A Stranger in the Night

"Sweetheart, where are you going? I feel like we've hardly had any time together since my arrival and we must talk. We also have preparations to make for the ball. Its only a few weeks away and we still have so much to do.". Mother had her hands full of different materials for tablecloths, and draping, she had a bunch of flowers, I'm guessing to sort table arrangements and a pile of papers that was probably her guest list. "Mother, I am sorry, but I have some business to attend to. I must meet with some of the local clans. There's been some issues with Halflings in the region lately and I'm not willing to risk any more incidents. But I will return as soon as possible.". I kissed her on the cheek and she let out a slight smirk and nodded slowly. She stood with her hand on her hip and began to tap her foot. "OK. So are you going to tell me who she is son? I know you too well to know there is a woman involved, and from the feeling I'm getting, it's not Meredith.". Unfortunately my Mother could read me like a book. We had always been close and it was no surprise to me that she may figure it out sooner or later. "All in good time Mother. I promise.". I smiled at her again. She held onto my arm for a moment, "We both know your Father's intentions with throwing this ball, so whatever it is you are sorting, I say move swiftly son.".

I knew what Mother meant. Father was still determined to join the Ravnos clan and the Ventrue clan to solidify our reign and strength amongst all the clans. But I would die before making that union with Meredith. I needed to get to Luna before it was too late. Draven had said Jess was through her transition, and her blood-lust was almost over. All vampires go through it when they first transition. It's where we learn to control our hunger. Draven would not leave Jess's side till her blood-lust was over, it was just too dangerous and as her maker, he had some power to guide her. I just hoped it was over soon. I couldn't risk any more time being away from Luna. I knew she was hurting because of me and not being there, but I needed to see her. I needed to explain why and ask for forgiveness. I just hoped she would forgive me.

I continued down the hallway towards my room when I felt the hallway fill with static. My hairs stood on end and I could hear the electricity crackle through the air. "Where are you off to in such a rush darling?". Meredith's low tone pricked my ears. I turned slowly to face her, not wanting to be engaged in conversation with her again. "I have business that needs my attention. I am just grabbing some items before going to get Draven and we will be heading off. I will return when I can". She pouted her lips together and stared at me. "Hmmm....it seems like you have been trying to avoid me since I arrived here Alessandro. You know you can't and you know what this ball means for the both of us.". I fought hard against myself to restrain the words that were biting to come out of my mouth. The darkness in me was beginning to stir. "I'm sorry Meredith, I do not know what misconstrued idea you have, but this is only a ball to welcome my parents back to Ventrue House. Nothing else.". Her laughter roared through the hallway. "Oh darling, you know what both of our Father's have planned for us. We are to be wed by the next blood moon to unit our families. The two of us, together for all eternity. It will be amazing.". The thought of being married to this monster for all eternity sent cringes through my entire being. "I'm sorry Meredith but I have no intentions of marrying you.". She slammed her hand into the wall beside my head. "Oh yes dear you will. I guarantee you, you will! I am not going to stop until we are together and you love only me!". She turned and stormed off towards the guest wing. I couldn't help but feel as if something was off after that conversation. She was a little more psychotic than normal, and she rarely showed me that side as she knew how I felt about it. Something was wrong. I needed to find Draven and I needed to get to Luna.

Jess was up and about when I got to Draven's room. Nerine was in there too, discussing over different things with Jess and helping her to understand her new ways of being a vampire. Nerine called it her "Vampire 101 Lessons". It was still going to take some time for her to get used to this, especially her strength. She was very rough and still struggling with menial tasks like holding cups and cutlery. She had already broken many fine china cups and bent alot of forks and knives. It was funny but at the same time concerning. If she didn't Master this quickly enough, she would be pegged for a freshie (a newly turned vampire) and I couldn't risk Draven or her getting into trouble. Although I understand the choice he made, protocol wasn't followed and neither of the Heads of House, in other words - Mother and Father, had been the ones to initiate the transformation. "She's getting there Master. She should be presentable before the ball. A few more lessons and I am confident she will be fine.". I nodded to Nerine. She had helped alot of new vampires here and was always patient with them. Her words inspired confidence in me that we may actually get through this. I'm sure Mother would be fine. It would be Father though that we would have to deal with.

"Draven, we must leave soon. I fear it has been far too long that Luna has been with the pack. I do not wish to waste anymore time. I need to see her.". Draven stared at me. The look he gave me clearly stating that he was ready to hit me. "Wasting your time huh. I'm sorry oh mighty one. I forgot you were the only person in this place who existed or mattered. Can't you have some bloody compassion for once? The love of my life has just finished her transition and is finding her feet. Her new vampire feet. Surely that's not wasting your time." Jess giggled in the corner of the room whilst sitting with Nerine. "Aww sweetie, love of your life...nawwww". She smiled and blew him a kiss. Draven smiled back at her before snapping back at me. "You dug your own grave with Luna, not I.". I could feel the anger rising up in me, the flames escaped my control and covered my arms already. "You didn't even give her the messages I was asking you to! If you had given her the messages, none of this would have happened!". I felt the flames spreading to cover my body. "Boys! Stop this immediately!". Jess strolled over and placed her hands on both our shoulders. "Ouch. That's hot.". She shook the flames off her hand, and dusted the ash off that once was the skin on her hand, to show a fresh layer there that had already healed. "Alex, I know you care about her. But that's only from me being here for the last few days. I know Luna was hurting pretty bad before everything happened. Yes, Draven should have given the messages but at the same time, you should have put in more effort. You knew she would have been panicking and you didn't even attempt once to see her. Her love and kindness is something you will need to earn back. Especially since Lucas has come into the picture.". I slammed my hands onto the desk beside me. "What!" I roared. "What has Lucas got to do with any of this?". I demanded to know. She was mine, not some Lycan's play toy. "Luna and Lucas had gotten close whilst the pack was helping us. Lucas was always with Luna, taking her to and from work as well as dropping in regularly with Carter and Shiloh.". Draven's words pierced through my heart. "It's true. I know she got quite fond of his company.". Jess chimed in. "I don't believe it. I couldn't be there. You know why. I couldn't risk Meredith searching her out and Marco was no damn help with keeping Meredith entertained. Even Silvano struggled to keep her away from me. That's why I had you and Silvano go and sort things so I could keep her here. Then with Mother and Father arriving, I couldn't very well sneak off. They would know something was going on. But I'm not waiting anymore. Mother has some inkling but I know she won't tell Father.". Draven looked at Jess concernedly. "I can't just leave her here like this.". I agreed. We couldn't risk Father or Meredith stumbling upon her. "We will bring her with us. I'm sure Luna would want to see her to make sure she was OK too.". Draven nodded. "OK. That's sorted then. Just remember, we are trying to help. So get off your high horse big brother. I'm sorry I didn't give her your messages, but I could already tell she wasn't going to listen to me about them anyway. She was already missing you and hurting. But I am sorry.". I nodded, understanding the situation and that it was definitely more complicated than I intended. "So when do we leave Alex?". I walked over and looked out the window at the partially setting sun. "Once the sun is down. We shall leave.". Draven came over and stood by my side. "I will organise Mason now. Shall I call Lucas to let him know we are coming?". I pondered over the thought for a moment. "No. Don't call. I want to surprise them....and Luna.".