As it turned out, the guests that Bryce had Roman pick up on the, as I see it now, very amusingly chaotic Sunday morning almost a week ago, had in fact been Casey and Angelo.
What had made him come to that decision, I still don't know and I suppose I'd never know.
Bryce and I had made an entry, and I suppose it was blatantly obvious of what had transpired between us the night before because Angelo had immediately retreated into his brooding self. While Cass and the rest of the boys had given me the eyebrow wiggles.
As it turns out though, by the end of the week Cass had made up with a very sorry Leo, and Angelo had been all too happy to leave, his former self now withdrawn and on the edge all the time.
I felt horrible about his darkening mood, he was first and foremost my friend and even though I could not give him my heart, I did still love him. As a friend. He protected me, he cared. And in the lowest of times I felt guilty that I could never be able to like him back, just to make him happy. For a while?
Needless to say with me feeling so soft towards Angelo it had taken a lot from Bryce not to hand him a knuckle or two on the face during one too many occasions.
And well things between Bryce and I? Yes we had never been stronger. I suppose it had been because of the patience from my part and strong will from his.
The full moon had come and gone. And Bryce really had chained himself with wolfsbane and silver shackles. It had been a horrible experience, not being able to sleep all night hearing his yelling and growling.
The next day he had been exhausted, and so I had had to stay in bed, with him, while he slept the whole day, it was necessary, his beast was on the edge. But then the incredible task of actually removing his large strong arms from my waist, seemed impossible. Seeing as he would even resort to snarling at me in warning.
And so, like that, almost a week had passed. The holiday break had been partially shortened by Principal Williams with a promise of giving us a month break later in the schooling season. I suppose I was a little disheartened at that, with how things were going with Bryce and I, a little more time with him at the castle, was always welcomed.
"You're quite deep in thought, today" an amused voice spoke up from behind me, my own smile exposing itself I turned myself in my chair just in time to let Bryce lean in and place a kiss on my lips.
He made a move to break the kiss but I pulled him back, not ready to let the warm feel of his lips go yet.
A soft moan left my lips when Bryce groaned and pulled on my hand, pulling me off the chair before taking seat and pulling me on his lap instead. Putting his arms around me, Bryce deepened our kiss, I felt myself smile at the soft sigh that left his lips into the kiss.
"And there you go lady and gentleman, they seem to be at it, again!"
Oh god, not again!
The sound of quite chuckles and happy cooing reached my senses and I tried to break the kiss, Bryce on the other hand, snapped out of the kiss, pushed my face against his chest and turned towards our audience.
"Get out all of you!!!! Aunt Meryl! You too!"
"Killjoy!"
"Fine fine!"
"It is our right as citizens of this-"
"Roman dear"
"-Oh alright!!"
The sound of the door shut close sounded through the now silent room, I couldn't help but smile against Bryce's chest, his spicy cologne blending like a blessing with his musky natural scent; like the smell of rain in a green luscious woods.
"They just don't know when to give up!" Bryce growled against me as the footfalls faded into distant taps, I couldn't help but chuckle and shift in his lap for a more comfortable spot.
"Well maybe we should cut down-" my smile widened as Bryce nuzzled his nose against my neck, I leaned away. "-on this"
The room took a whole turn of mood when he snarled at me and grasped onto my shoulder before pulling me flush against him. "No one has the right to keep you away from me. Not even you Theia. You can forget everything, but always remember that!"
My insides warmed at a strange type of feeling. I tilted my head to place a kiss on Bryce's chin before snuggling into him. "We've changed."
"Yes. I can't keep my hands off of you" Bryce stated in a serious matter-of-factly manner.
I smiled as his fingers drew loose curls on my arms, his warm breathing heating the soft of my neck as he placed tiny occasional kisses here and there.
"That's pretty obvious"
Bryce chuckled as he wrapped his arms around me tighter. "Umhum"
I giggled. "Umhum"
Just then, the sound of a knock warded into the room, and both Bryce's and I's eyes turned towards the tall and proud metal crested Mahogany double doors.
"WHAT IS IT?!!??" Bryce yelled on the top of his voice, my eyes widened at how strong and deadly his voice could sound like.
"Your majesty, your aunt requires your audience in the main parlor. You and our Luna" a strong yet slightly shrilly voice sounded from the other side of the door. Oddly so, the voice sounded confident, and not in the least bit scared at all.
Bryce turned towards me with a small smile, and when I replied, got off the seat with me still in his arms. He placed a sweet kiss on my forehead before letting me slip to the ground,as he began leading the way to the doors.
Pulling on the doors tightly, we stepped outside to stand in front of Mr. Buckwood, the same man who had given us a tour around the castle during our schools visit trip. A soft smile showed itself on my lips as the recollection of what had occurred that day floated into my mind.
"Thank you Earl. We shall go now"
"Very well Your Highness"
Descending down the stairs into the regally beautiful parlor, I couldn't help but notice Meryl seated on an exceptionally fitting single seater sofa. It's olive undertone and copper fringes blending perfectly with the shade and tone of the room.
My eyes connected with Meryl's and instantly the decor was set aside, her foreboding expression now holding my utmost attention.
"Is everything okay?" Bryce muttered from beside me, I noticed that his voice almost carried a certain bit of anger, apparently he didn't appreciate being disturbed from whatever we were doing in the room a couple of minutes ago.
"Sit down dear" Meryl's clipped tone instantly had me worrying a block more.
With an eyebrow raised up, Bryce however, complied, pulling me in his lap just as soon as he seated himself, His thick strong arms wrapped around my waist as he tucked my head underneath his chin, somehow disallowing me from looking at Meryl.
"This is so strange" I muttered under my breath, but Bryce obviously caught that and his fingers pushed against my sides slowly in response.
"Speak"
"Son"
This seemed like a new voice, the strong manly baritone promising the sordid fact that once you heard this voice you were probably never going to be able to forget it. I tried to turn in the direction of this voices source but quickly huffed when my efforts proved futile. Now I knew why Bryce had tucked my head under is chin.
"It's Your Highness to you Prince Gerrath"
"Surely you wouldn't alienate your uncle so much because of a foolish decision I made! I have apologized, haven't I?" The voice kept moving, and somehow by the end of his sentence I knew the man was standing before us. He talked about past apologies and mistakes, it was however clear that he meant none, he didn't seem very sorry to me. My dislike for this man grew a meter.
"Ah! I see you've finally met your mate Your Highness! But I should add that in the manner she seems tucked into your arm I am to assume that she is either an enthralling beauty or an ugly example of beauty and the beast. You being the beauty in this case. If you could please not find this offending and answer me, tell me Your Highness, which one of the two is she??"
Bryce's sudden growl and a jerk forward caught me off guard but I somehow managed to grasp onto his shirt in reflex, which helped me not embarrass myself by falling flat on my butt. I grimaced as his arms slid around me once again and a small chuckle bubbled out of the unknown man's throat.
It was in that moment that I couldn't help it. Not finding my head tucked underneath his chin I quickly swept my face towards the source of the voice and glared at the man with the more ferocious hardness I could muster. He on the other hand stood still, his mouth slightly agape as his widened eyes took my form in.
Oldie really thought I was 'an ugly example' but FHI The beast was beautiful!! And my Beast is beautiful! Stupid old pervert!
Behind me Bryce took another growl before he pulled me closer and wrapped me against him again.
"Stop it" he snapped at the staring man and I shuddered against him.
"Apologies. It seems that you have found a well fitting mate your highness she is so unlike your usual contemporary beauties, Blonde and model structured. You did well. And with the way you hold her, in a painful controlled manner, I am assuming she is unmarked and unmated? You do remember that Royals can mark any unmarked royal mate they prefer do you not? I suppose this is an open invitation to Alpha King Derrek? I have heard from the lords that he is absolutely obsessed with another kings m-"
"ENOUGH!!"
The ferocious growl that had erupted from behind me seemingly shut down the entire room.
There was a pin drop silence and if I could help it, I would definitely try looking at the man just to see the expression of fear he probably had on his face.
I could feel Bryce shaking now, deep dark growls rumbling from the depths of his chest. I could feel his fingers that were pressed against my sides beginning to grow, to sharpen.
A shudder passed me as I tried to gulp down some fear, Meryl however quickly acted on the unsteady situation and moved around the room to Bryce's side. Her face now clearly visible to me.
"Calm him down please!!" She mouthed desperately, flinging her arms in the air slightly.
I nodded, my mind still blank with whatever was happening. It was true, I had realized the increase in Bryce's hostility and possessiveness when it came to me but it turning out of control like this was still a new thing to me.
"Hurry!" Meryl mouthed from where she now stood. Her stand almost desperate, as if she were about to cry.
Why is Meryl so worried?
"Bryce" I whispered against his collar, my warm breath fanning his chest.
I felt as he stiffened and let out a slow sigh, it was working and with a smile, I continued.
"I love you. Just you. You know that don't you? I'm not leaving. Not for Derek. Not for anyone.Please calm down."
Prince Gerrath let out a thrilled laughter that very well rivaled that of Aro's from Twilight. "Looks like the little girl is not going anywhere any time soon! Although I feel bad for King Derrek really, losing what he wants to you all the time. The man has the luck of a toad caught under a speeding scars tyre!"
"You really should shut up Prince Gerrath! If you value your life that is! Or I will forget that you were once married to Aunt Meryl"
MARRIED TO AUNT MERYL!!!? Oh lord no...
My shocked wide eyes met Meryl's watery ones before she made a move to flee the room.
"Don't" Bryce growled, stopping her mid-run. I could only gulp as his hold on me tightened.
"Now Prince Gerrath, nonsensical things aside, what business brings you here?"
I tugged on Bryce's shirt to indicate that I wanted to move but Bryce's arms only tightened on me.
That is, until after a minute his actions shocked me. His grip on me loosened and I shifted on his lap to turn towards the prince.
His eyes once again widened as they took me in, before zeroing on a spot. It took only a minute to realize what he was now fixed upon, my hair had moved slightly and my dark love bites were now exposed for the world to see.
Behind me Bryce chuckled, helping Prince Gerrath's concentration move towards the right direction. His.
"Your grandfather's demise has left you with a sum of property, all of which I know you do not want. All of which you will have to leave for London to sort out. I want it. And so, I have come here to hand you a proposition. If you give me the property, I will take your Aunt back."
I heard Meryl's breath catch between her throat and a small sob leave her lips as soon as the old idiot uttered out that garbage from his lips.
What a douchebag!
Bryce however, chuckled. "Yes. I will be going to London tomorrow. But I'm afraid I have great pleasure in telling you this, but I have already decided to will properties to Aunt Meryl. That is, on the condition that she and you have no contact, and if that happens; all that property will automatically belong to charity. I didn't regard Grandfathers riches with any greatness anyway. So you see uncle, your serves are not needed. You may leave"
The man stood frozen for a while. His expression altering from shocked to lividness. He turned to throw a distasteful glare at Meryl before glancing at me before he proceeded to storm out of the large parlor.
"Every time I have the unfortunate luck of meeting him, he reminds me of how it was good that I had left him. That I had found him in that library with that fucking stupid blonde girl who couldn't keep it in her eighteen year old pants!"
My world stopped. My heart bled for Meryl as I watched her simper towards the couch and fall limp on it.
"But Meryl - how? Isn't he your-"
"Mate?" Meryl asked as she laughed bitterly. "I never found my mate! I was giving up, that's when I met Gerrath. Lord knows I rue that day."
Shit...
As if sensing my awkwardness and regret at asking the that question Meryl quickly put her hands in front of her. Shaking her head as she mumbled an "It's okay dear. It's not your fault. I needed that. I thought he finally realized his mistake."
She shook her head again and turned towards a silent Bryce and I.
"I think it's time I retire into the kitchen kids, the apple crumble won't make itself now will it?"
Gone was the sorrow filled expression, her once lost bubbly self was now back. But I could see through the facade. Seeing her douche of an ex-husband again had taken a rough edge on her.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" I asked Bryce as we both watched Meryl make her way out the parlor. Her strides showing a hint of slight unhidden anger.
"I don't doubt she will. She's a fighter." Bryce muttered back as he seemed to lean against the seat a little more, pulling me backwards with him as he did so.
My mind reeled back to the one fact dear Mr. douchery had let slip before he had fled and I straightened in Bryce' lap. "When were you going to tell me about your grandpa?" I mumbled out loud, looking straight ahead, the cream shade of the walls somehow seemed more and more appealing as the seconds passed by.
"Back there. In my office. But - "
"- Then this happened" I complete, sighing back against him as I rise my arms a bit to let him slip his around my waist.
"I'll be back in a week you know?" Bryce muttered, the feel of his lips moving against my hair as he spoke making my arms tingle.
"I'll miss you... I'll probably spam your inbox. Heck, by the end of the week you will be all done and ready to reject me!" I joked, a ripple of giggle leaving lips.
It was only seconds later when I realized that I was the only one laughing did I tilt my head back to glance at Bryce, only to stop and gulp.
Fiery golden eyes glared back at me as I gulped down another burst of fear, a slight shudder running down my arms. This was not a good idea. Being this close with an unstable Bryce. A Bryce who had turned a little too territorial after our little make out fest almost a week ago.
Bryce chuckled. My posture straightened almost immediately. Bryce's beast had finally made it's rare but occasional visit. I knew, because it held a more deeper tone, although how was not really clear to me... Bryce always did have such a deep baritone himself. "You look scared Theia?" Bryce purred, leaning in as his intense golden eyes shone a little brighter, a strange twinkle present there.
Somehow I knew, his beast liked games. He liked to rile me up... Bryce had some reasonable explanations as to why, but my own theory was that he thought I was punishing him by not letting us mate. Thus the sudden sessions of intimidation seduction after last Sunday.
Everything would be great and jolly and his wolf would suddenly make an entry out of no where, teasing and seducing like a pro I'm sure it was. The funniest thing here, though, was that I knew that Bryce secretly didn't even try to hold his beast back. Bryce wanted exactly what his beast wanted and somehow... as twisted as it was... His beast wanted what I wanted. But they didn't need to know that yet... patience always made everything all the more sweeter in the end.
My eyes widened on it's own accord as I realized what I was thinking about and I blushed slightly, fidgeting in Bryce's lap.
"Should I take that as a yes?"
huh? - Oh!
Trying my damn hardest to conceal my thought's direction I immediately pulled up my recently well mastered smirk and turned to face Bryce. Now facing him fully as I straddled him. "Scared? Me? You don't scare me anymore Bryce" my smirk widened as Bryce's surprised eyes moved towards the finger I was now jabbing into his hard chest playfully.
His lips quirked up on the sides as he quickly snatched my finger from his chest and brought it up to his lips. His eyes held mine as he lightly bit onto the tip of my index finger before slowly pulling it into his mouth and sucking on it.
"Bryce - Stop" I whispered, afraid that if I spoke any louder my voice would give away the tingles that were now terrorizing me.
"Make me " Bryce's eyes twinkled with mischievousness as he winked at me, I blinked, the spell broke, my smirk returned and before he knew it, I pulled my finger to safety.
"You're good Anderson" Bryce grinned as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His grin widened, "But I'm better"
It was all but in a startled gasps time span that I found myself pressed between a sofa and a smirking Bryce.
I watched wide eyed as Bryce leaned in closer until his warm breath touched my lightly parted lips.
"So tell me beauty, are you scared of this beast yet?"
.
.
.
"I fucking hate it when you look at that thing"
Still smiling lightly I gave my newly gifted ring a soft touch before turning towards a frowning Bryce.
"You have no need to be jealous babe... He just wanted to give me something to remember him by"
"Yeah, something you apparently never take off anymore!"
I glanced again at the sharp edged ring that had only just a week ago belonged to Angelo's pinky finger, now resting halfway up my right ring finger. It was something I had seen him wear ever since he was fourteen. He had given me a part of him and just like I had cherished the others that were handed my way by my loved ones... i cherished this silver jagged part of him too.
"Your jealousy is clearly messing with your memory babe... I take it off before I sleep, and while I take showers and cook"
Bryce hmphed as he settled into bed, his tan, strong bare chest illuminated perfectly in the glowing dim lights of the room, he looked at me blanked faced, clearly indicating that he was waiting for me to get in too.
I rolled my eyes as I slipped of Angelo's ring before slipping for grandma's ring. Braiding my hair into a lose simple three stranded braid I quickly secured it with a band before turning towards the bed. A mischievous smile graced my lips as I looked at Bryce's quickly widening eyes.
"Theia! Don't do it!" Bryce warned quickly, putting his arms out in front of him.
I crouched slightly, preparing myself.
"You'll hurt yourself!"
Still smirking, I let go into a speedy run before jumping straight into bed. My breath knocking of my chest as I landed on Bryce's strong chest with a humph. My lips smacking against the hollow where both his shoulder blades meet in the middle.
"Goal!" I breathed giggling as I quickly placed a quick kiss on the tough yet smooth skin.
My smile widened when I heard Bryce chuckle as he run his fingers through my hair, loosening my braids even more in the process. "Sometimes you're so impulsive and crazy you remind me of something"
I titled my head slightly to look at Bryce, my eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. "Remind you of what?"
His arms tightened under my breast as he continued to let me smash him with the full force of my weight. A low chuckle left his lips when he replied.
"Why you're designed perfectly for me. "
"I love you Bryce"
Bryce hmmed happily as he turned, letting me quickly curl against him. His arm finding home against my waist.
"Alex"
"Alex?"
I nodded. "Alexander... I don't say it too often"
He hmmed again, pulling me closer as he tucked his chin over my head.
"My flight leaves before you wake up love, tomorrow."
"Can't you - I have school tomorrow - I hate this sometimes" I grumbled against his chest, my sight turning blurry. I knew it wasn't goodbye, that he would be coming back home, to me. But something had me feel like this was my last moment with Bryce. I felt scared.
I realized I was scared to lose him.
Living without Bryce would be damn well hard. I would live. I would. Maybe. But loving without Bryce... was damn well impossible. I wouldn't love. I wouldn't. Ever.
Not being able to hold on much I let a sniffle slip and quickly rubbed away my tears as discretely as I could. "You'll come back to me, won't you?" I mumbled lowly, trying not to show the strange desperation in my voice. Desperation even I didn't know why I possessed.
"Always princess. I love you too Theia. I don't say it enough. But I do. I love you."
I nodded against his chest before tilting my head and meeting his worried eyes. His eyes softened when they noted the moisture in mine and he quickly leaned in to place his lips onto mine. I couldn't help but let the strange tears flow as I kissed him back.
Kissed him back with everything I had. Kissed him back. Like it was my last day. Like it was his last day.
I love you too Bryce. I love you too.