Mark Of Change (Firemoon Book 1)

by Sky Wilde

  Wait.

  Kiss him?

  Oh. My. Gosh.

  I am thinking of kissing a random stranger I met just now. Well, he knows my name, meaning he is not a stranger.

  This surprises me, and also terrifies me. But, it is not a reason for me to kiss him!

  He gets up from the ground and I just realize I had used my magic on him. Stupid. I mustn’t have used my magic on a human... He dusts off his pant and laughs.

  Yes, he laughs.

  Maybe he is mad. No one in their right mind will laugh at something like this. He holds out his hand to me. I tilt my head at him, confused. He shakes his head. “December it is so good to meet you again. Next time try not to push me onto my ass using the weird thing you always do, when you are mad or sad.” His voice is really deep. Like a voice you expect someone of a big burly mountain man to have.

  Weird thing I do? He knows about what I do, but doesn’t know it is magic...

  “I am sorry about that... But... have we met before...?” I bite my lip at the question, feeling nervous.

  The smile from his face vanishes and he frowns. He lowers his extended hand, clearly disappointed. “I guess you forgot me. Never mind. I was always too normal for you.” I feel bad. Like totally bad. I can’t remember anyone with these hot blue eyes.

  “Umm... Sorry.” Since he called himself ‘normal' compared to me. I assume he knows something about me. So this time, I stretch out my hand to him. “I am December. What is your name?”

  He grins. His grin reaches his ears and there are dimples on his cheek. Cute. “The name is Grey Stone.”

  When he touches my hand, butterflies fill my stomach. I feel elated. I feel righteous. Being here, touching his hand, feels right.

  Crazy weird.

  The name rings a bell. I can’t quite grasp it... Stone... Wait! My father's last name was Stone, until he changed his last name to my mom’s last name Rose. I take my hand from the embrace to my mouth realizing this is a relative. I have been thinking of kissing maybe a cousin or brother...

  Something is so wrong with me.

  When the contact breaks, I feel an empty pit in my stomach.

  This is so not cool. Nobody knows me. I was home schooled for latter part of my years, like from seven, before I even hit puberty. I never got out of my house ever since I hit thirteen after hitting puberty. I didn’t go out to play with the neighbourhood kids. I was always this ghost girl who never went out in the sun...

  Figure it out December. This might be your grave if you don’t figure it out.

  I look at his face closer, trying to figure out who this mysterious hottie is. He must have seen the confusion on my face because he steps closer. Again, his silhouette falls on my body. Even with my emotions controlled, it pushes me into a breathless state. I feel suddenly... not being able to breathe... at all.

  I take a step back in fear. My lungs feel heavy and I feel my visions darken. In almost a second, the darkness envelops me and I embrace it knowing that anything but that memory is peaceful. Anything but my nightmare is peaceful...

  I am going to wake up in a basement and find myself in chains while the men use me as their toy to play with.

  I am going to be an unhappy child-bearing person for the rest of my life.

  I am so dead.

  *Grey*

  WOW. THIS IS JUST LIKE a dream. I am meeting the girl who was the only one ever to make me fawn over her in the past. The only girl from my past, who made me to prance around her. My first and only crush. My December.

  Her dark brown hair locks are falling in waves lapping gently on her shoulder. Her brown eyes are mesmerizing to look at and she has already wriggled her way straight into my soul; with just one look. But, every fantasy comes crashing down when she falls unconscious.

  My life was dull after I lost my dad. But now, everything looks colourless. The girl of my dreams, my December, is out cold in my arms. I don’t know what came over her, but she hyperventilated and passed out. I tried to reach through whatever trance she was going through, but I was unsuccessful.

  She panted for almost five seconds, like someone was choking the life out of her and fell unconscious before I even reached out for her.

  I rush over with the now-unconscious December cradled in my arms. She is petite. With my height, she is like a little girl... and it is provoking all the protective instincts I have. I was happy to find her again after she disappeared from my life six years ago.

  I rush to my car and place her in shotgun, strapping the seatbelt around her tight. I get behind the wheels of my Porsche and press the pedal, not caring if I got a speed ticket as I weave in and out of traffic, which is pretty heavy in Kansas. I will not let anything to take her out of my life once again.

  Not my mom. Not her family. Not her mom. Not even her. She is mine.

  I am not confused about these feelings now. At first I felt that possessive feeling over her when she was thirteen and I was four or so years older than her. I was utterly depressed when I figured out my feelings for her.

  I push all the doubts and past aside and drive straight to my personal doctor.

  Dr. Ioha is a really good doctor, and my mom had shown me to only her for any sickness ever since my dad died and we moved out. So, as soon as I pull over on her driveway, I rush over and carry my December into the house, without any warning or knockings. I find Dr. Ioha resting on the couch and when she hears the door pop open, she jumps a little bit. As soon as she sees me, her face becomes calm and she gives me a warm smile. And her gaze travels to December in my arms. Her eyes widen and she rushes over to me.

  She places a hand on her forehead, “Grey. What happened?”

  I tell her what I saw and she tries to take over her from my arms. Without my knowledge, a growl reverberates in my throat and I twist so that she won’t take away my December from me.

  She stares at me wide-eyed for a moment and something like realization dawns on her face. She places her hand on December’s temple, and holds her wrist with the other hand. After a moment, she nods and steps back, “She is totally fine. Just some rest and care will get her back to good state. Maybe she had a panic-attack, but no need to worry. Her vitals are normal.” After a little hesitation, she adds, “So, should I call your mom?”

  I shake my head and mutter a thank you and leave the place. I am taking her to my place, and if mom doesn’t allow me, which she most probably wouldn’t— and that’s why I don’t want Dr. Ioha to call her— I will get a hotel and stay with December till I figure something out.

  My feelings are still weird, but when it comes to December, everything is weird for me. I place her carefully on the seat and take off towards my home.

  Last time when she left me, I was utterly depressed... Now, she is back with me and I am not going to let her go. Even if all I get is friendship or brotherly love, I am taking it. I want her in my life and if she accepts me as her boyfriend, I will be complete and happy.

  Now, all I have to do is take care of my sleeping beauty till she wakes up.

  Distant Cousin?

  *December*

  I feel refreshed. Rejuvenated even. I sigh rolling over so that my stomach rests on the fluffy bed, and relax. I feel over and reach for a pillow. Bringing it to me, I hug it tight. This feels really soft.

  Soft? Bed?

  Wait.

  I get up from whatever I am sleeping on. Looking around frantically, I find that I am safe in a room. I sigh and fall back onto the bed. For a second, I thought that I wasn’t in the hotel room.

  I get up again. This time a little faster that somehow I end up falling on the floor. Ouch.

  I left the freaking hotel room. Where am I then? I start to panic... Did they catch me? Am I a prisoner?

  I hear some footsteps and look up to see that the door of whatever room I am in open so fast that if this is cartoon, the door would have gotten struck into the wall, but it just bounces and abruptly comes to an halt. I look over to the doorway to see that a tall,
huge figure has gotten into the room and is searching for something.

  The tall figure’s blue eyes land on me on the floor and he smiles revealing dimples. Aww... Cute. For a moment I forget that fact that I am most probably kidnapped by this mysterious relative and am most probably locked in a room. With a comfy bed. With the door unlocked. With a hot jailor.

  Not that I would mind him locking me. Him holding me down. Him saying that I have been a bad girl and spanking me... Not so bad. My mouth drops a little at my thoughts, and I compose myself.

  Damn. Something is seriously wrong with me.

  “You still are clumsy.” The figure starts laughing.

  It takes a moment to realize that I am still on the floor. I get up and awkwardly rub the hem of my shirt. I look up again to see that his head is almost to the top of the door. He must be six two or something because he is definitely taller than my 4'10". By at least sixteen inches... At least... Damn.

  “What happened?” Typical question someone asks after they regain consciousness, and I ask the same.

  “You had a panic attack. I tried to get through it, but you passed out too soon... before I even reached you.” His voice trembles a little at the end and he has his hands in a fist. Him caring enough for me that he is upset by the fact that he couldn’t help me makes my heart flutter.

  “I guess I had a memory or something rolling over. I apologize that it happened.” I fumble with the ends of my hair. He waves the apology off and enters the room.

  “You don’t need to apologize for what was out of your control.” He closes more distance. “I definitely don’t feel sorry about that, because I finally have you in my room. Alone.” His voice comes out husky and it makes me warm in the centre.

  I must be fighting him. Not be turned on by him. Stupid hormones.

  I clear my throat and force some confidence into my voice. “You definitely picked the wrong girl if you want some random chick to mate with.”

  If this is my final day of freedom, I might say whatever I feel like saying. I will not roll over and die. His face turns slightly pink and he takes a step back. Did I embarrass him? His blush is cute. Aww...

  “I... No... I didn’t...” He trips over his own words. This makes me laugh hard, holding a hand over my stomach. He frowns on seeing my reaction.

  “Are you done?” He crosses his arms over his chest. I hold up a finger, notice his expression and laugh again. He scowls and I look up to see his mouth in a thin line.

  “This is supposed to be me surprising and embarrassing you, and getting you back for all the time you ignored me. You just... turned the tables.” Oh. I forgot that he is my relative.

  “Umm... How are we related? Did we know each other?” I whisper, partly not wanting to offend him with it. He scowls again. I sigh and add, “Really... I can’t remember anyone with blue eyes who is so hot.”

  My mouth drops open at the words I just blurted.

  He smirks. I would like nothing more to slap that smirk of his face. But, he is too handsome to get away with it, I think.

  “I am kind of a distant cousin for you. My dad married your dad’s sister when I was three or something.” He starts explaining other things about his family. But my breath rushes out and reality hits me hard.

  This is the boy I played with when I was young and home-schooled. This is the boy I used to chase around. This is the boy who vanished mysteriously from my life. I remember going to someone’s funeral and it was the last time I saw him. I remember asking my mom to go play at his house as I used to do, and remember the punishments I got for it.

  This boy is my first crush... Now that I think it through, this boy is my... soulmate. Tears press against my eyes as I think about how in the hell did I forget him. How did I totally forget about everything I felt about him? I searched and researched about soulmates many nights just to confirm whether my speculations were right. How did I forget him...?

  I can’t hear any more of his words. I just brush past him, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach, and storm out of the room to... somewhere, anywhere other than the same room as this boy is better for me now. I just keep running through the long hallway and end up finding a store room.

  I close the door and lean against it.

  I cry my guilt out. I cry for all the days I missed with him. To make things weirder, my cousin is somehow my soulmate. I know it is fucked up and I don’t know why, but every time I touch him, I feel excited and butterflies fill my stomach. I remember my soul claiming him when I was around thirteen or so.

  My mate... How did I even forget about that? I didn’t remember completing the bond with him, so as to become real mates. But we still are soulmates. And will always be.

  When I am with him, I feel happy, but I don’t know what it means for me.... This is either going to give me a happily ever after, or going to break me. Not break. This is totally going to shatter me and I may not even piece back together.

  I hear someone knocking on the door. I know that it is my cousin... my mate or whatever... on the other side. I wipe my tears away and decide to face it. I am December Ann for Nyx's sake. I am fighting against my own kind, and am giving one hell of a pursuit for my stalkers, all on my own. How hard could it be to face this little boy?

  Boy? But he is tall and is older than me. He is a man. A really handsome one. That frightens me. He said he was ‘normal' for me... What if my mate is a human...? I have never heard of anything like this. A human becoming a soulmate of my kind is... not something normal.

  I take a deep breath and get up to face it one thing at a time. When I open the door slightly, he pushes it further and sweeps me off my feet, hugging me tight. My resolve crumbles and I end up sobbing on his chest. He just brushes my back and draws little circles as he whispers comforting words in my ear.

  He holds me for as long as I cry, as I wet his t-shirt. He smells of oak trees, books and something else I can’t quite figure out. I smile with my head still on his shoulder. Oak trees. This is my home. He is my home. He is mine. He is the reason I loved that smell, unconsciously I knew that Oak trees were home.

  He gently lets me down and places a kiss on my forehead. With our height difference, I only come to his chest. He would have to hold me up to kiss me on the lips if we had to...

  The kiss to forehead is such a small show of affection, but it makes my heart soar high and I feel elated. He doesn’t say another word and just pulls me by my hand, out of this room and into the hallway. Now that I am clear headed, I see that this hallway is probably very long. Means, his house is going to be big. A whole lot big. I gently tug on his arm and point to the window, to show my need in getting over to that nearby window. He gladly follows me.

  I like him following him. Even though he is behind me, my magic perspective shows that his pupils are focused on me and he is checking me out. I like that. A lot.

  I wiggle my butt to show him that I caught him. He looks away but smiles coyly. I giggle and look over through the window to find... a very massive garden. Wow. I must be in some kind of an estate or a mansion.

  He gently leans over my behind and whispers, “Welcome to my home. December.” The way he says my name makes my heart race. I plead my heart to slow down a little bit in fear that he might be able to hear it.

  “So, is this some kind of an estate?” I ponder, biting my lip.

  He turns his head towards me and he is just inches away from my face. I could just lean in... And kiss him in a moment. “Not an estate. This is a mansion. But it might have some land behind it, so it is kind of an estate... ugh whatever. You can consider this an estate. I don’t really know how much lands we have around here.”

  Big freaking mansion in the middle of an estate. And he doesn’t know the extent of his property...

  My mouth opens a little bit at this. Even my most powerful mother lives in a modern house with three bedrooms, a hall, a dining room, a kitchen and two store rooms. I can’t even compare this to that.

  He places his hands
on both sides of me on the window and leans forward a little bit more. I think for a second that he may kiss me. I lean backward into him just a little and turn my head to the side. He smiles at my movement. That smile. Gah. Why must he be so cute! Not that I would ever say that to him. I already sense an aura of arrogance from him. His ego doesn’t need any more inflating.

  He waits there, letting me decide whether to kiss him or not. That puts a little pressure on me, and I end up chickening out, kissing him on his cheek. He must be disappointed. But when I see through his eyes all I see is happiness.

  “December. Let’s go.” The way he says it in that husky tone makes my body react. I am pretty sure I am blushing hard. My body is warm with lust for my soulmate.

  He laughs. “It is so good to tease you.” I stick my tongue out at him and get off from the window before I get any other ideas... like take the hottie in front of me to bed. Even though I am a virgin, I would gladly mate with him. I shake my head at my own thought and just go forward. I am pretty sure about heading to the room I woke up in to use it as my room. I use the map I created in my mind to travel through the hallways with a really hot Grey on my tail. He must be wondering where I am going, but he keeps following me. I find that sweet.

  Finally, I reach the room I woke up in and open the door. I can hear Grey being amused by what I did because he lets out a little gasp, a not-so-audible one for a human to hear but I can.

  “Wow. It pretty much took me a month to get where I want to go here. You just did it in an hour.” I roll my eyes at his admission.

  I turn to face him and I want to kiss him so bad. He is my mate. Even if he is somewhat of my step-cousin, he is first and foremost my mate. I can’t... for now. I must figure this guy out and find out whether he is a human or a halfie, because he has zero sol particles inside him.

  “Can I use your bed tonight?” I ask him biting my lip.