The Parting
I close my backpack and throw it over my shoulder. The temperature in this room seems to be below zero, although it's cozy. But Aidan's stare is freezing my blood.
"You're really going through with this, aren't you?", he asks and I end the silent treatment I have been mostly keeping up for the last two days.
"Didn't you tell me I should take responsibility for once?", I ask and he scoffs.
"Oh, now you're listening to me?", he tears at his hair, "I can't believe you, Haley. It's not like I died just two weeks ago, you begged Connor to let us live our life, but now - whoops - you want to leave me here with a bunch of dogs I don't know but have to rule?! You didn't even really talk to me, since you dropped this bomb on me!"
"What do you expect me to do, Aidan?", I turn around to look at him, "I'm not going to see you die again"
"Let me come with you, I can be helpful! I know the other monsters, you have no idea. You didn't even know most of them existed until recently!"
"Aidan, if I let you come, what do you think they will do, hm? Some Siren you've fucked or some shewolf who's hot for you? Or, even worse, some power-hungry vampire or Alpha or whatever? Who do you think they will go for?", I tap his chest two times, "definitely not me"
"Oh, so you say I'm helpless", his shoulders drop and I feel incredibly bad, disappointment and pain rushing over me. I know it's Aidan's feelings, but I share them.
First, I want to deny, because it's not what I think. I know he can hold his own, but the cards were against him last time. But... I can use this to keep him away. Make him stay voluntarily.
So I make an incredible hard decision.
I lie.
"Well, you didn't prove to be the strongest fighter in town. After all, I had to save you. Thrice", I say, pretending to be turned off by that.
Aidan looks at me in utter shock and I think my heart breaks a little, watching him question everything he thought I was.
He is completely hurt, but he just turns around and leaves my room. I wait until he's out of sight, before I sit back on the bed and close my eyes, pressing my hand over my mouth.
"Cruel, but necessary"
I squeal quietly, as Connor enters the room.
"You heard that?", I whisper and he nods.
"I know why you did it. You think that hurting him might keep him away from you"
"Will it?", I look up at him, "I cannot think straight when I know he's in reach, the thought of him getting hurt... I can't stand that"
"And how do you think he must feel?", Connor strokes my head and I close my eyes.
"But I'm that stupid prophecy, nobody's going to try anything"
"Don't be sure of that, Haley", Connor kneels before me, taking my hand, "the wolves will be easy. Follow our plan and start with them. Afterwards, you will have gained some confidence. But after the wolves? Haley, they won't follow you willingly. You will have to make deals, offer things, compromise, swallow your pride. Many vampires hate werewolves, and they will see you as one. The Merfolk hate everything that breathes air and don't get me started on the Sirens. All they want to do is sleep with everyone and eat them afterwards"
"So... are you saying I should take Aidan with me?", I look at him confused.
"No. You stick to the plan. You leave tonight, I got the message that the letters to the packs were delivered. They know the Prophecy's Child is coming, but don't know who or when. You have to make sure that they are on board, that they will follow your call"
"Ok", I nod, but when I get up and Connor does the same, I realise something, "but... what am I uniting them for anyways?"
"That's... complicated", Connor evades, but I look at him intensively, "there are rumours. Those of a war that's about to come once the Child has been found. Nobody knows how or when it will happen. Just, that it's best to be united"
"What wonderful news", I say sarcastically, walking out of the room with my backpack, Connor following me, "could you do me a favour?"
"I'll keep an eye on Aidan. I'm sure he will be great at this job"
"So am I. I just hope, he doesn't hate me"
"A mate could never hate their other", Connor pats me on the back and I hug him shortly, before I go for the exit.
"Tell Kate I said bye. And... as soon as Aidan calms down, tell him I wanted to say goodbye, but couldn't. Oh and... be nice to Jess, ok?"
"Sure. She insisted to live here now. I bet she'll ask me to turn her, sooner rather than later", Connor rolls his eyes, smiling and I chuckle.
"Make sure the guys let her be. She's the only human in a pack full of unmated virgins...", I imply and Connor smirks.
"She'll be fine. But I'll keep my eye on her"
"Thank you... old man", I grin and he chuckles, before sending me off.
I take one of the old cars we have, because it will take a while until I arrive.
Connor sent out letters shortly after I decided that I will leave. He announced my arrival, but like he said just now, they don't know who will come. It's for the best, after all, not every wolf will take it lightly that I'm a young, rebellious woman. And I'm sure many will want to use me as an advantage. I told Connor he shouldn't mention that I have a mate, and I'm sure as hell not planning to, either. It's best to not mention that, although some might smell it, but since I'm not a member of their pack, they can't be too sure.
After long hours of driving, I finally take the dirt road to the old castle Aidan's old pack is supposed to live in. I obviously chose his pack to be the first to visit. I feel like I have just finished a marathon, every mile further from Aidan tears at my heart and energy.
When I come close to the castle, I see some people walking around, checking out my car.
I park, get out and walk towards the entrance. I don't look at any of them, but one steps into my way.
"Are you lost, girl?", he says, about one head bigger than I am, very muscular and broad. He's a hunter.
"Get out of my way, boy, or I'll make you", I growl and he raises his eyebrows, before laughing, looking at his friends around us. They are circling.
"And how exactly are you trying to do that?", he folds his arms and chuckles, "seducing me might work..."
He obviously looks me up and down, but I just grimace and make a noise of disgust.
"Rick, stand back"
I hear a very impressive voice and look past this brute.
"I can't just let anybody waltz in here", he defends himself, but makes room.
"This isn't just anybody", a lean guy walks down the stoney stairs of the castle and I can immediately smell his Alpha pheromones. They found a new one quite quickly.
"I'm Haley", I say and extend my hand, he comes over and shakes it.
"The Prophecy's Child, aren't you?", he asks and I nod, the Rick guy looking at me in shock, "I'm Trevor, the Millenial Pack's new Alpha"
"Guessed as much", I grin and start walking, he follows me, "it's the smell"
"You don't smell like a wolf", he replies and I chuckle.
"Because I am none"
Curiously, I walk into the castle and look around.
Impressive.
"How did you vote for a new Alpha?", I ask, while looking into a door, nosey as I am.
"Vote?", Trevor laughs, "we don't vote. We fight"
"How progressive", I say ironically and he grins, "do we get down to business right away or do I get to sleep first?"
"You're quite straight forward, aren't you?"
"Oh, you figured that out, you're a fast one", I mock and he chuckles.
"I'll have somebody show you a room where you can stay. We'll talk tomorrow. After the hunt"
"Hunt?", I ask. I don't like the sound of this.
"It's mating season", he proclaims and I have to work hard to not make my jaw drop, "our unmated males hunt the unmated females in the woods. You're welcome to join, we have some wonderful potential mates"
I look at him and see that it's a test. He wants to know if I'm mated already. Well, two can play that game.
"They'd have to catch me first", I reply and turn around, leave for the direction he was pointing to earlier.
Up the stairs, I run into a guy with folded arms, who's obviously been waiting for me.
"Haley?", he asks and I nod, confused as to why he knows my name, "I'm Taylor. I'll show you your room"
"That was quick", I say and he chuckles.
"These walls are thin and an echo carries far. Wanna come?", he asks, curiously.
"Not necessarily", I reply and he laughs.
"Ok, you're a cagey one. That's fine by me", he points to a room, "that's you"
I go inside, throw my backpack on the bed and look around.
"That'll do", I say, hopefully unimpressed enough.
"You're joining the hunt tomorrow?", Taylor asks and I shrug.
"Maybe. But it's going to be super boring"
"Why?"
"I'll be faster", I say and he laughs, shaking his head.
He's good looking, I'll give him that. Broad shoulders, muscular, I bet he's ripped. He has a strong jawline and bright, blue eyes. But he's not as bulky as the doorman guy, so I guess he also got brains.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Haley"
"Mhm", I just say and wait until he closes the door.
I drop onto the bed and sigh. Acting tough when your heart is somewhere else sucks.
Feeling homesick, I take out my phone and see many messages.
Smiling, I open the chat.
I can't believe you would just leave like that! This is a new low. I mean... seriously?! I get it, you have to act tough and be the stupid prophecy, but it doesn't mean you have to shut me out.
The next message is from an hour later.
It's ok, you know? You left me here, I get it. I'll cope, I promise. Just... talk to me, Haley.
I hate to not be able to answer. Aidan's really trying. Another hour later:
Just... don't do anything stupid, ok? Stay safe and be smart, ok? I invited Jess over, so I have somebody who reminds me of you, at least.
Is he trying to make me jealous? I chuckle. Not with Jess.
I open another chat.
Haley. Listen, don't get dragged into the pack-business too deep, ok? Get their word, make them do the promise and mark them. That's all you're in for. Don't try to revolutionise every goddamn pack, ok?
I laugh out, quickly covering my mouth. Kate knows me well, I'll give her that.
The last message is from Jess.
Werewolves are so FUCKING hot!! They just run around naked most of the time!! How could you keep these candies from me?? I'm offended, hon. I'll try one of those cuties at some point... do they all love doggy?
I laugh and type back.
I'm sure they'd appreciate doing it doggy. But you can't, Jess. They haven't mated, they will ravage you, if they even dare come close to you. Connor and Aidan will make sure you're left alone. And everybody knows you're my best friend.
But... a mated wolf can fuck without problems, right? ;-)
There are only old mated wolves, Jess. Unless you want to go for Walter...
I've seen two treats with mates.......
Are you asking me to give you the ok to fuck with Aidan?
My jaw drops. I didn't expect that.
He's lonely and desperate! You broke his heart. I saw him 'training' earlier... he fucking destroyed that poor guy he was supposed to train with.
You can't resist the tough ones, can you?
Is that a 'sure Jess, let my guy make you scream'?
It's an 'Aidan makes his own decisions and I can't give him to you like a goddamn cake'. He wouldn't touch you.
Urgh, damn morals. Anyways... found any treats on your side, yet?
Jess!
What?? You're the horny one!
I'm the horny mated one.
It's not like he would know...
Jess, stop it. I don't really want to break his heart, you know?
Ha, you're a softie. Sleep well, beauty.
You too, crazy.
I sigh and roll over. I can't even start sexting with him!
