Chapter Thirty One
I awoke, vivid images dancing through my head at the smell of Kendall's and my scents mixed around me. A smile lazily formed but disappeared when I opened my eyes. The man responsible for those images was nowhere to be seen.
Where he had been when I fell asleep, there was now a gold box that shined at me. I stared at it for a moment before sighing and carefully untying the emerald ribbon that held it all together. I then took off the top and looked inside.
It reminded me of the first "gift" Kendall had ever given me, the emerald dress that held the elegance I never would. But the folded fabric was a white color and soft to the touch. Before I took it out, I noticed the envelope on the top.
I opened it, gently taking out the flower that had been stuffed inside.
I twirled it with a smile, instantly recognizing it.
The pedals were a scarlet red, the appearance identical to the Amaryllis in the photo of the garden that was somewhere in Kendall's room.
I placed the flower down, reaching inside for the note before unfolding and reading it.
I believe we have a date, as part of our earlier agreement.
You did your part, and I will do mine, rather willingly.
I hope you are able to forgive me for arranging it mid-morning.
Kendall
My smile grew after reading the note, excitement waking me up. I was surprised Kendall had remembered my request for a dinner date in the garden in exchange for me pretending to be his "companion." But he always managed to take me by surprise, whether it be good or bad.
I crawled out of the bed, taking the box and my clothes with me as I quietly entered my own room through the joining door. I made sure to close it carefully enough that the guards hopefully wouldn't notice.
After, I took the box into the bathroom with me, placing it on the counter next to the sink. I quickly showered, Kendall's scent rolling and fading away as my own gradually replaced it.
I turned off the shower and got out when I was certain I smelled like myself. No human would ever notice, but a werewolf might and I wasn't going to take any unnecessary risks.
I unfolded the light, white fabric that transformed into a simple summer dress. It was strapless, and I knew it would stop just below my knees. The dress held no designs, only a thick, black ribbon around the waist.
I slid into it, looking into the mirror. Kendall's necklace clashed with the two colors, but I certainly didn't plan on taking it off for that reason. I would keep it on, and I highly doubted Kendall would mind.
I ran a brush through my dark curls before finding a pair of sandals and undergarments, slipping them both on.
I finally left, trying my best to ignore the looks I thought some of the guards were giving me.
I knew Kendall's room wasn't soundproof, but they had no way of knowing it had been me in there with him.
By the time I found the garden, I was just a tad paranoid. It felt as if everyone had been looking at me with judgment, staring at me with shame. It was the ball all over again, the same feelings resurrecting themselves.
I could feel the increasing need to run, the desire crawling under my skin. I almost obeyed the feeling and ran until I couldn't do so anymore. But halfway through the garden, in the center of the variety of fresh, vibrant flowers, I saw Kendall.
He was lying on a black-and-white checkered picnic cover, the crook of his arm supporting him as he played with the wooden basket in the center.
He was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white buttoned-down shirt with the first two buttons undone.
His blue eyes were unfocused, showing he had yet to see me.
"Well, well," I started, Kendall's eyes growing a startled look in them. They met mine and he smiled.
I knelt down on the cover, mimicking Kendall's pose on the opposite side of the basket from him. "I didn't expect a picnic from a Prince. I was hoping for a candle-lit dinner w-" I paused, laughing at Kendall's flat look.
"I hope you are hungry. I had the chef prepare lunch and dessert for the two of us," he said, sitting up as he opened the basket.
I also sat up, watching as he pulled out the food. He had to have been careful with it all for none of it to spill over and create a mess. He first brought out a lone, massive plate of spaghetti and a bundle of garlic sticks, unwrapping both.
A faint smile lit up Kendall's face as he said, "When the chef asked what I desired to be prepared for us, an old movie came to mind. I suppose it was a classic in the time before ours. There was a part in particular that I can still remember to this day.
It was about two dogs, one much adored and pampered while the other was a street dog. They eventually fell for one another. However, there was a scene where they were given spaghetti that they shared. I thought perhaps we could do the same."
I smiled as he told me about the movie, although I had never seen it. Movies were a luxury for most, and it was something I had never found real interest in. But the memory brought happiness to Kendall, which was enough for me.
"Are you comparing us to mutts?" I teased, and Kendall sighed as he brought out two forks.
"You, my love, are anything but a mutt, such as that disrespectful boy," Kendall muttered, and my mood darkened faster than I thought possible.
I opened my mouth, but he beat me to it. "He was released last night. The guards pitied him, so he is around here somewhere until I have dealt with our business," he explained. When he saw my frown still remained, he reached up, cupping my chin.
"He is alive and well. Must we not enjoy our date?" Kendall asked softly. In response, I pressed my lips to his hand and grabbed one of the forks.
We ate, talking lightly and laughing. With nothing but the flowers surrounding us, it was easy to forget that Kendall and I weren't the only ones here. Actually, it was easy to forget everything. All we were was a boy and a girl enjoying one another's company.
The food Alex had prepared for us was delightful, although I expected no less from him.
He'd also prepared a simple chocolate cake for us that was divine.
By the time we had finished, I was curled up against Kendall, his arms encasing me.
Neither one of us had talked for a while, but we were enjoying the comfortable silence together.
"I do not know much about you, Snowflake," Kendall murmured, his lips moving against my hair.
"Sure you do. You know my name, where I live, and what I do for a living. What else do you need?" I asked lightly, my hand tracing lines on Kendall's. Being near Kendall like this seemed to give me a sense of comfort and peace.
"If I recall correctly, you did not tell me your name," Kendall said in reply, and I grinned with mischief.
"Fine. Hello, Kendall, it's nice to meet you. I'm Scar," I greeted, his chest vibrating against my back with his laughter.
"That is but a foolish nickname. Your true name represents beauty, so I see nothing wrong with it," he remarked and I rolled my eyes.
"It also represents patience, something I never have enough of around you," I said and felt Kendall nod in agreement.
"Who gave you such a name?" Kendall questioned, and I smiled sadly.
"My father," I replied, not wanting to go into detail as to why he had chosen my name. I had managed not to bawl yet and I didn't plan to anytime soon.
"Tell me about them, your parents," Kendall said gently, running his free hand along my arm.
"What about them?" I asked, both of us knowing it wasn't the best subject to converse about.
"Everything. How they met, why they did as they did," he replied and I sighed, not speaking for a few minutes.
I felt my lips turn up slightly as I said, "They met at a protest against Protectors.
They found the idea as sickening as most werewolves.
They fell in love quickly and settled down in that worn out house after they realized they were expecting a child.
They gave up protesting reluctantly and turned their attention to me. They both loved me dearly."
By the end, my smile had slowly disintegrated. Kendall's hand had stopped on my shoulder in thought.
"I do not understand. You say they loved you but . . ." Kendall confessed, his words trailing off.
I frowned and explained, "Of course, you don't. You're only human. Any werewolf would understand. To your kind, we're beasts available for you to dispose of as you please.
You hear stories of possessive wolves who slaughter for their loved ones and dominant ones able to make a hundred wolves submit.
You think that can't possibly be true; who would let such a horrid thing happen?
But you, Kendall, are a prime example of a dominant wolf in the human world.
You rule over hundreds on your land. To us, it's perfectly reasonable.
Dominant female wolves aren't as common as males, but it was my mother who was both possessive and dominant. She loved my father more than anything, including me. I knew she loved me, but I swear sometimes I could see the green envy in her eyes when I would go on trips alone with my father.
Werewolves are known as the brute, silent type, but in reality, we're emotional creatures when it comes to those we care for.
Those emotions were what got in our way during the War of Races.
Those dark emotions are dangerous, especially in a werewolf.
They're what causes us to snap and slaughter instead of thinking rationally with a clear mind.
It was that way with my mother. She wasn't a kid person, but she was willing to try for my father. It was him who took most of his time caring for me, not her. But I never minded because she was there when I needed her, smiling and laughing.
She only acted as she did out of grief, and I guess envy. The only thing on her mind was her dead husband and mate, at the moment. I'd spent time with him that she could never get back."
Kendall had been silent the whole way through. Now, his fingers brushed under my eyes, pulling away wet. I hadn't even realized I was crying until then.
I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand. The whole story probably sounded ridiculous to Kendall, but I didn't expect more from him. I was only afraid I would grow to love him like that, and he wouldn't see the reason for it.
"Your father?" Kendall asked quietly, but all I could do was shrug. I didn't know why he had done such an outrageous act such as killing himself. It didn't make sense because I'd thought he would never consider it while my mom was there by his side.
"I am sorry, love. I have ruined our date," Kendall said, sincerity laced into his voice. I looked back to see guilt and worry staining his eyes.
"No, you haven't, Kendall, really. As long as you're with me, I'll be okay," I promised, feeling Kendall's smile as his lips pressed to my temple.
"I think that is the first compliment you have given me," Kendall said, and I smiled while he laughed.
"Don't get too greedy. You won't be getting much more," I teased, and Kendall laughed once again.
"I beg to differ after my performance last night," he whispered, nipping my ear.
I slapped his leg, blushing as he caught me off guard. The bastard only snickered at me. "Part of our agreement was not to mention it, especially in the open," I warned.
"There is no one here but us, love. I could shout that we shared a bed last evening, and none but you would hear," Kendall started and I heard him inhale dramatically.
"Do it and the other part of our agreement is invalid," I growled, and he sighed in return.
"Fine, there is no need to threaten," he said, and I could have sworn I heard the hint of a pout in his voice.
I opened my mouth but found myself jumping as someone cleared their throat. Both Kendall and I looked over, and I found myself tensing at the sight of an expressionless guard.
"What?" Kendall snapped, his irritation evident.
"It appears we have a problem."