Sarah walks from the kitchen and hands Naomi a plate. The day had flown by quickly considering the time the two woke up. The events of the evening slowly began becoming apparent in her mind. Of course she kissed him. She gave herself a long lecture in the shower before rushing to class which she somehow managed to make on time.

"So my professor said that I smelt like a brewery and that in future I should not bring myself to state in the way that I did. Although she was impressed by my dedication."

Naomi grins at Sarah. She knew her best friend would never forgive herself if she missed a class. Through-out the day Naomi battled with an unexplainable sadness. She had an appointment with her therapist. The same therapist she had since she could talk. Marsha. Her session was long, longer than what anticipated and Naomi felt lighter when she left. The sessions with Marsh always helped.

"How'd it go with Marsha?"

Naomi spoons a scoop of spaghetti into her mouth. She chews it and swallows then shrugs.

"It went well. I always feel better after seeing her."

"That's good. You told her about the dream? The whole dream?"

"Yes the whole dream, laying in bed being unable to move and then the screaming. I told her. We've dissected it as anxiety resulting from childhood trauma. Hopefully tonight I'll get a full night's sleep. What time is the movie starting?"

Sarah lifts the remote and turns the TV on. She flicks through the channels before settling one just in time. The movie begins and they watch on in silence. About halfway through the movie Sarah dozes off. Naomi battles a yawn then decides against staying awake to watch the rest of the movie. She covers Sarah with a black and grey knitted throw and turns the TV off. She's almost tempted to straighten Sarah's room but chooses against it.

Naomi locks the door and turns off lights except for the bathroom on her way to her room. In her room she walks to her desk and picks up her hair brush. She unties her messy bun and brushes through her hair, her mind drifting to Raurlin. Raurlin with his tousled thick hair and hazel brown eyes. With the golden ring around irises. Naomi sighs deeply feeling a tinge of sadness at the thought of him. Perhaps the thought of what could have been.

Naomi plaits a simple braid and walks back to her bed. She flicks the lamp on the bedside table on and turns off the main light. Her pajamas are neatly folded under her pillow case and she pulls it out. Her satin blue nightgown with a lace trim. Sarah had bought it for her for her birthday the year before. She wore it mostly out of sentiment. It was cute, still, and necessary for the warm weather.

Naomi pulls the duvet on her bed back and slides underneath it. She adjusts onto her pillow until she decides she's comfortable. She turns the lamp off then quickly shuts her eyes tightly. She slowly opens her eyes and allows a few minutes for her eyes to adjust. The light for the bathroom glows at the bottom of the door and slowly her room starts to take shape. The city lights brighten her curtains slightly and Naomi tells herself that she is safe. Soon she is asleep.

Naomi's eyes flutter open and she reaches to rub her eyes before realising that her arms haven't moved. A slight panic settles through her as she looks around. Quickly she realises she isn't in her room or her bed. She exhales realising she's dreaming. She turns her neck to her left and Jackson is sitting on a chair beside her. There's a drip running with the needle in her hand. Her hand starts to ache.

Naomi frowns at Jackson and croaks "What are you doing here?"

Jackson closes a book he's reading and rests it on his lap. He leans forward and gently moves some hair off oh Naomi's forehead.

"Dream-walking is just one of my talents, Naomi. I was hoping to speak to you."

"Why can't I move?"

"You can. He can't."

"Who is he?"

There's a pause.

"You know who he is Naomi. He will die without you. He's my best friend. I won't let that happen."

A tear runs down Naomi's cheek and across her earlobe. There's a lump in her throat.

"I don't want him to die, Jackson."

"Then you know what to do Naomi-"

"-No I don't."

"Yes you do. Wake up Naomi. Wake up!"

Raurlin shoves past Lyjil despite his disdain. Jackson had tried to talk him out of confronting Stellan but Jackson settled for being present to prevent outright war. Stellan who grew up alongside Tormund fought with Jackson and Raurlin in The Great War. He took them both under his wing and as time passed Raurlin was able to stop referring to him as Uncle Stellan and began referring to him as just Stellan. Until of course he was voted king. Then he became known as his majesty.

Lyjil grabs Jackson on the arm and snaps "his majesty is busy Jackson! This kind of behaviour is severely unwarranted. Don't make me remove you both."

The elevator opens with a ding and Jackson looks between Raurlin and Lyjil with a sense of urgency. Lyjil releases Jackson who rushes after Raurlin just in time before the elevator doors shut. Red pours from Raurlins golden irises and his claw-like nails extend slowly from each finger. Large fangs drop from his mouth. His breathing increases. Jackson's body tenses and he braces as the elevator comes to a halt. The doors open and Stellan is peering over his large desk at a variety of papers. There are a few heads of states pointing things out and speaking very hushed.

Stellan looks up at the doors as they open and says "ladies, gentlemen please give me the room."

Jackson and Raurlin step into the room and the heads of states make for the elevator. As soon as the doors are closed Raurlin leaps at Stellan. He wraps a hand tightly around Stellans neck and the nails cause the king to bleed. Stellan grabs Raurlin's wrist and snaps it with ease. Keeping a grasp on the wrist he uses it to propel Raurlin away from him. Raurlin snaps his wrist back into place.

"Did you know?"

The king remains silent.

"Tell me Stellan, did you know?"

Stellan sighs deeply and settles into his large chair.

"Sit Raurlin. I will tell you everything I know."

Raurlin digs his nails into his hands, breathing heavily still. Jackson guides him to a chair. Raurlin drops down but remains silent. Stellan pulls a drawer beside him open and pulls out a red file. He drops it onto the table and rubs at his temples. The silence is palpable.

"Do you know why your father never took the throne, Raurlin?"

"Because of my mothers death."

"Yes partially but also because he felt as though he couldn't rule our people when he was keeping such a big secret from you. At the end of The Great War I didn't know what the secret was. He was my advisor before Lyjil but stepped down when The Illness-"

"-I know Stellan."

The king nods once and continues "before he stepped down he gave me this file. He told me to give it to you when the time was right. I never knew what he meant by it. Your mother had an affair Raurlin. Tormund is not your biological father. But listen to me closely he will always be your Pappa."

"Who is my biological father Stellan."

The king slides the file across the table to Raurlin. He rests his elbows on the table. Raurlin looks at the file but doesn't reach to pick it up. He looks from the file to Stellan. Jackson picks the file off the table and rests it in his lap.

"Who is he Stellan?"

"Not 'is' but what Raurlin. Who was he. All I know is that he was a lycan. All the answers are in that file Raurlin. I never read it. Raurlin, forgive me?"

Raurlin is silent a moment then nods once. His fangs retract and the hazel colour returns to his eyes. He feels weak, slightly light headed. The king produces a blood bag and hands it to Raurlin. Raurlin accepts it and gulps it down quickly. He hands half to Jackson who accepts it without complaint.

"Raurlin, I don't want to make an order but I will. Go and discover who you really are. Learn your true history in addition to the one you have lived. I will be here. I can assure you that I will be here. Go and discover."