~Next Morning~
Nathan woke to the sun in his face. As he tried to sit up, he noticed an arm draped across his waist. Looking back Nathan saw Griffin, already watching him.
"Good morning, love," Griffin whispered, kissing Nathan's forehead.
"Uh, good morning?" Nathan said, sounding confused.
"How much do you remember of yesterday?"
Nathan paused, searching his memories. Suddenly, they rushed back, slamming into focus. Nathan's eyes widened, his body flinching. Without Griffin restraining him, he would have launched himself out of bed.
"Draven! Where is he?!" Nathan yelled.
Using the arm wrapped around Nathan's waist, Griffin pulled him back tight into his chest. "Shh," he soothed the panicked wolf. "It's alright. He's at the house across from us. I figured any other conversations needed to wait for you."
Nathan turned in Griffin's embrace so he was facing him. Pressing his face into Griffin's chest, he curled up against him. "Thank you," he said, his voice coming out muffled.
"Do you want to talk about what caused your panic attack?" Griffin asked after several minutes of silence.
Wordlessly, Nathan just shook his head.
"Okay. How about breakfast?"
Nathan nodded.
Sitting up, Griffin pulled the curled up wolf into his lap as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. Standing swiftly, Griffin carried Nathan into the kitchen, placing him gently in a chair with a quick kiss on the forehead.
Nathan watched him for a moment. "I'm going to invite Draven to join us."
Griffin nearly dropped the egg filled pan he'd been holding. "Are you sure?" He asked, not turning so Nathan couldn't see the hard expression on his face.
Nathan wiggled in the chair. "Mm, not really but I think I should."
Griffin sighed deeply. Moving, he knelt in front of Nathan so they were the same height. He stared into Nathan's eyes for a moment, seeing the conviction in them. "I guess I'll need to make more then."
Nathan smiled, happy that Griffin didn't stop him. Placing a quick peck on Griffin's cheek, Nathan quickly walked out before he could change his mind. Reaching the house opposite, he gently knocked on the door. Immediately, he could hear shuffling on the other side, the door opening seconds later.
Nathan gave the vampire a shy grin. "Good morning, Draven."
While Draven didn't smile, he didn't look hostile either. "Good morning. Nathan, right?"
Nathan gave him a shocked look. "Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot we weren't properly introduced." Nathan held out his hand. "I'm Nathan Esmeray, Dark Moon Pack."
Draven stared at his hand for a long moment before tentatively grasping it. "Draven Mortenson, Mortenson Clan."
Hearing his response, Nathan tilted his head. "You know, I'm curious. How is a pack and a clan different?"
Draven gave him a weird look, obviously thrown off by the odd question. "You mean aside from species?"
Nathan nodded enthusiastically.
"Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but packs follow a bloodline right?"
Nathan nodded again.
"Vampire clans follow the strongest."
"What? How does that work?" Despite his fear of vampires in general, Nathan was really curious.
Draven held back a sigh, knowing Nathan only had genuine curiosity. "I can't tell you how the clans truly started because that knowledge was lost to time. However, whenever someone feels like the clan leader has grown weak, they can challenge them for leadership."
Nathan looked awed. Draven waited for more follow-up questions but Nathan just continued to stare at him. "Was there anything else you wanted to know?"
At that, Nathan shook himself. "Ah, sorry. I have plenty of questions but I came over to see you if you wanted to join us for breakfast?"