Chapter 3 Nia~ my odd adopted family 

Galen pushed me through the portal and I stumbled down on the grass and yelled at him.

"Why are you acting like such an overbearing prick?" I growled bitterly and he glared at me.

"Because when a vampire can't compel you that means something!" He shouted back. I stood up and brushed the dirt off my worn blue jeans as I thought about what it meant. My wolf, Eva, was chortling loudly in my subconscious. I asked her what she found so humorous.

"Galen is jealous because he believes that vampire fellow is your mate and wishes to take you from him," she whined and I curled my lip.

"Galen is my brother, gross," I replied to her.

"Just in name, you are not related to him or any of your family here," she whined. I glanced over at my brother stomping ahead of me and shook my head. No way in hell.

"Did you know Eva, that I wasn't Xavier's or Ashton's child?" I questioned my wolf sourly.

"I only sensed that you were different from the others, dear. You know that we have discussed why you felt like you don't belong. At least now you know the reason why," she growled softly and I grinned as a thought came to mind.

"Perhaps I am part royalty, they cannot be compelled by another vampire either," I shouted at Galen who was halfway through the field of our cattle. I saw him glance back and smile at me as I rushed up to his side. 

"Sorry for acting like a brat," he grunted and I laughed.

"You should be…do you think that odd vampire was my mate?" I questioned him out of curiosity.

"I have no clue, sis. I don't know how vampire mates are chosen. Maybe you should go speak with the vampires we know, Draven, Damon, or Maacah," he suggested and I exhaled my irritation at seeing both of our fathers, Xavier and Ashton standing in front of our home with arms crossed looking disappointed at both Galen and me. Galen greeted them and Xavier looked at him then me and asked where we had been.

"Some of the cattle ran off so I helped Nia hunt them down," my brother replied quickly. It seemed to work as they both relaxed.

"We have been informed by your grandparents that the vampire Elders are arriving early for a meeting with the moon Goddess and her mate Maacah, the vampire God. They invited our family to attend the dinner party they're holding tonight," Ashton said firmly. I rolled my eyes knowing that I would be expected to parade myself with my sister in hopes of getting a mate.

"I'm going to wear jeans and a blouse," I grunted angrily as I strode past them all. I hated dinner parties.

"Nia, you will wear what has been laid out for you. You will follow Ashton and mine's rules while still living under our roof," Xavier growled roughly and I rolled my eyes as I entered their house. It no longer felt like my home since being told I wasn't related to anyone there. I ran up the stairs to my room and stopped abruptly in the doorway to see Inaria going through my things. Her eyes widened at being caught and she dropped the item she held. 

"I figured my dads would have asked you to leave," she mumbled sourly and I glared at the annoying bitch.

"Well they didn't so get out of MY room and leave MY things alone," I growled. She stood and whipped her blonde hair back before pressing her fingers on her nose.

"You smell horrid, you'll never get a mate smelling and looking like you do Nia," she said snobbishly and pranced her perfect prissy self out of my room. I glanced at my bed and saw the lovely indigo-blue satin dress I was to wear and cursed in annoyance. A sparkling necklace and earrings with diamonds and sapphires were in a black velvet box next to it, tilted to the side. It was what Inaria had in her thieving hands. Ripping my filthy clothes off in my bitterness I headed into my ensuite to shower. While finishing up and stepping out of the shower I heard Galen ask me if I needed any help.

"Don't be a pervert," I growled peeking out from behind the cracked door. Galen's eyes narrowed at me.

"Not me, dork. Mabel is here to help with your hair and whatever else you females need," he replied and I saw Mabel come into my view waving her hand at me. 

"Well leave Galen so I can exit the bathroom in my towel," I mumbled as I started opening the door. Galen glanced down at my nude body and I kicked his leg. 

"I'm going, calm yourself, minx," he growled firmly and Mabel slammed the door behind him as she shook her head.

"You two are always raising each other's hackles, I don't know what Selene is thinking," she said sternly. My brow rose as I glanced over at her.

"And what is that about the moon Goddess?" I questioned and Mabel shook her head nervously.

"You never mind my ramblings, dear," she mumbled sourly and held up my dress for me. I donned the perfect form-fitting dress and Mabel had me sit as she styled my long hair. I was exhaling continuously as she curled my hair into long waves that fell down my back.

"Nia, you are breathtaking but I have always said that about you," she said excitedly and I glanced at my image in the full-length mirror and tilted my head to see the sparkle of the diamonds around my neck. I ground my molars and thanked her.

"Let's join the others downstairs and wait for your grandfather Forest or Selene to transport us up to the moon council's residence," She added. As I jumped playfully down the staircase I noticed the men of the house all immaculately dressed in three-piece suits and whistled at them all.

"You all look spiffy," I said with a grin. Galen took my hand and twirled me around the foyer. His eyes were shining down at me making my brow raise. We stopped goofing around when Inaria made her presence known. Standing on top of the stairs she was wearing a golden dress adorned with crystals. My humor faded as she made her way down the stairs daintily. The two males complimented her on how lovely she looked after not saying shit about me. 

"I think you're stunning, Nia," Galen mumbled softly into my ear. I side-eyed him and said, "thanks." I knew it shouldn't bother me since neither Xavier nor Ashton were my relations but a woman likes to be complimented every once in a while. 

"The two seem to be behaving more distant to you than normal," my wolf Eva growled and I grunted in agreement. The couple had always treated me well but never like they did their precious little Inaria and if it hadn't been for Galen I would have grown into a complete recluse. Mabel came down to join us and Selene appeared eyeing us all.

"Hold hands everyone so I can take you to the council's home," she growled roughly. Galen squeezed my hand and I smiled as I took Mabel's offered hand in my other. I closed my eyes and when I opened them again all of us were in the living room of my grandparent's home.

"The vampire Elders have already arrived and are at the formal dining table. Please go in and introduce yourselves and sit in your assigned seats. There are name places on the settings," she announced firmly. 

"Be careful about your panties dropping. I've been told the Elders aren't so elderly," Mabel winked at me and I giggled. My two fathers went in first, then Inaria. I rolled my eyes at her introducing herself coyly. Galen glanced over at me and asked if I was ready.

"No, you know I dislike these immensely," I growled bitterly and he chuckled as he pulled me out with him. He was my rock and my best friend. I kept my eyes on his feet as we entered the dining room.

"I'm Galen Grayson and this is my sister Nia Gray…," he stopped suddenly and I looked over at him. The scent of cashmere and musk once again filled my nose. I followed Galen's eyes toward our guests and swallowed seeing the man with the steel blue eyes staring back at us with a grin.

"My sister Nia Grayson," Galen finished and the vampire Elders began chatting amongst themselves as Galen and I made our way to our assigned seats. They were beside each other which was odd but welcoming. Selene stood at the head of the table with Maacah, the vampire God and welcomed the guests before letting everyone know she had an announcement to make.

"Due to this joining of our two species and the discovery of Nia's pedigree I would like to announce that Nia Grayson will be joined in marriage to Galen Grayson," she announced firmly. I glanced at her like she was insane. 

"He's not my mate," I said staunchly and Galen looked shocked but pleased. I felt betrayed by them all and glanced over at the Elders to see Lucian frowning. I stood abruptly.

"I refuse Goddess, I love Galen as a brother and a friend, but he is not my mate,'' I snapped. Selene glared at me and I looked at the people who raised me but none of them were disturbed by the announcement. 

"You don't share blood with any of these people, Nia, none of them will back you," Eva whined. I looked at Galen who was looking at me with shining eyes of concern. I shook my head, turned, and walked out of that room pissed off at the entire household, including the moon Goddess herself.