I sighed in relief, a city tour was all I needed at that moment. It would be good to distract myself a little and get rid of all the worries that haunted me and it would still bring joy to some orphaned children.
— Hey, Mom?— I called her loudly.
— What it was?
— I'm going into town with Chloe and the guys, okay?
— Okay, just don't come back too late.
— Going out with that bitch?— I heard Megan yell at me. — I don't like it, my sister.
I laughed as I walked into the house. Megan and Chloe had an old feud that I could never quite understand, but they hated each other and always fought when they found each other, it was quite irritating.
(....)
I brought the biodegradable straw to my lips, sipping my milkshake as I listened to Holly ramble on about an encounter she had with a werewolf the night before.
— He was hot, really hot.— He fanned himself and I laughed.
— We're hot, baby.— Jony winked at the redhead, who rolled her eyes and grabbed a potato chip, dunking it in ketchup and bringing it to her mouth.
— What about you, Zoe?— Chloe asked.
— Me what?— I asked and she rolled her eyes, drinking her detox juice.
— Are you interested in anyone?
I shrugged and pretended not to notice Jony frowning.
— Nobody,— I replied and she snorted loudly.
— What's up, Zoe?— Is this serious?— asked Holly with boredom. — You're so pretty, I'm sure you must have a lot of cats after you.
I rolled my eyes, continuing to drink my strawberry milkshake.
— I'm not interested in dating anyone,— I replied again. — Why is it so hard for you to understand this?
— Of course, being the daughter of the Supreme, guys should stay away for fear of their father,— Chloe commented and I chuckled. It was so weird to see people scared of my dad, he was so amazing and loving.
— To this day, I don't understand your fear for my family,— I commented.
— You're kidding, right? Who wouldn't be scared of their family?— Holly asked. — Your family has witches and werewolves, hybrids and even a half— breed kitsune. Your family is to give the creeps.
A chuckle escaped my lips at his words.
— Not to mention that you're surrounded by very dominant Alphas.
— That's true,— I confirmed. — But there's no reason to fear them unless you're considered a threat to our security.
— Don't even joke about it,— Jony commented. — The first time I saw your father, I thought he was going to exterminate me with just one look.
— With your mother, it was the complete opposite. She's a sweetheart, unlike her motherfucker sister.
I glared at her.
— Chloe! Don't talk about my sister like that,— I defended her and the blonde rolled her eyes.
— I'm sorry if I offended you, but your sister is terrible, Zoe.
— Do not exaggerate.
— Am I exaggerating? She stuck gum in my hair in fifth grade,— she exclaimed, shaking her golden curls. — Do you know how hard it was to get the gum out of my hair?— I had to use magic,— she replied grimly. — And not counting the mouse she put in my locker in sixth grade.
— You weren't very kind either, Chloe,— Jony replied. — I remember the itching powder you put in Megan's bathing suit in seventh grade.
— I thought my sister had scabies — I commented laughing and everyone burst out laughing. — Okay, the conversation is very good, but we need to go to the orphanage.
— Excellent. I'm looking forward to visiting my adopted niece, I've brought lots of shiny barrettes to put in her hair.
(....)
— Aunt Zoe, you look like a princess — Alice said smiling with her two front teeth missing and I saw Jony hold back a laugh. Alice had put green eye shadow on my eyelids, lots of blush on my cheeks, red lipstick on my lips and a plastic crown on my head.
— A beautiful princess,— Holly scoffed and I rolled my eyes, throwing a leap in her direction. — Hey!
— Who is the most beautiful creature in this world?— Chloe asked, tickling the belly of the little redhead who was laughing on the floor, rolling with laughter.
— You're going to kill the girl, Chloe,— I yelled at the witch, who rolled her eyes, letting go of the little redhead Sandy.
— Guys, I'm going to talk to the director, I won't be long — I said getting up from the floor — Can the princess entrust you with the crown?— Alice smiled and nodded, I handed my crown to her and grabbed a makeup remover tissue, going through my face as he walked to the orphanage director's office, knocking on the door.
— Come in,— I heard her shout and I opened the door, bumping into Eva, the principal. She broke into a huge smile, bowing slightly before hugging me. — It's a pleasure to have you.
— I came to bring you some help,— I mumbled, taking the check out of my pocket. — A gift on behalf of my parents.
— The Ultimate are so kind—she was a werewolf. — Take my most sincere thanks to them.
— It is a pleasure to help you.
— Without your help, this link would not be open and we would not be able to help these children.
— We'll continue the monthly donations, I promise.
She nodded, smiling.
— Are you leaving, Zoe?— Jony asked as I grabbed my purse.
— I need to go to the library, return the book I took last week.
— I'll go with you, I agreed with Will to help him with the delivery of some books.
— Holly and I will stay a little longer,— Chloe said.
— A kiss to you, see you tomorrow at the mall — I said goodbye and accompanied Jony to the exit.
All the way to the library, Jony and I talked nonstop, laughed a lot, and even had another ice cream in Central Park. Holly, Chloe, Jony and I have known each other for years, since fifth grade. It took a while for them to get used to who I was and lose their terrible fear of my family, though they still hesitate when they're around.
— Do you think that someday this feud between Meg and Chloe will end? — Jony asked opening the library door for us to enter, the place was with few people.
— Knowing my sister, I'm not so sure.— I pulled out my backpack and opened it. — Hi Will, how are you?
— Good afternoon, Zoe. — The gray— haired gentleman grinned when he saw me. — Jony, it's good to see you.
— I said I'd see,— Jony commented and I pulled my book out of my bag, handing it to Will.
— I came to deliver this book and get another one.
— Did you like this book?
— I confess that I expected more at the end, the girl gave in very easily to the villain, she could have fought harder for the love of her life.
Will shook his head and eyed me curiously.
— It would have been in vain, darling, the villain was stronger.
— Of course not,— I denied quickly. — The love between the characters would have been able to overcome evil.
— It's beautiful that you think so, Zoe, but we live in a world where true love and all its magic no longer exists.
Oh Will, yes, we lived in a world where true love still existed, my parents were exemplary, Uncle Aiden and Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Clary and Uncle Dylan and even Athena and Matt were proof about true love being real. I could prove that magic existed, but I didn't know what Will's reaction would be when he discovered the truth, and my father was enacting a law that forbade us to reveal ourselves to humans without reason. I wouldn't be the one to break the laws of the Supreme.
— Believe me, Will, I have reason to believe in the power of love and all its magic,— I said with amusement and he shook his head in denial, giving up trying to change my mind.
— Okay, my dear, I'll believe you.— He took my book and his assistant checked out the computer. — Do you already know which book you're going to pick?—
— I'm torn between two.
— Take your time.— I nodded. — Jony, help me with the deliveries that arrived, please.
I walked through the corridors of the library, I ran my fingers along its shelves, clean of all dust, I touched the books and pulled out a supernatural romance and a medieval one, staring at the covers in doubt which one I would choose. Both stories were interesting and both had my attention. .
I liked it, no, I loved reading novels and deceiving myself. I dreamed of one day living a breathtaking romance, having an epic love, but I lost the only man I had ever loved and I had no hope of finding another like Alex.
— Wait! Are you feeling it?
What are you talking about?
— Feel.
I frowned, but a chill ran through my body and I shivered. No, I knew that feeling and only one person gave me that cold, icy feeling.
— Zoe— I jumped when Jony appeared beside me.
— Jony, what a scare!— I exclaimed, taking my hand to my heart that was beating strongly.
— Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the pounding in my heart.
— What were you going to tell me?
— I'm in agony, Zoe.
I raised my eyebrows in confusion.
— Why?
— Something is suffocating me, a terrible doubt.
— Can I help you with something?
— Only you.
— Speak up, man.— Stop stalling, — I groaned and widened my eyes when Jony walked over and simply kissed me. The startle was so great that I froze, while his lips were still on mine.
What was he doing? Jony was my friend, just a friend, dammit.
I tried to pull away from him, but the wolf pinned me tightly against one of the bookshelves and I felt his tongue try to invade my mouth, against my will. My stomach lurched, and a slight dread almost made my legs give out.
— Jony!— I used all my strength to push him away.
He pulled away, eyes wide. I remained frozen in place, not believing what he had done. Jony kissed me hard. Against my will.
— Zoe!— he spoke in the same tone and squinted, groaning in disgust.
— What does that mean? Are you crazy?— I asked excitedly, taking another step back.
— Why don't you give me a chance?— He took a step forward, and I backed away.
— Don't come near me.— I held up my hand, breathing fast.
Jony didn't seem to mind my request or the fear that settled inside me. What the hell had happened to my kind, nice, respectful friend?
— I can make you happy, Zoe. I've secretly loved you for so many years, but you've never returned my feelings.