Valene:
Early Sunday morning, and the conversation that I’d had with Harlyn the night before still weighed heavily on my mind.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Delta Minken’s vassal, Harold, and whether he was alright. Sure, Harlyn had said that he was fine but her version of fine was nothing compared to mine.
I was so lost in my own thoughts and feelings that I found it hard to get ahead of it all. It was then that I found myself staring blankly into my mirror, sitting half limp in my chair as the dread of being…lost suddenly took over.
With such conflicted feelings plaguing me I couldn’t help the harsh chuckle that escaped my lips. Staring at the mirror, I simply looked at my reflection and sighed. “Life sucks, doesn’t it?” I mumbled to myself.
“Surely…things can’t be that bad.”
When I heard Master Wade’s voice, my eyes shot up to the right of the reflection of my mirror, and saw that he’d been badly bruised. He had obviously just gotten home. “Maste-” Quickly I rushed to him as he leaned against the panel of my door. “Are you alrigh-what happened?” I ushered him to a chair and immediately grabbed the first aid kit.
He was healing but significantly slower than he would have any other time. His wounds were extensive; no doubt he’d been in quite the squabble.
“We went after the beast who attacked the Delta’s vassal. There…were quite a few more of them than we thought but nothing that couldn’t be handled.”
“I see.” I said, starting to place antiseptic on his wounds. “Forgive me for saying, I’ve never seen you this…worn?” I failed to find the right words, or at least I knew the word that I wanted to use but I certainly didn’t want to offend.
Master Wade seemed to notice this as well because he chuckled. “You mean bruised…beaten?” He asked. “We were ambushed by Lycans.” He said.
“What?!” I exclaimed with concern. “What-why are Lycans here?”
“It was a misunderstanding, Val.” He simply replied. “Nothing that couldn’t be fixed.”
“But-what-what are Lycans doing even near Virginia territory, Master Wade? I-”
“The Alpha seems to have been having an infestation of wildlings encroaching on his territory for centuries.”
“So, what? He and his pack have tracked the things all the way to Virginia? From where?”
“Brasilia, could you imagine?” Master Wade countered with mirth. “He’s been tracking down the root of the wildlings ever since they pillaged his village as a child. Killed off his whole family and a slew of pure-blood lycan Alphas. He’s the last Alpha lycan of pure blood in existence.”
Pure-blood Alphas were Alphas with a family line of pure Alphas. Some alphas produced Betas and sometimes Deltas-in rare cases even Omegas. However, there were a few with a bloodline completely born of Alphas. Those were the families that could actually choose their mates without very little consequence. There weren’t a lot of these families in existence, to begin with, according to Master Wade-wolf, lycan or otherwise.
“He’s known as the king of the lycans.” Master Wade added.
“That…that’s an obtuse title to claim,” I mumbled.
He chuckled. “I’ve had dealings with the boy before and I daresay, he has earned the title of Lycan King.” He said.
“Oh,” I kept tending to his gradually healing wounds. “I cannot imagine tracking and hunting beasts for so long,” I muttered and suddenly wondered about the places this Alpha had seen.
“You’d marvel at what you are capable of where vengeance and absolution are involved, Val.” He said to me; I didn’t doubt this.
“I imagine there is some truth in that.” I replied.
“Yes,” Master Wade countered in simple form. “Now tell me what Harlyn has done this time.” He said.
My gaze shot up at him and immediately I looked away. Where would he have thought that Harlyn had done something?
“What do you mean? She hasn’t done anything.” I focused more heavily than before on his wounds now, not wanting to delve into this. “Maybe you should have gone to the hospital, Master Wade,” I suggested. “These wounds are a little more extensive than I’m used to seeing.”
“Nonsense, I’ll be fine.” He brushed off my comment and quickly returned to the one beforehand. “I can tell that something is bothering you, Val, and lately you and Harlyn have not been on the best of terms. So?”
“What would constitute good terms, Master Wade?” I asked. “I am her vassal and I do as I am told. In that respect, there are no problems between your daughter and I.”
“Except there is more to your relationship than vassal and Mistress, Val.”
“There shouldn’t be.” I retorted without hesitation, though I could not find the courage to say this while looking into his intimidating eyes.
“What?”
After I finished tending to Master Wade, I backed off and stood up straight. “I just…after what happened to Delta Minken’s vassal…” My sentence veered off of its course as I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say or how I wanted to say it even if I did know. Whatever I said, I wanted to leave Harlyn’s name out of it because I knew that mentioning her name would more than likely cause further discord.
Master Wade stood, and suddenly towering over me, I found it even harder to figure out what I wanted to say. He was easily an intimidating person even when he wasn’t trying to be.
“What is it, Val?”
“No-nothing.” I quipped, suddenly afraid to have this conversation. I didn’t consider how deep this dialogue would have to go before any part of how I was feeling could be sorted.
He obviously didn’t like my answer and took another towering step toward me. “Speak, Val.”
Taking a deep breath, I decided, knowing that this was now an unavoidable conversation, I confessed my feelings but first I wanted to know, “How is he? Master Minken’s Vassal?” I clarified as, to be honest, I could care less about how Delta Minken was feeling; I doubt he felt anything at all.
“The boy will be fine. He probably won’t be of much use to the Delta’s family with the injuries that he has sustained but-”
“Much use…” I hated it when they used such words. Especially Master Wade. Needless to say, I was disappointed in his way of thinking.
“Yes,” He stood by his expression and it bothered me even more.
“Do you know his name?” I asked him.
“Yes, I do know the boy’s name.”
“How could someone with a name-someone who served valiantly be counted as of no use?” I asked.
“Of course, he is of use. Every living thing is of use-even if their use it to die-”
“That is what a vassal’s job is…right?” I asked.
“Well, yes-” He started to say when Master Wade seemed to think better of his answer. He already knew where I was going with this. “Val, don’t try to compare yourself to them. They-”
“They what? They’re less?” I asked. “Because that is clearly not true, sir.”
“Yes,” He disagreed. “It is.” I couldn’t accept this but he seemed determined to make me see his side. “Valene, do you realize that on the premise of your blood alone, you are worth far more than any of these vassals in Shadow Veil or any human within a one thousand mile radius-more than!” He added.
“Not to me, sir.” I rebuttal. “I do not think that I am worth more and that should count for something-”
“Only to you, sweetheart.” He said. “Because the reality of it is that if I were as callous with you as is of the old ways-as my family before me lived, I could make a fortune off of you, simply because you are a gold blood. You are…in all logic a valuable asset, Val. And just because you see yourself as less than or equal to your fellow vassals, does not mean that others do. That will stay the same whether you like it or not.”
Whether I wanted to agree or not, Master Wade was right about his logic and it repulsed me to admit to it. I had no control over how others saw me in terms of value but I did have control over whether I did, and I also had control over whether I should live my life as a vassal or as a human trying to play a vassal.
“Then, I’m quitting my job, and I’m dropping out of college-”
“What?!” He incredulously barked. “What are you on about?”
“If I am to be a human serf then I will be one completely,” I said. Part of me even thought about asking if I could just leave in general, but I knew that in the end, I would not be able to stay away from the only family that I had ever known.
“Valene,” He touched my shoulder. “You have to be reasonable with yourself. You were adopted into this-not because you gave yourself to us or-or because this is your punishment.”
“It…it does not matter how I got here, Master Wade.” I retorted. “The fact of the matter is, I’m here now and…and I do not want special treatment just because you think that it is necessary to quell your guilt.” I said. “I am the Wade family’s vassal,” I looked up at him after many minutes of not having the courage to do so. “I am your vassal, and that is how I’d like to be treated from here on out. I will turn in my resignation tonight at Bones and I will type a letter of withdrawal to the school in the morning.” I said. “Now, if you don’t need anything else from me.”
By this time, my eyes had been magnetized to the floor again. I knew that the Alpha would not hurt me or necessarily lash out at me because of what I had said, but I knew that he was upset. And if by small chance, he did let restraint cease then I didn’t want to have to witness the full force of his anger if I didn’t have to.
“If that is what you wish.” He said, his feet backing away from me. “I’m going to get some rest.”
“Would you like me to bring you something, Master Wade?” I asked.
“No,” He sighed. “But you need to prepare yourself for the night.” Where my gaze was at attention once more, my expression was sure to display my surprise.
“If I may ask, Master Wade…what for?”
“vassals don’t usually feel like they have a right to ask questions, Valene.” He retorted, and he was right.
“I apologize for my outburst, Master Wade. I-”
“That Alpha that I was telling you about, he’s in town and he may stay awhile. So, we’re having a get together of sorts to welcome him, as is tradition.” He decided to tell me. “So you won’t be going to Bones tonight. You’ll be by my side.”
“As you wish Master Wade.”
I thought he would leave but he didn’t. He had more to say and when he exhaled harshly, I knew that he was about to say it. “I do not agree with this, Valene. I am not happy about it, but I will respect your wishes.” He said. “That is the least that I can do but whether you like it or not, you mean more to me than any human in this world as well as most inhumans and it's not because of the blood running through your veins. Your value to me does not change simply because you want it to. That is the reality of it, Val. You are a daughter to me and that will never change.”
When I heard him depart, I collapsed onto my bed, head in hand, tears brimming my eyes. I sat there, finally realizing…that no matter how much I tried to simplify my role as a human in a world of the non, I could not. It was impossible; my life would always be complicated as a vassal and as a human.
Alastair:
The evening arrived hastily but fortunately, there was little else to do outside of cooking, and that had been started early on in the day. Preparations for the gathering were turning out fine and despite our…hard conversation earlier, I knew that I had Valene to thank for that.
Honestly, she was far too hard on herself concerning her position in our lives. It pained me to say it, but the girl was a model vassal through and through. She acted in both my and Harlyn’s best interest and when the time presented itself, waited hand and foot on us both. It wasn’t just because she was a gold blood and beautiful that others envied my vassal but because she was the perfect human servant. It was disheartening to hear her speak as if she had betrayed her fellow vassals simply because she was awarded few privileges. In truth many vassals in the past had few accommodations; mine for Valene may have been a little more than the norm but she was certainly worthy of it.
“We cannot change the girl’s mind, Alastair.” Aziz said in my mind. “And we would be wrong to try and force on her what we think she deserves-”
“I know that, Aziz, I-” My counterpart already knew what I wanted to do before I confessed it.
I hadn’t planned on allowing this to go on for too long with Valene. In the back of my mind, I had already started concocting an idea to get her back on track with fulfilling her desires. In the back of my mind…that’s where Aziz caught wind of it.
“It’s just not fair to her, Aziz. The girl deserves some semblance of a life.”
“She deserves more than that.” He said. “But I’m afraid she will never have even that-not as long as she carries this mindset accompanied with this role in life. There is truly only one way that the girl could have a life. Or some semblance of it as you say.”
“I will not even broach that subject with you, again Az.” I hissed. “I could never-”
“But you could,” He interrupted. “In fact you are one of the few who can, Wade.”
“Do you realize the process that I’d have to go through to do that? It’s just…it’s too much, Aziz! You know it is.”
“Oh bollocks, Wade. We both know that it is not the process that worries you because it is not the process that worries me.”
“Of course it isn’t,” I retorted. “You won’t be the one who has to do all of the talking.”
“Oh, but I can, if need be.” He growled, his darkened gaze showing through as I looked into the reflection, incisors sharpening slightly, showing me that he could take the reigns if need be.
He cackled through me before I shoved him away from my conscious mind. “Back off, Aziz.”
The council would probably like me best anyway.” He further heckled.
“I doubt that,” I said. “You’ve always been a bit arrogant.”
“And you’re not?” laughed my wolf again. “Arrogance knows arrogance, Wade. That is why we are two of the same soul.”
“Whatever you say.” I murmured with resignation.
There was a lull in our conversation before my wolf spoke again. “You know that I am right, Wade.” He said in all seriousness now. “If we want to do right by the girl-if we want to protect her…there is only one thing that we can do.”
I knew that Aziz was right. Sending Valene out into the human world alone would cause more harm than good. There was a reason why gold bloods were all but extinct. I daresay, Valene was the only one left in existence. Letting her go free would almost certainly end her life. I promised her when she first started attending college and working that I would not have her followed because she wanted to feel normal. I kept half of my promise to her. She didn’t realize that the lift that she’d take home was one of my off-city Vassals. Or that there was always one sitting nearby in that bar, watching her to make sure that she was alright. It was the only way that I could keep tabs on her. Or at least that was the way that I chose to keep tabs on her. That vassal mark was never my go-to. I had only used it once and hadn't planned on using it again; that was one thing that Valene could not fight me on.
Of course, I would have preferred to use one of my pack members, but Valene was familiar with every last one of them. What she didn’t know was that I had humans all over Virginia looking after what is mine. Neither me nor my pack could be bothered to be everywhere all the time. That’s where my use for humans came in. That included watching over Valene when I couldn’t be there to do it.
“Well since you are so against the former, then maybe the best plan of action is to let the girl go. Allow her to live her life and keep watch over her by means in which we’ve already employed.”
I shook my head. “And what if something happens to her? What if she is attacked? I don’t know why I speak as if it is just a simple risk when we bothk now that it is inevitable. Those vassals are good for surveillance but where an inhuman is involved they are hardly worth their weight in shielding someone let alone defending them. What if I don’t get there in time, Aziz?” I could hardly bear the thought. “I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”
“Then turn her!” He hissed, going back to his initial resolution to this problem. To be honest, I was sure that he was leading to this in the first place. “You have proven in all cases that it is the best path to take! So why-why are you so reluctant?”
“Because what if she doesn’t survive the transition, Aziz? What if she dies?” I finally snapped. I had brought this possibility up numerous times, and while I did know that Valene was strong-while I did have confidence in her…despite all of that, there was always a risk.“That process is…gruesome and painful. Very few are strong enough and-”
“You think that she is not?” This wasn’t a genuine question. In fact, Aziz’s inquiry was bordering on sarcasm. It was just rhetorical sarcasm once again. “Valene…is a very strong human…inside and out.” Aziz defended her.
“But what if she is not strong enough-”
“She is.”
“But what if she’s not, Aziz?” I pressed, hoping that he would have a good answer-one that would reassure me that there was no chance that Valene would not survive because if he had that definitive answer then I had mine. But he didn’t.
“The only thing that we can do is hope that she is strong enough, Wade.”
I scoffed. “Hope,” shaking my head, I turned away from my mirror. “I need more than hope to risk my daughter’s life, Aziz.”
“Hey daddy, are you ready?” Harlyn knocked at my door with a bright smile on her face. “I cannot wait to meet this Lycan king that everyone has been talking about!” She excitedly said. “Finally something exciting is happening in Shadow Veil!”
Something exciting. Suddenly, I wondered how my daughter would feel about Valene being an official part of the family. I knew that Harlyn did have feelings about Valene being a human but maybe that would change if Valene’s biology did.
“Where’s Valene?” Harlyn asked.
“She’s at the dining hall making sure that everything is right.” I answered.
“Ah, of course.” She replied.
I didn’t know what her words meant but I knew that there was something thinly veiled in them. I pushed the menial concern aside, however, as I had a question more important to ask.
“Harlyn,” I approached and took her hand into mine. “There is a question that I must ask you.”
“Okay.” She replied. When I sat her down, her nose wrinkled with concern. “Is everything alright, daddy?” My daughter asked.
“Sure,” I replied. “I-well, I guess…”
“What is it? What’s going on?”
“It’s about Val,” I replied.
“Oh,” She stoically said. “What about her?”
“I know that things haven’t been easy between you two of late.”
“We’re fine daddy. Why are you asking about us?” She grimaced. “Did she say something about me?”
“No, what-no, of course not.” I quipped. “You know she’d never do anything like that.”
“Oh! Right.”
I then became doubtful. “Does she have something to tell about you?”
“No, she doesn’t.” Impatiently, Harlyn stood. “Look daddy, are we going somewhere with this conversation or not? I look stunning and I’d love to attend this party.” She headed towards the door.
“How do you feel about Valene, Harlyn?” I decided to come on out with it. “Outside of her being human?” I added. “How do you feel about her as…well as she is? As a person?”
“I care deeply for her, of course.” She said, “Behind closed doors, Vali is the sister that I never had. She’s sweet, caring, and very considerate of me. What is not to love about her? Even her humanity has something of use to it, though inferior as it may be.” She smiled. “Why do you ask?”
“Because,” I said. “I may be making a decision soon that will affect all of us, and I wanted to know how you felt before I did.”
“Oh?” Her smile became unsure but seemingly amused nevertheless. “And what is that?” She sat down again. Waiting for me to answer.
“I…I’m thinking about turning Valene.”
There was a lull in our conversation at first, then Harlyn’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Harlyn…how would you feel if…if Valene was an official part of this family?”
The hope that I had for this to be exciting news for her fell flat when Harlyn quickly stood up. “We should go before we’re late.”
“Wh-Harlyn-Harlyn wait-”
“Daddy,” She turned around and looked at me. “Let’s just go to the party.”