The Damned

Her

Darian POV

Laying on her backpack under a tree is Nix.  I step a little closer and the smell of oranges and spices is strong, but in a good way.

‘I hoped it would be her.’  Xavier says happily.  I want to replace her backpack with my lap, but I think that that would just freak her out.  I need to be cool about this.  ‘Let’s let her rest then.’  Xavier says so I head inside to get some food before joining my group for lunch.

‘Well?’  Lucian asks through mind link.  ‘Who is going to have the honor of being called our Luna?’

‘Nix.’  I say with a smile to Lucian.

‘I knew it!’  He smiles back.

‘Xavier did too.  Well, he hoped anyway.’

“So, Darian, have you smelled her yet?”  Nina asks suddenly.  All eyes are on me now.  I half expected this though.  After all, once I graduate, I will be their Alpha.

“I have, but all will be revealed soon.”  I tell them.  Everyone goes back to eating and casual mingling.  I chance a glance to Nix who looks so peaceful.

Lunch ends and I watch Nix head to the art studio.

‘How are you going to approach her with this?’  Xavier wonders.

‘I haven’t figured that out yet.’  I reply.  See a mate can only smell their mate if they have come of age or the two have officially…well…mated, if one of them is not of age.  Even though the mate not of age cannot smell their mate until mated, the underage mate can still feel the sparks when the two mates touch.  So, I have to take this whole mate thing with Nix one gentle step at a time.

‘I think tonight we should meet with her father.’  Xavier says.

‘That’s a good idea.’

The school day ends and I first head home to let my mother know about my mate because I know she’ll be anxious to find out.  As I ride home, I think about how to approach Nix’s father.  I arrive home just as a plan forms in my head.  Mom is standing outside anxiously waiting for me.  I get off my motorcycle and take off my jacket.

“Well?”  Mom asks impatiently.

“I don’t know.”  I smile teasingly.

“Liar!”

“I only know her nickname.”

“Well?  Out with it!”

“Phoenix Delaney.”

“Delaney?”

“Yes.”

“Phoenix, you say?”

“Yes.  She’s the youngest sibling.  She is also called Nix.”

“But you don’t know her real name?”

“No.  Do you?”

“Yes.  But it’s not my secret to tell.”  Mom smiles mischievously.

“Understandable.”  I affirm.  “I am going to go have a chat with her father now.”  I say and go back to my bike.

“Be careful, Darian.”  I nod as I put my jacket on and start up my bike.

Nix POV

As I arrive home after a long day of school, I drop my book bag by the staircase and head up to my room.  I plug my headphones into my phone.  I put on some music and curl under my covers blocking out everything around me as I fall asleep.

Darian POV

I drive the five minutes to the Delaney house and knock on the door.  After a minute, the door opens.

“Alpha Darian?!”

“Mr. Delaney.  Please call me Darian as I am not Alpha until I graduate.”  I smile.

“Then please call me Dexton for the time being.  Oh, and happy birthday.”  He smiles in return.  “Now, what can I do for you, Darian?”

“I have come to talk to you about Nix.”  I say suddenly shy and unsure of myself.

“She’s upstairs resting.  What do you need from her?  Are you sure you don’t mean Nina?”

“No, sir, I don’t mean Nina.  I mean Nix.”  Just then Mrs. Delaney walks up.

“What’s going on, Dexton?”  She asks then sees me.  “Alpha Darian.  Happy birthday, Alpha.”

“Just Darian, please, Mrs. Delaney.  I am not Alpha until I graduate.”

“Of course.  And my name is Lycandrica.”  She smiles.  “Now, what can we do for you?  Dexton, why don’t we show our guest to the study?”

“Yes, my dear.”

“Please, Darian, come this way.”  Lycandrica smiles and leads me to a study on the first floor.  Nix’s parents sit on the love seat in there and I make myself comfortable on the couch adjacent from them.  “Now.  What can we do for you, Darian?”

“I would like to talk with you a bit about Nix.”  I say.

“Has Nix done something wrong?”  Lycandrica asks with worry in her voice.

“Not at all.”  I assure her quickly.

“Oh.”  She says relieved.  “Good.  So, then, what about Nix?”

“Today I learned something about Nix.”  I begin and it looks like a light has gone off in Lycandrica’s mind.

“She’s your mate?!”  She says suddenly.

“Yes, ma’am.  Nix is my mate.”  I affirm.

“That’s wonderful news.”  Lycandrica says excitedly.  Dexton smiles in agreement.

“I’m glad to hear you say that.  Now I know that she has only just turned sixteen, so, I want to take things slowly, or at least cautiously, with her.”  I smile.

“Sounds like a smart move.”  Dexton says.  “My first suggestion is that you tell her straight up that you sense the bond between the two of you.”

“Any suggestions for how or when?”  I ask.

“Flowers on Valentine’s Day.”  Lycandrica answers.  I nod.

“What’s her favorite flower?”

“She has always loved the unique roses your mother grows.”  Lycandrica says.

“That’s easy enough.  I should go home and start planning then.  Plus, who knows when she’ll wake up.”  I stand up and Nix’s parents see me out.  I ride home and think about which of my mom’s roses and how many of them I will ask to cut.

Nix POV

Waking up from my nap, I feel well rested.  I get out of bed and join my family downstairs.  Mom is in the kitchen preparing dinner while the rest of my family is in the living room.  I go into the kitchen first.

“How long will dinner take?”  I ask Mom.

“Just over an hour.  Why?”

“I was thinking I’d go for a short run.”

“Go right ahead, sweetie.”  Mom smiles.  Nobody, and I mean nobody, knows about my uniqueness when it comes to shifting.  I haven’t even told Yvonne.  I don’t want to get made fun of.  I go outside and strip down behind a tree before shifting.  As I run through the woods, I feel the rush of wind in my fur and it’s intoxicating.  I stop by the lake and lap up some water.  I look at my reflection and there is that white fox staring back at me.  I run back home and, making sure no one sees me, I prance to the tree where my clothes are, shift, and get dressed.  Once inside, I go upstairs to my room and take a quick shower.  Ten minutes after my shower, dinner is ready.  Tonight’s dinner is goulash.  One of my favorites.

“Did I hear Darian here earlier?”  Theo asks.

“Yes, Darian was here.  He requested an audience with me.  He just needed to talk over some pack business with me.”  Dad says.  Something doesn’t feel right.  We finish dinner and I go upstairs to my room to work on homework.

Darian POV

On the way home I think about what Dexton and Lycandrica told me about Nix liking my mom’s roses.  I think I want to include the team in helping me surprise Nix.  There are sixteen other guys on the team, so, I am thinking that I’ll give each of them half a dozen to deliver.  While I will deliver a full dozen.  So in all she will get nine dozen roses.  Each team member will get the same kind whereas I will deliver four different kinds in a bouquet.  I think I want the team to deliver True Blood Black Roses.  I am thinking I want the roses I hand her last to be Rare Blood Red and White Hybrids, Blue Moon, Black Dragon, and Midnight Supreme.  All the roses are quite unique, just like Nix.

When I get home, Mom is in the kitchen fixing dinner.  Dinner tonight is lemon pepper catfish, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, and broccoli florets.  Mom’s catfish is one of the best dishes I have ever had.  She even makes her own tartar sauce to go with it.  It’s incredible.  We sit down to eat at the kitchen bar.

“Hey, Mom.”  I say as we start eating.

“What’s up, sweetie?”

“Can I cut some roses from your garden?”

“How many do you need?”  She asks.

“In total, I was thinking one-hundred-eight.”

“Okay.  What kinds were you thinking you’d like?”

“Ninety-six in True Blood Black then three of each of the following:  Blood Red and White, Blue Moon, Black Dragon, and Midnight Supreme.”  I reply.

“Sure, sweetie.  You can cut those.  What’s the occasion?”

“I want to surprise Nix with them.  Mr. and Mrs. Delaney said that she really likes your roses.”

“Just cut whatever you want.  Lord knows I have plenty of all my roses.”  She chuckles.

“Thanks, Mom.”  Then I think of something.  “Actually, you could be of some help with this.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Well, I want to do it on Valentine’s Day and I’m thinking it should be done towards the end of the day.  So, if you could cut them around lunchtime and bring them by the school.”  I explain my idea.

“I can do that.”  Mom smiles.

“Great.”  I smile in return.  We finish dinner and I go upstairs to my office and do some homework.  Two hours later, I am closing my books and heading for bed.

Darian POV

Today is the day.  Today I surprise Nix with the roses and the fact that she is my mate.  I’m so nervous about her reaction.  Xavier is already super anxious.

I’ve already clued in my teammates and all the teachers involved about the plan.  When I receive word from my mom that she’s here with the flowers, I will mind link everyone else involved.  After the last class, my team and I will wait for Nix outside her last class.  I will go last.  I’m so nervous.

‘We have to play this out very carefully.’  Xavier reminds me at lunchtime.

‘Come the end of the day, our mate will know the truth.’  I smile while chancing a glance to Nix under her usual tree.

After lunch, Xavier becomes even more anxious.  It’s the last class of the day.  I keep watching the clock.

‘I’m here.’  Mom sends me a mind link.  I link everyone else and go to the office.  Mom is there with the roses wrapped up nice and neat.  The team shows up and each member takes a half dozen bouquet.  I take my bouquet and we all head for the auditorium.  I’ve clued Miss Graham in, so, she’s going to hold Nix behind.  The bell sounds and soon I will confess to my mate.

Nix POV

“Nix, please stay behind a moment.”  Miss Graham says when the last bell sounds.  I nod and sit back down in a chair.  The rest of the class leaves.

“Have I done something wrong?”  I wonder once all the other students have left.

“Not at all.”  Miss Graham smiles.  “I wanted to talk to you about auditioning for our spring production.

“What is the spring production?”

“William Shakespeare’s MacBeth.”

“That sounds amazing.  I’ll definitely audition for a part.”  I smile.  MacBeth is one of my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays.

“Great!”  She spaces for a minute which tells me someone is mind-linking with her or her wolf is saying something.  “That’s all I needed you for.  Have a good evening.”  She smiles.  I get up and head for the door.

‘It smells like someone has flowers nearby.’  Isla says in my head.

‘They smell lovely.’  I smile to myself.  I’ve never been given flowers.  I open the auditorium doors and find the entire soccer team standing there, each with a bouquet of True Blood black roses.  Miss Graham is very lucky.  The team parts to reveal their team captain, Darian, holding a bouquet of Blood Red and White Hybrid roses, Blue Moon roses, Black Dragon roses, and Midnight Supreme roses.  All five types are my favorites from Luna’s garden.  ‘Miss Graham is very lucky.  I’ll bet they’re from Mr. Keel.’  I say to Isla, but she remains silent.

“Hello, Phoenix.”  Darian smiles.  I slightly bow my head.  “Please don’t do that.”

“But you are my Alpha.”  I argue.

“I am not Alpha until after graduation.  Besides, I have to tell you something and want to see your reaction.”

‘What could he possibly have to tell me?’  I wonder to Isla, but she is still silent.  Nevertheless, I look up and into his beautiful ocean blue eyes.

“Phoenix, Nix, Delaney.  I stand before you as a man who has discovered his mate.”  Darian begins taking a deep breath.

“Well you can’t mean me.”  I say.  Darian shakes his head.

“No.  I mean you.  Nix, you are my mate.”

“That’s not funny.”  I say not believing him.

“No.  It’s the truth.  Take my hand and see for yourself.”  Darian says extending his hand toward me.

“No.”  I flinch away and he retracts his hand.  “I don’t believe you.  You are future Alpha and I’m nobody.”

“You aren’t ‘nobody’ to me.”  Darian says clenching his jaw.  “Just take my hand.  It’ll prove what I’m saying.”  He again extends his hand toward me.  I start to extend my hand to take his, but keep thinking about how foolish this sounds.  I retract my hand.

“I won’t be fooled.  This is all some sick joke.  A tease.”  I say bowing my head hoping I don’t cry from the cruelty.  Darian’s feet come into my view.  The tears build up in my eyes.  Suddenly, I feel a warm hand on my cheek and…tingles.

‘Mate!’  Isla says excitedly.  The tears fall freely now.  What he says is true.  I can’t believe it.  I just started shifting in October and already I’ve found my mate.  Darian wipes my tears.

“How did you know about the roses?”  I ask looking up into Darian’s outstanding blue eyes again.

“Your parents.”

“That’s why you were at my house the other day after school.”  Darian smiles and nods.  “Thank you.”  I smile in return.  Darian’s smile spreads.

“Take the flowers outside.  Meet us at Nix’s car.”  Darian says to his teammates.  They all nod and head away.  “Shall we?”

“I need to get my stuff first.”

“Okay.”  He smiles again and takes my hand.  I lead him to my locker and grab my stuff.  We go outside and the team waits for us just before the parking lot.  I lead the way to my car and unlock it for the team to put my flowers…wow that’s strange to think…my flowers into the trunk.  I thank them all and they go to their own vehicles.  Darian turns me to face him.  “So, can I come see you later?”  He asks.

“I can’t imagine that being a problem.”  I smile.  Darian smiles in return.  He gently squeezes my hand and goes to his…motorcycle?

‘Damn!  That’s sexy!’  Isla says.  I mentally nod.  I get into my car and drive to my house.  I arrive and start gathering my flowers.  I get inside and Nina rushes me.

“Oooh.  Looks like someone has a secret admirer.”  She teases.  “So, who’s the guy?”

“My mate.”  I say.

“Wait!”  Nina says surprised.  “You have a mate already?!  Who is it?”

“Ummm…well, it’s…umm…Da-Darian.”  I stammer out.

“That’s awesome!  So, I’ll be your Beta Female.”  Nina smiles.  “I’m so happy for you!”  Nina takes me into her arms.  I smile and return the embrace.  Nina releases me, so, I take my roses to the kitchen to put them in vases with water.  As I’m putting them in vases, I count them.  There are a total of nine dozen roses here.  As I finish putting the last of the roses in vases, there’s a knock on the door.  I hear Mom opening it and step out from the kitchen in time to see Darian walk into the house.

“Darian!”  I say a little too excitedly.

“Nix!”  He smiles with just as much excitement.

“I’ll leave you two to talk.”  Mom says and takes my place in the kitchen.  Darian and I go into the living room and sit.

Darian POV

I follow Nix into the living room and we sit together on the couch.

“So, I was thinking that we should get to know each other.”  Nix says after a minute of silence.

“Ask anything you like, but be prepared to answer the same question.”  I smile.

“Okay.”  She smiles in turn.  “Favorite color?”  She says after a beat.  I think for a minute.

“Silver.”  I smile.

“Black.  Favorite movie?”

“That’s a tough one.”  I think of the hundreds of movies that I’ve watched.  “Don’t laugh, okay?”  She nods.  “I really like How to Train Your Dragon.  What about you?”

“That’s an excellent series!”  She smiles.  “My favorite is The Nightmare before Christmas.”

“Also an excellent movie.”  I earn another smile from my response.

“Favorite TV show?  Mine’s Bones.”

“Mine’s Roswell.”  I say.  “The original one from the early 2000’s.”  I add the distinction because in 2019 they did a sort of remake.

“Nice.  I like that series.  Favorite hobby?”

“Reading.”

“Same.  Okay.  Then what’s your favorite book?”

“Probably the Alpha and Omega series.”

“I don’t know that series.  Who’s the author?”

“Patricia Briggs.”

“I’ll have to check it out.”  Nix smiles.

‘Her smile makes her even more beautiful than she already is.’  Xavier says in my head.

‘Very much so.’  I reply.  “So, what’s your favorite book?”

“The Key trilogy by Nora Roberts.”

“Sounds intriguing.”  I smile.

“Favorite band?”

“Jason Derulo.”

“Nice.  I have two.”  She smiles.  “Panic! At The Disco and The Wanted.”

“Both very good.”  I smile.

“Favorite animal?’  She pauses.  “Besides a wolf.”  She adds with a smile.

“Favorite domestic animal is Siamese cats and favorite wild animal is lions.”  I smile replying honestly.

“You’re kidding, right?”  Nix asks astonished.

“Nope.  Saturday I’m actually going to get a tattoo of a lion’s head.”  I smile wider leaving out that the artwork of the lion’s head will be her drawing.  I stare into her beautiful silver eyes.  She blushes and looks down.  “What are your favorite animal?”

“My favorite domestic is also Siamese cats and my favorite wild animal is red pandas.”

“Red pandas are adorable.”

“Yeah.”  She smiles down at her hands.  “Favorite actor?  Past or present.”

“Jim Caviezel.”

“Dermot Mulroney.  Favorite actress?”

“Catherine Zeta-Jones.  You?”

“Kate Beckinsale.”

“The Underworld series is amazing!”

“Right!”  She chuckles.  “Favorite food?”

“My mom’s meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes and broccoli.”

“Yummy.  I think my favorite would have to be ham with sunny potatoes and green bean casserole.”

“What are sunny potatoes?”  I ask before Nix can ask another question.

“Hash brown cubes with cheese and buttered corn flakes.”

“Sounds delicious.”

“They are.”  She pauses and a blush creeps onto her cheeks.  “Umm.”  Nix shakes her head as if banishing a thought.  “Coke or Pepsi?”

“Coke, but what was your other question?”  I ask trying to get her to look at me.

“Coke for me too.  Mar-“

“Nix.”  I interrupt causing her to finally look at me.  “What were you going to ask before the soda preference question?”

“Well, umm…I was going to ask if I could hold your hand.  To feel the tingles again.”  Nix says looking down at her hands on her lap.

“Now that you know I’m your mate, you never have to ask.  Just do it.”  I pause.  “And actually, I was kinda hoping we could cuddle during your questions and our answers.”  A blush creeps onto her cheeks again and she nods.  “Great!  Come here.”  I motion for her.  Nix moves closer and I pull her to my side.  As soon as we are touching, tingles course through my body, strongest where she is touching me.  I hear her sigh in what I think is relief and feel her smiling.

“Marvel or DC?”  She asks.

“Marvel all the way.”

“Same.”  Nix says and I can feel her smiling again.

“Hey, Nix?”  I say.

“Yes!”  Nix looks at me.

“I know it’s still a few months away, but will you go to prom with me?”  A blush creeps onto her cheeks, but then she starts shaking her head.

“I can’t go.  I’m only a sophomore.”

“Yes, but if a junior or senior invites you, then you can go.”  I say trying not to laugh.

“Oh!”  She smiles.  She takes one of my hands again.  “Yes, I will go to prom with you.”  My insides are doing flips.  I bring her hand to my lips and the feeling is amazing.  “On one condition.”  Nix says causing me to break contact with her hand.

“And what would that condition be?”  I ask and now my insides are tight.  Another blush creeps onto Nix’s cheeks.

“I was hoping that you would…umm…well, that you would kiss me.”  She looks down.  “On the lips.”  She adds while her blush grows so that now her neck is turning red, too.  I keep my right hand in hers while using my left to raise her head and make her look at me.

“Of course I will, but are you sure you’re ready for it?  I don’t want to push you too far too fast.”

“I’m sure.”  She smiles.  I nod and cup her cheek with my hand now.  Her eyes close on their own and I pull her face to mine while leaning forward.  The instant our lips touch, my whole body ignites with sparks.  This is how I’d always imagined my first kiss.  I’m so glad I waited for this.

Nix POV

‘Heaven!’  Isla says blissfully in my head.  She’s right.  My first kiss ever and it is pure bliss.  Sparks shoot through my body.  After a minute, we each pull away to get some air.

“Whoa!”  I smile opening my eyes.  Darian’s are open too and his eyes are lit up as he smiles too.

“Just how a first kiss should be.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ve had plenty of first kisses.”  I suddenly say breaking eye contact.  Darian’s hand raises my face.

“That was, and now always will be, my only first kiss.”  Darian says and my insides do a flip.  I actually believe him.

“Oh!”  I say shocked, but smile as relief hits me.  “Why did you wait?”  I ask curious.

“I wanted to share all of my firsts with my mate.”  Darian smiles and I know he’s being honest.  My smile grows.  “The only thing I’ve done before this is hold hands.  But the two girls I dated before you knew my rule.  Nothing more than hand holding.”

“Well, I’m happy to hear it.”  I say.  I turn to face away from him then curl back into his side.

“So, I have to ask.”  He starts.

“Okay?”  I say hesitantly.

“Why do you go by Nix?”