Aiden had expected some kind of rejection from Karen. She was after all a strong-headed girl who didn’t like relying on others. But he hadn’t expected her to act as if he didn’t exist altogether. Had she kept her memories of what had transpired, he would have understood. But as it was, she had no clue. She didn’t know that he was a werewolf and she was his fated mate. Therefore, her behavior came as an unwelcomed surprise.
His mom had told him she wished his mate would make him sweat and cry. Well, both options didn’t seem that far away right at the moment. Karen was hell bent on ignoring him, and he was so confused, he no longer knew what was right and what was left. He didn’t even know what he had done to warrant such a strong reaction. Or was it something her best friend, Mason, had told her when she had stayed at his place that day?
He decided to confront the guy. It was the end of the school day, and Mason was heading out when Aiden came to stand before him.
“Hello,” he greeted him almost awkwardly. He obviously didn’t know what this was about. Aiden had never sought him out before after all.
“Hey,” Aiden told him in a tone that was half amiable half demanding. “I’d like to ask you a question regarding Karen,” he then said without preamble, choosing not to beat around the bushes.
Mason squared his shoulders, and his gaze hardened immediately.”What do you want to know exactly?” He raised an eyebrow in an inquisitive manner.
“Why is she ignoring me?” Aiden did his best to keep a straight face as he uttered those words. He might be hurt but he didn’t have to shout it over the roofs.
“Shouldn’t you be asking her that?” Mason retorted defensively. “She showed up at my place, looking like a truck had run her over. And she wouldn’t speak a word about it.” He sighed. “She’s not in a very talkative mood, I’d say, since she left her home.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Aiden muttered under his breath.
“My turn to ask you a question,” Mason said, eyes narrowed in suspicion ever so slightly. “What happened that day when you brought her over? Do you know something?”
“It’s her story to tell, not mine,” was Aiden’s clipped answer before he turned to leave.
Mate is angry with us, his wolf whined.
Yeah, Aiden sighed. Don’t I know that already?
Fix it! His wolf urged him.
I’m trying to figure out a way to do that…
Try harder, his wolf huffed.
** ** ** ** **
Karen was heading to the motel in which she had been staying since she had left Mason’s house much to his displeasure, when she caught a car following her.
She tried not to pay it any mind. But that proved to be hard to do since it was basically moving at the pace of a snail.
She couldn’t help but turn to said car and shout, “Is there something you want, mister?”
“Feisty Luna,” the man behind the wheels observed in a mocking tone.
“Do I know you?” Karen retorted, a frown marring her face as she wondered what he meant.
“No, but I know you,” was his spooky retort.
That sent her heart into overdrive. What did the guy want from her? And most importantly, who was he?
Before she could ask him either questions, he drove off, leaving her perplex and scared as never before.
** ** **
Karen was by no way a scaredy cat, but she wasn’t above getting scared for the right reasons.
It had been well over a week since she had first been followed by that stranger who had called her feisty. And it had become a little bit of a routine for him… and sadly, for her too. Each week day, after school, as she headed to the motel in which she now stayed, the same car followed her at a leisurely pace, with the same guy behind the wheel.
To say she now dreaded going to the motel would be an underestimation. For some unfathomable reason, her stalker wasn’t taking any particular action, and didn’t talk to her unless she angrily shouted something at him first.
And he never followed her quite to the motel.
How peculiar! And scary… and all kinds of creepy!
“Hey Karen,” Mason greeted her from behind at school that day, and she startled back.
So, she was jumpy. Could anyone blame her really?
“Did you see it?” He asked without preamble, purposefully or maybe unconsciously, she couldn’t say ignoring the way she no doubt looked frightened.
“See what?” She frowned at him.
What scoop was she missing? If there was something her friend loved more than glistening abs and chocolate, it was gossip.
She was about to dismiss the matter, and had even rolled her eyes in a nonchalant way, when he fished his phone out and clicked on a video that had well over 3M views.
Okay, 3M views could be an easy feat if it had been published years ago, but as it was, the video was quite recently shared less than three days ago.
It was the video of what appeared to be a gruesome attack a vile kill… from someone who didn’t look human. His face was contorted somehow, his eyes were completely black and he had fangs protruding from his gum.
She rolled her eyes at the video and pushed away her best friend’s phone.
“It gets better,” he told her before clicking on the next video.
This video was of a man who looked calm, composed, and elegant. He had deep forest green eyes. And he held himself with utmost grace and finesse.
She was sure the man came from a noble lineage… if not, maybe she was going blind.
“The secret was bound to be revealed. Hell, it was long overdue. Vampires exist and I am one,” the man announced matter of factly. For some reason, she believed his words. “What you saw was me killing a warlock did I forget to mention witches exist? Well, now, you know. A war is upon us between vampires and witches for reasons I’d rather not speak of. I’d advise you to stay clear of me if you see my other face.”
It seemed as if he was about to finish his speech, when he added, “P. S. Dear werewolves, do not meddle. Thank you for your time.”
To say Karen was flabbergasted wouldn’t cover the half of it. She now sported a frown that could be seen from afar. If werewolves existed, and at least some of the myths and tales were true, a Luna was supposed to be the female leader of a pack, was she not? She had looked.
But she was pretty damn sure she was no werewolf. How could it be her stalker always called her Luna?
Another question sprung to her mind. Was her stalker even human?