JASLYNN
It was beginning to worry me that I had black circles under my eyes.
I couldn't sleep on planes, so I had to get up at four in the morning to make the meeting, and I was getting by on three hours of sleep at the time.
Meredith chirped from her side of the car, "You look like death.
She was rested and prepared to face the world, unlike me. She was not only a morning person, but she also slept through the entire four-hour fight in addition to the six hours she had already gotten.
I was only mildly envious.
I moaned, shoving my shades back over my eyes, "I feel like death too."
"Is your evil twin going to make an appearance?" she asked with a smile.
"If someone pisses me off, then yes."
Her smile gave me the creeps.
I don't like the way you look.
"Look!" She cut me off and exclaimed, "We're here!" while slapping my arm.
My instant glance veered to the windscreen, and as we drew nearer, I breathed a sigh of relief as I could see the manor more clearly. The sooner this meeting was over, the sooner I could return to the Coven. When I had to take unforeseen travels, I was never at ease leaving it for an extended period of time.
The driver approached the front of the house, where the Minister was waiting to welcome us, and parked into the driveway. I thanked the driver and, with Meredith following behind, wore the biggest, most sincere smile I could summon.
The Minister kissed my cheeks and gushed, "Ah, Jaslynn, so great to see you.
He had a white beard that he periodically loved to grow out, and he was a short, stubby man. He was often referred to by Meredith as the "smaller version of Santa Claus" because of his demeanour and his affection for kids.
I had no idea of his age; all I knew was that he had been present at the time my great-grandfather was born. That was likely the reason he had a close relationship with my entire family and treated me like a different granddaughter.
Minister, how are you doing? Greeting him, I knelt down to give him a quick embrace and asked, "Ready for retirement yet?"
Not for a few more millennia, I'm afraid. He flung his head back and laughed loudly, his eyes glistening with joy. I'm not prepared to relinquish control to you kids.
I smirked, "We're not that horrible, maybe a little crazy, but we know how to hold our own.
Whatever you say, Jaslynn," the minister shook his head. In order to keep an eye on you guys, I'm still here.
Before I could respond, Meredith suddenly appeared, snatched the poor man's hand, and began frantically shaking it, saying, "Minister, it is a total and utter delight to see you again. Hello, how are you?
The excitement of Meredith, who did this every year, didn't surprise the Minister. He was her hero, and every time she saw him, she was absolutely awestruck.
He gave a sweet smile and said, "I'm doing fine, my sweetheart, though my hand does feel a little numb.
When Meredith realised she was still shaking his hand, she stopped staring at him like a deer in headlights. She sputtered and hastily released his hand, saying, "Sorry, Minister."
We shall meet in the evening because we are still awaiting Alpha Alrik, who should arrive by the afternoon, he said with a light chuckle as he turned to face us both. Therefore, take a nap and eat lunch as soon as possible. All of you can enjoy the feast that Helene has prepared.
Minister, thank you. Later, we'll see you.
"Dear Minister, thank you so much. We're really grateful.
Before Meredith began rambling once more, I hauled her away. I cocked an eyebrow at her agitated statement after we had left her line of sight and said, "You see him everywhere. Why don't you approach him with a little more...calmness?
He's simply so charming and smart, that's all. I want to be like him and learn as much as he knows. He met Napoleon Bonaparte, didn't you know? I wish to speak with Napoleon.
Mer, he's no more. He passed very long ago.
It's a shame there isn't a resurrection spell.
I choked back my utterance as I adjusted the dufel bag slung over my shoulder, "I don't think many people would appreciate you resurrecting him."
Yes, indeed. Do you recall the Minister's encounter with King Henry VIII? I wonder if he also met each of his wives. Meeting Anne Boleyn might have been intriguing.
I had a feeling I wouldn't be getting much rest this afternoon.
Jas, get up! Lunchtime is arrived. I'm famished.
Once I heard the word "lunch," I promptly sat up straight. I brushed the sleep from my eyes as I regarded the dancing redhead, whom I ostensibly referred to as my best friend.
She halted her absurd movements when she saw the horrified look on my face and said, "It's my hunger dance."
Right, I had no clue that humming the air these days was a sign of hunger, I said, getting up from the bed.
The woman frowned and said, "It was twerking."
That was grinding, I say.
It was still my hungry dance, whatsoever. Let's go on; I can already smell Helene's renowned shrimp starters.
I sighed and shuffled over to the mirror, glancing at my untidy hair and the saliva dripping from the corner of my mouth, and said, "I'm gonna need a few minutes to fx my appearance."
"All right, I'll go down and get some lunch for us. You may take your time, but keep in mind that each minute you delay will result in me eating my share of your food as well.
She slammed the door behind her before I could throw my hairbrush at her.
I double checked my appearance and one last time straightened my skirt.
Despite the fact that the appointment wasn't until later that day, I still had to present myself in a reasonably professional manner. I was unable to simply stroll around in a pair of sweatpants because, from what I could gather, all the other leaders were present and moving about the house.
Just as I was leaving the room with my phone in hand, I noticed the Minister's butler dragging a bag down the corridor. He bowed his head respectfully in my direction, and I smiled in return.
It appeared as though the final leader had come.
The dining room was empty except from a man seated at the end of the table when I went downstairs expecting to see Meredith there.
I couldn't see his face since some papers had his head bowed.
All I could make out were clumps of thick, black hair.
He was wearing a black shirt that was unbuttoned at the collar to show some skin that was bronze in colour. I could also see a tattoo on his neck that was curled and concealed by the black shirt. The shirt was tight and did nothing to conceal the toned body below.
With his presence, the spacious dining room appeared smaller. It seemed as though he held everyone's attention without even moving.
And I got a strong feeling that this guy or werewolf was Alpha Alrik based on the strength and confidence that emanated from him in waves.
I made the choice to avoid greeting him and interfering with his task, on which he appeared to be entirely concentrated because he made no attempt to acknowledge my presence.
In addition, I didn't want to meet an Alpha who hadn't bothered to attend any of the annual meetings.
I slipped a cup from a cart and secretly poured myself a cup of camomile tea.
Ref my coffee, I say.
The gruff voice that resounded throughout the room caused me to freeze in place with the tea kettle still in my hand.
Did he have me in mind?
I slowly turned around to find his cup in my face as he was offering it to me.
I took the cup from his hand, pursed my lips, and decided to be polite and refill it once while I was at the tea and coffee station. I didn't want to bother the maids and make them perform the task.
When he spoke again after I had finished pouring him his coffee, I reached out to hand it to him:
"Warm up my steak."
I quickly widened my eyes at his bowed head and said, "Excuse me, Alpha Alrik, but I don't remember ever applying to be your personal servant. Please use your two arms and two legs, which the Moon Goddess granted you.
The sound of pots and pans hitting the marble floors echoed loudly, and there was a gasp coming from the opposite side of the dining room. I winced at the ringing in my ears and smiled reassuringly at the maid, who was frantically collecting up the dishes she had spilt while wearing a mortified expression.
I turned my focus back to Alpha Alrik, who had stopped writing but hadn't raised his head. He took his dish off the table and carefully stood up a few seconds later.
He turned his body towards me, and I raised an eyebrow, finally able to see his face well.
To call him attractive would be an understatement. He had the kind of characteristics that required careful examination.
twice before recognising his true attractiveness.
He was a walking paradox, with a sharp jawline, a crooked nose, a small scar on his cheek, and a light amount of facial stubble.
In the light we were in, his eyes were a dark grey that almost looked black. He walked over to me nonchalantly, his dish still in hand, and they focused on my face.
Even though I was starting to become annoyed by the tingles running rampant down my back and the butterfies fapping away in my stomach, I didn't break eye contact.
It appeared as though he was waiting for me to fall to my knees as he halted just a few inches from me and towered over me.
He may be accustomed to that at his pack, but in this situation, we were on equal footing. I wasn't going to prostrate myself before another leader.
He looked at me for a while before saying, "You're not a werewolf."
"Jaslynn Beaumont, head of the Imperium Coven," I smirked at him. It's a pleasure getting to know you, Alpha Alrik.
At my introduction, he arched an eyebrow and asked, "A witch?"
"A witch, yes."
He had a little smirk on his face, which confused me a little. His lips were curved upward as if he were amused, and his eyes were beaming with a feeling I couldn't place.
What was it about me becoming a witch that was so funny?
I opened my mouth to ask, but he first opened his mouth. , "My bitch."
I could be about to pass out from laughter. What did you think of their first encounter? Entertaining? Jaslynn's likely response to that last statement intrigues me.