River carried Vivian to his room and set her on the bed. Gently, he brushed the hair away from her face. The blatant fear in her eyes tore at him. He wanted nothing more than to make love to her until her fear was no more. But he knew that if he tried, she would never trust him again. Moving behind her, he carefully kneaded the muscles in her shouldets and hummed a sorrowful tone under his breath.<br/><br/>He wanted to claim her, and when the time was right he intended to do just that. Wolves mated for life after all. And Vivian was his mate.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Jade paced the room they had been returned to after their discussion with the High King.<br/><br/>"If you keep pacing like that you'll wear a path in the floor." Damon remarked, his tone amused.<br/><br/>"Surely he had to be jesting." She replied, taking a seat on the bed.<br/><br/>Damon shook his head slowly. "I very much doubt it love." He said, moving to join her. "As a matter of fact, what I'm most interested in is how my mother is still alive." He took her long hair in his hands and braided it absent-mindedly.