A/N: GIF above is of Soren's carefree attitude :P
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After coming up with my plan to see Soren before the sun fully set, I had asked Messiah to take me to his hideout. I knew that it was in a cemetery, but since Mason had flown me over the first night, I didn't exactly know where it was located. Messiah was unsure at first, but after threatening him with me going off on my own instead--and in my Wolf form, no less--he finally relented and we departed immediately after I had left Ronan's mind.
It still amazed me at how much faster I was even in my Human form now. Messiah struggled to keep up with me even though he was supposed to be leading. At least come school time in the Fall, I'll be the star of the Track team with my new Supernatural speed. And might even break the school record again.
I managed to track our whereabouts somewhere downtown by the smell the closer we got to the cemetery. Never quite realized the smell of rot could be so overwhelming. "Don't wander off," Messiah ordered as he withdrew his Claymore and marched past the black iron gate as he guided me forward. I only nodded and glanced around as my new sense of smell tried to pin down the lingering scent of copper, not really knowing what it was until I found a small splotch of it on the foot of a nearby Angel statue.
"Messiah," I called out cautiously, stopping to inspect the red splotch and tapped it with my fingers. It was still wet. I wiped off what I figured must have been fresh blood onto my jean shorts when I was suddenly tackled in the side, my back slamming up into the statue as a taloned hand wrapped around my throat and lifted me up. I coughed into the face of the brunette Vampire, his strength choking the literal life out of me. It was a bit later in the evening now, so the sun was beginning to hide itself beyond the horizon, thus allowing the Vampires to come out and play.
"How dare you trespass, mutt," the Vampire sneered, fangs gleaming and red eyes shining threateningly. I felt a growl build deep in my throat as I bared my canines at him in retaliation, my fingers gripping his arm as my claws came out and punctured through his flesh, drawing out the rotting smell of death as I tried not to choke on the stench of it. My Wolf was also pissed to have been taken off guard like this.
"I'm here," I choked out through snarls, "to speak with Soren."
The Vampire hissed, my claws not even fazing him in the slightest as he tightened his grip around my neck, his talons starting to pierce through my own flesh. "As if our Leader would stain his company with the likes of you, mongrel," he hissed, leaning further towards me as I growled once more. Dark spots began to fleck my vision, my brain not receiving enough oxygen to remain awake as I slowly began to lose consciousness.
Then I was suddenly collapsing to the ground as the Vampire restraining me screamed in agony, my body immediately gasping for air as I coughed from the relieving pressure, one hand pressed against my chest and the other holding me up from the ground. I managed to look up in time to see the nameless Vampire cradling his right hand to his chest in comfort. Or, at least, where his hand should have been.
"Did I not announce a 'no mercy' promise to any of you who had my Soul Mate in their care and if she was to be harmed?" Soren mocked while wiping his hands clean of blood on the Vampire's shirt with no remorse.
"I-I am sorry, My Lord," the Vampire bowed, his hand still bleeding profusely. "I-It'll never happen again."
"No," Soren glared at him with blazing red eyes, "I'm certain it won't." Then the Vampire was suddenly gone. I blinked. I don't think he sped off exactly, but he was just-
Gone.
"My apologies for showing you such a horrific sight, my dear," Soren reached down towards me with a pale hand that I gratefully took as he lifted me back up on my feet.
I coughed and rubbed soothingly at my now sore throat. "It's fine, really. I've seen worse at this point." Soren only nodded mutely.
"Amber! I told you not to wander off!" My best friend called out while rushing over to my side with his sword still drawn. Soren hissed quietly at the sight of the Claymore blade and took a step to the side as Messiah raised it precariously towards him.
"It's okay, Mess," I assured my best friend while placing a gentle hand over his sword one, forcing him to lower the blade towards the ground. Messiah seemed torn while glancing between both Soren and I before finally releasing a tired sigh and sheathed his sword as it disappeared at his side. I turned to the Vampire then. "Soren, I'm here to ask you for a favor."
Soren huffed a laugh and shoved his hands into his midnight slacks pockets, his dark blue button-up tucked in with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. "I already know what you're here to ask, Amber, and I'm afraid I have to decline."
I frowned and took a challenging step forward while crossing my arms sternly over my chest. "Why?"
Soren hummed in thought before lifting a single hand and holding up one finger. "For one thing, I don't much care for the Wolves' banter," he threw up a second finger, "secondly, the mongrel bit you and thus you reek even more of wet dog since you've Shifted," he threw up a third finger, "thirdly, your Mate already owes me twice as it is," he threw up a fourth finger, "and lastly, I will not put my people in danger. Even for your sake."
I scoffed. "And here I thought you were completely heartless."
Soren grinned. "Technically, I am." I glared at him for that remark as he sighed and rolled his emerald eyes skyward. "Alright, alright, but in all honesty, this war is all between those dogs." He shrugged and placed his free hand back in his pocket. "You'd think they would know a deadly enemy when they see one, but I suppose not. They're brains must not be very big."
I sighed and dropped my arms. "I don't know why I even thought you would do this for me. I guess Liam was right after all," I directed a glare over at the Vampire and said out of pure spite, "he said you would just basically 'use and abuse me' before tossing me away like all your past victims, but I had faith in you despite Mason still wanting to kill you and hoped you would aid us." I let out a scoff before turning away to leave the cemetery, Messiah following silently after me. "And here I thought we were growing to become friends and that you actually cared for me," I mumbled under my breath, but when Soren said nothing despite knowing that he could clearly hear me, I closed my eyes and continued walking away.
He didn't even try to stop me.
When we got back to the cabin-mansion, there were three looming figures standing cross-armed awaiting our return. I winced at the sight of them all. Busted. Sighing, I shared a guilty look with Messiah as we traipsed closer to my Mate, my Watcher, and my Matchmaker. "Nice night for a stroll, huh, guys?" I tried lightening the mood with a crappy joke, only Mason marched straight up to me and pinched both of my cheeks. "Ouch!" I cried out as he pulled at the flabs before I slapped his hands away and rubbed soothingly at my face.
"I swear, if you ever do this again, I won't try to stop Ronan from going on a rampage next time," Mason growled lowly, before using the back of his right wing to shove me forward as I stumbled to catch my balance before looking up into the narrowed chocolate brown eyes of my Mate.
"Hi, Ronan," I mumbled quietly while reaching up to stroke my hair back in a nervous habit. He said nothing and merely shook his head before grabbing hold of my hand and dragging me off into the mansion.
"Where were you two?" I managed to hear Liam murmur to Messiah over my shoulder as I let my best friend do the explaining since I was currently being dragged off against my will. I smiled deprecatingly. Well, this felt familiar. I was quiet as Ronan continued to lead me into the house, up the stairs, and into his bedroom. One glance at his bed and the memories of what transpired the day he was injured flashed through my mind, causing my face to heat up in embarrassment and my body to tremble with slight excitement.
Ronan growled lowly from in front of me. "Don't be thinking of that so loudly or I won't hold back," he said breathily, and I swallowed roughly as he finally released my hand and immediately went to sit on the leather couch propped before the windows. I remained standing as I fiddled with my fingers nervously, not realizing I had subconsciously opened my mind to him. "I'm assuming you went to see Soren."
I sighed. "I don't know why I thought that was a good idea, to be honest. He doesn't want to help us at all." I folded my arms and looked at the floor. "Not even to help me." I shook my head and moved forward to sit beside him on the couch and locked eyes with him. "I'll train with Mason as he suggested, because I'm not letting you go into this war alone, Ronan. This involves me completely and I'll be damned if you try to keep me out of it."
Ronan steepled his fingers beneath his chin and propped his elbows on his knees, huffing a small laugh as he gazed lovingly down at me. "I wouldn't dream of it. With you being a She-Wolf now, you'll need to learn how to control your newfound strength properly, and training with Mason is your best bet since I'll be trying to gather my allies within that time."
I nodded and grinned widely before jumping to my feet and spun to face him only for my foot to get caught on his, thus causing me to fall directly on top of him with a squeal as he swiftly caught me in his arms, my legs automatically moving to straddle his hips on either side. "Sorry," I whispered, feeling like raising my voice would break the sudden mood that had developed as he gazed up at me with shining brown eyes. I lifted myself up with my knees as Ronan hissed at the action and grabbed at my waist, pressing on my back with a single palm as he buried his face between my breasts. My breathing became shallow as sultry thoughts began to fill my head, recalling his words of having to be a She-Wolf if I ever wanted to go further with him in the bedroom. Ronan's eyes flitted up to mine at my train of thought as they flashed between brown and yellow, the hunger evident in both irises. I gnawed on my lip as I opened my mind even further to him, exposing the dirty thoughts beginning to form as he snarled into my chest, his lip curling at the corners with the action. I began to imagine his mouth somewhere else and immediately felt him harden beneath me. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped as I raised myself up once more, my fingers tangling in his hair as he tilted his face up and nipped at my lips teasingly, the electric sparks immediately trailing through every part of my body before settling in my core. My Wolf purred in pleasure.
"OH, GOD, MAKE IT STOP!"
We both stiffened and turned to look towards the door, expecting someone to come barging in, but no one arrived. I shared a confused look with Ronan when the bellow rang out once again.
"WE CAN SMELL ALL YOUR HORMONES FROM DOWN HERE! HAVE MERCY!"
I blinked. And then I threw back my head and laughed. Ronan chuckled along with me while shaking his head before standing up and placing me back upright on my feet. He then took my hand and interlaced our fingers with a smile. "I believe we have a dinner date to get to." I could only nod as words escaped me, allowing my Mate to pull me along behind him once more as Mason continued to complain even further once we arrived downstairs.
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A/N: I absolutely just love Mason's character xD Anywho! Hope you all enjoyed! PLZ, VOTE, COMMENT, and/or FAN/SHARE!!! THNX FOR READING, EVERYONE!!! ^.^