Phoebe POV
"This is one of my favourite places to come to." I walk alongside Nick as a wave of small children run towards us. Vampires are all crowded together in some sort of market area. "Where exactly are we?" I ask Nick. "The one place that seems normal in this vampire world we live in." He replies.
"They call this the slums of Mount Verona. The poorest area with vampires. But actually, it's the prettiest." When he says pretty, it isn't like appearance or looks. The way he says it is like pretty means the only good thing left of this area. As if this place is the light for the rest. "A lot of vampire villagers live here. Markets and stuff like that. It's nice." He explains.
"How do you know Chase and the royal family?" I ask him. He takes a seat on the bench beside me. I watch as small children run around the grassy area, blowing bubbles from their large wands as their parents look over them. "I was born under their service. An omega." He replies. Like Lupus. "So you've been serving them your entire life?" I ask him, intrigued. "No. I only started when I was seventeen. Three years back." He replies. "What were you doing before that?" I ask him again. But he doesn't respond. Only making me more curious.
"How about you? You've got those things too, right? Omegas?" He asks me. "Yeah, I've got an omega. He's my best friend." I reply, smiling at the thought of Lupus in his black hoodie, looking not so formal and asking if he can assist me in any way.
"Best friend?" Nick asks, seemingly surprised. "I didn't really get out much. Felt like a vampire hiding away from the sun. Lupus was the only real person that I talked to." I explained. "You know, vampires aren't allergic to the sun like they say so." Nick smirks. "I kinda realised that. We technically are under the sun right now." I reply. "And it's a lot better cause darling, I do not want to see you in someone else's face." Oh yeah, that potion. I'd forgotten all about it.
"Speaking of, I should probably take it." I reach into my pocket and take out that purple vile. It was only a sip worth of potion in it, but I guess it would last. "Bottoms up." I mutter before opening it and taking one shot.
The taste was fowl. It was like metal seeping through my tongue, giving it pricks and tingles and it slid down my throat. Like I was drinking alcohol, burning everything it touched as it drove down into my stomach. "By the look on your face, I don't think it tastes at all that good." Nick remarks.
I glared up at him but before I could tell him to shut up, an ear bleeding shatter blares in the atmosphere, knocking the living hell out of me.
My hands find its way to my ears to block the sound out as my eyes close shut. When they open, Nick just stands there, looking at me worriedly. The children in the park are untouched as if they didn't hear a sound. "Are you okay?" Nick asks me. I look up to the sky to see a large black and red cloud seeping out from the castle. An entire floor looks trashed, the windows are broken open and the black smoke keeps coming out.
"What the hell is that?" I point towards it. Nick turns around and shakes his head. "That is his majesty having a tantrum." He snickers. "What do you mean? And didn't you hear that sound?" I ask him. "There was a clatter alright but I guess it affected you the most." He replies.
"It's either because you're a werewolf or because you're his mate. Or both, actually." He reasons. "Wait, Chase did that?" I ask, surprised. "Mhm. Chase did all of that. And that's just a little bit." He says, taking a bite from his banana. "But how? And why?" He sets his banana down and stands up. "Come, let's go." He walks over to the car and I follow him.
I sit inside, waiting for him to go back around to the front. When I hear the click of his door, I lean forward and open the small window in front of me, giving me a good view of the front of the car. "Tell me what the hell just happened." I demand him. "Chase probably just got mad or irritated and then lost control of himself. Actually, he probably did have it in control because it was only small." He replies, keeping his eyes on the road and steering the wheel towards the right. "Give me an explanation, Nick." I tell him rather strictly. I hear him sigh but give in. "Sit down and I'll explain everything." I smirk in victory and lean back into my seat, crossing my leg over the other and folding my arms over my chest.
"Chase's uncle was possessed by an evil power inside of him. Back then, he was king of Mount Verona and ruler of this vampire clan. He was terrible, Phoebe. He killed the innocent, attacked other tribes of vampire, witches and-" He stops for a second and meets my stare from the rear-view mirror. "Werewolf."
"Chase's father couldn't stand seeing his people dying so he battled him. He tried to kill him so he would take the crown. They fought for days until one night, Chase snuck out to the very top of Mount Verona to help his father." Goddamnit, Chase.
"He found them and when he went there, his uncle must have passed on the evil spirit to him. He struck him with a dark light, hitting him right in the chest. His uncle died after that, letting Chase's father, Luke take the crown. Chase was knocked out for weeks after that. We thought he died. When he woke up, he was different. It was like we didn't even know him anymore. He was aggressive, demanding and his eyes could shift from blue to red when he was getting mad."
"The darkness is living inside him, eating him alive until it slowly devours him completely. It';s been nine years and he'd managed to tame it. His mother was always there, helping him. But then they died. Chase is slowly shifting back and turning dark again. And then he found you, his mate. He's slowly changing back now, more calm. But without you, this wouldn't happen."
He stops the car and unbuckles his seatbelt. We've reached the border. He turns back, peeking his head out from the window between us. "Phoebe, I don't think you understand how much you need to marry Chase. Without you, the darkness held inside him will grow and take over him completely. He will become like his uncle. Not merciful. Only power. Right now, his perspective is only for peace but that won't last long."
"I lied that day in the cabin. This isn't about crowning a king or the vampires will go crazy. It's about Chase not losing control. Phoebe, he will burn this world and any other that exists. Chase is one of the most powerful omens on this planet and if that monster inside of him is released-" He cuts himself there and looks deep into my eyes. "It will be the end for all life in this universe."
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I walk up the stairs into the West Wing. My head is still racing and trying to process the information Nick had just fed me. Whoever knew such a handsome and soft vampire could possess such evil power.I mean, Chase isn't the softest person but I couldn't imagine him burning down worlds. It just didn't feel like him.
As I approached my room, I could see several servants taking out all my things and walking down the stairs. I stop in my tracks. Felix steps out from behind them and smiles when he sees me.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, couldn't seem to find you." he says, walking towards me. "I want to move you to the East Wing. I want you closer to everyone. And I'm changing West Wing into something nice. Maybe a ballroom? I don't know, anything you want, little sis." He explains.
He looks around the empty space, examining every part of the room. "It's a really huge space. High ceiling and polished floor. I think a ballroom would be really good, what do you think, little sis?" He suggests. I love how he class me little sis in every sentence. Makes me feel more part of him. "Yeah, I'd love that."
He steps forward and kneels down, pulling up his hand and offering it to me. "My lady, would you join me on this beautiful day to dance with me?" He asks in a posh accent. I laugh at his silliness and place my hand above his. "It would be my pleasure." I return his accent and he grins, pulling him closer to him and bringing his other hand to my waist. My arm goes to his shoulder as his feet start to move, dragging me along with him. He laughs and shakes his head, laying it down. "This is so stupid yet precious." He laughs. "I know, this place would be an amazing ballroom." He extends his arm, pulling me out and back in, twisting me in circles.
When we finish, we sit down on the ground, looking up at the ceiling. It had these beautiful paintings and murals on it. Werewolves in their pack, travelling the world. I reach into my bag and feel something wrapped in foil. "Oh Felix! I got this for you." I say, taking my hand out with the blueberry muffin Catherine gave me. He sits up and takes it from my hand. "Thanks little sis." He smiles, opening the foil up. His eyes light up with excitement when he sees the muffin. "Blueberry muffins?" He whispers. Felix used to always bring me those when we were younger.
He takes a bite and stands up. He offers his hand down to me and I take it, bringing me up onto my feet. "Well, I really enjoyed this but I've some other tasks re-organising the castle. I would love to have dinner with you but I'm being called for a meeting with other werewolves. Lupus and you can go somewhere if you'd like. Mingle with the folks." He says.
"That would be amazing." I respond. He smiles but then it slowly fades. His hand moves down to his stomach, clutching it. "Lix, are you alright?" I ask him. His face goes sour as if he'd just digested lemons. "I'm okay. My head just started blaring, I'm gonna go and get some air, okay?" He says, moving towards the door. "Alright." I say, checking on him. He walks towards the door, stumbling on his feet. I glance at a servant taking some sheets from my room and passing it on to someone else. She meets my gaze and I glance over to Felix. She immediately moves towards him, checking if he's okay.
He turns around just before he goes through the door. "Love you, little sis."
I smile, knowing that he loves me again warms my heart. He walks through the door and as I watch it close behind him, I whisper under my breath, "I love you too, Felix."