Stubborn Princess

Calina Stanford- Jackson

 The last of the rogues fell on the ground as the Elite’s new commander pulled her sword from its chest.  

“Aren’t we supposed to be on our way back to Oregon at this time?” The new vampire enforcer of the assassins’ team, Celeste said.         

  Celeste Vancroft, a one hundred year old vampire from Romania. She came as Henry’s new recruit.

“Yeah, I don’t want to be late.”Karen, the werewolf weapon specialist whined.

  Karen Stacey, the youngest of the new elite’s assassins’ team. She’s eighteen but has been training since she was ten.

“Relax guys, the bride wasn’t even fazed.”The oldest vampire among them, Cruz said.

  Samael Cruz, or just simply Cruz. A century and a half year old vampire under Lucas is the elites assassins new weapon specialist.

“We’re done guys, let’s go.”Zack said.

  Zack was the only one left of the original team since the others retired and focused on their families. And since Zack still hasn’t found his mate, he remained in the group as the assistant commander.

“Is it time already?”

  The new Elites commander, Calina Stanford asked. The youngest princess is so much a like her older sister. Don’t be fooled by her angelic face when indeed she’s a devil in disguise.

“You still have five hours before the ceremony starts.”Zack said looking at his watch.

“Let’s go then.”

  The Elites Assassins are in Nevada for a mission to kill a certain rogue group who are terrorizing a small pack there. And now they are on their way to Seattle as they have to prepare for something important.

********************************.

  Upon arriving at Seattle, the helicopter that they are riding landed on top of a small hotel they have rented. Sahara and Roe, her sisters-in-law both sighed in relief when they saw them climbed down the aircraft.

“What took you so long?”Roe asked as soon as Calie walked towards them.

  Calie raised her hand to surrender while her team mates chuckled.   

 “You’re on your own commander. We still have some guarding to do.”Cruz said, sending Calie a wink.

“Good luck commander.”Karen said before they all left.

  Calie sighed glaring at her team’s retreating back.

“Let’s go, mom and Zab are both waiting for you.”Sahara then pulled Calie towards the biggest room.

  And when they entered the room, the Queen and her eldest daughter shot from their seats and looked at Calie with horrified expressions.

“What are you wearing?!”Camilla screeched.

  Calie sighed and went to remove her jacket and her weapon.

“I’ve been to a mission mom.”Calie said.

“Mission? I told you to let Zack take care of that! You are getting married today for f**k sake Calina!”Camilla exclaimed, and Calie sighed in defeat.

 “Sit down mother before you get a heart attack.”Zab said.

  Camilla huffed and sits down. Zab sighed and approached her youngest sister.

“You only have three hours to prepare. Now get into the bathroom and soak in the tub. Scrub all that grime and blood off your skin.”Zab hissed.

  Calie shrugged and went inside the bathroom and stripped down naked. The bathtub was filled already prepared with warm bubble bath. She went in the tub and sighed as she had her whole body soaked in the water.

   She closes her eyes as she think of today’s occasion. Today is her wedding day; she’s getting married to her mate.

  Looking back, she found her mate when she’s in Seattle when she once runs away from home, five years ago. She was roaming in the streets when a man snatched her bag. She could’ve just teleported or stopped him from moving, but out of nowhere a police officer went to ran after the man that snatched her bag.

  When the police officer came back he had the man in handcuffs and he gave her bag back. And when she looked into his eyes she knew he was the one, his soul mate that the moon goddess gave her. And his name is Ian Jackson, human and a law enforcer.

 Since that day, they began dating and Ian fell deeply in love with Calie. They went through a lot of arguments including the issue that Calie never told him anything about her background or introduce him to her family. He even resorted to using the police data base to know about her but she has no record. It’s as if she didn’t exist.

  The truth is Calie was never allowed to leave the castle or their territory. Her parents have been very protective of her ever since the day she brought her father back to life. So all those time that she meets with Ian, she just teleports herself from the castle to Seattle and had Zari to cover up for her.

 Calie actually felt guilty that her mate trusts her with everything in his life, introduced her to everyone he knows, while she can’t even tell him her surname. So on their fourth year together, she decided to tell him the truth. Of course he didn’t believe her and they broke up.

  Calie went home heartbroken and Camilla immediately knew what happened. Liam as the father confronted Ian and kidnapped him together with Jax and Chester. They brought Ian into their home and explained everything to him. They explained to him the world they are living in, what they are and who they are.

   When everything was clear between them, they got back together and Ian asked her to marry him. Ian swore to keep everything a secret so during the wedding dinner, they told his parents that Camilla is Calie’s older sister instead of mother.

   To not blow away the cover, they decided to compromise and have the wedding happen in a small chapel instead in the castle. Ian invited a few of his family and relatives and his friends from the police force, while Calie have the entire royal family and some of the warriors standing by.             

“Calina I hope you are not sleeping in there!”

  Calie was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard her mother hollered from the other side of the door.

“Of course not mom!”She hollered back.

  Calie grabbed the loofa and began scrubbing off the dirt and blood on her skin. She continued scrubbing thinking that she had to lie low on the missions since her husband to be doesn’t know about her being an assassin.

******************************

  After her bath, she dried herself and put on some lotion all over her body. She wore her under garments before she wore her robe. When she got out of the bathroom, her bridesmaids are all waiting for her.

  Zari her niece who has been her best friend is her maid of honor while her other nieces Shanaia and Lysandra are her bridesmaids.

“There she is!”Zari exclaimed.

“I thought she drowned.”Zab said nonchalantly.

  Calie rolled her eyes and walked towards the chair in front of the mirror.

“Do your magic girls.”Calie said.

  Zari, Shanaia and Lysandra squealed and began doing Calie’s hair and makeup.

  An hour later and they were half way done when Liam, Alex, Creon, and the twins came in the room.

“Awww... little sister.”The twins cooed that made Calie roll her eyes.

  Liam sighed and walked towards Calie.

“You look beautiful darling.”He said looking down at her.

  Calie looked up to her father and smiled.

“Thank you daddy.”She said.

  Liam crouched down and grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.

“Always remember that you will always be daddy’s little pumpkin.”Liam said and tears began to pool around his eyes.

  Even Calie cannot help but tear up looking at her father. The man that gave her life, and the man she brought back to life.

“For goddess sake Liam, don’t make her cry.”Camilla hissed looking away as she was crying too.

  Calie smiled looking at her family.

“So much drama.”Lykos said.

“I know right.”Lynox added.

“Ssshh. You two shut it.”Alex told the twins.

“It’s Calie’s day, let us let our folks be emotional.”Creon said.

  The twins scoffed, and then they looked at Calie.

“We can always eat your mate if he by any chance made you cry.”They said in unison.

  Calie glared at her older brothers, and then she took a red round velvet box on the table and hand it to her brothers.

“Give that to Ian and stop pestering me.”She said.

  Creon took the box, but the twins took it from him and quickly ran out of the room. Alex and Creon immediately followed them.

  Roe groaned and slapped her forehead.

“When will those two ever grow up?”Roe mumbled.

  The twins ran towards where the groom and his men are, at the chapel’s entrance. Ian immediately gulped when he saw his soon to be brothers-in-law running towards the chapel.

  Ever since the day he met them and found out what the truth about them, he’s always been cautious around them. He’s a tall man as well as his friends in the force, but her bride’s brothers and her father are huge men with intimidating aura. It’s like they can rip him to pieces any minute.

“There’s our soon to be brother-in-law.”One of her twins said, and then the two of them immediately had Ian sandwiched between them.

“Officers, can we have a moment with the groom first?”Alex said.

    Ian’s groomsmen nodded and left the groom with his soon to be brothers-in-law. Once no one is within hearing range, Lynox gave the velvet box to Ian.

“What’s this?”Ian asked.

“Just open it.”Lykos hissed.

  Ian immediately opened it took the silver necklace with a ruby pendant inside.

“I can’t accept this. It looks expensive.”Ian said.

  Lykos had his arm went around Ian’s neck.

“This necklace is a family tradition. The pendant is not ruby but a crystal that contains our sister’s blood.”Lykos hissed.

“It symbolizes her life being handed to you, so don’t you dare not accept it.”Lynox hissed.

  Ian nodded profusely before he wore the necklace.

“Okay you two let him go.”Alex said, and the twins immediately let go of Ian.

  Alex stepped closer to Ian and fixed his suit.

“I hope you understand that we are just looking after our baby sister. So we just want to make sure that you won’t be hurting her.”Alex said, and when he looked at Ian with his jet-black eyes.  

  Ian gasped when he saw Alex’s endless pool of black eyes. Creon stepped forward and pulled Alex away before stepping in front of Ian.

“Just so you know our minds and hearts are all connected, so we’ll know if she’s happy, sad or afraid. We’ll know if you mistreat her, and we’ll be in front of you in a blink of an eye.”Creon paused, and smiled.

“Don’t fear us or our parents’ wrath fear Calie’s. If she can give life, she can take one as well.”Creon added and then he patted Ian’s arm before stepping back.

  Ian cleared his throat, before speaking.

“I’ll take care of her, and will love her until my last breath.”Ian said.

“That’s the thing Ian. No matter what happen, you’ll end up leaving our sister once your time here on earth ended.”

  They all turned around and saw Camilla and Liam walking towards them. Liam stood in front of Ian and held him in arms length.

“Take care of my daughter, love her and don’t make her cry. Or else I’ll rip you apart boy.”Liam snarled his eyes glowed.

  Camilla then stepped in between them and cupped Ian’s cheek.

“I just want my daughter happy. Promise me that.”Camilla said, and Ian nodded.

  Then Ian’s parents approached them with all smiles. Camilla and Liam turned to them, and they all went inside the chapel. Ian on the other hand stayed outside for fresh air.

  When the bridesmaids arrived, the maid of honor approached Ian and held his hand.

“Make her happy; make most of every second with her. Your line is sort Ian, use it well.”Zari said before she went inside the chapel.

  Ian felt chills down his spine. He remembered Calie once said that Zari can see the future. He tried not to think of it but he can’t. When his best man dragged him inside the chapel, the nervousness came back.

  As Ian stood at the end of the aisle, he was a nervous wreck. And when his bride came in, he felt like the air was knocked off his chest. Calie looked like a goddess wearing a simple boho style wedding dress.

  Ian didn’t know he was crying as he watches Calie walked down the aisle. When he finally has her in his arm, his tears poured uncontrollably. Calie was also emotional as they stood in front of the priest. They exchanged their vows of forever and before they know it, they were pronounced husband and wife.

  In the dinner reception held just at the chapel’s garden, everyone was enjoying the party. The newlyweds dance in a happy music along with other couples and guests. The food was great and has plenty for everyone.

  The female humans around are all fascinated and attracted towards all the boys from Calie’s family. Yes Ian’s friends were attractive but not like the men from the bride’s side.

********************************

  After Calie and Ian’s wedding, Calie moved in to Seattle. She opened a bookstore with cafe while Ian continued being a police officer. Calie stepped back as the Elite’s Commander and just focus on her new life. She lived a free and normal life, the kind of life she longed for so long.

  They lived a happy married life for a couple of years, and when they were blessed with a son, they couldn’t be happier. They named their son Ivan Calvin Jackson. Their families were thrilled to welcome baby Ivan.

  Camilla and Liam are so thrilled to see their newest grandson. And Camilla felt that the boy will be smart and will inherit some of his mother’s traits. And even though Calie is now living as a human, Camilla and Liam cannot take chances. They dispersed highly trained council warriors to go undercover in Seattle, to guard and protect Calie and her family.

******************************

  Six years passed and Calie couldn’t be happier. She has a very loving husband, and a smart obedient son. But when people start to wonder why she never seems to get old, she had to limit exposing herself to people.

  But then a year later, Ian was diagnosed with leukaemia and it was in a terminal stage. When Calie found out her whole world crumbled down on her. Liam even went to Seattle to be with Calie when she called him about the situation.

“I don’t understand dad. Why did this have to happen to us? Ivan is still a boy, he barely spend time with his father and this happened.”Calie cried.

  Liam pulled Calie in his arms as she cried.

“Sometimes there are things in this world that is out of our control.”Liam told her.

“I love him dad. I don’t want to lose my mate.”Calie told her father.

“You can always do something my little pumpkin. But make sure it’s what he wants too.”Liam said.

  That night Calie went to see Ian who’s in the hospital. She cannot help but feel all the pain her mate is going through. She cannot stand to see him suffer as his cancer progress.

“Where is Ivan?”

  Calie heard Ian ask. She walked towards beside the bed and sat on the chair.

“Dad is with him right now.”She answered.

  Ian smiled.

“You are the most beautiful woman that I ever laid my eyes on Calie.”Ian said.

  Calie’s eyes blurred with tears, and she grabbed Ian’s hand and hugged it.

“I can’t stand looking at you like this babe. It breaks my heart.”Calie cried.

“And it breaks my heart to see you cry.”Ian said wiping the tears from her eyes.

“I can’t lose you Ian. I will die if I ever lost you. Please, please let me turn you.”Calie cried and begged.

  Ian smiled and shook his head.

“This is what the lord wanted. I cannot defy his wishes. This is just a borrowed life, and I need to give it back.”Ian told her.

“No! You are my mate, my life! I can keep you with me! I can defy his wishes so we can be together!”Calie exclaimed, but Ian sighed.

“You know I have this favourite line from the movie Troy. It is what Achilles told Briseis.” Ian paused and looked at Calie.

“The gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now and we will never be here again. “He said, and Calie cried.

“Do you prefer to die and leave us?”She asked.

“That’s what god wanted. I don’t belong in your world but I am very happy that I was given a chance to meet you and spend a good few years of my life with you. But my life is short, you have a long life ahead of you and I want you to be happy. “Ian said.

“If you want me to be happy, then don’t die. Stay with us.”

“I know you missed being what you are. I know how much you longed to be able to shift into your wolf; I know you missed being the commander. I’ve taken you away long enough.”Ian paused.

“I love you so much Calina. You and Ivan made me the happiest man. But I’ll be happier if we both let ourselves free.”

“You know I can always bring you back to life.”Calie said, and Ian smiled.

“I know. Your dad told me the story, but I want you to promise me that you won’t do that.”Ivan said.

  Calie cried and hugged Ian. She cried letting out the pain of his decision. And then the two of them spent the whole night talking about their childhood dreams, their views when they first met and their hopes and dreams for their son.

******************************

  The next day Ian passed away peacefully. The same day half of Calie’s soul left her. Liam never left his daughter’s side as she weep endlessly.

  Camilla and Alex came with Zari and they took care of Ian’s body. Calie was a wreck and wouldn’t stop crying so Liam had to look after her while the others took care of the interment.

  During Ian’s wake Calie was just staring at Ian’s photo, and never talked to anyone. Not Ian’s friends and even her family. Ivan was quiet to but all he did was hug his mother. And after Ian was buried, Calie stayed back and that is when she started wailing. She cried and poured out her pain as the rain pours down on her.

********************************

  A week after Ian was laid to rest, Liam finally convinced Calie to come back home. Their stuff was packed but her heart felt heavy leaving their home for many years.

  Standing in their room, Calie stood in the middle of the room while hugging Ian’s old jacket. Tears continued to fall from her eyes as she say goodbye to their home. And when she went out of their room, she ran her fingers through the wall as she slowly walks towards the door. Once outside the house and after locking the front door, Calie gave the house one last look.

“Goodbye my love.”She whispered and then she went inside the car. Liam climbed in and closed the door. Then the chauffeur drove off towards Stone Castle.