Atlantis Hotel.

The headquarters of the Velum is located on the seventh floor. Besides the members of the Sutherland family, the Velum has members all over the country, mostly family members with some influence and above any suspicion. The group was created twenty years ago to act in the shadows of society, preventing wars or any obstacle that the country could face, and peace, security, and prosperity are its main objectives.

When they started, they focused on stopping the disaster that the Cerdaville family was causing in the North. Unfortunately, due to its few members, they failed.

But the clan remained quiet. To this day.

― So, what do you need? ― a man arrives and stops at the door, cleaning his boots on a small carpet.

― Finally, you decided to show your face, huh? ― Brock gets up from his chair and greets the visitor with a warm hug. ― How's it going?

― Hectic. But work has helped me a lot to stay... sane.

― No one's found out yet that you're the boss? And that you’re way more than just a dynami? ― Brock offers a cup of coffee, to which the visitor thanks.

― Not even my family knows, Brock, how would the employees know? But that boy, Rothery, will soon find out. He's very perceptive… And Ace, that brat? He’s smarter than he looks...

Brock agrees as he serves himself.

Soon, Huxley arrives with Casey just behind, shouting things that don't make any sense to the others there present.

― Oh, he's finally out of the shadows! I think I've only seen you once since I was summoned to Velum. You're back on duty? Or just desperate to find your niece? ― Casey asks, patting the visitor on the back. ― On a lighter note, though, I don't think you know each other... That's Hux. Hux, this is Damion Bexley, Moon's uncle.

― Nice to meet you. ― Huxley greets Damion, as he looks at him from head to toe. ― Doesn't look much like a member… ― Huxley stops talking when he feels a punch to the side of his stomach.

― Manners, Huxley, have some manners with Damion.

― So… After all this time, my niece is still the target of those assholes? ― he says as he holds his laughter to Hux's expression of pain.

― You don’t look very worried… ― Huxley says.

― Moon is strong. She’ll certainly know how to protect herself very well if she has to. Although, she’s more of an attacker. ― Damion crosses his arms. ― I’m worried about how this is affecting Gun… That kid has been through a lot already…

― Am I the only one extremely worried? ― Casey throws his hand in the air, taking a seat at the big table. ― Ah, I hate how all of you are always so composed…

Zane then chimed in, holding a few folders.

― Mr. Sutherland, we should start the meeting. From what I can see, most of the members are present.

Brock nodded in agreement and went to his seat, a high chair at one of the ends of the table. There were three empty seats to his side, belonging to Gray, Griffin, and Artur, then Huxley, Casey, Damion, and Zane; they were the usual members. But today, due to recent events, other important members were there as well, like Barlow, Mary Ann – also known as Sketch – a guard in the frontier of Malin, Derek, and Judy – governors of Lora, Jo – governor of Malin and Tyr, who was once from an influential family from the North, now, hiding to live.

― As per our routine, the other members will be continuously updated on all affairs we get involved in.

As their leader spoke, a soft silence followed.

― I want to ask all of you this: she’s a vanik, and, I’m sorry Damion, but why should we put ourselves in danger just because of her? ― Derek asked.

― She’s not just a witch. She’s a good person, something hard to find nowadays. She’s honest, brave, smart, strong… And on top of it all, she’s one of us. ― Casey said.

― What else? ― Tyr spoke, his deep voice was the type to send shivers down anyone’s spine. ― Spill it, Brock.

― She’s my oldest son’s mate. So, as my future in-law, I am worried. I have no idea where Gray and Griffin are right now, which leads me to believe that they went after her.

― Wait, wait, wait… She’s a vanik and she’s destined to a vampire? That’s impossible! ― Judy exclaims.

― No, it’s not. It has happened before.… ― Jo said, tapping on the table. ― It never ends well though…

― Fine. Let’s find her… ― Derek says.

― Not so fast, buddy. Eric’s son has her. ― Barlow now speaks, intertwining his fingers on the table.

― Eric? As in Eric Cerdaville? No way, he’s dead. ― Derek says.

― He’s alive. And pretty healthy… ― Mary Ann shows everyone a photo, taken from far but clear enough to know it was Eric. ― Sketch has eyes everywhere… Told ya.

― Ok. Then we’ll make a deal with him. Or we simply take her from him… ― Judy stated.

― It’s not that simple… ― Casey tried to explain but it was soon interrupted.

― If we do that, he will certainly start a war. Sooner than you all think. ― Artur appears, sweaty and breathless. ― One thing that left me quite puzzled is who they allied with. Most of our members are in the south and east of the country. ― Artur pulls out the big whiteboard of the room and turns it over, attaching a large map of the country with various notes.

― But the West is abandoned. The North has no strength if we join with the East. ― Mary Ann comments, approaching the picture, surprised at the number of details.

― No. The West is filled with mercenary camps affiliated with the Cerdaville. It's a rather simple exchange: they get the land and do whatever they want, and when they need it, they'll come together to attack us. Moon is not the only target… ― Artur opens his backpack and pulls out a small black envelope from which he takes a photo and a sheet of medical notes. By placing the photo on the board, everyone looked at each other without understanding. ― Gunner is also their target.

― But it doesn't make any sense. Why go after a zyda if you can focus on a vanik? ― Casey questions.

― Gunner is not a zyda. ― Damion spoke, for the first time since the meeting started. ― My brother-in-law was not a zyda either. He was a vanik but pretended to be a zyda so that my sister-in-law would go out with him… Gunner is the same as Moon.

― Let's face it: it's much easier to seduce a young guy like him than someone tough like her. ― Casey mutters.

― Besides, and I would like if this was kept a secret… Moon has… what seems like a demon attached to her. ― Damion says.

― What? ― Judy has her hands resting on her chest, too shocked. ― Demon? Is that for real?

― Yeah… ― Damion sighs. ― That’s why I’m not that worried about her. But Gunner…

Brock gets up.

― Hux, get Gunner here. Now.

Huxley disappears the moment he hears his name being called.

The tension took over the place until Artur utters.

― But we can't forget that, even if the Cerdaville makes Gunner the target, Caelan is still obsessed with Moon.

― The only way to prevent Caelan from taking Moon as his own is to have Gray mark her. But he’s scared of the thirst. ― Casey says with his hands on his hips, exasperated.

― So what now? ― Jo asks.

― We do what we do best. ― Tyr chuckles creepily. ― We work in the shadows.

― Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay here? ― Gunner asks as he sits with crossed legs in a single bed in the guest room of Ace’s house.

― Told ya before: you, Moon, and Damion are like my family too.

Gunner smiled thinly, almost emotionless, as he remembered that night.

― Do you think she’s…?

His question hangs in the air, tensing the atmosphere.

― I’m sure she’s fine. Plus, Barlow has told me that the elders are searching for her. ― Ace finishes rearranging the desk. ― If you need anything, call me, ok? My room is just in front. Now, get some sleep.

― I don’t think I can when my sister is…

― I promise that if I get any news, I’ll tell you immediately. ― Ace tapped the youngster's shoulder. ― Don’t worry kiddo, she’ll come back soon…

As Ace was about to leave, the door swung open, with Huxley sweating all over, leaning on the door frame. He then took his phone, and as one hand brushed his blonde hair that was falling and sticking to his forehead, the other made a call.

― He’s safe. Yes. At McKay’s. Ok, got it.

Huxley turned to them with a serious expression, making them shiver in fear with his intimidating presence when, in reality, he was thinking hard about how to talk to them.

― I hate talking to people… ― he thought, shifting his gaze between Gunner and Ace.

“You hate everything…”, his wolf said.

― That’s a lie.

“Yeah, we both know you only care about one person.”

― Come on, Orion, can you just help me out?

“Try not to be so… fierce. Be soft.”

― Great help… ― Huxley brushed his hair again, looking around. ― Look… kid, we know who has your sister and we’ll get her. Be patient. And you, McKay, your job is quite simple: keep him safe, at all costs, and if anything happens… ― Huxley searched his pockets, grabbing a pen and then writing on the man’s arm. ― Call me immediately. Understood?

Ace nodded hard, a bit affected by Huxley’s rude demeanor.

― Good. ― Huxley said before leaving the two, astonished with everything.

― What was… that? ― Gunner asks, looking puzzled.

― No idea. ― Ace says. ― Maybe Mr. Sutherland got worried about you and sent this guy to check on you?

― Yeah… Probably…

Taking a rest was the last thing Gunner wanted to do, yet it was what he needed most. He got up from the bed and turned off the lights, walking slowly to the balcony and opening its doors, feeling the gentle breeze of the night lightly touching his cheeks. A tear escaped his eyes, as his hand tightly gripped his necklace.

Gunner leaned over the grid, taking deep breaths to calm himself down.

Faintly he felt the smell of fresh mint. As it got stronger, the scent engulfed him, making his body long for it; his heart was beating erratically while he was sweating profusely. As seconds passed by, it was getting suffocating to the point that Gunner almost jumped off of the balcony just to follow it.

He knew what it was.

Who it was.

His mate.

His body and soul yearned, longed for it, and it wasn’t something he could fight against.

As he battled with himself, whether he should do something about it or not, the scent vanished as if it was never there.

Gunner let himself fall to the floor; with a sigh, he hid his head between his knees.