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•You've got to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you love.•
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I walk down the empty halls, bag bouncing lightly against my hip, fiddling with the bracelet. It's finally Friday, I'm wearing just a plain cropped white sweatshirt with high waisted leggings that go up right under my belly button piercing. My white converse squeak slightly on the tiles as I avoid the windows in the full classrooms.

It isn't my fault I'm late; Mrs. Pots didn't wake me up cause she slept past her own alarm. So now I'm running inside my second period, pulling my hair up into a messy bun.

"Uh, hey Mrs. Jacobe," I say sweetly, making her role her eyes.

"Just sit down Fenbella." She says hiding a smile. I grin and walk towards Tommy and Ryan.

"Hey." I smile at them as I take my seat. They immediately lean closer eyes flicking from me and the teacher.

"You okay? Damian's freaking out." Ryan says, face stuck in his usual, 'meh' pose.

"That kid needs to take breathers. Just tell him I slept in and I'm here now." I say quietly writing down the notes.

"Already done." Tommy grins as he looks to me.

"What...?" I ask looking at him suspiciously. He has that gleam in his eye, a gleam I don't exactly trust.

"You and Alpha, you've made it a whole week without a fight." I almost scoff at how proud he sounded. It's true, the last time we fought was when I found out about his pay games. And since then we've been fine. Now it's Friday, a week later, and he has somehow convinced me going on a date with him is a good idea.

"Look, just because we haven't fought doesn't mean anything-"

"Oh contraire, mademoiselle." Tommy says wagging his finger. I vaguely see Mrs. Jacobe turning the time over to us for homework, which I dutifully get out and begin to do while listening to Tommy. "It is a big step, a step I am proud to witness. You're even going on a date!" He says smirking.

"How the hell do you know that?" Ryan asks, looking at Tommy wide eyed.

"Um, Connor told me." Tommy says waving his hand offhandedly.

"Connor said he only told me though." Ryan says frowning slightly.

"Connor said he only told me." Tommy mumbles pouting. I glare at both before at my table.

"And Damian said he wouldn't tell anyone." Both the boys freeze at my words before looking between me and and each other sheepishly.

"Looks like that week of no fights is gonna go down the drain." Ryan says cracking a smile while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Guys." I start, rolling my eyes. "You make it seem like I search for the fights."

"Well." They Both day in a sing song voice. I groan flipping them off before going back to my school work.

"Tell Damian if he tries to come see me and miss his class, I won't go on the date with him." I say breezily, as I find the derivative of the set of composite functions.

"How'd you know he was coming?" Tommy asks, eyebrows lifted up in surprise.

"Look, just because I've only known him for a week, doesn't mean I have figured out his ways." I state simply. "He gets way to worried then freaks out and insists on being the first responder to any problem, be the hero, fix it and clean it up." Both the boys turn to each other and chuckle at the truth in my words. "But I don't need saving today boys, I just need my own alarm clock."

~•~•~

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you're going on a date with Damian!" Coral pouts, her whole face looking dejected.

"Coral, it's not like that. We weren't supposed to tell anyone be-" she interrupts me eyes narrowing.

"You know I had to find out from Vinny. Vinny Johnston? The guy who doesn't know anything!" She exclaims as we walk in to our final class before lunch.

"Hey!" Vinny says, growing from his chair.

"Sorry Vin, But you know it's the truth." Coral says sending him an unapologetic smile. I run my hand down my face before she takes them my the wrists as we sit down, pulling them away from my face. "Um, don't do that. You'll get premature wrinkles."

I bark out a laugh at her odd little fashion advice. "Look, Coral I didn't tell you, and Damian wasn't supposed to tell anyone, because I didn't want people-" once again I'm interrupted by a girl, who I thinks name is Jen.

"Congratulations, Luna." Her voice was excited as she hugs me close. I wince but force a smile onto my face.

"Thanks." I whisper out as she leaves to take her seat. I turn back to Coral pointing to Jen. "Because I don't want people calling me Luna, or congratulating me. It's just a date, nothing to freak out over."

"Well I guess I get that but-" she stops eyes glazing over, alerting me that the pack link was in progress. I stop, ignoring the bell ring just as her eyes return to normal, Connor bursts in looking between us.

"Mr. Houghs, I need Enania Fenbella and Coral Black." Connor was out of breath, looking panicky. Coral and I both stand, my face confused and hers with fear.

"What the hell is going on?" I ask once we are out of the classroom. As we near the front and I still have any answers I see all our warriors in front of the school, Damian, and Robert, the Third in Command.

"Guys." I growl out as we burst through the front doors. All heads turn to look at me as the warriors swarm around me in a protective circle. "Damian, you better tell me what the fuck is going on right now before I start throwing fists." My eyes connect with his challengingly.

"Enania," he completely ignores my threats briefly as he wraps his arms around me, burying his head into my the crook of my neck taking my scent in. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't doing the same exact thing. "I'll explain when we get home, but as of right now you're in danger." My eyes widen at his words but nod for him to continue as we move as a single unit to his black Jeep. I climb in and sit in the back with Tommy and Ryan, in full warrior mode, on either side of me. Passenger is Coral, driver is Connor. Where is Damian you ask? Look under me.

His arms wrap around my waist as we drive cradling me tightly as of afraid something will take me away from him. We drive in what reminds me of, a convey. Our car in the middle with three in front and three in back.

Finally we reach the Manor, I don't know how long I can keep the questions inside. As I'm ushered in my hand stays locked with Damian's suddenly very uncomfortable with all the warriors around me. With my racing heart rate, we make it upstairs and into Rick's office. He sits at the desk, eyes wide, hair sticking up in different places. Janet stands next to him, hand on his shoulder, as she looks at me red eyed.

"Guys what is going on?" My breath catches in my throat, my hand immediately shoots to my wrist to begin playing with the worn bracelet.

"Nia." Rick says softly motioning to the couch. Damian tugs me there where he sits down before pulling me into his lap. I've learned to accept his Alpha behavior, although it's not always convenient. Seeing that I'm settled Rick continues.

"What do you remember of your pack?" He starts off.

"I've told you before. Not much, though I've recently discovered we were the strongest pack in the Americas, but the most influential pack in all of the world." I say simply stating a fact, getting more confused by the second.

"Yes, Fenbella Moon Pack Alpha was known for always being the wolf representative in the Council of Nine." I tilt my head, remembering the Council from one of my many books. "The Council of Nine holds a single representative from each of the nine most populated supernatural species; Wolves, Vampires, Witches, Fae, Elves, Reapers, Gnomes, Merfolk, and Nymphs." He goes on to explain further at my nod of understanding. "The Ninth and Final seat is always the most important person, they are the tie breaker, they hold the most power, and they are the most dangerous. Well your father was that Ninth Member, and the very next day of the attack he was going to the Grondo House to cast the final vote of a very important decision.

What to do in case of mass human discovery. That was the issue, and we had no idea how the world would react. So a choice was given; a plan. Take over and become the superior beings so many believed us to be or living with them in peace if they allow it and do not wish for war." Rick runs a hand through his hair. "Your father's choice was obvious. He and almost every other representative wanted peace. Only Witches and Reapers wanted the total chaos. So in order to stop your father from completing the vote and finalizing it, someone attacked your pack." He sighs, eyes meeting my own. "At the time we thought it a simple rogue attack, but with the Council's further digging we found a Sorcerer was involved. Nia you and your Pack was assassinated, throwing the Supernatural world into chaos. With the Ninth seat killed, the Plan has to be out on hold until someone as fit and suited for the role could be found; to this day the seat hasn't been filled, causing more stress to the Supernatural world. But that's another story for another time." Rick crosse shis arms growing more serious than ever. "Some how, the people that wanted Kennith and his heirs dead, has caught wind of you." He leaves the rest unsaid, but I know. I know exactly what he's implying.

"They're coming to kill me before the Council finds me."

Damian's POV

When I got the link saying Nia was in danger I almost threw up. Knowing my mate, my precious mate, that had finally seemed to settle down, was in danger, killed me.

Now I sit next to her, as she sleeps quietly. Her eyes flicker underneath her almost translucent eyelids. I can't lose her, now that I have her I don't know what I'd do without her.

Her delicate pale nose twitches as she murmurs softly, letting out a huff of air before shifting around. A smile makes its way on my lips at how pure and innocent she looked when she slept.

My door creeps open, as I turn my head it reveals Connor. "She asleep?" He asks softly as he walks up behind me. I nod my head in confirmation.

"Been asleep." I sigh running my hand through my hair.

"What are we gonna do?" He asks softly.

"We can't tell the Council. They'll want her sworn in immediately only because of who her dad is." I say when I turn to him. "That will only draw attention to her and make her more of a target."

"Wouldn't they have more security on her if we told them?" He asks.

"No amount of security can stop an attack." My reply is the truth, my father and I agree keeping her a secret is the best.

"But we can?" Connor retorts.

"We aren't being watched by all the Supernatural world like they are." A shrug accompanies my words. "Our movements and plans won't be public information that could help aid an attack."

"I'm not questioning because I don't believe you and your father, I'm questioning to make sure we've thought of everything. I just wanna protect her." He states after a few minutes of silence, looking at his future Luna with worry and respect.

"I do too Connor." Comes my soft whisper, filled with fear. "I do too."

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•When you need me, I'll step out of the shadows and protect what's mine.•
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