Dior
I'm sitting on Wesley's couch, staring off into space like a zombie. Marcus and I are on the same swim team, and I killed his mate, Gloria. The right thing to do would be to tell him the truth, but my beta, Wesley, doesn't agree with me at all.
Elijah is sitting in an armchair, studying me with his glowing eyes. He is a vampire, chosen by the moon goddess as Wesley's mate. I've kept their relationship a secret from the other pack members, knowing how much the two of them need each other.
Wesley has always struggled with being a gay werewolf, but when the mate-bond crashed over him, he stopped seeing himself as a freak. Somehow meeting Elijah changed everything.
I witnessed the entire meeting as it happened in a bar. Wesley kissed Elijah, and the rest is history. The two of them are in love. And even though I've never been close with Wesley except for our beta and alpha relationship, he didn't hesitate to let me come inside his home this morning.
The guilt I felt after finding out I was the one behind Gloria's murder left me barely able to walk, and once Wesley presented me with donuts, I poured my heart out to him.
It felt good.
"From what I heard, Marcus and Gloria were the ones who attacked the two-legged werewolf first," Wesley places down a cup of coffee in front of me. He then takes a seat on the same couch. "So if that thing that attacked them truly were you, then it was in self-defense."
"It still doesn't make it right," I rake my fingers through my hair, inhaling while covering my face. "I'm a fucking monster."
Wesley is quiet while his mate seeks eye contact the moment I look up. Elijah barely speaks. He cleans his hands after every handshake and is rather proper. No one has ever spotted him without a suit, and his dark hair is always perfectly styled.
"I'm not familiar with werewolf politics, but had you been a vampire, no one would judge you for what you did. We follow our leaders without question."
"They might still follow me, but they will fear me."
Elijah nods, smiling. "True, but they wouldn't choose another alpha. You're their most vital asset and their only chance of survival, Dior. I saw you singlehandedly defeat that zombie crocodile this morning."
I had almost forgotten it happened. I had been in such a daze after my run-in with Patricia that I was hardly conscious when I cracked the neck of the half-dinosaur.
Wesley and Elijah saw the entire thing and gaped at the scene. They both appeared impressed until my rambling reached their ears. I mumbled everything that happened, and they decided to take me to Wesley's house so we could talk things through.
The gentlemen also gave me new clothes. Wesley is too short for me, so I'm currently wearing way-too-short sweatpants borrowed from Elijah. Unfortunately, I'm too broad-shouldered for any of his shirts, but I don't mind sitting her topless.
"I don't remember anything from when I turned into that terrible creature. My only glue was finding Gloria's blood on my hands and arms. I was covered with it."
Wesley places a hand on my shoulder and offers me a sympathetic smile. He is a good guy, with curly blonde hair and long eyelashes framing his angelic face. I find it interesting how his fair alabaster skin contrasts with his mate's rich honey color. Elijah usually wears more intense expressions too, and rarely smiles.
"I don't think we should tell anyone it was you who murdered Gloria. Elijah is right—the pack needs your strength, Dior. And if you only turn into this mighty creature during the full moon, then maybe we can lock you up in the future?"
I snort. "Like people do in the movies?"
Wesley grins. "Exactly!"
I stare into his face, and then I shift in my seat, turning until I can see Elijah smiling discreetly in agreement. His legs are crossed, and the graceful vampire exchanges a glance with his mate, which tells me more than enough—they both agree on this plan.
I sigh. "Why do I get the feeling keeping this a secret will backfire?"
"It won't backfire," Elijah says in his proper accent. "During the next full moon, Wesley and I will lock you up in our basement, and trust me—you won't get out from there."
I tap my knees, about to stand up. "Alright, but I will need an alibi for tonight."
Elijah nods. "Of course—Wesley will tell everyone that you spent the night here, too drunk to answer anyone. You're turning eighteen tomorrow, and you will say you freaked out about the thought of no longer being able to be a player."
I frown. "I'm not a player—I'm a virgin."
A smirk plays on the vampire's lush lips. "Yes, but no one else needs to know that."
Damn, Elijah is cunning. I like that a lot.
***
Later the same day, I'm at the supermarket buying groceries together with Wesley. We bonded today, and if Elijah were a werewolf, I would recruit him straight away.
Wesley is staring down at his grocery list. "Elijah is in love with this wine that they don't sell this store," he sighs. "Seriously? Does he expect us to drive to the other side of the city for this wine?"
"Probably,"
Discomfort rushes through me when I notice every female werewolf is staring at me. My birthday is coming up tomorrow, and I don't want to sound cocky, but I bet some of these werewolves are hoping I will end up being their mate.
"Well, I guess we can go there after I have bought that cheese that Elijah loves from this store."
I stifle a laugh at the eye roll delivered by Wesley. He pushes his cart forward, unbothered by the giggles around us. I also try to ignore the glances of appreciation until I spot two familiar women standing by the ice cream desk.
Patricia, together with that witch, Alice—this must be my lucky day.
A smile curls my lips the moment Patricia lifts her chin. I wave at her to piss her off for entertainment, but the rogue doesn't react the way I expected.
Her cheeks flush a red so bright I bet I could spot her from a mile away, and when I gasp, she immediately averts her gaze while wearing a shy expression. What the heck is going on?
I'm confused by her behavior—I could have sworn she hated me earlier, and now she is looking expectant? Like a girl not sure if they hate or love a pair of shoes. Interesting. I flash her a megawatt smile the second she tries to steal a glance, enthralled by her reddening skin.
Did I hit my head this morning? Because Patricia is acting like one of those other girls hoping I'm their mate.
I'm not complaining, though, hell no—Patricia is hot and not fake like all the others. I thought I hated her, but my opinion quickly changed after our life-and-death adventure. Now I see that Patricia is smart with a short temper, fierce and brave, and I like her, but I'm a monster, so I better stop leering at her through heart-shaped lenses.
"Dior?"
Abruptly, I return from Patty-Patty land and glance down at Wesley. He gives me a knowing grin, and I inwardly facepalm at the dumb face I must be wearing.
Not that I can help the way I'm functioning—Patricia has infected my brain. It wasn't love at first sight, but more like I've been paddling far out into the ocean for years, and once I realized how deep I was in, it was way too late to turn back again.
"You're still there, right?"
I force a smile. "Yeah, let's head to the checkout."
Wesley walks ahead, and I follow, but not without stealing another peek at Patricia and almost tumbling over my feet.
Shit!
I'm too invested, too caught up in this beautiful, determined woman to think straight around her. She swam through a river, and even though I was heavy, she didn't give up despite hating my guts. Patricia, like always, pulled through like the amazing woman she is, but I've been so blind and idiotic that I've missed her traits.
Our hating game has gone on for so long that I've neglected to see her good qualities. Instead, I focused on our quarrels, and because I was miserable, I pulled her down to my level. I treated her like shit, and what did I get back?
Patricia saved my sad life in return!
I sure as hell don't deserve her—I'm a murderer who needs to be locked up at the full moon, but I'm so lost in her. And the saddest part is that I think the loathing I felt was love in disguise. Because when I gaze down at Patricia, I want to hug her, thank her for saving my life, not fight or throw nasty comments at her.
"Can you bag the items?" Wesley asks.
"Sure."
Without a complaint, I organize Wesley's grocery bags. Patricia and Alice are standing behind him in line. They are each holding a package of ice cream, and once they notice me, Alice shoves her elbow into Patricia's side. I pretend not to notice the blush creeping over her again but smile to myself when Patricia watches me.
"Man, this bag is heavy," Wesley struggles with the first bag I packed, grimacing at the weight. "Elijah will have to get himself one of those freaking daylight rings."
I take the other bag and walk ahead. "I would have to explain to the rest of our pack members that the old vampire is friendly then."
Wesley gasps next to me. "You are considering doing it?"
A full-blown smile takes control of my lips. "You guys are the only friends I have—I barely knew you twenty-four hours ago, but you're already letting me stay over."
"Uh, you're the alpha..."
I look around to make sure we are alone before I whisper. "I killed someone, and you chose to stay by my side."
"That's true," Wesley beams up at me. "To tell you the truth, I have always liked you—you're a good guy, Dior. Sure, sometimes you act like a jerk, but you accepted Elijah the second you learned he was my mate."
"Of course!" My eyes narrow in irritation. I'm almost insulted that I have to explain myself. "The mate-bond is sacred. You and Elijah belong to each other, and I would never question it, even if he is a vampire."
"And since he is a vampire, I'm used to hearing stories about their ways, and in the vampire world, leaders do kill members of their tribe. So no, I don't blame you for what happened, even though that might sound dark."
"It does sound dark."
"Yes, but try to think of it this way—we aren't humans, and we will never be like them, which means the rules of our world aren't the same as theirs either. Sometimes we have to kill to survive, which you did."
"It still doesn't feel right."
"I understand but don't beat yourself up over it," Wesley presses his key and his car flashes in the parking lot. A small red, little thing. "In the future, we will lock you up in the basement, and who knows? Perhaps you learn how to control yourself."
I frown. "I doubt it."
Patricia and Alice walk past the parking lot, giggling at something, and I melt a little on the inside. Patricia is pretty when she smiles. My heart lights up like a Christmas tree.
Wesley watches me, whispering. "I don't know—some things are worth fighting for, wouldn't you agree?"