A/N: Yay! Here is the 12th chapter of Secrets. It has taking me so long to finish this chapter mainly because of all the other stuff I've had going on in my life. Plus, there was writer's block to deal with and transferring everything over to my new laptop. I had hoped to get this uploaded long before now, which I sort of promised when I wrote it on my profile. Anyway, sorry for the long wait people. Read, review and most of all ENJOY!

Short summary: In this chapter Ron, Severus, Remus and Seritus will meet the werewolves or some of them anyway. ***************************************************************************

He could smell the freshness of the morning sun; feel the heat of it on his back. It was going to be another beautiful day. But the beauty of the day would not help with the darkness that would follow. He could feel it; the pain that would come to the people here. Pain that could be prevented, but it would require doing something that he has been warned against doing. The act of trying to prevent the damage and chaos that was sure to arrive could result in precious lives being lost. They had made their demand; the lives of those that are dear to him; his loved ones. They wanted Severus, Zolla, Eileen and more dead; their lives eliminated in order to save the entire land. It was something they were not going to get, but saving their lives could mean sacrificing their lives and everyone else's. Would the end justify the means if thousands of lives were saved in the process?

Ron stood staring into the thickness of the forest as he contemplated the answer. Losing Severus would surely kill him, but who was he to decide such an important decision? These people may trust him but do they trust him enough to answer his own question? If he were to sacrifice the ones needed would they then turn their backs on him for essentially killing some of their people? Or did they think that their own lives were greater than theirs?

"Ron?"

Being brought out of his own wicked thoughts Ron turned to his husband and smiled. "I thought you had a meeting?"

"I told Damlin to speak for me. The council knows I have more important things to be doing. How are you? You've barely spoken since we got back," said Severus as he wrapped his husband in a tight hug.

"I was just thinking about..."

Say nothing. Not knowing would be best for all those concerned.

Heeding Thorne's words Ron shrugged and nestled into Severus' embrace. "It's not important."

If his eyes had been on his husbands face Ron would have seen the look of doubt written there. Although their bond is not fully matured Severus could still feel Ron's confusion as if it were his own. And he was sure he knew the cause of it. The meeting with the wolves only hours earlier was causing them all to worry but the decision to the demands they had made were placed solely on the young hybrids shoulders. Demands that made Severus' blood boil.

Four Hours Earlier

"You want to call a truce? Are you out of your mind? Why would we do that when we could decimate you all?"

Ron rolled his shoulders in an attempt to loosen the muscles that were tightening up. "Wouldn't a truce be a better call than war? What's the point in sacrificing lives that don't need to be lost? A truce would save us all a lot of time and hardship. Come on, this makes sense and you know it!"

His temper was quickly becoming out of control and he could feel Red itching to break loose. But, showing them his trump card too early could get them all killed regardless to Remus' presence.

Phaedra, the pack's leader and Remus knew each other years ago and she had made it clear to the other members of the pack that he and his friends were not to be harmed. But, Ron knew that revealing that he shared blood with them could cause uproar. Remus had said that regardless to whether or not you are a member of the pack sharing the werewolf DNA connects them all and the pack and its leader would take it that the vampires had taken one of theirs against his will, therefore creating irresolvable conflict.

Ron, however, suspected that the conflict would be produced anyway.

Pulling Remus to one side Ron made sure that they were out of earshot before he spoke. "Why can't they smell the wolf in me?"

"I don't know, but we should use it to our advantage. If they think that you are a vampire then let them continue to do so. The very fact that I vouched for you calms them down enough so they don't find you that big of a threat. Well, that, and it helps that you're still a pup," the werewolf stated with a smile.

"Yeah, ok, I get that. But, wouldn't it be better if they knew I'm a hybrid. I mean, I'm living proof that vampires and werewolves don't have to hate each other that they can get along if they try. Merlin knows Thorne and Red do."

Remus shook his head. "That wouldn't matter. That wouldn't even be in their minds. If they discovered that you are even partially wolf they will cause problems plus any and all talk of truces will go out the window."

"That's bloody ridiculous! What's the point in starting a war that can be avoided? Are they looking for a fight?"

"Ron! Calm down!" Remus whispered furiously. "I don't know their reasons for starting all of this but we must take care in what is said in their presence. It has only been two days since the moon and my strength has not yet fully recovered. If a fight breaks out I will be of no use to you."

Ron smiled. "Yeah and I doubt their strength has recovered completely either. We should be able to handle them if something does happen. We've got vampires as back-up after all."

"I have grown tired of your whispering! If you are not going to rejoin us my pack and I will take our leave and the next time you encounter us will be on the battlefield!" Phaedra stated as she glared at them from her spot within the crowd.

Putting a reassuring hand on Ron's shoulder, Remus gently pushed him toward the group.

"My apologies, the boy has a bit of a temper. Now, will you reconsider our offer of a truce? It would be in your best interests after all," Remus addressed Phaedra.

"My best interests, you say? And, how, do you figure that, my old friend?"

"He's talking about the size of your pack. It is large in comparison to other packs but it is not large enough to take out the entire lands," Severus explained speaking for the first time. "We have far more people than you and the strength of your pack pales in comparison to the power we have."

Everyone was shocked when Phaedra threw back her head and laughed. The vampires that were present found it offensive and let their anger be known with a few menacing growls. The werewolves, believing it to be a threat, instantly surrounded Phaedra.

"Oh, calm down! I wasn't laughing at him! I merely found what he said to be amusing. You seem to think that my pack, and my pack alone, will be the ones to attack. Well, you are sadly mistaken. Every wolf in the wizarding world has had a say in the gatherings. Gatherings that have been called to decide what should be done about you and your kind. Almost every pack in the world will be here when the battle takes place. My pack has just been giving the job of surveillance, well, that and to give you the chance to surrender," she said with a chuckle.

Ron's blood ran cold.

"Now, why would we do that?" Seritus asked from his spot on the tree above the pack.

"Well, it would save the lives of your people and yourselves. What other reason would there possibly be?"

"There has to be another way to solve this," Remus said. "Why will you not consider a truce?"

Phaedra looked at him. "If we were to agree to a truce I have been given orders to announce the demands of the wolf community. Demands that I know you will not agree to, therefore, a truce is pointless."

"What demands?" Ron asked stepping forward.

If it meant avoiding war, death and surrender the demands could possibly be met.

"Well, there are a handful of vampires that are well known, even feared, by the wolves and they don't like it," she stated pulling a piece of parchment from the pocket of her robes. "They want those vampires eliminated. Here is the list."

Seritus jumped from the branch he sat on, landing in the centre of the huddled pack to stand beside Phaedra. Growling he snatched the list out of her hands and read it.

Chaos broke loose within seconds. Seritus lunged at Phaedra and lifted her off her feet. The pack pulled out their wands and fired off spells in his direction.

"You dare demand this? You dare demand the lives of my mother and brother? I will kill you wolf and there won't be a single thing your precious pack could do to stop me!"

Gritting his teeth against the pain the spells were causing him Seritus tightened his grip on Phaedra's throat.

The vampires were busy knocking the wands out of the wolves' hands to prevent any more damage to their comrade.

All the while Ron stood as still as a statue trying to digest what Seritus had said, "...the lives of my mother and brother?" Why would they want Severus dead? It was him who perfected the Wolfsbane Potion, after all. He was the only wizard capable of creating a cure for lycanthropy. It would most definitely take him years but everyone was convinced that it would be him, including Ron.

Amongst the chaos Severus and Remus tried desperately to calm things down and to get Phaedra out of Seritus' death grip. They were still doing so moments later when Ron's control finally snapped. A harsh and wild growl echoed throughout the forest. Seritus' grip on Phaedra loosened enough for her to fall to the ground. Severus' face was etched with worry, Remus', however, showed fear. Fear for what would happen now that Ron's true nature has been shown.

Phaedra gasped for breath as she gazed at the beast that was the boy she believed to be a vampire. He looked like a wolf, or at least partially. He was almost mutated, like a change that had gone wrong in all ways possible, yet, it was unmistakably canine.

"Give me the list!" Ron barked at Seritus ignoring all others.

Knowing that the boy's temper was not something to be messed with Seritus complied. Stepping away from his worried brother he handed the piece of parchment to the boy.

Ron's eyes flew to the names on the list:

High Priestess : Eileen Prince

High Councilman/Hogwarts Professor/Death Eater : Severus Snape

V. E. S Coordinator: Zolla Kuzan

Councilman: Damlin Ordo

V. E. S member: Loz Emerson

V. E. S member: Kade Emerson

Councilwoman: Erikora Mansil

Orphan: Zen Mondora

There was only one person on the list that Ron did not know; Erikora Mansil.

They were demanding the lives of the vampires that he cared for, most of them anyway. Looking at it again his eyes paused on the last name; Zen Mondora. Why would they want a 17 year old vampire dead? What harm could he have possibly done to them?

"Why is Zen Mondora on this?" he demanded.

Phaedra stared at him but did not answer.

"Answer me! Why is a kid my age on this list? What did he do?"

One of the werewolves answered for her. "It's not what he did, it's what he knows. He has information that is very dangerous for both our races. The thing is he doesn't know he has it or what it is, so there's no telling when he will let it slip without even realizing it."

"How can he not know?"

"He was never told. The people that gave him the information could have hidden it in a number of ways. Meaning that they could have hidden it in one of his bedtime stories, a lullaby they sang him or an account of history they educated him in."

"You talk about "them" as if they had close contact with him when he was young. Are you referring to his parents?" Severus asked.

"We believe it was his parents that first held the information. It may also be the reason that Voldemort had them killed," the werewolf stated. "You were a member of his inner circle for years, he trusted you as one of his favorites, did he ever mention why he had them killed?"

Seritus couldn't believe his ears. His precious little brother turned to such a monster?

"Sev, what is he talking about?"

Severus ignored him as he thought of any hint that retched snake may have let loose. But, nothing came to mind. "I can't think of anything that he might have let slip."

"Severus!"

"Not now Seritus! Yes, your death completely destroyed me to the point where I joined Voldemort. I had nothing left to lose, so why not? Mother and father where safe here and you were dead! I had nothing left!"

Ron reached over and pulled on Severus' robes, taking him out of range for the punch he knew his mate was going to deliver. "Now is not the time to be fighting amongst ourselves."

Seritus nodded and moved away from the crowd, but not fast enough. Ron saw the tears that had escaped his eyes and knew that he was reliving the pain of the loneliness he had felt all of those years away from his family. The brothers had a lot to talk about, but now was not the time.

"So, basically, you're saying our options are; surrender, war and a truce that requires us to kill the people on this list?" Ron asked.

Phaedra nodded.

"Do we have to decide now because I don't speak for the people, none here do," Severus added.

One of the wolves stepped forward. "That is another thing. The decision has to be made by someone other than a vampire. I believe Remus should be the one to make the decision. What do you think, milady?"

"No," she said shaking her head. "The boy should be the one. This will not affect him in any way. He is the one to decide."

"That is where you are wrong. Such a decision would affect me in more ways than one. For instant, I am a vampire/werewolf hybrid I share blood with both clans. Choosing one over the other is impossible for me."

"How is that possible? There has never been a hybrid of our species."

"I was bitten by Fenrir Greyback on the last day of the war; mind you he was in human form so the consequences weren't as severe as they could have been. Later on, after our bonding ceremony, my mate unconsciously injected me with the vampire venom while he marked me with his bite. This is the result," Ron explained waving his clawed hands across his body.

"You're mated to a vampire?"

"I'm mated to him," Ron said pointing at Severus. "Severus Snape. So you know that I won't be agreeing to your terms for the truce. I'll tear apart anyone who tries to harm my mate, vampire or wolf."

Silence fell over the forest as the wolves took in this new information.

"Did you go to them willingly?" asked the wolf who had spoken earlier.

"More than willingly, I practically begged him to take me with him."

"Why would you do that? What could you possibly gain from being the mate of one of them?" the wolf asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Careful wolf, I could tear you to shreds before you could move. Remember, that is my mate you speak of and I don't like it when people insult those I hold dear," Ron said snarling to get his point across.

Seritus watched him, saw the fierceness in his eyes, the obvious love he held for his brother. He was glad Severus had found such a connection. It was obviously a love so deep it bound their souls together; the death of one could do serious harm to the other. Therefore, he would see to it that they both lived, even if it meant giving up his own life.

"If you are done with your demands I think it is time for us to take our leave. I have things I need to get done," the older vampire said.

Severus nodded, agreeing with his brother. He would need to inform the council of the werewolves' demands. The conditions they placed for the truce, something that Severus found outrageous. He didn't mind the fact that they wanted him dead but the boy did not deserve to die because of information that he held. Information that he was unaware he had, it just made no sense. Why not tell him he held it? Why not try to erase it? Although, when it comes to memory charms, Severus has found them to be very unreliable when cast upon a vampire. He still remembered things that he had tried to erase, while completely forgetting things that were of importance.

"How will we get in contact with you?" Ron asked as the vampires began to take their leave.

"You have one week to make a decision. I will be leaving my mate here, so, when you have your answers come back here and relay it to him," Phaedra informed him pointing to the curious wolf that Ron had wanted to rip to shreds. "His name is Loki. Address him as such."

Ron smiled. It was if she could read minds. Well, if she can then it's fine, so long as she does not delve to deep. She may not like what she sees.

"Let's go," Seritus said pulling Ron in the direction of the barrier. "I'm sure the others are worried by now."

Severus and Remus slowly trailed after them.

"What happened to all hell breaking loose?" Severus asked with a smirk.

Remus grimaced. "Just be glad it didn't. Her temper is not something you want to experience firsthand believe me."

Present

"Come inside. Draco wants to duel you, he seems to think he's getting rusty."

Ron nodded and watched as Severus walked back to the manor. He knew Severus was worrying about him but until he could figure out what way this was all going to turn out there was nothing he could do for his mate. There was no way he could ease his mind. Not without lying to him, this was something that Ron didn't want to do until it was absolutely necessary. Even then, necessary would be a life or death situation.

"Are you worrying about your meeting with the wolves, little one?"

Ron snorted. "Wait, little one? Where did that come from? It's always just been Ron."

Barum smiled as he joined the young hybrid. "Well, lately I've been seeing you as a child. A child that has the weight of the world on his shoulders."

"That fits; after all, I have the weight of this world on my shoulders. I don't suppose you could help me out with my decision? I only ask because I'm in conflict at the moment. My heart says, "No way in hell I'm going to let them kill Severus and others that I know and care about!" whereas, my head is screaming, "To save the lives of many the sacrifice is necessary!" I honestly don't know what to do."

"I am truly sorry that this decision has been put down to you little one, but there is no way I can help you. To interfere on such a serious matter would probably make things much worst. Halian and the girls will tell you the same, so asking them would be pointless," the God said.

"There's something that I've been wondering. Maybe you can help me out," Ron said.

"I will help in any way that I can and that includes your choice. No matter what you decide, you will have our support. That I can promise and if things do escalate to war than all rules I have put up regarding interference will be broken. I will not stand by and watch my children fight for their lives, I will be there fighting side by side with them."

Ron sat on the grass smiling. That was something else he had wondered about but had been afraid to ask. He was glad that they would be there to help when it was desperately needed.

"That's good to know. Now, the thing I was wondering about. It was something that Thorne had left out when he was explaining the conflict between the two races. Where did the werewolves come from? I mean, how did the first werewolf come to be just that? Come to think of it, how did you change into a vampire? It's been at me for a while."

Barum laughed. No one ever asked about the true origins of the vampires. Not even the vampires themselves. Oh, there are theories, but he himself was the only one to know the true story. Not even Halian or the girls knew the true story.

"I do not know the werewolves' story but I can tell you how I came to be," he said. "Would you like to know? I warn you, it is may be a long story."

Ron patted the grass and waited for Barum to sit. "Tell me."

Barum lay on the grass, hands behind his head and gazed at the clouds drifting by. "Well, it began almost two thousand years ago. I was 22yrs old, married and a father to a young daughter. As the only son of a successful farmer I wanted for nothing. My father gave me a job and watched on as I became a man he was proud of. I worked hard, keeping food on the table and a roof over my wife and daughter's heads. My days were spent at the farm, while my nights were spent playing with my daughter and loving my woman. I was happy, and I had everything I needed. But one day that all changed. I came back from a hard day's work to find my wife lying on our bed, covered in blood, dead…

A/N: Phaedra is Greek and it means bright. Now it is my understanding that it is pronounced Fee-drah. I had thought it was Fey-drah but I was told I was wrong, so there yah go.

There it is folks, the newest chapter of Secrets. I hope you enjoyed reading it. It has been a long wait, but again, I apologize.

Keep an eye out for the next chapter; hopefully you won't be waiting long for it.

If anyone has any ideas for the werewolves' story of origin please let me know as it would be a great help. I will finish Barum's story I just have to think of a way to finish it. Again, help would be much appreciated.