Chapter One

"Dad, it's confirmed. The rogues are working with some dark mages. We should inform the Mage councils and asked their assistance." Kaleb told his father

"They are already informed. And I believed that the assistance that you're talking about is on the way or already here." His father answered

"Are they gonna stay here at the mansion, your Highness?" Jax asked

"No, they have their place to stay. They are keeping themselves off the radar. That's how they are. Away from people's eyes. Lurking in the shadows." the king said

"But how can we talk to them to coordinate?" Kaleb asked again

"They will come when needed but, you can meet them only in a casual way. They are five in total. A year younger than you-Oh! I remember the youngest is two years younger." His dad said

'Hope they're not brats...especially the youngest.' he thought

******

Kian's POV

Finally! Out and free! I've been dying to get outside and be free to roam around and the best part is, I can help in maintaining the peace at the same time. Now, I and my gang are in the Wolves' territory. I'm so excited! I've read about them and met some. Some are nice, some are snobs. Most of all, I'm gonna see him again. I hope everything will be fine. I'm Kian Knight, by the way, but, they know me as Kian Winter. Need to hide my existence. And I'm also an alpha.

Getting ready for today, my other friend's annoying voice entered my ears. "Hey, Kiki! Stop daydreaming! We have a cafe to run!" he said entering my room. I glared at him and he chuckled awkwardly.

"I told you many times to stop calling me that." he raised his fingers and show a peace sign. We went downstairs to see our other friends Vance, Myron who is my cousin, and Neo. He is Sean's mate. We are living in one apartment with 3 bedrooms since the couples are sharing. I'm the only one who has a solo bedroom and it's the biggest, hehe that's the perk of being the youngest, and of course, it's because...I am their leader.

We called our group the Shadow Knights. Might sound cringy but well, we like to stay in the shadows. We don't want outsiders to know our identities. We still want to lurk around freely. As Sean said, we are going to work at our café. We named it SMɅKN Café. It's our initials, but we turned the V upside down.

"Let's go!"

*****

Kaleb's POV

"Dude, are we going to pick those kids up?" kids? ahh! The Shadow Knights kids. I chuckled at my vampire friend, Theo

"Theo, we are just a year or two older than them. You're not 222 years old to call them kids, unless~" I teased him

"Hey! I am 22 years old! My parents had me when they are 200!" aww..this nerdy vamp of mine is sulking.

"Hahaha! That's exactly his point. I thought you're genius." that was Jax my other best friend and also my beta. Now the two start bickering...what a pack I have...

I look at the door when my gamma, Dominic entered. He shook his head at the sight. I motion him to tell me the report about the 'kids'.

"They arrived a week ago," he said making me frown.

"Hmmm. So, they arrived already and didn't even say hello. I guess they are indeed brats." I said smirking

"Really babe? So, who and where are they?" Theo asked his beloved. Yeah, I wonder too.

"I don't get their names and pictures but as to where they are staying at one house and working at a newly opened cafe named SMA- He didn't finish his sentence when Jax cuts him

"SMɅKN Café?"

"Sma what?" I asked. What kind of name is that.

"Oh my dear Alpha, that café is lit. Good food, homey ambiance and most of all, good looking staffs. So, if what Dom said that it's them, they look like giant kids." Jax said...hmm..well let's see.

"So, you've met them already?" I asked

"No, but I heard some of our pack members who visited the café talking about them." Really huh? I smirk.

"I know that look, K" Theo teased me.

"Well, let's check them out. Let's have our lunch there later." I told them.

****

At the SMɅKN CAFÉ

The boys are busy cheerfully serving the customers. Myron is the barista, Sean is the cashier while Vance and Neo are the waiters. Kian is the manager. They plan to meet the Midnight pack later.

Everything is going smoothly when Kian heard his Dada's voice in his head. He mind-linked his team that he'll go to his office first. Kian and his parents can mind link no matter how far the distance, because of their core. And his team can mind link him because he imparts that ability to them to make it easier when they need to talk. Calvin and Alexis Knight are his parents. They are the head councils of the Mage clan. The most powerful combo.

They chose to hide their son's existence for his safety. Kian's birth is not ordinary. He is a hidden treasure not only for the Mages but to the entire supernaturals. Unlike his dada Calvin, Kian got almost full capabilities of the dark core. While Calvin only got some parts of it. He is stronger than the others because he is the human vessel of the Dark deity, Kaios.

As for his Papa, Alexis is a non-magi. He became one when he met and was marked by Calvin as his mate. He's special though. For he is the human vessel of the Light deity, Selene. Kian was a gift for them. There's a lot more to unveil about Kian's birth. And sooner than later, he will learn all of them.

After talking to his father, he felt something eerie. He can feel the tension outside his office. Checking through the CCTV, he cursed in his head. He saw Vance grabbing the collar of a man that he knew well.

//Flashback//

After Kian excused himself, three good-looking men came in.

"Good afternoon! Welcome to SMɅKN Café" the boys greeted their new customers. They can sense that they are wolves and a vampire. Vance and Neo resumed their tasks. There are only three customers aside from the newcomers. When the newcomers have almost done giving their orders, the door opened and the boys stopped whatever they are doing. They can feel the power that's emitting from the guy. They knew at that moment that whoever he is, he's no ordinary. The first three who came first greeted him, but all of them frowned when the new guy stood frozen after inhaling a good amount of air. His eyes dilated, his nose is flaring.

 Kaleb's POV

What is that smell? It's so inviting. 'Shit, calm down, Night.' My wolf can't stay still...'Our mate is here! We need to find our mate.'' So, it's our mate's scent. It's so addicting. When I tried to follow the scent, my friends stopped me. I gave them a knowing look and they understood and so they let me. But this one guy blocked my way. What the hell does this skinny stick doing? I move to pass him and he's still blocking my path.

"Move," I said sternly. But this guy is something...he just smirked.

"Sorry. Can't do that. The place that you wanted to go to is off-limits." the stick guy said. He surely is testing my patience.

"You don't understand boy- I didn't get to finished my sentence when he suddenly grabbed my collar. Hmm, offended by the name. I see. It's my wolf who called him that and now, it's me who is smirking. But before he can say something, someone came out of the door.

Fuck! It's him! His scent hits me hard. A combination of jasmine, grapefruit, gourmand, and sandalwood.

//flashback ends//

"Fuck! Vance, let him go! He's the future Alpha King!"  Kian whispered shout in their link. He hurriedly went out of the room. But as soon as he came near them, he froze. The future king turned his eyes to him and he cursed. "Shit! I forgot about this."

'What is it, K?' Vance asked. He forgot to cut the link. He's about to reply when suddenly a deep voice entered his ears...

"MATE"