Chapter 21: Chapter 22

Chapter 22

I realize immediately his voice has taken on a strange tone Immediately, the whispers in the crowd are spulled out.

more powerful and resonant than it was before.

“Enough with your squalliding Lam the alpha of this family, and I will not be questioned The power within his voice only grows Cut of the corner of my eye, I see that most members of the crowd have begun, bowing their heads in a clear sign of sulanssion. It looks like only 1, Auden, Katrina, And maybe a few others love resisted his car. Mrs. Cruz

It takes me a moment to realize that they aren’t simply bowing then heads–they’re exposing their necks, too. Unsurprisingly, I looks a lot like how wolves cxpress sulumission. Even the small classical hand that has been playing Tackground music came in a sudden stop as they, too, bow. I imagine the only reason why I’m not affected is because

At the olge of my vision, I see Mix Cruz seem to shake herself. I glance in her direction. Strangely, the green aura 1 thought I saw surrounding her has dissipated Her expression is twisted with confusion. It seems like even she isn’t sure why she defended me so passionately

McCau

“Enough of this nonsense,” Mr Cruz announces. “I will not have any more ridiculous accusations flying at my party,

festivities.

It feels like a luzarre spell has broken. The people in the crowd raise their heads, and the piano music begins once again. The crowd disperses like a flock of starded birds. Just as quickly as the confrontation began, it ends.

Mr. and Mrs Cruz shoot eachother a cold look before separating from one another, continuing the rounds of the party, as though nothing had happened. The only person who stays nearby Aiden and 1 is Katrina.

Katrina’s face has gone almost as red as her dress. She turns to Aiden with clear desperation “Aiden, please, and it was just a mistake,” she insists shakily. Before she can continue, Aiden raises a band.

“Don’t bother,” Auden says coldly. His gaze is like ice as he glares at Katrina. “You already lost my respect. Now, you’ve lost my trust, too”

Katrina’s expression twists with what I can only imagine is heartbreak. Her hands ball to fists and clutch her dress until her knuckles are white. She opens her mouth to speak, then closes it again. She shoots me a hateful glare but doesn’t say another word, turning in storming off in a hull.

Aiden takes my hand into his “Are you all right?” He asks softly. I squeeze his hand and look up at him gratefully.

“I’m better now.” I reassure him. “Thank you for trusting me. I can’t imagine that it was easy”

“What do you mean? He chuckles. Trusting my fated mate is the easiest thing in the world. I don’t believe that you would deceive me, Carol,” he says. My heart warms. I’m about to speak when I notice Mr. Cruz look in our direction: and almost hesitantly pick his way toward us.

Auden instinctively steps between him and me “What do you want, father?” He asks. Ilis voice is polite but firm.

“No need to get defensive Mr. Cruz grunts. “I have a simple question. It’s my right to ask after the affairs of my own

I can feel Aiden tense up in front of me I squeeze his arm to let him know that I’m fine with this. I step up beside Aiden with as much confidence as I can muster I feel him relax slightly

“Ask away, then Aiden says.

4:52 PM

Chapter 22

“The relationship between the two of you is quite… public. The expression on his face makes me think he doesn’t consider this a positive thing “Given that you have already declared to the world that Carol is your fated mate, do you have a date set for your marking ceremony?”

I tense up, this time. I glance at Aiden out of the corner of my eye. I know that he’s being put into an awkward situation – I’m the one that suggested we wait. Thankfully, Aiden doesn’t falter for a second in his response.

“Carol and I aren’t in any rush. We are planning to date for a while before enacting the ceremony. We both want to be fully comfortable before moving forward.”

I’m incredibly grateful that Aiden didn’t throw me under the bus. By the way he speaks about it, it sounds like it was a perfectly mutual decision. Mr. Cruz is clearly not as satisfied with Aiden’s answer as I am. He crosses his arms and sticks up his nose.

“Dating, getting comfortable,” he scoffs. “Of course. How could I forget about those foolish human customs? I had just never imagined my own son would be subject to such ridiculousness.

Aiden bristles beside me. I place a hand on his arm to calm him down, preparing to speak up for myself this time. I find that I’m cut off by the melodic voice of a young woman before I can say a word.

-Who is speaking ill of humans?”

To my surprise, the voice does not come from a young woman. I turn my head to see an elderly woman leaning on a cane, standing only a few feet away from us. Her white hair is pulled back into a smart bun and she wears an elegant blue dress. Despite her age, her blue eyes seem to twinkle with life.

“Please forgive me, Morgan,” Mr. Cruz says quickly. “You are, of course, no ordinary human. I would never speak of you in such a way.” He dips his head in a clear sign of respect. My eyes move back and forth between the two of them with clear confusion. Aiden leans down to whisper in my ear.

“That’s Morgan Laveau,” he says quietly. “She’s a family friend of ours. The Laveau family are humans, but they are considered different by most werewolf families.”

My eyebrows raise despite myself. I didn’t think it was possible for a human to be treated with respect by werewolves after all I’ve been through. “Sounds nice. How do I get that deal?” I joke. Aiden chuckles softly.

“I wish it were that simple,” he says. “The Laveau family are servants of the current queen.”

My gaze darts back to the old woman with surprise. The royal family- a topic I’m slightly more familiar with than werewolves. I’ve only heard rumors about the royal family. The most important thing about them seems to be that they are a part of the world’s rarest group – witches and wizards.

Witches and wizards seem like nothing but a distant reality to the life that I’ve led. In a way, it sort of makes sense that werewolves would see them differently than ordinary humans. I’ve never met a witch or wizard myself, but as their names suggest they are born with magical powers. They belong both to the humans and to the supernatural, placing them somewhere between human and werewolf.

I shake myself out of my reverie and return to the present. Mr. Cruz and Morgan Laveau are exchanging stiff pleasantries. Despite Mr. Cruz’s attempts to appease her, Morgan’s eyes dart around the room with a strangely intense expression.

“Is something the matter, Morgan?” Mr. Cruz asks. The sight is almost comical. Even though Mr. Cruz towers over Morgan, it’s clear that he wants to appease her. Witches must be even more powerful than I know, I think. I’m once again shaken from my thoughts by a voice.

“Who are you?”