Between Rubies and Opals

The next evening, Alex pursed her lips and walked up the steps leading to Morton Manor. She pressed the doorbell button and waited for a few seconds. A pretty girl, who looked about the same age as Erin and herself, opened the door and raised an eyebrow.

“Who are you?” the girl asked.

“I’m Alex. I’m friends with Erin.”

“Hey, I’m Vikki.”

“Oh, so you’re Vikki,” Alex nodded. “Erin’s told me about you.”

“Ah, she’s such a sweetie that girl,” Vikki nodded. “She’s not here, though.”

“I know. Actually, I’m here to see Sam.”

“Okay,” Vikki frowned and opened the door a bit wider. “Would you like to come in?”

“No, I’m good out here.”

Vikki frowned again and shook her head. “I’ll tell him that you’re here.”

“Thanks.” Alex nodded and walked to the edge of the marble steps. She looked out at Telstrofe Mountain in the distance and frowned. She had a horrible taste in her mouth as she remembered Nikolai’s visit the previous night, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose in sheer terror. The thought of Erin getting hurt was excruciating, which left her no choice but to follow Nikolai’s instructions.

“Alex?”

She spun around in slight surprise and looked at Sam, standing a few feet away from her. “Hey.”

“You’re a long way from home,” Sam said with a frown and looked at her red sports car parked on the grass.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Nice car.”

“Thanks.”

“Alex, what are you doing here?”

Alex uneasily shifted her weight and looked at Sam. She felt a strange feeling of guilt and nausea inside her, but she knew she had to do this, or Nikolai would kill Erin. She couldn’t allow that to happen, no matter how painful this was. “I’ve come to give you a message from Erin.”

“Oh, yeah?” Sam smiled and crossed his arms.

“It’s not a good message.”

“What’s going on? What happened?”

“Erin and Lukas, they made up.”

“They made up? What does that mean?”

“They are back together.”

“No, she hates him, she told me that.”

“I saw them kissing in the foyer this morning.”

“What? That’s impossible!” Sam exclaimed.

“I’m sorry, Sam. I guess she never really stopped loving him, even after everything that he did to her.”

“No, I don’t believe this. She’s-”

“No longer yours. So I suggest that you stay away from her.”

“No, I have to fight for her!”

“It’ll be a fight that you will lose, Sam. Live and let die.”

“I can’t do that, Alex. I love her.”

“If you love her, then you’ll leave her be. Let her be happy.”

“But she was happy, with me. I don’t understand how that could change overnight. We got-”

“That’s what she told me,” Alex answered slowly, trying so hard to be strong and not burst out into tears.

Sam ran his fingers through his hair and watched as Alex turned away, walking back to her red car.

“I don’t believe this,” he whispered and watched as Alex’s car sped off into the distance.

“What’s going on, Sam?”

Sam turned around, tears blurring his vision and looked at Gowan, standing by the door.

“Sam, what happened?”

“Gow,” Sam’s voice cracked.

“Did something happen to Erin?”

“Alex was just here, and she told me that Erin is back together with her ex.”

“What? How is that possible?” Gowan exclaimed angrily.

“That’s what she said.”

“The two of you got married last night, and she’s expecting your pup. This doesn’t make any sense,” Gowan said with a frown.

“I know. She wouldn’t do that. I know her.”

“Something feels wrong about all of this,” Gowan suddenly pointed out, narrowing his eyes. “There’s something going on.”

“Can you hear her?” Sam asked.

Gowan’s dark eyes flashed and he frowned, slightly irritated. “She’s with her family now, but their thoughts are too incoherent. I can’t make anything out.”

“Those fucking vamps. I think I know what might have happened.”

“What?”

“You and I both know that Nikolai is a master compeller.”

“You think he compelled Erin to say those things?”

“Erin is not compellable,” Sam answered, shaking his head and Gowan frowned. “Her emeralds act as some kind of barrier.”

“So if he didn’t compel her, who did he…” Gowan’s voice trailed and the two men looked at one another.

“Alex,” they said at the same time.

“Of course. Alex has been seeking Nikolai’s approval for centuries.” Sam nodded. “I remember Erin mentioning it.”

“But why?” Gowan asked.

“She’s been in love with him since she met him,” Sam shrugged.

“Why do women always love the assholes?” Gowan asked, slightly frustrated.

“A question as old as time, and there’s still not a reasonable explanation,” Sam sighed.

“It’s definitely not because we like getting hurt,” Vikki said behind them.

“Vik, you know Erin’s emotions almost better than I do, right?”

“Yes?” Vikki nodded. “What’s going on?”

“You weren’t listening?” Sam asked and Vikki shook her head.

“Well, that’s a first,” Gowan retorted.

“This is not the time for your sarcasm, Gowan,” Vikki frowned and looked at Sam. “What do you want to know?”

“Does Erin love me?”

“Sam, you know she does-”

“Does she love me right now? Like right this second?” Sam asked.

Vikki’s eyes swirled around for a few seconds and she looked at Sam. “She does.”

“I don’t understand…” Sam whispered, but then he looked at Gowan and Vikki.

“What?”

“I’ll be back.” Sam ran down the front steps, but Gowan followed him.

“Sam, where are you going?” Gowan called out to him.

“I need to know what’s going on, Gow!” Sam stopped by his car and opened the door.

“And how are you going to do that?”

“I’m going down to the docks. Madame Pelt will know.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“No, you stay here.”

“Sam, you can’t-”

“I have to know, Gow.”

Gowan saw the desperation in Sam’s eyes and nodded slowly. “Just be careful, please. Those vamps are after your blood.”

“Well, this time, I’m not backing down that easily. Nobody messes with my Erin.” Sam climbed into his car and looked at Gowan.

“Give them hell, Sammy.”

“Oh, I intend to.”

Sam started his car, gave Gowan one last grateful nod and sped off like a bat out of hell.

The hallway was dark as Erin stood in the foyer and she felt the nausea rise up inside her. Maybe it was because her little pup inside her didn’t like being in the presence of so many vamps. Honestly, Erin didn’t even want to be at the manor. After she had received a call from her father to come by, she came right over, as her father was the only person that she could trust, aside from Sam, and Alex, of course.

She took a few steps down the dark hallway and it was quiet. The only sound she could hear was her boots on the marble floor, and the pounding of her heart, in sync with her unborn pup’s. The door to the private library opened and her mother emerged, causing Erin to stop abruptly and look at her in annoyance.

“Mother. Is father in his office?” she asked simply.

“Erina, I need to speak with you.” Cassandra held open the door and motioned for her to go inside.

“Not now, Mother. I am not in the mood-” Erin sighed miserably and shook her head.

“Inside, Erina. Now.” Cassandra’s voice was sharp and abrupt, so Erin nodded and entered the private library. As her mother closed the door behind her, she saw her father, Nikolai, with Lukas and Alex, standing inside.

“What is this?” Erin narrowed her eyes and looked at her father. “Daddy?”

“We all need to speak with you, my dear.” Arjen looked at her.

“You said…” Erin frowned and crossed her arms. “You lied to me.”

“You lied to all of us,” Nikolai said. “Saying that your actions over the last week have been a bit erratic, is an understatement.”

“Erratic? More like selfish, extreme and disrespectful,” Cassandra said.

“Not to mention the disloyalty you have shown to your family,” Nikolai chimed in.

Erin frowned and looked at her brother, then at her mother. “So you arranged an intervention.”

“More of a family discussion, really Erina,” Cassandra said, crossing her arms.

“And I’m the subject,” Erin grimaced and looked over at Lukas. “If this is a family discussion, then why is he here? He’s not family!”

“We are concerned-” Lukas said, but Erin shook her head at him.

“You’re not concerned,” she snapped at Lukas, before turning to her mother. “For the first time in my life I’m making my own decisions. Decisions that you do not approve of, and you only feel the need to control me, as not to bring shame to our stupid family!”

“Careful with your tongue, sister.”

“I will do no such thing! You cannot tell me how to live my life, I am not a puppet that you can control. I make my own goddamm decisions!”

“No more, Erina!” Cassandra hissed.

Erin turned to Cassandra and narrowed her eyes. She shook her head briefly and turned to the door. “This is ridiculous. I am leaving.”

“One more thing before you leave, Erina,” Lukas said and she looked at him over her shoulder.

“What?” she snapped, her tone razor-sharp.

“Your parents have granted me permission to marry you,” he smirked.

“You’re so full of shit. My parents would never-” Erin turned to her mother and father and her eyes widened as she studied their expressions. “No. You’re lying.”

“Why would I lie to you, Erina?” Lukas asked.

“Because you’re a son of a vamp-whore, that’s why,” Erin answered, a hiss in her voice.

“That is no way to speak to your future husband, Erina,” Cassandra said with thick disapproval in her voice, straightening herself.

“No…” Erin shook her head. “I won’t do it.”

“If you don’t, then Lukas and I might have to finish what we started,” Nikolai smirked at her, his eyes gleaming with self-satisfaction. “You wouldn’t want poor Sam to die for your arrogance, do you?”

“If you as much as lay a finger on him, I swear I’ll kill you,” Erin hissed, baring her fangs at him.

“Your death threats mean little to me, Erina. You of all people should be aware that death does not scare me, and neither do you,” Nikolai stated, looking quite bored with Erin.

“You lying piece of shit!” Erin exclaimed.

“Erina, it is unnecessary raising your voice and throwing a tantrum like a newborn.”

“You can’t make me do this!” Erin shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair. “You can’t!”

“Oh yes we can.”

“You marry Lukas, Sam lives. As easy as that,” Cassandra said flatly, with no emotion, but Erin was used to that already.

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” Erin breathed and turned to her father. “Daddy? Please tell me this is a joke.”

“It is not a joke,” Cassandra interjected stiffly, not even giving Arjen an opportunity to answer Erin.

“He lied to me, he cheated on me! How can you expect me to marry someone like that?”

“Erina, you are to do as we say!”

“We only want the best for you,” Arjen said softly.

“This is not the best for me, and you know it, Daddy.” She shook her head and closed her eyes for a second. When she reopened them, her green eyes were flashing in anger and she glared at her mother. “This was never about what was best for me! It’s about what is best for you! It was never about me being happy! All you care about is yourself, mother!”

“How dare you?” Cassandra gasped and dramatically pressed her hand against her chest.

“You can’t tell me what to do, or who to marry! You’re supposed to get married to someone you love. Someone that makes you laugh and makes you feel happy. That loves you for who you are, and what you are.”

“Someone like Sam?” her mother asked. “Don’t worry, we took care of that little problem.”

“What are you talking about, Mother?” Erin exclaimed. “What did you do?”

“It was my idea, actually,” Nikolai smirked. “It’s amazing how easily he was persuaded into thinking that you no longer loved him. Wasn’t he, Alex?”

Erin whirled around and stared at Alex with wide eyes. “You helped them?”

“Yes, I didn’t want-”

“I can’t believe this.” Erin gritted her teeth and glared angrily at Alex, her green eyes flashing viciously. “What did you do, Alex?”

“Alex only told him that you decided to marry Lukas, because you still loved him, and that everything you two had, was a mistake.” Nikolai had a smug smile on his face.

“Alex?” Erin gasped, not being able to breath.

Alex nodded simply and crossed her arms.

“No,” Erin whispered as she ran her fingers through her hair, and tears filled her eyes. “But I love him.”

“Why do you insist on shaming your family?” her brother exclaimed.

“I’m not shaming my family, Nikolai!”

“Of course you are. Spending so much time with a dirty, old wolf. Shame on you, Erina.”

“You have no idea what you are talking about, Nikolai! What does family mean to you, if you do this to your own sister?”

“This is for your own good!” Nikolai hissed at her.

“I don’t believe you!”

“It’s the truth,” Lukas said as he stepped forward.

Erin spun around again and glared at Lukas, angrily pointing her finger at him. “What the hell do you know about truth? You’re a liar! You’ve always been and will always be!” Erin exclaimed. “I despise you much more than you despise him.”

“You’re choosing that abhorrent mongrel over your own family? Over me?”

“Yes, because I love him, and he loves me. Nothing that any of you can say will ever change that!”

“I cannot believe what I am hearing,” Cassandra said, clearly displeased.

“He makes me happy, mother. Have you ever been happy? Of course you haven’t. Your face would crack if you smiled.” Erin’s tone was sarcastic, but she didn’t care.

Cassandra’s hand glided swiftly through the air as she smacked the side of Erin’s face and Erin dropped her chin, pressing her hand against her cheek.

“How dare you speak to me in such a disrespectful manner?” Cassandra hissed.

“Respect comes from both sides, mother,” Erin answered, her voice low and hushed.

“You will move back to the manor as of immediately. Wilbur is bringing your things as we speak,” Cassandra said firmly.

Erin dropped her hand from her face and shook her head. “Mother, you can’t do this-”

“Furthermore, I forbid you-”

“Mother, no…” Erin exclaimed, tears running down her cheeks.

“I forbid you to leave the manor without our presence,” Cassandra continued, not in the least bothered with Erin’s sobs.

“No, please. Don’t forbid me, please. Mother, don’t…”

“Don’t test me, Erina. My patience with your antics has eroded away a long time ago.” Cassandra pursed her lips and walked towards the door.

“Much like your heart,” Erin said bitterly and looked over at Alex. “I can’t believe you did this to me, Lex. I trusted you.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt, Erin.”

“That’s the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard! Nothing would have happened to me! Sam would never let anything happen to me! You of all people should know that!”

“But if the governor-”

“Fuck the governor, Alex!”

“Careful with your words, Erina,” Lukas frowned.

“You think I care what Governor Wasilewski thinks of me? I will tell him to his face exactly what I think of him and the disgraceful way he insists on ruling Algharakh. I am not afraid of him, and will never be!” Erin walked over to Lex and snarled at her. “You did this not to protect me, but to win over Nikolai’s approval.”

Alex widened her eyes for a moment and glared at Erin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re in love with him ever since you met him. You’ve been trying your whole life to impress him, but he kept shooting you down. This must have been your final act of desperation to get him to notice you!”

“Are you listening to yourself right now?” Alex exclaimed. She longed to yell out the reason why she did it, but she couldn’t, as Nikolai’s threats echoed through her mind.

“Why, Alex? Just tell me why? Do you hate me that much?”

Lex crossed her arms and glared at Erin, without saying a word. She silently urged her tears to fuck off, or Erin would know something was wrong.

“Now you decide to keep your mouth shut.” A tear ran down Erin’s cheek and she took a deep breath. She turned to her parents and shook her head. “I won’t do it. I can’t.”

“You have no choice in the matter, Erina,” her mother said flatly.

“Father, please.” Erin looked at her father with pleading eyes, but he simply turned away. “You have forsaken me. Why do you forsake your own daughter?”

“Go to your room, Erina. I do not wish to see you for the rest of the night,” Cassandra ordered, pointing to the door.

“Trust me, the feeling is mutual.” Erin turned around and headed towards the door.

“Erin…” Alex grabbed her arm and a throaty growl escaped from Erin’s throat. “Let go of me.”

Alex let go of her arm immediately and Erin passed her, heading down the dark hallway.

“Your full cooperation, remember Alex,” Nikolai whispered.

“Yes, but she’s still my friend, Nikolai,” Alex scowled with a frown, before following Erin down the hallway. “Erin, wait!”

“Leave me alone!”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think your mother-” Alex tried to explain.

Erin whirled around, her teeth sparkling in the ominous hallway. “You didn’t think my mother is a cold heartless slut? Everyone knows that! You knew that, and you sold me out, to them! Them of all people!”

Alex stopped and stared wordlessly at Erin. “I didn’t sell you out, Erin. You’re my friend-”

“They forbid me to leave the manor! How am I supposed to-”

“I’m your friend, Erin. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Sometimes the person you’d take a bullet for ends up being the one behind the gun.”

“How can you say that?”

“Because that’s exactly what happened. My brother loaded the gun, and you pulled the trigger,” Erin said slowly. “You and Nikolai totally deserve each other!”

“I just wanted to protect you, Erin!”

“Go protect yourself, Alex! I don’t want to see you again. For as long as I live!” Erin spat and whirled around again.

“You don’t mean that!”

“Like hell I do!” Erin screamed and a window on the opposite side of the hallway shattered to bits.

“Erin!” Alex called out, but Erin disappeared into the darkness.

Sam’s car came to a sudden halt, tires screeching in front of the dark courtyard leading to Madame Pelt’s trailer. He climbed out of his car and sprinted through the gate and stopped in front of the motor home.

“Madame Pelt!” he exclaimed pounding on the door. “Are you there? I need your help!”

The door flew open and the Madame stood in front of him, her hair in rollers, with a floral bandanna covering most of her head.

“Samuel?”

“Madame Pelt, I need your help. It’s Erin.”

“Come in, come in,” she nodded and he went inside.

“What is the matter Sam?”

“She can’t be with him again. I thought she loved me, we got married last night and everything was going so well, but then this morning…I don’t know what to do…” Sam stuttered and paced around the motor home.

“Slow down, Sam. Let me make you a cup of tea, then you can tell me everything.”

“There’s no time for tea, you damned woman! Erin needs-”

“Samuel, do you require my help, or not?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Sam’s shoulders slumped and he sat down on the couch. “I’m sorry. I meant no disrespect.”

“That’s alright.”

After Madame Pelt handed Sam a cup of tea, and managed to calm him down, she sat down opposite him, a worried look on her face.

“What are the answers that you seek?”

“Does she still love this Lukas?”

“No, the only feelings she has for him is disdain.”

“Then why is she back together with him?”

“Her family thinks they are a good match. He is the governor’s son after all.”

“A perfect alliance,” Sam whispered. “Is Erin being forced to marry him?”

“Yes, to spare your life.”

“To spare my life? But living without her is essentially like dying. My life is meaningless without her.”

“She’s making a sacrifice, for you.”

“She still loves me?”

“More than you will ever know, Sam. She is your wife after all.”

“What about her friend, Alex?”

“She was told what to do, or Erin would be killed.”

“Nikolai, that son of a vamp-whore,” Sam muttered.

“My concern is with your unborn pup, Sam.”

“What will happen?”

“The future looks bleak, but something can still be done to ensure her safety.”

“Her safety?”

“Yes, it’s a girl.”

Sam smiled slowly and ran his fingers through his hair. “I need to see her.”

“Her mother has forbidden her to leave the manor grounds without their accompaniment.”

“That will not stop me from seeing her. We can run away together.”

“Sam, you do not understand. Erin cannot leave the grounds without her parents. It is physically impossible to do so.”

“Then if she cannot come to me, I will go to her.”

“They keep an eye on her at all times, be ever vigilant.”

“I will.”

“They are to be married in a weeks’ time, Sam. But there is much to do during that time.”

“I need to devise a plan, so I will go to Gowan.”

“A fine alliance to have.”

“I know.”

“Before you go.” Madam Pelt scratched in her bag and took out a small velvet pouch. “Here, take this.”

Sam took the pouch from her and emptied the content onto the palm of his hand. There were seven silver pills, light pulsating through them, as if they were alive.

“What are they?”

“Their street name is Shields, and they do exactly that. They shield wolves from the vamps, making them practically invisible. Undetectable.”

“That’s amazing.” Sam narrowed his eyes and studied the pills on his palm.

“Take one every day for the next five days, before going to Erin.”

“What? Only in five days? Can’t I take five at once? I need to see her.”

“I know you do, Sam, but trust me on this. They need time to circulate through your body, otherwise it won’t work.”

“But Erin-”

Madame Pelt shook her head and looked at Sam with immense seriousness. “Listen to me Sam. This is very important. I realize you want to see Erin, but only in five days, or you will be spotted.”

“Then I’m as good as dead.”

“Exactly. And what good will you be to Erin and your unborn pup?”

“What about the other two pills?”

“The one is for you, and the other one is for Erin, to get out of Algharakh.”

“Will I still be able to transform?”

“As you please, yes.”

Sam hesitated for a second and looked at Madame Pelt. “Will she-”

“She will be fine, I promise. They both will, as long as you do exactly what I told you.”

“Thank you, Madame Pelt.” Sam stood up and walked to the door. “For everything.”

“Go well, Sam, and be safe.”

“I will.” Sam nodded and disappeared into the night.

Erin sat in her windowsill, staring out into the distance. Her hands were folded loosely around her waist. She had already started to feel a slight change in her waist, but it was not as visible yet. She knew that sooner or later she was going to have this humungous stomach that she won’t be able to hide from anyone. Luckily the weather was starting to change, calling for warm coats and thick sweaters.

She wrapped her robe tighter around her and rested her head against the cold glass of the window. Her eyes were filled with tears and her heart ached. Not because of Alex’s betrayal, or her having to give up her apartment and completely losing her freedom. Not because she was forced into a marriage to a vamp she absolutely hated, or because the people she loved had deceived her, she didn’t care much for those things. Her heart only ached for Sam, not knowing if she would ever see him again.

She almost didn’t hear the heavy door of her bedroom slowly open, but she knew it was Alex. She didn’t say anything; she simply stared out the window.

“Erin?” Alex’s voice was hushed, scared.

Sad.

“What are you doing here, Alexandra?”

Alex cringed at the mention of her formal name. Erin would only call her that if she was upset. Really upset. Alex walked towards Erin, and swallowed with great difficulty. “I came to talk to my friend.”

Erin shifted her body and looked at Alex. “Well, you’re in the wrong room then.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“Well, don’t be. I’m fine.” Erin slid off the sill, walked over to her wingback chair and sat down, placing a pillow on her lap, as she had been doing ever since she was a bite-let. “Besides, you don’t care about what I feel.”

“That’s not true.” Alex shook her head and took a few steps towards her.

“Really?” Erin raised an eyebrow at Alex.

“I had no choice okay. Besides, he’s just a wolf, you know.”

“He’s much more than just a wolf. He’s my wolf. I love him.” Erin shook her head in disbelief.

“Erin, can I just explain myself for one second-”

“Get out.” Erin looked at Alex, her eyes filled with tears.

Alex frowned and walked back to the door. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry is not good enough,” Erin whispered and as Alex left the room, two tears ran down Erin’s cheeks. She buried her face in the pillow and could hear Alex and Nikolai talking to one another in the library.

“I’m worried about her, Nikolai.”

“You are fretting about something that is out of your control, Alex.”

“I’ve never seen her like this.” Alex had a worried expression on her face. “She even smells strange.”

“She smells strange?”

“Well, more strange than usual.” Alex crossed her arms and looked at Nikolai. “I don’t know what to do, Nikolai.”

“This is all that mutt’s fault. He ruined her. If I get my hands on him, he’s dead.”

“You can’t do that. You promised you wouldn’t.”

“I did no such thing. If he sets his paws on our grounds, which he will, he’s dead.”

“If you kill him, who knows what Erin would do to herself.”

“Have you not noticed what Erina already looks like, Alex? She’s not the same Erin we’ve known all our lives.”

“Nikolai-”

“That’s quite enough from you!”

“Please don’t do this. She’s your sister.”

“I’m going to speak with her.” Nikolai stood up from his chair and walked to the door.

“She’s going to rip your throat out,” Alex warned.

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Nikolai answered and exited the room.

His footsteps were rhythmic and louder than usual. He opened Erin’s bedroom door and found her sitting on her wingback, curled into a ball, holding on to her pillow.

“I see you still do that.”

“We’re creatures of habit, aren’t we?” Erin answered flatly, without looking at Nikolai.

“Not all of us.”

“I don’t feel like talking to you,” she muttered.

“I know.”

“Then why are you here?” she asked, her eyes sad and irritated.

“Erina, you are my sister-”

“No.” Erin sat up and frowned at her brother. “No.”

“What?”

“I’m not your sister, okay. I’m nothing to you.”

“That is not true.”

“Then why do your actions tell a different story? Why do you allow them to do this to me?”

“They only want-”

“Just stop talking.”

“Why? What did I say that upset you so?”

“As if you don’t know.”

“Do not give me that typical pre-adult nonsense, Erina.”

“And don’t you give me that crap about you only wanting what’s best for me and wanting to protect me, because it’s really getting old.”

“It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not. It’s vampshit, all of it. How do you know what is best for me? How do any of you know what is best for me? It’s my life, you know! I’m the only person that can make decision about my life!”

“Truer words have never been spoken.”

“That’s seriously overreaching, even for you.”

“You question my integrity?”

“I am not allowed to question anything, haven’t you heard?”

“There’s no need to act like this.”

Erin was silent for a moment and looked at Nikolai with angry eyes. “Can I ask you one thing?”

“Yes.”

“In all honesty, why did you attack Sam?” she asked him, her eyes glowing slightly.

“In all honesty, he had forgotten his place in society by coming closer to you than he should have,” Nikolai answered with little hesitation. “He has no business with you, and I reminded him of that.”

“Then why did you not go by yourself?”

“Erina, I do not need to explain myself to anyone.”

Erin stood up slowly from the chair and walked over to him. “I know I am not your real sister, but you’ve been my brother all my life. I deserve a bit of honesty from you. Nikolai, please answer the question,” Erin pleaded with him. “Why did you not go by yourself? Why did you take Lukas, and Lionel with you?”

“They were with me, in case…”

“In case of what?” Erin crossed her arms.

“Why does this matter?”

Erin narrowed her eyes and studied his expression for a moment. “You’re scared of them.”

“You know not what you speak of, Erina.”

“You’re scared of the wolves. Admit it.” She took a few more steps towards him, slowly and carefully.

“I will do nothing of the sort,” he scoffed defensively.

“That’s why you go after them in covens. You’re scared that they’ll kill you when you attack them in singles.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Erina. They are no match for us,” Nikolai laughed and put his hands on his hips.

“No, it’s true. I can see it in your eyes. They are stronger, faster. You’re afraid of them because deep down inside, you know that they can kill you faster than you can kill them.”

Erin felt the sting of Nikolai’s hand slapping against her cheek and she raised her hand to her face. She let out a soft cry and shook her head.

“I will not apologize, as you deserved that,” he whispered.

“You can’t fix everything with violence, Niko.”

Nikolai backed out of the room slowly and left Erin there, still pressing her cold hand against her stinging cheek.

Sam rushed through the door of his apartment and went straight to his bedroom closet. Grabbing a rucksack from the top shelf, and placing it on the bed, he started throwing clothes into it. As he slipped a beanie over his head, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

“Hey Gow,” Sam answered.

“Sam, what happened? Is everything okay?”

“Erin’s parents are forcing her to get married to that Lukas guy.”

“I thought as much.”

“Oh, it gets better. Turns out Lukas is the governor’s son,” Sam said sarcastically.

“Fantastic.”

“And, Erin is only agreeing to go through with the wedding to spare my life.”

“So, if she doesn’t go through with it, they kill you?”

“Exactly,” Sam nodded.

“Those vampfuckers.”

“They’re getting married in a week, Gow.”

“We need to stop that wedding, Sam.”

“No, I have a better idea. I’ll be there in five.”

“Okay.”

Sam shoved his phone into his pocket as he swung the rucksack over his shoulder and marched out the apartment.

Five minutes later he was at his father’s manor, and as he stepped into the living area, Vikki and Gowan were there, as well as his father.

“Dad? What are you doing back here?” Sam asked nervously.

“Gowan told me what happened,” Frank said flatly and walked over to him. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? I can fix this,” Sam said with a frown.

“And how will you do that?” Frank asked.

“I went to Madame Pelt and she gave me Shielders, but they will only work in five nights from now. I’m taking Erin and we’re going somewhere not even her family can get to us.”

“And where is that?” Vikki asked.

“I don’t know yet, but as far away from Algharakh as we can.”

“And you’re going to disappear for five nights?” Gowan asked.

Sam looked at Gowan and clenched his jaw. “Yes. There is no other way.”

“Sam…” Frank said with a frown.

“I can’t let her marry him, dad. I can’t.”

“You love her that much?”

“Yes, and we are already married.”

“What?” Frank exclaimed.

“Yes, Uncle Frank. Gowan and I read them through it.” Vikki looked at Frank, cringing.

“Well,” Frank sighed. “You could have at least waited until I got back.”

Sam and Vikki looked at one another and Vikki stifled a giggle.

“We couldn’t.” Sam looked at his dad and took a deep breath. “Erin found out that she’s pregnant and-”

“Sammy,” Frank said and shook his head. “You’ve been busy.”

“There’s something else too, dad,” Sam said and Frank looked at him. “You don’t have to worry about us going against the government, because Erin’s not a vamp. She’s a hybrid. It’s perfectly legal-”

“I know.”

“You knew?” Sam exclaimed. “How?”

“Long story.”

“I’ve got time,” Sam insisted. “Well, some at least.”

“During my time in the war in Polawar, I fought under a general. His name was Petrov Mandzukic. He spoke of his one single love, a vamp, and he had gotten her pregnant,” Frank said slowly.

“Erin’s grandmother,” Gowan whispered.

“That is correct.”

“You knew all this time?” Sam asked his father.

“Yes.”

“That’s why you were so supportive.”

“That was only part of the reason.” Frank frowned and looked at Sam. “You know how I feel about race equality, even after your mother was killed by the vamps.”

“I don’t know how you handled that as well as you did, sir.”

“So what was the other reason, dad?”

“Petrov was a good friend, the bravest wolf I had ever met, and he saved my life.”

“Dad-”

“He also told me that love conquers all, no matter of which race you are. He was the reason why I became a politician.”

“I didn’t know that,” Sam whispered.

Frank walked over to him, and placed his hands on his shoulders. “You do what you feel is right, Sammy. I’m behind you every step of the way.”

“So are we,” Vikki said behind him.

“Whether you like it or not,” Gowan also chimed in.

Sam looked at Gowan, Vikki and his father and tears filled his eyes. “Thank you.”

“We’ll get everything ready down here,” Vikki nodded.

“And keep you posted on what’s happening,” Gowan said.

“I’ll see you in five days then,” Sam nodded.