Chapter Thirty: Amara

“Shifters of the Pack," Torian called. "And shifters of the Pride. Our war with the Vampire Orpheus is over!"

A massive crowd stood before Amara's father, a mixture of both cat and wolf shifters, and their raucous cheering echoed into the Oldwood. It put a smile on Amara's face as she stood beside Darius, the pair awaiting their turn in the spotlight.

Torian gazed at them all. "Now, we stand here in Gray Creek, home of the wolves, only a single day after the battle with that wretched Vampire. I'm sure I can speak for everyone from Red Rock, that even though we have stayed by each other's side and protected one another, it still feels strange for cats to be in the lands of wolves."

A wave of nodding heads and suspicious glances swept through the crowd. Torian nodded. "Aye, it is strange. A week ago, we were still enemies...but today is a new day and the end of an era.

"There is nothing I want more than to keep my family safe. My wife, my daughter, all of you...but I realize now that I was too stubborn before today. I didn't listen to reason, and led you all down a path of hate, as did the former wolf Alpha, from what I understand." Her father glanced back at Darius, and Darius nodded his approval. He turned back to the crowd. "That is why from now on we will strive to unite our two clans for the better, to keep our homes and the Oldwood safe. We cannot allow what happened to the Bear Clan happen to us, and so we shall rise above."

A shifter from the crowd called out. "And how do we do that? It isn't easy to just get over what we've been taught our entire lives."

Torian once again peered back at Darius, and so Darius stepped forward, Amara at his side. Darius stood tall next to her father, and he held onto Amara's hand, letting all see their relationship.

"We're not trying to force our two clans together into one," Darius started. "All we want is to become friends instead of enemies. Have either clan be able to cross the river border in safety and peace, allow trade between our two groups." He paused a moment to let his words sink in. Shifters moved uncomfortably in the crowd. "We're not trying to make it happen instantly, either, but rather make it a gradual change, one where our children will be able to grow up in a world where they can grow up without watching their backs or losing a parent."

Darius squeezed her hand slightly, and she knew this had to be about his mother. She glanced back where his parents stood, seeing Gavriel and Sarai stand side by side, stoic and proud. Amara still couldn't get over the fact that Sarai was Darius' mother. It felt so surreal, yet she was also kind of happy about it.

The crowd nodded and murmured agreements about Darius' words.

"We'll take our newfound friendship at a steady pace so that it'll feel natural." A resounding approval swept through the crowd, and Darius smiled wide.

Torian breathed in, testing his vocal chords before speaking once again. "That's all we needed to announce today. Cat shifters, we'll be heading home tomorrow to the rest of our people who stayed behind. For now, mingle and relax, and don't get into any fights. The first brawl I come across will deal with me personally.” Darius and Amara chuckled at her father's seriousness as the crowd dispersed, leaving the trio alone with Gavriel and Sarai on the wooden platform.

Torian sighed and turned to Darius and Amara. "What will you do daughter? Will you come home with us or stay here?"

Amara blinked. "Stay here, obviously; Darius can't just go live in Red Rock."

Torian smiled. "That's what I thought." He turned to Gavriel and Sarai. "What about you two? I still can't believe after all these years you had a wolf lover, Sarai...though now it puts all the pieces together."

Sarai smiled sweetly. "I'm going to stay here...I want to make up time with my son."

Torian nodded as if he expected that answer too. "Right, well you're all welcome back in Red Rock. I'm sure there will still be some outrage against this new policy of friendship between our clans, but soon enough I think we'll experience true peace."

"I believe the same," Darius said. "I wish you well on your journey home, Torian."

Torian gave them both a knowing smile before hopping off the platform and leaving them alone.

Gavriel and Sarai stepped up to greet them both. "I still can't believe this is all happening," Sarai said. "It's so unreal."

"Oh, it's real alright," Gavriel said. "And you're witnessing it first hand."

Both Amara and Darius laughed. "Take your time to get used to Gray Creek, mother," Darius said. "It's a little colder and mistier here, and a little denser."

Sarai nodded. "I'm sure I'll get used to it in no time."

In the distance, a blonde shifter walked towards them, and Darius stepped past his parents to greet his friend. "Remus!"

"Dare, how’d the speech go?"

Darius grinned. "As well as we expected it to go. What about you? How's Nyssa doing?"

Remus sighed. "She's alright. She was wounded in the battle, but she managed to find a hiding spot to ride out the chaos."

"Good...I'm glad she's alright." Darius leaned closer. "Do you have any news from Bronwen?"

Amara's eyes widened. That's right! Amara nearly forgot about the Vampire that helped her and Remus get to Orpheus' manor. The last time she saw the women, they had left her back in the Blackwood. As much as she hated to admit it, she was grateful to her. "That's right, how is she?"

Remus shrugged at them both. "Well...she's actually here, and she wants to meet with you both."

Amara exchanged glances with Darius. "She's here? Right now?" Darius asked skeptically. Remus nodded, motioning for them to follow.

Amara turned back to Gavriel and Sarai, giving them an apologetic look. "Sorry, but we need to go."

Sarai shook her head. "It's fine. Besides, I need to catch up with Gavriel…"

Gavriel gave her a knowing look, and they both laughed as they waved Darius and Amara off.

    

Bronwen stuffed her face with food as Remus, Darius, and Amara sat in the Alpha's lodgings. She ate from the cooked carcass of a rabbit, the juices running down her lip and throat, and her eyes darting between them all.

"Thanks for the food," was all she said for another five minutes.

Remus pinched his temple as Bronwen finally burped and put the bones down on the floor. She grinned as she sucked the juices from her fingers, making sure Remus was watching her innuendo. Remus blushed and glanced away.

"You know, for a Vampire, you don't eat very elegantly," Darius commented.

"For a mutt, you don't smell like you should," Bronwen countered. Darius frowned, causing Bronwen to chuckle. "Oh calm down, I'm merely jesting. You know I'm growing very fond of you all!" Again, she glanced at Remus, who wouldn't look her way. She sighed when she finally realized he wouldn't turn to look at her.

"Are you now?" Amara asked. "You realize you were technically our prisoner for a while, right?"

Bronwen blinked at her. "So? I couldn't care less about any of that anymore. Orpheus is dead, and so is Ambrosia. There's reason to celebrate."

"Then why are you back here?" Darius asked. "Remus said you wanted to speak with us."

Bronwen smiled slyly. "I do. I want to talk about our relationship."

Darius eyed her. "What do you mean, ‘relationship'?"

Bronwen cocked her head. "To put it simply, since Orpheus is no longer living in this world, there is a vacant spot in the thirteen Vampire lord ranks. Considering I'm the only survivor of Orpheus' little group, I might be able to become the thirteenth lord. The other lords never really liked Orpheus anyway, they thought he was mad."

"He was mad," Amara agreed.

"And so, because you three helped me out, I want to pay you back in full." Bronwen's red eyes lit up. "Once I become the thirteenth lord, I can help relations between your two clans and the Vampires improve, put in a few good words for you, so to speak."

"Seriously?" Remus asked. "What are you planning on telling them?"

"That you are peaceful clans that just want to be left alone, but are willing to look past the destruction of the Bear Clan...and that you are all very capable of killing Vampires, if there happen to be any others that wish to meddle in your affairs." All three stared at her blankly. "Sounds good, right?"

"But you don't think they'll be wary of you now that you've been in our care? You clearly turned against Orpheus, so there's no way they would be able to trust you," Remus commented.

"Aw," Bronwen cooed. "Are you worrying about my well-being? I'm touched, Remus."

Remus frowned. "I'm just saying…"

"I think he's right," Amara said. "They could just as easily turn on you if you come across as their enemy. You need to be careful, Bronwen."

Waving her away, Bronwen smiled. "I've been alive longer than any of you can possibly imagine. I know what I'm doing. If the Pack and the Pride can become best friends now, then why can't us Vampires atone for our sins as well?"

"Then we appreciate it," Darius said. "Seriously, Bronwen, thank you."

Bronwen nodded. "It's my pleasure, Alpha of the Pack. Though there is one more thing I want to ask of you."

Darius raised an eyebrow.

"As a token of good gesture, I thought it would be good to bring along someone from the Oldwood, to speak to the thirteen lords along with me. To show that you all truly mean peace."

Darius frowned, but Amara glanced over at Remus. Remus blinked at her.

"Obviously it's up to you, but…" Bronwen gazed at all three but rested on Remus. "I thought that maybe Remus might want to come along as your representative."

Remus' face twitched for a moment, but he looked at Bronwen as if she had ripped his lungs out. "...you want me to come with you back to Orpheus' Manor?"

"Well, I kind of burned his manor down, so I would have my own home as the thirteenth lord that you could stay at." Bronwen fiddle with her fingers. "You don't need to come back with me now, either. You can come whenever. I don't really mind when."

Remus looked to Darius and Amara for support, but neither said a word. Remus sighed. "Okay...but I definitely won't be coming now. Maybe sometime in the future. I need to look after some things here."

Darius nodded. "Is that all you needed, Bronwen?"

Bronwen's expression brightened. "Sure is! I'll take my leave of you now and trudge back to the Blackwood, I think."

Bronwen stood, and the others stood with her. "Are you sure?" Darius asked. "You're still welcome here, Bronwen."

"Thanks, but I'm good. Besides, I think I might be homesick!"

    

Outside, the trio watched as Bronwen waved and disappeared into the Oldwood, making her way south.

Darius turned to Remus. "So neither of us will have wolf mates, it looks like."

Remus frowned at him. "Like hell I won't."

"You're lucky to have a Vampire after you."

"When you put it like that, it sounds pretty sinister."

Amara laughed. "My, my, you're incredibly popular with the ladies now, aren't you Remus?"

Remus rolled his eyes but actually smiled. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm gonna go check on Nyssa."

Amara and Darius watched as Remus left.

"I know I've asked this before, but what now?" Amara said as she turned back to Darius.

Darius grinned wide. "What else?"

    

Leading Amara into the Oldwood, Darius stopped under a shaded, massive tree. The old thing was so wide Amara was sure it had to have grown for thousands of years.

Without even waiting, Darius grabbed hold of Amara and pressed his body to hers, their lips touching and caressing each other. His ripped torso put pressure on her as he braced her against the bark of the tree. Amara's head went light as she traced her hands up from his waist to his chest, feeling his beating heart beneath.

He was warm, so hot to the touch.

Amara helped as Darius ripped off his tunic and flung it to the ground, leaving his torso bare to the chilly breeze. Darius shivered as he dragged his lips down from Amara' mouth to her neck, kissing her, listening to Amara's moaning.

Pushing him back a little, Amara made enough room to pull her own tunic above her head, leaving herself just as bare as Darius. They both watched each other, building lust, and when neither could hold themselves back, they smashed their lips back together again, Darius grabbing her hands and pushing them high above, against the tree.

Their lovemaking continued on until they huffed and puffed, collapsing against the tree and breathing hard, their warmth breaths cascading over each other. Amara grinned at Darius as they laid down on the ground, staring at each other.

"You know, I think I could get used to this," Amara said.

Darius grinned wide. "That makes two of us."

Placing her hand back against his chest, she stared at his muscles, feeling her very soul warm. "Remember when you joked about how many children we might have?"

Darius cocked a brow, supporting his head with her arm. "Yeah."

"I think we'll probably have a litter."

Darius chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. "Yeah, well, we can take our time with that. For once, I'm actually excited about my future."

Amara giggled. "You mean our future."

Darius smiled. "Yeah, our future."

Darius embraced her once again, and they fell asleep right there, under the great tree, dreaming of the future they fought to get.