Dr. Luna
Demon War: Rise of the Alpha Chapter 51

Wyatt and Jester were talking about the trip as they walked together. To Freya's surprise the two had actually hit it off. Even Jason had taken to him. Jin and Ciana were like children on sugar leading the way. They were skipping up hills and bouncing through the trails. Two people with very spirited energy. They made too much noise while they traveled. Freya never traveled like this. She always moved with stealth never seen or heard until it was too late. The others seemed more relaxed as if there was nothing dangerous lurking in these woods. And maybe it was a safer area since they were heading towards known vampire territory. Not just known, it was where their King and Queen resided. Still... Freya felt unnerved with the noise. She looked up to the trees as they walked into their leafed canopy.

Without saying a word she jumped up and ran up the tree to the top. She wanted to get a better view of the layout.

Wyatt stopped and looked up to where Freya had disappeared to. He went to call out to her but Jester stopped him.

"She still has a lot to get used to. She has come so far in such a short amount of time." Jester looked upwards with a smile. He then looked at Wyatt. "She's always been a cautious one."

Wyatt sighed. "I don't like having her out of my sight. Even for a moment." His eyes darted above him trying to catch a glimpse of her.

Freya I can't see you. Wyatt pouted through their link. He stopped while the other two men walked on ahead.

Freya hopped down in front of him suddenly giving him a crooked smile. "Miss me already? I was gone for like two seconds." She teased.

He reached his arms out and wrapped them around her. He brought her close to his chest and leaned his face into the crook of her neck. "I don't like it when I can't see you Freya." His hot breath beat upon her skin and she leaned into him.

"I was just getting a quick layout of the area. I wanted to see if anyone was nearby also." Freya has seen the darkness that crept in the woods. She had seen the manifestation of evil himself walking above ground. So, she was a bit apprehensive knowing that one of the lords of darkness might be walking about.

"We've been through so much already. I just need you close." He lightly pecked his mark on her neck. A gesture both endearing and possessive. He smiled into her neck as he felt her body respond to his touch.

She lifted her head up then and the two looked at each other. His hand fell on her cheek and a soft smile spread on his face. "I just want to keep you safe."

She grinned. "Same. I want to keep you safe." She stepped into Wyatts side and the two of them walked together, catching up to the others.

"I hope this meeting goes well. Honestly, working out a type of treaty with the vampires would be a good thing for the werewolves." Wyatt looked over to Freya with a smile. It would be a big accomplishment during his reign to allow for his kind to live in peace. "I honestly don't know much about them. They tend to keep to themselves. Their lifestyles have changed drastically since the beginning. My father never fed on people. And I have never had to drink blood." Freya pondered about the vampire's lifestyle. "Eating a rare steak is sufficient for us now. However, we prefer the taste of human blood and we do have our own feeding supply." Jester added to the conversation. "We have people that we keep that we raise in fact. We don't kill them and they are treated well. Those who live in the vampire kingdom feed off of them. It is much better than having to chase humans down and possibly killing them during the chase."

"So you've colonized them." Jason said meeting with the amber eyes at his side.

"They are treated well. They have their own little village where they live alongside of us. They are protected by us and are free to live how they wish. They are used to us coming in and feeding on them. It isn't scary for them since it is all they have known." Jester could see Jin and Ciana looking at him. "Honestly, they are not mistreated. It is a win win."

"They don't know any better. Maybe they want their freedom." Ciana said with a bit of bite in her voice.

Jester chuckled. "I guess I need to further explain. Long ago the village chief made a deal with the vampires. They were constantly being attacked by marauders and the village was being burned. He asked for the vampire's protection and as payment they would allow them to feed off of them. It has been this way for many many years now. Also, they are not prisoners. They are free to leave if they wish. They chose to stay. Some of them have fallen in love and became mates with vampires as well. If you'd like you can visit the village firsthand. Then you'll understand better."

"I admit that does sound better. That they at least have a choice." Jin walked to Jason's side and smiled as his large hand wrapped around her.

"Walking is so boring." Ciana said as she kicked at a pebble on the path. "And it takes so loooonnnggg" She whined.

"Sorry. We weren't all blessed with wings." Jester chuckled.

"You aren't at all like I thought you would be." Jason said quietly.

Jester continued to look ahead and nodded. "I used to be more different. I used to be someone to hate. I didn't want to be that guy anymore. I wanted to be... me."

Freya listened quietly and bit the inside of her lip. That was her. No wonder he understood her so well. She was also someone to hate. Not too long ago she was also very different. Things started to change since her run in with the fairy princess. And then right after that she ended up meeting her mate. She smiled softly as she felt his warmth against her skin. What did she ever do to deserve him? She doubted there was ever a moment when he wasn't thinking of her. And it was the same way for her. She was always thinking of Wyatt now. She leaned her head into his side as they walked along. She would be a different person right now if not for Wyatt. It was more then him being her mate. The way he looked at her showed her how important she was to him. It was easy to fall in love with him, he made it easy.

Sure, he might have marked her without her permission, but she would be forever thankful for that. He forced her into the best thing that had ever happened to her. She felt his hand gently rub over her arm and she looked up to see his silver eyes shining down at her. She smiled up at him. It was things just like that, that made her fall in love with him. He was always checking on her and making sure she was alright. And she reluctantly admitted that if pairing her with Wyatt was the moon goddesses doing then she really was indebted to her. He was more than she felt she ever deserved.

"So how long is this trip going to take?" Ciana groaned as she dragged her feet along the path like a child refusing to walk.

Jin giggled as Jester answered, "We have another day's walk."

"Ugh, another day of walking. I don't know how you guys do it." Ciana looked up to the sky wistfully. Flying was easy and fun. It was freedom. Nothing like being trapped to the ground to drag your feet along the dirt and thorns. She looked down at her feet and frowned. Poor creatures who didn't have wings.

Wyatt looked out as they walked out from the tree canopy. There was a wide open field and on the other side of that was another thick forest.

Jester pointed his hand out towards the other tree line. "We will camp there for the night."

It had been one thing after the other. Non-stop excitement, worry and danger. Wyatt was still in a great mood though. Despite them going to meet with the vampires. Because just earlier today he thought his older brother was gone for good. And it was like having Cody back from the dead. Even though he hadn't gotten to meet him yet just feeling his energy back inside of him made him feel content. He knew Jason must be feeling the same way. Which probably accounts for how kind he was being with Jester. He was just in too good of a mood now.

Sam wasn't happy hearing where they were going. He was insisting on coming with them. However, he couldn't very well march a werewolf army in vampire territory. It would look like a declaration of war. No, it was best to come as a small group. And hopefully with Jester being with them they will be well received. If not, it was just another day in the life and death struggle that had become Wyatt's life. Good thing he was getting all of this excitement in now while he was young. Hopefully, things will be calmer when he gets older. He chuckled inwardly at that. Knowing his family... life would always be interesting.

Jin made the wind dance around them as they walked through the field. It played with their hair and swirled around their bodies. She was a bit bored so was having some fun.

"I could move us all on the wind... but I never am able to land the landing unless it is for myself. I'm afraid I'd let you all go splat." Jin listened as Jason chuckled.

"That's quite alright Jin. Call me traditional but walking is just fine with me." Jason looked up to the trees they were approaching. He could feel the air shift around them as they entered into the vampire territory. The energy changed and shifted. His senses began tingling with the heightened awareness of the dangerous area they have entered. He looked over at Wyatt who was helping Freya collect firewood. He wasn't sure what to expect of tomorrow's meeting. But he knew that no matter what he would keep them safe. For some reason though he wasn't overreacting like he normally would in this situation. Something inside of him agreed with this move and almost encouraged it. This was Wyatt's calling as the King of the werewolves and it was his calling to protect him along the way. Jester walked up to Jason's side. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to them." He said in a hushed tone. Jason nodded his head and looked back to Jester.

"I usually don't trust others this fast. But surprisingly I trust you... Don't make me regret it." Jason said with a low threat at the end.

Jester laughed. "How good are you at hunting? Or are you too domesticated?" Jester raised his eyebrows with a side smirk. Jason chuckled lowly. "You want to find out?"

"Yeah, I would. Let's see if we can bring back dinner." Jester looked over to Wyatt. "Hold down the fort. We are going hunting for dinner."

Wyatt turned and looked up from the wood he was getting ready to light. "Alright, sounds great. I haven't eaten much the last couple days and I am starving." He looked up at Jason. "I'm so hungry I could eat a bear." He grinned as Jason chuckled lowly. Jason kissed Jin on the forehead and then let his arm drop from her.

"Better stick in your league pup. You can't eat what you can't kill." Jason turned and followed Jester into the woods. He turned around once more looking at Jin then back to Wyatt. His brother was already staring at him. They both nodded to the other with a knowing look and then Jason disappeared in the thick brush.

A warm glow was soon dancing in the fire pit. The gentle sound of wood cracking and wood burning was soon in the air. A dull gray smoke rose from the fire pit and Wyatt stood up slowly glancing towards the woods.

"Now we just have to wait and see if our hunters are successful. Otherwise, we have some bread and jerky packed." Wyatt chuckled as Freya slid her arm around him.

Ciana walked up to Freya and Wyatt. "You know this can go either way tomorrow." She watched the two nod their heads. "If things go bad... I can carry us out. I can't carry that many people for a long time, but enough to give us a good head start. Just in case..." "That's six people Ciana." Jin said, shaking her head. That was too much weight for her.

Ciana looked back to Jin and nodded with a smile. "In an emergency I can do it. If it comes to it, I can at least get us away from the hive."

"Thank you Ciana. That sounds like a better situation than fighting our way out." Wyatt looked out in the distance and took in a deep breath. "We should be prepared but I feel like everything is going to be okay. I think this is a trip we were meant to take. Maybe your yin and yang balancers have this planned out."

Jin giggled. "Probably. There isn't much they don't know about let alone something they don't have a hand in."