Chapter 9 Nicholas

The moment we returned home, the girls ran upstairs to get ready. Mother was in the ballroom telling everyone what to do, while I tried my best to stay clear. I love my mother, but she needs to learn that not everything can revolve around what she wants; that's one thing I love about Aiday, she's not afraid to tell someone what she thinks. I smiled at the thought of her. Deciding to go take a shower, I headed to my room; the moment I made it to the bathroom I started the shower and stared in the mirror while I waited for the water to heat up.

I closed my eyes but every time I did, I only saw Aiday; her beautiful blue eyes, and those beautiful curls of dark auburn. I awoke from my trance and undressed before stepping into the shower. The water felt incredible against my skin, but not as much as having Aiday curled up next to me as she sleeps. I could feel myself getting turned on by these thoughts. Why am I feeling like this?

After my shower, I step out with my towel around my hips, low enough to show my V line. I went into my closet, seeing my wedding suit at the end of the giant closet; took a deep breath and went straight to the right side of the closet and grabbed a nice suit, and began getting dressed. There was a slight knock on my door and Rick came in, I smiled at him, "Damn Nick, you look great! Aiday is going to swoon the second she sees you." He stated, I gave him a small glare but smiled,

"We're not supposed to use profanity, cousin." He just laughed,

"You're not. Those rules don't apply to me; I may be of royal blood, but since I don't hold a title, I can do whatever I fucking want!" He cheered, we both started laughing. I wiped the tears from my eyes and composed myself,

"Actually Rick, you do have a title." He stared at me, puzzled and I chuckled, "Your title is my best man." His grin went from ear to ear as he pulled me into a tight hug,

"You already knew I'd say yes, didn't you?" I shrugged,

"What can I say, I know you better than you know yourself." We laughed as we finished getting ready.

I was waiting in the hall for Aiday. It's customary for the betrothed couple to walk down the stairs together; I straightened my peach-colored tie when I heard my sister clear her throat. I turned to see her in a somewhat modest dress and I smiled, "You look great, sis." I looked behind her for Aiday but she wasn't there; Mandy saw the confused look on my face and smiled,

"She didn't run off, if that is what you are wondering, Aiday wants to make a grand entrance." Mandy giggled, I raised an eyebrow,

"Grander than walking down the stairs while everyone stares at us?" I ask,

"Much more." Mandy replied, "She sent me to tell you to wait for her at the bottom of the stairs and that she'll meet you there." I sighed and nodded. Mandy started down the stairs but then turned back to me, "And thanks, for the compliment." She continued her descent and nodded to our Father and whispered in his ear before joining the crowd. Father cleared his throat, everyone was quiet within a matter of seconds, then he began,

"Thank you all for your attendance at our son's engagement party! We are so thankful that he has found the woman he will spend eternity with and carry out our esteem bloodline." I took one last look in the mirror before coming into the light when I heard my name. I began my descent down the stairs and took my place to the left of my father, he nodded and then returned to his speech, "Our beloved son's bride-to-be, Miss Aiday Alcmene, daughter of Alpha Henry Alcmene." We all turned to face the top of the stairs and there stood Aiday. Rick said that she'd swoon when she saw me, well, I'm the one who is swooning. She was absolutely gorgeous in the dress we just got today; her hair was in a half-up, half-down with curls circling down her back, the top part was braided and pinned back. She looked like an angel as she made her down to me. I reached out my hand to her which she took, the second she was beside me, I whispered in her ear,

"You look incredible, Aiday. I'm having a hard time composing myself if I'm being honest." her eyes went wide then went back to the crowd, I smiled that I was able to make her feel that way. My father went to conclude his speech,

"May I present the future king and queen of the vampires." Everyone cheered for us as we made our way to the ballroom first and went straight to the dance floor.

After a few dances, Aiday was ready to sit down and relax while I mingled with a few people. All of a sudden, I heard gasps coming from the entrance; I saw Aiday getting up from the table and we both head towards the swarming people to see Amy in a flowing red dress, then my mother started in, oh boy, here we go, I thought, "What are you doing here, Amy? Especially dressed like that, Andrew needs you in the kitchen!" Before I could do anything, Mandy walked over to Amy and took her hand,

"I invited her, mother." I smiled, I didn't realize my sister liked girls, but I know Amy, she's an amazing girl,

"What do you mean you invited her? You invited the help to your brothers' engagement party?" I clenched my fists and started towards her but Aiday took my arm and shook her head,

"Mother, she's my girlfriend. More than that, she's my fiance." Mandy stated, which made my mouth drop. "I love her, I've loved her for years and last night, I asked her to marry me," Mandy turned to Amy and smiled, "And she said yes." She said excitedly, before things could escalate, I went up to them with Aiday on my arm,

"Congratulations Mandy and Amy, I hope you two will be very happy together." Aiday hugged them both and continued to party through the night; Father took Mother aside and calmed her down.

Aiday pulled me back onto the dance floor with a smile on her face, "You seem happy, did you have a good day?" She nodded,

"I did, I'm also really happy for Mandy, she deserves to be happy." I got really curious,

"Did you know?" I asked her,

"Kind of, she told me she liked someone but I didn't know who it was." I nodded as we swayed to the soft music, "Nick, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, you can ask me anything." She smiled,

"If not for this arrangement, do you think you'd ever be with me?" I was stunned by her question, but thought for a moment,

"I'm not sure, if not for this arrangement, I'd probably not know you at all. But, I will say this, I would not trade anything, because this short time we've been together, I feel so close to you; I think I might be in love with you, Aiday." Aiday's face turned bright red. I couldn't help it, I leaned in and kissed her lips gently but she pulled me close to deepen the kiss.

After the party, I walked Aiday to her room and kissed her goodnight but before I could head to my room, she pulled me in, kissing me deeply, I pushed her away lightly, "Aiday, are you okay?" She nodded as she began stripping her dress off and kissing me, "Wait, wait, Aiday, what about the contract? Your mate?" The dress fell to the ground and she stood in front of me in just her underwear, I cleared my throat, she stepped towards me, wrapping her arms around me,

"Fuck that contract." She stated as she kissed me once more, I couldn't help it, I gave in. I picked her up by her hips and held onto her as she wrapped her legs around my waist as I walked to the bed. Our tongues fought for dominance as I went to her neck, her moans filled the room. But something didn't feel right, so I stopped. Aiday's eyes fluttered open,

"This isn't right, Aiday." she sat up, she looked extremely disappointed,

"You don't want to be with me?"

"Aiday, it's not like that..." She grabbed the blanket from her bed,

"You should go," she said, her voice cracking,

"Aiday,"

"Please, Nick, go." I wanted to go to her, pull her into a deep kiss and show her how much I wanted to be with her in that way. But like an idiot, I decided to do as she asked and left. I stood outside her room, but soon, I went straight to my room to slam my head into the wall.