Larten had never seen Arra smoke but couldn't blame her; she clearly was stressed. As he closed the door and the two stepped onto the balcony, he couldn't hold back the question burning at the tip of his tongue;

"Why did you mate Wester?"

He watched her closely, could see her squirming a little as she took a long draw of some French brand of cigarette which he recognized from his time in the Trenches. He took one from her and lit it with a mere click of his fingers; static build up from flitting enough to produce a slight spark.

Eventually, Arra met his gaze and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke from her nostrils. With a relieved sigh, she opened her mouth to talk.

"You weren't there. Wester was."

Larten's eyes narrowed slightly at that; what in the Gods name did that even mean?

"Do you love him?" he pressed, unsure what she meant by such an abrupt statement; did that mean that she'd settled for second best? In which case, did she have any real feelings for him or was he just there to curb the urge whenever it took hold? If so, then Arra was a cruel, cruel female. The thought of Wester being used saw Larten's face screw up in anger; that was his brother!

"I guess so. We renewed our mating period for the third time now," Arra shrugged and took another draw of her cigarette, "I guess he's just too traditional; I find myself bored and lonely a lot,"

Larten cocked his head a little and leant back against the balcony rail, "It is a hard world for females right now. You are lucky Wester treats you with such concern," he shrugged.

It was true, vampire women were, like in many other wild animal family structures, seen as subordinate to males. It wasn't uncommon for females to find themselves in abusive relationships if they didn't conform to their mate's wishes.

"Maybe I want him to get aggressive?" Arra challenged with a firm growl, "What if I want him to kick me to the ground once and a while?"

"Then I would say you are stupid," Larten growled, "Wester is a good man-"

"I don't want a good man though; I want a decent man who sees me as an equal," Arra spat furiously, "I'm sick and tired of these stupid dresses! Larten, I want a man like you who isn't afraid to strike me when I want to spar. Because I would hit back and you know I could knock you down completely. I'm sick of Vampire Mountain; I want to be out proving myself not doing what my mate says."

"…I would never hit a woman," Larten interjected. His father had never struck his mother as a boy and so neither would he. "Even if you begged me to do so, I have my moral-"

Larten's eyes widened as Arra's lips crashed up against his. She'd moved so quickly he hadn't noticed her glide across to stand before him. He was horrified by himself, however, as his eyes quickly closed and he kissed her back with as much passion as he could muster.

This female wasn't worthy of his good natured Brother. She didn't deserve Wester, a saint of a vampire who did everything for Arra and more yet still cheated. Arra deserved the worst male in history.

Step forward Larten Crepsley!

He kissed her back whilst dropping his hand to her backside, the silky dress Wester had bought her felt like sin beneath his fingertips but that didn't seem enough to stop him, particularly when he felt Arra's tongue push up against his.

"Mmm," Arra purred, pulling away and looking up at him in a manner that suggested she wanted a little more. "I needed that," she said, "You're a better kisser than Wester. He's too soft and gentle and urgh," she shuddered as she stroked Larten's rough stubble, "This is so much better."

"End it with Wester," Larten whispered, "Be mine. I do not care where I end up anymore in this life but I feel something in my bones for you; something which tells me to mate with you," he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before trying to go in for another kiss. Arra stopped him though and took a step back from him.

"It's always been you, Larten," Arra admitted as she picked up her clutch bag and headed back to the door. "Always." With that, she headed inside again to be with Wester and Darren, leaving Larten out in the cold.

Wester glared furiously as he caught sight of his mate and brother kissing. In his hand he held a cigar he'd found with the intent on joining them.

No.

He couldn't believe his eyes.

How could Larten betray him?!

"I'm going to head out for some Blood, Darren," Wester said softly as he walked back to the apartment door. "Don't wait up."