ACCEPTING THE SUPERNATURAL

How could I be so fucking obtuse? The clues were always there, but I ignored them like a fool just because they didn't fit in the realm of reality. My reality. How is it even possible that these monstrosities even exist? As much as I want to be with Elijah, this shit is beyond confusing, and I'm not sure my maturity is on the level to handle it. Suddenly, everything that I knew and believed didn't make sense, and when someone's reality has been threatened, what do they do?

Freak the fuck out.

I started hyperventilating, pacing back and forth, mumbling, 'he's a werewolf' or 'this shit isn't real,' trying to force myself to find some rational explanation for what I saw. Feelings of nervousness, regret, and disgust hit me like a direct blow to my stomach, causing me to falter in my steps. I forgot I could feel his emotions. I put my freak-out session on hold to determine the deal with this fucker.

"Why the hell are you so disgusted with me?" I snarl.

His back stiffened, "Just like you can feel my emotions, I can feel yours. Not to mention, you project your thoughts more when you're not so guarded. You're nervous, scared, angry, confused, hateful—all the things your kind love to feel for anything different from them. I can hear you thinking of ways to get away from me, from here. If I'm not mistaken, the thought of impaling me with something crossed your mind." He growled.

He could feel my emotions but didn't understand the thought process. I tightened my fists and stomped toward him.

"You bet your ass I feel all those things and do you know why?" My finger poked his chest, "This is like handing me a piece of a UFO from Area 51 and expecting me to feel happy knowing that something vastly inferior to me is out there. Who is to say you won't try to kill me, or your pack won't kill me because I am different from them? How could I not be nervous after seeing a giant fucking wolf that could rip my arm off like a chew toy?" I paused, taking a breath. "My thoughts of stabbing you were just a knee-jerk reaction of me being terrified you would physically hurt me. This is 2022, and don't think for a God damn second that I'm about that racist bullshit. I would never dishonor nor hate you because you're different from me, whether it be species, race, religious beliefs, or anything in between. Jesus, I'm just scared out of my mind right now, and I am honestly trying to process this the best I can. You're my mate, and despite being freaked the fuck out right now, I still want to be with you, dummy."

I waited for him to say something, but he just stared at me as if I had just spoken Chinese to him, which started to piss me off, causing my agitation to increase. Just when I opened my mouth to say something, he pulled me in for a bone-crushing hug—rocking me back and forth as he kissed the top of my head.

"Helena, you are the most important thing to me now and forever. I would never hurt you, and no one here will ever hurt you. Hearing you call me your mate is everything to me." He pulled me back, keeping my hand locked with his as he led me back to the house.

"Wait, what about Daisy?" I asked.

"Don't worry, my love. Daisy is discreetly listening in on our conversation. She wants to speak with you, but I ordered her to stay away until I had a chance to explain everything to you first."

"What? Ordered her to stay away? Elijah, if my friend wants to talk to me, why does she need your permission?"

"She is a member of my pack, and when I give her a direct order, she can't disobey. I need to speak to you and explain our world before she indirectly fucks something up."

Whenever I think I won't have any more questions to add to my list, he shoots my dream in the damn hole. I decided not to fight him, so I didn't pull away when he resumed walking us towards the patio doors. Soon, we were in the same office I had just bolted from. I grabbed the bottle of cognac, pouring myself another half a cup. Sitting down in my chair, I leaned back, motioning for him to do the same.

"First thing is first. How in the hell are your werewolf, and how many are there?

"No one knows the original tale of how we came to be, but there have been supernatural creatures as long as the world existed. Long story short, were descendants of Apollo and Artemis, we also make up about thirty-four percent of the supernatural world."

Whoa, what other supernatural creatures exist?

He hears my thoughts answering my unspoken question. "There are vampires, fairies, and witches. I've heard of angels and demons amongst us, but I have never met one."

"Holy shit, so heaven and hell do exist?"

"It does but not in the sense that you know it. Sadly, the bible didn't just fall out of the sky. A human wrote it. So, everything is up for interpretation."

"How many supernatural creatures are there?"

"The last roll call was about forty-two years ago, and we were a little over two-hundred million of the world's population."

I mentally do that math in my head; out of seven billion people on the planet, they make up less than five percent of the population. Why is it so few of them than humans? I can't help thinking it might be a good thing that we outnumber them, and as a fucked up as the thought might have been, these are dangerous creatures. They could probably snap a human's neck in the blink of an eye, but still, I couldn't help the feeling of regret for thinking such a thing.

"I expected it to be more of people like you than me. Why is that? Are you able to turn humans into what you are?"

His face darkened, "Humans are very resourceful, and the weak always find a way to survive. To adapt. They have developed biological and physical weapons to kill us faster than we can heal and force-feed the unsuspecting public chemical agents that block the venom from any supernatural creature's bite. You would call them vaccinations. We haven't been able to successfully turn a human into a supernatural creature in over two hundred years."

"Wait a minute, are you saying flu shots are a cover-up to cure a bite from a supernatural being?"

"Almost every shot you have been given since birth has the chemical component that would prevent any supernatural bite from turning you into whatever tasted you. It's not exactly a cure, more like a blocker. The venom from the bite will still turn you, but because your blood is diluted, you will die in the middle of the change."

Holy shit.

"Why would someone do that? We should have a choice on what is pumped into our system. And if we want to become a part of that world?"

His amused smile appears. "Your leaders didn't think so, my love. They feared what they couldn't understand, and that fear destroyed an endless amount of lives. At one point in time, we had to hide from your world. But, in the late eighteen-hundreds, the Council was formed, and a time of peace was ushered in.

"What is the Council?"

"The Council is four individuals from each species that govern the human and supernatural world. We make it so everyone can co-exist peacefully and punish the offenders accordingly." He grimaced.

I wonder why that last statement would bother him?

"We? So, how long have you been a part of the Council?" I asked.

"About fifty years."

What in the actual fuck?

Dammit, I forget he told me in the dream that he was hundred years old and that they age slower than we do.

"The meadow you and I were in was real, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was. Do you remember me telling you the mate bond created a pocket space just for us?" I nodded, "That is very rare in my world. Only the most gifted supernatural creatures can bend the bond to create another realm. The fact that you are not one of us makes me wonder how you were able to do it."

I frown in confusion. "I didn't create anything. You told me to go to sleep, which I did. Maybe, you did it."

He shakes his head, "No, Helena. You were already there when I arrived. You summoned me to that place. Your will was so strong when you went to sleep that you un-consciously connected to the bond, telling it what you wanted, and it listened."

I remember thinking how much I needed to see Elijah and wanted to be close. His eyes shone with admiration while my mouth hung up, gaping like a moron. How could I create another fucking realm? I was also angry when he forced me to sleep and just wanted a place to relax. Be at peace. After that little discovery, I didn't know what to say or think, so I did what any sane person would do.

I poured myself another drink.

"Sweetheart, you'll get a little tipsy if you keep drinking like that." He commented.

"Oh, that is the plan. I can tell you now that I have no intentions of going to school tomorrow. I'm assuming since your royalty in this town, you can make that absence excused." I smiled.

He smiled back, "Of course, my love. I can get you the entire week off, make sure any assignments due get an A grade, and your teachers will mark you present even if you're not. You will still have perfect attendance." He grinned.

My god, he is such a cocky asshole.

I must have already felt tipsy because the fit of giggles that I let out had me doubling over in the chair. It took a while for me to regain my composure before I could finally say something to Elijah.

"I don't know rather or not to kiss you or scowl you for your abuse of power." I laughed even more. "Where were you when I tried to cut school? My mother damn near had heartache when she found out. I think I got grounded for like two months because I wasn't sneaky enough."

"Why were you cutting school in the first place?"

"You would probably find it funny if I told you." I tensed up.

"Relax, baby girl. Just tell me."

I groan, "It was my sixteenth birthday, and my mom wasn't getting paid until the week after, but she still wouldn't have been able to get me anything our utility bills were due. This local bakery makes the best Bundt Cakes, and if you come in before noon, they're half off. I pawned a gold bracelet my dad bought me and used the money to purchase the cake and a pair of work shoes for her. I got on the wrong bus causing me to get home in two hours. She freaked out and thought I was kidnapped. When I got home, there was a shit ton of cops; it was just the most embarrassing thing in the world." I put my face in my hands, blushing to relive that moment.

I felt a breeze, and then his arms snaked around me, pulling me into his chest.

"Don't be embarrassed. You're such a thoughtful person. I wished I had known you then. I would have bought you sixteen cakes for each year you graced this earth. Damn, you're the perfect human for me." He gently kisses the top of my head.

He scooped me up bridal style, carrying me to the bedroom. He placed me on the bed removing my shoes and socks. Walking to the dresser, he grabbed a t-shirt, handed it to me, removed my shirt, and replaced it with his in one swift movement. He pulls my jeans off, letting his t-shirt flow down me like a nightgown. I made the mistake of looking up at his face too fast, and my head swayed. I suddenly felt his heated gaze on me, and I glanced up with a sleepy expression and glossy eyes.

I know it's cliché, but I felt all was right in this world at that moment. I'm where I was meant to be, with whom I was supposed to be with.

"I love you." I lazily whispered.

The last thing I remember was his lips pressed against my ear while his sultry voice lulled me into a peaceful slumber.

"I loved you before you knew who I was, sweetheart."