Two chapter for you fellow Phantom fans!
A familiar royal jerk face returns. Enjoy!

Saria's POV

When I woke up this morning I felt well rested. Erik coming to check on me last night helped. My stomach growled notifying me that I needed to eat so I didn't waste time getting out of bed. I pulled on a pair of black pants with a new white poet shirt before I put on my vest and boots. I pulled my hair back into a braid before I grabbed my cane. A tired looking Christine and Meg greeted me in the dining hall. The looks on their faces made me arch an eyebrow.

"Let me guess Carlotta decided to come back?" I asked as I leaned my cane against the table.

"Yes sadly" Meg growled. She took a swig of her coffee. "The Phantom has been busy sending everyone notes"

This got me to snort in amusement.

"Well I'm not that surprised our new managers have yet to pay him his salary"

That got Christine to chuckle. She needed to have a little laugh after her little adventure last night. I was glad I wasn't there when she had pulled off Erik's mask. And the Phantom of the Opera hated that. The three of us had eggs and toast for breakfast along with some coffee and jam. Then it was time for work. When I headed towards the music to pit I had passed Carlotta who was primed up for tonight's performance.

"Saria I didn't see you there" she greeted me. "I wish I was here last night to see your playing because you my dear have a god given talent that I hope allows your music career to thrive"

Her compliment got me to blush a little.

"Thank you Madame" I replied to her before we parted ways. My fellow orchestra members weren't thrilled Carlotta was back either. Reyer on the other hand was thrilled as were Andre and Firmin. Everyone worked hard for tonight's show and the rehearsal went pretty smoothly. Hell Piangi didn't even mess up. Like last night I chose to wear another dress since I would be performing another solo after tonight's show if everything went smoothly. I also reminded Derek to watch Boquet so he wouldn't be an idiot to try and confront Erik. The dress I wore was dark blue and it was the same design from the one I wore last night. I still had my hair in a braid. Dinner was a small affair and by the time the show almost started the whole cast were eager

"Saria love don't you ever get tired of wearing those boots on your feet?" Reyer asked as I passed him. I shot the conductor a smirk before I hurried to my seat with my violin. I quickly tuned it and rosined my bow before I placed on my shoulder. The curtain opened and the orchestra began to play. As I played my violin I listened to the singing, I actually liked this part of the movie because the show was funny.

They say that this youth
Has set my lady's heart aflame
His Lordship sure would die of shock
His Lordship is a laughing stock
Should he suspect her, God, protect her,
Shame, Shame, Shame.

This faithless lady's
Bound for Hades
Shame, Shame, Shame.

The crowd applauded again before I heard Christine mocking a fake gasp when the audience learned she was the Countess's lover. I actually chuckled because the plot line was hilarious. Carlotta's voice then added to the mix.

Serafimo, your disguise is perfect

One of our orchestra members used a small hammer against a piece of wood that was meant to be a knock.

Why? Who could this be

Gentle Wife
Admit your loving husband

Piangi now was on stage and I heard Meg do her fake gasp when Piangi supposedly pretended to smack her rear.

My love, I'm called to England
On affairs of state
And must leave you with your new maid

The crowd laughed when Christine shook her own rear at this part.

"Though I would happily take the maid with me" Piangi shouted.

"The old fool is leaving!" Carlotta said to the crowd.

A few seconds later I heard the other actors giving fake shocked gasps when Christine took over maid apron and skirt to reveal pants underneath.

Serafimo away with this pretense
You cannot speak but kiss me in my husband's absence

I had to stop playing my violin for a second because the show was making me laugh my ass off. Reyer shot me a look and I waved my hand to reassure him I was fine before I resumed playing my instrument. The singing and the music continued until a familiar voice interrupted.

"Did I not instruct that Box five be kept empty?"

Immediately I stopped playing my violin when Erik spoke as did the other orchestra members. I saw that Box 5 had Raoul in it again, god were Andre and Firmin that god damn stupid!

Carlotta snapped at Christine before she went offstage to get her mouth sprayed. I simply rolled my eyes while waiting for Reyer's command to start playing. Once he raised his stick the playing resumed. But it stopped when Carlotta's voice suddenly croaked. The crowd laughed thinking it as part of the show. The Primma Donna I bet was worried, but Reyer had us playing again and Carlotta tried once more to sing, but her voice croaked once more.

"Mother!" she yelled as she went offstage completely embarrassed. The curtain closed and Reyer told us to take a quick break. Andre and Firmin hurried to the stage and announced that Christine would play the Countess while the ballet part from Act 3 would entertain the guests while she was getting ready. Once they left the stage Reyer made us start playing the ballet part from the show. I looked up in the rafters and saw Derek nod at me which meant that Boquet was in order. It looks like he wasn't going to die tonight. However I couldn't be more wrong because a few minutes later one of the ballet dancers screamed and some of the audience members gasped. As this happened Joseph's scent filled my nose and I hurriedly put my violin down and went to see what happened onstage. When I came upon stage there on the stage floor was Boquet and he was dead. However he wasn't wearing a noose around his neck. His body was the exact same way when Jake's was found. He had many bite marks all over him and his clothes were torn in several places, his clothes also had blood.

Panic overcame me and I ran off the stage needingto get away. It was the same nightmare over again, I had grabbed my black cloak from my room and headed to the one place that would calm me down. And it was the roof of the opera house. I opened the door to the roof and quickly shut it. The roof was covered with snow and I leaned against the door.

"God damn it!" I shrieked. I grabbed a handful of snow and threw it in the air because I was both frustrated and scared. I then heard Christine and Raoul coming up to the roof and I swore. I looked around and found a nearby statue. I high tailed it over to it and hid behind it. The door to the roof opened and out came Christine and Raoul. Christine was in her usual get up from this part of the movie. She looked just as freaked out as I did. I guess she thought it was Erik who killed Boquet, uh dead wrong!

Both Christine and Raoul were quiet. Oh crap!

They were about to sing "All I Ask of You!

Erik's scent suddenly got my attention and I looked around the other way from the statue I was hiding behind and saw the Phantom listening to the woman he loved and her suitor. Raoul then took Christine's hand and she looked to him. She then dropped the rose Erik had given her.

No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here
Nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here with you, beside you
To guard and to guide you

Say you love me
Every waking moment
Turn my head
With talk of summertime
Say you need me with you
Now and always
Promise me
That all you say is true
That's all I ask of you

I saw Erik using his stealth to get closer to the couple. I was also getting angry, angry at Christine. Here she was ignoring the fact that Erik loved her more than anything, and she was ignoring it!

Raoul drew Christine into a hug as he continued to sing.

Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe
No one will find you
Your fears are far behind you

Christine then moved away from Raoul and she walked ahead her back turned to Raoul.

All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you always beside
To hold and to hide me

Christine had turned to face Raoul again and he came over to her and took her hands into his and he walked backwards.

Then say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Let me lead you
From your solitude
Say you need me
With you
Here beside you

Anywhere you go

Let me go too.

Christine that's all I ask of you

Erik moved once more and I saw that he was closer to Christine and Raoul, he watched them closely. Raoul was holding Christine now against his chest still singing to her.

Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Say the word
And I will follow you

Christine then turned around to look Raoul in the eyes.

Share each day with me
Each night, each morning
Say you love me

You know I do Raoul sang.

Love me
That's all I ask of you

The two of them shared a passionate kiss and Erik turned away looking hurt, as though his heart was ripped out of his chest. I growled because seeing him in such pain broke my own heart. Raoul spun Christine around with her arms around him. Then he set her back to the ground before they sang once more.

Anywhere you go, let me go too
Love me that's all I ask of you

I then turned away from the sight because I was now really angry. I was so angry my body was shaking and my inner wolf was feeling the same. As my body shook something happened. Something I wasn't expecting. It was a mental tug and at first I was afraid of what it was. The door to the roof shut and I poked my head out away from the statue. Erik went over to the rose and picked it up. I saw a few tears going down the bare side of his face.

Holy S**T!

The tugging was coming from him!

Erik was my true mate!

I could not believe it. However I had to think of it later because a snarl suddenly got my attention and I hurriedly looked to see what was going on. Erik turned to see a large silver wolf with dark brown markings approaching him. I knew that wolf from anywhere and it was Joseph!

So I had been right he had followed me here. Erik backed away unsure what he was going to do.

"Get away from him you bastard!" I shouted finally coming out from my hiding spot.

"Saria?!" Erik exclaimed shocked to see me. "What?"

"I'll explain later for now let me handle this" I told the Phantom. Not caring anymore if he saw my right eye I removed my eye patch and turned to Erik. His blue eyes widened when he saw my scars for the first time. I tossed him the eye patch before turning to Joseph who snarled at me to get out of the way. I felt my left eye glowing gold and I snarled back at him in challenge. He took my father from me, and I would not let him take my mate too, not without a fight. Then my body became engulfed in a silver smoke mixed with black before I felt the shift starting. A few second later I was on all fours in my wolf form baring my fangs at Joseph. Then without warning I leapt into the air and surprised Joseph off guard. I sank my fangs into his neck and bit down hard as well as I dug my claws into his fur.

Joseph whined but he quickly countered with a bite to my right front leg and the bite hurt. I released my hold of his neck and he used his body so slam me into the snow. Once he released my leg his fangs then sank into my shoulder blade. A whine escaped my throat as he used his body to pin me to the ground. I would not let him win this fight. I raised my left front paw and swiped it at Joseph's side scratching the hell out of it. Blood stained the snow as he yelped and backed away. I got back to my feet ignoring the pain in my shoulder blade where he had bitten me. A dangerous growl escaped my throat before I walked over to him; I then bit into his neck again, this time to prove to him I was no longer the scared woman he used to know. To prove I was a leader born of an alpha bloodline. The bite wasn't lethal but it hurt enough to prove my point that I was the one in power now. He whined in submission before I released my fangs from his fur. I watched as he got to his feet and a second later he was gone.

Some wolf shifters had unique gifts and Joseph had the ability to transport himself to where he wanted to go, when he wished. I knew the fight wasn't over yet between him and me, the next time he threatened my mate I would kill him and that fight would more deadly if he was such a fool to initiate it. I then turned to Erik who was watching me closely. I guess it was time to tell him the truth about me. My body smoked once more and I returned to my human form. I still had my dress on, my cloak however was ruined since I had phased with it on. Parts of my dress were torn but I didn't care. All that mattered was my mate.

"Are you alright?" I asked as I approached him. He didn't answer and that was to be understood.

I got closer to him and I pressed a hand to the bare side of his face.

"I promise I will explain everything all I ask is are you willing to listen?"

"You just saved my life so yes I will listen" Erik spoke at last.

I smiled at him before I winced. My right shoulder blade was bare and I looked to see where Joseph had bitten me. His bite mark was visible on my shoulder as was there another bite on my right arm. Both were bleeding heavily. Immediately I felt light headed and my knees gave way. Erik was quick to catch me.

"Just hold on Saria" Erik said as he scooped me into his arms. I felt my face turning red when I realized he was holding me. Then I fell unconscious in the Phantom's arms.

Way to go Saria!
You finally put Joseph in his place!