Natalia

Chapter 14 - Crimson Pack House

Katarina and German walk inside their packhouse with a sigh. They’re both tired after completing their latest mission. They slump on the couch, sitting side by side before closing their eyes. But before they could catch a breathe, their father the alpha summons for them.

German lazily got up from the couch while carrying his sister to their father's study. German knocks before entering. He's trying to make his sister stand on her own two feet but it seems like none of his efforts are working. Duncan Oasis, the alpha of Crimson pack, known to be the loudest and ruthless alpha ever sigh when he saw the state of their next future alpha. 

Ember, his wife and the Luna of the pack share the same opinion as to her husband. German nudges his sister's side trying to wake her up from her slumber. Duncan shakes his head before clearing his throat. Katarina yawns as she scratches her the back of her head before noticing she's inside her father's study. 

"Is that how you’ve been bringing yourself while carrying the Oasis name?" Duncan shows how disappointed he is. Ember places her hand on his shoulder before shaking her head.

"Give them a break. They did a splendid job after all," both Katarina and German smile at their mother.

"Anyway. Any news for me?" Duncan asked. Katarina nod. 

"King Videric will come to visit soon. He said after his mission is complete," Duncan can't believe what he's hearing. A vampire wanted to visit his pack house? This is new. Usually, the king will ask him to go to his castle. Now the king himself wants to be in his domain? This is weird. 

"Katarina found herself a mate too," German's shoulder was hit by Katarina. She blushed hard. Ember smile.

"I hope he's the one this time," German laughs.

"It's not a ‘he’ mom. It's a ‘she’. And she's a bloodsucking vampire," The alpha stands up abruptly from his chair and stares down at his daughter.

"You what?" He asked. Rina, Katarina's wolf couldn't handle Duncan’s aura. She wails in fear. German feels terrible for opening his big mouth.

"I'm not sure, father. I feel something I never felt before but I'm not sure if she's the one. She made the butterflies in my stomach burst, she makes a smile without any valid reason and I feel like her gaze on me is killing me slowly. That's all." 

The alpha turns his attention to his Luna before taking a sit again. He massages his temple and wonders how many more surprising that he will face today.

"I thought knowing that Riley is pregnant was enough for his packhouse," both Katarina and German's eyes widen surprised by the sudden news they heard. 

"She's pregnant?! By whom?" Katarina didn't realize she raises her voice to the alpha and the Luna.

"I'm gonna beat his ass out!" German was cracking his hands when the alpha looks up.

"It's your friend, German. He's bailing. He won't take responsibility." 

"My friend? But he's mated with...." German could feel his wolf threatening to come out from his body.

"Riley was rape?" Katarina can't believe these things happened to her sister.

"Father, you have to do something. The honorary court, something!" The alpha slams his hands on his desk before growling at his kids. 

"I know what I'm doing! That boy's parents will come to dinner tomorrow night. I want you both on your best behavior especially you, Katarina. You’re next in line as an alpha of this packed house! Respect one another!" Ember calms everyone down.

"Let's all take a deep breath and release the bad energy out." 

"Whatever happens tomorrow night, let's all remember we will be there for Riley all the way. She's in a very fragile stage now so please, be considerate!" Ember turns to her husband.

"Especially you! You may be the alpha but you're her father first and foremost. Be there for her when she needed you the most." 

Katarina excuse herself and went to Riley's room. She knocks before enters. Katarina was looking for her when she noticed the closet door was open. She went inside and notice her sister sitting in front of the dressing table, wiping away her make up off.

"Did dad told you?" She looks at her sister through the mirror. 

"Yes. German was furious. He never thought his friend would be that bag of d***s," Riley was confused.

"What?" Katarina sigh.

"I'm sorry it all happen. I'll make sure to cut off his weeny for you," Now Riley is, even more, confused that before.

"What did dad told you?" Katarina explained to her sister. 

"He didn't rape me. It was a stupid party and we were both drunk. Where did you get that idea from?" Riley sigh.

"Dad was exaggerating. Yes, he refuses to take responsibility but not because of the child. It's because of how his dad acted in front of everyone. He's a d**k," Katarina couldn't agree more.

"What are you planning to do?" Katarina places her hands on Riley's shoulder.

"Well, what a mother would've done. Raising this child alone without that egghead," Katarina chuckle.

"That's new. Egghead. But dad invited Tommy to have dinner tomorrow," Riley smile. 

"I don't mind. As long as dad beat those families up. I'll take that as entertainment for me and this unborn child. Besides, I'm going to be a mother before you do! I won!" Katarina laughs together with her sister for being so positive about things.

"Uhh, you need to do something about German. He's ready to kill that guy." Riley sigh.

"I will. Tomorrow. Now I just want to sleep and enjoy my rest," Katarina patted her shoulder.

"Me too. I yearn for my bed for so long," She said her goodnight and went to her bedroom. Katarina took a nice hot shower and put on her silk lingerie before laying down on her bed, getting comfy. 

Her mind seems to think about Natalia and only her. She chuckle when she thought about her holding her hands before. It brings so many good vibes to her mind. Except when Natalia brought the head with them. Now that's a nightmare.

"You know, she maybe not that bad," Rina suddenly said. 

She shakes the thoughts off and closes her eyes, hoping to dream about that vampire.

***

German quietly open his sister's door and hush Riley up when she hit something on the floor. They waited to hear Katarina's snores again before proceeding with their plan. Riley shoves her brother forward when they heard Katarina snores.

"We're going to be in so much trouble!" German whispers. 

"That's the point! Now do it!" Riley encouraged and stand by the door so that they could flee on time. German sneakily went to his sister's bedside before took a deep breath.

"KATARINA!" Riley was the first to flee when she saw Katarina jolts up from the bed dumfounded. German tried to run but he fell facedown when he steps on something on the floor. 

"GERMAN!!!!" Katarina's voice travels throughout the packhouse, alarming everyone. Some of the guards outside chuckle when they heard their future alpha's angry voice.

"That boy always finds a way to anger her. After what she did the last time, he never learned," The alpha sighs to his beta. 

"Relax brother. You remembered us in the olden days. I always find a way to anger you too," Duncan smiles.

"Anyways, I was thinking of adding some more guards around here. This is where the rogue was caught am I right?" The delta nod and take a look at the map.

"Sure,” Duncan was about to say something when he heard rustling coming from the woods. The alpha looks up to his delta and ran towards the sound. They were surprised to see two figures lying face down on the ground with smokes coming out of their bodies. 

Duncan knew this smell too well. It's sulfur.

"Is that you Videric?" The king looks up and tries to breathe in some clean air. He turns to Natalia who's not moving at all.

"Help her," The king said out of breath. Both Duncan and his delta helps Natalia up.

"Take some water from the lake," The alpha commanded. 

"Why are you both covered in sulfur?" The king got up to a sitting position and try to even his breathing.

"You don't want to know," The delta came back and gave the water to the alpha. Duncan splashes some of the water to the young vampire’s face.

"She's still new to the sulfur," Videric tried to get to his own feet. 

He went to Natalia and swiftly grabs a knife from Duncan's waist. He slit his wrist and let the newborn get a taste of his blood through her throat. Natalia's eyes suddenly shot up and were about to bite on the king's wrist but Videric quickly removes his wrist.

"How dare you!" Natalia apologize. Videric licks his wrist to heal it and introduce Duncan to his newborn. 

"Meet Katarina's father, Duncan Oasis. Duncan, this is NataliaAmbrose, the newborn everyone has been talking about," Duncan looks at the vampire from head to toe. He's asking himself how can this be. How can such a weak vampire be his daughter's mate? 

She can't even withstand sulfur! Duncan's wolf tried to advise him to not be judgemental but to no avail. But then again, his wolf wants the best for their kids and only the best. Duncan stands up. 

"I know. German told me about you," 

The alpha invited the king to his pack house but didn't invite Natalia in. The king waited for the alpha to invite the newborn before stepping inside the house. When Ember, the Luna walking past the front door, she was weirded out when the king didn't enter. 

She ignores her husband and invited both of the vampires.

"He may be the alpha but I'm the one who controls the order in this house," Ember said out loud so that Duncan could hear her. Duncan scoffs and leads the vampires towards his office. 

"I never dream to live the day a vampire traveled to a werewolves territory without attacking us. What's wrong?" Duncan asked when his delta close the office door. "Oh, I'm just visiting an old friend. Thank you for letting Katarina and German helped me. Appreciate it." 

Videric offers the alpha a smile. Duncan knows the king has something to say.

"Cut to the chase, Videric. What do you want from me?" Videric was surprised to see how restless the alpha was.

"Seems like you have no patients at all," Natalia looks at the family picture in the office. She smiles when she saw Katarina's picture. 

"What are you smiling at?" The alpha asked rather rudely. Natalia apologizes for being rude. Videric takes a seat in front of Duncan's desk.

"You have anger issues, old man. I know you have several encounters with the human army. I would like to help," Duncan sits down on his armchair and leans back. 

"Why?" He asked. 

"I'm just helping an old friend. That's all. Besides my little newborn here needs the training," Duncan laughs.

"You expect me to let that weakling protect my pack? Are you out of your mind, vampire? Or is it your brain is dead like your heart?" the king was triggered. 

"Watch your mouth, Duncan. You alone can't defeat those illiterate soldiers. My newborn can do it in a matter of seconds," Duncan stands up before towering the king.

"Are you saying my kids can't do their job right?" The king stands up with a smile.

"All I'm saying, you need all the help you can get," Videric blew on the alpha's face and chuckle. 

"The Andromache couple made some ruckus at Chandler's base. He's ready for war. And my newborn is perfect for this. Just admit it. Your kids can't handle such a thing. Yet," Duncan hates it when the king is right. 

He knows his kids way too well. They will not survive even for a minute in a real battle. Katarina may survive but she’s probably injured herself because she hasn’t fully controlled her power yet. Duncan pinches the bridge of his nose and finally nod.

"Fine. I want the matter to solve before the alpha of the Moonlight Pack came for dinner tonight. Is that clear?" 

"Crystal clear." Videric smiles and motioned for Natalia to followed him outside. 

***

"Goodbye," Natalia said before dismembered the human soldier in half. Videric was impressed with her work.

"Is that all?" He said while walking around the bloody floor. He removed one of the bodies from his path using his foot.

"Good job," Videric heard a communication radio static and turn it off.

"Let Chandler find this little hideout this way," Videric smile.

"Let's go back to the packhouse. For this I shall have my reward," Natalia was confused. She remembered every single word that came out of Duncan's mouth. But there was none about a reward.

"Did you hurt yourself?" Natalia covers her wounded left side and smile.

"Just a little scratch. I can heal myself,"

"But your blood supposed to heal it in a matter of minutes. What kind of weapon did they use?" Videric was concerned about his newborn well-being. she waves it off and asked the king to lead the way to the packhouse. He felt something is not right about her wound. Like the king said, she supposed to heal immediately. 

She looks down and surprised to see the blood still bleed out from the wound. She keeps walking behind the king, ignores how light-headed she was. The king notices something is not right. Usually, she would be the person who asks many questions as they walk. When the king turns around, he saw how pale she was.

"Let me see!" Videric removed her hand from the wound.

"You were poison," Videric picks Natalia up in bridal style and ran towards the packhouse. Natalia wasn't sure what's happening to herself. She seems to have a terrible headache. The last thing that she remembered was Katarina's worried voice echoing inside her ear.

Katarina knocks on the guest's door before entering. Videric looks up from his book and smiles at the future alpha.

"How is she?" Videric closed his book.

"Better now that my blood runs in her veins. My blood should cure the poison," Katarina was glad to hear the good news. 

"You seem to worry about her a lot huh? Is there something going on that I don't know?" Katarina blushed. Videric laugh. "You willing to disobey your father?" Katarina sigh. "I'm not sure of myself. But I seem to have connections with her." Videric stood up and open the door for Katarina. 

"Your guest just arrives and I think your father will be needing you by his side. Take this chance to think about the consequences. Being with Jac means a lot of problems may come to your way. If you're sure she is the one, be a woman and love her the way she deserves to. Don't be like Arika," Katarina didn't get to say anything when the king shuts the door. 

Katarina sigh and made her way to the dining room. She can't believe after what happened to Riley, her father has the heart to even invite the alpha to the Moonlight Pack for dinner. He kept a strong look on her face when she enters the dining room.

"Is that your future alpha, Duncan? Hmmm.. no manners at all," Katarina sits down in between Riley and German. When the adults start talking about what will happen to Riley and Tommy, her mind wandering to the vampire king’s words that made her restless. Riley nudge her sister's side when she noticed she's not talking at all. 

"Are you okay? This is so not you," Katarina smile and look up from the plate. She listens to what her father has to say and was glad he determines to make Tommy responsible for what he did to Riley. Tommy's father, Eugene disagree. He mentioned Tommy's mate and all but Duncan didn't care. 

What done is done and someone needs to take care of Riley's unborn child. Tommy didn't get to say anything but from what Katarina saw, he's trying to be the responsible one.

"Are you two in love?" Katarina whispers. Riley blushed. Her sister knew her so well. 

"He will not take responsibility for your daughter and that's final!" Eugene stands up from his chair and about to walk out when he smells something revolting. He slowly looks up to see a pale vampire walking towards the dining room.

"Vampire!" Eugene alerted everyone but he was shocked to see none of them react to his warning. 

"Meet Natalia Ambrose, Videric's newborn," Duncan introduced Natalia to everyone. Videric follows Natalia's footsteps and smiles at Eugene.

"Ahh. The lowly werewolves are here. Hello Eugene," Katarina chuckle. Eugene glares at the little werewolf and scoffs.

"Hello bloodsuckers," Videric grabs Natalia's side before she lost her footing. 

"I'm sorry for interrupting your dinner but I need some food for her," Katarina stands up and volunteer to take some food for the vampire.

"Riley.. congratulation," Videric congratulate Riley. She smiles.

"I see you all didn't agree on each other opinions," Videric sat down when he managed to make Natalia sit on a chair next to him

"Eugene. Just let your son be with Riley. She's carrying your grandchild," Katarina came back with two plates of raw food.

"Thank you," Videric thank the werewolf and motioned for his newborn to eat. Natalia weakly lifted her fork and slowly eating her food.

"You have no right to interfere with this matter vampire," Eugene suddenly said. Videric takes a bite off his meat while shaking his head.

"Did you hear that Riley. He will not let his son who penetrates you to take responsibility. How irresponsible he is," Videric mock. Natalia chuckles and continued to eat.

"I'm sure your son has something to say." Videric pointed it out. Tommy looks up in fear.  Katarina was waiting for him to speak but he seems to have his tongue tied up.

"Do you like her?" Natalia suddenly asked and look up to Tommy.

"If you do, just ignore your father and be with the creature who made you happy," Natalia places her fork down.

"There's no reason to be with someone that you don’t love," She shrugs. 

"Besides she's carrying your child. That's the real reason to fight for her. Don't be an i***t," Natalia said and turn to Katarina who looks at her.

"Don't be afraid to speak up. I was afraid before but that just got me into trouble," the vampire sigh.

"Fight for her. She worth it." Natalia smile. It made Tommy rethink about his decision. ‘That vampire is right’, Tommy's wolf said in his mind. Tommy nods and stood up from his seat. 

"Father. I want Riley," Tommy said before his father grabs him by the neck and slams his body to the ground. It was Natalia who stops Eugene from killing his son for his selfish dream.

"Don't be an animal..."