The Midnight Prince

Happy Birthday Part 2

(Flint)

Anaana and I walk back into the party together. As I force my heavy feet up the steps, everything seems like a dream. The walls look eerily different, as if a shade or two off from the real color I’ve seen for the past twenty years.

As much I don’t want to, this is something we need to address and gather an understanding of what will happen next. I need to know how Kaylee feels and what she wants to do now.

We reenter the main level and find a slightly less chaotic scene. Mom and Jade are standing awkwardly at the kitchen bar whispering amongst themselves, Grandad is still snoring happily on the couch, but Jasper seems to have snuck away to his bedroom. I don’t blame him. I don’t want to be here either. Chance seems to be enjoying the discord while sipping on a glass of Mom’s wine she snuck. Of course, discord should’ve been her middle name. Chance loves when things don’t go as planned, and likes a big, dramatic endeavor even more.

Slate and Karp are cleaning up the cake off the floor with paper towels and wet wipes. Seeing Slate now I find myself wanting to judge him. He’s not much younger than me, but he’s built like a linebacker. He’s got probably 30 lbs and two or three inches on me. It’s the true Kingston blood that gives him his large stature. Granddad is a mountain of a man, and Anaana is tall and muscular for a woman. His build isn’t the only thing similar to Anaana’s side of the family, he’s got her nearly white hair and frigid blue eyes as well. He doesn’t have her fierceness though, he’s far too kind and easy going to ever be a leader.

Kaylee and her mom are sitting quietly on the furthest couch. Kaylee’s pretty golden head rests on Darlene’s shoulder and her eyes are puffy from crying. My poor girl, I want nothing more than to turn back time and never have brought her here today.

Confliction eats at me as I try to decide who to apologize to first, my brother or my fiancé. I did punch Slate in the face, so I suppose he deserves one more urgently. I stop a few steps away from him. Slate glances up at me wearily. Counting to three in my head, I hold out a hand to offer to help him stand up. He hesitates at first, but accepts my gesture and I pull him to his feet. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted so fast and aggressive like that. It’s not your fault she’s.. yeah.” I can’t even bring myself to say out loud. “You didn’t deserve that. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.” I try to mean the words I’m saying, I really do. But there’s a part inside of me that is repulsed by them. It’s Drago. How dare you say sorry to him. He’s probably thinking of ways to steal our future wife from us right now.

Slate pulls me into a hug and I ignore the slew of names Drago calls him. “I love you, Brother. I would never have chosen this, I want you to understand that. You two have loved each other since we were kids.” He motions to Kaylee. “I remember being like 11 and you were talking about how you wanted to marry her one day. I will never get in the middle of your relationship with her. I’m sorry this had to happen.”

I don’t believe him for a f*****g second. You need to challenge him for her, kick his ass in front of Kaylee so she knows who the real Alpha is.

I nod once to acknowledge his words, despite Drago.

Next I move towards Kaylee, internally wincing at the way Darlene scoots closer to her, as if I’m going to punch her next. Trying to ignore the hurt Darlene’s action inflicted, I crouch down in front of Kaylee. “I am so sorry for the way I’ve acted today Baby Girl, I’m ashamed of what I did. When I saw the connection between you two I just lost my mind. But i have my head on clearly now, and I want you to know that I will always love you and support you. I know none of this is your fault and I will be here to help you through the rejection.”

“Re-rejection? Doesn’t that hurt?” Kaylee stutters. I can feel Slate’s eyes boring into the back of my head. Taking Kaylee’s hands into mine, I squeeze gently, offering her comfort. “Only for a few days, I’m sure Jade and Misera will have something for the pain. And I’ll be there with you through it all.” I smile up hopefully at her cherubic face.

“Rejections can only happen during new moons Flint. When is the next one?” Darlene interjects and turns to Anaana, whose leaning against the far wall with her hands in the pocket of her black jumper, silently watching and reading the room.

Anaana ponders for a minute. “About two weeks from now, give or take a bit. Enough time to plan a ceremony.”

My smile widens. “See Baby? In a few weeks this whole thing will be behind us, and you won’t feel the same bond you do now. We can be free of this mess and you two can be around each other again.”

Darlene pulls Kaylee into her side and away from me. My brows furrow with frustration and confusion. “Who are you to tell my daughter what to do? First you tell Kaylee she has to reject Slate and now you’re dictating that she’s not allowed to even see him until you say so?”

“Watch your tone Darlene.” Anaana warns once. “That is still your Prince.” Even from across the room, I can feel the Alpha aura warning Darlene to submit.

“It’s okay Na.” I turn my attention to Darlene. “I didn’t mean for it to sound like I get to decide what she does, I just assumed since were engaged and have been together for six years she would have no problem rejecting him.” Kaylee shifts uncomfortably in her seat as I say this. “You do still want me, right?” I ask, my voice softer now.

Kaylee blinks away her tears and pulls her lips into a smile for me. “Of course I do Flint. You’re the one that I want to be with.” She leans out and wraps her arms around me, giving me a reassuring hug. But i can sense her and Slate looking at each other over my shoulder.