A Stranger in the Night
Chapter 28

Luna and I spent the rest of the day and night, in my room. I simply wanted her all to myself with no interruptions. We spent time reading together, Nerine and Claude brought food up to us as well as some board games at Luna's request. I didn't realise how much I missed her and all the little quirky things she did. The way she twirled her fingers through her hair as she read a book. The way her eyes lit up when she got excited over her favourite food. How she got excited when she beat me at a game and how she gently ran her fingers along my back and she cuddled into me as we slept. The next morning came quickly and had slipped away from us as we enjoyed each other's bodies again. The way my body reacted to her touch was nothing but exhilarating. She knew how to move her body and responded to every touch I gave her, we were perfectly in sync. And the fact that she let me bite her now, made the connection a million times greater. She truly was perfect and now that I had her back, I would never let anything come between us again, no matter what.

"How did I get so lucky?", I asked out aloud, her bare body cuddling into me as I laid on my back. I ran my fingers along her spine, tuning out of the world and listening only to the beat of her heart, its rhythm playing music to my ears. She giggled and looked up into my eyes, moving her head to meet the palm of my hand as I brushed the hair off her face. The next moment, the door burst open and Draven came storming in. I pulled the covers up over Luna and got up from the bed, wrapping my robe around my naked body. "Holy shit! Sorry you two! But I need to talk to you now!". He always did know how to make an entrance. "Calm down Draven, what's going on?". The look on his face was drenched in panic. As I approached him, he began to get jittery. I grabbed his arms and shook him to get him to stop and look at me. "What the hell is going on Draven!". My temper beginning to get the better of me. "Ummm....Dad's in the Grand Hall and requested your presence. He wants to speak to you about the whole Meredith thing and......he knows about Luna....". Fuck! I thought Silvano was going to chat with him and then I would approach him. I'm guessing that idea went out the window. "How long do I have?". Draven looked at his watch then straight back at me, "Umm....I'd say maybe 20 minutes.". I shoved him out my door and asked him to distract Father and get Silvano and Mother. I needed time....I wanted Silvano and Mother there for when I spoke with Father, hoping they could be the voice of reason. I didn't know how he was going to react, and for the first time in a long time, I felt nervous.

Whilst getting showered and dressed, I had some time to prep Luna. I gave her the what to do and what not to do chat and to always stay behind me. Although I was strong, my Fathers power superseded my own and I didn't want to risk anything. My Father was known for his irrationality, bad temper and quick decision making. I quickly dressed in one of my suits and Luna wore a long flowing, almost semi formal, crimson dress. She knew she needed to look the part and wanted to make a good impression, wanting to make them see her as neither a pet or a blood bag. Her hair was half pulled back and the rest falling in loose curls over her shoulders. She was stunning and as she walked she looked like she was floating on air.

I watched her as I finished tying my tie. She looked very pensive as she sat by the window, twirling her finger in the glass of water. "Luna...". My voice must have shocked her out of her thoughts as when I called her the glass froze then shattered into pieces over the table and floor. Yeah, she's a little on edge. I raced over to her to make sure she was ok, inspecting her hands for any cuts. "I'm ok. Sorry, I was thinking.". As I sat on the chair beside her, she leant into me, grabbing onto my suit jacket and holding it tightly in her hand. I placed my hand on top of hers, "Everything will be ok. I promise.". I tried to breathe to remain calm. I didn't know if everything would be ok, but God knows I would give my last breath for her. "We better go. If I keep him waiting too long, he will be even more upset.". Luna nodded and grabbed onto my hand as we both stood.

As I opened the door, we were greeted by Silvano, Draven, Jess and Eligio. "Brothers...Jess....what are you doing here?". The four of them smiled. "You didn't think we would let you go speak to Father by yourself did you?", Eligio, the first to respond. "Yeah, we all know how much of an ass Dad can be. So we thought we would come for support. Luna is amazing and....well....that shit with Meredith could have meant doom for us all, so we are coming to back you up.". Draven...always knows how to use his words. Nonetheless, I was grateful for my brothers support. Even having Jess there made me feel a bit better for Luna. She had someone else to rely on for support too. "Where is Marco?". Silvano turned his head to look down the corridor, "He's already with Father.". My heart sank a little. Knowing his feelings for Meredith, this could go either way. He still didn't believe she was capable of all that has happened. "We better go then.", I could hear the apprehension in my voice as I followed my brothers towards the Grand Hall. Luna already knew her way around most of the House, so it was no surprise that she confidently walked towards the Grand Hall. It was only as we got there, that she began to cling to my arm. I could feel small drops of frost on my hand as she held on tightly. "Please don't freeze me before we get in there....that wouldn't make for a good conversation with Father.". I teased, trying to lighten the mood. She looked down and saw the frost. She went to let go of my hand as she started to apologise, but I grabbed it back before she could pull away. I held it tightly and gave a small squeeze before kissing the back of it and her cheek. As we arrived at the large double, oak doors, 2 servants were waiting. They bowed to us all, then opened the doors.

The Grand Hall looked different to how it was normally set. It's bright and airy setting had now been replaced by lights that were low, the curtains were drawn and infront of us, 4 large wooden chairs, which I instantly recognised from their different carved in designs being my brothers individual throne chairs, spaced out evenly with a gap in the middle. Mine was missing. Ahead through the gap in the chairs, I could see Father and Mother, seated atop of the small staircase, where our 5 chairs were normally seated. Silvano, Draven, Eligio and Jess entered before us. I looked Luna in the eyes, trying my best to give her a "it's gonna be fine" look. She nodded and followed in behind me. I reached the gap in the chairs, with Silvano, Eligio and Draven already seated. Jess was seated on the arm of Draven's chair, his arm draped across her protectively. Marco was seated in his chair, his focus solely on Father, as he began to speak.

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"Thank you for coming sons. I feel that it's time for us to have a chat.". I could feel Luna trembling behind me. I tried to offer my hand out behind my back but she was a little to far away to reach me whilst trying to do it subtly. I could hear all the thoughts in her head and she was already starting to panic, worrying if she would be killed by Father. "From what I understand sons, you have been scheming behind my back, and now we may have a war on our hands. So I want to know what is going on....and then....who these two lovely creatures are that you have decided to bring to a family meeting. Marco.....would you care to tell me what's going on....". Marco froze. I could tell he didn't want to throw us under the bus, but his love for Meredith was still holding him captive. Eligio quickly stood and began to speak, attempting to deflect focus off of Marco. "Father, may I speak.". Father nodded whilst pulling an awkward face. Eligio was usually quiet at these kinds of meetings, so Father knew for him to speak was a big deal. Eligio began to explain to Father about the Halfling attacks, what happened to Jess and Luna and how the wolf pack helped look after and protect them. He then explained how Meredith had stalked the group to the club and attacked the group, causing the incident at the club which almost killed me, whilst harming the others. When he finished speaking, Mother rose from her chair and walked down the stairs to Eligio, holding her hand out to him. He gently took her hand and placed it on his cheek. Mothers' eyes closed briefly. She then began to smile and slowly opened her eyes. I knew what she was doing. She had done it to me before. She turned to Father, "He's speaking the truth Christophe.". Father lowered his head, rubbing his hand along his jaw and beard. "Silvano....I want your input.". Eligio sat as Silvano began to explain the same things. But he also shared that he knew about the Ravnos Clans plans to overthrow our clan and claim our lands for themselves. That the Ravnos plan to marry off Meredith to me was simply part of the plan to join the 2 clans. Father questioned where he had gotten the information and when Silvano divulged that it had come from a newly turned Halfing and that King Xavier, head of the Ravnos clan was working with the Halflings and was behind the attacks on us and Jess and Luna, I saw the anger in him rise. "There is no way that he would orchestrate such things! We have an agreement and a treaty! The union was supposed to bind us in these agreements. I don't believe it!".

He stood and began to walk over to Draven however Mother shoo'ed him away. He stomped back a few steps and began to pace. I watched as Mother began to approach Draven and Jess. Jess seemed slightly unbothered by her approach, nothing I was surprised by. Mother held out her hand to Draven, he responded the same as Eligio and placed it gently on his cheek. Smirking at her as she closed her eyes. She began to move her hand away slapped him on the cheek. Father instantly stopping to see the commotion. "Draven! You are disgusting child! Stop trying to send me those images!". He laughed, "Sorry Mum! I couldn't help it. But I wanted you to see how much she means to me!". I watched as Jess' demeanour changed slightly, a kind of wave of emotion covering her edginess. It was love. Mother turned from Draven to her and smiled. Offering her hand out, Draven's arm wrapped around her a little tighter as Mother stepped closer to her. "It's ok child. It won't hurt.". Jess nodded and took her hand, copying what Eligio and Draven had done. Mothers' small smile changed and turned into a frown. "You poor darling! You have been through so much. But you are strong and you have followed your path to where you need to be. Are you happy?". Jess smiled shortly whilst nodding. She still seemed unsure of how to respond to Mother. "Of course she's happy Mum! She's with me! Why wouldn't she be! She'sfinally bagged a winner!". Mother slapped Draven again on the shoulder, him trying to dodge the slap but he was never quick enough. Mother then turned to me, before looking at Father, "Surely you would discuss this with your Eldest? Seeing as this whole situation revolves around him....surely you would want his input Christophe.". Father groaned deeply. "I suppose so....". He muttered, lifting his gaze to meet mine.

His gaze rested on me. His eyes were dark with flicks of gold in them. No matter how old I was, they always intimidated me. "Well...son....what have you got to say....". I had to rein it in. I wanted to unleash all my anger at him for how much shit he had put me through. Mother gave me a stern look of disapproval, knowing she could hear my thoughts. "What my brothers speak is the truth Father. Meredith and her Father were behind the Halfling attacks within our lands recently, but their main focus has been on Jess and Luna. Ravnos wants our kingdom for himself, he has done the same with other clans and I won't see him destroy ours.". Mother gazed at Father, seeking his approval to which he simply waved his hand at her. She moved forward towards me, but stepped aside to view Luna. I glared at Mother, letting her know I did not want her invading Luna's mind. She simply laughed, "Come now Alessandro, you know I already know.". I knew she could hear Luna's thoughts as much as I could, but it was her unspoken and unrealised thoughts that concerned me. Mother offered her hand to Luna. "It's ok child. I promise won't hurt you.".

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