much, I dream of her dying again and again and when I do. I’m so happy because she’s out of our lives forever. That is my dream, a Blaire free world. It is a beautiful dream worth dying for.”

“Well, then,” Angel crossed his arms. “How would you like to help me punish Blaire? It’s time she was taught a very valid lesson and you’re just the person who can help me teach this lesson.”

“Angel, I could kiss you right you but aw, screw it.” Fate kissed Angel’s cheek. “I’ll do it, whatever it is, I’ll do it. I don’t even care, sign me up. I’m there, I’d give up sex for this and that’s saying something because you know how much I love having sex. A sexless Fate is a-,”

“Easily frustrated Fate who is likely to kill anything and everything till he gets laid. I know, Fate, believe me, I know.” Angel assured him. “So you’re in,” Fate nodded. “Great so, here’s what I need you to do.” He brought his lips to Fate’s ear, Fate nodded as he spoke.

“Uh huh, yeah, sounds good.” Fate grinned. “I like this plan, Angel, if I weren’t with Scythe. I’d fuck you right now for just how amazingly devious your mind is. I mean damn, bro, you’re evil and I love it.” He kissed Angel on the lips, he wiped his lips off as a response. “After you do this, Blaire’s never going to fuck with you again. I’ll get the hand cuffs, you evil fuck.” He ruffled Angel’s hair.

“Fate, don’t ever, I mean, ever,” Angel glared at Fate. “Kiss me again.” He warned. “Now go get those handcuffs and some holy water too.” He nodded and left to get them for him. He couldn’t believe Fate kissed him. Scythe would be pissed wouldn’t he? I mean, does that count as cheating with guys? He doesn’t know. Regardless, it happened and he’s still confused about it. Fate returned. He handed Angel a syringe filled with holy water and some handcuffs for use in the bedroom.

“Careful,” Fate warned. “Scythe and I use those for sex. He likes being bound to bed and fucked like a whore. I enjoy being the guy to do it, he’s into that kinky stuff. It’s part of what makes him so much to play with. So, I need those back, don’t worry I washed them but I want them back. If she breaks those handcuffs, I’ll kick both your asses.”

“I’ll give them back and I promise,” Angel tucked the handcuffs into his pockets. “I just need to borrow them, it’s time, she felt what it was like to be in chains. I hated it and soon, she will too. I’ll text you when it’s done.” He walked away heading toward Blaire’s bedroom. Each step he took to her room only reminded him of how angry he was at her. Forcing herself on his best friend, betraying Selene, sabotaging her, destroying the town, hurting innocent people and to top it off. She tried to kill Raven, it’s time she learned not to fuck with him or his friends anymore.

Angel walked into Blaire’s bedroom. He could hear the sound of water running. Blaire must be inside her bathroom taking a shower. He removed his shirt and left it on the floor. He slid off his shoes and socks. Before removing his jeans, he took out the handcuffs and syringe out of his pocket. He quietly walked over to her night stand and opened the drawer. He placed the syringe inside and closed it without making a sound. He carefully placed the handcuffs between the two mattresses that formed her bed. Once his trap was set, Angel removed his jeans and walked into Blaire’s bathroom.

“Hey there, mind if I join you?” Angel slid off his boxers and got into the shower with Blaire. She stood there as the water ran down her bare skin. She held a scrub brush scrubbing her back. Angel took it from her and began washing her back for her. “I was thinking,” He brushed her crimson red hair to the sides of her neck and pressed his soft lips against her skin. “We could finish where we left off in the hot tub on our honeymoon. Before your father so rudely,” He kissed her neck again and placed his hands on her nice curves. “Interrupted us.” His hands slowly trailed up to her nice firm breasts and gave them a soft squeeze.

“He had some nerve ending our honeymoon so prematurely.” Blaire began washing the cherry blossom scented shampoo out of her hair. “So I take it,” She turned to face him. “You being there alone gave you time to reconsider your stance on our marriage. Have you finally begun to accept me as your wife?” She brought her lips close to his. “Or is it simply because you learned you can’t defeat me. As I told you before, I always get what I want, even if it’s you.” She kissed Angel and wrapped her arms around him. He could feel tongue wrestling with his while his hands grabbed her hips. She wrapped her legs around his waist once she did, he carried her over to the bed, and laid her down.

The water from their shower continued to drip down Angel’s hair and down her body and his lips got lower and lower. He sucked on her fleshy nubs as his finger slowly started to tease her cleft. Blaire grabbed a handful of Angel’s hair as his tongue swirled around her nubs. He could feel his finger getting wetter and wetter each time pushed them inside her. Her back started arch slightly as his fingers entered her again and again forcing her to let out a moan. She pulled harder at his hair while he switched over sucking on her right nub. He slowly moved his tongue around her breast drawing an invisible curse using his tongue. Once it was finished, Angel sealed his fine work with a kiss.

“You always get what you want huh?” Angel brought his lips close to hers. “What is it you want right now?” Blaire let out a soft moan as Angel’s fingers continued to play. Her nails went to rake at his back but he grabbed both her wrists and pinned her down. “Tell me and,” He whispered. “I might just give it to you.” Blaire grabbed a handful of Angel’s hair and brought his ear to her lips.

“I want you to fuck me,” Blaire whispered. He reached into the mattress taking out the handcuffs. He created a curse on them. It was a drawing of a chain which made the handcuffs unbreakable. He added a second curse which allowed the chain on the handcuffs to extend. With one quick motion, Angel hooked her wrist, flung the chain around the bedframe and hooked her other wrist. “Handcuffs?” She raised her brow. “Well, Well,” She grinned. “It looks like somebody's getting adventurous.”

“Not adventurous,” Angel reached into her dresser drawer. “Even,” He grabbed the syringe and stabbed her in the neck. He injected the holy water into her bloodstream negating her use of her special abilities. Blaire let out a scream as the holy water burned her. To quiet her scream so her father wouldn’t hear. Angel placed his hand over her mouth. “I heard about what you did,” He informed her. Blaire’s eyes widened. “Now, I want to hear it from you.” He released her mouth. “Did you try to force yourself on my best friend?”

“No, Ziek tried to rape me, I did nothing to him.” Blaire argued. “Your friend is lying. I would think as my husband you’d be trying to-,” Angel couldn’t use pain to torture Blaire. But, there was more than one way to torture someone. Blaire has always struggled with her lust. It was her sexual desire for him that made her force him into marriage. Her lust for him has always been her weakness now it was time for him to exploit that weakness.

“Oh really, is that what happened?” Angel asked. “It’s funny because Ziek doesn’t strike me as the type of guy to do that to someone he considers a brother.” He teased her cleft with his finger. Blaire bit her lip as he continued to tease her. She kept trying to break free of the handcuffs. “Tell me the truth and I might just-,” He positioned himself near her cleft and purposely rubbed himself against her cleft letting her feel his presence but not letting her feel him inside her. “You want this right?” He rubbed himself against her again, she let out a loud moan. “Then, tell me the truth,”

“You evil,” Blaire tried to break the handcuffs. “When my father hears of this, he’ll-,” She let out a deafening moan as Angel pushed a small amount of his cock inside of her. She was so wet, the urge to put more of himself inside her was there but he couldn’t give it to her. He slowly took it out letting her feel it as he did, she bit her lip drawing blood as his cock was once again outside her body. He positioned it in place so all he had to do was thrust and she’d get to feel him again but in order for her to get that. She had to tell him the truth.

“Alright fine,” Blaire shouted. “Yes, I forced myself on Ziek.” She admitted. “I only did it so I could break him and Selene up. I wanted both you and Ziek for myself so I couldn’t have him dating my best friend.”

“So you admit it,” Angel glared at her. “Ziek never touched you.” Blaire nodded. “Next question,” Blaire’s eyes began to burn with rage. “Why was the town attacked?” He asked. “I heard it was destroyed. Who gave the order to hurt those innocent people? Was it you?”

“It was Selene like I’d give such an order.” Blaire answered. “Ziek ran off into town and she sent the army to find him. She was upset because they broke up. So, out of anger.” Blaire began struggling to get the handcuffs off. “She gave the order to search everywhere. After she found out he was with a human. She ordered the town to be destroyed. There, now, stop stalling and fuck me.” She yelled, Angel took a second to consider her story.

Blaire’s story was believable to some extent. Though, it still didn’t seem like something Selene would do. Even if she was angry at Ziek, she wouldn’t give an order like that. Especially considering what that would do to their rations. A lot of their blood supply came from the humans that resided in town. Lord Alexander made a deal with the mayor. In exchange for a hefty payment. The mayor gives them blood bags to feed their army. Selene knows of this deal and wouldn’t be stupid enough to fool with their arrangmeent this close to the war. They need those blood bags to survive. Without them, they are easy pickings for the werewolves. No doubt, the mayor was going to punish them for this. If she chooses to end the arrangement, they are as good as dead. Werewolves win the war without question. Selene wouldn’t risk that over a break up, Blaire had to be lying.

“I don’t believe you,” Angel rubbed his erect cock against her cleft teasing her further. Blaire tried to break the handcuffs, once more, it ended in failure. Out of desperation, she tried to wrap her legs around him and force the connection. He caught her legs and forced them back on the bed. “The truth, Blaire, who gave the order?” She bit her lip her eyes staring at his cock and how close it was to fucking her. She wanted it but even so he was refusing to give it to her. Blaire drew blood from her lip and grinded her vampire together.

“Alright, fine, I gave the order.” Blaire admitted. “You recommended Selene, I had to sabotage her. It was the only way to show my father that you are unsuitable for the thorne. I was protecting my seat on the throne, I couldn’t sit by and let you steal it from me. So, I sabotaged Selene. I admit it,” She began trying to break the handcuffs. “It was me, I killed those people. Now stop stalling and fuck me already.”

“No, I don’t think I will.” Angel picked his boxers up off the floor. He grabbed his pants and slipped them on. “You hurt innocent people, you hurt my friends, and after the way you acted at our wedding.” He zipped up his jeans. “I’d rather take a cold shower than to give you satisfaction of having sex with me. The days of you controlling me and telling me what to do are over.” He slipped on his shirt. “I warned you, Blaire and you didn’t listen.” He grabbed Blaire’s phone and called Fate. She had him saved under the name “weakass”.

“She’s all yours,” He hung up and tossed the phone aside. Seconds later, Fate walked into Blaire’s bedroom. “Blaire, as of this moment consider yourself grounded. Do it,”

“With pleasure,” Fate cracked his knuckles. He created a barrier trapping Blaire inside it. Angel snapped his fingers, a curse appeared on Blaire’s chest from where he drew on her breast with the tip of his tongue. This curse was the drawing of a question mark, once Angel snapped his fingers a second time. It would trigger and erase Blaire’s memory of what happened so she couldn’t rat him out to her father.

“Angel, you bastard,” Blaire yelled. “Get back here and finish what you started.” He let out a sigh and walked over to Fate’s barrier. He placed a curse on it that made it so no sound could escape the barrier either. That way no matter how loud Blaire yelled or screamed. Nobody would hear her. She was going to be trapped in her room until.

“Fate, give me some of your blood.” Angel requested. Fate raised his brow confused by this request. He brought his lips to Fate’s ear. “Would you rather be stuck in this room with Blaire naked or would you like freedom to do as you please?”

“Yeah, I’ll take the second option.” Fate answered. “I already can’t stand the bitch. Now I’ve got to stay in this room with her while she’s naked.” He cringed. “No, thanks, drink my blood, drink all my blood.” He tilted his neck so Angel could bite him. He sunk his vampire teeth into Fate’s neck, drinking a small amount of his blood. He opened his mouth letting Fate’s blood drip onto his hand. Once he did, Angel placed his hand on the barrier.

The barrier was soon covered in a black skeleton-like hand large enough to hold the entire barrier. The black hand had the engraving of an “A” on it to show that Fate’s barrier was now under Angel’s complete control. Blaire’s eyes widened as did Fate’s at the realization that if Angel desired to. He could borrow abilities from his friends.

“Don’t worry,” Angel assured him. “I didn’t steal your ability Fate. I just seized control over one of your barriers. If you want it, you could easily overpower me. It’s your ability not mine, I’m just borrowing it. Now that I have it.” He swirled his hands around reshaping the skeleton hand to look like an hourglass. “There, the barrier will remain in effect until that timer expires. Which won’t be for another twelve hours. You’re free to go Fate.”

“Sweet,” Fate gave Angel a high five. “Wait a second, you used a blood curse didn’t you?” He scolded. Angel faked a laugh. “Look, be careful with those, you’re stepping into dangerous territory there. Trust me, as a spirit user, we were warned about those curses. They’re both dangerous to us and to the person using them. So keep that in mind.”

“I will,” Angel assured him.

“Now Blaire,” Fate knocked on the barrier. “I want you to remember this moment for when you think you can beat me. Cause, you’re still trapped in one of my barriers.” He grinned. Blaire began trying to break the handcuffs, she was squirming, kicking trying to get free. “Yeah, have fun with that.” He opened the door for Angel. “Shall we?” He gestured, Angel nodded and they left Blaire trapped in her room. “Man that felt great,” Fate pressed the back of his head against the door and let out a sigh of relief. “I’ll be in the medical room with Selene if you need me.” Fate began whistling a lively tune as he walked away.

Now that Blaire was dealt with, the only thing left for Angel to do was to find the Nightshade Campsite. After all, he promised Raven a date. He wasn’t about to break that promise. Even if finding their campsite is like finding a needle in a haystack. He’d find it, after all, he had resources. If there was anybody in his team who knew where to find an elite werewolf pack. It’d be Scythe, he’d start his search by asking him.

“I was so close,” Jayden pouted and stormed down the hallway. His face was filled with frustration. No doubt having just returned from a sparring session with Scythe. “I had him, I had him, he was right there then he just disappeared. Who disappears like that seriously, what is he? A ghost? I had him.” He walked into his room and shut the door.

“Scythe, you’re so cruel.” Angel scolded him. Scythe shrugged and started to walk to the throne room to have a chat with his best friend. Lord Alexander himself. Before he could, Angel stopped him. “Wait, I was thinking, we never really bond Scythe, like, I mean, we’re friends right so we should do something together as friends.”

“General, it is fine, there is no need for us to, as you say, bond?” Scythe started to walk up the stairs but Angel blocked his path. “General, this is highly unbecoming, there’s no need for us to unless,” Scythe crossed his arms. “You want something don’t you?” He raised his brow. Angel let out a defeated sigh. Was it really that easy for him to figure it out? Well, no sense in denying it now. Scythe has him figured out.

“Yes, I need your help with something but we need to talk in private.” Angel replied, Scythe let out a sigh. “I know, Lord Alexander already asks a lot of you and there’s your training with Jayden. On top of that, you have a relationship with Fate you have to balance and now here I come asking for a favor. But in my defense, I never ask you for anything.”

“Yes, which is why I like you. But now that you are asking. I like you a little less.” Scythe gestured. “Come to my room, we’ll discuss your favor there and I’ll decide whether or not. I want to help you. Oh and you forgot that I need to train with Blaire too, speaking of where is she?” He asked.

“She’s um,” Angel scratched the back of his neck.He began to picture Blaire tied to her bed, squirming, still trying to break the handcuffs. She was no doubt cussing him out for what he did to her. “Busy,” He forced a smile. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll be fine. I mean, it’s Blaire, she’s been preparing for this war her whole life. She’ll be ready when the time comes.”

“True,” Scythe agreed. “Besides getting her to train with me usually begins with an argument and her slamming the door in my face. So disrespectful that one, if she wasn’t my best friend’s daughter, I’d kill her. Tell Lord Alexander that and I’ll deny that I said it.” He walked into his bedroom and Angel followed him inside. He shut the door and Angel sat on his bed. “So, what is it you want from me?” He crossed his arms.

“I need to find the Nightshade campsite.” Angel answered.

“Nightshade?” Scythe raised his brow. “What business do you have with them?” He walked over and sat next to Angel. “I’ve been meaning to ask this but now I think it’s all starting to come together. You’ve been acting differently. something about you has changed. You used to be so depressed and miserable but once Lunar ball ended. You started to seem hopeful and more confident. It was like your depression just disappeared. You don’t seem as sad anymore. I can’t quite figure out what caused this change but I’m grateful for it.” He smiled. “For a while there, I really thought, saving your life was a wasted effort. Because you didn’t seem grateful, you just seemed sad like you really wanted to die.”

“Part of me did,” Angel confessed. He clinched his necklace as he said those words. “Part of me had to die that day and it did. It was the only way I’d be able to justify living as a person who wrongfully murdered his entiire family and all of his friends just because he was being starved to death. Blaire forced me to feed on them and when I got out of that cage. I just wanted to be punished for my crimes, I couldn’t live with myself knowing I did those things. So, at that moment death seemed easier. It’s what I wanted,`` He admitted. “But then, you came and brought Ziek who had just been turned into a vampire like me. My thoughts changed, I didn’t want to die anymore. It wasn’t because of Ziek though, he’s not the one who convinced me not to give up.” He let out a deep sigh.

“He has a sister,” Angel confessed, Scythe’s eyes widened. “Blaire thought she had me kill everyone I cared about. She didn’t, Ziek’s sister wasn’t there when my home was destroyed. She had moved away with her brother. So, when I saw Ziek, it reminded me that she was still alive and if I were to die. I’d never get to see her again. So, I decided to live for the sake of seeing her once more. She is the reason. I chose not to die that day. At the Lunar Ball,” He smiled. “I found her my whole reason for being alive. She was there in the ballroom and I didn’t know it at the time but while we were dancing. I saw her tattoo, her family crest. From that moment, I knew it was her and I was so happy to be reunited with my best friend. No, she’s always been more than that. There’s only one problem,” He sat on Scythe’s bed. “She’s a werewolf.”

“I see so, this werewolf,” Scythe glanced over at Angel. “She’s responsible for the hopeful look in your eyes. She’s the reason you’ve been so driven. This person she’s turned you into. It’s the reason, I recommended you for King, This Angel the one I see right now. He has the makings of a great king. It’s hard to believe that one woman could have this effect on you. She must mean a lot to you.” Angel never really noticed that she had made an effect on him. It’s true, since the day they reconnected, he’s felt stronger, more confident, he felt unstoppable. She made him feel this way.

“She does,” Angel admitted. “More than she could ever know.” Scythe let out a deep sigh. “Promise me, you won’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t, your secret is safe with me.” Scythe placed his hand on Angel’s lap. “So she’s in Nightshade and you want to see her.” Angel nodded. “Well, I’ve been meaning to show you this anyway, so. Come with me.” He walked over to a wall in his room. This wall was decorated with swords. Scythe partially removed the Katana on the wall from its sheath and the stone wall started to move. Angel’s eyes widened. -Another secret passage?-

“How many secret passages does this castle have?” Angel asked, Scythe took out his sword and cut the palm of his hand. His blood dripped on the dragon crest of the sword. The crimson red blood started to drain into the sword and the blood was exchanged for flames. The entire sword lit up in fire creating a torch that allowed Scythe to navigate through the dark stairway. The spiral staircase seemed to go on forever, reaching far beneath the castle.

“Quite a few,” Scythe answered. “My little brother Sozin was killed in a fight against Lord Grimm. The werewolf king decided to storm the castle during the day. We had no defenses, the sun repellant was still in the works.” If that’s the case then, how did they manage to survive an attack like that? That strategy should have secured Lord Grimm’s victory.

“My brother,” Scythe began. “ He could use spiritual energy to protect himself from sunlight. He was the only one with enough power to do so, most of us can’t even use spirit. So, he went out there alone and fought Lord Grimm’s army by himself. It resulted in his death, we were all powerless left only to watch as he threw himself into a losing battle in order to buy us time.” He explained. “It was the ninth trial on the Sun Repellant, no time to test it. So, I took it and rushed out there to aid my brother in his fight but I was too late. When I got there he was dead and Lord Grimm had fled. It was a tragic day for us all.” He forced a swallow. “So, I built these passages. So that way if Lord Grimm were to try that strategy again. We’d be prepared for it,”

“I see so that’s why we have all these secret passages.” Angel arrived at the bottom of the staircase with Scythe. They were now deep underground, there were dark tunnels placed all around him. All of which had to be connected to the castle. His pale hazel eyes continued to wander the dark labyrinth beneath the castle. He had no idea how to navigate these tunnels. It would be so easy for them to get lost down here. With Scythe’s sword being the only light source, it was kind of spooky being down here. He’d never want to go down here alone. Too scared that he’d get- Scythe placed his hand on his shoulder.

“The first time down here is always scary.” Scythe smiled. “You’ll learn how to navigate the tunnels. Especially once you have this.” He handed Angel a folded piece of paper. He opened it, it was a map of the labyrinth. “We’re here,” He pointed at the staircase. “This tunnel,” He held his sword out to the left. “Leads to the training ground. The tunnel right next to it,” He moved his sword over to it. “That one leads to the throne room. Next to it is the tunnel that goes to Blaire’s room. Then Selene’s, Then Brandon’s, your’s.” Scythe moved his sword toward each tunnel.

“Wait,” Angel grabbed Scythe’s shoulder. “My room has a secret passage?” Scythe nodded. “Where does it open?”

“There’s a place in your wall that can be pushed in like a button. Once pressed, the wall moves and it leads you here.” Scythe explained. “This is our evacuation site, we use these tunnels to flee the castle during the day. There’s a tunnel for each room in the castle and they can only be opened from inside the castle. I’ve been meaning to show you and Ziek this for a while. I’ve just been too busy to show you. Come,” Scythe started walking ahead of him. “There’s something you need to see.”

Angel followed Scythe down one of the tunnels. He turned to the left, reaching another small pathway. He kept following Scythe as he turned down another pathway, then another, it really was like a maze down here. He was having trouble keeping up with him. There were so many turns and passages like all the tunnels were connected. Still, Angel would learn these tunnels, it was his ticket to fleeing castle undetected. He studied the map as he followed Scythe down the dark tunnels.

The two of them came to a stop at a wooden door. The door had a metal hoop for a door knob. Next to it was a burnt out torch. Scythe grabbed the metal hoop and pulled the door open. Once they were inside, the door slammed shut, Scythe shot the fire from his sword lighting the torches along the wall.

The room was quite small but in the center of it was a table. This table had the layout of the entire map, but it wasn’t coded to show territories. Instead there were only X’s, all of them, they were-. Angel shut his eyes trying to remember their map in the strategy room. It showed the territories, showing who owned what areas and according to what he remembered these X’s were in.

“Werewolves, these areas, they all belong to werewolves.” Angel stated as fact. “What is this exactly?” He asked. He ran his finger along the X’s path trying to find some sort of pattern. None of it made sense to him. Why are these X’s here, what do they represent? Unless, they’re-. “Werewolf packs, you’ve been tracking down werewolf packs.”

“Seems you figured it out.” Scythe answered. “The X’s represent all of the werewolf packs. I’ve found and killed off. So far, I’ve killed off at least twenty packs.” Scythe walked over to a shelf. He grabbed a bottle and opened it inside it was another map. He laid it over the map. This one showed circles, some of the circles were blue and the others were purple. “That leaves these four,” He pointed at the blue circles. “Those are the ones I’ve located but were too strong for me to kill them myself. The purple ones are possible Nightshade locations.”

“Wait, so you haven’t found them yet?” Angel eyes followed the circles hoping to find some kind of pattern for him to follow. Scythe has been trying to locate Nightshade for centuries. Yet, he still hasn’t been able to find them. If that’s the case then what hope does he have in finding them?

“For ten years,” Scythe explained. “When I tried to track them. The terrain around me would start changing. I’d mark trees so I wouldn’t get lost in the forest but then somehow all the trees would be marked the same way. The ground would change, everything would be different from the map. If I stayed too long, the environment would start to attack me leaving me no choice but to flee.” It would be hard to track something when the environment around you is constantly changing.

“This was the work of one of their werewolves.” Scythe added. “I’ve fought her before and I realized as long as she was in the pack, I would never be able to find them. So, I gave up the search.” Angel didn’t blame him. A werewolf with the ability to manipulate the forest. There’s no way anyone would be able to track them let alone fight them if they were in a forest. Nightshade would have the home field advantage. Nobody would stand a chance.

“I resumed my search for them the day you joined us.” Scythe glanced over at him. So that explains what Scythe was doing that day. Angel couldn’t really figure out why Lord Alexander had asked so many favors of Scythe. But now it made sense, Scythe has been acting as an assassin killing off werewolf packs and tracking them down. Nightshade seems to be the only one he can not find. Now, he wanted Angel to help him find them.

“So you need a second set of eyes,” Angel focused on the map with the X’s once again trying to locate a pattern in pack placement. “Have you tried merging the two maps together?” He took the other map and in his mind he added the circles to the map with the X’s but still no pattern. “Okay, we know without a doubt Nightshade is Lord Grimm’s strongest pack as well as the most coveted. His son owns it, so it’s got to be somewhere nearby the castle which is,” He pointed at the large mountain. “Somewhere here, it’s got to be hidden seeing as we’ve never seen Lord Grimm’s castle before and if you were going to hide a castle. Where would you hide it?”

“Behind a mountain,” Scythe rubbed his chin. “Though I’ve already deduced they’d be near a mountain. One of their werewolves has an extremely large werewolf form and it can’t be easy for them to hide it. So, I figured if a wolf of that size needed a cave to hide in. It’d be somewhere inside the mountain. It’s the only thing large enough to hide it.”

“I see so, there’s no question that it’s along here.” Angel drew a circle with his finger circling the entire forest area by the mountain. “They’ve got to bathe somewhere, so they’d also need a stream of some kind.” He ran his finger along the water line but Scythe had already drawn purple circles there. “So you’ve already deduced that too.” Scythe nodded. “Damn, they’re not going to be easy to find, the forest is too massive. Not to mention the traps they’ve got set for us.”

“You said that their tactics have changed.” Angel took his eyes away from the map. “How so?” He crossed his arms. Surely together they could figure out Nightshade’s location. After all, he promised Raven a date and he can’t date someone he can’t find. Still, he wasn’t giving up, he was going to find her even if it took all night.

“Well, the environment no longer changes. So that werewolf must be gone. Instead, when I arrive at my destination. It’s empty, no tents, just a cabin, which they’ve got placed throughout the woods. All of them look the exact same, when I go inside, the doors shut and the cabin explodes by use of fireworks. Luckily I’m too fast for a trick like that to work on me. But still,”

“They’re using these cabins as a decoy,” Angel bit his lip. “So I take it, Lycan must be high maintenance. Unlike the others, he must live in a cabin. Why else would they need to deploy such a strategy?” So wherever they are, there’s got to be a cabin somewhere in the vicinity. One that isn’t rigged to explode, the only way to test that out. Is to purposely fall for all the decoys. But then there’s the off chance, they are all used as decoys and he just wasted his time. “I need to borrow these,” He went to rip the map off the table but Scythe stopped him.

“Those are private documents,” Scythe held his sword to Angel’s throat. “They are to remain in this room only to be viewed by myself, the king and,” He lowered his sword. “The future king.” Future king? As in-, Angel still couldn’t grasp the concept of him being King of the Vampires. He didn’t want the throne, he wanted Raven but why does it feel like he’s not getting a choice? “If Blaire were to see those documents.”

“She’ll send the entire army out to eliminate all the packs you’ve found. Without Nightshade on the list,”

Angel could envision their army walking into the dark forest. They’d catch one werewolf pack sleeping and kill them off but one of them let out a scream and that scream called the others. He could see three other packs of werewolves all merging together to slaughter their army. Leading the front was Nightshade being the first to arrive. Their army was left as a pile of corpses. Blaire’s reckless actions would get them all killed. The sad part is no one would be able to talk her out of it, she’d go herself if need be.

“As much as it pains me to say this,” Scythe let out a deep sigh. “Blaire is unfit for the throne, her rule will cost us everything. She is unable to make clear and rash decisions. She acts without thinking. She is overtaken by her need to control everything that she doesn’t listen to reason.” He closed his eyes. “Angel, you have to take the throne otherwise we’ll be left to die. I know you care for this wolf and you would do anything to be with her. But,” Scythe placed his hand on Angel’s shoulder. “Sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to do what’s right. The throne is yours, whether you want it or not.”

“I’ll think it over but, right now,” Angel balled his hand into a fist. “My choice is clear, Raven is what matters to me. I’m not ready to sacrifice my feelings for her. I can’t, to do that, would mean for me to lose everything. I’m just not ready to make those kinds of sacrifices. So please just let me have her for a little while longer.”

“As you wish,” Scythe allowed. “I suppose I could help you by,” He walked over to a small bottle with a piece of paper trapped inside. He smashed the bottle on the edge of the wooden table. The glass shattered leaving shards on the floor. “Giving you this,” He unfolded the small paper. It had only the portion of the werewolf side of the map. It had the X markings and the circle markings, everything Angel would need to track down Nightshade and find his dearest Raven. He went to reach for it but Scythe pulled it away from him. “Not so fast there, my prince, it seems your werewolf intended for you to earn this date and earn it you shall.”

“Scythe, give me the map?” Angel tried to steal it from him. Scythe held his burning sword next to the paper. This stopped him dead in his tracks. If he tried to steal it again. His ticket to finding Raven would go up in flame. He needed that map, otherwise, he’d be wandering werewolf territory aimlessly and most likely get killed for it. His curses couldn’t save him forever. “Alright, what is it you want from me, I’ll do anything. Just give me the paper.”

“I’m hosting an event at the bar in the castle.” Scythe explained. “We’re raising money to help pay back the damages we made to the town. An apology so the mayor doesn’t decide to break the deal. I want you to help,” He wants money, sure, Angel has plenty. He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. “No, I don’t want your money, what I have in mind is much more profitable. See, I had this white board placed on the stage. Written on it are the names of all males in our army. Women were given the opportunity to vote to see which of our men they wanted to see strip. The top three get to compete to see who can earn the most money. Guess what, you ranked number one.”

“Me?” Angel pointed at himself. “They want to see me,” Scythe nodded. “I’m married, I have a wife, I shouldn’t be stripping for a bunch of ladies. Besides, I’ve never even stripped before. I can’t-,”

“Do you want the paper or not?” Scythe held the rolled up map out. “All you have to do is, do a little dance, shake your thing around and take off your clothes. Maybe shake your ass a little and if you win, it’s yours.” He has to win, how can he win? He’s never stripped before.

“Angel, you’re forbidden fruit and nothing is more appealing than a man who can’t be touched. Both onstage and offstage,” Scythe licked his lips. Angel glared at him. “Blaire chose you for your looks and now it’s time for you to put those looks of yours to use. Besides, I’m hosting,” He pointed at himself. “What kind of host would I be if I couldn’t get their number one vote onstage. Please Angel, strip for me, it’ll make me happy and you can earn this so you can see your werewolf.” He waved the map in Angel’s face. “She means everything to you correct then what’s a little dance for the woman you-,”

“Fine, I’ll do it.” Angel rubbed his temples. If Raven knew the types of things he was having to do just to get a date with her. She’d start calling herself extremely hard to get. Because this was reaching extreme levels. He was literally going to have to get onstage, shake his stuff around in hopes of winning a map just to find her. He told her he’d use his dick to find her, he just thought when he said that. It wouldn’t be literal, nope, it’s literal. He was really going to have to use his dick in order to find her.