n

n

n~~

nReece

n~~

n

"What's got you grinning so much?

" Noah growled as soon as I walked into my office. Yeah, I'm not going to answer that question, at least not honestly. I couldn't very well tell him that I was grinning like a loon because I had just had some of the best sex of my life, and with his cousin no less.

n

"Nothing really, just had a good morning.

" I told him.

n

"You call us getting attacked by a crazy vampire and needing to fight him to the death as a good morning?

" Vincent's voice was full of incredulity.

n

"No, I was referring to after.

"

n

"After?

" Vincent was confused.

"What happened after?

"

n

"I don't think I want to know the answer to that.

" Noah glared at me.

n

"That's why I said nothing.

" I smiled at them both.

"Now, let's get down to business.

n

"So, what was so important that you needed to call this meeting?

" Noah growled, still angry.

"Yeah, I get that the vamp attack was major, but I'm guessing that wasn't all of it.

"

n

"No, that's not the entirety of the meeting. Yes, I wanted to discuss the attack, but not with you two.

"

n

"Then who?

" Vincent asked me.

n

"The man who sent that pile of ashes to see me.

"

n

"Who sent him?

" Noah wondered.

n

"Lord Dietrich Conrad, the Vampire Emperor.

" I heard their sharp intakes of breath upon hearing those words.

n

"Lord Dietrich?

" Noah gasped.

n

"The Vampire Emperor?

" Vincent seemed a little more shocked about that title than the other one.

n

"What does he want with us?

" Noah demanded.

n

"I contacted him. My family has had dealings with him going back at least three hundred years apparently. He had known my family since long before my ancestors moved to this country.

"

n

"Why in the world would you want to involve vampires in our pack business though? And why now?

"

n

"Why now?

" I asked Noah with shock filling my voice.

"I need his help, that's why. The vampires have ways of tracking that we don't And he, or someone he knows, might know Edmond. If they can help me track him down sooner, then I fully intend on using him and his connections to my family to their fullest extent.

" I was speaking with an intense tone, telling them the truth of the matter when all of a sudden there was a knock at the door. The twins, Shane and Shawn were back for some reason.

n

"What do you want?

" I yelled at them through the door.

n

"Alpha, we have a request.

" I heard one of them yell back.

n

"Just get your asses in here. I hate talking through doors.

" They opened the door at my words and I saw that they didn't look nervous, on the contrary they looked determined and sure of themselves. They walked into the room and stood near the mantle of the fireplace like they usually did. One on each side like weird bookends.

n

"Thank you, Alpha, for letting us enter.

" Shawn said.

n

"What do you want?

" I growled at them slightly, letting them know I wasn't too happy about the interruption.

n

"Sir, we know you called this meeting to discuss the attack today.

" Shawn spoke clearly and without fear, even after my warning growl. Brave man.

n

"We want to be part of that discussion. We may not be the head of the Luna's guard like Vincent is, but we were there too.

" Shane spoke in his brusque, informal way of talking.

n

"That's right Sir, we were there and we are also guards to the Luna, we want to be part of any discussion that might affect her security.

"

n

"Is that so?

" They nodded at exactly the same time at my words.

"Fine, maybe you should be part of the discussion. You will have to be part of all this anyway, it will save us all a little time. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, from now on, unless it is sensitive information that I cannot share with you, you will be part of the main discussions. I should have David here as well next time, if he is not too busy with the investigation. But you're right that all of her guards should be privy to these conversations.

"

n

"Thank you, Sir.

"

n

"Thanks.

" They each thanked me with gratitude in their voices and determination in their eyes.

n

"Alright men, what we need to do first, is contact the Vampire Emperor and let him know what happened.

" I heard the gasps from the twins that had not been here for the previous part of the conversation.

"Oh, did I forget to mention to you two, the vampire that showed up today was sent here as an emissary from the Vampire Emperor himself, Lord Dietrich Conrad.

"

n

"Sir, why is the Vampire Emperor sending men to speak with you?

" Shawn looked nervous for a moment.

n

"My family has had dealings with him for over three hundred years. The connections go back to when my family still lived in Europe. I contacted him for help with finding Edmond.

" They both looked stunned at this revelation.

"Now, if there are no more interruptions, I am going to video call our Lord Dietrich now, I don't want this call delayed any longer.

"

nThe large flat screen that hung opposite of my desk glowed around the edges of the black box, waiting for the vampire to connect to the video call. I figured he was probably waiting for me to call him with an update with how the meeting had gone, but he probably wasn't expecting it to be a video call.

nI have talked to Dietrich a handful of times over the years since I took over the company, but I have never seen the man in person. I knew he was over five hundred years old and he had become the leader of the vampires over two hundred years ago. He has ruled them ever since.

nI know that without him my family's empire would never have gotten as big as it is. Also, his business in Europe would not be quite as profitable if it wasn't for my family. We owe each other a lot, that is why my family has worked with him for so long. My family has never held prejudices over the other species of super naturals, so it made sense for us to work together.

nThe black finally changed, shifting from solid black to a well lit office space decorated in an eclectic collection modern and antique. I'm guessing those antiques weren't bought as antiques but when they were still new.

n

"So, Reece Gray, we finally meet face to face. Well sort of. You look very much like your grandfather, Roland and his grandfather Sebastian. Perhaps that look skips a generation. Seeing you brings back many memories.

" He was smiling at me with a friendly, open look on his face.

"I trust that everything is well with you.

" He opened his arms wide in a sweeping gesture to signal me to begin talking.

n

"Lord Conrad-.

" I began but I was immediately interrupted.

n

"Nonsense Reece, your family and I have been like family for so long, please drop the formalities.

" I was at a loss, I didn't know if I should treat him like a friend right now or not given what had happened.

n

"Alright, Dietrich.

" I paused and saw him nod at me while smiling broadly, oddly enough I didn't see his fangs at the moment.

"Things aren't so great right now actually.

"

n

"What could have happened?

" He seemed genuinely concerned for me at that. Would that last when I told him what happened?

n

"Your emissary is dead.

" I decided to get straight to the point.

n

"What!

" Shock filled his voice.

"Tell me what happened Reece, please.

" Dietrich's piercing blue eyes, so light blue they nearly looked white, were filled with unease now. He was an interesting looking man. His light blue eyes, pale complexion, black hair, and regal manner all made him look like some historical novel character come to life. He was wearing an expensive suit, I could tell through the video it was high end. His face was full of concern yet not a wrinkle appeared anywhere on his perfectly angular face.

n

"The vampire that you sent, I don't even know his name as he never gave it to us.

"

n

"His name was Octavius, he had been one of my most loyal subjects for a very long time now.

" His eyes seemed to drift, as if in memory.

n

"I wish he would have had your disposition toward us that you do.

" I told him.

n

"I am indeed perplexed, Reece, what happened today?

"

n

"He attacked my mate.

" The shock that enveloped his face at those words was beyond description. He was instantly furious yet apologetic at the same time.

n

"I should never have sent him. I am truly sorry, more than I could ever express. Octavius had no problem with wolves, well little to no problem. But unfortunately, he still lived in an antiquated mindset. Had I known that you had finally found a mate I would have sent someone else. For all his faults though, Octavius might have been the best among my people to help you in your search. If only he had not acted improperly.

"

n

"It wasn't just improper. Aside from speaking to her in a way that he never should have, he physically attacked her and her guards. He kicked my mate across my yard, I caught her out of the air myself, Dietrich. And I assure you, it was not just anger that made me kill him. He continued his egotistical and misogynistic behavior and tried to further assault my fiance and her guards.

"

n

"May I ask how you managed to defeat him? Octavius was a very skilled fighter and quite the user of shadow travel.

" Dietrich never once looked angry toward me, however, his clear, accent free voice was both apologetic and curious.

n

"We eliminated all the shadows around him.

" My answer was short and not very fulfilling for him, but I needed to keep my new information a secret for now.

n

"How, if I may ask?

"

n

"I'm sorry, for now I cannot answer that. Perhaps one day if we meet in person I may tell you, but at this point in time, I can't.

"

n

"Understood, understood, no worries Reece.

" He was smiling at me.

"I will of course arrange another meeting for you.

"

n

"As you might understand, I am a little apprehensive about having another unknown vampire entering my territory. Considering what happened today.

"

n

"Of course, Reece, of course. That is why I am coming personally.

" He grinned broadly as if that was the most obvious answer.

n

"What?

" Shane yelped, apparently unable to control himself.

n

"Oh, I am sorry. I have been neglecting your associates in the back there. You have an impressive bunch of men with you. Are they all soldiers?

" He seemed incredibly curious about them. I didn't know what his angle was so I was only giving him the bare minimum of information.

n

"Yes, that they are.

" No need to tell him that they were the Luna's personal guards along with her cousin.

n

"Splendid. It is so wonderful to meet you all. I am Dietrich Conrad, and I will be visiting you all very soon.

" The vampire's smile was beginning to seem unsettling. Still, I don't think he was trying to be anything but friendly, we've had the alliance for so long and all.

n

"Good evening.

" Vincent nodded his head once.

n

"Nice to meet you.

" Shane added. Noah and Shawn just nodded their heads with the words from the others.

n

"Reece, I will be there in one week, I just need to tie a few things up here before I can leave. I'm sure you understand what it's like to lead so many people.

" He seemed tired for the first time during the call.

"And please do remember, that I am a daytime vampire. I may sleep later than the average person, but I am not up all night.

" Dietrich laughed.

"So, shall we meet for a dinner party on the first of the month?

"

n

"A dinner party?

" Shawn seemed confused, and a little sickened.

n

"Rest assured, young man, that we vampires are quite capable of eating the food humans do. I actually encourage it as it helps us to fit in.

" He smiled at Shawn as he spoke. I noticed a shocked look spread across Shawns face as Dietrich spoke to him.

n

"Are you alright Shawn?

" I whispered, hoping Dietrich wouldn't hear me.

n

"Yeah, I was just confused for a moment.

" Shawn recovered from whatever had happened to him.

n

"Interesting.

" Dietrich smiled at him.

"Now, I am sorry but I must go. We can continue this conversation when I am there in person. Until then gentlemen. Reece. Shawn.

" He seemed to be purring by the end of the conversation which felt a little odd.

n

"Is it just me, or did he seem like he didn't like me?

" Shawn asked.

n

"Yeah, he seemed to have taken some kind of interest in you.

" Shane joked with his brother.

n

"Enough.

" I stopped them before they could get into one of their epic twin arguments.

"We still have work to do. We need to get ready to host the Vampire Emperor, and I now need to go and tell David and Rawlynne that the emissary I invited to help us is dead.

"

n

"Sucks to be you.

" Noah joked with me.

n

"Haha, well guess who gets to come with me.

" I glared at him in response.

n

"Asshole.

" Noah growled.

n

"Thanks.

" I smiled at him.

n