After the much unexpected turn of events at the werewolf party, the princess decided to head home, and Ace and Aiden were only too pleased to agree. Jeff and Peter, being simply bodyguards, had no say in the matter.
Being in the same car as two mates who had been reunited after a week’s separation wasn’t Aiden’s idea of fun, but he couldn’t help it. The oracle did say Follow Anastasia.
Ace pleaded with Anastasia to behave, and she did with obvious reluctance.
Aiden, on the other hand, tried to make small talk with the princess’ mate. When the vampire princess tried to kiss her mate and he stopped her for the second time that evening, one could almost feel her hurt and anger.
“You just awakened,” the raven-haired vampire explained softly, “it just doesn’t seem right.”
“Listen to your mate,” Aiden chimed in, almost as if he couldn’t help himself. “I don’t think your dad would appreciate it very much if you two… you know.”
That seemed to snap the princess’ attention back to something else. In place of love and desire, came anger and ire.
Oh, the tantrum she threw at her father when they reached the house!
If it had been Aiden acting out like this with his parents, he was sure the alpha ultra that was his father would teach him a good lesson about where he stood.
As it was, Blake the Troublemaker merely observed his daughter’s behavior with an amused expression, up until the point where she disrespected her mother, his mate, and clouds started to gather threateningly in the sky. That was when he decided to stop her, using his persuasion ability.
“Anastasia,” her dad started in a detached tone, “Calm down.”
When she did, the renowned troublemaker couldn’t help but ask flippantly, “Better now?”
His daughter’s only reply was a growl.
“Well, at least we now know your special ability,” he added softly and Anastasia stared at him skeptically. “You can control the weather.” He clarified, addressing no one in particular.
After that, he merely suggested that she went to take a shower, to cool down a little bit.
While Anastasia went upstairs, to heed her father’s advice, Blake the Troublemaker, his mate, Ace and Aiden went to the living room, to “discuss a few things,” the former said.
It was agreed upon that the princess would go to the vampire academy and that Ace would enroll as well. As for Aiden, Blake said he would figure out how to make him attend for who knew where his mate might be? She may very well be in England, where Fate was taking Anastasia next. And the oracle did say to Follow Anastasia.
The shower seemed to work greatly on the young vampire princess for when she emerged, she was all smiles.
After an awkward moment in the living room, with Aiden freaking out over Ace’s pet which was a panther that went by the name of Zina, and his discovering that the princess’ mate was able to talk to animals, Aiden decided to call it a night and head upstairs to start packing.
**** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Two days later, everyone had already packed their things, and they were excited to head off to London for a new adventure.
I think I’ll miss America, and Jacksonville, Aiden thought, as he sat in the kitchen where everyone had their breakfast on a daily basis.
He greeted the princess upon her entering the kitchen while stifling a yawn.
Why again had he thought it would be a good idea to play a game with a renowned gamer and serial hacker? It was impossible to explain.
While eating her breakfast, Anastasia suggested that they all head out. “Since we’re all ready, why don’t we go out today?” she said while looking at everyone.
“Yeah, you guys have fun,” Maria, her mom immediately agreed. “You’re only this young once.”
“All of us, I mean,” the princess added with a pleading tone.
“You want me and your dad to tag along?” her mom asked, sounding bewildered.
“Yeah,” was Anastasia’s shy reply.
“Sure, if you’re okay with that.”
And that –a simple suggestion out of a capricious little vampire princess– was how his life was to change irrevocably… for on that small trip to the neighboring town, he found his mate.
Her name was Karen, and she worked at the diner they had decided to stop at.
Follow Anastasia, The Oracle had said, he mused. I never thought I’d find her so quickly.
The diner where Karen worked at part-time was small and cozy, and didn’t have many clients – outside of the usual ones, that was.Nevertheless, on a sunny September day in her senior year, five strangers came in the diner.Her encounter with them would change her life irrevocably… she just didn’t know that yet.That day, Karen had styled her mid-length blonde hair into a messy bun, put very little make-up on, and dressed casually.There was nothing fancy about her.So how was it that one of the most gorgeous guys she had ever had the chance of coming across was eying her like she was the most beautiful woman he ever laid eyes on?She felt fidgety and self-conscious in front of him, under his scrutinizing gaze, as she took their order.She tried not to show how uncomfortable he was making her, but then, reaching the point of no return, she asked bluntly, voice cold, hard almost, “Anybody
Transferring schools was an easy feat when one knew the right people. Stalking one’s mate by having the same classes as hers was not that difficult either – one only needed to bribe the board into overlooking that.And thus, the following week, when Aiden arrived at school, all excited to see his mate for a second time – well, not truly a second time since he had been following her around from afar like a lost puppy – he was hopeful for the new year.Being the next alpha ultra in line made him a bit overconfident about his wooing skills… not that he had ever tried them on anyone.Yes, Aiden was a virgin.Even better – or worse? He couldn’t decide – he had never kissed a girl before. That would make everything he was to hopefully share with his mate his first… and that was the way it should be in his opinion.Let’s get this started, he said to himself as he killed the engine and got out o
To say Karen was surprised to see Aiden showing up at her school would be the understatement of the year – scratch that, of the century.Although her high school wasn’t small enough that she’d know everybody, she was fairly sure, she would have noticed a senior who looked so good. Because let’s admit it, he looked dashing, panty-droppingly gorgeous… and she wasn’t blind enough or stupid enough to think otherwise.The problem was he was taking interest in her. And she didn’t do relationships – or flings for that matter. She was set on graduating with high colors and getting the hell out of this hellish town. That was her goal.Her goal wasn’t to fall for some random guy’s charms just because he lusted after her somehow. It also wasn’t to suck faces with anyone in the hallways of the school – like the couple to her right was doing – and then be given a detention for it.She wasn&
Aiden had to make Karen his. He didn’t know how to go about it, but he just had to.A few days into the new school, he was patiently waiting for her to arrive, so that she would light up his whole world as per usual… and was harshly disappointed when came noon and she had yet to make an appearance.What was going on? Could it be her schedule was changed drastically for some reason – like his stalking her?Easy, boy, he told himself after a while. Think rationally.Could it be possible she had just skipped?That seemed more logical. He inwardly face-palmed at his stupidity and his eagerness to make assumptions.Only one day since he last saw her, and already he felt like he was suffering from withdrawal. What was she doing to him?“You’ve become a sap,” his wolf sing-sang in his head.“As if you’re any better,” he scoffed at him, inwardly rolling his eyes.
Aiden was devastated and all kinds of enraged when he saw the bruises on Karen’s face. When he remembered images of his smiling mate, he couldn’t fathom how someone could be so cruel as to hit her. He couldn’t control the tone of his voice when he had asked her what the hell had happened. And it seemed like his sweet mate wasn’t in the least bit scared by the shift in his eyes color – maybe she simply hadn’t noticed? – for she spat out with venom, “What the hell brought you here?” “Do not speak to me that way,” his wolf had taken over and hissed at her, and she flinched, almost as if she had been slapped. He tried to get some self-control back, by closing his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, and inhaling and exhaling loudly. “Why are you so pissed anyways? You shouldn’t have sought me out,” she carried on in a rather sad almost resigned voice. “Because I care a great deal about you! Can’t you see that?” He retorted in a strong voice, ope
“Where are we going?” Karen asked him as she got in the car rather obediently. “To Jacksonville,” Aiden told her, a fond smirk stretching his lips. He had good memories there. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Anastasia – The Troublemaker’s daughter – was good company… when she wasn’t mourning the absence of her mate, that was. He briefly wondered how she was faring in the vampire academy, and made a note to himself to call her or Ace later on. Karen kept quiet the entire ride to Jacksonville, and although Aiden wasn’t particularly affected by the silence, he preferred when she was arguing with him than her distracted state of mind. “I need to be back home before 5 pm,” she announced just as he parked the car in front of a big house. His bodyguards were naturally in another car, following closely behind, not knowing what to expect, but probably reporting everything to his mom… yes, his mom, not his dad. She was overprotective and
It was in a werewolf’s genes to hunt. The urge was even more intense if they needed to give chase to their mate.And although Aiden, next in line to be the alpha ultra, was usually a composed teenager who knew how to control himself, he had trouble handling his wolf at the moment.Run, little girl. Run, his wolf basically sang.Aiden could picture the wolfish grin all too well.Don’t, he tried to fight him. She’s scared.Even as he told him that mentally, his wolf started taking control of his body. His eyes stung as they went black and his fingernails elongated into claws.“I’m giving you a head start,” he sing-sang before chuckling, “make good use of it, little mate.”The next thing Aiden knew, he lost the fight, and he was hurrying down the white hallways of the pack’s clinic. He could hear her screaming for help. He then saw her almost begging, reaching out for someone at the door of another room… But what werewolf would dare touch what was his?H
Aiden didn't know what to say. He was flabbergasted. How could Karen even think he had messed with her head?But then again, he did intend to do just that. She wasn't ready. She wasn't ready for him, or his world. And although he wanted to take the time to explain everything to her, he knew they were running out of it. Aiden looked at his wrist watch and sighed. Where was the eraser? "What are you sighing about?" Karen asked Had he had the luxury of time, he would have taken things slowly. As it was, she needed to be back at her home by night time. "It's nothing," he drawled. "Then when are you going to answer me?" She carried on. "Have you or have you not messed with my head?" "I have never," he said truthfully, his eyes boring into hers despite the distance. "Then what is the erasor for?" She asked in a strong voice. "You have to understand," he began. "It's not that I want it. It's what's n