O'Conner's School for the Light challenged

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad growled. But he calmed himself from his anger and went to his son picking him up and smiling happily. "My beautiful boy." He whispered speaking to him in Estonian. "When your big sister marries Oscar, you'll have no problem becoming my heir." He turned to his scribe. "You remember those words Marcus?" He asked smiling. The scribe nodded. But he didn't speak. "come Alexei let us go play hm? I will look after you, no nursemaids none of that, I will teach you all these things myself. Your daddy. And it will be better than when I had your sister."


Emma nodded a little leaning against him. "Conrad didn't understand why Anya pushed him away after Alexei was born so he lashed out. She didn't tell him." She looked up at Oscar. "He sees her as his equal but he feels she doesn't. He mocks her so he can hear the truth, I know. . . he fought with my mum all the time, I was too young to remember, about the same age as Alexei when mother kidnapped me and hid in Texas. It's both their faults, and they need to work it out. Without us interfering. And, I want our marriage to start with us understanding each other, no secrets no grudges, I want to be married happily with as many children as you want running around and when I'm fat from it all I still want you to look at me how you always have, with unhidden love." She smiled at Oscar softly pressing a kiss to his lips.  

[The Madame Red]

"Love, I disagree, but it's because i've known Anya far longer than you," Oscar returned the kiss before standing up, "It is not like her to leave without reason. However, there's still work we need to do. For starters, we need to locate Liam's pack to make sure that mutt is still alive. As much as I had hoped he would've been the first to die, he's still the father of your children and they need their real father in their life. Then, we need to figure out what i'm going to do with Katya. Under my castle, she's not a criminal. But I can't release her because she'll go straight to Anya and start more mess. On the other hand, I can't kill her either because she isn't a criminal."

He kissed the top of her head, "Then, when we're all done, i'd like for us to have adult play time again."




Anya hugged her knees as she cried. She threw off her wedding ring and watched it sink into the bottom of a mud puddle. A hand touched her shoulder before walking passed her and picking up the ring. Katya wiped off the grime before examining it, "You still love the oaf."

"I hate him," Anya whimpered, "I hate him with everything that I have."

"If you did, you wouldn't be crying like a baby," Katya grumbled as she handed the ring back to Anya, "You want him to come back out here and keep begging for your forgiveness. I pity him, because you are like me, we feel nothing by nature. That oaf actually made you feel something."

"I..I don't want to see him. How can I forgive him with what he said to me?" Anya looked up at Katya with tear streaks.

"Because we endure," Katya sat in front of Anya, "Remember how our father treated our mother? How many times did he beat her and remind her of her meager passed? That is what we must endure as women and as of wives. I am sorry that I put you in this position, but you are still a Queen. My only wish is that I could endure the pain for you, but there is no love between a marriage that could be given to you. Anya, you agreed to this knowing this would happen. It's time to accept the fact that he does not love you, and you can remain in the marriage knowing that and watch your son be happier not knowing your pain."

Anya's heart sank. She didn't want to go back. With a long sigh, Anya stood up, "I do not want to see him."

"We have no choice," Katya held Anya's hand tightly, "I had you marry him in hopes he would be stupid enough to actually fall in love with you, and it was my mistake that he did not. I should have chosen someone else that was easier to control. Perhaps he will get a mistress and keep himself occupied."

This only had Anya's heart sink more. Anya followed Katya back to Oscar's castle where she was still treated like a Queen. The servants served her warm tea as they lit a fire for her, allowing her to warm up in the cooling nights as Katya sat nearby.  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Emma giggled at his last comment then hugged him close. "I know all this too my darling. I don't like it but I can endure." She smiled happily to Oscar. She absolutely adored him. Would kill for him. "And I can't wait for adult play time my love." She whispered in his ear.


Maria and Conrad had a stare down. Maria wanted Conrad to go after Anya but Conrad wanted to play with his son. In the end however, Maria after a swift kick to Conrad's behind made him go after Anya. He stood and listened to the end of Katya's speech hearing the words broke his heart. He waited until Katya left before he entered Anya's scent range. "She's wrong you know." He replied. "About loving you. I do, And I know I'm a stupid, selfish self righteous pig and very arrogant to think that I could walk up to you and ask to renew my vows to you." His sad apologetic face was the original to Alexei's. And I did keep my promise. When Emma marries Oscar, you will be my next of kin until Alexei is old enough. And, I'm sorry I brought up your past. That was wrong of me, hypocritical. Considering my mother was a made vampire slave before she married my father. So actually, your life is more dignified than mine. . . gods why can't I say this right? Anya, I love you, more than I loved Evelyn, more than I loved Adele, and more than I love Emma. If. . . if you want to start over let me know. Just know I want to start over, and I'm sorry. You know where I am when you decide." He turned and left the castle before he changed his mind.  

[The Madame Red]

"Good, but later," Oscar smiled as he left the room.

He gathered his courtiers to go back to his castle to see Anya and Katya sitting by a roasting fire. Oscar did not hesitate to go to Anya to see how broken she looked. Even Katya seemed distant though they both had triumphed the war as the beacon of hope. Turning to Anya, Oscar broke the silence, "I can have you go elsewhere, anywhere you want to go. Please, don't go back to him."

"She doesn't have a husband to go back to," Katya replied for her sister, "Only a man that I had her strive to marry. There is nothing to return to."

"Alexei," Anya noted as she slowly rose from her seat, placing her wine glass on a nearby table, "Regardless, I don't want my son growing up like we did. We've all paid the price for this war and we've won. There's nothing else to do is gather what shambles we have left and continue on our way."

"You won't go alone," Katya stood and gave Anya's hand a gentle squeeze, "You will never have to walk alone again, sister."

"Touching," Oscar sighed, "There's still the matter of Liam's pack."

"Kill him," Katya shrugged.

"He's the father of Emma's children, we can't kill him," Anya retorted, "Just kill his pack and keep him alive. There's not exactly an ocean of lycans anymore."

"Very well," Katya agreed, "I'll let the others know so that will be done."

"So are we ready to return now?" Oscar was still not happy about Anya returning to Conrad's castle, but he couldn't dictate to her anymore.

The three made their way back to Conrad's castle where, those remaining, watched Anya with cautious eyes. Anya kept her head high. She didn't care what the others thought of her, no one else mattered to her besides her selected few. One of her ladies approached her with a deep bow, "Queen Anya, would you like King Conrad to know you've returned?"

"The oaf probably sniffed her out," Katya replied as she pulled Anya away from the woman.

"See to it that my son has a new wardrobe of clothes to wear," Anya answered as she continued to walk along the corridor with Katya.

Oscar sighed. This wasn't going to end well for anyone. He went straight back to his castle where he was drawing up maps of his new location now that there weren't any more lycan territories to worry about. Then, she scented the stench of wet dog. Oscar stormed through his castle and went to the wine cellar to see Liam, Isolde, and a few other of the pack shivering and hiding in the darkened cellar.

"You didn't see anyone," Liam growled beneath his breath.

A cold look crossed Oscar's eyes as he felt the tug of what was good and what was right on his mind. He then turned and left, acting as if he didn't see anything. As much as he hated Liam, he knew it was right to not be the one to kill him.  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad sat on his throne completely miserable. His wife must not have heard him. He held Alexei close bouncing him happily on his knee. He'd talk to Anya again. He knew Liam was there but with Katya being Katya he wouldn't let anyone know. He wouldn't let any one know he hid any living Lycan in his catacombs either. He gave them plenty of food, water and blankets to keep warm. He was going to build up his day time guard again. The Lycan already knew about Conrad the Kindhearted who saved them from his savage Queen.

When Anya entered the throne room guards instantly separated the twins. "You Anya, my world, will not be having more than one lady in waiting, she will attend to your material needs. As punishment for Genocide. Since I am merciful and despite my courts questioning my sanity I still deeply love you so I will not kill her. But she will be nothing more than a servant, failure to accept this and she dies. You and I, will be having a long talk and you will listen to me and what I have to say. And if you still want to act like Emma and play the victim in all this then fine but you will not do it around Alexei, my Heir. As Emma is engaged to Oscar, I have made it so with all scribes that she is no longer Heir. Her children will only hold claim if Alexei does not marry and despite what you say he will not marry to your plans. He will marry who he wishes. He will marry like I did. For love. And unlike mine his will respect that he has duties and listen to him and uphold their vows and obey him when he says: don't kill the ******** lycans!" He turned to his scribes and waved his hand. Conrad turned back to his son and cooed to him in Estonian and the boy smiled back replying in the same. "That's my boy!" Conrad gushed. "Now, you and I will talk in private now and Katya will get to training. Maria will be her trainer. Oh and you will not be sleeping separate from me either. We will share a room like husband and wife. But it will be slightly different until you get it that I love you."  

[The Madame Red]

Anya reached for her sister, but Katya gave a sympathetic look, "It'll only be temporary, sister. Remember your duty."

She watched as her sister was taken from her. How many people did she had to lose to Conrad? First Oscar, if he hadn't gotten with Emma, and now Katya? Anya remained stoic as she was forced to remain in the throne room. This was his way of showing he loved her? By isolating her from anyone she cared about? She recalled what Katya had said and accepted it for what it was. If this is what she had to endure to make sure Alexei was happy, then so be it. She would sacrifice anything to see her son smile.

"I am sure that you would take anyone I look at to make sure that I am left completely alone for you to have," Anya retorted sullenly as soon as it was just her and Conrad in the room, "You have your way now, what is that you want because all I see is a stubborn boy unwilling to accept that he was wrong to interfere. Half of your court has sided with me and fought for my cause, and yet you believe you are the victim, that I betrayed you. Well I never hid my activities, you knew from the beginning what I was planning."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad sighed. "Yet, I felt shut out when Alexei was born. You closed off from me completely and when I tried to help you pushed me away more." He sighed. This was hard for him. To repeat what he had said earlier. "She's wrong you know." He replied. "About loving you. I do, And I know I'm a stupid, selfish self righteous pig and very arrogant to think that I could walk up to you and ask to renew my vows to you." His sad apologetic face was the original to Alexei's. And I did keep my promise. When Emma marries Oscar, Alexei will be Heir. And, I'm sorry I brought up your past. That was wrong of me, hypocritical. Considering my mother was a made vampire slave before she married my father. So actually, your life is more dignified than mine. . . gods why can't I say this right? Anya, I love you, more than I loved Evelyn, more than I loved Adele, and more than I love Emma. If. . . if you want to start over let me know. Just know I want to start over, and I'm sorry. I wanted to be alone with you I knew Katya wouldn't leave your side unless I made her so I did. I've been telling you through it all that even though I'm very much an a*****e I love you. I want no one but you. And it breaks my heart that you had shut me out. I hated being shut out and every time I tried to reach to you, you pulled away, I'm not blaming you for anything. All I am asking is forgiveness and a chance to start things over."  

[The Madame Red]

"What my sister said was true," Anya kept her body rigid and her gaze cold as she looked away, "I knew what I was getting into and I have to honor it the way I would as if it were not planned. Now that my sister is back with me, I don't have to do much of anything. We have what we have fought for."

She took a step back as she crossed her arms behind her back as her eyes glazed over, "As for forgiveness and just moving on from this, that is up to you. I finished my tasks. You want forgiveness? Fine, you're forgiven for what you've said and done. You want to move on? Fine, but I am more focused on my son since I cannot gain any support from you even if my reasons are justified. There, you have yourself a wife that bends to your will, without question, and without response."

Anya then mockingly bowed before going to the door and banged on it, "Take me to my seclusion."

The guards opened the door and escorted Anya to the bedroom she shared with Conrad and locked her inside.




Oscar sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. He went back down to the cellar and pointed to Liam, "You, out."

"Liam?" Isolde clutched her Alpha's arm, "Don't leave us down here."

"Nothing will happen, I swear," Liam reassured her as he left the basement and followed Oscar, "I'm trusting you with our lives in your hands, Oscar. Don't make me regret this."

"I'm telling you to leave," Oscar whispered as he shut the doors, "Tell your pack to leave while they still can. You will be fine because of your children, but I cannot guarentee the safety of the others. Just listen to me for once."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad put a hole in the wall. With an angry growl. Support? She wanted support? He was trying! The woman killed off Emma's people and Anya wanted support and understanding?! He wanted to scream with rage. He reached out again, apologized, admitted he was wrong and again she threw it in his face. "Bring the sister to me." He hissed to a servant. He wanted to know how to get back with Anya. Alexei was brought to him too. He sighed. "One day I'll tell you a story Alexei." He whispered to his son. "And then your wonderings will be understood." He wanted to cry again. But he wasn't Emma. He would wait until Katya entered then ask her what was going through their pretty little heads. Why was it that he was only fighting for their marriage and Anya acted like it was an arranged marriage from birth and he was a stranger? When Katya entered he asked. "Was all Anya felt for me a lie? Does she not know how completely a natural born loves when he finds his true mate? Why does she push me away? Even before the fighting began she pushed me away. Why? Tell me why."

Emma growled. "No! A hundred times no! I will not be wearing anything pink at my wedding and it will certainly not be showering flowers like rain drops! Who are you people?!" She roared pushing them all away. "Can I have someone sane help me with this please?"  

[The Madame Red]

This was exhausting. Didn't Conrad understand women at all? Well, considering he was a man, that was most likely impossible. Katya was released from her hold, shaking her wrists to get rid of the tension, "Technically, yes. I told her to marry you so we would be in the safezone and that I would stay under the radar until after the first son was born."

She saw the look of pain on Conrad's features, but she did not feel sorry for him. Katya then continued, "What i'm surprised at is that she hadn't left you yet. The plan was to finish the war and then we go back to our village to live out our existence. My guess is is that she went against my rule and fell in love with you. Honestly, that was dumb and careless. I don't particularly care about you and you don't care about me, so how about a fifty-fifty split? I know it's best that she stays here with you, she can be happy with both you and your kid if someone like me makes her realize that."

Katya then took a step closer, "I do that for you, and you get me out of servitude."




"I want to see my children," Liam was about to push passed Oscar, but the vampire stopped him, "Don't touch me bat!"

"Katya is there and will not hesitate to kill you!" Oscar roared, shoving Liam back towards the cellar, "Katya will kill you and the rest of your pack if you don't have them leave now."

Liam growled. He didn't care that he was in a corner, but he didn't want any more innocent people killed. Katya and Anya's army had them outnumbered by the millions, they stood not match. The Alpha growled louder as he thrusted the cellar doors open, "Isolde, get the others out. You guys cannot be here anymore. Go north."

Isolde ushered the others out, but she remained behind, "I will not leave your side, Liam."

Oscar rolled his eyes at the two, "Either way, you guys have to wait here until I figure out what's going to happen to Katya. If she's under Conrad's rule, then maybe you're safe."

"Anya is no help either!" Isolde snapped, "She'll sick her bat-s**t crazy sister on us if she sees us!"

"Just shut up!" Oscar yelled, having his courtiers assemble to him, "Get these two under ground. I'll figure out how to keep you two from getting killed later."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

"If you help me fix this with Anya, and swear never to touch another living lycan by your hands or by proxy, I will release you." Conrad said. "The last thing we need is the witches creating more Lycans with less vulnerabilities and more assets to kill us."

"Grandpa!" Scarlette's voice drifted up from no where as the girl rushed at him. Conrad put up a hand and she stopped nearly getting knocked over by her brother. His face was tortured and the twins wanted to hurt whoever made their grandpa this way. They didn't like their step aunt. So they moved from her reach, Scarlette keeping Sebastian behind her at all times. Once Katya left they turned back to Conrad. "Grandpa? Where's Okki?" Scarlette asked. She had Nickolas strapped to her back.,
"With your mother somewhere I think. I don't know." Conrad said. It was only when Alexei was brought to him that he smiled and his features grew soft. "Fine we'll find him ourselves." Sebastian, how hardly ever spoke snapped at his grandfather and they both stormed out of the room. "Meanie head!" Scarlette growled. "Okki~!" Scarlette called wondering the halls holding Sebastian's hand tight.


"Now that's more me!" Emma purred looking at the design plans for the alter.
"But My Lady. . ." A servant who tried to bring in pink and flowers ventured. "It's. . . to Twilight-" Emma shot the woman a glare.
"Really? Look at this drawing and tell me again it looks too much like a fairy threw up. go on I dare you." Emma crossed her arms waiting for the servant who looked like she wanted to crap herself.  

[The Madame Red]

"Hah ta ta," Katya raised a finger to silence Conrad, "I will help you with my sister, I will swear that I, personally, will not touch the lycans allied to you. With my army dispersed, I can't guarantee what happens beyond my control. But if you want to make the pot sweeter, I will agree to your terms only if you hand Liam over to me."

She crossed her arms as she narrowed her eye on Conrad, "That is my final offer. I will budge no further."




Liam couldn't wait. He wanted to see his children to know they were alive and well. Leaving the room that Oscar had placed him in, he went out an open window and walked to Conrad's castle. He could smell Emma a mile away, but she wasn't his concern. Sebastian and Scarlette were the only ones that mattered the most to him.

"Liam, wait!" Isolde caught up to Liam, her dirty blonde hair bouncing in the wind, "You can't just go without me."

"I want to see my children," was all Liam said as he barged into the castle.

When he walked in, all the courtiers stopped to turn and see who it was that disturbed the atmosphere.  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad's face looked blank. "Liam is off the table. He is the father of Emma's children and therefore unless you want to mate with him is under my protection." Conrad said. "My Castle, my terms you are in no position to negotiate." Alexei copied his father's gaze then burst out in toddler laughter and Conrad grinned unable to keep himself serious. It was then he scented Liam. What the hell was he doing outside the tunnels?! He was well protected from the twins there. Maybe he was worried about his children. Conrad should have brought them too Liam long ago to make sure they were safe. Oh well. None would hurt him, that was his only concern.

Sebastian and Scarlette stopped in their tracks scenting their father. Sebastian wanted to run for the scent but Scarlette held him back hissing low. "Leave my side and Katya might hurt you, you're more Lycan than I." She whispered hugging her older brother. Sebastian nodded and they slowly made their way toward their father's scent. Scarlette after a long debate with her brother had finally accepted Liam as her father and when she saw him both twins rushed at him huge smiles on their faces arms open. "Papa!" They cried in the wolf tongue.  

[The Madame Red]

"Maht," Alexei spoke up in his toddler gibberish towards Katya, "Maht."

"Oh, look at that," Katya cooed, "I'm sorry my handsome nephew, but I am not your mother."

She then looked to Conrad, a coldness in her gaze, "Then there is no deal. However your marriage ends to my sister is no longer my concern. You are nothing but a brute anyways, maybe she will marry someone who doesn't belittle her every time she turns around. Traitor."

Katya spat at his feet before being escorted out of the room in chains again. Alexei scampered off of the throne his father sat in and teetered to the door. His chubby fist banged on it a few times until a servant opened the door. He followed his mother's natural scent to where his parents' room was and attempted to open the door. A whimper escaped his lips as he realized he could not get in. One of the guards came by and unlocked the door, allowing Anya to hold her son once again as the guard shut and locked the door.





Liam embraced his children and twirled them around in his arms, "Scar, Sebastian, thanks be to the ancestors you're safe!"

Isolde smiled at the scene. She took a step back, wanting to watch more than be apart of it. Liam kissed both the children's heads as he hugged them one more time, "I didn't stop thinking or worrying about either of you while I was away. I know your mother kept you both safe from any harm."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad sighed. "Belittle her?" He snarled as she left. "I treated your sister like a goddess! She threw it in my face!" He reluctantly let Alexei go. Fine. They wanted to play hard ball. He'd play hard ball.

Scarlette and Sebastian hugged their father tight. "We weren't worried." Scarlette piped up. "We knew mum would keep her promise to keep you safe she said and I quote "If Anya or her sister kills Liam the last thing they'll see is my face as I kill them." End quote." Scarlette grinned proudly. "But grandpa and Anya haven't been the same since she became selfish, maybe you should have killed her when you had the chance-"
"Scarlette!" Sebastian hissed hoping no one heard that. "That's treason."
"It's true and none of Grandpa's court like Anya anymore since she started the war. They think she's not good enough for Grandpa. I heard them. Even her old Ladies Maids said it."
"Still you shouldn't say such things! Okki could hear you!" Scarlette gave a snort and Sebastian grinned at it. Seemed the hero worship was over. Or so it seemed. "She hurt grandpa. And she's acting like how mum used to act."
"Just stop talking Scarlette!" Sebastian growled at his sister.
"Dad! Dad for the love of god answer me!" Emma roared from the front doors her children didn't swarm to her but she was happy they were spending time with their father. "Da-d." She stopped dead in the throne room. The ladies maids that had gathered around her in Oscar's castle followed her everywhere and she loathed it! It was so annoying. "Dad. . . Daddy, what's wrong?" She walked up to his throne and hugged him close. Her father just sat there shaking and Emma felt her heart break. Anya was treating him like crap now, he's apologized, asked how to make it up to her and she was torturing him. He was a pure blooded natural born when he felt love it was 100% amplified. When he said he loved Anya he meant it. Still means it. And it tore at her to see him like this. "Come on lets go." She said tugging him up to his feet, reluctantly he got up and followed Emma to the pool and let him dangle his feet in the water. "I don't know what to do Dallim." Conrad said eventually. "I don't believe in divorce, I only gave Anya that option in case she was unhappy. But I think only my death would free her. She doesn't love me, I doubt she ever has." Emma stayed silent and just let her dad fall to pieces by her side, unable to help him at all.