When the door closed I didn’t realize Kieran came out of hiding again until he spoke. 1

“You alright Kiree?” He asked gently. 2

I jumped at the sound of his voice and I looked up at him just before the tears started to fall. In an instant the cage door was open and Kieran had me in his arms. I was surprised how warm he felt. It was like he was running a fever but he looked perfectly fine. Needing to get it out of my system I cried into his bare chest for a while until I couldn’t shed any more tears. All the while Kieran stroked my head while holding me and whispered that everything would be all right into my ear. When the waterworks finally stopped I sniffed loudly and wiped my eyes. 3

“That was a pretty wicked punch you landed on that dumb ass. I’m surprised Vincent couldn’t smell the Vampire that you are. He might have confused it for that Yoru guy’s though.” He said. 4

I looked at him surprised. “You can smell what I am? I thought you were human?” I asked. 5

He grinned and shook his head. “I’m also surprised you didn’t make a face at my smell, Vampire’s usually think Werewolves stink just as much as we think they stink.” He answered. 6

My jaw dropped. “A W-Werewolf?” I stuttered starring at him. 7

He looked nothing like a Werewolf except for that grin of his. Kieran laughed and stood up. “Promise not to scream?” He asked taking a few steps back. 8

I nodded and kept starring at him. In a split second Kieran’s body began to shimmer gold starting from his head and going down. In a mere three seconds there was no longer a man standing in front of me, but a very large pure black wolf. He stood about 4 ½ feet tall on all fours. In shock I kept as silent as I could and watched as Kieran came closer but very slowly so not to startle me. He whined softly and pressed his large muzzle into my hand. Starting to relax I scratched under his chin while staring into his beautiful and large amber eyes. 9

His tail wagged a little faster and his ears flattened against his head while he lifted his huge head up. His eyes even half closed enjoying the scratching. I giggled and threw my arms around his neck and buried my face into his thick fur on his shoulder. My arms could hardly wrap around his big neck though. 10

“You’re so big.” I said but Kieran’s fur muffled it. 11

He made a growling and coughing like noise making his body shake. He was laughing. After a few minutes Kieran began to shimmer again and just as fast as before he was human looking again but to my surprise he was naked. 12

“What the hell?” I asked not being able to help but look him all over quickly before turning around even quicker. 13

He had a kick ass body. He chuckled as he put his shorts back on. “Sorry about that. The clothes don’t just disappear or go into our skin when werewolves transform and it’d look pretty weird seeing a wolf wearing clothes anyway.” He said. 14

When he was done I turned back around only to gasp. Kieran was only like an inch from my face now. “So what’d you think?” He asked grinning the wolfish grin again. 15

I smiled huge. “You’re amazing! First I find out Vampire’s exist and now Werewolves too!” I squealed and couldn’t help but to hug him. 16

He laughed hugging me back but then he pulled away slightly. “What do you mean when you said you found out Vampire’s exist, didn’t you know you are one?” He asked. 17

My smile faded and I rubbed the back of my head. “It’s a long complicated story.” I said. 18

Kieran only grinned and relaxed on the pile of pillows and he pulled me down next to him. “We’re not going anywhere time soon.” He said. 19

I sighed but smiled and began the story. I told him everything about when I first met Yoru and about how my soul was somehow connected with Lady Kimari’s. I also told him about my dream that I had and after that he wanted to know everything about me so I told him everything about me that came to mind and of my past. After a few hours and once I couldn’t think of anything more I looked at Kieran. 20

“Seeing that I am a Vampire, do I stink to you?” I asked. 21

He laughed and looked at me. “A little but that is because I can smell your mate on you. Your natural smell is intoxicating to me for some reason. I’ve never met a Vampire the smelled good before. Do I smell to you seeing how I’m a Werewolf and we’re supposed to stink to you guys too?” He asked. 22

I laughed and shook my head. “No you smell good too. I would have said the same thing you just told me but you’re the only wolf I’ve ever met or smelled.” I giggled. 23

He grinned and relaxed on the pillows while I thought of something else I wanted to say and then I remembered how warm he is. “Oh yeah, why does your whole body feel like it’s running a high fever?” I asked. 24

He chuckled and stretched. “Werewolves have temperatures up to 106 if they’re in good health. Obviously that would kill a human and fry their brain but its natural for us. I don’t really know why but it comes in handy when sitting out in a blizzard for a few hours.” He answered and I smiled getting comfy on the pillows again. 25

“So what about you, what’s your story?” I asked. 26

The smile on Kieran’s face faded almost instantly. “It’s not a happy story.” He said quietly and starred up at the bars on the cage. 27

I inched closer to him and touched him. “It’s alright, you don’t have to tell me.” I said gently. 28

He shook his head a rolled over onto his side so he was facing me. “No I have to. I plan on being one of your best friends and to do that you need to know about me too.” He said and managed a slight smile before he began his tale. 29

“I was born in the southern lands in Devron forest. It’s the largest and most dangerous forest in Japan. I had lived in the great caves there with my mother, younger sister, older brother, and our pack. My father died before I was born so my uncle Tajik took his place as Alpha. There were ten of us when he took control. When my brother and sister and I grew up my brother Gaelen took his rightful place as pack leader. I became his Beta, second in command, and for a few years everything was peaceful.” He said softly. 30

I leaned in closer, very interested now knowing he had family. “When I was 20, two years ago, there was an attack on our forest. Vincent likes wolves and he wanted guard dogs for this place. We tried to fight but…” He whispered and he closed his eyes as his body shook in anger. 31

He breathed in deeply for a few minutes until his anger stopped. “Vincent killed my mother Sariel and my sister Mara. Wolves do not like to surrender or back down but not wanting to suffer any more losses Gaelen and the pack fled. I had as well but only until Vincent left. I fallowed him here and have been here ever since finding out his weaknesses until it was time to make my move to get revenge.” He finished. 32

Tears were in my eyes as I thought about what I would do if I lost Kyo. “I’m so sorry….” I said and sniffed. 33

“What happened to the pack and Gaelen?” I asked. 34

At that Kieran smirked. “He knows of everything and is waiting in Devron forest for my signal to strike.” He said and quickly wiped a tear away from my eye before it fell. 35

I looked at him a little confused. “If you’ve been here since the attack how do you keep contact with him?” I asked. 36

He chuckled and rolled onto his stomach with his arms crossed and holding his torso up. “When we change to our alternative form we are able to speak to each other through our minds. It’s a wolf thing.” He answered. 37

I gasped and slapped my forehead. “Christ why didn’t I remember that! I can do that with Yoru! He’s probably freaking out by now!” I shrieked. 38

Immediately I called out to him through our bond. “Yoru?” I asked. 39

There was no answer. I called again but then I realized I couldn’t feel his emotions either and it worried me. “Something’s wrong, I can’t reach him or feel him.” I said worriedly. 40

Kieran nodded. “You wont be able too until you’re outside. This whole palace has a protective barrier. It wont allow any contact through mental ability until you’re outside the barrier.” He answered. 41

I frowned and sank into my depression mode even farther now knowing I had no contact with him and even worse I could die in here and the last thing he remembered would be me being mad at him. 42

“It’s alright Kiree, you’ll get back to him soon I promise you. I wont let any harm come to you.” Kieran said and hugged me to him. 43

I smiled and hugged him tightly back. “Thank you Kieran.” I whispered. 44

For a couple of more hours Kieran continued to tell me about his life as a pup and more about his race. Apparently a long time ago a legend started about two men that hated each other. One day they crossed paths and got into a deadly fight. Before they even finished a new enemy appeared from the shadows and attacked. As humans the two men could not defeat the enemy even when working together. Then the gods created new souls and combined them with the human’s souls. One man was allowed to change his form into a very large animal. He was a wolf but much larger and faster then a normal wolf. The other man developed a craving for blood but with it he was able to use the shadows to hide, lift ten times his weight, and move as fast as lightning. With their teeth, claws, and newfound strength and speed they were able to defeat the enemy together. That was how the Vampire and werewolf were created. Now Vampires do not know Werewolves exist or ever did exist except for very old scrolls and books that were written when the Werewolves used to flourish in the lands. 45

Most Vampires still believe the wolves to be enemies but some still believe them to be friends. I listened intently to every word Kieran said about the legend; it seemed to mesmerize me as I pictured the fight in my mind. I wondered if Yoru and the others knew of it. Yoru didn’t seem to have a problem with wolves since his guardian was a wolf. I smiled remembering Kyo and I still had yet to get one. When Kieran was finally done talking he stretched and stood up. 46

“Time to get to work. I’ll leave the door open for you to wonder but please don’t leave this room. If Vincent or anyone else catches you there will be serious hell to pay.” He said in a serious tone. 47

After promising him I wouldn’t leave the room he finally believed me and left through the way he first came from. I sighed and grabbed an orange to eat before looking around. I looked to where Kieran had disappeared to when Raz turned the lights on and the shadows were gone. All that was in that direction was a large couch. I looked all over it and saw nothing he could hide in but then I moved the couch away from the wall. I grinned seeing a large hidden door painted to look exactly like the wall but it had a slightly different shade. I looked at it closely to figure how it opened but couldn’t see anything at first. After a minute though I spotted a very bright red button right under the door on the carpet. I pressed it and slightly jumped and the door quickly slid aside. Giggling I peered into the darkness. Sadly I couldn’t really see anything. I pressed the button again and the door closed but as soon as it did I heard talking. I jumped up quickly and put the couch back the way it was before racing to my cage. 48

I closed the door and leapt onto the pillows just as the door to the room opened. 49

Kishano growled to himself as he walked back into Vincent’s palace. He had spent a couple of days searching Kuroi Mountain for Sakeru and Kyo’s scent. He had found it but didn’t dare go into the mountain. He wouldn’t be able to hold himself back if he saw Yoru and if a fight broke out he’d have the whole coven upon him in an instant despite his relation to Kyo and Sakeru. 50

“Where is Vincent?” He asked coldly to Raz who was passing by. 51

Raz wasn’t as scared of Kishano as Vincent was but only because he has never seen the great Neko fight and become angry. Raz glared at him icily. 52

“In his Pet’s room.” He said but then slowly smirked. “He has a surprise for you down there.” He added then walked away laughing to himself. 53

A little confused Kishano headed in the direction of the stone stairs leading down to Vincent’s “Pet” room. 54

I watched the doors open and wasn’t surprised to see Vincent come in. “Hello Little one. Feel any better?” He asked grinning while coming over to the cage. 55

I ate a piece of my orange and shrugged. “I’d be a hell of a lot better if I didn’t have to stay in here like some animal.” I said coldly. 56

Vincent chuckled and pulled out a silver key. It looked just like the one Kieran had. He unlocked the door and opened it. 57

“You can do what you want but you must stay in this room or there will be a punishment you will regret.” He said narrowing his eyes as if I needed the extra sincerity. 58

I shivered slightly knowing he meant it though. I was about to say something but a very familiar scent filled my nose, one that I haven’t smelled in a long time.