(Wilford's POV)

     I sat for a while, watching the others indulge cake, I indulged in some myself of course but my mind was elsewhere. I had mainly done so because Mel convinced me to, though I will admit that it was pretty good. It was all very lovely but something just kept my mind from the presence of the party. Mel came over to check on me regularly, nearly every five minutes or so even though I had told her I was fine and that the cake just made me a bit sick. I knew she didn't believe a word I said, but I wasn't going to tell her the truth. I wasn't going to worry her by saying I didn't like Lucius being here, he set me on alert. I can still recall all of the events as if it happened yesterday and with my mate being here now... I was in no mood or mindset to allow him even a meter in her presence, I could barely tolerate him being the same house as her and the others. 

     For a while, I debated whether to talk to him or not, until Jean called Anthony and my concern grew immensely. I waited for just a tad after Anthony had gone after Jean before I went to go check on the room Lucius was staying in, just to make sure everyone was okay. I could feel Mel watching me as I left, but she didn't say anything or move to stop me. When I arrived in the room, nobody was present, this only caused my uneasy to grow even more and confused me at the same time. When I got back Mel had questioned me as to where I went, and I told her I just had to use the bathroom. I hated lying to her but I knew for now she didn't need any more stress as this situation has already taken a heavy toll on all of us. And that takes us to now.

    Everything had quieted down since the party was over. Micheal and my brother had disappeared, presumably because Jean and Anthony had returned. I could feel that their energy was worn out as if they had been through some rough times while they were gone. I could also feel Lucius was a bit off balanced and worn himself. I couldn't think of any other reason for them both to leave at the same time other than they were attending to their worn and missing mates. I took Mel to our bedroom and left her to put on PJs as I went to see if Lucius was back in his room.

    "I know you're there," his voice came out in a clear whisper. I couldn't figure out if he was talking to me or someone else. "Wilford, please come in." That was something he only called me by when he knew he was in the wrong, use to it was a silly nickname he had given me Willy War. I didn't know if I should be relieved he was talking to me or worried. Taking a deep breath, I step into his room only to find him sitting on the edge of his bed. "I was wondering if you'd come to see me tonight..." I just stood there for a bit. Now that I was here, I wasn't actually sure what to say. "I'm sure you have questions so... ask away," he said. His voice sounded odd... almost broken even. As if something was tearing him apart from the inside out... Maybe something was... His aura was definitely different from our last encounter.

    "Well, let's start simple, I guess. Where were you before? I mean, recently not back then, we can discuss the past at another point. I had come to find you and the others, but none of you were here." By his reaction, I could tell it wasn't a simple answer. His whole body tensed, and his head fell into his hands. His mind was searching for some way to explain, whether it be the truth or a lie. Yet, no words came out of his mouth. He sighed as his body slumped forward. He knew he couldn't lie to me but he wasn't ready to accept whatever had happened.

   "If I tell you... You have to promise to keep an open mind and know I don't know everything that's going on... I know just a bit of it..." His body language gave no hints of him lying which was odd that he was actually opening up to me so quickly. "And... Please... Don't touch me... I don't want him to hurt you... He's not sane..." I just give him a confused look. Now, what in blazing Hell's halls did he mean by that? I stared into his aura as I asked my question aloud.

    "Who would hurt me? Lucius, who else is here?" I ask in a quiet, gentle voice. He sighed again as he kept his head down. He seemed to attempt to make himself as small as possible or disappear completely. I noticed there was a soft hint of an off-color to his being, one that wasn't his but another's. That's impossible... 

    "Promise me, William... I can't say anything until you do so..." his voice came shallow and raspy as if he had been crying or something. I move to him, kneeling before the broken shell of my old friend. No matter how badly I wished to comfort my dear old friend, I knew I should listen to his warning even if I didn't have all of the pieces of what was going on. 

    "I promise Lucius. Now please, tell me what's happening." I looked up at him, and he shifted making eye contact with me. That's when I felt it, the sense of someone dying to break free of some sort of sealant and attack myself and all those within our home. Just looking at him I was on edge as if I was in front of an enemy and not a good friend I had once been closed to.

    "I'm being possessed. I didn't do all those things back at the house..." He tells me. I looked at him like he was losing his mind. Demonic possession only worked on mortals or weaker ranking demons if you have a power level of a Royal and even then the host normal lost their mind or died within the first month of it. Before I could say a thing though he continued, "I was feeling stress and tense one night, Mic-Mad... was out with the other guards so I decided to take a walk. I don't know what happened but during my walk, I was knocked out. The next morning, I woke up outside the back door. D-do you remember that morning?" He asks as he slowly breaks down, he seemed to actually despise his actions back then even though he looked as he clearly enjoyed every single second of it when it happened. I reached out to touch him, but remember that I promised not to and withdraw my hand.

    "I remember everyone being very confused as to why you were outside. Micheal had been worried sick looking for you, and you... weren't yourself. It was like you were trying too hard to be you. I don't think anyone but me noticed, but your eyes were different. I should have told someone..." I recalled how his eyes were an electric blue instead of his natural blinding ruby eyes. How no one else noticed before I can't say.

   "Even if you did, it would've triggered him... You remember my brother Daniel and his mate? Ericson?" I nodded my head as the confusion set in. What did they have to do with this? Last I had heard there was some sort of falling out even though they had mated, they hadn't been together for years. "E-Eric's... He's in my head... I... I don't know how but he is!" His ruby reds shone so brightly as tears spilled over and his body began to shake. "I didn't want to hurt anyone, Willy... I had no control when I hurt everyone..." I gulped as I watched him. I was concerned for him, but at the same time, I was relieved. I knew he couldn't have hurt Micheal so badly or his actual mate. That was NEVER Lucius no matter what people thought, he only fights to protect not for enjoyment or to tear other's down.

    "Does anyone else know about this?" I ask quietly. I wanted to help him, but I wasn't sure how. He shook his head before violently wiping at his eyes. He was like a child that was owning up to something they knew was wrong but went along with.

    "I mean... Jean and Anti have seen what happens when I'm off the serum... Eric isn't sane... I don't even know how the Hell they got him into an injection to get him into me... If that's how they even did it... I don't know..." He begins to full-on sob as his body began to shake horribly. "He wanted to take Victor from me. I wanted to leave Micheal because I knew I wasn't making him happy anymore and I was okay with that because I felt the same way. Victor... He just... I don't know how to explain it." A wide smile appeared across his lips though I could sense it was dearly broken. He knew back then just like we all did, Victor and he were mates, not Micheal and him just like Micheal should have been with Jean all this time. His smile dropped as memories seemed to flood through him. "But after that night/morning... Eric threated that he would take Victor from me if I ever left Micheal for him... I didn't know about Victor being..." His voices turn to more sobbing and whimpers. What was he talking about? What was going on with Virus? So many more questions ran through my head but I knew if I questioned him anymore tonight, I would either trigger Eric or cause my friend to hyperventilate and fall into a panic or anxiety attack.

    "Okay, Lucius, I need you to calm down. Look at me and take deep breaths, okay?" I decided it would be best to drop the subject entirely. I wanted dearly to pull him into a hug, but I'm not one to break promises. Even if they are stupid or impossible. I'll keep it. He glances up at me as I watch his eyes shift again. I wasn't letting this happen again, I attempted to channel some soothing energy to him only for him to shake his head.

   "Don't. Please, don't. It will only cause more harm than help right now... You need to go... If I talk much more he'll wake up... I have another dosage at my club. If I give you an image, would please retrieve all of it you can find? Please?" He voice had turned from broken to... I don't know how to describe it. I knew he was trying to be strong but I feared if he continued on like that, he'd lose himself soon. I nod quickly, knowing he needed that desperately.

   "Of course. Anything I can do to help you, my old friend." He smiled kindly at me before explaining where the bottles were and what I was looking for. His aura was stronger than before and that numbing blue I saw earlier was duller which hopefully meant Eric was still under the medications right now.

    "M-make sure to bring the injectors as well... They're customized for this serum and only this serum. Otherwise, I'd have to drink it and trust me, they don't taste very good," he attempts a joke at the end. He even cracked a small smile for me as well. I managed to smile back at him, despite how worried I was. I nodded to him and stood, teleporting myself to his bar, where I knew his lab was located.

    "Well, shit..." I muttered as I walked in. I couldn't believe what a mess the place was. It was terrible. I worked my way through the overturned tables and broken chairs, the sound of broken glass crunching under my every step. I pushed open the door to his lab, and quickly found the serum and it's injectors all hidden nicely together in a drawer. And damn, was there a lot of it. How often does he need to take this stuff? When did he even find time to make it with Eric in control. Unless he had made it in advance for whatever reason. Those were questions to be asked at another time. Maybe there would be a way to talk to Eric? Hell knows that would be difficult though. From the sounds of it, he was off his rocker worst than Jean had been when...

    "No, no time to think on that," I shake my head of the memories as I teleport back to Lucius. I smile and had him the collection of vials and injectors. He smiled widely and thanked me, I smiled back as I turn to leave.

   "And Wil-Willy?" His voice came out clear and kindly just it use to be. "Take good care of her and protect her forever. It's something too precious to let slip from your hands." He turned away from me as I nodded and closed the door. He didn't need to tell me twice, I knew he was referring to my Melody. I hope one day we can recover Victor from whatever ungodly hole he fell into and show him who his true mate is. A slight smile tugged at my lips as I began to work my way through the halls back to my room where Mel was waiting.

    "Everything alright?" Her voice sang in my ears even though she just simply asked. Everything she said always rang like a song and Hell knows I loved it. I advanced towards the bed before remembering I needed to change but shrugged it off for the moment. 

    "YeS, sWeEtHeArT~ eVeRyThInG iS oKaY~" I reply in the voice she loves so much, I even throw in a goofy smile and wiggle of my florescent pink mustache in hopes of receiving a giggle from her. She smiles and laughs, before jumping to her feet and running over to give me a hug.

    "Where'd ya go?" She asked quietly, resting her head on my chest. I smile and gently stroke her hair. She deserved to know it all but for tonight, I'd just give her the short version.

    "I'm sorry for disappearing for so long, I was just visiting an old friend," I smile calmly as pull back a bit to kiss her forehead. "Are you ready for bed?" I ask sweetly before realizing from now on I'd have to wear my PJs when I went to bed. I don't think it would be appropriate for me to sleep nude or in boxers this early in our relationship. My cheeks burn red and Hell knows I'm glad she can't see my face right now. She yawned slightly and hummed as I played with her hair.

    "Yeah, I was barely able to stay awake waiting for you," she giggled out. I felt her pull away from my body to look up at me, and I turned my head aside a bit to hide my blush. I smile widely at the thought of her only being awake to wait on me.

    "Wait no longer," I scoop her up into my arms and gingerly placed on my pale pink and black bed as I snap my fingers so I was dressed in a comfy pair of pink and white striped silk PJs. "Rest now my love~" I hum into her ears as I pulled her close to my chest. She snuggled deeper into my arms as she finally dozes off. A smile of love and care graces my lips as I soon follow pursuit, kissing the top of her head before falling into a blissful sleep.