Chapter 3 An Unwelcomed Bride
Vanessa
Three days later
The fucking nerve of that man!
I kick the stones lining my path as hard as I can. It does nothing to ease my anger, possibly even fuels it as I think back to the conversation I had with Xander Black three days ago.
So far, I’ve not made progress with my plans and I need to act fast…
I’m climbing the short steps leading into my rented apartment when a heavy duffle bag gets thrown into my body. I let out a small scream, my hands flailing to reach out and hold the bag while also trying to balance myself, but luck isn’t on my side as I end up hitting the floor on my back with it. Hard.
I groan and manage to scramble off the floor, then I hear my landlady’s sharp voice.
“Collins, you’re out.”
“What? Why?” I ask, trying to ignore the throbbing in my back.
“You’re over three months due and I can’t wait any longer. I’ve also got bills to pay, young lady.”
“But, Mrs Jones, I’ve promised to pay up before this week runs out.”
“Yeah, promises with no results ain’t getting me nowhere. I’ve rented out your space to someone else. All your shit’s been put together in there. Good luck finding a new place. And don’t come back.” Then she slams the door right in my face.
Fuck.
Where the hell am I going to find somewhere at this time of the night? I’m pretty sure it’s well past eleven pm right now. I can’t check since my phone’s dead.
I let out a silent scream of frustration before grabbing my bag, starting the long trek to nowhere as my mind wanders back to him.
I had only walked for only about fifteen minutes when I hear the sound of an oncoming car behind me. I decide to ignore it but can’t shake the feeling that I am being followed. Not by the car…but something else I thought I had escaped in the forest.
I decide to test the car theory first.
When I slow my pace, the car seems to slow down. But when I pick up my pace again, it seemed to do the same. Then I do the only thing a sane person would never do.
I step in front of the car, forcing the driver to hit the brakes fast and hard.
I shield my eyes from the brightness of the headlights as I try to take a look at who is in the car but it’s completely tinted black.
I walk to the driver’s side window and knock once, motioning for them to roll it down.
When it’s down, I come face to face with Xander Black.
Great, just the last person I wanted to see.
Shut up, bitch. You were thinking about him just a few minutes ago.
I shut the voice down and instead glare at Xander.
“What do you want?” I go straight to the point.
The side of his lips curl into a small smirk it was almost unnoticeable. “Are you ready to accept my proposal now?”
“Really? That’s what you came all the way here for? Are you fucking with me right now?” I seethe through gritted teeth.
“Yes. And no, I’m not fucking with you, firecracker.”
I drag my hand through my hair, almost tugging it out of its roots as I try to weigh my options. I have nowhere to stay, also, I have a score to settle with the Blacks anyways…
“Fine. Iacceptit,” I say in a rush.
“I’m sorry, could you repeat that? I didn’t quite catch it.”
Stupid little…
“I said, I accept it. Deal.”
“Good. Come in, Firecracker.”
I shoot a glare at him from under my lashes and let out a deep breath before rounding the front of his car. I get into the passenger side and slam the door harder than necessary. He raises a brow at me.
“Just making sure it’s shut properly.” My lips stretch dryly over my face. Right then, he leans over and my heartbeat picks up. With his super hearing, I’m sure he can hear but decides to ignore it.
“What are you doing?” I ask as he leans closer, his black eyes boring into my blue ones so much I start to feel uncomfortable. I catch his smirk as he stretches his hand over my shoulder and feel the seatbelt pressing over me and hear it click into place.
He leans back. “Just making sure it’s in place. Safety first. Right?” then he drives off.
As we approach the MoonVeil Estate, I can’t help but be in awe of the magnificence of the place. The beautiful mansions lining each side were hard to ignore.
We drive for another ten minutes before we approach a gate with a sign that says, ‘OFF LIMITS’ in big red glowing letters.
He drives further until we approach a mansion in the centre, that makes all the others we’ve passed seem like little doll houses. It is surrounded by little bungalows extending beyond.
This mansion is so big, words can’t even start to describe the beauty and commanding aura of the place. I also hate how it makes me feel small…
“Welcome to your new home, firecracker.” Xander says to me, then he’s climbs out.
Almost immediately, a man dressed like a butler comes over, bows to Xander and collects the car keys. He comes over to me and opens my side door, and it is then I remember I’m supposed to come down also.
He gives me a confused but curious look and greets, “Welcome to MoonVeil Pack, ma’am.”
“Thank you,” I manage to say, finally finding my voice after a long time.
“Come in, Firecracker.”
I follow Xander inside and before I can fully appreciate it yet again, we’re met halfway by a group of men and a woman who seem to not be pleased to see us…or maybe it’s me.
They bow before the man on the left speaks up. He is a tall man with a buzz cut hair, broad shoulders and a military stern face.
“Your Highness, may we know why you have brought a human into our pack?” he says the ‘human’ like it disturbes him to even get the word out.
Xander’s face remains impassive but I can’t miss the hard edge his voice takes as he speaks. “This ‘human’ will be your queen soon.”
Their faces pale like Xander has just said the world is ending. I almost snort but compose myself quickly.
“Your Highness, but-b-ut,” another man, with shoulder length black hair spluttered, looking like he wants to be anywhere else but here.
“I will not hear it. She will be the one to rule this kingdom with me. That is my final decision.” He grabs my hand and pulls me with him as he stalks off to God knows where. I am glad though, because the heat of their glares is enough to start a fire.
Except the woman. Her white hair flows softly over her shoulders, down to her waist but her eyes…they are unnerving.
The white globes stare at me intensely and seem to track my every movement, like she’s reading every crack in my skin.
I don’t need to read the minds of everyone I come across to know that they are unhappy with my presence here.
With the exception of a tall, curly brown haired man with green eyes that sparkle with mischief.
He stops in front of us and says to Xander, “What’s up, Xanny?” then he turns to me, “I’m Max, the awesome beta of this pack. Welcome
.” He stretches out his and I feel Xander’s body vibrate a little.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?