Another Choice

(Selina)

“Come on Lina, I have to show something. You will love it.” Alexis tells me as I’m following through the castle far from the ballroom. I don’t know we are going or what he wants to show me but it’s worrying me a bit I have to say. Nevertheless, he’s my cousin and one of my closest friends. I trust him blindly but still, he was really pushy and I don’t like that.

“Where are we going? The ball is not over with should go back.” I ask him.

“We’re almost there. Believe me, you won’t regret this.” He promises me.

We are in the guest wing and Alexis pushes me in one of the room and closes the door.

“What are we doing here?” I ask him, suspicious.

“I just wanted to have some time alone with you.” He says pushing me against the wall. I’m pushing back not with my full force. I don’t want to hurt him.

“What’s wrong with you!?” I say.

He catches my arm and pushes me hard again on the wall.

“You should be glad a man has an interest in you. I mean even your mate doesn’t want you.” He mocks me.

“Who are you?” I ask.

“It’s me, Lina. I’m the same guy that used to cook mud cake every summer at Mamy and Papy’s house. I just let the mask fall. You like to make men fall for you before killing them. Don’t you?”

“How can you believe that?! You know me!” I reply.

“Indeed, I know you. Selina, the perfect daughter, the second Lycan to be born and not turned. Born for the first pair of true soulmates and because of that, you’re our future Queen. How is that fair? I would be a better King then you! We both know that behind you innocent act you’re a real bitch. And now you are seducing men to kill them when they want to mark you. Look at you always wearing sexy clothes and moving your body like a cheap stripper.”

“This is not true!” I protest.

He laughs but it’s a mocking laugh. Before I can react he smarks my head over the wall hard, so hard that I see black dots.

“Time for you, to taste your own medicine. You need a man that will teach you your right place: Kneel ready to serve him. And I deserve to be King anyway!”

He tears my dress over my shoulders and bites me. He is touching my breast and one of his hands is going down. He is trying to mark me as his! I scream as his bite is burning me and my fury raised. I turn into my Lycan and pushing away as strong as I can. He flies through the room and crashes on the opposite wall. He turns into his Lycan too.

“This will be funny, I like that when they are feisty!” He says with a dark smile.

He runs full speed on me but I avoid his attack. We used to train together, so the good thing is I know his tactics and weakness. The bad thing is he knows mine too. We fought for 10 minutes. He’s succeeded to broke my arm but I sprained one of his knees. I’m feeling tired and I don’t want to cause him more pain so I run away but he catches me in the hallway. I can feel him claw my back deeply. My survival instinct takes over and I snap his neck, knocking him out immediately. He is not dead as he’s a Lycan and you need so much more to kill one but he will out for at least an hour. His bite is burning me and everything is painful. Goddess please, someone help me. I whisper when I hear someone coming. I hope, they will believe I didn’t anything.

I take my hand out of Tom’s hand. He is angry, very angry. On the verve to shift even. He closes his eyes and focuses on his breathing. After a few seconds, it’s slow damn and he looks calmer. Alphas are gifted by the Moon Goddess with the ability to see memories for other people but for that, they need to touch you. Anyway, it’s how Tom was able to see my fight with Alexis.

“What about the other bite?” He asks me, taking me by surprise.

“What other bite?” I ask. How does he know? It’s impossible for him to know. Does he is also plotting against me?

“Your dress was torn and I could see another bite on the top of your breast when I found you.” He explains.

I sigh and hide my head between my knees.

“Hey Selina, it’s me. You can trust me. I’m on your side not matters what.” He says caressing my head.

I look at his eyes. Should I tell me? Should I trust him? His eyes look sincere and I’m so alone maybe, just maybe I can trust him.

“A werewolf tried to mark me.” I say.

“It’s stupid, it’s a death sentence to mark a Lycan that don’t want to be marked.” He says.

“Well, he is dead now.” I say, tired by everything.

“Why do you still bear his mark. I should have healed without letting a scar.”

“Adonit Meladrona... He bite me his mouth full of Adonit Meladrona.” I say.

“How?”

“He came ready and he took me by surprise. And even if he caused his own death, it was painful to see him dead.”

“Do you have other bites from other attacks?” He asks.

I don’t look at him. “Your silence speaks for you? How many?”

“Two others, one in my right thigh and the other on my waist. And it’s always the same scenario. They come friendly to say hello future Queen but drug me, my drink or injecting me while I shake their hand, then they proceed to mark me with Adonit Meladrona in the mouth and after they die. Before it’s people that I don’t know personally, I’ve never expecting to be attacked by my cousin.” I say crying again.

“I’m so sorry. I would have killed them all if they were not dead already! I swear to protect you with my life if I have to!” He says hugging stronger.

“You don’t have to. It’s my problems, not yours.” I say.

“And nobody should fight this alone. Let me help you with your problems as you help me with mine, please!” He begs.

“Thank you! I don’t know if I can do it alone.”

“I’m here now and not going anywhere. My life is linked to you, princess.” He says kissing my head.

“Don’t call me that!” I say.

“Sorry... You should get dress now. Lana is worried, we should go see her.”

“You’re right and I have to thank her.” I say getting up.

“Tom?” I add.

“Yeah?”

“You’re going really stop calling me princess, right?” I say.

He smirks: “And miss that annoyed look on your face, never!”

Goddess, I miss him. Something about him is easing me. Maybe I should start to call him Thomas than.

Two weeks passed since Alexis’ attacks and we are in our new home. Alexis lied about the attack and he said we were attacked by someone and that he asked me to run away as I was the target. I went back on time in the castle and he is totally avoiding me, which is for the best. I think. I don’t know how I would react if I meet him now.

Anyway, we decided to move to a hidden place. And I have to say this house is so much better! We even have a sea view and no neighbors. This is paradise! Lana cast a spell to protect the house. Be a witch is so cool! I’m kind of jealous I might be the most powerful creature if I was a witch a cool so many cool things. You want to go skiing, hop here you are, and in the afternoon go on an island in the Caribbean, snap your friends and here you are.

“What are you doing?” I ask Tom.

"Looking for clues who can guide us toward who is behind all of this." He replies not looking up at me, too focused on his computer.

Since we moved here, he looking for any hints about that. He is obsessed with that. Outside this house we try to keep our distances, people believe we are not close anymore and Tom suggests we keep it like that and I think it's a good idea. The person behind that wants to isolate me and it's better if he or she believes it's working. He even quit his job in Team L. Well at least officially. He is working with us but as Travis Cooper. It’s T. Now during the mission as I’m S. Lana cast a spell on him, nobody can recognize him. See so much cooler to be a witch!

Even if we keep our distance outside, in the house it's the total opposite. We are leaving like a couple. We're even sleeping in the same bed. The only difference between a couple and us is we are not kissing or having sex together. But my feeling for him grows every day and I'm so scared to be heartbroken again. I don't know how long I can keep going like this...