ıllıllı 𝓜𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓬 𝓘𝓷 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 ıllıllı

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪 𝘟𝘊𝘟 - 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘱 (instrumental)

･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.

Jilian Pov

･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.

WORDS WEREN'T PLIANT ENOUGH TO COUNTERACT WITH THE HEAVY TENSION THAT SALTED THE AIR.

There was something about him that lured me in...he had talked about darkness at the reservation... I wished to brighten his night now that he was standing in my room, looking as fine as ever.

His umber brown eyes widened as I slowly ran my fingers along his chiseled jaw.

I stood on the tips of my toes. It would be the only way I could reach him...

He met me halfway with equal fervor.

The first kiss was just like a drug...a cocktail of chemicals were released in my brain, the moment our lips collided.

Kissing was intimate. It was up close and personal. Most guys these days didn't put a lot of effort into it, which didn't make it enjoyable in the least. But Elijah was different, he didn't bruise my lips with Brute force, instead, he bruised my heart with his disarming tenderness.

I had never been handled with such care before and to be frank, it was a little unsettling and made little nervous flutters arise in my stomach.

He broke the grandiose spell that had frozen time and made my toes tingle in anticipation.

Despite our lips only connecting for half a minute... he was flushed and seemed out of breath...

"What's your middle name?"

I lifted a brow, satisfied that our bodies were still somewhat close together. I could feel the heat coming off him. It made my knees weak.

"Karma."

He grinned like he had hit the jackpot.

"You reap what you sow. I like to think of it as being the maker of our lives. We put energy in and receive it back in different forms throughout time."

"Mmhm," I bit down on my lip and dropped my hands from his jaw to the lapels of his blazer.

"I usually don't partake in one night stands, I- -"

"Not that kind of guy," I summed up and lined my body with his. He didn't step away, so that was a good sign.

"Don't worry, hun, I'm open to anything you want. We could do friends with benefits or a relationship. I would say an open one but something tells me you're more reserved- -"

Elijah frowned, making me stop in my tracks.

"Jilian, I'm only concerned with your wants."

My heart beat faster in my chest when he grasped my hand and planted a small, simmering kiss on my palm.

"And your needs."

I melted to the floor at that, and my lips yearned for his.

Where the hell had he been all my life?

"Elijah, it's impossible to deny...I feel something for you...we feel something for each other and I'd love to explore that further...that is - -"

I leaned forward and gently captured his bottom lip with my teeth before releasing it. "If you're up for it."

The smile on his face was warm as his finger traced the curve of my jaw.

My eyes fluttered shut when his forehead touched mine.

"I'm up for the challenge."

I smirked, and our lips neared in proximity, but the door to my room slammed open, breaking us apart.

Damn it.

Luna and Hayley stood in the doorway and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Get out - -"

Luna sighed, looking worried, "Dad's on his way home, we came to warn you. He - -" she pointed to Elijah, "has to go so Dad doesn't lose his shit."

But we were just getting down to the good stuff!!

I folded my arms over my chest, "I am a grown woman - -"

Hayley stuck up her hand and slapped it against her leg in vehement irritation.

"May I remind you of our father's temper?"

Damn.

I knew they were right but I didn't want to say goodbye to Elijah just yet.

"Would it really be the worst idea if I met him?" Elijah wondered aloud looking as posh as ever even with my lipstick on his mouth.

"Kinda," Luna added, "especially since you have my sister's lipstick on your mouth."

The sound of Dad's truck pulling up yanked me out of my thoughts. I looked over at Elijah, "Umm you have to go, like...right now."

Utilizing my supernatural hearing I could already hear the door unlock, that was quick.

I took Elijah's hand and followed the winding path my sisters were making to keep the four of us out of trouble.

"Girls!"

My Dad's voice echoed up the staircase and my sisters and I froze in place.

Luna turned to Hayley and spoke so lowly and quickly that I could barely catch what she said.

"Get him outside, I'll distract Father."

Luna then rose and began to make her way downstairs.

"Where are your sisters?"

"Upstairs, they really aren't feeling well, Daddy. You see it's that time of the month..."

I watched as he paled and held his hands up in defense, "Alright, I was just making sure everything was fine. I smelled something off..."

"Hmm, I could only imagine what it was..."

We began creeping down the stairs as Luna led Dad away, talking about how well the renewal went and how great mom did on her tests.

Finally! We made it outside.

Hayley plopped down on a chair in the patio area, glaring at me.

"A thank you would be nice."

I shut my eyes, she would never let me live it down if I didn't show appreciation.

So, I gave her my best smile, "Thank you, Hayley, for saving my ass. I look forward to when I do the same for you."

Before she could reply I was already taking Elijah's hand and leading him away from the cabin.

Once I couldn't see the house anymore I slowed my pace. The moon was full and bright; it allowed me to see the colorful bed of fallen leaves that blanketed the forest floor. Elijah looked dashing beside me...

"I would like to just go with the flow," I stated, hoping he would understand what I meant.

Elijah frowned, "Could you elaborate?"

Smirking I moved to stand and front of him. He raised a brow, and I placed my hand on the back of his head, pulling him down to my level.

I brushed my lips teasingly against his, and his hand came to rest on the small of my back...

He tasted of the peach champagne we had drunk at the party...

Before things could progress, I pulled away, leaving my hands on his chest. He had a strong heartbeat.

"Going with the flow means doing what feels right."

Elijah grinned, "Is it right of me to assume that you are insinuating that kissing me feels right?"

"Yes," I said, unable to keep the brilliant smile off my face.

"When can I see you again?"

"Tomorrow, 12:30, at L'amour parle."

He chuckled, "That's awfully specific, Jilian."

"Well, Elijah, I have to be specific when asking you out. How else would you meet me?"

"I'm sure I would find you...one way or another..."

Dipping my head, I prayed he wouldn't see the blush that coated my cheeks.

·𖥸·

After escaping his titillating gaze that made me warm with desire, I was confronted by my sisters when I reached the patio.

"Did you guys kiss?"

I put my hands on my hips, firing back at Hayley, "Do you and Jackson kiss?"

Her cheeks burned bright through the night, and I only smiled. "I guess that answers your question."

Luna rested her flushed face on her fists and I tilted my head to the side, "Has anyone told you that you look beautiful today?"

She shook her head and I sat down beside her and kissed her cheek. "Well, you're beautiful."

"Aww, thanks, Jilly. You just made my night."

I held out my hands for them to take, and they looked quizzically at each other

Only now did I notice Luna's green and gray eyes were glimmering. "Where are we going?"

I began leading them to the front of my house, a plan formulating in my head.

"Someplace Magical."

Beside me, Hayley muttered under her breath but tonight I didn't counter it with a threat... my smile did not turn into a frown. I had better things to do with my time like thinking about how I was going to convince my sisters to go along with my plan...

·𖥸·

Someplace Magical was a tattoo parlor on Jameson street. It was directly across the witchcraft shop, Whitebeard.

The tattoo spot was not the prettiest to gaze upon...

But as my past experiences taught me...looks weren't everything...

This is why I rolled my eyes when Hayley let a snide comment slip past her lips.

We entered the small establishment and were immediately greeted by the pierced girl at the front desk. Her name was Flo. I remembered her from the last time I was here.

Her gray eyes were half closed as she blew out a puff of smoke. But Flo being high did not stop her eyes from locking onto my sisters like wine on rice.

Snapshots of multiple tattoos banded the walls. For a moment, I allowed myself to admire the complex linework and blooming colors.

I had gotten my first tattoo here; the triquetra on my ankle healed beautifully!

The word, triquetra, meant three-cornered, and the Celtic emblem was an intricate triple knot design. The symbol is comprised of three interlaced arcs, the line is unbroken, but it means something different for everyone. For me, it represented my bond with my sisters and our unity. The sign also happened to be on the cover of the Book of Shadows, which was my family's sacred grimoire.

"Whatcha in for?"

Luna and Hayley both shrugged, expecting this, I took the lead.

I slid over a piece of paper; it was a simple rose I had sketched. The petals were delicately rounded and came to a point at the end.

"Small, black, fine-lined, one on each of our hips."

Hayley's mouth fell open in shock while Luna cupped her hands on the sides of her face.

I didn't need her empathetic sense to know that she was thrilled at the thought of my plan.

"Oh my god, are we really about to get matching tattoos?"

Flo grinned at Hayley's exasperation and rose slowly out of her seat. "That's what it looks like, honey. Let me get one of the artists. We just had a freelancer drop in not too long ago."

As the woman vanished behind the curtain, Luna's hands came to rest on my shoulders. I waited, getting out some cash and mom's signed consent form for Luna to get a tattoo since she was still a minor.

"Have I ever told you that I have this intense fear of needles?"

I nodded, smiling as I reached into my bag and withdraw a blindfold.

"You won't see a thing, baby moon."

･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.

Luna Pov

･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.

A strange feeling arose in my chest when two artists came to collect my sisters but not me.

I asked Flo, who had returned to her desk, about it, and she said that some guy named Nik would be handling it.

At the sound of that name, my heart beat harder in my chest.

Nik as in...Niklaus...

Hearing footsteps, I turned my head to the sound of them. Before Jilly and Hayley left, they tied the blindfold onto my head so I couldn't see. Which left me relying on my ears and nose.

I detected a sensuous yet mysterious spicy fragrance that had me leaning forward. I had never smelt anything quite like it.

"What's with the blindfold, Beauty?"

I shivered, swearing on my life that was the rich accented voice from my dreams...

My hands twisted in my lap as I began to explain my fear of needles.

The man chuckled softly, and I felt silly sitting on that bench with the stupid blindfold on my face, but I relaxed when he said - -

"My brother did the same thing for his first tattoo. As long as you remember to breathe, everything will be fine, Love."

I exhaled slowly, thankful that he didn't think I was weird. I tried to ignore the blush that coated my cheeks when he called me Love.

"You can call me, Nik."

The man paused for a moment before resuming speaking.

"Now, I will need you to remove your skirt."

I gulped.

The thought of removing anything in front of Nik, who reminded me of dreamguy made my stomach fill with a thousand butterflies. Each brushed its wings against my innards, causing feelings of near hysteria to bloom.

I stood and with unsteady hands, unbuttoned my skirt. It dropped to my ankles with a faint thud.

The chilly air nipped cruelly at my bottom. And I stood blind before Nik, wearing only a graphic cotton tee and a pair of pink lace string cheekini panties.

I felt scandalous... did princesses ever get tattoos?

...But it kinda felt good being a little unorthodox...

"Where do you want me?" I asked, and Nik cleared his throat.

"Laid out across the chair. I will adjust you as needed..." he trailed off, and I anticipated his next words as he guided me to the chair.

"Your birthmark is rather intriguing."

I lay in the tattoo chair and touched my birthmark; the crescent laid over my right shoulder blade, just as Hayley and Jilian's did.

He continued, and I heard something hiss. Did tattoo ink do that often?

"Did you know that it is extraordinarily rare for a wolf to be marked the way you are?"

I chuckled, not feeling threatened by the fact Nik knew about my werewolf side.

"It's sort of a family thing... Does this mean you'll be using aconitum?"

He chuckled, "Not many wolves know that term... but yes, I will be using wolfsbane. Though, it will need to be touched up in a couple of years due to your healing abilities."

I bit my lip, as he walked over to me. "Why did you call me Beauty? You can only see half my face."

The question slipped out of my mouth even though I hadn't meant to ask it... I mainly just wanted to hear his silky voice.

My mind spun around the prospect of this Nik being my dreamguy...but what about Hope's father, the King of four Great Wolf Nations? Was he still a contender? Nik knew about wolves, yes, but that didn't mean he was a ruler of a percentage of them.

I had so many questions and only two possibilities so far.

His answer to my inquiry was unadorned, and it was one that brought a smile to my face.

"I call things as I see them."

"Hmm..."

I nearly jumped out of my skin when his fingers probed my hip.

"So...where exactly do you want this again?"

I blushed deeply and guided my hand onto the spot Jilly pointed out.

He sighed.

"Are you sure you want it there, Love? That particular spot can be quite painful."

I lifted my chin a fraction of an inch. "I can take it."

"We'll see about that," he replied, and I swore he was smirking. Nik softly swabbed my skin with iodine, and I recoiled away from the cold fluid.

He apologized, and I told him it wasn't his fault.

"Do you have any more siblings?"

"Nope," I said, letting the p in the word pop.

"But I am the youngest."

"Really?"

"Mmhm, do you have a big family?"

Nik chuckled, and that strange warm feeling arose in my chest, nearly taking my breath away from the intensity of it all.

"Yes... my older brother throws these lavish parties every holiday season, and we all come together...no matter how far apart we are."

I smiled, appreciating the sentiment.

"That sounds really nice... I have to ask... are you British? It's just the accent - -"

His barking laugh cut me off. "I've been around for a while... it's something I developed when I traveled overseas."

Nodding, I flinched when I felt the cold tip of a pen trace against my skin.

"Well, it's lovely, Nik..."

"Thank you... I must confess, I've never heard a voice quite like yours... so melodious... do you sing?"

I giggled. The feather-light action of his drawing movements tickled me.

"Yes. If you are interested...I'm at Rousseau's every karaoke night."

Nik continued sketching the rose onto my hip, and I flexed my foot waiting for his response.

"You look a little young to be in a bar."

"I'll be eighteen next September. And besides my father is with me every time I go."

"Oh, really?"

I nodded, "Yes, we go against each other for fun. He and I usually win the contest every other week."

Nik paused his looping motions...

"You sound like you have a close relationship with him."

I smiled, feeling Nik's warmth come on in waves. I wasn't one hundred percent sure but I felt as if his feelings mirrored mine...similar to the wolf but different...more profound...

"We have a very close relationship though he can get a little overprotective at times..."

Nik chuckled, "I can imagine that he wouldn't want anything to happen to you. As a father myself, I admit I wouldn't want anything happening to my daughter."

Hmmm...I wonder if her name was Hope...

I didn't ask that question. That would be too personal and I wasn't going to be indelicate.

"Did he sign the consent form?"

I shook my head, and Nik chuckled. "Ahh, it was your mother then?"

"Yes. My sister surprised me."

Something shifted in the air, and I detected a bit of sadness in him. "My sister and I are going through a rough patch at the moment."

That was the reason for the sadness.

"I'm sorry to hear that, I hope things get better for you and your sister in the future."

"Thank you," his reply came as soft as I imagined the golden wolf's fur to be.

The pen and his hand disappeared from my hip. Nik's touch had left goosebumps.

A loud buzzing sound filled the air and I jumped back.

He chuckled as he approached me again.

"Are you sure you are up for this, Love? You could always come back at another time."

"I'm sure," I did not flinch when his gloved hands ever so slightly pressed onto my hip.

There was a loud whirring sound... I felt the object close in on my skin and I dug my nails into my palm as I felt the first stab of the needle.

The pain was quite intense...harshly sharp and fiercely stinging... I was sure the wolfsbane only exacerbated those things but it didn't leave me screaming.

"Are you alright?"

Feeling his concern for me, I gave him a placid smile.

"I think I might actually survive this."

He laughed at my answer, placing his other hand gently down on my thigh as he moved forward with the design my sister had chosen. I felt him shift and turn to the side.

"You seem so delicate... I've seen grown men crumble in pain at this but not you... why is that?"

My nails dug deeper into my palms and I groaned lightly, my resolve slipping away minute by minute.

To be honest, I felt kind of faint, but I didn't want to tell Nik that.

"Looks can be misleading and I told you I could take it."

Nik said nothing for a while and only focused on his work. I revealed in the silence my words had created. The pain became agonizing when he started what I presumed to be the petals of the rose. He took a wet wipe to my skin and I noticed that my blood tainted the air.

"How do you know about werewolves?" I wondered aloud as the loud buzzing noise erupted from the tattoo gun.

Once again the sharp pain almost comparable to a beesting started up again.

"I am one myself. My father is quite the member of our community, he is a renowned author."

Like Ansel? I read his book, Fullest Moons, which was about mates but he had other works out there.

As much as I wanted to I didn't ask.

"Hmm...well I don't usually tell strangers this but..." I trailed off, giving suspense.

"I'm a princess."

Nik chuckled, "Is that so?"

"Mmhm, my father rules three Great Wolf Nations."

Nik chuckled, "I never got your name..."

"It's Luna."

He repeated my name and I shivered, the way he said it was so alluring.

"It's Italian and Spanish, though I doubt you are either... Do you know the reason behind your parents' choice?"

I settled into the comfy leather chair, shivering from the cold. My lower body was quite warm but only where his gloved hands came in contact with my skin.

"My Dad said that the first time he held me... my eyes reminded him of the moon. He said they lit up the room."

Feeling silly I laughed, the story was endearing but awfully dramatic.

"I'm sure they did... are you aware that in Roman mythology, Luna, was the divine personification of the moon?"

I shook my head, "I wasn't, but that is pretty cool."

He withdrew the tattoo gun and I felt a few tears escape, I prayed that the blindfold would catch them.

With his gloved hand, Nik gently applied vaseline to my tattoo.

"You are all finished, Love, are you ready to see the result?"

Before my hands could remove the blindfold I heard Flo's hazy voice.

"Nik, there is a phone call for you, your brother said it was important."

The man muttered, bloody hell, before sighing.

"I hope to see you around, Luna."

His footsteps reverberated in the room and then he was gone...leaving my heart aching to feel the warmth that cradled it so lovingly.

Oddly enough, that warmth disappeared when Nik left the room...

Dictionary: L'amour parle (means love talks and it is a romantic cafe). A grimoire - is a textbook of magic, typically including instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets, how to perform magical spells, charms, and divination, and how to summon or invoke supernatural entities such as angels, spirits, deities, and demons. The Book of Shadows was created by Melinda Warren and was passed down to the Charmed Ones, it is their sacred grimoire . . Mate- a werewolf's soulmate.