Chapter 16
After the story was told I needed some time to think. "Thank you for telling me the truth. Vincent, do you think you could take me to the Brown's? I need some time to think through this." "I would rather you stayed with me." He offered. "You can think through this in my office while I work."
"Let's talk about this outside," I said. I thanked the De Maillios once again for their hospitality. I promised I would come back for a dinner with Katie so they could get to know me better. Diana gently spoke, "give it time. I sense some tension and I don't know what happened, but Mates are sacred. Just think about it." She gave me a hug before Vincent led the way to his car.
Once at the car, he opened the door for me to get in. I stopped in front of him, his smell of cherries and fresh forest overpowering in the breeze. I wanted to hug him and let the mate bond take over. I shook my head, I can't give in because my world is crashing down. "I would really like you to take me to Brown's.." He started to interrupt. "Before you say anything against it. Think about it. It is my first day out of the hospital. I found out you are my second chance mate. Our meeting didn't go well..." "Fillian, I have said I am sorry." He pleaded.
"I know. I met your parents and found out my father is a traitor. That is a lot for one day and it is only two in the afternoon. I really would like to go to Brown's house where Katie and I will be staying. This will give me time to think and to get used to my surroundings before Katie gets back at 4 and has dinner tonight. Please just give me this. If you promise not to argue right now, I promise to try not to hate you." I said this last part with puppy dog eyes.
"If you keep looking at me like that, I will no longer be able to control myself," Vincent whispered in my ear.
I quickly pulled back, giggled a bit and got in the car. "So, do we have a deal? You drop me off and let me process until 7 o'clock dinner and I will promise to give you the opportunity to prove yourself not the a*s you started out as."
He smiled, reached over to buckle me in and gave me a quick kiss that heated my whole body and sent tingles through my toes. "I promise to be on my best behavior from now on and will give you today and tomorrow, if you promise to meet me Friday to discuss training." He moved around the car and got in.
"Training?" I asked, looking at him baffled.
"You are apparently a great warrior as a wolf and a witch, but the way it sounds is you need practice and understanding in both. Friday we will discuss how we can accomplish this." He looked at me and smiled.
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I agree to that. Just remember my wolf is on vacation and I want her back, so no magic until she returns."
"That is great. I would love to see your wolf and won't risk that chance. Does she hate me as much as you?" He looked at me with a hesitant sideways glance filled with hope.
"Watch the road... No, she doesn't hate you, she was disappointed. She was there for a bit when you hit me and couldn't understand why our second chance mate could do such a thing. I agreed with her but when you came at me again, I used magic to stop you remember. She was still recovering and now I think it may be a few days." I said, looking at his iron grip on the steering wheel.
His knuckles were turning white from how hard he griped the wheel. He looked straight ahead like one peep would set him off. I don't know if he was mad at me or himself. I guess maybe both. "I also don't hate you," I said. His head snapped to stare at me. "Watch the road!" I yelled and he laughed. The sound of his big booming laugh had places warming and not just my cheeks.
"I'm a wolf. My reflexes are on point," he chuckled. "So, you don't hate me, and I can smell your excitement."
I blushed. "Well, I don't exactly like you either, I guess the jury is out."
"I will take that." He smiled and drove me the rest of the way to the Browns in silence.
I was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. They were both fair skinned with blonde hair and blue eyes like Eric. Eric took after his mom and Reagan looked more like her dad. After I was taken on the tour of their home, Vincent took his leave with a promise to return for dinner.
Mrs. Brown left me in my and Katie's room. It was large and a queen-sized bed with a twin daybed on the wall for Katie. It had a private bathroom. It was impressive, to say the least. Eric had dropped off all my clothes and they were on the dresser.
As I put my clothes away, I thought about all the events that had been taking place, but mainly I thought about whether I could accept Vincent. I still didn't trust him, but being honest, I didn't hate him either. But how could he have hit me, and would he do it again when he was mad? What about Katie? Would he hit her if she caused him to be angry? I could never live with myself if that happened.
I guess time will tell. I flopped on the bed exhausted. How am I going to figure this all out?
The next thing I know is I can hear Katie arguing with Reagan. I guess I must have fallen asleep.
"Katie your mom is sleeping, let her rest, she has had a long day." Reagan tried to reason. I could have told her that wouldn't work. Smiling and turning over.
"Yes, I know, but I miss her, and I am sure she will want to tell me about Alpha Vincent before he gets here." She stated.
"You are right. I do miss you." I yelled into the hallway.
The door flew open and in came Reagan and Katie. Katie bounded over to the bed and jumped right in. Reagan, shaking her head, sat on the daybed.
"I am sorry we woke you. We got home a couple hours ago, and it is hard to contain her," she laughed.
"Believe me, I know," I said, and started to tickle Katie.
"Mom, are you feeling better?" Katie asked, looking up.
"Yes, my love. I can tell you that Vincent will be coming to dinner, and I met his parents. They had a story to tell me about my dad." I looked at Katie. "Was it a sad story? You look kind of sad." Kaite, ever so inquisitive. I looked at Reagan.
"I can leave if you want. I am glad you are here. All I have had is an annoying brother. Now I have two sisters for the time being."
"Did someone say handsome brother?" Eric stuck his head through the door.
"I think it was annoying, but oh so close." I laughed.
"Mama, that was not nice." Katie scolded. I think she may just have a crush on Eric. Which I am OK with one day. I hope her mate is like Eric.
"Eric knows I was only teasing," I told Katie.
"Well, I wasn't," Reagan said. Eric threw a pillow at her head and turned his attention back to Katie.
"My princess, thank you for defending me. I am honored to have your favor." Eric bowed to Katie, who squealed and giggled. "I have been sent here to say dinner is going to be ready in an hour and that Vincent is on his way."
"Oh my. I hadn't realized I had slept that long. If you will excuse us, we need to get freshened up" I said. They both nodded in response and left.
I gave Katie a quick bath and dressed her in her best outfit. I braided her red hair into a crown. I took a quick shower and braided my hair. I got dressed in a sweater dress and leggings. I didn't have very many nice clothes. There wasn't time left for make-up, so I just put on some lip gloss.
I was about to head down when the forest and cherry hit my nose.
"Who are you?" Katie glared.