ERIK

Two days since the pride run had gone by. The Powell sisters hadn’t tried to get to me after their actions that day, and it gave me hope that maybe they had given up. Or that’s what I liked to think. I was currently in the living room with Lilah, she was reading one of her romance books, while I was reading a horror novel I borrowed from Raven. I focused on the book once again, leaving my thoughts aside. But then a knock came from the front door, both Lilah and I looked up from what we were reading. There was no one around to open because it was a day off for the house staff.

“I’ll go.” Lilah said, putting her book aside and standing up from where she sat. 

I watched her walk out of the living room. I heard the door open, and then I heard a squeal. It startled me so hard that I put the book aside and went to see what was going on. Was Lilah in danger? The front door came into view, and there stood Lilah hugging another person, a male omega, a feline too—a rare one, a scent I had never smelled before.

“Is everything okay?” I asked. Lilah and the omega broke away from the hug. The omega’s eyes looked at me with curiosity. I was also curious to know who this sudden visitor was. 

“Yes. Sorry, I was just excited.” Lilah said to me with an apologetic look, and then realized I wanted to know who the guest was. “Oh! Right, let me introduce you. Erik, this is Victor. Victor, this is Erik.” 

“A pleasure to meet you, Victor.” I said with a gentle smile, offering my hand to him. 

“Likewise.” Victor said with a smile, taking my hand and shaking it. He gave the woman and look. “I didn’t know you had a guest over Lilah. Sorry for interrupting.”

“Oh. oh! No, no, no. He is not mine. Well, he is a guest of the whole house.” She said with a subtle blush on her cheeks. She looked at me and then back at Victor. “He is Raven’s fated mate.”

“What? Raven’s? So the rumors are true?” The omega said with shock, looking at me and then at Lilah.

“Rumors?” I asked confused. Victor nodded. 

“Yes, I heard the rumor Raven found his fated mate, but I didn’t think it was true.” He explained, and I was shocked. There were rumors. Rumors of me and Raven. So everyone around Bramville probably knew by now—the consequences of being a small town. And I hoped it didn’t leave town. I couldn’t afford my parents finding out.

“It’s complicated.” I said. The omega gave a curious and confused look. He wanted to know more about it, I could tell. Hopefully, Lilah came to my aid.

“Anyways, what brings you here, Victor?” Lilah said giving his friend a curious look.

“Well, I was introducing the kids to Zenon, and I wanted to pass by and say hello.” Victor said, and that’s when I realized he didn’t wear a collar. He had a mate and kids.

“You are with your kids? But where are they?” Lilah asked, confused at the fact that Victor was alone.

“Kang Dae is with them at Loui’s. Marlon and Milo wanted to meet the babies.” Victor explained. “I told him I would get ahead here. He will come soon.”

“I see. I can’t wait to meet them.” Lilah said excitedly, and I couldn’t help but be curious. Usually, in pride traditions, the alpha would visit newborn cubs to meet them. So why hadn’t Zenon met Victor’s kids if he was part of the pride?  

“Pardon me if I’m rude, but why are you introducing them just now to the alpha? Isn’t it usual to have a visit from the alpha to your house when they are born?” I couldn’t help but ask. Lilah gave me a weird look, and Victor sighed.

“Well, for the pride it is tradition. But I am not part of this pride.” He explained.

“I don’t understand. This is the only pride in Bramville.” I said, not understanding what he meant. Victor took a deep breath. 

“It’s a long story, but I used to be part of this pride, but my breed had issues with the previous alpha, and he kicked us out. We built another pride near Bramville but…” The omega started explaining, but then stopped. His hand moved to his nape and then continued to talk. “An incident with vampires happened, and I was the only one who survived.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m also sorry for being inopportune.” I said, regretting asking the question. I had heard stories about it, but never knew it had happened here in Bramville.

“It’s okay. It was a long time ago. And to answer your question better.” Victor said with a melancholic smile and then continued. “I’m part of the wolf pack, they adopted me, and that’s why Zenon hadn’t met my babies yet.”

“Okay, I understand now.” I said. I had so many questions, but I didn’t want to make the omega uncomfortable with them.

“Let’s go to the living room. We can wait there. I’ll let my family know you are here.” Lilah said to break the silence and then grabbed Victor by the arm, taking him to the other room, and I followed them.

Once we got to the living room, Lilah and Victor took the sofa, and I took one of the individual ones. We continued to talk and get to know each other. Victor was an interesting man; he was a photographer, a model, and the father of two boys. After what happened to him when he was young, he still managed to move on and have a good life. The scent of cinnamon hit my nose, and I turned as Raven walked into the living room.

“Vic! You are here!” Raven said with a big smile, running to hug his omega friend. Victor stood up and returned his hug.

“Rae, it’s so good to see you!” Victor said. He broke the hug apart and, with a big smile on his face, said. “Congratulations on finding your fated mate! I’m so happy for you.”

At his words, Raven’s expression changed from being happy to a little awkward. But he hid it with a smile. He turned to look at me, and then back at his friend.  

“Thank you, it was a big surprise.” Raven said, hiding his awkwardness.

“Yeah, I heard the rumor and couldn’t believe it at first. But Erik is a great guy. Your type too.” Victor said, and my eyes went wide. Raven’s type? I was his type? I realized I never asked him, but why would I need to know that information?

‘We are his type. That makes me happy.’ Ed said in my mind, and I ignored him. My attention went back to the omegas. A deep red blush had appeared on Raven’s cheeks.

“What? No, no. I mean yes, but—” Raven said, embarrassed and trying to fix the situation after what his friend had said. Luckily for him, the doorbell rang, saving him.

“Oh. That must be Kang Dae.” Victor said with a loving smile. Excited to see his mate and kids.

“I’ll go.” Raven said, the blush still showing on his cheeks. Our eyes met for a second, and the red just got deeper.

After a few minutes, Raven walked back inside the living room. Accompanied by a man who was pushing a double stroller. More questions started to gather in my mind as I realized that by the scent Victor’s mate was giving, he was not the werewolf I expected. He was something else, something that smelled metallic, like iron. But not entirely. I was confused. Our eyes locked, and I saw a red glimmer in them. No. Could it be? Did Victor mate with a vampire? 

“Babe, what took you so long?” Victor said, approaching his alpha, giving him a short kiss on the cheek.

“Sorry. Miles and Marlon didn’t want me to leave. But Loui distracted them so I could get out.” Kang Dae said with an apologetic smile to his mate, kissing him back on the lips. Just a short peck.

“Omg! Look at the babies. They are so adorable.” Lilah said. I hadn’t noticed she was looking inside the stroller.

“I know right. They are literally a mix of Victor and Kang Dae.” Raven said with a smile, looking down at the babies.

Curiosity won the best of me, and I also approached the stroller, looking at the babies from where I stood behind the omegas. It was indeed a fact that the babies were an exact mix and match of their parents. Pale skin like his alpha parent and brown hair like the omega, their faces a mix of their features. But also, they were not only felines; something in their scent resembled their alpha parent’s nature.

“Oh, I forgot. Kang Dae, this is Erik. Erik, this is my mate Kang Dae.” Victor said, introducing me to the alpha. I stepped to the side and offered my hand to him. Kang Dae gently grabbed it.

“Nice to meet you, Erik.” He said with a gentle smile. 

“It’s nice to meet you too, Kang Dae.” I said with a smile, letting go of his hand.

“A Dhampir.” He said, and I was confused at first. Then I realized why he said it. I was embarrassed for the second time today.

“Was I that obvious? I apologize.” I said with an apologetic smile, and he shook his head.

“No worries. It happens a lot.” He said with a chuckle.

After that, we all took a seat in the living room. Raven introduced the babies officially to us. Juniper and Juwan. And did the same again, when the room filled with the rest of the Powell family minutes later. Everyone was fascinated with the babies. And for once, it was nice not being the center of attention of the Powell sisters.

RAVEN

Feeling a little overwhelmed by my sister's arrival, I went outside to get some fresh air. It bothered me that even when we were surrounded by people. They didn’t hesitate to give me ugly looks or hide how they felt about me. I hated it. I hadn’t done anything to deserve their hate. Just because my fated mate appeared before theirs didn’t justify that they could treat me that way. I was so distracted in my thoughts that I didn’t notice someone else had come out with me.

“Is everything okay, Rae?” Victor’s voice took me away from my thoughts, and I looked at him, standing next to me with a concerned look on his face.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I lied. Victor’s expression changed. 

“Rae, don’t lie to me. What’s bothering you?” He said with a frown. “Is it your sisters? You can’t ever catch a break with them, I swear.”

“No. I mean. Sort of, yeah. But it’s also about Erik.” I confessed.

“Erik? What’s wrong with him?” He asked, confused but with curious eyes.

“He is straight, Victor. And I don’t understand why he keeps staying here? He could have left ages ago when he found out his fated mate was a man.” I said, letting out my frustration. “I just don’t understand what is happening in his mind. Like, he is trying to be friends with me, and we have grown closer, and I just…I just…”

“You like him.” My friend said with a knowing smile.

“Yes, I think I do. But it’s a relationship that probably won’t happen. He doesn’t want me that way.” I said, letting out a deep sigh.

“Are you sure about that. You know, sexual orientation can change sometimes. Who knows, maybe he could fall for you.” Victor said, trying to make me feel better. Trying to give me hope. “He might be a closeted bisexual who hasn’t realized he likes men too.”

“I don’t think so. I will be friend-zoned for life. He might as well just reject the bond.” I shrugged.

“No, don’t say that, Rae. Let me tell you something.” My friend scolded me, then took my hand in his and continued talking. “The God/dess is never wrong. They give us a person who belongs to us, born to be with us. I’m sure that they are not wrong in your case. You belong with Erik, but I guess it’s a matter of time and waiting. One day, he will realize he wants you. Trust me.”

“I would like to think that.” I sighed.

“I always thought I wouldn’t have a mate. You know my tragic love life. But then Kang Dae showed up, and here I am. Mated, married, and a father to my little boys.” He said, squeezing my hand and comforting me. And it was true; Victor’s life had been a mess, and yet now he was happy and receiving all the love he deserved. “Everything will be okay. Trust me.”

“Okay. I will trust you.” I said with a soft smile and hugged my friend. I wanted with all my heart to believe his words, to think that it was going to get better. But honestly, I had no hope that one day, Erik Bennet, the straightest guy I’ve known, would become my mate and love me.