Decisions

 Lowena walked back with Caspian, the rain easing til the sun came out to play.

 "It's amazing how you can do that," she admired.

 "It is mother nature; us fairies are bound to her in one way or another. Many are known to you as mythical creatures, such as the phoenix, griffins, and sirens. You may have seen them at the celebration last night," he explained.

 Lowena's cheeks blushed, and she confirmed, "There were these two women I first met; they looked almost like bats."

 "Those are the vampires. They have the most allure to them; they are the most predatorial. Their beauty enchants you, draws you in under their spell, and makes killing easy. They release a venom, similar to snakes than bats, that relaxes the prey, a euphoric opium if you will.

 "Wow," she hushed, "And the girls in the bird-like costumes? The ones that had scales?"

 Caspian chuckled, astonished by her curiosity, "You have your serpents, nymphs, mermaids. All can be fairies or witches; it depends on whether they were born with the gift. As for the bird-like costumes, you answered your question. They are bird types, from hawks to eagles, even doves. We are many."

 The echoing voices and laughter from the people rebuilding the bonfires grew closer and closer with Caspian's explanation. 

 "What celebration is tonight?" Lowena asked.

 "Same as yesterday, to celebrate you. It is rare to have hybrids, especially ones not deformed or warped in some form."

 "Really?" she paused.

 "Of course, cyclops, ogres, dark fairies that are so heinous you'd rather cut out your eyes once seeing past their glamour," he continued.

 "Glamour?" Lowena questioned.

 Before he could respond, a stunning, young, slender woman in a pink, ballerina-like outfit giddily pounced on Caspian like a little girl. 

 "There you are!" she smiled.

 "Cally," he greeted.

 Cally planted her lips upon Caspian.

 "I'll talk to you later," Lowena diverted, hastily walking away.

 "Lowena! There you are!" Aiyana called out while rushing over, "I've been looking all over for you."

 Lowena's head dropped, cheeks red hot in embarrassment. "I'm sorry about earlier."

 "Don't be," she tenderly reassured, "I'm a fox, I like both men and women, plus you're going into heat soon; anything you touch, you'll want to fuck."

 "Really?" Lowena raised her head quizzically, looking at Aiyana.

 "Yes," Aiyana smirked, "Trust me, you won't hate it, you'll love it."

 "Really?" Lowena cocked a brow, intrigued.

 "Yup." Aiyana locked Lowena's arm, guiding her to the boys staying under Eli's roof, whom Lowena hadn't bothered to get to know yet.

 They were all handsome and fit for their body types, some buff, some lean, some with wavy hair, and some with short hair, but for some reason, Cade was the only one she was interested in. 

 "You should change back into the outfit you were in last night," Aiyana hinted. The sun is falling, and the festivities are about to start."

 Lowena wracked her brain and released a frustrated groan.

 "What's wrong?" Aiyana asked.

 "It's in Kieran's room," Lowens sighed.

 "Aiyana," Eli approached, "Can I have you help bring out the food?"

 "Yes, alpha," Aiyana complied, instantly doing as told.

 Eli looked at Lowena. She avoided contact, dashing up the stairs to Kieran's room. When she entered, she began rummaging around, finding her dress tucked under the bed. She removed her dress, glancing in the mirror at the small wound on her inner thigh. She removed the moss Caspian had applied earlier, and to her surprise, it was completely healed.

 Hastily, she began to dress herself.

 "Don't rush on my account," Kieran cockily smirked.

 Lowena pulled her shorts and skirt on before covering her exposed breasts. "What do you want, Kieran?"

 "Is that any way to react after this morning?" he softly asked.

 Lowena shook her head, turning her back to him in an attempt to shield herself while sliding her arms through her top, tying it between her breasts. 

 "You mean having Cara attack me, and you do nothing?" Lowena remarked.

 "Look, a lot happened within a short amount of time, there wasn't-"

 "Bullshit," Lowena huffed, "Eli made it clear that I was his now, there's no point in trying to act like you want me anymore."

 "What?' Kieran growled, twirling Lowena to face him. "What are you talking about?"

 "Eli bit me and did this!" Lowena pointed to her lower left thigh.

 "You guys sure have some way of showing a girl you like her," she scoffed.

 "You're lying," Kieran coldly replied.

 The look of shock on his face said it all. He was angry and frustrated, especially at Eli. He was the one who had been shoving Lowena down his throat for the past year, convincing him that she was his Luna. Now, he wanted to take her away from him.

 Kieran seized her neck, kissing her passionately before pressing his forehead to hers.

 "You're lying," he repeated.

 Lowena didn't know how to feel. The thought of rejecting him hurt her soul, so she held his wrists.

 "I don't know what's happening, Kieran," she silently cried.

 Her body began to break out in sweat, and the fire ignited within her once more. Kieran held her tightly, releasing his pheromones, only to calm her. She willingly latched onto him, desperate for him not to let go.

 "Shh," he hushed, "It's alright."

 The warmth of his body, the hints of sandalwood or birch, soothed her. Almost as quickly as it came, the heat within her burned out. 

 "Thank you," she trembled.

 Kieran looked down into her glossy eyes, caressing her pink cheek comfortably.

 "You guys seem to know how to calm me down," she warmly smiled.

 "Us guys?" he repeated. "Who else has comforted you?" 

 "Uh-um," Lowena panicked, "Not like this, but when I was hyperventilating in the woods, Caspian took away my fear and pain."

 "Caspian?" Kieran balked. "The King of Fairies helped you and wanted nothing in return?"

 Lowena backed away nervously, tucking her messy hair behind her ear. "He asked me to marry him."

 "What?" Kieran winced.

 "I didn't say yes!" she defended.

 Kieran tried his best to conceal his frustration. "Seems like everyone wants you."

 "Which should let you know she isn't yours just yet," Eli warranted, walking into the room.

 "She isn't yours either, old man, no matter how many marks you leave on her!" Kieran retorted.

 Unbeknownst to Lowena, a familiar anger arose within her. Her eyes glowing green, the alpha in her taking control.

 "Enough!" she commanded.

 Eli and Kieran went mute, looking over at Lowena like scolded puppies.

 "I don't belong to either of you!" she continued, her voice rattling in their minds. "Neither of you was honest with me, so how am I supposed to trust what you say?"

 "What do you mean, Lowena?" Eli questioned.

 "I'm a hybrid."

 Both Eli and Kiern dropped their head. To Lowena's dismay, they weren't surprised but guilty. 

 "You both knew and didn't tell me," she hissed.

 They remained silent as she stomped from the room, slamming the door angrily behind her.