Chapter 20: Something About the Lycan King

Valene:It never ceased to amaze me how huge the Shadow Veil packhouse was. Most of the pack resided there, outside of Master Wade and Slaughter. Master Slaughter lived close by, however, and would stay for prolonged periods of time when the situation called for it. I had assumed that whatever was going on of late constrained him to be there now.

There were no cars outside save Master Slaughter’s, but I could tell that the front room was packed with wolves.

“You alright?”

“Yes, Master Wade.” I answered mechanically, not really in the mood to conversate. I got out of the car and closed the door behind me. I waited for Master Wade. He was still sitting there in the car and I could almost feel him still staring at me.

We were at an impasse, he and I, while I did not completely blame him for it, I realized that I did resent him a little. And I hated that I felt that way, so it was best that I sort my feelings in silence. The only way that I could do that was to be alone for the rest of the night, but I knew that I could not have such an allowance just yet.

Master Wade finally exited the car and headed towards the front door. As he did this, I took a deep breath and then exhaled stressfully, I told myself…one more obstacle to go. Then I followed behind him.

Just as I suspected the living room was full with the Shadow Veil Pack wolves. The ones that I did not recognize, I could only assume were the Lycan King’s pack members.

I took account of everyone in the room as soon as we entered the threshold. It was when I was about to lower my gaze that I saw the Lycan king sitting in a large chair, his body dirtied and beaten down. His wounds were extensive; all I could wonder was what the heck had happened to him. I hadn’t realized how hard I was staring until I felt his heated gaze on me.

“Alastair,” he said to Master Wade.

“Bloody hell, Ares!” Master Wade hissed. “You’re worse than I thought you’d be. You need to go to the medical center.”

“I’ll be fine.” He reassured casually. “I just need a good bandaging.”

“Then why has no one seen to it!?” Master Wade snapped his hardened surveying the room.

“He just arrived, Alpha,” one of the pack members quickly chimed in to defend themselves. “We all have-”

“I told them to take care of themselves first, Alpha.” Master Barbosa said. “Either I’ll sit here and heal fast or feel the pain for a little longer as I heal slowly.” I noticed from my peripheral that there was an amused smile on his face as he said this. He seemed to take pain as a welcome friend. And from the corner of my eye, I noticed Master Minken cross his arms and chuckle.

“I really like this one, Alastair.”

“Of course, you do.” Master Wade sarcastically countered before calling my name. “Valene.”

I already knew what he wanted and so I simply bowed my head in obligation. “Yes, Master Wade.” I quickly went into the kitchen and grabbed the first aid kit from underneath the sink. When I returned, they were already talking about what had transpired that caused the Lycan Alpha’s wounds. “Sir,” I made my presence known, and we both knew the meaning behind addressing the Alpha.

The Lycan Barbosa stared directly at me but I would not dare face his eyes. He then sat up in the recliner and placed his large veined hand onto the arm of the chair so that I could gain better access to it.

“As I was saying,” Master Barbosa started again. “We were patrolling and there was evidence of habitation. Some spots were old and others were relatively new but…they all seemed abandoned.”

“You didn’t sense anything.”

“That was the problem. You know how powerful my abilities are, Alaistair. Nothing. These ferals were unlike any that I have been against. They were bigger in size and significantly more powerful. Their physical appearance was different.”

As I tended to the Lycan’s hand, I heard Master Wade curse under his breath. He was bothered by this, however, the Lycan King seemed to shift his attention back to me and what I was doing. I noticed from my peripheral a strange expression on his face. Surely, he understood the effect that he was having on me as I felt his arm budge a little, and a hardly notable chuckle followed as I reflexively flinched.

“So how would you like to proceed, Alpha?” He asked while his eyes were steadily on me.

Master Wade must have been too frustrated to pay attention to his blatant staring because he did not comment on it; something that he usually would do when one was staring at his gold blood vassal for too long. This only made me feel even more uncomfortable because if he made a move-this Lycan King, I was almost certain that Master Wade would not get to me in time. Somehow, I was certain that I what I had done to those inhumans earlier would not be easily done to him.

“We’re going to be up late tonight.” Master Wade had said as I finished sterilizing and bandaging the wound on his hand and moving on to the one on his forearm. “Alpha Barbosa, your pack can either head home or take a room. We most certainly have the space. Either way, I need you and your officers present.”

He nodded. “Well, I should like to send my pack to their den.” he said. “If something happens, I’m sure, that Zevi and Andre will be sufficient backup.”

“We all in agreement?” Master Wade asked the room and in unison, the Shadow Veil pack answered.

“Yes, Alpha.”

Master Barbosa, in turn, eyed his pack, and they bowed. “Very well. Disperse.” he demanded and immediately following, his pack evacuated the packhouse.

“After you are patched up, you’ll join us in the meeting room.” Master Wade said.

“I will,” he replied and returned his stare to me. “Tell me, little human,” needless to say, Master Barbosa, caught me off guard when he addressed me. Whatever was on his mind, he couldn’t seem to hold it in any longer. I nodded for him to continue, although he needed no permission from me to do so. “The blood that you sport…how many fatalities?”

“Fatalities?” I don’t know why I responded that way because I knew exactly what he was asking.

“Deaths, little human. Morte?” he said to me, translating the word to his language in a most sardonic tone. “Either you had one bloody mess or you took a few lives tonight.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I lost count, sir, after twelve.” I answered with a slight pause in working on his wounds before continuing. To be honest, I didn’t think about the count until he inquired about it and I didn’t really want to recall any of it.

“Humans?” he asked. Before I could answer, he sniffed. “Inhumans,” he corrected himself and then chuckled. “I have underestimated your girl, here, senhor.” He stated to my Keeper. I assumed his words were meant for Master Wade but his eyes were still on me. I may not have been allowed eye contact but I could feel his continuously boring into me.

“Of course, you did,” Master Wade replied. “So did the ones whose blood she wears tonight.” he said and walked past me, touching my shoulder. “You have the night when you’re finished with the Alpha, Valene. Thank you for your service.”

“My honor, Master Wade. Where shall I settle for the night?”

“The vassal quarters are down in the basement. There is a room at the end for you.”

I closed my eyes and sighed with relief. I couldn’t wait to be alone. “Thank you, Master Wade.”

He then departed and after he did, I was settled there on my knees, tending to the Lycan Alpha’s wounds. Alone.

“Your Keeper certainly thinks a lot of you, little human.” he said to me. I guess being called that was something that I’d be forced to get used to.

“Does he?” I feigned ignorance though I knew that what the Alpha said was the truth.

“You feign ignorance,” he said to me, calling my bluff. I didn’t respond. He then bent closer to my ear and I suddenly heard him inhale me.

And admittedly as he did this, I caught a whiff of him, and coupled with the sweat and blood of an inhuman who had just come from fighting a small battle, was something altogether sweeter that I inhaled. It was something…enticing to say the least.

“I feel the same about you, pequeno humano,” he said to me, this time calling me a little human in his native tongue and for a second, I slipped up and looked into his eyes, bewildered by what he had said. He watched me with darkened eyes, a small grin on his face, and for a moment, a split second of my life, I could not regain control to look away. Something in his eyes, his countenance forced me to face his haunting gaze.

When I finally gathered the strength to pull away from his stare, I did and quickly started finishing up his bandaging. All the while praying that he would not report me to anyone for my blatant boldness in looking him in the eye.

“Do not worry, little human,” he said to me. “Despite our…second meeting, you are safe with me. Any human as useful as you has a right to safety.” he said. “Besides, I make it a point not to make the same mistake twice. I do not allow myself to lose control unless I desire it.”

“Of course,” I said in a hushed voice although the only thing that I could think about is the one time that he could not control himself.

From my peripheral, I saw mirth on his face. “Can you blame me?” he asked. I certainly did not bother answering. He didn’t seem to need verbalization. “You caught me off guard. Rest assured, it will not happen again.” he tried reassuring me but in my experience, such restraint was easier said than done. “I know you do not trust my words, pequeno humano.”

“The only inhuman in existence who has resisted my blood completely is Master Wade, your grace.” I said. “Surely you understand my apprehension.” I dared say.

“There will become a proving time.”

“I hope not.”

Again, he laughed. And if it wasn’t so melodic in its deepness, I would have been far more annoyed than I was. “You have a smart mouth for a human servant,”

He was right. “I apologize, Master Barbosa. That comment was out of line.”

“Did I say that it was out of line?” he asked me.

“No…Master Barbosa.”

“You will know when I find that you are out of line, little human.” said the Lycan King.

“Of course, Master Barbosa. My apologies.” I said.

“So,” he said. “Tell me more about your relationship with the Alpha.”

“I am his vassal and he is my Keeper. I protect and shield wherever I can and do whatever else is required of me.”

“I am not talking about that, little human.”

“Well, I am not sure what else you mean by my relationship with my Keeper, Master Barbosa.” I was afraid to even think anything for fear of him delving into my mind.

“Are you his toy?” he asked.

“What?” I was incredulous, I slipped up again, glaring daggers at his callous choice of words! Never mind the audacity to even inquire of such a thing.

“His lover, little human.” he said boldly. “Are you?”

And immediately, I nearly lost it but I restrained myself this time and quickly returned my gaze to his wound. There was one more bleeding through his shirt on his abdomen and instead of answering him right away, I reclined the chair and it chucked him back aggressively, surprising the Alpha.

“My apologies, Master Barbosa.” I tried to restrain the mirth on my expression. “Would you lift your shirt?”

Reluctantly, as he glared at me, he did as he was told and I began to tend to this wound-a wound that was particularly worse than the rest. And I still did not answer his question.

“It looks like something took a bite out of you.” I commented, shifting farther away from the subject that I knew he was still stuck on. “This is going to become infected soon.” I muttered, grabbing the alcohol.

“So, you are not going to answer my question-” Before he could finish his sentence, I poured the alcohol onto his wound. I shouldn’t have done it that way but I did. Alcohol could hurt anyone in the right setting and as far as I was concerned, he deserved it for asking such an asinine question.

He quickly grabbed my hand and yanked me up against him, his face barely an inch from mine. I wasn’t even sure that he meant to do it but it certainly was enough to make me second guess what I had done, but only a little if I’m being completely honest. “Now…you are beginning to border on the line of out…of place, little human.” He warned me in his deep accent.

“I apologize, Master Barbosa.” I quipped. “I was only trying to-”

“I know what you were trying to do, little human.” he growled.

There was no need to rebut against him as it would have only exacerbated his frustrations, I’m sure. So the only thing that seemed appropriate was to apologize again.

“I apologize, your grace.” I said. He held me there a moment longer with glaring silence before releasing me. I continued working on his wound. I placed the bandage on.

At this point, I thought it was about time to stop testing the boundaries of his patience. Why I suddenly threw caution to the wind in the first place was beyond me. Maybe it was the fact that he actually allowed me space to do so.

“You should probably be stitched, Master Barbosa, butit is thoroughly as clean as I can manage without hospital supplies. If you do not heal by the night’s end, depending on how the wound looks, I will suture. Though, I am partial to Master Wade’s suggestion for you to go to medical.”

“So, you’re a killer and a nurse.” he commented.

“I am…who my Keeper needs me to be.” I replied and silence filled the room. I was glad for it in part, but could still feel his eyes on me.

I was glad when the front door opened and just in time. I finished his wound care and stood up.

“Vali? Wha-” It was Harlyn. “Oh, my goddess! What happened?!” she exclaimed as she approached me. “Are you alright?!”

“Yes, Mistress Wade. I’m going to go clean up and probably head to bed. Your father said that it was alright…unless you need something.”

“Only for you to hold off on the going to bed part. I’d like to check in later.” she said.

“Yes, Mistress.”

“And what on earth has happened to this handsome beast?” she asked.

Master Barbosa stood on his feet. “I would love to relive tonight’s festivities,” he said. “But your father is waiting for me, miss Wade.” he said to her.

She stopped him. “He can wait a moment longer.”

As soon as she said this, I knew that this was my cue to take my leave and so I did. “Master Barbosa,” I bowed. “Mistress, Wade.” I then departed to the vassal quarters to find my peace.

When I reached the base floor, I noticed a line of doors heading down the halls, and a few were ajar.

“Valene!” From one of the rooms, Tobias came rushing toward me. “Woah!” he exclaimed and then grinned. “How can you make blood and gore still look so sexy?” he flirted. I laughed and when I did, realized that I may have needed that laugh more than I realized.

“Good to see you too, Toby.”

“What happened?”

I didn’t feel like reliving it but I knew that Toby would not leave me alone until I did, and I was also well aware that Harlyn would be asking me about it later.

“Inhumans trying to infiltrate Master Wade’s territory.”

“And you…did your thing, huh?” He grinned.

“I guess. Either way,” I sighed. “Now, I just want to take a shower and rest.”

“Sure, sure! We will probably be caught up on everything tomorrow anyway. It seems like our Keepers are not so keen on parting ways after what happened tonight with this new breed of Rogues.”

Yet another stressful battle ahead and the idea of it was already causing anxiety. A lot of lives would be lost going down this path. “Oh boy,” I exhaled. “How is Harold?” I asked Tobias.

Toby gestured his head down the hall toward the room door next to his. “He’s trying to heal,” Tobias shrugged. “Life isn’t the same for him but he’s still doing the best he can, and apparently, Master Minken sees it.”

“Well, that’s good to hear, isn’t it?” I asked. “I’d like to look in on him later,” I said heading for the room at the end of the hall. “Tell him I asked about him.”

Shortly after, I quickly headed to the room at the end of the hall. The room wasn’t nearly as big nor as furnished as mine but it was quaint; the soft light and a comfortable bed were good enough for me. I went to the bathroom down the hall from my room and took a long hot shower.

It was a nice bathroom considering it was made for vassals. It was clean enough and the water pressure was amazing. That was all that mattered to me. The soap was subpar at best and would certainly dry out my skin but I’d find some type of moisturizer from someone; Tobias, no doubt, had a stash of hygienic amenities somewhere in his bedroom.

Until then, however, I’d sit down on the floor of the tub and let the hot water wash away the overwhelming happenings of the night. Lazily, I washed my hair with the harsh soap and then my body. I then lay there for a while letting the exhaustion that I kept at bay simply wash over me. I began to close my eyes and suddenly the frustrating handsome face of Master Barbosa appeared and my eyes immediately shot open again. I was too afraid to see where even imagining his face would take me.

“Vali?” I heard a feminine voice call my name from the closed door.

I had completely forgotten that Harlyn wanted to speak with me and I had been in the shower a good fifteen minutes, no less. It wasn’t long enough for me, but, it was long enough nevertheless. With a sigh, I cut off the water and grabbed my towel, wrapped it around me, and opened the door.

“Hey.” I tiredly greeted.

“Back at ya.” she said and handed me a pair of sweatpants and a cropped tank top. They were definitely my clothes but I only wore this top when I was working out and she brought no underwear.

“Thank you,” I simply replied, the risk of sounding ungrateful by mentioning that she had forgotten my underwear was something that I was too tired to even consider.

I put on my sweatpants and drew the string as tight as it could get around my waist before putting the top on. I then opened the door to see that Harlyn had not budged from the spot in which she was standing.

“You look tired,” Harlyn commented.

I shrugged and just nodded as we both headed to my room at the end of the hall. “I hope your evening went well, Mistress.”

“Hmph!” from a side glance, I saw her cross her arms like a disgruntled child. “Not nearly as eventful as your evening it seems.”

“I’d have gladly traded places, Mistress.” I reassured her.

“Yeah? That bad, huh?”

My eyes were consistently directed towards the floor, my silence saying it all.

“How many lives did you take tonight, Valene?” she asked as we entered my room. She closed the door behind us and we both sat on the bed.

“Too many.” I replied as I thought about the lives that I snuffed out tonight. No one would leave well enough alone, so there was no choice but to relive the treachery of murder again.

“Did they deserve it?” asked Harlyn.

“I-even if they did, I am not judge and jury,”

“Well, that may be so but you certainly were executioner, weren’t you?” She chuckled. “What is it now? Five kills under your belt?” My expression told her that she was off by a few. “Less?” she asked. Shamefully, I shook my head and she gasped. “More?” I could hear the amusement in her voice as she asked this. “How much more?”

“I really don’t-”

“Valene!” she exclaimed. “Was it like, seven? Eight?” I didn’t want to answer so I didn’t and somehow Harlyn took this as a hint that she was still off the mark. “Was it in the two digits? Past ten or eleven?” I still didn’t answer and yet somehow something in my expression told her that she was closer to the correct number. “Bloody hell!” cried Harlyn. “Valene, wha-what the hell happened out there?”

I dropped my head back against the wall. “Vampires,”

“What? These were inhumans?” she asked incredulously. “You killed over a dozen inhumans? What…on earth did they do?”

“They were strangers…trying to take over a portion of the city, I guess?” In truth, I wasn’t sure. “There were a lot of them. Though nothing Master Wade could not handle. Master Slaughter and Minken were there as well, but…well it is my job to defend and protect, right?”

“They underestimated you again, didn’t they?” Harlyn asked me. “He wanted to show you off,” she seemed to realize the partial truth. “He loves showing you off, doesn’t he?” Harlyn murmured and I knew that it was more to herself that she said this instead of me as, by this time, she was no longer looking at me.

“Mistress, Harlyn?” She returned her stoic gaze to me with a small unreaching smile. “Are you alright?”

“Oh, I’m fine,” replied Harlyn. “Always is.” she then handed me two bags; one of them being milk chocolate frosted donuts, and to top off, a huge bottle of water.

Admittedly, my eyes lit up and before I could stop myself I wrapped my arms around her. It was probably a small thing, sweet treats and water, for anyone else but…I really needed comfort food at the moment and she provided it.My favorite.

“Thank you so much!”

“They’re just donuts and water, Vali,” she chuckled at me before rubbing my back comfortingly.

I pulled away. “I know. I apologize. I just…I needed this.” I must have sounded foolish but I didn’t even care.

“Don’t mention it,” she said. “I’m glad I could provide you some sort of comfort-no matter how short-lived it may be.” Harlyn added; even she seemed to realize that something scary was on the horizon. “As I know that those donuts do not stand a chance of lasting the night in your presence.” Oh, guess not.

“And you are right.” I laughed, opening the bag and scarfing down a mini donut.

“I know I am.” she said and then we just sat there in silence before Harlyn spoke again. “Oh, by the way, I’ve decided to have my little…coming-of-age in town.”

“Really?” I asked as I bit into another donut. Then I realized that it more than likely wasn’t her decision at all. “Or was it your father?” I asked.

“Oh, tomato, tomato!” she spat, snatching a donut out of the bag and biting into it. Her brow rose and she shrugged. Harlyn seemed to like it more than she thought she would. It was funny to see. “The point is, the cabin plans are no longer a thing.”

“Ah, well I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yes, it is terrible…but,” she grinned. “There’s a beach not far off and-”

“You mean the one near the town line?” I asked. “That’s where the Lycan pack is staying.”

“Yes!” her eyes lit up. “There’s also a cabin nearby…in very close proximity. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.”

Because there wasn’t a pack of sexy lycans staying nearby before, that’s why, I thought. I knew then that she was up to no good. “Does your father know about this?” I asked.

“He will.” she grinned. “And he will have to be okay with it. After all, he is ruining my initial plans.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” I said in defense of Master Wade. “It seems to be a lot of danger going on and he may just want you to stay safe.”

“Oh, please. We have a bloody Lycan pack here! Not to mention the slew of other inhumans that live here! They should finally all make themselves useful for once instead of having us do all of the work for them all the time while they sit on their lazy carcasses and do as they please!”

“I agree that they could help,”

“But?” she already knew that I was going there.

“But some people are not made for battle, Mistress-”

“Inhumans are! And there is no excuse as to why they do not help out more around here.”

“Is not fear a good enough excuse?” I asked. “It can be a crippling disorder for some.”

“Yeah, well.” she took yet another donut from my bag. In the back of my mind, I was just thankful that she’d brought me two. “What you call fear, I call cowardice.” she spat. “Regardless, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Won’t solve anything.” Harlyn rolled her eyes. “Now, on to other subjects…I saw uncle Slaughter’s vassal down the hall.”

Not this again. Immediately, I felt uncomfortable, remembering how the conversation ended the last time we spoke about this. “Yes,”

“Have you given any more thought about talking to him?”

Thought? You weren’t really providing me a choice the first time, let alone time to think about it. I exhaled. “I have not had much space to think about it, Mistress Harlyn.” I stated.

“Hm,” she said and then followed with silence. “Ah well!” she said. “I best be off. Penny’s waiting for me,” Harlyn rolled her eyes. “Insufferable, that one.”

I bet, I thought to myself as I watched her walk toward the door and open it. “Have a good night, Mistress. And…thank you again.” I said lifting my sweet treats and water in acknowledgment of her kindness.

She glanced back at me with a smirk. “Don’t mention it, Vali. You know I always look out for my favorite human,” she said and then left the room.

No sooner she left, than I collapsed against the bed and closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to take over.