Aurelia's POV...

"Our captive is dead. He was found dead in the prison."

I stare at him in shock; my eyes widen upon hearing his words.

"Come on, let's get out of this place. I can't be here any longer. I am needed at home," he grits those words out, teeth still clenched in anger.

I just nod at him and this time he pulls me—no, drags me towards the car. The car is already waiting for us. He jerks the door open and glares at me, urging me to get inside.

I scramble into the backseat of the car and the door shuts. Aiden steps in through the other door.

Soon the other door clicks shut and I look beside me to see the gift box lying on the seat.

He glares at the gift box. He picks it up and leans forward to place it in the front seat of the car, beside the driver. By now, the driver has started the car.

Aiden then leans back in his seat and tears away the cufflinks and the bow tie of his tuxedo, wrenching open the first two buttons of his white shirt.

I just keep staring at him; I haven't seen him so angry and the power he is projecting in his anger is almost suffocating.

He leans his head back on the seat, takes a few more breaths and then sighs and looks at me.

"I am sorry, Aurelia. I know I have been vague. It's just that I don't like the scent of fae. And moreover, the fae king was persuading me to marry Maria. So I was annoyed a lot. That is the reason why I dragged you to the party."

"You could have told me earlier," I say, looking at him.

"No, the fae can read emotions very well, if not the thoughts of a man. Be it human, were, vampire, or mer."

"Mer?" I ask, confused.

"Yes, the merpeople."

"You mean mermaids?"

"That's the human term. Their existence is known only to a few supernatural beings. I suppose those who live near a water body know."

"Ooh, wait, marry Maria. But isn't she a fae and you a were?"

"Yes but royalty only makes the burden heavier and you know how rare it is to find fate mates. Many live happily with their chosen mates; the Fae King wanted me to choose Maria as my chosen. I thought he'd be disappointed seeing you with me but for some reason he seems to take quite a liking to you."

"Well, yes, of course. Who doesn't like me? I am charming," I joke, attempting to lighten his spirits.

He lets out a slight chuckle. "I wanted to talk more, Aurelia, but apparently this is not the time. I have to focus. Mindlink. Sorry. Duty calls."

"Aiden, one moment, please?"

He purses his lips at me but nods, urging me to continue with his gestures.

"How was the vampire dead? I mean, it is prison at the royal palace and..."

Aiden let out a deep sigh. "That vampire committed suicide. You are aware of how difficult it is to kill a supernatural being. He was still able to accomplish this. He repeatedly banged his head until he began to lose blood and eventually died of thirst from a lack of blood in his body."

"But didn't any of the guards hear him? I mean, someone must have heard something. Banging the head repeatedly is just so strange."

"It is and that is why many people are going to be held accountable for this. Many are going to lose their jobs and a few might not have a head when I am done with them." He growls out the words, his entire body vibrating with anger.

He takes a calming breath again and then turns to look ahead of him and closes his eyes but still sits straight. I think he is mind-linking.

I turn and look out the car's window. Aiden. Maria. Gift. Everything is so complex. Like a puzzle. But I don't know how the pieces fit together. If the Fae king wanted Aiden to marry Maria, why were they so warm and welcoming to me? Where does the gift fit into all of this?

The rest of the drive goes smoothly. It's nearly 9 in the evening and it's only a matter of a few more minutes. Half an hour at the most before we reach home.

I'm so engrossed in my thoughts that I don't realize we have reached home.

Aiden moves my shoulder, snapping me out of my reverie. I look at him, confused.

"We're home. See," he says, pointing his finger towards the window.

"Oh, I was lost in thoughts." I say it sheepishly.

He looks at me disapprovingly. I purse my lips in response and open the side of the car. He, too, steps out, grabs the gift from the front seat and comes over to my side.

"Thank you, Aurelia. You saved me tonight. But we still have a lot to discuss." He smirks at the end and holds the gift toward me.

I reach out and take the box from him. Our fingers brush slightly in the process.

He then reaches up and puts a strand of hair behind my ear, then leans in to whisper in my ear, his hands on my shoulders. "See you soon, Bella."

Bella? How does he know about that nickname of mine? Only grandma calls me that. Is it a coincidence or has Grandma spilled the beans again?

Grinning, he leans back and climbs inside his car, leaving me behind. His car goes beyond my line of sight and I go inside my home, unlocking the door with one hand while the other holds the gift.

As I open the door, I see Grandma sitting on the sofa in the living room.

"Grandma, haven't you slept yet?"

She stands from her sitting position.

"I was waiting for you, my dear Bella." She says, emphasizing the word Bella.

"Very funny, grandma, Were you spying on me?" I narrow my eyes playfully at her.

She just shrugs one shoulder and looks around, not meeting my eyes. I just roll my eyes at her and sigh, shaking my head in a play of disappointment.

"You need to grow up, grandma. It is not good for kids to stay awake for so long." I say, teasing her.

"No, you need to grow up, my dear," she says, walking towards me and caressing my head in a kind manner. She then ruffles my hair slightly and walks away towards her room, leaving me alone in the darkness.

........................

I shake my head, trying to forget her words and walk towards my room to freshen up. Soon, I have washed my face and am in the process of combing my hair. I wince when I can't get my comb through a difficult tangle. I yank the comb and pain throbs in my head, with a few strands coming loose from my head.

My beast, on the other hand, is huffing at me in annoyance. According to her, hair is so overrated. It should cover the body, much like her fur, and provide warmth and comfort. Not to be a burden on the head. Humans are strange, according to her.

Finally, tangle-free, I put my comb on top of the dresser and looked in the mirror. The mirror reflects a smiling lady, her cheeks flushed with warmth. However, my gaze lands on the gift box lying on my study table, opposite the mirror.

I frown, and my lips form a pout. Whatever happened today is filled with confusion and astonishment. I wonder what I am more shocked at: the fact that the fae royals were so kind and warm to me despite their expectations with respect to Aiden, or the fact that Aiden calmed down a little when I touched him when he was agitated?

Wolves that are not mates do have soothing effects only when they are family or close friends. I am friends with Aiden, of course, but it has just been a few days since I have known him. Our bond is not that strong or technically, it should not be, at least.

Shaking my head at those thoughts, I turn to look at the box, scrutinizing it. I t looks small. I get up and start walking towards it.

Anticipation fills my stomach as I take each step. What would the box contain? How much do the Fae know about me? I don't think it will be jewellery. If it was, the box should have been smaller. But it does not fit in my palms. It is bigger than that. So, not a ring.

Not a necklace either, as the box is not slender or rectangular. I had not given much thought to the gift at the party or in the car with Aiden. My thoughts were preoccupied by the fact that the Fae knew about me. But they did not rat me out to Aiden either. Strange and curious.

It is square—I mean, a cube—wrapped in white gift paper with a red bow on top of it. I reach out to take it in my hands. It fits in both of my hands but I can't hold it in one hand.

Gently, I shake the box to hear the sound of its contents. Something rattles inside but the rattling is not strong. It almost feels as if it is restrained.

Pursing my lips and scrunching my brows in concentration, I pinch one of the ribbons of the bow in my fingers and pull. The bow falls open. I find the edge of the gift paper and tear it , removing it to reveal a metal container. That explains why the object was a bit heavy.

The container is white too. It looks like a...

.....................

Word count: 1590 (E.O.)

Another cliffhanger! I know you are mostly fed up with these.

The story is picking up the pace now, Isn't it?

Believe me, it is just the beginning!!!

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