The Pawn

4 – She Knew

SHAKING in anger, Riley remained in her seat as she watched the two people from her peripheral.

They cannot keep their hands off each other. Their exchange of looks was far from innocent. It would have been a sight to behold if the woman was not Akiku.

She has been following Akiku for a couple of days. Before that, she tried to get as much information as she could get about her mate.

Riley learned that her mate was the youngest and the only daughter of a vampire prince. They were of Chinese descent and belonged to the Pureblood Coven. She has two older brothers.

All members of the family were active in the business, the Purity Realty, except for the middle child who was a social butterfly. Like Akiku, their positions were unknown to the humans. They have a dummy to hide their identities.

Her attention went back to the vampire princess.

Akiku was laughing at whatever the man had said. Her red lips were so inviting that the man was not able to stop himself but before his mouth could touch, Akiku’s two fingers went between their faces.

Riley heaved a sigh. She was relieved.

She knew the man. He was one of the known builders in the State. They even had a project together. He was also a well-known Casanova. Third-time divorce and is married to a socialite. He got one child from each marriage.

She knew that it was wrong for her to shadow Akiku. However, she wanted to know what she was up to. Asking the person herself is not possible.

For the last two days, she had followed Akiku. She had seen her go out with several businessmen. They separated almost always with a kiss on the lips. If there was one thing that Riley was thankful for, none of these meetings ended up inside a private room. Akiku always went home alone.

Riley learned of the condo unit that Akiku leased on. It was listed to a different name but Riley learned that her mate has been renting the place for over five years.

Unable to watch them for another second, Riley stood up and headed to the restroom. She will go back to the territory in the morning. She cannot another day watching her mate smooching another person.

She was shocked when she saw the unsmiling Akiku when she went out of the cubicle. Their eyes met in the mirror when she washed her hands.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop following me?” Akiku asked with an eyebrow raised before going inside the far door. “I thought you were different.”

Akiku’s voice echoed in the small area.

“It appears I’m not,” Riley answered in almost a whisper.

Riley leaned at the sink as she waited for the other woman to finish her business.

Akiku was still unsmiling when she went out. After washing her hands, she reapplied the red lipstick.

“You have been following me for days. You cannot do this. Haven’t I told you that this is ill-manner?”

The taller woman was not surprised that Akiku noticed that someone was shadowing her. It only implies that she was aware of her surroundings.

“Yeah. You also told me that my generation was downright rude.” She responded.

“Now that we are on the same page, back off.”

Akiku wiped her hands with a paper towel. After throwing the tissue in the bin, she sauntered passed the female alpha.

“I can’t.”

The gray-eyed woman glanced back at her. The red ring on her iris became more visible. Akiku was almost at the door.

“I will have you arrested. I can file a restraining order against you. I can cry like a damsel whenever you are within my sight.”

“I know.”

“Then, stop it.”

“I told you. I can’t.”

“Whatever your reason is no longer my concern. Just stay out of my business.”

Riley took a deep sigh. It is now or never. She has been pushing this matter for weeks. It is time to tell Akiku the truth.

“You’re my mate.”

“It doesn’t give you the right to interfere in my affairs, dammit!”

Mouth ajar, Riley stared at Akiku in surprise.

She knew!

Unbothered by the annoyance on the other woman’s face, the female alpha drew near.

“You knew that we’re mates?”

“I am way older than you. You are not the first werewolf I came across with. Only blinds cannot notice how you looked at me.”

“How do I look at you?” Akiku rolled her eyes. “Tell me.”

“Like I am the one thing you wished for every Christmas. Happy?”

“You are.” She admitted. Riley has been wishing for a mate since she was in her twenties and leading the pack.

“Come on, alpha.”

Riley shook her head. “If you knew, why do you keep seeing men even after you met me?”

She tried to keep the annoyance in her tone. She thought Akiku was ignorant of the mating bond between the shifters. All along, she knew what they were to each other.

“We’re not the same, young alpha. I am a vampire. I have the privilege to choose who I am going to end up with. It was not some goddess’ decision to tell me who will I spend my precious time with.”

Riley gaped at the older woman. Instead of being angry, the irritation she felt slowly dissipated. Sadness slowly crept inside her.

“Is it because I am a woman?” She uttered softly. She felt a slight twinge in her chest.

“W-what?”

“You’re not into me, that’s why.”

Akiku frowned. She calmed a little after a short pause.

“Look, alpha. You might be a good person. Possibly a better person than I could ever be.” She breathed out. “What we have, it’s not going to work. We cannot have a future.”

“How can you say that? We have not even started yet.”

Akiku looked at the shifter intently. “I am not for you. You can have whoever you want. Someone better.”

“I don’t have an issue with the person in front of me.”

“I don’t have a choice but to do this then.” The vampire woman turned to face Riley. She looked at the alpha in the eyes. “I, Akiku Chen, member of Chún Xuètǒng, hereby reject---”

The words were muffled when the taller woman pulled Akiku and kissed her full on the mouth. The rejection was stopped shortly.

“No. You can’t.” Riley whispered when their lips parted. Her heart was in pain at the rejection that was about to unfold. There was a hitch in her voice. “I will never accept it.”

“You’re stupid to think that---”

Riley’s thumb stopped the other woman from talking. She shook her head.

“Give this a chance. You have been in this world far longer than I. This mating will give you a fresh start.”

Their lips were almost touching when Riley said that.

“I can’t.”

The female alpha stepped back. A smile formed on her lips despite the dejection she felt.

“That’s a start.”

“W-what?”

The door opened. A startled woman entered. She gave the two of them a look before a knowing smile painted on her lips.

“Don’t stop on my behalf. I’m not here.” She stated before entering the farthest door. She did not give them another glance.

“This is not finished. You have to---”

“No, Akiku. I will never accept it. For whatever reason why you are rejecting this, I will find it.” She caressed the Asian woman’s unblemished cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”

“You’re a child!”

Riley chuckled before she let go of the woman completely. She stepped towards the door with a smile on her face.

She looked over at Akiku before pulling the door.

“The Moon Goddess must be having a blast at the moment. Take care of yourself, Akiku.”

“You!”

The female alpha turned towards the door. “It’s Riley.” She mentioned before leaving the fuming princess.