Chapter seven:

Matt shifts a little before finally sighing. "I did have a pack once." He admits to Mello who turns to look at him with a blink and a turn of his head. "I was born into one actually. However one day our alpha disappeared before he could take a mate to make an alpha female. The betas did their best however we couldn't live without an alpha. Then one beta stepped up as alpha. Things went downhill and he became a tyrant. He only picked one female as his mate because she was pretty and stupid. She never challenged him and let him do whatever he wanted. She was just happy to be his mate at the top of the pack. Despite that she could get what two plus two equals wrong. The alpha male was more like a tyrant and he didn't seem to actually care about us. Just knew we needed him so we had no room to argue. He accused my parents of plotting against him. He had them killed and I was able to slip away during it as my mother had told me to do." He shifts a little uncomfortable.

Near gives him a sympathetic look though seems to already know this. He just seems to be trying to be comforting to the red headed wolf.

"I was found and brought here thinking I was just a normal orphan. I decided to stay away from pack life after that and I was even willing to make a deal with Near about the territory here. So yeah, I don't live in a pack because I don't really like the dynamic that alphas have over other pack members. I know Near is royalty though he isn't a wolf and he does work with me instead of try to control me like an alpha would. So I decided I can tolerate working with him. Plus we help protect each other. I help him in keeping him from anyone who might want to hurt him. While he helps keep me safe from any werewolves that might be looking for me based on that alpha putting a target on my back. So that is also a nice added part of our agreement."

"I'm sorry that happened to you." Mello places a hand on his friends shoulder which gains him an appreciative smile from the other. He softly smiles back then turns to Near. He almost thinks he might know what to say… Only to find he isn't actually so sure.

"It is alright Mello." Near assures him as if picking up on his turmoil. One hand coming up to twirl a strand of his hair around one of his fingers. "You don't need to say anything in regard to the information that I told you. Just make sure that you don't go letting others know that you know. There are some high profile hunters that are looking for me. They won't harm anyone else here, well any humans here, however they will take me out if they find me. If it becomes known that you know where I am, and who I actually am, then those hunters will try to find you to get that information out of you. I did consider things carefully before making my decision. I know that they won't hurt someone who knows where I am but doesn't know who or what I am."

"I see. Well don't worry. I won't be doing that to myself." Mello confirms to which Near nods his head clearly glad to hear it.

Matt's wolf ears suddenly appear and he turns angling them upright as he looks to the door.

Everyone in the room take notice of his behaviour and turn to him at this.

"What do you hear?" Near questions releasing the strand of his hair around his finger. He keeps his voice down clearly being able to tell that something is truly wrong.

"Roger. At least it sounds like him. He's mummering about something not too far away." Matt also keeps his own voice down. "I can't quite make out what he may be saying though."

"Hm. We may have to cut this short I'm afraid." Near mentions and the others mummer in agreement.

Mello turns to A and BB though mainly at BB since he is the one who needs to hide out. "Meet me outside of the orphanage grounds right where we all go to escape. I will take you to where you can hide out."

BB nods and A looks like he is hesitant for BB to go though he doesn't say anything.

Mello leaves after ensuring that he won't be seen. He heads down the hall and goes past Roger who stops talking to himself when spotting the blonde.

"Mello." Rogers voice makes Mello pause despite having already walked past him. "You wouldn't happen to have seen BB go up to his room have you."

Mello turns to look to Roger and notices something folded tucked into his waistband in the back which can only be noticed at a certain angle. "No. I'm pretty sure I saw him head to the library earlier." He says to send Roger to the other side of the orphanage. "Let me guess. He's in trouble again."

"Yes. I want to talk to him." Roger nods his head. "Thank you Mello."

Mello shrugs turning away and keeps on walking. He hears Roger hurry off in the direction of the library. He quickly texts Matt a warning that Roger may be getting ready to either confront BB or to possibly take him out based on that he had seen Roger with something.

Matt messages back that BB left through the window and has already headed to the meeting spot so they should be good.

Mello messages that he is glad and that he sent Roger to the library when asked where BB was. He heads outside going to where he is to meet BB in order to hold up his end of the deal. He climbs out of the orphanage walls and finds BB rather quickly. "This way." He leads the way with BB following after him.

The walk is rather quiet with BB staying behind Mello the whole time.

Mello actually finds himself not sure what to say and just lets himself process some of the information he just got while getting BB to a safe place. He swears that it is almost unbelievable what he was told… Yet with the experiences he has had he feels like in a way they do make sense. He is brought back to the present as they reach the abandoned place at the edge of town with only a hardly used railroad that goes by it with no roads. "This is it." He takes BB inside who looks around.

In one room which used to be the living room is the cleanest area, Mello did clean up the place to make it into his secret place, with some books, a pencil with a notebook, and a big pillow.

"You'll have to find your own bed to sleep on. However you should be safe from Roger here." Mello explains to which BB nods his head.

"It'll work. Thank you Mello." BB has his back turned to Mello as he takes in the single story home though he does indeed sound grateful.

"Can I ask you one more question?" Mello inquires to which BB turns to look to him before nodding. "Can vampires speak to others in their minds? When I was attacked by a vampire then saved a voice in my head said to Run after I got looked at by another vampire."

BB is quiet for a moment before letting out a breath. "Yeah. But only Near can do that." He confirms which does surprise Mello a little. "It is only because he has royal blood. Normal vampires can't do that."

Mello is speechless for a moment that it really was Near who had saved his life. He supposes that he owes a lot to Near. "Okay. Thanks. I'll head back and you can get settled." He starts to leave only for BB to call his alias making him stop just before the front door.

"Be careful out there. Don't forget the increased danger you're in because you know Near's secret rank. There really is high profile people who would do whatever they have to for you to spill that information. Watch your back because if word gets out then you're better off painting a target on your shirt." BB's words do make Mello turn to the other.

"I get it. Trust me I will be careful." Mello tells BB though he supposes that he can understand his worry. "I understand the situation I have gotten myself into and that is all on me. I will be careful so that secret doesn't get out." He gets a nod from the raven haired male then he heads off to begin his journey back to the orphanage.