by Karen Ruth
“Because the only way you can come here is if you want to yourself.”
I scoffed. “Yeah right. Because I totally want to be by you.” I snarled at him.
“Hey, don’t blame me for your heart’s desire.” He muttered putting his hands up in the air.
“Why did your people attack my pack?” I growled at him.
“Seems more than just your pack they attacked.” He looked me up and down.
“Are you okay?” He asked.
“Like you care!” I yelled at him. “Why did you warn me about them.”
“What is with all the questions Nina?” My father pushed.
“Because I think I deserve to know who and what you are. I think I deserve to know why you want to kill my people.”
“Don’t take it personally my dear. I haven’t liked werewolves for a very very long time.”
“Obviously, you liked werewolves a little more than you lead on.” I replied rolling my eyes at him.
“What makes you think that!” He spat angrily at me.
“If you didn’t like werewolves, then you wouldn’t have been with my mother, would you?” I pushed angrily at him.
“Don’t bring her into this. She was different. I do not need to explain myself to you.” He turned away. “And maybe I warned you because I don’t want to see my daughter dead.”
“You mean daughters.” I retorted rolling my eyes annoyed.
“Goodbye, Nina.” That is what he said before walking into the dark abyss leaving me alone in the quiet cold trees.
The door opened, snapping me back into reality. Quickly, I opened my eyes, scanning the room for danger. They flashed to a body I recognized all too well. Within seconds, my heart was beating faster.
“I’m sorry Nina, I didn’t need to wake you.”
“Don’t worry about it, Lucas,” I responded to him.
I patted the bed beside me indicating he could sit on it. Carefully, he sat down. He made sure not to move the bed too much, knowing it would cause me pain.
“Look, Nina. I’m sorry for earlier.”
“For what?” I questioned him.
“For almost kissing you and causing Adelina to try and kill you.” He huffed into the air and placed his head in his hard palms.
“Lucas, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Of course, it was Nina. How don’t you see that? If I would be able to control myself around you, this whole thing wouldn’t have happened.” He replied annoyed at himself.
“Lucas, it’s my fault too. You can’t blame yourself. Don’t worry about Adelina. I can take care of myself.” I grabbed his hands from his face and looked deep into his golden eyes.
“It didn’t look like that today.” He responded to me, concern in his voice.
I couldn’t decide whether to be offended or not. I squinted one blue eye.
“Hey man, I can barely walk without keeling over in pain. She took advantage of me. Plus, I’m stuck in here for two days, so she can come in here all she wants. I’m sure the doctors will take care of me.”
Lucas shook his head and rolled his eyes.
“Nina, they are human. How are they supposed to keep Adelina off of you?”
“Easy, they yell that she is here, and I’ll punch her straight in her princess face.”
Part of Lucas’s lip curved upward.
“Nina…” He started.
“Yes, I know that I can’t punch a princess. I will behave. Lada Dee Lada Doo. You should be proud that I refrained from kicking her butt out there.” I replied while pointing towards the door, smiling.
Lucas shook his head and tried not to smile. He got off the bed and made his way to the door.
“Hey, Lucas?” I asked him.
“Yes, dear sweet Nina? I mean Nina?” He questioned me, shaking his head.
“What day is it today?” I asked suddenly remembering that I missed over a week. “July 30th.” He responded.
I looked at the clock. It chimed saying that it was officially midnight.
“So, you mean July 31st now right?” I asked for clarification.
“Yes, it would appear that it is now the 31st,” Lucas responded, his back still towards me.
He started walking a few more inches and placed his hand on the diamond door.
“Lucas?” I asked once more.
“Yes Nina?” he replied.
“Happy birthday,” I told him.
“Thank you, Nina.” He sadly replied. “Now get some rest.”
He walked out of the door and I heard him make his way down the hallway.
I could hear and feel my heartbeat loudly in my chest. Tomorrow was the day that Lucas would get married to Adelina. Tomorrow was the nightmare that I wished would never happen.
Chapter 11
The following day, I woke up from the sun shining from the outside window. Sounds were radiating off the walls from outside. I peeked out the window to get a better view of what was going on. I noticed wolves upon wolves standing on the lawn. It looked like the full moon celebration all over again. I looked up; the clock read 5 pm. “Dang Nina. Did you sleep long enough?” I asked myself. I got off the bed and made my way over to the door. My ribs were surprisingly less sore. As I opened it, another werewolf stood outside. I didn’t know who he was, but I remember seeing him around.
“Uh uh, Nina. You are supposed to be on strict bed rest.”
“Please, I feel fine. Let me through.” I said as I tried walking past him.
He picked me up and placed me back into the room. “Sorry, Nina. Strict rules from the doctors and Lucas.”
“Come on. Lucas doesn’t own me.” I replied to him.
“Sorry, Nina. My hands are tied. Don’t beat up the messenger.” He said throwing his hands in the air.
I huffed rather loudly and closed the door. I scanned the room for a way out. The windows had bars on them, of course it wouldn’t be as easy as climbing out. I had to really think about this one. I looked at the ceiling and noticed a black vent. “Bingo.” I thought to myself. I knew that I was too short to exit from there, so I had to find an object in which I could stand upon and hoist myself through the vent. I found a table. “Sorry mother. I know you always said no feet on the table, but drastic times come for drastic measures.” I hoisted myself onto the table and pulled open the vent. Surprisingly, it came off rather easily. I climbed into the vent and began my journey through the tight-fitting spot.
To be completely honest, I had no idea where I was going. I was just sort of winging it. Luckily, I found an exit right above the entrance to my room. I opened the gate and plopped through. After this, I realized that I had no way of shutting it again. “Oops, sorry people," I muttered feeling bad for the extra chores I caused. I wiped off as much debris as I possibly could. Man were those vents dirty. I’m sure people don’t go through them every day and clean them out. As I opened my door to my “room,” I was met with a surprise. Reed was there tapping his foot on my floor.
“Jesus Reed! You scared the crap out of me!” I exclaimed grabbing my chest, trying to get my heart from pumping so fast.
“Nina, did you break out of the hospital wing?” Reed asked giving me a smirk.
“Uhhhh noooo. Uh, I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Oh my god, Nina.” Reed laughed “Get back to the hospital.”
“Ha, you wish. What are you doing in here anyway?”
Catherine entered the living room just as I asked the question.
“Nina!” She ran and gave me a big hug. Pain radiated from my ribs once more.
“Okay, Cath. You are kinda killing me!” I squeaked.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” She exclaimed jumping backwards.
“So back to what I was asking,” I started, “what are you doing here.”
“Oh, Cath asked me out for dinner.” Reed replied smiling at her. I lifted my eyebrows. Catherine's face blushed completely red.
“Alright, well I’m going to leave you two alone. I’m just gonn
a get dressed anyway. By the way, what is going on outside?” I asked confused, cocking my head in the direction of where everyone was.
“Ahh, that would be the party for Lucas, well if you could call it a party. Dude won’t answer anyone or come out of his room.”
“Why not?” I asked Reed.
“Beats me.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, Imma get changed. I’m sick of wearing a hospital gown. You two have fun.” I muttered.
As I was walking into my room, I opened the connection with Reed. “So help me god if you hurt her I’m going to kick you in places where the sun don’t shine.” I growled at him.
“Woah, Nina. Relax. That is not my intention.”
“Hmm okay. Be good.” I replied and severed the connection.
I changed into a pair of black shorts and a tight-fitting zebra shirt. I decided that it was a good idea to brush my hair and my teeth before going over to Lucas’s room. I had to check up on him to make sure he was ok. It wasn’t like him to lock himself up in his room. Before I left, I decided that I should bring the present that I got for him. Cassie went through a lot of work of finding this present. It was custom-made. Thankfully for me, she knew a witch personally who was willing to do it. I stuffed the present into my pocket, still wrapped in its crimson box, and made my way to Lucas’s room.
I prepared myself for the unavoidable lecture I was about to get and knocked on the door. Boom, boom, boom, sounded from the large door.
“Go away!” I heard Lucas yell from inside.
“Lucas I…” I started but was cut off with the door opening.
“Nina? What are you doing here? You are supposed to be in the hospital wing.” Lucas said to me.
Before I could respond he grabbed my arm and said, “let’s go. I will walk you back.” He muttered while shaking his head.
“Lucas stop,” I said while slipping my arm from his grip.
“Nina..” Lucas started to say but I cut him off by raising my hand in a stop position.
“Why are you in here all alone instead of being at the party people worked so hard to put on for you?” Lucas huffed and opened his door, holding it open for me to go inside.
I slowly walked into his all too familiar bedroom, not taking my eyes off of him.
“Nina, I can’t be out there.” Lucas raised one shoulder in the direction of the party. “Why not?” I asked confused. “Because Nina, it reminds me of tomorrow. It reminds me of how I am supposed to get married to someone other than you.”
“Lucas,” I said in a muffled tone as my heart dropped. “Don’t think about that right now. Today is your birthday. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
“Nina, I don’t think I can do that.” He replied to me.
“For me Lucas?” I asked him.
He gave out a loud huff and plopped on the large bed.
“Very well.” He responded. “You must do something for me though.” He commented with a smile etching his handsome face.
“And what is that?” I questioned.
“Go out there with me,” Lucas said to me.
“Yeah and die.” I laughed. “I don’t think that is a wise idea. I almost died enough by Adelina recently.” I retorted and joined him on the bed.
“Adelina is busy tonight. She is having a bachelorette party for the wedding tomorrow.” “Oh,” I responded. “Why aren’t you having a bachelor party?” I questioned him.
“The others tried to set one up, but I refused. That is the last thing I want right now.”
I nodded and said, “I understand.”
It was than that he looked at my small white hands.
“What do you have there?” He asked me.
I looked down at what he was talking about. The present. Stupid me forgot all about it.
“This is for you,” I told him. “Happy Birthday / wedding.” I smiled while trying to give it to him.
“Nina, I don’t need any gifts.”
“I know.” I gave him a small smile. “Please just open it and don’t complain.”
I grabbed his hand and plopped the present inside while closing his long fingers. Lucas took his eyes off of mine to open the gift ever so slowly. My heart fluttered in my chest hoping he would at least enjoy it. Gracefully his fingers grasped the small box removing the ribbon around it. He took off the lid and grabbed the small object inside. The gift looked like a time watch on the outside covered in gold. His eyes went wide as it scanned upon the object.
“How did you afford this Nina?” He asked me, his golden eyes searching mine.
“Don’t mind that now, open it,” I told him.
His eyes dropped back to the locket as he slowly opened it. As he opened it, colors projected from it. It was like a holographic screen. The video showed the moment that we first met, the feast, the fire, our first kiss, everything up until my mother passing away. It showed everything through my perspective and my feelings. As the video went through our first kiss, I couldn’t help but apologize.
“I’m sorry Lucas. I had this made immediately after my mother passed away. I shouldn’t have put that memory in there.”
“How did you make this?” Lucas asked me, his eyes wide.
“Cassie knows a witch. She offered to make it for me. I didn’t have to pay anything for it. She said it was a gift for everything Cassie has done for her over the years. She took these straight from my memory. I am sorry if you don’t like it. I can take it back.” I replied dropping my eyes and head.
Lucas set the watch on the bed. Ever so gently I felt his finger lift my head. His golden eyes bore into mine.
“Nina. I love it. It is perfect.” He said to me. A smile curved my lips causing him to smile in return.
“This is the most beautiful gift that I have ever received. I will carry it with me wherever I go.” He responded.
“Look Lucas, I had to get you something that would help you remember me by. After you get married, I don’t want you to forget about me.” I dropped my eyes from his gaze.
I felt a soft touch on my cheek. A soft finger brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. I looked back up to his eyes.
“Nina, I could never forget about you.” He said, his eyes glistening.
I couldn’t help but drop my eyes towards his luscious lips. Thinking about how good they felt against mine. My breathing picked up and I couldn’t control myself. Thankfully, just than a sound pounded from the door. Lucas huffed as he got off the bed to go answer it. As he opened the door, a familiar extravagant sight filled my eyes. The air smelt wonderful from lilac perfume.
“Hello mother,” Lucas said. “Don’t worry, I will be outside in a minute for the party.”
“Well, that was much easier than I was thinking. I thought I was going to have to drag you by your ears. What was the change in moods?” She asked him.
It was then that she peaked around his broad body and saw me. A smile crossed her face.
“Aww, that explains it. How are you doing Nina honey?” She asked me.
“Wonderful. Thank you, Amelia.” I smiled and waved at her.
She bowed her head in response. “I will see you two in a few minutes than.”
With that she turned around and walked down the long hallway.
Lucas shut the door after her. “I better go get changed.” He said looking at me. I nodded and crawled off the bed, careful of my ribs.
“I will see you out there Lucas.” I smiled at him as I walked out the door.
I felt bad for Lucas. I really did. I could tell from the way he was acting that he certainly didn’t want to marry Adelina. He was doing it solely for the benefit of the pack. I couldn’t imagine growing up as a child with that kind of responsibility. Actually, in a way, he had it worse. He had an older brother who was supposed to be dealing with all of this, but he passed away. In return, it was now Lucas’s responsibility to protect the pack. I had no doubt that if it wasn’t for the protection of the pack, Lucas would want nothing to do with Adelina. The thought of h
is pain made me sad. If only there was something I could do to change this.
Chapter 12
I walked outside in the brisk night air. The smell of the woods bringing a sense of peace to my nose. It smelt like heaven. I closed my eyes to take in the scent. A familiar body crashed into me and gave me a warm hug.
“Cath, aren’t you supposed to be at dinner with Reed?” I questioned her, plucking her from my body to look into her eyes.
She was smiling from head to toe.
“We ate pretty fast. We couldn’t miss a party as brilliant as this, now could we! I mean look around!” She yelled while spinning in a circle.
My gaze followed hers. It was absolutely wonderful. White lights were strung around the trees, lighting the surrounding in a white glow. Crimson streamers hung from the tree branches. Music played in the background. Werewolves of all ages dancing on the concrete dance floor. Lightning bugs flying across the lawn, making their journey to wherever they go.
“It really is beautiful,” I said breathtakingly. “
I’m glad you think so!” A cheerful excited tone sounded from behind us.
I smiled and turned around to face her.
“Cassie!” I exclaimed and hugged her.
“Hey girls!” She replied while trying to get Cath in the hug.
“What are you doing here Cassie? Did you have something to do with the decorations?” Cath asked her intrigued.
“Of course! You don’t think I would just sit around for Lucas’s wedding, would you? I’ve known him ever since he was a child. No way would I let one girl ruin his celebration. No matter how big of a drama queen she is,” Cassie said rolling her eyes.
It was obvious she was talking about Adelina.
“Is everything going ok?” I asked Cassie suddenly feeling terrible for her.
“Oh, it is alright.” She remarked shrugging her sad shoulders. “But it is much better now that I can see you two again!” She exclaimed giving us another hug.
“Be careful with her Cassie, she is fragile right now.” A deep voice spoke that caused a tingle through my body.
“Oh Nina, I am so sorry. I totally forgot about your accident.” Cassie exclaimed.
