Home sweet home

PRESENT DAY

Macy

When I step foot inside the Thornton mansion, I feel like a stranger. It shouldn't feel like it especially if it has only been a few years since I was here. This place should feel like safety, like home but for some reasons, it feels a huge dark never ending tunnel.

"Macy."

I turn around to find Carmen, my old nanny. She has aged since the last time I saw her.

"Carmen." I quickly reach for a hug. Seems I missed a few people in this house then.

"Darling." she kisses my cheek with the most loving smile I have seen in years.

"How have you been?" I ask genuinely.

"Strong and living."

"You on the other hand have grown so much my dear. They must have been treating you well back there. You look amazing." Carmen compliments.

Can't say it was all bad things but she is right. It has been some good five years of my life and I am pretty sure it has had something to do with me being away from this place.

"I can't wait to hear all about your time away." Carmen says.

"I can't wait to tell you too."

"Have you seen father?" I ask Carmen when she offers me a glass of water.

"In the study. He is there with Aaron." she replies.

"Aaron?" I ask surprised. It definitely shouldn't be a shock considering my dad is stepping off his Alpha position soon for my brother.

"In fact, they told me to tell you to go there as soon as you arrive."

Sounds like a plan.

Carmen shoots me a look when she realises the look on my face.

"Anything wrong?" I shake my head.

"I have just missed this place so much." Not exactly an entire lie but she doesn't need to know that.

"We missed you too. Your father and your brother have." I almost scoff at the revelation.

The last time we talked, they didn't look like they were going to miss me that much. And they have, five years of no contact even though deep done I am pretty sure I was being watched. What happened to that agreement then? Guess I'll find out since I am here.

"I will head upstairs. I don't want to keep them waiting." I shoot up from my seat. While I walk up the stairs, I can't imagine how different life would be if I had just ignored my father's request to return home

Perhaps I would be over the oceans in the Caribbean with Taylor. It had been a dream of mine to finish college and come back and help the academy. After college, I wasn't so sure anymore.

With one timid knock, the door immediately opens. Whoa! A guy quickly exits the room like he is on fire. I might not have caught his face for long but I recognize it.

"Why are you standing at the door? Come in my dear." Father's voice booms inside the room earning my attention.

Taking in my father's appearance and the condition of his study, it has been long since I was home.

"Macy." Aaron acknowledges with a tight smile. It is practically perfect especially after our last conversation that involved her calling me an ungrateful bitch.

"Hey Aaron." I don't bother letting the hardness drop from my tone.

"Macy dear, I am glad to see you back." Father says trying to ease some tension in the room.

"My trip was cut short. I can't say the same about you." I settle back in the remaining seat at his desk.

"We have important matters to discuss darling. I am sorry for the inconvenience." I have always cherished my father, worshipped at his his feet if needed. That only changed only a few months prior to the end of my senior year at Havenwood Academy.

I take in his tired eyes and the lines on his face that weren't there before I left.

"What is this matter that couldn't wait?" I asks curiously.

"Shouldn't you first rest before we get to the theatrics?" Father murmurs

"I am here. Might as well get done with it." I declare. Father looks over at Aaron before he clears his voice.

"You know how your mother loved the academy." he starts. I stare at him. What has Havenwood Academy got to do with me?

"She called it a sanctuary for a reason." he adds. My mother Evelyn Thornton is one of the founders of Havenwood Academy. Her vision while she spearheaded the construction of the academy was the togetherness of all creatures. It was a sanctuary for any soul that went there.

That doesn't explain the reason why I am here.

"Recently, Spektor and Heathrow have gone behind everyone's back to collect as many shares as they can." At the mention of Spektor, my body tenses. I thought the way the name affected me was long gone.

"They want to take over the academy." Aaron mutters in a hard tone.

"I thought we had the most shares." I state.

"Yes. However it is only a matter of time before they turn the board against us." Father explains.

"Those sly cunning blood sucking monsters." Aaron curses.

"And the Kemptons and Harts?" I inquire. The powerful witch clans have got to be on our side.

"The Kemptons haven't given in yet but you know how we haven't been in good terms these past few years. It is everyone for themselves Macy." Aaron grumbles.

"What do I have to do with this?" I ask impatiently. I understand the heart of the matter but still don't know what the whole issue has got to do with me.

"You remember Spektor's little boy?" It takes all my will power not to say no. Of course I remember him more vividly in fact to my preference.

"Tobias Spektor in case you have forgotten." Aaron cuts in. I send him a glare. Damian Spektor has one boy and that is Tobias. Some things haven't changed. My brother is still an ass.

"Don't be such a nutjob Aaron."

"We are going to use him to get to get to Spektor."

"Are you meaning we or me?" I purse my lips in disgust.

"Think of it as protecting your mother's legacy Macy. We can't let Spektor take over the Academy. This will be us failing your mom." As manipulative as father's words sound, he is right.

If it is one thing my mom would sacrifice for in a second, it would be Havenwood Academy. That is how much she loved that place.

"And how do you plan on using Tobias?" I ask.

"He runs the academy now. It shouldn't be hard to bump into him and sleaze your way into his inner circle." Aaron mutters.

I wish it is as easy as Aaron thinks. The last time Tobias Spektor and I had an encounter, it wasn't pretty good. Plus sleazing myself into his inner circle isn't quite the easiest. It hadn't been that easy at the Academy, it definitely wasn't going to be easy now.

"What if I can't do it?" I utter my mouth set into a hard line.

"If it is one person who can do that to Tobias Spektor, it can only be you Macy." Aaron declares surely.

"Don't be so sure." I warn.

"Never in my life have I ever seen the great Tobias get puke off a girl he hasn't fucked." Aaron bluntly mutters.

"Aaron!" Father hisses.

My whole body stiffens. If he only knew.

"That's your sister. I don't need you to teach you to show her some respect." he quickly adds with disgust.

"Sorry father. I shouldn't have said that Macy."

"But you did anyway." I murmur.

"Should I remind you that I cut ties with Spektor five years back. What makes you think he will be as welcoming now?" I gaze hard at both of them.

"We need you Macy." Father lowly says. It almost sounds like a desperate plea.

All over a sudden I feel the weight of the whole world on my shoulders. I had known what I had with Taylor was temporary but maybe, just maybe I could be in his arms tonight while he whispered sweet nothings into my ear. I wouldn't have to think about Tobias Spektor once more in my life.

"What do you plan to do with Tobias?" I ignore the thrumming of my hurt as my lips roll his name off my tongue.

"You and him together, Damian would never see that coming. It gives us leverage Macy. Vampires are cold but they treasure bonds plus he's Damian's heir, it still comes back to us."

I applaud my brother's speech with an applause. Both men turn to me dazed.

"Wow! Mind blowing!" I applaud them harder.

"Who came up with this plan? Is it you father or Aaron?" I plaster a dangerous smile on my face.

"Ma..."

"Are you out of your mind?" I grit full-on pissed.

" You want me to seduce Tobias. You both expect him to fall for it in which universe. I think you underestimate the vampires."

"You can't blame us. We can't just let them take over." Father defends.

"And that's your plan, to whore me to the vampires?" I could eat their heads off now with how angry I am. My family are dickheads.

"It's not like...."

"How is it like, enlighten me dear brother?" I bitterly cut Aaron short.

"Ma..."

I have heard enough of these men telling me what to do. This has got to be my breaking point. I have a mind of my own and I am going to show them.

"He's not going to fall for it." I say.

Aaron's brow lifts. Father raises his eyes to mine.

"Tobias is not going to believe that I came back after those years to be over him. He's going to smell the lies from a far and we'll lose the academy." I explain.

"Let's get one thing clear, I am not whoring myself to Tobias or anyone in that case." I state clearly. Father nods his head. Aaron narrows his eyes at me.

"We have a seat at the board. We are going to win this fair and square you hear me."

"How do you plan on doing that?" Aaron questions with a raised brow.

"How does it sound to you that you are talking to the new administrator at Havenwood Academy?" I gaze.

"You're going to teach at the academy." Aaron says bewildered.

"I knew you weren't really very dumb." I roll my eyes.

Oh boy, I think it's welcome back for me now and with how silent the room is, I guessing we are on the same page.