Vasili let the anger simmer back down but didn't release it, as it was keeping him focused on the matters at hand.
Vasili and Elias exchanged a soulful look, with Vasili being the one to break the ice, "Mister and Missus Sanchez, I am sorry. I have not been giving this proper consideration. I assumed that I could just send your daughter back home with you and ignore the 'bond' in its entirety. Elias explained that I am new to this world, so I thought, no harm-no foul."
He sighed and scratched the back of his head as he continued, "Now that I think about it, that probably ain't gonna go over too well."
Elias spoke up and explained, "What Vasili is saying, is, your family is now in danger." This made Brody flinch and rise from his seat, prompting Elias to say, "Please, sit back down, we will explain what has been happening."
The tension passed as Vasili began recounting his tale, leaving out no detail too small. He was a regular construction worker for the city, one that had no real prospects in life, but he did well enough to enjoy himself.
Vasili explained his fear at the pounding on his door, wondering if it was gang violence, and even admitted to thinking twice about letting whoever it was inside.
Elias continued the tale from his perspective, adding how Vasili's blood was a 'delicacy' for even "royal" Vampires, something that made their jaws drop, but Vasili wasn't too aware of.
They slayed the Wolves that came for them. Vasili didn't recognize any of them, and the Dragos Family was unable to identify them as being part of ANY group, which was now the biggest concern.
As far as the evidence suggested, a bunch of random Werewolves just showed up outside of the club, looking for a Vampire's head. If Elias had any advice for them all, it was to listen to Cypress Hill, because "when tha shit goes down ya better be ready."
Jokes aside, it was genuine wisdom in this moment, because they were at War with a ghost. The Dragos Family had nearly unlimited wealth, power, and people, but with no hard targets, it didn't amount to much.
-------------------
After twenty minutes, the Sanchezs were caught up on most of Vasili's night, including the brutal "fight" he'd had, and his run-in with bacon this morning.
Maya looked like she was about to lose her shit as she growled, "People want to hurt my Alpha?!"
Her eyes were glowing a bright amber, breaking the illusion slightly, when Vasili responded, "We don't know for sure if they would retaliate against me, but we prefer to be on the safe side, so you might have to stay with us for a while...sorry."
The sheer absurdity of Vasili ordering two grown adults what to do with their child was not lost on him. He could see Brody's instant refusal but Maya instantly fell in line, "Sure! I can protect you, Alpha. Then when I am at school, Elias and Maranda will protect you!"
Vasili felt his bond and realized he wasn't influencing her. These were her instincts, if that was true, why did it feel odd?
Breaking the silence, Vasili asked, "Do you want to be my "Beta?"
Maya stopped all movement and looked at her Alpha, "Did I do something wrong?" She was muttering and looked like she was about to cry when Vasili clarified, "No! No! No! You haven't done anything wrong. I just want to give you the choice, do you want to be my Beta?"
He knew this was unusual to ask AFTER he had forcibly bonded to her, but he figured she wouldn't have the instinct to kill him anymore. Thus, if she broke the bond, this whole thing might as well never have happened. It was a real solution to the problem of their safety if they wanted to go this route.
She shook her head vehemently, "No, Alpha, I never want to leave your side."
Elias looked at Vasili and tried to explain what was happening, "Man, I know you get caught up on, "consent", just like me, but we AREN'T humans. Okay? We have instincts, and her instincts are telling her to follow the Chimeric Alpha." He seemed to go off on a tangent as he continued, "Which, nobody has ever heard of, by the way. So, who the hell knows what the fuck is going on anymore. I sure as hell don't."
Recollecting himself, Elias finished with, "Just let her do whatever she wants, which will probably involve being your bodyguard, okay?"
Vasili was shocked at this side of Elias, he hadn't seemed...fallible yet. Even when the dude was half-dead, he still killed fresh Werewolves like it was nothing to him. But he was shaken up by what had just happened.
Vasili spoke up, "Alright. Maya, do whatever you want, but try not to hurt people." She nodded readily and then hugged her mom and dad, saying, "I need you guys to stay here with me," then looked at Vasili, "Where can we stay?"
Elias called for Sebastian, "Please find our new semi-permanent guests a place to sleep in the quarters, make it nice, they are family."
Sebastian bowed deeply and began to lead the family away when Maya ran back over and planted a kiss on Vasili's cheek, "Thank you for everything, Alpha!"
As she ran back to her parents at supernatural speed, Vasili couldn't help but turn to Elias, "That felt gross." This made Elias drop his serious demeanor and begin laughing before teasing, "She seems to have a crush on you, Mr. Alpha, Sir." Which made even Maranda and Cassie crack smiles.
Vasili was thinking about how he was putting an end to that right away when Elias added, "You know. You are really playing into the mysterious Vampire stereotypes. You show up, save a damsel in distress, impress everyone, pig out on "food", and refuse to trust yourself. You keep this up, I am going to have to sue your ass!"
Elias chuckled to himself, but Vasili had more on his mind. Was this how Cassie felt? Was it less...forceful than he imagined? Did Cassie just LIKE him?
He looked over to Cassie who was admiring his form and unconsciously biting her lip, and thought, 'Maybe I will have to rethink this.'