Chapter 1: Nightmares

"Chloe push, he's almost out," Ryan commented as he watched his female push out their newborn son. "Argh," She screamed as she gave one last final push and exhaled as it was finally over. Cries of life filled the room as baby Khody took his first breath. "Ah what a beautiful baby you two," Dr. Rain, a trusted friend said as he took the new one away to be cleaned. "We did it my love, he's here, he's finally here," Ryan said as he kissed his beloved lips. "It was worth the wait," She murmured against his. Love and tranquility filled the room as the new parent's adored the solid proof of their love handed to them, nothing could go wrong. BEEP BEEP BEEP! The sound was like the cries of wild animals running from a brush fire in the middle of a vacant forest, loud and serious. Khody's cries soon began and in the confusion, Ryan was taken out of the room. "What's going on?" He demanded of the doctor's staff and of the doctor himself. "She's hemorrhaging; I need to stop the bleeding." And with that, the doctor shut the door. Never before had Ryan felt so helpless in his life, the love of his life was dying and there was nothing he could do but wait and pray that the doctor could save her. Hours passed before the door opened again and a sullen faced doctor walked out. "Tell me; is she okay, did she make it?" Ryan asked grabbing the doctor by his lab coat and shaking him wildly. No words needed to be said, the emerald eyes of sadness in the doctor's eyes said everything; she was gone.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Ryan screamed in his pillow as he violently sprung from his bed tears in his eyes and sweat running down his body. Just a dream, he thought. But one look at the calendar told him that it was his body reminding him of the tragedy. September 4, 2006. Three years ago since he lost her. The instant cold feeling he got every time it was the anniversary of her death came in with a vengeance and struck him deeper each time. "Daddy?" Khody whispered peeking in the bedroom with his stuffed wolf, the first thing his mother bought him while he was still in her womb. "Hey birthday boy," Ryan answered wiping the tears from his face. "I hungy," Khody said as he walked into the room. "Ok bud, let daddy get dressed and I'll make you some food," Ryan said as he rose from his bed, stretching and yawning. "Daddy, wen I get big, am I gonna hav teef like you?" Khody asked following him to the closet. Ryan couldn't hold back his chuckle as he looked down upon his son, with his shaggy brown hair and topaz eyes. "Yes, now my curious one, go bug Uncle Daniel so I can get dressed," Ryan said as he ruffled his young's hair. "Otay," Khody smiled as he ran off. Ryan quickly got dressed, for he knew that little one could be fussy when he was hungry. Descending the stairs he smelled the delicious scent of pancakes, French toast, waffles, scrambled eggs, and coffee being made. When did Martha Stewart move in? Ryan wondered as he strode into the kitchen. Ah, Kelsey was here, go figure. "Hello Ryan. I see you sent your little one to eat," She laughed as Khody inhaled the plate in front of him. "Well, I was going to cook for him but you beat me to it, how are you?" He remarked as he gave her a hug. "Same ole' same ole', dealing with your brother and working. Hey, you should come by my bar tonight, I'm off so I could watch Khody for you," Kelsey offered as she gave him a plate. "You should know by now that Daniel is a handful, and I don't know, I've never really left him except to fight," Ryan said as he took a bite of scrambled eggs. "Yes, and he's been fine with me, go out, have some fun, for your best friend," Kelsey almost begged. "Sure, why not," Ryan shrugged. "Please tell me he said 'yes'," Seth stated as he walked thorough the kitchen door. "Where's your good half Seth, I could use some sanity," Ryan smirked as the twin in question strolled in. "He was dropped a lot when he was a baby, our mom told me so," Dante said as he ruffled little Khody's hair just as Ryan had earlier. "I done daddy," Khody exclaimed showing off a clean plate. "Very good, now if I let you out your chair can I trust you'll stay down here?" Ryan asked of his rambunctious son. "I pwomise," Khody exclaimed. Ryan let Khody out his high chair with a stern look and watched him as he ran into the living room, no doubt looking for something to play with. "He gets bigger everyday don't he Ry?" Seth asked. "Yea, he's a pure example of a hybrid," Ryan said and turned to his seat. "Soon he'll need to learn how to feed," Dante said. "All in good time," Ryan responded. "So, we hittin' up Blod Drop tonight?" Seth smiled. "Of course pussy would come in your brain as soon as it was possible," Dante scoffed at his twin. "Yea, we all could use a little relaxation," Daniel said as he walked in. "And relaxing better be the only thing you're doing or I'll be making your blood drop," His female warned. "Of course my sweet," Daniel crooned. The day's events went as planned, the city was checked to ensure safety of the civilians, vampires, and werewolves alike, and all was well. Before anyone could say "uncle" it was 8:00 and time to head to Blod Drop. "Daddy no go," Khody cried as he held on to his father's neck and refusing to let go. "Hey, hey, shush, its okay, daddy will be back before you wake up tomorrow and everything will be fine," Ryan said as he tried to calm the three-year old. "No, daddy, no," Khody screeched and kicked as he was well in full tantrum mode now. "Hey Khody, daddy will be back ok, and I guarantee he'll let you sleep in his room when he gets back ok?" Kelsey cooed to the upset child. Finally, Khody let him go with a red face and swollen, tear stained eyes. "Daddy," He said still hiccupping. "I'll be back," Ryan said and with that he walked out the door and heard the real screaming begin. Good luck Kelsey, I'm gonna owe you one.

"Please, pretty, pretty please," Hannah whined on the other line. "Why?" Rachel asked of her bubbly best friend. "Cause we haven't been out in like forever, and I need this," Hannah exclaimed dramatically. "Dear God woman," Rachel said as she rolled her eyes, thankful Hannah couldn't see it. "That would be a yes and don't roll your eyes at me, be there soon, kisses." Click. Damn. "I must really be that predictable," Rachel mumbled to herself as she walked into the master bedroom of her spacious New York apartment. Blod Drop? Was she serious? I guess red would be redundant to wear, Rachel thought. It was 8:30 and with Hannah only 20 minutes away with decent traffic, Rachel didn't have a prayer.

"You know you're gonna owe Kelsey big time right?" Daniel smirked as he sipped his Corona. Oh yeah, he knew. Ryan ran his fingers through the long mane he called hair as he could only imagine the fit Khody was having right about now. Blod Drop was crowded tonight, must be a band playing since the club was slightly manageable on most nights. Scantily clad women smiled in appreciation at Ryan and his brothers, some even came over to spark conversation with him and the twins since Daniel was taken but Ryan shut them all down. Then, a pretty brunette came into his view, obviously not a regular. Mine! His mind screamed at him while his eyes darkened and he found himself growling. "See something you like?" Daniel whispered in his ear noticing the change in his brother's demeanor. Ryan ignored him and strode over to claim what had just become his new found prize.