[IC] Vampires in the Shadows-closed

[Kyrisse]

Claudia Aluredes

_@Wick

Claudia looked at Shade. It was still strange that she had imprinted on a vampire and was now hanging out with one. And it was stranger still that this one was pledging friendship to her. She smiled. "I offer you my friendship as well." It was only natural for her to offer back her friendship. And Shade was Alex's childe. And because she loved him, by extension, she would love all his own as well. She stepped out of the car and walked side by side with Shade. "I do wonder about some things... Wolves have this thing called Imprinting. We can't choose who we imprint on. We don't know when it will happen. For me, I imprinted on Alex. For a while I denied it and I didn't want to accept it. But I love him and I will be forever loyal to only him. What about you guys? How do you know? How do you choose your mate? How do you know if you're with the right one?"

---

Darric Shadowforge

"I can't really say how Imprinting works. Apparently, it's not exclusive to wolves. I saw it in her eyes when I encountered her. She has certainly imprinted. And because of that, she will be fiercely loyal to him no matter how she is wired to hate vampires. And this vampire... Alex North. I've heard things about him and he is not one to trifle with. I have no qualms against him but I do hope we won't need to become enemies. I wouldn't want to go against a werewolf, and Caius' twin at that. But who knows? Let's see if Claudia will run with the pack." He chuckled a bit at Casey's next question. "Well, I can't say about fairies and trolls. But since you and I are werewolves and we do exist in myths...maybe everything else does too."

[Wick]

Shade Nightwalker

Shade thought about Claudia's question. How did they know? He had had relationships with women. He had never been what he would call in Love with one. He loved Kitty but he hadn't been in love with her. Shade was quiet til they were seated. After they ordered he answered her. He sat back in the booth and leaned against the back of it.

"I think of love as something that hits you like a freight train and kidnaps your heart. Your mind may try to keep you on the tracks they were on but no matter how hard you try to resist you can't. Once your heart has been stolen you can't get it back." He glanced at her and wondered if he had made any sense. "It is obvious that Alex is in love with you. All one has to do is look at his eyes when you are around or your name is mentioned."

---

Casey Green-Werewolf

"Vampires, werewolves...who knows what else is out there." Casey heard her stomach growling. "Can we stop and get some breakfast, I'm starved. There is the Waffle House just up ahead, please?" When her stomach got louder she blushed as it was loud enough to get his attention. "I guess I should have eaten another rabbit." She chuckled as the car pulled into the Waffle House parking lot.

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Claudia Aluredes

_@Wick

Claudia sat across Shade, ordered food and then leaned back on her seat just as he did. When he spoke, she nodded and smiled. "Yes, it makes perfect sense. That's what I felt when I saw Alex. And maybe even more than that. I probably won't be able to explain it even if I tried," she chuckled. "I do worry about what Alex and I have though... I mean, I imprinted. There is nothing in the world that would make me leave him. There is nothing in the world that would make me stop loving him. But I have never been with a..." she automatically lowered her voice as not to be overheard by the humans around. "...a vampire before so I hope you can understand why I'm asking. Love is a fleeting thing to some... humans in particular. Alex... I'm sure he has loved before. But what happened to that love? Why is he alone now? Did he leave them behind? Did they leave him?" she sighed as she tried to explain it. "Will he eventually end up leaving me as well?" she felt a heaviness on her chest when the words left her lips.

---

Darric Shadowforge

Darric chuckled. "I am hungry myself," he nodded and turned the car into the parking lot. He got out, opened the door for her and draped an arm possessively around her waist. "Where are you staying, by the way? After eating, we can go pick up your things and move them over to my place..." his words were not a suggestion nor a request. He had no doubt that she wanted to move in with him. He wanted it too. He paused, a thoughtful look on his face. "Although my place is temporary for now... I'd have to look for a proper house for us." He led her to a booth a few tables away from Claudia and Shade's.

As soon as they sat down, Darric's eyes sought out the vampire and the wolf. When he saw her, he instantly recognized her, wondering why she wasn't with Alex North.

[Wick]

Shade Nightwalker

Shade smiled slightly. He knew what she was worried about and that she need not do it.

"You need not worry about Alex. He has not been in love in at least 450 years. He has never in all that time brought any woman to our home. Not to spend the night or clean house. Kitty doesn't count as he saw her as his child. Unlike many other vampire he doesn't sleep with his children. The man is completely yours. I just hope he keeps his focus so he doesn't get either of you hurt." As the waitress sat a couple across the room Shade recognized the girl.

"Hey, I know that girl! That's Casey! I'll be right back!" Shade hopped up and went over to the other table.

"Hey Casey! Wow, funny meeting you here. You guys should come sit with us." He stopped a minute realizing something was different and he looked at Darric and frowned. "Casey? Did this wolf bite you?"

Casey shook her head realizing that he was a vampire. "No Shade he didn't but he did help me get through it without hurting anyone." Shade looked at her face and offered Darric his hand to shake. "Pleasure to meet you, I'm Shade Nightwalker. Casey and I are in the same Art class at night at the college." He pointed towards Claudia and said "Please, come join us. My friend and I just got our orders taken."

Casey nodded wanting to tell Shade all about it since she now had one friend from her life that she could tell all about her new life. "Come on babe let's go. She is a wolf too."

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Claudia, Darric, Caius

_@Wick

Claudia nodded at Shade's words. He has, after all, been with Alex for a while. There was no reason not to believe him. But even though her questions were put to rest, she still felt uneasy. Probably some sort of separation anxiety. She can't wait to get Alex back. When Shade stood up, she followed him with her eyes. Her eyes fell on the two wolves. One she met before. Darric Shadowforge. He was Caius' alpha. And a newly turned one.

Darric's gray eyes met Claudia's blue ones across the distance between the two of them. Darric gave her a small nod of his head which she returned politely. She watched as he shook Shade's hand and then was half dragged out of their booth and towards their table. She looked at the female, obviously Darric's mate by the way they moved together. She gave the girl a smile. "Hey. I'm Claudia. Hey, Darric."

"Claudia. I trust you've already met your brother?" Darric greeted.

"Yeah, I saw him last night. I didn't expect to see him so soon but...yeah, last night. He even has a rented condo unit ready," she laughed, automatically feeling at ease with the pack leader.

"That was my handiwork. I knew he'd hurry back when he found out that you were here. And with a vampire too." Darric seemed comfortable chatting with Claudia as well.

"That's Caius for you."

"You should at least be grateful that I worried for you so much that I travelled in a few hours what should have taken me days," Caius said as he walked towards their table.

Claudia blinked and then a wide grin crossed her face at the sight of her twin brother. She immediately stood up and threw her arms around him. "Cai! Of course I'm grateful."

Caius pretended to look sour but ended up laughing. He reached out and grasped Darric' hand, a greeting of respect and camaraderie. And then his eyes fell on Casey and Shade. He seemed to instantly know who Casey was but he raised a brow at Shade. "Hi," his greeting was plain but friendly. Her turned to Claudia. "Where's your mate?"

Claudia huffed. "Busy."

[Wick]

Shade and Casey

Shade chuckled. "Alex is currently in the middle of something and can't be disturbed. So I am keeping Claudia company until he gets back later today."

Casey smiled and waved back. "Hey, I'm Casey. So you are the one Darric wants to join the pack! I'm completely new to all of this wolf stuff. I've only been one for a day."

Casey couldn't take her eyes off of Darric and she said to Claudia "We've both imprinted on each other. It's the craziest thing. We are so in tune to one another. I can't even imagine how I survived before I met him. Do you feel that way with your ...man? She said seeing the waitress coming back.

"Shade is in my art class and he walked me to my car at night. I never had any reason to fear him he is very cool."

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Claudia, Darric, Caius

_@Wick

Claudia released her brother. She grinned at Casey and nodded, her mood immediately lifted by being able to talk about Alex. "Yeah, I feel exactly the same way about Alex. I thought I had everything I needed before. You know, freedom to run, no one to worry about..." she paused and glanced at Caius. "Of course I occasionally thought about you, Cai." She turned back to Casey. "Anyway... I didn't wanna settle down. I just wanted to keep on moving, keep on travelling. But now that I have Alex, I don't think I'm going anywhere else. He's my everything."

"Occasionally," Caius grumbled. "I don't doubt that he's your everything. Cause you know... years of not seeing your twin... he runs full speed aaaall the way back just to see you... and then you end up making out with your vampire in front of him," this time it was his turn to huff. He looked towards Shade. "You better tell Alex to hurry up. If Claud gets too impatient, she might tear down the house." He turned his attention to Casey. "I'm Caius, by the way. Welcome to the pack," he said even though Darric hasn't formally announced her joining yet.

Claudia made a face and slapped Caius soundly on his arm. "Just wait til you imprint on someone, you big oaf," she shot back.

Caius chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm glad you're happy though. It's nice to belong somewhere." His words earned him another hug from Claudia. He looked at Darric. When the alpha nodded, he continued speaking. "Speaking of belonging somewhere, will you run with us, Claudia?"

Claudia was silent for a moment, a thoughtful look on her face. "I would. But I want to discuss it with Alex first before I commit to anything."

Darric nodded in approval. "Fair enough." He turned to Shade. "When will Alex be back? I also have some things to discuss with him."

[Wick]

@Kyrisse

Shade and Casey

Shade said "I expect Alex won't be up for company tonight but I'm sure he would be glad to get with you tomorrow." The look on his face Claudia would understand but the others might take as odd.

Casey looked at Darric questioningly and whispered to him. "What do you have to talk to Alex about? Do we have vampire business of some sort?"

"Claudia, you and I should go shopping and hang out." Casey declared looking at the menu and finished ordering her food.

Casey had a thought occur to her and she asked whomever was willing to answer. "Has a vampire ever been a part of a pack? I mean, an honorary member? If Alex is as dangerous as you think he is couldn't that work in the pack's favor if he is aligned with us? Please keep in mind I am 1 day old and I'm just asking."

[Kyrisse]

Claudia, Darric, Caius

_@Wick

Reminded of how long she needed to wait until Alex comes back, Claudia frowned. It was a good thing that Casey offered suggested that they go shopping. She really did need to get some clothes and it would definitely take her mind off of exactly where Alex was. That was good. She nodded towards Casey. "Sure, that would be really nice." She looked down at herself. She was wearing the long shirt and sweat pants Alex gave her the night before. She looked frumpy in it. Not that she minded but... yeah, she could at least try to look her best for when Alex comes back.

Darric leaned towards Casey. "It's some sort of proposal I think would be beneficial to both our groups," he explained in a quiet voice. He reached out for the coffee cup that the waitress set in front of him.

It was Caius who answered Casey's last question. "No, a vampire has never been welcomed into a pack before. I don't think that will ever happen. An alliance can be formed though and I believe that is what Darric will propose to your mate, Claud."

"I'm okay with it just as long as Alex is," she contributed, looking at Shade. "What do you think, Shade?"

[Wick]

Shade Nightwalker

"I think as long as it is beneficial to both and it helps to keep Claudia safe he would most likely agree." He chuckled a little.

Looking at Casey he asked, "So how is it that you can get her to shop but she wouldn't go with us?" He gave a slightly confused but comical look at Claudia.

"It's a girl thing."Casey responded while rolling her eyes at Shade dramatically and giggling.

"Well I have to go too. I'm on bodyguard duty." He grinned and matched her dramatic flare causing laughter all around the table.

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Claudia, Darric, Caius

_@Wick

Claudia nodded and looked from Casey to Shade. "It'd be weird to have guys tagging along while I choose underwear, you know." She grinned as a plate of eggs, bacon and toast was laid down in front of her, followed by a steaming cup of hot cocoa.

"This is a first for me. Hearing of a vampire bodyguard to a werewolf." Caius chuckled and then turned to Darric who was silently drinking his coffee. "Have you?" he asked.

Darric raised an eyebrow and then shook his head. "Perhaps in the olden times where wolves served to protect their vampire masters. But in the new world... no, I don't think I've heard of that practice being common."

Caius shrugged but gave Shade an appreciative nod of the head. "I appreciate the effort to keep my sister safe though."

[Wick]

Shade Nightwalker

Shade thought this might be a good opportunity to buy some clothes for the new girl too. He sat there casually glancing at the group. While they talked and ate he thought about Sara. She was pretty and she had looked scared to death before Alex took her into the ground. He could remember the crying when he was draining her. She didn't scream though. That had impressed him. He was a little excited to meet her after the change. He looked up at Darric and said,

"Darric, Alex may be available later this evening. I can let you know if you'd like. Of course his availability may be more determined by how long he can stay away from Claudia here." He grinned knowing she would be blushing or he would have to duck a slap.

Casey Green-Werewolf

Casey laughed at Shade's comment. "Dont worry Claudia, we're the same way." She said smiling at Darric and taking his hand in hers.

"We won't let them near us in the lingerie section. We'll get some good stuff." She said to Claudia. Casey noticed the preoccupied look in Shade's eyes.

"Hey Shade what are you thinking about?"

"About Sara...she'll be needing clothes too. Will you help me get some for her?"

"Who is Sara?" Casey asked. He noticed all eyes were on him.

"She is Alex's daughter." Shade replied. "So are you guys about done? I'd like to get to the stores."

@Kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Claudia, Darric, Caius

_@Wick

Claudia didn't blush or slap Shade. Instead, she kicked him under the table. It wasn't meant to hurt him though--not as if she really could even if she tried--and she laughed at the look of surprise on his face. She was quickly changing her mind about vampires. Shade was a decent guy and spending time with him was making her wonder what it was about vampires that made her hate them so much in the first place. When Shade suggested that they get going, she looked at the two other males, wondering if they would be tagging along as well.

Caius immediately understood her questioning look. "My sister choosing lingerie is not something I'm so keen on seeing," he said. "I'm gonna go back to the condo to get some more sleep." He stood up. "I'll see you guys later."

Darric looked at Shade and shook his head. "Our meeting can wait. Let him see to his mate first." He looked towards Casey and then at Caius. He stood up and pressed a kiss on her mate's head. "As much as I want to spend the day with you, love, I'm afraid I have some important things to discuss with Caius. I will, however, be waiting for you at home later." He smiled at Claudia and then followed Caius out.

[Wick]

@Kyrisse

Shade and Casey

Shade's laughter rang out when he felt Claudia kick him, "HEY!" He shouted in surprised laughter like a kid. Casey smiled and turned her head and chuckled at Caius' expression of distaste at the thought of his sister and lingerie in the same sentence.

Casey smiled at Darric and let his hand slide out of hers gently as he went after Caius. "Okay let's get out of here."

A little later at the mall Casey and Claudia were shopping and Shade looked utterly lost. Looking at the different sizes of everything was confusing him to no end. Casey happened to look up and see the most baffled look on his face. Realizing he was truly outside his realm of knowledge on this one she stepped over to help.

"Okay first what size is she?"

"How could you tell? None of the sizing is consistent in women's clothes!" He looked at Casey and cocked his head slightly. "She is almost your size exactly."

"Ok so what was she wearing when you saw her last - better question....why isn't she here doing her own shopping?"

Shade didn't want to answer that question. The fact that she had asked it made him worry. Shade took her hand in his and pulled her to the side of the store and told her very quietly.

"Alex was put in a position to save a girl's life by turning her, if he didn't she would have died." He watched her expression.

This information alarmed Casey and she had a million questions but she knew this wasn't the place. She decided it was more important to get the girl some nice clothes considering all of the changes she was going to be going through. Casey went to the normal socks and underwear aisle and grabbed a couple packages of each. Then she went to the blue jeans and put an armful of her size of her favorite ones in the shopping buggy. Suddenly it dawned on her and she turned.

"Shade how much money do you have on you?"

"At least seven or eight hundred, why? Do you think I need more?"

"I think that will be more than enough." She chuckled at the tone of his voice. She was wrapped up in picking out normal decent clothes for the girl. After doing that she went to check on Claudia's progress.

Casey came up and looked at the clothes Claudia was looking at and nodded in approval. "Looks like you are doing well over here. Shade told me about Sara. I feel so bad for her and Shade is doing something nice by getting her some clothes. He is paying for your clothes too by the way. Alex can pay him back later. I figure I have about three hundred fifty or so set aside for her clothes. He said he has at least seven hundred sitting in his wallet so get whatever you need." Casey flashed a smile as she walked over to the lingerie department. "I'm going to pick out something for Darric's eyes only."

[Kyrisse]

Claudia Aluredes

_@Wick

Claudia sighed. Right. Money. I can't expect Alex or Shade to pay for me everytime I need to buy something. I'll need to look for a job after this. She nodded and smiled at Casey and watched her turn towards the lingerie department. She'll get something naughty for Alex later when she had her own funds to spend. For now, she'll make do with the basic. Underwear, shirts and maybe two pairs of pants. Alex likes seeing me naked anyway so it won't really matter what I wear. She laughed to herself.

[Wick]

@Kyrisse

Alex North

Alex dug himself out of the ground and shook himself off. It was about ten minutes before Sara would come up on her own. He opened the door to the house and realized no one was here but him and Sara. He turned and crouched down as he heard her stirring underground. A moment later he saw her hand as she emerged and crawled out. She stood up and shook the dirt off of her. Her tan complexion was gone and she was very pale white. It was a contrast to her hair. Her eyes had changed and she looked almost manic with need to feed. Alex grabbed his arm and sliced it, he pulled her to him and said, "Drink" She was drinking like a starved child and she continued til he stopped her.

"You are now vampire. I am your maker. You must do as I command. If you don't I can and will take you down myself. Do you understand me?"

Sara's eyes were taking in the changes. Everything was so fresh and new and...exhilarating. It was brighter, juicier, softer, harder. She could see details she wouldn't have even noticed before. She looked at Alex and asked. "Are you my boyfriend now?"

"NO! and on that subject I have my mate and you will do her no harm do you understand? That is a one time offence. You hurt her I kill you. That is your biggest rule and this is the only warning you will get."

Alex could see that she was ravenous for the new experiences that she was about to start to explore. "You must keep your vampirism hidden from humans as much as possible. During the day you will sleep or rest in your room. Shade will be with you constantly for a long time."

"Oh! Who is Shade? He sounds mysterious." She gushed.

Alex looked at her and grumbled. "He is my other child." "Child? Wait you mean I have to babysit? Oh come on! You made me a vampire to babysit?" Her voice got higher and Alex chuckled.

It was just about that time Shade's car pulled into the driveway. Alex grabbed her arm to hold her back as her instincts told her to check it out. "Sara. Stay here." She huffed at him but stayed.

Alex made the short trip to Claudia's door and when he opened it Sara was there fangs dropped and his arm went straight out sending her flying about 30 yards. Sara pouted and came walking back making sure to keep her distance as she walked to the other side of the car.

Inside the car, Shade was watching and chuckling. He turned to Claudia. "Don't get out til Alex tells you to."

"Remember what I told you Sara!" She nodded and opened the back seat on the driver's side. Not seeing a child she stood up. "Where is the child?" Alex grinned in amusement.

Shade was chuckling and opened his door getting out quickly. "That would be me." Sara almost fell backwards in surprise.

Sara stared at the tall indian man and became conscious that she was still very dirty from being in the ground. "I thought I was going to be babysitting?"

Shade smirked, "No darlin you are going to be the baby and I'm the one doing the sitting. So get used to me now because we are going to be spending a lot of time together."

Sara didn't know what to say. She was trying to keep control of her high libido that she was not used to. "Ok."

Alex looked at her and shook his head. "Sara, you will obey Shade. If he tells you I said to do something then you do it." She nodded. Alex intimidated her and Shade was her new for lack of a better term babysitter. She saw Alex and Shade communicate with their eyes and she realized he was about to bring his mate out. She didn't want Alex to kill her so she stood next to Shade and when she caught Claudia's scent her eyes went wild and she grabbed Shade's arm. "Don't let me hurt her. What is she?" Shade grabbed Sara's arms and held her back just in case.

Alex nodded and said "Come on out Claudia." Alex took her hand and as soon as Claudia stood up Sara started trembling and said "Get me out of here!" Shade picked her up and ran into the woods.

[Kyrisse]

Claudia Aluredes

_@Wick

Even before Shade parked the car, Claudia knew that Alex was out and about. There was also a new smell about. Sickly sweet but strangely similar to Alex's and Shade's smell. The new one... she thought. But as soon as her eyes fell on her mate, all thoughts of the new vampire flew out of her head. She would have jumped out of the car if Shade didn't warn her.

Warily, she watched the girl, her eyes tracking her every move. All her muscles tensed up as she readied herself for an attack. But no attack came and then there was Alex's voice telling her to come out. Ignoring the girl completely, she stepped out, threw her arms around her mate and rained kisses on him. "Took you long enough. I hope you missed me."

[Wick]

Alex North

Alex wrapped his arms around Claudia and laughed at her little kisses. "More than anything." He kissed her deeply and picked her up and carried her inside kicking the bedroom door shut. "I need to warn you about Sara. She is going to have trouble controlling her impulses in the beginning. One of those impulses is going to be wanting to drain you and kill you. I have warned her not to mess with you and that if she hurts you I'll send her to the true death without hesitation." Alex pulled her into his arms again and kissed her as he undressed her.

"I missed you so much. I was worried something would happen while I was unable to come out." In no time at all he had them both naked and under the covers. After they made love he told her, "Shade will be with her 24 hours a day for quite a long time so he will keep her under control and teach her all she needs to know."

---

Sara Stockton

Shade had picked her up and bolted out of the area and up into the uninhabited part of the hills. They were about ten miles away. There was a cabin up there that Alex had bought just for them when one of them needed a safe place to go to. There were no neighbors and only trees and animals. The perfect area to train a new vampire how to behave. Shade put her down but didn't remove his arm from her waist.

"Are you alright now? If I let you go for a moment are you going to stay here?"

Sara nodded. "Yes, I'm not having trouble with that particular issue at the moment any longer." Sara watched him hungrily and he called her into the cabin and closed the door behind her.

Sara was having trouble and she asked him, "How do I control myself? It's not as easy as it used to be?"

The tall indian stood there smiling. "No, it's not. What are you having trouble controlling now?" He leaned against the door and crossed his feet and his arms lazily.

She went into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She gasped and tears welled up in her eyes. When one rolled down her face she shrieked. "What the hell is going on? My eyes are bleeding!"

Shade was there in an instant and he was behind her. He took the towel and cleaned her face.

"Vampires cry blood not tears like you are used to. I would suggest making sure you don't cry in public." Shade turned her around.

"You need to take a shower. Your hair is still full of soil. Everything you will need is in the shower. I'll be out here waiting for you."

As soon as Shade heard her get in and close the shower door he ran back to the car and drove it back to the cabin. He pulled out the bags of clothes for her and when she came out she was wrapped in a towel. Her long hair dripping down her back. She came out and she saw the clothes on the bed in the room next to the bathroom. She looked at them and smiled. She turned sensing him.

"Do you like them?"

She smiled. "You bought them for me?"

"Well yes of course they are for you."

Sara couldn't shake it. No matter what she did to distract herself she found her thoughts going back to wanting to take Shade to bed.

"What do you do when you have an urge to sleep with someone?"

Shade smirked. "Your libido will be crazy high for a while and then it will become more controllable." He could see the way she was looking at him. "Sara, you might regret it later. Your libido is so high right now you might be likely to sleep with anyone."

Sara licked her lips and said, "I don't think so. I didn't have any want or need to sleep with Alex...but you, I've gotta have." She dropped her towel and walked up to him and she started to pull off his vest and undo his pants. His hand stopped her on his belt buckle. He was struggling now with his own desires.

"Sara..." She pulled him down to her for a kiss and when she did he felt a jolt like nothing he had ever felt before with anyone. As she kissed him he undid his clothes and kicked off his boots. Within a moment he had her up against the wall kissing her as he gave her what she wanted from him.

They eventually moved to the bed and continued. It was the early morning hours before they came up for a break. Sara's eyes had that craving to them again but it was for food. She needed blood. They hurriedly got dressed and he took her outside and took her hand and he ran her into the woods with him and taught her how to listen for the animals and then to chase and drain it. He took down a doe and he gave it to her and showed her how to feed on it. While she fed on it he caught another one and carried it to where she was greedily feeding. He fed on his doe and watched her. She was still hungry. He had his fill and then let her finish off his. Finally full he ran her back to the cabin and shut the door behind them. Back into the shower they went, together this time. It was a very long shower.

@kyrisse

[Kyrisse]

Claudia Aluredes

_@Wick

Claudia nodded. "Well, it was pretty obvious by the way she reacted earlier. Hmmmm... I know she's your daughter and I've promised to love what is yours. But if she attacks me, I might end up killing her. I'm not exactly a vampire loving kind of wolf." she chuckled. "With you as an exception, of course. You're my vampire. Nothing will ever change that..." her voice trailed off as Alex kissed her. She responded hungrily to his touches and the room was soon filled with moans of ecstasy.

Hours later, sated and basking in the afterglow of their love making, Claudia curled up beside her mate. "I'm sure Shade and Sara will get along really well," she chuckled. "Despite the fear and contempt she showed me, I could smell that she wants him. I suppose the same way that I want you." She ran her hand up and down his arm, happy and content to be beside him again. Her eyelids began to flutter close.

"Oh." Remembering her earlier conversation with her brother and Darric, she opened her eyes, propped herself up on her elbows and looked at Alex. "Cai and Darric has asked me to join their pack. I told them I need to talk to you about it first. Will you allow me to?"

[Wick]

Alex North

Alex lay with his love in his arms and when she said they wanted her to join the pack he became a little nervous about the idea. He wasn't entirely sure what that meant. Would it take her away from him for periods of time? What did it mean to run with a pack? He had never really thought about it before. He had fought packs of wolves before with other vampires and he knew the value of having backup.

He was quiet for a moment and asked her, "Why would you ask me if I would allow you to do anything?" He turned her to look at her face.

"I want you to be who you are. Yes, I want to be consulted but I'm not going to demand you obey me in anything less than a life and death matter."

Alex looked at her and asked, "What would joining a pack mean? What would change? I want to know more before I give you my opinion on it. Ultimately it is your decision."

@Kyrisse