Chapter Sixteen

Alice

Teresa, Juliet and I lay on my bed as we look up at the fan. We have been talking about Juliet's upcoming wedding this weekend, about her vows and her necessary preparations. The three of us have always been inseparable because we know, the value of our friendship is important.

"Okay, so . . . what will your vows be?" Teresa asks, earning Juliet's attention.

"I haven't really thought through. I've been going on Google for the past week but I can't seem to find anything that suits us," She replies, groaning and somehow worried if the wedding would not turn out perfect because of her—when in fact, the real reason of their marriage is the love they have for each other. William and Juliet knows each other more than they expect.

Teresa frowns, "Girl, you still have a few more days. Figure it out!"

"I've been trying, so damn hard. It's just . . . complicated,"

I sit up, causing them to sit up as well. "What's wrong, Juliet?"

Juliet sighs, pushing a few strands of her hair behind her ear. "I love Will with my whole heart. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for him but ever since the wedding is getting near, I've been overthinking. I couldn't even sleep well at night even when he is beside me. I'd just look at him and think, what if I'm not good enough? What if I ruin our relationship? What if we fail this marriage?"

"Juliet . . ." I grab onto her hand, "Why would think that way?"

"I don't know. I can't help it,"

Teresa adds, "I think you're just really nervous."

"Yeah, you're just really nervous. You obviously love him,"

"I do. I love him so much," She puts on her puppy face before leaning on Teresa's shoulder. "You have no idea how long I've waited to finally become his wife. We used to talk about our future, our wedding day and our kids . . . we just want to experience all that together,"

I nod, "You have nothing to worry about. Let me hear your vows,"

"Okay . . . so, the first one, I vow to be your biggest fan and partner in crime. I promise to support a family with you in a home filled with patience, love and understanding. I vow to grow old with you. I will love you faithfully and unconditionally through difficult and easy times. What may come, I promise to always be there with love—as I have given my life to you." She says, waiting for our reaction as Teresa and I continue to look at each other, "Don't say it. That was awful,"

"It wasn't awful . . . it was just," Teresa trails, looking at me.

"Dull." I continue her sentence, earning a quick nod from her.

"Right. We don't want that. Do you want to hear the second one?" Juliet asks.

"Fire away,"

"I never would have imagined that out of all the people in this world, I would find someone as special as you. You are my best friend and my one true love. I cannot believe I am the lucky woman who gets to marry you today. I promise I will never forget this privilege, no matter how many years of our lives go by. I love you, now and forever." She raises an eyebrow, sighing.

"Okay, wait. Is this your own idea or did you copy it from the internet?" Teresa asks.

"Some of it is mine."

"I want to hear sincerity from you. Not just cheesy words straight out of Google,"

"Right . . . listen to the last one. Mmm," Juliet clears her throat before looking at us, "Will, in your eyes, I have found my home. In your heart, I have found my love. In your soul, I have found my mate. With you, I am whole, full, alive. I remember when you make me laugh and you let me cry. You are my breath, my every heartbeat. I am glad I met you."

"That was better, slightly but we can improve that," I reassure her.

Teresa scoffs, "You need to say things that you really mean. That is what a wedding truly is—you are focusing on your partner, the one you'll end up with the rest of your life. Don't try to plan a perfect ceremony for your guests but make it a perfect moment for both of you,"

"Well said." I chuckle.

"I just need a little help with the vow," Juliet groans. "Please!"

"We can help you right now,"

"One of the reasons why I love you,"

The three of us spend the next two hours trying to create Juliet's vows. We want her to admit her true feelings when she is standing in front of Will, hand in hand, as they make a promise to god. A promise to their everlasting love. Juliet seems to be relaxing a little bit as we help her out, easing her mind and not letting her overthink about the unnecessary.

She has really good ideas of her own.

"I can't wait to hear you say it on your wedding day." I pull her in for a hug, being happy for her.

"By the way, have you guys heard from Eric?" Juliet asks, scrolling on her phone with a frown. "It's like he completely disappeared again."

Teresa realises, her eyes widening. "Huh, speaking about Eric, haven't heard from him in awhile. I thought he had gone off to London?"

"He was In New York a couple of days ago . . ."

I keep quiet, not wanting to say anything about Eric. Even though Juliet and Teresa are my best friends, it feels wrong to tell them about what happened—years ago or even a few days ago. The pain is still there, minimal but it was more painful to let myself being treated that way. He used to say he loved me, he'd cherish me with all of his heart but he hurt me in ways I couldn't explain.

"Maybe, he's just busy." Teresa adds.

I remember exactly what Damon had said, he'd kill him. I don't know if he said it out of anger and wanted to show his power but it felt real. The way he said it was filled with revenge. All he wanted was to hurt him because Eric had put me through so much pain. At the same time, it scares me to think of Eric's whereabout and condition.

"I don't know. He has always been weird,"

"Weird? He was a great friend sometimes,"

Teresa laughs, "Sometimes?"

I rub my arms, not trying to seem awkward or uncomfortable but once again, I fail miserably.

"Alice?" Juliet asks, grabbing my attention. "What's wrong?"

I blink a few times, shaking my head. "Huh, nothing is wrong. I haven't heard anything from Eric, too. Maybe, he's just a bit busy with work and stuff? I don't know,"

"Has he contacted you? I mean, did he want to settle things after we got back to New York?" Juliet asks, appearing more concern than before. As a matter of fact, I would very much prefer to avoid this subject and talk about something else. Talking about Eric makes me uncomfortable but it's not even Juliet or Teresa's fault. I'd blame it all on my own.

I feel uncomfortable because of what he did.

Even when we were still a couple, he'd force me into having sex. Sometimes or most of the time, I'd reject his request and he'd get pissed off. He would manipulate me into thinking that I don't love him. He would say that if I really do love him, I'd do anything for him. Maybe, if he had treated me way better than he did, I'd be in love with him until now.

However, I was hurt. I was devastated.

"No, we haven't talked." Another lie.

What can I tell them? That Eric has somehow forced me into sex as soon as he saw me entering the car? I was out of will and energy, I couldn't resist his strength—would Teresa and Juliet believe me? Yes. Would it ruin our group? Yes. We wouldn't be the same. Ian wouldn't even want to talk to Eric. He'd probably beat the hell out of him.

"Weird . . . he did want to settle things with you," Teresa adds.

"About the whole relationship thing and how bad it got before he left," Juliet continues.

"I don't know . . . I don't want to talk about it," I respond, trying to change the subject but both of my friends has somehow grown more curious. "Really, Eric and I were way in the past and now we have moved onto our own lives. I don't want to keep talking about him as if he matters,"

Teresa sighs, "You're right. I'm sorry,"

"It's fine."

"Besides, you have Mr. Perfect, now." Juliet adds.

Mr. Perfect a.k.a Damon. I've never encountered a single man as attractive as Damon. Maybe, just maybe, because he is a werewolf and not a regular human being. He would be able to heal and move faster, leaving no trace of his actual age. People would be surprised and he'd be put in a lab.

"Mr. Perfect. I can't believe myself,"

"Alice . . ."

"No, really. I've been comfortable in my own space,"

"Well, how are things with Mr. Perfect?" They ask, making me smile after.

How are things going on with Damon? Everything has been going on perfect. Every minute we are together, we always seem to grow closer. The bond pulls us closer together which makes us more fond and comfortable. He seems to always put me first in everything—then again, I know it's because of the mate bond. He told me how soulmates are precious for werewolves, he'd be no different.

Sometimes, I get pretty confused on how they'd know their mates. They don't get to choose their soulmates but the heart chooses for them . . . as if everything was destined the moment their mates were born. It makes a lot of sense because mates aren't much of a different to humans.

We just don't know our true soulmate.

We don't feel the way they feel.

Sometimes, we even take love for granted.

"Things are really great," I look down, trying to hide the blush appearing on my cheeks as they tease me away. I'm always shy when it comes to relationships but with Damon, it goes on smoothly. He doesn't force me into pushing forward even though they have traditions to follow.

"We're really happy for you," Teresa pulls me in for a hug and Juliet joining us after, making the three of us laugh. "Let's not forget that he is super hot. He seems to care about you a lot, too."

"You guys have always been there for me. Thank you," I mutter.

"Okay, enough sobbing with the whole cheesy love story. I have to go and meet up with Will," Juliet says, causing us to immediately break from the trance. It's fun to see that she has gotten her spirit back from being sad and anxious just now—she seems like she is ready to conquer the whole world.

Teresa raises her hand, as if we're in a classroom. "You're my ride. Drop me home,"

"Of course, silly. I wouldn't want you to take the bus,"

"We should go now because Alice seems to be deep in thought about Mr. Perfect," Teresa adds which causes me to throw a small pillow towards her face, in which she manages to avoid.

"I'm not!"

"Thinking about all the sexy fun you guys can be doing as soon as we leave?" She raises an eyebrow, causing me to push her onto the bed with a laugh. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I was just messing with you!"

"You better." I pretend to tickle her in which she surrenders immediately.

"We'll see ourselves out," Juliet pulls Teresa out of the door as they make their way downstairs, leaving me sitting on the bed and actually thinking about Damon—wondering about what he is doing at the moment. He must be at work or somewhere around the globe. We haven't been talking for the past couple of days because he seems busy.

I stare out at the window before hearing my bedroom door opening, causing me to sigh. "You forgot something? Your purse—"

I turn around to find Damon leaning against the door frame, surprising me. My eyes widen, not expecting him to show up all of a sudden. "Damon . . . how did you get in?" I ask, facing him.

"I have my ways," He replies.

"What are you doing here?"

He starts to make his way towards me, "To check up on you. To see if you're okay,"

"I'm okay. Teresa and Juliet just left," I respond.

"I know. I saw them leave," He nods.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

It doesn't take me long to forget how Damon got inside my house. Knowing well enough he is a werewolf, he can always make his way inside. They have super strengths, great speed and composure. Besides, like Damon said, he has his ways. Regardless, I trust him. I feel safer when he is around me. I don't feel scared or worried, just warmth and comfort.

Damon continues to look at me until we're near, as he stands and I gaze up into his eyes. Both of his hands cup onto my face, letting me close my eyes at the warmth of him. He is standing in front of me as I just sit on the edge of the bed—letting myself get lost in his touch.

"Alice . . ." He calls out, making me open my eyes.

He leans in, our lips inches apart as he breathes. "I really miss you,"

I smile, pushing forward, making our lips touch in a sweet kiss. My heart continues to beat fast as butterflies erupt in my stomach before letting him take control of my lips. He has both of his hand cupped onto my face as I place my own on his forearm. The kiss slowly turns passionate as he lays me on the bed, pulling him with me.

He breaks the kiss, gazing into my eyes. "You're so beautiful,"

"So are you," I respond, shyly.

"Really?" He chuckles, softly using his fingers to push away the strands of my hair from my face.

"Yeah, you are."

"Can never beat you,"

He leans in, trailing kisses down my neck which causes my lips to part and my eyes close shut. The way his touch instantly makes me melt and surrender completely, it's leaving me weak. My hands begin to pull his face up before kissing him on the lips, this time filled with endless passion.

It makes me forget that this man, in front of me, has killed my ex-boyfriend.