𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 ║𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧

[Chapter Summary] The boys concoct a ruthless plan to worm their way into your heart and keep you in their clutches.

━━━━━━━━━▼▼━━━━━━━━━

Before Sunrise - After 'The Date'

"I don't know, David." Marko contemplated. "it seems to be more trouble than it's worth. We should lure her on another date and drain her."

"I agree with Marko," Paul chimed in, siding with his brother in chaos.

"You always agree with Marko," Dwayne pointed out.

"No, Dwayne, I don't," Paul countered seriously. "I just don't think we should add to the pack. Star and Michael betrayed us. That shit was painful - physically, mentally, and emotionally. I don't want to go through anything like that again. I know Marko doesn't either."

"Excuse me? How do you think I feel?" Dwayne challenged. "We welcomed Michael with open arms. I cared about Star just as much as you and everyone else. Their betrayal affected me too."

"And my injuries were as severe as yours and WORSE than Marko's," the brunette continued indignantly. "They put me in a fucking trash bag!"

"They staked me while I slept!" Marko reminded his brothers in irritation.

An argument broke out. David stepped in and banished the three to different sides of the cave. The discussion was far from over, but he didn't want it to get ugly. They rarely fought, but it was hell on earth when they did.

"You always take David's side, Dwayne!" Marko accused, angrily opening a bag of birdseed.

"That's not true!" Dwayne corrected, his baritone echoing around the cave. "When have I taken David's side in any of your petty disputes? I mind my business but will always side with David if it benefits the pack."

"How will this benefit the pack, Dwaayney??" Marko replied mockingly before tossing a handful of birdseed to the pigeons at his feet.

"We need a woman's touch," Dwayne replied from the couch, struggling to ignore his brother's childishness.

Marko cackled. Paul derisively snorted while lighting up a joint by the fountain. "Now you sound like Max," he jabbed.

Poor choice of words.

Seconds later, Dwayne was on his feet and making his way to Paul. Paul was also on his feet, not intimidated by the brunette, and ready to throw hands with his brother. Marko inched closer, eager to jump in.

Max and Vlad were sensitive subjects for the boys. Being compared to either vampire was enough to trigger noxious rage within any of them - even the usually reserved and agreeable Dwayne.

From his wheelchair, David was prepared to give a command through their bond to prevent blows from being thrown. Dwayne, however, had stopped in his tracks before he reached Paul.

David turned to see what caused Dwayne to calm down and noticed Laddie standing by the cave entrance. He was wearing his pajamas and clutching his favorite bear. They must have accidentally disturbed him from his slumber - it was nearly sunrise.

Dwayne walked by Paul without acknowledging him and gathered the small boy in his arms, returning to the couch to sit down. He began rocking him back to sleep. The room was silent until he spoke again.

"Max was a control freak on a power trip. He didn't care about our needs." Dwayne softly spoke, careful not to wake the boy in his arms.

"We didn't need a mother," he continued. "Vlad turned us in our 20s, and we were over a century old in '87. I understand the cruel irony, but Laddie is different. This situation is different. He will always be a child, physically and mentally. He does need a mother. We care for him well, but nothing beats a woman's touch."