Neledh || ONC 2023

Chapter 8 | Tiffany

The unknown person had been right in more ways than one. Tiffany had never seen or heard of them again after that disastrous day Jules was saved. After him there had been many rapid changes. Their household had grown and grown, and now counted eight people when not including herself, Wybaldicon, Kroan and H.

Jules had only been the beginning of a long line of others.

They had travelled around and with the rise of the internet, some things became more difficult while others were easier.

Travelling around and living in other countries had never been this easy, even when you considered the capabilities of portals. There were still magicals working on them and seeing and tracking the people using them. When you try to live unnoticed and anonymous, that is not something you want to do more than necessary.

On the other hand, the paper trail was a far bigger enemy now.

Tiffany had lived for decades within the same small landmass without anyone ever thinking there was something wrong. But now with pictures and databases, that had become almost impossible.

The last decade or so they had stayed in North America on the outskirts of civilization. Far enough away from humans to not raise suspicion of the locals. But not too far to encounter the werewolves standing guard by the border, to guard the land against rogue magicals.

It was maybe not a very good idea to buy a house in this town, as they had stayed there a few years prior too. But alas, there were few safe highschools to go to and they hadn't stayed long enough for people to have actually seen them. Tiffany thought it would all turn out fine.

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It did in fact not turn out fine, though disastrous would be a too strong word.

Jules would accompany the three younger ones, who were of highschool age, to make sure they were safe. But unfortunately, the first half of the year, all lessons were online and he started a fight with one of his classmates the very first day.

It was sort of funny, at least until the lessons were being held at school again.

Tiffany hadn't really experienced mate trouble before. Apart from the occasional problems Kroan and H had when they were apart for too long. And that one short lived relationship Wybald had had. She hadn't seen it in her other family members yet.

Seeing it unfold with Jules was enlightening.

They didn't talk about her own mates, the ones that had died during the crusade and later showed up at her execution. Fate had decided they wouldn't meet face to face, till their time would begin.

She travelled around a lot, unwilling to be home to much. Spending more time with Wybaldicon than she had done in a long time.

The day Jules was brought into their home and the years following his wake had been interesting for Tiffany.

He had become many things she hadn't experienced like that before. But the most important of them was a friend that didn't needed to be shielded from her secrets.

He wasn't scared by her anger and unwitch-like behaviour. Her knowledge and acceptance of death.

He was similar in many ways. Unfortunately that was the exact reason she couldn't spend a lot of time with him now.

Tiffany was jealous. Jealous of the happiness he felt when spending time with his mate, no matter how little it was. It was mean, it was bad and it was petty. Jules was just as deserving of finding happiness and peace as she was.

It didn't take away that it was hard to watch and know it wasn't for her.

Imagine her surprise when Tiffany found out that Jules had been as dishonest as his werewolf boyfriend. Both unwilling to take the risk of an inter species bond becoming known. But Jules had known, had known Cardan was a werewolf. Had known about this specific pack's prejudice against vampires and had still continued dating him.

Their subsequent flight from their house and staying under the radar of searching werewolves hadn't been a walk in the park.

H had been angry.

Kroan had been angry.

But Jules had actually flinched when Tiffany had voiced her displeasure with his actions.

It didn't comfort her to know she was the most important family member for him, the one he most wanted to please. Whose disappointment hurted the most.

-

"I arranged a meeting with the pack. Edon wants to go back to his mate, who also isn't against our vampirism. We only need to establish some rules first."

Jules had walked into Tiffany's room, well they shared it with Wybald, but she had been sitting there. Tiffany stubbornly continued to read her book about new medical equipment she snatched from the library.

"I know you didn't agree with what I did, but what else was I supposed to do? He has a very real reason to be prejudiced against us, even though we are different."

It had taken several weeks for Tiffany to connect all the hints that had been dropped, and the picture they painted wasn't pretty. A young werewolf had been kidnapped by a vampire coven for his blood. Of course the werewolf in person, Jules' mate, didn't trust vampires anymore.

"Are we? Because from where I am standing it looks like you played with his feelings and lied about everything important. And no-"

Jules was opening his mouth to rebuke.

"Let me finish. I understand why you did it. And yes, he lied too about everything. But you should have known better."

The guilty look on Jules' face makes it more than clear. He has had this conversation with himself several times already, and agrees. He should have known better.

"I don't know if going back is the best for both of you, but if you do you should start over. Tell him everything, or at least tell him about your limits and the things that you don't talk about. Try and get to know each other for real this time, including all supernatural quirks."

He was maybe granted a second chance with his mate and Tiffany knew for sure he would use it well. After all, she wasn't the only one who had lost people to the world.

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Author's note:

I hope everything was clear in this chapter because there are a lot of new names. If something wasn't clear, please do tell me and I'll try to explain.

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April 13, 2023