POV Athénia
The first class had just ended when I saw the young woman . I had to admit it—I didn't like her one bit.
"Hello, newbies. I'm Evera WISTON ." said the woman
"No need to introduce our names. You already know them." I said it with venom. I truly didn't like her.
" She's a vampire." said Kora
No wonder I can't stand her.
So cold? Well, since you clearly don't like me, I won't bother pretending to like you either. Just know this—you're stealing my spotlight." said Evera
"What's this? Barbie bowing before the natural one?" I asked
I shot back with a mocking tone, and I saw her cheeks flush with anger.
"How dare you?" she exclaimed
"I don't need plastic to be beautiful as I am. It's not me stealing the spotlight—it's you realizing you can't measure up to true natural beauty, like Mara and me." I said dramatically, making Mara laugh a little. Evera stormed off, flipping her hair. Mara's smile spread wide.
"You never stop surprising me." said Mara
I struck a dramatic pose, one hand on my chest and the other on my forehead.
"What can I say? Drama is my middle name." I said
"Isn't it more like your fourth name?" asked Mara
We both burst into laughter, drawing the stares of the other students. Tears rolled down my cheeks—I was laughing way too hard.
"Hahaha, you're going to kill me with laughter." I said
"Or maybe laughter itself will die." she teased
She teased before laughing even harder. We only stopped several minutes later when the teacher walked in, giving us that these girls are crazy look.
Then came all the usual introductions again, and Mr. Henry, the professor, started his lecture. Hours later, the class was over. Lunchtime. The cafeteria was full of students. MJ and I grabbed our meals and sat at a table that was, thankfully, empty.
"Lis, would you tell me more about yourself?" asked Mara
"Maybe… in a more private place." I said
"Alright." said Mara
A question crossed my mind.
"Do you live alone?" I asked
She sighed and looked at me.
"Yes, I live alone… in a motel." She admitted, embarrassed.
"Absolutely not. I can't accept that." I said
She looked at me, afraid I wouldn't want to be her friend anymore.
"You're going to pack your things and live with me." I said
Her eyes widened. Clearly, she hadn't expected that.
"But I can't…" She whispered before I cut her off.
"No. I won't take no for an answer. You're my friend. I can't let you live in a place like that—it's dangerous. My apartment is big enough for both of us." I said
Her eyes filled with tears before she whispered a thank you. I smiled at her. We decided she would grab her things today.
" Yay, we're getting a friend!" said Kora
She'd been excited since this morning—I didn't know why. Then suddenly, I caught that same scent from the park: chocolate and rain. I focused and saw him—the man eating like he didn't have a care in the world.
" MATE!!" shouted Kora
Oh no. I was right. This guy was my mate… and a vampire. As if hearing Kora, he turned his head and locked those icy eyes on me.
" Ahhh, our mate is a vampire!" screamed Kora
Crap. Why did it have to be a vampire? My eyes refused to look away.
"Lis, Lis, Lis!" called Mara
Her voice pulled me back. I forced myself to turn toward her and blink rapidly.
"Are you okay?" asked Mara
"What… what happened?" I said
"You were lost in thought, staring at that guy all of a sudden." said Mara
Damn it. Kora felt a little down too—she knew as well as I did that vampires were our enemies. Then the director's voice announced that students were free to leave for the day because of a board meeting. I grinned widely.
"What luck! We can move today." I said
Mara smiled back. Everyone finished eating, and since we had the rest of the day off, we left. I could feel my mate's gaze burning into me—and two others full of hatred. One, I was certain, belonged to Evera. The other? No idea. But I didn't care. MJ and I left first.
I took her to a car dealership. I had my own money—though, of course, my father didn't know. I was a famous hacker with an unknown identity. When we arrived, Mara looked around in surprise.
"You're actually going to buy a car?" asked Mara
I smiled and nodded. My eyes fell on a black SUV with tinted windows. Perfect. I spoke with the seller, handed over my card, and bought it without caring about the price. Papers, keys—done. He wished us success. We thanked him and climbed in.
"What, are you going to stand there all day? Get in, darling." I said
She climbed into the passenger seat.
"You were serious." said Mara
"Now, would you mind showing me the way to the motel?" I said
She guided me as I drove. The place was disgusting and dangerous, but I didn't blame her for living there. She had no one left. Now, I was going to be her family—and I wouldn't abandon her.
Inside the motel, under the stares of strangers, MJ unlocked her door. I grimaced. The room was ten times smaller than my apartment. She rushed to pack, and within an hour, she was ready with one suitcase and a small bag.
"I'm ready." said Mara
"Then let's go." I said
She returned the key at the desk, and we left.
"Lis, are you sure this won't bother you?" said Mara
"Not at all. My apartment's big enough for both of us." I said
We loaded her things into the SUV, turned on some music, and drove off.
When we reached my building, Mara's jaw dropped.
"This place is huge."said Mara
"Well, it's the rich district." I said
She shrugged.
"Then you belong here." said Mara
We took the elevator up to the 10th floor. Only three doors. Mara's mouth dropped again. I could smell my mate's scent from the apartment to the left. Kora whimpered happily. Damn those mate bonds. I unlocked my own door, and we entered.
"Wow… your apartment is the size of a house." said Mara
"I know. That room's yours." I said
Thank the heavens there were two bedrooms—I wasn't completely alone anymore.
" Hey, what about me?" said Kora
"An annoying wolf, but still my best one." I replied
" Nice." said Kora,
MJ unpacked her things. After an hour, she finally asked:
"So… are you going to tell me who you really are?"
I sighed and motioned for her to sit. She looked so serious it almost made me laugh.
"Let's start with this—have you ever heard of Harmony?" I said
"The sorcerers' kingdom?" asked Mara
"That's where I'm from." I said
I didn't know her well yet, but I trusted her. I just hoped it wasn't a mistake .
"You're not making a mistake, Lis. Trust her." said Kora
Mara's eyes widened.
"You're sorcerer-blooded." said Mara
"Not just sorcerer-blooded. I'm the princess." I said
She leaned back in shock. I sighed again.
"But I'm also like you." I said
"What do you mean?" asked Mara
I let my eyes darken—Kora pushing forward. Mara's eyes widened even more.
"You… you have a wolf. A WOLF." said Mara
My eyes returned to normal.
"Yes, Mara . I'm a hybrid, just like you." I said
"But… how do you know?" said Mara
"Because you're wolf and elf. That makes you a hybrid too." I said
She stared at me.
"But sorcerers and werewolves are enemies." said Mara
"Let me tell you the story behind the hatred of the three races." I said and I told her everything—the crime, the child with three bloodlines, the betrayal, the murder, and the lies that sparked centuries of hatred and war. She stayed silent, digesting it all.
: "So that's the reason for the war." she said
"Yes. But none of the descendants know, because their ancestors hid the truth. And the Council of Sorcerers buried the shame, just like the others." I said
" Our mate is at the door." said Kora
What?
" Idiot, he's trying to listen. But the apartment is soundproof." said Kora
Mara still looked doubtful, but I couldn't blame her. The supernatural world was complicated. I sighed deeply, my mind already trying to reach that woman from my dreams.