Chapter Ten- Second Meeting

Atem sprinted out of the city, his cuffs the only silver he had on. The tight security had been lifted that day, so he was able to slip out without his armor. He headed for the cave he had been to when he was a child, pausing before sunset to remove his cuffs and put them in a bag. Night would fall before he got to the cave and he couldn't take the cuffs off with paws, claws, and teeth.

His extended claws clicked on stones as he entered the cave. He put the sack in the back and laid down in front of it. He felt a little hungry, but it was tolerable. He had eaten a lot of food before leaving as he knew transforming burned a lot of energy and calories. He didn't want hunger to interrupt his talk with Bakura as well as his confession.

I had done as I had planned. I thought about Bakura and my desire. The latter had been getting stronger over the last two days and it, combined with the revelation that romance between our races can happen, has led me to conclude that I do love Bakura and he needs to know so we can begin this new and unusual relationship. Atem's nose twitched as the scent of blood and decay reached him. The pale figure of Bakura appeared, a concerned and preoccupied expression on his face. He got to his paws. "Bakura?"

The vampire king focused on him and a small smile appeared. "Hello, Atem."

"Something is wrong, I can tell. What is it?"

Bakura sighed as he sat cross-legged in the center of the cave. "Finding prey to drink is getting a bit hard. I may have to either hold humans captive or re-locate my kingdom which is risky as a journey could kill most or all of us."

Atem swallowed hard. "I would like to help however I can. I don't want you to re-locate." He whined sadly.

Bakura blinked at the sound. "Atem?" he asked, confused.

"Bakura, I did a lot of thinking and reading since our last meeting. I read that love between our races is possible and that, combined with my desire and thoughts of you, made me realize that I do love you."

Bakura perked up. "You love me? That's wonderful. I too read that love can happen between a vampire and a werewolf." He smiled as Atem laid beside him and put his forelegs across Bakura's lap, the latter noticing the absence of the cuffs. He reached out and stroked Atem's head and body. The fur was soft and smooth beneath his fingers. Atem whined in pleasure and his tail swished. Bakura smiled at the reactions as he gently scratched behind the ears. "You are a lovely wolf. I am lucky to have met you."

"I feel the same way," Atem sighed.

"I won't re-locate my kingdom. We will find a way to survive."

"Bakura, I'm curious. When were you turned? Did you have a family? Where did you live?"

Bakura chuckled. "You want to know about my past. I don't blame you as I want to know yours. All right. I lived in the village of Kul Elna, a village of thieves, with my mother and father. I lived happily there until two years ago when the king came. He and those he had turned attacked, draining people and turning others. My parents were drained and, due to the reports of my thieving skills and leading a band of thieves, the king turned me and declared me his heir. He also turned the number two man in my band and I have recently name him my heir. The king then named my village as his new domain, saying the previous one had been burned to the ground. I was sixteen the night I became a vampire.

"The king schooled me during my first year as a vampire. He told me what my duties would be, our strengths, weaknesses, and enemies. He taught me how to read and told me all the lies about your races that I believed until I read otherwise. Several of his subjects had saved several books from the fire and the history book was one of them."

"I see. So, your age freezes when you are turned as I am sixteen right now."

"You're right. I will remain sixteen forever though my mind will gain in wisdom as time passes. Well, I've told you my background so it's your turn."

Atem yawned before saying, "Okay. Well, as you know, I'm a pureblood werewolf. My mother died when I was very young and my father raised me, teaching me how to be a werewolf and grooming me to be pharaoh after him. I befriended another pureblood named Mahad who also grew up in the palace and we became close friends. He became captain of the guard shortly before Father died. He's also a magician."

"Is he? Interesting."

"Yes, but he can only access it in human form. My personal court retains only two members that were part of Father's court. I appointed the other four."

"What does this court do?"

"They assist me in making decisions. I cannot make one without considering how it will affect the pack. I could voice a suggestion and with the court's input, it will either be dismissed or evolve into a beneficial decision. Occasionally, a suggestion will be accepted as it is."

"Would that include who you choose to love?"

"No. Mates are viewed by the pack as two that were meant to be together. One's desire for a mate is what guides him or her to choose someone. I might just be the first werewolf to choose a vampire. There may be noises and protests about you being a vampire and the court may object, but our love for each other will proceed."

"That's good. Who I choose to love is not discussed as I have no court. I make decisions myself and they are final. If I told them I fell for the alpha of the werewolves, they may be shocked, but will accept my decision.'

"They trust you."

"Yes. They trust me to keep them safe and to insure their safety. Honestly, sending them to attack your kingdom was not in keeping with that."

Atem nodded. "Agreed. How many subjects do you have?"

"One hundred. They were all criminals when turned, a precedent the previous king set down when he took the throne a hundred and seven years ago."

"And you see no reason to alter it?"

"Correct. What of your subjects? How many?"

"Two hundred, though the number grows with the birth of pups. Those who are bitten were good people. Tempers do flare on occasion but Mahad or I settle the disputes."

"Sounds peaceful. I would love to live such a life. It's hard to have peace when you must attack and feed every night."

"I can imagine." Honestly, Atem could only imagine. He knew from the history book that werewolves couldn't become vampires. So, he would have to accept Bakura's word.

"Atem, I will need to return to my kingdom soon."

Atem got up and, as Bakura stood, said, "I should go too and get some rest. I hope to see you again."

"You will. Actually, what if you visit my kingdom? We can claim it's a diplomatic trip which is what I will be telling my subjects. You can bring your silver for protection."

"A diplomatic trip. Yes, that sounds perfect and something that we indeed can do while I'm there. I will set out the morning after tomorrow night."

"Good. Well, I'll see you then." Bakura kissed Atem's muzzle who licked his hand in return. The king smiled as he set off into the night.

"Good night, Bakura. I look forward to my trip," Atem said softly as he left the cave and started off for home, his bag with his cuffs in his mouth.