Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Things at home are kinda weird now. Everything seems to be

“normal”, which is totally not normal since we’re never

“normal”. The lycans are talking to me again, and I try to spend more time with them. However, I’ve got the feeling that things are not really how it used to be. The guys, especially Caspian, are still playful and trade insults with me, but things are different now. It almost felt like they’re holding out. As if they’re distancing themselves. They’re preparing themselves to say goodbye. They’re guarding themselves against getting hurt.

I understand that because I’m doing the same thing. I’m preparing myself. I know pretty soon I’d feel like an outsider looking in. Some days it already feels that way. I know it’s not their fault. I’m not going to be one of them for much longer.

For the last couple of nights since I blurt out that I’ve found my mate, I haven’t seen much of Darius. I know he hasn’t been sleeping in his room. I don’t know where he’s gone off to. I try not to care, but for some reason, it bothers me.

I’m sitting at Club Espresso Degree Cafe with Matthew again on a Thursday evening. We’ve been spending a few hours every evening at the cafe together. We’ve agreed that we’re attracted to each other, but we’re not rushing it.

I think what we’re having now is the attraction from the mate bond. Am I in love with Matthew? I don’t think so. Not yet, but I think I could easily fall for him the more we spend time together and the more we get to know each other.

I’m happy that we get to spend time getting to know each other like this, but I’ve been wondering if he’s ever going to invite me his place again or out for dinner sometime. Do I have to be the

one who initiates everything in this relationship? Was that how his relationship with Cece worked?

Oh, well…I guess it doesn’t matter because he’ll be coming over to our place tomorrow night.

I know he thinks that he’s just coming over for a little party and he gets to meet my friends, and his friends get to meet mine.

Only this is more than that. This is him meeting people who are more than just friends to me. These are the people who would put their lives on the line for me. Of that, I never doubt.

“So, everybody’s coming tomorrow night, right?” By everybody, I mean Matthew’s best friend, Jaxson and his girlfriend Toccara, Matthew’s sister, Elle and her boyfriend Ethan, and Mason…well, because Mason is his cousin.

“Yeah, they’ll be there. I’ve texted them your address,” answers Matthew as he takes my hand in his. I love the way my hand fits together in his and the thrill I feel just from our hands touching.

“So what do you think about meeting my friends tomorrow night?”

“I think that would be great. I would love to meet your friends.

Mason told me that you live with a whole bunch of friends.”

“Really? Mason told you that?” I frown. I wonder how Mason knew about that. I’m certain that I’ve never told him about it.

I think Serena is really enjoying herself organizing the party, even if it’s just a small one. All day long I’ve been seeing workers going back and forth on the main floor. I try to stay out of the way by lazying around the pool with Caspian and Genesis. Later on, they start to take over the backyard and the pool area as well. Oh well, it’s time for me to get up and get ready anyway.

I go up to my room and shower to get rid of the sunscreen on my skin. I want to wear something casual but elegant for tonight. I chose a fun and flirty halter necked Betsey Johnson mini dress with a fitted bodice that flares out and tulles peeking out at the bottom. It ends a few inches above my knees and the light rose silk printed with tiny red florals looks great against my golden tan skin. I put nude colored heels on, a little makeup and let my hair tumble down in loose curls.

Serena is already downstairs in a figure hugging navy sheath dress that stops just above her knees. The dress shows off her long legs. A pair of black suede Jimmy Choo heels graces her feet. Her golden hair is in a simple yet elegant updo. She looks breathtakingly beautiful, classy, and sexy.

She’s giving instructions to two uniformed waiters by the buffet table. Thank goodness for that. If it’s up to Caspian, I suspect our wait staffs would be busty women in barely-there bikinis tottering around in high heels.

Eva is on the phone by the pool. She’s looking amazing. Her hair is in a simple sleek ponytail. She has a pair of loose black chiffon pants with a silver camisole top on.

Genesis steps downstairs not long after. Her vivid red hair is in a loose messy bun. She has on a black one-piece Esteban Cortazar pantsuit that looks demure at the front, but the low plunging open back is quite scandalous. Naughty girl.

“How did you ever make it out the door of your bedroom in this?” I ask her, knowing how possessive her mate is.

“Constantine just saw the front,” she confides, linking her arm through mine. Her eyes light up mischievously.

I spot Constantine, Caspian, and Lazarus in a deep

conversation by their office door. Probably discussing the palace matters. They haven’t fully taken the responsibilities of the palace yet, but they already seem to be very busy now. The three of them look magnificent in their button up dark dress shirts and pants.

“I’d better go and break the serious business talk they’re having,” says Genesis, letting go of my arm.

I sense a movement from the corner of my eyes and feel his presence right away. I feel the heat of his eyes raking over me and I turn towards the staircase. Darius. Our eyes meet and lock. My heart lodged in my throat and I find it hard to breathe. It feels like it’s been ages since we last saw each other.

I almost forgot how stunningly gorgeous he is. The black dress shirt looks so good on him. The material stretches over his glorious body. I know exactly how he looks underneath that shirt.

His eyes are drinking me in like a thirsty man who just found water and I lower my gaze when I realized that I was doing the

same thing. I missed him. I hate myself for it, but I can’t help it.

The pull I feel towards him is very strong. I grip my hands into fists, digging my nails into my palm painfully to stop myself from going to him.

His sure graceful strides bring him a couple of feet in front of me as if he can’t stop himself. I look up again just in time to see the longing and the inner battle in his eyes before the shutters closed and his expression becomes unreadable.

He’s so good at hiding his feelings with his cold stony expression. These last couple of weeks, I’ve learned not to read his expression, but to study his eyes. They tell me a lot more about him and his feelings.

“Persephone,” he breathes.

“Darius,” I acknowledge. My mouth suddenly feels dry. We stand there staring at each other. My heart is beating fast in my chest. I don’t know what else to say, but I can’t move away either.

“You look beautiful,” he finally says.

I can only stare at him in silence before I can find my voice,

“Thank you.”

His hand reaches up as if to touch me, something flashes in his eyes and he pulls back and takes a step back instead.

He’s about to walk away when I blurt out, “have you been sleeping?” That stops him on his track. I don’t know why I said that. Well, maybe I do. I don’t know.

He turns back slowly to look at me. His lips curl up at the corners as he answers, “don’t worry about me, Malyshka.”

“You haven’t been sleeping,” I say accusingly.

He still looks good. He looks gorgeous, in fact. Not a single hair out of place, no bags under his eyes, no physical sign at all that tells the world that he hasn’t been sleeping. Yet, there’s something in the way he carries himself that tells me that everything is not as perfect as it seems. He is not okay.

“Darius…”

“You don’t have to worry about me. It’s not anything I’m not used to,” his smile is playful with a hint of smugness that I always interpreted as arrogance. It doesn’t even reach his eyes.

There’s no amusement in them.

“Enjoy yourself tonight,” he murmurs with a curt nod and walks away.

This is the way it should be. Matthew is going to be here soon.

It’s better this way.

“The humans are here,” Caspian announces as he strolls casually over to the poolside. I can hear a few cars turning into our driveway.

A wait staff opens the massive front doors just as someone lifts the heavy copper knocker at the other side of the door, which ironically in the form of a wolf’s head.

Matthew is standing outside holding a bottle of wine in his hand. All his other friends are standing behind him.

“Hello,” I greet everybody. “Do come in!” I stand aside as an invitation for everybody to step inside.

My eyes focus on him right away. He’s looking good in a white button-up dress shirt and black dress pants. I can see that he tried to tame his hair by combing it back, but the top is still going to one side. He is so cute.

His dark eyes dance as they take me in. “You look beautiful,” he says as he hands me the bottle of wine.

“Thank you,” I reply, immediately passing the bottle over it to the uniformed staff waiting by my elbow.

“You cleaned up nicely yourself,” I smile at him. In fact, they’re all looking nice. Jaxson, Ethan, and Mason are all in smart dress shirts.

Toccara is in a black long dress and high heels, while her curly hair is in a bun.

Elle is wearing loose black pants with a blue sleeveless top. Her hair is down tonight, framing her round pretty face.

I usher them inside through the foyer and the great room to the back where all the lycans are.

“So you live here?” asks Toccara.

“Yeah,” I answer, noticing how they’re looking around the place in awe for the first time. It’s not the Banehallow palace, but the place is impressive, I suppose.

The house is massive. Big original artworks hanging on the walls. The shiny marble floor reflects the pot lights and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The sea breeze is blowing in through the eight widely opened thirteen-foot glass doors that lead to the pool area, facing the beach.

The backyard is brightly lit with all the post lights and the lights from inside the pools and the hot tub. Even the potted plants are illuminated by lights. Water from the top tier swimming pool flows in a glowing cascading waterfall into the second pool. Solar tiki lights lined up the stone steps that lead down to our stretch of private beach.

They’re busy looking at the surrounding until my lycan friends walk over and I see their jaws drop. Yeah, I know. They’re stunning and intimidating to look at.

I quickly make the introductions.

I can say that the party is going okay so far, though there seems to be an invisible line separating the lycans and the humans.

Everybody seemed to be polite and tried to make small

conversation, in the beginning, then they form into smaller groups. Serena and Genesis are making efforts to make

everybody feels comfortable. The men seem polite, yet aren’t making much effort.

Ethan and Jaxson are by the buffet table. I can hear them whispering and yapping about “rich folks” while shelving the food into their plates. If only they knew that we can hear them.

Darius, Constantine, and Lazarus are talking quietly by the pool. I find myself even more cautious with Darius. His eyes are full of fierce possessiveness every time they land on me.

Sometimes our eyes meet and lock across the room. Even when I’m trying to give my undivided attention to Matthew, I can feel his sharp gaze following my every movement like a predator eyeing its prey.

Caspian is sitting quietly on one of the lounge chairs, nursing a flute of wine in his hand broodingly. Sometimes his eyes flash to where I’m standing next to Matthew and among the humans.

His eyes show hurt as if I was betraying him. I feel the same vibes coming from Lazarus and Constantine, even though they’re less obvious about it.

I knew this isn’t going to be the greatest party ever, but as long as no furniture or food being thrown across the room, I’m good. Nothing has been broken and I consider it a success. I know I set my standard very low.

Matthew is standing next to me with Genesis, Toccara, and Elle. He has been nothing but sweet and charming so far. He’s attentive and easy to like. I’m sure Genesis can see what a wonderful person he is.

“So all of you live here together?” asks Elle.

“Yeah,” I answer.

“Tell me, do you have to look a certain way to be qualified to live here?” asks Toccara, eyeing Darius, Constantine, and Lazarus, then Caspian who is still sulking by himself. Then her gaze moves over to where Serena and Eva who are talking to Mason. “Or is it something in the water or the food that you guys eat to make you look the way you look?”

I like Toccara. She just says what she wants to say. She has no filter, just like me.

Genesis and I share a look and we both laugh at her question.

“Funny,” says Genesis. “Speaking of food, let’s get something to eat,” she ushers everyone towards the buffet table.

Matthew holds me back when I’m about to go and join the others.

“Is he living here too?” asks Matthew, tilting his head towards Caspian.

“Yeah,” I answer.

“What about him?” he’s looking at Darius whose eyes look up in time to watch us. I know he can hear us.

“He’s…uh, just visiting,” I answer uneasily.

“How long is he here for?”

“Hey, there you are. Why don’t we grab something to eat? I don’t know about you, but I’m famished,” says Serena

appearing behind us. My eyes flash to hers and we exchange looks. My eyes conveying gratitude for the interruption.

By the time we reach the buffet table, my eyes once again wander to where Darius is standing, but he’s gone. I breathe in his faint scent as the wind from the ocean blows in through the open doors.

The atmosphere seems better after everybody had their feast and after a glass or two to drink. Everybody seems to be making an effort…well, maybe not everybody. Constantine and Lazarus are polite, yet reserved, Darius is still missing, Caspian is still brooding.

I think Mason is trying to chat up Eva, even though the lycan warrior towers over him. Who could blame him? Eva is

gorgeous. Mason is good looking, too bad lycans can’t hook up with random humans or werewolves.

Matthew is awfully quiet after quizzing me about Darius. I can feel that it’s bothering him. Even when I’m walking him to his car, he’s still not talking much.

“Are you okay?” I ask him when he presses the key fob to his car.

“Yeah…” says Matthew, opening his car door. Then he turns around and says, “actually, no….is he your boyfriend? Or ex-boyfriend or something?”

“Who?” I ask, even though I have an idea who he’s talking about.

“That boy, Darius. Is there anything going on between you two?” he demands to know.

We slept together a couple of times, and I’m his erasthai.

“Uh…no?” Why does my answer come out sounding like a

question?

“I mean he’s awfully good-looking, isn’t he?” he says.

“Uh…” Is that a trick question? I don’t know how to answer that.

“So, does the pretty boy always look at you like that?”

Darius is beautiful, but I wouldn’t call him a pretty boy. If only Matthew knew. Darius might look like a 21-year-old, but he’s way older than that and he’s all man. Tall, tough and

dangerous…and build…glorious body…full of hard

muscles…pure masculine perfection…

“Are you sure there’s nothing going on between you two?” he sounds even crankier when I failed to answer his last question.

“Mathew, calm down. Why are you so worried about him?”

“I’m fine, but I feel like there’s something between you two. It’s just…look at him. There’s no way I could compete with…that,”

he throws out the last word with a mixture of jealousy and disgust.

“Why would you have to compete with Darius?” I laugh nervously. Gosh, that sounds so lame, even to my own ears.

“Come on, Matthew…”

“Okay, sorry…” he sighs. “Forget what I just said. I’m just being an insecure jerk. I’m probably just tired. It’s been a long day.”

“Okay. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Okay. I’ll give you a call. Good night Penny,” he says, leaning in to give me a kiss. His lips are warm and soft. I feel the warmth spreading across my skin and the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I pull back just as he’s about to deepen the kiss.

“Good night, Matthew,” I whisper. I can see a disappointment in his eyes, but there’s somewhere else I have to be. There’s something I have to do first.

Everybody seems to be relieved that the night is over.

Everybody says goodnight and takes off not long after I got in.

The workers start cleaning and clearing things up.

Constantine kisses his mate on her forehead and leaves.

Genesis has taken off her shoes and is lying on the sofa with a glass of drink in hand. There’s a faraway sad look in her eyes.

I sit on the ottoman next to her.

“He seems nice,” she says finally. “Is this really what you want?

Does he make you happy, Penny?”

I just shrug my shoulders. I think so. “He does make me happy.” He’s very sweet and he wants to be with me.

“Then I shall be happy for you,” she says it like a promise. She places her half-empty glass on the floor and takes my hand in hers. “Do what your heart tells you and be happy. I love you and all I really want is for you to be happy,” she squeezes my hand before she gracefully rises to her feet. “Good night, Penny.”

I suspect this is the first time they’ve ever mingled like this with humans and I’m grateful that they’re making an effort.

Even Caspian’s brooding presence. It must’ve taken quite an effort for the prince not to throw a massive tantrum tonight.

I take my own shoes off, toss them somewhere behind the sofa and pad across the tile to the backyard. I walk past the busy workers, across the pool area, down the lit up stone steps until my feet sink into the soft sand of the beach.

The moon and the stars are bright, but I pick up a solar light off the ground and walk down the lonely beach with it. Might as well bring a friend with me. I decided that the solar light is my friend and call it Jake. “Well, Jake. Let’s go for a walk.”

My senses are filled with his faint scent, the sound of the waves hitting the shore, and the briny breeze from the sea as I walk the long stretch of the beach. I walk past the boundary of our property and keep walking for miles following my nose.

I’m approaching a pier. A solitary figure with hair so fair it looks silvery in the moonlight is leaning against one of the poles.

“Darius,” I whisper as I’m within a couple of feet from him.