Chapter 7

Lila's POV

Im sitting next to one of the warriors that escorted us on to the plane we are in now and he is over the top gorgeous. I had to press my legs together to keep myself from feeling as needy as I was. I hadn't ever had sex before but this man made me want to give him anything he asked for. I let what my mom told me run through my mind. Anyone would want me and my body would want them too because I was made for this. I needed to try and find out who had good intentions and who wanted me for what I was not who I am. The guy kept smirking like he knew what I was feeling and turned to face me. He ran his fingers through his hair.

"Hey beautiful I'm Noah".

My cheeks lit up, "I'm Lila".

"If we get the chance I'd like to take you out and show you New Orleans. If that's ok with your parents".

I felt my cheeks growing hotter and it moved down my neck. "That sounds nice, but I'm not sure they would let me because of my situation and everything. I would really like to go with you if they allow it". He smiled and we began talking about how different our lives were. His mother was one of the older mom's and he also was just like me. Only he had been brought up in the coven.

I told him how I would want my kids to grow up like I did. Only I would tell them the truth from the beginning so they would be prepared for the day that would come. He agreed fully that the coven life was not one that was meant for kids, but growing up there made him strong. It also hadn't prepared him for the outside world. He wanted his kids to be prepared and be able to experience life and to respect it not fear it. I had only known this man for maybe an hour and I already had a thing for him. We shared the same values and had tons in common.

"Can I ask how old you are"?

"Do you really want to know?", he asked.

"Yes I need to know", I said persistently.

"Ok, but don't freak out or get grossed out when I tell you how old I really am. I know I look young because I am still a vampire. I'm really fifty four. I stopped aging around twenty".

"That's not gross. We get along and have the same values. I can live with you being a fifty four year old if you can deal with a sixteen year old". He looked surprised at the answer I gave him and he smiled as he took my hand. It felt like electricity when he touched me. I loved it. I wanted to get to know him more, but the ride was over and he had to escort us to the next form of transportation. I got inside the SUV and slipped my number in his shirt pocket hoping he would text me. It was a lonely ride there sitting next to my mom who was talking to my dad about what was going to happen next once we reached the mansion.

The ride was short but they weren't kidding when they said mansion. I had no idea my family had this much money and my parents sure hid it pretty well. I mean we did have our SUV and we got to go on vacations and had a nice home and I wore name brand clothes, but I thought that his job provided all of that. Now that I'm realizing how powerful my family really was I'm thinking my dad just had a job as a hobby or some sort of cover for who we were. I also came to the realization that whenever I asked for something I got it no questions asked. If I wanted dance lessons I got it. I wanted a new phone and an expensive computer. I got that too. I wanted a new sports car for my sixteenth birthday. I was going to pick one out Friday, but now it looks like I'm going to be hiding in a house. Well it might not be so bad if I'm hiding in a house full of hotties like Noah. I had a stupid grin plastered on my face when we stopped at the front gate. That brought me back to reality and I quickly removed it. My parents got out first and I followed. As soon as we walked through the huge double doors that led into this great foyer tons of people that stood before us bowed down to us. I felt awkward, but I acted like it was a normal occurrence and did what my parents did. Eventually everyone stood up and the king made his way over.

"My dear Lila it is so nice to meet you.", he said cheerfully. "You can call me Grandpa or Gramps if you like".

I giggled because I loved the name Gramps."Gramps it is.” He gave me a big bear hug and I hugged him back. He smelled like mint and I loved it.

Next my dad hugged him as well as my mom and I could hear my dad saying how much he really missed him even though they aren't usually on good terms. Honestly I can see my dad missing Gramps because of the kind of person he is. My dad is a kind hearted man and no matter what he tries to make amends and get along with people. He loves making friends and just people in general. My mother on the other hand also loves people, but she isn't the forgive and forget type when you screw her over she's done. Mostly because she doesn't want to continue getting hurt over and over. She feels like the first time is the other person's fault but the next time is hers because she already knew the outcome and let it happen anyway. My mother also speaks her mind and doesn't care if you want to hear it or not.

He led us through the mansion to our rooms and let us get settled in. My room was connected to my parents. Our rooms were more like apartments. They each had a small kitchen area, a good sized living area and bedroom and a bathroom. I had a microwave, refrigerator, and a small two burner stove with a half oven. I guess it was for if we got hungry before the main meals were made or we didn't want to come down and eat. I heard a knock on my door and it was mom.

"How do you like your new room"?

"It's nice", I said, "kind of like having my own freedom, but having you guys if I need you".

" You will still have to follow any rules we had set at home as well as the ones here", she warned. She smiled and hugged me. " I came to talk a little while while your dad went to talk with your grandfather about how to keep you safe. I'm afraid of what the answer will be. My first time here wasn't all that fun",she said as anger filled her eyes. She explained even further what had happened to her and dad when everything first happened. " You shouldn't have to go through the extent of what I did since they know the bloodline you came from, but they might make you marry. They will make you choose who you will want to be with and because of who you are no man in this coven will deny you".

"The only man I really know from this coven is Noah and I really liked him. We like the same things and agree on a lot of important issues. He wants to take me out and show me New Orleans and I want to go".

Mom's face lit up with excitement, " honey that's a great idea as long as your dad and some of the other warriors go with you for added protection".

It made me excited to even think about it because we had gotten along so well that he might be the one ended up with. All I kept thinking was I wanted to date a few guys so that I could find the best one for me and not have to just pick someone and end up hating him. My mom left to go find dad and Gramps and tell them what I was willing to do to keep myself safe. I knew it was what I had to do because once I am married nobody will come after me because they can't have me. I made a questionnaire for guys here in the coven so I could weed out the ones I didn't see myself with and go from there.

The questions included age, religion and how they would raise a family. Some examples of my questions were:

What is your real age and if you were turned at what age did that happen?

Do you see yourself raising your children within the coven or in the outside world?

Will you keep our children in the dark about who they really are for their protection or will you tell them who they are for their protection?

What is your religion and would you be able to be with someone who isn't in the same religion as you are?

These were just a few out of the twenty five questions I asked. Now if I only had a copy machine to make more and hand them out.

My mom thought my idea was a little weird, but could see the practicality of it. I did not have a lot of time to get to know someone and get married. My dad on the other hand loved the idea and asked if he could help go through applications. I told him I would go through them first then he could look at the applicants that I had chosen and he was happy with that. Gramps was going to hand them out to guys he thought would be good for me and I made sure Noah was first in line.

Gramps was taking this seriously, " you like Noah?", he asked.

"Well Gramps I've only known him a couple of hours but we got along great and we have a lot of the same values. I would like for him to complete the application and be the first to take me out".

Gramps hugged me tight, " I will do that for you sugar as soon as I leave. I will go straight to him and have him do what you asked and I'll have him pick you up at your room at six. I will also have your dad and three other warriors go with you for protection. They will not bother you unless you ask and are uncomfortable or there is danger".

"Thank you Gramps. This means a lot". I said, still squeezing him in a tight hug.

It didn't take long for the day to fly by and it was time for Noah to arrive. Gramps provided my clothes for the evening and had my mom's old friend Siasha do my hair and makeup. Mom still talked to her a few times a month and she occasionally came up to see us but it had been a few years since I had seen her. I stepped out into mom and dad's room and everyone just stopped and stared at me, even Gramps.

"Oh honey", my mom said with tears in her eyes, " you are so beautiful. Noah won't be able to keep his hands to himself".

My dad gave Gramps a what the fuck were you thinking look, " he had better because I will beat him senseless".

"Son, that is how we will weed the boys out. If they do more than give her a peck on the cheek or anything she is uncomfortable with we can disqualify him". Dad was defeated because he knew Gramps had a point.

"Ok but I get to be the one to knock the hell out of him". Gramps and dad agreed and I went to stand in front of the full length mirror.

I couldn't believe it was me in the mirror. My long blond hair was curled and the streaks of hot pink that mom had let me put in my hair a couple weeks ago accentuated it perfectly. My eyes stood out against the pink and the curls made my features more prominent. My eyelashes were so long they touched my eyebrows when I opened my eyes and the perfect shade of gold and rose were the color on my lids. My lips were a perfect shade of red and  looked twice their size. My eyes traveled down to the dress Gramps had given me. It was a deep blue satin with a plunging neckline and a slit up my thigh. For being fifteen... well might as well say sixteen my breasts were bigger than most at a DD cup and I had no idea how I was going to keep them from falling out even with the double sided tape Siasha had used. Before I could tell anyone how much I loved everything there was a knock on the door. My dad went to open it and once he saw me his mouth dropped open.

He walked over to me, "My God woman you are beautiful". I blush as I thank him. He took me by the hand and led me to the car waiting outside for us and when I saw it I blushed at the thought of the things that could happen in this car.

He opened my door and I got in. When he got in, " do you like what you see?".

"I love it, but I didn't expect us to go out in something this extravagant".

He grinned," I knew you would. This is one of many that I own, being part vampire has its perks". I gave him a questioning look.

He took my hand, " don't ask, at least not yet. I don't want you to think bad of me. I want you to see who I am now and not who I used to be before we even have a chance".

"Ok", I said letting it go because I didn't have much of a choice and I didn't want to ruin what we had going on. If he was one of the final men I would ask and not judge because people can change and obviously Gramps thought he was good so he must have good qualities. We held hands all the way to the restaurant.  I'm not one for spicy food, but I would try it because I'm on a date and I am not high maintenance. When we arrived it looked like a hole in the wall and stopped along the sidewalk so he could open my door and my dad went to park his car.

When we walked in I understood why Gramps had me wear the dress I was in because in this place my dress looked suited for a grandma. The girls here are dressed in nearly nothing and most of them have on lingerie. There is no way I can compete with these women. As we were seated next to each other at a table outside overlooking the sunset Noah turned to me. He brought my face up to meet his.

"Baby what's wrong... did I do something"?

I put my hand over his that was under my chin. "How can I compare much less compete with those women in there. Especially since that is what you're used to and I am none of that". He pulled me over onto his lap and put a strand of hair behind my ear.

Looking right in my eyes, " Lila, you have nothing to compare yourself to. Those women are doing their job and it's not what you think. Some of them are my friends, but they are nothing like that on a daily basis. They are just earning a living being waitresses and the others are here with their men. Some of them are even part of our coven and adore you. They would do anything to be you because of your DNA. Some are going to be jealous, yes, but others will be the best friend you've ever had and die for you".

"Oh my God.", I said, " Speaking of best friends, mine is probably freaking out right now because I haven't talked to her since the night before we left". I saw him smirk. "That's not funny.", I said as I started getting up off his lap. He was pissing me off and I don't know why he would do it. "She's my best friend and I love her. She needs to know I'm ok".

He smirked again," ok you can come out Serina". I couldn't believe my best friend was here but how.

"Ok", she said pulling up a chair, " I'm Noah's sister and I knew the moment you left. I was sworn to secrecy the moment I walked into your life. I'm sorry I had to keep it from you for so long". I could hear her breathing heavily because she said everything so fast.

"It's ok I forgive you. But you've got to tell me why the hell you are working here and dressed like that".

" I also have to keep a low profile being that I am just like you and it's easier to be safe when I've got other vampires helping look after me. I'm also engaged so that helps too and we will be getting married at the end of next week." I sat there stunned and my mouth hanging wide open.

"Who is the guy? I'd like to meet him."

She blushed, " his name is Spencer and he's Terrance's son. Thank God, he's  nothing like his dad".

I hugged her, " I'm so freaking excited".

"Well, you should be the maid of honor".

"I happily accept, thank you so much Serina". After we talked for a bit more she left and went back to work.

"That was an awesome surprise, Noah thank you".

"Your welcome babe, I'd do anything to make you smile like that".

The food Serina brought was mouth watering and I ate the shrimp jambalaya and drank the wine. I'm not used to drinking so much only on special occasions when my parents let me have a glass. When we were done he took my hand and led me downstairs to where the waitress went to let loose after work.

"Oh no", I said, trying to go back up the stairs.

He pulled me into him, " what is it?".

"Um just the fact that I don't dance... or at least in front of people". Daddy had paid for dance classes but I still felt like I couldn't dance well. I hated dancing in front of people especially when I know how bad I am at it.

His eyes met mine," you will do great just keep your eyes on me and everything else will follow". He was right after just a few mishaps I was dancing the night away and before I knew it the time had gone and it was time to go. He walked me up to my door and my heart was racing and my stomach was doing flip flops.

I looked at him through my lashes," I had a good time tonight... thank you".

"Me too baby". He leaned in and kissed my cheek and said, " until next time... soon I hope". I couldn't speak, I just smiled and nodded as I went into my room.