Chapter 116: Loose Ends


    “I expected something a little less run down, grander. Do you wolves not believe in modern


    conveniences, like electricity and running water?” Varro mocks as he scans therge hall of the manor,


    scoffing at its dark and drab appearance. I can’t me him, as since we’ve been gone, this ce has


    fallen into some urban war disarray that I never imagined could possibly happen to this ce. It feels


    and looks abandoned, dust and dirt on every avable surface from neglect. I have no idea what


    happened and why Juan returned the valley to the dark ages.


    “Funny.” Colton dismisses him with the dry tone he reserves for people liked Deacon, a wolf who once


    stood against him.


    “We could try find the generators and power them up.” Meadow followed us in here when we moved


    and cuts in with a snappy tone, also peeved at having her home turf mocked. The other subs are here


    too, those who didn’t follow Jasper in pursuit of Juan and I give her a smile and nod in answer.


    “They are running and powering the security system outside. It seems the main electric is cut off


    though.” Carmen is still hovering by the door, eyeing up the stranger in our midst with an air of


    suspicion and watching him like a hawk. Colton isn’t too rxed either, but weirdly, I feel like the


    danger isn’t in here with us, even with Varro beside me. He has a presence for sure, of darkness and


    power, but yet there’s also a sense of calm and security about him. He’s weirdly vibed.


    “Juan lost interest in maintaining the valley as somewhere to livefortably. It became an army base


    and all homeforts were sacrificed as unimportant while he was busy ruining what was left of the


    pack.” The bitter tone of a stray wolf who was lurking in the shadows where we left him. One of those


    we first encountered when getting in here.


    “We can figure something out. Come on Chica, me and you and our boys here.” Meadow clicks her


    tongue at Carmen, nodding to the subs and takes off at speed to light this ce up. Reading the room


    and thinking maybe Varro, Colton and I need to be alone. I think she’s right. The atmosphere is


    somewhat strained and Colton is tense as hell now we’re in here with my bio father.


    “Cozy.” Varro raises a brow, oozing sarcasm once more.


    “Remind you of home, huh?” Colton bites back impulsively and I eyeroll at his obvious show of


    testosterone. Colton is in alpha mode and high on adrenaline. Right now he sees Varro as a male


    encroaching his territory, rather than someone needing to be negotiated with. I sigh it out and ignore


    the obvious sparks between them.


    “So….. we’re here, alone. You wanted to talk, let’s do that.” I have no patience for this and the babies in


    my belly are fast sucking what energy I have. It’s the middle of the night and I’m tired and hungry. I


    need solutions soon so I can lead my people back out of here and see how many we lost. Then I can


    eat, sleep and recover this hellish night.”


    “I didn’t expect our first real meeting to be under these circumstances, and honestly, I am not sure how


    to make this a little more pleasant. Getting to know one another is something I want, and I realize


    tonight there are too many strong emotions and a lot of mistrust lingering in the air.” Varro strolls about,


    running a pointer finger over a nearby mantle and tutting at the debris that dirties his hand.


    “I’m not in the frame of mind to be talking about a father and daughter bond. My people are hurt, god


    knows how many dead. Tonight is aplicated mess and theye first. If this is an end, then let us


    go do what we need to do on the promise that this is truly over. Jasper will bring Juan and then I want


    you to leave.” I stand my ground, irritated by my own difort and fatigue. My head’s a mess and


    tonight I can only think of going home.


    “A treaty. We meet to sign one, formally, in a few days. My own kind will want this in writing, and I


    assume so would yours. I know it’s a little old fashioned, but you are dealing with an ancient species


    with a ir for the dramatic.”Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    “Whatever. I just want this to be over. We have lost many, and I’m sick of the bloodshed and fear. I


    want a future where my children will feel safe and we can stop always hiding in the homestead, fearing


    the world outside our own door. If a piece of paper does that, then we can meet up and sign it.”


    “It was always about my loss. I hope you can believe that and trust that this is truly over. You are alive,


    and my bloodline is about to be further spread with your offspring.” Varro seems genuine and yet so


    much is swirling inside of me while standing in this dirty and dark mess, that I can’t begin to unravel my


    feelings.


    “If you go back on your word, and your hybrids rise up again….” Colton interjects, his biting tone clear.


    “They won’t. As of tonight, their existence is surplus and they won’t be an issue in a few days.”


    “Meaning?” Colton grinds his teeth, already knowing the answer. To him it’s vile to create your own kind


    and then massacre them when not needed. As wolves who value pack above all, its not something we


    can begin to understand.


    “Do you want specifics? We create them for use, and we return them to dust when they are no longer


    required. Hybrids will disappear from around you. I have no need for them. And without purpose, they


    are rabid nuisances that create havoc for the human world.” Varro has given up surveying the dust and


    is now examining his overly long and pointy fingernails on his left hand. Like stiletto shaped daggers


    which I am sure have a purpose.


    “Your kind are cold and heartless.” He snorts and turns away, unable to hide his feelings on the matter,


    his face a picture of disgust, but Varro just shrugs.


    “My kind can’t understand yours either. Living as you do. I guess that’s the beauty of our separate


    species. Neither can stand in the shoes of the other or begin to understand them.”


    I don’t really want a debate on Lychan versus Vampire while I’m standing here with one foot in both


    rivers. It’ll only end in argument knowing how pig headed my mate can be, and Varro doesn’t seem like


    a push over either.


    “You were serious about my brother? You’ll leave him with me? Even if he refuses?” I break into their


    conversation and try to steer the attention back to me. Determined to know for sure that I can take my


    brother home.


    “Yes. He’s had to live a very low-key life among my kind. Being one of our mortal enemies. Darrius


    protects him well but now he has a ce to go and a purpose, I want him here, watching over my child


    and my grandchildren. It will be a relief to no longer shield him.”


    “She has me to do that. If Jasper causes issue….” Colton bristles up, instant defensiveness and spins


    around to face us once more. His mood rocketing.


    “Colton! Please. Jasper needs time and patience. We can bring him home and back to the pack, don’t


    be so hasty to dismiss him. He’s no threat to us.”


    “Alora is right. As much as I will miss the boy after a decade of hispany, he belongs by his sister’s


    side. He belongs among wolves. He has be so used to ourmunity that I fear he maybe


    forgets what he is and might need some kind of rehabilitation. To remember how to be a dog!” Varro


    smirks and Colton’s eyes amber ever so slightly, a scowl on one corner of that normally very pretty


    mouth.


    “We’ll take care of him, you don’t need to worry about that. He’s my family.” I cut in to dampen the


    mood and slide in between the two of them as Colton and Varro both seem to move forwards into the


    clearing in the center of the room and face each other off wordlessly.


    “Well then. I guess once my package is delivered, all that is needed is a time and ce for our reunion.


    Treaty in hand of course, and maybe some prettier surroundings. I am partial to a fine dining room with


    rich cuisine. Somewhere clean…. with less dust. I’m not allergic to a little light either.”


    “Seriously?” Colton snorts again, showing his severe dislike of Varro, hating his every word, and I


    eyeroll. I know it’s going to take time for a born and bred vampire ying warrior to warm to what was


    ingrained as an enemy, but he needs to chill a little.


    “That can be done at the homestead, as long as you leave your hybrids behind. You and Darriuse


    alone.” Stern and to the point, I know the only way to deal with these two is to take charge.


    “No way, Lory. Imagine the uproar if two vampires walk into the homestead. The pack will go crazy.”


    “Colton, things have to change and he’s my biological father. The agreement was that he will have a


    rtionship with me and bring peace. The sooner the pack get used to seeing them, the better.” I reach


    out andy my palm on Colton’s forearm, feeling his tension bristling under the surface as he turns and


    paces. A sign he’s itching inside for action instead of words. He hasn’te down from his battle


    fueled adrenalin high yet.


    “She has a point. You better condition your mutts to be more epting, especially if you are bringing


    more hybrid vampires into their home. Who knows how your children will turn out. It’s not always a


    given that the wolf gene reigns supreme. One of them might look a lot like me.” Varro winks at me, and


    all I can do is elicit another heavy sigh. This isn’t what Colton needs to hear tonight.


    “Doubtful. Or else Alora would have more than a set of red eyes.”


    “You can never tell. My DNA is strong, and well, this is the first tri-brid mix that I have ever heard of in


    my lifetime. Maybe Alora was just unlucky to pop out as a Lychan.”


    I open my mouth to answer but the sudden blink blink and then blinding brightness of instant


    illumination makes me flinch instead. Covering my eyes as I adjust to new light and then look around in


    dismay at how badly run down this ce is now we can see it fully. It’s so much worse when it can be


    seen clearly.


    “You have your work cut out here if you wish to bring this ce back to what I assume was its former


    glory” Varro points out and I frown at him in stupefaction for a moment.


    “What?” I never even thought of the fact that Colton might want us toe back here, but it’s the only


    solution if Juan is out of the picture. The fractured pack need to be brought back together and the


    homestead just isn’t big enough for all of us. It hits me so suddenly with just a simple word from him,


    that this is where our future lies. I’m not sure how I feel abouting back here after everything that’s


    happened.


    “Wolves are good at rebuilding. We know how to start over and thrive. I’m not worried about it.” Colton


    just can’t seem to drop his defensive attitude, but I don’t me him, even distracted by my own


    thoughts. An entire lifetime of being conditioned to hate the vampires and in one night he’s being asked


    to ept one as his father-inw and be on good terms.


    “The main breakers were pulled, and the fuses ripped out. An easy fix once we found them.” Meadow


    appears, seemingly jovial at their aplishments and Cesar is hot on her heels. Neither fazed at all


    and at least they don’t seem as hostile andbative towards Varro as my mate is.


    “The others are outside, turning on floodlights and restoring power to nearby buildings. Everyone is


    waiting to find out what’s next.” Cesar drops a hint, meaning they too want to know what’s going on


    now we’re all in here and the fighting has stopped. It feels surreal and not like a bloody battle was


    raging outside not so long ago.


    “Allow me… I suppose being clear on one thing will help your pack disperse back to their homes for


    now. Juan can only hide if there are crowds outside.” Varro rubs his temple for a second, his blood red


    eyes seeming to glow a bit bright and then he gives me a crooked smile when he catches me staring at


    him. “Sending them off. No need for them anymore; Darrius informs me that they have Juan and are


    heading our way. Sadly, his minions didn’t survive. So, it’s a solo prisoner I have to take.”


    My heart sinks knowing that with the fall of his loyal, their mates too have perished, even though they


    werepletely innocent in this. More lives lost because of that man and yet it was unavoidable no


    matter the oue. Those wolves had to pay for their crimes and their family is seen as coteral


    damage. It breaks my heart knowing we just lost more souls in this night, and it was no fault of theirs.


    At least now I know Sierra will be spared if Juan disappears for good.


    “Disperse the wolves once the hybrids go. Send the valley pack back to their homes, and most of ours


    back to the stead. We need to find out who we lost and make arrangements for the dead. Keep only


    our best sub packs here to carry out the orders tonight.” Colton ismanding Meadow, pacing


    towards them and setting things in motion as I adjust to my overly bright surroundings. I’m lightheaded


    and exhausted and don’t know how long I can hold on. I need rest.


    “What about his dead? Are we left to clean that crap up too?” Cesar snarls at Varro and joins Colton in


    that aggressive wolf re he has going on. My heart sinks at the sight of it, knowing it was too good to


    be true to have Cesar seemingly fine with our guest. I know the entire pack are going to be worse than


    this in the new light of day.


    “If you want me to have mine drag away the remains then so be it. It makes no difference to me. They


    can work to clean up if that’s what you want, Alora.” Varro shrugs as if I am merely asking him to pick


    up his used dinnerware after a meal.


    “You’re kidding right? By sunup they will turn to ash and no longer dirty our valley. Make the living ones


    leave and give my pack some piece of mind. Thest thing we need is your vermin crawling all over our


    fallen brothers and sisters.” Colton snorts, his eyes staying amber as the thought of how many we lost


    lingers in his heart. His whole aura changing to that of regret and heartbreak.


    “Cole, Radar is iing with…” Cesar cuts in, obviously linked to his buddy on a one to one, and


    Colton stiffens all over. His mood nosediving and I sense the instant hesitation in him. Despite


    everything that’s happened I always knew this would be the hardest moment for him. They are bringing


    his father to us, to be handed over to the person who will oversee his death. Whether now or in ten


    years, this will be thest time Colton everys eyes on him.


    “Tell him to bring him here.” Colton’s voice detes and his tone is huskier than normal. The emotion


    hitting him hard as he too knows this will be a goodbye, no matter what is going to happen to Juan. I


    suddenly feel sick and hurt for him. Knowing how confused he must feel inside.


    “Oh, the fun begins. I hope you don’t mind my bringing in my right-hand man. Darrius will take charge


    of our hostage once he’s handed over. Don’t want an escapee I might have to chase down again in


    these newly peacefulnds.” Varro’s chipper tone and almost joking dialogue sits heavy on me, and


    get’s only res in response from my sub mates.


    “What are you going to do with him?” Meadow pipes up, cutting the tension with her sharp question.


    Hand on her hip and throwing Varro some serious shade. I can feel the distrust, subtle contempt,


    among all of them. The vampire in our midst isn’t being weed at all but they know better than to


    show open disrespect given the circumstances. They are behaving for the sake of peace, but not one


    of them has anything but hatred in their hearts for this species.


    “Death eventually, but who knows. I have a lot of pent-up aggression over the loss of my love and


    child… I have two decades worth of anger directed his way.” Varro ispletely uninterested in their


    obvious dislike and goes back to admiring his nails.


    “Not here. If you kill him then do it far away from us, we don’t need any more blood of our kind here. I


    don’t want to tarnish these walls anymore than they are already.” Colton turns away, hiding the conflict


    of his facial expressions and I sense his intense pain.


    “I thought some of you would happily stand and watch an execution? No?” Varro smirks, knowing fine


    well this is cutting my mate deep, and Colton turns and walks off; holding himself in check as his


    emotions start to unravel. I know he’s conflicted. It’s only natural given that he once loved and idolized


    his father. I can’t even begin to understand what he feels, even though I too am getting a small amount


    of it.


    “Some of us would, but as he was our alpha, it’s not right.” Meadowes to my side and links her


    hand in mine, pulling me to her side and throws a wary nce Colton’s way.


    “Here!” The main doors are thrown open, disrupting us, as a heavy figure is tossed into the center of


    our haphazard group. It’s so fast it catches me off guard and we all stare as Juan’s bound figure slides


    across the floor in a dramatic fashion. Sliding to an abrupt halt, as he stops in an almost center stage


    area of our clearing.


    Bound and gagged, wriggling for his freedom and yet the only emotionsing from that pitiful figure


    are rage and disgust. I can taste it even from here. He has not a single ounce of remorse or regret.


    There’s no fear in what’s to be done to him but rather outrage that we would treat him this way. Juan is


    insane. I just can’t believe he hid it so well for so long while we all lived under his reign.


    Darrius walks casually towards Varro and gives him a low bow. Bending and staying put as a sign of


    respect and I get the chills from his presence in a way Varro has never caused. Darrius is definitely the


    kind of vampire you know the horror stories originated from. He doesn’t have to do a thing to be


    intimidating.


    “The witch held up her end of the bargain. She said she wille to Ladrikmorra for payment in a few


    days. She isn’t needed here anymore.” He straightens up, still keeping his eye son the floor much like


    our pack does to me and Colton.


    I blink at Darrius in surprise and then nce at Meadow in confusion. It would be nice if the witch told


    us goodbye at least, or some sort of debrief after helping us these past days. She can’t just have left


    without so much as a ‘see ya’. It actually angers and hurts me to know she just finished her task and


    left without a word, as though we meant nothing to her.


    “Leyanne never changes. Swoops in to do the bare minimum when she feels others are being tantly


    thick, then leaves without a word, off to another adventure. Don’t expect sweet farewells or tears, Alora.


    That witch is three thousand years of bad mood and loner attitude. Be d she did anything to help or


    was pleasant in anyway. She is notorious for not giving any kind of rat’s ass.” Varro casts me a smile


    that doesn’t meet his eyes and waves away my frown as though I am being too sensitive to this.


    I’m a little gutted, because I thought we meant more than this. This isn’t even truly over yet officially,


    and she just swoops off into the darkness before sunup.


    “To the problem at hand. Now, what are we going to do with you Mr Santo?” Varro turns his full


    attention to Juan, eyes locking on his prey as they glow to an almost unreal red that finally sends the


    shivers through my soul. A change in his features as he scans his prey properly and the whole room


    around us turns deathly silent.