New Year’s

I had realized when I got back to work that my mother hadn’t let headquarters know about my escape, and it seemed like only Ellie knew the truth of it, and possibly Louisa.

Christmas flew by quickly because of it. I celebrated with my parents as usual.

My father had been a little disappointed that I had only made a quick appearance at my mother’s birthday party while she was pretending it never happened. She was likely embarrassed about it, and wanted to keep it a secret from my father that I hadn’t come because I wanted to, that I had gotten suspended.

I was grateful for that, and it let me appreciate her. He’d probably cut my bank accounts if he knew.

New Year’s, however, I had decided to celebrate with my friends, and we had been invited to Nord Manor. Aurora had reassured us she wasn’t going to play any spooky pranks like she’d done on Halloween.

“This is my first time celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends,” I said while doing my makeup.

“How does your family normally celebrate?” Ellie asked, pouring me a glass of wine.

Ellie and I were getting ready for Aurora’s New Year’s party in my apartment.

“My parents either host a large party at our house, for their business partners and coworkers, or we go to one hosted by one of my father’s business partners,” I sighed.

“Then this will probably not be much different,” Ellie teased.

Aurora’s and Damion’s New Year’s party might be a very large party as well. “It’s also my first New Year’s party where I’m allowed to drink as much as I want,” I giggled.

“I sometimes forget how young you are, kitten,” Ellie laughed.

“Speaking of, I have a friend from our squad that should be coming back from France soon,” she said with a mysterious smile.

“What? Who are you talking about, and why France?” I asked.

“Her name is Maya. You might have heard of her? She got sent to France as a disciplinary action,” Ellie explained.

“The girl who almost killed a fellow umbra? She’s a friend of yours?” I asked in disbelief.

“She did it to defend a werewolf. The umbra she attacked was hunting it, and refused to back down,” Ellie told me with a sad smile.

“But hunting werewolves is part of what we do,” I pointed out, confused.

“Yes, but she knew this particular werewolf and wanted to protect it. Wouldn’t you try to protect me if I were turned into a werewolf?” Ellie asked, watching me intently.

“I see where you’re going with this, and yes, I definitely would,” I said in understanding, secretly thinking about my dead coven from my past life.

“There, all done,” I said when I felt happy with my makeup and got up to get a full body image of myself in front of the mirror.

Aurora had the twenties as a theme for her party. I was wearing a white flapper dress with rich pearl embroidery covering the dress.

Ellie’s looked similar to mine but was a dark red with gold embroidery.

***

Erik had come to open a portal for us so I wouldn’t have to drive and take the ferry on New Year’s. I wasn’t surprised to see that it was another large party. Ellie had thought it would be.

The Christmas decorations were gone, switched out for glitter and glam. The sparkles were on point.

“Bella! Ellie! Bravo!” Aurora said, clapping her hands. “Your looks are authentic,” she said.

“I did my homework,” I answered with pride.

“You two finally showed,” Alex said as he joined us, looking thrilled to see us.

“I didn’t know you would come,” I said, surprised.

“I wasn’t sure myself actually, but Angélique persuaded me,” he said.

Angélique came out of nowhere and wrapped her arm around his. “Well, what can I say? I want Alex to get to know my family,” she said, amused.

“So Angélique, I am a little curious. Exactly how are you and Damion siblings?” I asked, knowing I had been his mother.

“We share a parent,” she answered bluntly.

I wanted to ask further questions, but they seemed to slip my mind. I felt Ellie tap my shoulder with her fingertips.

“I’ll catch you later. I just caught sight of someone I want to catch up with,” she told me before she disappeared into the crowd.

It was a very pleasant party, although I drank way too much and ended up throwing up in the yard while smoking.

Aurora gave me a potion that made me sober, so I could drink more.

When midnight approached, everyone gathered in the gardens for Aurora’s own firework display. They were amazingly beautiful—bigger, more colorful, and more alive compared to normal ones.

When midnight struck, Erik kissed me the way every girl wants to be kissed on New Year’s Eve, and we didn’t care that Damion saw it, even though he’d made it clear he didn’t like it.

Besides the hiccup where I’d gotten too drunk, this was the best New Year’s I had ever celebrated. I was so thankful for Erik.

He was so perfect in every way.

***

It was early morning when we went to bed. We slept over at the manor; Erik was a little drunk and too tired to open a portal. Something I’d learned recently was far from as easy as Aurora and Erik had made it look.

We were snuggling in bed. Erik had his arms around me and his mouth against my neck. “I love you, Bella,” he mumbled.

“I love you too, Erik,” I almost whispered, feeling giddy.

It was the first time he’d said it. He made a swift move so he was on top of me and could see my face.

He smiled at me before he kissed me. I wrapped my legs around him as he started to grind on me.

I gasped into our kiss when he moved my panties to the side and entered me. Our bodies were wrapped tightly together while we made love.

I fell asleep that morning feeling safe, satisfied, and loved, but it was not to last, as another dream haunted my sleep.

***

~I was running through a forest. It was night, my feet were bare, and I could hear wolves howling from a distance.~

~I was scared. I knew it was only a matter of time before they’d catch up to me.~

~Suddenly, it all changed. It was daylight, I was alone by a lake, and my bloody feet were resting in the water.~

~“Did you try to run away again?” a man asked. He was tall with golden wavy hair and deep green eyes. He was too handsome to be human.~

~“This place can not be my destiny. Will you save me?” I asked the man, feeling happy to see him.~

~“Whatever it takes,” he answered.~

***

I woke up confused. What was that dream?

I was too tired to dwell on it and closed my eyes, falling back asleep in Erik’s arms.

End of Book 1