They arrived

My breath catches in my throat, and I open my mouth to speak when the door slams open. I let out a shriek and scuttled behind Quill, trying not to care that he's nude.

It's Leopold, and his gaze meets Quill.

"Sorry for the interruption, but there's trouble, my lord!" he exclaims before leaving the room.

Quill whips on a robe that was dangling on his bed post, slipping on clean underwear, and running out of the room, the moment broken.

I frown, our moment clearly ruined, and grab my own thick robe that will hide the fact that I'm not wearing a corset, and run after him, stopping just around the corner of the living quarters.

The couches are filled with what I assume is Quill's pack, their wounds being attended to by the nurse maids, and a medical doctors. One of the pack members has a bandage around his head, and he tries to scratch the back of his head, but can't.

"...report." I hear Quill say, his voice calm, and full of authority.

"Before you get angry, I know you are our Alpha but we did make an oath to protect our home no matter what. That's why we left without you." and I'm surprised to hear that it's a woman's voice instead of the usual man.

Someone else speaks, but their tone is too low and soft, and all I hear from Quill in response is a sigh, as he answers back likewise.

I frown, wanting to get closer to hear, but at the same time a fear holding me back, as I don't know these people, and there's something more going on than my understanding.

"...attacks....down more in the southern areas...believe....another pack...Mason..." someone says, their voice going up and down, and then going silent. The silence in the room gives off an intense tension, and I try to step forward.

I know Mason, and in all the years I've known him-

Well, I can't really finish that thought, all things considering.

I want to hear more, but I feel a light tap on my shoulder, and Leopold is there, looking at me with a blank face.

"The maids have drawn the bath, my lady." he says, and I nod, following him back into my room.

He's gone before I can even thank him, the maids pouring the hot water into the big basin, tending to the fire in the fireplace as well.

"Your bath is ready my lady." one of the maids says.

"Thank you, I'll wait for my betrothed-"

"He's currently in a meeting my Lady, and won't be back until later." a maid says behind us. She looks older, her brown tresses grayed, and placed into a simple bun. She's short, wearing a neat and pressed uniform, her brown eyes kind and soft. "If you'll excuse us, my lady, we are needed elsewhere. Please do enjoy your bath." she says, as the other three maids curtsey, and leave the room, following silently behind her.

The door shuts behind them, and I stare back, feeling a bit sad, and disappointed. Taking off the robe, slowly, I wait to see if Quill will come back.

In the end, I go to bed alone, my hair a bit damp, but still braided down to my back. I lay on my side, pulling the blankets up to my chin, a sad feeling coming over me as the bed feels bigger and lonlier than ever.

I feel sleep overcome me then, dragging me slowly as someone on the other side is patiently waiting for me. The person reaches a hand out to me, and I take it knowing who it is...

"...Death..." I say, holding his hand as I stumble a bit.

He smiles at me, holding my hand, and in his other food.

"Did you need me for something?" I ask him, and he smiles, letting go as he takes a bite from his bread roll. "And how do you keep bringing me back here?

"I just wanted to say that bringing you back was one of the greatest choices I've ever done. You not only got with another werewolf, broke your engagement, got jailed, but now your once betrothed is trying to stir up trouble by causing war between your new betrothed. Also, the moon marked on your cheek is easy back and forth access so you don't have to really die to meet me." Death replied, smiling.

My face falls, and I stare at him in disbelief. "What has Mason done?"

"I knew you'd ask about that first; I can't give too much away, but he's making allies with other kind. And choosing to attack New Puerto full force, which seems to be working better when he visits you, my lady." he replied, taking another bite of his food.

"What else does he want from me? He already has his lover Isadora, and she's bearing his child!" I argued back, feeling a slight tug away from Death.

Death smiled, looking over my shoulder. "You don't understand the nature of men, even worse werewolf men." he states.

I want to ask him another question, but the sensation of being pulled away is stronger, and I reach out to Death, his hands staying on his food.

"We'll meet again." he says.

"Wait -"

My eyes crack open, and I can feel the warmth pool around me. My face is pressed against a warm chest, and sleepily, I pull back, staring up at the person.

Quill. He looks tired but relieved, and he kisses my forehead.

"Rest my love. It's late."

"Are you okay?" I ask him, snuggling up to him so close.

"It's fine, I'll tell you about it tomorrow. Now sleep." he says.

Something in my mind makes me feel like I need to tell him something, but I can't quite grasp it, the memory dancing just out of my reach.

Quill places a finger over my lips, and I stop trying to fight the sleep then.

"Wait...wait..." I try to say, but it's of no use. Quill just hugs me to his chest ,and I close my eyes and sleep once more.

Sleep welcomes me once more, and this time, Death doesn't call me back.

"You still have my packmates to meet my darling." These are the last words I hear as I finally give into slumber.