Ch. 2

The rest of the school day had flown by, and I had retrieved Delmar front the entrance leading him back to the pack house. He threw his backpack at me as we entered his room. I barely caught it and gently placed it onto the hook next to the closet.

"Your birthday will be here soon, right?" He suddenly spoke and I froze in place looking at him warily as he sat on his bed. "Yes master... in four days," I almost whispered, unsure why he was bringing it up.

His lips twitched in a smirk almost as he relaxed back onto the plush mattress and propped his head up," any ideas who your mate might be?" I felt my body stiffen as he reached out, trailing fingers onto my lower back and landed at my ass giving a quick squeeze. I had become numb to his advances. He was truly a pig. Things had only gotten worse since last year when he'd come of age and had no luck finding his mate. It was never easier knowing if he truly wanted to he could have his way with me and likely nobody would believe him. I would just be looked at as another spiteful servant trying to secure my place in the pack as a mistress.

"No master.. I have no time for such thoughts," I quickly replied, trying to distance myself as he stood up. The shadows in the room seemed to grow darker as he touched my face making me look into his lifeless green eyes, his sandy hair disheveled from his constant moving it. He smirked, " maybe I'll consider... making you a bit more of a special servant if you don't find him. Consider it a birthday gift and a pay raise." He chuckled as my face went red as a tomato, and he sat down beginning his work for the night.

I cannot lie, more money was always tempting when you had none... but nothing could tempt me in this direction. I was absolutely disgusted by Delmar. Ever since childhood he had taken it upon himself to constantly tease me. It was was very obvious I was absolutely in love with his brother, Gerwulf. A horrible part of me hoped I would have ended up having a chance with him... but it's been five years nearly and he's likely found his Luna by now.

I cursed myself mentally and stared at a blank space on the walls. The room grew silent, only the sounds of his pencil and turning pages filled the room. I allowed myself to be consumed by my thoughts as the sun set not realizing how long we'd sat in silence until he began complaining about dinner.

I quickly left the room, Mathilda already waiting with a tray of potato soup and bread. As I walked the halls back to his room I realized how dark it looked, wondering to myself if it had always been this way. Surely not? They had modernized most of the pack house. Perhaps the light bulbs needed changed? I made a mental note to say something on my way home.

By the time I made it back, I was surprised to see Delmar already in his pajamas. "Finally," he groaned," I was going to watch you carry the hot cauldrons tonight, but I feel too tired. I wouldn't be able to properly enjoy it. Maybe tomorrow?" I truly felt sorry for the unfortunate woman he was destined for.

It didn't take long after that for him to fall asleep, sprawled out on his bed like a sloppy mess. Any night he slept early was a blessing for me. My parents always arrived home late so I was expected to cook dinner and do household chores before I could focus on schoolwork. More often than not I would be awake well beyond midnight.

Quickly I cleaned his mess, practically running as I mentioned a quick word about the third story being darker. The maintenance man gave me a strange look but I didn't care. I wanted to make it home before it became too dark. My neighborhood had no streetlamps.

My footsteps padded the ground, the streets growing more and more silent as I came closer to my house. The thick brick wall that covered my neighborhood greeted me. Only the lights from houses were shining on the pavement. I thought it odd, seeing as the sun hadn't completely set.

I reached into my backpack with a shaky hand, retrieving the knife I'd been given, holding it in one hand and a small flashlight in another. My heart started to race more in fear as I walked quickly to my house. The darkness so thick it was almost impenetrable even with my flashlight, fog beginning to roll out around it. I practically shrieked as I slammed my rickety front door, sliding down the aged wood and sighing in relief.

"Are you really that frightened?" A man's voice called, my head snapping up seeing him sitting on the beat up couch with his legs crossed. He wore an all black uniform, boots worn from what I guessed would be war and a thick black cloak. His hair was black as night, and skin white as snow. His yellow eyes stared down at me. Everything about him screamed intimidation, yet the playful expression on his face said otherwise.

I could only form one word, coming out in an almost whisper," vampire."

This seemed to amuse him, as he let out deep laughter and stood up coming towards me and extending a hand. I practically curled into myself as I watched him reach out a hand with the signature elongated fingers. I had never seen one up close, but I had heard horror stories. Their claw like hands were lethal, used to rip prey apart as they feasted on flesh and blood.

He cocked an eyebrow and gave another smirk," relax, Eloise." I shuddered. How did he know my name? As if reading my mind he quickly responded," Gerwulf sent me. I'm here to help you prepare, I have no interest in eating you. Werewolves aren't my taste... too gamey." He laughed deeply and I reached out a shaking hand. Quickly he snatched it up and pulled me to the sofa making me sit down.

"How did you get here? How were you not caught?" I felt in complete shock. Why would he be working with vampires? We were natural enemies. The only packs that had alliances with vampires were desperate to survive.

"Magick probably," he reached into his belt, pulling out a bag and shook it. It was then I noticed his collection of silver blades, wrapped carefully so even he wouldn't be pricked. He followed my eyes and shook his head. "These aren't for you. They're for people like Delmar, who only want to hurt you. Gerwulf would see to my death if harm came to you. You're... special to him." I furrowed my brow in confusion.

Yellow eyes only pierced back at me, it felt like he was staring into my soul," right, well... you seem to be quite confused. My name is Julian. You could call me head of the special forces in the Ash Walker Pack. Gerwulf has instructed me to have you packed and ready to go by tomorrow night. He plans to attack Harvest Moon and doesn't want you to be here. We have a few days journey so if you have anything warm I advise taking it. Is there anyway you can pretend to be sick tomorrow? It would be best if you could avoid contact with anybody. I have to brief you on a lot of things and begin moving at the first signs of dusk."

My mouth hung open, nothing seeming to make sense as I tried to process what was being said to me. Not only had Gerwulf managed to become alpha of a pack he formed, but he was working with... vampires! Possibly other supes, but I was afraid to think all of what he had accepted. Now he was expecting me to pack up the little parts of my life and leave. As happy as I was to leave this forsaken pack, I was hesitant thinking of the possibility of being stuck with a stranger. No less a vampire for a few days!

The kitchen timer dinged and I jumped letting out a screech. Julian winced, his enhanced hearing likely not appreciating that. I turned around seeing he had completed my chores. He reached into the oven with his bare hands and pulled out a roast. The pan sizzled but he seemed completely immune to the heat. My mouth began salivating at the scent. It had been so long since I'd eaten roast. Not since Mathilda snuck me a piece during the yule ball a few years back.

"I take it you like this? One of my men picked it out earlier," Julian smiled, his razor sharp teeth showing, making me gulp. I slowly stood up and he served me a plate. My hands moved before I could even realize, not bothering with silverware as I quickly devoured my food and ignored the hot searing gravy that ran down my arms. Julian gave me a look of astonishment, serving me until I could no longer eat.

I groaned in happiness and pain, feeling my stomach stretch uncomfortably as I cleaned the shameful mess off myself. His head perked up and I swear I could see his pointed ears wiggle slightly," your parents are on their way home, we should move to your bedroom." I nodded my head, making sure to set the table for them to serve themselves and hurried my way up to my room. I opened the door, making sure to turn the lock.

"I haven't seen the boss smile like this ever," Julian spoke softly, going through a photo album I was sure I'd hidden.

They were the only memories of Gerwulf I was able to hide.

"Does he not smile anymore?" I questioned.

"Not like this," he looked up," you must've been close."

I nodded," I would've guessed his Luna made him smile harder than that."

"Luna? Gerwulf has no Luna," Julian quickly added.

I was about to respond when I heard my parents coming home. They loudly spoke downstairs and I thought it best we both stay quiet.

We ended up exchanging very few words the rest of the night. Julian had decided to sleep in my closet, thankful for the darkness. I lay awake for hours, having a hard time still processing what had been thrown at me. It had been over 5 years at this point since I'd seen Gerwulf.

My mind finally began drifting off in the early hours of the morning, wondering how much my friend had changed.