"Are you sure about this?" I asked Alcide hesitantly. My brother shot me a dark look. Apparently telling Jackson about Godric was of the utmost importance. The only catch was that Godric couldn't be there incase Dad, well, wanted to be a typical dad and grabbed a shotgun loaded with wooden bullets. No, seriously, he has one of those. It was his idea of a way to keep Marc in line if he ever strayed off course. I think he was seriously disappointed that he never got to use it. There are parts of some people that worry other people—this part of Jackson was one that worried me. Alcide was less worried than I was. He seemed to think that the fact that he was pulling in Godric's favor would be better for the vampire. And me. But that didn't mean that Dad wasn't going to flip shit.

"Come on, time to bite the bullet," he herded me into the house. I shot him a look. "Sorry. Not what I meant."

"Still doesn't help matters any."

"I'm not always here to help. I am your brother."

"Men."

"You love me."

"That has nothing to do with anything."

"Ah, but it has everything to do with anything."

"I hate you."

"I love you, too."

"What are you two bickering about now?" Jackson asked as he came out into the living room.

"Aline has a new suitor," Alcide offered.

"Ass," I glared at him. He shot me a cocky grin, raising his eyebrows tauntingly. I like him a lot more when Debbie isn't around. (I realize things at the strangest times.)

"A new 'suitor?' Who—" His face crinkled uncharacteristically as he caught a whiff of Godric's scent. "Another vampire. And you let him claim you."

"Technically I didn't know that's what he was doing—"

"But you still got involved with him."

"He's nice."

Dad stared me down, clearly reminding me that I had said the same thing about Marc. Sometimes I'm a really bad judge of character. That was one of those times. Everybody gets one, right? Or ten.

"He is," Alcide saved me. "I've met him a few times. He's willing to lay down his life for hers."

Jackson looked unconvinced as he leaned back into his chair. "Is that so?" I hated that his voice was so calm. It usually meant that he was beyond angry. He was disappointed. I hate disappointing him. But I do it frequently enough, I suppose.

"He is Eric's maker." This got our father's attention.

"His maker? Eric is a thousand years old—his maker is still alive?"

"He's from Gaul," I offered, knowing that my father was looking for an age bracket. "He's over two thousand years old."

"If he weren't a vampire, that would make him a pedophile. Actually, I'm not convinced that it doesn't."

"In this case, that might be Aline," Alcide interjected. "Godric looks like he's sixteen. Maybe eighteen."

"Hey! I look younger than I am," I shot at him.

"You're always angry. Anger makes you look older," Dad chuckled. "I'd like to come and meet him tonight."

"Oh, I dunno, I have work—"

"At eight. That's enough time to meet and greet," Alcide decided.

"It might not be. You know how Eric is about unannounced guests. He needs enough time to do his hair."

"Please, Aline, I won't shoot him," Dad held up a hand to silence me. "Yet—and at least not with wooden bullets. But if he's as nice and respectable as you say he is, then I'm sure I'll like him." I raised my eyebrows at him. "I'll try not to think about eating him, how's that?"

"Coming from you, that means a lot."

"I don't know whether to be complimented or insulted that my daughter thinks so little of me."

"Werewolf problems," I nodded sympathetically. Alcide looked at me, cringing.

"Stop watching Jersey Shore."

I shot him an innocent grin. He didn't buy it.

Alcide and I bid our father goodbye shortly after, beginning the drive back to Louisiana. It was a relatively quiet drive. Not uncomfortably so, or anything, but quiet nonetheless. We arrived at Eric's house (more of a manor, really) sooner than I thought we would. It was still well into the afternoon when he pulled into the driveway. That meant there were at least a few hours of daylight left. Michael was waiting on the front porch like he had said he would be. Alcide gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before backing out of the driveway. I waved until I couldn't see him anymore.

"Michael," I greeted warmly. When he remained still, I suddenly noticed just how quiet it was. None of the guards were walking around, nor were any of the help. I bit my lip, reaching out to touch Michael's shoulder. He slumped forward. There was a pulse and a slow, faint brain pattern emitting from him. So he was still well and alive. But I had a feeling the intended infliction was to be fatal.

Cautiously, I pushed the front door open, my ears straining for any sound at all. There were footsteps behind me—Michael must have woken up, I hoped. When I turned, however, I felt a sharp pain strike the side of my head. As I fell to the floor a tall, slender figure faded from my focus, my eyes falling shut.

I awoke with a groan a few hours later, not quite sure where I was. Or who I was with. "Ah, the pretty princess is awake," a familiar voice sneered at me. I stared up into the seething eyes of Debbie Pelt. Motherfucker. I knew that bitch wanted to kill me. "Now I know what Alcide found so damn special about you," she smirked coldly. "You've been keeping things from the pack."

"Why do you care?" I mumbled. "You aren't even part of the pack any more."

"You're right I'm not part of that pussy pack any more. None of you have what it takes to be a real wolf."

"You really are a psychotic bitch, aren't you?"

Her face contorted in anger as she reached out and slapped me in the face. She was about to hit me again when a male were grabbed her wrist. "Be nice, darlin', we need her alive. Edgington don't want her dead," he reminded her.

"You're working for a vampire," I stared at her. "Seriously? You don't even like them."

"No," she agreed, "but I sure do love seeing you suffer." She giggled as the man beside her nuzzled her neck affectionately. He must be Cooter, I assumed. While they were busy rubbing their scents all over one another, I took the time to examine my surroundings. I was in the back of a van. It was simple, really. Maybe one of the ones that a gardener would own. Or a less wealthy construction worker.

There was another were in the front seat that was driving. The three of them took out an entire house full of guards? That didn't seem quite right to me.

"You're wondering how we did it, aren't you?" Debbie stared at me.

"Actually, yes," I turned to face her. A sharp pain shot across the side of my head. That bitch probably gave me a concussion.

"The bl—"

"Debbie, watch your mouth," Cooter warned.

"What's it going to matter? She'll find out anyway. Edgington wants her to be his new little pet. I'm sure she'll have to attend our little meetings anyway."

"Don't mean it's a good idea to be sharing all our secrets with someone like her."

"She has the scent of a vampire all over her. She ain't no angel." He gave her a disapproving look before looking away. She took that as the signal to go ahead and satiate my curiosity. "We're Edgington's pack," she boasted proudly. "He gives us a steady supply of V."

"You're drinking a vampire's blood now? You really are just cheap white trash—"

Thwack.

I was unconscious again before she had even completed the blow.

When I regained consciousness, I was lying on a cold floor of concrete. My hands and feet were still bound, causing a stiff pain to radiate in my joints. I craned my neck to get a better look of the room. It was some kind of basement. An unfinished one, I noted wryly. Of course Debbie would want me to be as uncomfortable as I possibly could.

With a little difficulty, I forced my body into a sitting position, resting my chin on my knees. The only word that came to mind was fucked. I was really fucked. Really, really, really fucked. Momentarily, I wished that Eric or Godric would have had my blood. They would at least be able to somewhat pinpoint me. But we hadn't done any blood swapping. That meant that I was either on my own or someone had to figure out what was going on. Which I didn't think was likely. Maybe Alcide would. Debbie was likely to go and rub it in his face with a bunch of vague, critical jabs. But there's no guarantee in that.

I sat up a little straighter. The claim. Maybe Godric would be able to find me with that. Wait, better yet—I might be able to contact him telepathically because of this bond. It was a long stretch, but it was the best bet that I had. I took a deep, calming breath and tried to clear my mind. Before I could, however, the basement door flew open. A pretty vampire descended the stairs, looking like she had just stepped out of a 1920's movie. Though the way she moved suggested she was far older than that. There was something deliberately practiced in the way that she moved.

"So you're what all the fuss is about," she mused, studying me. "I was expecting someone a little more extravagant."

"Sorry, you caught me on laundry day," I replied evenly. She leaned in closely to me.

"You aren't scare that I'll drain you dry right here and now?"

"Edgington wants me alive. Besides, you can't touch me."

"You're right, I can't," she frowned. "Someone has already laid claim to you. A vampire much older than myself." She inhaled my scent. "That just makes you smell all the sweeter, though. A forbidden fruit." Her fangs extended, a wicked smile crossing her face.

"Edgington called," Cooter descended the stairs, "he said that he'll be here later tonight. But he wants her in tact."

Her fangs retracted. "Fine." She gave me another long glance before going up the stairs with Cooter, leaving me alone. I immediately set to work clearing my mind, trying to 'feel' Godric. After some sifting, I found a faint trace of him. My mind quickly clung to it, calling out to him.

"Aline?" his panicked voice entered my thoughts.

"Oh thank god," I replied telepathically. "I wasn't sure that would work."

"Where are you?"

"I don't know. Alcide's ex-fiancée, Debbie, kidnapped me. Edgington is supplying them with V." I felt his disgust at the idea. "I'm in some kind of basement." I tried to will my location to him. It was something I hadn't done before. But I had heard of it being done.

"I'm unfamiliar with that location." An image of the woman crossed my mind. "I am familiar with her. She often works for Edgington. Her name is Lorena Krasiki." The door opened, startling me and causing me to unintentionally broaden the connection. He was now seeing exactly what I was seeing.

"Bring her upstairs, Lorena insists that we feed her," Cooter grumbled to the two other werewolves he had at his side. The one sliced through the ropes that bound my feet with a pocket knife while the other simultaneously hoisted me to my feet. This made the pain in my shoulder worse, causing me to wince.

"Aw, did that hurt?" the taller one with the knife grinned at me. "You've been around those vampires too much. Made you a delicate little flower," he said decisively. "Maybe some time with our pack will put you back on track. Edgington will treat you right. Make sure you're a proper wolf. He'll even give you some blood."

I remained silent as they carted me upstairs. "Thought you said she was a mouthy little thing?" the shorter of the two unfamiliar weres addressed Cooter.

"She is. Shoulda heard the way she was disrespecting Debbie. All my girl ever wanted was to be her friend but this little bitch wouldn't even give her the time of day." He shot me a dark, wicked look. "I hope Edgington drains you dry."

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from retorting. Godric chuckled in my mind, apparently having caught that thought. "You are in Russell's mansion. I will be there shortly."

Before I could protest or address the situation, he was gone from the connection. So I was just to sit here and wait for him to arrive? Suddenly I realized just how lucky I was that Debbie and Cooter hadn't gone looking for the vampires. Or at least they certainly hadn't found them. I'm not sure what I would have done then. The thought of losing Godric terrified me more than I thought it should have. Far more than the thought of losing Eric saddened me. No—losing Godric would have far more of an effect on me than the Viking, no matter how dear I held his company. That thought in itself sent a shiver of fear down my spine.

I was forced to sit down at an expensive table with an overly extravagant spread before me. A tall, refined vampire stood in the doorway. "Now how is she supposed to eat with her hands bound like that?" he scolded the werewolves. "Even I don't overlook this and I'm a vampire." He undid the tie simply. "I apologize for the way that they've been treating you. My Russell would be deeply angered by this," he said sincerely, looking into my blue eyes with big, brown eyes. "My name is Talbot. I am Russell's husband."

Russell has a…husband? I didn't see that one coming, I admitted silently. "Aline," I replied with an insincere smile. "But I'm sure you know that already."

"Please, there's no need to be timid here. Help yourself." He looked at the werewolves behind me. "You're free to leave now. You will be paid tomorrow."

They left the room grumbling in irritation. Talbot watched me expectantly, I looked at the food hesitantly.

"Don't worry, it is not poisoned or anything. Russell wants you alive. And I don't really see the need to kill you all so senselessly. Really, you can be quite useful."

"Werewovles or mortals?"

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose not."

"Good. Now, please, at least have some of the ham. It is our chef's specialty I'm told. Ham used to be one of my favorites. Before I became involved with Russell, of course."

"Do you regret becoming a vampire?" I asked curiously. He looked at me, somewhat amused by the directness of my nature.

"No, I do not. I love Russell dearly. I would and did gladly give up my mortality for an eternity with him."

"I can barely promise a guy a month and you're in for the long haul," I mused.

"I'm sure that Russell will arrange for you to have your own play thing," he patted my hand reassuringly. "Then again, there has already been a claim laid upon you. By a vampire more than twice my age." Curiosity nagged at the edge of his brain. "Who, may I ask, was the one to take such drastic interest in you?"

"I was," Godric's even voice interrupted. I jumped in surprise, turning to face him with wide eyes. Before Talbot could gather his wits about him, I scrambled out of my seat and immediately went to his side. Once again, he was dressed in his typical white attire. I wondered vaguely if it was the clothes he wore when dealing with other vampires. But this time the clothes were stained with blood.

"Godric, Sheriff of Area Nine," Talbot said delicately, his slender eyebrows raised. "I'm rather impressed, Aline. You have rather good taste it seems."

I decided that now was not the time to dictate who picked who. So, instead, I simply stood at Godric's side.

"I could do very little to stop you and you know that. Especially with the help you have destroying our help. I'd appreciate it if you would stop that," he added with a frown, "I quite like the décor. Picked it out myself."

"You aren't going to try to force me to stay?" I questioned, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Of course not," he waved his hand. "You'll simply be another distraction for Russell. Honestly. You'd think that three thousand years would cut down on his attention deficit disorder but it seems only to have enhanced it." My eyebrows raised skeptically. "I can't guarantee that he'll forget about you. But he may get distracted by something else entirely."

"You are very kind," Godric acknowledged thankfully.

"Oh, no. I'm really quite selfish. I want you all out of my house and off of my property simply so that I can have him all to myself again."

Without another word, Godric simply scooped me up into his arms and ran out of the house at vampire speed. Once we were outside he flew us away from the manor. Flying was one of the most exhilarating things I've ever experienced—once I got over the initial shock and fear.

As we left the manor far behind us, I realized that I was a terribly lucky girl—even if I was suspicious of this luck. But that would be a worry for another day. Right now I should just be glad that I'm in one relative piece. There would be a few bruises and a conclusion—but one piece none the less.

All the while, however, I knew that this was simply the beginning. My brief bought in captivity wouldn't be my last as far as Russell Edgington was concerned. I only hoped that Talbot might continue to prove himself an ally when the time came down to it. If I could even call him an ally. But as long as I convinced him, somehow, that I would be terrible for Edgington then he would want me gone. Just hopefully not permanently. But Godric would try to prevent that no matter the cost.

It made me wonder, vaguely in my exhaustion, whether or not I would be able to turn into a vampire. I'm a werewolf and a faery—was it even possible? I was technically mortal. (I think.) But I aged far more slowly than the werewolves around me. Would I still be able to shift as a vampire? Would I retain my faery powers (That I knew of?) Or would I simply become a vampire? Maybe it would be a poison or—

"Whatever is troubling you can surely wait for another day," Godric smiled lightly at me. Instead of arguing, as I usually would have, I simply returned his smile.

"Thank you," I said sincerely, resting my head against his chest. His arms tightened ever so slightly around me. I felt safe.