Alixandria stood face to face with Idris...well, as well as she could.

The second her eyes had landed on his face, her heart practically beat out of her chest.

There he was, as she had been desiring him to be and yet when his dazzling emerald eyes cocked her way, she felt the pull rock and wane against the penetration of his fiery gaze.

She swallowed the ball of fire that coiled in her belly with desire and rose her head to meet him dead in the eyes. And the second she had, not only had all that heat swarmed all over her, but so had the events of earlier.

He'd kissed her. Admitted how badly he wanted her to himself. Took liberties with her because she was his by a bond that was inescapable. Suddenly, she refused to believe that.

There had to be more than just a bond that made her want him, and she was determined to find out, when her focus shifted to the lack of presence of Camilla.

Crap, she cursed at herself, she had been so distracted by Idris that she'd forgotten all about Camilla. And she had a feeling that if Idris was here, Ben would also be, which explained Camilla's disappearance.

She met Idris with as much of a glare as she could. "Where's Camilla?"

"With Ben."

She could barely hear him over the music.

She looked around but the crowd was too thick. Without thinking, she headed out the venue. If Ben was here then they would have headed outside, Alixandria was sure of that.

Behind her, she could feel Idris. He had no trouble moving through the crowd or trouble hearing her. So she didn't even bother to turn and face him as she spoke.

"You followed me." She continued out of the venue.

"No, technically, I came here for Ben."

Alixandria rolled her eyes, "Why would you let Ben take Camilla? You know they are fighting!"

"Yeah, so do most couples."

"Yeah, but most couples aren't vampires."

His hand came over her elbow and brought her to a gentle stop. "Are you afraid he'd hurt her because of what he is?"

Alixandria gulped, knowing the double meaning behind that question. He was wondering if that was how she felt about him. Scared or possibly disgusted by what he was.

She shook her head, "All I'm saying is that she didn't want to see him tonight. I don't know what he did but he needs to give her space." Her brow rose as her brown eyes caught his hand and he let go of her arm.

"They're in the alley."

Alixandria went out the door and made her way down the front of the building.

"Alixandria, wait–" Idris called, "They're mates, whatever they're going through, they'll get through it."

"Yeah, and how do you know that? Why should I trust you?" Alixandria turned to face him, not quite sure why she was feeling so angry. Trust... she thought of the word, what did it really mean without action.

She'd trusted Henry, and yet in the matter of a day all that had gone down the drain.

"Have I ever given you a reason not to?" He paused, placing his hands within his pockets as Alixandria stood there silently.

No, he had never given her a reason not to trust him, in fact, he'd always been honest with her as far as she knew. And she realized she was lashing out at the wrong person simply because he was the one standing in front of her.

"I'm sorry," She sighed. "I just feel like I really failed Camilla tonight."

"She's fine." Idris smiled and in two steps he stood in front of her. '"But since I know you're a stubborn little shortcake," he moved in front of her. "Come on." He said without stopping for her.

Alixandria followed him down the sidewalk, and as the venue ended they moved into the alleyway. It wasn't completely dark because of the streetlight, but as he moved them towards the left, darkness cloaked over them until they reached another short turn within the alley and Alixandria paused.

A shiver ran through her when she spotted Ben sucking on her friend's neck. The red on his lips was unmistakable. "Camilla!"

Alixandria raced as fast as she could towards the pair, until her hands were palming at the massive vampire holding her friend hostage.

"Get off her! Get off her!'

"Ahh–shit!" Ben cursed, his lips leaving Camilla, "What the? Oww!" He flinched away from something Alixandria was throwing at him.

"Alixandria?" Both Camilla and Ben said in unison, but Alixandria had seemingly not heard them, too strung up on adrenaline, she was still trying to take Camilla from Ben's grasp.

"Ow– Shit! Idris, will you quit laughing and get your girl." Ben moved, while Camilla tried to calm them down and Alixandria screamed and Idris laughed as he marched over.

"Camilla, your neck!" Alixandria tried to move toward her but with Ben refusing to move it was hard for her to take care of her friend. She was terrified that her friend would bleed out, but then to her surprise, the small wound sealed and to her horror, Ben licked off the remaining blood.

"Ben!" Camilla frowned, "You could've waited."

"But you're yummy." He pouted.

And while the pair talked as if Ben had simply given her a paper cut, Alixandria's mind was in chaos. "C-camilla, are you a vampire too?"

A shiver ran down her spine as she once more spotted the healed wound.

Noticing her panic, Camilla tried to move towards Alixandria, but Ben held her in place. Worry over his brow.

For a moment, Alixandria felt completely out of place and in a way betrayed.

"No! No, Alix. I'm not a vampire, I promise!" She said.

"Then why did you just heal like that? That's not normal."

"It's our saliva," Idris came to stand beside her. "It heals wounds if we want them to."

"But Ben didn't heal her till after."

"I licked her when you started attacking me." Ben groaned. "You would have noticed if you hadn't been busy trying to stone me with–" he looked around until he found what Alixandria had been throwing at him. "You did not." He said in playful disbelief.

"You were attacking my friend!" Alixandria screamed defensively, which earned a chuckle from all of them.

Frustrated, she crossed her arms and began to storm off.

"Alixandria!" Camilla called out to her but Alixandria did not stop, she kept marching until another set of footsteps followed beside her.

"I told you she was okay," Idris said beside her.

"Apparently," Alixandria stopped and turned to face Camilla.

Idris had been right, and in many ways she was thankful he was, but also she felt...conflicted as she watched her friend. Camilla had been more than fine. Now that she had calmed down, she noticed Ben wasn't the only one that held Camilla. Camilla had her legs tightly wrapped around Ben's torso, her hands clasped around his neck, and her brownish lipstick was practically smeared all down Ben's jaw... all things Alixandria scolded herself for not noticing at first.

Even now, Camilla had her hands lovingly cupping Ben's face until Ben placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and set her down. It was then she realized how in love they were...and how it was likely they too shared a bond.

Idris had said they were mates, and it appeared Camilla had finally accepted that and seeing her happy made Alixandria happy as well, and yet she felt a slight sadness, because she wished that could be her and Idris.

"Hey, Idris." Camilla had walked over to them.

Idris smiled down at her. "Camilla." he said, looking between her and Alixandria. "I'll go check on Ben." he stepped away, until he was out of ear shot and back with Ben.

"First of all, I'm sorry about all that." Camilla began. "You didn't deserve to see all that and I know you were just worried about me."

"He was sucking on your neck, Camilla!"

"I know," She smiled meekly, "it's not that bad."

"Not that bad!" Alixandria's mouth parted. "You have no idea how worried I was about you. I thought he was hurting you! You showed up to class looking so distraught, then tonight you were upset, you didn't even want to talk about him and now suddenly he's sucking on your neck–"

"I was in denial!" Camilla suddenly said. "You know what he is right?"

"Of course I do."

"He's also my mate, Alixandria. He could never hurt me...just like Idris could never hurt you."

"When did you find out?"

"A couple days ago." She sighed. "I freaked out. I mean Ben is already a fucking walking God and when I found out what he was–" she exhaled, "I mean, it was too much, the bond, the powers, the strength, the strong emotions..." She ran her hand through her hair. "God, for a moment I just wanted to run...but, ugh, I was also really turned on–"

"What?!" Alixandria chuckled at the incredulity.

"Oh don't act like that, everyone wants to act like they'd be terrified, but if they had the chance to be with their crush and then it turns out their crush was a vampire who wanted to be with you badly...I mean come on, what sane person would refuse that!"

"Camilla, get to the point! So then why were you all upset if you were loving it?"

"Well," She grinned. "I sort of got swept up in it all, and when things started to get really hot and heavy, and real...he bit me–"

"Yeah I saw that."

"No, not like that."

Alixandria's brows dipped in confusion, "Then how?"

"I was accepting our bond and somehow I could feel what he was feeling...and when he bit me, I freaked out because I realized what I was and what he wanted." Camilla's eyes sobered over as she stared at her friend. "We're human Alixandria and they are not, we're fragile and they are strong...I have family, friends, school, and I wasn't sure that I wanted to...ahh, to–"

"To be turned."

Camilla's silence was her answer.

"They can do that?"

Camilla nodded her head.

"So when he bit you just now–"

"Oh," Camilla shook her head, "No he wasn't turning me."

"So he was just having a light snack?"

"Alix," Camilla rolled her eyes, but then she began to chuckle and Alixandria did too.

"Look I don't know yet what exactly I want, but I could barely stand being without him tonight and when I saw him, fuck...I don't want to be without him anymore, Alix. So regardless of what I decide, I know we'll make it work..." she paused before adding, "just like I know you and Idris can make it work."

"Camilla," Alixandria looked down at her boots for a moment. "I wish it were that simple."

"It is."

"And what about Henry? You know our past."

"I know your past and that's why I know he's not your present." She wrapped her arms around herself, before taking a step towards Alixandria and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Henry is a great guy and what he did for you is something I know you'll never forget, but that's no reason to stay with someone who you clearly don't have actual feelings for." She gave her a sympathetic smile. "I think, it's time for you to heal yourself and move on from your past. Whether it's with or without Henry or Idris."

Alixandria nodded her head knowing Camilla was right. Henry had done so much for her and Alixandria knew she would always love him for that, but right now, after everything that happened, she had no idea where her feelings stood for him and it was time she owned up to it.

"I just don't know where to start." She slumped her shoulders.

"Well, it's not going to be easy," Camilla wrapped her arm around Alixandria, "But I can promise we will all be here for you."

Alixandria leaned her head against Camilla's shoulder as she watched Idris and Ben, until Idris's warm green eyes caught hers.

She felt as if time had stopped, and for a moment it was just the two of them, in their own little bubble in time.

"Come on." Camilla began to lead her back. "I think we all have a lot to talk about."

Alixandria sighed knowing Camilla was right and though she knew a storm was brewing up ahead, she also knew that sunny days were behind that storm and in order to get there she had to make things right.

"Glad to see you've calmed down." Ben smiled at Alixandria as Camilla and her had reached them. "Idris told me you were feisty, but I didn't believe him."

"Ben," Idris groaned uncomfortably beside him.

"Hey, don't make fun of my best friend or I'll kick your ass too." Camilla jabbed at him.

"In that case," Ben reached into his pocket, "You two might need more of these."

"Is that..." Camilla took the small white tooth looking food. "Garlic?"

Ben began to chuckle. "Unless Alixandria wants to take them back?"

"You threw garlic at Ben?" Camilla bent over in laughter.

"It's in the lore, people!" Alixandria covered her face in embarrassment.

"Alright, enough." Idris's chuckle came to a pause as he took Alixandria's hand and pulled her back against his chest, so close. Alixandria felt her heartbeat rise steadily, she'd all but forgotten why everyone had been laughing when she felt how close she'd come to Idris.

"Will you guys be staying for the rest of the show?" Camilla beamed with hope, but all Alixandria could focus on was the warmth that came from Idris's chest.

"Well?" His soothing voice called to her.

Alixandria looked back, feeling entranced by his eyes and quickly shook her head no. It took a couple blinks back and a few deep breaths to steady herself enough to turn back and face a pouting Camilla.

"Sorry," She said, "another time?"

"Okay." Camilla said taking Ben's hand, for a moment her eyes shifted from Alixandria to Idris, before settling back on Alixandria's. "Call me later."

Which Alixandria immediately understood as, "I want to hear how it all goes."

"I will." Alixandria said as she watched the content pair walk off in loving harmony.

It took Alixandria a moment to steady herself. She could feel the hum and spark of desire building each second she stood there alone with Idris.

And facing him was another challenge of its own; for her body that wanted to give into him and for her hands that wanted to touch him, but she remained frozen, even as Idris had snaked his arms around her and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"So, what did Camilla have to say?" His husky voice vibrated down her spine, as his lips were dangerously close to her neck.

At that question, Alixandria couldn't help but smile. She knew Idris had supernatural hearing and either he had intentionally not listened and was genuinely curious or he had overheard and wanted to know what she thought, but the slight eagerness in his tone told her it was the former.

"Why?" She finally had the strength to turn in his grasp and face him. "Are you dying to know?"

"Very much so," He nodded his head vehemently, causing Alixandria to chuckle. "I want to know what she said that brought that fire in your eyes."

"A fire?" Alixandria smirked.

Idris nodded.

"Well..." she narrowed her eyes, "If you must know...Camilla seems to think I should give you a chance."

With a little triumphant smile, Idris's hand slid away from her waist until they found her fingers and he leaned down so they were forehead to forehead. "And what do you think? Do I deserve a chance?" His deep green silver eyes searched her.

Alixandria didn't answer, but instead gave him a close-lipped smile that brightened her eyes. "How about you give me a ride?"

Idris nodded his head, never looking away. He brought her hands up to his lips and tenderly kissed them before nodding his head. "Of course." He straightened his back and led them away with his hand intertwined to hers.