"IT DOESN'T MATTER IF WE'RE DEAD! THEY'VE ALREADY PROVEN A MATCH FOR THE ALPHAS!" Alcina screamed jabbing a finger at Xavier. She had grown tired of all the alphas and witches that had come to voice complaints about the ancient ones. For the past forty eight hours all anyone has done was complain.
"Your majesty, please, don't do this." A young shewolf pled.
"Do we have a choice? It's this or war. We either make a deal or we lose people. I can't stomach the thought of my people without a mate or parents. I won't stand by and watch as families are pulled apart." Xavier finally spoke. He had grown tired of people these past few days. No one seemed to consider the alternative. "No one? Then shut up! You think I wanna make a deal with the people who killed my son's?"
The room stayed silent. The pack and alpha's had completely ignored the fact that Jessie's body still lay in the morgue and that his parents still had no time to mourn their lost child. Instead they chose to bring forward a lot of 'what ifs' to their leaders.
"The elders support this decision." Elder Damien said standing and all eyes turned to the council. "The loss of life far out weighs the benefit of war right now. Not to mention the vast amount of missing knowledge about these creatures. We know little to nothing about them."
"Then the decision has been made. We will accept the truce tonight." Alcina stated and left the room. She had other things to worry about. In a few days she would have to bury her youngest child. Everything else seemed trivial in comparison. Leaving the room, she went to the only place she seemed to find peace. Standing in the door of the pack house nursery a sad smile found its way to her lips and she did her best not to let the tears spill over. Watching her children play filled her with both dread and happiness. Her children have her purpose and a reason to wake up everyday. She couldn't help but smile widely as sage began to fuss just before the twins started making faces at her. They danced and jumped around until sage finally laughed at her brothers.
"Her first laugh." Xavier said wrapping his arms around her waist. She immediately relaxed into his his embrace. Part of her found it hard to believe she was once a timid, quiet girl who simply took the abuse people gave her. Now she was a strong willed mother, queen and Luna. She was loved and content with her life, though she would change a couple things if she could. They spent the rest of the day playing and taking care of the kids. As time drew closer Isabelle and Fae went to the nursery with the kids and Alcina and Xavier set out. They reached the spot just before midnight and waited. Both stuck in their own thoughts.
They were snapped away by the sounds of rustling and turned. They watched intently before finally seeing a pale figure step from the woods. Ignatius stepped forward and smiled showing his pointed teeth.
"Well I assume you discussed my offer?" He said with a small smile.
"We accept your truce. You stay north, we stay south, and everyone is happy." Xavier answered stiffly.
"One more thing, I was the blonde who came into your land." Ignatius said, smiled fading.
"Not possible." Alcina said, fury burning in her belly.
"Why not?" Ignatius tilted his head curiously.
"Why does it matter?" Xavier countered. With a sigh, Ignatius answered.
"Shes my daughter. Why wouldn't I want her back?" Ignatius took a step forward.
"She's dead. She killed my son so I took her life." Alcina said copying his movement. The vampires stopped and thought for a long moment.
"A child for a child then. She took one of yours, so you took one of ours. All fair in love and war." Ignatius said before walking away. Alcina and Xavier waited for a few moments before heading back to their pack and their family.