Between Two Worlds

Chapter Six

Liora

"Can I ask you something?" said Logan, finally breaking the sepulchral silence that fell on us since we started walking.

We were almost at the Packhouse entrance. There were two patrol guards stationed on each side of the immense double doors.

I heard the words he pronounced, but it took me a few seconds to realize he was talking to me. Only when he stopped a few feet from his men and looked at me did I finally replied.

"What?" I asked, even though the question had already registered in my mind. Just a few seconds too late, I guess.

"Can I ask you a question?" he repeated, bothered by my lack of attention to his mighty pretentious ass.

Ahh, if only he knew all about the sweet pet names I like to call him in my head... then I am sure he would have a reason to be truly bothered.

"You just did" I stated, fitting back the smirk I knew was coming to my lips with my smarty-pants-like answer.

"Can you take a break from your smart-ass replies for a second?" Logan spoke, his tone suggesting it wasn’t really a request, but more like a command.

Oh, how Alpha-like of him to think I would tremble with fear of him.

"I can try. Though I make no promises" was my only answer after a few seconds of shrugging to annoy the hell out of him.

He sighed but didn’t put more fuel into our bickering. Deciding to be the bigger person, which is so not him. A couple of seconds later, Logan looked me deep in the eyes, as if trying to be sure he would get every reaction out of me, and asked in a clear tone:

"Why were you suppressing your powers to make my pack feel less uncomfortable around you?" this time my reaction was squinting my eyes because for a moment I thought he was joking. But I guess he was not.

Noticing he was actually anticipating an honest answer, I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, puffing my chest. "I wasn’t suppressing my powers to make your mutty dogs comfortable. I just felt like it".

I knew calling his pack members ‘’mutty dogs’’ wasn’t a good idea. I was supposed to be doing things to get in his good graces, so he wouldn’t change his mind about letting me stay here, not the contrary, but I couldn’t hold my tongue. I always thought of my tongue as a completely separate being, because I am sure it has its own fast-thinking consciousness.

But to my surprise, he didn’t react to that. I knew he ignored me on purpose again. He for sure heard me clearly, however, he decided not to mind this bitchy ass-tongue of mine.

I sighed loudly, complementing my early answer… no smart words this time, just a half-truth:

"It’s not a very well-known fact, but every Siren goes through a weird power-growth phase when they reach the peak of their maturity" I stated straightforwardly, feigning a nonchalant behavior. But as a matter of fact, I hated talking to him about that subject. Or with anybody for that matter. "And that’s exactly what is happening to me right now. So, for the next few weeks or maybe months, I will be inwardly repelling other supernaturals or on a lower scale, attracting them with my energy. It is something I can’t truly control, but I still try anyway."

"Are you saying you aren’t fully mature yet? That your powers are still developing and will grow even stronger?" he questioned, his facial expression and tone of voice half of wonder and half mad.

Looking down at his hands, I could see him flexing his closed fists as if trying to control something within. I don’t think he likes the idea of me being even stronger than how I am right now. No supernatural in his right mind likes the idea of having a crazy powerful being too close to them. Worse even if you just invited said enemy to your home.

My answer to his question was a shrug of my shoulders and checking my nails as if I just noticed something interesting in them. With a nonchalant demeanor, I replied:

"Maybe. There’s a slight possibility of the contrary happening. But I don’t think that’s the case here. But rest assured, I have no ill intentions, Logan. And I know you know that".

"Alpha Logan" he corrected me, his tone of voice colder than ice.

What a rollercoaster-like dude. This Alpha certainly can go from one extreme emotion to another — the complete opposite — in seconds. Moon Goddess, it's hard to keep track of his mental state.

And as if he wasn’t feeling as tense as I can see he was feeling, he just kept walking, ignoring the grimace on my face when he entered the packhouse, without acknowledging his guards or looking at me even once as he talked again:

"Your room is going to be the second door on the right, on the third floor. Just a few doors from my room. I will ask a pack member to help you to your chambers. Stay there until I call for you again. Do not leave your room" he said with finality. His last phrase was said slowly in such a way as to be double-sure I comprehended it.

Less than a second later, he was walking away without waiting for my answer. But before he was too far away, he complemented with:

"Don’t make me regret allowing you back again".

*

*

*

I lied.

It wasn't a complete lie, to be honest, more like a fact a little far from my current truth. It's real that Sirens go through a maturity-power phase where they lose almost total control over their power for a few weeks, becoming walking catalyst power-burst killers. That's when they are the most destructive.

Yet, that wasn't what was happening to me.

I did go through that phase, and it was the craziest two months of my existence, but what was happening to me now didn't have anything to do with that whatsoever.

The explanation was much more simple. I was doing it on purpose. All the energy oscillations and the slow releasing of my Siren power thing was just a calculated move I'd planned to unhurriedly show my power to him.

Not me caring for his pack members. They weren't important to me for now. And not me being unable to control my power within. Nope, I could do that as easily as breathing.

I've learned that the hard way. I learned a lot in 7 years. And during my lifetime in general.

All of this was because I wanted to show him my strength and power without seeming like a threat. Or a challenge to his own power. And it worked. The ''I can't control all this power and I don't want to scare your people'' s**t.

Truly, I felt bad for lying and deceiving him. Even his pack members. But it was needed. It was not like I had many chances to try my luck and gain his trust.

I was on a guilt trip when I felt a presence getting close to me. I didn't even realize I had stopped in the middle of the living room of his packhouse when Logan left in a hurried mess of muscles and discountenance until a teenage omega stopped a few steps away from me and bowed her head in a signal of submission and respect.

I already like this girl.

Without being able to study my facial expressions, or maybe I just didn't want to put on the cold-b***h mask, a grin was plastered on my face.

I was smiling because bowing your head is the utmost sign of respect for a superior supernatural. Omegas automatically do this action every time they are in the presence of an Alpha, but doing the same for me showed not only that she recognized I was much stronger than her, but also she respected me as much.

And a wolf showing respect for a Siren — everyone's sworn enemy — was kind of big news for me. Yeah, I was all but shocked. Totally unexpected, but very much appreciated.

To not seem like a total weirdo or rude, I slightly bowed my head too, acknowledging her as well.

She was as satisfied as me and was the first to speak: "Alpha sent me to take you to your rooms and be sure your needs are satisfied".

I arched my eyebrows at her words.

Yeah, right... I can see the true meaning of this little facade: ''I am gonna pay close attention to you when the Alpha is not around and report everything back to him while I pretend I am just being useful to you''.

Regardless of knowing his intentions, I was pleased with this little omega anyway. For sure, if she was one of the nasty wolf-hate types, I would be kicking her ass so fast she would fly back to her Alpha crying without understanding what happened.

But whatever... Two can play this game. I will be sure to be extra nice to her, dear Alpha! I thought to myself, letting out a sudden giggle that startled the omega.

Noticing her stunned face because of my giggling episode, I cleared my throat to shake off the weird vibe I accidentally created.

"What's your name, sweety?" I asked, being extra affectionate to help her to feel comfortable around me.

Yup, it was cringy calling someone I just met like this... but what can I do?

"Lafayette, ma'am" she spoke in a low, weak-like voice.

Omegas and their feeble demeanor and compliant words. No can do!

I clicked my tongue in a sign of displeasure. Not a movement that would help assure her at all, but I couldn't help myself.

"First and most importantly, do-not-ma'am-me. Do I look like an old rag to you?" I said slowly, with the most calming and soft tone I could convene so as not to scare her more. I didn't expect an answer, but even so, she shook her head side-by-side vehemently. That made me laugh again, and I continued without giving her room to interrupt me. "Secondly, you can speak your mind when talking to me. Be strong-witted and don't mind if you are crude or whatever. I am not a monster and I won't hurt you, regardless of what you say to me".

Again, she shook her head even more ardently, as if silently saying: ''Hell no! I will never disrespect a Siren!''.

"Lafayette" I called, and she stopped shaking her head, giving me her full attention again. "I am not telling you to be disrespectful to me or to attack me in any way. Just don't be afraid to speak. I am here as a guest and a friend. That's all".

She released a long breath and a weak ''Yes, ma'am'' left her lips. Almost too low for me to be able to hear her.

I just shrugged... I guess it will take some time for her to be comfortable around me. What did I expect anyway?

"Lead the way..." I spoke after a few seconds of awkward silence.

She bowed her head and began walking towards the stairs on the left side of the living room. If my memory doesn't fail me, the other side leads to a full-sized kitchen.

The girl didn't give a tour-to-memory-land of the house, and I could only get a quick glimpse of the house. A lot of things were different from what I remembered. Well, I guess many things could change in 7 years.

Too many things, unfortunately.

After several silent minutes going up a wide stairway, we arrived at a corridor on the third floor, with various doors on both sides. Lafayette stopped exactly at the second door on the right. Precisely as Logan declared during our conversation earlier.

Astute indeed, I thought as I quickly glanced to the fourth door on the left side, where I knew it was Logan's chambers.

"By the way, you can call me Liora" I voiced my wishes, before giving her a silent ''see you later'' look and closing the door to my newly-acquired room after I entered.