Chapter Eighteen

Stefan's mother was clearly his mother if you could see that he had the fiery eyes of his mother and her high defined cheekbones. His mother stood a mere five feet seven; in comparison to Stefan she looked dauntingly short. She wore a smile as I walked down the narrow steps off of the plane. Stefan made it to her first and set down the bags hugging her tightly. Only then did her eyes turn to me. I expected a critical stare from her. The woman's face was not wrinkled due to the way that shifters age. She looked like she was our age, but you could tell in her eyes just how much older she was by her life experience. She held herself as someone of her age does. When I looked at Stefan's mother, her smile was less genuine and more calculating. She seemed to be counting the moments until I made a fool of myself. I knew Stefan was supposed to introduce me, but he made no move to.

"Are you going to introduce me, or do I have to announce myself?" I asked him sweetly, but I knew the look on my face told him that if he made a fool of me, I would be unforgiving. If I made a fool of myself, well that is my doing.

"Forgive me darling," he bowed formally and winked at me. "Mother, this is my mate Jezebel."

"So this is the one who left you and miraculously has returned?" His mother asked flatly, keeping her condemning eyes on me.

"Mother," Stefan warned.

I kept a pleasant mask on my face as if she had not insulted me.

"I know nothing of miracles, but I'm sure the conditions of my return had more to do with financial gain in your eyes." I shot back with a sarcastic flare.

Her eyes narrowed at me, "I suspected no such thing, but if that is the case I would question the validity of your claim to be my son's mate."

"If I wasn't your son's mate, I certainly wouldn't be here at present taking your scrutiny, nor would I put up with Stefan's quick temper." I answered without hesitation.

One corner of her mouth quirked up and Stefan winked at me, never losing his smile.

"I understand you are in need of a wardrobe," Stefan's mother stated, effectively dropping the stabs at my motives and worthiness of her son.

"Yes, umm, to what shall I address you by?" I asked her, forcing every hint of disrespect out of my tone.

"Forgive me, I did not specify, you may call me Mother, seeing as you will be officially my daughter in a few days." She nodded her head a bit and for a split second I could see the sparkling sense of approval in her eyes.

"Thank you, Mother, and yes you are correct, Stefan sprung this trip on my so quickly, I did not have time to retrieve an acceptable wardrobe for presentations." I answered.

I already felt weary of speaking in such formal speech. Surely, at some point I would not be expected to talk this way.

At first the ride over was quite silent. His mother was the one to break the silence.

"Where is the rest of your luggage?" she asked me.

"I travel light." I said simply. I got the feeling that she didn't know that I was rogue.

She doesn't know. Stefan whispered through my mind.

Why in the hell didn't you tell her? I screamed back in his head.

She doesn't need to know. He answered coolly.

"What kind of lady doesn't have more than one bag?" she asked plainly and pointedly.

"One that has enough money to," I eluded, leaned back and crossed my legs raising an eyebrow.

My message was simple, I dare you to keep grilling me because I can do this dance all day. She seemed satisfied and sank into her seat as well, managing to lock eyes with me in a staring contest. My wolf laughed at her and rose enough to turn my eyes ice blue. If I had not let my power rise I would not have caught the slight widening of her eyes, but it was soon followed up by her power lashing out at me, daring me to lose control and prove that I could not handle the title I had. I lashed back, not with fiery rage, but with force alone I gave her a small taste of what I had in me.

At the same time Stefan said our names with the same tone, a warning that we needed to stop before it got out of hand. I pulled myself together instantly and looked to Stefan. Stefan was giving a warning glare to his mother, before she looked away as well. When our eyes met again, I caught a gaze of approval. I nodded to her and she nodded back, we were at an understanding it seemed. I felt relief, if I could win her over, the worst was done.

When we arrived at the seamstresses shop she greeted Stefan's mother at the door. They began conversing in Russian of all things. I guess "Mother" did not realize that I could understand her. The gist of what she was saying was that she could just whip something simple up because I wouldn't know the difference between fashion and a night club. I raised my eyebrow.

"Do not be so condemning, Mother." I began sweetly. "I wouldn't want to represent your son as if I were walking into a night club." I replied making my way over to the wall with different fabrics to choose from. "but I agree, simple is sometimes better than extravagance."

The seamstress smiled at me and made her way over to me. I smiled at her and proceeded to speak to her in her native tongue.

"How did you make your way to Romania?" I asked followed with. "I like this red material."

"I was a designer in Moscow, and then I was asked to come here by the Rezzorris to be their personal designer for their rather large family, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse at the start of my career." She replied. "I like that one too, do you like a fitted dress or one that flares around your feet?" She asked me.

"A snug fit, but I don't want to look like a prostitute." I said "I want to look as if I have some class despite my background."

"What do you mean?" she asked me as she started taking my measurements as I looked.

"I mean that I was a mercenary based out of Moscow for four years." I whispered low enough that Mother couldn't hear. "I'm not new to the scene of blending in when I need it." I nodded to her and continued pulling fabrics when she was done with my measurements.

"I think I have a few dresses in your size that you may like." She said and went to the back of the store before I could stop her.

She emerged with an arm load of dress bags and hung them up on a hook before she took them out one at a time. I had to admit, they were very high fashion. They were the kinds of dresses that made statements. I reached forward and ran my hand along the fabric of the one closest to me. It was fiery red satin that reminded me of blood it was so deep. The neckline of the dress swooped to one shoulder like a toga and the back was open backed with straps that crisscrossed to hold it up. There was a split up the side of the dress that nearly reached the hip, but to me it was a golden asset because it allowed me to conceal a weapon that was easily accessible.

"If it fits, I'll take this one for sure," I said as I made my way toward the back of the store to change.

"No one is coming in, you may change here." Stefan's mother said.

It made sense but I didn't want her to see all of my scars, but it would be rude and odd if I made a fuss about it as if I were uncomfortable with my body. I wasn't uncomfortable with my body, just my skin in some places.

I turned my back to her as I stripped to my lacy thong and push-up bra that matched. Thankfully, she didn't notice or recognize what my tattoos meant.

"Classy, " she commented as I turned around.

I smirked at her as I slipped the dress on over my skin. The designer helped me tie it in the back and I moved to a mirror. Instantly, I did not recognize myself. After closer examination, I noticed the same dark brown eyes; my hair was still windblown and looked crazed. I expected the tattoos I had would look misplaced in a dress so sophisticated, but I did not look like a stranger wearing an unfamiliar garment, I looked like someone who was wearing the dress, not just trying it on.

"I'll take it," I said.

We were to be presented at the party tonight, I did not know what to expect, but I was prepared. I had my knife strapped to the inside of my thigh and the pressure of it eased my anxiety. Stefan waited for me outside of the room as I put the finishing touches on my make-up. I certainly looked the part of an alpha female at a social gathering now. I took a deep breath and checked myself over one more time. I wore red heels that were made to match the dress and looked phenomenal, I was definitely recommending this designer to…well I didn't have any girl friends to recommend her to. I pushed the thought away and emerged from the room.

Stefan stood with his hands fidgeting with his cuff links. His back was facing me as I exited, but he turned to me when he heard me. When his eyes caught sight of me, I saw a deep fire, but also I saw tenderness as he said, "Jezebel, you look beautiful," he said and tried to move in for a kiss before I stopped him.

"Thank you," I smiled. "But you can wait until after we are in our room to kiss me, I can't have you messing up my lipstick, it took me forever to get it right," I whispered to him as we began walking to the party downstairs.

He settled and kissed my hand. I smiled at him blew him a kiss, careful not to touch my lips.

"If you seem to get stuck, just let me do the talking." He said. Tell me when you have had enough of the party and I will take you back to the room where I can enjoy you in that dress all to myself.

I blushed slightly. Don't embarrass me in front of everyone please. I pleaded in my head hoping that he heard me.

I promise not to think about you and I naked and alone for a little while, the way that you look tonight, I can't make any promises for the whole night.

My heart stopped for a second; did I look like a whore in this red dress?

Darling, that dress is nothing but elegant, there will be women here that will be much less classy.

I let out a breath I had held. Good, the last thing I wanted was to be the new alpha slut in court.

We came to two double doors with a pair of men in tuxedos who stepped aside and opened the door for us. As we passed into the ballroom, Stefan stopped us and leaned over to a man with a sheet of names. He whispered our names to him and he ushered us forward. As we came to the top of the stairs where I saw the magnitude of population here, a voice swept across the room and all eyes turned to us as we descended the stairs slowly.

"Alpha Stefan Greyson, and his mate Alpha Jezebel Stamos of Il Duce Luna," was announced as if the man had a mega-phone surgically implanted in his throat. I was grateful to have Stefan there to steady me as I felt my hand shake slightly under his.

Fearless in the face of certain death, and physically shaken by high society. Stefan chuckled through my head. I managed to keep a pleasant mask on my face to match his.

You're damn right, these people are isolating and scrutinizing everything I do, of course I'm terrified. I shot back, as Stefan's mother made her way toward us.

"I must say Jezebel, I had my uncertainties about that gown, but you do look lovely." She said kindly and nodded to me.

"Thank you mother, your approval is most rewarding." I said nodding to her in a similar fashion.

"You sure did get the prettiest of the dames, where did you discover such a gem?" An unmated male approached us.

"I believe such a tale deserves plenty of food and drink to entertain you properly with such a story." He said graciously avoiding the inquisition.

"Well, let me lead the lovely couple to the Ulfric, he is most excited to meet you Jezebel." Stefan's mother continued effectively understanding that he did not want to explain in front of eager ears.

"We would be most grateful," Stefan replied without skipping a beat. We navigated through conversations after conversation, making our way to the Ulfric at the end of the room. Stefan was slick tongued and spoke with silver lined eloquence. He weaved us through the right circles and within the hour, I had relaxed into the swing of things and picked up the conversations with ease. We laughed and joked about mundane and meaningless things in my opinion. These people worried about what people wore, what their children were being taught, and the most common question I had to avoid was where I was from. Lucky for me, my hair was long enough to cover the back of my neck so no one got freaked out, but I knew if the Ulfric asked me, I would have to answer truthfully or risk being sentenced to death given my history.

When we finally stood in front of the Ulfric, he looked us over as we knelt on bended knee with our necks exposed.

Don't rise until I help you up, it is a disrespect if you rise with me. Stefan warned me. I didn't argue, I just accepted it as he rose and then turned to me to help me up even though I didn't need it.

"Alpha Stefan, it is good to see you," the old man smiled and stood to give Stefan a hug. When they parted the Ulfric turned to me. "Alpha Jezebel, it is a pleasure to finally put a face to the most alluring name." the Ulfric commented.

"Thank you, Ulfric it is an honor to be in your presence. Such magnificent moments are coveted over many lifetimes." I answered.

"As silver tongued as Stefan I see, you are a good match for him." He laughed jovially, his entire body shaking with joy. "Come the both of you, we have much to discuss in private." He said motioning us to his left.

He led us to a room filled with wall to wall weapons and armor of different eras, styles, and origins.

"Now, we are in private, we will speak plainly, I get so sick of all that high and mighty pretentiousness." The Ulfric griped. "Now, you believe that Jezebel is my granddaughter for some reason?" he asked bluntly.

"Yes, we do," Stefan said pulling an envelope from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. "here is the reason why, but you said when you saw her you could tell by looking at her." Stefan reminded him as he handed it over.

The Ulfric took a look at the papers, then looked at me. As he scrutinized my appearance, I felt an odd sensation. Someone else was watching me. I felt Stefan's alarm as I felt my attacker move to grab me. I ducked down and kicked the side of his leg, I heard a satisfying snap and my knee went to his back and held one arm, while the other was wrenched behind his head where my knife nestled into the part of his neck over his carotid artery.

I looked up at the Ulfric who was surprised. "Is this some sort of test?" I asked bluntly. "Seeing if I can take care of myself? Your little guard almost ended up dead," I hissed angrily.

"You were supposed to be dead." The Ulfric said as he handed the papers back to Stefan.

"What are you talking about?" Stefan asked, automatically moving closer to me.

"This was never supposed to happen; she is supposed to be dead!" The Ulfric snarled and threw an entire 16 th century Spanish suit of armor across the room.

What does he mean I'm supposed to be dead?

I don't know but I really don't like the sound of it. Stefan said now, picking me up from the floor where I had landed after letting the guard go.

I clung to Stefan like a life-line and waited for the Ulfric to calm down. I was good, but a wolf king had the power to make any alpha obey, that's why he was in power. The first lesson you learn as a fighter is to know your limits. I knew mine.

"Father, I heard a noise is everything okay?" A sweet musical voice rang out through the armory. I turned and saw a woman who looked like my mirror. She wore a royal blue dress that hugged her curves. It flared at the knees and she looked like a model on a magazine cover. Her hands and arms gave her away as not being a delicate flower as she portrayed. She walked confidently with no fear to her father who was hunkered over at the knees snarling. She placed a hand on his shoulder firmly.

"Calm down father, this is not a time to lose control and you well know it," she hissed in his ear. "Now, why are you so angry?" she asked him bluntly with a level tone.

"This does not concern you," he spat staring at the floor.

"You could at least look at me when you talk," she spat back straightening her spine.

He glared back up at her. "You watch who you speak to with such a tone, I am not your mate." He roared at her.

"Let's not fight on that in front of guests, now are you going to introduce me or are you going to continue to be rude and act like a rogue?" she shot back.

I felt a shot in my gut at the way she hissed the word rogue as in insult, but I knew that if I let on I would have more issues to deal with.

Just keep your cool, Jez, everything is going to be fine. Stefan tightened his grip around me.

"You know Stefan," the Ulfric glared at his daughter.

Jez, that is Amelia Rezzorri, your mother, don't let on because I don't think the Ulfric can handle anymore. I am so sorry, I did not know this would happen.

You couldn't have known, I thought to him. I kept my face blank even though my breath had caught in my throat as if someone had gripped me by the throat.

"Amelia, this is my mate, Jezebel Stamos." Stefan said formally and pushed me forward to her holding my hand up by my shoulder.

She took my hand and curtsied.

Jez, cursty. Stefan commanded.

I bent my knee and as I bent down I heard him again. You need to cursty lower than her as a sign of respect to her station as the Ulfric's daughter.

I about have my ass on the floor, I thought but apparently it was far enough because she started to rise.

She is going to do the formal wolf greeting. She will put a hand on your neck and you will put a hand on hers with the same hand. You will press your cheek to hers and then you will smell each other's hair, just underneath the ear.

I followed Amelia's lead and when her hand touched my neck my wolf rose to answer hers as hers rose to answer mine. We leaned forward and pressed our cheeks together and I buried my nose in her hair just beneath her hair. I smelled dirt, rain, and forest. Her wolf recognized mine and I felt her breath hitch as mine did when my wolf whispered to me. Mother. Our wolves rose and embraced one another and I felt our arms reach around and grab the other as we sank to the ground. I felt her chest heave and moisture on my neck where she had begun to cry. I didn't realize I was crying too until I felt her hand wipe them away.

Jez, the Ulfric is… I felt a hand on my shoulder that was not Stefan's. My wolf whined as his power surged through me and one moment I was embracing my mother, and the next minute I was flat on my back with my neck exposed.

"You were supposed to take care of this abomination!" the Ulfric screamed at Amelia.

"She is my only daughter, thanks to you!" Amelia screamed back at him. "I nearly died having to give her up because you did not want to blend the powers." Amelia hissed.

I began pleading with my wolf to fight. I was no pack wolf, I answered to no alpha and no Ulfric. I was rogue.

The Ulfric turned his back to rant at his daughter. His power still attempted to hold me, but the rogue in me won out. My wolf may not have liked being away from Stefan but she sure as hell did not like being told what to do. I quietly slipped my shoes off one after the other. I pulled my knife and backed away so I could crouch behind him.

Jez, don't.

I looked at Stefan just long enough for the Ulfric to turn back around and smack me across the face with the back of his hand.

Anyone on my team will tell you, never hit me in the face. As his hand pulled away his face morphed into Jerry Madigan's and I was back in my cell at the Madigan's. I felt my knife in my hand, but I punched him in the jaw with a right hook. The power inside of me that usually rose when someone was dying began to rise, but it felt different. It didn't feel like a healing hand, it felt like a destructive bomb getting ready to explode from me. I swung out with my knife as he was recovering from my punch, going for the throat when I was pulled back. I didn't know who grabbed me, but I spun around ready to strike when I was slammed to the wall.

I thrashed and screamed threats, but then I felt my head wrenched to the side and knew where I was when Stefan's mouth claimed me. As soon as I relaxed in his arm he kissed the mark tenderly and I heard him whispering to me.

"It's okay, baby." He cooed comfortingly as he stroked my hair. "You are with me; I won't let anything happen to you."

"Thank you," I whispered as my forehead when to his chest.

I still held the knife in my hand, so I slid it back into its hidden holster. I felt my mouth that was filled with blood, but was already healing and took into account what my attire looked like. My hair was a mess that now cascaded to my shoulders, no longer pinned back into a clever hairdo. I grabbed Stefan's hand in my own and moved forward toward an Ulfric that glared at me, and my mother who looked at me tenderly with tears in her eyes.

"You do not command me, Ulfric. You ruined my life, you gave me to hunters, who abandoned me for fear of what I would become, you thought they would kill me because you believe them to be heartless, but if you did your research you would know that hunters won't kill a child, despite what you may believe. I spent my life being raised human, until I was given to Jerry Madigan, but you would know him as Viktor Brignoff, where he raped me, beat me, and made me a slave. I still have the scars from when he would tie me from the ceiling and my ankles to a chain that would stretch my body like Spanish Inquisition torture." I said lowly, I planned on telling him every detail of what he put me through. Before I could continue I heard a sob erupt from Amelia.

"Please, don't tell us anymore, I can't take it." She cried and collapsed onto the floor.

"You couldn't kill me then, and you won't kill me now," I challenged. "I am rogue, and I survive." I growled and walked to the door, parting my hair and showing my rogue's mark.

I felt Stefan right next to me, my rogue mate, you will be the end of me.

I need to run. I answered back and we made our way downstairs. We avoided the main ballroom and the party, but we did have to cross the courtyard where the party had halfway drifted outside. I walked, the walk of a predator, no longer caring to impress my family. Whispers cycled through the crowd as the tattoos were exposed as I removed my gloves that went to my elbows. I tossed them onto the ground and when we made it to the edge of the woods I turned to Stefan and smiled a challenging smirk and kissed him roughly, letting my lipstick smear all over our faces. I shifted in the blink of an eye not caring that the dress was ruined and I sped through the maze of trees.

"That was some night," Stefan commented as he pulled my back to his chest, effectively nestling his member into my backside.

"It was," I agreed and pulled my towel tighter to my body.

"Not a chance," Stefan laughed as he pulled it off of me in one swift motion. "I have gotten one kiss this night, and I want many many more. " He laughed and pulled me to the bed and climbed atop me.

"I have a headache, not tonight." I whined jokingly.

"One downside to being fully mated, darlin' is that I know when you are lying about a headache and when you are telling the truth." He laughed and covered my mouth with his.

I pulled away first, "What happens now that the Ulfric wants me dead?" I asked.

"It's against pack law for him to kill you now that I have publically announced you as my mate, even he has to follow those rules." Stefan explained, "I promise, it will be fine, just focus on one task at a time." He kissed me again attempting to distract me.

"What about__" I started but was cut off by Stefan.

"Darlin, we can talk about this in the morning," he stated simply, "now you can let me fuck you, or we can have crappy sex we talk about our troubles through it like a tired old married couple"

I grinned at him and wrapped my legs around him, pulling myself up off of the bed and kissed him with everything I had. A satisfied moan reverberated from his throat and we proceeded like the young werewolf couple that we were supposed to have been in the first place.

I still had a hundred questions I wanted answered. Why was I supposed to be dead? What did the Ulfric mean about the blending of the powers? I was pretty sure that is why I had freaky abilities when it came to healing, but today, it felt different. I felt like I was going to truly hurt Mad__ I mean the Ulfric. I had killed Madigan, why did I still see him every time I get hit in the face? I had learned that Amelia was forced to mate with a shifter that was not her mate, and I could discern that her true mate was my father. I believed my father to be in the Arm? de apreciere, but I only had a dream to base that on.

I looked down on a now sleeping Stefan and nestled up into his side. He was right; we could figure the rest out tomorrow.