Chapter 5: The Difference Between Daughter&Vassal

Alastair:

The family meeting was a success! Harlyn seemed to receive Valene far better than I thought, volunteering a shared special day. Admittedly, I was quite proud of my little girl for not being so selfish.

After Valene insisted against my word to make a nice meal for the family, we parted ways. It was nice speaking to my girls on the same level. It was daunting for me to address Valene as if I did not count her as my own, and I could only imagine how much more difficult and confusing this arrangement was for her. Yes, this had been the way of things for the greater part of seven years. Nevertheless, it made it no less difficult. Of course, she made it a point of displaying her frustrations far less than I could.

“If this situation is too confusing for you, why not turn the child?” Aziz countered in my mind. Sooner or later, I should have known that he’d return to the subject of turning Valene. He never left the matter alone for too long “I assure you things would be far less difficult.”

“Oh, don’t be daft, Aziz. It would be anything but,” I countered frustratedly.

“Explain.” He said.

I looked around to make sure that Harlyn wasn't lurking around trying to eavesdrop as she had done numerous times in the past.

To be safe, I decided to have this conversation mentally instead of one-sided verbal communication as was normal for my counterpart and I.

“Never mind the fact that turning a human goes against the conduct of the Inhuman Code of Law,” I reminded my counterpart. “I just…I do not believe that turning Val into one of us would make things easier for her…or for our family if I’m being completely honest.” I added. At this point, I was like a broken record on repeat but Aziz didn’t care and he’d continue to broach the subject whether he’d heard it all before or not. If only he could just understand.

“You think that she will stand out like a sore thumb.” He read my thoughts.

“Among other things.” I said aloud this time.

“But can you not deny that it would potentially aid in saving her life?” He posed the question.

“You have really convinced yourself that our pup would not survive transition?” This seemed to upset Aziz. “You know that she will! You can feel it! And so can I, Alastair. You are simply afraid and are too cowardly to admit that there is more to your fears than this.”

“Don’t make me shut you down, Aziz.” I hissed, my patience wearing thin with his candor.

My wolf only responded with mirth, laughing at me as he said. “You can try but you know that I will return and you will hear it then as well.” I rolled my eyes and didn’t respond, knowing that he was right. “It is a big decision to make-”

“And one that we cannot make on our own, Aziz. It is not our decision. I think you forget that. So what if-what if-” I finished my sentence in my mind. “What if Valene does not want to be a part of our family in that way?”

“Well, then she will tell us. Either way, it is her decision to make.” Aziz said.

“How…how do you think Harlyn will take it?” I found myself asking him as I certainly had my doubts.

“Would she not be delighted to finally have a blood sister?” Aziz replied.

After what she’d said earlier in the meeting about her and Val sharing their birthday, I thought that maybe…maybe she would.

“There could be some merit to that.” I muttered with a smile and then realized how ridiculous both of us sounded. “I-we’re done talking about this!” I quickly cut the conversation short; we had spent too much time already lingering on the subject. “As if it will actually happen.”

My counterpart laughed. “Maybe it will. Not like the pack cannot use the help with the frequent attacks happening of late.”

Attacks, Aziz segued into a subject that truly did need to be addressed. “First, and this is the last that we will speak of this today,” I said knowing that Aziz would no doubt find a way to bring it up again whether today, tomorrow or next week. “I would never allow Val to take risks that I wouldn’t allow for Harlyn. Nevertheless, you are right about the more frequent intrusions. Fortunately, no one has been fatally injured because of the pack’s united front. Still,” I shook my head. “If I’m being honest, Harlyn’s request could not have come at a more inopportune time.” I said.

“We have two weeks before her gathering. Maybe the attacks will die down by then. If not, surely we can call in a favor or two. It may be inopportune but this day is important. It is the day that Harlyn’s wolf truly awakens. She may even find her mate this night. This needs special attention, Alastair. Our pup is the future of this pack and we need to make sure that she transitions into adulthood as smoothly as we can.”

He was right about the responsibility and to be honest, it was extremely stressful to think about. “I know.” I said and suddenly my ache for Caris’s presence quickly came. Never had I thought that I’d be doing this without her.

“I know.” Aziz sensed my concerns. “I wish she were here as well, but…we have to do the best with what the Goddess has given us.”

“Yes,” I agreed; there was no point in dwelling on the fact that my mate was no longer here with me. After my momentary bout of weakness, I moved on and started to make my way to my study when I ran into Val. I knew that she had something on her mind before she spoke.

“Hey.” She smiled.

“Hello, Val. Thank you again for the amazing meal that you prepared for us.”

“Of course,” She said. “It is my job after all.”

I hated when she said such things but I could not continuously counter her words with disagreement because unfortunately, she was right. Technically, she was marked as a vassal. It was the only way that she could walk among us.

She was sixteen when the mark was placed on her. Valene had been constantly worrying about making things harder for the family by staying unmarked and I adamantly rejected the idea of her being branded. I had only found out that she had gotten herself marked anyway because I walked in on her training in her chambers. It was the only time that she was not almost fully covered, and it was then, in the center of the base of her neck that I saw it.

The memory of it broke my heart each time that I thought about it. “Are you alright, Master Wade?” She asked me, bringing me out of the horrid memory.

My nod barely noticed as I matched it with an unreaching smile. With a sigh I said, “I’m fine. So, is there anything that you need?”

“Well, actually, I was hoping that I could go on my night errand?” Night errand was code for something else, of course. “It’s Friday and well, it’s pretty busy and since I am no longer needed tonight I was hoping that-”

“Ah, Val,” I’d usually have no qualms about leaving Val to her own devices, but with the growing attacks coupled with Val’s gold blood…I already was apprehensive beforehand but at this point, I was downright fearful of her safety. “Val, I am not sure that’s a good idea. It’s just been too unpredictable on the streets lately and you know-”

“That with my blood type I am at risk.” She sighed. “I know,” she said after finishing my sentence. She nibbled at her bottom lip as she always did when she was frustrated. “It’s been going on for a while, this caution of me not leaving.” Her eyes stayed steadily on the floor as she spoke her piece. “I understand that you are trying to be careful, and I promise that I will be careful as well.” She tried to reassure me but how careful could one be against an Inhuman? And a wildling at that.

“Val, I-”

“Please, Master Wade.” She begged of me before saying. “I don’t ask for much-”

I could tell by the look on her face that she let this slip. Valene didn’t mean to say this because she was afraid that it would make me feel guilty enough to allow her to do whatever she wanted. She was right.

With a sigh of resignation, I palmed my face stressfully. “Yes, yes, you can go.” I finally gave in. “But you must keep me updated on your whereabouts at all times! Take this phone, it will let me know where you location is and-”

“Don’t-” I almost became extremely aggressive when she said what she had. It certainly wasn’t my idea that she get the mark in the first place and to this day, I was still very upset with Harlyn for taking her to go get it. “I know what the mark is for, Valene.” both Aziz and I growled. “Now, go,” I hissed with impatience of the subject. “Before I change my mind.”

Instead of leaving, however, Valene stayed put. “If it bothers you that much, Master Wade then I can stay-”

“What bothers me is that you went and got that mark without my consent and now you wish for me to use it as a means to keep tabs on you. What bothers me is that I seem to be more worried about your safety than you are, Val.”

She sighed. “I know that you are upset about the mark and I-I just do not know how many times I should or even can apologize for going behind your back about it. I guess I had hoped that since it has been nearly three years, you’d have gotten past it. And I-”

“Obviously, I haven’t.”

“I see that now and again I apologize. With that aside, I assure you that I er on the side of caution every single time I leave without your supervision. I am only asking that you trust I do it again, tonight. Please.” Valene begged.

“I already told you yes,” I replied and then approached her. “Just…be careful, Val. Please.”

“I will, I swear it.” She smiled and then ran off. “I’ll see you when I get back.”

Valene knew that I would not sleep until she returned no matter how much she insisted that I should. “Yes, you will.” I reassured her before she left out of the back door.

Suddenly, I felt as if I had more to worry about than I did a moment ago. Again I headed to my office to get a headstart on contracts for a few lucrative businesses that I had owned in Virginia.

Since the lawyer had already looked through the paperwork, all that was left to do was sign them so that they could be sent off. Then…I could brood in my frustrations.

“The pup will be fine.” Aziz said to me. “She’s very careful when she goes about and-”

“It does not matter how careful she is, Aziz.” I spat. “She’s a human with a rare bloodtype and that makes her sought after prey.” I should have never let her go. I was even more worried than I was before at this point when I dwelled on it further..

“Alpha,”

Toran’s voice rang through the pack link, taking me away from my thoughts. To be honest, I’d have been lying had I said that this was not a welcome distraction. Still, I knew that whatever it was that he had to discuss was probably something that I didn’t want to hear but at least it was altogether Alpha business. In that sense, my logic was needed over emotions.

“What is it Toran?” Aziz answered on my behalf as I finished my paperwork.

“Are you busy?”My Beta quickly responded. It must have been something that required immediate attention.

“Finishing up paperwork. Nothing that cannot wait, however, as I assume that whatever you have come to discuss is of a matter of importance.”

Both Aziz and myself could sense that Toran was nearby and so I held off on finishing up the contract signatures and quickly made my way to the front door. I opened it and there he was.

“I am going to assume that you are bearing bad news for me with this evening visit.” I said.

He exhaled, shaking his head as he walked past me and into my home. I could already sense that my Beta was frustrated.

“We’ve had another attack, Alastair! This one far more gruesome than the last.” He informed me. “And very different.”

“Different how?” I asked. The last attack was quite cut and dry. A couple was at the wrong place at the wrong time. There was a curfew in place due to the sudden rise in attacks, so the kids shouldn’t have been out in the first place. Did they deserve what had happened to them? Of course not but it was a reminder to all that the rules were in place for a reason.

“It was a human this time.”

“Human?” This certainly was news to me. “Wha-when did…the attacks shift species?”

“Tonight…” Slaughter answered simply.

“When did this happen, Toran?” I exclaimed anxiously.

“It happened just an hour ago. This vassal was gruesomely mauled.”

“A vassal,” I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that wildlings were attacking human serfs now.

“Yes, a vassal.” Toran replied. “Of course, it’s easier to control mass hysteria under control when people around here don’t seem to care much for humans in the first place.”

It was a real shame that inhumans held humans in such low regard. “Well was the human trying to shield their Keeper? Or-”

“No,” Toran answered. “No, it was a deliberate attack on the human. ” judging by the look on his face, I could tell that my Beta was as bothered by this as I was.

“ I’ll admit that…well that news is…”

“Scary,” Toran said. Where his back was once turned toward me he finally faced my gaze again. “Why would they come to Shadow Veil to attack a human when there are humans all around Virginia that are ripe for the picking?”

“You’re right.” The thought had never come to mind until Toran brought it up and I was glad that he had. “That’s an answer we’re going to have to figure out,” I stated, my concern tripling after this realization. Valene’s safety was at far more risk than I had originally surmised.

“There are only a hand full of logical reasons why they’d target Shadow Veil, and more specifically the vassals.”

“Okay, okay, hold on.” I said, pausing our assumptions. “This is simply the first attack, Toran. Surely, we could just be jumping to conclusions.”

Maybe my opinion was far-fetched but even Toran seemed to realize that there could be some truth to it.

“Maybe” my Beta eventually agreed, though reluctantly.

“Wildlings are volatile and unpredictable creatures. They go wherever their bloodlust takes them. Maybe this was a one-off. Seeing as it has never happened before I’d say there may be some truth to it.”

Again, my Beta simply said, “Maybe.”

“Maybe? Maybe?! How about you say something more than maybe?” I hissed, my patience for this conversation wearing thin. It was apparent that Toran had something else to say concerning the matter-something that would explain the reason behind his doubts about my assumptions. “Well?” I pressed.

“Alastair, the beast…he said something before he attacked the Vassal. Something…unusual.”

“That…the heir of shadows will finally die.”

“Heir of shadows?” this certainly was new to me. “What on earth could that mean? And why would they think that a vassal…a human serf…would be this so-called heir?” At this point, I was speaking to myself, trying to make sense of what my Beta had just told me.

“Who knows why the numbskulls think the way that they do? Although, I chance a guess that someone is feeding them this malarky.” Toran shrugged. “If we were meant to understand them, we wouldn’t be at constant war with the creatures.”

“True,” I agreed. “Bearing all of this in mind, the vassals are in certain danger.”

“They are.” Toran replied but I could sense that there was something on the tip of his tongue-something that he was thinking but did not know if he should say.

“What is it, Tor?” I pushed him to speak. “What is on your mind?”

“Wade, the girl.” Toran said.

Of course, I knew which girl he was referring to; I had been thinking about her throughout this whole conversation. And I was no doubt thinking the same thing that Toran was.

“Valene,” I said.

“Your daughter’s in danger, Wade.” He said.

Toran was the only one who truly knew how much Valene meant to me. She was my daughter but we both knew that saying and claiming this in front of anyone outside of the two of us would cause quite the stir. This was one of the reasons why I had been trying to veer away from referring to Valene as such. Of course, it wasn’t easy.

“I only have one daughter, Tor.” I corrected but my Beta wasn’t trying to hear it.

“No, you don’t.” He said. “As taboo as it may be, you adopted the girl-whether you think you’re deserving of the title is irrelevant right now. The only thing that matters now is that Valene is in mortal danger. Being a gold blood only places her life in even more danger.”

He was right. “I need to bring her back.”

“Ba-where-where is she?”

“I gave her the night. She had somewhere to be so, I let her go.”

“Even with all of the breeches in security?” Toran’s words seemed almost accusatory. “I’m surprised at you, Alpha.” He said. “Sort of disappointed, if I’m being honest.”

“Not as disappointed as I am in myself.” I hissed, feeling guilty for being too cowardly to reject her request to leave.

“Humans can only do so much to protect the girl, Alastair.” Toran said further chastised. I knew what he was referring to when he said this. “Listen, Wade,” Toran said on approach. “I get that you are trying to make up for whatever life the girl is missing out on, but this…this is reckless!”

I sighed. “I get it, Toran. Find Valene and escort her safely back here.” My Beta nodded and turned his back to leave. “Tor.” I called after him with one other question in mind.

“What is it, Wade?”

“Did the human die?” I asked.

He nodded sullenly. “She did.”

“A girl?” When Toran said this, it only heightened my concern. “It was a female vassal?”

“Yes.” He answered. “The Omega’s.” Toran informed. “So you can understand my concern.” Immediately I nodded. “I’ll be back with Valene as soon as possible.” He said and started to leave.

“Be discreet, Tor.”

“Of course, I will.” He reassured me.

As he departed I couldn’t help but add, “Careful, Tor,” I said.

“What?”

“I’m starting to think that you care about her.”

My Beta chuckled. “What can I say? The kid grows on you.” He then disappeared out of the front door in search for Val.

I quickly went into my office and did the one thing that I never wanted or ever even planned to do. I had to use the mark of the Vassal. I had to make sure that Valene was alright.

Settling at my desk, I grabbed a knife and sliced a circle into my wrist followed by my surname. When the blood began to pour, I traced a V within the circle and immediately, I heard her steady heartbeat. She was still alive! And by the sounds of her heartbeat, she was in a good state, nothing worrying her.

With relief, I dropped my face into my hand and sighed, grateful for the news. I returned my attention to the now glowing V, and asked. “Where is she?” Closing my eyes, I could not see Valene but I could see what she saw. She had just arrived at her destination. It was too bad that she’d have to soon leave.

“Knock, knock.”

I looked up and there was Harlyn standing at my door. At least one of my girls were safe. Unfortunately, I had too much on my mind to tend to Harlyn right now. “I can’t really talk right now, sweetheart, I-”

“You’re using the mark.” She noticed, entering into my office despite my words.

Suddenly, I was curious. “How do you know-”

“I’ve used it numerous times-”

“What?” I stood up. “What do you mean you’ve used-why would you?”

“She’s our vassal.” My daughter said without a hint of bother. “Shouldn’t I know where she is at all times? Shouldn’t we both?”

“Harlyn, you should not be using this,” I expressed with disappointment, wiping the now healed blood from wrist. “It is an invasion of privacy and-”

“Daddy,” Harlyn chuckled. “You just finished using it!”

“It was an emergency, Harlyn! Not because I feel like I have a right to intrude on her business!” I retorted with aggravation.

When Harlyn rolled her eyes, I found myself even more disheartened by her indifference. “I know how much you care about, Vali,” She exhaled. “I care about her too, but…it does not change the facts. She’s a human…we’re not. She’s a servant to our kind. I-” She sighed, shaking her head.

I sensed that maybe she was about to segue into why she truly had come into my office. And something told me that it wasn’t too far off from the current subject.

“What do you really want to talk about, Harlyn?” I asked her, hoping that it would get her to cut to the chase. “I told you, I have a lot of work to do and I-”

“Is this work…does it have something to do with why you were using the mark?” She asked.

“Yes, it does.” I said without hesitation. At this point, I didn’t think that Harlyn was mature enough to care that vassals were in danger-not after what she’d just said.

Her expression hinted amusement. “Well, I guess I better say this quickly then. Daddy, I think that you should stop referring to Vali and I as sisters.”

“What-”

“Listen, I told you that I care about her but I’m sure you can also understand how confusing it must be for her to be considered a sister and a human serf for our family. Makes her seem like a dirty little secret, don’t you think?”

“A dirty little secret?” I didn’t like her choice in words, but I guess…in a way, there may have been some truth to them.

“Penny told me that her father suspects that our vassal is a little more…comfortable with us…with you than she should be.” My daughter said. If I knew Harlyn, I knew that she did not take kindly to such an accusation. “Of course I had to…reprimand her audacity to make such accusations, but that’s beside the point.”

She made herself comfortable on the corner of my desk. “If Minken is saying those things, there is no telling what everyone else is saying-”

“Minken is a fool who likes to stir trouble.” I interjected. “I doubt that anyone is saying much of anything, and I will handle Minken for spreading lies.”

“But are they lies?” She asked. “I’ve seen the life that most vassals live and...Valene’s life is far more comfortable than others.”

Where was this coming from? Was it because she sat at the table with us? I was surprised at Harlyn’s random confrontation of the matter.

“Listen, daddy.” She hopped off of my desk, took a step toward me and wrapped her arm around mine. “I didn’t come here to make things difficult for you. I know that she was here first, and I know that she served a purpose for the two years that you and my mother had without me but…you don’t have to settle for a human daughter anymore. You have me. Valene is a vassal and she is alright with that.” She kissed my cheek. “You should be alright with that too.” She then headed out of my office. “Goodnight, daddy.”

When she left my office, I returned to my seat, frustrated with Harlyn and how selfish she was. Then again, in a sense, I guess we both were being selfish because while my relationship with Val may have been confusing and difficult for her, it did not easily change that I thought of her as a daughter.

Whether Harlyn liked this or not, it really didn’t matter. One thing for certain, however was, whether this conversation was had at the right time or not, it served a purpose. It showed my daughter in a different light. And where once I was proud of her, I was suddenly profoundly disappointed in Harlyn.