With no way of delaying his appointment with Donovan, Neve drove to the northern Sydney suburb of Rose Bay with dread. He never asked Dale before leaving what Donovan had been told. Neve grew up being all too familiar with speak only when spoken too and say as little or nothing as possible. He’d be hard pushed to stop Donovan from penetrating his emotions if attempted. Neve only hoped his private visit was informal. Even if Donovan discovered the truth, it would be the council who made the final decision.

His mouth pasty and his body covered in a dry sweat made Neve want to vomit. Deep down Neve realised there would be no fooling Donovan, the man was ruthless and incredibly smart and if he so much as doubted Neve, he would force his will onto him and make him confess. This realisation terrified Neve. Head of the family for over fifteen years, Neve avoided Donovan whenever possible. Considered a role model within their family, Donovan exhibited the perfect example of why they were. Known as werewolves by outsiders continued to be a sore point with his family, as they did not identify themselves with the stories or myths.

No, they never considered themselves in the same class as werewolves even if their kind were responsible for the stories and myths in the first place. Unlike others of their kind spread throughout the world Neve’s family were different. His ancestors ensured they had become the better species, above all others, working hard to create the biggest and most successful family in the world.

There was no other family that rivalled Neve’s and because of the strict guidelines laid out for the family they became the most powerful, even if the rest of the world were yet to realise. All the other groups around the world, or packs, as Nikali called them, remained disjointed; made up from outcasts, those resentful of their changes or forced to live within those packs. Taught from a young age they were the only pure blood family alive made protecting that knowledge their highest priority. All his life Neve had those rules rammed down his throat, and when it mattered the most, Neve failed.

The large iron gates separated the tranquil street and the enormous home with large sweeping grounds beyond. Neve pressed the button at the gate and waited to be let in. When the gates opened, Neve drove around the circular drive pulling up at the front of the beautiful architecturally designed home. Signs of the families’ wealth and influence were displayed all over Sydney but to any outsider it went unnoticed. Money came through the family from their involvement with influential businesses and people. They used their skills to advance financially at the benefit of many.

Neve too would one day hold a business position of great importance within the family if he didn’t get himself killed beforehand. As he slowed, he saw Donovan waiting for him on the front porch. Neve lifted the walls around him, hid his fear and with a deep breath, left the safety of his car.

“Good afternoon Neve.” Donovan held out his hand as Neve approached and took his hand.

“Good afternoon Sir.” Donovan’s hand squeezed Neve with an immense force and Neve refused to flinch or return the force, conceding his place of inferiority within the family.

Donovan stepped back inside as Neve walked in, closed the behind him. A ripple of fear shuttered through Neve but he held his back firm and waited for Donovan to lead the way. Their discussion would take place in the office and once inside the large magnificently decorated room, Donovan indicated Neve to sit in the leather chesterfield near the fireplace. The room took on a different scent to that of the rest of the house. Here Neve sensed the aroma of power; a room contained everything Donovan represented.

He made himself comfortable as Donovan made towards the small sideboard beside the fireplace and poured two drinks. Upon his return Donovan passed one to Neve and said, “Nothing strong, you have to drive home.”

“Thank you Sir.” Neve replied talking the glass, sipping the tonic water before setting it on the table beside him.

“Neve, you know why I’ve asked you here?”

“Yes sir.”

“Would you like to explain what happened?”

Neve closed his eyes, he had to lie, there was no other way. When he opened his eye, Donovan sat across from him; his expression hid any ill intent.

“I went looking for the boy but he found me first. I didn’t mean for it to happen. He started talking, and I realised he was a good kid. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.” It wasn’t all a lie.

“You didn’t tell him about you at all?”

“No I pleaded ignorance like him.”

“But he saw you and your cousins at the park several months before. Did he believe you?”

Donovan’s eyes bored into Neve’s but Neve refused to look away, he would not show any signs of weakness or it would certainly be the end of him.

“The memories of that time were hazy for him. He woke very early that morning, and he thought it a dream. He didn’t remember at all although he did ask me if it happened and I told him it did not.”

“He believed you?”

“Yes. He never asked again.”

“How many times did you talk to him?”

“Twice.”

Donovan took a sip of his drink his eyes never leaving Neve’s and Neve’s nerves grew tighter ready to snap.

“When did this happen?”

“Three months ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell Tom immediately?”

Neve let out a small sigh; he hoped this action would indicate how disappointed he was with himself. He shook his head and replied, “He was innocent and so young. I found myself thinking this could be me.”

“You made a serious error in judgement.”

The tone of Donavan’s voice sent a shudder down Neve’s back and Neve broke eye contact with him. He glanced at his hands causality clenched on his lap, it became difficult with every minute not to squeeze them tight. Neve wanted desperately to flee, but he held firm, waiting for Donavan to talk next.

“The council meets in three weeks’ time and you’re required to attend. Your parents will let you know where and when.”

Neve nodded and murmured, “Yes sir.”

“You’re dismissed.”

“Thank you sir.” Neve said as he stood and left the office.

Not until back in his car did Neve let out a long deep sigh. His continual need to keep his emotions hidden began to drain him yet as calmly as he could, Neve drove away. Not until almost home did, he pulled over and break down. The stress consumed him and Neve cried against the steering wheel, his body shaking uncontrollably. It took close to an hour before Neve managed to pulled back into traffic. He should be grateful it went as well as it did but was this what Neve wanted. There remained the council meeting and the repercussions with Seth and Dale to deal with. If he weren’t such a coward Neve would have ended his misery himself.

Back at the apartment, Neve didn’t realise anyone was there until Dale asked, “How’d you go?”

Neve found Dale lounging in the armchair, magazine in hand, looking at him.

“I have to go to the next council meeting.” Neve said dejectedly as he flopped down on the chair next to him.

“At least Donovan didn’t kill you there and then.”

“Yeah thanks for the insight, I feel a whole lot better.”

“Don’t worry Neve, despite what grumpy guts says you weren’t to know this was going to happen.” Dale told him.

But he did, he had been the one to contacted Nikali in the first place and if that information ever got back to the family he might as well dig his own grave.

“Who are you calling grumpy guts?” Seth said coming into the room scaring Neve.

“Relax, I don’t plan on attacking you this time.”

Neve snorted, “I didn’t realise you were here.”

“Where else would I be?”

Neve shook his head. All three enjoyed the luxury of having their own time. Before they began full time work, they spent several years searching the country for half-breeds and reporting back to the council. It was a rite of passage and one Neve despised from the start. Seth, at twenty-five, would be starting work at his father's law firm by the end of the year, something Seth looked forward to. Dale, at twenty-three a year older the Neve, still enjoyed socialising and being able to take part in the searches. Being part of their family gave them privileges and although Dale and Neve both attended university and obtained their degrees, they enjoyed the opportunity to do things outside their families influence. Seth on the other hand relished in the life they lived and he never missed a chance to show off his skills and authority they possessed in his pursuit of power.

“How did it go with Donovan?” Seth didn’t care with what happened, the fact Neve returned meant it went better than either considered but he repeated what he told Dale, “I have to front the council in three weeks’ time.”

“They’ve asked me to attend as well.”

Neve expected as much. There was much Neve didn’t know about what happened and on the sly, asked, “Seth. You said Cory left with Nikali, how do you know that?”

Neve had been the one to guide Nikali to Cory but how could he be sure they both left the country together. Wouldn’t Nikali have realised leaving with Cory would put them both in danger?

“They knew Nikali planned to the country but didn't connect him with the boy until after he’d left. When we couldn’t the boy or his family we checked the airport schedule and found they’d both boarded different flights but same destinations.”

They had known Nikali intended leaving the country. That alone told Neve how powerful his family were. So many questions about what had happened to Cory began to make his head ache. Why hadn’t Donovan questioned him more about it? Surely, they suspected one of them made contacted with Nikali, maybe they already knew. If that were the case, what was really going on, was Neve being played by his family for a greater purpose.

The throbbing in his head grew worse. Neve rubbed his eyes as Dale said, “Why don’t you lie down.”

“Yeah, I might do that.”

As he left the room, he heard Dale ask Seth, “You think he’s going to be alright?”

“What do I care? He’s got himself into this mess, he can get himself out.”

Neve didn’t wait to hear Dale’s reply as he closed the bedroom door and leaning against it refused to cry. Seth was right, he got himself in the mess he would have to get himself out.