Chapter five

Annie’s POV

“He was fun,” Lena mused as she brushed out the curls from my hair. “And he brought you flowers.”

I angled my head a fraction; the taste of the wine my father had for the first time ever, permitted me to have still on my tongue. "Erm… who are we talking about again?"

“Come on,” Lena laughed, her shoulders bobbing with each movement. “You know who.”

I turned back to the mirror, shrugging slightly. “I mean, Balor has always been fun. We grew together years before you came to the pack. He was born four years before me, but the age gap hasn’t always been … there, I guess?”

“Oh,” she drawled. “I guess it has nothing to do with the way he kept on staring at you throughout dinner.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You were not even in the room. How did you see that?”

“People talk.”

“Well, the servants of the Blue Moon Pack house need to spend less time talking.”

“Did you like your surprise?”

“I did,” I giggled like a kid. “Dad has always known I used to look up to Balor. And we were inseparable as kids. I would never have guessed that one.”

Lena didn’t seem satisfied with how well she had combed out the hair, so she started all over again, the black brush moving swiftly through my strands. 

"I think Alpha Ralph has a different reason for getting him here, though," Lena murmured in a low tone, the way she always did when she was about to say something she didn't think people would agree with. 

“Really?” I tilted my head, genuinely interested in hearing her thought process. “What do you think it is?”

“Well, you just clocked sixteen.”

“And?”

"Balor is a fine match. He is the Beta's son, and he knows about the politics of the pack. Alpha Ralph is thinking ahead and doing what's best for you."

"He brought me tulips," I said, careful not to shake my head. "I mean, maybe it isn't important that Balor doesn't know that I hate tulips, but I can't be mated to someone whom I haven't seen in forever."

“Emmm….”

“Say it, Lena.”

“Don’t you think it is the same thing?” She slid the brush onto the vanity and came to stand in front of me. “You probably have never met your fated mate. At least, for a choice mate, there is always a high chance that you know him. Like Balor.”

“Wrong,” I muttered, swallowing down the fact that I had desperately prayed to the moon goddess that Daemon was my fated mate. “You might know your fated mate and…”

“Daemon cannot be your fated mate, Annie.”

“I didn’t say Daemon was.”

“But you thought it.”

I moved out of the seat, the black dress swishing all around me as I plopped down on the edge of the bed. “How could I?” My pitch was too high. I tried to bring it down. “Everyone in the pack has heard of Daemon. He has a thousand broken hearts behind him and … It doesn’t matter, Lena. My father would never even consent.”

She nodded. “Just like he wouldn’t have consented to Aemon and me.”

It was reflex. One minute, I was still sitting, and the next, I had pulled next to her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. 

“Aemon didn’t even give my father the chance to disapprove, Lena,” I whispered. “And I know that doesn’t even prove anything. I’m really sorry about Aemon.”

"It doesn't matter," she said, pulling out of my embrace. "A servant cannot be mated to a future Alpha. He needs someone strong. Someone who deserves him."

“You are a special lady.”

“Like I said,” she laughed awkwardly. “Doesn’t matter.”

“Lena, I…”

But I never completed the rest of my speech as a sudden loud thud echoed through the pack house. Lena and I stopped immediately, our eyes finding each other in the warm glow of the room. 

“What was that?”

“Something must have fallen,” she whispered, moving towards the door in slow steps. But just then, the smell of something burning teased my nostrils. 

“No,” I muttered, shaking my head urgently. “Lena, it’s fire. Look.”

I pointed to the space under my door, and true enough, a wild smoke snaked in from underneath. It spread through the room without warning. Nothing could keep it out. 

“Quick,” Lena muttered, stretching out a hand to me while the other was already on the door. “We need to get out of here now.”

I didn't think twice before grabbing the single rose Daemon brought earlier from the vase. Lena looked back at me, and then at my hand. Her eyes fell on the flowers Balor had brought, still on the vanity. 

A part of me thought she would ask why I wasn’t taking that along as well, but she just tugged at my hand, pulling me with her into the hallway. And just like that, I was transported back to the dream I had that morning.

I was standing in the exact spot in the hallway, the smoke billowing all around me, the orange flames licking the walls in the far end. The smoke stung my eyes and pushed into my chest with every breath I took in.

Yet, I couldn’t move. 

“Annie!” Lena called with panic in her tone. She tried pulling me again, one hand over her mouth and nose. I was coughing now, a scratching sound on my chest. But for some reason… for some reason….

“Annie!”

It was a different voice now. Familiar yet aching.

Lena had let go, and my hand dropped to my side. I turned around a little, but before I could form anything coherent in my head, strong arms wrapped themselves around me. My head hit his chest, and his hand patted my hair. 

“Hey,” Daemon whispered, what sounded like concern etched in his tone. But I couldn't believe it. I couldn't let myself.

It was hard to listen to the rational part of me. 

“Daemon,” I breathed, my eyes stinging. 

“Come on,” he said, lift

ing me easily in his arms. “It’s fine. I got you.”