I’m a Bunny Cuddler Fuzzy Slipper Wearer
I refused a lift from my friends, and I refused a lift from Constantine this morning. I arrive late to school on purpose and try to hide from everybody by using my mad ninja skills.
Again, my mad ninja skills fail me. Constantine finds me so easily. He wraps his arms around me and buries his face against my neck as soon as he sees me. I'm beginning to suspect that I might not have mad ninja skills after all.
After that, he has his arm around my shoulders and won't let go. Serena, Lazarus and Caspian walk with us. Serena and Lazarus walk hand in hand. They always do. It's kinda weird to be walking with the lycans like I was one of them now.
I get a lot of stares, especially hateful stares from the girls. Strangely, some of the girls get even more brazen. They're giving the lycans even more shameless, flirtatious looks, more top buttons undone and even shorter skirts.
I think it occurs to them now that I'm with a lycan, they might have a chance to be with one too. The problem is, they're not only blatantly flirty with Caspian, but with Lazarus and Constantine as well. It annoys Serena as much as it annoys me.
During lunch, my friends join us at the lycan's usual table. Constantine keeps me on his lap the whole time. His hand around my waist and on my thigh, keeping me in place. Once in a while, his face nuzzles my neck. His lips doing things to my skin that makes my toes curl.
At first, Penny, Reese, and River keep staring at the lycans in awe. The lycans don't talk much around other people. That is so different from the way they were at home.
They are so silent that after a while, I think my friends forget that the lycans are there, and start acting like themselves again. My friends start their pointless bickering like they usually do. Today's important squabble is whether chips are better than fries. Penny loves fries. She has fries almost every day during lunch. River can't survive without chips. The discussion gets so heated after a while that Penny almost threw her fries at River's head. Almost, because “fries are too yummy and precious to be wasted on River's stupid head”. Penny's words.
Reese and I can't help but join in their dispute at one point. It is an important topic to discuss after all. Constantine listens attentively, without saying a word. His lips curl up slightly in amusement.
“Your friends are very entertaining to watch,” whispers Caspian in my ear later on.
“Entertaining good or bad?” I narrow my eyes at him.
“Ouch, your distrust in me hurts my feelings, Red.”
“Red?”
“Yup. You've red hair. Red.”
“Don't call me Red, Casper.”
“Don't call me Casper, Red.”
“Don't call me Red, Caspy.”
“Caspy???”
Constantine pulls me away from Caspian, shaking his head in disbelief. This is not going to be the end of our pointless bickering, though. I know it's going to be continued later on.
Logan and all his friends aren't in school today. I think Constantine broke Logan's arm yesterday. Mia and her followers keep giving me dirty looks every time they see me.
Just before the last period, Constantine and the rest of the lycans have to leave school. They say they have ‘things to attend to.’
Constantine pulls me outside with him before he leaves.
“I've been wanting to do this the whole day,” he mutters before he pulls me flush against him and leans down to place his lips on mine. Fireworks and explosions erupt where our bodies meet. His lips are magical! His lips move against mine, and I forget everything. His tongue slips into my mouth, and I grab a fistful of his hair and tug him closer. He moans deep in his throat, and his kiss gets hungrier and more demanding. His hand moves to wrap my leg around his waist, molding my body closer to his.
Somebody blares the car horn.
“Damn it, Caspian!” He curses, then he leans down for more kisses.
Caspian honks the second time when he finally pulls back. We both breathing raggedly. He nuzzles my neck and breathes me in deeply before he finally let me go. Then he turns around, walks away, and gets into the car without looking back.
I wish he didn't have to leave. I miss him already.
I know I can't go into the classroom looking the way I'm looking right now, so I walk on unsteady legs to the nearest washroom.
I'm so glad that it is empty. Most of the other students must have gone into their classrooms.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is all messed up, my lips are red and swollen, my cheeks are flushed, and my clothes are rumpled.
Mia walks in while I'm still fixing myself.
“You must be feeling so good about yourself right now, aren't you?” she says as she locks the door behind her.
Huh?
At my puzzled expression, she snaps,”You must be so proud of having two guys that all the girls in this school want most to be fighting over you.”
“No, I don't want anybody to be fighting over me,” I reply quickly, watching her warily through the mirror above the sink.
“Oh please, drop the innocent act already,” she cries out exasperatedly. “You can stop pretending. I know what a girl like you wants.”
“A girl like me?” I narrow my eyes, still looking at her in the mirror.
“Yeah, a nobody. An omega slut of the pack,” she spits out venomously. “Always acting so innocent. Must be a dream come true to you to be mated to Logan....quite a jump, from a lowly omega to a mate of an alpha. Unfortunately for you, I was in the way wasn't I? But you're so ambitious. I don't know how you did it, but of all the boys in the school, you managed to snag a lycan. A lycan! You are craftier than I give you credit for. You must be very good in bed. A lycan wants you. Now Logan wants you! How can he choose you over me??? We had a plan and you're ruining it. I'm supposed to be the luna! Me!”
She's now screaming like a crazy bitch. She's getting on my nerves. Really badly. I feel a little heat is starting in my chest.
“You're a nobody! A nobody! I warned you to stay away from him. I'll make sure you'll pay for this, you dirty slut!” She moves in closer and raises her hand to strike my face.
My hand comes up to grip her wrist in reflex. Another hand closes around her throat. She's really really getting on my nerves. I lug her by the throat across the room.
Heavy bitch!
Her feet flailing and dragging across the floor. Her eyes are bulging in her face.
I slam her head against the wall. “I hate it when people yell in my face,” I inform her. “I'll stay away from me if I were you. The next time you decide to throw a tantrum like that in my face, I won't be quite as forgiving.” I'm throwing her own words back at her.
I squeeze her neck harder before I let go. She falls on the floor wheezing and coughing, clutching at her neck.
I check myself in the mirror, straightening my hair and my shirt. Then I unlock the door and stalk out of there not feeling any better. I wanted to pummel her face in. I walk a little faster because I'm so tempted to go back in there and do just that.
Feeling restless, I decided to go to the library instead of my classroom. Half the lesson is over by now anyway. By the time I reach the library on the third floor, my heart returns to normal. The heat in my chest is gone.
I sit at the very back of the library, wondering how I got so violent. I truly wanted to kill her. Now even the thought of it makes me feel sick. What has gotten into me?
I bang my head against the table loudly several times. “Really Genesis? Really?? Violence is not the answer.” I admonish myself. You're a peaceful werewolf. You're a peace lover, tree hugger, bunny cuddler, fuzzy slipper wearer werewolf.” I lecture myself as I bang my head on the table a few more times for good measure.
Someone clears her throat. I look up to see Mrs. McBee, our stern librarian, glaring at me suspiciously from over the top of her half-moon-shaped reading glasses.
I must be looking super crazy. I think she's thinks that I'm a very unstable and untrustworthy person to be around her precious books right now.
***
I stare in disbelief as one black SUV after another pulls up in front of the Pack's house. How many people is Grandpa Quentin bringing with him? The whole army?
I think all the whole pack members are here, staring in amazement like I am right now. Big strong men come out of the vehicles.
Alpha Carrington and Logan are standing at the front with the pack's beta and gamma and delta, along with the elders and some head warriors.
I can see Luna Catherine with the other women there. I recognize some kids from school as well. I spot Mia and her minions in the crowd. She has a scarf around her neck. So I left a mark on her. I feel Ezra's gleeful satisfaction. My wolf somehow worries me a bit these days. I can feel how she's changing.
We just arrived, and I'm standing in the crowd with my parents and Autumn. Penny, Reese, and River are right behind me. Penny said she wants to be near me so that she can be close to the action. I should've supplied her with popcorn before we came.
“Ooohh... so many hot men in suits.” I hear her giggle behind me. She sounds like a kid in a candy store.
This seems to be a formal occasion. Grandpa's men are in their suits and ties. Alpha Carrington and his top men are also dressed formally. No wonder mom made me and Autumn put our dresses on. I'm wearing a simple dark blue sheath dress with black pumps. Other pack members and my friends are in their casual clothing though.
My dad ushers us to the front of the crowd as soon as Grandpa Quentin steps out of his black Bentley SUV. He's looking strong and sharp as usual. Werewolves age much slower than human. My grandpa is way over a hundred years old, but he looks like someone in his late 40s. Still handsome and distinguished looking. His dark hair has streaks of white at the temples. His light hazel eyes that look so much like mine and Autumn's are sharp with intelligence.
Grandpa Quentin might be in the elder council now, but he's still acting like an alpha of the pack sometimes. I don't think he can help it. I don't think he will stop anytime soon either.
There's another man I've never seen before standing beside him. He's tall, tough and very good looking, probably in his mid-20s. He has intense black eyes and jet black hair. I'm guessing he's Alpha Vyacheslav of the Red Convel Pack.
Red Convel Pack is known to be very strong and full of the best warriors in the world. I heard that the pack values strength. It's not uncommon for them to mate with the strongest she-wolves if they can't find mates after a certain age, just to breed strong offspring.
The thought gives me the shudders. I can't be mated to him! I don't want to be a breeding machine. Besides, I can't even pronounce his name properly!
Grandpa Quentin shakes dad's hand and gives my mom a brief stiff hug. When he reaches me, his eyes soften. I told you he's tough, but he loves me and Autumn.
“My sweet girl, Genesis,” he murmurs as he strokes my cheek briefly. There are regret and something else in his eyes.
The alpha standing next to him stares at me the whole time. I raise my eyes to look at him. I can feel his power. He might be tough, but I feel powerful. My caveman Constantine is more intimidating than any other cavemen out there.
Somehow the alpha seems satisfied with the way I refuse to cower in his strong alpha presence. There's approval in his eyes now and my Grandpa Quentin smiles with pride.
Huh? What was that about? I feel like I'm missing something.
***
So far, the meeting hasn't been going very well. Both sides aren't backing down.
“Your son planned to replace my granddaughter, a pure alpha blood with a gamma,” states my grandfather arrogantly. I notice Gamma Brown winces, then his face turns red.
“I had no knowledge of this until recently. For that I am deeply sorry,” apologizes Alpha Carrington. “However, that has been rectified, they will be mated and announce alpha and luna soon. I don't see any more issues.”
“Oh, there are still issues. The damage has been done. You have deeply insulted us and hurt my granddaughter, then you're forcing them to stay when they wish to move back to our pack. Besides, I have Alpha Vyacheslav of the Red Convel Pack who's willing to accept her as his mate.”
“But she's my son's true mate! You have no right to interfere!” yells Alpha Carrington. “This is an internal issue! It should only concern members of my pack!”
“This concerns my granddaughter. Your son has rejected her and disrespected her in the worst way possible and now you won't let her leave. Your pack has not only seriously insulted my family, but you're holding them prisoners!” states my grandfather heatedly. “I'm here just to take my family back.”
“You're here to take our future luna away!” interrupts an elder from Shadow Geirolf Pack Council. Then the others from both sides start to join in and yell at the same time.
I think I'm going to have a headache soon.
Penny squeezes my shoulder from behind. River, Reese, and Penny somehow managed to sneak in and grab seats behind us. The huge Pack assembly room is jam-packed. Many pack members are standing and squeezing in at the back.
“Only you can create such a drama, Genesis,” Penny whispers in my ear gleefully. “If they have a war over this, you'll be like Helen of Troy or something.” She sighs.
What? Who the heck wants to be Helen of Troy? They're not going to have a war over something stupid like this, are they?
“They're not going to have a war over something stupid like this, are they?” I ask my mom worriedly.
“Of course not, dear,” says mom, patting my arm. She looks oddly calm. She even has a little smile on her lips. My father is looking very relaxed too.
I turn to look at Reese and River. Reese has her head resting on River's shoulder. Both of them give me thumbs up.
Seriously? What's wrong with my family and friends? Why am I the only one who's freaking out about all this?
I lean forward and hide my face in my arms on my lap. If I was a snake, I would slither away and hide under a rock somewhere. Too bad I'm a werewolf. If I was a bird, I'd be a tiny hummingbird and fly quickly away and disappear. Too bad I'm a werewolf. If I was a chameleon....
A sudden silence makes me lift my head up. All attention falls to the back of the room. I turn around to see five figures walking down the aisle between the seats.
Lycans! Five of them. Their formidable power and compelling presence dominate the room.
My eyes quickly seek Constantine. I've never seen him in a suit before, but he's looking imposing and stunning in his dark blue suit. The tailored cut fits him perfectly. The fabric clings to his well muscled, broad shoulders. You could tell how beautifully build he is underneath the formal suit. I can't take my eyes off of him. His expression is solemn and his silver-gray eyes cold. As soon as his eyes fall on me, I can sense other emotion in them, and my lips involuntarily form a smile. I find an answering smile in his eyes even though his lips don't move. His eyes are telling me so many things that words can't say right now. His eyes make me feel safe.
Lazarus and Caspian are looking impressive and are striking in their suits as well. Serena looks breathtakingly gorgeous in a simple black dress. Her shiny blond hair is in a perfect elegant chignon.
The lycan next to Constantine, I recognize as Lord Archer. He's a well known and well respected Ambassador of the Palace. He's an important liaison between the palace and the packs around the world. I've seen his pictures but never seen him in real life before.
All five of them are looking forbidding but perfect and beautiful. Almost out of this world. Untouchable.
Logan bristles, while Alpha Carrington, grandpa Quentin, and the rest of the men look shocked at the appearance of the lycans.
“Your Excellency Lord Archer, it's an honor to have you here, but I don't understand to what do we owe this honor of your presence?” asks Alpha Carrington with awe and respect.
“We are here because you are laying claim to one of us,” answers Lord Archer.
“No, she's my mate. She rightfully belongs to me,” Logan suddenly protests.
Constantine growls. Lord Archer places a gentle hand on his arm.
“It's funny how you're fighting over a living, intelligent being, yet you never asked her, not even once what she really wants,” continues Lord Archer.
“But she's rightfully mine,” argues Logan.
“Young, Mr. Carrington, you rejected her. Which is of no consequence. Genesis Fairchild is now one of us,” he replies with a touch of arrogance and annoyance.
“With all respect, Lord Archer, Genesis is my granddaughter. She's a werewolf. How is she one of you?” inquires my grandfather, looking puzzled.
Constantine holds his hand out for me. His eyes expectant like that day in the woods near our school. He's standing there waiting for me, looking strong and beautiful, yet only I can see the emotions in his eyes as he stares at me. And suddenly he's all I can see.
I get up from my seat, walk over to him and place my hand in his. His hand is warm and strong. There's a look in his eyes now that I can't look away from. His eyes are always mesmerizing me.
He pulls me to his side. “She is claimed and bonded to Prince Constantine Dimitri Romanov, nephew of King Alexandros Romanov, Lord of the Lycans and Werewolves.”