— Don't even think about stalling me, Zoe,— he scolded. — You've been running away from me since we woke up,— she protested and I continued untangling her tangled strands.
— I just don't want to talk about yesterday,— I replied, wrapping her locks around my finger and pulling them down gently, defining her curls.
— Do not trust me?
— Don't be silly. Of course I trust you.
— Then why all this trepidation about talking to your sister?
I sighed heavily.
Megan wouldn't leave me alone until I spoke. I knew my sister and I knew how stubborn she was.
— Maybe it's not a bad idea to open up to her.
She is very impulsive!
— It's our sister. She can help us.
— I don't know what your wolf is talking about, but I agree with her.— She turned her face toward me and smiled.
— I've never seen that man before,— I started and she shifted on the bed, hugging her knees. — The bartender was…singing me.
— The bartender? He was drop dead gorgeous!
— I don't deny it, but I didn't know him either.
— Was he flirting with you?
— Technically, yes.
— And you rejected that piece of evil path?
— Megan! Are you going to let me talk or not?
— Okay, go on.
— He threatened the bartender.— She turned away, her eyes narrowed.
— Why did he sing to you?
I nodded.
— He even had the nerve to insult me and our family.
— Why didn't you break his face?— she asked indignantly.
— I didn't want to, but...
— But?
— Something he said confused me.
— What it was?
— He said I belong to him.
— He said that? What an idiot!
— I know.— I finished fixing her hair and threw myself on the bed. — It was so weird and scary.
Megan dropped down next to me and we stared at the ceiling.
— Do you know him?
— No, I've never seen him before.
— He...couldn't he be your mate?— If he recognized you, maybe that was it.
— He was a witch, his magic was black, I could feel it — I answered — And even if he was, the way he treated me was disrespectful!
— Is there any chance he's our mate? Despite the delicious smell he gave off, I didn't recognize him.
— You should have smashed his face.
— I regret not having done so.
— But changing the subject, I need your help.
— For what?
— I'm going out with Jaime today, we're going to the city.
A smile spread across my lips.
— Finally will you give him a chance?— After so long denying it?
— I need to live, you know? Mom always says I should live an adventurous life, have an epic love.
— Do you love Jaime?
— No, of course not,— he answered immediately. — But he's a good person, maybe it's not so bad falling in love with him.
— Does he know about this?
— I've always made my feelings for him clear. We only have one friendship, and maybe in the future it could evolve into something more.
— She seems to be right about her decisions.—
— But it's not in my plans to fall in love so soon. I want to live my life free and full of adventure, with nothing holding me back or trying to control me.
— We don't rule our hearts.
She laughed.
— You and your dream of finding your Prince Charming.
— I had one,— I mumbled, trying to control my thoughts that kept flying to him.
— Zoe...
— Don't worry, I'm fine,— I assured her and blinked back tears. — But how can I help you?
— I didn't like any of my clothes — she pouted and I rolled my eyes, opening my closet door with magic and Megan squealed excitedly — Have I told you how much I love you?
— Interesting — smiles — But I love you too.
(...)
The hours had passed quickly and I watched Meg looking at herself in the mirror. She was excited, I felt it and I felt happy for her.
— What do you think?— She turned toward me. The dark blue dress she'd grabbed from my closet had black embroidery on the room and black detailing on the bust with glitter, it was crew neck style. She was beautiful!
— Jaime is a lucky guy.— She smiled. — You look beautiful.
— I have to agree with Zoe—we turned toward the door and there was Dad with a smile on his face, but I could see the weariness in his eyes. He was leaning against the door. — Are you going anywhere, Meg?
My sister tensed at the time.
— As I recall, I grounded you for the rest of your lives,— he reminded and I suppressed a smile.
— Father!
— But your mother threatened to throw me to the dogs if I forbade you to go out with Jaime.— He shrugged. — And since I'm not crazy enough to defy your mother, I'm offering a peace deal.
— And what would that be?— Meg asked crossing her arms, but I knew she wanted to smile.
— You have until midnight and...
— Dad, I'm of legal age,— she protested.
— May I continue?
She snorted through her nose.
— One o'clock in the morning, then. And I lend you my car.
Megan's eyes sparkled.
— Really?— she asked excitedly and Dad nodded, taking the keys out of his pocket and waving them in the air. Megan let out an excited squeal and practically jumped on top of our dad, squeezing him. — Daddy, thank you, thank you.
— Get some sense in that little head, you hear?— He nudged Megan's forehead, who grinned, nodding.
— I'm going to ride a BMW,— she muttered out of my room, bouncing.
— And you, dear?— Don't you plan on hanging out with your girlfriends?— She walked over and sat on the edge of my bed.
— I don't feel like it,— I mumbled, throwing myself onto the bed.
— It's Saturday, Zoe!
— I know,— I mumbled. — I think I'll run a little, I'm still worried about what happened last week.
— It wasn't your fault, Zoe, and you know it.— He stroked my hair and I sighed.
— But I could have hurt someone.— I blew out the windows in the house.
— Why don't we do some practice together, hmm?
— No need,— I said. — You're so tired, you need to rest.
— I can do that later.
I shook my head.
— It would be selfish of us.
— It's not necessary, I told you.— I sat on the bed. — Get some rest, you look awful — I joked and he laughed.
— Anything just call me, okay?— I nodded and he kissed my forehead. — Be careful and don't go too far, the hunters are causing trouble.
— They don't stand a chance against me,— I replied smugly and he shook his head, walking through the door.
— You are speaking like your sister.
After a few minutes looking at the ceiling, I got up from bed and walked slowly to my closet, grabbing a comfortable outfit to run with. Maybe halfway through I decided to change and that's why I took off my earrings, placing them on the dressing table. .
As I put on my dark top, a cold wind hit my back and goose bumps shivered through my body. Something lightly tapped against my back, maybe it was the wind that felt like something was caressing my back. I turned around and there was nothing or no one, just the bay window open.
— That was weird.
My skin was crawling and my whole body shivered. I shrugged, grabbing my sweater and putting on my sneakers, walking towards the exit of the house.
— Where are you going?— My mother stopped me in the middle of the room, and I couldn't hold back a laugh when I saw a pot of ice cream in her hands.
— I'm going for a run,— I replied, and she nodded, bringing the scoop full of ice cream to her lips.
— Don't go too far, okay?— It's not enough Megan left, I'm worried about you guys, it's a terrible feeling,— she mumbled, walking comically over to the couch.
— What is the reason for so much concern? — I questioned and she filled her mouth with ice cream — Mother?
— Should I have any reason to worry about my daughters?
I raised an eyebrow.
— You guys were never this…overprotective.— I crossed my arms. — What is happening?
— Zoe...
— I'm not a child anymore, Mom. I am of age and your daughter, your heir, I deserve to know what happens in the pack, should I ever lead it.
— I've never understood this reluctance you and Megan have to take over your father's job.
— I just... I don't feel ready to take control of the packs, you know?— Sometimes I think that this is not my destiny.
— But you're our heirs, all of it,— he pointed around us. — It's yours, Aaron's. The entire Empire your father created went to our children.
— That's something only time can tell, hmm?— You still haven't answered my question, what's going on?
She sighed, patting her huge belly.
— We're having some problems with the other species.
— Like this? Daddy said it was just the hunters!
— He doesn't want to worry you, honey.
— What problems? And with which species?
— All!— she huffed. — Looks like they've arranged to cause us trouble at the same time, the vampires and the hunters are causing serious trouble. We are even having problems with the packs, we run the risk of them rebelling.
— Are we in danger?
— You and Megan will always be in danger, you are daughters of the Supreme and you will always be our most vulnerable link. If they ever try to hit us, it will be through you.