by Rua Hasan
I hope it will be easy as much as it sounds. Yes, I know I said that rejecting your mate is something horrible to do, but it’s not like I have much of a choice. Aiden really expects me to stay by his side while I watch him grow old then die?
Not going to happen!
Marie left to go put her books away while Liam took me to see my parents. While we were walking, I could tell that my first impression about Liam was wrong. He wasn’t the serious type; he’s outgoing just like Marie and could be really funny. He had so many jokes up his sleeve; I don’t think I ever laughed this much in just two minutes. He seemed to be a little cocky since he’s the Beta of this pack. This I knew at first glance.
We finally made it in front of a big door. While we were walking, I noticed that this was a pack house—which is really huge, by the way. Every time I would pass by someone, I would get anxious. Some would glare at me, while others gave me questioning looks, wondering what a vampire was doing walking with the Beta. But no one said anything. Would they dare when I was standing next to their Beta?
Liam opened the door, and the fresh smell of cinnamon and vanilla hit me. I walked into the room to see my parents standing with Aiden. This got my guard up. Aiden being in the same room with my father was probably not the best idea, especially because he was a werewolf.
My mom was more like me. She always saw the glass half full. She was more of a peaceful person, and she hated the hate going on between two sides. But if someone gave her something to hate on, then that’s when shit broke loose. You don’t want to see my mom’s bad side.
My dad. Well, that’s another story. I can say he’s the total opposite. You gave him lemons, he wouldn’t make lemonade. You know what he would do? He would squeeze it and pour it all over your new cuts that he made and watch you suffer as it burns you.
Yes, harsh, but he had a soft spot for my mom and me.
My parents met somewhere in the sixteen hundreds. They were both turned into vampires sometime before and were very lonely. To watch all your relatives and loved ones die while you never age can lead to depression. But my dad was there for my mom, and my mom was there for him.
You can either be born as a vampire and stop aging at twenty or get turned into one like my parents. My mom and dad were both turned into vampires sometime in their twenties. My mom was about to die from the plague when her vampire uncle saved her life by turning her into a vampire. To this day, she and Uncle Robert are very close.
My dad’s tragic story is probably why he is himself these days. My dad used to date someone in the fifteen hundreds. Her name was Alexandra. She and my father were very close. One day, they were out on the streets going home when a gang attacked them. One member was a vampire. As the other guys had their way with Alexandra, my dad was held to the ground watching. The vampire decided to turn him into his kind just for fun. That night was probably the worst night of dad’s life, watching as the life drained out of Alexandra and into his.
As I got closer into the room, I could tell that my mom had a worried expression on and my dad seemed to be raging. My mom was standing next to him, rubbing her hands on his arm up and down, trying to calm him down. Once they both noticed me, my mom rushed to my side, giving me a crushing hug.
“Oh, sweetie, are you okay? We were so worried about you.”
My mom inspected me for any harm done. The bruise on my cheek and head were already healing thanks to my vampire healing. I smiled at my mom hugged her back.
I looked at my father and saw his eyes soften. He came my way and pulled me to his chest. There were a couple moments of silence.
Why is my dad raging? Is it possible that Aiden told him I was his mate and that I have to become the Luna?
Once my dad pulled away, I looked at Aiden to see him looking at me with cold eyes. For a moment, I saw them soften. Something inside me broke when I remembered my plan. Something told me not to do it. It was probably the mate bond, but I just ignored it. I looked at my parents. They were my number one priority. I had to focus on them and no one else.
“Mom, Dad, can you leave us alone for a bit?” I pointed to Aiden and myself.
My dad raised one eyebrow at me while my mom gave me a confused look. It looked like my dad was about to refuse, but my mom intervened.
“Of course, sweetie. Take your time. We’ll be outside waiting.”
She pulled my father by the arm and dragged him outside of the room with Liam.
Once the door closed, I looked at Aiden and prepared myself for what’s coming. I took a deep breath and saw that he was looking at me with questioning eyes. I walked closer to him so that I could tell him what I wanted to say. But he wrapped his arm around my waist and rested his head in the crook of my neck.
I sighed out of annoyance. Wow, does this guy like to cuddle. I didn’t want to admit it, but it actually felt good to be in his arms. Too bad it can’t last.
I put my hand on his chest and pushed him away with all my force and stepped back.
He growled disapprovingly and filled in the space between us.
“Stop. We can’t do this. I can’t be with you! Just let my parents, and I return to where we came from,” I yelled.
His hands dug into the skin of my back. His claws were now coming out. This meant only one thing, and that was his wolf was surfacing. Yup, he must be furious.
I could feel the blood dripping from my back as he started to shake.
This guy is unbelievably moody
He pushed me to the nearest wall with all his force. I yelped in surprise when my back hit the wall. He pushed me up against the wall to the point that I felt like a sandwich.
I was about to complain when he did something that I wish he didn’t.
He kissed me.
Yup, I knew this was going to be hard to resist. His lips were a perfect fit against mine. They tasted so good; I’ve never tasted anything like them. They tasted like cinnamon and vanilla, which had me wanting for more. As cliché as it sounds, I saw fireworks behind my eyes as he started to move his lips against mine. It took me a moment to realize what was going on, then I started to move my lips with his.
Shit. Bad, bad move. Little did I know that this seemingly innocuous action was me opening my arms wide to fate.
This kiss was no sweet and gentle one. No, it was rough and aggressive. I knew his purpose; it was to show me that I belong to him, and only him.
In all my two hundred years, I’ve never met a better kisser than Aiden. Yes, I had my fair share with the guys I’ve dated, but not one had this much effect on me. I was no virgin. You really can’t expect a vampire who’s lived for more than a hundred years to be one.
If one kiss is doing this to me, then how will it be like when we move to the mating process?
Ugh, I did it again!
No, Stella! That can’t happen! I mustn’t lose control. I can’t lose another important person once again.
I was about to stop him, but his hold on me was so tight. His teeth were biting the bottom of my lips, asking for access. I, of course, refused. I shut my lips together so tight not giving him the satisfaction.
But I should have known he wouldn’t give up until he got what he wanted. All Alphas are like that.
One of his hands slid down my back going lower and lower. His hand stopped at the hem of my shirt. It slid right under my shirt, and I gasped every time it made contact with my skin. Aiden then took the opportunity to slide his tongue into my mouth. At first, I tried to resist, not kissing him back. He started to growl, not liking my behavior, but after a while, I finally gave in. I could feel him smile against my lips in approval.
We were fighting for dominance—well, I was trying to show him who he was messing with. Kissing him was such a bad idea. Now the bond is going to get stronger, and it will be harder to leave him.
In the end, he won. He was too strong compared to me. His giant frame was towering my little one as the hand under my shirt was teasing my skin.
It was such an amazing
feeling. I remembered the first time I lost my V-card. It was before I turned twenty. I was in high school—I think I was seventeen. I remember dating this guy for months, and one night, he invited me over, and it just happened.
I can never forget the look on Alice’s face when I told her. She was so happy for me but shocked at the same time. She told me that she didn’t want to become an aunt yet, and that I was still too young to get pregnant. Those were the days.
My thoughts were cut off when Aiden pulled away for air. He and I were panting heavily, and only our breathing was heard in the silent room. He laid his forehead on mine as he stared into my eye. My lips were red and swollen. I think there was a cut from where he bit. I was speechless.
“How many times do I have to tell you until it gets through your thick skull? You aren’t leaving, and that’s final. This is your home now, and I already informed your parents. They know that you’re the Luna of this pack and my mate.”
Dammit! I knew it. That’s why dad was raging. God, I hope he doesn’t hate me. What will I do? I can’t stay here and repeat history all over again.
“You do not understand, do you? I am immortal. I shall never age! You expect me to stay by your side as I watch you grow old and die? Well, I shall not let that happen. I’m not going to let history repeat itself,” I yelled in his face.
I was about to run out the door when he grabbed my wrist and turning me around. My body hit his chest. I could feel the abs under his shirt.
I think I’m drooling. Oh God, what he does to me!
He leaned over so he could reach my eye level. His eyes were dark blue. He was breathing heavily as his eyes looked into my soul, sending shivers all over my body.
“What did you say?” he asked. His voice was husky; his wolf was taking over.
“What?” I asked, not understanding what he was asking.
“What did you mean by history repeating itself, huh? There’s someone else, isn’t there? Is that why you keep resisting me? Well, let me tell you this—you should get over him. He’s gone, and you’re mine,” he yelled.
I mentally slapped myself. His possessiveness was overwhelming. I’ve heard of possessive Alphas before, but I never thought that they would step up to this level. While I was talking about Alice, Mr. Smartypants right here thought I was talking about another guy. Ridiculous!
I rubbed my eyes with the palm of my hands. It was getting dark outside, and that day had been a very long. I ran my hands through my now dried hair and said, “Oh my God, you’ve completely misunderstood.”
By this time, all I wanted to do was sleep and forget all about my problems.
He looked at me like he didn’t believe me.
“Really? Then care to explain what you meant by that? Who did you lose, and why are they so important to you that you want to reject me?”
His voice was calm, but I could hear the anger and confusion in them.
“Can we talk about this later? I’m tired. I’ve been locked up in a dungeon chained to a wall for days. All I want to do is sleep,” I said more to myself than to him.
He looked at me with worried eyes. He nodded his head and said, “Fine. But this isn’t over. Let’s go to bed. Our room isn’t too far away from here.”
Yes, finally.
Wait.
Did he just say our room?
Chapter 5
“I find it very funny how you think that I’m actually going to sleep in the same bed as you,” I said and chuckled.
This guy is hilarious!
I put my hands on my hip and started to look around the pack house.
“This place is huge. I’m pretty sure there are other rooms available.”
He shook his head while frowning. “Why do you have to be so stubborn? I swear I’ve never met anyone like you,” he grumbled while running his hands over his face and through his hair.
“You’re not sleeping in another room. Everything that belongs to me belongs to you. Got it?” he said.
I shook my head at him, not wanting to be defeated.
“Either it’s that, or I sleep on the floor,” I exclaimed.
He sighed in annoyance then grabbed my hand and started to walk us to our room.
Once we made it, he grabbed a pillow and a blanket then threw them on a couch right across from the bed.
“I’ll sleep here. Happy?”
I smiled in satisfaction. Then the thought of my parents came to mind.
“What about my parents?” I asked.
I got some clothes out of the suitcase to sleep in.
Aiden looked at me then answered as he walked into his closet, “I already had Liam show them to their room.”
I followed him into the closet and gasped in surprise. Not because it was huge, but because half of it was filled with new female clothes that looked like my size. I looked at Aiden for an explanation, but he only shrugged his shoulders.
“Had someone bring them over a couple hours ago.”
I gave him my best are-you-crazy look while shaking my head.
“You know this wasn’t necessary, right? I mean, I already have clothes in my suitcase,” I told him.
He only stuffed one of his hand in his pocket, grabbed boxers from a counter, and walked out leaving me behind.
I walked into the bathroom and locked it. I stripped out of my clothes and got into my sleeping ones. Once I was done, I brushed my hair, tied it up into a ponytail, and then brushed my teeth. Once I got out, I was met with a half-naked Aiden.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. He stood right in front of me with all his glory, looking like a sexy god. Damn, those abs. He has a six-pack that had me begging to lick. And that V-line. Don’t get me started.
Dammit, I did it again! I really need to shower myself with some holy water.
I think he noticed me ogling him because he had a wide grin that showed his beautiful straight white teeth.
“Like what you see, babe?”
I hide my blush then put my best bored face on and rolled my eyes.
“I’ve seen better,” I told him.
I know I was lying to myself. No other guy I’ve seen before was this sexy—with those muscular arms and lickable chest. I think I was drooling.
In a flash, Aiden was towering over me with his huge frame. I had to tilt my head upward to look at him or else I would have been staring at his abs. One of his arms wrapped itself around my waist while the other one caressed the spot where my neck and shoulder met.
“I wonder how my claim would look on you,” he whispered.
I held my breath.
That brought shivers down my spine.
I hate to say this, but I love his touch. How can I not? I am his mate. It’s just things can never work out between us.
I remembered all those years watching Alice grow old. Humans would always ask me why I’m best friends with a grandma. I was there for her every step of the way. I wouldn’t expect the humans to understand. How could I tell them that I’ve known her ever since high school and I’m just not aging?
I tucked the memories deep back into my mind, not wanting to think about it at the moment.
I took a step back from Aiden and walked over to the bed. You’re probably thinking this is going to be one of those cliché moments where the girl gets to sleep in the guy’s bed while he sleeps on the couch, and then she feels guilty, so she invites him over to sleep next to her.
Yeah, not going to happen.
It’s not that I was cold-hearted or something. It’s just that I didn’t think I could hold back if we shared the same bed.
I got under the sheets as Aiden walked over to the couch. He turned off the light and lay down on the couch which was a bit small for his tall frame. I lay my head on the soft pillow as I get ready for sleep to consume me. But before I dozed off, I heard Aiden’s voice.
“Good night, baby.”
I walked pass the forest, wiping the blood off my face with a napkin I had in my pocket. I did
n’t want to run into a human with rabbit blood all over my mouth. They would certainly freak out.
I made my way toward Alice’s house. The sun was bright that day, and the birds were singing. Once I knocked on the door, Jimmy opened it while holding a lollipop. He smiled at me, grinning with missing front teeth. I walked into the house to see Alice reading a book to her other two grandchildren. Once she saw me, she tried to get up from her rocking chair, but I rushed over to stop her.
“No, Alice. Don’t get up. You know what the doctor said.”
She nodded her head then closed the book she was reading to the kids. She gave it to Jamie, her daughter.
I sat down next to Alice.
I don’t have to meet her in secret anymore, not like when we were in high school. My parents accepted the fact that I was best friends with a werewolf a long time ago. It’s been about fifty years since we met in high school in 1831.
Alice was getting weaker and weaker by the day. She got sick very often and showed signs of dementia. Her state was worrying the hell out of me. It hurt so much to watch and not being able to do anything.
“How was your day?” Alice’s voice came out as a whisper.
I smiled at her and started telling her how my day went by.
Seeing Alice smile as I told her funny stories about me bumping into werewolves and getting into fights with them always made my day. She would always tell me that I was a feisty one, never to lose a fight.
There was once in senior year, Alice’s boyfriend cheated on her. He was one of those jerks—what do you call them? Oh yeah, manwhores. I warned Alice several times, not wanting to get her heart broken, but she didn’t listen.
I mean, come on, when did she ever listen?
And can you guess what I did once I found out that bastard was sleeping around with other women? I got one of those big hairy spiders I found in the forest and made sure to put it in his lunch while he was around everyone in the cafeteria.
That day was probably the worst day of his life. He was so humiliated! Of course, he blamed it on me, but he had no proof. Alice and I went home cracking up. Seeing her smile was one of my goals in life. She was and forever will be my sister.