~Delilah~
"You have to tell what happened. Don’t leave hanging! How did you et?" Odette was way too excited. But it felt good to see her like this. To have this reaction from her. I missed her. Shit, I missed my best friend so much.
"Okay. Okay." I told her and then I began my story about how I t Hector:
"After you were marked in front of the whole pack and disappeared into the night to solidify your booonnnddddd. Most of our family went back to their rooms.
But I stayed. Artemasia had masked my scent, blending in more than the rest of us. But her spell didn’t do as much to alter my appearance.
I look different you know? Like you. We are odd looking people. Seeing a tan girl with bright blonde hair and blue eyes was sothing people don’t see every day in our world.
That was my first ti ever spending so much ti with another species."
"I was trying to really get over what Kalvin did to . To us. I planned to embrace a new sense of romantic freedom; I would carve out a new path. Seeing you on that stage, so in love, it sparked a new revelation for . I had found my new source for painting. The reality of different species."
I paused for a mont popping a few bites in my mouth.
"I figured spending ti with so of the shifter’s I’ve seen you close would be a safe bet. One in particular was handso. I’ve seen him a few tis since arriving; he looked like a good distraction, so I pulled on my brave pants and strolled over to him. He stood strong looking so good in his suit.
When I stood directly in front of him, I stuck my hand out and smiled my best smile at him. ’Hey there, I’ve seen you around a lot, but I don’t think we’ve formally t, I’m Delilah.’
’I know who you are.’ He looked at like he was annoyed I was talking to him. He knew what I did, who I was, at the ti, I thought he probably hated .
I imdiately started to unravel. All the negative self-talk started spiraling.
’Oh, yeah, I suppose you do know who I am.’ My voice dropped low, and girl, my courage and good mood fell with it.
’I am the pack gamma, it’s my job to know everyone here, and I’m also the personal guard to both the alpha king and luna queen. You’re my luna queen’s cousin, Delilah Drakarys.’ He started explaining to . ’I’m Gamma Hector, but you can just call Hector.’
’Hector...’ I whispered. ’Like The Iliad, the epic poem, how... inspiring.’ I instantly saw my next painting. It would be of this man standing right here in front of .
I thought to myself ’Hector. A man that died a hero, a devoted father and lover. I saw the battle I would paint play out in her mind.’
’Yeah, I never made the connection before. My mom just nad after her brother; he passed away in a rogue attack. But I prefer being nad after an epic poem, sounds a lot cooler.’
’Do you mind if... If... If I could paint you.’ I asked nervously."
I paused again and told to her "Like my hands, they felt clammy and my stomach was turning upside down."
I began again:
"Paint ?" He asked.
’I’m an artist, I go to college for it. And sothing about you. I just, I don’t know, I really want to capture it on canvas.’ I told him.
’I... No one has ever asked that before, I don’t even know what to say.’ He said.
’Think about it, okay?’ I flashed him my best attempt at a confident smile.
"Odette, I’m so serious when I tell you, I wanted to face palm myself." I told her before I continued.
She laughed lightly but her eyes never left my face. She was listening to my story intensely.
I continued:
’Yeah, sure.’ He sorta muttered.
An awkward silence stretched between us.
’You go to school for art, what kind of art?’ Hector asked.
’I love sculpting. But I’m really good at painting, and sketching is fun, but sothing I can’t take seriously for myself.’ I told him.
’How? How could soone like Kalvin get your attention?’
"Odette, I gasped. Literally, I couldn’t believe how straightforward he was!"
"But it wasn’t just the question, it was what he really asked when he asked it the way he did."
It wasn’t ’How could you sleep with him?’ it wasn’t ’how could he fool us’ referencing my cousin.
"He was asking differently, I can’t really explain why the way he asked the question, I, myself, have asked 1000 tis in 1000 different ways." I explained to her my thoughts at the ti.
"No, I get it." She reassured I wasn’t crazy.
"I had to think about my answer, and right now, he was the last thing I wanted to think about him.
’It’s a long story; stick around and maybe you’ll hear about it.’ I tried to play off the tears that started to build in my eyes. The betrayal I felt for myself and from myself started to press on .
Hector picked up on that. ’I’m sorry, that was in appropriate of .’ He tried to back his question up, but it was already out there.
’No, it’s fair question. It’s just... The wound is fresh; and well, I’m still processing everything and I don’t really want to give him any ntal space right now. I don’t want him to ruin this night. He doesn’t belong here.’ I whispered.
’I understand, still, sorry.’
We talked for so long. Together we wondered through the gardens outside. He asked questions about what life was like as a vampire, and technically a princess.
I answered and asked questions of my own.
In the middle of answering one of my questions, Hector halted his words and his face fell, color drained from him, leaving him look pale. I got a little worried.
’What? Why do you look like that? You’re so pale. Are you okay? Do you need a healer or a doctor?’ I asked frantically.
After a mont, his gaze shifted over to . His face full of panic.
’I have to go.’ He said low.
’What? Why?’ I asked, I thought we were having a good ti, I thought I had scared him off.
But no. I wasn’t .
’Our packs were attacked, and that ans...’
’The vampires were attacked too.’ I had whispered. He left without much of a word."
"His voice shook. Odette, it really shook."
"I can’t believe you’re crushing on my guard, and a shifter no less. You know if Uncle Jeremy found out, he’d kill guard and then skin you alive." Odette giggled like a little schoolgirl.
"I know! Ugh! I’m toast if we actually end up liking each other. Burnt toast. Might as well put in the sun with no protection and watch it boil my blood under my skin." I laughed with her.
Even though everything changed. We sohow found our way again.
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