The Alpha and His Rapunzel

Chapter 5: Three Years Later

"You are covered in dust. Again," Kai admonished his friend while brushing said dust off her shoulders.

"Sorry. I was in—"

"The library. Again. Yeah, yeah. They should just place a bed for you in there."

Nora opened her mouth to say something, but Kai stopped her.

"If you're going to apologize again, let me stop you now."

Nora closed her mouth and giggled.

"I'm working on it," she smiled.

"Uh huh. How are your parents? Have you talked to them today?"

"Yeah! They're fine. They're going on a cruise next week."

It had taken a long time to repair the damage done on Nora's 18th birthday. The family had become splintered, and that day had driven a wedge between them. Nora began spending more time in the woods. But as the Magic in her began to surface, she and Nancy formed an even stronger bond as they delved into their lineage and Nora learned to use her powers. There was no reason to hide it anymore. Kai had called it coming out of the broom closet. The rift between the James family was large, but with work, it mended.

Nora decided to attend Starling City University and major in History. She wanted to learn more about witches and the history of their world. Each group of beings told it differently. She wanted to learn the truth and eventually teach what really happened so many years ago. If the peace between everyone was to remain intact, they had to learn what happened in the past so that they didn't repeat it. Part of her also wanted to learn how to avoid her fate. Saving the world, or destroying it? No, thank you. She wanted to live a normal life.

She and Kai had gotten a small apartment just off campus, close to the woods. Quail Briar Woods had become a haven for her. It was where her Magic was strongest.

"So… I know it's a touchy subject," Kai began.

"Don't," Nora warned.

"But your birthday is coming up tomorrow and you're turning twenty-one!"

"I don't care …" Nora said.

"And I am taking you out!" Kai declared.

"No, you're not."

"Nora, come on! It won't be the like that! The only thing that's going to happen is that I'm going to get you drunk, and we're going to have a great time!"

"Kai..." Ever since her 18th birthday, when things had gone so wrong, Nora had an aversion to celebrating her birthday.

"We're going to go out. I'll meet a hot guy, you'll meet a hot guy... Maybe you'll run into HIM..."

"Oh my Goddess, stop. Why do you keep bringing him up? That was forever ago." Nora said with a sad voice.

"Because you've never talked about anyone else. You won't even look at other men. Girl, is there another closet you need to come out of?" Kai quipped.

"No!" Nora laughed. "He... left an impression on me."

"Nora. You dream about him. I'd say he left a little more than just an impression on you. What if he's like your soulmate or something?" Kai's eyebrows shot up, and he jumped in front of her.

"Like werewolves have?"

"Maybe. What if he's yours? Don't witches have something like that? Vampires don't."

"I don't even know if he was a wolf. And we don't have mates, per se. We can be chosen for someone though."

"I bet you're chosen for him. I wish you knew his name. What if he's famous?" Kai squealed. "We're in Starling City! Someone here must know him! You'll never find him if you stay cooped up in that damn library!"

"Kai, it's not that simple. It would probably be best if I didn't. I can't wrap someone else into this life."

Kai dropped the conversation when he saw the way Nora's shoulders slumped over. He changed the subject and they talked about something else.

Living in Starling City was like living in another world. In Raven's Hollow, most groups kept to themselves. But in the city, everyone was out in the open. Each group had their niche, of course. Bars and clubs were mostly Vampire owned and operated. Witches dominated healthcare, and food services. Humans sort of infiltrated every type of business. However, Werewolves were the driving force behind everything. Starling City was home to the Scarlet Moon Pack. They were royalty. Alpha Roman Silver , and his wife Luna Giselle, were involved in every aspect of city living. On top of being Alpha of the pack, he was mayor of Starling City. It left things feeling a little unbalanced, but no one ever talked about it.

Nora didn't involve herself in supernatural politics. Much to Kai's chagrin, she didn't involve herself in anything besides studying. She wasn't veiled anymore but did her best to blend in as much as possible. She didn't even reach out to the witches to join any of the local covens. Nora kept to herself. Completely. It was high school all over again. This time around though, it was self-imposed. Learning about her lineage made her wary of connecting to other people. Her future was so uncertain. Until she worked that prophecy out, and learned the extent of the hold it had on her, she couldn't anyone else into her life.

"See you after class, then?" Kai huffed.

"Yeah. I'll be in the—"

"The damn library, I know." He waved her off and went to class.

Nora's classes were all in the morning. Kai had opted for late afternoon classes to limit his sunlight exposure as Nora had suggested. While she waited for him, she spent her time in the library. Starling City University's library was the biggest one around. Through her research, Nora uncovered several book titles that would undoubtedly lead her in the right direction. First, of course, she had to find them. And where better to find out about a book than in another book?

"Hello again, dear," the librarian called to her.

"Hi, Darla," Nora greeted. "I'll be in my usual spot."

"Of course."

Nora wandered to the back of the library. Shelves of mysterious tomes greeted her like old friends. They were her guardians, keeping her shielded and protected from the world. Dust danced in the rays of sunlight that struggled to filter in through the thick, glass windows. In the far corner, sat a lonely desk. Untouched by anyone except for her. She had carved a sigil into it, claiming it as her own.

"Oh God, we'd better go," someone said as she approached. "It's the Mouse."

"Never thought I'd miss being called 'Rapunzel', but here we are," she muttered to herself .

Several hours later, Kai found her back there, asleep, slumped over piles of dusty books.

"See?" he ranted, waking Nora up. "This is just sad. It is a Friday night. You turn twenty-one tomorrow, you're asleep in a library?"

"Kai," Nora whined. "Not this again."

"No. I've had enough. You're going out tonight."

"I don't want—"

"Frances Nora James, you hear me when I tell you that we are going to celebrate your birthday tonight!"

"Wow," she flinched. "The whole name?"

"The whole dang name. That's how much trouble you're in. Let's go." He snatched her up by the arm, and dragged her back to their apartment. He scheduled a car for them and started working on getting them ready.

"There!" Kai gushed as he put the finishing touches on his friend. "Girl, if you don't snag a man tonight, then there really is no hope for you."

"Gee, thanks." Nora rolled her eyes.

"Turn around." Kai swatted at her shoulder. Nora turned to face the mirror Kai had set behind her.

"Holy s**t," she gasped. Her dust-covered school clothes had been swapped out for a slinky black dress. It looked as though a silk waterfall was caressing her body. Her eyes were framed with black, smoky eyes with a touch of gold sparkle to accentuate them. A bold red lip completed her makeup look and was complemented by red stilettos. Her cropped hair was gently tousled. "That is not me."

"Yes, it is. Awesome what a red lip and some JBF hair will do for a person," Kai grinned.

"JBF ?"

"Just been f*cked. Setting our intentions for the evening." Kai was equally dazzling in a black silk shirt and black trousers. A hint of eyeliner set the look just right. "Now let's get out of here before you change your mind."

"Where are we going?" Nora asked.

"Well," Kai's smile grew. "Ruby and Jade Silver have put me and a plus one on the list for Club Borealis tonight."

"Silver?" Nora's mouth fell open. "As in the Silver Twins? As in the precious daughters of Mayor Alpha Silver?"

"Gasp!" Kai mocked. "You do know current events! Yes, them. Turns out their older brother is back from his miliary training, and they are having a huge party for him. I hear he is smoking hot, and I hope he's into guys because I plan on snatching him up."

Before Nora could protest, Kai loaded her into the waiting town car, and off to the club they went.

Club Borealis was the shining jewel of Downtown Starling. The city's most prominent figures could be found there. The line wrapped around the block. Hundreds of hopefuls longed to get in every night for their shot to mingle with the city's elite. Nora looped her arm around Kai's arm as she felt all eyes on her as they approached the door.

A large werewolf guarded the door.

"Private party tonight," he grunted without looking at them.

"We're on the list," Kai simpered, playing the part of snobby socialite. "Kai Ambrose, party of two." The bouncer peeked at the list.

"Ah yes," his demeanor changed. "The young misses have been expecting you. Please, right this way." He led them through the club. It was a beautiful amalgamation of sparkle and color. Witches had been hired for a Magical touch as glitter seemed to fall from the ceiling and land nowhere. Loud hip-hop music boomed through the building and the dance floor was filled with gyrating bodies.

Nora wanted to feel out of place but, to her surprise, she loved it. The bouncer led them to the VIP area. Ruby and Jade Silver were the most glamorous people she had ever seen. She'd seen them on the covers of tabloids, but in person they were poetry in motion.

"Kai!" they sang in unison. They approached him and placed air kisses on either side of his cheeks. "This must be Nora!"

Ruby and Jade fussed over Nora. Kai smiled, and Nora could tell he was getting a kick out of her discomfort. They ordered drinks and chatted, and even Nora had to admit she was having a good time. After while, Jade perked up, looking across the club.

"There he is! Dante! Over here!" She called someone over. Nora followed her gaze and time stopped. A tall man approached them. He ran his fingers through thick, wavy hair that hung to his shoulders. Their eyes locked and Nora froze. Realization flashed across his face and he pushed through the crowd to reach them. Nora was on her feet before she knew what was going on. An invisible tether wound its way around her, bringing her to him. Those eyes. Those blue eyes.

It was him.