chapter 6

A king can't be king without the strength of his Queen

Most would think I would stay with the alpha or rent out a place... no, I had my own place here. For most of it's life, this building had been empty more because it was built in the wrong place, it was first built to hold semi's or storage for bigger things, but because it sat in the middle of a wolf colony... it was never used. I came upon it during some patrol on one of the jobs, and bought it from the company that had built it, bought for a steal I might add but they really just wanted to get rid of it. With help from the wolves here, I built it into a safe house for myself, a second home if you will... and I gotta say. I went all out.

I took out three of the massive garage doors leaving one that lead into the garage and replaced the others with walls, the garage fairly sized to fit 4 vehicles even though I only used one. When you go through the door leading to the rest of the place... you walk into a spacious living space, decked in fur of animals I've hunted, couches and chairs crafted by the packs finance wood worker were placed about. But because we are in the twenty-first century, I had added very nice appliances, smart Tv set up on the wall, wall lights shaped to look like antlers, and a fan above the coffee table, the only two things in this room that I had built was the fireplace that had an empty mantle piece stand and the carved wolf. The wolf was me, at least my form, a reminder of what comes during an attack. Leading off to the right you walked into the kitchen, like the living room it had more of a cabin feel with modern appliances scattered around, next came the master bedroom... if you can call it that. The room was torn apart, the result of my last outburst here, stuffing from the pillows were everwhere and the door leading to the bathroom and closet was in a splintering heap in the corner... meh, I'll fix it later.

Kieth was walking in with some of our stuff while I had flashbacks to the night I destroyed the room and he shouted my way

EARTH TO SLADE... common Mann these boxes ain't gonna move 'emselves...

I came back to reality and started to unpack the truck, it took us only a few minutes because most of our belongings were back at my grandmother's, we brought what we thought were essentials. Keith brought clothing and a huge box full of old witchery items, spell books, vudoo, the usual. And a picture of his deceased parents, while he has open up quite a bit... he still won't speak of them, I felt bad for the kid but knew he was working through it... My stuff consisted of clothing and weapons against magic, there are always a witch out there that would love to get their hands on me, the last box I brought in held something I regret to say that I had forgotten about... Durrendal; the unstoppable blade. This was the blade that I have taken from the boy from the portal so long ago, I gotta say though... the blade was not too thrilled to be in the box

Three years... three damn years you've left me in this Godforsaken box... I'm the Unstoppable blade for Pete's sake, I did not let you take me from my last master for you to just tossed me aside and be forgotten... I was ment to be wielded, to help in dire situations.

Ya he wasn't to happy, but that's his problem, not mine

Durrendal... Truly I am sorry. I should have wielded you in many of my battles... instead I left you in a box, but now I have a better place for you... above the fireplace

Jackson you bastard if I'm not wielded soon I may Just kill you myself I may be a blade but I can do quite more than you think...

Okay then... I guess it is my problem now... but I got some stuff up my sleeve

Now now... is that the proper way to speak to me Durrendal? If I'm not mistaken.. the only time I can use you is when you believe the person deserves it. If you believed that the person I had slain had been pure, you would dishonor me and I will lose my authority over you... and we can't have that now can we? You will be used soon Durrendal I promise you that... but now is not the time, unless you would like to kill a vampire... would you?

Afraid not Slade... as you had said before, you cannot kill someone I Believe pure at heart and the vampire you seek has only killed those that deserve it... Lucas is a good person I Believe and if I think that so should you. You are a powerful beast, but you have not yet earned the wisdom that comes with that power...

Rude blade, but he does make sense... for the most of my life, I thought myself as the better, because I was powerful compared to others... and I grew thick headed, I will learn that I am not immortal or correct soon. Hopefully before I'm killed by my own mistakes. I ended my conversation with Durrendal and place him on the mantle piece stand, he was a massive blade and was a good foot over the edge of the fireplace when placed onto the stand, it'll work though. Kieth and I finished up the unpacking of some other things that we brought along when the Alpha came into the living space

'John... what a present surprise, care for a drink? Got the best an eighteen year old could steal...

He looked at me with a concerned look... wonder if Lena told him

Give me a glass, I'm gonna need it... listen Slade, I gotta ask you a few questions.

I poured him and myself a glass of the liqiour...

Ask away John... I will try to answer all your question as best as I possibly can.

Okay then... well... Lena came to me, and told me some disturbing news, news that you apparently knew about?

Good she told you... yes I knew John and I would've told you myself but I thought it would be better if you were told by her.

Well your right there Slade... jeez if I heard that through you, I would've slain the boy and lock her away and throw the key away... I can't believe it, a vampire, and not just a normal one at that, this ones been given the blood of a royal and controls the magic the witches contain.

Lucas is a mystery yes... he's, well... impossible, yet there he stands. And if Kieth is correct he coming back along with some company... a girl and a boy, and what I've figured out was that the boy is a Royal... an outcast Royal

THAT BOY IS BRINGING A ROYAL VAMPIRE HERE! HE'S OUT OF HIS MIND!

John... relax, I looked into the vamp. Apparently he's an outcast because he refuses to drink blood, a trait that I wish all vampires possesessed.

He looked relieved at the thought...

But... he is still a royal, one of the beings we don't know how to slay. He may not be powerful like the others, but he is still dangerouse... I'll keep an eye on him and hope for the best.

What about this thing with my daughter though? What would you do if your child was dating a being you believed evil...

Is he serious... asking me? Heck I'm the basically the same age as the girl...

John, I don't think it's for me to say... but if you really don't know, then I say let it pan out...

What!?

Let it pan out... I'll watch out for Lena and if anything comes up, I'll kill the boy, that's the only way I can... if a marked person is seen to be a threat, then the mark is removed and he can be killed by other wolves.

You would do that for me, protect my little girl and kill the boy she loves if needed? She'd never forgive you Slade. Can you deal with that?

Could I, of course I could... if it ment keeping Lena alive at the cost of our friendship, then so be it. I gave John my word that I would protect his daughter and he thanked me.

Slade, one more thing before I go. Before your father died... he gave me something that I've been holding on for you these many years... and he told me to give it to you when I believed you ready. You've gone through hell, exiled by your pack and shunned by the California pack because you did what you knew was right, you can find it down 31st street, across from the Conte morreti, it's a great pizza place own by the town's only Italians. The gift is in lock up 659, I'll make sure they know your coming...

He left after that, a gift... left by my father. Before heading off I asked Kieth if he wanted to tag along and he thought it was best if we stuck together when leaving the packs territory, so on we went. Took us a good 20 minutes due to some construction work, but we soon pulled up to the lockup

659... this is it.

I unlatched the door and pulled it up so get a look at my new prize, I was speechless. A few months before my father was killed, he came home with this beautiful black 1968 Pontiac firebird, one of the last out there, my mother through a conniption fit, she believed it was a waste... but I thought it was spectacular. This was the gift my father left, I thought my mother just sold it after my father's death but apparently it's been here all along, still it the same shape it had been long ago. I walked along side it with my hand moving across the body of the Pontiac, I open the door and sat it the drivers seat. I looked around and found the keys in the glove box and started it, she still sound like the angel of death to me. Normally I wouldn't get to emotional, but thinking back to the last days I had with my father, that pulled at my heart and I couldn't help but let a few tears fall. I looked over to Kieth and he was there waiting for me, I pulled myself together and rolled down the window.

Guess we got some new wheels mann... you want to hop in the truck and drive over to that pizza place? I've heard there slice o' Italy is quite delicious.

He nodded and we headed over, driving the Pontiac felt right, it ran smooth compared to other vehicles I've driven before, it's a 1968 alright... when people knew how to build cars, before they made them cheap. Kieth and I parked our cars and headed into conte morreti, it was a nice place, and mann... the pizza smelt amazing, a young lass maybe two years younger then me was standing up front awaiting for us.

Good afternoon, welcome to Conte morretti home of the best pizza in town, are you here for a pickup or are you looking for a great dish for lunch?

We came for a great dish, no pickup... I replied to Maranda

Alright well if you will just follow me I'll bring you to your table and I'll have Kerry came and get your order.

We followed her to our table, we past by others eating and they all were enjoying there pizza, I'm not much of a pizza fan, more of a good steak kind of guy... but by the looks on their face, it's gotta be good. We got to our table and Maranda gave us a menu on the pizzas and told us Kerry would be with us momentarily, it all looked good... but my eyes were set on one, slice o' Italy. We made up our minds and awaited Kerry, I grew impatient soon after and was about to go talk to Maranda when the most beautiful women walked in from the back, she had red hair the curl down just below her shoulders, we locked eye contact and those eyes I swear I was drowning in them, the color of amber with faint golden speaks around her pupils, just mesmerizing. She walked over to us with a smile showing off her perfect teeth, as if she brushed and flossed not to long ago. Her attire was of a pair of blue jeans and a read shirt covered by an apron with a nametag with "Kerry" inscribed into it, today must be my lucky day.

Hello my name's Kerry, I'll be your waitress today, have you gentlemen chosen what you would like to have or would you need a little more time?

I still couldn't comprehend the beauty that was standing before me, she was quite intoxicating. I struggled to speak and it came out more like a mumble the. Anything else, Kieth was able to speak for me though.

Ah yes we have decided what we would like, we have our minds set on your slice O' Italy... we've heard it's quite delicious.

Thank you Kieth

Oh yes is the best pizza we have, one of the town's favorites. She said before writing it down

She asked what we would like to drink and I was able to get it out this time and asked for a glass of ice water while Kieth asked for a Pepsi

Kieth, I hope you know that'll rot your teeth away faster then you can get to the dentist, I bet you don't drink soda do you Kerry?

She gave me a little brush and told me that I was correct on that and headed to get our drinks and give the order to the bakers in back, my eyes follow her on her way back and wow, her body was in perfect shape, when I turned back to the table, I was met by the glare of my good old friend Kieth...

What?..

Your kidding me? Right Slade, that was bullcrap that you just pulled, I can't believe you of all people just hit on a mortal.

Hey, don't I deserve some fun now, I've been through so much, I think I deserve a break... even if that break is a beautiful one at that.

I'm not saying you don't deserve a break, but don't use me as a way to compliment her. I'll have you know my teeth will always be perfectly white even if I drink soda.

That's because you'll just use your magic on them... I laughed.

Kerry returned with our drinks and told us our pizza will be done momentarily

Kerry... me and my Kieth here are sorta new to this place... and don't really know what to do around here, what's there to do round here?

Well there's really not much, the town as you have seen is set into some dense forestry so mostly what we do around here is hike, there also a great spot where all the high schoolers hang about, it's maybe two-three miles into the forest and it opens up to a small lake with a large flat patch of dirt sits where they build campfires and talk with each other...

The police round here don't stop that? I would think a gathering of young adults would get the attention of the police...

Oh no, they know it's all good fun and for the most part the kids handle themselves and don't go up there with to much alcohol.

How much is to much? I asked

We both laughed and Chatted some more, we would try to get Kieth involved but he was having none of it, she went back to see if our pizza was ready and came back with a pan of slice o' Italy. When she went to place the pan she accidentally spilled the cup of water I had placed a bit to close to the edge of the table, she grew red and said she was really sorry and headed to grab some extra napkins. I started soaking up most the water with the napkins that we had and Kerry showed up with more and started to help me mop up the rest, when we got it all cleaned up she gave us a handful of napkins to use while we ate and apologized again. We thanked Kerry and enjoyed our pizza, after a few slices I went for a napkin and spotted some numbers on it written in a orange ink... she gave me her number with a little note to the side (call me- Kerry ;)), I was so pleased, I earned a girls number the first time I ever tried. Ya there were girls before but never have I gotten them through laughter and connecting with them, normally they just came to me. when we finished or pizza Kerry came back with the receipt, I paid her and gave a hefty tip along with it.

So Kerry... I was wondering, do you go to those bonfires they have out in that open patch or not?

Most of the time yes, as long as I'm not working the next morning.

Well if you wouldn't mind, maybe I'll go and bump into you there.

She smiled

Maybe you will.

I smiled back and thanked her for the food and kieth and I left, she waved us Farwell and I returned the wave.... while driving back to the pack I looked to see what my father had left in the player if anything, what played was Crunk hits. I laughed and listen to Ushers YEAH! one of the only rap songs I enjoyed, for ones in a lifetime I felt happy, I got a women's number and just knowing I got someone's attention without killing intrigued me, we made it back and while I was heading into my home, I found Lena sitting in my livingroom...

Slade... I need to talk to you

Crap... there goes my happy moment, now back to my reality, her father probably just ended his daughters relationship.

My father told me I can keep on with this relationship of mine with Lucas, but I had the feeling he wanted to end it but didn't for some reason... are you that reason?

You got me... he came to me asking for advice, and the advice I gave him was to let your relationship pan out... but I had to promise him I would protect you and if it came down to it, I would kill him... I'm sorry.

She didn't look upset, she looked overjoyed and ran and gave me a hug.

Don't be Slade, you help me keep my relationship and don't worry... Lucas won't break my mark on him, he loves me and wouldn't hurt me.

Well if you want to believe that then so be it, but he is still unpredictable...

And boy was I right, because at that moment I felt a massive power increasement outside of town, not just any... it was one I knew... Lucas. Lena looked at me and was about to tell me to leave it be but I was out of there before she even knew it, I found Lucas next to a large tree in a small opening and was about to knock him out and take him back to the pack when a wall of flame surrounded me. I wouldn't say I was frighten... but I never like the feeling of the heat of fire, it reminded me of the night I released my curse, the night Lilith burned me. I looked to where I thought the flames had originated and there stood the boy from my dream the day I took Durrendal. His arms were crossed and all he said to me was

Sup...