Undying Love

Chapter 6

I guess that the exhaustion from the little sleep I had added with school and work really made me tired because I slept like a baby. In fact I’m struggling to actually wake up, which is why I’m in the kitchen drinking some black coffee. This morning when I woke up I noticed a paper sticking out from under my door. It explained the rules and the house. The kitchen, sitting room and bathrooms is public domain. The rules wasn’t that descriptive it all came down to if you think it wouldn’t sit right with the home owner aka The Xandros family and your goals' don’t do it and lastly there was a chore schedule according to rooms. I’m supposed to be on kitchen duty, but since I don’t know what that includes, I’ll just hang out here until someone tells me.

“What the hell!” the sudden outburst pulled my attention to the guy that had entered the kitchen.

“Uhm...you’re very naked.” I said diverting my eyes.

“What the hell are you doing here!” he basically growled at me.

“No need to act like such an animal, stop growling and maybe cover yourself up.”

“Who lost a slut! Cause I found her in the kitchen!”

“And it’s against house rules!” He yelled out for anyone in hearing distance. It got attention as guys started to appear all probably wanting to see the walk of shame.

“I’m not someone’s slut, I’m your new house mate, I moved in last night.”

“She’s telling the truth, she moved in at ten last night.” The guy from th previous night informed him.

“Is it some kind of test? Or is she just a present for us to devour”

“Okay no, I just needed a place to stay and now I’m here.”

“I can’t believe that Owen would OK this.” The naked guy said shaking his head.

“About that he doesn’t really know, my acceptance into the house came without his knowledge, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell him.”

“Every guy in this house is going to tell him, we all are looking for further acceptance.”

“Dude that’s her!” I froze, I’m officially recognizable to someone, way to keep my head down and go about my days here.

“What?” The naked guy asked him.

“She is the girl that kicked his ass, the one he has taking a sudden interest to.” Everyone seemed to understand after that, almost too much if you asked me. It feels like they are all privy to some kind of an inside joke and I’m the only ignorant one.

“Okay your secret is safe with us.” At least this inside joke seems to get me out of trouble so I’m all for it.

“Thank you, so what do I do in kitchen duty?”

“You cook for everyone on the day you are assigned, you’re usually three assigned at a time.”

“I’m fine alone.”

“Good, since we have to hold a meeting about you, we don’t want to have another accident like this.”He was referring to him being naked and calling me a slut. I just nodded, I still haven’t looked back into his direction, since he never moved an inch to cover himself up, it must be wonderful to be so comfortable with yourself. I waited until I heard everyone leave before I jumped into action. Cooking for about 15 guys is tough, especially after seeing how guys in this town eat' how Owen eats.

Random thought about Owen, why would I even go there. Since it is already pretty late, cooking is out of the question so I’ll just have to go according to memory. The scrambled eggs I had yesterday, the muffins I ate in my travels from different towns, bacon, sausage, pancakes that Jake made me every time we spend a morning together. Veronica’s porridge and oats. Since my memories were leading to love ones I stopped and view the table in front of me filled with food. That would have to be enough. When I conjure up food I have to think of ones that I had already eaten, if I just thought of food it would look like the food, but won’t taste of anything.

Since everyone was running to the meeting and I managed to cook all this food in minutes, I better get ready here in the kitchen, and this will be the last time I use my powers in a while. I imagined myself in white crochet lace shorts and a soft pink sheer blouse tucked in with a soft pink crop top underneath and white tommies. My hair once again in a ponytail. Opening my eyes I looked down to see that everything went correct. I ran up the stairs to my room once it got quieter and quickly cleaned it before going back down.

Luke POV

“As most of you might have heard, we have a new house mate, a female house mate. Ordinary it wouldn’t be allowed and even if it was I wouldn’t have even asked any of you to make any changes, but this situation calls for some mayor changes. First of she isn’t a wolf, she seems to be human, we need to make sure that she doesn’t discover that we are all werewolves and the other thing is that the BloodShadow Alpha, Owen has taken particular interest in this girl, not that she returns those interests, which is why he doesn’t know of her new living arrangements. This is a situation that holds many benefits for us. We are all undergoing initiation into the BloodShadow pack...”

“Which is why we have to tell the Alpha!”

“No we shouldn’t because if my theory is correct, the little damsel living with us is our future Luna. Think about it Owen has never showed interest in any other female with the exception of Valeri, why would he suddenly embarrass himself for a human?”

“If she is human how will she be Luna?”

“Leave that to Owen, but for now we keep her living here a secret. We’ll be creating a bond between us and the future Luna and proving to the pack that we can be entrusted with the protection of pack secrets and can be trusted with their elite’s safety.”

“What do we do if she goes in heat? One female in a house of males driven by the need to mate and procreate...”

“She’s not a werewolf I don’t believe that would be a problem. Now go and get ready.”

Sapp’s POV

 A half an hour later the guys finally showed up, everyone grabbing plates and filling them up with food. Some took seats in the kitchen at the table and on counters while the others left to go and eat somewhere else.

“This is so delicious!” the now clothed guy said as he stuck his fork into another pancake and placing it on his plate.

“Yeah, it’s an old friends recipe. Excuse me.” All the aromas of my past wasn’t doing anything good for me.

“Hey wait up! You didn’t even eat anything.” He told me in an attempt to stop me from leaving.

“I’m not hungry, I had a cup of coffee earlier.”

“Can I walk you to school, since it is your first time, you might get lost, since you have to follow a path through the forest.”

“Sure.” This isn’t the smartest idea, but getting lost would be worse, especially since I’m not going to use my powers.

“Why don’t you want Owen to know where you live?” Good question, it’s not like he’ll just show up, I don’t belief he will go full on stalker.

“I just don’t want him to know, we seem to have trouble at communicating peacefully with each other.”

“That’s odd.”

“Why? A lot of people don’t get along.”

“Right, how did you hurt yourself?” I looked at the bandage on my arm. I took it off and sure enough the wound was gone.

“I’m not hurt anymore. You ask a lot of questions, now it’s my turn, what’s your name?”

“I’m Luke, I’m the head of the house at the moment, if you ever need something.”

“Good to know, thanks.”

“No problem.” Things got quiet between us and we travelled together in that silence until we reached the school.

“There you are, we thought maybe you were ravaged by all those guys.” Zoe and Mya exclaimed together.

“Who’s your friend?” Hope asked

“He was just showing me the way to school, his name is Luke.”

“How nice of you Luke.” The way Hope was looking at the guy made me feel uncomfortable, that look could melt flesh.

“Come on red it’s time to leave.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me along with her.

“Are you okay?” I asked her a bit worried; she has never been directly rude to anyone, in front of me that is.

“Yes I’m fine.”

“You were a bit harsh back there, he was really only showing me the way to school.”

“He knows not mingle with us.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.”

“Cat is out of the bag, we need to tell her now. Unless you plan on catching the cat.”

“Tell me what?”

“That boarding house isn’t a normal one, everyone there are in the process of ... well more like being initiated into the compound where we live.” Zoe started to explain

“And until they are fully accepted they aren’t allowed to mingle with us.” And Mya finished.

“That’s like half of the school.”

“It’s called tough love. We prefer rough love though.” The twins said together winking at me.

“Do the two of you sit at home at night and come up with weird things and practice them with some sort of cues.”

“No.” They both answered

“The compound works on trust, unity and respect. The first thing they have to learn is to follow the rules, work together and respect those that are ranked higher than them.” Hope continued.

“Ranked higher than them...meaning what that those from the compound are better than them like some sort of a popularity hierarchy? So you rate and rank the value of their existence?”

“No it’s not like that. The compound hardly ever accepts new comers, most of the people that stays there have been for many generations. Owen’s great, great, great, great grandfather founded the place so his family is in charge and then there are four other families that are  like a board of directors. They help the main family with everything concerning the compound. They are considered the top ranking families and then there are the rest of the people. Once they join the compound they’ll fall in with everyone else, but as of now they haven’t earned the right to be considered as a part of us.” I still don’t like it, it sounds like a cult or something, but they have lived like that for a very long time, so it make sense that they don’t object the idea or see it like I do.

“I’m sorry, I just had a rough night. I should just go for a jog and clear my mind then I’ll feel better and I will be less defensive and rude.” I didn’t have time, she just turned and left.

“Don’t mind Hope, she is just having a hard time.”

“She use to be big on all of it.”

“Even when she saved us from being cronies, she still didn’t turn on any of the believes.”

“But about 6 months ago that changed, she distant herself even more.”

“She wants to leave the compound when she finishes with school.”

“And go as far as she possibly can.”

“What you just heard was old Hope, defending the compound.”

“And her rushing of is new Hope trying to distance herself.”

“She doesn’t believe in the compound anymore?”

“No she does that is the problem. Her heart is pulling her in two directions.”

“She loves home, but home has a way of destroying her so she has to leave in order to save herself.” They are preaching to the choir over here.

“But leaving also seems likely to destroy her.”

“So staying or leaving she is screwed?” I asked.

“Deeply!” I was wrong to judge it, it seems like they all care very deeply for one another like one big family and the most important part of that family is Owen. Why do my thoughts always continue onto a path that leads to him?

“We’re going to go and see if we can find her.”

“Okay I’ll see you later.” I walked to my locker keeping myself distracted with the beautiful scenery of the school and surrounding nature.

“Hi.” I jumped a meter high, what is wrong with him.

“I come in peace and didn’t intend to frighten you that much.”

“Hoping I would jump right into your arms?” What am I doing, I don’t want to have a conversation with him.

“It’s like you read my mind.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but that isn’t happening anytime soon.”

“I can wait.”

“It’s not happening ever.” I corrected and momentarily the smile disappeared of Owen’s face.

“Which is also fine.”

“Well aren’t you agreeable today.”

“And aren’t you talkative.” He makes a point, why am I talking to him if all I’ve done recently is tried to avoid talking to him.

“I seem to be, so what do you want?”

“To be friends.”

“I’m not good at being friends.”

“If you can handle the demon spawn, I’ll be a breeze.” That is a very good description for the twins.

“I doubt that.”

“Why won’t you give me a chance?”

“Why do you want one, If I’ve made it clear that there is no way for it to develop into something more?”

“Maybe I know something that you don’t.”

“I highly doubt that, in fact I bet you I know more about it than you.”

“I’m not going to give up anytime soon.” He is going to be disappointed.

“I didn’t think you would, but fair warning, you’ll be disappointed in the end.”

“I don’t think you could ever disappoint me.”

“You don’t know enough about me to even consider making such an assured statement.”

“Just another reason for us to get to know each other.”

“I’m not the type to share. Hey Luke! Wait up. Bye Owen.” Luke is officially a hero. I name thee Sir Luke

“Hi, no scary friends around?”

“Nah just me. Can we walk and talk?”

“Sure, you and Owen seem to be getting along better than I thought you would.”

“It’s an illusion.”

“Then you’re a great magician, because I could swear I saw you smiling.”

Flashback

“Are you looking for me?” I asked as Veronica approached me.

“No I wasn’t, I just happened to find you. It seems like you are enjoying Jakes company.”

“I’m just doing as told.”

“Really I wouldn’t have guessed by the big smile you had moments ago.”

“I was smiling?”

“Big time.”

“I guess I got so use to fake smiling that I don’t even notice it anymore.” It didn’t look like Veronica believed me.

“Come on Seriena you weren’t faking it. It’s fine to enjoy his company you know.”

“It is?”

“Yes it is. It’s even better this way because faking it can be a lot of work, trust me. You’re lucky Jake is very nice, caring and sweet. He seems to like you a lot, and you seem to like him a lot too, it’s strange how well the two of you fit, like you were made to go together.”

“Veronica come on stop joking.”

“I’m not I’m being serious, just look at him, he hasn’t stopped looking over here since you left. Even when you’re with him he glances at you more than you would know, like he is afraid that you would disappear or something of you have changed in those few seconds. I’ve never had anyone look at me like that, you shouldn’t take it for granted, even if it is only for a little while, grab him with both arms while you can.”

“But he is human?”

“Seriena I’m not telling you to marry the guy, I’m telling you to enjoy yourself. Be a normal teenager and fall in love over and over again, get sad and angry. Hate him for the things he does wrong and love him for the things he does right. This might be your only chance at truly having a normal life experience.” Jake started walking towards us.

“Hey, I noticed you haven’t left and I wanted to still ask you something?” he was smiling at me and I was smiling back as I linked our hands.

“Ask me on the way to class.”

End of flashback

“Sorry what were you saying?”

“What do you have against Owen, did he do something wrong, because he is actually a nice guy.” Owen is possessive and dominant, but never nice... true words of the twins.

“He didn’t do anything wrong, I’m just not interested in dating anyone, yesterday I wasn’t even interested in having friends, but here I am with the weirdest ones.”

“So it’s not Owen, but rather the idea of dating?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think you will change your mind?”

“No.” I won’t let myself.

“Why?” he is the first person that has asked me why I wasn’t interested in Owen and now he wants me to explain my reasons. No one else has pushed like this.

“Do you belief in the elusive one?” I made air quotations around the ‘one’

“Yes definitely.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you think life would have been boring if we had to spend it alone, there is someone out there to share our life with, to make it less of a drag. Don’t you belief in the one?”

“No I believe that you meet one person that you can see yourself loving, that person becomes your one, even though that somewhere the perfect one might be out there. You give the one you choose all the love you can and if it doesn’t work out you don’t have love to give to someone else.”

“Because that ‘chosen one’ took it all?”

“Yes.”

“But what if you find the real one then?”

“He can only be the one if you want him to be.”

“So if you met someone and you had a connection you wouldn’t act on it.”

“What are the chances?”

“What if he was right in front of you basically begging you to give him a chance?”

“Sometimes you have to stay blind.”

“That is a cynical view.”

“I think it’s romantic to love someone so much that you can’t love anyone afterwards, because no one could ever match that type of love.” I tried explaining it to him. I don’t have anything left to give I gave it all to Jake.

“So who was the lucky guy that took all your love?”

“Just a guy I use to know.”  I’m not good at this, if it was Analize she would be able to ignore all her feelings, she would be able to keep everyone at arm length. I just can’t do that I feel like everything is building up inside me and I would tell anyone that is near me just to feel a bit of relief.

“I think that someday you’ll forget him and look up and see what you have missed.” He touched my chin directing it so that I looked right at Owen.

“I don’t hope for that to happen.” I don’t ever want to forget Jake, maybe that’s why I don’t want someone else to love, because I’m afraid that loving someone else will make me forget Jake.

“Come on you’re going to be late for class.”

“Luke you’re not going to tell anyone are you?”

“I don’t gossip.”

“Thanks.”

“How was school?” Tristan asked as I came out of the changing room, today’s uniform a blue A-line skirt dress. It’s definitely cuter than the straight dress.

“It was okay, how was cooking all day.”

“Hot.”

“What a pointless conversation.”

“Nothing interesting ever happens when you’re not here, but looks like things are about to get interesting again.” The crowd from school was walking in.

“It’s only my second day, it’s sad if I have made such an improvement to your daily entertainment.” I told him with a sigh.

“What can I say I’m not easily entertained I need pure drama!” I grabbed the menu’s and head to the table giving all of them menu’s

“Good afternoon, today all our Salads are on special, 50% off. Is there anything I can get you so long?” Owen didn’t even look up at me like everyone else. Did I do something wrong?

“Just get cokes for everyone.”

“Okay.” I smiled at everyone that looked at me and then I disappeared.

“Trouble in paradise? Should I be worried?” Tristan Joked as I gave him the order.

“Just get me my drinks.” Hope and the twins didn’t join them today, in fact I haven’t really seen them all day.

“Here you are princess.”

“Thanks, you’re my favourite subject in the whole kingdom.”

“I live to serve.”

“And here I thought serving was my job.” I laughed at him before heading to Owen’s table.

“Okay here you go.” I handed everyone there drinks.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Hey Sapphire!” I looked at the door to see Luke and a bunch of the other guys coming inside. I hanged out with him most of the day since my self proclaimed friends were missing in action, and we actually had some fun, which might explain my good mood. I waved to him before turning my attention back to the tables in front of me. I noticed how tense Owen had become, his hand clutching his glass. His shoulders strained against his t'shirt and his jaw is clenched tight. Since when I’m I noticing him so much.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Keep your pants on motel rat, you’ll get your scraps soon enough.”

“Clever, but I’m not living at the motel anymore, so the hours you spend on coming up with it was wasted time. I’ll come back in five minutes to take your order.” I turned to go to Luke and his friends when the glass shattered and Owen jumped up stalking right past me over to Luke. Not this again.

“You need to leave her alone!”

“Owen, stop it!” I yelled as I ran over to him he had grabbed Luke by the shirt pulling him to his feet.

“He is my friend!” Luke wasn’t saying anything, he wasn’t even fighting Owen’s grip.

“Owen let go.” I touched his arm and froze; it was like sharp spark flew through my hand from his arm. It shot right through me giving me goose bumps as it went. The whole room went silent as if everyone wanted to see what was happening. He looked at me, his eyes showing the same shock that mine must be reflecting, his stare intense and spell bounding. I don’t know how long we stood there just looking at each other, but as soon as I got to my senses I let go of his arm and quickly turned and walked away. What the hell just happened?

“Wow intense shi... Sapphire.” Tristan said pointing to behind me. I turned to see Owen standing in the kitchens entrance glaring at me, his eyes almost darker and so focused on me, it took him two quick strides and he was in front of me, he grabbed me around my waist pushing me against the wall, his lips came down against mine, hard and fast, his hold extremely tight and his lips dangerously urgent. It frightened me, but also captivated me since the sparks were in our lips now, shooting through me making all my senses come to life.

Although the fear was more intense and I tried pulling away, but his grip only tightened and he actually growled at me. His body was pinning me to the wall so much that I could hardly move. I tried wiggling to get lose but he seemed to enjoy it and he let go of my lips and started to kiss down my neck.

“Owen...” I whispered frightened at the force of him.

“Owen please stop.” He wasn’t listening, but as he moved to kiss further down my throat, I could move more and I kneed him. He pulled away from me looking up in shock just in time to see my hand as I slapped him across the face.

“Don’t you ever touch me again!” I was shaking, but at least my voice was steady and ringing with authority.

“Sapphire, I’m sorry I just lost control.”

“Just leave.”

“Sapphire, I...”

“Leave!” I yelled out loud. A gush of wind rushed through the kitchen pushing him further away from me. My element are protecting me.

“You heard her.” Luke said as he came running in the kitchen with two other guys and just behind them was Nathan and Daxton. Luke and the guys pushed in between me and him' like they were protecting me.

“I won’t hurt her.”

“Better not take a chance.” Luke warned.

“You can’t talk to him like that!” Daxton yelled.

“I don’t care who he is, she wants him to leave so he better leave.”

“Fine, I’m going. Sorry Sapphire.” He left. I heard the front door open and close.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes I’m fine thanks.” I exhaled shaking my head, a fake smile appeared on my lips as I tried to be reassuring.

“What happened?”

“Nothing, I just didn’t want to talk to him anymore.”

“He pushed her against the wall kissing her...forcefully.” Tristan said. I shoot him a glare. Luke looked worried and furious at the same time, it scared me I don’t want him doing anything stupid.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry; he just caught me of guard. Go and take your seat I’ll bring you guys some cool drink.” Luke nodded giving me a once over before leaving.

“You really okay?”

“He just kissed me, I’m fine. How about those drinks I just promised my friends.”

“Sure, you know I wanted drama, but this was a bit too much even for me. Here.” He handed me the tray with the drinks, but they spilled since I was still shaking a little. I put it down and grabbed onto my hand trying to force it to stop. All that I can think about is Drake and how scared Analize must have been...

“You sit down, I’ll take it out.” I did as told. Truth be told I’m scared witless, the amount of force... It was unexpected and I liked it, I liked kissing him. Somewhere Jake is turning in his coffin.

“Hey!” Tristan yelled at me to get my attention.

“Oh sorry.”

“Here is some water. Sorry I didn’t help I just didn’t know how to, I was afraid...”

“It’s fine okay. I just don’t know how I’m going to go out there again, everyone heard me yelling, they are all going to be curious and ...”

“Sneak out the back I’ll cover for you.”

“You won’t have to cover for too long, I’m fired as soon as she hears about this.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“I know, but I did chase her number one customer away, and clearly this wasn’t the first time that Owen and I had an altercation in here and it won’t be the last.”

“We have witnesses don’t worry.”

“In that case running away would work against me, give me my tray back.”

“Just try to blend in, one fight over you is enough.”

“Oh I can’t stop them, I’m really desirable you know.” Joking already, see I’ll be okay.