Once Upon A Demon [ ON HOLD ]

7.

kard never disappoints 

CHAPTER SEVEN

Gareth was avoiding me.

Of course, I didn't know why. I'd tried talking to him when I spotted him heading to his class, but the wolf had straight out ignored me. At first, I suspected that his terrible Alpha had something to do with this. However, when Gareth looked into my eyes and walked past me, slinging his hand over another girl's shoulder, I knew that Auden had something to do with this. I admit it, I was jealous. And angry.

But who wouldn't be? I had one marvelous date with him; we kissed, and maybe would've had sex if Jamie hadn't interrupted. That has to mean something yeah? Then he'd left me alone, not bothering to speak to me. I debated on what to do the entire time at school. And when it was time to leave, I'd made my decision. Sighing, I slung my bag over my shoulder, heading out of class. I passed by Gareth. This time, I made no move to try to talk. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked forward. I didn't turn back. If he didn't want to explain things, then let them go unexplained. It's not like he was the only man in the world.

He wasn't the first and he certainly is not the last.

"Jamie's not here."

Lucien looks disappointed at my words. "Well, where is she?" He questions. I don't reply. I go to close the door when a foot gets in the way. Auden pushes me to the side with ease, entering my house. "Get out!" I push him. Grandma's not here and she won't be here for another hour. Jamie is sleeping soundly in her room after complaining about a headache. And most importantly, I don't need two beasts in my house!

"She's here," Auden confirms for his Beta.

Lucien's face brightens up. He tries to move past me, but I block him, making him stumble a few steps back. He tries again and this time, he ends up flat on his ass. "Wow, you're unexpectedly...strong." He comments. My eyes dart from side to side. I can feel Auden's suspicious eyes on me. "I know." I shrug, nonchalantly. I can't risk faltering now. "Upstairs," Auden commands. When I go to block Lucien once more, Auden pulls me to the side and his Beta runs upstairs. I break free from Auden's tight grip. "You are unexpectedly strong...aren't you?" He mutters to himself, a single claw tracing down my neck. I push it to the side.

"Jamie doesn't want to be disturbed. Call your Beta down and leave." I firmly say. "Ah, but, you see, I'm the Alpha here. I don't take orders. I only give them." He smirks. "Ah, yes, everyone does know how much of a dictator you are. But then again, this is my house." My eyes narrow. "It's my land." I cross my hands against my chest. "It is still my house. So get out." I command. "No," Auden shrugs with a bored expression. I charge past him, running upstairs. I head to Jamie's room, panting when I pause.

She sleeps soundly in her bed. Lucien's pulled a chair for himself, sitting by her side. He keeps petting her hair, stroking it. His movements hold such longing. It's almost like he can't live without her. Just like my parents. They gave their lives for each other. I take a few steps back. I bump into Auden. "Are they true mates?" I question him as we sit down on the first step. "I don't know." He shakes his head. "How can he want her so much when he knows that he probably has a true mate out there? What if she comes along at some point in time?" I ask. "Lucien...he may be my Beta but he's never confided in me about Jamie. Almost like she and everything about her is to be kept by him. Like all of it belongs to him. I don't know about true mates, but it is true that sometimes, wolves make their own bonds. Bonds that surpass the true mate bond. I believe that Lucien and Jamie...they have their own bond. Something special; that can't be broken." Auden explains.

"So even if one day, each of their true mates comes along, then it would make no difference?" Auden nods in response. It must be beautiful. To have that sort of commitment, that sort of trust, an unbreakable bond. My parents might be of a different species, but I knew that they had something very similar to this.

"An unbreakable bond," I whisper.

I turn to my side, catching Auden's eyes. The silent moment between us is interrupted when Lucien steps out of Jamie's room. "Don't tell her I was here." He says glumly, moving past Auden and I. I follow the both of them. As they're leaving, Auden turns back for a brief moment, eyes glowing a lighter shade of blue. This time, I can't help but feel that he knows what I am. His lips curl up into a smirk as he shoots me a wink before turning in front.

I close the door.

Jamie didn't come to the shop with me today.

Her headaches were getting worse which is why I'd persuaded her to get a good amount of sleep. I was finishing up when Auden walked in. "Oh, we're closing up now. Please come back tomorrow." I shouted before I saw who'd come. And afterward, only a bored 'Oh' had escaped my mouth as I stared at Auden. "Do you want something?" I asked. Auden shook his head. "Here to collect Rowan's piece...?" Auden nods. I remember when she'd barged inside during the weekend and demanded I modify a dress for her. I hand him the box. "She says thank you." I nod. When Auden doesn't leave, I place my hands on the counter. He raises an eyebrow. "Go." I shoo.

"What are you?" The hairs at the back of my neck stand up.

"What do you mean?" I question back. "You're strong...you seem to defy my every order...and you barely flinched when I threatened..." Auden mutters. "I'm sorry, are we having a Twilight moment right now?" He looks utterly confused; a tiny laugh escapes my mouth. "Go back to your pack house. I need to get back home." I say.

"You...you don't seem human," Auden says. I suck in a breath. "Why not?" I ask. "Your scent...it's not human...it's very similar to..." I bang my hand on the counter. "Leave. I don't have time for your jokes." I stop him from thinking. He probably couldn't already know what I am right? If he did, by now, I'd be held by the throat. "I wasn't joking," Auden says.

"Well, you don't know anything about me so stop trying to figure something out and just go back to your mate. I'm sure she's waiting for you." I sigh. With an amused smile, Auden stares at me, those eyes dimming in color for a split second before shining back with full force. "Listen..." Auden comes closer. I'm tempted to take a step back but I don't.

"I know you think I had something to do with what probably might have gone down with you and Gareth, but I didn't...he just found his mate." I sigh, "I kind of figured that out. They look good together." Auden looks taken aback. "What, did you expect me to go on a rampage? Point a gun at his forehead or something...?" He shakes his head, "I didn't expect that...but I didn't expect you to be this calm about it either..." He laughs.

"So, are you ever going to leave?" I question.

"You'll never stop asking me to leave will you?" It's surprising to see this side of Auden. He always comes off as quite a scary Alpha but this side is new. Something I didn't expect. "Nope," I shake my head. "Well, this time, I'm going to oblige. Like you said, I have a mate waiting for me." He smiles. I smile back.

"You, Alexa, have a beautiful smile." Auden compliments.

And then he leaves.