There's no denying when viewing it; the alpha's mansion is a massive architectural masterpiece which incorporates several different styles of architecture constructed in a manner which blends together so well that one would say it's an aesthetically unique singular style. And its sprawling grounds are just as impressive, with a variety of differing landscaping encompassing horticulture which is indigenous to both domestic and foreign regions; accentuated with the appropriate hardscape.
Teresa and Felicia are ambling along under a series of aligned berceaus leading to the Japanese garden … which was inspired from Beta Stephen's wife, who's originally from a werewolf pack residing in the vicinity of the Kyoto region in Japan … to meet up with Doreen; who's been waiting by the Koi Pond to privately speak with the alpha's sister. Doreen has been entrusted to pass on some information about the Shadow Hunter Pack luna's daughter that very few individuals know about. Information which is so irrefutably astonishing that its revelation will surely overshadow and blow away every other sordid detail of the Acrilian she-wolf and the two dampyrs combined.
They stroll through an exquisitely maintained section of bamboo, mondo grass, and pine until reaching the Koi Pond that is located in the center of the garden. When they arrive, Doreen … who because of the magnitude of the matter to be discussed has been becoming a bit anxious … hurriedly steps over towards them...
"There you are ... you're finally here. I was honestly starting to wonder if that meeting was going to last all night long."
Felicia quips, "Yeah, there were times during it that I was wondering the same thing. But here we are, so you can relax now."
Upon hearing that … feeling the pressure from the burden of having to inform Teresa of the Acrilian she-wolf's biggest secret … a somber look instantly overtakes Doreen's countenance as she slowly averts her eyes towards the ground and softly mutters under her breath...
"Sure; relax … that's easy for you to say."
With mildly bewildered expressions emerging upon their visages as their curiosity is slightly piqued, Felicia and Teresa momentarily look at each other while wondering what had caused the sudden mood swing, which was evident from Doreen's reaction to Felicia's innocuous statement. It was as if she had gone from sounding manically on edge to depressingly defeated. But knowing how Doreen usually is … most of the time maintaining an upbeat, positive outlook and happy demeanor … Felicia assumes that whatever Doreen needs to inform Teresa about must be quite troubling; so, she overlooks this atypical behavior...
"Anyway … as planned earlier, I've brought Teresa here so you two could have a little chat." Felicia conducts a quick scan of the area. "By the way, be sure to set up a barrier when you two talk. And especially keep an eye out for Delta Thompson … he left the meeting a little earlier before it ended; but when we left Alpha Julian's study, I noticed him skulking about in the hallway watching us."
Teresa says, "So, you saw him, too."
"Yes … frankly, he isn't as stealthy as he must think he is. But he's quite the charming character; isn't he?"
Teresa laughs, "Yeah; I'm not that big of a fan of his either. Honestly, it amazes me; I don't see how Julian and Stephen managed to put up with him all these years. Or, why they even became friends with him the first place. For as long as I can remember, Colin's always been tiresomely overbearing and ignorantly pigheaded. Not to mention, extremely prejudiced against anyone who wasn't a member of a legitimate, honorable werewolf pack ... in particularly witches, who for some absurd reason that I could never fathom, he harbors the most contempt and hatred for."
Teresa takes hold of Felicia's hand...
"And for that, Felicia, I truly do apologize. His behavior towards you was not only deplorable and uncalled for, but also unforgivable. So please, believe me when I tell you that I'm being most sincere in offering this apology; and I hope that you will accept it. … Trust me, I never once have, or ever will, think or feel as he does against witches. … You believe me; don't you?"
Felicia lightly pats on the hand Teresa is holding hers with. "Of course I do, Teresa. Since the moment we met, I've never felt any malice or ill-will directed at us from you; nor have you indicated in any way that you have prejudices against our kind. So please, don't worry about it; it's alright. I neither blame nor hold you responsible at all for Delta Thompson's behavior this evening."
Teresa emits a sigh of relief. "That's good; I'm so glad to hear you say that. Thank you, Felicia."
"No worries." Felicia displays a mischievous smile as she jocosely quips, "And besides, if Delta Thompson insists on continuing to berate us witches, I can always just turn him into a frog. Perhaps then he'd finally be happy, spending the rest of his life here at this beautiful pond … even though it really is way more than he deserves."
Teresa's pretty sure that Felicia's just pulling her leg; but still, she can't resist asking while laughing...
"Seriously … can you really do that?"
Felicia briefly stares at Teresa while displaying a 'poker face', which eventually fades as she breaks...
"Unfortunately, no..." Then, once again displaying a mischievous smile, Felicia quips as a matter of factually, "But I can set him on fire. … It's a little trick us witches have picked up on after centuries of having our ancestors burned at the stake."
Now, Teresa can't tell if Felicia is still pulling her leg, or not; so, this time she asks in full earnest...
"Wait … you're not just messing with me again this time; are you? Can you actually set him on fire for real?"
Again, Felicia stares at Teresa; remaining silent while still wearing that mischievous smile. Teresa anxiously waits for Felicia to reply with bated breath. And when Felicia finally breaks … once again in an as a matter-of-fact manner...
"Sure, I can; it's not that difficult to do..." Felicia reveals 'the secret'. "All I'll need is some gasoline and a couple of matches."
The two burst out in laughter. This little banter between them has even amused Doreen and managed to alleviate some of the pressure she's been feeling somewhat; causing her to crack a small smile and let out a chuckle. Noticing that, Felicia reaches out with one hand and gently strokes Doreen's hair on the side of her head...
"See … there's the Doreen I know and love. Now, be sure to keep that frown upside down; will you?"
Her smile becomes a little more pronounced as she nods. "Okay; I'll try."
"Try?"
"Fine … I will. … Promise."
"Good. I'll hold you to that promise."
Felicia delivers one last lovingly warm smile to Doreen before stopping stroking her hair. Doreen looks to Teresa and tells her...
"You know, Teresa; even though Felicia was having some fun with you..." She glances over at Felicia, then turns back to Teresa. "She really can use her magic to set things on fire."
Teresa sharply looks to Felicia with a look of incredulous astonishment upon her visage. Felicia immediately clarifies...
"Well yes, but that power is only used upon demons; no one else. … Besides..." Felicia refers to Teresa's own words as an example. "It's kind of like earlier in the meeting, when you refrained from striking Elder Strong; telling him that he wasn't worth the time or effort to beat on him … to me, Delta Thompson isn't worth my time or effort to set ablaze."
The two laugh, while a shockingly befuddled Doreen inquires...
"Just what exactly happened during that meeting?"
Felicia steps over and drapes her arm around Doreen's shoulders...
"Don't you worry about it; I'll fill you in on all the dirty little details later." She removes her arm from Doreen's shoulders. "For now, though; I think it's about time you two have that talk. … But don't forget to set up that barrier."
Doreen informs her, "Don't worry; I've had it up since you got here."
Teresa quickly looks about as she inquires, "Barrier … what barrier? What are you two talking about? I don't see anything."
Felicia chuckles, "I would hope not; since it's supposed to be an undetectable invisible barrier."
"Ah; I see." Teresa quips, "Actually; make that I don't see."
"It's a soundproof barrier that we put into place when discussing sensitive matters. This way no nosy eavesdroppers can hear what we're talking about." Felicia adds, "Even with the super sensitive hearing of a werewolf or vampire … or anyone else attempting to use electronic devices to monitor and listen in on the conversation … nothing will be picked up. Not a single word."
Teresa assesses, "Then, it's kind of like our mind-links."
"Actually, it's more effective." Felicia explains, "The mind-link connection that werewolves and vampires use among themselves are a result of their communal bond developed. So theoretically, anyone capable of mind-linking that's strong enough could possibly tap into the link and listen."
"Whoa … I never even considered that something like that could happen. I always believed that the mind-link established between the consenting parties was totally secure and couldn't be intruded upon; but what you just said, Felicia, does sound feasible. I think that from now on I should be more careful of what I'm mind-linking and use the same discretion I'd use when I don't want others to hear what I'm saying."
"That would probably be for the best." Felicia says, "Now Teresa, if you'll kindly have that sentry over there take me back to your quarters to join Melanie and Cora, I'll be on my way so you two can talk in private."
Teresa tells her, "No that's okay, Felicia; you don't have to leave. You can stay and listen to what Doreen says, too; I don't mind … really."
That somber look reappears upon Doreen's visage as she interjects; while emphasizing that only Teresa can receive this information now, without offending Felicia...
"No, she can't. I'm sorry, Teresa, but you're the only one that's allowed to hear what I have to say. Those were my sworn orders." She looks to Felicia. "Sorry, Felicia; but you do understand, right?"
Felicia nods. "Of course I do."
Doreen turns back to Teresa. "Of course, once you hear what I was instructed to pass onto you, you can feel free to tell whoever you want." Doreen gazes down upon the ground and softly utters, "But I'm pretty sure that you won't want to share this information with many others … that is if you even want to share this with anyone. I don't think that I would."