Chapter 4: The Captured Vampire

"You seem ecstatic. Did you and your mate perhaps share a kiss?" Xandrine teases the moment Leandre arrives at home. She sits on the couch, a bowl of strawberries in her hand. "Considering you left your little sister while she was still having her classes, I guess you were trying to have a good time with her after school?"

"To be fair, I asked Dylan and Xavier to take you home, Sandy," Leandre replies as he puts his backpack on the floor, plopping himself on the couch beside his sister.

On the television screen airs one of the episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., his sister's favorite TV show. Their house remains silent and empty when Dylan and Xavier aren't around. The current Alpha and Luna of the pack are at the packhouse, doing their duties and helping out the other members staying at the packhouse. Leandre doesn’t inherit the pack until he turns 21 years old but he is in training to be the pack Alpha by joining in the warriors during their duties.

"How did the date go? Successful, I hope?" She inquires as she dips her strawberry in yogurt and pops it in her mouth. She gives her brother a teasing grin and nudges his elbow.

Leandre rolls his eyes. "I wouldn't call it a date, but nevertheless, it went well. Except for the fact that I replied shamelessly once. My damned wolf can't control himself around her." Leandre flicks his forehead thrice as he remembers answering Nicole's recommendation with a green joke. Hopefully, she didn't think of him as one of those playboys who enjoy flirting with girls.

"So? How's her take about you being her mate? You're so lucky. I thought for sure I was going to find my mate," Sandy rants. Her face grimaces after she takes a bite off the strawberry. "For some reason, I still enjoy eating these despite them being sour."

Leandre snorts at his sister's remark. "You eat too much."

Sandy grabs the pencil case beside her and throws it at his face. "Never say that to a girl ever. Especially your mate. She'd probably punch you in the face if you did." In a quiet voice, she adds, "I'd punch you right now, but I don't want to ruin my mood."

"I was just kidding, sis. You're probably stronger than our average pack fighters anyway."

"I know. I still don't understand why mom and dad won't allow me on patrol," Sandy grumbles as she focuses her attention on the TV screen. "It gets pretty boring when I'm home alone. Maybe I should invite your mate next time, then tell her to reject you because of your cruel comment earlier."

Leandre ruffles her hair before grabbing her bag. "She probably won't... I hope." He shakes his head and adds, "I'm on border patrol with the other sentinels until midnight. See you then."

Sandy lazily gives him a thumbs up and continues to watch her show.

Leandre stands up and proceeds to his room, putting his bag on his study table. He opens his closet and takes out a pair of black walking shorts and a black loose shirt. 'It'll be easier for me to shift if I wear these. I'm still going to remove them and leave them behind one of the bushes anyway'

'Dylan, any news on what I asked you to check?' he mind-links his best friend.

'Xav and I inspected the area around the coffee shop. There were no suspicious people, however, there was a lingering scent of blood.' Dylan answers indicating his interest in the scenario.

Leandre grabs the magic stone on his table and it glows, providing him a map of the town. The area behind the cafe is consists of trees that lead to a forest.

She mentioned she felt like she was watched. But the booth we sat at was near the main road. Could they have been hiding somewhere people won't suspect them? Why would they feel the need to watch Nikki anyway? If they were part of her guards, I would understand... But if they were someone else...

'I guess we'll leave it at that for now. Continue observing the area whenever she's outside our territory. I'll be joining you and Xav for tonight's patrol. Don't let your guard down, wimps.'

'Aye aye, Captain.'

Dylan closes his link off and another one connects with Leandre.

'Son, come to the Alpha's office. Now.' Alpha Roberts orders his son. His voice is low and stern, enough for a regular wolf to bow his head at their Alpha.

'What? Why? I'm preparing for patrol.'

'We have more important things to discuss, young man. Get your butt here!' His mother takes over the conversation. 'A little bird told me you have something important to share with us, your dearest mother and father. I wonder what it could be about.'

Leandre narrows his eyes. 'Would this little bird happen to be a Werewolf named Dylan?'

'Not telling. Just get here, son.'

Leandre rolls his eyes and scratches his head. "I swear if Dylan ratted out to them about my mate, I'm going to train him to death."

-----

"What did you want to talk to me about, Mom, Dad?" Leandre asks as he sits on the black leather couch in the middle of the Alpha's office. He grabs a biscuit from the plate on the table and munchies on it, waiting for his parents' response.

The Luna observes him closely, watching his every move. "You seem to be in a good mood."

"Is it because of your mate?" the Alpha asks directly, going straight to the point. He does not bother to gaze at his son since he himself is busy enough with his paperwork to be submitted at the Capital.

Luna Cassandra glares at her mate and crosses her arms in front of her. "I told you to be discreet about it, Honey! Why did you go straight to the point?!"

Leandre puts his palm on his forehead. "No point hiding about it now, then. Yes, it's because of my mate. No, she's not part of this pack. She doesn't know about supernatural creatures and that she's a werewolf herself."

"What? But you said she's a werewolf. How'd you know she's a werewolf?" Luna Cassandra asks her son while pouring him a glass of water.

"She smelled like one?" Leandre answers but it sounded more like a question to his parents.

"Who is she then? Who's your mate?"

Leandre glances at his father, his mother and then looks down. He isn't sure if his parents would approve of his mate, considering the history of his pack and the pack his mate belongs in.

"Her name's Nicole. Her friends call her Nikki. She's - uh..." he drags on, skeptical about telling his parents. He sighs, giving up on being too careful about his mate's identity. "She belongs to the Blood Moon Pack. She is Alpha Christopher Summers' little sister."

His father drops the pen and stares at his son, mouth agape.

"Dear Goddess. This is a sign! The two packs might have not been in peace for years now, but with her as your Luna-"

"-the two packs will be forced into allegiance and a peace treaty," the Alpha finishes his wife's statement. "But the issue is, she doesn't know about her werewolf side right now. How will she know she's your mate?"

"That's up to her family."

-----

Chris paces back and forth in his office, dreading their plan for the end of the day. They are finally going to tell Nicole everything— that she's no ordinary human, but a werewolf.

His heart starts beating fast at the countless possible outcomes of this revelation.

Will their family remain the way it is now? Or will Nicole end up closing her heart to her family?

This is exactly the reason why he kept on questioning his parents about letting Nicole know about her real identity, her real self. Deep down, he knew the longer they keep her real identity a secret, the more Nicole might stray away from them.

He can still remember the day he met Nicole's biological father, and he admired him for his strength, bravery, and how he handled kids that looked up to him. He one day wanted to be like him.

He never expected that wish would come true so soon.

He takes a blue magic crystal and puts it on top of his desk, showing the map of the area. The vampires have been on the move recently and have been spotted south of their territory. Furthermore, the map shows the neutral grounds which were brown in color, as well as the areas owned by other packs which are in different shades of blue. The lighter the blue color is, the more powerful that pack is said to be.

"Alpha," someone calls out outside the office, knocking on the door thrice. "It's Kade."

"Come in."

The door opens, showing the warrior wearing only a plain shirt and shorts. His brown hair is disheveled, indicating that he was on duty. He closes the door silently and stands in attention. "I'm here to report. We caught a vampire."

The Alpha's eyes light up. "Where is the vampire now?"

"She's in the basement... in one of the prison cells."

The moment they reach the basement, the screams of the vampire and clinging of chains echo the area. Dim lights illuminate the packhouse prison with guards standing in attention at their stations.

"You won't get anything out of me! I will find her! And I'll take her to Alpha—to my master!" The woman shouts at the werewolf trying to sedate her. She slashes the werewolf's face, leaving three wounds on his cheek.

Vampires have always been vile creatures, feeding on human blood for their survival. Some use their strength to kill others, some to take advantage of the weak. Their only weakness is sunlight, and they take pleasure in seeing bloodshed. They were the cause of that battle sixteen years ago and because of that battle, werewolves in this world expected their numbers to deteriorate.

This is what Chris has always been told. But of course, he rarely visits the supernatural council meetings. He only ever goes to the Alpha gatherings at the werewolf castle—one of the remnants of Nycthopia.

Chris approaches the woman, holding her neck with his right hand, choking her. "How annoying."

He releases the menacing aura of the Alphas and his evergreen irises turn into a darker shade, causing the vampire to cower in fear.

"Who are you trying to find?" the Alpha demands, his voice laced with overbearing authority. The people that will hear the Alpha's are forced to follow his commands and answer his questions if they use their power.

The woman glowers at him, her blood-red eyes brimming with anger. “None of your fucking business,” the woman replies, spitting on his face.

Chris’ eyes darken at the woman’s actions, his wolf almost coming close to the surface. He breathes in calmly, an attempt to relax his nerves. He lets go of the woman before grabbing a magic-powered collar that one of his men prepared. Once put on someone’s neck, the collar will weaken the state of the wearer. It is imbued with magic essence, and comes with a ring. Whenever the bearer touches the crystal on the ring, the one wearing the collar will be slightly electrocuted enough to cause them pain or to subdue them.

'This leech won’t talk unless her life is threatened.' Chris thinks as she places the collar on the vampire’s neck. The vampire bit his arm, causing him to grimace at the sharp fangs baring into his flesh.

He holds her up by the neck with enough strength to let her struggle breathing. “Either you talk voluntarily, or I’ll force you to talk,” Chris calmly tells her the options, dropping her in the process.

Vampires aren’t exactly weak creatures. Just like werewolves, they have physical strength, heightened senses, and can heal easily. Unless, if the vampire has not fed for weeks or if the vampire is not fully turned yet.

The vampire tries breaking free from the chains and the metal collar but fails miserably. “I won’t tell you anything. Either way, I’m just one of Alpha’s disposable pawns. Whether I die here by your hands or remain alive, he couldn’t care less. He’ll just keep sending more of us each day until he can get his hands on the lady he seeks.”

Chris presses the crystal on the ring, causing the vampire to scream in agony. “Who is your Alpha?”

Instead of answering, the vampire cackles before saying, “Fuck off.”