When Mihnea found his phone and Pack Index stashed into the produce drawer of his penthouse, he smiled.

It didn't take long for the little Fae girl to smuggle contraband into his room. He had hoped she would see the small device placed in plain sight. However, he didn't expect she would get her hands on the Index so quickly. He had only been in the Council meeting for an hour maximum. Clever little one. He would need to speak to the housekeeper for trusting his belongings with guests. His frequent compulsions seemed to be turning his human staff into morons. 

Mihnea poured himself a chalice of O-negative and leaned against the granite countertop, deftly undoing his top button and taking a sip. Unfortunately, the bitter copper tang did nothing to quench his thirst and put him in a sour mood. He found his mind wandering again to the small silver-haired girl.

It had been a century since he had last felt stirred by anything. And that girl... She exhilarated him. She had no idea what she was capable of.

Or her blood.

He had never smelled anything like it. Intoxicating. Divine.

That's it. Visena was divine- blessed by a Goddess, no doubt.

The Faery had no idea that Mihnea's counterpart was now basking in the sun on the Pentaculum roof. Thana had tasted one drop of Visena's precious nectar, and she was now a Sunwalker. He never thought he would see the day...

Centuries ago, the sky Fae king had a vision of a creature of mixed heritage being the salvation for all night-dwellers, demons, lamia or Vampires. This creature's blood would put an end to their suffering, and they would be free to bask in the morning light again. It had to be her. Mihnea knew he needed to protect the girl. She would be his redemption.

He had pondered briefly, imprisoning her and siphoning her dry, but she was much too delectable for that. And if the prophecy were about her, she certainly had a higher purpose. He could not fathom precisely what just yet, but one look in her silver orbs told a tale her mind could not remember.

Powerful little beast. What a magnificent sight it must be to see her shift. Nature's truest Apex predator: a Wolf shifter imbued with the purest Fae magic.

He turned the device over in his hand and brought up the call log. Gideon Steel. Invictus Alpha and youngest Leader Mihnea had seen in many lifetimes.

He knew him well from stories—a loved Alpha. Brilliant fighter. And unfortunately, curious. He was a wary and questioning sort. Gideon Steel had given more grief to the Wolf Council than any Alpha before him. Mihnea had been surprised that the Council had not already targeted the Invictus pack for destruction. However, now knowing their pack witch's identity, it was not such a surprise. 

Calypso. They had bedded once. Centuries ago, before being so rudely interrupted by her furious ethereal mother. That was the last time he had seen her splendid form, he remembered with disappointment. Calypso was a beautiful seductress indeed.

After a moment of contemplation, Mihnea pressed redial and placed the phone face up. His excellent hearing made the speaker function redundant, and he often had the volume on the lowest setting to avoid being overheard by his eavesdropping neighbours. The device rang twice before the Alpha picked up. 

"Visena?"

The desperation in his voice intrigued the Vampire King. Could they be mates, perhaps? He conceded Gideon could be considered a worthy counterpart for the girl. Only just.

"Mihnea Rău. Hello Alpha Steel."

Gideon paused on the line. The silence radiated fury, likely from potentially placing the girl at risk. "Where is she?"

"In her cell, I believe."

"Why are you calling me?" Wary. Clever boy.

"Curiosity, I suppose. Have you any news?" Mihnea hated the way his voice sounded. So weak. Was he starting to care for the girl? The thought irked him.

"Why should I tell you? How do I know you won't use it against her?"

Anyone else would have missed the slight wavering on the word 'her'. But the Vampires' astute hearing and experience around generations of Wolf mates made him unlike anyone else.

"Ah, yes." Mihnea took a gamble. "Your mate is safe with me, don't you fret. She is more valuable to me alive than in another filthy Alpha's hands."

Gideon hissed. "Has he shown up yet?"

Mihnea noticed he did not deny the 'mate' remark. "No. She believes he will come on the Blue moon. I, however, am not so convinced."

"He wants to mark her. We think he's found a way to do it with blood magic...." Ambrose had provided that insight already. It was dangerous and required an extreme energy withdrawal, but possible. But blood magic always came at a cost. Mihnea knew that fact more deeply than anyone. A vindictive witch cursed him to live in the darkness, thirsting for the blood of the innocent. Mihnea was the first of his kind. He should have been the last, but he was weak and afraid to be alone. Now he had a way to make amends.

"If he forces a matebond-"

"I know the cost," the Vampire interrupted. Mihnea didn't need to hypothesise over Zeir's reasoning to force a bond. With even a fraction of Visena's power coursing through him, he could be impossible to stop. "I know. But I believe he will have others do his dirty work. Never have I seen such a disconnect between the five species leaders. They are each harbouring their secrets."

"Yours included," Gideon guessed.

"Of course."

Both men stood in silence, miles apart, their futures dependent on a small Fae girl. A steady beeping drew Mihnea's attention to his penthouse elevator, but it wasn't time for house cleaning yet. It was too close to sunrise. Then, finally, the doors opened, and a particularly shaken Svend stepped out. Warning bells went off in Mihnea's head. "What is it?"

"Huh?" Gideon questioned on the other end of the call.

Svend swallowed deeply. Adam's apple was bobbing up and down sporadically. "She's gone. I think Yrsa took her."

Mihnea's jaw clenched, incisors elongating and biting into his gaunt cheeks. The repugnant treachery of the Wolf Council Alderman knew no bounds. Yrsa had only recently become insufferable, and the Vampire could not fathom what changed. In any case, she had to know he was plotting against her; why else disappear at dawn? He would need to sweep his penthouse again for listening devices. 

If Thana hadn't been discreet with her new 'abilities', there would be hell to pay. 

Thana. 

He would have to send her after them. Then, he would follow at dusk. Mihnea's jaw ached as his teeth retracted beneath grey gums. Anger roiled in his abdomen.

Gideon's guttural snarl proved he shared the sentiment.

"Where is she?" Both men asked simultaneously. In any other situation, one might find humour in their similarities.

Now was not one of those times.

~~~

A/N

Bit of a change for this chapter. What do you think of Mihnea? 

Do you trust him?

And what about the revelation with Thana and Visena's 'magical blood'?

She is definitely a powerful creature... A little too powerful, perhaps?

Thank you for reading lovelies. Vote, comment or share if you feel so inclined <3

Until next time xxx