Sororate Chapter 9 *Updated*

I growled warningly at the older European Vampires, who hissed threateningly. They pulled their silver swords from the sheaths on their waists. In return, I unsheathed the silver Katana on my back, to meet their challenge.

They hissed further, at the sight of my dangerous weapon. When I went into a defensive stance, they moved into attack postures. Each held their blades artfully, which showed both skill and decades of practice.

“If you lower your weapon, we can make your death quick as well as painless.” One of the males, taunted in an English accent.

“That didn’t work for Mikhail and it won’t work for you either.” I growled back.

I saw their white eyes widen in recognition of the Russian Vampire’s name.

“So you’re the creature that Mikhail and his coven were hunting?” The second Vampire spoke in a French accent, as he arched his eyebrows. “Your blood will taste sweeter still in vengeance, whilst we slowly drain you dry.”

“Which we’ll also do to your pet psychic!” The first hissed again.

I growled even louder at his threat, which was what his companion had wanted. He swung the first blow and I can tell I surprised them, by how quickly I parried. Then it was on! The ‘fang heads’ fought in the speed of sound, whilst I blocked their blows in the speed of light.

Clang clang clang clang clang cllaaaaaannggg!

The constant clash of our weapons made a loud clanging noise, almost like one long CLAAAAAANNG!

I was fighting the two together, as they swung their silver swords my way. I could smell they had also coated their blades with the same poison, excreted by their fangs. By doing so, they hoped that a tiny cut could send the Werewolf to the floor, paralyzed.

Clang clang clang clang clang cllaaaaaannggg!

The two were beginning to drive me backwards, to the wardrobe which Nairn was hiding in. I think they could smell she was in there, even under all of the clothes dumped on her. Frickin’ hell, these Euro Vamps fought better than Mikhail or his coven could.

Clang clang clang clang clang cllaaaaaannggg!

Although I was fighting in the speed of light, it was me who was being driven backwards. But how is this possible? My sword was moving around so fast, it looked like a bright blur. So how are these two beating me?

I managed to look down a couple of times and I started to notice their footwork. They were slowly coming closer, by taking small but steady steps. It was how they were sneakily driving me backwards.

C’mon B! What did Gran always say, when she taught you? “Mind your footwork.” OK then, two can play at this game!

Suddenly, I surprised them when I disappeared in a bright flash of light, to reappear right behind them.

I swung around my blade which injured one, when it caught him unawares, however the second managed to duck in time.

Its’ flesh made a burning noise, as a deep cut went straight across his back and even partly into his spine. He fell face first onto the floor, in a cry of agony. I faced off his uninjured colleague, who looked on his friend bleeding heavily, before he raised his sword again.

He hissed furiously in his English accent, “for that you will truly pay, you bitch!”

His sword swung wide and immediately I went into phase, to allow the metal to sail harmlessly through. When I reformed back into my solid shape, I lunged forward with my weapon. I started to get on top of the fight, by integrating my ability to phase with my Werewolf muscle.

Every time the 'fang head' tried to edge forwards, instead of backing off, I’d instantaneously phase to a new position.

As we fought, the injured one struggled to his feet again. Just as my heart sank at the idea I’d have to fight both at the same time again; I sensed something. I picked up the heavy footfall of something large and clawed, running on all-fours in this direction.

“You really shouldn’t have called me a bitch, my mate doesn’t like it when people call me that.” I smiled with my elongated teeth.

The European Vampire’s fanged mouths fell open in surprise, when a European Werewolf bounded into the room!

Declan’s dangerous mouth was open and ready, as he leapt upon the wounded one. He devoured his entire face in one chomp! The ‘fang head’ flopped dead, as his kind's greatest enemy, ate his way through his head.

His colleague raised his sword to him. “Get off him, you filthy mutt!”

I swung my Katana around so hard and fast, that it didn’t just rebound against his weapon; I completely hit it out of the Vampire’s hands!

His sword flew through the air before it landed noisily on the wooden floor. As I swung my sword again, to lop off its’ poisonous head; the Vampire ducked. He rolled away to safety and when he returned to his feet, he pulled out two long, silver knives from his belt.

Damn it, why can’t he just die?!

I sniffed at the smaller blades, smelling poison on them too. Briefly, I let out a sigh before I refocused on the task at hand. I stalked towards my adversary with my weapon raised.

The European Vampire and Lokoti Werewolf circled the other, with each waiting for the other to make the next strike.

I had to admit, I was wary of seeing two poisonous blades in my opponent’s hands. Momentarily, I looked over to find Declan had finished off his meal, leaving the headless corpse lying on the bloodied rug. The large monster raised himself, and turned his glowing green eyes on the new threat, to his mate.

The Vampire knew he had to move fast, if he was going to escape not one Werewolf but two… and make his move he did.

It swung one of his knives to run me through the abdomen, but I managed to leap sideways. Then he used this chance to swing around the second blade. Instead of jumping clear of the first threat, I impaled myself on the second one!

“AAAAGH!” I recoiled in agony.

The poisonous, sharp blade, cut through my strong, supernatural muscle, which was no match for the silver.

“GGGRRAAAAAAAAWWWLLL!” My mate roared in fury!

Declan started to charge towards the ‘fang head’ who’d harmed his beloved B. The European Vampire turned to see an infuriated European Werewolf, run right for him. He left his second blade in my abdomen, as he took a defensive stance with his first.

Oh oh, Declan was running so fast and angry, he was about to run right onto the silver blade!

Whilst the fang head’s back was turned, I used the last of my strength to swing around my sword.

The deadly blow, landed right at the back of its neck! Like I was watching in slow motion, my silver blade sliced through the Vampire’s weaker flesh, as it was singed by the silver. Its’ decapitated head hit the floor before I did.

As the rest of his body fell like a falling tree, I was a close second. My legs gave out, but before I collapsed onto the wooden floorboards, my mate caught me in his front claws. I was shaking uncontrollably as I felt incredibly cold, but I managed to pull the blade from my body.

Bad-temperedly, Declan flicked the silver knife away and it slid across the room. I clutched my wounded stomach, as he turned me over in his huge arms to lay me on my back. His large, canine head ducked in concern, as he sniffed my wound.

“I’m - I’m - I’m cold.” I managed out in my deep voice, which trembled.

I struggled to stay in my Werewolf body, because I knew my injury would be a lot worse in human form. But I wanted him to change back, so he could nurse me in his arms and warm me.

“Hold me…?” I asked plaintively.

Declan raised his head to look on with a pained expression. His green eyes glowed in concern, and I felt he wanted to. Instead, he ducked his head again, and settled his large mouth over my abdomen, to suck on my wound.

I knew what he was doing, he was trying to draw out the poison. However, this was making me bleed faster, too. I felt so cold that I started to turn numb. Then I remembered this could have been the European Vampire poison, which can paralyze Werewolves and kill humans. Frickin’ hell, I’m becoming paralyzed whilst I bleed to death?

He raised his head to spit out my poisoned blood, careful not to swallow. Then his jaws sunk over my wound again, to suck harder. He did this a couple of times, as I shook from the pain as well as the cold. My body seemed to war with itself; half of me was numb and the other half was in agony, but I didn’t know which side I wanted to win.

At that moment, Chiron, Stone, Forrest, Wade and Meadow; all ran into the bedroom.

They instantly froze, when they saw me lying on the floor. I saw the fear in their different coloured glowing eyes. Oh great, I’m never going to hear the end of it now.

“Hi guys, I killed an old one.” I tried to reassure. “And I injured the other, which made it easier for Declan to kill.”

When my mate's head rose again to spit out more blood, he rolled his eyes at my pathetic excuse.

With all of this happening, nobody noticed Nairn tentatively opening her wardrobe door, to see if the danger had passed.

Her eyes widened in horror, when she saw my mate’s frightening form. To her, it looked like he was drinking my blood, which was gushing out of the wound. Next, she jumped out of her wardrobe with an old tennis racquet in her hands, to beat Declan over the head with it!

“Get off her, you monster!” She screeched, as she raised the racquet in the air.

Thankfully, Chiron who was standing the closest, was able to stop her. “It’s OK! He’s not hurting her, he’s treating her.”

He shrunk back into his human form, so not to scare her any further. So did the other Lokoti Werewolves. Our First took the tennis racquet out of her hands as she looked from Chiron to Declan, in disbelief. When he raised his head to spit out more poison, he growled at Chiron to take her away.

“Do you have a First Aid kit?” Chiron asked Nairn.

“A First Aid kit?” She looked on our First as if he were nuts. “She’s going to need a bleeding hospital, not a bloody First Aid kit!”

“We can’t go to hospital, incase they pick up our physiological differences.” Chiron pointed out.

“Take us to the First Aid kit, Nairn.” Forrest tried to soothe, as they gently pulled her away. “Come on Nairn, take us to the First Aid kit.”

He and Forrest, used this request as a reason to escort her out of the room.

“Wait! Stop it! Where’s Declan? He should be told about B!” She tried to object.

“That IS Declan.” Stone laughed at her.

“THAT’S Declan?!” Nairn gaped at him, from the bedroom doorway.

“Yeah, and you tried to kill him with a piece of sporting equipment!” Wade guffawed, thinking it was all very funny.

Soon, their voices disappeared down the hallway, as I listened to my Lokoti kin take her downstairs.

“Oh my God, would you look at my house?!” Next, we heard her squawk.

Well, it would explain all the sounds of things breaking. I thought all of this was highly amusing, especially her reaction to my husband in his other body. I laughed weakly, as my shaking had stopped however I felt cold all over.

The agony in my abdomen, had settled into a dull but painful throb. I was feeling incredibly dizzy from the blood loss, as my mate continued to suck. I could feel my blood pool about us, on the wooden floor.

“Declan…” my eyes started to close by themselves, “…no more. Please stop, Declan. I’m weak… I’m too weak.”

But he ignored my request, as he continued to suck on the wound which was by this stage, gushing blood.

Frickin’ hell, I give up! I’m in no state to argue with my husband about this. I think I might fall unconscious now. So I did…

…

… I don’t know how long I was out, but I started to feel warm again. More than that, I started to feel like I had some strength, too. I welcomed these sensations, as they coursed through my awakening body.

I started to feel a deliciously warm, thick and familiar tasting liquid, fill my mouth. My automatic swallowing response kicked in, which gulped it down; before more warm, thick, familiar tasting liquid, filled it again. This continued, with each time more replacing it.

My eyes slowly opened, to find myself propped up against Declan’s hardened hide for a chest. His large left arm, was holding me against him, as his right wrist was pressed against my parted mouth. It was responsible for the warm, thick, familiar tasting liquid. He was sharing his blood, to heal his mate.

“She’s awake.” I heard Meadow announce.

When my eyes refocused, I found the Medicine Man wrapping a bandage around my abdomen.

Declan emitted a soft growl, in relief. Then his huge canine head ducked, to tenderly run his short, stubby snout across my forehead. Lastly, his hot, wet tongue darted out a couple of times, as he affectionately licked my cheek.

I looked away, to see Stone and Wade, examining the two Vampire carcasses.

“These two were definitely older than the young whelps set upon us downstairs.” Stone commented.

“Those younger Vampires, were hardly a challenge at all.” Wade agreed.

“The older ones certainly would have given Aunt B a run for her money.” He stood up. “They would have been faster and more experienced.”

“Did you hear the sword fighting?” Wade asked.

“Hear it?” His eyebrows rose. “That constant clanging, as Aunt B took them both on, at the same time. I thought Uncle Declan was going to have a heart attack! Did you see him charge through two the ‘fang heads’ at the bottom of the stairs, when they tried to stop him from coming up here?”

“We should have let him stay with the women.” Wade said flatly. “We thought the fight was too easy, because it was. The older ones used the younger ones, as a diversion so they could make their move.”

“What kind of species is it, that instead of protecting their young, they would use them as fodder to be killed?” Stone kicked the Vampire head away, in disgust.

Wade glared down at the decapitated bodies, “man-eaters can’t be trusted.”

Then Nairn returned to the room and knelt on the floor beside us. She looked on my mate’s monstrous form uneasily, but forced herself to peak under my bandages to check on my wound. Then she hastily stood up and backed away.

“She’s healing quickly.” She announced. “The medicinal herbs I put over the wound, will prevent infection from setting into the new skin tissue.”

“Are they plants that you use for antiseptic purposes?” Our Medicine Man asked, with interest.

“Yes, they’re part of an old Celtic poultice.”

“How long have you been a healer for?” Meadow asked next.

“Fifteen years,” she answered, “and you?”

“Fifty,” the Lokoti Werewolf with a late thirties appearance, told her.

“Oh, I see.” She tried to hide her surprise.

Chiron and Forrest came back into the room, to talk to Nairn.

“We are disposing of the Vampire bodies, so you can call the police and report this as a ransacking.” Our First told her.

She gave a nod, as she stood back and watched Stone and Wade, pick up the two Vampire carcasses. Easily, they slung them over their shoulders like they were carrying sacks of feathers, thanks to their supernatural strength. Forrest picked up the head as well as the weapons, and followed them out.

“How are you disposing of them?” She wondered.

“We’re putting them in a mass grave, on the far end of this property.” Chiron advised.

“A mass grave, here?!” She blanched. “But if the police scan the perimeter, they’ll be picked up.”

“No they won’t.” He shook his head. “Vampire bodies decompose into a biological ash within seven days of their death. There won’t be anything left to scan, it would be compost.”

“What about the blood everywhere?” She queried. “What do I say about that?”

“You don’t have to say anything.” Chiron said simply. “Call the police and when they come here to assess the damage, just tell them you came home to find everything as is.”

“Let the police and their forensics come up with their own conclusion.” Meadow chuckled. “But I guarantee, they won’t come back with a Vampire and a Werewolf battle, took place.”

“And what will I tell them about you?” She looked on the tall, strong, older men with blood all over their jeans.

“We won’t be here.” He stated. “Aunt B should soon be well enough to instantaneously phase us back to Alaska.”

I nodded in agreement with a mouth full of Declan’s arm. When I tried to move my head away, he growled at me to stay still. Nairn’s face twitched in fear, from how dangerous he sounded then.

I could see his European Werewolf form was making her uncomfortable, so I felt I should do something. I shook my head to say ‘no more’, as I pushed his arm away. However when I moved to sit up, I fell backwards against his chest from the dizziness!

“Aunt B, you need more.” Meadow frowned.

Declan easily caught me, as he rolled his eyes at my stubbornness. This time I didn’t object when he replaced his wrist. I clung to it, as I gulped down several more mouthfuls. His regenerative life force lessened the pain in my abdomen and soon, my dizziness was replaced with clarity.

“Is she alright?” Nairn frowned, as she looked over my pale, pasty skin.

“When we’re in our Werewolf form, we’re stronger.” Meadow educated. “It’s why Declan is remaining in his, as he shares his blood with his mate.”

Her anxious expression, smoothed in understanding and now she looked on Declan’s beastly form with less fear in her eyes.

After another couple of minutes, I used my tongue to lick his cut and kick-start his own healing process. I heard him whine softly as he ducked his head once more, to run his nose over my skin. He could smell I was stronger and reluctantly, he released me from his claws.

When I sat upright again, this time there wasn't any dizziness. As I climbed to my feet, I shrunk back into my normal form. Nairn gaped at my healthy human appearance.

“Hi.” I greeted.

“B," she looked me up and down, "how are you feeling?”

“Better," I answered before I looked at Chiron, “and if you start lecturing me how I shouldn’t have fought the two older Vampires? May I point out that the two fought so fast with such skill; that if it wasn’t me getting impaled, it could have been several members of the pack who lost their lives!”

His Second growled loudly at me to shut up, which unnerved the human. When Declan stood up on his hind legs, Nairn shrank back from his towering build. I think the fact that his mouth and claws were also stained with blood, didn’t help. He saw her fear, so he too reverted to his normal appearance.

Nairn watched in astonishment, as this huge, hulking, hairless beast changed into the man she knew.

The European Werewolf’s short, stubby snout shrank back into his head, with his sharp jaws returning to human teeth. She shuddered, as she heard the soft cracking noises his bones made, as they were contorted from a four-legged canine shape, to a bipedal human form. His height decreased into a tall human body, whilst his claws retracted into normal nails once more. His scruffy blonde hair reappeared on top of his head, as his human ears replaced his canine ones. Lastly, his glowing green eyes with narrow slits for pupils; faded into naturally bright blue ones, with circular pupils.

Within a matter of seconds, a naked, muscled man was looking on the shocked witness, but his mouth and hands were still stained with blood.

“You mind if I use your bathroom to get cleaned up?” He asked casually.

“Er…” her mouth wavered.

“Thanks.”

He scooped up his clothes which were still on her bed, to take with him as he left the room.

“Excuse me,” I said as I followed my mate out.

Declan picked up that I was right behind him, so he left the bathroom door ajar. I opened it and went inside, to find him washing himself down at the sink. I grabbed some extra soap for him to use, before I waited with a towel.

“What’s this?” He chuckled. “To repay me for saving your life, you’re my slave now?”

“Shut up.” I smirked, as I waited for him to finish.

“Great, now you can do all the cooking and sit at our table for hours, to hand-make pasta, marinated olives and antipasto.” He continued.

“You wish!”

“Nah, not really. I can think of a better use for you. You can start by taking off all your clothes and only wear lingerie from now on.”

“You are one sick puppy, you know that?” I kicked his leg.

“You’d better believe it.” He turned off the taps, before reaching for the towel I was holding.

I noticed he’d missed a couple of spots, so I wet a corner of the fabric to remove them. He smilingly stood still, watching as I cleaned him up. His large hands came to rest on my hips, as he pulled me closer.

“The police would take one look at you and arrest you for being a killer.” I chastised.

“Or give me a medal for saving my wife’s life tonight.” He released my waist. “So, are you gonna explain yourself or what?”

“Explain myself?”

“You followed me in here to avoid a telling-off by our First.” He frowned.

“Why am I going to get told off?” I asked defensively. “I fought two old ones and killed one tonight!”

“That’s exactly why you’re gonna get told off.” He said unhappily, as he began to get dressed.

“But I followed my orders, I stayed where I was.”

“You were also told that if things got dangerous, you were supposed to grab Nairn and phase yourselves back to Alaska.” He paused to give a glare. I wondered how he knew this, when he rolled his eyes. “You’re mated to the Second of the pack, B. When Chiron gives an order, I hear it first.”

“I followed my orders and I guarded Nairn.” I repeated defiantly.

“Yeah right!” Declan sneered. “You know if this was the old days, a male Lokoti Werewolf would be punished for disobeying his First.”

“Oh yeah?” I crossed my arms. “By hot coals or a whip?”

“The Second would challenge the dissenter, or sometimes the whole pack could punish the one who brought chaos to order. We’d get our claws underneath their skin, and flail them.” He stated.

This made me snort in disbelief, “yeah whatever!”

Once he’d finished dressing, Declan gave a long, hard look to compound this.

“Flailed? You’ve got to be joking! You’re just saying this crap to scare me.” I shook my head.

His blue eyes turned ice cold, “and following me into the bathroom because I’m your mate, is not going to spare you from disobeying your First.”

“Say what?” I blanched. “You saved my life, just so you can stand back and watch me get flailed?! I’d rather be impaled by a silver dagger again!”

Declan’s face turned impassive. “In this situation, it’s the Second to mete out the punishment of the dissenter, who disobeyed the First.”

“You’re gonna what?” I fired up, as I took a step backwards. “What the hell is all of this crap? Do you know how crazy that sounds? Nairn was right to be scared by you!”

He spoke in a detached voice, “since this is the first time where a Second was mated to one of the pack, let alone the dissenter? New rules would apply. So along these lines, a suitable punishment has to be found.”

“Declan…?” I took another step back from him. “You’re not serious, right?”

My mate remained cold and aloof as his icy stare, sent shivers down my spine!

“Just because we’re mates, it doesn’t mean I’m going to show favouritism, B.” His voice dropped warningly. “If I go soft on you, it sends out the wrong message to the rest of the pack.”

“Declan, you can’t be serious!” My voice turned shrill. “You’re actually going to HURT me?!”

“You may as well admit your mistake and hear the verdict of your pack.” He said coldly.

A shiver shot down my spine, as I started to rub my arms. My heart hurt at how easily he could side with the pack and not his mate. Maybe this is why Dad disapproved of Declan’s breed? My father never did like my husband.

His demeanor changed again, as he leaned heavily on the sink as if he was going to say something gravely serious.

“My ruling is, you have to wear only lingerie from now on, with stilettos, a matching dog’s collar and you never argue with me again.”

“Huh?” I looked on, blankly.

Suddenly the sound of raucous laughter, came from the other side of the bathroom door!

Even Declan’s façade slipped, as he started snickering as well. I threw open the door, to find Chiron, Stone, Forrest, Wade and Meadow; all standing in the hallway, listening in! All of this had been a joke?!

“Oh Aunt B, you’re face right now!” Wade laughed the hardest. “Why couldn’t I have thought of this, to use on my wife when she was still alive?”

“WHAT?!” I roared in embarrassment.

My face felt scorching hot, and I imagined it was looking pretty red by this stage.

“It was this or getting flailed,” Chiron shrugged simply.

Then he turned and walked off down the hallway, with the members of his pack laughingly following suit.

I stood still as a statue, mortified; as I watched them disappear downstairs. Once they were gone, I slowly turned around to face my so-called ‘mate’. I saw his own face was reddening, because he was laughing so hard…

“Oh, where’s a camera when you need one?” He guffawed.

Suddenly Declan found himself being pelted with bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel; as I threw anything I could get my hands on!

*****

When I instantaneously phased the pack back to Alaska, my husband came with us. He carried the towel he had used, as well as my sword. The pack disbanded on our driveway, so the men could go home to their wives and families. Then we went inside, to shower off any last traces of blood.

The towel and gym clothes were put into the washing machine, to wash away any incriminating evidence as the Werewolf couple did the same.

Once I stepped out of the shower, I stood still to allow my mate with his better tracking skills, sniff his wife.

"You're all clear." He gave his verdict. "You did have some blood spray in your hair, but it's all gone now."

Then he went under the stream of water and used the small scrubbing brush, to clean under his nails.

A quarter of an hour later, I instantaneously phased us back into Nairn's lounge room.

The decaying living area sat in further ruin, with three broken windows, smashed furniture and ornaments, and the fraying rug stained with blood. In fact, there was blood everywhere including on the walls and bookshelves. Nairn's face fell, as she surveyed the damage.

"I'm never gonna be able to afford the repair work," she tearfully shook her head, "maybe I should just sell the place and move?"

My mate and I exchanged glances, before I put my hand on her arm.

"I'll pay," I offered.

"But this isn't your fault, B." She exhaled loudly. "The Vampires came for me first and you second. Whether you guys were here or not, the attack on me would have been made."

"Yeah, but I can afford the bill." I told her.

"No, I can't let you pay." Nairn rubbed her arms from the cold air coming in. "Besides, after what happened tonight, I think I'd prefer to live in town and closer to help."

Declan's eyes softened, as he looked on the shaken woman, in sympathy.

He spoke gently, "how about B and I stay with you, as the repair work gets underway? Then once the house is finished, you can decide if you still want to sell up. Besides, it'll look more attractive on the market when it's repaired, than the way it is now."

"Really?" She instantly brightened by the sound of this. "You and B will put off the rest of your holiday, to stay with me?"

"Well, we won't be putting it off, just delaying it for a week or two." I counter offered.

"Why yes, that would be lovely!" The human gushed in relief, at the idea of having two Werewolves as bodyguards. "I'd feel much better if I had company, than living alone in a trashed home."

"No problem." My mate continued. "Now as B calls her PA to reschedule the rest of our travels, you call the police and report that you've been ransacked."

Then together, the women took out their mobile phones to make the calls.

*****

I instantaneously phased Declan and I into our hotel room, just before the first police car arrived. Although my mate wasn't injured in the carnage, I couldn't be around when my blood was scanned, otherwise I could be linked to the crime scene. Once the police left, we'd return with our suitcases for our stay.

Whilst my husband collected our clothes and toiletries to be repacked, I called my PA at Hodge Endeavour again.

"Don't be afraid to hire two or three teams of people, to carry out the repair work." I instructed. "Not only do I want the windows fixed and the house professionally cleaned as soon as possible, I want to repair the sunken staircase and fraying rugs. Oh, hire an antiques specialist to come too, so we can order new furniture and maybe some ornaments. Yeah, I want the house to look as good as new, just like it did in the 1700's. Uh huh. Uh huh. Oh, and maybe get some gardeners, so we can spruce up the lawns and make the outside look attractive as well. No, I don't think Nairn would mind if we put in some garden beds and added some colour to the dismal, grey building."

Declan was folding up his clothes and putting them in his suitcase, when he heard that last part.

He paused to say, "my god, I'm mated to Martha Stewart."

Then I paused in conversation, long enough to pick up my hairbrush which was beside my toiletries bag, to throw it at him too.

*****

The police investigated the ransacking of Stonewall House, right up until 6 AM. The forensics team scanned the place thoroughly, whilst samples were taken of the blood spilt. This would have included mine, which had stained Nairn's bedroom floor. I'd have to be doubly careful now, because if I was scanned, my blood work would match the evidence found.

We checked out of the hotel, and drove our rental into the Scottish countryside once again.

Nairn greeted us at the front door, wearing a blanket over her clothes. Then she led us through the damaged areas, and into the kitchen. The fighting didn't reach this part of the house, as it was still in once piece. As such, she proceeded to prepare her house guests a large, hot breakfast of bacon, eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms.

Whereas the European Werewolf ate with gusto, I noticed the human hardly touched her plate. Instead, she pulled the blanket about her more tightly. This gave her a disheveled appearance as she looked absolutely exhausted.

"Why don't you go and lie down?" I suggested. "The repairers won't be here until midday, so you've got plenty of time to rest."

"Repairers?" She blinked in surprise.

"Yeah, I called my PA again to organize the repairs, to fix up the house and furniture." I filled her in. "They'll start today."

"My goodness, you work fast." She marveled at the Circulator at the table.

"In light speed," Declan joked in between mouthfuls, "once B sets her mind on something, there's no looking back."

Wearily, she rubbed her face with her hand before leaning on it, on top of the table. "I think I might lie down for a little while, after breakfast."

"Go right now, if you want." He offered. "We'll clean up the breakfast mess."

As if to illustrate, he picked up her full plate and put it on top of his empty one. In the style of 'waste not, want not'; he tucked into her meal. I shook my head at his unabashed appetite, before giving our human host an apologetic look.

"Is this what you mean by 'cleaning up', Declan?" She teased.

"Mmm," his eyes momentarily closed, to show he was enjoying his meal, "the mushrooms go well with the bacon and tomato. I'm gonna have to remember that. Usually we don't use mushrooms, but hash browns instead."

Next, Nairn passed me a wide-eyed look, "I think I'm going to have to go grocery shopping again this week, to keep up with Declan's stomach."

"Nah, I'll go." He told her. "Besides, I'll know what ingredients I'll need, when I cook up a couple of Italian dinners, throughout the week."

"Ooh," she looked impressed, "a man who likes to cook as well as eat? I think I'm going to insist that the pair of you, stay longer."

"Declan's just a food-addict, period." I told her. "He delights in hunting it, killing it and then eating it; or slice 'n dice it in the kitchen and then consume it."

This made him turn defensive, "yeah well, it's thanks to my hunger that my wife is still alive, as you may recall. I did eat through the head of that second 'fang head', who was attacking you."

Just then Nairn shuddered from his words, as her hands gripped tighter onto the blanket.

"C'mon you," I stood up and then I helped her to her feet, "it's bedtime for all humans, who've been through bloodshed and sleep deprivation."

*****

As I put her to bed in one of the upstairs bedrooms, Declan cleaned up the kitchen. We rendezvoused at the bottom of the staircase, to talk. However, I also noticed he had his keys in his hand.

"I think she's in shock," I warned, "but I managed to get her into a warm shower before collapsing into bed. She's asleep now."

"You stay with her, while I go into town." He organized. "Do you want anything from the supermarket?"

"What are you going to make for dinner?"

"Tonight, I'll make lasagna, green salad and garlic bread. Tomorrow night, we'll eat beef cannelloni and Greek salad. The night after, tarragon chicken with roasted, herbed vegetables..." he listed off.

"Will there be any tiramisu, on any of these evenings?" I smiled cheekily. "I think it'll make Nairn feel better."

"Oh well, if it'll make Nairn feel better..." he jokingly went along, "...consider it done."

I grabbed the front of his jumper and pulled him in for a kiss, before sending him on his way.

*****

Declan was gone for a good two hours and it turned out to be a good thing I stayed, as Stonewall House was inundated with visitors.

I thought my PA told me that the cleaning and repair crews would be coming at midday, but instead they turned up at 9 AM.

When I opened the front door, I found over ten people wearing work overalls, standing on the front path. Behind them were four different vans, either advertising cleaning companies or repair work, on the sides. Some of the men and women wore tool belts, as other carried steam cleaning equipment.

"Oh, I wasn't expecting you guys until midday." I said in surprise.

"Good day to you miss," one of the older men, tipped his cap in politeness. "We came as soon as possible, as was instructed when we accepted the job."

"Wow, talk about prompt." I held the door open. "Come on in."

I walked them through the damaged parts of the house, showing the repair crews the broken windows and the cleaning crews, the mess.

"Um, why is there so much blood, everywhere?" One of the women uneasily looked around.

"That's what the police are investigating," I half-lied. "Oh, it's safe to remove the police tape, as everything's been photographed, scanned and documented."

I tore down a couple of reams of police tape, which went across the blood-splattered bookshelves.

Then I turned back to the repair crews, "if you can first fix the front windows downstairs, later I'll show you the upstairs windows which also need replacing."

Hopefully, it would also give Nairn some uninterrupted hours of sleep.

*****

To keep out of the way, I stayed in the kitchen, sipping on a cup of tea. I sat at the kitchen table, reading a book whilst occasionally looking at my watch. As such, Pete Miller found me, when he was shown in by one of the cleaners.

"Where's Nairn?" He asked worriedly. "Is she alright?"

"She's fine, she's sleeping upstairs." I stood up to receive him. "Would you like a tea or coffee?"

"I think I should go and check on her..." he anxiously hopped from one foot to the next, "...is she injured?"

"She's fine," I repeated whilst holding up my hands in a 'calm down' gesture, "but she's in shock and she needs to rest."

"Has she been to the doctor?" He pressed.

"No, she wasn't home when the place was vandalized." I lied. "She's not hurt Pete, just in shock from what's occurred. She's been up all night, as the police didn't leave until six o'clock."

"Oh," his face flushed at the scene he was creating, "it sounds like she'll need the rest, then."

"Have a cup of tea and I think she has some scones in the fridge, we can heat up with some butter and jam." I moved away from the table to play hostess. "Nairn should be awake around midday and then the repair crews can fix the upstairs windows too."

Pete stood back to let me procure the morning tea, but he was watching closely.

"So what happened last night, after you three left the dance?" He asked a little suspiciously.

"Nairn dropped us off at our hotel." I retold the story Declan and Chiron, had thought up. "We asked her if she would like to have a drink in the hotel's bar, but she said she was feeling tired. We sat in the car and talked a bit though, because Declan and I were meant to be leaving today. Then she drove home and called us after she called the police, to tell us about the state her home was in. We think it could have been the two strangers who showed up at the dance last night, along with their friends. Not sure what the deal is with all the blood though, but it's a good thing Nairn dropped Declan and I off first, so she wasn't here when it happened."

"Aye," Pete sat down heavily, at the table, "t'was a good thing, indeed."

I carried the pot of tea and his mug, over to the table before grabbing the butter and jam.

He continued, "I heard what happened from Bill Macquarie, a Detective Sergeant at the station. He interviewed me, Angus and Eileen this morning, about the strangers at the dance last night. We told him how thin and pale the two were, and he thinks they were drug addicts. He thinks some kind of drug war went on here and they picked Nairn's place, because she's a known Healer. They thought they could score some pot, or magic mushrooms, or some such nonsense."

"It would explain why they singled her out, at the dance." I went along.

"It just makes me mad," Pete seethed, "here's the softest soul in all of Stonehaven, who uses her gifts to help people. Then she has druggies trashing her house, looking for her herbal remedies."

"No, it's not right, to be hunted like that..." my voice trailed off, before I pulled myself up. "Cup of tea?"

"Please," he pushed the empty mug towards me.

As soon as I filled his cup, Declan came into the kitchen, carrying four shopping bags in each hand.

"Declan!" He shot up out of his chair, as if having tea with a married woman was cause for concern.

My mate looked on the human in amusement, as he 'dumped' the shopping bags on top of the kitchen counter.

"How's it goin', Pete?" He chuckled back. "Sit down and enjoy your tea, I've just gotta get more shopping from the rental."

"Let me give you a hand," Pete hurried after the bigger and stronger male. "I also wanted to say thanks for last night, how you came to Nairn's and my defense..."

I giggled into my teacup, listening to their fading voices as they went outside.

*****

At 11.43 AM, a sleepy but dressed Nairn, appeared downstairs. Now that she was awake, I gave the cleaning and repair crews the go-ahead, to work in the upper part of the house. She stared at the strangers in her home, before Declan planted her at the kitchen table, to join us for morning tea.

My mate the forever gourmet chef, had heated up the scones and even whipped some cream to have with them, instead of butter. He also followed her inspiration, by making cucumber sandwiches. We four enjoyed these delights, as the house sounded like a hive of activity, from the work crews.

"And how are you feeling today Nairn, after all that's occurred?" Pete looked on, intently.

"I'd be lying if I said I was fine." She sighed. "But I'm glad B and Declan are here."

Her suitor sat up straighter, almost a little jealously. He glanced sideways at the larger man seated on his left, who was wolfing down his scones and sandwiches. Declan's muscles were so large, they were obvious even under his clothes. Then I almost laughed, when Pete pulled back his shoulders and jutted out his chest, to show off whatever strength he had.

The European Werewolf caught on to what the human male was trying to do, and he passed his Lokoti Werewolf wife, a wink.

"Having two strong males in the house, should make you feel better." Declan turned to Nairn. "Say, how about we ask Pete, if he'd like to stay for dinner? We'll pay for his protective services, with a two-course feast."

As he spoke, the human male jutted out his chest so much so, he looked like he was about to sprain something. When he started to flex the muscles on his smaller body, it was the last straw to make Nairn and I, burst out laughing! When he saw how lightening the mood made her feel better, he even stood up to do a couple of body-builder poses.

"Would you look at that," Declan waved his way, "how can I compete with that?"

"C'mon then," he returned to his seat to taunt, "I'll give you an arm wrestle."

"Nuh uh," my mate shook his head, "you'll win and I'll look like the idiot."

"Aw, c'mon!" The smaller man jeered the bigger one. "I'll be gentle with you."

"No way, I know the better man when I see him." He shook his head. "I think I'll stick to cooking."

"You're not afraid, are you?" Pete played along.

"Please don't hurt me." Declan pretended to plead. "If you do, I won't be able to make dinner tonight."

Next, the smaller Scotsman sat back in his seat, stroking his chin as he thought about it. "Oh alright, I'll let you live so you can make Nairn her dinner."

Then the pretty Scotswoman leaned forward to say in a flirty manner, "that's very gracious of you, Pete. You truly are a kind and generous man."

*****

The work crews left at 6 PM, to return early the next morning. But with their departure, new windows were in their stead. All the broken glass and mess had been cleaned up and even half of the blood was gone.

Nairn and I walked around, surveying the work done so far, whilst Pete helped Declan in the kitchen.

I'm not completely sure, but I suspected my husband had told him that she liked men who cooked. However throughout the food preparation, it became evident that he didn't do this very often. Declan even had to show him how to grate cheese, as he helped with the lasagna. Then as my mate piled the mince, pasta sheets, béchamel sauce and then the grated cheese on top of the other, he had Pete cut up the ingredients for the salad.

Before we rejoined them in the kitchen, we stood at the base of the sunken staircase. Nairn was nursing a glass of wine, from a bottle she was sharing with Pete. Declan and I didn't touch the alcohol, instead we sipped on Root Beer.

"I've hired some carpenters to fix this staircase, I hope you don't mind." I told her. "I was thinking back to that conversation we had about fixing up the place, the day we met."

"And you thought that with all the repair work, it would be the perfect excuse to fix everything else that's wrong with the house." She smiled knowingly. "No, I don't mind, B. This place is so old, it's falling apart. Maybe what happened was a good thing, to kick-start the house into regenerating as well."

Then I stood closer to her to say, "curses can turn into blessings. Besides, when did you ever think that you'd see Pete Miller, cooking for you in your kitchen?"

"Actually, never!" She giggled back. "The man was so shy, it's only taken fifteen years, a battle between two supernatural creatures, now a gourmet chef for a European Werewolf, to show him how it's done."

"Let's go back," I linked my arm with hers, "the men need an audience to show off for."

"Lets," she tittered back and merrily, we returned to the hearth and heart of the house.

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