by Karen Ruth
“Did you know that this used to be my brothers’ room?” He questioned me as he opened his eyes and looked into mine.
“Really?” I questioned him as I searched the room.
“Yeah,” Lucas muttered. “It is going to be hard leaving this place. It reminds me of him so much. Sometimes I feel as though I can sense him in here, however ridiculous it may be.” Lucas muttered while shrugging his broad shoulders.
A wave of saddened emotions burst through me. I rubbed Lucas’s bareback, not knowing what to say to comfort him.
“I’m sorry,” I said in a sincere voice.
Lucas simply shook his head in acceptance. I could tell that it didn’t do too much as the sadness still etched my heart.
“When are they expecting you to move out?” I questioned him, trying to bring the conversation away from his deceased brother.
“You mean us?” Lucas questioned me, his eyes searching mine once more.
I squirmed under Lucas’s gaze, not knowing what to say.
“Nina? What’s the matter? I can tell your uncomfortable?” Lucas questioned me.
“I…” I started not knowing what to say.
“Nina, no point in sugar-coating anything. If you fib, I will be able to feel your guilt.” Lucas said as he placed his hand on my lap.
I sighed, pulling myself up to a sitting position.
“Maybe we should wait until we are married to move in together, don’t you think?” I asked Lucas.
“Is that what you want?” He questioned me.
“I mean, maybe? My mom always told us to wait for that sort of thing until we are married. I feel it hard to disobey her when she’s not….well….you know.” I stuttered, not knowing what to say.
“Shh, my dear sweet Nina. We don’t have to live together until you are ready, ok?”
“Are you sure?” I questioned him. “You aren’t mad?” I questioned further not letting him answer me.
“Do you feel madness from me?” Lucas questioned me.
I tried to come to terms with what I was feeling off of Lucas. I could only feel sadness and love wafting off of him. He must still be upset about his brother. That wouldn’t be able to change any time soon.
“Thank you,” I said smiling at Lucas.
“You’re welcome,” Lucas responded. “Do you want to stay at your place with your sister, or do you want to move in here when I go to my parents' place?” Lucas questioned me.
“Is this really an option?” I asked in mesmerized.
Lucas laughed at the question.
“Of course, Nina. Anything I say, goes. Remember, I just got crowned a few hours ago. Soon you will be the Queen as well.” Lucas said giving off a small chuckle.
“Well, when you put it that way,” I said teasingly at Lucas. “The only problem is, I don’t want to upset Cath. She may not be ready for me to leave yet.” I responded while looking towards to floor.
I felt Lucas’s finger gently lift my chin, making me look deep into his eyes. A flood of love swam through me. “You can talk to her about it tomorrow. Obviously, there isn’t any rush in getting the answer.”
“Thank you,” I muttered as I wrapped my arms around him and placed my head against his chest.
I felt a rumble of laughter erupt from his chest as he placed his strong arms around me. Lucas gently kissed the top of my head. “I do love you, Nina,” Lucas muttered to me. I looked upwards to meet his eye contact. “I love you too Lucas.” I cooed to him.
“You should probably get changed. I figured you would have torn that dress off by now.” Lucas said while looking at what I was still wearing.
“You would think, but I was too lazy.” I giggled at him. “I suppose I should go back to my room and find something to wear,” I whined starting to get off the luxurious bed.
As I walked to the door, Lucas's deep voice stopped me in my tracks. “If you don’t want to go all the way over there, Cassie did bring you things to wear,” Lucas said shrugging at me.
“And you didn’t tell me until now!” I yelled at him angry he made me walk all the way over to the door.
“Oh, Nina. You are fine.” Lucas chuckled as he tossed the clothes to me.
“I’m not the only one who needs to change,” I said starting at Lucas with only his towel on.
“What, you don’t like seeing me like this?” Lucas teased while holding his arms out. “I’m offended.” He retorted.
“Please, that is not the problem,” I mumbled as my face lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Oh Nina, no need to be embarrassed,” Lucas said laughing.
I stuck my tongue out at him and changed into the clothing that Cassie brought over.
Chapter 24
“Hello, my daughter, what brings you around once more?” Aleksandr questioned me.
Once the exhaustion from the events of the day succumbed me to a deep slumber, my mind wandered to the clearing once more.
I let out an audible sigh. “You know being my mom’s sperm donator does not automatically make you my father.” I rolled my eyes in agitation at Aleksandr.
Aleksandr pushed himself off the tree and walked over to me while letting out a huge sigh of his own.
“You realize that I couldn’t be there for you when you were growing up, right?”
“And why is that?” I questioned crossing my arms annoyed.
“Because this life wasn’t safe for you. I fight every single day. If someone found out about you, you would be dead. I couldn’t protect all of you.”
“So instead, you were totally fine letting me grow up with a mom who could barely think straight,” I argued back at him.
“Your mother was an intelligent lady. If your stupid monster werewolves would have left her alone, she wouldn’t have been in that mess. That isn’t my fault. That is the fault of the werewolves you call your so-called pack.”
“What did you expect to happen when you fell in love with a werewolf?” I argued while squinting my eyes at him. “Did you expect rainbows and sunflowers? No, that’s not how this life works. If you hate us as much as you say you do, how could you possibly fall in love with a werewolf? How could you even let that happen?” I raised my arms at him.
“Don’t you ever question me. I don’t have to explain myself to you. If anyone understands how a fated mate comes into play, it should be you. Since you are fated to the king of America for fricks sake. How in the world does my daughter end up with a monstrosity like that?” Aleksandr grumbled while walking away from me.
I ran after him, changing into my wolf. “Don’t you ever speak to Lucas like that ever again.” I growled a warning at him.
Instead of showing fear, Aleksandr let out a huge laugh.
“Oh, Nina. Oh, my daughter. Do you really think that would scare me? Do you realize I have seen more werewolves in my life than you will ever see in your entire lifetime? I have fought more and killed more than you can possibly understand. You don’t understand the powers that I possess.” Aleksandr retorted.
“Then show me some.” I challenged him.
“I won’t hurt you, Nina.” My so-called father retorted. “I may not have been there for you growing up, but I plan to at least have you know who I am.
“You may not hurt me, but I won't keep the same favor,” I growled at him and jumped at him.
Lightning erupted from my eyes as thunder clasped from above. A feeling of huge weight sprung from my body, making me unable to move.
“What the heck?” I retorted looking at Aleksandr confused.
“I told you, Nina. I have more powers than you can possibly comprehend.” Aleksandr replied.
“If you have as much power as you say, then how come I don’t have the same abilities as you do?” I questioned him when the weight dispersed from my body.
“Because Nina. We have to teach you how to awaken it. The werewolf aspect of you may be trying to fight it. Find me and I can teach you.” He said while reaching his hands towards me.
“I d
on’t want to find you. You will hurt everyone that I care about.” I muttered at him.
“They are nothing Nina. Find me and I can show you how to be the most powerful werewolf that has ever existed. Find me and I will promise no werewolf hunter will ever hurt you ever again.” He said trying to touch my fur coat.
I backed away from him, hunching my shoulders. “And what about my pack?” I questioned him further.
“Oh, they are as good as dead.” He retorted while shrugging his shoulders, retracting his arm.
“What do you mean?” I questioned, my fur bristling.
“You really think we haven’t been keeping tabs on your pack? You really think we don’t have a plan?” He said questioning me.
“Why would you attack them? You say that you want in my life, but you are willing to do something like that?” I argued with him.
“You call them your pack, but you don’t even know some of them. You need to keep better tabs on some of your werewolves.” Aleksandr said.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I questioned further once more.
“All I’m going to say is that some may not be on your side. Keep your eyes open.” He responded walking away from me entering the dark abyss.
“And who would that be?!” I yelled out at him.
“That is for you to find out Nina. Just know that we are coming.” His voice muffled in the distance, disappearing into the thin air.
Chapter 25
I awoke from a start, throwing my head off the pillow, my body flexing to a sitting position. My heart beating fast as my head filtered everything that I heard from my dad, mixing all together causing confusion. I felt Lucas stir from beside me, his weight adjusting the crease in the bed.
“Nina? What’s wrong?” I heard Lucas say, concern lacing his voice.
I felt his strong hand on my shoulder. I shook my head to clear my head, my eyes scanning over Lucas. I let out a long sigh.
“I’m sorry, I’m ok. I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep.” I said giving him my best smile I could.
“Nice try Nina. We both know that you are freaking out right now. What’s bothering you?” Lucas pressed once more.
“I don’t know how to tell you,” I muttered lowering my eyes.
“Whatever it is, I’m sure we can handle it,” Lucas said giving me an encouraging smile.
I sighed once more, letting out all the air that I was holding within my fragile lungs.
“Do you remember how I told you about my dad?” I questioned Lucas.
“Yeah. He passed away when you guys were incredibly young and you don’t know much about him, correct?” Lucas asked, scrunching his eyebrows.
“Well, that’s what I originally thought,” I responded back to him rubbing my sleep from my eyes as my head began to pound, a headache becoming evident.
“What do you mean?” Lucas questioned further, this time cocking his head to the side.
“Do you remember TWHS?” I questioned him back.
“Yeahhhhh?” Lucas said obviously confused about how that had to do with anything.
“Remember Aleksandr?” I prompted.
“Yes, Nina. I know quite a bit about him and the hunters. What does this have to do about your father?”
“Well turns out that he’s my father. Oh, and Cath isn’t my full sibling. Apparently, we are half-siblings because he isn’t her dad. Her father was completely human. I, on the other hand , ended up with someone who wants to kill all of us because we are some foul monster. Oh, and the best part.” I said while holding up one finger to show the importance, “He’s a wizard and says that that’s why I have these dumb dreams or aka premonitions all the time.” I said rambling off, not letting Lucas say a word.
Lucas grabbed my arm both my arms and looked me in the eyes. “Nina, stop.” “What are you talking about? How do you know any of this?” Lucas prompted further.
“Almost every night I have been dreaming of him. I can’t explain how or why, but I do. Not only that, but we talk to one another. Aleksandr says that I’m controlling it, but I’m not trying to. He told me how he met my mother and why they brainwashed her. He told me that he was once a werewolf but hated it. He found a wizard who was able to wipe his wolf away and turn him into one of them. He’s immortal now. I mean it all makes sense, everything makes sense Lucas. He said that I need to find him so he can protect me and I can learn how to be one of them. What am I supposed to do Lucas?” I questioned him, begging for some type of information.
Lucas grabbed my head and placed it against his broad chest. I wrapped my arms around him and breathed in his foresty scent.
“Shh, my dear sweat Nina. Everything will be ok. You are not like him and you never will be. We can find someone who can teach you how to control your dreams. You won’t have to talk to him anymore.” Lucas said trying to calm me down.
“Lucas, you don’t get it. Even if I learn how to control the dreams, he said they are still coming. He said somebody here has been keeping tabs on us and reporting back to him. They know everything about us Lucas.” I pushed while removing my head from his chest to look deep into his swirling eyes.
“Nobody here would do such a thing.” Lucas countered cocking his head to the side.
“They know things that they shouldn’t know. They knew about the wedding. He said so himself the night of the wedding. He said I had to go because I had to be there.” I countered back at him.
“It was probably someone from the Britain pack,” Lucas growled in disgust at the thought.
“Maybe, hopefully, I don’t know?” I sighed in frustration. “How am I supposed to tell Cath a about her father?” I asked Lucas once more, my head dropping to my hands once more.
Gently, Lucas removed my hands from my eyes. He lifted my chin with his index finger to have my eyes look into his. I felt a wave of love as Lucas tried to calm my emotions.
“How are you doing that?” I asked him in awe.
“Something that we will teach you how to do soon enough. Nina, Cath will be ok. She’s a strong fighter. She is your sister after all. It doesn’t matter who your real dads are. You two are sisters whether blood says so or not. Blood doesn’t determine everything in life. Sometimes those you don’t share any blood with are the ones you can trust the most. Ok?” Lucas questioned.
I let out another audible sigh. “You’re right,” I said smiling at him.
“Of course, I’m right. I’m always right.” Lucas gloated while giving me a gigantic smile. His chest puffing out in confidence.
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Now you're being ridiculous.” I let out a small laugh while lightly slapping him on the chest.
Lucas grabbed my hand and brought me closer to him.
“Ooof,” escaped my lips at the surprise.
Lucas brought his head down, his luscious lips only inches from mine. “I love you dear sweet Nina. I can’t wait to be with you forever.” He muttered as his lips tickled against mine.
My heart was skipping beats in happiness. I had no idea what to say to this. I crashed my lips against him, our mouths opening against one another, doing their own dance. Lucas rolled on top of me as I fell backward into the pillows. My stomach doing summersaults as my heart continued to beat faster and faster. Lucas gently settled his weight against my body, careful not to hurt me. I brought my hands up and cupped them around his handsome face.
“You don’t have to be so gentle with me Lucas. I’m not a fragile doll.” I said as I gently kissed his nose.
“I know you’re not, but I can’t stand seeing you in pain.”
“And I, you,” I responded to him as I crashed my lips against his once more.
A loud knock pounded from the door causing our lips to be abruptly torn apart as Lucas rolled off of my slender body. I couldn’t help but place my right hand against my puffy lips. The world slowly coming back into focus. I watched as Lucas crawled out of bed, only in shorts, and answered the door to whoever was behind it. Once
Lucas opened the large door, I pulled the covers over my body in annoyance.
“Lucas, man, it is time for the fight,” Reed said, concern evident from his tone of voice.
My heart dropped at the thought. I wasn’t ready for what was about to come. I wished for only a few more hours with Lucas. Just a few more hours. How did it come so quickly? I questioned myself within my head. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Lucas’s voice.
“Very well. Let me get dressed and I’ll be out very shortly.” Lucas huffed.
“Make it a WE!” I yelled at Reed from inside of the blankets.
“Yo Nina! What’s up!” Reed yelled from outside the door.
“We will see you soon,” Lucas muttered while shutting the door. I could sense annoyance ringing off of him as well. Although I wasn’t watching, I knew that he rolled his eyes at Reed.
“I’m still coming,” I said, crawling out of the bed, and folding my arms over my chest.
“Nina, what you may see won’t be pretty,” Lucas said carefully as if he was walking on thin ice and could fall into a roaring river at any moment.
“Yes, Lucas, I know. That doesn’t matter to me. Let me be there for you.” I urged him.
“Nina, no matter what happens, you have to promise not to get involved in the fight.” Lucas prompted.
“No promises. I’ll kill him if he hurts you.” I growled narrowing my eyes at Lucas.
“Nina. It is against the rules. If you can’t contain yourself, then it would be best for you to stay here.” Lucas argued.
I sighed, rolled my eyes, and crossed my arms over my chest.
“Fine. I promise to behave. You better be ok.” As I said those last words I took one of my fingers and poked him in the chest.
“I’ll be ok.” Lucas chuckled.
“Promise?” I questioned.
“Nina,” Lucas said rolling his eyes and chuckling.
“Promise!” I pushed harder.
“Ok fine. I promise.” Lucas raised his hands in surrender.
“Good, now come here,” I muttered to him.
Lucas came closer to me as I stood up on my tippy toes once more. Just as our lips were about to connect, the door rattled once more.
