Master Wade’s growl resonated through the room. “I’ve heard enough of this!” He stood from where he sat. “The truth of the matter is, Nurse Betty, I have full entail on what happened that night, and so does Alpha Barbosa. Valene saved his life and she diligently looked after him until he awakened. You, however, as well as the staff, were given a direct order to leave my vassal be and you did the exact opposite. By rights, you should be the one under judgment.” “But, Alpha! I-” “I’ve heard enough from you, Betty Honer.” He said. “Take her.” As soon as Master Wade made the command, his pack members grabbed her. “But-but-I’m an Inhuman! Like you! That-that gopher is a filthy human! How could you-” Before she could finish her sentence, Master Wade whipped past me, and suddenly Nurse Betty’s choking sounds filled the meeting room. “Do you really think that our shared species exempts you from being judged for your wrongdoing?” “Bu-but-” “Let me be clear!” His voice boomed, suddenly

Valene: Since I was tasked to report to Harlyn after the meeting immediately, I took it as an opportunity to make it a stress-relieving moment. I ran the ten-plus miles to the spare pack cabin that neighbored the temporary residence of the Silver Moon Pack. I was clad in black, a simple turtleneck long-sleeved top, and black bottoms with combat boots. Was this appropriate for a run? Probably not, but it wasn’t like I was supposed to have a choice in clothing when on a run, let alone having a run at all. I was pacing down the street when I saw Harlyn’s BMW hatchback-red parked between the space of her party cabin and the Blood Moon Pack’s cabin. As the view of Master Barbosa’s packhouse came into view, I could not help but recall how he was staring at me during the meeting. It wasn’t the how that really drew my curiosity, but the fact that he was staring at all. Why? That question kept playing back and forth in my mind, and the more I thought about it, the more unsettled I became. Or

I took a deep breath and then reluctantly spoke the truth that the Beta of the Blood Moon pack requested of me. “I do not think so much of myself to assume that I could take you down, Master Almeida.” I clarified. “Mistress Bet was one of the easier inhumans I’ve had to put down.”“Ah, so-”“That is not to say that you would not catch hell trying to do the same to me,” I interrupted him. Since he wanted me to speak candidly, I would. “One thing that I’ve learned in my seven years of vassal-hood is that there is more than one way to skin a cat…a dog, vampire, wolf….or lycan.” I looked into his eyes. “It may be a small percent chance, but I assure you that there is always...a chance of me putting you down.” 

"What I'm about to tell you is not a simple truth, if I'm being honest," I remarked to my friend and former boss. “It’s…complicated, Herry-my involvement in all this. Just know that…while I am a vassal, I assure you that my Master does take good care of me and-”“Taking good care of you? Valene, I watched you slaughter a group of inhumans like-like it was nothing! Is that taking good care of you? I-I know that it is not my place to question this. I’m sorry Valene, I-I just-”“Have you ever heard of a gold blood, Herry?” I asked.“A…a what?” “Gold blood,” I stood from where I sat. When he shook his head, I smiled and nodded, figuring as much. “How could you?” I m

Yet another space of silence resulted in the response that I gave Master Wade before he finally spoke again. “I…can’t say that I am necessarily glad to hear that, Valene. But if you are okay then so am I.” We shared a smile before he headed toward the door. “Oh! Before I forget,” He picked up the significantly sized bag that he dropped on my bed earlier. I didn’t even realize what it was until that moment. “I had a request.”“What is it, Master Wade?” I asked, glancing at the bag before regarding him again.“I was wondering if you’d perform tonight…at the bar?” This was certainly a surprise. “I-sir, are you sure that I should-”