Chapter 2.5

---Minerva---

'No, I didn't say that.' I said looking straight to him.

'Then what?' he's impatient. 'We are destined for each other. You should accept me.' He's trying to keep himself calm but I guess he's failing.

'Yes, I accept you in my life. But not as a mate. I am not going to reject you.'

'You are making it complicated.'

'Because it's complicated. You see, this is not the right time to talk about that. I need to eat peacefully.' I said calmly and monotonously gesturing to the food.

'I'm sorry...' I didn't say anything. I just continue eating.

I have my reason why I should reject him. I have my reason not to accept him. But I have no choice. I was destined to punish immortals for not accepting their mates and hurting mortals and their specie. I ought no choice but to accept him. I don't want to be mated with him... if my mind had changed then it's up to me.

'Oh, how romantic!' someone speaks. I looked in their direction to see Dina and her mate, Terence.

'Romantic?' I asked raising my left eyebrow. 'Dina, I thought you are with the Queen?'

'Well, she let me go with my mate and Haney and Sally is there... they don't need me.' She even rolled her eyes on me. 'Minerva, why won't you just sit back and forget about the duty for this day? What do you say?' she smiled tight.

'I say it's ridiculous.' I went back to the food that I am eating. I know that they are looking at each other talking through the mind link.

'We should get going...' Terence said pulling his mate.

I tour the packhouse all by myself. I went to the back where there is full of snow and it is raining. I am wearing a dress with a short sleeve and it's cold. But I didn't care. I stepped on the snow and lift my hand waiting for the snowflakes to fall on my palm.

'It's cold here.' Someone speaks behind me.

'I know.' I said in plain cold tune as always. Warm arms hugged me from behind. He leans his chin over my right shoulder. He has been flirting on me since we met, but I never flirt back. I just ignore him and pushed him away.

He breathes on my neck brushing his lips on the crook of my neck. It sent me volts of electricity all over my veins. The warmth felt good and I wanted to stay there forever. But I have to ignore the bond between us. It gives me confusion. I put my hand down and look around.

'Come inside... it's freezing here.' He pulls my hand and I just followed him.

On the corner, some people are gathered in front of the chimney with beers and guitar. They are singing and having a great time. He pulled me down to sit on the bean bag couch beside him and we join the small crowd. They glanced at us.

'Everyone, this is Minerva. My mate.' he told them.

They smile and wave at me saying each other's name. I just smiled at them saying 'nice to meet you all' I don't want drama or long speech. There is Rica, the girl that I met before. She kept glancing at us. I don't know why. Is she still interested in her ex? She has her mate. She doesn't need him anymore.

They seemed so relaxed here. Now, all I want to do is to go back to the palace and make my weapons to kill the witch. Yes, she's alive and she had changed. She's a vampire. I don't know why she became a vampire. All I know is, the son of Satan who is imprisoned on the demon's cave never got out. But there is this King named Dracula many decades ago. He asked for immortality to won every war and protect his Kingdom, Queen, and son.

If he survived not to drink the human's blood in 3 days he will be back into a human. But his wife is dying and she asked him to drink her blood for him to protect his people and his son. And that freed the demon from the cave.

I never thought that she had drunk the vampire's blood before Keynes had struck the knife into her heart. She disappears too because Seferis had taken her away. I guess these two had a relationship with saving each other from us. And now they have a big army of immortals to kill us all and take over the kingdom.

'I'm going to sleep.' I told him and stood walking upstairs.

He's following me so I need to ask something warm to wear. But I guess I don't have to ask. He gave me his warm sweater. 'Thanks.' I wear it and went to bed pulling the duvet. As long as I had slipped my body on the duvet I lay down. He settled pillows and blanket on the couch then he went to the bathroom. I heard a shower, and I smell his soap. I close my eyes trying to communicate with Zoë.

"Hey, good thing that you are awake," Zoe said.

"Yeah, I will be there tomorrow. Asked someone to pick me here."

"You see, it's okay if you stay there one more day. Yves needs you."

"What will I do here? Roam around. You see, I had seen every pack and I don't need to accompany him. If you had taken me on the Blue Moon instead of here, I have nothing to do with him here now."

"Yves insisted. Nathan is his best friend, and he wanted to help him to get you."

"To get me?" I scoff. "That's outrageous!"

"Minerva... just give him a chance."

"No, he hurt you. And I am not going to tolerate his eagerness. He should learn to be patient. Sorry Zoë, I need to rest."

"Sure... by the way, I am expecting a performance from you for the party. I had one performance with Keynes too... bye..." she bubbled.

Before I even object, she had blocked our communication. He got out of the bathroom. I can sense that he is only wearing a towel around his waist and water is still dripping on his body. I heard footsteps and the opening of the closet. Then clasping sound...never mind. I have to sleep again.

There's a warm lip pressed on my head. I know it's him. Then I heard footsteps walking away. He's on the couch I guess and lying already. Though my back is on him I can sense that he is staring at me. He can't sleep, and I can't sleep too.

'Are you planning to keep staring at my back all night?' I asked not even turning to him.

'No... I was planning to put this couch in front of you so I can see the whole view.'

I sat up, putting the cushions in the middle.

'Okay, you can sleep on that side.' I said. He immediately stood picking his pillow and lay on the right side. He lay sideways facing me. I lay and turn back from him.

'I still can't see you.'

'You are already sleeping on that side... near me. Don't ask too much.'

He didn't speak, and I had fallen asleep.