Royal shuffle: Vampire’s mate

ANDREA

The dynamics of our relationship definitely changed after that kiss. I still couldn’t believe it. We were mates, there was no denying it. He sat across from me, watching me come to terms with the shock, and the reality.

Despite the fact that Omegas ‘allegedly’ don’t get mates, I had read up severally about mates and how you know you’ve met yours. Everything described in the books were coursing through my being right now. I sighed, and looked at him.

“How did you know? How long did you know?” I asked.

He shrugged, and held my hand. “For us vampires, it’s immediately. I knew the first time you stepped foot in the library.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything?” I asked.

He shrugged again. “I was shocked myself. Maybe just as shocked as you. Vampires are never mates to werewolves. Matter of fact, it has only happened three times in our history. So, I couldn’t believe it myself. I also wanted to be sure.”

“My goodness. So, what are we going to do now? Are you…are you going to mark me?” I asked, blushing.

“No, my darling. At least not now…” He cupped the side of my face, and I leaned into his hand like a cat. “Not now. There’s too much at stake.”

“Oh…like what?”

“Like the werewolf royals. Look at what they’re trying to do when they saw that I just danced with you. What do you think will happen if they find out that you’re my mate?”

“Oh…”

I was heavily disappointed. And some part of me was just a tad bit hurt. All these feeling alerts new, and for some reason, they were terrifying.

“Yeah…”

“But if we mate right now, they won’t have any power to do that,” I said.

“Andrea…”

“Oh, and we will all be with you on vampire territory!!!” I answered excitedly. That excitement evaporated when I saw the sullen look on his face. “What?”

“I can’t take you back to my land now.”

“Why not? You don’t want me there!”

He shook his head vehemently. “It’s not like that.” He said quietly.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“My family. My people won’t accept a werewolf as their queen. Or even their princess…”

My heart broke. It was funny how if he had said this about an hour ago, I wouldn’t have cared, but now, my heart felt like it was about to stop pumping blood. Just one kiss.

“Oh.”

There was silence in the room for a while. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have anything to say. I didn’t want to say anything.

“Andrea…”

“Hmm…”

He sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck. I looked away, fighting back tears. The once in a lifetime opportunity to experience love in its purest form, and this was what was happening.

“We need to talk about what to do about your ‘assignment’,” he said.

“What do you think I should do?” I asked.

“Since they expect updates, this is what will happen. I will give you something to give to them.”

“Like what?”

He shrugged. “Anything at all.”

“Oh, okay,” I got up to my feet. “I think I want to go back to work now.”

He stood with me, and slowly let go of my hand, as we left the bedroom.

“And um…I’m really sorry about this.”

I waved my hand dismissively. He nodded, and I went back to my spot behind the counter. Thinking about how my life has just taken on a whole new meaning because of one kiss. The weeks that followed saw me keeping some sort of safe distance from Leo. Even though all I wanted to do was hug him, and hold him, and never leave him.

Things seemed tense lately. For me, at least. Prince William has been calling so much that at this point, I would consider it a nuisance. He would call at the most ill opportune time, and ask me for progress. When I say that was none, he would go on to make mockery of me. Saying god awful things like how my father died because he was a weak man. And how my family would die in poverty because we deserved it.

But I didn’t have a choice, I had to bear with it. The only other option wasn’t even sure if he wanted me. The whole drama and weight on my shoulders made me to not pay attention to my birthday.

My mother woke me up with a birthday song, and a tiny cupcake with a candle in the center. I smiled at her as she sat on the bed, and handed me the cake. Asking me to make a wish. I looked at the cake, and tears came to my eyes. I knew what my wish was. Up until a few weeks ago, I didn’t know what it felt like to be in love. I didn’t even want it. But now, after Leo had somehow activated the bond, he was all that was in my head. I wanted to spend every waking moment with him. I wished that there would at least be a time and place for us to love each other without barriers, and restrictions. I took a deep breath and blew out the candle. My mother clapped excitedly.

“What did you wish for?” She asked.

I smiled faintly at my mother. “You know I can’t tell you that.” I said, teasingly.

She pouted and slumped her shoulders. “But I still want to know.”

“Nope.”

I and my mother shared the cupcake, and I went to get ready for work.

Personally, I didn’t like my birthdays. For me, it was a reminder of yet another year, with no achievement. Another year still the same. Another year, no difference. Another year feeling trapped. I always cried on my birthdays…today was no different.

I cycled to work as per usual. My mother had insisted on doing my hair again today. Since it was my birthday. She had done two braids on my wavy hair. Although simple, I loved it. I got to work and received a shocking surprise.

Leo standing in the middle of the library, holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Happy birthday, love,” he said, handing me the bouquet of roses.

I held my hand to my chest and collected the flowers.

“Thank you. How did you know it was my birthday?” I asked.

He smirked. “I have my ways.”

He walked over to the door, and locked it. Flipping over the sign to ‘CLOSED’

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Making sure that we don’t have any interruptions,” he replied.

“Why would we need to be interrupted?” I asked.

He held his hand out to me, and I took it. He walked us both into his office. I gasped as I took in the reorganized interior.

“My goddess…”

“This is why we would need to not be interrupted.”

Rose petals scattered the floor of the office, a table was set and laden with food, fruits and a cake. I could see presents chilling in the corner, and a boombox off to the side.

“Wow…”

“Do you like it?” He asked.

I nodded and smiled. “Yes…”

It was small and intimate. I loved it. We sat down at the table, and I immediately dig in, closing my eyes as the flavors burst in my tongue. I opened my eyes to see that Leo was looking at me with a small smile on his face.

“What?” I asked shyly.

He shook his head. “Nothing. You’re just so beautiful.”

I blushed and smiled. “Thank you.”

We talked and laughed, and relieved the tension of the last few weeks. We danced too, and then we sat on the floor to unbox my presents. I opened up a box, and a brand new phone was in there. I looked at him in shock.

“I wasn’t comfortable with the fact that they gave you a phone they can monitor you by. That, and I just wanted to get one for you.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

I opened the next box, and pulled out a dress.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“What?!!!”

I threw my head back and laughed.

“I um…I want to take you out to dinner,” Leo said.

“Oh.”

“Not this,” He said, waving his hand around. “A proper date.”

“Oh. So you’re asking me out on a date?” I asked teasingly.

“Yes. Yes, I am,” Leo replied.

I held the dress up to the light and admired it.

“Be careful. One might think you actually like me.”

He laughed, and gave me a peck on my cheek.

“I do like you, Andrea. More than that even. I love you. I’ve loved you since the first time I saw my eyes on you.”

I blushed so hard, I could swear that my cheeks had turned a bright red.

“Oh. When do you want to take me out?” I asked.

“When would you be free?”

“Tomorrow night. It’s not like there’s anywhere else I’m going.”

“Okay. Take the day off tomorrow. I’ll pick you up.”

“Wait, who would work tomorrow?”

“Don’t worry about that. I know your boss,” he replied and winked at me.

I laughed again. Loving this side of my mate. It sounded weird to say that, but that was the shocking reality that I was now exposed to.