Lavender Rose Chapter 4

~*~Lavander Rose~*~

Chapter 4

I woke up the next evening with a new resolve. I would avoid Crescentia at all costs. Everything was going just fine until she showed up and without her; things would be just as good.

After showering and dressing, I made my way to the elevator as quickly as possible to avoid a chance encounter.

I walked down the dark city street, trying to decide where to hunt tonight. Clubs have not been working out lately.

I continued my wandering when I was suddenly bumped into. I looked down to see a wind-blown mop of auburn hair. The young woman looked up with dark brown eyes and plain, pale features.

“S-s-sorry,” she stuttered before scurrying off to join a group of girls in front of a shop. They were standing in front of a small building that had large steamy windows covering the front. I looked up at the awning to see a beige mug tipped sideways and the words “The Cauldron” displayed there. Maybe it’s time to broaden my horizons.

I noticed the group of girls had already gone inside, as I made my way to the front door. Once inside I was momentarily overpowered by the scent of numerous brews and teas. There was an assortment of chairs and tables placed sporadically around the cramped shop.

“Hi, welcome to ‘The Cauldron’. Is it just you tonight?” I looked over to see a perky girl with black hair and light brown eyes looking expectantly at me.

“Yes, please,” I answered smoothly after having recovered from my thoughts.

“Follow me,” she requested. The hostess led me to a small booth in the very back of the shop. I was handed a menu and told my waitress will be with me shortly.

I nodded to her, already lost in my thoughts once again. The room was dimly lit by heavily shaded lamps and candles. The lighting made the room glow a pale yellow.

There was soft jazz music playing in the background as well. I wasn’t familiar with the artist but enjoyed it nonetheless. Slightly louder than the music playing were the conversations going on around me.

The table to my right was made up of a few teenage girls talking about a party they were to attend this weekend. A small couch in front of me held a couple whispering their affections to one another. Mindless. All mindless chatter.

The smell of the different drink concoctions was still on my mind. I cleared my head and tried scanning the crowd for a potential meal.

I saw something quickly flit past my peripheral vision but paid it no mind. It wasn’t until the smell of honey and autumn overwhelmed me that I looked up. Crescentia was standing in front of my table, looking down at a notepad in her hands.

I took this opportunity to quickly let my mind take in her appearance. She was wearing tight black pants that hugged her hips nicely with a short black apron tied around her waist. Her shirt was also black but hung loose to her small frame and had “The Cauldron” written in the top left corner.

“Hi, welcome to ‘The Cauldron’. My name is Tia. Have you had a chance to look through the menu yet?” she asked me without taking her eyes off the fascinating pad of paper.

“You know it’s rude to not look at someone when you’re talking to them?” I asked her with a smirk.

He head shot up fast from her pad to look at me, confusion clouding her big emerald eyes.

When she didn’t answer I added, “Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?”

Her eyes immediately turned as hard and cold as the gemstone they so resembled. “Sorry,” she replied tartly, “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question,” I replied.

After a few moments of silence she asked, “Well are you?”

Now I’m confused. “Am I what?”

A smug smile slowly spread across her face. “Are you going to ask me the same question?”

I looked at her for a moment longer before I understood. Oh, she’s good. I smiled a genuine smile before replying, “Why, I’m here to see you of course, Schönheit.”

She chuckled softly, “Oh, I’m sure. What are you really doing here, Lukas?”

“Hunting,” I replied simply.

A look of sincere horror crossed her face before she began frantically scanning the small coffee shop.

I chuckled at her expression, “Don’t worry, you won’t find any bodies in here. At least none that I am responsible for.” At that I watched her relax and let out a deep breath. She quickly tucked a stray piece of dark curly hair behind her ear.

For the first time this evening I realized how tired she looked. Her long dark hair was falling out of the messy ponytail at the back of her head. The tiny whips framing her flushed face. She had a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead that she wiped with the back of her hand when she saw me looking. I’ve never seen her look more beautiful than right now.

“You look tired,” I commented instead of saying what I really thought.

“Yeah, well it’s been a long day. Thank God I’m off in thirty minutes.”

“That’s good then,” I replied as I stood up.

“You’re leaving?” she asked me suddenly. I recognized the alarm in her voice and smirked.

Moving closer, I leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Yes well, I don’t see anything I like here. The only one tempting me is too busy at the moment.” I watched as a chill suddenly made her whole frame twitch for a fraction of a second. I wasn’t sure if she did that out of desire or fear. I found myself hoping it wasn’t the latter.

She raised her head to meet my eyes and smiled. I felt uncalled for relief rush through me. “Will you walk me home after I get off?” she asked with a trace of uncertainty in her soft voice.

My breath caught in my throat. Before I could really think I answered, “Natürlich, Schönheit.” I noticed her brow furrow and realized I had answered in German. “Yes, I will,” I answer but in English this time.

She smiled in relief and turned around to wait on another table. I made my way outside and began scanning the streets for bums to feed on. I found a couple standing around a shopping cart and quickly fed, leaving them there to be found by the police tomorrow morning.

I began to make my way back to “The Cauldron” when I started to actually think through what I was about to do. I was about to willingly spend time with Crescentia. Of course, I wouldn’t mind walking her home and spending time with her—but that is out of the question. I cant let my self be around her. Every time I am, I completely throw reason out the window. Now that I’m out in the fresh air I can think clearly and I know that hanging out with her is not a good idea.

I suddenly stop walking and look at my surroundings. Fuck! I’m on the same street Crescentia works on! She will be leaving there any minute and see me. I quickly turn around and start walking the other way.

I continue grumbling to myself as I make my way to Central Park. It’s my favorite place to go and just think. Usually its one of my favorite places to hunt as well, but I’m already full so tonight, my visit will be purely for pleasure.

I made my way to the heart of the park and found a bench to sit on that was out of the way. Someone would only be able to find me here if they were looking for me. And I really hope there isn’t anyone looking for me. Namely, Crescentia.

I sit there for a few more minutes before I get restless. No matter what I do, my thoughts return to that damn wolf. I decide to go home instead and just play video games. The mindless games can usually occupy my thoughts for a while at least.

I run until I am about a block away from my building. I feel like getting a little more fresh air before confining myself to my apartment. I continue to walk at a relatively slow pace, trying desperately to get my thoughts in order. I have to stop thinking about this girl. Nothing good can come of this.

I feel a small tap on my shoulder and turn around to see Crescentia’s furious face looking up at me. Before I have a chance to say anything to her, she pulls back and punches me in the face, her knuckles colliding with my jaw.

“Oh, ow! Shit! What the fuck, is your head made out of titanium?!” She screamed while jumping up and down, clutching her hand to her chest.

“Crescentia, please calm down. You’re making a scene,” I told her softly.

“I don’t give a damn if I’m causing a scene, that fucking hurt!” she yells back.

I took a deep breath and pulled her into a nearby alleyway, away from the eyes of the people on the street.

She suddenly stops when she realizes my hand is on her small waist. I immediately withdraw my hand and run it through my hair. “Are you alright?”

She narrows her eyes at me, “Yes, I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

“Let me see it,” I said as I reached for her hand. “Crescentia, this looks broken. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”

“No. It will be fine soon,” she replied again, taking her hand back and clutching it to her chest again.

“How will it be fine soon? It’s broken for Christ’s sake!”

She smiles smugly at me, “I’m a werewolf. This will heal in a few minutes. What do you think the doctors would say to that, Lukas?”

I hadn’t thought about that. Of course she will be okay. Why was I so worried? I wasn’t worried, I just pity her.

“Why the hell did you punch me in the face anyway?”

“Because you stood me up asshole.”

“Great, so I’m an asshole again?”

“I never said you stopped being an asshole, I’m just reminding you,” she sneers as she walks past me into our apartment building.

I follow her, not because I want to talk to her but because I live here too. She presses the button to call the elevator with her good hand and we stand there silently. When the elevator arrives, we get on and I press the button for our floor, the pale yellow light illuminating at my touch.

“I apologize, Crescentia,” I say quietly.

“Yeah right,” she snorts.

I turn to face her, “I’m serious. I didn’t mean to upset you, I just didn’t think I could handle being alone with you.” Why the hell did I just admit that to her?

“What does that mean?” she asks softly, taking a small step closer.

“I mean that when I’m around you, I can’t think clearly,” I respond softly, closing the gap by another step. The little voice in the back of my head is screaming now, but all I can hear is the beat of Crescentia’s heart, growing faster by the second.

“And why do you think that is?” she asked in a voice, barely above a whisper.

I reach up and push a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I look down and am once again lost in the clear green in her eyes. I gently trace her jaw line, down to her chin. I put soft pressure under her chin, forcing her to tilt her head up further.

Just then the elevator doors opened and the spell was broken. I removed my hand and took a step back. I cleared my throat and said, “Well goodnight, Crescentia.”

She shakes her head and steps through the elevator in front of me, “Goodnight, Lukas. And next time don’t stand me u—.”

Standing in front her door, with his arms crossed is Tom. And he looks angry. I smirk and stroll to my door, completely not phased by this pup. “Ich hoffe zu bis bald, Schönheit.”

She turned around and gave me a little smile. She obviously didn’t know what I said, but I think she got the point. She turned back around and let Tom enter first. She rolled her eyes to me and followed him through the door.

I shook my head and walked in my own apartment. I immediately made my way over to my television and game system. I decided to skip the music tonight because I didn’t feel like dealing with a visit from Tom.

Just then I heard voices coming from Crescentia’s apartment. I tried not to listen, but my curiosity got the best of me. I left the game system running so they wouldn’t suspect I was listening.

“What the hell were you doing with him?” I heard Tom ask.

“That doesn’t concern you,” Crescentia answered in a snipped tone.

“Get off of me Tom!” I heard her yell. I was halfway to my door when I heard Tom again.

“I’m sorry Tia. I just don’t like seeing you with other guys.”

“Well that is just too bad, Tom.”

There were a few moments of silence when all I heard was a clinking sound and realized she must be doing dishes. “Have you thought any more about my offer?” I heard Tom ask.

“Tom, I already gave you my answer.”

“What is there someone else?!” he yelled.

“Yes…No…I don’t know…It doesn’t matter, my answer is still the same.” I smiled at this, wondering if she meant me.

“Tia, you are the strongest female in the pack. Your place is beside me,” he pleaded.

“Just because I am the strongest doesn’t mean I have to be with you Tom. I don’t feel that way about you. Please just let it go.”

“I won’t let it go Tia. We were meant to be together. And I won’t let anyone get in the way with that.” I heard the warning in his voice but I really wasn’t worried at all. No mutt is going to drive me away from what I want. But what do I want?

Just then I heard the door slam next door. That was probably Tom leaving after being rejected by Crescentia. And it doesn’t sound like that was the first time either. With a grin, I went back to my video game letting all the other thoughts be replaced by passes, tackles, and touchdowns.

Translations:

Schönheit: Beauty

Ich hoffe zu bis bald, Schönheit: I hope to see you soon, Beauty

**alright, so i have this new affliction, where i decided to change what tense i'm writing in whenever i fell like it. this has been edited for spelling and some grammar but i havent changed where i messed up the tenses yet. i'm just letting everyone know that i am aware of the problem and will eventually fix it**