Unbroken

Awake.

I woke up in a deep sweat, still bathed in the light from my living room lamp. I checked the ticking sunflower clock above my stove. 6:22 A.M. Definitely not enough time to fall back asleep. Not that I wanted to. There was so much good in that dream laced with so much bad. Maybe I should just call in sick today. Lord knows my brain could use a reset day but I couldn’t shake the sight feeling of sadness knowing I wouldn’t see Dane for an entire day. As I am throwing my hair into a towel after my shower I hear a single knock at my door. Without thinking I unlatch my lock and step into the hall surprisingly to find no one there. The hallway was darker than usual. I took a step forward and kicked over a small blue box wrapped in a white velvet bow. I picked it up while looking to my right and left as I step back through my threshold closing and locking the door behind me. Who would leave me a present? Colby, maybe? I sit on floor and contemplate whether or not to open the box. As I slip off the velvet bow I can feel my heart quicken. Inside the perfectly wrapped present was a white velvet jewelry box. I slowly opened the box to reveal the most gorgeous necklace. Attached to a thin rose gold chain was the most stunning oval emerald surrounded by small exquisite diamonds. It was the most gorgeous piece of jewelry I had ever seen. A small piece of paper floated to the ground as I had opened the box. On the paper in small precise handwriting was written ‘I can’t wait to see you.’

The green of the emerald was striking. It was almost identical in color to my right eye. The gold it was wrapped in reflected the gold in it as well. I couldn’t help but fasten it around my neck and gaze at my reflection in my bathroom mirror. It perfectly suited me. But who was it from? I furrowed my brow as I looked at the open packaging and note left inside. The wrapping was expensive, I could tell by how thick the paper was and how carefully it was prepared. The only person I had plans with today was Dane, so I guess he must be the culprit. Why such an elaborate gift for a first date to a birthday party? Maybe I’ll get the chance to ask him this morning. I decided to throw on a dark green long sleeve sweatshirt and a pair of grey joggers as I head off to work.

After an awkward silent run in with the devil himself I was finally greeted by sweet Kaia.

“Babe!” She waved me over to her locker which was right next to mine.

She threw me into a huge warm hug so tight I thought she was going to crack a rib.

“Geeze Kai your gonna squeeze a lung out!” I squeaked out with a smile.

“Sorry” Kai released me with a giggle and immediately started running her fingers through my hair. By the time I had finished squeezing on my uniform, Kai had somehow managed to braid my hair into an elegant low bun, of course pulling out pieces at the end to frame my face.

“Please let me do just a little makeup before we see the King?” She whimpered looking at me with big puppy dog eyes.

“Just a little, don’t over do it!” I oblige. I typically just wear mascara mainly due to the fact I tended to sleep in a little too late to get all dolled up before 8 A.M. She proceeded to apply a very light natural makeup that enhanced my features. I was thankful she kept everything light and especially thankful I looked so good to see Dane again.

As we walked into the suite I could feel the tension in the air. The comforting scent of coconut was faint and was replaced with a deep woodsy aroma. It was familiar yet mysterious. Kai and I quickly clear off the already used dining table. Why would they be up so early for a meeting? Did they have it in the middle of the night? Too many questions I knew I’d probably never know the answer to. As we finish I can hear the suite doors being pulled open by the massive guards. There it was. That magnificent scent. Comfort washed over me as he came closer and closer in my direction. My feet once again cemented to the floor.

His hand immediately reached for the gem of my necklace which sat in between the top of my cleavage. His fingers caused static to shoot through my chest and straight to my core. I could feel my body lift and move towards him as he admired the necklace with a smirk on his face. He leaned into me until his lips grazed the lobe of my right ear and whispered,

“Do you like it?” I closed my eyes and turned my neck into him, he couldn’t help but graze his lips along my neckline. I could feel a shiver run down my spine as he took a step back and bowed to kiss the top of my right hand. I snapped back into the present as he walked into the adjoining room to talk with the twins. Something was agitating them I could see it on their faces. One of them noticed me looking and softly shut the door to keep me from hearing anything else. The rest of the afternoon we were sectioned off in the kitchen. I never saw who came or left besides the occasional moments Dane would check on how my morning was going. He was so handsome I could melt. Throughout our boring kitchen isolation, I had time to ask Kai all the questions I could come up with. She did her best to keep everything in simple terms. She also brought me a full stack of books she had waiting for me in her locker. They were full of werewolf lore and legend to help me understand this new world I was thrown into. I couldn’t wait to spend my weekend off diving into each and every one of them.

As Kai and I prepared to leave I could feel a warm presence slyly sneak in behind us. A gorgeous brunette with piercing blue eyes stood directly in front of Kai completely focused on her. She then directed her gaze towards mine and introduced herself.

“Hello Emmaline I’m Daphne, Dane’s younger sister.” She warmly took my hand as I nodded while she shifted her entire body towards Kaia.

“And who what do they call you?” She leaned in to graze her fingers down Kai’s arm. I saw the goosebumps appear immediately and saw Kai take a sharp breath. I have never seen her act this way with anyone. Sensing she was clearly having trouble finding her words I decided to answer for her,

“This is Kaia, she’s my best friend.” I think this helped Kai regain some reality because she snapped her eyes onto mine and face me a small smile. I had never called her that out loud and it seemed to mean a lot to her.

“Where are you two headed for the evening? Daphne asked with amusement in her eyes as she looked towards Kai.

“My little brothers birthday party is tonight, Em will be there too with Dane. If your free the invitation absolutely extends to you.”

Wow Kai, bold.