Naomi pulls the handbrake up in front of a small shopping centre. Sarah lifts her phone up and locks the screen after turning the GPS off. Naomi inhales and exhales deeply. It's noisy. Almost too noisy. Naomi squeezes her eyes shut.

She leans back against the car seat and the headrest. A burst of noise seems to be banging against the very fabric of the car and Naomi winces. She clenches down hard on her cheeks and a sudden shift seems to slam into her. It's an uncomfortable restless feeling that sends goosebumps all across her kids.

Sarah is about to push the door open then she turns to Naomi with a question. Her best friend is resting against the car seat and she is pale faced and trembling. Sarah drops a hand into Naomi's and Naomi jerks then prys her eyes open. They are glowing and pulsating.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what's just come over me."

"How can I help?"

"I just need to focus on something. Consistent."

Sarah squeezes Naomi's hand and Naomi dares to face her. Sarah has a gentle, easy smile. She lifts Naomi's hand and presses it to her chest. Naomi allows her hand to be guided to her best friend's chest. Sarah's chest rises and falls and Naomi can feel the vibration of her breathing under her skin. The steady thumping of her heartbeat lulls a certain drumming into Naomi's ears until it's the only thing she hears.

There's a rich and unexpected smell of blood that swirls up in between them. Naomi's gums begin to ache and she runs her tongue along her teeth before biting down hard on her tongue.

"I can smell blood but you're not bleeding."

Sarah flushes with a chuckle. "Feeling better? Come on, let's go!"

Sarah drops Naomi's hand and she hops out the car clutching her handbag against her side. Naomi watches on in brief confused silence before she forces herself out the car. Naomi takes a few long strides to catch up to her best friend. The two intertwine hands and begin walking in between the different shops.

❄

Naomi flings the boot open and she dumps her and Sarah's shopping bags in. Sarah types away on her phone beside Naomi. Their shopping trip proved to be incredibly successful and exorbitant upon Raurlin insisting they use his bank card for any purchases.

Sarah insisted that since Naomi is a newly borne vampire she should have no problem carrying their bags. Naomi didn't argue wanting to test the limits of her new body.

Naomi pulls the boot shut with a shiver. She shoves her hands into the warm pockets of Raurlins coat. Sarah huffs as the two embark in Raurlins car.

"Can you believe Jax? What is with him and sending five thousand texts?"

Naomi turns the key in the ignition with an eye roll. She turns the heating on and waits for a few moments.

"Okay how many messages did he actually send, Sarah?"

Sarah turns the radio on as Naomi pulls out of the parking lot.

"Three messages are still a lot, Naomi. And a missed call! He needs to just take it easy."

Naomi chuckles. The car ride back to their new home is quiet and comfortable and briefly things feel normal. Or some new version of normal.

The car rolls to a stop at the large gate and the elaborate gate lurches open. Naomi directs the car to the front door That swings open. Horatio begins a slow walk out the front door and down the stairs. Sarah glances at Horatio out the window.

"He's so cute I really like him," Sarah announces.

Naomi can't hide her amusement and she laughs. "I'm pretty sure he can hear you." Naomi looks past Sarah at Horatio who is definitely battling back a smile.

Naomi hops out the car and walks round the back, opening the boot. Horatio settles beside Naomi and Sarah beside Horatio.

"Your grace, my lady, it seems this morning was quite the adventure. May I assist with your bags?"

"Thank you Horatio. Please leave the bags in the lounge or dining room."

Sarah trots up the stairs and Naomi follows on behind her. The house is warm and toasty and there is a rich smell of whiskey and burning wood. Naomi shrugs Raurlins coat off and she looks around the house with a smile. Home.

Sarah takes hold of Naomi's hand again and guides her into the kitchen. There are cookies baking in the oven and they smell delicious. Naomi's stomach rumbles. Sarah settles her bag on the counter top and she pries it open. She lifts two blood bags out her bag and sets them on the counter.

Naomi takes steps back until the back of her knees hit the counter behind her. Naomi folds her arms over her chest. Sarah darts out the kitchen then returns then returns with a large matte black travel mug in hand. She eases the cup down beside the blood bags.

Sarah settles a look at Naomi.

"Breathe Naomi. There's nothing to be freaked out about okay? It's like I said for everything you need I'll donate. You're not taking from someone who needs, you're not hurting anyone. This is just some life juice that you need. When you're ready you can come in here and pour your juice in this here cup. I've got a couple different colours for you and for Raurlin and Jackson. It's a slow process but we're going to get through it together okay?"

Naomi can feel her eyes swell with tears. She manages to nod her agreement. Sarah sets the bags into the fridge. As she does, Jackson walks into the kitchen. He smiles warmly at Naomi then at Sarah.

"Hey ladies. Seems like you had a successful shopping trip. Naomi, do you mind if I steal Sarah for a few minutes? I think Raurlin and Stellan are in his office."

Naomi nods with a quick glance at Sarah. She walks out the kitchen not allowing herself to slow down, afraid her tears may overwhelm her.

Naomi comes to a halt outside Raurlins office and she knocks on the door once then twice. There's mud noise from inside before Stellan swings the door open. He beams down at Naomi and steps aside ushering Naomi into the room.

Naomi looks around the office. It's neat and tidy. There is a window looking out to the driveway that is slightly cracked and there's a chilly breeze rustling through the room. Raurlin grins at Naomi and he pushes his chair back slightly motioning for her to where he is.

Naomi can't help herself. She walks round the table and perches down on his leg. Raurlin wraps an arm around Naomi's waist and pulls her against him and Stellan pulls a chair to the window. He settles down with a soft smile at Raurlin and Naomi. A surprise sadness pulls at his heart.

Raurlin drops a trail of kisses along Naomi's neck. He nestles into the base of her neck and inhales deeply. He exhales and his breath tickles against Naomi's skin. Naomi chuckles and wriggles against him, turning to face him.

"My Queen."

"My King."

"Did you have a good trip?"

Naomi nods then purses her lips. She stands up and walks round the desk then perches on the edge of the desk and glances between Raurlin and Stellan.

"Actually...something happened."

Both Raurlin and Stellan snap to attention with an instant shift in the atmosphere in the room. A ferocity so intense it's almost tangible. Naomi fights back a shudder.

"I'm fine. We're both fine. But when we were at the clinic I met a man. He knew who I was."

Raurlin visibly tenses. "What were you doing at the clinic?" He demands. It's a question that's a statement full of authority. Naomi shrugs it off.

"Dealing with hunger. But focus, Raur. He knew who I was. I doubt that he was there by chance. I think he may have followed us. He told me his name was Axel. He had these really dark gleaming eyes. Definitely a vampire. Big bulky guy."

"What did he want?" Raurlin cuts in through clenched teeth.

Naomi rolls her eyes with a huff. "He called me 'your grace'. He said he wanted to speak about the lineage of his niece. I told him that I would contact him and that we would meet with him. I don't know what he meant by lineage..."

Stellan stands, folding his arms. "And what did you say his name was, Naomi?"

"Axel. He said his name was Axel."

Stellan glances at Raurlin and Raurlin nods once. Naomi frowns at the blatant glance. She stands up too, mimicking Stellans stance.

"Don't do that," she snaps, "don't have secret glances. Tell me what's going on. What's the plan? Don't leave me out if this, Axel approached me."

Promptly Raurlins cell phone rings loudly. He fishes it out his phone as he looks at the screen.

"I'm sorry Naomi, it's Mikain and I need to get this."

Stellan ushers Naomi out the door and into the lounge. There's no sign of Sarah or Jackson about. Naomi walks briskly into the lounge and settles into a couch in front of the fireplace. Stellan eases down beside Naomi.

"Naomi..."

"You're meant to be my advisor, Stellan. Advise me."

Stellan nods his head. "Okay, your grace. I am to date the best vampire tracker our race has seen. I track him, do a bit of recon and see what I can find. Make sure it's a legit query then reach out."

Naomi nods slowly as Stellan speaks. "I want to come with you. I want to learn." Naomi looks up at Stellan and something in her look that leads Stellan to nod his agreement immediately.

"Why is Mikain calling?" Naomi demands.

Stellan exhales loudly. "I'd rather you speak directly to Raurlin but he's thinking about hosting a feast here. Opening your home up to the vampires and werewolves. I do believe his grace has the intention to have Horatio begin a codied account of our history."

Stellan pauses. "I've been tasked with looking into your history, Naomi. Figure out your lineage and your history. I'll be going to Baneery soon."

Naomi chews on her bottom lip. "Thank you for telling me. I have much to discuss with our king it seems."

Stellan offers a hand and he pulls Naomi to her feet. "Come Naomi, today you start learning."

Authors Note:
This book is a Wattpad exclusive if you're reading this anywhere else then my work was published without my authorisation.