A/N: More? Yup I got you.

Beta'ed? YES (by Trueloveaddict-ally)

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Dyson knew Kendra hated dresses and they just quibbled on and on but finally it sounded like Kendra reluctantly agreed behind the curtain.

"Now NO LOOKING at mirrors until you see Dyson ok?" Mia sternly noted then guided Kendra to the edge of the curtain and proclaimed, "Ready to see your life mate Dyson?"

Kendra felt really hot in the face and shifted nervously at the curtain's edge.

Dyson barked back anxiously. He had no idea what to expect. She already looked stunning and dangerous at the same time in her other dress. He loved the combination but this dress must have been more revealing since he kept in hearing Kendra complain about not being able to have body armor, and daggers.

Mia parted the curtains and held them stepping aside waving her hand at Kendra like the next item to be bid on and sang out, "Ta-Da! May I introduce Kendra Wolfbane!"

Kendra was taken aback and only locked onto the mirror behind Dyson, Mia had transformed her to nothing short of a runway model and for once she beamed with pride and happiness. She just never knew she could look as sexy and elegant as she was now. Somehow Mia with her limited set of styling products knew just how to make her shine. She guessed that Mia had been planning to do this for a long time to her.

Dyson immediately howled in approval. Kendra looked drop dead gorgeous and she was ALL his. He loved the fact that Mia introduced her as 'Kendra Wolfbane' and not 'Kendra Shaw', although he had gotten used to 'Shaw'. Her sheer beaded top show just enough tummy and transparency on her upper bodice to hide her scars.

PERFECT.

He observed Kendra twirl around for him and her bare back was mostly on display. It showed firm muscular tone and it also looked like Mia put on a light glittery outline of the Dire Wolf clan emblem on her bare skin at her back. One had to stare at her back dead on in order to see it. He wondered if Kendra even knew it was there.

Her floor length silken navy skirt with a side slit that made it mid-way up her thigh flowed well and it was stylishly refined. Her matching heels weren't too high, probably because Kendra wasn't good in walking in anything higher but still her legs flowed forever from his lower vantage point.

Did Dyson like this dress over the other more conservative one?

MOTHER OF FAE YES!

Whatever it was Dyson was floored and sold. Kendra was his and only his and he ran around the room excitedly circling her only stopping to howl and finally he played dead rolling on his back in front of Kendra still howling.

Kendra focused on the Dire Wolf playing dead at her feet who had rolled up on his back. Kendra was still taking this in and finally comforted Dyson squatting down to pet his tummy.

"So I guess this dress is a yes along with my make over?" Mia glowed grinning ear to ear.

"Yea I guess suppose so," Kendra said lamenting but then she realized that Dyson had a great view of her legs and thong to which his body responded.

Mia saw this and commented, "WOW, Dyson really REALLY likes this dress"

Kendra laughed not adjusting herself and pat this tummy then whispered admonishing, "Put that pink thing back, NOW you BAD BAD dog."

Dyson shook his head. He didn't care WHO knew that he wanted to take her.

"You are incorrigible you know that D-man?" Kendra got up and inspected the dress and herself more closely for a minute. She stopped when she turned to view her back in the mirror.

"Nice work on the bronzing gel. WAIT a second Mia. You put the DIRE WOLF clan logo on my back when you were spraying glitter?!" Kendra said flabbergasted.

"Ya like it right? It shows that you are his life mate and part of the clan," Mia noted like it was no big thing.

Kendra just shook her head solemnly, "Mia, I am on hire for the Burn Cypress Clan and my allegiance is to them until this wedding is over…."

Mia just cut in tracing the logo on Kendra's back, "Yes, but you BELONG to Dyson and his clan ok?"

Kendra frowned, "I don't know Mia. I'm flattered but this might turn out to be the biggest insult to the Dire Wolf clan ever. Kendra the 'Widow Maker' having the gall to insult and mar the crest."

Dyson then quickly got up and sniffed the air and tracked it to the outside door.

Mia and Kendra paused and Mia put her hand on her holstered Glock. Her AR was on the other side of the room.

Kendra felt naked. She had yet to put on her thigh holster with Glock but this area was supposed to be secured.

Dyson finally bowed down gesturing to the door but then locked his gaze onto Mia.

Kendra got it since she had been trying to read Dyson for a while now and whispered, "Grizzal?"

Dyson nodded.

'OH SHIT.' Kendra mouthed to Mia silently. 'I better get out of here before he sees me.'

But before they could do anything Grizzal knocked on the door and stated, "Mia, I hate to agree with Kendra, but I'd listen to her about the logo on her back."

Mia took a moment to recover and whispered, "Shit Kendra, Dire Wolves have better hearing. Just stay calm and I'll take care of it."

Mia opened the door and hugged her father quickly overjoyed and asked, "I thought the council was sending someone else? But I am glad you're here!"

Grizzal hugged her back and after they broke the hug he just told her, "Well yes, they did, but I was in the area so I decided to drop by. Already ran into several clan leaders and oddly enough Bo was without Tamsin for once."

"Oh yea? Well we need to finish up and I'll be right out dad, ok?" Mia concluded happily until she saw her father give a slightly more serious glance at Kendra.

Kendra was trying to take her pendant off surreptitiously but could not find the clasp for the life of her. She was never into jewelry. She also didn't want Grizzal to know she had Mia's pendant.

The game was up when he glanced straight at her and stated, "Please don't take the Dire Wolf pendant off on my account. By you wearing it these past few weeks has definitely been noticed by most of us so there is no need to hide it."

'OH SHIT' Mia bit her tongue in thought. 'That was MY pendant and what will he say now that I gave it to Kendra.'

Mia stepped in front of her father bravely and blurted, "I can explain….."

Grizzal just patter her shoulder to comfort her and still keeping a neutral expression requested, "Kendra, may I please speak with you in private."

Dyson knew she had nothing on her and stepped in between them and growled at Grizzal. Sure Grizzal was his buddy, but Kendra was his life mate. There was no way she would be able to overpower a Dire Wolf without any weapons.

"Whoa Dyson. It's me remember," Grizzal stated putting his hands up defensively, "I am bound by my allegiance to the dark and by my clan. I also give you my blood oath that no harm will come to Kendra. I just need to talk to her alone."

Mia stood in front of him and stated, "Last time you said this you almost tried to kill each other."

Dyson held his ground.

"OK," Grizzal mentioned and offered, "FINE. Not in private but how about we greet guests together Kendra? Don't worry you already messed up relationships with the Dire Wolf and well me to the point that you can't possibly make it any worse. Mia and Dyson, you can watch us from the balcony if you like."

Mia and Dyson was still considering this but Kendra broke the stalemate and walked past both of them and mentioned like she was having a casual conversation, "I'll be fine and if you pull some shit on me Grizzal, you won't."

Grizzal nodded and put his arm out for her to follow like a gentleman and said, "Same to you Kendra. Shall we?"

Kendra smiled and as smooth as she could, fed her arm through his to be escorted to the front.

"Funny seeing you here, I seem to remember telling you what would happen if I saw you again," Kendra jeered smiling at her security team, skipper and long shot, had a guarded looks in their faces. They knew who Grizzal was and they didn't like shifters either. At least she had back up. She was also pretty sure Dyson and Mia were close by.

Grizzal patted her hand ignoring them to walk down the curved stair case, "Yes my dear I do, but we did meet again at Lauren's place and we didn't kill each other."

"Mia was there and I didn't out of respect for her … Oh hello," Kendra smile at 2 women at the bottom of the step that looked Filipino in passing but they stopped in front of them.

Grizzal bowed and also kissed the hand of both Analyn and Malaya, "Analyn and Malaya! So good to see you ladies as always."

Kendra knew something was wrong approaching them and remembered both their names when Alex briefed her and well at least Grizzall was nice enough to let her know who she was dealing with. Apparently, Grizzal had backup too and Malaya definitely looked too calm and indeed had the mannerisms like a professional assassin. She just however thought it best to keep her wits about her and kept smiling.

Besides their hated for Kendra, both women were perplexed as to WHY Kendra was being escorted by an enemy to them all.

Grizzal just broke the tension and introduced, "Delegates Analyn and Malaya of Aswangs, may I present to you Captain Kendra Shaw… Wolfbane"

That's right, Kendra mused, she kept going by Kendra SHAW. At least Grizzal kind of remembered at the last moment. To be a life mate meant that she had to change her last name like Mia just did. Her body armor and patches on her uniform still said 'Shaw'. She'd have to change that later.

Analyn didn't shake her hand and just formally stated, "So glad to put a face to the name. We missed you at the Tribunal."

Kendra glanced at the upper level and spotted Alex was watching her intently and Mia too at the other end with a scope she had taken off her rifle no doubt to read their lips. She had some coverage and just smiled with an aloof expression, "Oh you don't want me there. I'd crash the party like only I know how."

Malaya spoke up and verbally sparred with her, "I hear there are some Vampire representatives here now, care to unite all of us bound by the armistice to one cause?"

"A peaceful cause I hope," Kendra winked at her. She observed that Drake was looking at them with binoculars and relaying information to Alex next to him. Jessica was on the corner of the room with Dimitri eyeing them too.

Malaya had to admit, Kendra in her dress didn't look great. She looked SMOKING hot. Pictures of her didn't do her any justice. And that 2 piece dress, made her want to taste her. Dead or alive. She was just unsure which at the moment she preferred, but knew this occasion warranted restraint. She was also acutely aware that Kendra's security team was watching them.

Grizzal broke the tension and spoke jokingly, "Hey, I carry a copy of the armistice in my pocket and unfortunately I have been unable to find any loop holes in it as it pertains to Dyson and Kendra; Trust me I spent many of sleepless nights on this."

Kendra smirked tightly kind of smug at this. It was odd Grizzal was protecting her as per his word. Maybe she could be a little less combative to him.

Analyn pasted on a practiced smile and said before they moved on, "Quite unfortunate. Please do share if you do."

Malaya was last to leave and mentioned to Kendra, "Have fun at the wedding Kendra. Trevor sends his best and also said to enjoy the last month or so."

Awkward and tense were the only things that described the situation, Kendra mused and Bo was right, they had about a couple months to get Massimo.

Grizzal wondered what she meant but let it slide since others wanted to greet them, mostly out of curiosity.

Kendra and Grizzal greeted more guests and finally after they met most everyone of importance in the area, Kendra and Grizzal stood aside to chat.

Kendra opened up first and just asked, "So how'd you know where I was?"

"Oh Dyson. I tracked his howl down and the type of howl told me it was probably for you," He just mentioned and had to say this for the sake of small talk, "You look wonderful today."

Kendra almost went off. She HATED when she was treated like a parcel of meat from her enemy and growled, "Don't be so FUCKING disingenuous! Stop patronizing me before I ki….."

Kendra stopped herself because she was about to shove him and maybe even pummel the crap out of him. It was the wrong place and Jessica and Dimitri were making their way calmly to them. They were about to break them up. She could see Mia was torn on what to do. She had an obligation to protect both of them. Alex however had both hands her on rifle ready to aim and fire probably at Grizzal. Hopefully she took orders from Mia. She also observed that Grizzal held a formal but warm smile still almost telling her without words, 'Really? Here? I was being up front and honest.'

Now Kendra knew why he wanted to talk to her in private. It might get heated.

Kendra forced a smile on her face like she was flattered and in a calm almost cheery voice corrected, "Thank you Elder Grizzal. I can't take all the credit though, your daughter Mia played a large roll in it."

Grizzal nearly laughed. Kendra's body expression said 'kill' still but yet he knew she was forcing herself to stand down. Maybe being in public was a good thing.

"And coincidentally, that is why I am here. I understand that you never made it to your sabbatical and chose to work alongside Mia?" Grizzal finally got to the point of the conversation.

'Oh shit,' Kendra mused. 'This is about MY RELATIONSHIP with Mia and he had every right to talk to her about this. She was his daughter.'

Kendra evaded and needed a little more time to compose what she was going to say and stalled by mentioning, "Yes, Mia Tate is Captain of the 39th and acting Captain for the 69th. I have more of a consulting role."

"I know," Grizzal replied. "And I don't really care about what you doing or planning, but don't drag Mia into it."

"Why are you asking me?" Kendra tilted her head. "Ask Mia to back out."

Grizzal hated to say this and it still burned him even now, "I have already tried several times over the past couple weeks. She refuses to leave her role but I think she also refuses to leave you."

Kendra thought about this and brought up coolly, "I thought you planted Mia to keep an eye on me? Wasn't that the case? She was supposed to kill me but you had a change of heart so she says. A part of me thinks not. Killing me would have cost you your position as a newly elected Elder on the Dire Wolf Council and maybe your indirect representation on the Dark."

Grizzal hit the insult back and just chuckled, "And you are the best strategist that I know of. You first USE Dyson to get into our world, then genocide my brothers and sisters. Then you just can't stop and go pick a fight with the Aswangs, killing scores of them too. The most insidious part is that you got Dyson to fall in love with you. Now all of a sudden you say 'opppps!' and THEN point to a piece of paper called the armistice to hide behind. That's brilliant."

Kendra got really upset but took in a deep breath. Yea she could see where he was coming from and aloofly announced, "So what now? You want to pull her out but you found out that your informant is more aligned with me? Let's cut the crap. Mia is a good friend of mine. PERIOD."

"Yea right. What the heck did you do to put her under your spell," Grizzal whispered accusingly trying not to point at her but for some odd reason he did not see her. "Whatever you did worked and no matter how much I remind her of all the evils you've done to our….. well her family, she's brain washed and says you turned your life around. I knew it got bad as soon as she gave you her pendant. She cherished that one item with her life and now look who's wearing it?"

Kendra got a little upset but waved hello to some people that passed and Grizzal flashed a smile and nodded.

Kendra didn't see Mia either but finally in exasperation said, "We're just good friends. We look out for one another as friends do! What do you want me to say darnit?!"

Then Kendra had an idea which would tell the truth but would be packaged in such a way that it would be dismissed as heresy. "OK you got me. Yes! I sleep with her every night and make her howl at the moon with Dyson my life mate by my side. Chalk it all up to my mad womanly wiles and heck I may even be part succubus."

Grizzal thought about this quickly and kind of believed her but at the same time he thought it was improbable too.

It was at the same time Mia showed up really pissed off and Dyson was by her side.

'Uh oh,' both thought.

Mia address both of them first, "I need to manage security here alongside Jessica. We are down for the interim by one team member, Tamsin, due to acute exhaustion. Now you 2 fix your issues now or let sleeping dogs lie. No pun intended. I don't need to deal with this right now."

Grizzal just spoke, "I am having a conversation with Kendra to make sure she looks out for your best interests."

Mia was pissed and she already read their lips and knew most of the conversation. So she looked down, pursed her lips and said to the floor, "Fuck it."

"Dad, I'm a big girl and you taught me right from wrong. I choose to stay with Kendra because I believe in her and she is doing what is right. She IS trying to make amends in her own way just like you are. She is also a good friend of mine. She has earned that many times over."

Mia swapped her steely gaze to Kendra and stated, "Kendra, give my dad some slack and STOP trying to kill everything that moves. Look, he is willing to do his time for the drugs being manufactured in human only districts. The council has to reconvene to determine what actions are needed to FIX Dyson's and Grizzal's fall out. I say Dyson because HE is your representation to the council and he can't speak for you right now."

Dyson whined. It was true.

Grizzal shook his head and just could not believe what he was hearing but chuckled since it was the safest thing to do. He then warned Mia, "Kendra is going to use you like she did Dyson. Dyson can do whatever he wants since he's a lone wolf, but you are my blood. There is no reason why you should be sticking your neck out for Kendra. No offense Dyson and Kendra."

Kendra was still trying to catch up and Dyson was getting neck strain looking at everyone's reactions.

Mia finally proclaimed to her father pointing sharply at Kendra, "Father. Kendra is my DEN MATE. DEAL WITH IT."

Kendra was in stock and so was Grizzal. Dyson backed up and knew some shit was gonna go down.

A den mate or den mother was someone that supported the pack. He or she did what was needed to keep everyone together. They held the sanctity of the bond of life mates, but when a life mate was absent on a long campaign, sometimes they filled in where they could. It by no means replaced a life mate but stayed and comforted those left behind.

What that meant for Grizzal was that Mia could not be reassigned to another role. She may be working in the background but she had one of the most important roles to keep Kendra and Dyson together. Foolish but admirable. Also she was never formally part of the clan so it was odd she was invoking this now.

For Kendra that meant she's better treat Mia with a lot more respect even though she was already doing it.

Mia didn't wait for the fall out from both Kendra and Grizzal who were both slack jawed.

Mia turned and ordered Dyson, "Come on Dyson, we have better things to do."

Grizzal looked to Dyson and shook he head and mentioned, "Is this fucking true?"

Dyson nodded ever so slightly and trotted away.

There Kendra and Grizzal stood for several seconds of tense silence with no idea what to say to each other until Grizzal noted Elder Julie was approaching them from the far side of the room.

Grizzal knew she was probably here to talk to Kendra and immediately asked Kendra, "Normally I don't care if you are armed with me or not but I need to know. Do you have any weapons on you?"

Kendra saw who Grizzal glanced at, it was an elderly woman with some wrinkles and deep seated eyes. Her hair was long but had several streaks of grey in it. She carried herself slowly and purposefully as if floating on a cloud of wisdom.

Kendra didn't want to say and needed to keep everyone guessing for her sake since she had nothing, not even a pocket knife. Also the nail extensions that Mia put on her had yet to be trimmed which meant she could not ball up her fists and punch, but really would have to do palm heel strikes instead like Mia suggested.

Grizzal tensed up and explained, "That is Elder Julie. She was on the council and has served more terms than any of us. You no doubt had read about her right?"

Kendra did read about her. She was created more equal than others and had more sway the council even though she wasn't on it. Also she was over 3000 years old. If there was a definition of a Den Mate, it was her. Kendra nodded and told Grizzal, "No, I am unarmed."

Grizzal paused and looked down at Kendra's floor length skirt.

Kendra and Grizzal both knew that with that dress, you could only have on a thigh holster.

Kendra was going to slap him but Grizzal was trying to safe guard Julie who wasn't on the official guest roster either. In a quick motion she gracefully parted her skirt at the slit and pulled it aside to reveal most of her legs to her enemy then closed it. She gritted her teeth in doing to.

Grizzal nodded and was about to introduce Kendra until Julie spoke up, "Grizzal, please, there is no need to search Kendra for my sake. We are all friends here right?"

Grizzal bowed, and kiss her hand, "Oh course."

Julie smiled when Kendra bowed formally to her as well.

"So good to finally meet you Elder Julie. I wasn't expecting you," Kendra greeted.

"Nor was anyone else. Excuse me Kendra, I could not help but to notice your back," Julie put on her glasses and tried to focus to which Kendra turned a little more to display it. "It's a beautiful rendition of our clan symbol and my compliments go to the artist," Julie told both.

Julie then turned to Kendra and asked, "Kendra, can you escort me to my table please."

Kendra just said formally "It would be my pleasure." Kendra was a little uncertain. Julie looked frail, but according to legend, when she shifted she was still very dangerous. How dangerous? Kendra didn't want to find out. There were also rumors that she had so much battle experience, in her human form she was a judo master which would turn any enemies weight against them.

Julie then glanced at Grizzal and just mentioned, "I think we have it from here. Thank you Grizzal."

Grizzal knew that this meant, 'Leave' in a nice way and just said, "Of course." He left to greet others but what Mia told him was a doozy and he still had yet to figure out if Kendra was sleeping with Mia. It sounded like a tall tale, but at the same time, it wasn't such a far stretch.

Bo was quickly accosted by several younger people, many of who just wanted a selfie and an autograph.

Bo graciously signed all and a young girl came up anxiously to her and she was no doubt a rabid fan and looked like the ring leader of the click.

Tamsin's voice them popped in her head, 'Bo. That's Tess. From what Kendra told me, she is an avid Game of Thrones fan. She also knows how to weave tales of pure fiction concerning people's powers.'

Bo smiled warmly at her and just greeted, "Hi Tess how are you?"

"Oh MY GOD! She KNOWS MY NAME! She knows my name!" Tess screamed for everyone to hear jumping up and down which annoyed all the adults but Bo let her be.

"Please please please, can you autograph this book!" Tess shoved it in front of her.

'Oh yea, please sign below Kendra's. You'll be second place you know,' Tamsin looked smugly on from the other side of the room.

'Awwww is Valkyrie ticked that Tess hasn't asked bad ass cute kitty Valkyrie to sign?'

'NO. Don't need other people's opinions to know I am their death incarnate,' Tamsin clicked. 'By the way Bo, thanks for redressing me, but I must ask you a personal question BUT I'll save it for later when I cuff and spank you.'

After Tess calmed down Bo flipped to the back of the book with and empty page wrote was stuck what to write.

'Tamsin, what would you write that is Throne-ish?'

'Like do you live under a rock Bo? Uggg ok… JUST this once. Write, 'Tess, Please accept my invitation to be 'hand of the queen'. Love Bo Dennis, Succubus and Naughty Depraved Slut Extraordinaire.' Then put lots of x's and hearts following. Don't EVER tell anyone I said to draw hearts.'

Bo wrote it and Tess's eye's almost popped out and hugged her screaming "YES YES YES! THANK YOU!"

'So does she like that part about naughty slut… yadda yadda yadda'

'Opppps forgot to add that after Dennis,' Bo replied back with wink glancing at her to tease her.

Finally they all ran away with Tess screaming, "OH MY GOD! Widow Maker Sighting! Red alert! Red alert!"

'Hah. Like I said; Second best succubus,' Tamsin jeered.

'Oh I am number one to you Valkyrie and you scream that every time at night,' Bo teased.

'Uggggg Bo if you didn't make me emmmm see Valhalla so many times I'd do something to you…. Something BAD,' Tamsin huffed out.

'Awwwwww and I thought it was something nice,' Bo set off to greet more guests

'Oh look Analyn and your favorite feed squeeze Malaya at your 2.'

Bo warmly greeted Analyn and hugged her, "Hey guys."

Bo hugged Malaya too and Malaya held her in a second longer and whispered to Bo, "You look…. Tasty Bo. May I have time with you today?"

Bo broke the hug and in a sultry tone said, "Of course so long as you let me feed from you."

"Done," Malaya was all smiles.

Analyn just ignored their banter probably knowing what they were talking about.

Bo then addressed both of them, "I am so glad you made it. Thanks for upholding the armistice again."

Analyn interjected, "Kendra Wolfbane being present does put a damper on things."

Bo just smiled, "She comes in peace to preserve the armistice as well."

Malaya chuckled, "The only person she comes for is Dyson, well and maybe Mia Tate."

Bo knew that Mia Tate and Kendra were very guarded about their relationship and asked, "Oh Mia? Why do you say that?"

Analyn just spat out in disbelief, "It any wonder she's capable of love."

Malaya just mentioned, "I'm a shifter that can take any form and as such, I pay attention to every little detail and motion and Mia's mannerisms say there are friends but certain things she does like those ever so slight longing looks at Kendra says otherwise."

"And Kendra does the same thing?" Bo asked since Malaya was picking up on things that she only did. Kendra was less obvious towards Mia but now was the test.

"Hmmmm not that I can tell yet. She is preoccupied at the moment. I'll tell you later," Malaya concluded.

"Oh, the Fire Sprite representatives. We must meet them," Analyn gestured.

They said their terse goodbyes and Bo then used the link to Tamsin, 'Hey are you ok my Valkyrie after that last time you went to Valhalla?'

'Yea. I'm fine my love. Oh look an Incubus at your 6. He wants you and do you want me to cock block him? Two sex demons DON'T mix.'

Bo turned around and said no over the link but cordially greeted him but parted ways quickly. She loved that Tamsin was her other set of eyes and also asked Tamsin to find a more private room for Malaya and her. Tamsin was never jealous, as a matter of fact, she loved it when Bo fed. Tamsin and her were inseparable and Bo's nature to sleep around never got between them.

Bo knew could spend and eternity with her Valkyrie and their love for one another never wane. She knew that in time, maybe there would be a way that she could just feed from Tamsin only but how?

Julie noted how strong Kendra was for her frame as a human when she pretended to stumble. She was firmly toned and almost ripped. She also knew that Kendra wasn't fooled by her weak appearance. She remained guarded. Julie assumed that she read up on her.

Kendra was still on her toes being situationally aware. She noted that Alex and Drake were shadowing her as they took a slow purposeful stroll.

They took a less populated route to get to the formal reception area, and Julie just comforted, "No need to be so tense Kendra…. How do I call you?"

Kendra knew she had to sell their relationship so she just answered quickly, "Kendra Wolfbane"

"Oh yes. That's right. So many family names to keep track of in my old age. Don't be so tense, I mean you no harm," Julie stopped and turned to her.

Kendra gave her a half truth and gestured to her revealing dress, "I kind of feel naked Elder Julie. I had another more conservative dress I wanted to wear but Mia had me try this on and Dyson seems to like it better."

Julie chucked and coughed lightly afterwards, "Oh I see. The dress was not for you as much as it was for him?"

"Yes."

"So did he choose the dress?" Julie asked knowing full well Mia probably did. It had a woman's touch and it looked like they paid attention to all of Kendra's detail. What to show and what to hide. This dress hid Kendra bullet scar on her center chest.

'This is going to get tricky,' Kendra brooded and replied, "No Mia helped me pick one out."

"Of course," Julie nodded and pointed to a bench just outside which overlooked a flower garden. "May we sit there for a moment?"

Kendra obliged and decided to ask questions of her own gesturing to the orchids, "Beautiful isn't it? So do what do we owe the honor of your visit Elder?"

"JULIE. Call me Julie please. I have not sat on the council for hundreds for years although it seems like yesterday."

Julie paused and observed the garden taking a seat next to Kendra, "You know Kendra, a garden like this takes work to maintain. It is beautiful and everything looks orderly just sitting here. If you listen and close your eyes you smell and even hear harmony. "

Kendra just nodded but it was Julie that closed her eyes and sniffed the air listening to the ever slight rustling of the leaves.

Julie loved the smell of the garden and she also smelled 2 other Fae with the smell of gun oil in the area but at a distance. It was Kendra's security most likely. She also smelled Dyson nearby.

The elder opened her eyes and exhaled in defeat and whispered to Kendra, "May we have a moment alone without your security team and Dyson?"

Kendra surmised that if Julie wanted her dead, she had plenty of opportunity to do so and just nodded.

"Dyson!" Julie called out and not a moment later Dyson came trotting to her. She pet him for a bit and asked. "Dyson we need a moment alone ok?"

Dyson shot a glance over to Kendra and Kendra gave him a cautious nod and Dyson knew that expression. She needed him to leave but be around somewhere undetected. His scent was giving him away and he needed to mask it somehow.

Kendra then yelled to Alex and told her to wait inside.

Julie and Kendra just sat there for a few minutes with Julie closing her eyes smelling the roses.

Kendra no doubt knew she was also trying to detect others.

Julie then kept talking not even opening her eyes, "You know this garden is a cross between heaven and paradise. You can even hear the water trickling down the steam to the shore."

Kendra had no idea what she was talking about but was sure it was related. She just mentioned, "You're very fortunate to be able to hear that."

Julie then opened up her eyes and looked out to the vast well-manicured garden and mentioned, "I can only imagine the work it takes to keep this place immaculate. Groom and trimming is the easy part, it's more about what to do with the plants that grow that don't belong."

Kendra was beginning to get it and asked, "You mean weeds?"

"No, I think a dandelion is one of the most beautiful flowering plants of them all," Julie rebutted smiling at Kendra.

Kendra when replied, "Beautiful, yes, but if they grow where they aren't supposed to be, you call them a weed."

Julie just continued, "Each and every plant here has a place, has it bounds, in this paradise and those that don't have a place may need to be moved where they do belong."

Kendra frowned and hated metaphors, "Please be straight with me Julie. Say what you need to say."

Julie looked at her and just bluntly told Kendra, "You are a dandelion growing amongst a forest of evergreens. You do not belong."

"I will find a way to belong and that isn't your decision," Kendra shot back a little upset. No one tells her what to do.

"The light and dark may recognize your union but by our laws, Bo Dennis is Dyson's and they are a good match. Dandelions last only one season but evergreens like Bo and Dyson last for ages. The council has rules just like the rules of this garden. It is done for the greater good. I'm not saying you are insignificant, I'm saying that you have your own garden and your own paradise where you shine," Julie calmly relayed.

Kendra really got upset but took a deep breath and responded with anger lining her voice, "I am his life mate and YOU know it. He knows it deep down."

"You keep him like a pet dog. You humiliate him in everything you do," Julie stated quickly.

"I DO NOT!" Kendra barked, "I love him."

"You have him right where you want him. A PET. Then you move onto Mia Tate god daughter of Grizzal, your supposed DEN MATE. She was hidden from our world and kept away from yours for a REASON. How many lives are you going to ruin Widow Maker? Just those lives alone have ripple effects!" Julie finally raised her voice upset.

Kendra shot up out of the chair and ordered her, "GET OUT!"

"How much genocide and blood is ENOUGH 'Widow Maker'? You already spilled blood in our garden of Eden and now our rivers run RED!" Julie snarled point at her accusingly also standing up in the process.

"And you spilled OCEANS full of INNOCENT blood in my paradise and place I called HOME! How DARE you!" Kendra confronted her toe to toe.

"And you wish REVENGE? How petty and all you're doing is a charade! That and you insult our emblem on your back with every breath. I am ASKING you to LEAVE the Fae world for the good of us all as well as for yours," Julie pointed to the open field beyond the garden.

"NEVER threaten me. Now YOU leave us alone!" Kendra demanded.

"Pity, and I thought you were intelligent! Humans only think about themselves," Juile growled.

"WRONG. I am giving you an opportunity to LEAVE for the sake of the Armistice!" Kendra yelled in her face.

Julie's eye's changed color and said in a raspy voice, "For the Armistice"

Kendra was take off guard when Julie got her in a choke hold. She was strong. Really strong and she had seconds left before she passed out or Julie broke her neck.

Out of reflex and part desperation she broke her hold and kneed her.

Julie charged and Kendra knew she wasn't in the right gear to fight back efficiently. The dress and high heels certainly didn't help.

Then out of the corner of Kendra's eye a huge Grey Dire Wolf covered in bits of pine mulch lunged in and grabbed Julie's arm twirling her to the ground.

Kendra felt helpless kicking off her heels yelling for help. There wasn't even a stick around.

Dyson was kicked off by Julie and she too transformed into a grayish white Dire Wolf.

There the 2 Dire Wolves fought in close combat rolling on the ground with each other. Snapping their teeth at each other ferociously. Each biting each other and this was to the death.

Dyson knew deep down that NO ONE absolutely NO ONE bullies his life mate. He knew who Julie was and had the utmost reverent respect for her until she made the mistake of making him choose between Kendra and Her. To Dyson, Julie embodied the rules and traditions of the dire wolf clan. He was already a lone wolf going against his own clan, but this made him go all in.

Effff his clan. Efff his family. Efff his brothers and sisters. Kendra was EVERYTHING to him.

Dyson was losing and Kendra was yelling bloody murder for Alex but all this would be over soon he mused. He was bloody and already limping. Julie had fighting experience he just didn't have.

Kendra kicked Julie off Dyson and it was enough time for Dyson to recover and slam into Julie who hit her head on a tree trunk. She was dazed but conscious but Dyson tackled her and went for her jugular. It was an easy guaranteed kill.

In a quick succession of thought, Kendra knew that if Dyson killed Julie, the penalty for this victory would be instant death for both of them. They would be hunted down by the order of the Dire Wolf council and maybe even the Aswangs. Kendra would fight tooth and nail for her life mate but this price was too high.

Before she knew it, she kicked Dyson in the head yelling, "Nooooo!"

Dyson flew back and was unconscious. That blow hurt her more than it hurt him.

What she didn't predict was Julie scrambling back up and tackling her to finish the job. That was the last thing she remembered.