Chapter 11 - The big dedut

Nicolai ran back to his room and got ready. It was a very simple choice. He had only black or blue clothing. He chose the ink blue turtleneck and black jeans to go with it. He did not bother styling his soft, wavy black hair.

Any kind of gel he applied to it will not stay. His hair type was that way. 'What was the use of styling it?'

Nicolai peered at his reflection. His brown-gray eyes looked much bluer than usual.

A sudden itch on the back of his neck distracted him from admiring his face.

"God, seriously, why does it itch so much? Fuck, I wish to just tear at it" he scratched the spot unconsciously until it turned red. He instantly regretted that decision and placed a wet towel over it to soothe the irritated skin.

After the redness somewhat went away, he tosses the towel away and swiftly wore shoes.

He let his shaggy hair be and ran down the stairs. "I'm ready to impress a crowd,"

Rue stood down there with a bright smile. "You look splendid,"

"So do you," she was wearing a black turtleneck top with a pair of black jeans with embellished crystals and rhinestones. She looked like a 90s punk rock kid and it really suited her.

"Come on then. Let's go, we'll see you later uncle Kieran,"

"Oh," his dad ran to him and wrapped his neck in a warm red woolen scarf. "See you later Rue. Take good care of my son."

"Sure will,"

The walk was very peaceful and cold as usual. Nico tucked his neck inside his woolen scarf.

"Nervous?"

He scoffed. "As if,"

"It's okay to admit you're nervous Nico. You're sweating buckets."

"No I'm not," as he was saying this, a drop of sweat rolled down his face.

Yeah, he was sweating in fucking minus degree climate. It was not because he was nervous......

"Fine! I'm nervous," he sighed. "I know I 'm overreacting for such a simple thing. I'm not even your mate. Why should I be nervous?"

Rue clasped his hand and gently massaged his frozen fingertip. "It's okay. It's going to be just fine. Because this is all just pretend,"

"Aren't you worried that your real mate will misunderstand? I mean, if your mate is on campus. It will cause a lot of problems," Nico frowned.

Even as a half-vampire he was worried about his beloved's opinion. He did not want his beloved to misunderstand him in any way possible.

Rue chuckled. "It's okay. They won't misunderstand."

As they entered the gate of the college, so many eyes focused on him. it was the usual, and he was very used to it by now.

This time Rue was with him holding his hand when he was feeling super nervous.

Some werewolves were gritting their teeth so loudly that from a distant Nico heard it.

He felt like gloating a bit. It was a stupid decision, really.

Even so, he grabbed Rue's waist and walked down the corridor with a big grin.

Rue softly giggled. "You're really, really audacious, aren't you?"

"That's me."

The first class was art. Nico walked her to the class, and they took the front two seats.

Nico settled down. Rue, on the other hand, was still giggling like a hyena.

He couldn't help but giggle along. Her laugh sounded so darn funny.

"Mister Nico, what do you think you are doing?"

Nico stood up. "Well I'm looking at my beloved and smiling. Did it do something wrong?"

The whole class went deadly silent.

"B-beloved?.. It's similar to a mate, right? Sorry if I sound ignorant.. I'm not that familiar with vampire mating systems,"

"It's okay, Mister Olson. Beloved is our one true love. They are our soul mates. And Rue here is mine,"' he happily held her hand.

Rue went along with him. "yes and he is my mate,"

Loud gasps were heard all around the class. Some wolves even banged on the table, expressing their displeasure.

"What?" Nico glanced back. "She is my beloved. Who has the right to be displeased? Come forward, let me deal with you all at the same time,"

The whole class stood up with a malicious look on their face.

Nico was flabbergasted by this. 'Oh shit, this is what happens when you ramble on....'

"y-you think I'm afraid of you guys. Come on.."

Rue slightly pinched his hand.

'Yeah, I kind of overdid it. But there is no going back.'

The situation was at a standstill. On the front seat Rue and he stood there ready to attack and the rest of the wolves stood in front of them ganging up.

Nico subtly gulped.

"That's enough!" minster Olson the art teacher, shouted, startling them all. "Nico and Rue, to the principal's office. The rests of you calm your fucking ass off! If... if mister Nico is really Rue's mate, you just threatened our future Alpha mate!"

The wolves did not calm down after hearing that. in fact, it aggravated them even more.

'Good going, mister Olson. I think you have just signed up for my death warrant.'

"Nico, Rue, leave now,"

Even though they did nothing wrong, Nico and Rue left the class.

Just out the door, Nico glanced at Rue with a triumphant smile. "Wow I think I like abusing this newfound power,"

"Hold onto the reins, Nico, we have much more to face. Stop aggravating others,"

Nico just shrugged it off. "Come on, it's not. I punched them in the face. They keep annoying me too with their... I don't know what that word is... some wolf thing."

"Dominance?"

"Yes, dominance. I hate it. I'm not a person who will back down from a fight,"

Rue sighed softly. "There are some fights that you need to back off to survive. Learn that Nico. It's time we stop being so impulsive,"

Nico silently walked over to the principal's office. The assistant only called him in while Rue had to wait outside.

He walked in confidently but seeing a certain person, his confidence kind of melted away.

On the principal's chair, Alpha Lowe was sitting there, legs crossed, lips scowling and his brows scrunched up like a wrinkly pig.

"Sit," was the only word he said.

Nico sat down in the chair in front of him. He did his utmost to appear strong but his shaking legs gave away his anxiety.

"So, you're my daughter's mate?"

"Yes...."

The overwhelming power of dominance focused on him. It felt like his organs were being crushed by an invisible force...

Nico gritted his teeth. "She is my beloved,"

Aloha Lowe just peered at him unblinking. And so did he.

It was a battle of who gave up first. His eyes were burning already but he toughed through it.

"Call my daughter in."

Rue came in and hugged him from behind.

Only after feeling her soothing scent did he calm down.

'It will be easy you said…It's just pretend you said....' he peered up at her. 'I think I need a kidney and liver transplant. Your dad almost killed me..' he just expressed without a word.

Rue patted his head like she was petting a dog.

He very much wanted to swat her hand away.

Nicolai stiffly sat on the sofa.

"Alpha please stop glaring at him," Rue wrapped a hand around his waist and pulled him closer. "You're scaring my mate,"

"I'm not scared,"

Rue slightly pinched his waist.

Gritting his teeth, Nico shut his mouth.

"So…. He's your mate?" Alpha Lowe growled loudly. "this scrawny… blood-sucking… bat, is your mate? Are you sure Rue?"

"Hundred percent~" Rue giggled "isn't he handsome? Look at his smile? Look at his charming face.."

Nico silently pinched her hand. 'Stop talking girl. Don't you see that death glare on my face?'

"Did you just pinch her?!" Alpha Lowe shot up, glaring at him intensely.

"a-ant.. It was an ant,"

"There are no ants in this town!"

"Oh," Nico chuckled awkwardly. 'I'm screwed... dad.. daddy, where are you? Your son's life is about to be squeezed out by this bulldozer-like man. Please come to my rescue. Thank you.'

Well, of course, his father won't drop by his school on his behalf for no reason. He had to deal with it on his own.

Or there was another option.

Nicolai subtly scratched Rue's hand again. 'Help girl'

"You!" Alpha Lowe shot up ready to throw punches.

Nicolai was not going back down. Because if he forfeited now, he would always be a doormat to this man.

'Even if I get punched in the face, I won't back down to this hulk-like man. nope never.'

"dad…. what are you doing?" Rue gave him a weird smile.

"I.. I'm trying to protect you…" Alpha Lowe whimpered.

It was quite funny to see a grown man who was growling and lunging for a second turn into a whimpering puppy the next.

"Protect me from whom? He is my mate. Treat him with respect please~" she cutely smiled at him.

Alpha Lowe sighed. "Why him?"

"Why not him? Isn't he cute, charming, hot, and handsome…"

Rue was just repeating herself again.

Nicolai mentally slapped his head. 'Oh sun god… we are in a lot of trouble.'