Acceptance

Chapter 3

Alice's Pov:

To say I hurt was an understatement. Every step I took up the stairs to get to the front door killed me. I just needed to sleep and then I'll be healed when I woke up. A hot shower was needed first. I had just touched the door knob when the door was opened by Shelton who was dressed for work. He looked me over, worry bright in his eyes. He was worried about me? "You're bleeding," He said when he looked at my side. I looked down and was shocked to see he was right, "Well what do you know, I am." I then gave a tired shrug, "It'll heal." He kissed my cheek and I stood their shocked, my face feeling as if it was set on fire. "I'm happy you came home alive. I'll see you tonight," He said before he went down the stairs to the drive way. I stood their dumbfounded, hand on my cheek. What just happened?

I snapped out of my daze when my body reminded me I was hurt and went inside. Nathaniel was standing there with the first aid kit. He gestured with his head to the kitchen and I followed him. "Remove your shirt," He told me as he picked me up and placed me on the counter. My face became heated once more as I took off my shirt hesitantly. He ran his finger over my wound and instead of feeling pain, I shivered and held back a moan. He then licked my blood off of his finger, "No infection, but your magic is alarmingly low." "That's because I haven't recovered my magic fully from the last job I did," I explained to him as he began to clean and bandage my wound. I then heard heels click hurriedly on the floor as Cindy rushed in. She was then throwing her arms around me despite the fact I was sitting on the counter. She sniffled as she hugged me, "I was so worried when Nathaniel told us you didn't come home last night." I didn't know what to do. How is one supposed to act around someone who was worried for you?

"Cindy, I'm gonna get your clothes dirty," I told her instead. "I don't care, I can always change," She sniffled. I smiled softly and ran a hand through her loose hair that was curled. Pyrus then came in wearing a pair of sweats and a shirt. He gave me a small smile filled with relief when he saw me. "Cindy you're going to be late," Nathaniel told her. She pulled away reluctantly, "I know." She went upstairs to change as Drake came in. He scanned me over with his eyes, but before he could say anything Nathaniel's phone began to ring.

"Hello," He said. He waited a second before handing the phone to me. "You've got Agent Grommel," I said. "Congratulations on your work last night Agent Alice," Council member Henrietta told me. "I'm gonna get paid more right," I asked her. "Of course. Had we known it was a cult who possessed more than one book we wouldn't have sent you in alone," She told me. I scoffed, "Yeah right. So how much will I be receiving?" "How much do you feel you deserve," She asked me. "Five million. Three for the amount of demons I had to kill, another for the amount of human minds I had to wipe of the whole ordeal, and another million for the injuries I received." "Seems reasonable," She told me. "Consider it done. I also called for a couple other reasons. First off, congratulations on finding your mates. The second is that your mate Shelton is very persuasive."

I tensed, "What do you mean?" "He convinced us to make you a full time agent stationed in Gardenia," She explained. "However, in order for that to happen, you have to either join a pack, coven, or if you can convince that vampire mate of yours to turn you into a triple hybrid, then you can join a clan." "What did he offer you for you to agree," I asked her. "His future chair on the council. Of course, it all depends on whether or not you accept the offer. If not then he gets to keep his future position." That bitch, I thought. I couldn't contain my growl.

"However I have another deal for you," She said before I could tell her to shove her offer up her ass. "You won't need to join or be turned, and he'll get to keep his place, if you accept having a partner." I growled, "You mean a babysitter." I could hear her smile as she spoke, "I guess you could say that. Of course with a partner, you'll be able to handle the more dangerous and higher paying jobs while also still receive a steady paycheck." I thought for a moment, "I'll have to get back to you on that, it's not just me anymore." "I understand, the funds are now in your account. We'll be in touch Alice." She then hung up and I gave it back to Nathaniel. Nathaniel looked at me, he and the others having heard the entire conversation, "What are you going to do?" "It's not just up to me," I sighed and slid off the counter. I held in my groan of pain. My body was really starting to feel the effects of my body being thrown around, and using up what was left of my magic last night.