Lucian looked up at the sky and breathed in the air like it was the first time he had ever seen the sun, or tasted oxygen. Everything seemed new to him. Ever since that night with Sonja he looked at things differently. He saw beauty in everything he observed, even in himself. It had been a week since that night, and he had not seen Sonja since. He felt like dying every minute that they were apart. The thought of her filled him with joy, and then filled him with deep sorrow at the same time. How could they be together when it would completely defy the covenant? If anyone knew of that one night, then he would surely be killed on the spot. But suddenly it didn't matter. He would gladly give his life for just one more night with her. He stayed close to mansion when he was on duty in hopes of running into her on one of her restless days. Then one day everything changed, when he heard a conversation between two of his fellow guards.

"Did you hear? Apparently we're going to have a new master of the mansion soon."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you know that Viktor's going to be going back into hibernation in two years. He wants to marry Sonja to Kraven so that the rule in his stead will be strong."

"That would be a great match for her."

"Apparently she wants nothing to with him."

"What? Why?"

"Rumor has it that she has a secret lover."

"Where'd you hear that?"

"Just someone in the mansion guard."

"I wonder what Viktor will do when he hears about it."

"He'll probably tear the guy limb from limb."

"Yeah, and he'll probably send his daughter away to some remote castle in Romania."

"Ahh, the joys of being born to the nobility."

"Seriously."

The guards went on their way but Lucian stayed rooted to the spot. How could Viktor promise Sonja to that coward Kraven? She could never marry him. He had to see her now. He didn't have to think of a plan however, she found him out first. He was walking the halls of the mansion when she grabbed him and pulled him into her room. They greeted each other with a passionate kiss, and then Sonja pulled away from him.

"We…we can't see each other any more. My father has ordered me to marry Kraven."

"Do you love Kraven?"

"I love you!"

"Then don't marry him! Your father wouldn't make you marry a man who you don't love. Refuse to marry Kraven."

"And where will that get me?"

Sonja looked to Lucian with a question in her eyes.

"I love you Sonja. I promise you that I will stay with you forever."

"…..I will talk to my father. He will not make me marry Kraven if I refuse."

"I love you Sonja."

"Lucian….hold me, I just want you to hold me."

Lucian gathered Sonja up in his arms and held her for what seemed like only a few seconds. They heard voices in the hallway coming towards Sonja's room. Lucian recognized them as Viktor's and Kraven's.

"Oh no! It's my father. He will kill you if he finds you here! Quick, out the window."

Lucian quickly kissed Sonja goodbye and jumped out the window. Sonja's room was on the third story of the mansion, but Lucian's werewolf abilities let him land on the ground with the greatest of ease.

"Well well, so Sonja's secret love is found."