Bound By Fate & A Mate

Targetting The Vampires

Asterea stirred, a sense of unease clinging to her like a shroud. The last thing she remembered was the agonizing pain, the feeling of another vampire's life slipping away, and the fear in Renley's eyes. She blinked, her vision slowly focusing on the familiar ceiling of her bedroom. It was still dark outside, the early morning hours only hinted at by the faint chirping of birdsong filtering through the window. The air was thick with the scent of lavender and something else… a sharper, more primal scent that she instantly recognized as Renley's.

She turned her head, her muscles stiff and sore, and saw him sitting beside the bed, his dark eyes fixed on her face, his expression a mixture of relief and lingering concern. He looked exhausted, his normally impeccable hair slightly disheveled, his jaw tight with tension.

"Renley," she whispered, her voice raspy. "What happened?"

He reached out, his hand gently stroking her cheek, his touch sending a shiver of warmth through her. "You… you had an episode," he said, his voice low and strained. "You were in terrible pain. It was… like you were dying."

The memories flooded back, the suffocating feeling, the burning agony. She shuddered, her hand instinctively reaching for his. "It was another vampire," she said, her voice trembling. "They were being decimated. I felt it… everything."

Even as she spoke, Renley's fingers danced over his temple, a silent communication. Asterea knew he was mind-linking her mother. A moment later, his expression shifted, a flicker of understanding replacing some of the worry.

"I've contacted your mother," he said, his voice a low growl. "She's on her way."

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Seraphina entered, her face etched with concern. She rushed to Asterea's side, her hand gently touching her forehead.

"My beautiful girl," she said, her voice soft but firm. "You gave us all a terrible fright."

She turned to Renley, a silent exchange passing between them before she addressed Asterea. "We believe we know why you are experiencing this," Seraphina said, her voice grave. "You are bound to the vampires through your blood, as their queen. You feel their deaths because you are intrinsically connected to them."

Asterea's eyes widened, a sense of horror washing over her. To feel every death… it was unbearable.

Seraphina continued, her expression hardening. "But there's more. We believe that while this is the black death, it's not a natural occurrence. We suspect a witch, or perhaps a dark fairy, is behind this. Someone is deliberately targeting the vampires."

Asterea gasped in suprise. Who would be targeting the vampires? It couldnt be the wolves, they had been in an alliance since her mother married her father. Many moons ago both parties had agreed they would not attack the other and that they would fight on each others side when needed and there were many other promises. Asterea tried to remember if she had ever heard of any problems with the witches in the past but she couldnt think of any. A few of the wolves in Falling Moon Pack were actually mated to witches but all witches belonged to a coven and each coven had their own rules and agreements along with treaties and alliances. The vampires hadnt been to war in centuries. The last time she could remember the vampires going to war was when her great great grandmother became queen and they had a territory issue with the foxes. The fox king wanted land that set inside the border of the vampire kingdom and the queen at the time, Milasandra would not give it to him. Each time the foxes tried to move in on the territory they were met with resistance and forced back off the land. However, foxes hadnt resided in that area for many years. Asterea felt like she was missing something but, she just couldnt quite put her finger on what it was.

"Its probably best, you rest for the day, or maybe even a couple before you go back to the vampire kingdom. You were originally going to be here the entire weekend anyway" her mothetr suggested.

Asterea frowned. She was not planning on leaving early but she wasnt going to spend the entire weekend in the bed "resting" as her mother called it. Next to her Renley chuckled. She smiled up at him awnrily. She had trouble written all over her face, he could feel it through their growing bond that she wasnt going to do as her parents say and rest.

"Mom... I am not a baby, I do not need to rest. I have rested enough. This weekend isnt about me. Its about Atlas and him taking over as Alpha and I want to enjoy the time I have with my brother and sister while I can. I know once i go back to the vampire kingdom, it will be quite a while before im able to do this with them again." Asterea expressed to her mother.

The prior Luna turned around with one hand on her hip and caught her daughters eyes. For a moment Renley wondered if he should say something but chose to stay quiet as they stared one another down.

"Fine" her mother caved. "If you must insist on being present and taking part in the festivities please do so with ease Asterea... I mean it!"

"My health is fine mother," Asterea exclaimed!

"Asterea, within 12 hours time you felt the death of not one but five vampires being murdered. You felt every single bit of it till their last breath. You may not remember it but, we do. Please I am just asking that you pay attention to your body and if your in need of anything to tend to it or let me know so I can help you," Sera slightly growled at her daughters impatience and persistance.

Asterea knew not to press her mothers buttons so she nodded her head and silently agreed ending the on going discussion.