Remi-age 17

My head hangs in shame. Tears cloud my vision. Then slide down my face. Trent passes me the Kleenex once again. 

"Remington, it wasn't your fault. The blame lies solely on the three males that attacked two young defenseless dragons."

I shake my head. "Tell that to the mother that can barely look at me when she's home! Doc, my mother can't stand to be in the same house as me. She's rarely home. Hell, she bought another house and left my father. So, don't tell me; this wasn't my fault!"

"Remi, I'm sorry your mother couldn't find another away to deal with her grief and guilt; other than to push you away."

"Yeah, well it doesn't matter. Soon I'll be out of my parents hair." 

"Remi, are you having suicidal thoughts?" 

"Hell no! Why?"

"Suicidal thoughts can be a side effect of the medications I prescribed for you."

"Well, I don't take that shit anyway."

"Remi, at least take the sleeping medication. Your dragon is restless. We don't want her to snap like she did last time."

"I'll see you next week." I growl. I straighten my clothes and head for the door.  This session was way too long for my liking. I'm done with all this therapy bullshit. It isn't helping. 

I tilt my head towards the elevator as I walk past Blaze. He follows me out. 

"Your father called. He wants you to report back to the house immediately." Blaze tells me as he presses the down button. 

All the way home Blaze keeps glancing at me through the rearview mirror. I try to ignore him by playing a game on my cell phone. 

"What?" I ask finally getting annoyed with his constant glances. 

"Nothing. Just making sure my babygirl is okay."

"I'm fine. Keep your eyes on the road before you kill some innocent bystander." I grump. Therapy always makes me grumpy. I hate feeling emotions. My emotions and others emotions. 

We park in the circular driveway, and Blaze opens my door. He leads me through the house to my father's office. 

"Hey, daddy. Blaze, said you wanted my home right away. What's up?" I take my seat in the burgundy leather wingback chair in front of his desk. 

"Hello, Princess. I wanted to talk to you about your date for tonight."

"Okay. What about my date? Actually I need to talk to you about the ball tonight." My hands are shaking with nervousness. Serious talks with my father usually don't go well in my favor.

"It has been brought to my attention that your date is Chance Masters." My father's left eyebrow lifts up towards his hairline. I can't help the eye roll.

"Yeah. So what about it." I can't look my father in the eye. Not knowing what might be coming next. 

"Why do you go with another male after scenting your fated mate? I've been trying to wrap my mind around it all day." My father props his elbows on top of his desk. I can see the cogs of his brain turning.

"It doesn't really matter. Mother, decided I would go with Chance. She set up the date. I tried talking to her, but she ignored me. To be honest; I don't want to freaking go. Yet, yall don't care about what I want. Neither does my mate."

"What do you mean your mate doesn't care?" Anger tightens the skin around my father's eyes. He can't believe a male would refuse a mating bond with me. It's laughable how he totally ignored the fact I don't want to go to the stupid freaking ball. 

"My mate won't acknowledge our bond. Do you know how humiliating that is? And to top it off I will have to watch him at the ball with another female. Nevermind the fact; nothing good has ever come from going to this stupid ass ball." I rant as I pace in front of his desk. 

"Remi, I know you don't want to go. This year is different. So, you have to go. You know your mother will not have it any other way." My father looks at me with pity. I detest that look. 

"Why won't your mate acknowledge the bond?" My father's topic change means I'm not going to get to ignore the ache in my chest. 

"I don't know. Maybe I'm not pretty enough. Maybe it's because I'm evil incarnate. My age seems to be an issue too. Who knows?"

"You're not evil incarnate, princess. Is that what he said? How's your age a problem?"

"Daddy, you can try to protect me from it, but I know what rumors go around about me. I've heard the talk and whispers around the pack houses, at the shifter compound, and at Hellhoundz MC. Apparently I was brought back to life by the devil himself. I'm cursed. I'm evil personified. Did you think you could protect me from hearing the truth? Well you couldn't."

"You don't seriously believe that do you?"

"Doesn't matter what I believe. It doens't matter what I want. Happiness; obviously was not meant for me." Start towards the door. 

"Remi...." My father starts to speak, but I lift my hand cutting him off. 

"Daddy, unless you're telling me I don't have to go through with this date and the ball; there's nothing left to say."

"Remi, you and I both know; your mother will not let you miss out on the ball tonight. I'm sorry, but you have to go." I turn and walk out the door. Because he's right. Princess Yanessa of the fae will not miss the opportunity to show off her picture perfect family. And my happiness doesn't matter to her anymore. I'm the monster that did nothing while her baby boy was killed. 

All the way to my room there's exicted chit chat about the ball being held in my brother's honor. It's almost like these stupid ass people do not realize tonight is the tenth anniversary of my twin brother's murder.  It felt as if they were celebrating his death. Anger and irritation coated my skin in the form of sweat as I tried to restrain myself from letting the beast out.

When I reached my bedroom; I closed the door and leaned my back against it. I closed my eyes and took calming breaths; trying to remind myself that almost killing people was frowned upon. I guess none of them realized; just waking up and trying to survive the world outside of my father's shifters compound was a way of celebrating my brother's life. I don't need a stupid ball to celebrate his life. 

But if you asked anyone. They'd tell you; according to Princess Yanessa of the Fae only an extravagant ball, being seen and adored by her fans and friends; was the only way to celebrate his life. They'd also tell you that yes she may live in a different house, have a seperate life from me and my father; but she would make damn sure we were both at that ball. There would be no excuses, no exceptions, and definetly no letting on that this family was anything other than loving and happy. 

My mother would make sure; I had the perfect dress. She would organize someone to come do my hair and makeup. Both would be perfect. Yanessa would also have the best suitors lined up. Everything would be dictated by her and to her specifications. Yanessa wouldn't have it any other way. It had been that way since I turned fourteen. Tonight would be no different. 

I cringe looking at the dress carefuly laid out across my bed. The matching heels sit at the foot of my bed. On my vanity sits a note. 

Dearest Remington,

Shantelle will be there to do your hair and makeup at five. Chance will pick you up at  six. I know things have been strained between us, but I hope you will see things as I do. I know you have scented your fated. I have been told the bond has not been acknowledged by him. Hence the reason for your date. I'm not trying to be cruel when I say this. So, please do not take it that way. Sometimes a fated mate does not always equate to love. Somtimes a chosen mate is the better option. 

If the male that is your fated; cannot see the beautiful and intelligent female the goddess has blessed him as anything other than amazing and deserving of unconditional love. Then fated or not, Remi. He is not what I or your father want for you. We want you to be with a male that will love you unconditionally. A male that will stand beside you through the ups and downs of life.

Believe it or not. I truely do only want what's best for you. And I love you unconditionally. I know it may not always seem that way. However, being as you go to therapy; you should understand we all have to process and deal with our grief in our own way. I'm sorry there is a wedge between us. I'm sorry I do not know how to fix it. But I'm going to try. Tonight will be the last ball we attend. 

Love Always,

Mom

I close the note and put it inside my desk drawer. If my mother is willing to try to mend our relationship; then I will try as well. I can't lie. I miss the loving and doting mother she used to be. 

True to her word Shantelle shows up at five. My hair and makeup are done in no time. When I look at myself in the mirror a princess stands before me. My long silky ice blue gown fits my body like a glove. There's a slit going up my thigh. Thin straps hold it on my tall thin frame. The back of the dress swoops down to just above my ass. What was my mother thinking? 

I slip on the matching four inch shoes. I can't deny they're gorgeous. There's a strap across the toes lined with pearls that match the pearls around my ankle. Shantelle fuses with a stray curl then leads me out of my bedroom. 

Aiden, Gunner, Xavier, my parents and Blaze are all waiting in the sitting room. When I walk into the room; Aiden's jaw drops. As does mine. Aiden in leather is gorgeous. Aiden in a tux is down right criminally and sinfully beautiful. Movement to Aiden's left catches my eye. A mortal female hangs off his left shoulder. I don't know how I missed her, but I see her now. My dragon wants to shred her into tiny pieces. The hurt female side of me wants to cry. It takes all of my strength not to do either. Gunner, Xavier and my parents look at me quizzically. Blaze grunts angrily. 

"Ah! There's my beautiful girl." Xaavier says as he walks across the room and pulls me into an embrace. I hug him back. My eyes never leave Aiden's until the female moves again. I close my eyes and look away. Gunner is looking back and forth between me and Aiden. The awkward situation ends when the doorbell rings.

Mr. B, the butler, introduces Chance's arrival as he enters the room. Chance looks me over from head to toe, and smiles a Chesire cats smile. He tells everyone hello as he pulls me into his arms. I hear a low growl and snicker when Chance continues to hold me. He kisses me chastely. My father is frowning, but my mother is smiling. Gunner is still confused. Xavier is snickering in the corner. Blaze has his arms folded across his chest. 

"You ready to go, Princess. The limo is waiting out front." Chance says taking my small hand in his and escorting me out of the house. 

There is nothing remarkable about the ball. It's deocrated in the same gold, silver and style as the night Romeo died. The only differece to the building is the plaque on the wall with Romeo's name on it. Chance and I stand behind my parents awaiting our arrival to be announced. Aiden and date stand behind us. 

"You look so beautiful tonight." Chance whispers in my ear. 

"Thanks, Chance. You're looking as handsome as always. The whole tux thing suits you. But then again so do jeans and tshirt." My father chokes. My mother giggles and Blaze who is facing us smirks. Aiden mummbles something that sounds a lot like weakass vampire. 

See I can be a normal flirty female. When I want to that is. I tell Blaze through our mind link. A mind link no one knows about.

He's not your mate. Why put forth the effort. Blaze asks me.

My mate is preoccupied. If he can have fun with some bitch. Then I should be able to fun with whatever male I want. 

You're playing a dangerous game, babygirl. I think you're both just affraid to make the first move. 

Kiss my ass, Blaze. I tell him. When he starts chuckling; I shut down our mind link. A sorrowful thought crosses my mind. Romeo used to be a part of our secret. 

Chance's hand slides slowly down my back. A low growl comes from behind us. Then Chance  glances behind us with a smirk and leans in running his nose along my neck inhaling my scent and groaning. Aiden growls low in his throat once again. I thank the goddess when the announcer calls out mine and Chance's names. 

"Princess Remington Thompson of the Fae realm and the Shifter Province. Prince Chance Master's of the Vampire Province." I don't know why. But I'm frozen in place. Glance behind me. My breath gets stuck in my lungs when Aiden's furous eyes lock on mine. 

He has no right to be furious when he has a human chew toy hanging off his arm. I feel Chance's hand tighten on mine. When I look at him, he's looking at me like I hung the damn moon. He chances a look at Aiden and smirks when he kisses me like he needs his next breath. Blaze clears his throat and tells us we need to get moving. 

The rest of the night I try to avoid Aiden and his date. While Chance seems to be seeking them out. I mind my manners as different paras and mortals alike come to chat with me. Chance pulls me out onto the dance floor. I spot Gunner and Blaze a few yards from me. The start of the evening is uneventful for the most part. My parents keep an eye on me and Chance on the dance floor. 

Chance is spinning me on the danve floor when someone bumps into me. My neck snaps around and my eyes come face to face with none other than Savanah; Aiden's date. 

"Watch what the fuck you're doing!" I growl at her.

Savanah smiles cunningly at me and says. "You think you're being sneaky. But let me tell you something little girl. He's mine. He'll never be yours. You'll never be able to handle a man like Aiden." Before I can stop my hand flies out slapping her so hard across the face she fall ass first to the floor. Her hands reach out to keep her face from hitting the floor. Aiden runs over and helps her up.

Gunner, Blaze and my parents are the next to the scene.

"What's going on? Remi, are you okay?" My father asks. The rage pumping through my veins boils my blood, and fuels me to keep going. I shove Aiden away lay into Savanah. I elbow Aiden as he tries to pry me off of her. My fist fly as I pummel her. It takes my father to use his commanding alpha voice; to get me to stop. 

"Blaze, take Remi and Chance home. I'll deal with her once I get this mess sorted." My chest is heaving with each breath I take. Once in the back of Blaze's white SUV; Chance talks calmly and soothingly to me. He runs his hand over the top of my head softly as if comforting a freaking dog. It just fuels the rage more. 

"Stop fucking touching me." I growl at Chance. He yanks his hand away and tucks them into his pockets. 

"I'm sorry." I mummble.  As Blaze pulls up to Chance's house. 

"It's okay. He's your mate. It's understandable." 

"How'd you know he's my mate."

"He growled mine everytime I touched you. Question is; why were you two with different people if you two are mates?"

"He won't acknowledge the bond because of my age. He's gonna reject me any day now. I know it."

"He's a stupid male if he does that. Any male would consider themselves lucky to have you as a mate."

"Thanks, Chance." Chance kisses my cheek then exits the vehicle. I look at Blaze with a look that lets him know; I'm not in the mood for chit chat or to be chastised. Blaze plays some jazz music on low all the way home. He eriodically checks on me through the rearview mirror.