“That’s… interesting.” Melvina muttered, obviously stupefied. She couldn’t believe that Ava was mated with a vampire. Was that even possible? How could the goddess do such? Didn’t she know that Agrip wouldn’t be okay with this? Why mate the girl to a creature of more than a thousand years of age, when there were a lot of handsome boys her age?
“Are you sure he is the one?” She asked, not entirely believing the whole story. For all she knew, the man had compelled Ava’s feelings towards him. And worse, vampires don’t really have souls and their hearts were blackened with hate and fury. So, how is it possible that one of them should be a mate to one of her favorite people? She most likely wouldn’t allow it.
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.” Ava replied, seeing the unsurety and unbelief in the Luna’s eyes, deciding then not to tell her parents about it until she came of age in a month’s time. She wouldn’t want them biting her head off, especially her mother, nor would she be okay if they confined her in the house in a bid to stop her from seeing Julius.
“If you are sure that he is the one, then I guess we won’t be able to stop you then. No one can really fight the mate bond.” Melvina stated, and Derek agreed with a nod, not really surprised. During the short time he had spent in the party, before he had humiliated his little witch, he had seen the thread of love that was holding the vampire and his friend together. But he had had a lot on his mind, that he hadn’t really disturbed himself about it.
“Thank you, my Luna.” Ava said, grateful that Melvina had at least given her a chance to explain, and had trusted her enough to make the right decisions. She wasn’t sure though that her mother would be that perceptive. If the latter had fought against Derek and Emma being together, having worked together with Claire’s mother for the sake of Claire being the Luna, how then could she accept a vampire? Knowing her mother, the woman would go beserk. Her mother would actually prefer her being mated to a human, or even remain celibate, than mating with a vampire. She regarded them as abominations.
“So, where is he?” Derek asked, taking a seat on his bed with his sister on his laps watching the adults talk.
“He is with Aiden and Yodah. They are taking care of Emma and Freya in Emma’s house.” Maya replied, sitting down on a dressing chair. “But they had planned how to continue seeing each other. He would be taking up a teaching position at our school once they see Emma out to the airport tomorrow.”
“I am not surprised. But I had thought that one of them would have thought to go with Emma tomorrow, perhaps Freya?” Derek queried. “Not that I am wishing her gone. I hope she won’t be doing so after I go ahead to apologize to her later today.” He quickly added.
“Freya had wanted to go with her, but she had refused; choosing to go alone to see her family. According to her, if she needed reinforcements, she would call. But of course, she already has Prescott, the squirrel. I don’t think she will be calling anytime soon, if she manages to leave.” Maya answered.
Derek sighed as he remembered the squirrel that had helped save his life. He didn’t get to even thank the supernatural animal. He was really a mess. He thought, shutting his eyes for a mini second. A lot of things he had missed out on because of a stupid threat and his stupid ego. If not for these two things, he was sure he would have still been on his bed, with Emma. He took his lips in at the thought, unable to stop berating himself.
“So, what about Freya and Yodah? Would they be going back to the states anytime soon?” Melvina asked, remembering that Freya was Emma’s sister’s roommate in school. Maya had given her the gist last night when Derek and Emma had taken a short leave to the bedroom.
“No. Both would be transferring to the Lakers. I don’t think Aiden would be able to bear another minute without Freya in another land and time.” Ava answered with a smile.
“I see…” Melvina muttered. More vampires in their zone. She didn’t know if it was a good idea. But she knew that she couldn’t stop it either. It was best to watch things as they unfold.
“So, Derek… when are you going to see Emma?” Maya asked, returning to the most important topic on ground.
“Now.” Derek replied, dropping a smiling Eva on the spot next to him on the bed, before standing up. He strengthened his polo, inhaling deeply. This was it. He thought, putting his right hand in the right front pocket of the denim jeans he was wearing.
**
“What do you mean that my sister is holding our closest ally in bondage?” Tempest asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
“Do you remember Esther? Another of your goddaughters?” Ketura asked, clasping her hands together while she stuck her worried gaze to Tempest’s curious one.
“Yes. i haven’t seen her since Leonarya had broken out from the community and had killed me. Did you see her? Is she okay?”
“Yes, I saw her. She stays in the pack now. But she is working for Leonarya.” Ketura replied, and Tempest shrugged.
“It is no surprise that she would take the same path as her mother who had betrayed me.” Tempest cited, but Ketura shook her head.
“That is the problem. I don’t think we had been right in our calculations. If she was actually working for Leonarya, why would the latter keep her in chains, naked and hungry?” Ketura asked, unable to stop the shudder that wracked her body. Seeing one of her mentors in that pitiable state had brought tears to her eyes.