Naya arrived back at Adam's company building at two o'clock in the afternoon. His secretary directed her to a large room next to his office, and she saw his name on a sign on the desk. Did he give her a room before she presented her report? “Whatever you need, just call me on the intercom.” The secretary spoke amiably, interrupting Naya's thoughts, and left. Naya moved closer and gazed raptly at the plaque. Underneath her name, in smaller letters, it read: Executive Director. She smiled. She couldn't believe her luck. She raised her arm and crossed it, giving Alfa a banana. “Who needs you, you miserable prick?” She said to herself, and sat down. She turned on the computer on her desk and started typing up her report. But she couldn't help thinking that she would soon be the owner of it all. She would live a life of perks and luxuries she had never dreamed of. And she wanted Alfa to know that. This wedding represented her freedom. She would be free of her father. The hours pa
Adam parked the car and looked at Naya. “I make a hundred thousand dollars an hour, Naya. Why do you think I should get excited about this insignificant amount, for me?” He said and got out of the car. Naya put her hand on the door to open it, but Adam was quicker and opened it for her. Naya realized that they were in front of a mirrored chalet, which faced a frozen lake used for skiing. Naya knew she was in front of one of the most expensive places in Alaska. “Are you staying here?” “Yes.” “But... A night's stay in this place must be around thirty-five thousand dollars!” She said in amazement, still looking around. “I can't say, Naya. This chalet belongs to me.” She glanced sideways at Adam, caught him looking at her dress, and then looked back at her with a smile. She felt her heart inflate with that smile. It was something that enveloped her heart with an excitement that she didn't want to feel for him. She knew that her marriage to him wouldn't be a happy one. She
“I accept.” Naya said decisively. Adam remained in his seat, while Maxwell walked Naya to the car, thoughtful and worried about his brother. He opened the door for Naya and arched his eyebrow sarcastically, but she pretended not to notice his allusion to ancient times and got into the car. On the way, they both remained silent. After a few minutes, Maxwell asked with a serious look on his face. “Do you want to stay at the company or at home?” “I want you to stop the car a few blocks before my house. If Dad sees you, he'll kill you.” Maxwell smiled. “Would he know how to do that?” “It doesn't matter. He'd try, and... You must feel pain, right?” “Why don't you try to find out, Naya?” She looked ahead thoughtfully. “I know it's a precocious feeling, but... I don't want to hurt someone who's important to my ex-fiancé.” Maxwell nodded, and parked the car. Naya looked inquiringly at him. “It's still about fifteen minutes before I get anywhere near where I was ta
Naya looked at the wide variety of food on the table, with no appetite. It was embarrassing to be in the same place with two people who could talk about her without her hearing them. She helped herself to a salad and began to eat, trying to ignore the smile on Maxwell's lips and Adam's cold stare as they stared at each other. “I hope you know that although some people think we're dogs, I don't like bones.” Adam said with an amused look on his face. Naya looked at him in surprise. She hadn't expected them to talk to her during lunch. They seemed happy to carry on a telepathic dialog where they excluded her with total discourtesy. “I don't understand...” Adam pointed to the salad on her plate with his chin. “You eat better than that, right?” Naya frowned. “My brother wants to know if you have problems increasing your weight, Luna. He doesn't like women who are too thin. He likes women with well-defined bodies, but with curves.” Maxwell said, with amusement in his voice.
Inside the car, Maxwell drove in thoughtful silence. Naya thought about letting him ramble on, but she was too anxious. “What does he expect me to buy?” Maxwell looked at her, as if only at that moment did he realize that he wasn't alone. “What do you want to wear to your wedding?” Naya frowned. “I'm getting married in the Lunas' dress. He's a werewolf, he should know that this dress doesn't tear or age, and can only be worn by the Lunas.” “I hope you plan to wash it. Adam hates the smell of mothballs.” Naya's face turned red. “If that's what he wanted me to buy...” “I imagine you must have clothes... Intimate, better and more... Current than that dress you're wearing.” “Oh!” Naya felt her face burn even more with embarrassment. He was talking to her about sexy nightgowns. That was embarrassing. “My mom made my trousseau.” “Oh my God! Are you going to wear clothes like this dress, which was probably your mother's choice, on your wedding night? Better not wear
Naya looked at Maxwell puzzled. It didn't matter what she said. All she could think about was the pleasant warmth of Maxwell's hands holding her waist, and his perfume. She wanted to kiss him. But she couldn't. She knew that Maxwell's wife felt the same way about him. And she intended to make their marriage work, and prevent the vision she had just had of their children from coming true. Naya started walking, and this time Maxwell followed her at a distance, but she knew that wouldn't stop him from being by her side to support her if she stumbled, in less than a second. Maxwell stopped the car in front of the company building, and turning around, opened the door for Naya and helped her down. Then he held out the key to her. Naya looked at him inquiringly. “My wedding present.” He said, and as soon as she had taken the keys, he walked off in the opposite direction. Naya took a deep breath. It wasn't the farewell she had expected. But this was how it had to be. She though
Naya smiled. “Engagement dinner?” She asked, knowing that it was perhaps the most expensive restaurant in Alaska. “Yes.” “How did my father take the news of our hasty wedding?” “He accepted it without reservation.” “I imagine he can't be too unhappy to know that he won't be seeing me every day anymore.” Adam looked at her sharply. “Why do you think that about your father?” “He's not my real father, and he's always raised me as if I were...” “...a precious jewel?” Adam interrupted her, his voice as sharp and cold as his gaze. “He was the best father he knew how to be. And yes, Naya. He is your father. The man who was responsible for your generation is nothing. His participation was minimal. You have no other father.” Adam said and stood up. “A driver will take you to a hotel room I've booked so you can change for dinner.” Adam said and left. ... Anna arrived in Avallon and was greeted by the decay of the place. Her father, Henry, had to wear a protective mas
Anna frowned. “I think that's almost impossible.” “Yes. For a transformed human, it's impossible. But you're a Bruma. You're strong and after what you'll learn here, you'll know how to suppress the vampire inside you, and when you do it for the first time, you'll no longer have their privileged speed, sight and hearing. Those things will disappear, along with the thirst for blood.” “I'll be stronger being a Bruma and a vampire.” “Yes. But you shouldn't. We were slow to accept that there would be a change in the world of the supernatural. A progression. We didn't accept it, because we didn't want to. We were comfortable the way we were, but the other supernaturals evolved, and our stubbornness almost drove us to extinction. We need to match each other in strength, not in essence. In any case, from your womb will be born a creature that no one has ever seen before. But don't dwell on these things. Life will go on as normal for many years before significant changes take place.”