Smoke and the Wolf

Chapter 1

What can you do when the love of your life is a man? You feel the pull when you look deep in his eyes but what about others? Being raised as a commoner, only just becoming a prince, why can't life go right for you?

Azee was a slave under Prince Vladimîr Puteré Petrí, and still is. She doesn't get bothered much, unless him and his mate want to feed from her. Sometimes she'll appease them easily, but other times she'll give a hard time. It all depends on her mood now a day. Ever since Vladimir found his mate, which was a man, she has been more resisting to her Highness. Maybe the fact she had a crush on him and it crushed her heart to see that he loved the same sex. Of course, she didn't resist Erik as much. She couldn't blame him for her broken heart. Azee was currently in Vladimir's study, dusting off what needed dusting.

Thierry sat in a field which reeked of vampire, he was covered in blood, some of it his own, but most of it not. He stood up, brushing his pants off, He looked around seeing building in the distance "Might need to stay away from that." he said to himself, turning around, he saw a patch off woods and heading toward them, hoping he could get out of the land before he was found.

Meanwhile Vladimîr looked around at the books but saw the slave Azee sneaking glances at him. He had always wondered what it was like to be human, but he never could bring himself to talk to one. His mate loved to talk to people, but that always scared him. Vlad finally got up the courage to talk to her. However, when he got close to where she was dusting, a pile blew in his face. Cough "Hello, I have a few questions to ask you? Unless you're you busy?"

Azee paused her dusting, looking at Vlad as if he had three heads. She understood that Vladimir never spoke much to her. If he was hungry then he would give a gesture and she'd reveal her neck to him. She spoke with politeness and courtesy, "I'm not busy for you your Highness. Ask away."

"What is it like, being afraid of many different things? Don't you ever get scared that something will happen to your family and you will be alone in life? "Also, not having to rely on blood to survive, how does it work?" Vlad was looking kind of embarrassed and was hoping Erïk was here to finish up the small talk. "You will have to excuse my questions. I don't mean to offend you if I do by mistake."

Thierry was lost, he kept walking in circles, he knew he would soon be found, he growled picking up a broken log and throwing it, he was stupid. He sat down, his back against a tree, he listened to the birds and animals around him, the blood had dried and stuck to his body.

Azee gave a soft smile, "When in fear your heartbeat quickens, and your body goes on the alert. As for family, mine died some years ago. It is why you found me alone back then as well if you remembered. And unlike you, I simply need regular food such as meat, grain, and vegetables to live, but I most importantly need water. Water keeps me hydrated. You also aren't insulting with your questions, your Highness."

Vlad was about to ask some more questions, but his mate walked in to get something to read. "Oh, sorry guys! Just came in for some light reading but I doubt I'll find it in here! So....yeah. What are you doing in this dusty place? I was also looking for a bit in town. I thought I heard a howl out of town, so I was going to look for that was well." "Well I was having a nice chat with her. Hoping to learn more about humans. I need that skill for the future. I don't want to be like my father, having enemies within all supernatural species." With that, Erïk left to see about the howl, almost forgetting the book and food. "He does that sometimes. Now one more question. Are you being treated well under my rule? I hate to not know about my subjects."

Azee saw Vlad about to ask her another few strings of questions, but he was interrupted by his mate, Erik. Azee bow her head in greeting to the other Prince. She let Vlad answer the questions, while she went back to dusting a little bit. She caught news that there may be a werewolf around the area, but before she could ask questions the other Prince left. As soon as he left, Vlad asked her one more question. She pondered the question, before answering, "Excuse my bluntness your Highness, but I never really left the walls of this castle. You'd sent me out for little tasks and most times no dared touch me as they saw their rulers' insignia on my cape. Though it doesn't stop some from saying slurs or such at me beneath their breath. I know you wish to make peace with everyone, but some of your people may not agree with your decisions. Same goes for every supernatural species."