Hey, guys! ComradeInLOVE again. As I told you yesterday, here it is! Hope you enjoy it. The next one will be ready soon :) Thanks for the reviews. Monse loves them, and so do I :D We're working non-stop to have the chapters ready so you can read them as soon as possible. I think we're doing great, don't you? 2 days, 2 chapters. Enjoy, guys :)

To Brittday20, you're welcome, again! And to roza m belicova, who doesn't? ;)

AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing! I am forever in debt with my beta, ComradeInLOVE, for all that she does! And now, enjoy more cuteness before shit hits the fan!


Rose

Walking on a rainbow. That is the only way to describe my absolute bliss right now. Sure, it is an absurd way to describe such happiness, and that still does not begin to describe it, but I cannot think of other ways to do so. Dimitri has filled me with such joy that I can hardly wipe the grin off my face as we finally emerge from the bathroom. After a couple more rounds in the tub, Dimitri, who has far more self-control than I could ever muster, put a stop to our fucking and lovemaking, because we did both. We do need to attend a ceremony. When we step into the room, I notice the bed sheets have been removed and replaced by red, silky ones. I blush a little just thinking of Sydney washing them and seeing that I have lost my innocence. I shake my head and hold my head high. There is no need to be embarrassed that I have given myself to Dimitri; with anyone else it would have been simply wrong. And perhaps far less satisfying because my Russian is an excellent lover; my sore throat and aching muscles are proof of such.

"You need to dress, my love." He wraps his strong arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. "Before I have my way with you once more."

"Please, do," my right hand moves up to stroke his hair while I smile like a fool.

"Roza," he chastises gently, leaving open mouthed kisses along my shoulder.

"I know. I just cannot believe all this happiness." I frown. "I feel like there is something… Wrong. There is… I cannot explain it. I have this feeling in my gut that behind all of this happiness and love, something dark and terrible is coming."

He stands stiffly behind me with his arms gripping me tighter. Several times, he opens and closes his mouth as if choosing his words. My heart sinks to the floor just imagining what terrible thing is going to come out of his mouth. He is going to say something that will shatter this fantasy, and the pain will cut right through me like my sword cuts through the evil's flesh. My stomach heaves as I wait anxiously for him to cut the crap and tell me everything.

"We must dress, my love. We are late." He says calmly and places a kiss on my forehead before making his way to the bed where our clothes have been laid out.

It doesn't escape me that he turned quickly away from me, not giving me a chance to look into his eyes and decipher whether he is as calm as he sounds. And maybe I am selfish, maybe I am afraid, I would be a fool not to be afraid that this could end at any moment because it could with the confrontation of Isaiah and Adrian hanging over my head, but I do not push him. I do not demand answers because I want this happiness to last a little longer. And even when the pain of reality hits me, I will endure it for all I have lived today would have been worth it.

"Very well," I concede placing a kiss between his bare shoulder blades. Maybe I imagine it, but he relaxes significantly when I don't push him further. Could whatever secret he is hiding be so terrible? I push those thoughts aside and concentrate on the fact that tonight we are saying goodbye to Alberta.

"Why white?" I ask with a frown as I look down at myself wearing the dress Dimitri just bought for me. "You do not wear black to ceremony?"

He shakes his head as his eyes roam over my body appreciatively. "We celebrate life, not death. And black does not go along with a celebration. Ready, milady?" He extends his arm out for me, and I take it lacing my hand through his arm.

"You look handsome," I tell him as we descend the stairs. And so he does. He is wearing a long-sleeved chemise with laces at the front. A bit of his chest is exposed, and I resist the urge to lick that bare flesh showing. His pants are silk and also white. On top of that, of course, is his duster with his hair tied neatly at the nape of his neck.

"Not as handsome as you, my love." He lets go of my arm and descends one more step before turning to look at me. "You are absolutely breathtaking. Alberta would have loved to see you in that, but in our wedding day."

My breath catches in my throat. "Wedding?" Marry Dimitri? Become Lady Belikova? Do I want that? Yes, I want it desperately. His eyes dance with love glinting under the bright Moon. For a moment, I swear he is going to kneel and ask me to marry him, and I will burst with happiness. Instead, he bows and leaves a tender kiss on my hand.

"When all of this is sorted," he does not need to tell me what 'this' entitles, for I already know. Isaiah. Adrian. The curse. "We will talk more, milady. Just know that there isn't and will not be another woman that I will want to spend my life with." With a last kiss to my hand, we descend the rest of the stairs with my heart hammering in my chest just thinking of the day we might wed.

All those thoughts are pushed aside as we enter a huge ballroom to the right of the foyer. We enter through double mahogany doors with a wolf carved into them. How did I miss this? Well, considering I came in practically kicking and screaming and have done nothing but be an ungrateful bitch, I haven't done much exploring. I make a mental reminder to do so in the morning. Inside the ballroom, the biggest freaking chandelier I have ever seen hangs on the ceiling with a thousand candles lit. What is with the Belikovs and chandeliers? A roaring fireplace in the center of the room causes the shadows of the multitude to look awfully terrifying. But everyone is smiling, chatting and laughing at old tales that the eerie feeling goes away. And I can almost forget this is a ceremony, a feast in memory of Alberta.

At the other end of the room, a huge table is set up with a feast upon it. Everything from roasted pig, turkey stew, bread, from apple to cranberry pies, watermelons, peppers and other things I do not recognize is there. All of it makes my mouth water, and the rumbling of my ravenous stomach chastises me for not feeding properly in days. If I continue this way, I will lose my enviable curves. Dimitri isn't unaware of my hunger.

"Come, let us feed you, my love. You must be famished after today's activities." He winks and chuckles wholeheartedly, keeping the palm of his right hand splayed on my lower back.

"You have no idea," I mutter as he steers me toward the table surrounded by a couple of members of the pack I do not know. However, they seem to know me, for they smile and bow mumbling briefs 'milady' or 'Lady Mazur.' "Everyone is so accepting after everything I have done." I comment when the crowd disperses giving Dimitri and me some privacy. "I do not understand. I would be tearing me apart."

Dimitri laughs and kisses my forehead. "Past mistakes are just that, past mistakes."

I frown at him. "You did not seem to think so a while ago. Not that I am not happy you are forgiving yourself…"

He shrugs and looks all around the room. When his eyes return to me, I can see he is in fact on the way to forgiving himself. The past is not torturing him. He is living in the present. That heavy sadness I used to see in him is practically gone replaced by joy despite the death of his aunt.

"It is all because of you, Roza. You have showed me that while I have done wrong in the past, committed atrocious acts, I cannot dwell on them. There is no reason to do so. Not if that prevents me from living my present and future with you. My beauty."

My chest tightens with such sweet words but mostly with the knowledge that Dimitri, my beast, is no longer a beast. Not that he ever was, but now he knows it. I hope I never see his eyes full of sadness, hatred, regret and pain. I hope to never hear his voice break as he recalls his tormenting past. Standing on my toes, I kiss his cheek chastely, but he, momentarily losing his control, grips my hips and captures my lips between his, eliciting a moan from me as his naughty hands slide down my ass and squeezes.

"Enough," I mumble against his lips. "I might take you on the table."

He chuckles. "No, Roza. I might take you on the table. You are the most appetizing little thing in this room." He leans against me and whispers his next words in my ear. "Remember, you are my favorite meal." He licks his lips, reminding me of earlier when he… I cut the thought short when my knees feel weak.

I clear my throat and look at the food as the blush creeps into my skin. "So, um, what is all of this? I recognize some of it…" All of it looks mouthwatering, but I want to know what is it I am eating, first. Of course, I don't discriminate when it comes to food. If it is edible, I am in! I point to some bread. "I know that is bread…"

"Black bread," Dimitri nods holding back an amused smile. Oh, he is smiling too much, and I love it. I hope he always smiles, and I am the cause of that. "It is traditional bread. Very delicious. Try it, my love." He slices a piece of the steaming bread and blows on it for a while, cooling it before popping it into my mouth. I make sure to wrap my lips around his fingers sucking him hard, reminding him of when… He crushes his lips to mine.

"Ty budesh' moyeysmerti," he mumbles against my lips. You shall be the death of me. "More?" He changes the subject, but I can feel the bulge in his pants growing as he pushes it against my belly.

I nod my head. As I chew, I can't help closing my eyes and moaning at how delicious the bread is. Of course, not as delicious as my Russian. "More." I beg even though I haven't swallowed completely.

"Do not make those sounds, Roza," Dimitri shakes his head as he slices another piece of bread into my mouth. "They do things to me."

"She has done things to you," Mason comes colliding against me. He sways a little and so do I as he has an arm around me. Dimitri growls at Mason's innuendo, and the way he sways dangerously with me. "Hey, I mean she has changed you for the better. Control your filthy, horny mind, Alpha."

"You have one second to disappear before…" Dimitri doesn't even finish his sentence and leaps toward Mason. For a drunkard, Mase moves quickly out of the way and runs. Of course, he is no match for my Russian God, who quickly catches Mason. "Who has a filthy, horny mind?" Dimitri asks with the amusement clearly written all over his face as he keeps Mason on a headlock and ruffles his already messy hair.

"Still you," Mason chokes out.

As they playfully wrestle, I pull up a chair and sit to enjoy the various foods while following the action closely. Mason doesn't even land a finger on Dimitri. My Russian is everywhere at once landing soft blows to Mason's ribs and some harder to his shoulders and parts that won't take forever to heal. This is playful after all. The sound of the chair scraping against the floor makes me turn away from Mason trying to leap onto Dimitri's back. Ivan lowers himself into the chair and sits with his back straight, chin up. For the first time in a long time, I see the Zeklos regality that none of the current family members hold. It is a pity, as Jesse Zeklos could learn a thing or two from Ivan.

"Fools," Ivan shakes his head, though I can see the amusement flicker in his eyes.

"Children," I add nodding my head. "What is this?" I ask curiously chewing on something thin but quite delicious.

"Blini." Ivan replies setting an empty goblet near me and pouring some clear liquid into it. "Since you are now Dimitri's lady and future Lady Belikova, you should assimilate Russian customs including its cuisine and beverages. Here, milady." A smug smile plays at the corners of his usually serious mouth. He, too, looks younger at the moment. Since I met him at Codrii Vlăsiei, Ivan hasn't really spoken to me, and I know it is because of the way I acted toward Dimitri and everyone else. I guess now that I am less of a bitch, he can have a conversation with me. Still, every time I would look at him, I saw that same heavy burden and sadness that Dimitri carried. How hard must it be to know that, because of his mother, Dimitri had to commit atrocious acts that led to his cursed life? More importantly, how hard must it have been to accept that his own mother was not a good human being?

"I am sorry about your mother," I say sincerely taking the goblet from him but not drinking yet. "I cannot fathom…"

"No, you cannot, milady," he says cutting me off and getting a faraway look in his eyes. "And I would not try if I were you. Such grisly matters should be unknown to a delicate rose like you."

"I am not delicate," the words come through my teeth, as I narrow my eyes on him.

"Pardon me, I have offended you. I simply mean I do not wish to burden you with the errors of my whore of a mother. Please, drink." Once again the corners of his mouth twitch in a smile he is working extremely hard to hold back.

"What is it?" I press my nose to the goblet to decipher its contents. It cannot be wine; there is a strange mixture of alcohol and peppers, or is it berries? Perhaps both?

"We call it Vodka. Drink. You will enjoy it." He insists gently pushing the goblet closer to me.

Shrugging, I bring the goblet to my lips just as Dimitri shouts. "No! Do not drink that!" But it is too late. I didn't consider the strength of the drink, and I just gulped the liquid down before, violently, spitting it all out across the table. And then, I'm coughing viciously barely able to breathe while Ivan and Mason are laughing uncontrollably, their faces red and tears streaming down their cheeks. Fucking bastards. They have poisoned me.

"I told you she would not handle it!" Ivan is saying while Mason can only hold his sides as the laughter shakes his body.

"I am going… to murder… you." I choke out through the coughing while Dimitri pats my back and holds my hair to the side.

"No, I will." Dimitri growls out, and I feel him stiffen next to me. The room has gone silent as the anger of the Alpha is smothering. I can feel it too. A coiling in my chest and stomach that has nothing to do with Dimitri moving in and out of me or his lips against mine. I feel like crawling to a corner in a fetal position and cry at the strength of his fury. "What were you thinking?" He emphasizes every word. His jaw twitches, and he gazes murderously at the two suddenly sober werewolves.

"They were not thinking," the words come out weirdly, so I clear my throat and try again. "They were not thinking. Why trick me, boys?" I send them an easy smile as I pour more of the clear liquid into my goblet. "Too pussy to challenge me?" Several members of the pack chuckle nervously and relieved at my attempt to lighten the mood again.

"Roza," Dimitri growls warningly putting his hand on top of the goblet before it touches my lips. "That is too strong for you. You cannot handle it."

And maybe the Vodka I managed to swallow has made me a bit drunk, but I suddenly feel bold enough to openly speak about my sexual affairs with Dimitri. "I thought I could not handle you. And look at me. You did not break me in half, Comrade." With a wink, I down the drink and this time I am able to handle the burning and strength of it. I meet Mason and Ivan's eyes. "Your turn."

Challenging two werewolves with stronger and better metabolisms and clearly more experience with Vodka turns out to be the worst thing I could do. They, of course, win holding down the drink while I struggle not to vomit all over the rest of the food. Dimitri is sitting next to me slowly drinking his own Vodka, clearly unaffected by its effects while Mason and Ivan are flirting with statues and armors that adorn the room.

"How do… How do you do it?" I gasp as the Vodka rises up my throat, burning again. "How do you hold it down?"

"I do not drink recklessly," he replies with a stern tone and shaking his head. He sighs at my stupidity and pours some dark brown liquid into another goblet. "Drink."

"No more strange drinks," I moan leaning my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes. "Please."

"This will make you feel better, Roza," his tone becomes gentle and soothing. My pathetic tone must have softened him up. "Drink, love."

I sigh and take a tentative sip of the strange liquid. Oddly enough, it is sweet and mild. In fact, I taste no alcohol, just honey, fruits and spices. "What is it?" I ask before taking a larger sip.

"Sbiten. The honey in it lowers the alcohol you have consumed. I hope you have learned your lesson, Roza." Despite the reprimand in his words, I can still hear the love in them.

I nod taking another sip. "I need to practice my drinking before challenging those assholes again." I glare at the two men now trying to coax Sydney and another girl into dancing.

"What am I going to do with you, Roza?" He pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head helplessly. I grin and crawl onto his lap. He doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around me and grab my chin between his thumb and index.

"Love me," I suggest planting a small kiss on his lips as my hands wrap around his neck.

"I already do," he replies with a huge grin on his face.

In our own little world we spend half of the night, our arms wrapped around each other, looking into the other's eyes, and stealing chaste kisses. The other half, several people come near us speaking rapidly in Russian. Dimitri talks just as rapidly back, chuckling and adding details to a tale, for what I can tell. Every once in a while, he motions toward me with a wide smile on his lips and the love in his eyes melts me away. Slowly, thanks to the Sbiten and the lips of my Russian, the alcohol begins to fade, but not enough so that I can stand on my own. So Dimitri holds me tightly as later in the night we all head outside. Everyone is silent and solemn that I do not dare speak and question where we are going. For several minutes we walk through a maze with torches lighting our way. My question of our destination is soon answered when we reach the end of the immense maze and on top of a bed of rocks and hay lays a body covered in grey silk.

My throat starts to shut off with the sadness of seeing Alberta cold and unmoving again. Reality sets in again, and I can't help blaming myself for her death again. If I hadn't run away… If I had stayed and just joined Dimitri for dinner… If I hadn't been such a bitch… All the ifs I can come up with and none of them will bring her back. I just hope that wherever she is, she is happy that Dimitri and I are finally together. Everyone is silent, some are now sobbing and others just hang their heads praying.

"She hated when I acted like a wild animal," Mason begins in a quiet voice pausing for a second. He swallows loudly, then continues in a near perfect imitation of Alberta's angry voice. "'You are not an animal, Ashford! Chew with your Goddamn mouth closed!'"

Several people chuckle and nod their heads clearly recalling the time she said that to him. Another member of the pack recounts a tale in which Alberta showed her compassionate heart, her bravery, her understanding and loving nature. On and on, they all say their goodbyes; they emphasize how she was like a mother to them. And she will be greatly missed.

"She knew we were meant to be," I say resting my head on Dimitri's chest. "She knew it even before we did. Alberta just knew this has nothing to do with a witch. 'You complement each other. Dimka is far too composed, too guilt ridden to live, and while you carry your own burdens, you live passionately, Rose.' I did not believe her then. I bet she is now doing a little dance and saying 'I told you so.' "

"She did not like to dance," Dimitri recalls with a sad smile on his lips. He turns to kiss my forehead. "Thank you for your words. I know she cared for you."

I can only nod as the knot gets tighter and bigger, and I can't hold it back any longer. Maybe the Vodka is not out of my system yet, and maybe I am truly grief stricken, and I know it's both. The dam breaks, and I bury my face under Dimitri's arm. "And I was terrible to her! She tried to be good to me, and I just pushed her away. I resisted for so long, and just as we were finally getting along, she is gone. She made me feel less lonely; she provided a sense of motherly love. I am sorry…"

The torch leaves Dimitri's other hand, so he can wrap both arms around me, hiding me completely from sight. His duster muffles my cries but not the sounds around me. Everyone is crying now. We celebrated Alberta's life, we drank to her name, many counted amusing and beautiful tales, but damn it, what's the point of it all? She's gone.

"I swear, Roza," Dimitri says through his teeth holding me so tightly I can't breathe, but I don't mind it. "I swear the rogues will pay. I will tear them limb by limb. We will bathe in their blood; feed their flesh to rabid dogs. I will hang their heads along the walls of my castle! A life for a life…"

His words terrify me a little but at the same time comfort me. While I just want Dimitri to be happy always, the rogues have crossed a line. They crossed it ages ago, and it is time for revenge. None of us will rest easy knowing they are out there. One by one, the pack members throw their heads back and howl; a melancholic yet menacing sound. The breeze carries out the howling to unknown places where I hope the rogues are listening, and they know that we are coming. We are coming to make them pay for my mother, Alberta, Eddie, Daniella and Meredith Ivashkov, Jill and Rhea Dragomir… We are coming to rip their throats out.

"There is no place they can hide," I begin, my voice sounding not like mine at all. I step out of Dimitri's embrace and move closer to where Alberta lies, peacefully and eternally sleeping. "Nothing can save them now. Their blood is ours. Their dying howls will be the music we march to." I spin around to meet Dimitri's eyes, and I am surprised to see him take a small step back at the murderous and vengeful glint in my eyes. "They are already dead."

No one says a word. The wind keeps blowing, the leaves rustle, the flames of the torches cackle, but the pack members remain stoic and silent.

"Fuck," Mason whispers breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I think I just pissed myself. I have never been more terrified and turned on at the same time in my life, Rose. Dimitri, mind if I…"

"Mine," Dimitri growls gripping my arms and planting a searing, bruising kiss on my lips. "My deadly huntress. All mine." Eventually he releases my arms and holds my face gently with both of his hands. When we finally break apart for air, I can see his pupils dilate with what can only be desire. "You are perfect." He murmurs before interlacing our fingers.

Mason hands Dimitri back his torch, and since I am still reeling from the kiss, my Russian tugs me along, getting still closer to Alberta's covered body upon the rocks and hay. He stops and stares down at her body; his emotionless mask slips showing the pain and grief he feels. There's no more lightness, love, or desire in his eyes anymore. There's only anger and despair. I give his hand a tight yet gentle squeeze to remind him that I'm here, that I support him, and he is not alone. He notices the gesture and turns to look down at me. I nod my head and give his hand another gentle squeeze. That seems to be all he needs to send his aunt to her final resting place. He places the torch on top of her body, and the hay lights up like the Sun, turning Alberta's body into ashes in a matter of seconds.

"I will miss you," Dimitri whispers as he watches the flames dance. "You always knew what to say; I did not go mad with rage, with self-loathing thanks to you. I am who I am because of you. And now you." He turns to me, and slowly traces my lower lip with his index finger. "I love you, Roza."

"I lo-" I don't have time to proclaim my love for him because he crushes his lips to mine and pulls me up in his arms.

He collapses on top of me several hours later. His breathing is labored, and we are both covered in sweat. Trying to catch my breathing, I stroke his hair as his hot breath tickles my collarbone. We remain silent, recovering from the previous activities. He calls me insatiable, but my Russian has his moments, too. I tried several times to get him to talk to me about Alberta, to work through his grief, but he just silenced me with his kisses or skilled tongue.

"Do you want to talk about her?" Once I can speak without breathing heavily, I take advantage of his stillness.

When he doesn't reply, I almost believe he has fallen asleep, but his fingers begin to form patterns on my shoulder. "No, Roza. I do not want to talk. I just want to love you."

So I let him love me. And I love him in return.

Dimitri

My Roza lies on her belly, hugging the pillow, her limbs tangled in the sheets, and snoring softly. I chuckle quietly enough not to wake her, for this time I am the one who wore her out. After saying goodbye to my aunt, I did not want to feel the grief and pain of losing her. I just wanted to love my Roza; I wanted to feel her lips on mine, our limbs intertwining, and flesh against flesh. Gently, I remove a strand of wild hair from her face. She mumbles something in Turkish then smiles. I could simply stare at her all day. My Roza is always breathtaking whether covered in blood of her enemies, dirt or the sweet sweat of our lovemaking; she is always the most beautiful angel I have ever laid eyes upon. And she is mine. I don't know for how long, but she is mine. With that unsettling thought, I slowly climb out of bed and throw last night's clothes on.

After one last look at my sleeping beauty, I shut the door quietly and head down the hall to my study. Two centuries waiting and looking for her to come along and save me. Now that she has, I am going to lose her. Life without Roza is no life. I refuse to live without her. Babushka may not be able to help anymore, but there has to be another way. I can't give up. I won't give up on her.

When I open the door to my study, Mason and Ivan are already waiting for me. Mason sits across the oak table, hands over his face as he groans at the hammering in his head. Ivan is clearly having a bad time as well, but he hides it better and stands stoically looking out the window at the others already working on rebuilding the houses. I slam the door shut on purpose, causing Mason to jump fifty feet in the air.

"Are you all right, Mason?" I ask frowning and feigning worry.

"No, my bloody head is about to explode." He moans taking a seat in one of the sofas.

"Oh, poor pup. Maybe that will teach you and Ivan to never screw with Roza." I say calmly but making as much noise as I can. "The stunt of last night…"

"Lighten up. She is a huntress; if she can handle you and the rogues, she can handle a little vodka." Mason waves his hand in the air dismissively, groaning at the pain in his temples.

I hate to admit, but the pup is right. If Rose can handle my brute behavior over the past few weeks and the rogues the other night, she can handle anything. Another reason why I love her. There's nothing she can't do. She turns her pain and grief into passion, into a mission, a reason to live.

"Roza?" Ivan raises his eyebrows at my pet name for Rose, but I can see that my old friend is genuinely happy for me. "What happened to Red?" He sits next to Mason and stares at me expectantly.

"I will never address her as such after Isaiah tainted it with his scorn and hatred." The thought of Isaiah doing all those things he promised to Rose makes me see red. I take a deep breath before I start shaking in anger and do something harsh like hunt the bastard down right now. I promised Rose we would find the rogues together, and together we could take them down. "I do not want to talk about Isaiah. Not yet. I received a visit from Babushka. Last night."

Mason and Ivan sit up straighter at the mention of my grandmother. "Is the curse broken?"

"No." I pause and this time, I am the one suffering from a severe headache. "Rose… She… has to die. For me. For us. I cannot let that happen to Roza. She…"

"Was born for this." Ivan cuts me off. "Rhonda predicted she would save you…"

"That does not mean her only purpose in life is to die for Dimitri," Mason protests fervently, forgetting his headache. I can only stare dumbfounded at Ivan. How can he say such a thing? Does he not see how much Rose means to me, and if she dies, I die too? "She was not born to die. She was born to live and love Dimitri." Mason turns to me. "Tell me Yeva has a solution. Tell me she is going to change the curse."

I pause and stare at Mason, my right hand man, and Ivan, my friend since infancy, and wonder how to break it down to them. I decide to get it over with, no beating around the bush. The news is not going to please either of them. Hopefully, they will stick by me and Rose as we figure this out. "Babushka is dying; if she is not already dead. She has no solution. There is no strength in her left to cast another curse. But Rose is not dying. I will not allow it. We will find another way. Another witch. There are rumors of a strong witch in Vienna."

"Vienna, Austria?" Ivan sighs and stands up. He begins to pace back and forth watching the Sun rise higher and higher in the horizon. "Rumors of the return of the Belikov line are already circulating all over Russia. How long do you think it will take before the Ivashkovs, Mazurs, Dragomirs, Ozeras and even Zeklos come for you? Before we are under attack. You cannot simply take off to find a witch that you know despite her strength will not risk changing your curse."

"Why not? Dimitri will pay her with more gold than she will ever see in her thousand years of life. And no one will dare challenge us. They know what we are." Mason snorts.

"Witches do not meddle in each other's magic. It drives them insane; am I wrong Dimitri? The only reason Yeva even dare change your curse is because she shares the same blood as Rhonda. Besides, in Novosibirsk they already know we are weak, even if they think it is a wild story, a rumor. But it is true. That is why Alberta is dead." Ivan stops his pacing and turns to look pleadingly at me. "Do not make this harder than it has to be. You know what must be done, Dimitri. Two centuries we waited. We will not wait more."

"We?" Mason fists his hands and stands up to meet Ivan's eyes. "I think you are only speaking for yourself, Ivan. The other pack members are just happy to be home. We will wait as long as it takes for Dimitri and Rose to find another witch. Rose is not dying. The answer is simple! Dimitri, you have to bite her."

"Bite her? And what will happen to us?" Ivan steps towards Mason both of them radiating fury. I can tell a fight is about to break out.

"Enough," I say tiredly but with authority. "Ivan is right. The witch will not meddle with my curse. No matter how much gold I give her." I feel shattered uttering those words. More than that, I feel weak and like a failure because I am both of those things. I am not strong enough to fight the curse, and I have failed Roza. I have failed us.

"That is it?" Mason shakes his head as his voice is thick with disgust. "You are giving up on the best damn thing that has ever happened to you in two centuries? I never thought I would say this, but you are a coward, Dimitri. You are weak."

"I do not see another way!" I slam my fists on the table and push myself up, knocking the chair over. "No witch will want to help. They know the consequences of what I will ask them to do: insanity." I pause taking a deep breath and running my hand through my hair. There is no point in resisting. The answer is right in front of me. "Rose will understand. She loves me and all of you. She will take the bite."