Chapter 45 - Darkness

**Hailey's P.O.V.**

We receive a mindlink that a man in a truck is coming toward the packhouse. Everyone, including our newest arrivals, goes outside to wait. I look around and see how much our group has grown. I would think it would be enough to fight anything that attacks us, but Mom wouldn't have put all these people here to help us if it was going to be easy.

When the man pulls up, I can tell he's nervous when he gets out of the truck. I don't believe he means us harm, but that doesn't stop the royal warriors from stepping in front of the rest of us. Everyone is still on edge after what happened to Leela and Carlos.

"That's far enough. What do you want?" Jessi asks. She has her hand on her sword while Davina stands behind her, holding Camilla. The man stops and takes us all in.

"My name is Ozzy. I'm the alpha of the Demon Deacons." He answers.

"Isn't the Demon Deacons the mascot for Wake Forest University?" Kerri asks, stepping forward to stand next to Jessi.

"Yes, but it's also the name of my pack. I didn't choose the name or the reason for it. I need to talk to you about the demons who are after you." Ozzy says. Everyone turns toward me, and I nod.

"Okay, we'll hear you out. Please come inside." Everyone parts and lets Ozzy walk through, but they follow him closely. I want to tell them to relax, but we've been fooled before, so I'm not saying a word. If I learned anything in my time on the streets, it was just because someone looks nice doesn't mean they are.

When we get inside the packhouse, we all go to the office. The others stand around the room while Dante and I sit behind the desk, and Ozzy sits across from us.

"What did you want to talk to us about?" I ask from where I sit on Dante's lap. He has refused to leave my side since he knew my thoughts about leaving. Not that I'm complaining. Who doesn't want free access to a sexy wall of muscle?

"Demon Deacons got its name because we have one of the only portals for demons to enter our realm. We have tight security around it and only let in the ones not intent on doing harm. I know that sounds ridiculous, but there are a few demons who don't act like typical demons. With the other realms finding out that the keeper is here, it has made more demons come forward and try to get through the portal. I know that Malphas and the Triad are already here. I want to do everything I can to help you because once they get their hands on the legends, there won't be any stopping them." I can't believe that Ozzy's pack actually has a portal for demons to come and go as they please.

"How do you stop demons from coming here whenever they please?" I ask. I would think demons would be able to do what they wanted.

"We have a connection with Satan, so to speak. If one of the demons tries to come through that's not supposed to, he stops them from his end. Have you thought about talking with him? He doesn't want the legends to get out any more than any of us do. Right now, he has control in his realm, but if the legends are released, he'll lose that." Ozzy asks. I look toward Eldia, who had said the same thing.

"That's what I told them. I think we need Satan's help. He'll be pissed that Malphas and the Triad were able to get through. Although, it doesn't sound like it was your portal. We need to find the portal that allowed them access and close it." Eldia says where she and Craig stand toward the back.

"As much as I hate to agree with the bloodsucker, I think she's right. I'm good with swords, but I don't know how effective they'll be against demons." Jessi looks at the vampire, who's smirking at her.

"Just keep the fairy away from me, and we're good. Fairy blood is like poison to a vampire." Eldia shudders when she looks at Davina.

"Really? Well, at least I know what to do if you try any of your vampire tricks." Jessi puts her arm around Davina and whispers to her. The fairy starts laughing as she nods. Uh, oh, from Jessi's face, I already know what's going to happen. Davina starts twirling as she sings a new song.

*"The vampire and the wolf, the vampire and the wolf. Will Eldia ride Craig's dick, or will he make her sick? The vampire and the wolf, the vampire and the wolf. Will Eldia ride Craig's dick, or will he make her sick?"*

While the rest of us laugh, Eldia glares at Jessi. Craig's face is as red as a tomato, and I'm pretty sure Ozzy is wondering what he just walked into.

_________________

**Brandie's P.O.V.**

I walk through the forest, breathing in the fresh air. I spend a lot of time outside because I'm used to being a rogue, and sometimes, I feel claustrophobic in the packhouse. I had hoped that with all the new arrivals, one of them would be my mate. I know I'm still young at nineteen, but I would just like to feel like I belonged somewhere.

My parents were killed when I was a pup, and I've basically lived on my own since then. I really like the Blue Moon pack, but I can't help feeling like I'm a guest who's going to wear out my welcome.

As I make my way back to the packhouse, I see a truck parked in the front that I've never seen before. I wonder who's here now? At this point, I wouldn't be surprised to see a unicorn or a mermaid appear. Everyone else here is special, but I'm just a boring wolf with no special abilities. I bet if I left, they wouldn't even know I was gone.

I sit on one of the porch swings and look out at the pack. Everyone is happy and smiling, talking to each other while I feel invisible. As I sit here slowly swaying back and forth I suddenly smell something heavenly. I close my eyes, and my wolf's ears perk up. What's causing that smell that's making my heart race? Whatever it is, it's getting closer.

I don't see anyone outside coming toward me. The front door of the packhouse suddenly opens, and a man I have never seen before walks out. He looks at me with his eyes widened in shock. As I stare at him, the scent making my heart race is almost making it stop. He's so handsome. He walks over to me and sits on the other side of the swing.

"Hello. My name is Ozzy." I swallow as I stare into his eyes. Is he my mate? Is he the reason my wolf is howling in my head?

"I'm Brandie. Are you my mate?" I ask him softly. His smile grows.

"Yes, I am." Before we can say more, there's suddenly a loud, earsplitting screech overhead, and the sky turns pitch black. I don't know what's going on, but whatever it is, it can't be good.