Chapter Nine- History Books

Bakura slept the following day away, Atem weaving in and out of his dreams. When he awoke, he sighed in resignation: He was in love with Atem, no denying it. The thing is that we agreed to just be friends. I will have to keep my feelings to myself and not show them. I do wonder, though. Can a vampire and a werewolf be in love with each other or is it forbidden? I'll need to look it up, but first I have business to attend to. He climbed out of his coffin and headed to his throne where two guards stood, one on either side. He took his seat and said, "Have Kevin some to me, then go out and feed."

"Yes, Your Majesty," one replied as both left. Ten minutes later, Kevin entered. He was biologically older than Bakura, but turned at the same time as Kevin had been one of his men back when he led a band of thieves. Kevin knelt and said, "You summoned me, Your Majesty?"

"I did, my friend. I came to the realization last night that I should have chosen someone to succeed me shortly after becoming king. Even with us no longer attacking werewolves, we are still in danger from silver. I need a successor should something happen to me. Therefore, I choose you to be the next king."

Kevin's head shot up. "Me, the next king?"

"Yes. I've known you before we were turned and I trust you."

Kevin bowed his head. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I accept."

"Done. You are now my successor." Kevin rose and headed out. Bakura followed shortly after to get his blood.

He licked his lips as headed for the library a while later. He had had a satisfying feeding, but finding one had been a bit hard. He found himself envious of Atem. He was a living being who didn't depend on human blood every night to live. Perhaps we should feed a little instead of draining, maybe hold some captive, but far away from me. He entered the library, found the vampire history book, settled in a chair, and flipped to the section concerning their history with werewolves.

It expounded on the superiority of vampires and the view on werewolves that Bakura had believed until he explored the palace and talked with Atem. Werewolves aren't mangy or stupid. They are just as smart as vampires and can pass as humans until nightfall. He continued to read and found a big surprise: While the feud between them over prey was no surprise, the other reason for the hate was that vampires could become werewolves by being bitten by a pureblood. Wow! That must be why we hate werewolves so much; because a pureblood could turn us. He read on a bit more and learned that romance between the two races could happen but the hate kept them from doing so. Well, Atem and I are calling an end to the hate so romance could happen in the future or even start with us if Atem falls for me. I have already fallen for him.

While Bakura slept, Atem was perusing the library, looking for the werewolf history book. He wanted to read up on the feud between them and vampires. Despite resisting his desire, Bakura had shown up in his dreams last night. He firmly told himself that it was only because he had just befriended him. Yes. We are just friends, nothing more.

Ah, said a voice inside him. But Bakura was interested in more than friendship. He feels love for you and you may find him desirable even without the mating desire.

"Pharaoh?"

Atem came out of his thoughts and looked over to see Kisara. He smiled at her. "Yes?"

"Seto just told me that you named him your successor yesterday."

"I did. I believe he would be a good pharaoh and alpha and with you, he would have heirs to carry on his rule."

"You could still find someone," she said gently.

"Yes, but I should insure that the city has someone to lead them should something happen to me or even if I go on a trip outside of the kingdom." He located the book he sought and grabbed it as Kisara left. He sat down and flipped to the section on their relationship with vampires. It spoke of how werewolves were superior to vampires who were creatures that thought of nothing but blood. Well, that's not true, Atem thought. Bakura had other things on his mind than blood. He returned to the book, his thoughts contradicting the words in the book as he did so.

Vampires are not stupid…Actually they do feel, Bakura told me so…Hmm, what's this? He focused properly on the page. Well, well. So vampires and werewolves could get together. It is our fight over prey and stereotypes of each other that prevents that. Bakura and I are working on ending the feud. My people will not attack any vampires they see and Bakura has promised that his people will not attack any werewolves. It's only been one day since we first met and I haven't heard of any attacks last night. That's a good sign. He made good on his promise and it's possible that his love for me helped.

Atem sighed as his desire rose up again. It was getting stronger and seemed to rise whenever he thought of Bakura. He closed his eyes and rubbed his nose. I just might be in love with Bakura after all. I will give this matter some serious thought tomorrow and reach a decision by the time I set out for our meeting the night after tomorrow.

Atem pushed his desire aside as he continued with his duties as pharaoh. When night fell, he decided to join the night shift and speak to his pack. They were happy to talk to him and confirmed that all had been peaceful.

"That is excellent," he said after speaking to a female who had four pups around her. "Peace is always preferable particularly when raising pups."

"Of course alpha," the female said. She herded her young ones back into the house and Atem continued to speak to his pack and even stepped in to break up a dispute. He felt lucky he jumped in when he did. While no criminals were bitten into werewolves, sudden anger was part of being a werewolf especially if a dispute involved territory. A detailed sniff of the area from Atem and the disputing parties settled the issue and the two arguers headed into their homes.

Atem returned to the palace to retire for the night and Seto approached him in the hall. "Alpha, I meant to ask how your night out went."

"It was great, Seto, just what I needed. I ran as fast as I could, I ate prey, I howled to the night, and saw a vampire," Atem answered, throwing the last part out casually.

"You saw one? Did it see you?"

"He saw me, yes. We locked eyes but I simply changed direction and he did not pursue me."

"Hmm, odd that he would not chase after you and try to kill you."

"I was well-protected and he knows that the tiniest brush of silver would turn him to dust."

"Correct. Perhaps their king has seen the folly of sending his subjects out to attack us."

"Perhaps he has. It certainly brings me some peace of mind knowing we can roam without fear of attack. However, that does not mean we can drop our guard."

"Of course not, alpha."

"My people, I have chosen a successor, admittedly later than I should have. After a little consideration, I have decided that Kevin will be your next king, if or when I am unable."

The vampires clapped for his choice, but murmurs about his choice of words. Bakura knew he had phrased it oddly but felt it gave Kevin creditability regardless of how he acquired the throne.

His subjects dispersed and he took Kevin to the throne room to school his heir in what would be expected of him should he become king and also teaching him to read. Bakura, however, also was thinking of his second meeting with Atem. He looked forward to learning more about the alpha himself. He will likely ask questions about my past and if I want to know him, I will need to be forthcoming.