Chapter 33

I could feel the warmth of his eyes on me, and I enjoyed it. “Good, that’s good. You know, we won’t ever let that happen again, right?” The fierce warrior took over his features then and I felt the truth in his words.

“I know.” Breathless now, my words were no more than a whisper. We sat together like that, in silence for a bit longer, neither of us knowing what else to say, but soaking in the closeness of each other.

After a while, he sighed. “I’ve got to go. More meetings and all that.” He looked genuinely upset at the thought of leaving me, so I just smiled and rose to my feet. “See you later then?”

“Definitely.” We smiled at one another a last time and he left the room. I waited a few minutes, alone in the quiet, pondering all the changes that had occurred over the last month or so.

After the heart to heart talks with the triplets, I was feeling surprisingly good about my place in the world.

I was scared and worrisome about what had happened to me, but I had never felt more secure with the number of guards around me.

I was allowed to go and do what I wanted and when I wanted, but there was always a guard or two following behind.

At first, it had felt a bit intrusive, but after thinking about it, the fear I was still holding on to after the attack, I decided I was glad to have them around.

Even at school, the guards were ever present. I began to know them on site and by name, was able to joke and talk to some of them.

I began to feel more of a connection to the ones who spent the most time with me and was happy that they were willing to sacrifice their time, and even their lives possibly, for me.

The following weeks were mostly uneventful, consisting of the same secret meetings between the triplets, their father, and the highest members of the werewolf royalty. I had met so many new people at the mansion, that their names began to run together.

I was finding it more peaceful and pleasant at school these days than at home, which was a first for me. Even with the barrage of regular insults from Anna and the triplets other exes, school was still less stressful than the mansion at the time.

Everyone at school knew about the vampire attacks, so I had held a small hope that the exes would allow me a small break, but they had no such desire.

They seemed inspired by the attack, and leaned into their abuse, coming up with new insults that included loving vampires, and wanting to be bitten.

One day, during lunch, Anna, and the others were especially awful, and exceedingly loud and rude, so I decided to escape into the music room.

I was playing around with the piano and singing one of my mother’s favorite old songs, when a girl I recognized as Sophia came in.

“Hi!” She was instantly bright and open with me. “You’re Beryl, right?” She came over and sat down next to me at the piano. Taken aback by her forwardness, I stuttered a bit. “Y-yeah, that’s me. You’re Sophia?”

“Yep! I’ve seen you around, but we’ve never had the chance to talk. You sing right?” She talked while she fiddled with the keys. “Yeah, a bit, I guess. Not much lately, though.”

I picked up the tune she had started to play and followed along with her. We chatted a bit about our favorite songs for a few minutes, and then she asked. “Want to sing something? I’m the president of the opera club. We are dying for some new blood.”

She grinned at me brightly, wiggling her eyebrows at me. I laughed, and admitted to her, “I honestly didn’t even know we had an opera club.” It was such a large school, and I kept to the sidelines so much, I hadn’t been that interested in joining any clubs.

“Really? What? How did you not know about the opera club? We are always doing such fun things!” She went on for a bit about the events and parties that the club planned and executed. I was impressed with her enthusiasm, and the more she talked about it, the more I wanted to join.

“So, what do you think? Want to sing with us?” She sang the last question with perfect pitch, and I laughed out loud. “I think I’d love that.” I smiled back at her.

“Wonderful! I can tell this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!” We played and sang together for another half hour, and then it was time for our next class. She walked with me out of the music room, and we bumped into Lily.

“Hey! I was looking for you! Good day?” Lily smiled at both of us, taking in the laughter between Sophia and me. The three of us walked and talked, and I began to feel an incredible amount of joy.

Each day afterwards, Lily, Sophia, and I spent a good bit of time together. We sang, Lily only a little bit off key, we shopped, and we just sat around and talked.

We learned that Sophia had been engaged to her fiancé, Hunter, who was the son of one of the lower level royal alphas. They were cute together, but mostly acted like friends. She explained that they always had time to be lovers; she wanted a friendship first.

I was able to open up to the girls about the trauma and fear I was still holding onto after the vampire attack. They we kind and supportive, and we cried together, something I hadn’t realized I’d needed to do with my friends.

Life was not perfect and not easy, but after everything I had been through, I was finally beginning to feel whole again. Arriving home that afternoon, I was as lighthearted and happy as id been in a long time, smiling to myself.

I barely noticed the commotion around me as I entered the mansion, I was so distracted. A loud call from the top of the stairs caught my attention though, and I was at once alert.

It was Armand, shouting down to his head of the guard. “Gather the rest of your team, we’re heading out in 2o minutes.” The look on his face told me it was serious, and I began to shake.

Armand caught sight of me, “Beryl, I'm sorry, but you’re not to leave the mansion for the next few days, do you understand?” I sucked in a shocked breath.

“W-what? What’s wrong?” I was looking around franticly at the bustle of the guards. They appeared to be getting ready for battle.

“You are to stay here, inside the mansion. Do not leave unless I or my sons are with you, do you understand?” He spoke to me as he descended the stairs. Reaching the bottom, he gripped my shoulders tightly, looking intently into my face.

“Beryl, tell me you understand what I’m saying. We’ve learned of another credible threat, and I need you to do as your told. It’s the only way I can ensure your safety.” He shook me slightly, emphasizing his words.

“Yes, yes I understand.” I practically breathed the words, not even a whisper. All the joy and lightheartedness leaking out of me now. Fear took hold of me, threatening to swallow me up.