3. Chapter 3 - Meeting the Werewolves

Chapter 3 - Meeting the Werewolves

Alexei

I impatiently glanced at my watch. Ana was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago. What was taking her so long?

The werewolf pack was in a secret location that would take us awhile to get to. The earlier we arrived, the better for us.

A few minutes later, I spotted her. I waved to Ana when I realized she wasn't alone; an irritated Evelyn accompanied her.

"Hey, baby," I greeted, my enthusiasm dimmed by the tension that lingered in her gaze.

She stopped in front of me, frustration evident in her expression. "Alexei, we need to talk."

I glanced at Ana, who gave me an apologetic look. Something had gone wrong, and I braced myself for the impending conversation.

"Why didn't you tell me about the meeting with the werewolf pack?" Evelyn's voice carried a mix of hurt and frustration.

I sighed, realizing my attempt to handle the matter discreetly had backfired. "I didn't want you to worry. The werewolves are cautious, and I thought it would be easier for me to discuss things with them alone, without other authorities. Besides it was just decided at the council meeting."

Evelyn's eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms. "Alexei, we're a team. If you're facing challenges, I should be facing them with you. Keeping me in the dark only makes things worse."

Ana stepped in, her voice calm and diplomatic. "Evelyn, I understand your concern, but Alexei was trying to protect you. The werewolf pack is wary of strangers and that means they might be dangerous. I think Alexei just wanted to gauge the situation first."

Evelyn's frustration didn't wane. "Ana, I appreciate your perspective, but I should have been informed. We're partners, and partners communicate. Besides, we're not even just partners, we're going to get married. Alexei, we need to trust each other if we're going to make this work. I'm coming with you."

I nodded, acknowledging the validity of her point. "You're right, Evelyn. I should've communicated better. I'm sorry."

Her gaze softened, and she sighed. "It's just... I don't want to feel left out or incapable of handling the challenges we might face. We face them together, right?"

I reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Absolutely. From now on, we'll face everything together. No more secrets."

Evelyn's smile returned, a mixture of relief and understanding. "Good. I want to be there for you, Alexei, in every way."

Ana said, "Hold on, did I hear you just say you're getting married?" She said to Evelyn.

A very bright smile appeared on my fiancé's face as she turned to face Ana. "Yes. Alexei proposed this morning." Evelyn said, raising her hand to show Ana the ring on her finger.

Ana's eyes widened and I could see the obvious joy and surprise in them. "Oh my God! Congratulations to both of you. I'm so happy for you."

Evelyn thanked Ana, the smile never leaving her face. Seeing her so happy brought a small smile to my face and in that moment, I realized that there was nothing I wouldn't do to make this woman the happiest woman on earth.

I cleared my throat, interrupting their conversation. "I know you both wouldn't mind spending an extra ten minutes squealing but we really have to get going."

Ana rolled her eyes at me. "You're such a big killjoy."

***

"How much longer?" Evelyn asked after we had been on the road for over two hours.

"Not much. Also, this is the fifth time you've asked this question in the last thirty minutes." I said, turning to look at her and chuckling.

"Well, you can't blame me. It's taking us forever to get there." Evelyn had a small pout on her face when she responded.

I let out a small laugh. "I told you it would take a while for us to get there."

She didn't respond, which brought a small smile to my lips.

A short time later, we arrived at the secret pack house.

"Here we are," I announced as I put the car in park.

"You're sure this is the place? It looks… empty and too quiet." Ana said.

"It's the place. Now, we better get out of the car if we don't want the werewolves to attack us while we're still sitting here. It'll be difficult for us to defend ourselves that way."

"Wait, did you just say attack?" Evelyn asked, her eyes widened.

"Yep. This was why I didn't want you to come. I was scared something might happen to you."

My words seemed to trigger something inside her because her facial expression switched from fear to determination.

"Don't worry. Karla taught me some really good defense spells, so I'll be able to defend myself."

She looked so adorable as she spoke. I gave her a warm smile. "Okay then. Ready, guys?"

"Ready." They both responded and we got out of the car.

As soon as we were all out of the car, the tension in the air was very evident.

"Where—" Evelyn started to say but was cut off by unwelcoming growls greeting us from the shadows. That was a clear indication that our presence was far from appreciated.

This went on for a few seconds until we started to see figures come out of the shadows.

Ana, Evelyn, and I stood united, ready to bridge the gap between the vampire clan and the werewolves. The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow on the scene unfolding before us.

One of the werewolves stepped forward, his gaze piercing. "What brings bloodsuckers to our territory?"

I tried to guess his rank from his demeanor but I couldn't.

I took a deep breath, meeting his gaze with a calm resolve. "We come in peace, seeking an alliance for the benefit of Harmony Grove. The supernatural community needs unity, especially in these changing times."

The werewolf growled, his distrust evident. "Vampires talking about unity? That's a new one."

As soon as the words left his lips, the rest of the figures came out of their hiding place and into full view standing behind him.

I glanced over at Evelyn and saw her staring at them with a determined look on her face. I had to admit, I was a bit surprised and impressed. I had half expected her to cower in fear, but she stood strong.

Ana stepped forward, her voice steady and diplomatic. "I understand your reservations, but we're not here to impose. We believe that the supernatural community can coexist peacefully, each faction contributing to the well-being of Harmony Grove. It's a new era and positive changes are possible if we stand together."

Evelyn chimed in, her words carrying sincerity. "The werewolves are an integral part of our community. Without you, the balance is disrupted. We want to ensure that everyone has a place and a voice in shaping the future."

The alpha crossed his arms, still skeptical. "Words are easy. Actions speak louder. Why should we trust bloodsuckers and…" He sniffed the air then stared pointedly at Evelyn, "...witches?"

This was one of the incredible talents that werewolves possessed. It didn't matter what kind of being you were or how human you appeared, werewolves could detect the true nature of any creature.

Ana stepped forward and looked at the werewolf with unwavering conviction. "Trust is earned through understanding. We propose a gesture of goodwill – a party where our communities can come together, celebrate, and forge connections. Harmony Grove can only thrive if we all stand united, embracing the diversity that defines us."

Evelyn added, "We're not asking for blind trust. Give us a chance to prove that we can coexist harmoniously."

The wolf considered our words, his stance softening slightly. The tension lingered, and I knew that our next words would be crucial.

"We understand the importance of trust," I said, my voice measured. "We're not here to force anything upon you. The party is an invitation, a chance for us to understand each other better. The supernatural community is stronger when we stand together, and we hope you'll join us in fostering better relations."

A moment of silence hung in the air, the weight of our proposition settling among the werewolves. The wolf turned around and exchanged glances with his pack, a silent communication passing between them.

Then, he turned back to us, "What are you suggesting?"

I cleared my throat. "We're having a treaty ceremony during the opening of our new museum. Other supernaturals will be there and we were hoping you would also attend."

The werewolf didn't say anything. He stared at me, then at Ana and Evelyn before returning his gaze to me. Finally, he nodded. "We'll consider your invitation. But if this is a trick, bloodsucker, you'll regret stepping foot in our territory."

I inclined my head in acknowledgment. "We appreciate the opportunity, and we assure you, our intentions are genuine."

As we turned to leave, the tension that had gripped the atmosphere began to dissipate. The werewolf's approval was a small step, but it signaled the potential for cooperation between the vampire clan, the werewolf pack, and the witches.

Ana, Evelyn, and I walked away from the pack house, the night enveloping us in a cloak of uncertainty and possibility. As soon as we entered the car, I heard Evelyn let out a sigh of relief.

"Well, that was nerve-racking."

"Tell me about it," Ana responded.

I couldn't shake the feeling that our actions tonight would ripple through the supernatural community, shaping the future of Harmony Grove.

We had been driving in silence for about an hour when Ana spoke, breaking the silence. "I don't know about you guys, but I think we made progress. The party is a chance for them to see that our intentions are sincere."

Evelyn nodded, her expression reflecting a mixture of relief and grit. "It's a step in the right direction. We need to show that the supernatural community can be a united front."

I agreed, realizing that the journey to unity required patience and persistence. "Let's make the party a success. If we can bridge the gap between vampires and werewolves, it'll set a precedent for cooperation among all supernaturals."

As I drove, all I could do was hope that things would go well.