"So we all are going, right?"

Crist asked Domenic while raising both of his eyebrows in question.

"Hmm."

That was all he got in response but that was enough to clear his confusion.

"Are you sure, Dom? I mean this banquet that the Council is throwing for Christmas is not only too sudden but also suspicious. Before this, they never held a banquet during Christmas time. Then what's so new about this year." Mark showed his concern as he still could not believe that the supernatural council decided to throw a banquet all of a sudden.

"Guys, it's just a banquet. There's no need to be so worried about it. I know you all are anxious because Em will be joining us this time, but still, you guys need to chill." Leo decided to speak as he could no longer stand their constant naggings about the banquet.

"Yeah, a banquet full of powerful supernaturals from all races." Crist could not help but add.

A sigh escaped Domenic lips as he finally put down his tablet to give his attention to his brothers.

"Would you rather have us leave her alone in the Mansion while we will be away at the banquet?"

His question immediately brought silence among his brothers as they realized the consequences of not taking her along with them.

"What if one or two of us stay here with her? The tight security around the mansion and two of us will be enough to keep her safe for four or five hours, right?"

As Crist looked at others to find some support for his idea, all that he found was dissatisfaction.

"That question at the end of your suggestion is our answer, bro," Simon replied with a shake of his head.

"You all are taking this matter too seriously. While you guys are planning about how to stop her from going to the banquet, she has been preparing the entire day for attending this exact banquet. I think you should keep her feelings in mind before taking any decision."

Shadow's voice landed in their ears as the man appeared in the living room all of a sudden.

His name suited him perfectly because he always acted like a shadow. You won't see him entering or leaving a room, however, you would always find him at unexpected places.

He was just like a shadow - silent and dark. Hidden in the blackness as he performed his duty.

"And how do you know that?"

Leo immediately asked as he did not like the fact that the Shadow man knew something about Emily that he still had to find out.

"Because I'm her bodyguard. I know things about her that you all don't."

Shadow's reply was quick and swift, immediately making the brothers look at him with dislike filling their eyes.

"You have been assigned as her bodyguard for barely three days for now. Don't give that lame excuse of an answer to us." Crist immediately countered.

"Three days were enough for me to learn about her character and her attitude. I'm a quick learner." Shadow replied with ease.

"Were you stalking her? Is that how you find out about her preparing for the banquet?" Leo asked as he looked at the Shadow man with suspicious eyes.

"Let me say it again. I'm her bodyguard, meaning I protect her, not stalk her." Shadow once again replied with an ease that just made Leo and Crist dislike him.

Mark and Simon too were not that fond of Shadow, and while the two oldest brothers did not dislike Shadow, they too were not liking the fact that the supernatural was learning about their little sister's likes and dislikes too quickly for their comfort.

"I don't like him!" Leo commented all of a sudden as he clearly showed his dislike towards the supernatural.

"Neither do I." Crist also did not hesitate to show his feelings either.

"I think me and Simon will also agree on this matter," Mark muttered as he stretched his limbs before once again relaxing in his seat.

"What a coincidence? I feel the same towards the four of you." Shadow countered with a small smirk decorating his lips.

"..."

The four of them stared at Shadow with their mouths hanging open as they could not believe that the man still held such calmness.

One of them probably had passed another fiery response if not for the sharp glare that they received from Daniel.

"What's your thought about all this?" Domenic asked Shadow in a serious tone as he ignored his four younger brothers and their childish behavior.

"To be honest, I think she would be far safer if you let her join the banquet. The six of you will be there with her, along with all your main security. Other than that the Sullivans and Evans would also be there. I'm sure that they will protect her with everything that they have. And...I'll be by her side too. So, let her enjoy this little chance."

Shadow gave a last serious look to the head of the Alessandro Empire before he walked out of the study where all the brothers were currently assembled.

"Why do you trust him so much?" Simon asked after a few moments of silence.

Domenic was silent for the next few minutes as he looked deep into his thoughts.

Daniel gave his right shoulder a soft pat that finally made him pull out of his deep thoughts.

A small sigh left his lips as he looked at the rest of his brothers as he spoke.

"I have decided, Emilia will be joining us for this banquet and that's final. Moreover, I want you guys to respect Shadow. Just because he's assigned as our little sister's bodyguard doesn't mean that his background is simple. He is someone who deserves respect.....because he has owned it. So the four of you better behave in the future."

Domenic gave a serious look to all the four brothers - Mark, Simon, Crist, and Leo, before he stood up from his seat and walked out of the study to finally take a rest.

Everyone was silent for some time as they just looked at each other with confusion clearly written on their faces.

"What's going on, Danny? Who's Shadow? Is he ain't some normal supernatural?" Crist asked his second eldest brother in the hope of getting some answers.

Clearly, he hoped for too much!

Rather than answering his questions, Daniel just shook his head before he left the room.

"What the..."

The disappointment on Crist's face was as clear as day and it made Leo burst out into chuckles.

"Can't you two try to find out about Shadow and his background by using your resources?" Crist asked Mark as he tried to ignore Leo and his stupid chuckles.

"Already tried it! They found nothing. Not even a single thing. And when I brought this topic in front of Dom, he dismissed me like it was no big news. There's definitely something fishy going on here." Mark told them as he thought about the day before yesterday when he went to tell Domenic about his findings.

"Well, one thing is for sure...."

Simon trailed off and did not speak again until all of his brothers were looking at him with raised eyebrows.

".....Shadow is reliable!"

*****

A day before ~

"Why do you wanted to see me?" Shadow asked the Shifter Prince as he entered the spacious office of the young CEO Sullivan.

The workers of the company were once again left behind with terrified souls as they watched the Supreme Sire once again entering their company building within just a couple of days.

"I want you to help me in making Domenic agree to bring her to the Council's banquet." Kaiden did not beat around the bush as he immediately told him the reason.

Shadow stared at the young prince with a little surprise before he shook his head as he spoke, "You clearly surprised me this time. But at least this explains why the Council is suddenly holding a banquet. You are really something."

Kaiden closed the file that he was signing before he looked at the ancient old supernatural who was standing at the other end of his desk.

"I just suggested the idea of the banquet to them, nothing more." He said with a soft shrug.

"Sure! I believe you."

Shadow replied with a little smile on his lips as he thought about Domenic's reaction if he ended up finding about all this.

"You will help me, right?" Kaiden asked the man as he tried to not look anxious at all.

Shadow was silent for a couple of seconds before he slowly nodded his head as he spoke, "I'll try my best. Make sure to count this as a small favor that you will need to return in the future."

Kaiden immediately nodded his head, not wasting any more time in negotiations.

"Are you already in love with her?" Shadow asked with a serious tone as he looked at the young man to read his expressions.

Kaiden did not reply immediately as he looked like he was thinking about the question.

"I'm not sure, to be honest. But if I'm not wrong, then I think I'm in the process of falling for her."

The genuine smile that bloomed on his lips and made his eyes sparkle, gave Shadow the andwer that he was looking for.