Chapter 18

“Henry!" I exclaimed as I opened my door only to be greeted by the face of my crush.

“Green!" He chirped with a sweet smile accompanying his face. His black irises gleamed of joy and his black hair were neatly styled as usual.

“I was walking along a garden, and I found this." He pursed his lips as he revealed the Rose he hid behind his back.

“A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady,” he added in a sweet tone. I bit my lower lip excitedly as my hand reached for it but then my father instantly appeared behind my back.

“And Who are you?" My Father's hoarse voice protruded behind me. I went stiff and the smile that once birthed on my face vanished. Fear replaced the joy that bloomed within me, and my fingers trembled.

“Commander, I came to see your daugh—”

“For what?" My father cut him off abruptly while Henry's smile gradually faded.

“To take her places? To visit your favorite spot? Or…" he inched closer with predatory eyes fixated at my crush who almost melted from his gaze. "To fuck her."

“N-no!" Henry quickly denied but then my father's eyes fell on the Rose in his hands.

“Oh, I see now,” he muttered in an icy tone. "A rose for my beautiful daughter. And who gave you the permission to adore her?"

His lips parted but no sensible words could escape. He was consumed in fear just like I was.

My Father finally turned to me with same predatory eyes and my breaths ceased instantly. He was going to do something disastrous.

“Burn it,” he ordered. My heart skipped a beat as tears gradually began to encroach my eyes.

“Aubrey, get the petrol and lighter!" He raised his voice and after a minute, my little sister came with a keg and lighter. Her expression was just as terrified as I was. My mother joined us too, staring in horrific awe as my father handed me the keg and lighter.

“C-commander please,” Henry begged, and my dad glared at him sharply.

“One more word, one more step and I promise your head will be out of place,” he growled, and Henry obeyed even though he was trembling.

“Stretch your hand,” he ordered, and Henry immediately followed. Stretching his right hand that beheld the Rose.

“Burn it, Green."

I hesitated while a tear dropped across my cheek. Henry was the innocent one here, but my father decided to show his monstrosity to my close ones too.

“Didn't you hear me?!" He barked and my body swiftly jolted to action. I recklessly poured the liquid over the flower. I stared at my crush whose eyes embattled tears from dropping unlike mine. He was a vampire but that didn't mean this fire wasn't going to hurt like hell. But I had no choice too, I couldn't dare to stand against my Father. The second in Command of the Vampire Community. And so, without further thoughts, I lit the rose. His palm caught fire alongside too and I watched in horror and dismay how Henry gritted his teeth. Trying hard not to groan.

Tears streamed across my cheeks while my father maintained his devilish stare at the burning Rose. Minutes passed and all that was left were tiny traces of blood and burns on Henry's palm accompanied with a completely burnt flower.

My Father then retrieved it off his hand and handed it over to me with a disgusting smile.

“Here, a beautiful flower for a beautiful lady,” he toned sarcastically. "And as for you boy, this is my final warning to stay away from my daughter. Next time you won't be so lucky,” he said before pushing me inside and slammed the door against his face.

***

My eyes gradually awakened to Zeus's face. There he was sleeping peacefully in our embrace. A tiny smile birthed as I ran my finger along his cheek and then to his lips. The tingling sensation that coursed from my finger to the rest of my body almost made me kiss those lips. I knew I shouldn't be doing this, to allow him so close to my body, to be admiring him in his sleep. I was giving my plans a second thought. I should be up thinking of ways to find the Werewolf Hide, but here I was, running my fingers slowly across my mate's lips, thinking about those moments where his palms gently roamed across my body. As much as I hated to agree, his ointment and his divine touch really did justice.

My mind wandered to the nightmare again. Perhaps if I had stood up to my father like Zeus did, maybe Henry wouldn't have faced that much pain. Maybe that innocent and beautiful Rose wouldn't have to burn.

My eyes peeled away from Zeus to the darkness surrounding us, then it finally fixated at the ceilings. I stared at my mother's smiling face wondering what she would have me do to Zeus.

I wondered what good deed I'd done to deserve a mate like Zeus. Regardless of the pain, suffering, humiliation I had put him through he was still willing to stay by my side. He was willing to overlook my darkness. But I couldn't accept him regardless. He could change, he could become my father and even if he didn't, I knew better. I didn't deserve the Serpent Wolf. I wasn't worthy of his love.

I heaved a heavy sigh before alighting off the bed. I quietly wore my night gown before proceeding to my library where I'd be reading a book till Martha comes. But here I was, seated by my desk unable to focus. I was waiting for her, but she didn't show up. She was probably still mad at me for my actions. She was always there for me but this one time when she needed me, I failed her. We were growing apart gradually. I dropped the book in my hands, opting to go for her room but then I recalled the morning incident. How she happily embraced my mate. I knew they were simply bonding as friends but still, my jealousy was getting the better part of me. I heaved another sigh, struck in a limbo on what I really wanted and what I needed to do.

***

“Took you long enough." I muttered as I stepped out of my bathroom covered in towel.

“My goodness, how long was I asleep?" He sat up, rubbing through his messy hair and his eyes that refused to peel away from my body.

“Twelve." I replied while I sauntered to my wardrobe.

“Twelve, Twelve hours?!" He exclaimed.

“You snore too loud by the way." I teased.

“Did I?" He frowned. "I mean, I know I don't but..."

I turned to him with a tiny smile. Enjoying the morning rays gracing his messy face.

“You didn't." I replied. He chuckled.

“How are you feeling now?" He asked, concerns booming in his voice and lust hinting in his eyes.

“As you can see, I'm all healed up,” I said, and he smiled.

“This is the closest you'll ever get to my body again." I added as I returned to my wardrobe, scaling my hands through for a dress. But my body disagreed, I craved his touch, his breaths gracing my cheeks, his lips against mine.

“Something tells me that's not going to be the last,” he teased, and it took ever nerve within me not to smile.

“Martha told me about today's festival,” he pitched. "And I've been thinking, maybe you and I could—”

“The answer is No." I cut him off sharply. I've been too busy thinking about both of them overnight that I totally forgot today's celebrations.

“Green..."

“No Zeus." I reinstated. "This festival is meant for Vampires alone. So be a good Werewolf and just stay in the mansion while the celebration's ongoing,” I said unsure if I had made the right decision. Of course, I would love to have him by my side but at same time, I might do the unthinkable and trip for him further.

“Say it to my face Green,” he responded. I gulped down my saliva before facing him with a stern expression.

“I don't want you anywhere the celebrations." I affirmed with less conviction. His eyes lowered as he nodded.

“If that's what you want." His voice trailed a whispery path. He alighted from the bed and slowly walked towards the door.

With every step he made, I knew I should stop him. Tell him how nice it would be to have him by my side but that would mean I was slowly accepting him. Slowly acknowledging him as my mate.

I closed my eyes as the door quietly shut behind him and there I knew. I had taken the wrong decision for us and the right choice for me.