Riley
I peer up at William, and everything stills. Would he hurt me? No. We are mates, but that doesn't change the fact that he is scary-looking right now. It makes the logic leave my brain.
Shit. I'm so shaken. Tears are prickling behind my eyelids, and William's attention travels to his mother.
A threatening snarl leaves his lips while he tightens his grip on me. "Are you insane? Why the fuck would I eat my mate just because you're asking me to? Have you gone mad?"
His mother wrinkles her nose. "Because if you get rid of that thing, you could find a second-chance mate in this realm. Another fairy would suit you much better than that pathetic little werewolf."
"Riley is not pathetic."
"Oh, but she is. Every human is weak and unable to protect themselves in this realm. If Riley stays, she will become a burden to you, William. It's easier to just get rid of her. It's not like you need her because you will never return to the human realm."
Never return?
My heart is crashing against my ribcage.
I don't like this conversation and slump myself against William's chest. He smells nice. Inhaling him soothes my soul, and I press my hand against his sternum.
His heartbeat is strong, and his skin is warm. My rapid breaths slow down, and the lump in my throat disappears.
I feel secure, and William brushes his thumb down my back as if to say he is with me. It drives away my tears, yet I'm still freaking out because the other fairy is William's mother.
She is someone of high importance to William. His family.
Who knows where this sick conversation will lead?
William's mother wishes to get rid of me, and I'm ashamed to say I'm not sure what William is thinking. He has awakened as a fairy now, and I feel it might affect how he thinks.
Is there anything left of his wolf?
Is he still my alpha?
"I'm a werewolf too," William's voice is severe and unkind when he speaks to his mother. "This realm isn't my real home, and after I've figured out how to control my fairy powers, I'm leaving. And I'm most likely never coming back here."
His mother snorts. "Really?"
"Yes."
"You talk big, but this realm is the only one where you won't feel like a freak, William. That bloodthirst of yours will drive you insane in the human world. Eating your mate must have crossed your mind more than once. She smells delicious."
Wait, what?!
What does she mean by saying I smell delicious?
I shrink back once more, only calmed when William peers down at me with furrowed eyebrows. My eyes roam his face. He couldn't possibly be thinking about eating me, right?
"Hey, Riley, calm down," William nods at his mother and then gives me a brief smile. His voice is gentle. "She is lying to us and only trying to scare you. I don't want to eat you at all."
"Lying?!" Leafia exclaims. "I'm not lying at all! You can't possibly mean you don't feel delirious around that little thing?"
"I don't," William says calmly. "My fairy side and my wolf don't often agree, but there is one thing that binds them—they have chosen Riley as my mate."
"That's impossible!" His mother growls. "You must be lying! Your fairy blood would never pick a human! And even if it did, there should be bloodthirst!"
William takes a moment to silently study her before speaking. "Did you suffer any bloodthirst with my father? Did you wish to eat him?"
Another snarl. "I did! The only reason I didn't finish your father off is that I became pregnant. The kid needed a father—you needed a father in the human realm! Someone to raise you before you would finally return to me when the time was ripe."
"Really?" William shakes his head in disbelief. "Father made it sound like you were a good fairy, but you're honestly sick in the head. And why the fuck would you want me to return here?!"
"Because you're the fairy prince! Your role is to lead the fairies in this realm! You're the strongest one out of us all!"
"I don't give a fuck about this realm. Sorry, but I don't!" William barks back. "I'm the alpha of my pack, and the only thing I want is guidance on how to control my fairy blood!"
"Who cares if you're the alpha?! The werewolves can take care of themselves!"
"No, the werewolves need me, but the fairies can suck it!"
"William! Don't be like that!"
Right at that moment, my stomach chooses to gurgle. William blinks down at me. I give him an awkward glance, and a slow-spreading smile takes his lips.
"Are you hungry?"
"Umm..."
He tilts his head. "Does that mean yes?"
My lips curl into a guilty smile. "Yeah... I'm actually pretty hungry."
"Alright," William stands up to his full height and walks toward his mother with ice in his eyes. His body conveys confidence as he strides forward. "Is there any food around here?"
"More than the blood bag you're currently holding?"
"Watch it!" William snarls. He towers over his mother and doesn't seem interested in getting to know her. There are embers in his eyes.
She winces at his tone and sighs. "There is a castle, and since you're the fairy prince, I will take you there."
"Thank you."
The eyes of the mother travel to me, and I see them narrow. "I would advise you not to marry that filthy werewolf to become the king. It would be such a waste, William."
"Here is an idea: how about you keep your opinions about my mate to yourself before I murder you? At this moment, I don't care if you're related to me or not."
His mother audibly gasps but lowers his head as if scared to speak against her son. William seems pleased by her reaction and walks past her until she coughs.
"I think flying would be faster than walking," she points at his wings, blinking rapidly. "Have you ever used those?"
"Of course, I have," William snarls but hesitates before his wings spread wide. He offers me an apologetic look. "I hope you don't mind flying with a total amateur."
I snort. "What is the worst thing that could happen?"
"That we die."
I shrug. "Eh, at least we die together."
He laughs. "I have such a romantic mate."
We take off from the ground, and to my discomfort, William's mother is closely following us with her own wings. She sends me a glare, and I sink against William.
I really don't like his mother.
My gut is warning me about her, and I make a mental note to stay close to William. I don't think his mother would care if there was an accident that resulted in me dying.
"What are you thinking about?" William asks. His fingers are protectively wrapped around me while the wind hits me.
I squint and shed a few tears. I'm not used to the gusts. "I know it's not in my place to complain or talk shit about your mother, but..."
"I don't trust her," William blurts out when I cannot finish my sentence. His smile is soft. "And I'm not a total idiot. I know better than to fall for anything she says. I'm pretty sure she will try to get to me. Normally I would stick around a person like her, but... I need her to learn how to harness my fairy abilities."
I gulp. "True..."
He grimaces. "I'm sorry, it sucks, but once I've learned how to control my powers, we will leave this dimension behind. I might be half a fairy, but I'm also a werewolf. I'm supposed to be an alpha and protect my pack members—not play king and castle in this dimension."
His words make me laugh. "But what is playing kind and castle is fun?"
"Meh, it might be, but I already know where I belong," William beams down at me in a way that gives me butterflies. "You're my home, and... I do think the human realm is better for you."
"Agreed," I grimace. "I really hate being tiny."
He chuckles. "That's too bad. You're really adorable like this."
"I dislike being called adorable..."
"How about cute? Or Short Stuff? Or Shawty? Muffin? Pumpkin? Tiny-Mc-Cutie-Pants?"
"Not funny..."
I glare at him, and he pokes my head with his thumb. He messes up my hair and laughs at my grumpy expression.
"Sorry, I promise to behave!"
"You better... Or I will eat you up."
I find his eyes and their mischievous nature. He could eat me up, and that's what is making me nervous. My stomach is in turmoil.
I take a deep breath. "Please don't."
He snorts. "You know I'm only messing with you."
"Are you?"
"Yes," he pokes me with a finger. "You really think I would hurt you?"
"No… Or at least I don't hope so…"
"I wouldn't," his eyes are serious. "Our mission here is also simple: learn how to control my fairy blood, and then leave this realm and never come back. We have a pack and city to save and can't waste time in the fairy realm. I'm an alpha––not Tinker Bell."
I smile so hard it hurts. "You kind of look like Tinker Bell right now."
He sends me a glare. "Watch it, Twerp."
This time, I'm not afraid of his threat and laugh. "Or else you will do what? Let me guess: eat me?"
He winks at me. "Keep challenging me, and you will see what happens."
I lean into his chest. "But you wouldn't hurt me, right?"
"Never."