Chapter 4 -Vial

Stormee POV

I woke up with a hammering headache and a giddy stomach. I rose from the bed and quickly ran towards my bathroom to puke. Whatever they gave me to drink messed up my stomach, my head, and all my senses.

I have brief memories of last night. At exactly midnight, Enzo made sure Ralph and I had a massive toast in honor of our birthday. The blasting music got us all in the mood for some mischief.

I danced, I think… I have a brief recollection of dancing with Trevor. His hands were on my waist while I swayed away in my drunk haze. He is my brother's friend, so he didn't dare make a move… No, a stranger… a captivating stranger was the one who stole my first kiss… Aelfred

A soft knock on my bedroom door got me back to my senses, “Come in…” I said softly, trying not to disturb the frail balance between my unbalanced body and my hammering head.

“Happy Birthday!” my mom yelled and then stopped in her tracks. “What happened to you?” she muttered, and I squinted my eyebrows. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and saw my face. Dear Goddess of All! I looked like a zombie. I had pale skin, deep purple bags, and a green tint on my skin, courtesy of that black gooey liquor Ralph called Jagger. My hair was frazzled and tangled, and my makeup was all smothered under my eyes, lips, and cheeks.

“I didn't have time to remove my makeup…” I muttered and lowered my gaze.

“Oh, honey! You didn't have time to straighten anything…” My mother chuckled, and I wanted the floor to part in two and swallow me whole.

“Ralph is training… and we wanted to have you both alone for breakfast…” My mother said, and I squinted my eyebrows. How in this blasted world was my brother on and about his day as usual?

“Mom, I feel sick…” I sighed, and she nodded.

Her eyes fogged, and she called an Omega to bring some painkillers and a green concoction that I had no idea I would be able to swallow. Mr. Jagger had done enough damage for a lifetime.

“Take a shower, drink this, and swallow the pill. You will feel better in no time,” Mom patted my head and then sighed,

“Unfortunately, your father needs a word with you, and breakfast is the only available time, so no sipping it…” Mom said in a tender voice and hugged me, “Happy Birthday… again…” She kissed my forehead and left me alone with my misery.

I did as she told me to. I took a long, warm shower and dressed in a cute but functional outfit. I walked out of my bathroom and squinted my eyes. My mother certainly left for me a concoction and a pill, but instead, on the table, was something different from what she had delivered half an hour ago.

The green concoction was changed for something different. It was a silvery vial with multicolored glitter. His sparks enticed me and called me to drink it. The vial was accompanied not by a pill but by a beautiful glittering flower bouquet. The flowers were not from this realm; if I am not mistaken, those colors and magical textures can only come from the Fae realm.

This time, the bouquet had a small note: “Drink the vial, it will help… Happy Birthday!” There was no signature or sender. This was weird, but at the same time, I wanted to feel better, and the enticing vial was undoubtedly more appealing than a green gooey concoction.

I opened the vial and sniffed it. I could sense magic, but it was good magic. Then, closing my eyes, I placed the vial to my lips and downed the contents. I expected the flavor to be something bitter or disgusting because, let's face it, every syrup or medicine does taste like feet, but the sweet, enticing flavor of the vial soothed me. I sighed and closed my eyes. This was much easier than the green concoction, and when I opened my eyes back to reality, every pain, ache, or discomfort was long gone. I was healed as if Mr. Jagger had never come to visit us at the bar yesterday.

“Damn! I feel great!” I said and smiled. Whoever this secret admirer is, I have so many things to thank him for, but this one just made the top of the list.

I closed my eyes, smiling, and then my hands reached my lips. That kiss… that memorable first fucking kiss, was out of this world.

Blushing, I recalled the events of last night, and when I thought about the kiss, my lips tingled with anticipation. The man said his name was Aelfred; I was sure he was a fae… but the way he carried himself, the confidence in his steps, his movements were swift and purposeful, as if he was there to steal that kiss from me… All I see when I close my eyes are his iridescent, colorful-swirling irises. He was a masterpiece, and I am almost sure I won't see it again in my entire life.

“Aelfred!” I rolled his name out of my lips and giggled… What a jolly birthday this will be!

Aelfred POV

I've tried, and for the love of Medeina, lost the fucking battle. When she turned sixteen, I dared defy the rules, and a day before her birthday, I transported myself into her room and visited her that night. Her beautiful features, silky hair, and curvy body were not the body of a mature woman but the body of a girl becoming one and the fine woman she has become.

Ever since that night, I have visited her the day before her birthday, and on that very day, I sent her a small token of my love. A flower from the Fae Realm. Each one was handpicked to express my love for her.

Damn, those ground rules… I understand why they were set in place, but that doesn't mean it has been easy for me to keep them,

Last night, I had to see her, and when I found out where she would be, I transported myself there. I have seen the kids of this realm; their looks were modern and sleek. My typical royal elf look sports long hair and long robes, but for last night, I went with a short hip haircut and a shirt and pants. Almost two thousand years just wearing typical elf clothing, and, for her, I didn't care about wearing the typical Lycan style to steal a moment with her.

The way she moved, the little black dress showing her collarbones, pouty face, and those big doe green eyes resembling her mother's. She is a true beauty, my beauty, my Queen. I could see it in her eyes, she is a force to be reckoned with, smart and powerful. Her scent, her lips, and her eyes hypnotized me to the extent that I leaned close to her, and broke every single fucking rule written in the ground rules document I had promised to abide by; I kissed her.

And damn it if I say I regret it, because I don't. Not one minute of it; on the contrary, I wanted more, so much fucking more… so instead of staying, I had to peel myself away from the place to remain sane.

I closed my eyes and could almost feel her lips on mine. Her hands wrapped around my neck, her body pressed against mine. My queen has flourished into a fine young woman, one worth waiting for an eternity.

I knew she would be sick the next day, so I sent her a flower bouquet, this time with colorful flowers and a vial. We elves manage with exquisite precision magic drawn from our enchanted forest's nature. Deep within it is a flower -ofilery; it grows only near the waterfall, and its curative powers are astounding.

I retrieved a couple this morning and prepared a vial for her with them. By drinking the vial's contents, she would heal all her ailments and be ready for her birthday party —a party I knew they would hold, but one I didn't receive an invitation to.

Romeo and Stella are completely frightened that I don't abide by their rules, but if those rules benefit me, I will abide by them even if they kill me a little every day. But if I present myself to her as her mate, they intend to change the rules, I will certainly break each one of them.

She is my mate and, after that kiss, I need her like air to breathe.