Chapter Text
“What’s a Werewolf?” The little girl's voice broke through his concentration.
The king turned his sharp eyes on his daughter. Who had let her in? He turned his head in each direction, but it seemed her nanny was nowhere to be found. He’d been working in his study tirelessly when the girl had found him.
A deep sigh escaped the man. May as well educate the girl.
“They are beasts. Dirty, disgusting creatures,” he said, his nose wrinkling in distaste. “They are far beneath us.”
The young girl tilted her head and turned her eyes to her hands, rubbing over the scratchy texture of the lace on her dress. She then looked up, and her eyes were drawn past her father to a maid who had been cleaning in the room. She was bent over the fireplace, feeding logs to the fire, bathing the woman in an orange color. The pain and anger reflecting in her eyes made the girl really think about her father's words.
Her father looked where his daughter's eyes had drifted, his eyes freezing over further as they were cast at the woman. He looked at his daughter once more, authority in his features. “It is why they serve us.”
The girl looked at her father and then back to the maid. She looked different than the girl. Her ears were larger and had fur all over them, she had long black nails that seemed strong, and her tail was fluffy. Was this a werewolf? If she served them, she had to be, right?
“What’s a Vampire?” The little boy’s voice asked, spooking his father. His head popped up over the arm of the chair with a toothy grin.
“You’re supposed to be in bed,” the man chastised, eyeing his son.
“Did I scare ya?” The boy giggled.
“Yes, you little stinker,” he laughed and grabbed the boy, making him giggle. “It is well past your bedtime,” he blew a raspberry on his cheek, making his son squeal, his tail wagging happily.
“I wanna know,” the boy smiled brightly and nuzzled under his chin. “Big brother said ‘Vampires think they’re so cool’,” he imitated his brother. “But when I asked, they wouldn’t tell me,” he pouted.
The father hummed and ran his hand over the boy’s back. “Vampires are… kinda like us. We both live a really long time, and we’re both fast and strong. They’re… powerful, and they like to think that they’re better than us, but they’re not. Were just the same.”
The boy hummed and played with the hem of his father’s shirt. “Are they the people you work for?”
The man let off a small sigh and ran his hand through his son’s hair. He was a bit too aware for his age. “Yes. A long time ago, Vampire’s claimed this land. We live here, but we have to work for them to do so.”
“So one day I’ll work for them?” He looked up at him. “And Bubba’s will to?”
“Yup,” the man hummed, rather unhappily. “You have to talk to Vampire’s very carefully. If you say the wrong thing, they could get mad. So make sure you always address them properly, okay? It’s my lord or lady, master, or your highness.”
The boy frowned. “Why do I have to call them that if we’re the same?”
The man sighed again. “Because sometimes, the world isn’t nice. But it’s okay,” he smiled and kissed his son's head. “Just because the world is a little mean, doesn’t mean we can’t be happy, right?” He tipped his chin up, making his son smile. “We work there, and then we come home and have the best life with our family. Never let the ugliness of others kill the beauty in you, okay? Even if they may say mean things, roll it off your shoulders because what they think doesn’t matter. We’re bright and happy, and that’s something Vampires don’t have. As long as we have each other, we’ll always be able to find happiness.”
The boy smiled brightly and nuzzled his hand. “Maybe they just need someone to teach them how to be happy.”
“Maybe,” he smiled at his sweet boy.
The king cast a rather irritated look at his daughter as she looked at the maid with sympathy.
“Wipe that look from your face this instant,” he said sternly, causing the girl to stand stiff and her face to clear of emotion.
“Aren’t they people just like us, though?” She asked. Her eyes widened a bit as her father got up rather suddenly, his chair scratching on the floor and creating an uncomfortable sound to her ears. She backed up a step as the man moved forward and cast his daughter a cold look.
“Never compare us to those mongrels. Am I understood?” He hissed.
She nodded quickly and ducked her head.
“You are the princess of this land, and you must hold yourself with pride, head held high,” he said and gripped her chin, forcing her head back up. “You are never to lower yourself to their level, Poppy.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she nodded obediently.
“I think we could make them happy if we tried,” the boy yawned, his head lolling on his father's shoulder and tail drooping as the man carried him back to bed.
“I think that’s a wonderful thought, baby,” he smiled and headed up the stairs. “Keep that kind heart, okay?”
“Kay,” the boy smiled happily and nuzzled him. “We should just give them hugs.”
“Well, they don’t really like to hug,” he smiled softly and twisted the knob to his bedroom.
“They don’t? But hugs are so nice,” he frowned.
“Everyone’s different,” he kissed his head and lay him down in his bed.
“Maybe they just don’t know how good they are,” the boy smiled as the blanket was draped over him. He reached up and touched the little silver moons just above the man’s cheekbones. They always sparkled in the light of a candle.
The father smiled softly and ran a hand over his cheek. “Maybe you’re right. I need you to listen to me, though, okay?”
The boy nodded obediently, eyes trained on his father and hand coming back down.
“Wolves are not allowed in the city outside of working times, okay? Never go near it without us, okay, Branch?”
“Okay, Daddy,” he smiled happily. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Tempo smiled softly and kissed his head one more time before backing out of the room.
For centuries, this world had been dictated by one rule: survival of the fittest. To trolls, this rule was harder on them. Their size and power left them little room to claim anything for themselves, as the larger creatures preyed on them like nothing more than field mice. Bergens, large and vicious creatures, made meals out of them, treating them as if they were just ingredients to enrich their taste buds. Rageons, even crueler creatures, drained every ounce of life from them, taking their talents and joy and life. Vacaytioners, seemingly friendly creatures, turned on them and treated them like roaches to be exterminated, only craving the land for themselves.
They found this unjust world cruel, but what could be done?
They prayed for answers, for help. One day, they were granted their wish. The large creatures were just… gone. Lost to history.
As the ages bled on, the trolls evolved, taking on new forms and connecting with the magic that inhabited their world. New species bloomed among them. Mermaids, beautiful pearls of the sea. Witches, captivating magic users devoted to their craft. Werewolves, powerful protectors of the land. Vampires, undead beauties of the night.
Powerful in their own rights, trolls revered them as blessings, protection from anything that may pose as a threat.
The world was now theirs. Threats were gone, the species lived in harmony, music and joy reigned supreme.
But the same rules still rang true. Survival of the fittest.
It wasn’t enough for the vampires. To share the land? Absurd. Thinking themselves highest on the totem, they demanded the world for themselves. And with their strength and power, they took it rather easily.
The mermaids, wishing to keep to themselves, readily agreed as long as the peace would be protected. The witches, small in number as they were, feared their strength and gave in.
The werewolves had other ideas. To simply bend to their whims was out of the question. They refused to live under dictators, and a war began.
The years following were bathed in blood, fear coating everything from their vile intent. It was a dark time in history, and in the end, only one prevailed. With their power of silver generation, the wolves never stood a chance.
Finally at the top, where they believed they should have been from the beginning, the vampires took the world by storm. Towns were rebuilt in their image, lands under their control and power. Moving away from the village ways of their ancestors, large, strong castles were built in every city to ensure their royalty was revered. In this time, the werewolves were subjugated, forced into the roles of servants, workers, laborers.
They were not so cruel as to enslave them, however. The werewolves were permitted to use a chunk of land outside of each city where they were to stay. They could make packs and do as they pleased as long as they reported for work and followed the rules. Once a worker was to enter the city, a silver collar was placed around their neck to keep their shifts at bay and subdued.
Finally, the world looked as they wanted it to. Castles to show their power, cities large and bursting with subjects of most kinds, vampires in power with titles of lords, ladies, kings, and queens, and enough servants to tend to their beck and call.
Everything was how it should be.
Poppy wanted nothing more than to live up to her father’s expectations. She was the second vampire princess of pop after all. She knew how many eyes were looking at her, and she strived to be everything they wanted and more.
So times like now felt even more crushing.
She was five at the time and under scrutiny for her actions. Her head hung, hands clasped together in front of her as she listened to the scolding from her tutors. Her action in question? She’d hugged her sister.
“I can hug my sister if I please!” Viva stepped in loudly, the bite in her words causing the grown men to physically flinch back.
Princess Viva was eight at the time, taller than anticipated, and filled to the brim with confidence and courage. She was the heir to the throne, and many believed she would make a strong queen when the time came. As long as she could shake herself of those stubborn feelings.
To vampires, holding yourself with the utmost pride was the golden standard. A vampire was self-sufficient and needed no one. They were strong-willed and level-headed.
Many of these things were true for Viva. However, the girl was adamant that they needed each other and spared no moment to express this feeling. Leaning on each other was good, affection was okay, and you should be able to be yourself.
She’d received many warnings from her father and much punishment, but it never dampened the girl.
“Princess. You know-,”
“Hush,” Viva scoffed and whipped around, gripping her little sister's hand and pulling her out of the room, their guards and nanny right behind them.
Poppy cast her eyes up at her sister, admiring her strength. Her eyes then roamed around the halls as she was pulled. Many faces of their ancestors looked upon them in the forms of paintings. These halls held so much of their history, cemented in the dark stone of the walls.
Maids were milling about, lighting the candles on the chandeliers and raising them back up to the roof to provide light. Poppy attempted to smile at one of them as they passed, but none of them would match her kindness, hollow looks in their eyes.
She frowned and looked up as the large curtains were pulled open. The heavy red drapes were then pulled back and tied to one of the many hangers along the walls. Moonlight flitted through the tall windows, casting an array of colors to dance across her face from the stained glass near the top.
Many of the maids and servants backed away as they marched through, bowing their heads, their collars jingling as they did.
Poppy looked down again and let herself get lost in the intricate designs of the red runner underneath her feet that kept Viva’s clacking heels at bay from the marble floor.
“Let’s get you changed,” Viva hummed and led her up the large staircase.
The interior of their castle was stunning, yet dark all the same. It was dark and gothic in look and texture, but the colors left the sisters feeling rather gloomy and left them wishing they had more color in their lives. As this is what they were used to, however, no complaints were made.
They were to attend dinner with their father in a matter of minutes, and they needed to be ready.
Viva twisted the knob of her sister's door and pushed it open. The little girl's room consisted of many whites and creams, a large contrast to that of the dark castle.
Their nanny bowed her head and moved to light the candles of her chandelier.
Poppy sighed and moved to her bed, her hands moving over the sheer canopy absently. “I’m sorry I got us in trouble.”
“Don’t apologize for hugging me,” Viva scoffed and pulled a gown from Poppy’s closet. It was dark green with golden embellishments and black lace. The skirt sparkled brightly under the lit candles, the rhinestones twinkling. She put it up against Poppy’s muted pink skin and nodded. “This one.”
“Yes, my lady,” the nanny nodded and brought Poppy to her place by the mirror. She began changing the girl and placed her in a small hoop skirt.
“Dad will get over it,” Viva sighed and fixed her own dress in the mirror. She, herself, was adorned in a midnight blue gown with silver embellishments, a raised collar, and white lace over the skirt.
“Do you really think so?” Poppy looked at her with big eyes.
Viva paused lightly and stared at herself in the mirror, her muted reflection staring back. “No. But I still don’t believe you did anything wrong. Okay?” She said as she fixed the bouncy curls framing her face.
“Okay,” Poppy deflated and smiled as her nanny began giving her matching curls.
Viva watched her sister in the mirror and smiled softly. She’s never looked at the servants as anything lower than people, and she adored that about her. A sigh left her as she went to her sister's jewelry box and plucked one of her tiaras from it. Golden with soft pink gems.
“I know you love hugging, but for now, don’t do it in front of teachers, or Dad, okay? We can hug in private. It’ll only get us in more trouble if people see us,” she said as she placed the tiara on her head amongst the curls.
“Okay,” Poppy nodded and hugged her.
Viva hugged her close with a small smile.
“We mustn’t be late, my ladies,” Emory, their nanny, called as she opened the door.
They separated, Viva taking on a straight posture as she walked out with her sister.
Poppy watched her, admiration shining in her eyes once more. She postrured herself as well, earning a smile from her sister.
They took in rather large breaths before the doors to the dining hall were opened for them. A long and dark wooden table was placed in the center of the room, chairs of similar wood placed around it. The soft velvet that adorned the cushions of these chairs was a deep maroon color, matching the drapes around the windows. A large chandelier of crystals and lit candles hung above the table, reflecting light in spots. A large dark rug was placed under the table, matching the dark lace that adorned the table as a cloth.
King Peppy was seated at the head, overlooking some documents. His eyes cut to them briefly, and his hand waved for them to sit.
The sisters curtsied once before taking their places at the table. Workers came filing in with plates of their first course. A fruit dish coated in blood.
They began to eat quietly, shifting their eyes to their father every now and then. However, the man had yet to look up, eating his dish in silence as his eyes flitted over the documents.
They turned their eyes back to their own food and resumed eating just as quietly.
“Poppy,” the king said in a low tone, causing the girl to stiffen.
“Yes, Daddy?” She looked at the man.
He never turned his eyes to her. “You are to mind your teachers, understood?”
“Yes, sir,” she ducked her head.
“As are you,” Peppy finally turned his eyes on his oldest. “You are to be Queen one day, and as the heir, you have to pass through every lesson to the T.”
Viva glared at her plate, picking at the fruit with her fork. “Yes, sir.”
Once more, the dining hall was plunged into silence. The girls simply kept their heads down and fell into the quiet that always swallowed them whole.
“Branch! Child!” Tempo sighed heavily as the boy ran from him with a giggle on his tongue. Butt naked.
“Where are your clothes!?” Floyd burst into laughter as the little boy flew past him, dripping wet.
“He just got a bath,” Tempo rubbed the bridge of his nose. He sighed and pulled up his long purple hair into a ponytail. It was getting pretty long now, well past his waist, and would likely be longer wet, as it was a puff of curls. He rolled up his sleeves and ran after the boy.
Branch squealed and ran around the green couch, ducking from his dad's grasp.
Floyd giggled as he watched them. Branch was six now, Floyd himself at eight. His older brothers, Clay, nine, Bruce, eleven, and John Dory had just turned twelve.
He reached out and tried to grab his brother, making the boy laugh louder and run around him towards the door.
“Branch!” Tempo ran after him.
The little boy gasped as the door opened suddenly.
“Woah, where’s the fire pup?” Coal laughed and scooped the boy up. “Why are you naked?” He laughed and tickled him, making the boy squeal again.
“Let me go, Papa!” Branch laughed and kicked. “Daddy’s trying to torture me!”
“Torture?” Coal laughed and cast his eyes at his exasperated husband.
“He means dry him!” Tempo huffed and snatched the boy from his papa’s hold. “Hold still,” he said and started toweling him dry, growing amused at the little growls escaping the boy.
“It’s always something when I come home,” Coal laughed and kissed his cheek.
“Well, now, it would be boring if you came home to a silent and calm house, wouldn’t it?” Tempo flashed him a smile. “Freedom,” he released the boy.
Branch dropped to his hands and feet, shaking like he had fur on his body, before shifting into a small purple puppy and barking, running out the door to his brothers.
“Oh,” Tempo moved towards his husband with a laugh as another fuchsia pup ran past him to follow his brother.
“Well, hello,” Coal grinned.
“Hello,” Tempo laughed and rested his arms on his shoulders, raking his fingers through his long fuchsia hair. “Should I ask how your day was?”
“No. Never,” Coal shook his head and peppered Tempo in kisses. “Just another day under the eyes of the blood suckers.”
“Mm,” he hummed. “Then let’s have a wonderful night. Can you corral them long enough so I can make dinner?” He smiled as he moved his arms down, rubbing his thumbs over his husband's blue cheeks, a complexion they shared.
“It would be my privilege,” he laughed and kissed his lips. “Let me know if you need help,” he said and smacked his behind as he headed to the kitchen.
“Knock it off,” Tempo laughed and swatted at him before heading to the kitchen.
Coal smiled softly and admired him as he swayed to the kitchen. His cool purple eyes lingered on the shimmery silver markings sparking under the lights and then promptly on his butt. He turned and looked around. On days when Tempo was home with the kids, it was always so clean in here. Each of the houses constructed out in ‘wolf territory’ were built of the same material: wooden logs from the lumber around them. It gave a warm feeling to their house. Paired with the light colored rugs that were bought off of a merchant from the city and the home really felt cozy.
Buying goods was on the difficult side, as wolves were forbidden to enter the city, but some merchants traveled out to their little villages to sell their wares here and there. On those days, the villages were always bustling with excitement. Anything new was welcome. It’s where most of their homes were furnished from, if they could not be made.
However, they did make many of their items. Living this far out from the city came with trifles, but it also taught them good skills. He, himself, was quite fond of making things for his family. It itched a part in his brain that demanded he provide for his family and pack, so he spared no moment to do so. His husband's favorite item he’d ever made him…
He stepped out onto the porch and smiled softly at his pups tussling with some of the village kids. His eyes then moved to the little windchime hanging from their covered porch. It was blowing just slightly in the calm breeze, the metal tubes letting off a wondrous sound. Hanging around the metal were sparkly gems his husband liked to collect. They were wrapped in thin metal wiring and shaped to resemble wolves. Seven in total, a new one added for every pup they had.
“Guys!” Clay whined as the pups rolled through his piles of ‘rations’. Namely, sticks, rocks, and various knick-knacks the boy had snagged.
John landed on the ground with a little huff, his baby brothers jumping on his head and trying to maul his ears. “Sorry, Clay!”
“I’ll help you,” Bruce shifted and ran over to help him pick up his things. “What are these for?” He laughed, picking up the sticks.
“I read somewhere that vampires hate wood!” Clay said in a serious tone, holding armfuls of his rocks. “So I got a bunch.”
Coal laughed softly and headed down. “I think you mean wooden stakes, and in that case, that’ll hurt anyone, so I’m not sure why people say that.” He picked up a brightly colored ball and eyed his son. “Are you swiping things again?”
Clay stiffened and dropped his rocks, grabbing his new toys. “If no one is holding them, I don’t see why I can’t.”
“Clay,” he eyed him.
“But I like them,” the pup whined, his ears falling.
“You can’t just take things. You will be returning them,” he said sternly.
The boy sighed. “Fine.”
Coal rolled his eyes and stood, looking around. Many wolves were out and milling around their village, happily talking to one another. There were three villages in total around Pop City, each a different pack run by their own alphas. Each of them was built similarly; all the houses built inward in a circular formation. Their village now had two rings of houses, a bit on the smaller side, but that didn’t matter to them. A village square was formed in the inner circle, small buildings for resources around the edge, and a large fire pit in the center. At the ‘top’ of this circle was the pack house, where meetings would go on for the alphas to speak to all of their betas.
Despite their circumstances, their village was happy and thriving.
“Papa!” Branch ran over, tripping over his paws a bit with a little laugh. “Come play with us!”
“Please, Alpha Coal!” Another pup ran over, nearly taking both her and Branch to the ground. Suki was her name, a little blonde wolf.
“Don’t call him that,” Branch scrunched his nose.
“But he’s the alpha,” Suki blinked.
“He’s just Papa,” Branch rolled his eyes.
They both paused when a shadow loomed over them. They looked up at Coal’s larger form, grinning at them. Happy yips left them before they ran away, the man on their tails.
As the sunset started bleeding into the sky, Tempo stepped out on the porch and laughed. His husband was lying on his back with his paws in the air and many, many pups all over him. “Are you a jungle gym now?”
“Always have been,” the man grinned.
“Right,” Tempo laughed. “Okay, pups!”
Coal laughed when they all looked up immediately.
“Come here,” Tempo grinned and knelt down, putting his arms out.
The pups yipped and hopped up, running to the man and nuzzling him where they could.
Coal rolled over and smiled softly. As the alpha’s mate, Tempo had taken on a secondary alpha role and had gained the title of pack mom. Even to the adults. He provided a more nurturing side of their alpha dynamic, and boy, did the kids eat it up.
“Now it’s getting late,” Tempo nuzzled them. “Go home, it’s supper time.”
As if on cue, many of the surrounding families started calling their pups back.
“Bye!” Suki and Smidge rubbed up against Branch and ran home.
“Bye!” Branch yipped happily.
“Wash up first!” Tempo said as the boys shifted and barreled into the house. “Little vultures.”
Coal laughed and shifted, walking over. “Growing boys are always hungry.”
“Yeah, well, they’re going to run us out of food at this rate,” he laughed. “Come on, you’re covered in dirt.”
“What? You don’t like dirt?” Coal grinned and rubbed his cheek on Tempo’s.
“Stop!” Tempo squealed and pushed him away. “Get your ass in the house and wash up!”
“Yes, sir,” Coal laughed and headed in after his kids.
Tempo followed and filled plates, placing them on the table. “Easy!” He laughed as Clay and Bruce rushed in, bumping into each other and the table, rushing to their seats.
Floyd and Branch came rushing in after, running under the table to get to their seats.
“Careful,” John laughed as he followed, putting his hand out so Floyd didn’t hit his head.
“Upsie daisy,” Coal plucked Branch from the ground and helped him into his seat. He kissed his husband's cheek and sat down with him. “So. How was our day?”
“I found-” Bruce shot out.
“We tried-” John got out.
“I played-” Floyd said.
“My sticks-!” Clay said enthusiastically.
“Baaaath!” Branch yelled.
Tempo fell into laughter as they all started talking over each other.
Coal rested his elbow on the table, cheek in his hand as he watched his boys. They were talking over one another, yet still talking to each other, laughing and shoving each other occasionally. He turned his eyes on his husband, the man’s light laugh filling the air. He loved his family to pieces.
Two years later
Poppy was seven now, and while she was young, she wasn’t naive. She noticed more than people knew she did. Little things caught her attention. Like how many of the servants around their castle never looked them in the eyes, or how her nanny changed every other year. She was quite fond of Emory, so this felt a bit distressing to her. She could never tell her father this, though. Wolves were beneath them.
Her new nanny was a young woman named Nemia, and she was… a bit more enthusiastic than Emory.
“Your wardrobe lacks in color,” she hummed as she looked over Poppy’s clothing.
“What do you mean?” Poppy tilted her head and peeked in. “Daddy allowed me to have many colors,” she said as her eyes coasted over the dark blues and greens and reds.
To this, Nemia paused and nodded. “Right. Things are different here. Well, let’s get you dressed. You can’t be late,” she smiled and plucked a dress from her closet. A deep maroon gown with black lace.
Poppy tried to smile, but it felt so foreign on her lips now. Emory was never this… cheerful, and maybe in another world, Poppy’s smile would have come naturally, but that wasn’t the world she lived in. The closest thing she ever saw to a smile on the adults around here was a smirk.
“Do you have different colors where you’re from?” She asked as Nemia dressed her.
The nanny paused and nodded. “But I can’t share them with you, I’m sorry,” she frowned sadly. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Forgive me, my lady.”
This is how it always was. Learning anything about wolves was off the table. They were common servants, and anything about them was far too beneath them. She was a curious girl, but her curiosity was dimming under the scathing eyes of her father, their council, and her teachers. They knew enough about them, their hierarchy, their powers, and their weaknesses, and that was enough. No need to learn about their day-to-day lives.
“Come now,” Nemia opened the door for her.
Poppy nodded and walked out with her at her rear. She cast a small look back at the woman. As soon as they entered public spaces, any form of kindness was washed from her face, and the obedient neutral took her.
She was a deep violet colored girl with chopped white hair and, normally, kind orange eyes. There was nothing wrong with this girl, per se; she was just something Poppy wasn’t used to, energetic.
Her eyes moved ahead of her as her big sister exited her room with her attendant, the guards moving to follow behind both of them. Viva was now ten and outgrew the need for a nanny, so she was assigned her first attendant.
Viva looked at her slightly before they both walked to the ballroom. They stopped short of the door where one of the attendants bowed to them. He then opened the doors and clacked a large staff into the ground, gaining attention from all the partygoers.
“I present to you, Princesses of Pop City, Princess Viva Sonata and Princess Poppy Sonata,” he bellowed as the two girls entered.
The guests, bowed their heads in respect as the girls took to their father's side at the head of the room. Once the king gave his nod, the ball returned to life.
They held events like this every month, an excuse for the lords and the ladies of this city to speak with their king regarding land, trade, and servantry. After all, keeping the werewolves at bay was their main concern.
Poppy’s eyes wandered around the room. It wasn’t just the lords and ladies here; kings and queens from other cities were in attendance. A formal check in disguised as a ball. One held in each kingdom every other month. Last month, they’d been in attendance at a rather large ball in Vibe City. She was quite fond of that place. The king and queen were a bit softer than the people here, and they had two boys around her age who apparently struggled with the aspect of ‘remaining regal’ and keeping affection to the private quarters of their lives as she did. It was nice.
Her eyes moved around the room again, admiring the crystal chandeliers that were put up for tonight's occasion, sparkling in the moonlight that came through the large windows. There were tables placed around the room, refreshments— blood, and snacks for those in attendance. Tables with deep red tablecloths lined the edges of the room, rose petals scattered all around the marble floor.
“A pleasure to see you again,” her father’s voice broke into her thoughts. He shook hands with King Thrash of Volcano Rock City.
“As is you,” Thrash nodded. “I would like to discuss some matters regarding the packs around my city.”
Peppy looked at his daughters slightly before nodding and ushering the man away.
Poppy blinked when a girl was left behind. Princess Barbara, if she remembered. Around her age, she thought. The girl was in a silver gown and seemed absolutely upset about it.
“Hello, Barbara,” Viva nodded her head once.
“Yeah, hi,” the girl said dismissively and stared in disdain at the skirt on herself, her lips curling back and fangs showing. “And don’t call me that. My name’s Barb.”
“Barb?” Viva blinked.
“Cool,” Poppy muttered, eyes twinkling with interest.
Barb paused and looked at her. “Well, thanks, popsicle,” she grinned.
This expression brought looks of bewilderment to the girls. “You really shouldn’t do that, they’ll get onto you,” Poppy cringed.
Barb scoffed. “They can try, but I bend to no one's will.”
Viva stared at her before a matching grin took her face.
“Yeah,” Barb nodded with a wider smile.
Poppy looked between them, admiration shining in her eyes. She didn’t think she could be as cool as they were. Her eyes moved and found their fathers giving them irritated glances. Not when their father would look at them like that. They were definitely going to get in trouble later.
For now, she kept to herself and nodded politely as the vampires around her bowed their heads in respect. She stayed glued to her sister’s side, keeping her head held high as she was taught to do, her eyes wandering. Here and there, one would see the few werewolves around the room, tending to their masters' needs or working the stations.
Their eyes were drawn to the king of the Techno kingdom, Rey, as a loud clatter filled the air. He scowled at the wolf who had just fumbled a tray of dishes in his lap, the man instantly dropping their eyes.
“My apologies, your highness,” he said and bowed his head low.
“Useless mut,” the king scoffed and swept the silverware off of himself, the utensils hitting the wolf and making him flinch. “I should kill you where you stand.”
The wolf looked rather frightened and bent lower. “I’m terribly sorry.”
“That you are, you sorry excuse,” the mermaid king growled. He then waved his hand irritably and turned back to his conversation, the vampires around him smirking.
The wolf let off a shaky breath and cleaned everything up quickly, rushing to the kitchens.
Poppy shifted her weight and looked around, but this was so common, many spared it a glance. Viva and Barb, on the other hand, seemed displeased.
“Viva,” their father's voice said, making them shift their faces back to neutral. “I have someone for you to meet,” he waved to a small purple boy with teal hair and a soft smirk. “This is Creek.”
“Hello,” she curtsied as the boy bowed.
“I’m leaving him with you so you two can get acquainted. This is now your betrothed,” Peppy said firmly, leaving no room for discussion.
Viva paled. “My…what?”
“I’ll be back later to check on you two,” he eyed her before taking his leave to talk to whom they assumed were the boy's parents.
“Oh, come now, my princess. Our marriage isn’t for many years time. No need to look so pale,” Creek chirped and held out his elbow. “Shall we get to know one another?”
Viva shifted her weight and sighed, nodding and taking his elbow.
Poppy took on a slight look of panic as her sister waved for her to stay. She gave her an apologetic look and took to roaming with the boy.
“Barbara,” Thrash called.
Barb sighed heavily and marched that way.
Poppy looked around and found many people around, all with sharp eyes. She swallowed thickly before ducking her head and keeping herself the neutral that everyone around her kept up. Her eyes traced the pattern on her shoes. Just a few hours and she could go back to her room.
John’s head whipped up as he heard a howl in the distance. He jumped up and barreled out of his room, running down the stairs so fast, it was a miracle he didn’t trip.
“Boy! No running in the house!” Tempo scolded and followed him to the door.
He was completely ignored as John threw the door open and smiled brightly at the wolves running in the distance. “They’re here!”
Coal looked at him, having been waiting in the yard, and laughed. “Well, go get him,” he waved.
John bounced on his feet excitedly before running and jumping off the porch right into his shift. He took off towards the group, his tail already wagging.
This was the pack to the north of them, the secondary pack of Pop City. Their alpha, Natasha Frost, was at their head, leading them to their territory. She laughed when she saw John running their way and then to her right at her son.
Hickory looked over the moon the second he saw him and ran ahead, the two tumbling together happily.
She had three sons in total, Hickory, Dickory, and Dock, and boy, did her boys love Coal and Tempo’s boys. Hickory was fourteen like John, Dickory now at twelve, and Dock eight.
Coal smiled at the boys who were already in a little tussle, and then at Natasha as they slowed. “Welcome, family.”
“Hi,” Natasha grinned and shifted. She was a green woman with long fiery hair and emerald eyes. Her boys were the spitting image of her, all with a green complexion, the same fiery orange hair, and green eyes.
Her pack started shifting around her, smiling gratefully as Tempo provided them extra clothing.
“They act like they didn’t see each other two weeks ago,” Natasha laughed at Hickory and John rolling around on the ground.
“Two weeks is a long time for best friends,” Coal laughed. “I miss mine every day,” he put a hand on his chest.
“Good thing he’s coming then, huh?” Natasha teased.
“Yeah, and I bet they’ll be fashionably late, too,” he scoffed.
They blinked as a little purple blur flew past them.
“Branch!” Dock bounced around before the pup tackled him.
“You’re here!” Branch cheered and rolled around with him.
“Woah,” Dickory moved out of the way and smiled at Clay and Bruce, shifting. “Hiya.”
“Hi! You’ll never believe what I found!” Clay grinned.
Dickory gasped. “Show me!”
“Oh,” Bruce laughed and moved them as a little fuchsia blur ran past.
Floyd grinned and ran, jumping to bowl right into the two pups, Branch and Dock squealing with laughter as he did.
“They’re all so cute,” Tempo cooed. He smiled brightly when one of his friends, Juniper, came over and hugged him.
Natasha smiled softly and then looked at Coal in a serious way. “I heard from the packs out in the south.”
He paused and nodded. “Let’s discuss this inside,” Coal ushered.
“John, Hickory,” Tempo whistled, making both boys look up, ears perked.
“Watch the pups, please. We’ll be back,” he nodded at the kids.
“Got it!” They nodded.
Once their parents retreated inside, Hickory flopped over onto his back and smacked at John’s face with his paws. “I missed ya.”
“I missed you, too,” John let off happy rumbles and batted at him. “We may be able to see each other more soon if we both try for the same field.”
“That would be fun,” Hickory grinned.
When wolves were born, each of them was registered in the city, and by the age of fifteen, they were required to have a job to contribute to the city for living on their land. Jobs were something one could apply for or could be categorized into. They consisted of many manual labor fields. Coal had been placed in the fields around the edges of the city walls, Tempo had applied for a cleaning position in one of the manors, and Natasha was a nanny for another manor. If you were lucky enough to get hired to a manor, you were making good money. If you somehow managed to work in the castle, you were really providing for your pack. They only had one person working in the castle, but she was let go recently. Now Emory was in the fields with Coal.
“Maybe we can get into a manor,” John hummed. “It would be good for our packs. Or even the castle.”
“I don’t know about that,” Hickory sighed. “They rotate staff too often. Would it even be worth it? We had a couple who got cleaning positions, and they had to find new work only months later.”
“But it was good money while they were there, wasn’t it?” John smiled. “I’m just saying, we should shoot for something good.”
Hickory smiled. “You’re right! Let’s give it a shot!” He grinned and tackled John again, initiating more play.
Branch landed on the ground with a laugh, looking back at Floyd and Dock rolling around. He paused, his ears moving up as he heard something. What was that?
He got up and trotted to the edge of their village, listening. It sounded like crying. He shifted his weight before running back to his brothers. “I hear crying!” He yipped at John and Hickory, but the boys were absorbed in their wrestling.
He huffed and ran over to Bruce, Clay, and Dickory. “I hear someone out there!” He nudged them.
They looked into the forest and then down at him. “I don’t hear anything,” Bruce raised a brow.
“Take it easy, fluffball,” Dickory laughed and patted the pup's head. “I’m sure it’s just one of the kids in the village.”
Branch frowned and looked at all of his brothers in exasperation. He trotted back to Dock and Floyd, but his ears kept turning. Someone was crying out there. And if they wouldn’t help them…
He looked at each of them before running into the trees. He would help!
His ears turned in each direction, following the sound of the crying. It sounded like a baby! Why was a baby out here? Maybe they were with their parents, but he needed to make sure.
He kept running, the dirt thumping under his paws flying behind him as he trampled over foliage. He came to a halt, sniffing around as the crying stopped. Had they heard him and gotten scared?
A foreign smell entered his nose, making him blink. He sometimes smelled this on his parents. What was it? He sniffed around the ground and followed it through the trees. When he looked up, he froze.
A pair of red eyes was staring at him from below one of the trees in the shadows. He instantly wanted to run, but the eyes looking at him seemed just as afraid.
“Are you okay?” He asked, making the person jump and back up further. “I won’t hurt you,” he ducked his head. When the person remained still, he approached slowly with his head still low.
The person gasped and backed up against the trunk, their lips curling and a hiss filling the air. That’s when Branch could see them. A child, maybe three, backed up against the tree. He couldn’t really make out any defining features as the child was covered in dirt and grime, their long hair all matted. What he did see, though, was irritated red burns on their arms and legs, and face. A vampire.
He tilted his head and shifted. “See? I’m not gonna hurt you. You look like you need help,” he crouched down and moved to the right to be in the shadow. “Come here,” he waved.
The child glared at him like he was a threat and let out a string of hisses. Their eyes looked dilated and bloodshot, their body shaking, and their hands gripping the roots beneath them.
“You’re hungry,” Branch concluded. “What do Vampires eat?” But when he got no answer, he hummed and looked around. “Hold on!” He got up and shifted. “Stay,” he said and ran into the woods. He could hear his family howling for him, but he had to help them first.
“What do you mean he’s gone!?” Tempo gasped, shooting up.
“He took off, I’m sorry!” John ducked his head. “We’re gonna go look for him. Suki’s mom already has wolves out looking for him.”
Tempo let off a worried noise and rushed out, Coal and Natasha on his heels. “I need wolves with me!” He called, and many came running.
“Gem,” Coal called. “Head west, we’ll head east,” he said and kissed his cheek before taking some wolves with him.
“On it,” Tempo nodded them along and jumped into his shift.
“I hope he’s okay,” Dock whimpered.
“He is, I’m sure,” Clay rubbed his shoulder, each of the boys looking guilty.
Branch came running back, mouth slightly open and a rabbit between his jaws. He looked around, his fur blowing in the breeze. Did they move?
He peered around the trees and frowned. Where did they go? His head whipped up when he heard a cry. He ran ahead and gave the little vampire an exasperated look. The child was in a new shadow, rubbing at a new burn on their arm. When they caught his eyes, they suctioned back against the tree again.
Branch approached, ducking his head, the child’s cautious eyes on him. He dropped the rabbit and backed off, sitting back on his rear.
The child looked at him cautiously and then at the rabbit, moving back and forth.
“For you,” Branch nodded. He still wasn’t sure what vampires ate, but he hoped this helped.
They looked at him again before taking a cautious step forward. When Branch didn’t move, they took another. This repeated for a few steps before the child launched at the rabbit, their fangs coming out and sinking into the meat of the dead animal.
Branch tilted his head as he watched them. They were chewing on it, but not eating the meat. He vaguely recalled his papa once referring to vampires as bloodsuckers. They drank blood then? Could he have just given them his blood then? But as he watched the child drain the body dry, he thought better of it. They were in a bit of a frenzy, it seemed.
Once the rabbit was drained, they sat back, letting off small breaths. Their mind was beginning to clear of the haze they’d been in for days. Their red eyes moved back to the wolf in front of them.
“Feel better?” Branch smiled, tail wagging. “Where’s your family?” He looked around.
The child looked around with him, as if trying to see what he was.
Branch hummed. “You look small. Here,” he shifted, laughing at the surprised look on the child’s face. “I can get you help. Come here,” he waved gently.
They looked at his hand and then down at the rabbit, then back again. There was much distrust in their eyes, and judging by the smell of the child, they’d been out here on their own for a while. There was no telling how much they’d seen out here.
His eyes moved to the sky briefly, the shadow they were in moving as the branch casting it started to move with the breeze as it picked up. “Come here,” he urged and stepped forward.
They flinched back and hissed before gasping as sunlight started shining through the trees and dotting on their body. A cry left them as their skin sizzled on contact, little billows of steam erupting from them.
Branch jumped forward and stood over them, covering them in his shadow. “Move that way,” he nodded.
The baby looked at him in surprise but seemed a bit confused by his words.
“Go,” Branch used his foot and made him shuffle farther into the shadows. He followed them and looked over the burns on their skin. “Those look like they sting really bad,” he whimpered.
They looked at him curiously before moving forward cautiously. When Branch remained still, they ducked under him and gently rested their cheek on his stomach.
He smiled. “Did I earn your trust?”
They jumped when they heard howling in the distance and gripped his arms.
“It’s okay. It’s just my family. They’re looking for me, and they can help you,” he smiled kindly and gently hugged them close.
They whipped their head around, a small hiss leaving them at the oncoming wolves.
“Branch?” A pink wolf slowed down. “What are you doing out this far, pup?”
“Auntie Bliss,” he smiled toothily. “I heard a baby crying out here, so I came to find them,” he smiled and turned just lightly to show the child in his arms. They looked frightened and held onto Branch harder. “They got a strong grip,” he laughed softly. “I think they’re just scared.”
“Bliss,” a wolf colored after an aurora borealis said cautiously as she looked at the child. His wife, Lydia.
“I know,” he nodded. “Branch, Sweetie, you know that’s a-”
“A vampire. I know,” he nodded. “That doesn’t matter. They’re a baby, and they need help. I don’t think they have a mommy or daddy out here.”
Bliss gave him a soft look. What a sweet boy. He could feel his pack shifting anxiously behind him at the prospect, though.
“Well, we can’t just leave them out here now,” Lydia hummed. “I doubt he’d let us anyway. How are we going to get a vampire to the village in the midday sun?”
“Do we have any cloaks?” He looked back at his pack.
“They can wear mine!” A pup bounced around them, her coat pattered after a galaxy with twinkling stars. Their daughter, Neffy.
“Put it on them, and we can take you two back,” Bliss said as Neffy shifted, now a little pink girl with galaxy hair and blue eyes. She grabbed her cloak from one of their bags and brought it over, giggling as the baby hissed at her several times.
“No fear, these two,” Lydia laughed.
“They’re just scared, and that’s okay,” Neffy smiled and handed the cloak to Branch.
“We’re gonna put this on, okay?” Branch smiled and wrapped it around their shoulders.
They sniffed at it and then looked at Neffy, who grinned.
“Upsie daisy,” Branch said as he picked the baby up, making them gasp and hold onto him.
“He sounds like a little Coal,” Bliss cooed. “Where are your parents, Sweetie?”
“They’re-” he took on a sheepish grin when they heard the howls. “Looking for me.”
“Child,” Lydia sighed.
Bliss shook his head and howled back. “Come on,” he nodded them over and lowered for them.
Branch nodded, flashing Neffy a smile as the girl ran to shift. He pulled the cloak over the baby’s head and held them close. “Keep your head down,” he said, and pushed their face into his shoulder before stepping out into the sun and walking to Bliss. The baby instantly pulled their legs up into the cloak and buried against the older boy.
He hopped up onto Bliss’s back and held onto his fur as the man stood. Bliss nodded his wolves along and started running to the village once more.
“It’s gonna be okay,” Branch said soothingly as the little vampire cut their eyes all around the wolves in fear.
As the village started coming into view, Branch could see the anxious faces of his family. He was definitely going to get in a lot of trouble. But this baby needed help, and darn it, he did it!
“Branch!” Tempo ran over as Bliss slowed down. He stuttered a bit, looking at the little cloaked person in his arms. “Branch?”
“I’m sorry,” Branch smiled sheepishly and slid off as Bliss lowered. “I heard crying, and I tried to tell my big brothers, but they didn’t hear anything, so I went to find them,” he said in a quick bout.
“You can’t just go running out there alone,” Tempo stressed. “You’re eight. If you hear something like that, come get us.”
“Thank you,” Coal said as Bliss shifted with his pack. He was a pink man with long dark pink hair, purple eyes, and sparkly freckles. The alpha of the pack to the south of Pop City and Coal’s best friend.
“Of course,” he flashed him a smile. “Although,” he cleared his throat and nodded to the cloaked baby and then pointed at his canines lightly.
Coal’s eyes widened, and he looked at his son. “Branch? Is that a vampire?” He asked, causing many to stiffen, including his kids.
“Yup,” Branch nodded like it was nothing. “And they’re very scared right now, so be nice,” he said sternly.
“Branch..” Tempo frowned instantly.
“Daddy,” the boy frowned back. “They’re scared and dirty and hurt and there was no one with them. They need help. They’re just a baby.”
Tempo paused and looked at the little wrapped baby in his arms and then at Coal.
The man hummed and looked around at all the wolves looking at them and then at Bliss.
He nodded. “Shoo,” he waved at his pack, many dispersing immediately.
Coal laughed softly. “You heard the man. Shoo,” he waved to his own wolves. “We’ll talk to everyone later.”
They nodded, eyeing the little vampire carefully before retreating into the village.
Coal sighed and rubbed his neck before coming over to his son. “Can I see him? Her?”
“I dunno,” he shrugged and looked up, moving into a shadow. He moved the cloak aside a bit, the baby’s red eyes looking at him, full of fear, and his hands gripped the boy. “They’re really scared, though. It’s okay. You’re safe here,” he assured in a soft tone, one he most certainly picked up from Tempo. He gently pulled back the hood, the baby shrinking up at the eyes on them, shaking like a leaf.
“Oh my god,” Tempo put his hands to his mouth. The poor thing was littered with burns, scrapes, and cuts. “He’s so little.”
“A baby,” Branch nodded. “I think two or three? There wasn’t anyone out there with them.”
Coal looked over the baby, their eyes meeting once more. This child held so much fear in his eyes and body. Their muscles were so tense that they left them shaking. Yet, he was clinging to his son as if he were to be taken away, he would die.
He looked at Branch once more. “How did you get him to trust you?”
“He was hungry, really hungry. He had that crazy look in his eyes that the puppies get when they’re too hungry, but like a lot more. I found him a rabbit cause I don’t know what they eat. He was scared at first, and it took a long time, but he sucked all the blood from it. When he seemed calm, I tried to talk to him, but I don’t think he knows words. Then the sun came back out and burned him, so I put my arms out and shaded him. Then he came to me on his own,” he shrugged.
“You’re such a sweet boy,” Tempo smiled proudly.
“Can we keep him?” Branch smiled, his tail wagging. “We can teach him how to talk and read and keep him safe!”
“Uh-” Coal started.
“We could have a vampire brother!” Floyd bounced.
“That would be cool,” Clay grinned.
“Guys,” John frowned.
“Boys,” Tempo sighed and rubbed his face. “Go inside, please.”
They pouted, but did as they were told.
Coal sighed and looked over as Natasha joined them. “We can’t very well leave him on his own.”
Bliss shrugged. “He’s a baby. If you keep him, he won’t have that mentality they all have towards us.”
“But it does raise issues,” Natasha hummed. “We’re to register all children. You think they’ll just be okay with us raising one of their own?”
“Baby, they hate everything we do,” Bliss rolled his eyes, placing a hand on his hip. “And what would they do with him if we took him to the city? I’ve not exactly seen an orphan center, have you?”
“A discussion for later,” Tempo said with a wave of his hand. “That baby needs a bath and treatment. Come on, baby. Let’s go help him feel better,” he smiled at his son.
“Kay,” he smiled and rubbed the baby’s back as he followed his dad in.
Coal sighed and rubbed his face. “We will discuss this later tonight.” He then grinned at Bliss. “It’s good to see you,” he said and opened his arms.
“You too, big guy!” Bliss grinned and hugged him. “It’s been eighty-four years!”
“Centuries, we’ve been cast apart!” Coal continued his dramatics.
Natasha rolled her eyes fondly. “Dorks.”
“I need to really look him over,” Tempo said as they walked through the house. “He looks like he’s got a lot of wounds.”
“Kay,” Branch smiled and looked at the baby. “I know it’s scary, but I gotcha,” he soothed and rubbed his back as the little one looked around quickly, shrinking against him.
Four heads peeked over the kitchen counter as they passed, all of his older brother’s eyes glued to them. They leaned on the counter a bit as they watched them walk down the hall.
“I don’t know about this,” John frowned.
“What’s the pack gonna think if we keep him?” Bruce hummed. “He’s a vampire.”
“So what?” Clay and Floyd frowned. “He’s a person just like us,” Clay said, putting his hands on his hips.
“And he’s a baby!” Floyd nodded. “If you had been the one to go out there, would you have left him? Because he’s a vampire? That’s so mean.”
John and Bruce paused and looked at each other lightly, frowns on their faces.
Coal was leaning on the wall, just outside the door, and listening to them. He had his right hand up near his mouth, chewing on his thumb claw in thought. Perhaps the words of their pack, as well as his own, were affecting the children too much. It was unfair to regard all vampires in the same light, especially children. If they began to think like that, then they were no better than vampires. Something his husband was quite adamant about.
He sighed and pushed off the wall, heading in. He needed to start teaching them better.
“Okay,” Tempo kneeled down by them after he’d started some water in the bath. “Hi, Sweetie,” he smiled softly at the little vampire, the child watching him like a hawk with wide, cautious eyes. “It’s okay,” he said in a soothing voice and held out a hand. “I won’t hurt you,” he assured, the child staring at his hand.
Branch looked at the baby and at his dad’s hand. He smiled at him and took his dad’s hand as a show.
The baby looked at them and then up at Branch, the boy smiling in reassurance. He looked at their hands again and slowly reached his little hand out, placing it in his with Branch.
“He formed a bond with you,” Tempo smiled at his son. “Think you can help me?”
“Yeah!” Branch smiled brightly. “I’m gonna set you down,” he said to the vampire and slowly started moving him back to his feet.
The baby looked startled and whined, pulling up his feet to stay in his arms.
“It’s okay, baby,” Branch rubbed his back, clearly imitating how Tempo talked to him and his brothers, making the man melt a little. “I’m not going anywhere,” he assured and managed to get the baby on his feet.
Tempo reached out as the baby was distracted and unclipped the cloak.
He jumped and moved back to Branch, hissing a bit.
“I know. You’re probably really scared and hurt,” Tempo nodded and looked over the burns. “He should be healing, but they’re not. He probably needs more blood.”
“Can we give him ours?” Branch tilted his head.
“You cannot and you will not,” Tempo said sternly. “Vampire babies are usually fed by their parents until they get a little older. Either from them directly or from a bag. But we don’t have those.”
“Should I go catch something?” Coal asked as he leaned on the doorframe. He smiled a bit as the baby whipped to him and pressed against Branch again.
“He’s severely malnourished,” Tempo sighed as he looked him over. He was far too skinny, the outline of his ribs beginning to show. “He would need a lot to make a dent in his healing on animal blood.” He rubbed his neck and looked at his husband.
Coal frowned. “That should be out of the question.”
“He’s a baby, Love. He doesn’t require much, and I will have no problem stopping him.”
Coal sighed. “Fine. For now. I’ll see if I can’t get any volunteers to donate some blood until we decide what we’re doing.”
“Keeping him,” Branch frowned and put his arms around the baby. “He needs us.”
They looked at him and then at the child clinging to him. They then looked at each other, a look of resignation coming over them.
“I’ll go talk to Bliss and Nat. Be careful,” he said sternly.
“I know what I’m doing,” Tempo waved the man off.
Coal sighed deeply and went to find the other alphas.
“Come here, little one,” Tempo waved.
Branch moved them closer, the baby shrinking up.
“You’ll want this, promise,” Tempo chuckled and raised his wrist to his mouth, biting with his wolf canines to make himself bleed. He looked at the baby and found his body stiff and eyes wide. “Come here,” he waved and held out his wrist.
The child looked at him cautiously and then at his wrist. He swallowed thickly before thumping into the man and sinking his fangs into his wrist.
Tempo winced a bit, but held the baby and looked over his wounds as they drank.
“Does it hurt?” Branch asked, watching curiously.
“A little,” Tempo nodded. “But it’s not bad. Babies don’t drink too much, just what they need. Don’t try this, okay? You are far too little. Come get one of us if he gets hungry.”
Branch nodded and began to smile wider. “Does that mean we can keep him?”
“To be discussed,” Tempo laughed. He looked over the child as their wounds started healing. “Okay, Sweetie,” he said and grabbed him by the back of the neck. Not hard, just enough to make him let go. “That’s enough,” he said, and smiled when Branch brought him the bandage wrap from under the sink. “Thank you,” he said as he took it and held his arm up so the baby wasn’t tempted to try to get to it.
“You look better,” Branch smiled, looking at all of their wounds healing. “But you’re still stinky,” he laughed.
The baby watched him with big eyes, the barest of smiles starting on his lips.
“Precious,” Tempo cooed. “Why don’t you hop in with him? You’re looking a bit scroungy, too,” he waved at the tub, finishing up his bandages.
“Okay,” Branch grinned. “Come on!” He pulled the baby with him and hopped into the tub.
He jumped and moved his hands in front of his face as water splashed him. He peeked in and let off a surprised noise as Branch popped back up. A small smile formed as he grinned at him.
“Come on!” Branch waved.
He grabbed the side of the tub and hopped, just a little too small to climb in.
“Up you go,” Tempo picked him up and placed him in the bath. He seemed a lot calmer towards him since he fed him.
Branch grinned and splashed him a bit. The baby gasped and let off a little squeal, pushing water back at him.
Tempo put his hand on his chest, smiling at them. He then grimaced at all of the water turning dark around the child. They’d have to refill it a couple of times at this rate.
“So we’re just going to keep his existence a secret?” Many of the wolves looked at them in uncertainty.
“Yes. I know this is asking a lot from you guys,” Coal sighed.
“We’re concerned what would happen if we took him back to the city,” Natasha put in. “There are no orphan centers there.”
“Which brought us to how he ended up out there in the first place,” Bliss hummed unhappily. “Vampires are prideful creatures, and to find a child with no guardians led us to wonder, did someone leave him out there and hope that he would starve? Or did they leave him out here in hopes we would kill him because he’s a vampire?”
This brought many conflicting faces to the wolves around them, many looking upset at the thought, and others looking guilty, as they likely may have.
“He’s a baby, regardless of what he is, and he needs help,” Coal stressed. “Please.”
The wolves fell into murmurs before many of them nodded.
“Thank you,” he smiled.
Coal sighed and rubbed his neck as he walked into his house. It was very quiet. Something that unnerved the man as his five kids were never silent, even in their sleep. “Gem?” He called and looked around.
John popped his head out of the nursery that was now a playroom. He smiled at his papa and waved him in.
Coal blinked and walked down the hall. He pushed the door open and smiled. Bruce was braiding Clay’s hair on the floor, John coming back to sit down by them. Branch and Floyd curled up on the floor, shifted, and snuggled together, both falling asleep to the lull of Tempo’s soft singing. His husband was in a rocking chair, holding the little vampire in his arms.
The baby was now a deep purple color without all that dirt on them. His hair was cut short, as it couldn’t be saved with all the mats, but was now royal blue. His ears were pointed, like all vampires, and his red eyes were closed, sleeping soundly on the man.
Tempo looked up at him, and Coal had to laugh. He had the biggest eyes and a puffed lip.
“Can we keep him?” He asked, holding the baby close.
Coal laughed once more and nodded, kissing his head. “We can keep him.”
Tempo smiled brightly. “He needs a name.”
“I have an idea,” John hummed and smiled softly when they looked at him. “I heard him laughing with Branch earlier, and I thought, wow, he sounds so pure and airy. What about Aire?”
“I like that,” Bruce smiled.
“Me too,” Tempo nodded with a soft smile. “So is this it?”
“Some things are gonna have to change, and his existence is going to have to stay on the low, but yes.” He smiled as Aire opened his eyes lightly and looked up at him. This would change many things for them. “Welcome to the family, Aire.”