He wouldn't answer my question until we were in my room, in bed and spooning. My question would not go unanswered though, he wouldn't forget and I wouldn't need to remind him. His lips trailed across my cheek, along my jaw, down my neck, over my shoulders and back up again.

Between his kisses he spoke, "an alliance between any two supernatural races is a very rare occurrence. Like Alcide said, it hasn't been attempted in all of America for over six hundred years. The last attempt was only attempt because it is such a major event, the neighbouring stronger vampire nest found out and slew the entire wolf pack. That is why we are organising it so quickly; it would not be wise to tip off anyone, particularly Victor. It doesn't have to be between vampires and werewolves, but it is the strongest coupling. Once made, the vampires of area five and the Shreveport Were's would be quite a force to be reckoned with. By ourselves we are strong fighters, together we would be unbeatable. We can lose and gain numbers but the outcome to any battle is in our favour. Tomorrow night we will congregate at a common area for the ceremony where I as Sherriff and Alcide as Packmaster will initiate the alliance the only way we know best; with blood. The bond that will be created between us is unlike the bond we share or the bond I have with Pam. As long as we both live the alliance will hold permanently for the entire pack and my vampires."

I let out a whistle, "what happens to the dynamics between you both?"

"Between Alcide and myself there will be very little changes. Our duties remain the same, we can still punish those within our kind for wrongdoing, still monitor who is entering and leaving our area and whatnot. We are merely representatives for our respective people. Being leaders we do gain abilities to communicate faster in case of emergencies, we have a method of calling each other. We have no control over the other, unlike the way Victor has over his Were's. We are equal and whilst we can keep to ourselves normally, should the situation arise, we unite to fight a common enemy."

I rolled over so I could face him. My finger traced down his nose, lips, chin and tangled in his soft hair that fanned over his shoulders, "what will happen when others become aware of the alliance?"

He shrugged which was incredibly graceful given that he was lying down. Centuries of practise will do that to you, "then they will know. We are creating a moment for the history books tomorrow, the word will spread quickly through America and perhaps the rest of the world. There have been several more alliances throughout Europe although there are none as of current, but even there it is still a rarity. It will be famed but no one will dare challenge us. If I wanted to be a King I could overthrow every kingdom in the country and grow my numbers, but I would never want to be King, I'm happy with my slice of Louisiana."

I was seeing a flaw in all of this, "what if you are outnumbered? If anyone reacts similar to the way Jannalynn did tonight, wouldn't the alliance be weak if everyone started leaving?"

"They won't leave. Not even Jannalynn. An alliance increases the chance of survival in battle. Not even the immortal can completely avoid death. If anything, our ranks may begin to increase. This move will not only strengthen my area and protect you but it would be a step forward in restrengthening Louisiana."

I yawned, "I get the general picture. Whatever I don't understand I'll figure out tomorrow. I'm trying to pay attention but all I'm starting to hear is 'blah blah blah.' Just lie with me?"

I blinked and my room was suddenly emblazoned with light. From the angle in which the sun shone through the window indicated it was mid-morning, gross. I rolled away so I would be no longer blinded by the window to find Hunter fast asleep in my bed and a note. It read:

Good Morning Lover,

He woke just before dawn saying he couldn't sleep by himself. I told him he could crawl in with you, I hope you don't mind.

I know you have a hectic day ahead of you but I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important and I am still without a day guy. Alcide should be calling you sometime today with details of tonight. Could you please forward the time and address to everyone on the list I have compiled. Use bulk text message. The list and my phone are in your bedside table draw.

Be careful and stay safe. Should you encounter any trouble with the law call Mr. Cataliades. His number is stored in my phone. Do not use a human lawyer.

Your Were guard has just shown up. Claude has successfully made the wards hide their presence. I have instructed them not to disturb you until they sense you are awake. So expect a knock on your door any second now.

Love E.

I got out of bed and threw on a robe in time with the knock on the door. I slipped on my slippers and padded down the hall to the front door. I peered through the peep hole and saw a man and a woman standing a few steps away from the door. I recognised their faces from being from Alcide's pack and their thought waves were distinctly Were so I opened up.

"Hey y'all, thank you so much for coming out and such short notice. I'd invite you in but I don't know if you can," I smiled.

"I don't think a couple of minutes would hurt, it may be better to say some of the things we have to say indoors, just in case. I'm Toby but the way and this is Lacey," the man said. He was tall, but not Eric tall, with short and spiky dark copper hair with blue-green eyes and some of the longest eyelashes I had ever seen, but instead of making him look feminine, they enhanced his masculinity. He looked about the age where he would be fresh out of college assuming he went but most Were's ended up in construction so he may not have. He worked out and it showed through his stretched brown polo and snug jeans. Lacey on the other hand had long, flowing chestnut hair that had a touch of purple in the light and was delicately curled to frame her face. Her eyes were soft brown and she had plump pink lips. She was a bit taller than me, long, slender and tanned but curvy in all the right places. She wore a pale pink singlet and three quarter length khaki pants with white tennis shoes. I guessed her to be a bit older than Toby but a bit younger than me. It was hard to believe that she got furry once a month.

I extended my hand to shake Toby's, "please, come on in. Can I get either of you something to drink?"

"Thank you for your hospitality but we don't need anything. We have set up a little station outside with food and drinks for during our shift. We will remain on duty until 3:00 PM and the Panther's are meant to be taking over until after the ceremony in which it will be then the vamps turn. We'd just like a general outline of your activities until then so we can be prepared," said Lacey. Her voice was so sweet and melodious I reminded myself that looks can be deceiving; there was still a wolf inside her. I wanted to know why Alcide had kept her hidden from me for so long. I already liked her.

"I'll be driving into town when Hunter wakes up to get a few bits and pieces he needs but other than that I plan on staying home. My brother Jason- a were-panther by the way- said he'd be dropping in for a while this afternoon and I may possibly receive a visit from the Sherriff's department about Hunter but I'm not sure. Oh and I live with a fairy if you didn't already know that," I said.

"Thank you Sookie, we'll be watching. We'll leave you to your day now," from Toby. We'd conducted the entire conversation just inside the entry. Claude had made it so that the wards muffled everything spoken inside the house to ensure privacy.

"Call out if you need anything," I said closing the door on them.

I didn't hear a peep from them until they reported back to me before the panthers took over but the instant I had the door closed for them to resume their shift the phone rang.