Chapter Fourteen: News

"Hold tight,'' Caspian said as he gradually increased the speed of his car. My grip tightened on the seat belt as I felt like my guts would come out of my mouth. "Someone's following us," Caspian said calmly, not moving his eyes from the road. My eyes widened as I pursed my lips, getting petrified. The meter reading went over two hundred as I sent farewell to the stationaries I had finally afforded. "Do you want to go to jail?" I cried out, closing my eyes as Caspian had lost the last piece of his brain cells for driving the car recklessly with a smirk printed on his face. I watched two cars crashing behind ours, shoving the entire area into chaos. Caspian drove away from the city roads. I assumed one of the crashed cars was following ours. "This man is undoubtedly a devil," I thought, staring at Caspian as he slowed down the car again. I gazed out of the window when my heart finally calmed down. It was already past afternoon as the sky had turned tangerine from the rays of the setting sun. The road looked ethereal, with the mountains on one side and the slopes meeting the sea on the other. When we returned, I found my grandpa waiting in the hall. "Bailey!" my grandpa hastily came toward me, pulling me into a tight embrace. My cheeks turned red as my grandpa started to check for any injuries. "Was it the humans again?" My grandpa asked, looking at Caspian. "Yes, Master," Caspian answered calmly. "No wonder you allowed them to chase you," My grandpa said, nodding. "It was all over the news though I have already taken care of it. However, it took a lot of effort to fabricate your car. You should have considered Bailey before driving at such a pace.'' "Pardon, but she is a walking pandora's box until she learns how to protect herself," Caspian said, staring at me coldly. "Don't be too harsh on her, Caspian," My grandpa said, sitting back on the couch, lighting his cigarette. "I believe it's high time I debut Bailey as my granddaughter." "If that's what you wish, Master. However, once she debuts, it will be more difficult to protect her," Caspian said indifferently. "She is already so weak and incapable of using her wolf abilities," Caspian said, staring at me bitterly. I wondered if there were vaccines for insults. "Bailey, I have exciting news for you," My grandpa said, turning to me and noticing me sulking. I stared at grandpa curiously as he pulled me close to him on the couch. "I have brought your uncle to the city. Athereld is currently taking care of your uncle in his hospital," My grandpa said, smiling at me brightly. I couldn't believe my ears, getting up excitedly. I sat back on the couch again, noticing Caspian's piercing eyes. "Can I meet him?" I asked my grandpa in a tiny voice. "Of course," My grandpa answered cheerfully. "He will be living with us once Athereld approves." "Master, Did you decide on the snakes' proposition?" Caspian asked awkwardly. I was perplexed by the sudden change in Caspian's expression. He seemed frustrated. "Ah- about that," My grandpa paused while saying. He placed his hand on Caspian's shoulder and said, "I have already sent them an answer. Caspian, I do not wish to burden you. However, it was necessary to form peace among the clans." Caspian only nodded. My grandpa patted Caspian's head lightly and said, "If it were a few years back, I would have waited. But you are already past the age. This shouldn't be a problem." I felt relieved hearing about my uncle. I chit-chatted a bit with my grandpa as Caspian went upstairs shortly. It was already past dinner time when grandpa finally let go of me. I came upstairs exhaustedly. The mansion was so massive that it resembled a palace. I stopped in the vast corridor, staring at the full moon outside the glass wall. Thick, rounded, massive pillars supporting the ceiling were connected by expensive chandeliers. The lights were turned off in the corridor, creating a surreal atmosphere. The moonlight had showered the balcony attached to it. I decided to enjoy the fresh air when I got startled by someone's presence. I turned to come face to face with Caspian in his bathrobe. Caspian had just showered with his wet, blond hair sparkling on the moonlight fallen over the side of his face and exposed chest. I couldn't take my eyes off the ethereal beauty of his perfectly formed abs and sharp jawline. "If you are hungry, you should ask the maids to prepare dinner," Caspian said, smiling at me mischievously. Dimples appeared on his cheeks, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth. My face flushed, realizing I was gobbling him up with my eyes. Caspian came close to me as his fruity fragrance hit my nose. I moved backward, getting trapped between one of the pillars and Caspian. Caspian leaned close to me, placing his arm over my head on the pillar. "Did you like what you saw?" Caspian asked in an alluring voice. I thrust my body back into the pillar, attempting to blend with it. Caspian dangerously brought his face closer to mine as a smirk appeared on his face. "But I don't like what's before me. Considering my Master's reputation, you are not even close to being called his successor. Master is preparing for your debut ball. The world would be disappointed, don't you think?" Caspian whispered in my ears. I clenched my fists. Caspian's insults were getting harder to deal with than the school bullies. I placed my hand on Caspian's exposed chest, under his robe, as his eyes moved toward it skeptically. "I thought I would let go of it since I had no desire to claim the throne. However, if you wish for a battle, I should give you one," I said, staring into his eyes. Caspian got puzzled for a moment. However, he broke into laughter shortly as I frowned at him. "That sounded fierce," Caspian said, chuckling. He stroked the hair away from my face gently. For a moment, I saw an unfamiliar look in his eyes. Caspian seemed lost. I shoved Caspian's hand away as one of the maids appeared to inform us about the dinner. The maid reddened as Caspian turned to her. The robe was hanging loosely on his shoulders, revealing his entire upper body. Caspian seductively ran his fingers through his wet hair. The maid gasped, staring at his body. Indeed, he was eye candy for the maids. I couldn't fathom the surge of emotion rushing through my veins. I returned to my room, getting annoyed. "He did that intentionally, didn't he?" I questioned myself. "Why do I care? Weak, walking Pandora's box? Well, let's see if he says that after I awaken my wolf," I said to myself, chewing on the leaves of my carrot shaped body-pillow. The next day at school, I encountered the most unexpected news. Cassidy came to me rushing into the class. "Bailey!" Cassidy called my name, huffing. "Is this even legit?" she asked me, shoving her phone almost in my face. "What are you talking about," I flatly asked as she moved the phone a bit. A photo of Caspian with a ravishing teenage girl appeared before me. The picture was a bit older as Caspian appeared barely in his twenties. I felt a clenching pain in my heart, reading the article. It claimed that Caspian was getting married to the gorgeous woman in the photo. "Is this true? It's been all over Instagram since morning. Caspian and Aphrodite are celebrities on social media. Everyone's going crazy over the news," Cassidy said, getting hyped. However, I was in a state of bafflement. I didn't even like Caspian. Then why would I feel such a heart-wrenching pain at the news of him getting married? I wondered. Cassidy didn't stop though. She continued to ask questions like a cassette on repeat. "Your grandfather raised Caspian. So, isn't he like your uncle or something? Do you not know about it?" Cassidy asked, almost making me choke on the air. I recalled Caspian's conversation with my grandfather the previous night. My grandpa had said that he had accepted some kind of proposition. Was it something associated with Caspian's marriage? I wondered. "Caspian and Aphrodite had dated a few years back," Cassidy said. "However, considering the bad blood between the two companies, no one assumed they would come this far. Since Aphrodite now owns her father's company, she has finally gathered the courage to accept Caspian's proposal," Cassidy said, staring at the picture excitedly. "Caspian's proposal?" I questioned in a tiny voice. "Don't you know? It was all over the news that the future CEO of the White Wolves' had proposed Aphrodite. However, it didn't progress. There is even numerous fan fiction about this two. Would you like to read one? I shipped them a lot," Cassidy said as her eyes sparkled. I shook my head, showering her with a dry smile. Caspian was already twenty-five. His having a mate was already expected. Perhaps, Aphrodite was his mate. I consoled myself as I failed to fathom the foreign feeling in my heart.