“Is this the place?” Blake asks as we pull into a parking lot. I smile at the pup turning to see his siter Alice fast asleep in the back seat, her golden hair shinning after our night in the motel room and having access to a proper bath.
“Yes. We can talk to the Lawyer about making me your legal guardian.” I answer, seeing the hope in the thirteen year old’s eyes. With a chuckle, I climb out of the vehicle and make my way to Alice’s side, opening the door and gently shaking her.
“Alice, we are here.” I coo to the nine year old, watching her slowly open her eyes. She yawns as Blake joins us, still a little weary of me even after three days on the road getting to know one another.
“We’re here?” The little pup mumble out, rubbing her eyes. I chuckle, helping her unbuckle her seatbelt and lifting her into my arms.
“Yes, we are here.” I reassure, closing and locking the car and making my way to the entrance of the building with the pups. As soon as we enter the lobby to the four foot office building, Blake shuffles closer to my side, his eyes wide yet cautious of all the humans around.
[Relax, you are safe here.] I link the teen beside me, reaching out my hand for him to take. I am shocked yet extremely happy when his fingers interlock with mine, his trust in me protecting him and his sister making my heart melt. Hand in hand with Alice on my hip, we walk towards the reception desk where a woman sits. Scenting the air, I am surprised to see she is a witch, her hands moving on the keyboard before her while she converses with someone on the phone floating next to her ear. She holds up a finger to us, mouthing ‘One Moment’ to me and I nod, seeing how busy she is and decide to lead Blake to the sitting area just across from her desk.
“Can she be trusted?” Blake asks as we sit down, eyeing the witch. I chuckle, ruffling his blonde hair and settle into my chair, Alice already sleeping against my shoulder.
“Yes. Most witches can be trusted, especially ones that openly work with other supernatural’s.” I reassure, seeing him nod and his posture relaxing. This must be a shock to the young boy, traveling to a big city after running from his pack. Hopefully he and Alice can open up about why they run away while I talk with this lawyer about being their guardian.
“Sorry for the wait Ma’am, I was dealing with an idiot Alpha.” The witch apologizes, walking towards me with a smile and two large lollypops for the pups.
“It’s fine. My name is Crystalline and I am here to see Mr. Atticus.” I stand, careful not to wake Alice as I release Blake’s hand to shake her free hand.
“Oh, I am shocked you made it here so early! Atti has been waiting for you and told me to clear his schedule the moment you arrived. I just didn’t expect you to bring pups.” She exclaims happily, motioning for us to follow her as she takes us behind her desk to a door that leads directly to an elevator. Blake takes my hand and shuffles closer, the witch pressing a button and shutting us in.
“I sent a message to Atti, this elevator will take us right into his office.” She explains just as the floor begins to move and the feeling of us ascending higher makes my eyes widen in surprise. I have never been in an elevator before and judging by lake’s similar reaction - neither has he. The elevator ride is short lived and the doors open to reveal a lavish office, a large wooden table with six chairs tucked around it greets us as we walk into the room.
“Crystalline it is so good to finally meet you.” A deep voice calls out, his accent a muted old English. Turning to face the source of the voice, I watch as a tall tanned man walks towards me, his dark eyes holding fondness and something akin to pride and love.
“You look just like Luna did and the exact carbon copy of Selene. But that is to be expected as you are the twin to the second Moon Goddess and daughter of the first.” He chuckles out, giving me a hug on my right side, careful to not jostle the sleeping Alice before turning to look at the weary Blake hiding behind me.
“Are these your pups?”
“Uh no. I actually saved Blake and Alice from Soulless after leaving the Temple. Is it safe to assume you are Atticus?” I answer, asking my own question in the end as the witch bids us good bye and leaves through the elevator.
“Yes I am. I have been your family’s lawyer for centuries now and I am excited to finally hand you your inheritance young wolf.” Atticus chuckles out, motioning for me to take a seat at the table. Blake and I take the seat closest to us, the teen letting me place Alice on the couch first so that she can continue to sleep while Atticus walked towards his desk, rummaging through a drawer before returning to the table with a file in hand.
“So first off, care to explain why you brought pups?” Atticus begins.
“I am not a pup, I am thirteen!” Blake shouts, his eyes glaring at the vampire across from me. I sigh, placing a hand on the teen’s shoulder and telling him to settle down.
“Okay, not a pup then.” The vampire concedes, sending me a wink and going along with Blake’s outburst. I smile, sending him a silent thankyou as Blake settles back into the seat, still glaring at the vampire who gives him a friendly smile, his fangs peaking just below his top lip.
“As I mentioned, I saved them from Soulless and offered to bring them here with me. I want to be their guardian.” I explain, running my hand through Blake’s hair and watching the pup visibly relax with my touch. My heart cracks, seeing how just a basic touch brought such comfort to him and wonder just what the siblings are hiding.
“I can help with that, but I need to know more to their story.” I sigh, realizing that becoming their guardian might be a little difficult if it means Blake refuses to tell us why he and his sister were alone. But to my surprise, the teen looks towards me, then to the couch where his sister slept, before looking at Atticus.
“If I tell you, will you promise not to send us back to our old pack?” He asks Atticus, his small features carrying a look of seriousness. I hold my breath, the sibling already knowing I would not send them back, but I can’t say the same about this lawyer before us.
“Considering you are here with the lost Princess, I can guarantee that I will never let you return to what ever pack you cam from. I promise.” Atticus’s words seems to appease Blake as he takes a deep breath and looks out the window, staring out at Lake Ontario as he thinks over his words.
“Alice and I were orphaned when Alice turned 3. Soulless snuck into the pack and killed our parents. I was seven at the time. We became Omega’s instantly and because my sister is the only Golden haired wolf with blue eyes, she was put into a special class.” I watch as his fists clench in anger at the mention of the class, wondering just what the two went through.
“If I wasn’t at school, I was cleaning the pack house with other Omega’s barely able to see my sister. A week ago, I was lucky enough to work near the class Alice was in and that’s when I learned what that class is about.” Rage is simmering off of Blake by this point and something inside me tells me I am not going to like this answer. Without hesitation, I wrap my arms around him, running my fingers through his hair to help calm the furious pup, feeling angry myself at the pack they ran away from.
“What is that class about Blake.” Atticus asks, reaching over to gently hold his clenched hand.
“They take orphaned girls with unique looks and train them to be bed warmers. When the girl turns twelve, they are used for sex by the top pack members.” Black whispers out, a tear running down his face. I look to Atticus who’s face is set in a grim look. Quickly, he stands and rushes to his desk, taking a laptop and bringing it to the table, promptly opening it.
“Blake, I need to ask. Is this pack called Nightmare Moon?” Atticus asks, turning the laptop to face Blake with the pack mentioned on display, the layout of every building easily recognizable. I shudder, realizing that Nightmare Moon is an ally pack of Alexander and the unease I felt each time I had to visit the pack and meet the Alpha finally explained.
“Yes. That’s where the class is and where they keep the girls.” Pointing to a building just on the edge of the territory. I frown, watching as Atticus turns the laptop around and type for a moment, Blake clinging to me and breathing in my scent. No wonder they are so malnourished and tired all the time and why Blake has trouble trusting others.
“I just sent this information to Ira. We have had she-wolves escape from that pack and taken refuge at the Temple. Geminie will take care of this issues and I have a feeling Nightmare Moon will be no more now that we have two children escaped from there.” Atticus explains as he closes the laptop, his flawless looking face holding a weariness I did not expect from someone who does not age.
“Blake, you are a very brave wolf for running away with your sister and I promise that Crystalline will be your guardian now that we know you two are orphans and were abused. I have Heidi, the witch you met, getting the paper work ready. I just need your last name.”
“It’s Skylarke. Blake and Alice Skylarke.” Atticus nods, his eyes glazing over and I smile. Knowing that this vampire is helping these siblings stay together and letting me keep them by my side makes me happy.
“Okay. Heidi has the information and will bring the papers up after we deal with Crystalline.” With that, Atticus opens the folder he brought to the table earlier, turning the contents to face me. Curious, I ask if it okay for me to look and once I see the vampire nod, I pull the folder towards me, taking a look at the first page and looking up in shock.
“Five billion?” Blake winces as I shout in shock, looking down at the paper then back to Atticus who chuckles, getting up from his seat and moving to sit beside me, his manicured fingers taking the folder from my hand.
“You father left me with some decent gold to play with for your inheritance. I got bored at one point and invested into a few things for you when you decided to re-emerge. I have been the lawyer for the wolves born from Luna’s and Spirit’s blood line for centuries and have helped them to invest in business and real-estate for years.” He explains, flipping the first page over to the next where the shock continues as I look at the ledger before me, noticing the list of assets.
“I own all of this?” I ask incredulous, catching Blake looking towards the papers as well and letting out a low whistle.
“Yes. This is a cosmetics business I opened up in your name. I mean, I used your money to create it but I own a few shares as well. This is a local gallery that was created a few hundred years ago and local artists sell their work. Of course the gallery gains a commission to pay the five workers and utilities, but the rest of the money is profit for you.” I listen as he goes down the list, explaining the businesses and the profit. How each one came to be or bought and how some properties are rented out. I thought I was penny-less when I left the Palace. Instead it turns out I am richer than the Royal Pack.
“I tired to get Alexander to listen to me, but that fool has no idea what is good for him.” I chuckle at Atticus’ grumbling, realizing that I may have made a great friend and ally.
“Atticus-” I start, getting cut off before I can continue.
“Please Crystalline, I have waited centuries for this. Can you call me Uncle Atti. Your father was my best friend and I watched Selene grow into a powerful Moon Goddess. Now I get to finally watch you become a fair and just Queen.” His eyes holds familiar love at the mention of my family, the hope his words have that I will treat him the same way as my sister once did. Ira sending me here was a blessing in disguise and when I get a cell phone and a home to settle into, I will have to call the Priestess and thank her.
“Uncle Atti, do you think you could help me keep investing and growing my funds. I also need a house while I live in Toronto for a few years.” I continue, my eyes tearing up as he gentle pulls me into a hug and takes a deep breath of my scent.
“Of course young one. You can always call me for anything and I will be there for you Crystalline.” He whispers. I came in needing a lawyer and I will be leaving with an uncle. I could not be any luckier.