My Long Lost Mate

As if on cue, all eyes went to the only Mr. William they know. But unfortunately, Mr. William himself didn't realize that he was the center of attention until the vampiress called for the second time. The man was too busy popping grapes into his mouth to care about what she had to say.

"Mr. William?"

Luke was just about to put another grape into his mouth when he realized all eyes were on him, so he had to return the grapes on his hands back to the plate. "Are you calling for me?" 

"I am," she smiled. "It seems that you didn't hear me clearly, so let me repeat my question. Mr. William, will you be my dance partner?"

"Me?" he frowned, dumbfounded by her request. He quickly looked over to the twin brother for help and found him with the same dumbfounded expression upon his face. 

"As I said before, it is not only a day to celebrate my birthday, but also a day to deepen our bond. So I think a little dance with the alpha of the werewolves will be a good start."

"I don't think that's necessary," said Luke, and I noticed how Kiera's eyes widen by a little at his reply. "It is clear that we have a good relationship that goes way back to over a century ago, so why don't you take this chance to deepen your relationship with your own people instead? Besides, I don't want to sadden my mate right here by dancing with another woman," one of his hands went around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him.

Immediately after, the eyes that were previously on Luke moved to me. The sudden attention given made my breath hitched, my hands tightly clenching on my dress. I put up a small smile, though my eyes were shaking.

The announcement that Luke had just made shocked most of the vampires present. Because all this time, they knew that the werewolf couldn't find his mate for years and ȧssumed that he was not as fortunate as all the other werewolves who were fated with one. It was pretty natural for them to look at me like I was someone who had risen from the dead, but that didn't mean I was comfortable with all the stares they were giving me. 

It seemed that Kiera didn't expect him to refuse her publicly, so she was really surprised by the turn of events. Although the smile was still there, the crowd could see how the end of her lips was twitching. 

Not wanting her to embarrass herself further, the twin brother quickly intervened, "My dear sister, why don't we do what we usually do? I think it has been quite some time since we last dance together." 

Without even waiting for her to reply, Kiel pulled her to the dance floor and the music soon started. It was when the two siblings started to grace the floor with their elegant moves that the attention slowly moved away from both me and Luke. 

"Is it okay to refuse her like that?" I asked. 

"Well, maybe she will get a little pissed but other than that," he smiled, "It is completely fine. Our friendship is not that shallow so you don't have to worry about it." 

"I think she is not a little pissed, but very pissed," I corrected. Kiera was dancing while sending us her fiery glare, her hands clenching tightly on Kiel's shoulders. Feeling her glare, I shifted my body a little to the side to not meet her eyes. 

When the siblings finished their dance, all the other vampires started to swarm the dance floor. The few vampires who didn't head to the dance floor joined us at our table, wanting to have some small talks. 

"Mr. William, it has been quite some time since I last saw you in Gordom," called a man with a big belly, bringing along a young woman beside him. "I see time does nothing but turn you to be more of a fine young man." 

"Indeed, it has been quite some time, Mr. Sullivan," Luke smiled politely at the man, standing up to shook his hand, "I made a little stop at your boutique yesterday and I see it's still thriving." 

"It is doing wonderful," he prided, "Since the news of you and the lord being a regular at my boutique spread, the sales went ten times higher than usual. It's all thanks to you that I'm living a comfortable life," he laughed heartily.

This man was the owner of the boutique that we visited yesterday? And he said that the sales went ten times higher just because Luke and Kiel were a regular there? Just how rich were the people of Gordom for them to buy their clothing at such an expensive boutique? Those people really should learn how to manage their money better. 

"I can see that," said Luke indifferently, hinting at the man's big belly.

"It is great news that you have finally found your mate," Mr. Sullivan glanced at me, smiling, "Though it is not good news for all the women who had set their eyes on you," he laughed, "I'm sure they would be crying their eyes out once they heard the news of you no longer available."

"Well, actually, I am never available for any women besides my mate," said Luke, winking at me which made me blush a little. 

I ignored Luke's remark and bowed to Mr. Sullivan, "It is a pŀėȧsurė to meet you, Mr. Sullivan. My name is Violet Quinn. I also visited your boutique yesterday, and I must say all the dresses that you sell are very beautiful."

....and very expensive. 

"Oh, you flatter me. Please do visit often, miss. I will give you the dresses as a gift," he offered kindly, "Right, you must have not met my daughter yet," he said, pushing the young woman beside him a step forward, "Let me introduce you, my daughter, Casey Sullivan. She probably is just around your age, Ms. Quinn. I hope you two can be a good friend sometime in the future."

The woman gave a curtsy, smiling shyly at Luke. The attire that she was wearing was similar to the dresses that I saw in the boutique, very luxurious looking. Casey batted her eyelash bashfully at Luke, and then said,

"Oh, Mr. William, your tie is a bit crooked. Here, let me help—" 

Before she could touch the tie on Luke's neck, Luke raised his palm to stop her from going closer, "Please don't touch it," he warned, "It is my favorite tie."

Casey looked taken aback by his rejection but tried to mask it with another of her smile, "Pardon me. I was just trying to help."

"Haha," came a laugh from her father, "My Casey is too kind. She has always been like this since she was a child, always offering helps here and there. Sometimes I'm afraid that she would meet someone who will take her kindness in the wrong way."

"Perhaps she should use her kindness to do volunteer works at the orphanage or nursing home," Luke suggested, "I heard places like that need more hands. I'm sure they will appreciate her kindness more than I do."

"...I will," smiled Casey, "Thank you for your suggestion."

"Well then, Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Sullivan," he nodded his head a little at both, placing his arm around my waist, "I think it is time for us to go. Please excuse us." 

Finally leaving the table, Luke led me to the dance floor, "Care for a dance?" 

If we were to be seen dancing together after Luke had just flat out refused Kiera's invitation, I think the vampiress would not be able to hold back her anger any longer due to the humiliation that she had to endure in her own ball.

"No," I refused, shaking my head. "Instead, why don't we go somewhere else quieter? Far away from the people."

A smile formed on his lips when he heard the idea of going somewhere else, so he quickly changed his direction and pulled me out of the hall, "In that case, I happen to know the perfect place for us to stay alone."

We passed the people without a care, quietly going outside of the hall without people knowing. Contrary to the bustling hall, the corridor outside was empty with no soul in sight. We walked along the long corridor before finally stopping in front of a door. When the door was pushed open, there revealed a balcony by the other side of the walls.

As soon as the door opened, the cold winter wind blew inside and made a great mess of my hair. The vast sky above was like a dark canvas, with an addition of the twinkling stars which decorated the darkness with its brilliant shine. Beneath was Kiel's infamous garden, the beauty still visible despite the minimum luminance. 

I walked closer to the railing, resting my hands on it. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, "Now I can finally breathe." 

Luke took off his coat and placed it around my shoulders, keeping me warm, "Are you perhaps forcing yourself because of me?" 

"What do you mean?" I glanced at the man.

"I know you hate crowded places," he said, tidying my hair that was messy from the wind. 

"I don't particularly hate it," I shrugged, trying to sound convincing. "It's quite a sight to see so many people dancing like today. They look um... happy." 

"I can see through your lies, rabbit," he pouted, poking my cheeks with his fingers. He let out a sigh, pulling me into a hug, "My adorable rabbit. I'm sorry for putting you in an awkward situation like before. All the attention must have been really burdening for you."

I couldn't help but feel warm feelings in my heart when hearing his words, and my lips turned upwards into a smile as he wrapped me in his arms. 

"I'm fine," I confessed, "But I think receiving your attention is more than enough for me. I don't need anybody else's." 

"Is that so?" he chuckled, "Then it seems that I have to shower you with more of my attention to make sure you wouldn't lack any of it."

It felt like all the tension that was inside me before melts away when I was in his arms. All the anxiety and nervousness were gone, and only a feeling of serenity remained. I've never thought someone could bring me this much peace. Oh, how wrong I was. 

Turns out having his presence alone was all I ever need. 

Luke pushed my body slightly, breaking our hug. His eyes then searched for mine, "I don't know if I ever told you this but... your eyes are really beautiful," he praised, "I mean—all of parts of you are beautiful."

The way his black hair swayed in the wind and the way his red eyes shone in the moonlight was a very wonderful sight to behold. The man in front of me was truly the most beautiful man that I've ever seen. He always told me about how beautiful I am but I think he was even more beautiful than I could ever be. He had a beauty that surpassed everything in this world. 

"And so are you," I chuckled. 

The man said nothing but stare at me as if he wanted to devour me with his eyes. And so I drowned in his gaze, while he in mine. The two of us stared at each other in complete silence, but it didn't feel awkward or uncomfortable. In fact, it felt perfect. 

"I think I'm falling all over again for you," he broke the silence, ċȧrėssing my cheeks, "As I thought, you really should take responsibility for making me feel like this. It feels like I might go crazy because of you."

I didn't know what kind of courage I had right now, but there was this urge inside me that wanted me to step closer to the man before me. So I went on my tiptoe, placing my hands on his shoulders for support, and kissed his cheek. 

"Is this... enough of a responsibility?" 

As if he had turned to a stone, the man stood still. His eyes widened, and his hand slowly went to his cheek, touching the part where I had just planted my lips on. It was not only him who was surprised at what had just happened, but even I was surprised.

Before he could even react, I quickly moved away from the man and tried to run, "I-I will go and take a walk in the garden."

Not until I have walked three steps away, the man pulled me back to his arms, saying,

"Where do you think you are going?"