CHAPTER 51: BERRYNDALE BAZAAR

Friday’s POV

One of the vampires dove towards me and in an instant Maze grabbed his head and twisted it, snapping his neck so forcefully that he beheaded him. He threw the head into the fire. Thaddeus ripped the head without even twisting it off the other vampire and tossed it into the fire as well. I was horrified and shocked and relieved my alphas were ok. I knew they were skilled warriors but all I had ever know of them were their romantic sides. Even when Maze had rejected me, he had done so privately and calmly.

“I TOLD YOU TO STAY INSIDE! WHY MUST YOU WILFULLY DISOBEY EVEN A REASONABLE ORDER!!!!! ”Thaddeus yelled at me so loudly literally every creature in the forest tried to leave. The owls flew away along with the bats. The crickets stopped chirping. There was utter silence.

Thaddeus was panting, his eyes black. They slowly faded to blue. He seemed regretful. I scarcely had time to react before he began apologising.

“…I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Luna,” he said extending his hand. I took it. I wasn’t the scared girl I used to be.

“Did I scare you? I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he murmured with each sorry he kissed my face as he held me to him.

“You need to learn to listen, Friday,” Maze said grumpily.“Just because we can’t officially order you doesn’t mean you should automatically do your own thing. You’ve never seen a battle before and you don’t need to witness anymore. You didn’t need to see this one either.”

It was not much of a battle. It was a quick execution.

“We’re sorry we frightened you,” said Maze, softening giggled. They stared at me like I was crazy. “You didn’t frighten me!” I said smiling. “I could never be frightened of you two. You’re my guys!”

They chuckled. Maze came over to me and kissed me gently, cupping my face in his hands. He sighed rubbing his cheek against mine. Thaddeus took a deep breath.

“Friday, Maze, I’m sorry but we need to go back to the pack house,” Thaddeus said.

Maze nodded and so did I.

“That attack was unprecedented,” said Thaddeus. “They seemed to know exactly where we were and without guards. More of them could know.”

“That’s why we have absolutely novampires in Marigold!” Maze growled. “They’re not all bad,” instead Thaddeus. Thaddeus left the tent and everything up. He outed the fire and we drove back to the pack house. NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“Why’d we leave the tent up? Why didn’t we dismantle it?” I asked.

“If there’s more vampires on the way, it’s not worth wasting time to salvage some pillows. It’s better to vacate the area,” Maze said.

“Also, leaving the tent up may make any more vampires investigate it, when we come back with ample warriors we’ll be able to smell if more vampires came,” Thaddeus said.

Fang’s POV

I was literally sitting in the bathroom inside the cupboard under the sink for some privacy on the Berryndale Beta Floor. Berryndale wolves were very friendly and the staff checked on me every hour or so. Astrid loved it and had told the story of announcing her pregnancy to me at breakfast and the “Alpha uncles” at the Movies about a dozen times. Each time the reaction was melodramatic. The Berryndale wolves loved storytelling and they drank a lot more than Marigold wolves so there was always a feast- like atmosphere in the pack house. They were fierce warriors though in all fairness.

“So he blew their cover?” I whispered.

“Yeah, Thaddeus and Maze came out and decapitated the novice vampires with their bare hands,” said Katrina, clearly shaken by Ezra’s recounting of the tale.

“Yeah,” | mumbled, trying to not sound relieved because I remembered how angry she was before when I did not care about the novice vampires.

“These two particular novices were awful, arrogant perverts,” she said. Oh good. “See!Everything is working out,” I whispered. “FANG!” Astrid called from the bedroom. “Where are you?” “S**t!”I whispered. Katrina grumbled. Astrid came into the bathroom. “Fang?”

I could not crawl out from the cupboard under the sink with a cellphone in hand. The questioning that would result from that would be too intense. I waited for her to go back into the bedroom.

“Bye!” I said, hanging up on Katrina.

I scrambled out of the cupboard and stripped off my clothes, hopping into the shower. Astrid ran back in at the sound of the shower and spotted me.

“Fang! Where’d you come from?” She said. “I was showering just now when you came in. I thought you saw me!” I said, fake affronted. “Whoa, pregnancy brain is no joke,” she mumbled.

I pulled her into the shower with me clothes and all. She shrieked and then giggled. I silenced her pressing my lips to hers.

Theo’s POV Thaddeus mind-linked me on the way back from camping with Friday and…sigh…Maze.

I did not get it. What the hell was going on? I was horrified when he told me two vampires had attacked them. That had been easily dealt with. Who would attack two alphas and a luna? Those vampires had to be made-ones, not born, probably novices to think they could take on top tier werewolves like that.

I wondered if Maze had set this up to have Thaddeus killed off so he could have Friday to himself. That would explain his gleeful My Daddy ignored me and never took me camping Thaddeus please take me camping bullshit! Ugh! Where had this needy little boy Maze come out from. I missed icy I’m-better-and- classier-than-you Maze. I grumbled to myself but I could not stay mad for long. Titus woke up and was bouncing in his baby walker. Ida came and kissed me. I had missed them so much. She tried to go to the Beta dining room but I dipped her and kissed her urgently. She pulled away breathless.

“Not in front of Titus!” She said, scandalised. I laughed. Titus was blowing a spit bubble and concentrating deeply on it. “My parents always kissed in front of me! That’s how I knew they were hopelessly in love!” |

Ida rolled her eyes but gave me a quick kiss.

*Stay in the pack house today,” I said to her. She raised her eyebrows at me telling her what to do. smirked, “There’s vampires a foot!”

“What?!” She said, “You mean dangerous one?” I nodded, “They tried to attack Thaddeus, Maze and Friday on their camping trip.” She gasped. “Are they ok?” I laughed, “What do you think?” She smiled, relieved, “Is Thaddeus bringing back the heads for identification?” “I don’t think so…I’m pretty sure they’re novices, newly made,” I said.

“Who would make vampires and not explain a single thing about how our world works to them? Attacking an Alpha as a newly made-vampire? That’s like a ladybug against a lion,” said Ida, frowning.

She was stunning even when she frowned. She caught me staring at her and smirked. “I don’t know… someone who has a lot of expendable novices I guess,” I said, pondering what she had said.

Ezra’s POV

My father was furious. It was hilarious to be honest. I kept a straight face as he seethed before the other coven leaders. Prophetess cooed and hugged him. He patted her little head. She was perhaps the strongest made vampire in existence despite her innocent appearance. The other coven leaders were silent, looking in different directions, not making their opinions known. I felt that most of them enjoyed their luxurious and no-longer war-like existence and did not feel particularly passionate about pursuing Friday.

“Ezra,” said a sweet voice. Raelynn. She received a glare from Prophetess who was envious. Prophetess had had a crush on me for years but she had been transformed as a little girl and even if she had grown up, I did not like her personality. Due to her looking like a twelve year old though, it was hard to be mean to her so I usually gently rebuked her. I pulled Raelynn into my arms. My father was staring at her.

“We’re going about this wrong,” he said looking at Raelynn. “We need to befriend Friday not take her by force.”

Chills crept through me. Before he could even suggest it, I put Raelynn behind me, bared my fangs and hissed, my red eyes glowing. Prophetess hissed back like the brat she was, defending my father and liking any idea that might hurt Raelynn. My father stiffened and bared his own fangs. I stood up and roared so loudly, bats flew from the high towers of our manor and all the coven leaders cowered. My father was all but ready to hand over his post to me. He should calm down. I would not hurt him but I would not have this nonsense. Let none of them mistake who the strongest vampire in these halls was.

Maze’s POV

It was day sixteen of thirty of the challenge, the first Berryndale day. Time had flown by. Thaddeus and Friday were going to some magical festival thing that sounded like hell on earth to me. Wizards and witches were not trustworthy. They turned people into animals all the time! Of course, I could already turn myself into an animal but that was different! What if I got stuck in my wolf form forever? That happened

to someone my mother said her mother had known and they lived out their entire life as a wolf! Thaddeus said that story was bullshit. It probably was but it was still possible. I did not like the idea of him taking my Friday to a place where there was witchcraft. They were going with extra guards and the Berryndale pack was on lockdown. with wnite ana gola embroideries. I ne curtains were rea. I ne start all wore rea uniforms with gola buttons. Some of the higher-ranking staff wore white outfits with gold buttons and the boss of a particular subset would wear a gold outfit. The table was overladen with breakfast items. Fallon and Faro were stuffing their faces and Timothy and Titus were telling them a dramatic story that they swore happened. Now that was bullshit.

“I fought the vampire king myself, already,” said Timothy. “Me too,” said Titus. “We met him,” said Fallon. “Yeah,” said Fargo. “Twins should be illegal don’t you think Dad?” Said Thaddeus to the former alpha. The old alpha’s laugh shook the whole room. The two pairs of twins rolled their eyes. “You know what’s unfair about being a twin?” Said Fallon.

“No, but I’m sure you’re about to tell us,” said Fang who had joined us for breakfast with a smug Astrid

Theo and Ida were there with baby Titus whom Friday had on her knee and was attempting to feed. I smiled at that. She would make such a beautiful and patient mother.

“Sharing a mate!” Said Fargo, on Fallon’s behalf. The twins nodded.

“You’re one fertilised egg you see,” I said. “That split into two, forming identical twins, naturally occurring clones, so you might have just one mate.”

They ignored all that science.

“I don’t even want a mate,” said Fallon.

Fang rolled his eyes.

“I want one,” said Fargo. “Well, you can have ours,” said Fallon.

“You’ll be jealous when you see how pretty she is and she’s all mine,” said Fargo. “If she’s really hot, I want her,” said Titus, nodding.

Timothy glared at his brother. “You’re going to think she’s hot no matter what. The mate-bond will hit you,” responded Timothy.

“Yeah, but I’ll ask a couple bros, like is this girl hot? My bros will be honest,” said Titus. “Ugh, so shallow,” Timothy said. “Rename that baby Timothy! Please! For his own good!” Theo and Ida chuckled. “Again,” said Thaddeus slowly, pausing with each word, “that baby is named after Theo’s grandfather.

Friday giggled and Thaddeus beamed at her and how she was playing with Titus. How would kids work? If we got to stay together? How would we ensure we each got an heir? I supposed it would not be that complicated. She was bound to get pregnant for one of us eventually and then she could focus on getting pregnant for the other maybe?

Fang snapped me out of my thoughts. “What do you think about having to share a mate, Alpha Maze? We all know Alphas can be possessive,” Fang said pointedly.

The table was quiet with everyone waiting for me to answer. Friday was looking at me closely. Thaddeus was suddenly very interested in his pancakes and bacon.

“In two ditterent ways,” added Thaddeus. The table erupted into laughter and I laughed with them. Fang looked disgruntled but Theo nudged him and he smirked a little. Maybe the Betas were getting along too.

Thaddeus’ POV

I could hardly wait to show my little Friday the magical festival. She would love it. Maze refused to go. He thought he’d be turned into a frog on sight or something.

“Maze, even if you get turned into a frog, no one will notice the difference so come with us please,” | insisted.

Maze shoved me playfully. “I have video-chat Marigold meetings all day,” he pouted.

“Well…bye!” I said. He tried to shove me again but I dodged him and put my fists up. He put his fists up. We pretend to box. Friday giggled. She looked gorgeous in a purple mini dress with little stars all over it.

“Don’t you think this dress is a pattern Merlin would have worn?” Friday asked eagerly in a tone that let you know you had to say yes.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding.

“I believe purple with silver stars was the official Merlin pattern. King Arthur said so in his podcast the other day,” joked Maze. Whoa! I had such a good effect on him humour-wise.

Friday slapped his arm and then kissed him goodbye. He kissed her forehead. Friday and I ran down the stairs like little kids and I could practically feel Maze rolling his eyes. I drove her to the festival with four other squad cars flanking us, left, right, back and front. I hated doing that even though most alphas always did this. I liked to drive about by myself and feel normal but it was in Friday’s best interests and she was everything. I held her close to me and watched her cute little face light up when she saw it!

Friday’s POV

The festival was the most wondrous thing I had seen so far. There was a huge banner that was literally made of floating fluffy clouds spelling out the words: Berryndale’s Bazaar of Wonders. Oh so it was technically a bazaar. That meant I could shop for magical items! I shrieked inwardly. There were people walking midair above the bazaar grounds. They were a troupe of mimes it seemed. Three of them wore all silver and their faces were painted white with silver mouths and cheeks. The other three were similar but gold and white. The gold mimes and silver mimes were having a dance battle midair. People below were cheering them on and voting for the winner with little gold and silver chips.

All the guests were so… magical. The wizards and witches really did wear a lot of purple. Ha! I also saw a lot of black and periwinkle outfits. Most people had shimmery fabrics on so the whole place glittered. The stalls were selling a huge variety of items and delicacies. I saw a stall which was a magical pet store with bunnies that could teleport at will, snakes that danced to snake-charmer music with the flute included in the price, cats that could walk across the ceiling and dogs with super-speed. There was even a parrot that spoke so well, he could be a morning news correspondent. His name was Mackie and he even spoke three different languages. We stopped at the pet stall for a bit.

There were many werwolves there also as Berryndale was a werewolf town. I saw many of them clearly with their mates, holding hands and kissing. I remembered how sad I used to be seeing couples nuzzle each other when everyone shunned me. I wondered if my mate would ever come and if he would want me. Now, I had two mates who both seemed to want me. I stood on tip-toe to nuzzle Thaddeus. He

growled playfully and kissed me passionately while dipping me right there in the stall. We had many onlookers who whooped and cheered as we finished our kiss, recognising Thaddeus as their Alpha. Thaddeus grinned and I blushed and hid my face in his chest.

The pet store owner shushed him, looking worried. “That’s the alpha,” he whispered to the parrot but Thaddeus was already booming with laughter. All the animals began to make noise at this but they seemed to be in a good mood. The pet store owner relaxed and bowed deeply.

The next stall sold magical beauty products. I bought a few things, curious to see if they worked. They promised the same things as regular beauty products like making your skin flawless or your hair shiny. Some said they contained love potion as a booster so men would be drawn to your hair or skin especially depending on the product.

“You already have two Alphas bewitched, Gorgeous,” said Thaddeus. I blushed.

He still bought me the products I insisted on. I was not leaving here without the flawless skin in four seconds cream.

The food was delicious though a bit odd. They had a lot of refillable snacks like cotton candy that just regrew every time you took a bite which was a bit exhausting. The drinks all refilled themselves magically too. The pizza was plain cheese until you asked it for what toppings you wanted and you could keep changing your mind every slice. Maze was really missing out.

“How come you and Maze…suddenly like each other? I said hesitantly.

“We got a chance to talk in your cottage. He’s a better guy than I thought,” Thaddeus said, pulling me onto his lap as we sat on a bench watching a puppet show. The puppets were enchanted and did their own thing. There was no puppeteer present. The puppets were rather crass though and the show was almost X-rated. What kind of puppets were these? I glanced around, worried there were children here. There were none. I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked away from the lewd puppets and that was when I saw her. She was staring at me. I gasped. She looked…a lot like me. She could easily be a member of the Fenestra family. She realised I had her caught her staring from across the festival and she disappeared behind a stall. I ran after her. Thaddeus came with me.

“Friday what are you doing, little Luna?” He demanded, trying to hold me in his arms. I allowed him to embrace me but I kept craning my neck searching for the girl. “Friday!” Said Thaddeus sharply. “Talk to me!” “I…I saw someone. She…Thaddeus!” I shrieked, suddenly thinking of something. “Yeah,” he said slowly. “Can you smell anyone nearby who smells like me?” I asked. He had a great nose! He would sniff her out. “No, Friday, there’s no one,” he said sniffing the air.

Oh. I was a little disappointed. I supposed it was not a crime to look like someone else. It could be a coincidence but why was she staring at me?

Ezra’s POV

“Where have you been?” I snarled as Raelynn walked in the room, her doe eyes downcast.

She was wearing a long black cloak. “I have been worried sick!” I said, grabbing her and hugging her tightly. We kissed and her taste was so sweet. She broke the kiss. “Don’t get mad,” she breathed. I was already seething.

“I went to the magic festival in Berryndale,” she said, still breathless and panting. I was taking her cloak off and toying with the hem of her dress.

“I know you don’t like me going into werewolf territory without you,” she breathed as I found the waistband of her panties, hooking my thumbs in them.

“Yeah, but you never listen, so whatever,” I grumbled, sliding her underwear down and making her step out of it.

I kneeled before her raising the skirt of her dress and pressing my nose to her mound, enjoying her scent.

“I’m trying to tell you something,” she whispered as I parted her folds with my fingers and sucked on her clit.

She whimpered

“Spit it out then,” I said before I resumed eating her p***y, making her moan. Her thighs trembled but I held her up, gripping her butt cheeks.

“U…..I saw Friday!” She said. I stood up in one lightning fast movement. “By coincidence?” I asked, my eyes wide. She shook her head. “Prophetess told me where to look,” she said.

I was not above killing Prophetess. She looked twelve but she was like seven hundred years old. I half- smiled. Raelynn bit her lip.

“Was she with her Alphas?” I asked, my silky voice deadly. “One of them, the S-seven f-foot one,” she stammered.

“And do you think that was wise, approaching him when he and his comrade just killed two vampires for the same reason yesterday,” I said, my anger rising. It was not directed at her but I did not appreciate her frivolous behaviour when it came to her safety and wellbeing.

“Well, to be honest, I’m not a vampire so maybe it is wise for me to meet her,” she said defiantly. I sniffed. I wanted her to be happy. She wanted answers. “I’ll make arrangements for you to meet Friday properly,” I said to her utter surprise.