Alpha Thomas didn't want his dinner gathering ruined, and he knew Klaus was just bluffing—after all, what did Klaus really know about wolf business?
"I'd like to thank everyone for being here tonight," Alpha Thomas said loudly, raising his golden cup and grabbing everyone's attention.
"This is to the unity we hold, and a celebration for keeping the rules and regulations that lead to peace," he added, and the other kings raised their cups in agreement.
"Ahh—" Everyone's gaze snapped to the door as a dead wolf was shoved inside.
They all stood, alert, as guards from the witches, wolves, demon, and vampire factions hurried in.
A man entered, blood dripping from his mouth—a vampire had killed a wolf.
"How dare you?" Alpha Thomas roared, echoed by the other alphas. The vampires parted as a man with jet black hair and a smirk stepped forward.
He was dressed in all black, looking every inch the predator. "Hello there. How did dinner start without me?" the Vampire King, Marcus, asked with amusement.
His guards had arrived ahead of him, but he hadn't expected them to start the "party" without him.
"You killed a wolf—that's against the rules. You broke the peace treaty, so you all will pay," Davin scolded, but Marcus just scoffed.
"Three of my men were killed by your stupid wolves, and I just killed one of you. Do you think you have the right to roar?" he fired back, and Davin stepped forward.
"You have some guts doing this at this moment. What makes you think you'll leave this place alive?" Davin pressed, but Marcus laughed.
"Watch your tongue, mate. My temper's as short as your senses," Marcus threatened. Davin chuckled.
"So what? Vampires against us all?" Davin asked, half-amused. Did Marcus really not realize he'd just walked into his own grave?
"All?" Marcus grinned and turned toward Klaus. "Hello there, brother," he greeted, and Lisa watched Klaus in anticipation.
Was he friends with the Vampire King? This man was ruthless. If the wolves had killed vampires, it must have been in self-defense.
"You always loved a dramatic entrance," Klaus said dryly. Marcus chuckled and shifted his gaze back to Davin, trying to prove to him that the demons were by his side.
"It's either we call this fair and get back to our evening, or we can end it now," Marcus offered, laying out his terms. Davin clenched his fists.
He looked at the other Alphas, who shook their heads. They would get their revenge on the vampires, but not tonight.
"Great. Luckily, I brought my own wine," Marcus chuckled as a vampire lady entered, carrying bottles of blood.
He pulled up the seat next to Klaus and sat, motioning for everyone else to sit as well.
Alpha Thomas nodded to his guards, who quickly disposed of the body. The guards left, and the room settled into a tense silence as everyone ate, glaring at Marcus.
"This fool—he had to drag me into this," Klaus thought, snorting inwardly.
Finally, the night ended. Lisa returned to her chambers with Helen, who helped her change into more comfortable clothes.
Lisa stood by the window, watching Klaus and Marcus in the garden below, wondering what they were talking about.
"How could he be friends with the Vampire King?" Lisa said angrily.
"Why shouldn't he?" Helen replied calmly.
"Because that man is a blood-sucking monster. He's the reason so many children lost their parents. He loves war," Lisa argued, and Helen joined her at the window.
"There's something called fairy tales—the stories our parents tell us as we grow. We end up hating people just because of what they are," Helen said, and Lisa raised a confused brow.
"I'm sure you heard a lot of rumors about the Demon King, too. They weren't all nice, right?"
Lisa chuckled. Her friend Jim had run away the first time they met Klaus, all because of the stories he'd heard.
"So you're saying people say terrible things about the Vampire King, but he isn't all that?"
"He's here now. You get to see for yourself. Don't let fairy tales control your heart," Helen replied.
Lisa smiled—she'd chosen the right maid.
"And everyone in the demon kingdom knows those two have been best friends for years," Helen added, watching Klaus and Marcus below.
—
Lisa sat on her bed, lost in thought, trying to process everything that had happened.
The door opened and Klaus walked in. She remembered something and headed for the door.
"You don't have to leave when I come in," he said, and she quickly shook her head.
"Of course not. I'll be right back," she said with a smile, turning to leave. Klaus appeared in front of her, his gaze dropping to her lightly dressed form, her fair thighs exposed.
Lisa noticed his stare and pointed at his black cloak, teasing, "Can I put this on?" She had never seen him without it—she had no idea what his physique looked like.
"If you're so desperate to see me without clothes, just say it," he replied, and her eyes widened, her cheeks burning.
"Uh… what are you saying?" she stammered, hurrying to her bag and pulling out her own cloak to put on.
She pouted and stomped out, hurrying downstairs. "Since when did he become this shameless?" she muttered, finally making her way to the kitchen after some effort.
It was empty—she sighed in relief, not wanting to run into anyone. She grabbed a golden plate and served herself some food, but suddenly felt a presence, the person behind her depicted a lot of hate.
She turned and saw Ariel glaring at her. "Glaring at me won't kill me," Lisa snorted.
"I could kill you right here if I wanted. After all, you're just a wolfless wolf," Ariel mocked.
Lisa laughed, stepping closer. "Do you have the guts? Because before you finish chanting your sorcery, I'd have a knife in your throat."
"Why don't we try and see who's faster?" Ariel snapped, but quickly stepped back when two demons appeared at Lisa's side, swords drawn.
Lisa was surprised by their sudden appearance. "Are you alright, Lady Lisa?" one of the guards asked.
"I was just having a conversation—she's not a threat," Lisa replied, and the guards nodded before vanishing.
"Good night," Lisa smiled at Ariel, then hurried upstairs to her chambers.
"How come there are guards showing up…" she started, but the words died in her throat at the sight before her.
She had never seen anything like it.