4.

Taking my seat at the front of the hall, my siblings and I waited for the pack to file in and take their seats. There was minimal chatter, not even the young ones were loud today. Not a single cry coming from the babies.

Once everyone has found their place my parents take the stand, we all bow our heads in respect before picking up and watching them. Intently waiting for them to explain everything.

After a few moments my mother clears her throat and prepares to speak, "My fellow wolves, I greet you all — as most of you know your Alpha and I travelled to our neighbour pack to speak with their Alpha and Luna about the sudden reappearance of the vampires.

"I stand before you to assure you that no war will take place, they show no sign of hostility and no sign of anger. It just seems as though they were either passing through or mistakenly entered the grounds. We all know vampires are incredibly fast beings so crossing a pack line could mistakenly happen."

Incredibly fast beings. Incredibly fast beings. Fuck, he's a vampire.

"If you happen to see anyone that you've never seen before on the grounds, notify us immediately. Don't attack, don't cause a scene shift into your human if you were in wolf form and speak to them as protocol. Do not engage and do not make the first move under no circumstances —"

Someone at the far back raises their voice, "You want us to cower against those corpses?"

I couldn't understand either, that's exactly what they're making it sound like. We are practically being told you kneel to the ground and kiss it whilst our forehead touches the ground and our hands stretch out near their feet. Waiting for my parents to arrive and do something any one of us could've done.

Ask them to state their business and take it from there. Don't make the first move? Is this a joke? Is this why they no longer want me patrolling because I know for a fact they know I would never do any of this bogus.

'You're suddenly one to talk,' my wolf scoffs. He voice as low as it always is when she randomly decides to either chastise or low-key ridicule me.

I internally huff, 'That was all your fault, so please.' Humans have a subconscious and I have this bitch.

I wish he could've touched me or let me at least get a look at him, it's the least he could've done. I deserve to know if he's really my mate, I'd never reject him anyway. Vampire or not, I could barely freaking care.

As long as he doesn't intend on making me one, I'm perfectly cool with him being my mate. My family and pack are who we should worry about, although it sounded as though he already knew them.

Oh goddess, I hope he isn't the same age as my parents — that would be awful. Humans and well animals are the only ones we know of that die, we die too obviously but it would generally have to be murder.

Old age doesn't effect a single being and there are plenty. So, if the vampire is my mate he could be goodness knows how old.

My father's booming voice snaps me back, "Don't you dare raise your voice at your Luna. We are never to cower, that is not in our nature and it never will be. It..." He hesitates for a moment, "There has been peace for many years and the vampires could be looking for any reason to start a war."

My mother nods, "We're not interested in that and we'd only hope you all aren't willing to go to war and losing members over nothing."

A few murmurs and nods go around the hall and that's when I know they've convinced the pack.

It's noon the next day when I'm making my way to the forest which leads to the end of pack grounds. My sister shifts into her human form just as she's about to pass by me, "I thought you got taken off patrol."

I stop in my tracks, "Oh shit, you're right." She lets out a laugh at my forgetfulness, "I would think you'd remember having to practice magic with mom over patrolling any day."

My eyes go wide with excitement as I recall this enchantment that she needed my help with, I had completely forgotten. I thank my sister and turn swiftly, hurriedly making my way back to the house.

Once I enter the 'magic room' my mom lets out a huff, "I thought you'd be here hours earlier." I usually was incredibly early for any kind of magic lesson.

Having known about being a hybrid since childhood, I have learned several spells throughout my life. However, wherever my mother needs help I know it'll be worth while because she always goes big with whatever she does. Which is why she always needs help.

"Sorry, I completely forgot."

She chuckles, "That's a first, okay week, c'mon then." She pats the space beside her, she's sat cross legged on the a traditional straw mat. I walk over and sit beside her, there's nothing in this room. We have an enchantment on it, it's indestructible.

"This will be a really powerful enchantment my girl, so I need you to be fully energised when we do it." I nod before questioning, "What are we enchanting?"

She smiles brushing her thumb tenderly on my cheek, "The pack."

My head jerks back in surprise as my brows crease, "The pack? What sort of enchantment is this?"

"A protection charm of sorts. It would help with all your father and myself spoke of yesterday."

I nod in understanding, "So... to keep the vampires away?"

She smiles gently, "Among other things, yes."

"Why are we doing so much to keep them away? I doubt they want a war either so why do we need such extreme measures?"

My mother's eyes turn away from mine, her head turning away too. She moves her focus to the wall as though she's looking out a window but this room has none.

"That's a story for another day."

I frown, "Mom, why still stress yourself with secrets? You haven't a child underage so who exactly are you protecting? When all your truths come to light it will only hurt you."

She moved back slightly in shock, "Ayabulela!" Her face showing her surprise although her eyes also show her fear, she knows I'm right.

The person keeping the secret seldom comes out unscathed once the truth unfolds and as I've been tipped off. My parents are hiding quite the mountain, there's no way any of their kids will be pleased once we learn of whatever it is.

All their ants and hushed movements regarding the vampires isn't helping them out either.

"I'm only trying to save our family the rift," I glance at her with narrowed eyes, "Unless the damage has already been done." I shrug a shoulder.

She takes my hands, "Let's just start the enchantment, Aya."