<Keete’s POV>
The bright light from the moon, illuminated her translucent skin, she was perfect in every way, world seemed to hold right there when her alluring smile made its way to her lush lips, I wonder how such a perfect girl chose me, she gingerly took my hand and placed it in hers squeezing it tightly shut, she leaned on to my shoulders and relaxed.

Her lips parted and then closed again, she did it for a while, she wanted to ask something but she couldn’t. Is she worried about being martially bond?

“Ilene… just ask whatever it is?” her eyes met mine. I could see her hesitation.

“You are not ready for marriage and you need sometime... Is that it?” she nodded that hurt me a lot, I know that she loves me and bonded with me but her hesitation to marry me tore my heart into pieces.

“I love you… it’s just that there are lot of things going on now. I need to get used to this way of living first…” the sadness is radiating off her and it wrenched my soul more than anything. I couldn’t see her like that… I carefully blocked my mind from her.

“Don’t worry about it… we have lot of time together…” She cut me off with a gentle kiss which was a pure bliss.

Pure love filled her heart and it is a good thing for me… Mitrik cleared his throat making grand entrance…I felt like strangling him for interrupting us.

Ilene shied away from me; the faint blush that grew into the red on her cheeks allured me even more… I wanted to be left alone with her.

“Dad wants to see you…” she nodded still hiding her face from embarrassment.

I watched her walk away Mitrik; she was graceful and sensuous in her movements, it was like her feet never touched the ground, she was like a purple breeze walking in that purple evening gown. As the distance grew between us, I had the sudden urge to snatch her away and lock ourselves in a room where none would come in between us.

I sighed as she walked away from my vicinity, I didn’t want to let her away from my sight so I followed after her like a puppy.

I have waited so long for her; we have faced so many hurdles to be together this day… I clearly remember the day when she was brought here… she looked so fragile and vulnerable in her human form. She was reluctant to believe this world; her hatred towards it thinned the hopes of being with her.

When she finally came to accept who she was, Conan came in. None ever knew how many times I thought of killing him for coming in between us, the only thing that stopped me from doing so is her; I could never hurt her in anyway…

Those days were the far worst days in my life… sending her alone with him while I tried not to break apart when she and my family needed me most? Tristan’s voice interrupted my train of thoughts.

“Are you sure about it?”He was upset about something what would it be?

“We are sure about it…” Ilene’s musical voice filled my ears, she is anxious.

The mixed feelings of them confused me, what are they discussing about? Why is Tristan upset? Why is Ilene anxious? I decided to find out, if something is bothering her than I should know it.

“Uh…Keetes. DO you agree with Ilene?” Tristan asked eying me curiously.

“I never go against her wish…” I replied. True… I would never go against her.

“Well, it’s settled then, your marriage is postponed…” Tristan’s words cut through me like dagger. I get it why he is upset, now.

I have granted to Ilene’s wish but I couldn’t make my heart accept it wholeheartedly. Ilene’s face lit up, she scurried over to thank me, I winked and pulled her closer. Mary walked just in time and whispered something to her.

“Duty calls…” she said and leaving me for the second time.

I don’t why but it seems lately that the whole world is trying to separate me from Ilene, Ever since she ascended the throne she is busy with the night world matters and the only time I get her with me, someone takes her away.

I left to my room sighing, Mitrik grinned knowing what I’m going through. I sat in her room waiting for her to come…Why did she want to postpone our marriage? Few days, back she is so excited about it what made her change her decision? Is she hiding something from me, I don’t think so she never kept any secrets…

<Ilene’s POV>
I walked into my room to see Keetes asleep on my couch, I slid into his arms and lay there, his warmth radiated into me, he pulled me tightly into his hug still unconscious, the only thought I picked up from him was me, I know that he was upset about the wedding but there is no other choice for me…

I wish I could say that; I want nothing more than being with him but there are things that should be taken care of first. If even one percent of Mitrik said is right, I couldn’t risk him knowing it. I know the consequences of letting him know about Mitrik’s vision. I dozed off into sleep watching his soft smile that never left his lips…


Conan is having a difficult time in controlling little Ilene, She is the youngest wolf in the pack and probably the most energetic, she liked challenges and that’s what always kept her in trouble all the time, Conan had warned her most of the times not to pick fights with the young wolvens of the pack, he thought having wolves blood running through their veins they had advantage over her.

Conan sighed as the young wolves are preparing the battle ground. He remembered clearly the days when she brought her home, She was afraid at first to mingle with huge family, she was tentative to come outside the safety of her room but soon she joined the good company of Joy and people began to surround her all the time, she has a charm to attract people.

My pack gave a warm welcome to her, she was given the name “Ula” as her wolf name, nobody knows her true name which is a good thing for Conan since that name brought many memories to him.

Ula slumped on to the branch beside Conan dangling her legs. “You are upset…”She demanded. All the pack members respected Conan as an alpha and with respect they had some fear to speak up to him but Ula never cared for the pack rules, to her Conan is a good friend.

“Shouldn’t I?” Conan smirked. “You know I’ll win…”Ula pouted.

True, to her word Ula always won challenges, she is flexible and had tactics that won her all the matches but Conan was afraid that some day she would get hurt with her over confidence.

“I warned you…”Ula cut him off. “You know I couldn’t resist a challenge besides Josh picked up the fight first,” She pouted.

Conan nodded his head in disbelief, “I just want you to be safe…”he said. Ula blushed at that, she liked it when Conan sounded protective of her.

Josh the young pup of Jane walked in, “Ready?”he called. Ula nodded and nudged Conan to get up and dragged him with her.

“Ula…This I’ll win…”Josh smirked.

“In your dream…”Ula snapped. Josh is Eddy and Jane’s kid, he has brutal strength which makes him even with Ula.

The pack had a out dooor stadium just for this purpose, the young wolves had a tendency to always pick up the fights and facing challenges is one way to get them trained. The pack members sat on the raised benches eager to watch.

“Be careful…”Conan said as he let Ula go. She winked and ran into the field.

“Go..Ula…Go…”Rose and Jack screamed. Ula gave thumbs up and winked. Conan stood up from his huge chair sitting on the top round of circle, everyone went silent.

“Remember…No dirty tricks, I need a clean fight…” His voice boomed in the surroundings.

Josh ran straight at her flying his arms on Ula’s neck, she went down on her knees and skidded past him, and landed a blow on his back, he flipped back and threw his right fist , She dodged it past, he tripped her and she fell face on the mud, some of them stood up in anxiety, as Josh grabbed her neck and pounded her onto the grounded. Conan couldn’t resist the urge to go after him, he held on to arms of his chair tightly. Ula twisted in the mud, She used her legs to kick him and in a second’s distraction she got up and twisted his arms and had him pinned to the ground, Josh hit her with his head, Ula swaggered as she felt dizzy, Josh got up and lunged at her, she dodged him but couldn’t miss his blow. She felt on the ground, Everyone gasped.

Conan ran into the ground and he threw him away from her growling, “The fight is over kid…” he growled.

Conan scooped her up and carried her into his quarters… Ula woke up after sometime catching his hand… “It hurts…”She complained.

“Stupid girl, If I see you again in fighting…I’ll personally kill you.” Conan grumbled.

“Josh, just got lucky.”She complained. “Whatever…no more challenges for you.”he said.

“Oh my god!” Ula jumped up by the familiar voice, Conan went rigid soon after hearing her.

“Ilene…” Ula jumped in joy to hug her, Ilene paid them visits frequently… most of the time it’s Ula going to visit her in the palace…She would stay for few days and be back.

“What happened?” She said tracing her fingers gently on her patched wound on the forehead.

“It’s just a scratch…” she slapped her fingers away from it. Ula hated when Ilene fretted about her safety, Ilene treated her like a baby and that hurt Ula’s pride.

“Why can’t you stay away from the fights?” Ilene chided gently.

“Like that’s going to happen?” Ula smirked

Ilene nodded her head in disbelief. They spoke for a while about regular things, Conan left them alone to talk, he ran into the forest confines, howling in pain. Every time he saw her, he could feel the strings of his heart being pulled, he put up a façade in front of everyone that he got over her but everyone knew how much it hurt him to see his first mate living with someone else.

Ilene tried talking to him so many times but he was just distant to her, it only hurt him more. Ilene hoped that he would someday move on and some girl would come into his life who would keep him focused on her.

“Where’s Conan?” Ula frowned when Ilene asked this question out of blue. “He must be in his room…”she said.

“I just want to have a quick word with him…”Ilene said and scurried into his room. She saw the room empty, she remembered her past experiences in the room.

“memories of past…?” Ilene was surprised to see Joy, she gave a quick hug to her. Ilene always felt guilt and uneasy to be around them, she knew how they all hated her for breaking their alpha’s heart but never once they showed it on their face. It’s like there are weaker threads of bond between us and one gentle pull at them will ruin our relations.

“Where is Conan?” I asked. Conan cleared his throat making his grand entrance… Ilene face lit up with joy… It’s been years since she saw him, he always avoided her but she knew that it is not true and she knew exactly why he was doing it.

Seeing him after so many years elated her joy, she ran to him and gave him a hug and tender kiss, Conan knew it was just a friendly hug but the beast inside him told him not, It wanted to grab her and never let her go. Ilene unwinded her arms around him and smiled. Conan grumbled internally, his face lit up as he saw her alluring smile.

“I wanted to talk to you…” something in her voice made him know it was really important. He walked her into his living room where Ula was sitting with a book in her hands.

“Kid…Joy wants you in kitchen.” He said. Ula gave a quick galnce between them, a frown formed on her face when she saw Ilene, standing right next to him.

Ula went out of the room as Conan shut the door behind her. He waited patiently for them to talk, she was sure that something is up.

“Kid… Are you going to just stand there?” Conan’s voice grumbled. Ula sighed and ran frustrated that she didn’t get to listen.

Ilene left after what seemed to be hours of talking with Conan.Conan sounded upset when he joined the pack at dinner, they all knew what had happened but none had the gut to ask what was it about? Ula stayed silent too her mind full of various thoughts.

It hurt Ula to see Conan upset, She knew how much Conan liked her sister. She silently sneaked into his room when everyone slept, Conan was in deep sleep, she sat there gazing at him. Every since she was two, Conan had been her hero, she grew up with his images always playing in her mind, she admired him, he is a friend, brother, guardian, well-wisher.

She cuddled closer to him, it always felt safe being with him to her. He held on to her in her times of need, he cradled her in his arms like a kid when she thought she lost her sister too. Conan’s relaxed breath was in harmony with hers. Conan unconsciously pulled her closer, a warm current passed through her body, her skin pricked as he held her close.

“I’ll keep you safe no matter what…”his voice was raw and filled with pure determination. Ula pecked him on his cheeks which surprised her very much later.

Her body burst with hot flashes, the world around her froze and images of Conan flashed through her mind, smiling friend, crying shoulder, controlling husband, overprotective boyfriend, She shook her head involuntarily and her mind became fazed with all his bursting images travelling at 30 frames per second, the world spun around her and halted on single picture where she lay in his arms and him looking at her with loads of love.

“Ilene…”Conan jump started out of the bed…He took quick breaths as she saw silhouette of a girl.

“What happened?” Ula cried as she felt weird. She was hurt that Conan was far away from her only an arm’s length gap but even that gap seemed so long to her. She cried as it hurt her a lot… she could literally feel the pulse of her heart going down slow…

Joy ran into Conan’s room and found Ula crying sitting on the floor, she rushed to her.

“It pains…” Ula said clutching her chest. “What happened?” He shouted. Conan stood with eyes wide open, he is not even sure what happened.

He tentatively walked across his bed, Ula reached out for him crying, she enveloped her hands around him while he still looked baffled. Surprisingly, her cries died down so was her pain in the heart.

“How does it feel?” Joy asked, her voice shaky. “Better…”She mumbled. Joy snapped her head as realization dawned

“Joy…What is it?” Conan shouted. The whole pack gathered around them soon.

“She imprinted on you…” Her voice came croaked.

“No, that can’t be…” Conan jerked out of her entwined hands… Ula fell on the floor eyes brimmed with tears.

“You are hurting her…”Joy shouted. Conan slumped on to his bed catching his head,he could never imagine someone in Ilene’s place but could he hurt Ula for something she had no control over, Why did the fate had to be so cruel?

Ula slided over to him and clutching his arms. “What happened?” She said with eyes full of innocence that tore Conan’s soul apart.

“Back to your room’s…”Austin commanded and the pack slowly made their way into their rooms whispering about the rare thing that happened.

“Are you sure?” Conan asked eyes distant. “Positive…” Joy looked at Austin for approval.

“What is it?” Ula asked getting a grip over her overwhelming emotions.

“You imprinted on Conan…”Joy said with a mischevious grin, She was happy that finally her brother is going to have a future.

Ula’s frown demanded an explanation. “I thought Conan marked on Ilene…” she said tentativley.

“Mark and Imprinting are two different things… Conan had marked on Ilene but it requires Ilene’s consent to mate with her but imprinting is totally different you have no other choice but to be together.”

“I’ll be back in few seconds…”Conan ran into the forest finding solace in the darkness.

“It hurts…” Ula said catching her heart. “You’ll get used to the feeling, it happens when your mate is far away form you…” Joy smiled.

“So we are stuck together forever…”Ula asked. Joy nodded.

“Does he still love Ilene?” she asked.

Joy shrugged, “I can tell this someday you’ll have him all for yourself…”Austin replied.

Ula heard a howl in the night and it wrenched her heart, she jumped onto the window sill looking for him. Joy grabbed her hand and Ula growled at her, Austin stood in between them as Ula glared at them viciously.

“Let her go…”Austin whispered to Joy, Ula ran into the forest following the thrumming heart of her mate.

“I’m sorry…” She said as she saw Conan sitting on the peak of the wolves creek. His eyes were distant.

“It’s not your fault…” he said. “Do you know that when you imprint on someone, if your mate dies, you die too…” Ula frowned, she didn’t know that but him saying it so suddenly surprised her.

“That is another difference between marking and imprinting?” She humored. Conan gave a weak smile, Ula could feel his inner turmoil and she could hear his every thought, It was like she had a direct contact to his mind. He was thinking about how he would work this thing without hurting me.


<Ilene's POV>

"Sissy..." Mitrik scurried towards her as soon as he saw her returning from the woods.


"What is it?" I knew that something is up by the way Mitrik looked at me. Did anyone get hurt? Or...


"Ula imprinted on Conan..." He quickly said before I could think of the possible worse.


"What...?" I said staring with wide eyes at him.


"Finally..." Mitrik grinned.

Mitrik was having this vision since years but it never happened so finally it happened today out of all days... I shook my head, whatever... I'm happy for both of them. It always hurt me to see Conan, I knew how hurt he was when I chose Keetes over him, he was still brooding over it instead of moving on like I thought. Ula is a nice girl, she would definitely win his heart but it would definitely need some time.


"I wish everything will be fine at least for them..."I sighed.


"What did he say? Is he..." I cut off Mitrik as I felt the presence of Keetes somewhere closer to us.


"What...?" Keetes scowled at Mitrik when he saw him drop the sentence in mid.


"Did you know that Ula imprinted on Conan..."I said pulling him down beside me.


He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me onto his laps.


"Is that the reason why you visited Conan?"he asked, his minty warming up my neck.


I nodded leaning into him and resting my head on his chest. I didn't want him to see my face, he would know something is wrong.


"Why do I have the feeling that you are worried about something?" Keetes lifted my face up to meet his eyes.

"I was worried about Ula..."I lied of course I'm worried about that too but there are far more worse things I should be worried about now but I can't tell about it to Keetes.


"She will be fine...Conan would never hurt her in fact someday she will make him happy." He said cradling me in his arms.


Mitrik cleared his throat and for the first time that I remembered that he is in the same room with us. I jumped out of his laps and sat shyly away from him.


"Ilene...There seems to be a problem with Vampire Knights..." Quint said and tagged along Pearl with her usual contagious smile.


Vampire Knights are a group formed by me when I took my charges as a Queen, the knights are for one sole purpose to find and eliminate rogue vampires.


"What is it?" The great hall is where we conduct every meeting related to the administration of Night world.


"We lost five knights, my lady. Last night we had an an unexpected on our coven, there are all together 15 rogue vampires that are working together..." I cut him off because I didn't want to hear the gore details of the fight.


"How did it happen? I mean rogue vampires live isolated..." Quint thought out loud.


Yes, He was right about that. Rogue vampires never worked together except.


"We suspect that there is someone behind this..."The knight took the words right out of my mouth.


"There were even reports from the other covens saying that there are similar attacks and they lost men too... My lady."Another one standing right next to him spoke for the first time.


"Take all the men you need, I want all the rogue vampires dead and the person behind this captured..."I ordered.


They curtsied and left.


<Ula's POV>

I watched Conan as he paced in the room, He is worried about something but he wouldn't share with me. He called for a meeting in the early hours and the meeting went on for an hour, none of the female were's are allowed to the meeting. None of us had an Idea of what is really going on but I could sense the tension in the house.


Austin took a few men with him and left as soon as the meeting ended. He didn't bother to tell Joy what the meeting was about which was very odd.

"Ula... DO you want to come to the pool. We are going." Rose poking his head inside the room.

I sat cross legged on the floor unable to decide what I should do. I wanted to be there for Conan since he is obviously upset about something.


"Kid... go and have some fun." He said stopping his nervous pace for a second.

Rose quickly pulled me to my feet and dragged me out. Jack was sitting by the pool with Josh and Jade.


"Anyone is up for a challenge?" Josh quipped raising his eye brows towards me.


"I just want to feel the warm water..."I said and splashed into the water. They joined us...


"What do you think is happening? I mean they are pretty much tensed up..."Jade said and nervously eyed his surroundings hoping the forest is clear.


"Ula..." they looked at me waiting for my response.


"How would I know?" I said.


"You are the alpha's mate..."Josh pointed out.


I flinched at the word, it felt really odd to be called like that.


"You know Conan would never tell me anything but I guess that it had something to do with Ilene's visit..."I said remembering how Conan acted when Ilene paid a visit.


"Did she say something to you...?" Jade asked quickly.


"As if..." I rolled my eyes. They all knew how Ilene and Conan treated me, They still see me like that two year old kid they saved.


"I think there is a war coming..." Jack said absent minded running his hands in his damp blonde hair.


"What makes you think so?"


"I caught some words when they were taking in the room..."


"And...?" I frowned.


"I think I heard two words clearly Dustan and Rogue vampires..."he admitted.


"But that doesn't lead us anywhere to the war..."Rose pointed out.


"Um...but I just got this feeling that there is a war coming." he said with perplexed looks.


"Dustan...that name sounds so familiar." Josh said rubbing his chin in deep thought.


We stood a while staring at each other unsure where we heard that name.


"May be, I should just ask Ilene what this is all about..."I said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I'll come with you..."Rose chirped in.

Rose is fascinated by the palace grounds and the interiors...she always accompanied me to the palace much to her Austin's distaste.

"Can we come too? We never saw the vampire palace?" Jade asked.

I was unsure if our pack would let us go, It is different with me, Ilene's my sister so they would let me go but them I'm not sure since there is the whole thing that vampires and werewolves are sworn enemies, though our pack never acted like that. They welcomed my sister all the time even if it is for Conan's sake. I shook my head unable to decide.


"I don't know... your parents may not agree to send you."


"Leave that to me..."Jade said with a crooked smile.


"When do we go?" Rose said excited looping his arm into Jack's.


"Tomorrow..."Josh answered for me.


What do you think is Ilene hiding from Keetes? Does it have anything to do with her past and a certain person? Look out for the next chapters since a person from the past makes his appearance into the night world

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 21.10.2011

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To my parents and friends for their love and support.