Chapter 7
Stares And Whispers
God, Lexi! ho you ever mind your own busineT Daniel sighs while scrubbing a hand down his face. Lexi Elares at him in return before childishly pulling out her Langue at him. He rolls his eyes in nium, shaking his head at
her like a disappointed parent.
I would have laughed at their little banter, but I'm too
frozen in my seat for the moment.
I've done some research on Lycans due to the fact that
they rule over us, and I read some rules about them to know their mating process is a bit different to our.
For werewolves, after finding our mate, we usually wait
to introduce our parents to one another and wait for their blessings. Then we meet with our Alpha to break the news before deciding when we would like to start the process and where. Some werewolves prefer to do it in front of the whole pack, mark themselves that is, while others prefer the
woods or in the confines of their bedroom.
But werewolves with higher ranks are expected to mark
themselves in front of the whole pack. Just like Brad and Stacy did.
It's a rule in most packs. After that, they're free to roll in the haystack or whatever it is they call it nowadays.
The whole process sometimes takes weeks. The parents might not give their blessings right away, and it's not so easy
to book an appointment with the Alpha. And even after all that, if you decide to have a public markine, a date will have
to be lived. And it's not always a closer date
Werewolves don't mark themselves in their wolf forms,
though. Just the human sides are enough, and the wolves begin to build a connection with each other after the human sides have marked each other.
For Lycans, it's rare for them to find their mate quickly
like us. Some spend centuries on earth before finding theirs.
and this is why when they do, they don't waste time, marking them immediately. The mating process usually
starts immediately after they meet. Their beasts would
already begin to form a link with one another before the human sides physically mark each other with a bite on the After that, they're free to also mark each other in their beast form anytime they please. That's about all know.
So I'm also surprised that Reagan didn't mark me the
moment he saw me yesterday. If I'm really his mate #1: he
says, he would have placed his bite on my neck in front of everyone to stake his claim on me. They're that possessive of
their mates. He did say it was because my wolf was still
Boing through heartbreak, so does that mean my wolf
doesn't recognize him because she is still suffering from the
mate bond between Brad and me? And I'm still confused
about having a second mate, I've never heard of it before. "Who is your dat
suddenly asks budeme
and my body has this immediate action to
deep volo
"Nine." w my only seer, and he mods in response I'm not un sure what the time is. My phone's in my pune in
his room, and I haven't even touched it since last night. I almost forgot about it. I'm pretty sure I have tons of messages waiting for me there.
"My clans starts at that time lea. We could p tapther." Lexi states with an excited smile. I'm not sure why she likes
so much when we just met I thought Lycans don't like
creatures lesser than them.
"I'm driving her." Comes Reagan's gruff voice with his
face set in a frown
Oh come on, Your Highness." Lexi's voice is laced with Hekim, and I'm surprised she can talk to Reagan in that "You spent the whole night with her and will still spend the rest of your lives together. It's my turn now."
Her words are like a blow of realization to me. I will be
spending the rest of my life with him if he truly is my mate. It all feels sürreal right now. Is this really happening to me? "Why don't you two let the person in question decide who she wants to ride with." Daniel suddenly suegests, and I
don't know if I should be grateful or nervous. Lexi and
Reagan both snap their heads te me, waiting for my answer.
Right now, as much as Reagan's presence affects me,
he's also sullecating me. And I'm in dire need of some fresh air. He's been hovering around me since last night with that possessive look in h
eye.
And I may not know Lexi, since we just met, but she
seems nice. And I know this choice will dampen Reagan's mood, but if I really did have a choice, I would prefer to be alone right now. With my mum or dad or anyone, someone
I'm very familiar with, like Lana.
"Tid lika Leo to drop me of," I announce, and a
triumphant grin appears on Levi's face while Regan scowls
ΙΠ ΓΡ. ΠΟΠΗ,
"Come on, cutie. Let's bounce." Lexistands, and i fellow
her while avoiding the dark look ön Reagan's ca.
"I have to go get my purse," i mutter before going back
upstairs and navigating through the hallway for Reagan's room. I find the purse on the nightstand where I left it yesterday, and grab it. I search for my phone and do lind tons of messages from my mum and dad, but they didn't call. I understand, they didn't want to put me into trouble by blasting my phone with calls when I'm in the presence of the
Prince. The messages just are asking if I was alright and sale
and pleading with me to call them or send a text. I also
found some from Lana, asking almost the same things, but
telling me to text her the deats.
I send a quick text to my mum to reassure her before
putting my phone back in my purse. It's already some minutter, though.
ihad back downstain when I see Regan at the
landins, making me slow down in my steps. He stillis
frowning with his miscrossed around his chest, and his
eyes pinned en mi
When Icome to stand this frent, he pulls me closer and traces his fingers across my chin to my hair. Then he abruptly pulls it away from my neck, where I'm using it to hide his lovebite, and lets it fall down my back in its waves.
His eyes have a warning in there, and I didn't need him to say
it before knowing the message he's trying to pass across. He wants to show everyone else that I'm already taken, and I shouldn't hide that
"Stay out of trouble." His eyeine staring straight into
mine. He twirls a long strand of my hair to the end with one
of his fingers before letting go.
"Let's go." Lexi's voice sounds from the sitting room, and I step past Reagan to her even though he doesn't leave his spot. I walk with her towards the private elevator in the
sandals I saw with the dress.
The elevator doors slowly start to close after we step in, and I look up to see Reagan staring straight at me. His eyes are the last things I see before the doors finally closes shut. "Man, talk about grumpy." I hear Lexi say beside me, and I turn to see her smiling at me. I slightly laugh at her word but don't reply.
I put in my rumine of my be Mycell phone had banon rarytep in the bag. my taathbrush, som
under
look up at
I am holding a black tank in my hand Cameron
You did 7" I'm touched. I look back down at myba That was thoughtful. At least now i can get dressed in something without a plant stain on it.
"Of course. I want my mate to be comfortable." He gives me a smile and turns to grab his clothes of the floor
I watch as he quickly gets dressed again and runa hund
through his dark hair, somehow looking completely
refreshed, not at all lilzhe just spent them hallheur
fooling around with me. He also looks sexy as hell, no way
around it.
I think of how his abs felt when I ran my hands down
them, then how he it felt when his longue touched me...I
bite my lip
"Ava" i jump and look away from the front of Cameron's punts to his face, feeling my face get hot.
He chuckles and smirks at me. "We have plenty of time
for more of that later."
He walks over and drops a kiss on the top of my head. "
11 see you at dinner."
I watch as he leaves the room, and instantly miss him
"That's Adrian. He's the royal guard assigned to HE " Alexia informs as I'm still staring at Adrian's retreating for
"You'll get used to his grumpy and formal gruiling
She swings open the driver seat and pets in. I do the
eat the passinger's side as she starts up the engine of
that.
"50, Adrian said you had a mate before, who rejected
you for another is that true? Leiasks as she drives down
the highway at lull speed. I'm almost hyperventilating in my seat at the thought of having an accident. We speed past cars
at an alarming rate, and i think i'm about to throw up.
"Yeah,"lanswer, still staring wide-tyed at the road.
She must have noticed my panicked expression because she slows down a bit.
"Well, he must be really dumb to have done that." She
stares at me through the corner of her eyes with a smile to
follow
"Yeah, about that. I thought werewolves don't have Second mates. So how come Reagan claims I'm his?" I decide
to ask sinte Reagan had avoided the question yesterday. I
needed answers.
That's true. You guys don't. But it doesn't apply to
Lycans. I feel this is something you should discuss with
Reagan."
1 tried to, but he didn't give me the answer I needed."
"He will in time." Shehures, making me sigh out
loud and walk in my st.
TW never seen you here before. Is this your first year
"Yeah, I'm a freshman. Started last month." I explain.
"Cool. I'
ma sophomore even though I'm almost a
century old." She laughs, and i stare, stunned, at her.
"Oh, don't look at me like that. I only did high school
before but decided to take a try at college now. It's been good so far."
I know there's a possibility she might be old, but almost century?! I wonder how old Reagan is. From what I've
learned, his father has been ruling for more than two
centuries now. But there is a rumor about the First Prince
soon taking over. I wonder how true that is.
"How old is Reagan?" I curiously ask, staring at Lexias she stares at the road.
She looks at me briefly before answering
"I'm not sure, but let's just say he's way older than me."
She pulls her car into the school parking lot, and I stare out at the students moving about the big building. I know
I'm going to be receiving a lot of stares today from
werewolves who both were at the party, and were not. Words spread fast in California, and I'll be the talk of the
Town for a long time.
Anagshe-wall claimed by alycan Prince at an Alpha'u inauguration ermany, and sad Alpha challengi the Lycan Prince because of this.
Yeah, I can see it now. Everyone would want to know
what's up, and some might have
en come to false
conclusions. I dread what they might bewing about me. I also dread sing Brad at school today, he is sure to be pissed. Either because I'm being claimed by another, or because he almost lost his Alpha
position because of me. Either way, I don't feel sorry for him. I wish him more painful experiences like what he had done to me.
"Hey you okay?" Lexi asks beside me as I was staring out the window for too long without getting down. I jerk my head towards her before nodding a 'yes.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just nervous..."
"Because of what happened last night?" She asks, and i
nad once more. "Adnan briefed us this moming on what
happened befere you both came downstairs.
"Not to worry, as long as I'm here, they'll learn to keep
their heads down and not stare or say anything. And when
I'm not around, just ignore them. They'll also be scared to say shit when they smell Reagan all over you. Now, let's go." She tilts her head towards the door before opening her side
door to get out. I follow soon after exhaling out a breath.
As we make way towards the college building. I feel eyes on me from different corners. But whenever I look to the
direction, s
O
one staring at me. Hut I know they're
They're just waiting for me to look way. I can hear whispers with my augmented hearing, and they're not good.
- ...that bitch! She must have sprayed something to make two powerful beasts almost fight over her. Now she's walking with a Lycan..."
"...Poorthing. I heard Brad rejected her for Stacy_..
"I don't think the Prince would mark her otherwise, he
would have done so last night in front of everyone_."
"..oh, she's so lucky. Being claimed by a Primea.
"..i bat His Highness is only looking for a good lay, then
he'll get rid of her.
"... she's the reason Alpha Bensored
läinugurate
Brad yesterday..."
"...Is it just me, or is her skin glowing"_"
The last one was from a guy, and I trewn at all the
murmurings. Some were even worse. My tu sen the re
for the owners, but they always keep shut when I look up.
"Ignore them," Lexi advises beside me. I notice she's not
as cheery as before when we were back in the car. Her face holds a blank look, and she walks with her back straight and her chin held up high, acting all high and mighty. Her pose
demonstrates arrogance, intimidating anyone near our
range. I can see most people gawking at us but mostly her, and I don't blame them. She's beautiful like a goddess and
ale fashionably dresses in a grey long sive trop te with black ripped jeans and a pair of heilid knee-high boot. Her hair is shining under the sun while her skin radiatiiti light, She's looking bosh very
intimidating and witractie at the
Hetime.
As for me, the hairs at the back of my neck.rs. And I
el really uncomfortable from all the stres. Some aren't
een hiding anymore but are openly staring now. Maybe!
shauldn't we come to school today. The human se oblivious as always, though.
"Ineed to get to my derm." I suddenly announch, stopping Lexi
She frows downame in response. Solcanesce all the freaking stares! "Ineed my books for class and they're in my dorm room." That was also true. She nods in understanding and
we begin our walk across the campus grounds. There's still.
about fifteen minutes left before our c
start.
The dormitory halls go silent a we both walk in.
Familiar faces stare at us in shock and awe as we
proceed to walk. They stare away, though, as Lexiglares at
them all and lets out her Lycam aura, and I see some scurry
I couldn't be anymore happier as we get to Lana's and
my dorm room. I twist the doorknob and wälk in but hält in
my steps.
in the middle of the room are L and Gina, staring or rather glowering at each other. With their sharp clawl out at their sides.
Lana is in front of my bed, though. As if she's blocking
Gina tror my side of the room. They so rigid as we walk ini,
retracting their claws, but relax when their eyes land on us. Gina, however, glares at me with so much hatred evident in her eyes until they land behind me an Lexi. She stars in shock at her with her jaw
hanging wide open.
I'm still staring between her and Lana with furrowed
Eyebrows because I've never seen them fight before. They
may have misunderstandings sometimes due to Gina's
selfish nature. But Laina always tries to be the better person
and end the light I wonder what would have caused Läna to
fight back even with her claws out.
"Ellie!" A bright smile is seen on Lana's face as she walks over to engulf me in a bear hug. It was then when she
moved away from my bed did I see the claw marks on my
pillow, about three of them. I'm frozen in Lana's arms as she
hugs me tight before returning it. "Why didn't you text me or call later? Are you alright?
Did he do anything to you? Tell me..." She's checking my
body like a concerned parent, bringing a smile to my lips.
"I'm fine. Lana," I assure her with a smile.
1e that. Damn, you look amazing and your skin's
glowing. She breaths out as she moves back to staring at me
a bit more. larch an eyebrow at her statement since I don't
Hilary different. Maybe that new buty lation my aunt sent me was finally working. 'cause I also heard the same
thing on campus.
Lanak eyes finally divert to who was behind me, and
she blinks when she realizes who she was. She xem:
Speechless a Lycan is in her dorm room. "Lama, this is Lexi." introduce her. "Lexi, Lana
"HL" Levil wieeles her fingers at a shocked Lana with a
smirk on her face as she takes in her reaction. Lana just keeps opening and closing her mouth like a fish, tongue-tied a Lycan is talking to her.
"Hi, Lexi!" I hear Gina's ear-piercing squeal Lexi diverts
her eyes to her, her face immediately taking back its former
blank stare.
"I'm Gina. You remember me, right?" She asks as she walks closer to us, and acting like Lexi and her are long lost
friends and not a powerful Lycan that can rip her head off in Lexionly c*'s an eyebrow in response, still having that blank stare on
"lonce talked to you in the hallways remember?" Gina
Savs with an excited laak on her face. Oh, so Lexi must be the
Lycan that had once brushed h
off
"I had invited you..." dina started, but Leni cuts hero!
"Given you're not human but a werewolf, you should know my status. And also that it is rude to talk to a Lycanso informally when he or she doesn't give you permission. My mame is not Lexi to you, it's
Alexia, and you shall address me with a sign of respect." Lexi's tone is cold and hostile, and it surprises ma to the extant Ist*back from her
Gina's smile wipes off as she also blinks in shock before staring between Lexi and me, not especting to be so rudely shut down
She points to me as she says, "B_.but she just called
"Is that cler7" Lexi Adds, her tone lauder and a scow
now evident on her face with her aura showing forth. Even!
am tempted to bare my neck at her show of dominance.
Gina stops once more, and tean of embarrassment pools in her eyes as she bares her neck in a sign of
submission
"I'm sorry, Alexia." Her lower lips wobble, and I see her
bite down'hard on them.
Gina looks up to see Lexi mod at her before her eyes move to me to glare daggers through them. Then she stomps out the room past us before scampering down the
hallway.
Gina looks up to see Lexi nod at her before her eyes
move to me to glare daggers through them. Then she
stomps out the room past us before scampering down the
hallway.
"Man, talk about psycho." I hear Lana snarl beside me,
and now I'm overly curious as to what has happened
between both of them.