"What's the deal with these Lycans?" Leslie asks calmly, making Alpha Bowers scoff in surprise as I do a mental eye roll at her lack of tact.

"We aren't sure yet," Bowers mumbles, not meeting anyone's eyes and further lowering my opinion of this pack.

The wolves seem comfortable around us, which surprised me after the talk I'd had with their Luna. After her departure, I'd spent over an hour with the human male who had most of the creatures around me staring. They were nice, but the scent of a human male's arousal on me was throwing them off a bit.

His sweat and pleasure mixed with mine, sticking to me like a second skin. The shower I'd taken could only wash away so much.

"Did they just show up, out of the blue? We haven't been told very much." I admit.

"Everything was fine, we were getting things ready for visitors and the stage ready...then they just walked onto our territory. The Alpha was the only one to shift, explaining to us that our choice was extremely limited and that he was here to claim what was rightfully his. We still aren't sure what he meant." The Beta, Hayes, gets to his feet and steps forward. I nod for him to continue. "We didn't know much about them but seeing them in person we know that most of the lore is true.

They're huge, much larger than us, and faster. They are immortal, and the books say they'd killed each other off in a fight for power. The war for a true Alpha tore them apart, no packs surviving."

"But they didn't die!" A young wolf boy springs upwards, a grin on his face as he closes the distance between us. "Plus, he wasn't just their Alpha...he was their King."

There's a glow of excitement in his eyes. I take a whiff of the male, going over his features before determining the familiarity.

"Alpha, is this little thing of your bloodline?" My words are full of curiosity; Bowers looks almost embarrassed at the question.

"That's my firstborn—" the little spitfire quickly shoots his hand in my direction before giving me another toothy grin.

"I am Noah, future Alpha of the Crescent pack. Nine years old and I happen to be the best chess player in the house." I can't stop the smile that spreads across my lips as I move closer, everyone goes still at the interaction.

"When I was nine, I was besting most of the boys in sword fighting, but I suppose chess is a great victory as well." Noah goes to reply but Leslie cuts him off with a wave of her hand, impatient witch that she is.

"We get it, Eira. You're an old lady that does well with a sword, surprise surprise. Now tell me more about this Lycan King."

I throw her a glare, but the young boy laughs and continues with his story. Something about him impresses me, in the future, I wouldn't mind visiting this pack again. Seeing this kid grow up and become the Alpha would be worth a trip.

"The guy looked a lot like a caveman, just big and meaty with so much hair—his braids looked a lot like yours!" Noah points to my hair and a grip a few in between my fingers, rolling them as I listen. "His commands also worked on everyone, including my dad. We didn't ask but he's higher up than us, somehow above Alpha blood I think."

The room falls silent once he's done, minutes going by as those last words sink in for everyone there. Every Alpha, every Beta, and every wolf would listen to the commands of these creatures.

That had my attention.

"The ceremony should be starting soon; you can show me the territory on the way there—sound good?" My question breaks the somber mood, wolves jumping up to sprint from the house in a frenzy of laughter and playful fighting.

Leslie had brought me clothes earlier, so I had not been stuck looking entirely dreadful. Red tights with a black sleeveless shirt and my favorite leather jacket. Combat boots finishing the outfit off, nicely.

I'm not surprised by how beautiful the territory is, although wind whips around us and the sky has darkened a bit, I wasn't worried about it. I'd be fine, no matter what the weather would turn into. Snow crunched beneath our feet and I could see the large paw prints from the shifting wolves leading our way, beautiful creatures they were.

Even if they did smell horrendous.

I'd seen thousands of mind-blowing things from my time on Earth, whether they be good or bad, but nothing quite lived up to the sight of the mountains. Perhaps one day I'd tire of the coven, take Leslie and head for the hills where we could feed on animals, or attractive hikers, and live in perfect harmony. My enjoyment of isolation wasn't a secret, but my friend would need a little more interaction.

She'd agree if I offered, though. Leslie was never one to pass on a new adventure.

I try to shake off the thoughts, bringing myself back to the conversation I was supposed to be having with the little wolf who'd been rambling for what felt like hours. Usually, I'm not fond of kids, but this future Alpha had sparked an interest. So, when he had grabbed my hand and practically pulled me out of that house I had not objected.

He's explaining that their ceremony would be held in The Clearing, a larger space of open land where they'd set everything up. It's a short ways from the cliff that the wolves had shown us, the one they told stories of jumping from and how they placed their bets on who would chicken out I enjoyed the friendly, family center nature of these creatures—even if their loving affectionate didn't sit right with me.

I was not used to such obvious shows of it.

Vampires weren't like that. We took care of our own, sure—made connections and I'd always hold an interest in the vampires I'd created but when it came to it, we held more alliances than relationships. Leslie was the closest thing to the family since I'd lost my own.

By the time we have reached The Clearing Noah had somehow ended up on my back, with him being close in height to me it looked awkward, but I held the boy easily. Vampire strength and all that jazz. When he jumps off there is musical laughter coming from him, those legs taking him away quickly as he heads for a large group of teens.

There are no chairs, but plenty of room for the eight hundred or so people who'd be attending, vampires and werewolves in all.

"How does it get bigger every year?" I whine to Leslie; she grins at me, but I can tell she notices how worn down I am. I may not require sleep, but I sure did enjoy the reprieve of everyday life.

Being around people for prolonged periods didn't help me, no matter how much blood I consumed it seemed to be social took everything out of me.

I'd never been the social butterfly; I can tell you that.

"Oh, my little leader needs a nap?" She snickers, reaching out to squeeze on my cheeks before darting away from my slap with a squeal. Her eyes dance with amusement, mine of impatience.

"Little leader will kick your ass." I snap, showing my teeth and making her smile wider.

Bowers approaches us at just the right time, barely saving themselves from watching a showdown between me and the black-hair girl who spoke way too much. Well known as my best friend.

"They're about to start the ceremony if you'd like to find a spot or look at some of the humans, we've prepared for you. The other food is yours to eat as well." He flashes us a thumbs up before heading off, and we make our way to settle towards the back of the large crowd.

My eyes scan the area, searching for a few of those vampires we'd brought and looking for the food I'd been promised. I'd be ignoring most of the time spent at this gathering.

The food sounded much more appealing than something that had nothing to do with me.

----------

"Aren't you a pretty little bloodsucker?" My skin crawls as those words settle in the air. The male I was giving my attention to huffs as I take my hands from his head of hair, eyes widening when I finally face the speaker of such stupid words.

A Beta stands in front of me, screaming power and authority as he rakes his eyes over me and smiles a little too politely. This isn't a wolf; however, this male is a Lycan.

I have no doubt.

"You can keep those Lycan eyes to yourself unless you plan on losing them."

He's laughing, bringing a frown to my lips at his relaxed reaction. I try to remind myself that the man in Infront of me is a bloodthirsty monster who'd taken out his entire species for a throne, but his childish demeanor makes it hard.

I drank the blood of the innocent, usually, to survive, but I was nothing like these creatures. All muscle and hunger, it seemed. Willing to do anything for the end game, which in their case had been the right to rule.

"You looked like you needed a distraction from the ceremony. Now, why would that be, Miss....?" He waits for my name; dark brown locks hang around his masculine face and I notice that some are braided. The male takes a step closer as he notices my inspection.

"I don't have one to give you, so if you'd just be a good Lycan and- "another laugh, making me even more frustrated.

"I suspect you and I have somethings in common, with the hair and that tattoo on your neck I think we've both been on this Earth for an exceptionally long time. I'm curious as to who your line belongs to." It is an innocent question but bringing up my family sends a sharp pain through me. Bitter rage filling me to the top.

"Please walk away, while I get back to my feeding. Or continue to talk of my age, but don't expect a response." I spin away, the human sighing as my fingers move across his skin once more.

I give him pleasure with every touch, giving him, the false show of affection and he waits for the euphoria that comes with my bite. My foot quickly swipes his, sending him to his knees as I take a big whiff at his neck.

"How many males have you had since getting here, vampire? You smell them." It is a tease, bold as ever this Lycan is.

I ignore his question as the crowd cheers behind us, happy cries and pleasured moans can be heard clearly as life bonds are created behind us. A reunion of separated souls making me want to dig my teeth into this human more than ever, the sting of loneliness creeping in for only a moment before I bat it away.

The taste of jealousy had never sat well on my tongue. Besides, why should I want something as horrible as what they are forced to have? A ball and chain in my opinion.

"Do you only find humans appealing? You enjoy those below you because they never challenge you and are so willing to give you everything you want?" I hiss, turning towards him once more.

"Who do you think you are, saying these kinds of things—" A long growl sends the crowd into silence, no one moving as the sound echoes around us. My words are cut off as I notice the flutter in my stomach at the sound.

What the hell?

"Move!" The word is spoken with enough authority to send every creature tumbling out of the male's way. He marches with purpose; those broad shoulders knock those in his way down easily. Heavy pants leaving his lips as he approaches.

The wild-eyed male is coming towards me, a Lycan whose sending my body into turmoil at the sight of him. I glance behind me, thinking there must be a misunderstanding and that he's just after the ass hat who is now nowhere to be found.

Well, that's no good.

I turn back to face the daunting God-like-Lycan that's so close I can practically taste him. Oh, what I'd do to run my tongue from one side of him to the other. With greedy thoughts, I lick my lips.

My lower abdomen tightens, and I recognize his dressing with ease as I appreciate the familiarity of it. His bare feet lead into strong, muscular legs that aren't well hidden by the leather hugging his hips—it barely goes midthigh. His bulge catches my eye as well. Straps go with the clothing but hold no weapons, someone like this needed none.

His entire being was made for mass destruction.

My eyes travel over his face and enjoy the dirty blonde hair atop his head, shaved on the sides and the rest was brought into a braid down his back. The look had my mouth watering. Add in the unkempt hair adorning his masculine face and I was already a goner.

With every step, I become more aware of him. Overwhelmed by the sight of someone so breathtaking.

The need was steadily building in my core, every inch of my body aching to be touched by this male and I note that not once in my entire life had I been this attracted to a male. With only a few feet between us, I quickly grab for the human male I'd been enjoying, attempting to throw him out of the madman's path but only making matters worse.

"Do not touch him." It's a growled order, one that my body must fight to disobey as I throw him away from the upcoming danger. The poor guy didn't deserve to be stomped to death.

The Lycan roars, his body mere inches from mine by the time he comes to a complete stop. I thought he was going to run over me, not that anything in my sick little body would've minded.

The noise he makes startles me and the proximity has me trying to get away but failing as my feet tangle and I end up on my rear scrambling backward with a squeak. He stands above me, panting and inhaling my scent as though it's the only air he needs to survive. My body craves the same thing, wanting to swallow his aroma.

"What's going on?" Alpha Bowers bursts through the crowd, confused and most definitely intimidated by the large male raging before his guest.

I'm equally caught off guard, unsure of what this could be as things I haven't felt in ages begin building inside of me. My want for this Lycan almost sending a whimper through my lips, achy and wanting I am. I notice the beast before me calming his self-down, taking deep breaths to gain control but as quickly as he begins, he stops.

The tilt of his head, the return of the crazed animal in his eyes—someone isn't happy. Silver eyes fall into darkness, black taking over the entirety of space as those canines and nails elongate. He bends down, coming closer to my shaking frame. I try to look fearless, but I fail epically.

"Why does my mate wreak of human pleasure?" The Lycan grounds out, and I feel my stomach fall at the words. My body freezes, unsure of how to respond while he trembles only inches away; from the back of the crowd, I hear the one woman who'd take this less than great situation and get a kick out of it.

"You've got to be shitting me!"