The moon was still up high in the sky when I woke up the next. Still shining just as bright it is nine days ago.

After I had finished my breakfast. I decided to sit outside in the snowy garden and read a book with a hot cup of tea. Sozin had lit fire lamps over the garden to give it a beautiful glow.

As I was reading I shivered slightly from the cold. I looked around at the trees that looks like they had icing decorating their branches, it reminded me of my home in the winter. I remember running through the woods in my wolf.

I hadn't shifted for a while. Knowing this, I felt my wolf prance in joy at the thought. I felt myself become anxious to let my wolf out. However, there is the issue that this place is still foeign to me. I don't exactly know what is dangerous and what's not. But then again, does that matter? No one would dare come close to the Hellhound's territory, surely it would be safe for me to have a little bit of a run around?

I laid my book and cup on the seat. I walked a few meters inside the tree line. I looked around and made sure no one was around. I took my coat off and I started feeling myself shift. I was excited. I haven't shifted while able to see, this would be my first time.

My skin shifted.. My bones reformed. Fur piercing through my skin. I felt myself change into my other half. I stretched a little in my wolf and pounced around in joy. I felt so free.

I looked around the place and I was amazed. My wolf was so happy. I could see everything so clearly it was insane. I sat back and let my beast take control. She needed it. I took off in a fast run. My mouth was open with my tongue out as I felt the fresh cold wind in my face.

The trees passing me were a blur as I felt my legs push itself against gravity. It was so incredibly freeing. I felt my heart beating fast against my chest, making the adrenaline pump through my body, giving me this feeling of complete liberation.

However, that was short lived when I was tackled to the ground. I snarled in fright as my wolf felt threatened. But when I saw a giant black wolf, I internally groaned when I recognised the green flame and green eyes. Zeus.

What are you doing out here alone? He growls in my mind

It's in your territory it's fine!

That's not the point! The point is you're a alone! You can never be alone, I thought I made that clear!

I growled at him, ignoring his objection and went off running, but I heard him running behind. I felt him nip my tail slightly. I snarled at him, but he just gave me a toothy smile. Ugh! He's so annoying!

I turn sharply to my left, but he continues to follow behind me. I felt my wolf become excited with the fact that our mate was chasing us in an almost aggravated and yet playful manner. We jumped up a rock and started to jump from rock to rock.

Zeus nipped one of my back legs, causing me to stumble. I crash unto the ground, but I pick myself back up and face Zeus in a challenging stance.

You don't want to do this, Lily

I huffed, Don't I? You sure about that?

He growls at me, commanding me to stop. But I couldn't help but have this need to tease him. I walked up to him slowly. He still is in a tense stance as I approach, cautious of what we might do.

I lean into Zeus as I walk past, brushing my fur against his. He growls lowly at me, but I smirked when I didn't miss the slight purr his wolf gave off. I could tell he was having an internal battle. His wolf was giving into the pull, but his human side was trying so hard to resist.

I turned around to face him. I got down low in a non-threatening position. I lowered my head down toward him and whined. Showing him we are not threatening. But he does not budge. I felt my wolf become sad and whimper slightly.

We huffed as we got up and trotted to the edge of a frozen lake. My wolf felt rejected by her mate. We sat there with our back to him, looking up at the moon, feeling it's tender light restore our inner spirit.

Our fur and skin felt invigorated as we felt his powerful presence approach us from behind. We did not make a move to turn around or give him attention. We kept our gaze on the other-worldly power above us.

That is until I felt a lick on our cheek. We turned to him, surprised by his action as he sat next to us. His wolf was much bigger than mine. It definitely showed his high ranking form. His wolf began to lick my head, and I felt my wolf purr in pleasure as our mate showed his affection.

But that was sadly short-lived because it seemed Zeus got a hold of his wolf and pulled him back. Zeus backed away and growled at me causing my wolf to stand up and snarl at him.

I look at him and he nods toward back at the castle.

I huff and sat down, refusing to leave until I want to leave. Zeus growls

Stop being Difficult! He snarls in my brain.

Stop being controlling! I snap back.

You're being naive! You don't know this world, Lily!

You're right I don't. But from what I've gathered, you Hellhounds are not to be messed with. Who would even think about coming into your territory, huh?

Zeus growls because he knows I was right. His reputation precedes him. People know how dangerous he and the others are. They wouldn't ever approached his land without the knowledge that they would most likely die.

Zeus sneers at me before taking off back at the castle, but not before he said Don't stay out for long. Be back in five minutes or else I will drag you back myself.

I roll my eyes. He's so annoying. I sat in the snow in my wolf. I felt very at peace at this moment. I was still able to see. The moon light hit the snow in a way where it looked so incredibly sparkly and shiny. It looked so magical.

I looked at the gown I brought with me. I decided to shift back to my human form. I quickly brought the soft grey gown around my shoulders. I let my long blonde hair out. Surprisingly I didn't feel the cold much. I looked up at the moon and was mesmerised by it's glowing beauty.

I stood up from the snow and I looked at the ice. Ever since I fell into the ice fifteen years ago, every winter I stayed far away from it. But right now, the moment seemed too perfect to not stand in the middle of the most beautiful ice ever! It had little snowy designs, making it seem so...so...unreal.

I take a step on to the ice in my bare feet. I took a deep breath as I put my weight on it. I waited for the ice to crack...but it never did. I slowly took steps further in. I felt the familiar fear as I continued to walk. But heart beating fast as the memory of what happened to me pushed into my mind. However I kept walking. I can't let past experiences rob me of the good ones I could have now. I smiled and laughed by myself as I just conquered my fear! I giggled and looked up the moon.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Do you usually talk to yourself?" A voice echoed out from the trees.

I gasped and turned around as I felt my heart beat against my chest. A man was leaning against a tree. He steps out into the moonlight. My eyes widen. He was very handsome. He was wearing a very fancy looking suit. But though he was attractive, I took a step back carefully.

He smirks as he notices my action. He takes a step closer. His skin was fair, though his hair was the opposite. It was an inky black making his pale yellow eyes stand out more.

I felt my skin crawl as his eyes travelled up and down my body, "Well aren't you an exquisite creature," He says in a very thick and deep Russian accent.

"Who're you?" I asked firmly. I was about to shit myself from how scared I was, but he didn't need to know that.

He chuckles...but it wasn't the nice kind. He seemed sinister, "My name is Nikolai Volodya. You are Lily, no? You are his mate."

I tighten the gown around me and take another step back, "Why does that concern you?" Him knowing that kind of information about me didn't settle well in my stomach.

He smiles. My eyes are captured by his prominently protruding fangs. I frowned, I've never seen a werewolf with those kinds of teeth. A slight breeze picks up carrying his scent to my senses, making my lips curl in disgust. It was a fowl smell. A smell not of a werewolf.

My eyes snap up to him as my mind comprehended what the most obvious thing he was. I stood there in a terrifying shock, "You're a...a"

He rolls his eyes, "Yes yes, I know, I know. Shocker, isn't it?" He said, seeming exasperated by realisation.

I felt an instant regret. I should have gone home with Zeus. I take another step back, "What do you want?"

"You see, Lily, my last name is Volodya. Do you want to know what it means? It means Ruler of the world...literally. And I do take it...literally. I am an old friend of Zeus..."

I felt myself become deeply sceptical of this Nikolai, "An old friend? Or an old enemy? It's my understanding that it is in our history that vampires and werewolves did not get along."

He laughs darkly, "Ye this is true, but you'll know that Zeus is not a normal wolf as am I not just a common vampire. Zeus is a very very powerful soul, Lily. More than you know, and I think more than he knows," He takes another step forward, his scanning the frozen lake we were both standing on, "I was very close with his late wife, Lillian," I felt myself tense more, "...Yes...he did not like how close me and her were." He says as his eyes drifted into, what seemed, a distant memory, laughingly reminiscing on it.

"You want his power." I said trying to change the subject. I didn't want to listen to him talk about Zeus's past lovers.

He claps his hands, "Very good, Lily. You have stated the obvious. But to be more specific, I want his blood. And you will get it for me when you break the curse." He stated in a very matter-of-fact tone as if I was going to comply to it.

I shook my head, "The only way for the curse to be broken is if I fall in love with him," I smirk to myself, "And that's not happening any time soon," I mumble to myself.

"He didn't tell you?" Nikolai said tilting his head to the side with a smile that I felt myself become more and more irritated by.

"What do you mean?" I asked as my interested was peaked.

"You do not have to love him in order to break the curse. You simply have to perform a ritual."

Wait...I just needed to to perform a ritual this whole time?! Why would Zeus lie to me? Why would he pretend like that?

But on even more pressing matters...why would the ritual be that simple and yet he never did it when I came here? He could have broken the curse weeks ago.

"You have been misinformed, little Lily. It seems you have things to discuss with your mate," Nikolai said. He takes a step back.

"Why do you want his immortality? Aren't you immortal already?"

"I am immortal. I am no way near as powerful as Zeus though. He is the last of the eternal bloodline. A drop of his blood is worth more than this earth."

Zeus was that powerful? I didn't realise how powerful he was...and how many people were desperate to take it.

"Why Zeus? Why not any of the other Hellhounds."

Nikolai painted that smile that I disdained, "Zeus is not like the others...I will only say that much."

He takes another step back, "You will see me soon. But before I leave...I need some insurance," He says with an evil smirk.

My brows pulled together in confusion, "What?"

But then, in a flash of light he was right in front of me. His yellow eyes glow bright and his fangs elongate even more as he plunges them into my neck, before I could even react. I scream in pain as I felt like lava was being poured into my neck. And then just as quick...he was gone.

I raise my hand to my neck and feel the two punctured marks. He bit me! That bastard freaking bit me! The psycho! I was shook. My heart was beating like crazy. And I was scared.

I went to run back tot he castle when I felt myself fall. The ice had broken. My worst fear. I felt like I was being transported fifteen years ago. I screamed in fright, but it was soon quieted as I was engulfed in the coldest water.

The feeling of no air. A thousand knives stabbing my skin. I sunk deeper and deeper into the frozen water. I looked up at the opening, the moonlight shined down on me...My lungs were burning for air. I felt myself panic. I wanted to inhale so bad, but I couldn't.

I felt myself fading the deeper I sunk down the lake.

Suddenly someone grips my hand and pulls me out of the water. I was dragged onto a solid piece of ice. I cough out the water and inhale a deep breath. I felt my body weaken from the shock of...everything! I was so overwhelmed.

I looked up and saw those glowing green eyes. He took a hold of my shoulders, "Are you trying to kill yourself? Why do you always get yourself into trouble!"

I didn't care that he was shouting at me. I didn't care what he was saying. I lurched forward and wrapped my shaking armed around his neck. I was scared. Really scared. I didn't know who this Nikolai guy was...but he was dangerous. I wasn't safe. And right now, all I wanted to feel was protected.

Zeus pulled back and looked at my face. He looked down at me with concern, "What happened, Lily?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. My mind couldn't think straight.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He asks lowly to me.

"H-He bit me." I said quietly. I felt the cold stabbing into my skin and into my mind making my train of thought steer off into different directions.

Zeus tilted his head, "Bit you? What bit you?"

I shook my head, "It wasn't a what...it was a who."

I felt Zeus become tense, "Who bit you?"

I felt my mind fading as the cold was becoming too much, "Th-The...f-f-fangs."

"Come on, let's get you out of these cold wet clothes," Zeus said.

I nodded my head. Zeus carefully guided me off the ice. I was a little startled to feel Zeus wrap his arms around me, lifting my up towards his chest, carrying my bridal style...even though he was so annoying and mean...I didn't mind at this point. I was cold. He was warm...was a good enough reason for me press myself right against him.

I wrap my arms around his neck and let my head rest on his shoulder. I felt him pull me tight against him. A warmth spread in my chest as he leaned his own head against my own.

He took me inside and brought me to the fire that was already lit and roaring. I sat on the rug in front of it and held my shaking hands out to warm them up. Zeus walks off only to come back with a towel. He brought it over my shoulders and then he grabs one of the giant blankets from the chair and wraps that around me also.

I pull the blanket fully around my shaking form. But my drenched hair slowly began to soak through the blanket. I wanted to try and put it in a quick and messy bun, but I was too shaky and cold to even have my hands out of the blanket.

Zeus was sitting next to me on the floor. "Your hair is soaking the blanket." He says annoyingly.

I roll my eyes, "Thanks for telling me what I already know."

He sits there staring at my hair. He grumbles as he gets up and stands behind my sitting form. I felt my whole body still when I felt him gather my hair in his hands. He starts running his fingers through it and lifts it up...tying it into a bun. He casually walks back around me and sits down.

I just sit there staring at him...wide eyed. He glances at me and rolls his eyes, "Your hair was annoying me."

I felt my cheeks turn crimson as I coughed into my hand, "Right."

The warmth slowly seeped back into my body. Making me forget the horrible meeting I had just had. I glanced at Zeus and see he was just staring at the roaring fire. His eyes glowing it's usual pale green.

"Now tell me, what happened Lily?"

I gulped, "I was standing in the middle of the lake and this man appeared out of nowhere."

Zeus clenched his jaw as he growled.

"He knew I was your mate, he wanted your powers. He wanted to me to help him."

Zeus's eyes snapped up to mine, "And did you?"

I frowned at him a little offended, "No. Why would I help a man like that?"

Zeus shrugged, "It wouldn't be surprising since I've been an asshole to you."

I felt myself become silently surprised by his statement, "At least you've pulled your head out of your ass and admitted it." I said.

He growled at me and gave me a pointed look. He got up suddenly and left. I frowned as I saw his retreating form. But what made me more confused was that there was a part of me that wanted him to stay. I could feel an emptiness creep in as I was alone in the room.

"Damn it" I growled at myself. I forgot to tell him about the bite. I frowned, how could I have forgotten? I felt my neck and to my surprise...there was no punctured wound. It didn't hurt anymore.

I stood up and looked in the mirror that was resting on top of the mantelpiece. It was just clear skin. It was like it never happened. What the hell is going on?

Either way I need to tell, Zeus.

You don't need to tell what had never happened...

Actually on second thought..what is there to tell? The man never touched me. I frowned to myself, what was his name again?

It doesn't matter...

I guess it doesn't matter at this point. I could always describe what he looked like right? There couldn't be many vampires in the area.

I felt a delicious shiver run up my body as Zeus entered the room with two cups. He sat down in front of me and handed the hot drink to me, "Thought a hot cup of coffee would be good after falling into the lake."

The warmth in my chest appeared again as I took the cup from his hand. His fingers brushing mine in the process, causing a shivering spark to ignite only for a split second.

I took a sip of the coffee and let it warm my core.

"Did this man touch you? Did he ever come near you?" Zeus asked with his eyes focusing on my face intensely.

I shook my head, "No, he never did. He just was me involved in his plan to steal your powers. He said he wanted insurance...and then he..." I felt my mind become foggy and muddled, "I must have fallen through the lake and that's when you saved me."

"But are you okay?" He asked. I turned to him as he too turn from the fire to face me. We stared at each other. It should have felt awkward but it didn't. There was this energy radiating between the two of us that I knew we both felt. And I think for that moment, we let ourselves feel it.

"I was when you came for me." I said softly. I saw something move behind his glowing green eyes. I think it was the wall. The wall he had come down for a second as his eyes softened slightly with longing.

"Thank you for saving me." I said quietly

"Two days in a row," He turns to me and smirks, "I'll be a knight in shining armour in no time."

I scoff and shook my head, "I don't think so."

I look around the giant hall. The roof was probably a hundred feet high, if not more, "I'm still not used being able to see," I told, "It's weird...after fifteen years...I can finally see things."

"You'll get used it," Zeus says without interest.

"Are you used to being a Hellhound?" I asked with my brow propped up.

But Zeus did not care. His eyes were fixated on the fire as he said, "Being a Hellhound is all I know."