I was more than a little uncomfortable. Even before I stepped foot inside the diner, a feeling of dread took over me.
"Let's take the booth towards the back," I muttered aloud, leaving my 'grandfather' to follow. Sliding into the glossy red booth, I waited until he settled on the opposite side. We sat silently, watching each other. It wasn't awkward but the air around us felt intense.
"You look just like your mother," He announced.
"What do you know about her?" I asked, anger slowly rising.
"I knew her very well," He stated.
"Well enough to kill her," I snapped at him.
"You should know, when you become Alpha, there are certain things, certain decisions that you will have to make that will haunt you and change your entire being," He told me.
"Killing family isn't going to be one of them," I reassured him. He didn't reply to me for a moment. The way he kept eyeing me, caused to me skirm several times.
"I do believe you have your father's temperament though," He stated finally.
"You know nothing about me," I snapped.
"I know more about you than you think," He said.
"I've never even met you before," I replied.
"No, but just because we haven't met, doesn't mean others haven't," He informed me.
"What?"I questioned confused for only a moment before realizing what he meant. "You had me followed?"
"I had to keep tabs on you somehow. You are an great Alpha's granddaughter. You're in more danger than you realize," He exclaimed. What was up with this family and stalking?
"That's not an excuse," I bit.
"Would you have conversed with me had I approached you?" He asked me curiously.
"Probably if you had introduced me as my grandfather. I mean, I only found out about your role in my parents murder recently," I explained heatedly. He didn't reply because just then a waitress came over. My heart skipped a beat as soon as I recognized her and based on the look of pure shock on her face, she recognized me as well.
"Lucille?" Bethany, an old classmate greeted me.
"Hey Bethany," I muttered, pasting on the fakest smile.
"How are you doing girl? Haven't seen you around here in a while," She asked me.
"That's because I moved away. I'm here visiting family," I answered, regretting already giving her too much information. The girl was a class A gossip. You couldn't trust her with a 2 year olds secret.
"Oh that's nice. Is this your husband?" She turned to my 'grandfather'. I gagged a little inside. It wasn't a completely stupid question, considering the man looked no older than 30. But that didn't keep my face from scrunching up in disgust.
"He's my grandfather," I replied, not considering that fact that he looked to unbelievably young to be my grandfather. Based on her reaction, she agreed.
"Wow, you've got a hot grandpa," She commented, checking him out slowly.Barf.
"Are you going to take our orders?" I asked her rudely.
"Yes, of course. What would you like?" She asked us. I didn't get anything but Artemis seemed to have ordered half the menu. Werewolves were very hungry beings.
"Why do you want to be Alpha?" Artemis asked me suddenly.
"To protect my brothers, my family. Something you know nothing about," I responded. Something flashed in his eyes. Anger, shame, regret maybe?
"Do you know what it entails?" He asked.
"Mason is an Alpha, I'm sure he'll be able to walk me through it," I replied, drumming my fingers on the table.
"How much do you know about Mason?" Artemis questioned.
"Enough," I said, narrowing my eyes. "Why?"
"No reason. I might advise you to learn some more about his past, parents, and title," Artemis explained.
"Do you know something I don't?" I asked suspiciously.
"When do you plan to turn?" He asked, straight avoiding the question. I wanted to press for an answer but I chose to drop it instead. I'd find out from Mason.
"Mason is going to turn me on my birthday," I responded.
"The 29th? Two weeks from now," He stated. I nodded, not remotely surprised that he knew this.
"What happens afterwards?" I asked curiously.
"You will be in a lot of pain and confusion for the first few days. Once you turn, you'll be fine. After, we will begin the ritual which is when I will give you my title. Then the ceremony will take place," Artemis explained.
"What happens during the ritual and the ceremony?" I questioned, leaning forward.
"There will be a blood exchange with me and the rest of the pack. It has to happen on a full moon, that way you will absorb its power. Once you take the title, you and your mate will complete it with your own blood exchange that will seal you and make you equals. The ceremony is like a celebration party, He elaborated. So much blood. Why did everything have to have a blood exchange. I was positive there was nothing sanitary about it.
"Here you go," Bethany appeared, placing the heaping plate of food before Artemis.
"Thank you dear," Artemis replied, winking smoothly at her. I swear she swooned.
"If you need anything at all, just call my name," She said, trying to appear sultry but failing completely. The little whore was flirting with my grandfather, who was more than likely over a hundred years old by now.
"Do you have a mate?" The question came abruptly. Artemis stilled suddenly, but kept his head lowered.
"No," He replied slowly.
"No? Where is she?" I asked, wondering about my grandmother.
"She left," He stated, preparing his fork with food.
"Left?" I muttered, wondering allowed. I thought back to the twins, Nate and Nick, and what they told me about mates. When my mind recalled them mentioning rejection, I realized what Artemis meant by her leaving.
"She rejected you," I stated. When he didn't reply I continued, "Before or after you killed her son?"
"You must truly see me as a monster," He said, lifting his head up to look me dead in the eye.
"I wasn't that obvious was I?" I said sarcastically.
"You don't know the whole story. I suggest you quit with the assumptions," He growled lightly.
"I know enough to deem you a murderer. Under no circumstances would it be okay to kill a man, especially one of your kin," I snapped.
"Are you done?" He asked roughly. I narrowed my eyes at him. Maybe I was missing something. After all, he really didn't seem like a cold blooded killer.
"Why did you kill my father?" I questioned slowly.
"Enough," He growled loudly, causing a few heads to turn in our direction.
"Fine, but I'll have you know this will be the last time I'm caught dead in a room with you," I bit angrily, scooting out of the booth.
"Bye Lucille, it was nice seeing you," I heard Bethany called out after me. I didn't even bother replying as the door closed behind me.
