Purest

3. Changing

MIA

"You owe me, dad. You said anything I want." Her voice hardened. She was determined to win this round.

After the successful impromptu elegant dinner, her cousins retired to their respective quarters. A suite of rooms readied at all times for their visits.

MJ was grateful. She didn't need their overprotective asses at the moment while she was trying to negotiate with her father.

"Anything but that. You know I am only concerned about your safety." His face was flushed with a shade of red creeping up his neck and he gulped the white wine on his glass in one go.

Exasperated, she got up. "I am more than eight. In fact, I am an adult. I can do whatever I want and I don't need your permission."

"Mia Jane," he growled in warning.

"I am telling you because I respect you. But enough!" Her voice was pure seriousness. Her expressive eyes flashing. "I have been closeted sufficiently to last me a lifetime. I need a bit of freedom, dad. Mom, tell him."

"Ron. All our daughter is asking is one night of freedom. I think it's reasonable. She's already twenty." Her mother's gentle voice eased the tension in the room.

"Jane. You in this, too?" Her father asked. A bit disappointed. Then they were both quiet, communicating with their eyes.

MJ stood before them, wringing her hands. Waiting for their verdict. "Please, dad. A day and a night. I will be careful. No drinking. No partying. No drugs. Just exploring the city. On my own."

Her father cradled his head in his big hands. Jane, her mother went to him and whispered in his ear.

She immediately saw the effect her mom had on him. He visibly relaxed and pulled her to his lap and nuzzled her neck, her mother giggled.

"Umm, guys. I am still here. Please don't make me lose my dinner." More than twenty years married and they still act like lovesick teenagers.

Not that she minded. She was actually praying for the same kind of love in her future.

Her dad looked at her, lips twitching. "You will have my answer tomorrow, MJ. Now, excuse me and your mother, she will need a lot of convincing to do."

"Dad! Yucks." Then they left her alone in the library while he carried his mom away, squirming and laughing in his arms.

MJ rolled her eyes. Maybe she will just pick something to read tonight.

Roaming and scanning the selves, she murmured the titles and tried to select a novel that will prick her interest. E.L. James. Done. Stephanie Laurens. Done. Julia Quinn. Done. Bored with her mom's romance section, she went to her dad's big tomes of history books. She might end up bored and asleep in no time but it was worth a try. He has an extensive collection.

He had recently acquired an antique one. She hoped it was not locked in the vault.

Her eyes caught an object with a deep shade of black cover and the spine and edge were made of solid metal burnished in gold. 

Wow.

It looked expensive and well preserved.

The Lycan World, Third Edition. Author: The Alphas

Finding the book made her night a little bit exciting. Hefting the precious literary gem with both arms, she went to her favorite lazy chair and curled her legs under her.

Switzerland, 1300
Selene, Moon Goddess

'As the stars aligned in my darkest of night, my heart is filled with grief. I lost a son to a clan of savage beasts, thirsty from blood, their red eyes, fangs glittering in the moonlight, their evilness took my precious from me. I shouldn't have sent him to the earth, where all demons dwell. A mistake that will make me suffer in grief.