The Second Mate

THREE

The image above is well as we all know, Carlisle Cullen. But, in this story he shall be known as Marke Lubov.

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"Marke!" Denim squealed and ran into Marke's arms.

"You had me worried. Where have you been? I couldn't reach you and I thought of the worst." Marke caressed her cheeks as the impending fear, he previously had, now subsided.

Marianne, Nefera, Duke, and Remus soon entered the room. Every vampire in the room stood on guard as the wolves entered the room. They were all alert, how could they have missed their scent? Then, the familiar scent of a spellcaster answered their musings. Marke stood on guard and covered Denim with his frame.

"I called them, I hope you're not angry." Denim looked at Marke.

"Of course not, Sweetie." Marke patted Denim's head.

"Denim told us about Bathory." Remus stated.

"Remus Morduex, Alpha of the Red Talons. My name is Marke Lubov. I apologize for entering your territory but I assure you that we'll be gone before Elizabeth's henchmen arrives."

"What did you do to have the Blood Countess want your heads?" Remus asked.

"I'd want to keep our conversation going but we'd only make your human companion uncomfortable. Some of my descendants are not yet acquainted with humans." Marke replied.

Nefera and Duke stayed behind as Remus and Marianne followed Marke into another room.

"How do I start?" Marke cleared his throat.

"Elizabeth was my lover. She invited us into her clan and promised us sanctuary. I could've refused but I just sired Denim, she was moments away from turning into a vampire. I feared the havoc a new vampire was capable of so I stayed. I stayed until I was able to control Denim's urges. I was able to have her diet settle on animal blood and was concerned with training my companions until the day Elizabeth tried to feed Denim with human blood. I loathed the Countess and her uncharitable ways of killing humans. After what she tried to do to Denim, we fled and left her castle." Marke confessed.

"You're in love with the child." Remus stated, making the vampire chuckle.

"She won't be a child in the next blood moon." Marke appeased.

Lubov's response made Remus know that the vampires have been running away from the Countess longer than what he thought. The last Blood Moon happened three decades ago. Elizabeth seemed to be determined on finding them. Remus looked at Marianne and held her hand.

"With my mate's mercy, I will allow you to settle in my territory and protect you from Bathory." Remus stated.

Marianne smiled at him and tightened her grasp on Remus' hand.

Marke looked at Marianne and smiled. "I owe you our lives, Luna of the Red Talons Pack."

"Please, call me Marianne."

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A dozen of vampires in the pack house. It was something Nefera couldn't have foretold. The witch stood beside their Luna and Alpha, watching the Lubovs carry their luggage into the pack house.

"Is this really necessary? We can have other accommodations." Marke asked Remus.

Remus responded with a pat on the vampire's shoulder. He had nothing to worry about. The pack does not have any grudge against vampires. Their stay is either way temporary. Remus had Duke agree on letting the Lubovs occupy his private house which they can settle in on the following month after refurbishments.