Hunting His Vampire Princess (Book 6 of the Avec Series)

    Twenty years ago.     Atropos was getting bored with the quiet that was falling over the world. She was debating on where to shake up the mythics when Dolos walked in. His massive frame giving away that he was part giant.      "Yes, young man?" she asked. She didn't have time for his shenanigans. He was always up to something crazy.      "I'm bored," he said.      Atropos sighed, "You do realize that it's not our job to entertain you?" For a god, he was very immature.      "But you have access to all the people on earth. From the stupid humans to the cool dragons," he sighed as he sat down putting his feet on the table. He acted more like an irresponsible teenager than a mature adult.      Lachesis walked over and pushed his feet roughly off the table, "Young man, we are not your entertainment, nor are we your baby sitter. You are hundreds of years old, there is no reason for us to keep you company. Now get out of here, before we figure out a way to snip your thread."      Clotho shook her head, she wasn't sure what they were going to do about this god, he was always causing mischief. Sometimes causing terrible things to happen to good people.      Dolos stood, "Alright, alright, ladies. No need to get so pushy." He had his hands up in an innocently defensive stance. He would have to do something on his own then. He looked around the room, spying the Fates' watching pool. He walked over to the pool as cooly as he could, he wanted to see what was going on.      He smirked, he knew just where he could stir up some trouble. "Okay, ladies," he said looking up, "Have a wonderful time being stuck in your sewing room. I have to find something to do," his tone held a prankish quality to it that the women barely noticed. He was, after all, the god trickery.      ***********    The young boy, was tall, even for an Alpha-born pup. At five, he was towering over the other pups. But that didn't stop the boy from being able to disappear completely. The boy was a master at the game of hide and go seek. His mother peeked her head out the door of the packhouse and smiled. He was going to be a great Alpha someday, she thought.      Her mate and the love of her life came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. "He really is going to be a great leader, isn't he?"      She nodded, "Mmhmm, even being a hybrid, he will be okay." She turned to face her mate, her brown eyes warm with love at the sight of him. She was surprised that she was mated to the werewolves, being a werebear, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She was just as fierce and loyal as any wolf. She proved it daily by being a kind and fair Luna to the Greymoon Pack.      Her mate leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose, "I have a meeting with Volcan. We shouldn't be late, but he wanted to discuss a few things with me. When I'm finished we can either go see my brother in his pack, or whatever else you want."      She smiled at Galen, she wasn't happy with him meeting Volkan, even if he was his beta. She simply didn't trust him. "Okay, I'll have the pups come in and get washed up then."      She watched as her mate walked away from her, she couldn't shake this awful feeling of foreboding that was washing over her. She shivered as she hugged herself tightly, doing her best to calm her nerves. She leaned out the door, "Tracker, honey, time to come in! We're going to be leaving soon!"      The child picked his head up at the sound of his mother's voice, "Yes, ma'am!" He turned to his friends, "Bye guys," he waved to his friends. He sprinted towards the packhouse happily.      ********     Dolos was smirking as he spoke with Dolion, "Your family named you well, such a strong name, " he said. He knew he wouldn't have to do much in the way of buttering up this wolf, he could feel the greed in him.      "Thank you," the beta nodded slightly. He liked this stranger.      Dolos cut to the chase quickly, "I know that you are doing what you can to get your alpha to see that the newer ways are worthless. We need to get back to the old ways."      Dolion was astounded at the astuteness of the mysterious man in front of him. "I'm not sure how you know that, but you are very much right." He lifted his index finger and tapped his nose, telling the god he was spot on.      Dolos chuckled, "I know much more than you realize, but I'm here to give you that little push. He lifted a bag from his hips and tossed it on the table. As the jewels spilled out Dolion's eyes widened. He licked his lips like a hungry lion about to pounce. "You know there is plenty of these waiting for you. All you have to do is get your alpha to fight with his brother."      Dolion looked from the man to the jewels, the idea had merit. He thrust out his hand to the god, "You sir have a got a deal."      Dolos smirked, "Wonderful."      ********     Volkan was frustrated, he wanted more of that ore! It was the best out there. He had to get Galen to listen to him. If he would just fight his brother for his lands and take it all instead of sharing he would be the best!      Galen did his best to keep calm, he didn't understand why his beta was so desperate for him to take what isn't his.      "You are not understanding, we share the land peacefully! There is no us against them," he tried to explain.      "But if you just take it," he tried again, "You're smarter, stronger, richer." Volkan wanted everything this alpha had, except for a mate. Mates made you weak, and they were worthless. The only things women were good for were making pups and keeping a house.      Galen sighed in frustration, "That's enough, Volkan," he snapped. "This conversation is over. I have things to do today." He stood and walked to the door, his patience wearing thin at his own beta's rude behavior.      Volkan stared at the door in disbelief, he would get what he wanted, and he didn't care how he had to do it. He picked up his phone and punched in the number.      "Hello," came a gruff voice on the other side.      "It didn't work," he sighed.      "Then it looks like we'll have to take matters into our hands," the other voice agreed. "Tonight."     *********     Galen walked into his brother's packhouse, he was greeted warmly by the omega. She was a little than the alpha's but was the sweetest thing out there. She was happy to be of assistance to either of them. They were kind and gentle alphas that took pride in removing the old ways.      "Hello, Alpha Galen," she greeted. "Luna Mercy." She looked down and smiled at the precocious scamp standing silently beside his mother, "And the young Alpha Tracker." She knelt and patted his cheek warmly. She reached in her pocket and handed the child a lollipop, which he happily accepted.      His mother looked down and smiled at the omega, "Go find your cousin, and play for a bit," she patted her son's behind as he scurried up the stairs. She turned to the omega, her eyes were twinkling with love, "You're spoiling them." She mock-scolded.      The omega smiled,  "It gives me so much joy to see them happy."      Mercy smiled, she wished she could shake this feeling that something bad was about to happen.      "Come on, Luna, let's go make you a cup of tea," the omega said. She could feel the uneasiness in the woman and wanted to make her comfortable.      Volkan crept into the neighboring packhouse, the one thing he was thankful for. Their open borders made it easy to sneak over and speak with Dolion. The unknowing pawns in Dolos's game were hatching their plans to force their hands and make the two Alpha's fight. Tonight.      "How do you convince progressive werewolves that there need to be places kept? That the women are the only omegas and anything less than beta is weak!" Volkan snapped. His own wolf was itching to get out, his thirst for power making him antsy.      Dolion smirked, "I know, they need to remember that the old ways are the best, or maybe," he turned to Volkan, his hand stroking his chin thoughtfully, "Maybe we just take over for them." His own eyes were dark with their own hunger at the thought of ruling an entire pack.      Volkan's own evil smile spread across his face like warm butter, "That idea is even better." He put his hands together, fingertips touching. "And I know a perfect time," his voice oozed darkness.      Dolion waited for Volkan's response anxiously.      "Tonight."      Dolion's malevolent grin grew broader, "And I have just the connection." He walked to his pack borders and made a strange call. Almost a cross between a bird and a wolf. Within minutes a lone wolf appeared on the edge of the lands. "You called?" It asked, stunning Volkan with its ability to speak while in its shifted form.      Dolion laughed at Volkan's expression, "It's time."      The wolf howled, and soon there ten rogues on the borders of the land, ready to cause whatever chaos they could.      "Will this be enough?" Volkan asked.      Dolion laughed, "Oh, there are plenty more where these came from don't forget there is your pack as well," he assured the wolf. He looked at the ring leader, "Let's go."      Mercy was getting ready to gather Tracker when he asked if his little cousin could spend the night with him. She smiled at her son, she was so happy that he wanted to spend time with Jade. "Of course. You'll always protect her, won't you?" She patted her son affectionately on the shoulder and walked to the office where her mate and his brother were speaking.      "I'm going to head back to our pack," she said as she peeked her head into the office.      Galen smiled at her, "Okay."     She looked at her brother-in-law, "We are taking Jade with us if that's okay?"      "Absolutely," he agreed with a nod. "Please take Joseph and Leah with you."      Mercy agreed and stepped out of the office. She walked down the hall and gathered all of her companions. The walk back would be an easy one, and she was looking forward to stretching her legs.      She left the pack on the east border as the rogues with their traitorous leaders entering from the west, both completely unaware of the other.      The walk to the Greymoon Pack was too quiet for Mercy's sake. Her unease filling her with each step to the pack lands. The full moon of the night illuminating their way.      Leah edged herself closer to Mercy, "Luna, something is wrong, I can feel it."      Mercy looked at Leah, "I thought I was imagining it," she whispered. "I don't want to alarm the pups, but if I tell you to grab them and run, I want you to do just that."      Leah looked at the luna, "Yes, Ma'am," she promised.      They continued their walk in watchful silence until a low growl came from the dark side of the path. Mercy looked at Leah and Joseph, she uttered the one word she had hoped she would never have to say. The couple grabbed the kids and ran towards the pack as Mercy shifted into a massive black bear. Her momma bear instincts had kicked in and there was no way she would let her child or niece be hurt. Not if she could help it.     As the rogues attacked Mercy, they never noticed the couple had the children safely with them.      Leah and Joseph, got to the packhouse as the rogues began their attack on the pack. They ushered all weaker ones into the safe room. They hugged the children, "You'll be okay here."      The weaker pack members were in the safe room for what seemed like an eternity until finally the door opened and a battered Leah walked in. She quietly scooped up the children and walked out of the door.      She went to Tracker's room and packed him a suitcase, and one for Jade. "Miss Leah, where's my mom?"      Leah did her best to hide her tears, "I don't know, sweetie. All I know is I am to take you and Jade away from here."