#i think Some vampire wants me in a mating press.... hmmm....

[newtonsheffield]

It’s Spicy Sunday! Can we see some Yours to Tame spice?! Maybe some Daddy VampAnthony and/or how certain items of furniture come to be destroyed?

Hmmm It's not really Daddy, But even before Kate was a vampire, these two were breaking furniture

It was the oddest thing, really. To imagine yourself as someone with a... destiny. To imagine that you'd been put on this earth to find a single person, and a month ago, Kate would have thought you were insane if you'd told her that soulmates existed. She'd rolled her eyes when the psychic she'd gone to after her father died had gripped her forearm on the way out and said You've a touch of destiny, about you. And every inch of it is red.

But she couldn't ignore it, anymore. From the minute her lips had met Anthony's, his shoulders still heaving and his eyes dark and dangerous from the way he'd hissed at the would be robber You had your fucking hands all over my Mate! she'd known he was right. Every inch of the their futures were intertwined together. Tied in a knot she'd never want to escape from.

And it was terrifying, of course it was. To be 22 and standing on the edge of something bigger than yourself, to let yourself fall into it, but she'd never had a choice. Not even weeks later when she'd seen Anthony clench his jaw, his eyes flickering closed as he breathed deeply.

"You want to mark me, don't you?"

He'd taken a shuddering breath as they'd lain there on her bedroom floor, the sweat cooling on their bodies. "Yes. My body is telling me to claim my mate but I can- it'll pass. It's happened every time."

And she'd burned for it. For the connection they'd have, to belong to something bigger than herself, and she'd wanted, known it was right regardless. "Don't let it pass."

His eyes had flown open, shaking his head as he'd turned towards her. "Kate, no. It's not that simple, we'll be bonded forever and-"

"I'm yours, and you're mine." She'd cut him off, running her fingers over the crease between his eyebrows. "We're meant for one another, you can feel it, I can feel it. Take what's yours."

And when he'd let out a groan and his teeth had closed over her skin she hadn't thought anything but finally.

It was one sided, she knew it was, She couldn't mark him the same way she was marked as his, but she felt the connection they had deep in her bones. Felt the way her body reacted to him, the way she relaxed against him and something purred in her chest when his nose pressed against the mark his teeth had left on her skin. The way they connected with each other on every level. There'd never been anything like it. Never been anything like the way she burned for him. The way every time their eyes met her stomach dropped. Every time his hand touched hers it set her entire body on fire.

"Kate." Anthony's voice drawled as he leaned across the counter at her, his eyes darkening in that way that made her heart pound even more in her chest.

She cleared her throat, "Anthony."

"You were thinking about me."

"I wasn't." She had been.

"I think you were." Anthony hummed, darting around the counter quicker than she could see, his hands on her waist tugging her back against his chest.

"I can feel your heart pounding." One of his hands moved to her neck, tilting her head to give him more access, his teeth on her skin nipping lightly nowhere near hard enough to break the skin.

"I can feel your blood rushing to your cheeks." His other hand slipped lower, his fingers skirting over the bare skin of her thigh.

Kate let out a shuddering breath, fighting the urge to clench her thighs together to find some sort of friction. "I could be thinking about anything."

His chuckle was a dark little thing, right in her ear, making her shiver. "You could be. But if you are, why can I feel you on fire? Why can I taste it in the air?"

And as quickly as he'd grabbed her, he was gone, settled innocently back on his stool, grinning while she let out another shuddering breath, falling forwards to catch herself against the counter.

"Probably just as well you weren't thinking about me. You've still got 45 minutes left of your shift."

"I hate you." Kate groaned, fanning herself a little ridiculously.

"I know you do, Darling."

From the second the burst through the front door of her flat, his lips were on hers. His hand gripped her waist, the other tangled in her hair as his lips bruised hers, their teeth clashing, tongues tangling desperately as the tension snapped between them.

oh, Fuck, Kate

His voice was so deep like this, always. Dark and dangerous and desperate. Rough velvet brushing over her skin as he held his forehead against hers breathing her in deeply. He leaned forward, pressing his nose against her neck, nuzzling gently, just above the mark that had made her truly his. Scenting himself, marking himself with her scent, letting it cover him as though he couldn't be close enough to her. And it only made her want him more.

Kate reached forward, tugging roughly at the buttons of his shirt, ignoring the few that scattered to the floor, as Anthony's hands joined hers, tearing it from him before he reached for her dress, tugging it gently from her body always so much more gentle with her than he ever was with himself, his eyes locked on hers.

Is this okay?

Kate nodded desperately, tugging him back towards her by the belt but his smile stopped her. a predatory little thing as he growled in her ear.

Not yet, Kate.

Anthony's hands tugged at her thighs as their lips met again, moving feverishly together as her legs locked around his waist, her hips bucking shallowly against his, desperate for-

A whine dropped from her throat as Anthony's eyes darkened when he let her fall lightly against the side table by the front door, Anthony falling to his knees in front of her.

And Kate finally stopped breathing.

His lips trailed lazily up her leg, surprisingly so given the desperation of a few seconds before, his teeth nipping behind them and she knew there would be a little trail of red from her knee all the way up her thigh, even through her stockings. Anthony breathed deeply against her, breathing her in again when he reached his destination.

please Anthony

It fell from her lips before she could stop it, and it all happened quicker than she could follow. The sound of her stockings tearing echoed through the entryway, followed quickly by her knickers, his tongue moving relentlessly against her immediately after.

He'd been right, when he'd told her this was the closest to heaven he'd ever be. She was sure it was the closest she'd get as well. Her hands tangled in his hair, tugging him closer as a strangled moan fell from her lips, her hips bucking helplessly against him. A purr fell from Anthony's chest vibrating through her sending a shiver down Kate's spine, his name falling from her lips as the heat simmering between them choked at her lungs. And finally as a vase shattered to the fall, she fell as well.

Anthony's tongue was still lapping at her when she tugged him to his feet by the hair, his pupils blown wide as he looked down at her. He could have overpowered her in an instant, with a single flex of his muscles, they both knew it. And yet, he let himself be at her mercy. Let himself be pulled and tugged around, devoting himself to her completely. And there'd never be anything more heady than that.

Anthony's hands joined hers again as she tugged at his belt, then his trousers, letting them slide down his hips. His hands cradled her face gently, fingers brushing her hair back from her face as his forehead pressed against hers, a groan rising in both their throats as they joined together.

What little air had been left in Kate's lungs left them the second they found their rhythm. It was a little frantic, a little desperate, their hands clutching at one another as the side table beat against the wall, their hips grinding against one another as they raced towards the finish.

And still there was that connection.

Every single cell in their bodies moved in sync. Every breath, every heart beat tied them even more firmly together as the air thickened with tension and the heat between them swelled to an inferno, time stretching on forever in front of them.

Oh god, Kate, I can't- Fuck- I can't baby- Oh god- please please please you feel so good

His voice was desperate in her ear while his own name fell from her lips again and again until her throat was raw with it, his nose nuzzling against her neck again, lips pressed to the spot where she'd truly linked them forever, a question he wouldn't ask as her hand cradled the back of his neck

It's okay, Anthony, take what you need

The second his teeth bit into her shoulder, the world split apart, tilted on its axis as her vision blurred. Anthony's hips stuttered desperately losing their rhythm as he let out a fevered groan. Once, Twice, and everything went still.

Kate wasn't sure, exactly how long they sat there, with Anthony's weight pressing her into the wall, the table swaying dangerously beneath them under their combined weight, only that suddenly Anthony's arms tightened around her, his head shooting up from her shoulder, tugging her away as the table gave way, collapsing to a pile on the floor.

Kate blinked sluggishly down at it, her lips parting in surprise as she sat in Anthony's arms. "Well. We fucked a table to death."

Anthony let out a little hum of agreement. "Worth it. I'll by you a new one."

He tugged her a little closer to his chest, making his way through to her bed his eyes still glazed as her memories played before his eyes, laying her gently n the mattress before he crawled on top of her, restng his head on her stomach.

"Tell me what you see."

She couldn't help but ask, fascinated by these moments after he'd tasted her, knowing they were his favourite. The connection he felt to her, the feelings she shared.

Anthony smiled, "You were with your Dad. He told you one day you'd meeting the person you belonged with... then you asked him for a puppy."

Kate felt her eyelids drooping even as she chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds right. And when her eyelids closed it was only seconds before she turned her head, and met Anthony again.

"Okay, now where were we."

[mostlycompetentwriter]

Blueprint

Part of the Stray Wolves Series

F/M Pairing: Y/N x Lee Felix (SKZ)

Genre: Vampire AU; Werewolf AU; Forbidden Love AU; Prequel

Warnings: Graphic Smut; Explicit Language; Blood Drinking

Word Count: 8K

Summary: Y/N is tired of her werewolf pack dictating her choices, especially when they force her into an arranged marriage with a younger friend. In retaliation, Y/N sneaks out one night in direct defiance of her alpha’s orders, and she meets a mysterious vampire who allows her the first tempting taste of freedom...and she might just fall in love with him in the process.

A/N: This was supposed to be for Felix’s birthday, but I’ve got something else that I could release for him, so here ya’ go!!

Blueprint: “a detailed outline or plan of action: a blueprint for success.”

My life had always been dictated by the choices of others instead of my own. For example, when I turned 16 and endured my first painful heat, our pack alpha declared that I was finally ready to mate. It was a scary thought for me to process, and I begged my father not to force me into an arranged marriage. 

However, he was stern in his handling of the situation, refusing to disobey his alpha, but more than willing to pair me with a much younger werewolf named Mark who wasn’t quite ready for the mating ceremony because he still hadn’t gone through his first rut. In hindsight, I knew that it was a logical compromise, but I was still upset because I didn’t want to mate with another wolf and have pups. Plus, Mark was one of my friends, and I was troubled by the thought of presenting myself to him.

It ignited a fierce passion deep inside of me, and I rebelled against my pack for the first time that night by escaping into the darkness of the forest when the moon was at its highest point. You see, our alpha had mandated a curfew for the pack omegas, but I defied his orders and considered the possibility of running beyond our defined borders and into the surrounding mountains. But as I paced alongside the river separating our territory from a rival pack, contemplating several life-changing choices, I suddenly realized that I wasn’t alone.

But it was when I first turned around to confront the stranger watching me from the trees that I experienced my first taste of regret for leaving the pack without informing another member. Because upon closer inspection, I realized that he was startling beautiful - peering at me with vibrant blue-colored eyes that were hidden beneath white, cascading hair. My wolf growled because I understood well enough that he was a vampire, and that made him a natural enemy of my people. Yet, the boy didn’t attack me like I feared; instead, he studied me carefully as if I was something particularly interesting.

“This is not your land, vampire,” I said, attempting to sound a lot more confident than I felt. 

He smirked at my feeble attempt to stand up to him. “I have no land.”

I shivered at his tone. “What does that mean?”

“I’ve been banished from my coven,” he continued. “They gave me rogue status when I left.”

“Still, that doesn’t give you the right to be here!”

“I should think that you don’t really belong out here either,” he continued. “This forest holds many dangers.”

“You don’t know me,” I snarled.

“It’s a strange place for an unmated omega,” he continued while looking at my chest. “And you’re ready to carry pups.”

I gasped at his audacity, and I quickly covered myself with my hands. “Mind your own business!”

The vampire chuckled. “Relax, I have no plans to hurt you.” He swaggered forward with an unrivaled arrogance, leaning in to inhale against the side of my neck. “You do smell like something that I would enjoy playing with.”

I took a step back to create some distance between us. “I’m patrolling the border.”

“Alone?” he questioned. “I know your alpha, and he’s quite strict when it comes to his pack’s females. Actually, I’m surprised that you’re not already mated.”

“Who says that I want a mate?” I returned, sending him a challenging stare. “I’m not some pliant bitch who plans to open her legs for anyone!”

“Clearly,” he said, running his tongue across sharp fangs. “But you’ll learn to obey your pack leader, just like the other mindless pups who fall in line with the status quo.”

“Well, I’m not like those other wolves,” I insisted. “I can think for myself!”

“Really?” he asked, eyebrows shooting up into his bangs. “Prove it to me.”

“What?” I asked, hesitating because I wasn’t sure how to handle his request.

“Show me that you won’t give in,” he said. “Do something that would demonstrate this defiance you have against your alpha.”

I growled because I despised the arrogance in his tone, reaching out for the collar of his shirt to pull him closer. It pleased me to see the vampire caught off-guard, and I quickly pressed my lips against his just to shock him even more. Still, I couldn’t help but grimace when the taste of him reminded me of copper, and I closed my eyes while shivering because of his cold skin. But I eventually pulled away after a moment, studying his expression with a smile. “See?” I said. “I’m not like the other wolves.”

The vampire took his time opening his own eyes, looking at me with a gaze that reminded me of the ocean. Then, he grabbed me by the shoulders before leaning down to kiss me again. However, this time it was my turn to be shocked, and I pulled away to gape at him. “That’s cute, little pup,” the vampire said. “Do you know what else would really make your alpha seethe?” I froze in place when his hand reached down to cup the heat between my legs. “Your alpha wants a good virgin wolf,” he continued. “Maybe you should be the one to decide who gets the honor of fucking this pussy for the first time.”

His words were crude, but they were nothing short of arousing, and I launched myself at the vampire and molded my lips to his, kissing him feverishly as my hips started to grind against the telling erection in his leather pants. But it was like an electric shock had amplified my senses, and despite the taboo nature of coupling myself with a vampire, I couldn’t deny that every part of me was begging for him. I didn’t even know his name, but he had managed to awaken a part of me that was determined to start making choices for myself.

Subsequently, I lost my virginity to that alluring vampire in the middle of the forest alcove, naked against the silencing watch of the moon as I took his cock and experienced my first taste of a pleasure that I had chosen for myself. Thereafter, I continued to meet him often, returning to that alcove and waiting for him to arrive with his ocean eyes and snowy-white hair. For the most part, we fucked in our little private shelter with the sound of the river in the background. However, there were also nights when we simply enjoyed one another’s company, talking about our vastly different worlds and the places where we had come from.

He told me that his name was Felix, and I whispered my name in return. Paradoxically, such a simple act opened a deep intimacy between us, and it made everything better because we had both decided to cherish our brief moments together away from the regular monotony of our lives. And he always listened to me with admirable patience, offering me advice with a wisdom that defied the age he appeared on the outside. 

“My alpha did promise me to someone,” I told him one night. “We’re supposed to mate after his first rut.”

“Someone younger?” he questioned, turning over onto his side. “That little mutt won’t know how to please a woman.”

“He’s actually my friend,” I said softly. “I don’t think either of us want to go through with it.”

“Then don’t,” he suggested as if we were talking about something as simple as the weather. 

“That’s not how things work in the pack,” I said.

“I thought you weren’t going to let them tell you what to do,” he said, looking at me with those irresistible eyes.

They filled me with courage, and I nodded my head determinedly. “I’ll run away if I have to.”

He laughed. “You don’t have to go that far, pup. The rogue life isn’t exactly glamorous.”

“You’ve survived,” I pointed out. “Maybe we could just go somewhere together.”

He grinned. “I guess we could.”

Meanwhile, I moved myself closer to him, cherishing our close connection. “Let’s start something on our own, like a combination of a pack and a coven.”

“Oh?” he asked, wordlessly moving himself on top of me. “Would you like that, pup?”

I nodded frantically. “We could lead it together.”

“It sounds so sweet coming from your lips,” he said, spreading my legs to make more room for himself. “Hmmm...I can smell your arousal.”

I blushed at the comment. “Maybe I missed you.”

“Is that right?” he questioned. “Let’s see how much you missed me, pup. Take off these clothes for me.”

I happily complied, eagerly tossing my shirt over my head before reaching down for the button on my jeans. Perhaps in another life, I might consider taking my time and putting on a show for him, but I was probably one of the clumsiest wolves in the pack, and it was better for me to remove them without incident. “Good?” I asked, shyly, whimpering when he pulled my panties down my legs.

“Let’s spread these some more,” he said, pushing my thighs apart and releasing a guttural moan. “I want to see your pretty cunt.” 

I threw my head back at his words, feeling exposed under the weight of his gaze, especially when he started tracing my swollen labia, parting the delicate folds and rumbling low inside his chest. “Please,” I whispered.

“You’re begging already, pup?” he asked, grabbing my knees and keeping them spread wide. “Look how wet you are. Did you get like this talking about that future mate of yours?”

I shook my head. “It’s always you, Felix.”

“Oh? Well, it’s a good thing that this pussy belongs to me, then.” he said, and I tried not to moan when I felt his hot breath contradict with the cold sensation of his hands. It sent tremors down my spine, and I watched as his tongue collected the arousal that had started to form courtesy of his irresistible presence. And I knew exactly what he was going to do, but it still felt indescribably good to feel him trace my slit, mouthing at my clit and sucking the sensitive bud into his mouth. 

He started a steady rhythm, eyes watching me the entire time as his tongue explored my wet heat - sharp teeth bright under the moonlight. The sounds of his tongue lapping at my arousal were loud, and I fisted my hands at my sides as I started to grind against his face. My pleasure was steadily mounting, and it was comparable to nothing else in this world - exquisite luxury of which I had started to form an inescapable addiction. But Felix had a wicked tongue, and he sometimes spent most of our nights together eating me out while whispering dirty things that left me trembling for more. 

In the meantime, I could feel some of my slick leaking down my ass, and it felt like he was doing his best to taste as much as he could. “Feels good,” I slurred, and he chuckled at my comment.

“I bet it does,” he said, slipping two fingers into my tight heat and forcing me to arch my back at the rough penetration. “Relax.”

“I can’t,” I whined, and I was blissed out as he thrusted his fingers in and out of my soaking wet pussy while his tongue lapped at my clitoris. He curled them deep inside, brushing against my g-spot, and I moaned at the wildly intoxicating sensation. 

“Can you come for me with just my fingers?” he asked, adding a third as he continued to pump them inside of me, creating filthy squelching noises that disturbed the quiet of the forest. 

“Yes,” I panted because I always wanted to please him, and Felix’s deep groan was nothing short of sinful when I started pulsating around his fingers. It was like something inside of me had snapped, and his fingers were still curling against my overstimulated walls as my hips steadily rode the waves of my orgasm until it was verging on the edge of too much.

“Felix,” I cried, wrapping my fingers around his wrist while he pulled his fingers from my heat, licking them with a concentrated expression - like it was blood instead of my arousal. “So good, pup,” he praised, and I beamed at him while enjoying the post-orgasmic glow surrounding me. However, Felix was clearly not finished yet, and I whined when he circled his fingers around my swollen clitoris. “Can you take my cock?” he asked and I shakily agreed.

Felix stood long enough to remove his jeans, tugging at his erection as he surveyed my pliant form. He had such a nice dick because it wasn’t as mind-numbingly large like my older sisters always complained of their alphas, but it was big enough to leave me feeling satisfied. “It might be interesting,” he said. “To see you take a knot, but I’d be too jealous to let that happen.”

He took his place between my thighs, pulling me even closer as his fingers traced my gaping opening. “Could this pussy even handle a knot?”

“Let me have it,” I whimpered, rubbing myself shamelessly against his cock and shivering when it traced against my folds.

“I’ll give you everything, pup,” he promised, and then his cock was splitting my tight heat, stretching me open as I clawed at the grass on either side of my head. “Such a tight pussy,” he commented, and I could tell that he was holding himself back from hurting me.

Naturally, Vampires were born with uncanny speed, and that applied to more than just running through the forest. For example, Felix sometimes liked to show off just how fast he could move his hips while fucking me with his cock, but we always gradually worked up to that, allowing me to adjust around him first. Otherwise, I would be left an incoherent mess incapable of uttering a single syllable while he had his way with me.

Yet, at the same time, I could also feel his sharpened incisors edging along the prominent vein pulsing with blood. I titled my neck to the side to give him better access because I never minded it when he took some blood while we had sex. However, he simply chuckled at my submissive behavior, wrapping his fingers around my throat as he started to quicken the pace of his thrusts. Consequently, my little whines increased in volume, knowing that he could literally drill his cock inside if he really wanted. “Oh, fuck,” he cursed. “You look so good on my cock, love.”

I closed my eyes, fingers brushing the soft grass around me to provide a steady anchor. Especially when he reached for one of my legs, hoisting it around his waist for a better angle at my stretched opening. Felix pulled all the way out, looking down at where his tip teased the entrance of my gaping hole. But there was no oxygen left inside my lungs when he filled me up again with his impressive length, allowing a faster rhythm while he studied me with hooded eyes. The new position was making it very difficult to breathe, but I wanted to be so good for Felix, and I tried to focus on the remarkable way that his cock managed to hit so deep as it ruined the soft walls of my pussy. “Felix,” I whispered. “Drink from me.”

His eyes grew wider, but he nodded and leaned down, positioning my neck to his liking. I grimaced when his canines bit down for the first time, but it rapidly turned more enjoyable when he released the familiar endorphins that always made me feel like I was high. He started drinking in long and languid pulls, and I swore I could feel his cock grow even larger inside of me as he swallowed down my blood. 

He finally pulled away gasping, eyes flashing red as he grabbed my legs and started to literally force me down onto his cock, moving so fast that I could barely find the time to scream at the overwhelming pleasure. “Stay still for me, love,” he requested while his hand gripped my chin. “I want to see that pretty face when you cum on my cock.”

It didn’t take me long after that, contracting around his length as I came for the second time that night. Felix grunted when he felt me squeeze around his erection, and his cum was surprisingly warm when it started to leak out of the place where we were still connected. But my lungs were also on fire, chest falling up and down as I slowly came back from the precipice of my all-consuming orgasm. 

And Felix bent down and inhaled against my neck, tongue sweeping out to lap at the place where he had bitten me. “I want to see you again on Friday,” he said, voice gruff as he kissed me, and I could taste the remnants of my blood on his tongue.

By the time I arrived back at our camp, it was still too early for the sun to be visible over the horizon. Likewise, most of my pack mates were still asleep which made it easier to sneak back to the Omega cabin. Of course, I inwardly cursed when I remembered that one of my friends was often waiting for my arrival. But Hwang Hyunjin was the pack’s night guard, and he always kept watch at the main entrance of our camp.

“You were out late last night,” Hyunjin commented, and he looked like he was expecting me to break down and tell him the truth.

“I needed a walk,” I told him smartly. “But you already knew that.”

“Yeah, but you need to be careful, Y/N,” Hyunjin said. “I’m covering your ass, but the others might notice that you smell like cum.”

I froze at his declaration, and it took everything that I had not to smell my clothes, wondering if Felix had touched something on me. However, I also knew that Hyunjin had one of the best noses in the pack, and he sometimes noticed different scents even after I spent hours washing myself in the river. But if he could smell something that risqué on me, then it meant that someone else might also detect the same scent. And I was suddenly very self-conscious, looking around at my other pack members as they passed by the two of us. “Is it bad?” I asked him.

Hyunjin nodded slowly. “When are you going to tell me who you’re meeting? Is it someone from another pack?”

“I can’t tell you,” I said. “It’s better that you don’t know.”

“Well, I hope that Mark doesn’t say anything on your mating night,” Hyunjin said. “I think he’ll probably notice that you aren’t a virgin anymore.”

There was a warning in his tone that I chose to ignore. Because I couldn’t think about those repercussions. Thankfully, Hyunjin was a very close friend, and he would never reveal my secrets to our alpha who might feel so inclined to dismiss me from the pack if he discovered my impurity. Of course, thinking about my mating night with Mark always managed to ruin my good mood, and I sighed as I leaned back against the wall of the Omega cabin. “I hate that my father chose him.”

Hyunjin shrugged. “He tried to put it off, but I think it’s nice that you and Mark are friends.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, glancing over Hyunjin’s shoulder to locate the younger as he laughed with some of our pack elders. 

“To be honest,” Hyunjin said. “He smells a lot like rut these days.”

I shivered. “How long?”

“Maybe another week or so,” Hyunjin informed me. “You know that our alpha will want to move forward with the ceremony as soon as Mark finishes his first rut.”

I shook my head at the situation. “It’s not fair to either of us.”

“Why?” Hyunjin asked. “You were fine with it when your father made the arrangement.”

“Feelings change,” I said. 

“Or, it’s because you like this mysterious wolf that you’re meeting in the middle of the night,” Hyunjin said. “Maybe next time I should stop you.”

“Please don’t do that,” I said. “I want to enjoy my time with him while I can.”

“Well, I hope you're being serious,” Hyunjin said. “Once you’re officially mated to Mark, you can’t sneak out of camp anymore.”

“I got it,” I snapped at him, even if I knew that it wasn’t his fault. After all, he was only telling me the truth that I needed to hear, but it still didn't make it any easier to accept.

“Well,” Hyunjin huffed. “Since you’re in such a jovial mood, I’ll tell you about the guests that we’re expecting today.”

“Guests? Inside the camp?”

“Vampires,” Hyunjin said with a grin. “The Coven from the mountains.”

“I thought our alpha hated them.”

“It was Chan’s idea to meet,” Hyunjin said, referring to our alpha’s son and the next alpha-in-command. “He wants to establish some diplomatic ties with their young prince.”

“Really? That’s unexpected.”

“I think so too,” Hyunjin said. “And the idea of having so many bloodsuckers in the camp sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”

“Both sides are probably uncomfortable,” I said, defending the vampires when my younger self would’ve never hesitated to curse their existence.

But feelings change.

“When did you get so wise, Y/N?” Hyunjin asked with a playful smile. “I’d say it’s because you make smart decisions, but you wouldn’t be sneaking out of the camp every other night.”

“Ha-Ha,” I replied, but a better rebuttal would have to wait because I noticed that Adam, one of Chan’s youngest friends, was walking in our direction. “Don’t you two have other responsibilities besides gossiping?” Adam grumbled.

“I haven’t received my assignment yet,” I said. 

“Jisung’s leading a border patrol this afternoon,” Adam informed me with a sarcastic huff. “Knock yourself out.”

“Gee, thanks,” I retorted with a roll of my eyes. Adam had always acted dismissive towards me, ever since he asked for my father’s permission to mate with me and I sternly turned him down. It didn’t help that he confronted me later on about it, informing me bluntly that I was missing out because he had a gigantic knot and would fill me up so well with his pups.

And Hyunjin smirked at the tension between us. “I’ll join that patrol,” he said, tossing an arm around my shoulders before leading me away. “You’d think that Adam would move on already,” he said. “I guess you bruised his ego when you chose an inexperienced pup over him.”

“I didn’t choose anyone,” I grumbled. 

Except for Felix.

But neither Adam nor Hyunjin needed to know about him. In fact, I had every intention of keeping my first lover a complete secret, and I planned to carry it with me for the rest of my life.

Later on, I found Jisung waiting at the main camp entrance, attempting to count the gathered heads of his pack mates. Despite his position, Jisung was actually rather inept when it came to leading patrols, and usually someone else had to take over for him. However, it was still endearing to see him try so hard for the rest of us, so I never complained. Plus, Jisung was lenient when everyone started to complain that the western border line was too long to navigate, which meant that we often ignored the swampland and the sticky mud that coated my fur.

“Let’s go,” Jisung said, taking command as he shifted into his wolf form, waiting for the rest of us to do the same thing before we took off for the woods. I nipped playfully at Hyunjin’s shoulder while we remained at the back of the patrol, enjoying the feeling of the sunlight warming my pelt. There was always an undeniable sense of belonging whenever I found myself on four legs instead of two - moving through the thick underbrush of the forest with eyes wide open. 

Eventually, our patrol tapered off to a brisk walk, and Hyunjin leaned in closer, using the pack’s established mind-link to speak to me. “You seriously aren't gonna spill about your mystery man?”

I turned to glare at him as best I could while functioning as a wolf. “It’s none of your business.”

“I’m the one who protects you,” Hyunjin returned, baring his teeth in an intimidating manner. “I thought we were friends.”

“Trust me,” I said, lowering my head somewhat submissively to appease him. “You don’t want to know.”

Hyunjin considered me for a moment, and the brown eyes of his wolf matched the same color of the man who shared the same consciousness. However, before he could say anything else, Jisung approached us both with a sharp growl. “Stop messing around,” he said. “You should be checking the caves.”

Hyunjin nudged me with his head, encouraging me to start in that direction. “Don’t think that this conversation is over,” he said, rumbling low in his chest. “We’ve never hidden secrets from each other, Y/N. It makes me think that you’re hiding something bad.”

I bristled at his claim, following him on unsteady paws as we navigated to the caverns overlooking the ocean. They marked the edge of our western border, and usually posed no threat to surrounding packs. In fact, most wolves disregarded the uncomfortable caverns, which made our job easier after a thorough inspection with no sign or smell of foreign intrusion.

It was also starting to grow late in the afternoon, and we had ventured far from our campsite. Jisung released a summoning howl to bring our patrol back together, and he ensured that everyone had detailed their report before announcing our abrupt return. “Don’t forget that we’re expecting visitors tonight,” Jisung said. “It’s a peaceful meeting, so let’s not make trouble.”

“I don’t get why we’re trying to play nice with the vampires,” Hyunjin said with a resentful tone, and I knew that I had made the right decision by keeping my encounters with Felix a secret from him.

Of course, upon our return to the camp, I could tell that the vampire representatives had already arrived because there was a noticeable amount of wolves patrolling the entrance with evident tension reflecting in their gazes. Jisung bowed politely in their direction as we re-entered the camp, and I quickly discovered that my pack mates were lingering outside of Chan’s cabin where he always conducted his diplomatic affairs.

Most of us had already shifted back, and as if on cue, the door opened and Chan stepped outside with a strikingly familiar face that had me pausing in my steps. “Hey!” Hyunjin protested when he ran into my back. “Don’t just stop like that.”

But I made no attempt to move from my position, and his words had barely registered over the panic seeping into every inch of my body. Because the vampire standing next to Chan was none other than Felix - the very same man who frequently met me in our private alcove at the river. However, it was surreal to see him here in camp as my worlds literally collided together, but it wasn’t nearly as startling as the realization that the vampire who I had trusted was certainly no rogue. “That’s Prince Felix,” Jisung informed me.

“Prince?” I repeated, feeling a cold dread holding me hostage.

Felix's eyes met mine at the same time when I realized that the mysterious stranger who I met at late hours of the night was the vampire prince of the coven that my pack loathed. Felix noticed me immediately, but his composure never faltered with the exception of one brow raising suggestively. He wasn’t listening to Chan, looking at me with the same eyes that I often saw from the space between my thighs.

I shook my head when I couldn’t stand it anymore, and I quietly dismissed myself from my patrol who were all quietly observing the vampire prince. “Nice going, Y/N,” I muttered to myself as I retreated into the Omega cabin. “Shit, this is bad.”

On the one hand, I felt anxious about the knowledge that the vampire I had been meeting in secrecy was running around my camp. But, on the other hand, I also felt sick to my stomach because Felix had lied to me about his rogue status. It was even worse since he was the prince of the vampire coven that my pack alpha despised - the same one that Chan was trying to improve our relations. Everything could be easily undone if the pack knew that I was literally screwing around with Felix. Not only would it ruin our attempts to communicate peacefully, but my alpha would order my banishment from the pack if he discovered that I broke my chastity vow and gave myself to someone other than my predetermined mate.

“Y/N?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of Hyunjin’s voice. “What are you doing?” I gasped. “This is the Omega cabin.”

“I was worried,” Hyunjin said. “You looked like you were afraid of something.”

I found it difficult to meet his gaze, but I still forced myself to look in his direction. Because it was time to tell him the truth and alleviate the burden that continued to weigh heavily on my subconscious. “The vampire prince,” I whispered, watching Hyunjin lean in closer to hear me speak. “I’ve been seeing him.”

“What?

I sighed at his evident confusion. “My mystery man is the vampire prince!”

My tone was sharp, but I was incredibly agitated, especially as I anxiously awaited Hyunjin’s reaction. I knew that he would be surprised by the revelation, and I could sense the combination of his shock and annoyance reflected in his sharp inhale - eyes glowing with pure anger. “You can’t be serious, Y/N.”

I nodded, wrapping my arms securely around my middle. “I didn’t know who he was,” I said. “I mean, I knew that he was a vampire, but he told me that he was a rogue.”

“Oh, shit, this is bad,” Hyunjin said, and he immediately started pacing across the ground. “I can’t believe that you’ve been fucking a vampire! And Prince Felix? What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Your support is greatly appreciated,” I snapped at him. “Look, when I met him for the first time, I had just been told that my father hitched me to one of my friends. I was angry, okay? I needed to clear my head, and I met him at the river and he just...he made me feel like I could be free while I was with him. Not tied down to a responsibility that I never wanted!”

Hyunjin narrowed his eyes. “You talk about Mark like it’s so horrible that you’d spend the rest of your life as partners.”

“But it wasn’t my choice!” I shouted, no longer concerned with whoever might overhear our conversation. “I didn’t ask for a mate, and you know that I never wanted one.”

“Fine, you’re fucking selfish, but that doesn’t explain why you’re still meeting with this...vampire! If you don’t want to be tied down or whatever, then why is he an exception?”

“Because he made me change my mind,” I said. “He showed me something that I was never allowed to have in the pack. Felix made me want him, and he taught me what life could be like when I made decisions for myself.”

“Fucking hell, Y/N,” Hyunjin growled, turning his back to me with an exaggerated sigh. “What do you want me to say?”

“You’re my best friend, Hyunjin,” I reminded him fiercely. “My entire life is hanging by a thread, and I need you to help me figure out what I’m supposed to do.”

Hyunjin’s shoulders rose and fell as he literally shook with his frustration. “I don’t know what to tell you, Y/N. I feel betrayed, and I need some time alone.”

“Hyunjin...” I tried again, reaching out for his shoulder, but he wordlessly shook me off before storming away across the camp.

Later that evening, one of my roommates approached me about a special bonfire that our pack was organizing in celebration of the vampires. I snorted at the idea because I knew that there was a risk of seeing Felix involved, but a frustrating part of myself was also desperate to see him again. Even after the revelation of his true identity. After all, I knew that it was important for us to talk about everything, especially with the potential for close relations between my pack and his coven.

Thus, I joined some of my roommates as we left the safety of the Omega cabin for the impressive bonfire at the center of our camp. It was crowded with wolves and vampires, and there was a neutral atmosphere that certainly demonstrated the potential for peace. Which made me realize that it was essential that I talk to Felix, and I continued searching the bonfire for any sign of him. I walked around the edge of the gathered assembly, and I was so intensely focused that I nearly jumped out of my skin when a cold hand reached for mine. I turned around to confront the source, but his free hand quickly closed over my mouth. “Follow me,” Felix said in the same deep voice that always managed to leave me feeling flushed from head to toe.

I whined in protest, but he gave me no other option when he practically drug me into the trees. “You’re an asshole,” I told him as a greeting. I pulled myself away from him, crossing my arms impatiently as I narrowed my eyes. “Do you think you even have a right to speak to me? After lying about who you are!”

“I’m sorry,” Felix said, but I scoffed at the feeble apology. “I’m serious, Y/N, this wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“Of course not,” I snarled. “You wanted to keep me in the dark! But how long did you plan to string me along, huh? Until I stopped showing up?”

“Y/N-”

“You told me you were a rogue,” I interrupted, slapping away his hand when he attempted to touch me. “You disregarded my feelings, and you played me for a fool! I guess you also lied when you said that you cared about me!”

“Don’t say that!” Felix hissed, and I startled at the strength of his conviction. “I know why you’re upset, and I deserve every bit of your anger. But I hope you don’t actually believe that I was just using you!.”

“What else am I supposed to believe?” I asked. “You had every opportunity to come clean!”

“If I told you the truth, then you would’ve never agreed to keep meeting me,” Felix shouted, and I tensed as I searched our surroundings. “Y/N, if you knew that I was a vampire prince, then I might've never had the chance to speak to you again, and I couldn’t stand the thought of that!”

“Yeah? Well, it doesn’t matter anymore,” I said. “You’ll never see me again after tonight.”

“Y/N! I hope you're not being serious,” Felix said, and there was a slight hint of desperation to his tone. “I was wrong, okay? But I never meant for you to find out like this!”

“I’m promised to someone in my pack,” I said, and my words sounded empty even to me. “There’s no reason to keep going.”

“You told me that you would never agree to the ceremony,” Felix said. “And I plan to make it up to you. Somehow, I’m going to earn your forgiveness.”

“Good luck with that,” I snorted, and I left him standing in the shelter of the trees before I rejoined my pack mates.

It had been several days since I confronted Felix, and I restrained myself from returning to the little alcove in the forest where we usually met for our scandalous rendezvous. I mean, life was supposed to move on, and time could heal all wounds, but maybe all of those old sayings were just bullshit! Because I missed Felix despite our last argument, and I hadn’t seen Hyunjin since he left me standing next to the Omega cabin.

I tried to confront him one morning, but he barely offered me a response before he was talking about some sort of assignment that he had to take care of before the end of the day. Of course, I knew that it was just an excuse to ignore me, but it still stung to face his rejection. I was beyond stressed, and perhaps my breakdown was inevitable when one of our pack members informed me that Mark had finally entered his first rut. “Congratulations, Y/N,” they told me, but I only felt like someone had stolen every ounce of my happiness.

I couldn’t control my actions after the announcement, and my wolf howled from somewhere deep inside of me, and I started running on four legs once I had escaped the camp borders. Consequently, I ran through the trees, dodging the overhanging branches and skillfully avoiding collisions with the surrounding foliage. Eventually, my wolf stopped at the entrance to the familiar alcove, hesitating when I realized that someone else was already sitting among the vines.

“Y/N,” his familiar voice said, beckoning me closer despite my appearance.

My wolf whined, and I quietly shifted to stand on two legs once again. “You’re here,” I said, jerking my head to the side so that he couldn’t see my tears.

“I’m sorry, Y/N,” he whispered to me. “I should’ve never lied to you, but I was afraid that I would lose the beautiful she-wolf who I met that night in the forest.”

“We can’t keep doing this anymore, Felix,” I said, trying to ignore the way that he was looking at me. “I feel like I’m betraying my pack.”

“By doing something that you want?” Felix asked, daring a step closer. “They should value your happiness, Y/N. If you hate the idea of mating with someone else, then they shouldn’t force you. Who’s really betraying who in this situation?”

I closed my eyes to hold back fresh tears. “My pack hates your coven.”

“My father hates your alpha,” Felix said, crowding me against one of the trees. “They have a silly blood feud that has nothing to do with the rest of us.”

“What can you do?” I asked him. “I can’t keep living like this.”

“Then I’ll make it easier on you, Y/N,” Felix said with a fierce determination.

“Felix, what are you-”

“Let me handle it,” he interrupted, quietly pulling me in for a soft kiss that I had desperately missed. “I know a way to fix everything, and you can stay with your pack.”

“How?” I asked him, gripping tight to his shirt sleeves.

“I’ve been planning this for a while,” Felix said with a playful wink. “I know it’s too much to ask, but can you trust me this one time?”

I rested my head against his solid chest, sighing at the sensation of his cold skin competing with my enhanced body heat. There were a million reasons to walk away from Felix, especially since I was feeling so confused. My entire life was something of a train wreck, and everything was changing too fast around me in such a short amount of time. However, in spite of everything, I trusted Felix with my entire heart and soul.

“Okay,” I whispered, and I allowed him to brush another reassuring kiss across my lips.

Felix told me to wait for him, but it was nearing the end of the week when my pack received an unexpected visit from the notorious Vampire King and his young son. Since our pack alpha was gone, Chan stood in his place, welcoming the vampire royals with a forced smile. “Greetings,” Chan said, glaring at a group of wolves who were whispering together in low tones.

“During our last meeting, you mentioned something quite interesting,” the Vampire King said. “I believe you called it the potential for a union between our people.”

“Yes,” Chan agreed. “I’m still searching for ideas-”

“Well, I have a suggestion,” The Vampire King interrupted. “If you’re interested in listening...”

“Of course,” Chan said, and I could tell that his tone was strained.

“In a show of allegiance,” the Vampire King growled. “My son has agreed to marry one of your...dogs.”

“Father,” Felix said, giving the elder a meaningful look.

The King sighed. “He has chosen a member of your pack.” I swallowed hard when his gaze landed on me. “Y/N.”

I froze at the utterance of my name, feeling the attention of everyone in the surrounding crowd aimed in my direction. “Y/N!” Chan repeated. “She’s promised to someone else!”

“My son has made his choice,” the Vampire King declared. “This will be the union of our people.”

The declaration was met with hostile glares and quiet murmurings throughout ,y pack members. Thankfully, Felix could detect their unease, and he quickly sought to alleviate their concerns. “While we’re married, Y/N can return to the pack as much as she wants,” Felix said, sending a soft smile in my direction. “Our marriage can act as another show of respect between our people.”

“But why is she your choice?” Chan asked, taking another step in Felix’s direction. “We have many unmated females!”

“I like her the best,” Felix said, and perhaps it might seem outrageous to these wolves and vampires who viewed us as complete strangers, but it filled my heart with an unmeasurable glee. “We spent a lot of time together during our last visit to your camp,” Felix continued. “Y/N was always very welcoming.”

“This is also nonnegotiable,” the Vampire King said, giving Chan a meaningful look.

Chan hesitated in return, turning around to look at me with sadness in his gaze. “I’ll talk to Y/N first.”

I nodded slowly, aware that I couldn’t just agree since it wasn’t a reaction that the others would anticipate. “Okay,” I said, and I followed Chan to the cabin that he shared with his roommates until he officially took over as our pack alpha. 

It was quiet between us at first, and I could tell that Chan was searching for the right words. “Y/N,” Chan finally said, closing the door behind us. “You can sit down.”

I obeyed him at once, finding a chair near the fireplace and resting comfortably. “This isn’t something that I hate, you know,” I told him as a way to resolve the unusual tension. “I want to do this for our people.”

I took a deep breath as I allowed the unspoken ‘and for myself’ to remain a secret. Meanwhile, Chan shook his head as if trying to wrap his mind around the fact that I wasn’t protesting this unexpected decision. “You can be honest,” he said. “I want you to feel like you can trust me, especially when I take over the pack one day.”

“You’ll make a good leader,” I assured him. “But I’m not lying to you, Chan. This is something that I’ve already accepted.”

“What about Mark?” Chan asked. “Is that not something you want?”

I lowered my gaze to the floor. “I know what you must be thinking to yourself, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m doing this because I feel pressured. It’s quite the opposite actually.”

“But do you really like him?” Chan asked. “I mean, from the way he spoke, it sounded like the two of you had known each other for a lot longer than a few days.”

I sighed at the accurate statement, and I forced myself to meet his gaze from across the room. “What if I told you that it wasn’t? Would you tell our alpha?”

Chan paused in the middle of his pacing, searching my eyes as I returned the gesture, and he eventually allowed himself to sit down on the edge of his bed. “I won’t do that to you, Y/N,” Chan finally spoke. “I’m not an expert on love or feelings by any means, but I can tell that you like him, and that’s good enough for me.”

I felt my shoulders drop at his acceptance like the burden of his response was finally alleviated. “Thank you, Chan,” I said. “I hope that you can also see this as an opportunity for the future between us and the Vampires.”

“He seems like a good leader,” Chan acknowledged. “For that reason, we’ll commence with the ceremony.”

“You have no idea how much this means to me,” I whispered, and Chan managed a smile in my direction that told me he understood more than I realized.

On the day of my mating ceremony, I decided to walk along the shoreline of the river where I had spent so much time meeting Felix in secret. It was a beautiful day, and I felt like a real princess in my flowing white gown decorated with delicate lace and flower patterns. Although I had never once imagined myself in this place, I also couldn’t deny that everything felt like I was walking through some kind of dream with a happy ending waiting for me on the other side.

It was easy to get lost in the natural splendor surrounding me, but I still noticed the sound of the underbrush rustling from behind. I quietly turned around, smiling when I noticed Hyunjin standing there looking at me. “Hey,” I told him, holding out my hand for him.

I was relieved when Hyunjin eliminated the distance between us, taking my hand while the two of us looked out across the water. “I can’t stay mad at you, Y/N.”

I grinned at his words. “Does that mean I shouldn’t bother apologizing.”

“Now, I wouldn’t go that far...”

I finally laughed, leaning my head against his shoulder. “I’m sorry about everything, Hyunjin. I should’ve told you, but every night with Felix felt like a dream that I had to keep for myself. It’s like, if I told anyone else, then I would have to wake-up and marry Mark and pretend like I wouldn’t be miserable.”

Hyunjin nodded, processing my words with a sigh. “There’s no use staying mad over something that ended up like this. Your friendship means more than some secret affair.”

“I’m marrying the vampire prince,” I said, and it was still difficult to hear those words spoken aloud. “It’s strange how things work out sometimes.”

“Well, everyone keeps saying that this will resolve centuries of tensions with the vampires,” Hyunjin said. “I think that’s a little bold, but this isn’t a bad start. Especially if it makes you happy.”

“You’re right.” I nodded. “He does make me happy. He taught me a lot about myself, and it finally feels like I have control over my own destiny.”

“It’s almost cliche,” Hyunjin said. “How you got your happy ever after.”

I squeezed his hand. “You’ll be there too, right?”

Hyunjin chuckled, tugging me closer. “Yeah. I’ll be there for you.”

I was elated to know that we had finally reconciled, but there was still one more thing that I needed to ask him...”Do you like him?”

Hyunjin was quiet for a while, but he didn’t keep me waiting for long. “I think anyone who can make you smile like that is okay in my books.”

“Well then,” I giggled, holding tight to his hand when we started walking back to the camp. “Shall we?”

Hyunjin rolled his eyes at my theatrics, but his smile was fond as we made our way back to our camp to rejoin the gathered congregation of our pack mates and the visiting vampires. Despite the jovial occasion, there was still a hint of hostility in the air that I knew wouldn’t simply go away because of this one act of unity. Instead, it would take patience and time to resolve the conflict between our people, but I could only hope for the best.

Especially when my eyes met Felix’s as he waited for me. As usual, he was undeniably handsome - extravagant in every sense of the word. Plus, he was all mine for the rest of our lives, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time than in the company of the person who I loved most in this confusing world.

[wildroseofarran]

This Too Shall Pass || Waylon & Callum

Waylon: "Have I mentioned, your house is fucking gorgeous," Waylon said softly as he set his bags down next to the bed in the guest bedroom of Callum's home. It was oddly comforting, seeing the familiar bed, but at the same time it caused the twinge of anxiety at the base of his spine to twist just a little bit further. He sighed as he took a seat on the edge of the bed and looked back at Callum with a small smile. "Been a while since I was here last.... thanks for letting me stay again. I really appreciate it."

Callum: "Thank you," Callum said proudly, looking around at the room he'd lovingly restored and decorated. One of many. "I put my blood, sweat, and tears into makin' it what it is. I'm glad it can offer you some comfort in these less than ideal times."

Waylon: "Yeah...." Waylon rubbed slowly at his arm and looked off to his side. He hadn't spoken with Callum much recently, especially not about his fears regarding these particular times, but they had plenty of time to do so now. "It's... gonna be weird. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight without Rosmond there, at least to start..." he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Do you and Guildias always sleep in the same place? You have separate houses, right?"

Callum: Callum sighed and took a seat beside Waylon. He couldn't imagine what Waylon was feeling right now. While he himself was married to a vampire, Guildias had already been one when Callum had met him. They hadn't had to go through the transition that Waylon and Rosmond were currently going through. They had to make completely different adjustments.

He nodded. "No' always in the same place but almost always together. Sometimes we sleep here, sometimes at his house. It's no' the most common arrangement but it works for us."

Waylon: Waylon brought his knees to his chest and perched his heels on the edge as his arms wrapped around his legs to hold them there. His chin rested on his knees and he stared at a spot on the opposite wall.

"Have you had to spend more than a few days away from Guildias? Since you started sharing the same bed?"

Callum: "Only when I've gone to visit family in Scotland." One of these days he wanted to take his husband up there with him. He wanted Guildias and his father to meet.

"The days apart will seem eternal but I promise they'll go by quickly."

Waylon: "What if they don't? And they go on for an eternity?" Waylon asked, his voice soft. "If you plan a trip, at least you have an end date...." He knew he was being dramatic, but his heart only seemed to grow heavier. "I know it'll be fine, it's just... it's just hard. Could I work more in the shop? I have a lot more down time..."

Callum: "I know, mate." Callum wrapped an arm around Waylon's shoulders and gave him a squeeze. "I can give you some extra work if you think it'll help, but it really won't go on forever. It might no' be a trip and there might no' be an end date, but it will end. This too shall pass."

Waylon: Waylon rested his head on Callum's shoulder and leaned into his friend as he squeezed. "I think some extra work will... help distract me." He nodded in understanding, and tried to let Callum's words ease some of the weight hanging over his heart. "You're right... It's just... heavy... and suddenly stupidly lonely, even though I'm not alone..." he sighed again, but seemed a little less tense. "Can I ask you something else?" Waylon asked and glanced at Callum. "I can't really talk to Rosmond about it... he got mad at me the last time and I guess... I guess I'm hoping you can help me get some insight?"

Callum: Business was going to slow a bit between the end of the holidays the beginning of February, but Callum was sure he could find something extra for Waylon to do. It might be the perfect time to start some projects he'd been putting off for lack of time.

"I will if I can. What's on yer mind?"

Waylon: Waylon chewed at his lower lip, uncertain with how to ease into the topic on his mind. He was pretty certain there wasn't a good way to do so.

"I... made the suggestion that I wanted to become immortal with him, in my own way," he started and fidgeted with the sleeve of his sweater. "I gave no plans, no real ideas, and the few I've seen are less than ideal so please don't like- worry about it-" he added quickly as his cheeks warmed, "I just don't... know anyone who is immortal outside of his aunt, and I have a feeling if I asked her it wouldn't end well... I don't think she likes me." He shrugged. "I guess... I guess I just hoped maybe you might know since your husband is immortal. Rosmond doesn't talk much, and he doesn't elaborate when I press sometimes...and I don't want to force him."

Callum: Callum blew out a long breath. That was a very heavy thing Waylon was asking. It didn't surprise him that Rosmond hadn't wanted to broach the topic.

"Immortality is a rare thing, Waylon. It might no' seem like it because we're surrounded by vampires in this town but out in nature, so to speak, there aren't many who can achieve it.

"That bein' said, the only person I know who is immortal who isn't a vampire or a demon is a friend o' my family's. She's a Druid as well, and if immortality is rare, an immortal Druid is even more so."

Waylon: Waylon was quiet for a while and he stared down at his hands. What Callum said made sense, the methods he'd seen so far typically involved taking time from others, and that wasn't true immortality. That was a temporary lengthening tool, and a cruel one.

"No wonder he talked to me like I was a child..." Waylon laughed softly, but it was hollow and pained as tears burned at his eyes. He'd been thinking along a completely different train of thought than Rosmond when Waylon had brought it up, and now Rosmond's response made so much more sense. What Waylon had pictured and what Rosmond meant were two different things, and Waylon had managed to insult their relationship in the process. He was incredibly foolish, and it hurt his heart to have made that mistake.

Becoming a vampire was essentially his only option... and Waylon already knew Rosmond would never allow it. Would he stay if Waylon decided to find a means to do it anyway?

"I know it wouldn't matter what I want after I'm dead, with me being mortal, but I don't want him to go back to the... withdrawn person I first met. He deserves so much more, and I just want to be there for him. There's just... so much to him, and I love watching him step out and enjoy himself and... is it wrong for me to want to know more? To try and actually understand what it would mean to try and become immortal with him? Is it wrong of me to want to at least try to understand?" He cast a teary-eyed look at Callum.

Callum: Callum pulled Waylon in for another hug, longer this time. This was such a heavy thing to be weighing on a mind. Forever was a difficult concept to grasp.

“No, it isn’t wrong of you. I understand wantin’ more time, wantin’ to hold on as long as possible. Forever is an awfully long time, mate. I don’t think we can ever truly grasp that until we’re starin’ it in the face. Hell, even death is difficult to grasp.”

He sighed again. This would have to be a conversation Waylon and Rosmond needed to have, but he felt compelled to offer something in the way of hope.

“However difficult immortality may be, it’s a lot easier to find a way to extend your life beyond its natural length. To slow yer agin’ process. It won’t give you forever, but it’ll give you longer.”

Waylon: Waylon wrapped his arms around Callum and returned the hug with a squeeze. He had to apologize to Rosmond when next he saw him, but that thought would wait for another day. In his heart he wanted to say he still meant his words, and in a sense he did, but the meaning behind them was altered. It would wait.

"Thanks..." He laughed softly, and he felt a little bit of the tension ease from his chest. "I'm going to have to look more in depth into that," he sighed and squeezed again before gently pulling back. "I've seen some methods to do so... But it's stuff I don't understand, or could never do alone, and most of it's... pretty cruel. I know I have time, so I'm just going to keep looking."

Callum: He gave Waylon a small smile. "I think I know one or two people who might be able to help. And I don't think I have to tell you to give those pretty cruel methods a verra wide berth. The price they demand is verra steep." And speaking of prices. "Stay away from crossroads, too."

Waylon: "I'd really appreciate it Callum, thank you," and he nodded. "Oh don't worry that won't happen. I can't imagine a demon would have a recipe for what I need anyway."

Callum: "They would, that's the problem. But don't you worry, we'll find a way to help you."

Waylon: "Well... Thanks," Waylon hugged Callum tightly at that. "It means... A lot to me. I have a lot to say to Rosmond when I see him next. This helped a lot." He released his friend and laid back on the bed with a sigh. "Gods, this has been way more exhausting than I expected... I knew it'd be hard but.... Sleeping I think will be my main problem. Do you have any tea or something I could drink to help me sleep?"

Callum: Callum would be there to support Waylon when the time came. Beyond being his employee, Waylon was his friend, and Callum would do whatever was necessary to help him.

"Aye. I could put a wee bit o' belladonna in some tea or I could give you some o' my cousin's sleeping tonic. Choice is yers."

Waylon: "Hmmm.... Which do you recommend?"

Callum: “The belladonna is verra effective but if you really want good sleep, and a lot of it, I recommend the tonic. It will knock you out fast and it will knock you out for at least ten hours.”

Waylon: "Hmmm.... Let's save the tonic for when I really struggle to sleep. I'll try the Belladonna for tonight," he smiled appreciatively at Callum. "Thanks again- for everything. Letting me stay here, helping me... I'm really grateful to have you as a friend."

Callum: Callum smiled and patted Waylon on the back. "No thanks are required, mate. I know you would do the same for me. Now come on. Let's put the kettle on."