When I woke up I felt four mana signatures in the room with me. One belonged to Sylvia who was standing by the door like a good servant. Another belonged to lady Beatrice which surprised and made me nervous knowing that she was in my room, she stood by the window and I could hear the fluttering of a page turn every now and then. The third belonged to Anon who I found was in his wolf form and that I was curled up against him, using him as a living breathing and very warm blanket. The last signature I didn't know who it belonged to so I opened my eyes and found the dark skinned beauty of Ashwini standing near lady Beatrice flicking through one of the books.

"What is everyone doing here?" I asked making my consciousness known while I moved to sit up against Anon.

"Oh good, I thought you were going to go to sleep for a whole month again." Lady Beatrice said but I could detect how worried she actually was and that made me happy.

I smiled at her softly. "No, I wouldn't want to leave you all alone together. Who knows what would happen if I wasn't around." I joked and nudged Anon while he let out a gruff huff knowing that I was mostly talking about him.

"How are you feeling anyway?" Lady Beatrice asked.

"I feel fine now that I've gotten some sleep. Last night was tiring." I told her before looking towards Ashwini. I still marvel at her skin tone, it was beautiful and earthy. "How are the others of your convent? And how come you're not with them?"

"They are doing well and have managed to make it safely back to Lady Nikita's territory where our kind is prominently safe from Hunters." Ashwini answered closing the book she was reading and turned her body to face me with a soft smile. "I decided to stay, with Lady Aviva's consent, because I wish to learn from you."

"From me?" I asked in confusion. What do I know that I can teach a full-blooded witch?

"Yes, I want to learn how to control pure mana like you can."

"Oh..." I murmured and glanced at Lady Beatrice quickly to see that she doesn't seem to be bothered. "Okay, I can try I suppose. But I warn you, it most probably won't work especially with me being your teacher."

"There's only one way to find out." Ashwini replied with a bright smile.

"Alright, with that over and done with," Lady Beatrice spoke up and headed to the door stopping just before opening it to continue what she was saying. "Why don't we finish todays lesson in the library instead of going to the garden?"

"Of course, my lady." I agreed getting out of bed and just realised I was in my sleepwear. "I'll be there in a minute."

Ashwini snickered behind a hand as she walked out of the door Lady Beatrice had opened. "Okay." Lady Beatrice agreed a slight blush to her cheeks that surprised me. I felt her silver eyes travel my body before she quickly walked out of the room.

Hmm, someone liked what they saw. Anon's voice spoke in my head making me scowl at the wolf still laying on my bed lazily.

"Get out." I huffed at him though my heart was beating quickly at the thought of being appreciated by lady Beatrice. "Go on." I waved my hand in a shooing motion at the large wolf.

Anon scoffed as he stood up on my bed to stretching languidly before jumping off of it and headed to the still open door. I don't get why you don't do something about it.

About what? I questioned back as I walked into my adjoining bathroom ignoring Sylvia who was still in the room.

About your attraction to Beatrice. Anon replied.

I shook my head even though he couldn't see me. I can't do anything about it because I know she doesn't feel the same way, and plus, I'm basically owned by her older sister.

I don't think that matters. Anon replied.

Drop it Anon, I'll see you in the library.

Yes Alpha.

I rolled my eyes and finished washing myself and changed into my usual clothes as well as tying my hair up. I walked back into my room to find that Sylvia was still there. I stopped for a second and looked her over. She was wearing the usual servant gown and her hair was down.

I sighed softly. "You should be happy." I murmured while walking pass her.

"What? Why?" She asked as she hurried after me when I started heading to the library.

"I didn't kill anyone last night." I smirked over my shoulder at her, though I didn't find anything really amusing.

"Oh..." Sylvia replied weakly. "That's good."

I scoffed lightly and rolled my eyes before entering the library where the others were only they were joined by Galen. "Good morning sir." I greeted him.

"You're mana training is being postponed until next week after the trip. For the rest of the week you will be training with me in how to protect and defend lady Aviva." Galen said without even a greeting.

I glanced at lady Beatrice who was frowning slightly before nodding my assent. "Yes sir, I understand."

"Good, then with your leave my lady." Galen turned and bowed low to lady Beatrice.

"It's fine, you may leave." She replied though still seemed a bit disgruntled with the arrangements.

"My lady." I bowed to her before following Galen out of the library with Anon, still in wolf form (I think he prefers himself a wolf more than a human), following behind. We were in the basement when Galen addressed me again.

"Last night, we managed to release the witches, but I was also disappointed that you were unable to kill that woman." He stated and I looked at the ground feeling like a scolded child. "I realised that that was from a mistake I have made. I have only been training you how to fight those that do not know how to use mana and only focusing on the hand-to-hand combat. For the rest of the week, I will be coming at you with everything, that's both mana and hand-to-hand. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir." I replied seriously and soon we were on our way.

The first day was incredibly difficult. I may be able to control mana without needing to speak the spells but that still has nothing on Galen's years of experience in fighting. I was barely able to touch him. At the end of the day I was utterly destroyed. My body hurt, I felt fuzzy and unable to concentrate; I was a complete mess. Anon had to carry me back to my room in his human form, thankfully there were spare clothes in the basement for both Anon and I, otherwise he'd be naked and my clothes were basically just scraps hanging off my body.

Let's just say that night was awkward because I knew I needed to have blood and of course, that was going to have to come from Sylvia.

I sat on my bed holding my head in my hands when she walked in. I looked up at her but wasn't able to really see her, my eyes were blurry and liked to focus on something I didn't want them to.

"Are you okay my lady?" Sylvia asked sounding concerned.

"Not really, I feel terrible." I sighed rubbing my eyes but that made both my head and arms ache.

"...You haven't had blood in a while." Sylvia said tentatively and I heard her heartbeat quicken.

"I know... and I'm sorry that I have to ask it of you after... everything." I apologised though I knew I shouldn't have to, it's just how I am.

"I understand... it's okay, it is the reason I am here after all." Sylvia replied and slowly walked over to sit beside me. "You don't have to do, what you use to for me to make it not hurt."

"I can make it not hurt without the pleasure." I assured her. "I don't want to hurt you Sylvia."

I looked at her without really seeing and felt a hand touch my cheek in a soft caress. I liked it and couldn't help but to close my eyes and take in the soft touch. "I know you won't hurt me." Sylvia breathed and placed a kiss to my other cheek. She then pulled my face into her neck and I automatically wrapped my arms around her to pull her closer.

I kissed her neck and felt my fangs slip from my gums as my ears pounded along with the rush of the blood in her veins. I kissed her again in the same place before sinking my teeth in making sure that she felt no pain in the action. She sighed in my ear and I sighed with her at the taste that filled my mouth. I could clearly taste the animal in Anon but with Sylvia I now knew the difference, she was completely human, which has a definite richer taste than that of a shifter like Anon.

I pulled her tighter to me and couldn't help but let her feel the pleasure her taste gave me. That earned a moan in my ear that I relished. I reluctantly pulled away and found that my body no longer hurt and my eyes were a lot clearer than before. I licked the blood off my lips and sealed her new wounds so that she wouldn't bleed out before kissing the side of her head.

"Thank you Sylvia." I murmured into her ear.

She was panting slightly and I could smell her arousal, which was a delicious smell. After gaining her breath back she pulled away from me. I didn't like that but I let her go anyway.

"Are you okay now, my lady?" She asked standing up with only a slight waver in balance.

I frowned lightly feeling worry for her but didn't do anything. "I am, thank you Sylvia again."

"It's fine, it's okay... I will see you in the morning. Have a good night my lady." Sylvia bowed to me and basically ran out of the room.

I sighed softly before flopping back onto my bed now just feeling tired from the long day. A knock came at my door and I felt Anon's presence behind it.

Come in. I thought to him and a second later he walked in dressed only in loose fitted pants.

"You alright Alpha?" He asked sitting on the bed beside me.

"I wonder... should I let Sylvia go and get another human for when I need blood?" I asked him as he laid down with me.

"Hmm, if it will make you feel better I say do it. It's her own fault that your friendship fell through." He answered. "So it's because of her the two of you are so awkward when alone together."

"Still, I don't won't her to think I'm kicking her out or not appreciating what she's done for me." I sighed and rolled onto my side feeling comfortable enough with this large male to cuddle up to him. If I ever had a sibling I think this is what it would feel like to have one.

He wrapped a large arm around me and I sighed again feeling depressed and tired. "Really I think you should do whatever you think you should do."

"Argh that's not helping me!" I groaned at him placing my forehead to his chest hearing his heart beating under the skin and muscle. I felt him chuckle at me so I slapped his stomach softly in reprimand.

"Relax Alpha, why don't you sleep on it hmm?" He suggested before getting up making me groan again because I was actually comfortable. "Good night Alpha, I'll see you in the morning."

"Alright." I sighed and watched him leave before getting changed into my sleep wear and slipping in between my bed sheets. I fell asleep a while after to the lull of mana and the question of what to do in my head.

•

The rest of the week was much the same as that day, only I was getting slightly better and defending and fighting back against Galen by using both mana and physical confrontation. Anon even helped me sometimes or attacked me at other times. By the end of the week I actually found it quite fun and have learnt a lot.

Concerning my decision on what to do with Sylvia... I have no idea. I have taken blood from her again during the week and it was awkward every time. So I'm going to bring it up with my Mistress to see what she thinks I should do while we're travelling.

Today was the day we were leaving to head to Enrique's territory. All week my Mistress didn't look very impressed and seemed to dislike the idea of leaving more everyday we came closer to departure. Today she looked like she had bitten an extra sour lemon that also soured her patience. I wanted to help brighten her mood but I have no idea how to.

I had packed everything I needed the previous night so I was ready to leave whenever. Anon was with me, in human form, and followed me around having nothing else to do.

I turned to him. "Why don't you help the servants get all the luggage onto the carriage. I'm sure they could use someone to lift all the heavy things." I suggested.

Anon frowned at me before sighing. "Alright, I was getting bored anyway. See you soon." He walked away finally leaving me alone.

I found Galen with Lucas and Hawk near the stables that I haven't actually been in. "Good you're here." Galen greeted me with his usual expressionless face. "This is how we're going to travel."

My eyes widened as Hawk went into the stables and brought out a large rusty brown horse. "But I've never ridden one before." I said as I marvelled at the beast.

"It's easy, just sit in the saddle and don't fall off." Lucas smirked as he patted the horse's neck affectionately.

I gave him a bland look before looking at the horse nervously. "Come, I'll show you how to ride him." Hawk said waving me over.

I nervously walked to him staying away from the animal as much as possible. "He's really pretty." I complimented the horse as I looked over his sleek hide and long powerful legs.

"He is, don't be afraid of him." Hawk agreed before placing an arm on my shoulder.

"Oh I'm not scared, just nervous." I assured him. "I've always wanted to ride one but the farmers would shoo me away by throwing rocks and cursing me. They weren't very nice."

"Well here you go, no one's going to stop you." Hawk smiled at me while squeezing my shoulder. "So what you do..." he started explaining how to get up onto the horse and demonstrated it too.

When he got down I tried it and was glad I got it on the first go. I looked down at the three men and started laughing. "Haha, finally I'm taller than you guys!" I giggled highly amused by the change of perspective. "Now I know how you guys feel when looking at me."

Lucas and Hawk laughed and I swear I saw a smirk on Galen's face, at least for a second anyway. "Alright, so to get him to start moving kick your heels into his flanks and make a clicking noise with your mouth. Don't hold the reins too tight or too loose, alright?"

"Ah yeah, sure." I nodded feeling nervous again. I softly tapped the horse's sides with both my feet and made the noise. I tensed up when the beast under me started to move.

"Relax, you'll make him uncomfortable if you're all stiff. Don't be afraid to fall 'cause it's not like you'll die if you do." Lucas laughed.

I scowled at him before doing as I'm told and relaxing my body. I soon felt at easy with the rocking of the horse walking beneath me. I was surprised by the sudden feel of mana that was slightly different from the pure mana around me. I realised that it was coming from the horse bellow me. I tapped into that mana and I could suddenly feel what he was feeling.

"Wow." I whispered to myself looking down at the horse's head. I could feel he was as nervous as I was, like he new I was a new rider and could do something that might hurt him. He was also hungry. I touched the side of his neck softly and relaxed us both. "It's okay, I know I'm new and making you nervous, but please help me get better at riding with you." I whispered to him softly.

He nickered and I felt him relax. I smiled brightly and felt him wanting to pick up the pace. I allowed him the control he wanted and he suddenly picked up the pace making me laugh. He was cantering around before suddenly sprinting off. I knew where he wanted to go so I encouraged him. We appeared around the front of the estate where the carriage that my Mistress will be travelling in was along with another one for the servants and luggage.

I calmed him down and he slowed to a trot. I could feel his pleasure in being able to run. I patted his neck and fed his pleasure with my own.

"You look like a pro." Anon suddenly spoke up a large bag on his shoulder and one under his arm.

"I've never ridden a horse before and this is amazing!" I exclaimed moving the horse around with a thought so I could face him better.

Anon smiled at me. "We're heading off in a bit, so you should get back to the stables to give him a bit of a rest before the long ride."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, okay. I'll see you in a bit." I waved at him before placing the image of the stables into the horse's head and soon enough he was running back to the building where Lucas, Hawk and Galen still were.

Once we stopped I slid from his back while keeping my hand to his neck.

"I wondered where you went." Hawk said as he grabbed the reins. I cut the connection I had with the horse as Hawk led him away.

"We went to the front where everyone's basically ready to leave." I told them. "We just need to wait for Mistress and then we can go."

"Go get ready, you'll be in the front with me. I'll call for you when we're ready to go." Galen told me.

I nodded and turned to Hawk. "Thank you for teaching me how to ride."

"No problem." He smiled back at me before I left.

There was one person I wanted to visit before I leave. Melisande.

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