A smooth voice came from behind Matthew. I believe differently. Dracula glided around Matthew, giving Fenris and Bella a cold smile.Ah. Bella my darling. I see you have broken out of your shell. He purred. Bella grinned and clapped her hands like a child.Dracula! She squealed.

A vicious snarl burst from his throat at Dracula's voice, but he froze at Bella's reaction to the leech. "B-Bella?" he muttered, surprised and confused.

Bella bounded towards dracula and into his waiting arms as he wrapped his arms around her.Dracula helped me when I got into some bad situations! Why are you mad at him? She frowned at Fenris.

The hair on the back of Fenris' neck stood on end as he watched Bella be embraced by the monster. His hands clenched into fists as he grit his teeth. "He has tried to kill my entire pack! He is an enemy to any sane werewolf!" he exclaimed.

Bella frowned up at Dracula.Sorry. I guess he doesn't like you. I better be going now, we're going to the caves.Dracula grabbed her arm when she tried to go back to Fenris, hard enough to make her squeal.

Fenris snarled loudly at the sound of Bella's squeal. "Release her!" he growled out at Dracula, baring his own set of fangs.

Dracula licked his lips and smiled again.Or what?

Fenris was growing frantic, feeling as though his back was against a wall. A cornered werewolf did not make for a clear thinking werewolf. The last thing he wanted was to lose another mate. "What do you want?!" he snarled.

Fenris' inner Ancient growled furiously at the very idea of an alpha bowing down to anyone. "Why?!" Fenris growled, not trusting the monster in front of him at all.

Dracula showed all of his sharp teeth as he smiled.Because the loyalty of an Ancient is extremely useful to me. He gripped Bella tighter, causing her to emit another small squeak of pain.

Fenris jerked forward at the squeak of pain, but restrained himself. "Fine! I will swear loyalty to you if you let her go!" he snarled out.

Dracula snorted.I'm not stupid. Do it now, or I will break her arm.

Fenris bared his fangs in defiance and anger, but dropped to one knee with his head bowed. "I, Fenris, swear loyalty to you, Dracula." he snarled bitterly.

Dracula chuckled and released Bella, who ran to Fenris. He turned and walked out, taking Matthew with him.

Fenris leaped to his feet the moment Bella was released and pulled her into his arms when she ran to him. He watched as the two monsters left before hurriedly checking Bella for any injuries.

Bella swatted him away muttering that she was fine, purpling bruises showing inside her wrist.

Fenris didn't move much when she swatted at him, his eyes catching sight of the bruises. His eyes grew pained. "I'm sorry. I should have kept him from hurting you." he apologized.

It doesn't hurt that much. She replied.Are we gonna go?

Fenris frowned slightly at Bella, but nodded despite his worry of the two vampires. "Of course. Could you go find Ashton and Careta so that we may leave while I check a few things and lock some things up?" he asked.

Bella nodded and went off in search of Ashton and Careta.

Ashton lay on his bed, pale white as he normally was. Today there was a pain in his chest, and a buzzing in his ears. He felt like his head was filled with bees.

Careta was pacing the floor in the room next to Ashton's. She was still trying to figure out how everything worked and the fact that the answer eluded her was driving her crazy.

Bella headed for Ashton's room and nearly ran into Careta.We're leaving. All of us. She said abruptly.

Careta jerked her head up at Bella's words. "Where are we headed?" she asked.