Picture of Druscilla above.

When we had gotten back to the loft we said nothing to each other. The thick tension in the air was nearly suffocating the longer we lingered around each other. I opted to stay up in my loft bedroom to keep from collapsing under the weight of it all.

I wanted nothing more than to ask him why he was acting so dejected, but I thought it would be best to avoid the conversation altogether.

Why would he ever think that I would be thrilled about the idea of him biting a chunk in my neck? It wasn't normal, none of this was normal. He should be grateful I am where am now with everything going on and everything I've been exposed to. For crying out loud someone put a bounty on my head and somehow I was able to compose myself. Yet, this marking thing was just too much for him.

I internally groaned as I thought about this all pulling on a brown leather jacket. Caleb didn't say a word to me about where we were going so I didn't know how to dress. I chose an all black outfit and a brown leather jacket. The extra layers added some comfort to my welded nerves.

I stepped down stairs where Caleb had been waiting at the table. He was scrolled through his phone trying to play off the dense silence with something to distract himself with. If it weren't for his earlier pacing downstairs I would have thought he was unfazed.

"I'm ready." I said breaking the silence. He looked up from his phone casually as if my presence meant nothing to him. My chest tightened at his sudden lack of interest in me. All because of this stupid mark. I was beginning to grow angry, he was acting childish.

Then I thought to myself, why do I care? Isn't this what you always wanted Eve? To be left alone. For him to have no interest in you. For some reason the thought of him avoiding me gave me a deep sense of depression.

He stood up pulling the door open. I waited to catch the door behind him but to my surprise he held it open for me waiting for me to step out first. Still a gentlemen while he's mad, his mama taught him well.

The car was what I dreaded the most, though I was relieved we only traveled two blocks over. My relief however faltered as I set my eyes on the stripe club. The neon pink and purple lights blinked inner changeably as I read the sign. The Den. I couldn't help the nervous gulp that sounded from my throat.

"Why are we here?" I mustered up the courage to ask. Caleb didn't answer me as he got out of the car the moment he parked. He came around and opened my door but I made no effort to leave the safety of the car.

"Get out Evelyn." He used my full name. He never called me by my full name. It was alway Eve. My heart fell another thousand feet crushed by just that simple difference.

"I don't want to go in there."

With a face unreadable and a tone so mundane I was shocked by his retorted reply. "I'm not asking you I'm telling you. Now get out of the car."

With reluctance, I got out painfully slow making it known I was not comfortable in the slightest. Shutting the door with more force than need he placed his hand on the small of my back pushing me along into the back door of the club.

He wouldn't even hold my hand now. I didn't know why this all bothered me so much but it did to the point that it was all that I could think of. I hated myself that I allowed him to have that much effect on me.

"What are we doing here Caleb?" Still no answer.

Once we were inside he grabbed my upper arm. That was my last straw.

I didn't know where I was going or what we were doing here. I'd be damned if I was going to let him pull me around all willy-nilly. I yanked my arm out of his grasp surprising him for a second. Fixing my jacket I looked up at him with a scowl.

"Enough! You haven't answered any of my questions and you barely are talking to me." Letting out a big breath to calm myself I held my ground. "I deserve answers."

Caleb scanned over me. He took in a large intake of breath seeming to attempt in holding back from lashing out. The impassive attitude he had was astounding being that just hours ago he couldn't seem to keep his hands off me.

His eyes fogged over a split second before it disappeared.

"We're meeting Druscilla, the Monarch Vampire in the Crimson Elixir clan." When I blinked still confused he continued. "She's in charge of the same clan of vampires as the one that attacked you a couple weeks ago." My stomach dropped and my blood turned to ice.

He was meeting with them? Why? For what?!

Swiftly I turned around to exit the door we just came in. I wasn't going to meet with anyone especially those that wished to kill me. Caleb pulled the door shut the moment I pushed it open.

With aggression I never felt before, or maybe it was desperation, I scowled at him. "Why would you bring me here? Are you trying to get me killed?!"

"What? No I just thought... we-" He looked hurt at my accusation but I ignored his hurt. He dragged me along all this time and didn't give me a single drop of information. I had a valid reason to be infuriated, but I was more panicked than anything.

"You thought wrong! Why the hell did you think I would ever want to meet with the things that nearly got me killed?!" I pushed on the door again hoping he would give up and let me leave. He did not. "Let me go Caleb, I want to go home."

"No, listen to me." He tugged me back so that I was pressed against his chest. He leaned a finger under my chin so I was forced to look up. Thinking about all the other times I looked up at him I expect longing blue eyes. Instead, I stared up at dark blue eyes that looked solemn as they connect with my own. "No one is going to kill you. I have a whole crew of pack members here to ensure your safety. It was safer to bring you along than to leave you at the apartment. Please hear me out." There was a sliver of a beg in his voice.

Defeated and scared beyond imaginable I tried to keep myself from further yelling.

"Please don't make me stay here." My voice cracked as I could feel the pain of holding back my tears in the back of my throat.

As if something snapped inside of him, the once monotone, deadpan, man in front of me was replaced. Caleb looked down at me with such worry and remorse that he trailed his fingers along my jaw to cup the back of my head.

I hoped he'd see the extreme anxiety this all was creating for me. My hope was he'd change his mind. I was sourly answered when he began to talk.

"Eve, I promise it won't be long. Believe me when I say you'll be completely safe. I wouldn't lie to you." He pulled me head to his chest as I took a deep breath to steady my racing heart. "Alex and Naní will be right beside you, as will I."

As if hearing their names Alex and Naní rounded the corner seeing or embrace. Alex looked surprised while Naní looked purely like she was all business.

What caught my attention wasn't the fact that they witness this pretty intimate moment, it was Nani's outfit that drew my attention. She wore black thigh high nylons, black spandex shorts that barely covered anything, and a neon pink tub top. For a moment I was surprised but then remembered back to the fact that she was wearing a corset the first time I met her. Did she really work here?

Pulling away from Caleb I smiled at them both.

"Uh, nice outfit." I said looking over at Nani's body. I was trying to push my anxiety down by distracting myself. I couldn't deny the woman looked like fitness model. Thick thighs, tight waist with a six pack perfectly on display, and a trunk in the back that screamed I got ass.

"Thanks." She said shortly looking to Caleb for an order. I couldn't help but feel shrugged off by her curt reply.

Each one of them developed that foggy coating on their eyes. I still had no understand of what it was but I made a mental note to ask Caleb about it later. That was, if he still wanted to talk to me.

They stayed like that for a minute before they looking normal again. Darting my eyes between them all I waited for someone to talk my anxiety building up once more.

"Everything's ready." Caleb mentioned grabbing my hand as Naní and Alex seemed to be our escort. I couldn't help the gulp of nervous that were lodged in my throat. I tried several times to yank my hand from his but Caleb only tightened his grip.

Before I knew it we were up a flight of stairs and Alex had pushed open the door at the top revealing the same lounge area I first met Caleb in. My stomach twisted with nausea. When the door locked behind me I knew there was no going back now. I was stuck here.

Caleb moved me along with him to sit on a loveseat. His hand rested on my thigh protectively. I couldn't help feel like he was doing this to send a message to everyone that was indeed his mate. The word still felt so odd.

"I was beginning to think you chickened out of your own meeting Caleb." I looked at the couch across from us to see a beautiful blonde lady with starling blue-grey eyes. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Druscilla." Was all Caleb said in return before someone brought wine glasses out. There was three glasses two were filled with a deep purple-red liquid that was undoubtably wine the third glass however was thicker and almost black in color. The waiter placed the two normal glasses in front of Caleb and myself and the third was given to Druscilla.

"Why thank you." She sniffed the contents of the glass. She hummed closing her eyes as if whatever was in the glass was delectable. Opening them again her eyes shinned violet just as the other vampire, but it faded to her normal blue-grey seconds after. "Type O, my favorite. It's so much smoother."

Druscilla took a sip and the deep red color showed on the glass as she swallowed the vile contents.

"So," She started to say her voice sounding mischievous. "What brings this sudden invitation?" Druscilla placed the glass down crossing her mile long milky legs.

"I think you already know." Caleb retorted spiteful.

"I see you've found your mate." She nodded to me as I nervously grabbed Caleb's upper arm for comfort. Druscilla looked at me like I was a delicacy, a meal she was craving to have a taste of. "I can see she's also very human." She licked her fangs that faintly poked out.

"Enough trying to scare her Druscilla. That's not why I invited you here." Caleb spat, his muscles beneath his thin jacket straining to be released. I could tell he hated her presence just as much as I did. He hates it more though that she was causing me more stress than I already had felt.

Noticing Caleb's bitterness in her antics she sighed leaning back against the sofa resting her arms across the back of it. The way she was so comfortable made me uneasy had me wondering how little she cared for her life. Anyone could see Caleb was itching to get his hands on her. Did she not fear what Caleb was capable of? I thought back to the night he ripped out a bloody heart. Surely she new he could kill her with one ruthless puncture to her chest.

"Your father was so much more entertaining than you. It's a pity you don't take much after him." The mention of his father brought out a growl from Caleb. She waved her hand. "Fine, fine I won't bring up the touchy topic. I know how you have daddy issues. Let's get right to it then shall we." She played with the chain of her necklace as she spoke now. Her tone changed from playful to serious in a matter of seconds. "I know you called me here because Malcolm tried to take your mate. I hope you know I had nothing to do with it."

"That's very hard to believe Druscilla when I know your clansmen and clanswomen don't move a finger without your say." He challenged her inclination. In return she rolled her eyes vexed with his unyielding opinion.

"You werewolves always think we rule the same as packs. Clans are like memberships. I thought you knew this when you took over. It's something every Alpha is taught." She paused a smirk appearing on her face. "Oh wait, that's right daddy never taught you because you never wanted to take over. Such a pity you have to learn this all on your own."

"Cut the bull shit Druscilla or I'll rip your heart out right now. Don't test me!" Caleb warned. His jaw clinched tighter and his nostrils flared with exasperation.

A shaky breath came out of me as I imagined him ripping her heart in front of me. Nausea slowly built up knowing I wouldn't be able to watch the bloody scene all over again. I clenched Caleb's arm letting him know again how uncomfortable I was. It was a silent beg.

Druscilla didn't miss a thing as her smirk widened at my discomfort. "She's a very pretty human Caleb. You got lucky." I gulped audibly making her lick her bottom lip. A growl from Caleb made her wondering eyes snap back to him. "But as I was saying, clans are more like memberships. It's a way to help vampires control themselves and learn how to blend in and feel normal. There are rules but I don't control what they do on their free time."

"Hunting my mate is not something done on their free time. They should be able to smell an Alpha's mate." He disputed. She nodded her head in agreement.

"I'd of killed him myself had I found out what he tried to do. I don't tolerate those who threaten our treaty. I do apologize for the idiots ignorance."

Though she apologize my stomach felt bubbly with anxiety. I didn't know how much longer I could stay here as a bead of sweat started to trail down the back of my neck. My heart was now pounding unbearably hard against my rib cage and I was sure they all could hear it. The way the other few vampires that stood behind Druscilla looked at me, I could tell they could hear it too as their eyes remained trained on me.

"Are we done then? Is that what you wanted to affirm? That I had no hand in harming your mate?" She questioned standing up as if she knew what his answer would be. She was wrong as Caleb stood up as well.

I remained seated feeling most comfortable now behind Caleb's massive figure. I slide more behind him to hide myself the best that I could.

"No, we aren't done because you're going to do something for me." He demanded his hands fisted at his sides.

"You are in no position to demand anything from me." She sneered narrowing her eyes.

"Oh yes I am. You may not have had a hand in the attempt made on my mate but you definitely know more than you're letting on. I want you to find the person who put the hit on her."

"That's impos-"

Caleb growled louder shuting her up. "I don't care find a way. This is your fault for not keep your people in check."

"It's a suicide mission. From what I heard this person has people, has spies in every damn place. What you're asking me to do is suicide!" Druscilla now sounded wary as she found herself stuck between a rock and hard place.

"That's not my problem. Find a way or our treaty is over and I won't hesitate to hunt and kill every last one of you pathetic blood sucking bastards." The hostility in his voice left no room to doubt his threat. She either found the person and die trying or Caleb would kill her now.

"You wolves and your pathetic mates, always find a way to get us killed." She hissed.

"You had a century of living. I think you've lived long enough." Caleb said a conniving smile heard as he spoke.

Druscilla flashed her violet eyes and hissed in frustration before she turned to leave with her members. Just before she left she turned back to Caleb and said with such distaste, "You might have just gotten us all killed."