Chapter 23

Both Xanta and his nephew, beta Daniel could smell them. Their worst enemies. But it was like Alpha Zeus couldn't even smell them. He kept driving without sparing them a single glance. He stopped the truck in front of a huge mansion. It was almost like a castle. Alpha Zeus stepped out of the truck and half shifted into his wolf. His eyes glowed golden and he roared loudly. Hearing his loud roar all the creatures of the Redfords territory circled around his truck. One of them tried to lunge himself on Alpha Zeus but he growled loudly. Hearing his loud and powerful growl, he stopped in mid way. They all heard a clap and everyone bowed their heads in respect for their Master.

Zeus turned around to look at him. His eyes widened as he looked at the person standing in front of him. He shifted back into his human form and walked closer to that man. He fished out the ring Vivian gave him and showed it to that man.

Alpha Zeus: I am Alpha Zeus. I am the one who rules over New Orleans. I am sent here by the enchantress Vivian. She gave me this ring. You must be Vincent Redford?

Seeing that ring, Vincent nodded his head and signalled his creatures to calm down.

Vincent: Calm down my people. They are not here to harm us. They are our guests. Serve them the best of the Redfords. Show them how hospitable we are.

Vincent said it and all the creatures welcomed beta Daniel and Xanta. Vincent looked at Zeus and invited him into his mansion. Zeus followed him behind without a single word. Vincent could feel the thousand questions in Zeus' mind but he didn't ask him anything. He led him into a big hall and locked the door. They both sat down on the couches.

Master Vincent: What brought you here?

Alpha Zeus: My brother's sickness brought me here.

Zeus replied but his eyes were still scanning the face of the old man in front of him. Vincent smiled and cleared his throat.

Master Vincent: Are we that similar that you can't take your eyes off of my face Wolf?

Alpha Zeus: Who are you? I mean, what is he yours?

Zeus asked in confusion. Vincent's smile faded away from his eyes. Zeus could see hurt in his eyes.

Master Vincent: He is my blood. He is my flesh. He is my grandson.

Alpha Zeus: What? He can't be.

Zeus replied and shook his head.

Master Vincent: You can't take your eyes off of my face and yet you are still denying it. You can see his face, can't you?

Alpha Zeus: But if you are... then he is… Is he an immortal? A vampire?

Master Vincent: Yes he is. He is a vampire. I can't believe it's been eighteen years. He is an adult now.

Vincent said happily.

Alpha Zeus: If he is a vampire. Then I know what is wrong with him. Why did Vivian send me to you then? She would have told me that Moon is a vampire.

Zeus asked in confusion.

Master Vincent: She has sent you here for two reasons. First, because he needs my blood. Without it, he will be nothing but a blood sucking monster. It is kind of a tradition we have. And second, to know the truth about him, his life and his destiny.

Alpha Zeus: Tell me what do you mean?

Master Vincent: There was a reason I had sent him away. He is my grandson and the blood of my son. My son Aiden and his wife Sandra, they both fell in love and got married. Sandra was a human but her father was a male undine. I am not a person who would stop anyone from love. I set them both up, they got married but they couldn't live their happily ever after. They both were murdered. And the person who murdered them, was after my grandson. I did whatever I could and sent him away so he would be safe. I am glad he has a family now. I know he must be very happy. That's all his father had wanted in his life. I know he won't be different.

Hearing him Zeus smiled.

Alpha Zeus: Yes he is. Everyone loves him.

Master Vincent: I want to request you to let me meet him once. I want to see him, hug him. I want to know how it feels to have a grandson.

Alpha Zeus: I will bring him here.

Master Vincent: No no no. Never send him here. I will visit your territory. I still don't know who is with that murderer and who is not.

Vincent replied in a low tone. Zeus noticed the horror on his face.

Alpha Zeus: Is he not dead? The murderer?

He asked in confusion.

Master Vincent: No, he is not. But he will be soon, very soon. Anyways.

Saying that Vincent stood up and went to the bar. He pulled out a bottle that was filled with blood. And also a glass tube which had blood as well.

Master Vincent: Here, go back home. First give him this tube, then this bottle. He will be fine then. Tell him to feed once or twice a week. Always feed on animals. We Redfords don't drink human blood. We are creatures of night not monsters.

Zeus nodded his head. In a flash, Vincent was by the door. He unlocked the door for Zeus.

Alpha Zeus: I will see you around. And his name is Moon, Moon Kart.

Vincent smiled and nodded his head. Zeus went back to his truck where Xanta and beta Daniel were talking with the other vampires happily. They all bid their goodbyes and started their journey back to New Orleans.

BACK IN TIME.

Ocean: I felt something sharp on my neck.

She replied breathlessly. He looked at her neck. She was right. He left hickies all over her neck. And just above her pulse, he saw two dots. He examined it closely and found blood. His eyes widened in horror. He quickly crawled off of his bed. He went to one of the corners of his bedroom and sat on the ground. He held his head in his hands. Ocean also crawled out of the bed and went to him. She sat beside him and stroked his head lovingly. He backed away from her. He didn't even look at her

Ocean: What is it, Moon?

She whispered softly. She felt hurt seeing him like that.

Moon: Stay away from me. I don't want to hurt you.

Moon replied. He had tears in his eyes.

Ocean: Why would you hurt me, Moon?

She asked and tried to get closer to him again but he backed away again. It was like he was running away from her and that was very painful for her.

Moon: Because I am becoming a monster.

He replied and his tears flowed freely from his eyes. Ocean came close to wipe his tears. But he pushed her away.

Moon: I said stay away from me? Can't you hear me? Why are you here? What are you doing here? I don't want to see you here now get out.

Moon yelled at her and she backed away. Hearing his harsh words she felt pain in her chest. Sobbing quietly, she ran away. Just as she stepped out of the mansion, Zeus stopped his truck. He quickly hopped out of the truck and ordered beta Daniel to follow Ocean. And to take her to her uncle's house safely. Beta Daniel nodded his head and drove off. Zeus quickly ran back to the mansion where Moon was yelling crazily at Maria. On time, Zeus jumped on him and opened his mouth forcefully. Moon tried his best to shut it back but failed. Zeus quickly pulled out the glass tube, opened it and emptied it in Moon's mouth. As the blood of the ancient vampire slipped through his throat, he gasped loudly. Zeus stood up and gave the bottle to Moon. Moon's eyes glowed brightly as he opened the bottle and downed it's content in one go.