Liam Jr.

“Come on, Leo, you’re almost there!” I yelled down from the top of the tree. Since I am bigger, I had gotten up the tree much faster than baby Leo. His little arms weren’t as strong as mine, but Mom wouldn’t want me to tease him about that. If Missy were here, she would just carry him up the tree because everyone treats him like a baby.

“Bubba, help!” Leo called, reaching his hand up to me.

“Just grab that branch,” I pointed for him. He gave me a whiny face, but I still didn’t feel like climbing back down to help him. “You can do it!” My baby brother definitely needed to get stronger if he was going to grow up to help me and Dad protect Mom and the pack. If I help him all the time, he would never get stronger.

“Sissy would help me!” he yelled.

“You don’t need help, Leo!” He grabbed onto the branch I told him to and got himself up. He was only a couple of branches below me now. “See!” I said with a triumphant smile. “Only a couple more. Come on!”

With a little more cheering, Leo finally made it up to the top with me. “This is the tallest tree we’ve ever climbed!” he said, looking around us.

“I know! It’s a new record!” I couldn’t wait to go home and tell Dad about it. Maybe we could have a climbing race with Delilah and Lucas too.

There was a loud snapping noise below us, and I looked down. People were moving around us. I sniffed the air and smelled something rotten. I looked up at Leo, who looked at me scared. I held my finger up to my lips, telling him to be quiet. Dad told me when someone smells like garbage, that means they are bad. It means they don’t have a pack, and they probably want to hurt us.

“Leo, those are bad people. Stay still and quiet,” I linked him. Mom says I am a special child of the Moon Goddess. I can link anyone, even humans. I don’t do it a whole lot because only grown-ups can link me back. Sometimes I link the wrong person too. I scared Aunt Lemon doing it once. But, it came in handy when we played games. Delilah and I could work together, and it didn’t bother her when I did it.

Leo nodded at me slowly. I looked back down at the people walking around. I strained my ears, trying to hear what they were saying. I wish I were old enough to find my wolf. Then I would be able to listen to them. I could jump down from the tree and stop them. I am going to be Alpha, after all. I am stronger than them, or I will be. I could see six grown-ups all walking around. It looked like they were looking for something; I didn’t want them to see us. They probably don’t know that we are Alpha kids, but Dad said it wouldn’t matter. He said they would hurt us just because they are bad people.

I looked around, away from our tree. Where were all the warriors? Weren’t they following us a little while ago? Missy went to play with Maddox, and they weren’t in the forest with us. I couldn’t link anyone too far away for help. The warriors were supposed to watch us in case we needed help.

Gavin had been grumbling for a while now. He initially wanted to just rip the vampire to pieces. Azalea, of course, made him reconsider. He acted as if she couldn’t sway his opinion on things, but I knew that wasn’t true. I checked my watch. 6:05pm. This vampire is late. “You can’t be objective if you are looking for a reason to dislike him,” Azalea pointed out silently.

“He could at least be punctual,” I argued. Then, as if determined to dispel my irritations, Theodore slid into the room.

“My apologies, Alpha, Luna. The office called just as I was headed this way. Of course, they are currently having trouble reaching young Miss Lacey,” he said with a stupid grin. I didn’t bother to stand and greet him, but Azalea did. Once they shook hands, they both sat down, Azalea next to me and Theodore across from me. I eyed him carefully.

“Are you hungry, Theodore?” Azalea asked him. Her voice was light and kind. It showed no indication of the truths I revealed to her earlier.

“Yes, I am. I must compliment you on the lunch service at the Inn, by the way. I was pleasantly surprised. You operate a fine establishment for such a small town,” Theodore brown-nosed.

“Thank you. That is great to hear. I can’t take all the credit, though. I have had a lot of help,” Azalea smiled up at me. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, the only contribution I have made to her Inn is the initial expansion and negotiating with Greyback to leave the Inn to her. The Inn’s success is due to her hard work.

“Well, your manager would disagree with that. She told me that you have been working here nearly ten years, starting out cooking and cleaning then slowly moving your way up. Very impressive,” he complimented. Azalea blushed. The waitress entered, bringing us all glasses of water. She took our orders before leaving us again.

“By the tick in your jaw, I believe you would like some answers from me,” Theodore said, his eyes falling on me.

“Intuitive,” I growled.

“I will answer anything you have to ask of me, Alpha,” he replied calmly.Belongs to - All rights reserved.

“Which clan are you sired from?” I got straight to the point. His l*p quirked up in a half-smile.

“I am sired from Clan Warwick,” he answered, holding my gaze. “And yes, the conclusion you are drawing is true. Our Sire was not killed during the Battle of the B***d Eclipse. Instead, he lived along with a small faction of his kindred. Before the battle, the Sire of the Clan Warwick put measures in place to ensure the continuation of the sire line.”

Azalea clutched my arm under the table, finally grasping the gravity of having a vampire in our presence. “But you said you are no longer associating yourself with your clan,” Azalea said.

“This is true. I have not prescribed the beliefs of my Sire and kindred for a long time,” Theodore said.

“Did you fight along with your kindred in the war against our race?” I asked.

Theodore shook his head. “No, I did not. I was ostracized for my stance against my race. I was never okay with the dispute between the lupine and vampire races. There is no reason I see that we cannot coexist among humans.”

“If your beliefs do not align with those of your kindred, why not renounce your Sire?”

“Well, it is not as simple as you might believe. Correct me if I am wrong: when a werewolf no longer wants to associate themselves with their kindred, they leave their pack?” I nodded.

“Essentially,” I agreed. He had the basic gist.

“Well, it is not that simple for our race. Our existence is intrinsically linked to our Sire. To break that bond is almost impossible. It often kills the vampire. If they manage to survive the break, they experience a fundamental change. It is said that the vampire will lose itself, becoming a slave to our baser instincts. Many Sires choose to eliminate a kindred that goes against them. It is my understanding that renouncing a Sire will also affect the Sire,” Theodore explained.

“I don’t understand. What fundamental change?” Azalea asked. I had an idea of what he meant. Before Theodore could answer her, the waitress came back to bring our food. Once she left, he let out a sigh.

“It is no secret that our race must drink b***d to survive. Once we have adjusted to the changes of the transition, most vampires are able to control that craving. We actually do not need as much b***d as one might think. Some members of my race do not care to control themselves, but that is a different matter. Part of our Sire bond nurtures us in a way. If our Sire is healthy and well-fed, we do not need as much b***d to survive. Once that bond is broken, our bodies change. We need more to survive. Our minds fracture in a way.”

Azalea nodded her head. She was uneasy next to me. I placed my hand over her leg, trying to give her some comfort. “That sounds similar to becoming a rogue…” Azalea muttered. Theodore nodded his head at her.

“I do not tell you this to scare you, Luna. On the contrary, I only hope to answer your questions and assuage any concerns you may have about my presence here,” he told her. Azalea gave him a small smile. I don’t think she was afraid of him; I think she was scared of what she was learning about vampires.

“Why should I allow you to remain in my territory? Why shouldn’t I kill you right here?” I asked him.

He took a bite of his food and chewed thoughtfully before responding. “I haven’t fed on a human since before your father was born.” Azalea was shocked at his statement, and it caught me off guard as well.

“That is a pretty bold claim,” I countered.

“Bold, but true. I stopped feeding on humans long ago. I admit, it was a fair adjustment period, but I can sustain myself otherwise,” he said.

“What will you do if I do not allow you to remain here?” I wondered.

“I would respect your wishes. After all, this is your territory, your pack. I am sure I could figure something out with my employer,” he answered.

Azalea was right. By all accounts so far, this vampire gave me no sign that he was at all threatening. He had been forthcoming and honest in all his answers. He had not attempted to use any of his powers on us. I couldn’t be sure if he knew they would not work on someone of Alpha b***d or not, but I didn’t want to inform him if he didn’t. I stared at him, thinking.

“Liam,” Azalea questioned. I didn’t answer her right away. “I believe him.” I knew she did. Nothing he said tonight would change her mind, even if some of the information about vampires brought her unease.

“Fine,” I said finally. “I will allow you to remain in my territory. But there is no warning. If my men or I so much as suspect anything, you will be dealt with immediately. Do not doubt me,” I warned.

Theodore nodded. “I wouldn’t dream of it. And I swear to you, Alpha, you will have nothing to suspect me of.”

Azalea visibly relaxed next to me. “Thank you, My Alpha.”