The tall figure draped in dark robes stood in silence, gazing out of the expansive windows that offered a view of the mountains illuminated by the full moon. From behind, a booming voice addressed him as Lord Andrei.
"Master, you summoned me?" responded Francoise, a tall man with long blonde hair, as he took a seat indicated by Andrei.
Seated across from them was a striking redhead in a blood-red coat, Isabella Nikolai, who greeted Francoise with a sly smile.
"Francoise, welcome back from New York. We've missed you," Isabella purred.
Andrei, his voice icy, turned to them and demanded to know what they had discovered.
Following their expulsion from New York by the Lycans, Francoise, Isabella, and the remnants of their mage contingent sought refuge in one of their clandestine hideouts on the East Coast. Though their upstate mansion had been raided, their cause was not entirely lost. With Andrei's numerous secret sanctuaries protected by magic, they regrouped and strengthened over several months.
"The birth of the True Mates' child approaches," Francoise reported stoically.
"And?" Andrei pressed.
"As you suspected, another True Mate offspring will soon enter the world. Mathias and Emilio Viktor's child will also bear this destiny," Francoise added.
Isabella winced, recalling her failure to capture Mathias before she could conceive with a Lycan. Their plan to sire a new generation of witches, whom Andrei would transform into mages using forbidden blood magic, had been thwarted by the Lycans.
Enraged, Andrei hurled chairs against the wall with a wave of his hand.
"Master," Isabella reassured, "once born, the True Mate children are not invincible."
"But they have initiated the cycle!" Andrei bellowed. "This world will soon be overrun by those cursed creatures!"
"We must act swiftly," Francoise proposed. "Recruit more witches and warlocks to our cause."
"No, we must strike the Lycans first," Isabella countered. "They have corrupted my daughter with their spawn!"
"We will do both and more," Andrei declared. "Starting by crippling the New York clan, we will then infiltrate and corrupt them from within."
"How?" Isabella inquired.
"I am already forging alliances with powerful allies, catching the Lycans off guard," Andrei revealed.
"And to cripple their stronghold?" Francoise questioned.
"Why, my dear apprentice, by eliminating their Alpha," Andrei proclaimed with a sinister glint in his eyes.
Ivan Marcellus surveyed the room with his piercing deep green eyes, akin to a predator searching for prey. However, tonight, he sought a different kind of target. Quiver, with its sleek black and gold décor, exuded a cool, modern vibe typical of high-end Manhattan bars. Yet, it stood apart from the rest.
Being a members-only establishment meant gaining entry wasn't as simple as paying a fee and filling out a form. All potential members underwent thorough vetting, including background checks and signing iron-clad NDAs. Moreover, a certain level of net worth was a prerequisite for both men and women. The membership manager assured Ivan that discretion was paramount among Quiver's clientele, ruling out encounters with individuals seeking payment for companionship. The club also barred actors, athletes, entertainers, and celebrities to avoid unwanted attention.
Ivan had his reasons for frequenting Quiver, beyond its ambiance and attractive women. Privacy was his utmost concern, given his status as the Alpha of the New York Lycan clan, a clandestine community of werewolf shifters. With responsibilities weighing heavily on him, ensuring the safety of his people remained his top priority.
Hence, exclusive clubs like Quiver served as his preferred haunts, providing him with not only beautiful companionship but also discretion. Unlike regular bars where gold diggers lurked, places like Quiver offered an environment where questions were not asked, no demands were made, and boundaries were respected.
As Ivan sensed a presence behind him, a familiar baritone voice greeted him. Turning to face the tall, well-built man beside him, Ivan recognized him as Tattoo Guy, as he had dubbed him in his mind. They exchanged pleasantries, sharing a camaraderie built on mutual respect rather than formal introductions.
Their conversation veered towards the women in the club, with Tattoo Guy pointing out a new arrival catching Ivan's eye. Encouraging Ivan to pursue his interest, Tattoo Guy bid him good luck and expressed hope for his swift return.
Following their exchange, Ivan approached the blonde woman, Andrea, initiating a conversation with practiced charm. Their interaction flowed smoothly, with Andrea revealing details about herself while showing no inclination to pry into Ivan's life—a dynamic he appreciated.
As their conversation progressed, Andrea suggested continuing their interaction in her hotel room, a proposition facilitated by Quiver's convenient location in a downtown Manhattan hotel.