Amid her apparent dislike of Ben, Devon took away Jenny's memories while glaring daggers at the boy beside her.

Ben felt guilty yet didn't know how to clear himself that the smile was not meant to mock but greet her. It was easier for him getting along with female ghosts than female humans, it seems.

Dan went home with Lia, her mother, and Ben. He had to ensure they were home safe while confirming Raphael had not kept any surprise package aka bobby trap, prior his death - some villains had the mentality of going to hell with their opponent. Also, to bring back Rex from wherever he sent the boy.

Asher couldn't come with her, he needed to wrap up the battle and close all loose edges before the council arrived to carry out their investigation.

Ezekiel and Raphael were already dead, so it wasn't a hard job for Asher to defeat the rest of the Raven vampires and ensure victory for his own vampires.

Even the so-called council knew the battle between the Nicolli and the Raven Clan had been impending for a while now.

The friction between both sides was apparent. Their relationship was a ticking time bomb and just a little disagreement would have broken the fragile peace. Regardless, both had surprisingly minded their business until Raphael stepped where he shouldn't have.

This dissension began with the older generation- Antonio and Ezekiel- and ended with the younger generation- Asher and Raphael.

"Thank you for everything," Lia said to Dan after she had settled her mother.

"No, thank you for protecting Asher and for keeping the clan together when he wasn't available," Dan returned the honor to her.

"Well, if you say so," Lia accepted his praise. She gulped, "Also, about Sabrina"

Dan glanced up at her.

"Tell her I forgive her as far as she doesn't put my mate's life in jeopardy again, no matter her situation," Lia conditioned.

"No, she wouldn't," Dan assured her with a delighted expression," Sabrina's very sorry for what she did"

"Then, we're good to go then,"

"Thank you," Dan hugged her for the first time yet it was brief. Asher would skin him alive if he hears of this.

"Call me if you ever need my help," he smiled at her and vanished.

For some reason, Lia felt that the tension between both of them finally dissipated. Yes, it was true that Dan always took care of her but it was based on Asher's orders.

To him, she was just Asher's mate, nothing else; she was never welcomed into their inner circle. Both of them never seem to come to a conclusion which was evidenced by their constant argy-bargy.

But right now, it was like she earned his respect and favor- It appears. Lia was no longer an obligation but a friend he had to look out for.

Ben and Rex were downstairs having a conversation about the war- she would have a talk with him later concerning his recklessness- but right now, she needed a shower.

Lia had cleaned and changed her mother out of her filthy clothes already. Just remembering how Raphael involved her innocent mum in this crazy war made her fist clench and unclench reflexively.

It was hard to believe that Raphael and Asher came from the same womb, how could someone be so pure evil?

Vampires claim Antonio, Asher's father, had been cruel by stealing another's mate and joining the dark witches but Raphael's acts were just diabolical. Thank God, this was over.

Lia sat on the floor, leaning her head against the shower stall while the warm water from the showerhead washed away the excess blood from her body - most of it was from the vampires she had violently killed than hers when Ezekiel slit her throat- flushing it down the drain as she let her thoughts wander.

To be honest, Lia didn't know if she had the heart to select one mate out of the two any more - why couldn't she have them both? What was so bad about it?

Well, aside from the fact her mother would go hysterical and give her a long talk about polygamy - to be precise, polyandry - plus the society's dirty judgemental gapes.

It would surely bother her which was why Lia was contemplating going far away to a place where no one knows her. But that would be after she finishes high school- at least. Her mom would be so disappointed in her.

Well, not her mom only, would Daniel be willing to abandon his pack to run away with her - if the council poses a threat to their relationship.

Lia was sure Asher would not hesitate to leave with her once she said the words. Nicoli clan were known travelers - they never reside at a place for long but that wasn't the case for Daniel.

Unlike vampires, werewolves share a deeper connection with their pack members. Daniel had grown up with most of his people, unlike Asher who met most of them during his wandering years.

To Daniel, they weren't just the people he ruled and protected from danger. They were family to him; brothers, sisters. Some of them were his childhood friends, just like his beta Ryan.

Lia knew Daniel loved her but making such a request would put him in a tight spot that might generate a huge scar in his heart forever.

However, today, fear had crippled Lia so hard she thought she would die after hearing Daniel was in danger, plus when Ezekiel wanted to end Asher. She seriously can't lose any of them, it would drive her crazy.

Spending two hours under the shower, Lia finally stepped out when she couldn't smell the coppery scent of blood on her anymore.

Lia simply wore black shorts paired with a polo shirt and went down to see Ben eating up the leftover from the fridge.

"You're still awake," Lia remarked, her eyes finding Rex asleep on the couch. It was four in the morning. Ben was crashing at her place, promising to leave at daylight.

"No, I'm recharging my lost energy. My stomach feels empty after all those ghostly habitations," Ben complained, chomping on the tacos.

"Good luck with that,"

As for her, she had no appetite to take anything into her stomach, not after the gory scenes she faced today.

"I'm still not cleared," Ben said out of nowhere.

"About what?" groaned Lia, plonking down on the sofa.

"About the mate issue raised by Raphael, am I your mate or not?" He inquired.

"Maybe? Maybe not? But I'm a hundred percent sure you're not my mate," Lia answered frankly

"How could you be so sure?"

"I'm just sure of it," Lia yawned.

"And if it turns out at last that I'm your mate, what would you do?" Ben asked.

Lia gave him a dirty scowl," What do you think? I'll reject you right away" was her blunt reply.

"Ouch!" His hand went to his chest," Why would you do such a thing?" Ben was hurt.

"Trust me, Ben, I have a handful with Asher and Daniel already. I'm not about to add you to the collection," Lia responded sincerely but her ears quirked up when she heard forthcoming movement

"Someone is coming, it should be Trevor"

"How do you even discern …"

Lia was at the door before Ben could finish his words. But the face she met was not expected.