Chapter 9

                                    

                                          
Merissa mumbled a soft complaint as Adley gently shook her body.
                          
"Again?"
                          
The werewolf snickered.
                          
"As much as I want to say yes, we can't. My parents are here."
                          
Merissa flew upright, Adley fell back onto the bed.
                          
"Are you serious?" She hissed quietly. "The house is a mess. Did you know that they were coming over tonight?"
                          
"Chill, babe. I cleaned up. Don't be too long."
                          
Adley left the room, finding his parents in the dining room. They'd pushed aside the centrepiece bowl to set out the house listings they'd found.
                          
"Put that stuff away," Adley chided. "Ris's not ready for it just yet."
                          
"We're only trying to help, honey," Freya said in her soft, sweet tone. "Merissa will understand."
                          
Adley tilted his head with a cocked eyebrow.
                          
"Really? Have you ever thought people were helpful when you were pregnant?"
                          
Kegan looked at his partner with a merciless grin.
                          
"Yes, alright."
                          
Freya packed the listings into a pile then handed them to her son. Adley quickly added them to the pile of listings he'd collected earlier this afternoon. Hearing his mother's excitement, Adley turned to see Merissa walk into the dining room. She offered an uneasy smile as Freya hugged her.
                          
"How are you feeling?"
                          
"I'm good."
                          
"Wonderful. I'll get refreshments. You sit and relax."
                          
Adley smiled at her, almost apologising for his overbearing mother who hugged Merissa again. Kegan, having already been told by his daughters to be respectful of Merissa's boundaries, held back. He sat at the table and waited for his son and partner to join him.
                          
Adley looked a lot like his father. Soft brown curls flopped haphazardly over his head, dark eyes with a soft tan to his skin. Werewolves were often trim because they were active. 
                          
"Adley tells me that you're thinking about searching for your siblings."
                          
Merissa nodded as she sat down, glancing at the big mouth who was still smiling at her. Turning back to Kegan, Merissa settled in. 
                          
"Kind of. Dad said that it would be for the best that I don't look for them but doesn't give me a straight answer when I question him further."
                          
"That's because he's protecting you."
                          
Adley frowned at his father, Kegan shrugged as he leaned onto the table surface.
                          
"Do I know something? Most wolves do. We're not blinded to what goes on in the vampire community. We could see the writing on the wall and those who could, warned your father. Gamichee doesn't want you searching for them because he's gone to great lengths to hide those who need to be hidden."
                          
"Lennon was out in the open."
                          
Kegan chuckled, nodding as he thought about that mischievous scamp.
                          
"Yeah and I'll bet that grated against Gamichee. All that he did to hide that kid and he walks out of that home with a neon light on his head. Like you and your siblings, Lennon is an orphan because of the actions of his parents. Maryanne and Karl were on the council, just like your parents."
                          
Merissa stared at Kegan, her mouth open just a fraction.
                          
"It was Karl that told Gamichee and our leader, Saskia what was going on in the council meetings. They were leaning towards enforcing a rule about human and werewolf interactions. Essentially they wanted to cut off all association with werewolves and all human contact was to be for feeding only. Like many of us, Karl had friends within both species and didn't want to go ahead with these plans. When he told your father, Gamichee formed a plan to cut off all contact with the council."
                          
"That's why he warns vampires not to leave this territory."
                          
Kegan nodded.
                          
"The council ordered that any vampire found in this territory will be killed on sight. At the time, Gamichee didn't believe they'd carry out the threat but the deaths started to happen so he ramped up his efforts. I believe this is how the protection side of his business began. Ruling with an iron fist comes with its benefits."
                          
"When we were at Charlton's place, Lyla overheard him say that turned vampires were an abomination."
                          
Kegan murmured a soft growl as the heavy frown set in.
                          
"Charlton took the orders to the extreme. He wanted to rule the council but couldn't get adequate numbers. Charlton also didn't like it that Gamichee was allowed to cut off his territory as he did and created his own scheme to bring him down. It failed of course but that's what happens when you've got a pervert puppet doing things he shouldn't be."
                          
"So, why do my siblings have to hide? And since when were my parents on the council?"
                          
"Your father was actually pureblood, your mother turned to be with him. He was on the council as it had been handed down to him from his father which is usually how someone gains a seat at the table. I knew him, Merissa, your father was a good man. I think he'd be proud as punch that you're pregnant to a werewolf. Hell, he'd be proud of you full stop."
                          
Merissa could feel the tingle in her face as she flushed. 
                          
"As for your siblings, they were old enough to see what happened, you weren't. Gamichee talked to them about it and they agreed that even though it would hurt, it was for the best that everyone went into hiding separately. You were put into Fielding Hall, then Gamichee adopted you. I don't know what happened to your siblings."
                          
"Why won't he tell me this?"
                          
"Because of Gina."
                          
Adley turned from Merissa to his father, wondering how his deceased friend was involved in this.
                          
"What's she got to do with it?"
                          
"Gina knew more than she should. Because she was with Carson, she was exposed to a lot more information. She started asking questions, asking the wrong people. Her death was not an accident. Whoever walked into that club did it with the sole purpose of taking her down. You want my advice, Merissa? Stop asking questions. Stop before it's too late. Otherwise, you might just ask the wrong person and then there will be nothing that can save you."