Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Hey, Alexia,” said Athena. She was coming in from the backyard together with Vanessa. Alexia sat on the couch with a can of soda, watching TV.

She turned her head and her hair swished with her, “Oh, hey guys. Come sit,” she said, patting the sofa space beside her.

Athena sat down tentatively beside her, and Vanessa perched on the coffee table in front of her. They exchanged a glance, and Athena spoke first.

“I…we…wanna apologize for pressuring you into speaking about your past. It was very wrong of us, and we’re sorry that we made you angry.”

Vanessa nodded in agreement, “Yeah. We should have kept our comments and observations to ourselves, and told you in a better way, rather than dump it all on you like that. We feel bad for what…happened to you after you stormed off in anger,” she said.

Alexia smiled and shook her head, “Guys…it’s fine. You don’t need to apologize. Sometimes, shitty things just happen. It’s fine.”

“Are you sure?” Vanessa asked.

Alexia laughed, “Yes, I’m sure. Wanna watch Thor?”

Athena squealed, “Oooh! I’m all up for seeing Chris Hemsworth dressed in a cape and wielding a hammer.”

“You’re not excited, Vanessa?” Alexia asked suspiciously, quirking a brow.

“I mean…yeah, he’s hot or whatever,” she droned, but she failed to cover up her smile.

***

“Hey babe,” Hayden greeted as soon as he entered the room. alexia sat at the vanity, brushing her hair. She swivelled on the stool to face him, beaming. He bent down to kiss her on the lips.

“So how did it go with Romulus? Were they able to trace the source of the figurine’s magic? Do they know who planted them?”

Hayden sighed tiredly, taking off his shirt, “Oh, he wasn’t able to. All we know now is that it was done by a member of the pack.”

“That’s vague,” she commented.

“I know, right?” Hayden said, flopping on the bed, “It could be literally anybody. And starting an investigation is going to freak people out and alert the perpetrator. I certainly don’t want that.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Hayden,” she said apologetically.

He groaned and got up again. He stood behind her and showed up in the vanity mirror. He smiled at her, and she smiled back before she asked a question, still brushing her hair.

“Do you think I should cut my hair?”

“Cut your hair? No, why would you do that? I love your long hair,” he protested.

“Really? Even though it clogs up the sink, falls all over the pillow, and gets in your mouth when we sleep?” she said, turning to look at him real-time.

“Well…those things you just mentioned are inconvenient, but your long hair is beautiful. It’s part of what makes you, you. And it looks badass when you put it in a high ponytail,” he added, shrugging.

Alexia smiled warmly, “Okay, I won’t cut it. It needs a trim though. I have very bad split ends.” She suddenly sat up straighter, a light bulb flashing in her head.

“I know, I’ll get a makeover on my birthday next week. I need a little pampering.”

Hayden was shocked, “Your birthday is next week? And you didn’t tell me?”

Alexia shrugged, “I am telling you now, aren’t I? I was born in October. October 16 to be precise.”

“Hmmnm. Well,” he pulled her up and close, “I am going to give you a special treat myself.”

She wanted to talk, but he shushed her with a raised finger, “It’s a surprise. Don’t ask,” he said and leaned down to kiss her.

“Quick question though, what is your favourite colour…and your favourite everything?” he asked innocently. Alexia was appalled.

“You don’t know?” she said, shoving him away.

“Hey, c’mon, not like you know about mine either,” he said, placing his hands on her waist from behind.

“I know a little,” she said, pushing his arms away.

“Really?” Hayden folded his arms across his chest, “Name my favourite colour, favourite food and allergies.”

“Your favourite colour is grey. Your favourite foods are numerous, but you love spaghetti the most, aaannnddd…you’re allergic to kale. But…you’re not really allergic to it. You just really hate it. I’ve seen you eat it a few times and nothing happened,” Alexia commented smugly.

Hayden smiled, running his hand through his hair, “Damn, Alex. I don’t know whether to be flattered or creeped out.”

“Flattered works fine for me,” she quipped.

***

Vanessa was on her way out of the packhouse later in the evening when somebody suddenly grabbed her hand and dragged her into an empty storeroom. They had a strong grip on her hand, and try as she might, she couldn’t loosen their grip. She finally surrendered and allowed herself to be dragged.

The person shoved her into the storeroom, entered after her and shut the door. Then they pulled her, so that her back was against the door.

Vanessa could see their outline in the dim light and she saw that it was a guy. He came closer and closer to her until she could feel his body heat surrounding her, and his warm breath puffed in her face.

Her heart started beating faster in trepidation and anticipation. Blood hummed in her veins, and her senses became more alert. She could hear every single shuffle, and her eyes sharpened so she could see better in the dark. Her fangs escaped their sheaths.

He caged her with both of his arms, then moved one of his hands towards the light switch and flicked it on.

“ACE!” she shrieked, surprised.

“Yes, darling, it’s me. Who were you expecting?” he gasped in mock indignation, his eyes alight with humour, “Do you have another soulmate?”

“I DO NOT HAVE A SOULMATE! YOU ARE NOT MY SOULMATE!” yelled Vanessa.

“Really? Then why did you let me drag you? You could have taken me down if you wanted. Up until now, even as we are talking, you are very capable of taking me down if you want to. Why aren’t you doing it?”

She was lost for words and kept stuttering, “I…I…you…I.”

He moved away from her, stroking his chin with his thumb and index finger, “Why are your pupils dilated? Why are your fangs out? Why is your breathing shallow?” he moved closer to her again, caging her with his arms.

He moved his head close to the side of her neck and nuzzled the soft skin with his nose. He took a deep sniff.

“Why…why is your heart beating faster than normal?”

“It’s because you scared me, you bastard. I felt threatened and…and…” Vanessa stammered.

Ace chuckled, “No, Vanessa dear, you didn’t feel threatened. I didn’t scare you. You knew it was me. You just decided to go with it.”

Vanessa facepalmed and allowed herself to slump to the ground, “Why?” she moaned to herself.

Ace sat down on the floor beside her, “I don’t know. I wish I did, but I don’t.”

“No. I refuse to believe this. This is not happening. I am having a bad dream, and I will wake up soon,” she rushed out and stood up.

Not to be left behind, Ace stood up too. She turned to leave the store room, but Ace slammed his hand on it, and it shut. Before she could say a word, he turned her around and went back to the door.

He placed a wide hand beside her head on the door, and switched off the light.

She gasped.

Without warning, he slammed his lips on hers. He cradled her face with the hand he had on the door, and she leaned into it. Her lips moved feverishly with his and slanted, sucked and teased.

Ace bit her bottom lip softly and she gasped. His tongue slid into her mouth, and she mewled. Her whole body burned. Sensations so wonderful and intense travelled from everywhere he touched her; her mouth, her face, her waist which he grabbed to pull her closer.

Her hands were unable to stay idle by her side and she slid them up his broad chest, loving the feel of his hard muscles. They traveled up to the nape of his neck, where her fingers nested into his soft silky hair and pulled him even closer.

The hand on her waist moved up and down, and brushed the material of her top away. His large warm hand met her soft, cool skin, and caressed. His hand travelled up closer to the bottom edge of her bra.

His lips trailed away from her lips and kissed down her jawline to her neck, to the place where her pulse jumped. He kissed her neck back up to her earlobe, then placed an open-mouthed kiss where her ear met her neck.

His teeth grazed the skin softly and she moaned.

“Can’t wait to place my mark right here,” he murmured against her skin.

Suddenly, Vanessa went rigid. The words jarred her out of her lustful haze, and she pushed him away roughly. She scrambled out of the store room and she didn’t look back even when he called her name repeatedly.