Fangs vs Claws

by Rua Hasan

  “You sure you didn’t poison this?” I teased as I took a sip.

  Aiden put his hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt.

  “Babe, I don’t need to poison you. If I wanted to get rid of you, all I need is garlic,” he said.

  I rolled my eyes. Everybody knows that garlic doesn't affect vampires. It’s only a myth.

  I looked to my left and saw that Marie and Liam were no longer beside us but instead dancing across the room.

  “Want to dance?” Aiden asked.

  As if Marie heard what he asked from across the room, she gave me the stinky eye, shaking her head furiously at me. I wanted to laugh at the confused look on Liam’s face.

  “Nope,” I simply said.

  It took so much to say no to Aiden. All I wanted to do was dance with him all day long as I looked into his blue eyes.

  But he had to work for that.

  Aiden had a disappointed look on his face. After a few moments of silence, he turned around and walked off to a table filled with women. He had a flirty smile on his face as he talked with one of the girls who had blonde hair. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

  Oh, when I get my ha—

  Ugh, calm down, Stella. You’re supposed to be tormenting him, not the other way around.

  I took a deep breath and looked around for any single guys in the room. I saw Luis from earlier sipping on his champagne all alone. I took this perfect moment when Aiden was staring at me as he danced with a bimbo, and I walked over to Luis, swaying my hips side to side.

  “Hey, want to dance?” I asked.

  He gave me a charming smile when he saw me.

  “Aren’t I supposed to ask you to dance, not the other way around?” he said and grinned.

  “Yeah, well, I saw you standing all alone and thought maybe you could use some company,” I told him as I batted my eyelashes. He smirked at me and nodded before we walked to the dance floor. All this time Aiden was glaring at us.

  Through the first song, we danced and talked. I even laughed at some of his jokes. Each time I looked over to Aiden, he would either be glaring at Luis as if he wanted to rip him to shreds or look at the bimbo he was dancing with in disgust as she ran her filthy hands up and down his chest.

  The first song was over, and I was about to walk back to the table when a random person asked me to dance with him.

  This went on for the whole night—people asking to dance with me as Aiden tried to kill them with his eyes.

  

  “Oh my god! That was hilarious. You should have seen the look on his face when Bob kissed your cheek,” Marie said and laughed as tears formed in her eyes.

  We were in Liam’s car, driving back home. It was very late when we left John’s place. And it took Marie forever to convince Liam again to let us drive in his car. Marie was telling me how Aiden reacted when each guy approached me.

  She said it took him everything not to come up and snatch me from their arms and into his. I thought that tonight was enough of teasing him.

  He got what he deserved.

  A few minutes later, Marie parked next to Aiden’s car outside of the pack house. As we got outside of the car, Liam came running to us.

  Or should I say his car?

  “Oh, baby! Did they hurt you?” he cried out as he inspected his car for any scratches.

  “I swear I will never let someone crazy drive you ever again,” he promised.

  Marie rolled her eyes and poked Liam’s stomach with her elbow.

  “You’re lucky I was going slow. Next time, I won’t hesitate to race with random cars on the road,” she told him.

  “Why you little—”

  Before Liam could finish, Aiden and I decided to go up to our room, not wanting to witness Marie and Liam tackle themselves onto the ground as they scratched their faces off.

  I went into the closet and grabbed the clothes I was going to sleep with and headed to the bathroom. I stripped out of my dress and wore a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Then I brushed my hair and put it up into a bun and washed off all my makeup.

  I came out of the bathroom and saw Aiden sitting on the bed facing me. Once he saw me, he got up and straightened his back.

  “Listen, Stella.”

  He paused.

  I raised an eyebrow.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “I’m so sorry for marking you without your permission. I’m so sorry for treating you like you’re below me. I’m so sorry for making you feel useless. I never meant to hurt you. It’s just sometimes I lose control over my wolf. All he wants to do is show the world to whom you belong to. It took me everything I had not to shred those guys you danced with to pieces. And I know it’s no excuse, but I want you to know that you mean everything to me and I would never hurt you,” he continued.

  By the time he finished, he was standing right in front of me but didn’t touch me. I saw his hand twitch, wanting to wrap his arms around me, but he was too afraid.

  Afraid that I might reject him or his apology. But I knew better.

  I nodded and gave him a small smile.

  “I forgive you. Just don’t do anything like that ever again,” I said.

  “Stella, I know it’s no excuse, but I—” Aiden stopped talking when he realized what I just said. The wrinkles on his forehead went away immediately; the same went for his frown.

  My eyes were blind from the light when I saw him smiling. Not just any smile, but a wide happy one, when you feel like you can die as a happy person.

  His arms automatically wrapped around my waist and pulled me to his chest. His hold was so tight, as if he never wanted to let me go. He put his head in the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent. I relaxed into his hold, loving the way I fit perfectly in his arms.

  Chapter 27

  I walked through town as Scott continued to follow from behind me. I looked at the map on my phone in confusion. The smell of food and flowers from bakeries and floral shops around me filled my nose. It was a really hot day. The sun shined over everyone on the street. I was wearing a white skirt and a simple crop shirt that didn’t stand out. I was trying to find an Italian restaurant my parents told me to go to.

  Sometimes I get carried away in eating and mess up my clothes, so maybe wearing white wasn't such a good idea.

  They called me earlier, telling me that they wanted to have dinner together and catch up since they were away for a long while. But they left without me, and I had to find it myself. I tried to ask Scott, but he said he had never visited an Italian restaurant before.

  Geez, what does this guy do with his life? He’s all too serious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile at anybody.

  I’ve seen Aiden smile more than him.

  I closed my phone, giving up, and decided to ask the people around me. It never fails to surprise me how much people greet me on the streets and try to give me stuff for free. I always refuse to take anything without a price.

  I was no different from anyone else in this town.

  Except for the fact I was Luna.

  And a vampire.

  And mated with a very annoying and possessive Alpha.

  But you get the point.

  I saw a she-wolf that looked like she was in her mid-forties walking by, holding her head down in respect once she saw me.

  “Um, excuse me,” I said, trying to get her attention, and it worked.

  Her head snapped up, and she smiled at me nervously.

  “Luna! It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said happily, and I smiled at her.

  “Thanks, um, I was wondering if you know any Italian restaurant that’s called Red Bella around here?” I asked.

  It took her a moment to answer. It seemed like she was in shock because I spoke with her.

  “Uh, yes, Luna, I do know where that is. Please follow me,” she said.

  We took off toward the end of the street and then turned left. A few moments later, we were in front of a big building that had the writing Red
Bella in huge red letters. It gave off a very fancy vibe. I didn’t really like this kind of places. Not with the whole dressing up fancy and eating expensive food. I preferred those homely, cozy places that had a friendly vibe. I didn’t care about the food.

  In the end, it was just food. No matter where you eat it or how much it cost.

  I turned to face the lady who helped me find this place.

  “Thank you so much for helping me,” I said as I shook her hand.

  “It was a pleasure, Luna,” she said before walking away.

  I turned back around to face the building. It looked like one of those types of restaurants where you have to make reservations months before.

  I wonder how I will get in.

  I walked to the front door and opened it, letting the fresh smell of Italian food run through my nose. My stomach growled in hunger. I walked up to a guy behind a counter who was writing on some paper. Before I could say anything, he looked up and saw me.

  “Luna, welcome, welcome. Your table’s waiting,” he said.

  Well, that was easy.

  But God this was starting to get annoying—how much I get called Luna. Sometimes I think that maybe my name was Luna and not Stella. But I guess I have to get used to it.

  I walked behind the guy deeper into the restaurant, becoming the center of attention. I rolled my eyes at how easy it was to grab everyone’s attention in this pack. As we walked further, I could see my parents sitting and talking at a table. As I got nearer, they turned their heads and noticed me, giving me warm smiles. I walked to their table as the guy went back to what he was doing.

  “Mom, Dad,” I said as I hugged them.

  “Stella, sweetie, sit down,” my mom said and smiled brightly. I grabbed a chair next to my dad and sat down.

  “Did you guys order?” I asked.

  Both my mom and my dad shook their heads.

  “No, we were waiting for you,” my dad said.

  We grabbed the menus and looked at what we were going to eat. We all decided to settle on pasta and called the waiter to order our food. As we waited, my parents told me about their trip to Japan—how they got lost and how my dad got them into trouble.

  “So instead of taking us to the hospital where Uncle Robert was. Mr. Smartypants right here took us to a random school. I tried to convince him to ask for directions, but I swear he never listens,” my mom blabbed as she pointed to my annoyed father.

  Why isn’t that surprising?

  “Bella! Gosh, how many times do I have to tell you that it wasn’t my fault? The sign said clearly that we were going in the right direction,” my father defended himself.

  My mom pinched his arm.

  “You don’t even read Japanese, Lucas!” my mom pointed out.

  “I do too! And, geez, why do you have to be so violent, woman,” he said while rubbing his arm where she pinched him.

  Man, I missed these two.

  “So what did you do while we were gone?” my dad asked.

  I still find it surprising that my dad was able to leave me here with a pack he didn’t know and traveled all the way across the world. But I wasn’t complaining. I knew that they were forced to do it. They had to travel and visit Uncle Robert. It’s just knowing my father, he’s very protective. Yes, he did threaten Aiden, but I was expecting him to tell Aiden that I was coming with them, whether Aiden liked it or not.

  Maybe it was the mate bond.

  He probably knew how hard it was to be away from one’s mate. And he knew he had to accept it, even though it was hard for him.

  “Nothing, really. I got presented to the pack and just hung out with Marie and Liam,” I said, not mentioning the part where I ran off to the woods because Aiden forcefully marked me and ran into a rogue.

  They would surely freak out.

  Finally, the waiter came with our delicious looking food. I grabbed a fork and took a bite from the pasta. I moaned, savoring how good it tasted. I was about to take a second bite when I heard windows breaking.

  Screaming and growling were heard from behind me. I whipped my head toward the sudden commotion and gasped in surprise.

  There was a big brown wolf in the center of the room, and broken glass was scattered across the ground. He was growling, and the women screamed and rushed out with their scared children in their arms.

  What the hell was going on?

  I could smell the wolf and tell that he was definitely a rogue. Something was up. A rogue wasn’t that brave to trespass a pack and attack all alone. Unless they’re stupid. The strong looking males, along with a couple of young she-wolves that were in the restaurant, stood straight, confronting the wolf. Some even came to stand near our table.

  My dad took a step forward to help as Scott came rushing into the room.

  Another two rogues hit us by surprise as they took down the people who were standing in their way. I saw the three wolves sniff the air before snapping their heads toward me.

  I stood tall and proud, but I’m pretty sure I almost had a mini heart attack when they all looked at me like I was their prey. One of them even launched at me, but Scott was quick and brought him to the ground, shifting to his wolf.

  My dad rushed over to the wolves that were brought down by the rogue to help them. My mom tugged on my shoulder, snapping my gaze from the rogues and to her.

  “Stella, let’s get you out of here,” my mom said worriedly.

  I shook my head at her. There was no way I was leaving with everyone to fight here. Isn’t this what being Luna is about? To help your pack members whenever they need it and stand up for them.

  “Mom, you go, but I’m not leaving,” I told her.

  She gave me a stern look.

  “I have to help them. Besides, I’m pretty sure Scott contacted Aiden, and he will be here soon,” I assured her.

  I then turned my attention back to the attack and saw that one rogue was holding down one of the pack members that had shifted. I used my vampire speed and rushed over there to knock him off her.

  I used all my force to push the rogue to a wall, releasing the she-wolf. I helped her get up but was then knocked to the ground. What surprised me was that the rogue did not go for my neck.

  Which was the second time that had happened. Instead, he grabbed my shirt with his teeth and threw me over his back.

  Wait, what?

  I was in complete shock. I didn’t notice that the wolf was heading toward the broken windows until Scott’s brown wolf blocked him. I quickly got off the wolf but was blocked with the other two.

  My mom helped the injured wolves get up, while my dad tackled one of the rogue wolves to the ground. The other two wolves were trying to get Scott out of the way, but they all stopped when they heard a vicious roar.

  It was Aiden.

  Aiden and a bunch of guards—probably fifteen—came through the door, surrounding all three rogues. Aiden looked mad. Or should I say furious?

  “Take them to the dungeon. And I want them alive,” Aiden ordered.

  About seven guards dragged them out of the damaged restaurant as the others helped the injured wolves. Aiden came toward me inspecting me for any injuries.

  “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” he asked.

  I wanted to roll my eyes at him so badly but didn’t.

  “I’m fine,” I told him.

  Scott came forward from behind Aiden who was completely naked.

  “Didn’t you see that?” Scott asked as he looked at my parents and me.

  “They didn’t attack the Luna but tried to take her with them,” he pointed out.

  My parents nodded with worry and confusion written all over their faces.

  “What do you mean?” Aiden growled. “That they were here to get Stella?”

  Scott nodded.

  “It was just like the last time,” I spoke, getting everyone’s attention.

  “They didn’t go for my neck,” I pointed out.

  My dad came forward with an angry look.

  “
Wait, what did she mean when she said, ‘like last time?’” His voice was low, and I could see his eyes redden from the anger.

  “Did this happen before?” my dad asked, looking between Aiden and me.

  I looked at the ground, nervous to answer his questions. But Aiden answered it for me.

  “Yes, it happened before in the forest.”

  My mom’s mouth fell open in surprise, but she didn’t say anything. Meanwhile, my dad was trying to control his heavy breathing.

  “And no one thought about telling me this?” my dad asked in a very demanding voice.

  I took a step forward and put my right hand on his arm to calm him down.

  “Dad, we didn’t want to worry anyone. We simply thought it was a coincidence,” I spoke.

  My dad looked like he was going to speak, but my mom gave him the stinky eye, shutting him up.

  “Lucas, this isn’t the right time to talk about this. Leave it for later. Right now, let’s just go home and clean up,” my mom said.

  We all nodded and walked out of the restaurant as Aiden held me tight against his chest. I just wanted to go home and forget this ever happened. Day by day, things have been becoming weirder—with being attacked twice by rogues, seeing ghosts, and having strange dreams.

  It’s like my life is one dramatic movie that never ends.

  Chapter 28

  “So care to explain?” my dad asked.

  We were all sitting in the living room. My parents, Aiden, Scott, Liam, and Marie were all here. It had been about four hours since the attack, and we went home to clean up and rest for a while. I tried to sleep for a bit, but my mind was preoccupied with the thoughts and questions of that day’s incident. Once Liam and Marie heard about what happened, they rushed over here.

  I took a shower and wore some comfortable clothes and tied my hair into a high ponytail. I was now sitting on a couch in between Aiden and Marie.

  “Well, the other day I was in the woods when a rogue attacked me. But the strange thing was that he didn’t go for my neck,” I told both my parents, avoiding why I was in the forest in the first place.

  “And I didn’t tell you guys because I thought it was some random attack and nothing really happened. Aiden came and took care of it,” I finished.