Chapter Three

Jack:

There were three men in the photo, one was Desmond’s father Ivan, the other man standing next to Ivan was Victor. The tall, well-built man sitting next to her had the same facial features, most likely a sibling. Flipping the photo over expecting to see detailed information, only to be met with “1877 Italy”.

“You look like you saw a ghost?” Lexi said looking up over the rim of his laptop. I flipped the photo over watching as his eyes grew large. He held his hand out for the photo, rolling over to the wall of computers to his right. Scanning it into the computer. The photo appeared on the 80’ Monitor hung above his equipment.

“It looks like Mei.” Max said looking over from his monitor. Seth nodding studying the image, while Eli and Riley stood back looking at the screen.

“Well, we know two of them already. Ivan and Victor.” Eli said pointing at their images in the back.

“Younger versions, but yes.” Seth said crossing his arms over his chest. Narrowing his eyes at the picture.

“What stands out the most in this picture?” I asked waiting for my suspicions to be confirmed. Crossing my arms over my chest watching the four of them study the photo.

“Obvious, Mei and Lexi are royals.” Brutus huffed rolling his eyes.

“Point for Brutus.” I laughed with a slight eye roll. Growl...

“Well, the two in front are definitely siblings. Are those royal insignia?” Eli asked pointing at the crests on their clothing. Lexi zooming in, enhancing the grainy image.

“We need to get Desmond and Izzy down here. The only thing about this photo is a year and location, “1877 Italy”.” I said pulling out my phone dialing Desmond…ring…ring.

“Yeah.” Desmond spoke raspy.

“Did I catch you at a bad time.” I asked listening to muffled talking in the background.

“Elders. Raven. You know, the normal Vampire diplomatic bullshit.” Desmond scoffed at the mention of politics. Silently laughing at his tone of voice.

“Any problems I need to be aware of?” I asked concerned the Vampire elders would want punishment against Mei for killing Raven. Even though he was a piece of shit, Laws had to be followed.

“No. Mei is in the clear, but they want a detailed report of what happened, and anything you find from his files.” Desmond laughed knowing he was rolling his eyes at the request.

“That’s actually why I am calling. I found a photo; you and Izzy need to look at when you get a chance.” I said looking at the enhanced photo Lexi upgraded to the screen. It was now in color. Damn computer nerd I thought.

“Okay. I will be there shortly.” Desmond replied. Cutting the call short. Studying the color photo closer, noticing the siblings eyes. Silver with jade outer-rings.

“Yeah. Definitely siblings.” Lexi said studying the photo closer on his screen.

“Desmond and Izzy will be here later. Desmond is dealing with Vampire bullshit.” I said walking back over to the piles of files.

“Anything we need to worry about?” Eli said turning on his heel. Narrowing his eyes.

“Desmond has it handled, but the Elders want detailed reports of the incident, and any findings we discover.” Heavy eye rolls and huffs filled the mechanical humming room.

“If it is not one thing, it’s a fucking other. I swear once Victor is dead, and this whole underground shit is over. I am going on vacation.” Eli huffed rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“That makes two of us.” I said huffing a half-assed laugh.

I, Eli, and Riley went back to sorting out another ten boxes of files, before calling it a night at five o’clock in the morning. Lexi, Max, and Seth stayed behind finishing up the electronic transfers, scanning the paper documents into digital files. We agreed to meet up for breakfast in three hours, heading back to the room to relax with Mei.

Goki and Brutus hummed at the thought of Mei, and the pups.

Holy Fuck! Pups, I am going to be a father. Please let me be a better father, than my own bastard of a father was ever to me and Eli.

“Really, you are going to doubt your parenting skills already.” Brutus laughed lowly.

“Listen. This is big news for us. You two get to hide in the shadows, while I get to do diaper duty, human spit rag, jungle gym, referee, long sleepless nights. Ugh.” I laughed huffing out a breath.

“Hey, don’t doubt our skills, we are very responsible and capable of handling our pups.” Goki snorted rolling his eyes, while Brutus hissed growled.

“Okay, how about this. The first three weeks after their birth, we rotate one week a piece. Then we can compare.” I said studying them. Brutus had this evil smirk and Goki was laughing deeply.

“Does that mean we have the whole week doing “everything”?” Brutus laughed asking. I knew he was leading up to that.

“Yes, just don’t kill, burn down, beat, or send us to War.” I laughed deliberately avoiding discussion of Mei.

“And Mei?” They both laughed. Assholes.

“Yes, but don’t do anything she doesn’t want to do.” I said rolling my eyes as they howled like horny wolves.

“Oh, you have a deal.” Goki laughed.

“Hah. I have this in the bag already.” Brutus laughed deeply.

“Are we seriously having a dick measuring contest, already?” I laughed reaching our floor. Howling and laughing as they dropped back into the shadows.

I was greeted by the strong scent of cherry blossoms and vanilla with a hint of honey. The horny wolves howling from the shadows. Slowly approaching the bed, noticing Mei was not where I left her. Panic set in, searching the bathroom, closet, the terrace. No Mei.

My heart skipped a few beats fearing the worst, Victor! I silently shouted. Then I caught her scent coming from the lake, scanning the lake edge, spotting her laying down in her wolf form. Shifting quickly to join her.

Mei:

Falling asleep in Jack’s arms was the best damn feeling. His fingers gently drawing on my stomach had me in a hypnotized state of sleep. The sudden stopping of the truck, voices, and metal doors opening, alerted me that we were back at Demon Wolf.

A few minutes later, I felt the bed underneath my body, his strong fresh cedar and cinnamon scent filling my nose. I was home. Floating in the unconscious darkness, soaking in the calmness, then Victor’s haunting voice broke through the silence.

“Truly magnificent.” He laughed. Darkness still surrounding me.

“What do you want?” I asked scanning the darkness for anything.

“Oh Mei. I want you to take your rightful place next to me.” He said with a dangerous undertone.

“What, so you can fulfill your delusional fantasy. Haven’t you already tried that attempt before, and failed?” I asked mockingly drawing out “failed”.

“Listen here girl. You will give me what I want, or I will take everything from you, for good.” He hissed. Scanning the darkness, trying to locate his voice. Anger slowly taking control.

“You know, those who try to use me, end up dead.” I laughed at the thought of Titan and Raven dying by my hands.

“What about your Aunt? Brother? Demon Wolf? Jack?” He emphasized Jack.

“Listen here you overly ripened piece of heartless shit. I know your game, and I will not fall for it. You used the same trick on my Great-grandmother, but I am not her.” I hissed feeling my anger surging. Then everything went white.

I woke up scanning the room, realizing I had placed my hand over my stomach, protecting the pups. Ugh. Rubbing my hands over my face. Jack was nowhere around. A heavy feeling filled my chest as Victor’s words echoed in my thoughts.

Is this what my Great-grandmother felt? Using her mate? Pups? Family?

The story Riley told me about the “spirit wolf” flooded my thoughts. Betrayed in the end, after agreeing to help save those she loved.

“NO!” I shouted. Shaking my head of any doubts.

“Not this girl. You have taken far too much from me.” I whispered yelled talking to the dancing shadows of the half-faced moon.

The strong scent of fresh water, dew, and moss filled my nose, pulling me over to the French doors. Standing their watching the mirror surface of the water, reflect the early morning exchange in the sky. I made my way out of the house towards the lake, shifting into my wolf. Feeling the coolness of the dew-covered ground under my paws, brought a sense of calmness as I approached the lake edge. Lapping up the cool water, feeling the cool liquid coat my tongue and throat as it slid down.

Momentarily taking in the reflection of Kyou’s silver wolf.