"You sure this is a good idea?" Johnny said next to her, as they approached the building where they would meet the rival pack. It was old church, long since abandoned, but one that sat right smack-dab on the boundary line between the two packs.<br/><br/>Roxie pulled in a breath, unsure how she should answer her friend. Johnathan Nocks was her second in command and her oldest friend. Johnny had been the first person to try and befriend her after her mother dropped her off with the pack alphas. She was young and barely understood why her mother had abandoned her, when others had kept their distance, he had taken her under his wing. He was basically the big brother she had never had.<br/><br/>“He wouldn’t have set this meeting if he didn’t think it was the right thing. You gotta put the past in the past, Rox.” He said. She nodded in response. He knew what had happened in her past. Alaric’s image flashed in her mind as they made their way up the steps of the church. She tried to force her brain to focus on the happy memories, because she knew she was about to see a version of that face again. Despite her attempts to think of fonder things, her mind latched onto the last night they had seen each other. The last night of his life…She could almost smell the blood again…<br/><br/>Johnny snapped his fingers as if he knew her mind was wandering. “His brother would not have been willing to meet if he didn’t realize you did what you had to do.” He reassured her.<br/><br/>Roxie had always wondered if Alexander had a thing for her too back then, Alaric had been the one to pursue her. They had been so close, back then Roxie had thought maybe it would lead to a sort of soft peace between the two packs. Things had gone the opposite way though.<br/><br/>Johnny grabbed the door and she stepped inside, leading him toward a meeting room on the left side of the building. The room itself was rather dark, the shades were all pulled and only a bit of light filtered into the room.<br/><br/>That was when she saw him. His back was to her, but she would recognize the outline of that body anywhere. It was strange, she had always been able to tell Alexander and Alaric apart, but now it definitely felt like she was looking at Alaric…Even though logic told her he was dead.<br/><br/>She forced herself to enter the room, Johnny right on her heels. Roxie had chosen to wear jeans, a plain shirt, and a leather jacket, though now she wondered if she should have dressed up more. Would he care? They were here to barter for peace between the Sage Valley pack and his pack.<br/><br/>“Alexander?” She said and then she held her breath. For a moment, she wanted time to just freeze there. Roxie was a strong person, but seeing those eyes again, the same eyes Alaric had…She worried it might fracture something in her, and she could not let that happen. Not with the safety of both packs at stake.<br/><br/><a class="username" data-user-id="4101" data-username="@Cujo" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/4101/">@Cujo</a>