“As it is. It will be a miracle if the Clans can avoid mass persecution by the World Council.” Alpha Frost told them in an infuriated tone.
“You two were tasked with making sure Alora would remain under the control of the Clans, for the entirety of her life. You cost us the most important tool we had to become the Alpha Clans of this Pack with one of our own granted the title of Alpha of Alpha’s!” Alpha Northmountain said, his anger palpable.
“We have a Blood Pact with the Black Magic Coven! Without having the power of Alpha of Alpha’s, we are unable to uphold our Clans end of the bargain!” Alpha Frost growled viciously.
Hearing the words Black Magic Coven brought life back to Bettina’s eyes. ‘Black Magic Coven,’ her mind repeated the words. Then a name whispered through her mind next, ‘Rebecca.’
“Pa..Para…Paramore.” Bettina struggled to get out, her voice extremely rough and hoarse. “I’m…Rebecca’s…paramour.”
The sharp gazes of Alphas Northmountain and Frost snapped to Bettina. “It looks liks you still have some worth for this Clan left.” Alpha Northmountain said in a contumelious tone.
“That’s more than we can say for your husband and daughter.” Alpha Frost said derisively.
“Sarah…” Bettina struggled to gasp out her words. “Sarah is…Rebecca’s…God daughter.”
“Is she now?” Alpha Frost drawled, raising a brow. His voice held a note of intrigue.
“Yes!” Bettina gasped out desperately.
“Well, this changes things. Doesn’t Sigur.” Alpha Northmountain’s voice held an undertone of malevolence.
“That it does Sieg. That it does.” Alpha Frost responded in a deep purr. “This means we have a use for her after all.”
The low deep chuckles of the two Alphas carried such an ominous and menacing sound, chills of terror ran down the spines of Bettina and Sarah. Allister was too out of it to notice the impending danger now heading his way. To the Alphas, Allister had become nothing more than a sacrificial lamb.
****
**Bloodmoon Castle of Bloodmoon Mountain, Royal Capital of all Vampire Territories.**
Kassandra rushed urgently through the long, cavernous halls of Bloodmoon Castle, making her way toward her father’s study. Her all-white wavy waist length hair flowing behind her. The pain she felt through her parental bond to her parents was what drew her there. The amount of emotional pain radiating through the bond had her really concerned. Especially when she considered that her parents were amazingly adept at shielding their less pleasant emotions from all their children.
The very fact that she could feel this, meant something was very wrong. At first the pain was only radiating from her father, and all she could get from her mother was immense concern. Her walk had turned into a jog when her mother’s concern turned into the same pain her father was feeling.
Being six foot nine, her legs were long, covering a lot of ground quickly. Despite having the luscious curvy figure her mom had, although her bust size was smaller by two cups, she was light on her feet. Her well-defined muscles moved under soft and supple caramel colored skin. Finally, she reached the large ancient wooden doors that led into her father’s study.
The large ornate doors were carved with protective interlacing knots and runes. It was also inlaid with several types of protective crystals, gems, and power stones. When active, the doors could prevent anyone from hearing what went on inside. They would also keep anyone not allowed in, out. It would take an immense amount of power to break the spells and protection embedded into the doors.
When she tried the door, she found it locked. However, after a moment she realized that the silencer spells on the doors hadn’t been activated. Kass assumed her parents must have been so distracted with their current matter to remember to activate the spells. It worried her even further, as activating the spells on the doors was second nature to both her parents. Something they both did without even thinking, she had personally witnessed it on several occasions as she had grown up.
What Kassandra heard had her dropping to the ground with a shocked look on her face. Her father had a daughter with another female. One that was a few months older than her from what she was overhearing. Her shock was quickly replaced with anger and determination as she heard more about what her new older half sister had gone through. It was utterly devastating that someone could treat any being as her new sister had been treated.
“I told her I have set up a time for her Alpha and I to communicate tonight. Her Alpha and I will make arrangements for our visit to her Pack.” Sabastien’s muffled voice came through the door.
“I wish we could just go now, Bas. Alora has been through so much and I want to let her know that at least one of her birth and step-parents wants her. That she has blood related relatives who will love and appreciate her.” Stephanie’s reply, while muffled, held a wealth of emotion.
Kassandra could feel her mother’s intense longing to love and protect Alora. She could even hear it in her mother’s voice. She also felt a sense of frustration coming from her. Kassandra was also wondering why her parents couldn’t just take off right now to go get her sister.
“I know my dear Annie, I do as well.” Sebastian replied to Stephanie in a soft and loving voice. “Unfortunately, a King and Queen cannot just pop in on another King and Queen. Especially given that neither party are ordinary Kings and Queens. Each party is the ruler of a specific supernatural species, spanning an entire continental region containing many countries.”
That let Kassandra know that retrieving her sister was not going to be all that simple, at least not for her parents. But she was just a princess, not a full ruler herself, just the child of a pair of rulers. The political implications of her visit would be much less. A sudden and informal visit by her would not be viewed as a sign of aggression or disregard between ruling parties, the way it would if it were her parents.
“Should we tell the kids? How are they going to react to suddenly having another older sister?” Stephanie asked Sabastian.
“Not yet. Knowing Kassandra, as soon as she finds out, she’ll be laying out plans to take off to the Moon Mountain Pack.” Sabastian said, before adding. “Without us.”
Kassandra, hearing this, had a wry expression on her face. ‘Did her father have to know her so well?’ she thought darkly.
“They’re going to notice something going on as soon as we make diplomatic preparations.” Stephanie pointed out.
Sabastian let out a heavy sigh. “You’re right.” He conceded. “We might as well inform them…and make plans to take them along as well.”
“You’re taking them with us to prevent them from following us on their own afterwards.” Stephanie stated in a dry tone.
Another heavy sigh. “Yes.” Sebastian admitted in an equally dry tone.
Kassandra’s body was practically vibrating with excitement and impatience. While she was happy her parents had decided to share the knowledge of their new older sister, to her and her siblings. She was impatient to see her sister, she wanted to head out before her parents. Kassandra fell deep into her thoughts for a few moments, becoming oblivious to her surroundings.
Consequently, Kassandra did not notice the arrival of her brothers. It wasn’t until she turned around after coming to a decision that she realized she had been surrounded. She was abruptly startled out of her thoughts upon seeing all five of her brothers. Her mouth twisted into a wry grin of regret as a muscle in one cheek started to twitch.
‘Damnit!’ Kassandra cursed internally. ‘Now they’ll demand I take them with me!’ She wanted to cry over her misfortune, but no tears would come.
“There is absolutely no way you’re going without us.” Asher hissed in a low voice. His eyes were narrowed, the outer rings of silver, surrounding inner rings of white, were glowing slightly. The white of his chin length wavy hair was glowing. Making the thick intermittent streaks of black hair appear even darker in comparison.
Asher was already taller than her, despite being a year younger than her. He was now seven foot two, forcing her to have to look up in order to meet his angry and determined gaze. His body structure was like a smaller version of their father’s. His facial features made him look like a youthful version of their father. Although smaller, his well-defined muscles seem to hum with strength. Despite that, many had underestimated her brother’s strength due to his slimness.
Before this last summer, her brother used to be the shortest male in his class. Asher had been bullied more than once for it, despite being a Prince. Until he taught enough of the bullies, quite painfully, how much of a mistake that was. Most of those encounters were kept from the parents, as this was all settled out of sight. Away from anyone resembling an authority figure.
Then her brother had hit his growth spurt and got taller, a lot taller. Asher’s muscles had also started to fill out. They became thicker and more noticeable under his pale caramel-colored skin. He still had another couple of years before he would finish growing and filling out. Becoming a full-fledged younger version of their father, with very few differences.