The Fae King's Darling

Carlos

Willa’s POV

Carlos was hot, I mean really hot. That being said he was also a player. He could get into any girl's pants at the high school we went to. The popular girls, the athletic ones, drama, nerds and even the awkward social butterflies. The one pair of pants he did not get into, the one skirt he could not lift was mine. I was part of the awkward social butterflies club. I knew how to have fun with a small group of friends but not great with large crowds. I stuck to Violet and her crowd, which are now known as the werewolves. 

Now that I know I did better off with wolves as friends also means that I just don’t get along with my own kind, humans. Major sigh right here.

“What do you want, Carlos?” I put all my weight on one foot and rolled my eyes as I held the door open. He gave me that smirk that all the girls go for, the one where it was kind of crooked and part of his teeth show. The kind of smile that made his pearly whites stand out even more with his tanned olive skin. All except me, and that bothered him. It has always bothered him. 

“I came to see my favorite girl,” he walked past me and headed to the kitchen and grabbed an apple out of my fruit basket. Throwing it up in the air once or twice he took a large bite and set it back on the counter. If I didn’t know about his past I could see myself falling for him, but I knew better.

There were many nights in the pack house where we were all in the large living room watching movies. He would try and sit beside me but I always got right back up and sat in between some girls. He would leave in a huff or come try and pick me up but Violet would always come to the rescue.

“I don’t really have time for your flirty games. I’ve had enough drama for the day and I just want to go to sleep.” Carlos tisked his teeth and walked towards me while I sat at my small bistro table in the kitchen. Even though the cabin was small, I gave it my small little touches to make it feel like my birth mother decorated it. I wonder if she would have liked how I turned out without her, does she even care anymore? Probably not, haven’t even heard from her in years. One could still hope right?

Carlos sat across from me and grabbed my hand that was holding my chin up and caressed my knuckles. If he wasn’t such a play boy I would think he is sweet. “Listen, Willa, I know I come off as a flirt and an ass,” I laughed while he gave me a worried smile. “I do care about you. Hell, we grew up with each other. I know I’ve f****d every she-wolf and half the high school but I’ve always had a soft spot for ya.” I blew some air through my nose and rolled my eyes. “Werewolves have a high s*x drive, alright? I was just a little more open about my ways,” he winked. 

I took my hand back and wiped it on my leg acting like it was dirty and he laughed. “Listen, I know you have had a bad day, so I’m just going to come out and say it,” he ruffled his shaggy brown hair and looked up with his chocolate brown eyes. He looked nervous, I could see the beads of sweat on his face. His hands were rubbing together, gathering his thoughts. 

“Are you alright Carlos?” I asked concerned. I’ve never seen the suave Carlos get nervous. He had a way with women to get them in his bed, or in a closet or even in his car. I shivered at the thought of how gross it was when I found him doing the cheerleading captain. I’m not sure if he knows if I saw him.

“Uh, yeah. Just now that I know you are going to Violet’s mating ceremony, I was wondering if you would be, uh, my date?”  Carlos said it almost so fast, I almost missed it. The Carlos was asking me out on a date to the mating ceremony. Hell has frozen over everyone! Carlos does not ask girls on dates. He asks if they want to go have some fun or gives his favorite line, “hey, do you wanna get out of here?” 

Staring at him for a moment he looked at me with puppy dog eyes. Ha, how funny that saying is now. He was being serious about this, asking me out on a date. I wasn’t the prettiest girl in school, I was the awkward one. Boys didn’t give me a second glance, not one date. I didn’t even go to the high school prom because I refused to go without a date. I didn’t want to be one of those girls that sat in the corner sulking. Now I have Carlos in the palm of my hand asking me out on a date. 

Honestly, it felt good to be wanted. I wasn’t going to let it get to me though, he was just trying to take the one thing I have kept all my life and would only give it to someone I trusted and loved. 

I sighed heavily and uncrossed my arms from my body. “Fine.” Carlos fist pumped the air and jumped up and gave me a hug. 

“A couple conditions though!” Carlos straightened out his shirt and pushed his locks behind his ear. “No trying to get in my pants, there will be none of that. No kissing either.” Carlos nodded. 

“I will never disrespect you,” Carlos smiled. “Any more, never again I swear. Only good intentions!”  I hummed at the response. 

“This is just for the mating ceremony, nothing else.” I waved my finger around. Carlos frowned. 

“But what if I win your heart?” He gave me that stupid smirk. I rolled my eyes and waved him off. 

“Get out, I need to sleep.” 

“Challenge accepted.” Be bowed gracefully. 

“You can’t win you know,” his back was to me as he opened the door. He turned his head to glance back at me. 

“Why do you say that?” acting confused. 

“You have a mate out there, just like Violet. All of you guys do. I’m looking for a long term relationship, Carlos. I don’t play around with my heart.” Carlos gave a small smile and I swore I heard him say, “I am looking long term,” under his breath. 

Shaking my head I locked the door and started doing my nightly routine. Today was maddening and I was over it completely. Throwing a few things in the washer and dryer so I could have clean clothes for the trip and washing the mugs before setting them out to dry. I watered my small window plants from inside the house and made sure they were locked tight for my departure for tomorrow.

The small living room was already clean, the single bathroom was spotless and my bedroom was warm and inviting. The past seven years of being on my own had made me grow up, maybe too fast. Even before the time my parents left I had grown up too much for my own good. I was tired of taking care of myself, tired of being independent. There were so many women who begged and fought for independence so they could do what they wanted but to me, it felt like loneliness and I had been alone for too long.

I dragged my feet to my bedroom. I had painted it a light purple and Violet helped me put a faux tulle canopy around my bed that hung from the rafters of the cottage. The comforter was white and lacy, there were times I would spend hours just playing with the extra fabric on the comforter when I felt lonely. Several stuffed animals adorned my bed, one that Violet’s mother gave me, a medium sized wolf to snuggle at night. She got it for me when I was only eight. It was my most prized possession and now I can just laugh at the irony of it. 

Grabbing my stuffed animal, I held it close. 

It was my own fault isolating myself from Violet’s family but I didn’t want to be a burden. I wanted to show I was strong. On the outside I was strong. I showed no fear and acted like my parents were nothing. Not one tear was shed when they dropped me off at Violet’s home and left me with my bags and a wad of cash. Why would I share tears when I knew they wouldn’t shed any for me. They waved goodbye while I sat on the porch and stared at them and watched them drive off into the distance.  

They didn’t love me.

And I wanted to be loved. 

***

The two hour drive to the portal was long. I couldn’t get over how much Violet and Alexo could sit there sniffing and holding each other. It made me want to gag. Violet went from, “you can’t tell me what to do,” to “I’ll do anything for you!” I started laughing as they kissed and several wolves in the back started throwing paper telling them to get a room. 

When I walked up to the pack house with my single suitcase, Violet engulfed me in a large hug. “Thank you so much for coming! This means so much to have my best friend here.” Laughing lightly I patted her back and looked up the stairs with Alexo leaning on the door frame. He watched her like she was his prey, it was almost scary. Letting go she grabbed my bag and threw it in the back of the SUV. 

“Are we all ready to go?” Alpha Remus spoke loudly for all to hear. Violet squealed yes and dragged Alexo into the large vehicle. He smiled at me and I gave him a mock salute and headed to the side of the car to get in. 

“Well, I want to see my date for the mating ceremony, just give me a minute!” I could hear Carlos yelling at some of his friends. His friends were laughing and pushing him around, joking about having a date. “You all laugh now, just you wait. She’s stunning!” I blushed with embarrassment and jumped in the car, hopefully he couldn’t find me. Violet saw my reaction and elbowed me in the gut. 

“Pssst,” she whispered, “are you his date?” My face turned red and she smiled wildly. “Holy s**t he was serious.”

“Serious about what?” 

“He thinks you are his mate.” 

“What!?” I squealed. Before I could ask anymore questions, Carlos poked his head in the car. 

“There she is, my date! I wanted to make sure you were still coming and not stand me up,” he winked. 

“I-I am here! Ready to go,” I said nervously. He blew a kiss with his lips and hopped out of the car and went back to the van he was riding in. Glancing at Alexo and Violet I asked again. 

“What do you mean he thinks I am his mate? You said you instantly knew when you were mates?” 

“It’s a long story, but Carlos lost his mate when he and she were still young.” I frowned as she spoke, that sounded horrible. 

“Anyway, not my story to tell, but he thinks you are his second chance mate. They are rare, but they happen. Second chance mates can happen slowly, almost like a human love. Slowly you both will feel the sparks when you touch if it’s a true second chance. Or he just loves you on his own and when he marks you then you feel the sparks.” My eyes grew wide. Mark?

“What the heck is a mark?” Alexso smirked and nuzzled Violet’s neck. 

“A bite,” she said nonchalantly and Alexo pulled down her shirt. There was a white scar with teeth marks in it. “It lets other wolves and supernaturals know you are taken. Violet rubbed noses with Alexo. 

“Gracious,” I breathed. 

After that conversation I was silent and watched the other wolves harass the new couple.