Chapter Thirty-two

“Hayden and Alexia are looking at us. I can see them from the corner of my eye,” said Ace.

“Really? What should we do? Do you think they know?” Vanessa rushed out in a raised voice, barely managing to look casual.

Ace chuckled, “They’re smart. They must have noticed that something is off.” He leaned in closer, and his nose almost touched hers. His warm breath fanned her face, “Do you think we should tell them?”

“T…tell them what?” she stuttered. His amber eyes held hers in a spell. His deep voice went lower, almost to a rumble in his chest.

“Y’know, that you and I are an item? That you’re my mate?”

“N…no. I think it’s a bad idea. Besides, y…you’re not my mate,” she replied, still stammering. Her heart beat louder and faster in her chest until she was certain that it would pop out of her chest.

Ace leaned in even closer, until their lips were almost touching, “Really, babe? Still in denial?” he whispered. When he spoke, his lips brushed hers lightly, but he didn’t move closer or farther.

She said nothing, and closer eyes instead. He chuckled and stood upright again. There was a person who stood at the minibar, wanting a drink. With a charming smile, he attended to the person while watching Vanessa out of the corner of his eye. She had changed the way she wat down, her legs to the side rather than against the counter the way she sat before.

When he was done, he mixed up a drink and placed it in front of her. He took a seat and slugged back a swig of malt whiskey that he poured himself.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

She turned back and fixed a dire gaze on him, “I should have told you something, but I forgot. Cole saw us.”

He shrugged, “Cole sees us every day, what’s your point?”

“I mean…Cole saw us kissing. I have not offered him a valid explanation as to why I was canoodling with the Beta, and he has been on my neck, threatening to tell the other vampires,” she explained.

“I still don’t see the issue here, Nessa. So, what if Cole tells everyone?” he replied casually.

Anger rose in Vanessa, but she quelled it and curved her lips in a small smile. However, if looks could kill, he’s be six feet under.

“If he tells the other vampires, it is going to be a catastrophe. I need to tell them myself when I am ready to.”

“So, you’re ashamed of me?” Ace asked, pouting.

She sighed, exasperated. She grabbed her drink and left the bar.

Ace stared at her retreating back, smiling wryly.

***

The party was starting to die out, and people were starting to leave. Alexia had gone around thanking everybody and accepting gifts. Her father was sitting at the bar, chatting amicably with Ace. Sighing dramatically, Alexia went to sit at the bar.

“Brandy. Double shot on the rocks,” she said to Ace who chuckled.

“As you say, birthday girl.” He put three ice cubes in a brandy glass and poured a generous amount of the alcoholic amber liquid over them. He slid it over to her, and she lifted it to her mouth, taking a big gulp.

It raced like molten gold down her throat and she hummed satisfactorily, “That is some good brandy, Dad.”

“I know. I’ve had three glasses already,” her father replied, smiling. However, he showed no sign of being drunk.

Alexia took another swig, exhaled slowly and turned to face her dad.

“Is it possible for us…Hunters to kill a Luna?”

Her father looked thoughtful for a moment, casually sipping his Coke and whiskey mixture, “There have been rare instances where a werewolf who holds power has been killed by Hunters. This may be because of a severe infraction or offence against Hunters, or in battles against them, but for a Hunter to intentionally kill a Luna or a Beta or even an Alpha, it is unheard of,” her father replied.

Ace and Alexia glanced at each other.

“But…is there like a way that a werewolf with power like me…or Hayden…or a Luna could mask that aura of power? Is there maybe like charm or a spell that a warlock would cast and it would cloak that power?” Ace asked.

Arthur did a double-take, “Kid, you are one smart cookie. Anyway, yes. There is a certain charm that helps to cloak that power. It was used in the earlier days when an Alpha or a Beta needed to blend in with wolves from another pack, or when they needed to infiltrate other Supernaturals’ clan.”

“However, it is old magic, and very few warlocks know how to prepare the charm. I doubt that even Thaddius knows how to do it,” he replied.

Just then, Alexia’s mother came to meet them at the bar. She pecked her husband on the lips and kissed her daughter’s forehead.

“It’s time to go, Arthur. We need to leave now if we want to make it home in time for the siege,” she said.

“Siege?” asked Alexia. Her mother nodded, and her father replied, “Yes, siege. The Half-Moon could fall on any day in the next three days. We’ve been making preparations and they need to be finalized.”

“That’s true, that’s true,” Alexia nodded, “I guess this is goodbye.”

They all stood up and hugged, before Arthur and Cynthia walked towards the garage. Alexia sighed and sat down. Majority of the guests had left, leaving only her friends, and even they were tired and preparing to leave.

“Why were you asking your dad about that? Was it because of Hayden and the prison incident?” Ace asked, wiping the used glasses and tumblers.

“Yeah. The way Hayden explained her death to me, how he was so certain that it was Hunters…it’s disconcerting and a little offensive.” Alexia suddenly sat up, realizing something.

“But what if…nah. It can’t be.”

Ace smirked and leaned on the counter, “What if, one way or the other, Helena got her hands on the cloaking charm and the day she got killed, she was wearing it?”

She cocked her head thoughtfully, “That was exactly what I wanted to say, actually. Huh.”

“But then, Hayden said that…the prisoner insinuated that she wasn’t dead. What about that?” she continued.

Out of nowhere, Hayden plopped on the barstool beside her. “What about what?” he asked chirpily.

Alexia squealed, then laughed. “Don’t do that, Hayden. You startled me.”

“Sorry about that. What were you talking about?”

“Uhmmm…flavours of cakes. Ace said he preferred red velvet, and I asked him about chocolate cake, like…what about that?”

“Oh, okay. We should go upstairs though. I’m tired, I know you are too,” said Hayden. As if on cue, Alexia yawned. Hayden laughed, “Proved me right.”

He stretched a hand out to her and she took it. He pulled her towards her towards himself and kissed her forehead. He held on to her hand, and they went up to their room after bidding Ace a good night.


***

“I need to take a trip,” Clara said to Hayden.

Hayden sat down in his office, looking at Clara who stood before him with a slight frown on her face.

“What do you mean you need to take a trip? The Half-Moon attack is in a few days, and you are one of our best warriors. The pack…heck the clan needs all the warriors it can get. Why now?” he queried.

“I wish I could tell you, Hayden, but I can’t. I have to attend to some personal issues, and I need to attend to them now as soon as possible,” she asserted.

Hayden sighed and ran his hand through his hair, “Okay, Clara, fine. You can go on your trip. But this is a very bad time. I wish you could stay and help the clan.”

“I wish I could too, but…I can’t. Thank you for giving me permission,” Clara said and left the office. Hayden sighed heavily and continued his work.

Meanwhile, just outside the office door, Clara and Alexia met.

“Clara,” Alexia said curtly. A sinister smile grew on Clara’s face.

“Alexia,” she stepped closer and Alexia suddenly felt scared, “I’ll see you during the Half-Moon attack.” Clara’s blue eyes glinted menacingly, sending her into déjà vu.

“W…w…what?” Alexia stammered, but Clara walked away from her, leaving her in confusion.

She walked, dazed into Hayden’s office, her original intent far from her mind.

“Alex, what’s wrong?” he asked worriedly. She shook her head no, but continued to stare off into space.

Those blue eyes…


***

Clara arrived at the base with her luggage, and she was immediately let through to see the boss.

“Clara. How nice it is to see you again,” The Boss said, smiling.

“Do not call me that hellish name again, boss. My name is Delilah,” she corrected.

Delilah closed her eyes, whispered something under her breath and removed a bead from her bracelet. Instantly, her appearance transformed.

She grew taller and slimmer, and her wavy blond hair shortened and darkened until it was raven-black. Her face lost its chubbiness and became more angular. The only thing that remained the same, were her icy-blue eyes.

“So, I come bearing news,” Delilah said. Her high, peppy voice had transformed and become lower and more dramatic with a Mid-Atlantic accent.

“I’m excited to hear it, Delilah,” said The Boss.