We leave Gran's office laughing and go to the kitchen.
“What do we get to choose from?” I ask Sam.
He kisses my cheek as he laughs, “It's fully stocked. So sky's the limit.”
I laugh as I kiss him, “Don't tempt me.”
“So what will it be Chef Snow White?” he asks.
“Glazed meatballs with Soba noodles and then do blueberry parfait for dessert,” I confidently say.
He grins, “Ambitious but doable.”
We chat and cook. We draw a crowd because we are just cooking while joking around. He even gives
me a few kisses here and there. It's sweet and intimate. It's like we have
done this our whole lives. I hope that this connection doesn't fade.
A young guy with familiar eyes asks, “Bro since when do you cook here?”
I laugh because he is clearly one of Sam’s brothers.
“Since we got hungry,” I answer him.
He laughs and I catch his name. It's Chris, Sam’s youngest brother.
“Smell something tantalizing?” I tease.
“Eva!” Sam yells.
I touch Sam’s chest, “I'm playing and you know it, but seriously we can make extra.”
A pretty woman who looks close to my age speaks, “Sam just how long have you and this…” She points to me after sniffing the air and scrunching up her nose, “Human bitch been together?”
Yeah, I am not going to like her. She's not a Fall. She must be in a visiting pack.
“Kim today isn't for fighting and I suggest you watch your tongue,” Simon says.
I laugh because he gave me an idea, “It'd be over before it began. I've killed vampires. A little mouthy bitch like her, I could subdue with a hand-tied behind my back.”
Sam grabs my hand, “Eva!”
Steven steps closer to Kim, “Kim back off!”
I look at Steven before I look at her, “Steven it's fine. I never allow someone to talk to me in such a manner. It will never get to me nor intimidate me. All it does is show how insecure she really is and is threatened by me.
Which well, she should be. She'll never be superior to me, all her arrogance and indignation show is her
weakness. Weaknesses are easily exploited. You'll learn in time.”
She says smugly, “We will see. Race winner gets the Alpha.”
I look at Sam and wink because I already have the Alpha. He's my fated mate and she can't do anything to break our bond.
Steven says, “You're in for a big surprise Kim.”
She steps to Sam. I use my speed and get in between.
I giggle, “You gotta be quicker than that, little one. Plus, he's all mine.”
Sam chuckles and kisses my cheek.
“She's got balls!” Chris says.
“Many actually,” I answer.
Another guy I don't know says, “You're funny and feisty.”
Sam says, “Mike don't encourage her, please.”
Mike is it? He is not related to the Falls but judging by how close they are to him he must be a part of their pack.
“That one thinks she can beat us guys too,” Simon says as he points to me.
“Don't think I know.” I grin.
“Have you even practiced?” Steven asks me.
“I saw it, that'll be enough,” I say.
“And you called my sister arrogant,” a man said. He does resemble Kim. They must be twins.
“Everything will lineup perfectly when knowing the truths becomes more
important than looking good -Alan Cohen. I know my truth. Do you know yours?” I ask him.
Sam kisses my forehead.
Kim scoffs.
“I see you're all getting acquainted. Dean and Kim I suggest you behave. Eva it smells like the orient in here,” Gran says.
I smile, “I had a craving.”
She laughs, “I bet so, hope you made extra.”
“We did,” I reply.
We all sit down to eat.
“Interesting combination,” Gran says.
“I wanted something sweet. Didn't feel like making a cake. I might do that tonight,” I tell her.
“Her cakes are extraordinary. Even the two we talked to earlier love her cooking,” Sam adds.
“Now that's interesting,” Gran says.
Sam grins, “Like kids in a candy store too.”
“Can Katie cook?” Gran asks.
I laugh, “It's a feat if she doesn't blow up the coffeemaker.”
“That bad?” Gran inquires.
“Yeah, I was a bit down after an altercation with a now ex. She tried to make me a mocha and brownies to cheer me up. I had to put out fires,” I tell her.
“No wonder you made Vincent get her coffee and juice,” Sam chuckles.
I wink at him, “It all makes sense now huh?”
“Brother just where have you been since that Gala the Prince, had you attend?” Chris asks Sam.
Sam just chuckles louder.
Simon raises both of his eyebrows, “Wait! I thought she was just here because of Steven!”
“No way!” Mike exclaims.
“Gentlemen just stop with assumptions,” Gran urges.
“She's human, even if she turned she'd never be worthy of an Alpha!” Kim taunts.
I smirk, “I think I'm quite done hearing you speak.” I continue, “Now that it's quiet, the adults can resume talking.”
Gran laughs, “Apparently men aren't the only ones you leave speechless.”
“No, they're not,” Sam says while smiling at me.
“Never boring,” Gran tells him.
He chuckles, “No.”
“This is quite good,” she tells me.
“Thank you,” I reply.
“Where did you learn to cook?” she asks me.
“Self-taught,” I answer.
She furrows her brow.
Sam says, “She was an orphan grandmother.”
“You must have some family,” Chris says.
“All dead from what I was told,” I reply.
“Did you know that she saved Steven when you met her Sam?” he asks.
“No found that out later that night,” Sam says.
“How'd you kill two vampires?” Dean asks me.
“Luck,” I say.
“No it was more then that. You knew what they were going to do,” Steven tells everyone.
“Not all she got away,” I say.
“Because of me, I started to shift and was barely conscious,” he tells me.
“You nearly died, many woulda freaked a bit. I just kept you hid till you calmed down. What anyone would do,” I say.
“No you're wrong,” Simon says.
I glare at him.
He holds his hands up, “Hold up! Meant that as a compliment as not many woulda interrupted let alone took the time to care for Steven after.”
“She doesn't handle compliments well,” Sam tells him.
“Sam!” I smack him.
“It's true. Even Vincent has attempted to compliment you,” he tells me.
I laugh.
“Did that fancy party go to your head? Are you friends with the bloodsuckers now?,” Dean asks Sam.
I look at Sam.
“Most aren't bad. Arrogant assholes maybe, but not bad,” he tells Dean.
I giggle, “They need blood like you need food to survive. Many uses donated blood or that of
animals that we eat. Not all are monsters that drain humans.”
“How do you know?” Dean asks me.
I am realizing that what all I have ever written has a lot of truth to it, “Ever hear of Stranger Things?”
“That yellow magazine,” Dean says.
“Most is fluff yes, but truth lies in it if you read between the headlines,” I say.
“You a writer or something?” Mike asks me.
“Investigative journalist,” I say.
Chris says, “There's no Eva that writes for them.”
“Exactly,” I say with a smile.
Steven laughs. I add, “I've won considerable awards.”
“Surely not!” Simon exclaims.
“You question my ability?” I ask him.
“No, who I think you are,” he says.
“And who's that?” I ask.
“Steven it's her isn't it?” he asks him.
Steven nods.
Simon grins, “I'll be damned.”
“I wouldn't advise that unless you want servitude as a hell hound,” I reply.
“I'm missing something,” Mike says.
“She's Midnight Rose man,” Steven tells him.
“She can't be!” he exclaims.
“Why? A woman can wear many disguises.
Oh, silver deity of secret night,
Direct my footsteps through the woodland’s shade
Be my conscious witness ofunknown delight, you are
the lover's guardian, and the muse's aid!
You always rise come what might
By your pale beams I roam to find the unknown tonight.
To you my tender grief confide
Serenely sweet you gild the silent grove in splendor alone
My friend, my goddess, and my guide in you I must abide
I need you by my side
Grant me strength and peace to know that with you’ll never walk alone,” I recite.
“You are her!” Mike yells.
I nod.
“Wow, never thought you were real,” Dean admits.
“Many wish I wasn't,” I tell him.
“Kim's still quiet,” Chris notices.
“Don't mind her. Cat must've gotten her tongue,” Gran laughs.
Sam and I both burst into laughter.
“You seriously going to race us Eva?” Chris asks.
“Race and win, yes,” I say with confidence.
“You know there's no need,” Gran tells me.
“Oh I do, I just want to prove a point,” I say.
“And what's that princess?” Dean asks me.
I laugh, “I'm no princess but a queen.
I am queen but have no crown,
I still rule firmly but my people do not frown,
From dusk till dawn, I roam both city and town
I am straight and act very swift,
Curb the crime and deal very strict,
Criminals on run and their entry restrict,
Happy all towns, cities and district
"Live and let others live" should be the motto,
Never politics turn to make it ghetto,
State belongs to all and no claim of one,
Larger should be concept as belongs to none,
Time is running out and divine days are over,
Kings and queens find difficult to cover,
Thought many may prevail king rule over,
But ideas not find devour as mooted by fewer,
King can be tyrant and also cruel,
But will nit ignite fire and fuel,
Public opinion matter in most matter,
So is the time to crate new platter,
People may revolt and force to abdicate,
Ruler should know and should indicate,
Populist measures must vindicate,
Forming people's forum or with syndicate
-Hasmukh Amathalal,” I say.
Gran smiles, “Now I see why the Prince likes you.”
I return her smile, “I'm wise beyond my years.”
“Wait you know the vampire prince?” Mike asks me.
“Yeah, vampires like to control the narrative,” I say this because I can't say that he's my mate.
Chris adds, “But he doesn't control you.”
I smile, “Because he can't.”
Simon looks at Gran, “Well…well.now that's interesting.”
“Topic for later son,” she says.
“Sam bro you have a lot of explaining to do,” Chris says.
Sam looks at everyone, “The race will help explain most of it.”