The Red Moon Pack

She entered the room and walked along the polished stone floors, her footsteps echoing around her as if the whole room was empty. Her face was calm but inside, her mind was running wild. She was curious, but also very nervous. There was a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach and with feeling all the red eyes staring at her, she knew that what ever was to come of this meeting, was not going to be something she was agreeable on. Most times, when she was given a task, it was in a small meeting in an office. This time was different and having the meeting in the main gathering hall, having all of the members of their clan present, it meant something big was going to happen. Something that scared and worried her, made her feel less secure about her position here. On the other hand, she had to trust him, to trust Vincent, that he would not give her a task too difficult. She was Adira, a young sixteen year old werewolf, living in a clan full of nothing but Vampires. That was why she was being stared at as she walked into the room and towards the thrones. She knew that these vampires were not to be messed with. While they knew she was a part of the clan, one slip up and it was clear their thirst for blood would get the better of them. Trying to shake off the nerves she felt, Adira stopped before the thrones, bowing deep to the man who sat upon them. He had a gentle face, he was well built and a very stunning looking man. His eyes were red and he had black hair that was always styled. He was wearing his formal suit and his eyes watched her, never leaving her as she approached. When Adira finished her respectful bow, she looked up, her tiny frame looking so small compared to most people. She was little, four foot seven and skinny. A lot of beings thought she was weak and she looked it, but a lot of beings did not know what Adira had been through and would not understand that size did not matter when it came to her. “You called for me Lord Vincent.” She spoke up, her voice tiny and sweet. “It is time.” He said with authority. Not one hundred percent sure what his words meant, she felt her brows curve into a frown. Lord Vincent watched her from his seat, before he nodded to the man standing next to him. That was James and he was pretty much known as Lord Vincent’s second hand. This Vampire knew Adira well, he was twenty when he was turned and he had been twenty for two hundred years. He had pretty much seen and heard everything. He was strong, confident and not very easy to get along with, but he was also very serious and she knew he had a lust for blood… her blood. All of them did and that was why it was always a danger for her to be around so many vampires in one place. She knew the only reason they had not already decended on her for a feed was due to Lord Vincent and his orders on his clan not to hurt her. Knowing James was approaching her, Adira’s nerves were hitting an all time high, she was not sure what was going to happen. She wanted to step back and run, fearing that Lord Vincent no longer cared to protect her and was letting his second hand have at her. Her heart was racing, inside she was shaking and it was clear by the look on James’ face that he knew she feared him. What right minded being wouldn’t. While Lord Vincent was faster and stronger them James, the second in command was less willing to give a person a chance. He was dark and dangerous. Tormenting her by making her wait, there was a light cough at the thrones. Adira’s eyes flicked over to them and she could not help but to feel grateful to the woman sitting next to Lord Vincent. Cindy… or better known as Lady Cindy. She was frozen eighteen, with fiery red hair and pale yellow eyes. She was the only Vampire in the room that did not lust for blood. She was mates, lovers, life time partners with Lord Vincent and she had been eighteen for one hundred years. She was wise but weak, because she did not eat human blood. Cindy chooses to hunt animals and that did not include werewolves, as they were still part human. Lady Cindy, was also the one Vampire that Adira could trust and spend time with. They were friends and Adira knew the cough was Cindy's way of telling James to stop freaking Adira out and to do what he was meant to. Like his fun was suddenly ruined, he scoffed and then his hand reached out, holding a red envelope out to her. Adira felt her mind freeze. What was worse then being in a room full of Vampires? It was a red envelope from Lord Vincent. Now his comment made sense to her. It was time. She took a deep breath, gripped the envelope, thanking James and holding it in her hand. She gulped and then flipped the red envelope over, opening the back and slipping the folded red paper out, opening it and reading what was upon it. It took all her will to not refuse. Adira looked over at Lord Vincent and he was watching her closely, an elbow resting on the arm of his throne, hand in the air and his head resting against that, as he took in her actions and the way she reacted. “What is the time frame for task one My Lord?” she asked, looking up at him in the eyes. “I understand that this may be a difficult task.” He said, leaning forwards now. “There will be different options, different ways. Take the time you need, but do not get distracted.” “I understand.” Adira stated with a firm nod. “I will do as required and report back as much as I can.” “Very well.” He smiled. “You may take your leave My Adira.” No smile graced her face, she was too stunned to do so. Adira knew that by his words, he was also reminding her that she belonged to him. Not in the sick aged man paedophilia way, but in the way that he was her guardian. He had saved her when she was a baby, he had bought her up, and so she was in the end his, like a daughter, but not, seeing he was only frozen at twenty two and she was now sixteen. That would just be a bit too creepy. His words also were clear enough to the other Vampires. She was his, and nobody was to touch her, no matter how much they desired it. With a respectful bow again, Adira turned and headed out of the room. That was their large meeting room and there was a long dark hall to walk down before she would reach the main stairs and up to the third floor of the castle they lived in. Her room was on the third floor. Generally, the higher rank you were, the high level you lived. While she was a werewolf, Lord Vincent had looked after her well. The castle was five stories high for the main part with some towers to offset it. The ground level was the main living areas, kitchen, dining, meeting rooms, offices, living spaces, the training room and of course the court yards outside that were for training. The first floor was housing a large library and some rooms for general Vampires, like the castle cooks or cleaners or guards. The second floor was for members of the army, the fighters, who were always the first to loose their lives in battles. The third floor was for the higher ranked warriors, those who went to battle but also were trusted to do other things for Lord Vincent. Above on the fourth floor were the rooms of leaders, sargeants, and those in charge of the army and warriors. Finally on the top level, the fifth, was those at the top of the chain, Lords, Ladies and the second and thirds. It was a large castle and there were well over three hundred Vampires that lived there… and her… the werewolf. Outside the castle, there were over two hundred small homes, shops and medical centres, like a small town. The houses were for any of the Vampires that wished not to live in the castle. Maybe because they had life long partners and wanted privacy, maybe because they found it more personal. Either way, Lord Vincent forbid Adira to even consider a home of her own, because he knew if she was on her own… things could go bad. That did not mean they did not happen in the castle either. As Adira reached her room, she opened the door and walked in, turning to close it, but a force stopped the door and within seconds, was opened again, James walking into her room. Adira steadied herself and took some steps away from him, putting distance between them. She could see the lust in his eyes and she knew he was either here for a bite or to torment her. “So he chooses you.” James said, like he disapproved. “The Lord has his reasons.” Adira stated bravely. “You are just a mutt. How are you going to do as he needs?” James hissed. “Jealousy does not look good on you Sir James.” Adira suggested. He moved quickly, too quickly for her. James was the strongest warrior after all and she had no hope against his speed and strength. Before Adira could even get another breath out after her words, she found herself pinned against the wall on the other side of her room. His arm was against her throat, her feet did not even grace the floor any more. James put pressure against her throat and leaned closer to her. Adira knew there was no point in fighting him, he would just cause her more pressure and cut off her air ways. No, the best thing was for her to stay calm and look him dead in the eyes. They were in silence, eyes locked, not a word spoken. James was testing her, it was clear and she was not going to give in. She was not going to beg. He moved his face next to her own, his lips brushing against the skin on her neck. She could sense what he wanted, it was very clear, and this had been the closest he had ever come to her in such a way. Shivers ran down her back as James parted his lips and his tongue slipped out, licking a spot on her neck. She knew that if he was a werewolf, this would be a place he would mark her. However, he was not, he was a blood sucking Vampire and she knew if he did anything right now, it would be the end of her. Her body felt cold and empty, just waiting. “Just remember Mutt.” James whispered in her ear. “You will never belong anywhere, and you will come back eventually. When you do… then you know what will become of you.” James let her go, not bothering to support her as Adira slid down the wall onto the floor. She knew he was right, she was never going to fit in anywhere else, she did not even belong here. What she did not like though, was the way he reminded her, that he was stronger and smarter then her and he could easily do as he wanted. He was loyal to Lord Vincent, however, did not always follow the rules. His words, they were not just to scare her, but they were the truth. He left the room, silence and darkness surrounding Adira as she sighed and shook her head. Life was hopeless. There was no chance for her in this world anyway, so she figured she might as well do what was needed and face the music when she returned.