8.
Landon Prep
The two weeks of winter break went by quickly, it was a roller coaster of emotions for me. After the episode between my family and me, my brother kept his distance from me while my mother always had a sad and pitiful look on her face when she looked at me. I felt like a stranger in my own home, my silver lining was Matthew. My boyfriend. It felt so good to say that. He kept me grounded and comforted me when I cried about my fears and pain. He was my rock for those two weeks even if it meant late nights on his side and missing family time. Matthew kept reassuring me that it was okay since three-quarters of his family was there and it wasn't that cheerful.
We were keeping our new relationship a secret till we go back to school but they found out during a phone call when Matthew called me baby and Mina was within earshot. After that one slip, questions were thrown at us, squeals were heard, Sasha was called in and a diabolical laugh was heard from her. Apparently she wants to rub our relationship in Brin and her followers' faces. I think her family needs to get her checked out.
At the moment I was in my room unpacking, opening the last bag the gift from my father was placed on top of my clothes. I froze my movements and stared at the gift. Should I open it? What was so important that he would stay away so long then try to reach out to me at eighteen?
'I think it's all bigger than us.' Lana said to me. I wanted to believe her but I just wanted my questions to be answered.
The loud ring of a distinct ringtone broke through my inner tirade, giving me a scare, recognizing the ring I rushed for it.
"Where are you?" Both Matthew and me answered at the same time. After a quick chuckle, he told me he was just pulling up in the courtyard. He didn't have to say anything else as I quickly ended the call and rushed out of my room. My heart was beating fast, I was excited to see him again. To be wrapped up in his arms and be protected. Rushing down three flights of stairs, I made my way to the way too long hallway. Just as I stepped in the hallway Matthew entered through the doors, the smile on his face was enough for me to break into a run. Some students were milling around but I didn't care, my very own prince was here. Dodging the students I ran to him, Matthew doing the same as I got closer I slowed down to jump on him, he caught me wrapping his arms around me, my legs locked behind his back and with that, I didn't hold back in kissing my boyfriend. His hair was a bit shaggy allowing me to grip onto it, with his hand around my waist and one on the nape of my neck our lips connected with a passion we never knew we had for each other. My back slammed against the wall as our tongues became part of the equation. I heard a guttural growl from him it made me clutch on to him tighter his lips were heaven they trailed to my jaw, him whispering words of how much he missed me, nibbling on the tender part on my neck.
It was pure bliss before someone just had to interrupt us. "How about taking the show upstairs you two" the teasing voice of Sasha was heard. I groaned forgetting I had to face the third degree sooner than I thought. Matthew chuckled and kissed my cheek. "Hi" he simply said. Getting lost in those eyes of his, I returned the greeting with a peck on the lips.
"Hello?" Mina was the one who interrupted this time. A blush took over my face as Matthew reluctantly let me down but held me close after.
"So cute." Sasha squealed bouncing on her toes.
"You two can pass as mates. A lot of lip action there cuz" Mina teased. Rolling my eyes then looking around I just realized we sort of made a scene, I can feel the stares at the back of my neck. I hate being the center of attention but I guess being in a relationship with Prince Matthew Saville-Holmes would welcome that. Sensing my discomfort, he tightened his hold on my waist and kissed my temple. "This comes with the territory, baby. If you don't want this we can go back to being friends" he said to me in my ear. Did I want that? Looking up at him, he gave me a smile but it didn't reach his eyes. I tiptoed and kissed his lips and gave him a firm answer of no.
'When we both find our mates it would be very painful to end things,' Lana said whimpering.
'We both know it's bound to happen' I returned, focusing once more on my friends.
We ignored the whispers and glares and followed the girls up to their room. Sitting on his lap, we explained to both Mina and Sasha the reason why we decided to be in a relationship. Sasha thought it was understandable but Mina was having doubts I knew she did even when she accidentally found out about us over the break.
"Sienna and I know we both may be hurt when we find our mates. Since I first met her, my wolf and I had a strong connection to her. The undeniable push to protect her, to care for her and there was the lust." Matt explained, the last part had me blushing. A dreamy 'awwww' came out of Sasha causing us to roll our eyes.
"And Sienna you are good with this? I would hate to see both of you hurt." Mina was still worried. It warms me to see how caring she was towards me, someone outside of my family. "I understand it all Mina. Matt is actually my first in everything and I too feel the connection." I responded. She looked at both of us for a moment longer then gave in by giving us a hug.
"Good. Now let's go for a run" Sasha said clapping her hands.
The news of our relationship spread like wildfire, when it reached the ears of Brin and her friends, she sought me out quickly and was pushing for a fight but Mina had her back down. She found an outlet for her disapproval through mock fights.
The question everyone has been asking was how come he chose me to start a relationship, no one got an answer even now after two months into the new school semester. We had our moments with public display of affection, dates, private runs, sleepovers typical couples stuff. We have grown closer every day, our times together brought that communication that didn't need words. Since my interactions with the Royals, I have learned a lot of the laws among wolves and other supernaturals, every gift the family had I was told about from the first Royal couple to the last child of Royal blood.
"Wait. What about Prince Angelo's first son. Your brother Mina. I know your gifts but not of his. He is in line for the throne also right?" I asked when we were discussing it out in the meadows.
Matthew scoffed and laid back on the grass. "Yes, but he has his own throne already. Nikolai Starkov the fourth was a late bloomer. He only has one gift and its so basic." he said. The underlying tone of disdain was heard. "Knock it off Matt" Mina snapped.
"Oh quit it, Mina. You guys treat him like he is better than Uncle Caiden himself. He's like a hermit among his own family." Matthew retorted. I never heard him like this, so full of spite.
I looked over at Sasha who kept her head low her facial features looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here. Mina was angry though she tried to school her features.
"My brother has done nothing to you all but he's being condemned like he's not wanted in our family...." she started.
"The firstborn. The so-called Russian Prince has only one gift. ONE GIFT Mina and that is telepathy which is so common among the family but yet he's like a king in your family eyes. You have more gifts than him. I wonder how it feels to be the black sheep of the family," Matthew taunted.
"Matthew, what is with you?" I had to intervene he was being so mean so far from the perfect boyfriend and friend he had been for the months.
"Shut up" Mina yelled right after me. I was in shock at what she did next. Mina had her cousin five feet in the air, Matthew wasn't giving up so easily. With a flick of the wrist, he sent Mina flying a couple of meters away with him dropping to the ground landing on his haunches. "Why can't you and your parents admit it that he's a reject? Always quiet. Hiding in his palace. Running away when there's company. Shit Mina, he invited us to his home and never communicates with us" he spat. I saw Mina's eyes turning darker as her posture changed.
"Matthew. Stop it. What are doing?" I pleaded, going before him. He looked down at me anger apparent in his eyes but his eyes soften when he looked at me. Shaking his head, he turned and left us, Mina came back to us but just to collect her bag and left the other directions.
It was Sasha and I left in the peaceful meadow lost in our own thoughts. Is that how the siblings saw Nikolai? A reject?
"It was said Nikolai first shifted when he was sixteen, no one has ever seen his wolf nor knows his wolf's name. A Royal wolf comes into their power at 13 but... Nikolai got his at 16 also but just a basic gift." Sasha started. I went to sit beside as she looked up at me with a smile.
"Can you keep a secret?" she asked softly. My brows furrowed in confusion but I nodded my head yes.
"Nikolai is stronger than every one of them. He's just like his father. My grandfather said he carries the same power his father did and is kept a secret. " she said grinning from ear to ear.
What the heck!
From what I have heard and read, Prince Angelo is said to be the one to hold the three kids of Queen Emma together. His wolf and himself were powerful in every way even much more powerful than his elder brother, Caiden. This was told to the people after every wolf and hybrid felt the power of an extremely powerful wolf surfacing. The book didn't go into detail but they simply stated, well corrected, the hierarchy of the Royal Wolves.
"If Cain and Reign don't shape up guess who will be king." She said proudly.
"Well I guess every family has their own problems"
So why was Prince Nikolai hiding?