Chapter Eleven

I didn’t sleep much last night. Every time I closed my eyes I saw myself and Sawyer. Every time I’d fall back asleep the dream was a different scenario. But it always started the same e were together laughing and deeply in love but by the end of the dream I would be taken away from him. In some of them, I would find my way back to him but he already moved on. I would wake up with tears rolling down my cheeks. I last count of how many of those dreams I had but around 4 this morning I decided to stay up.

I close my eyes hoping maybe this time I’ll get some sleep but the universe has another idea for me. My door bursts open and I hear a squealing Leyla walk in. “Get up girl I have some amazing news!” She tells me.

I open my eyes and look over to find a smile on Leyla but when she looks at me her smile goes away. “Amber are you okay?” She asks. Before I could nod Walter walks in. “Did you tell her yet?” He asks. “No Sir. I” before she could continue Walter sends Leyla a glare then looks at me.

“Apparently the council has changed the rules a bit since it’s a ‘new time’ He air quotes. “I was outnumbered by those bastards. Today you’ll be seeing both King Dante and King Sawyer. The council wants to see which King you fit better with” Walter tells me then leaves my room and shuts the door. Leyla rolls her eyes and comes over to me.

“Let me explain it better. The council came to an agreement that you should have some say in who you want to be with. Today Walter and another counsel man will be going with you to observe you and the two Kings to see if you bond better with. Whoever you bond better with will give them a better idea of who you’ll benefit more. I guess in their eyes whoever you feel better around will give that King more benefits. That part I don’t understand but we sadly have no control over it.” Leyla tells me.

She gets off the bed and smiles at me softly. “Come on girl. Let’s get you ready for this date” she tells me. I pull the covers off my body and get out of bed.

“I want to find something that matches both of their aesthetics. For the Vampire King dark and gloomy while for the Werewolf King bright and cheerful. Take a seat as I find something” Leyla tells me as we walk into my closet. I walk over to the makeup desk and sit on the stool. I can hear Leyla talking to herself out loud about how she’s pissed that Walter and the council didn’t give her enough time to think over an outfit. That it’ll be so much easier when she can make my outfits instead of trying to put pieces together and so on.

After what felt like so long Leyla walks over to me with clothes on her arm and a pair of black knee-high heel boots in the other hand. “This is the best I could find. I’m sorry this isn’t my best work” Leyla tells me. I stand up and strip my sleepwear. On the desk, Leyla lays out black panties and a bra for me. I stip out of my underwear from last night as well and slip the new ones on.

“Every time I see you, you are always clean-shaven. I have no clue how you can keep on that and not miss a spot. I’m always missing something or going a few weeks without shaving” Leyla tells me as she throws my dirty clothes into the dirty hamper. I blush as I clamp my bra. “Here’s the outfit for today,” she tells me.

I grab the black skirt and pull it up my legs. Why must I always be wearing dresses and skirts? Can’t I wear shorts or pants once in a while? And I’m so sick of heels. I miss wearing sneakers. I went from wearing hoodies and sweatpants every day to dresses and heels. I don’t understand how girls like this stuff.

I grab the light blue turtle neck long sleeve and put that on. After I’m dressed I sit down on the stool and let Leyla do my makeup. “Today I’m going to do a gray smokey eye with light eyeliner and that’s it. For your hair, I’m going to add some waves to it and put it in a ponytail. That should look good with this outfit” Leyla says to herself out loud. I close my eyes and let her get to work.

“I’m going to demand Walter to tell me the locations for these dates from now on because I want you to succeed. I don’t want you showing up to a date that’s at the beach in a dress and heels or to a cookout in formal wear. I have no idea what you are doing today or where you’ll be meeting the guys and I feel anxious for you… Mostly because of the outfit” Leyal rants as she does my makeup than hair.

I wasn’t paying too much attention to her. My mind was clouded with Sawyer. I’ll be seeing him again today and I have a huge chance to show the council that he’s the one that I want to be with. That I’m the perfect mate and Queen for him. “Okay, girly you are all done. Normally I have you check yourself out but I don’t know when the date is so we better meet Walter in his office” Leyla tells me.

I stand up from the stool and walk towards the closet door. I pass by the mirror and I give myself a quick glance. Leyla is magical with her work. At first, I didn’t think she’d be able to pull this one off but she sure did. I’m definitely going to hire her as my stylist when I’m with Sawyer.

We walk out of my bedroom and make our way to Walter’s office which is on the first floor. Why are high heel boots more difficult to walk in than the other types of heels I’ve worn? It doesn’t make sense. Could I be weak in the leg? If that’s the case then I’ll have to start working them out but not too much. No man wants a woman with muscles. It isn’t ladylike.

Leyla speed walks the rest of the stairs it almost looks like she’s skipping some. No way in hell would I be able to do that. I would fall flat on my face and I don’t need that happening today. I want to look my best for my Werewolf King. When we finally reach the ground floor we turn a harsh left and go down the hallway until we finally reach Walter’s room. Why do I feel so slow today? It’s like walking is making me tired. Leyla knocks on the door and waits for Walter to invite us in.

After a couple of seconds of waiting, we hear a come in. Leyla opens the door and walks in with me following right behind her. I walk towards the closest chair to me in his office and lean agents it trying to catch my breath. What is wrong with me today? “I didn’t know when you wanted her so I rushed as fast as I could,” Leyla says.

Walter looks at me up and down with a blank expression, then he looks back at Leyla. “I can tell. This isn’t your best work. I advise you do better next time. She is being presented in front of two Kings and if you want to be her stylist when she moves in with her mate you better step up your work,” Walter tells her. A ping of hurt goes through my heart when Walter tells her that.

No way in hell is any of the true. She’s an amazing stylist. “The Kings should be here any minute. You’ll be spending the afternoon with them in the garden after we have a meeting with them. A council member and I will be following you and the Kings observing with them. After the stroll, you will dine with them and after that, they will leave. This day will help determine who you will be with. You may go and do whatever but stay close” Walter tells me.

I nod my head and leave the office with Leyla following me. She shuts the door and speed walks back towards the direction we came from. I quickly try to follow her the best that I can but it’s so difficult. I can’t breathe. I stop walking and put my left hand on the wall and try to catch my breath. I look up to find Leyla further away. “Stop” a whisper came out. I cleared my throat and with my last bit of strength, I yell stop.

Leyla stops walking and slowly turns around. She’s far from me but I can see the tears running down her face from here. “Amber are you okay?” Leyla asks as she walks over to me. “I’m fine. I just need to catch my breath” I tell her. When she reaches me she grabs my arm and wraps it around her shoulders and she wraps her arm around my waist. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk without the worry of someone listening,” she tells me. I nod in agreement.

As Leyla guided me through the ground level I had a hard time fighting to keep my eyes open and a small headache started to form. I need to get over this. Walter and the other councilmen are expecting me to have a date with both Kings and see which one I should be with. This isn’t the time to feel like this. I need to show them I need to be with Sawyer so this nonsense needs to stop.

Leyla and I reach a door she opens it and we walk in. I look around the place my mind isn’t in the right place to really take everything in. “I’ll set you on the couch and I’ll get you some water,” she tells me. I nod, sort of understanding what she’s saying. Leyla leads me over to the couch and sits me down. I try to look around the room again but notice it spinning and my eyesight isn’t very clear.

“Here you go,” Leyla tells me as she’s handing me a cup. I take the cup from her and take a sip. Leyla sits in a chair across from me. “What’s wrong?” She asks me. I shake my head “no… your the one who’s upset… talk to me…” I tell her while trying to catch my breath in between words. Leyla gives me a look not really knowing if she should talk. She bows her head and nods. “Okay but I want answers after,” she tells me. I nod my head but when I do that I get really lightheaded.

“Amber… my life is messed up. It’s so bad I wish I had yours because at least you’ll have a happy ending. Walter… he’s my dad and the way he acted towards me today was considered nice for him. But if I’m explaining everything I’ll go to the beginning. My dad never wanted to be with my mom.

They were made to be together for states. My mom tried to be happy with my dad but he could cheat and make it very clear to her. When my parents found out they were having me my mom was thrilled thinking that would change my father’s ways. But it didn’t instead he would harm her any way he thought was fit. When I was born I only spent a week with my mom until she one day died.

No one knows what happened since she was very healthy and loved having a child. There are rumors that my father killed her and I believe those rumors. Normally when stuff like that happens it’s for another woman or man but not for my father. He never wanted to be in any type of relationship with anyone. But I’m here and he hates me but for appearances, he keeps me around. He gave me the job as your stylist in hopes you’ll hire me and I’ll leave and he’ll finally be free” Leyla tells me.

I sit there in shock. Did I hear Leyla right or is this because I’m not feeling well and I’m now hearing things? I open my mouth to reply but the door opens. I look towards the door to find Walter. Man, it’s weird knowing this cold-hearted man who doesn’t care for anyone has a beautiful kind-hearted daughter who will be there and help anyone in need. And how dare he talk to Leyla the way he did in his office. She’s done an amazing job picking out my outfit today as she has done every time.

“I thought I’d find you both here. The Kings are here. Amber Lennon will escort you to the garden” he tells me. He was about to walk out and shut the door but Leyla stopped him. “Amber isn’t feeling well should you reschedule with them or do something else?” Leyla asks. Walter pauses and turns around sending Leyla a harsh glare. “Amber looks fine. We aren’t rescheduling or doing anything else. Now let’s go, Amber. I might just bring you myself” Walter tells me. I nod and try to stand up.

“No, wait Amber let me help you,” Leyla tells me as she stands up and walks over to me. “What do you think you’re doing,” Walter’s booming voice asks. Leyla stops walking and looks at her father. “She is fine. She can get up herself. Come on Amber we don’t want to keep the Kings waiting any longer” Walter tells me. I nod and stand up. My legs are a bit wobbly at first but I make my way over to Walter. I look behind me and offer Leyla a small smile. She smiles back at me. “I’ll see you after the date,” she tells me. I nod in agreement and walk out of her room.