Chapter 5 Chapter 5
KAELEN'S POV
My father had told me he knew mother was the one when his eyes kept finding hers in every room they were in, when the idea of another man touching her was like fire burning his ass and when he realised that as much as she infuriated him, he wanted to keep talking to her.
The signs are all there, but she's not just any woman.
She's Layla Valentino.
My mortal enemy.
The girl I was destined to destroy.
I shrugged off the intense feeling and pulled my wolf back inside to focus on this damned game.
Tonight, I'm not the Alpha everyone looks up to for direction in this accursed school, I'm just a regular 23 year old who's capable of having fun.
"So, what's this about?" I asked, settling into a seat right next to her.
Fucking hell, it's not even intentional, my body just gravitates towards her and it's worse because she hates me with every fiber in her being.
So I'm not surprised when she stood up and began walking towards Leon, the son of the Vampire Count that's her father's second in command.
And then she smiled at him.
The fire burned in my chest so hard but I downed a glass of toxic gin.
"So, it's called truth or dare," Maria, a witch began. "My mom discovered it when she travelled to the other side and although her version is a little bland, I've found a twist to it."
"Stars above," everybody groaned around.
We all know witches can be quite.. mentally deranged.
Whatever her twist to it is, I know it's about to be a worrying, but lit night.
I relaxed back on the couch, legs spread wider apart and I waited for her to explain the rules.
"I'll spin the bottle, whoever it lands on will choose to either tell the truth or accept a dare. There's magic involved so don't even think about lying. You'll have a massive headache tomorrow," she warned, her eyes on my cousins at the other side.
They laughed and the crowd joined in, including her.
Without hesitation, I watched her laugh, the way her eyes closed slightly and the way her friends curled into her.
I blinked and turned away, trying to reign myself in. I can't even blame my wolf this time around.
The game began in earnest and everyone is drinking because damn, Maria plays a mean game.
She's asking for family secrets, things that we can't dare say in public.
Soon, everyone was drunk and then, the games took a darker turn.
The girl is smart, I'll give her that.
The bottle landed on Evan and Maria looked at him with a wicked grin.
"Are you still a virgin?"
Now, you have to understand, my cousin is loud.
In every way.
Physically, sexually.
Everyone thinks he's the biggest player but only those close to him know how scared he is of getting too close to anyone to even be naked around them.
He doesn't change in the dressing room with the rest of us
That's how bad it is.
He drinks and everyone roars.
He might have as well just said yes, drinking to that type of question was pointless.
"How the fuck do you have all these hotties crowding around you and you can't even get one to touch your stick?" Leon laughed from the side.
"Don't be rude," I heard Layla smack his hand, "not everyone wants to have their gems pass through every open hole."
"Thanks Layla," Evans found his voice.
"Alright, alright, let's get back to the game!" I called out before the ruckus could get louder.
And my cousin's face, redder.
"Right," Maria grinned, and then spinned the bottle.
It twirled rapidly on the tarred floor until it stopped, facing me.
"Ooh, this is so freaking exciting!" Maria exclaimed with glee.
"Why? I'm not a virgin, so don't waste your time there," I grunted.
"Oh, we know," she giggled and for some stupid reason, my eyes went to hers.
She looked more disgusted with me.
Demons take me now.
"Now, truth or dare, Kaelen Thorne?"
"Truth," I replied.
It seemed like the safer option considering the wicked glint in Maria's eyes.
"Awesome! Tell me, who in this room has your boxer briefs in a twist?"
"That's a tricky question," I heard Evan's brother, Leonardo say, "because Kaelen is incapable of feeling anything but anger and lust."
"No, it's not just the feeling of lust, there's more there, I can sense it," Maria answered, "who's she, son of Thorne?"
Her power roamed around inside me, searching for a truth I dare not reveal to this unruly crowd.
So I activated my Alpha powers, and pushed her out so harshly I'm sure she'll be nursing a headache for days.
"Leonardo already told you," I growled, "I don't do feelings!"
"Alright, alright, no need to bite my head off. Onto the next person," she muttered, turning the bottle and the attention away from me.
It landed on three other people who were choosing dares before it got to Her.
"Don't worry, I'll just drink," she goes for the alcohol but everyone groaned.
"Come on, Lay, let go and let loose! Remember this is the only night we can actually have real fun!" Her friend encouraged her.
I watched as she thought about it, her eyes reflective of the thoughts in her mind. So I knew when she was okay with it.
"Fine, but be nice!" She warned Maria.
"Truth or dare, Layla Valentino the pretty vamp?"
"I'll prefer powerful but that works too," she shrugged, a smile tugging at her lips. "Dare."
Everyone cheered, clapping for her.
They're all so smitten and who would blame them?
She looks ethereal, carries herself with an air of authority and you can tell she bathes twice in the morning or something; her skin is pale, almost translucent.
Beautiful.
"Kiss the next male by your right."
Instantly, I wished I'd chased after her when she walked away from me.
Jealousy burned my chest so hot I nearly passed out.
Why's she making me hot in the most unconventional ways?
She turned toward Leon, and something ugly and hot crawled up my throat. I didn’t want to watch this. I really didn’t want to watch this. But I couldn’t look away.
Then I noticed the hesitation on her part, the way her hands began looking for something to hold onto.
She doesn't want to do this either.
"Alright girl," Leon said, waving her over, "come on, I know you are not ready for my lips yet and I respect that. Our wedding night though, I'll give you everything and more."
Relief filled her eyes as he pecked her forehead and I finally breathed.
Oh, that was strange.
Maria spinned again and the stupid bottle landed on her again.
"Wait, let me do that again," she muttered.
It landed on me.
"You know what? I'm just gonna dare you both!"
"What? Why?" Layla protested.
"My game, my rules Princess."
"Then I'll see myself out!"
"Oh come on Layla, are you seriously saying you don't wanna kiss me?" I teased her.
Gosh, I loved her reactions to me, it's so damn addictive.
"Kiss you? I'd rather kiss a toad!"
"Or maybe you're scared you'd like it."
"I won't!"
"Only one way to find out..” Maria clapped her hands and soon, the entire room erupted with claps and chants.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
And then she cursed under her breath and began stalking towards me.
Stars!
What did I just get myself into?
