May came before I knew it. Coming back from our trip to England had been emotional. Especially for mom. It took a month for us all to stop looking over our shoulders for Emperor Conri's men to come at us. Well Mom, Clara, and I did. Dad and Lucian, I still felt, were still on alert. Neither one said a word to any of us, but I could tell from the way they searched their surroundings when they didn't think we were looking. 

But I believe Emperor Conri is an ok guy. He is considered an emperor, so I'm sure he has a lot of stress and duties. Maybe he really is doing what he can to keep everyone safe. He did let us all live knowing he could be killed. I didn't like giving my possible first child away in a marriage, but I'm hoping by the time that comes, I would have thought up a plan. 

Still though, I'm glad we all came home safely. 

"Amelia, your date is here." Mom's voice had me quickening my pace to finish up the last touches to my makeup and making my way downstairs. 

Tonight was prom night and I was looking forward to it. After everything including taking some really hard tests, I deserved some fun. And what better way to have fun than going to a one time prom with my one and only best friend.

"Wow, Babe, you look the definition of classy chick." Clara offered her right hand to me, which I took.

I gave her a big hug. "And you are the definition of a hottie. I love your hair." 

Pulling back, I looked her over. She wore a long, blue satin gown that made Goddess Aphrodite proud. I just knew that long slit going up her right leg was going to get us banned from our prom. Her hair had been styled in some complex loose and braided combination. 

My hair was naturally curly, and so I styled mine back and a braid on each side of my head. I liked the one shoulder ombre gown I picked out. It showed enough skin to satisfy both Clara and I without me looking like an easy target. 

The click of a picture being taken had us looking at Mom. She lowered the phone, smiling at us. "You both look gorgeous. I need a good picture for the future though, so get in position, Girls."

Clara and I locked arms and hands to start off our photo shoot. We got into various positions that didn't involve us getting our dresses dirty but were silly and fun. 

"Alright, I think I got a couple great ones. I will be printing and sticking the best one in the book."

Milly's Memories — the baby book mom started when I was a baby. It was the reason she got into scrapbooking. She isn’t passionate about it like she is her baking, but I think she is pretty good at it. 

Sighing out loud, Dad rose from the armchair. A depressed look had him frowning. "How am I supposed to play my role when I don't have an overly eager suitor to threaten within an inch of his life?" 

"I would have helped you out, but I couldn't let my precious friend go all by herself." Clara wrapped her arms around my head, hugging me to her chest.

I quickly but gently untangled myself from her. "Clara, my hair. It did take time to do."

"Oh, that's right." She started straightening the strands back into place. 

"My daughters aren't normal teenagers," Dad said as he stood beside Mom, who was still looking through the pictures she took. 

I looked at Clara, who stared back. We both must have had the same thoughts because obviously the supernatural world wasn't normal in the way we had been raised. "Nothing is normal," we said at the same time. 

Mom elbowed him in the ribs, shoving her phone into his hands. "Ignore him. You two ladies have fun. Try to stay out of mischief, Clara." 

"Will do." Clara smiled and linked out arms together. "Let's go Amelia. The night awaits us." 

We headed out with mom and dad following only to stop at the door. As we climbed into my car, I wondered what Lucian was doing. He said that he wouldn't be attending prom night. I only really saw him during school lately, and he left right after school was over. I didn't see him on the weekends either, which was a little sad. But I knew he was taking care of matters with his mother's pack and his brothers. 

Arne's pack was a good way away. Lucian had to travel back and forth no doubt. He'll have to leave officially if he does become alpha of that pack. We haven't really talked about us after everything that's happened. I would go with him if he asked, but I didn’t really know if he wanted me too. 

"Thinking about your mate, huh?" Clara's voice drew me from my thoughts.

"A little." I focused back onto the road. "I thought we would talk after coming back, but he was busy with his pack and the new pack. That didn't bother me because I was busy with school. I didn't think our final year of high school would be busier with tests and preparing for the workforce."

"You don't have to say that again. Not only have I been on the go, but running down manic vampires is like a whole double job." Clara blew out a breath of air. 

She had been given tasks by her leader as a new vampire. One of those tasks was chasing unruly vampires and bringing them before their leader. At least that's what Clara says she does after practice and on weekends. 

"I can't say I envy you," I smiled, but I did worry for my friend.

I looked at my hand on the steering wheel to see Clara's hand sitting on top. "Talk to him. He won't always be busy. The first chance you get and you sit him down." 

I laughed at the playful sternness in her voice. "I know I should. I will."

We arrived at Jacksonville High. Parking and locking my car, we locked our arms and headed inside to the gym. Loud music played from the open doors of the large room. The theme of our prom was a modern day God and Goddess one that focused on a masquerade ball. The room was decorated with various decorations that created a place where any of those Greek gods would party in. It was amazing and I couldn't help wondering who had paid for all of this.

Our dresses were formal, but some of the girls, like Clara, chose dresses that were the definition of seductive and beautiful. As I looked around, I didn't see supervisors, but I knew they were somewhere watching. We had been told that the teachers on duty would be watching from afar in case something goes wrong, but they wanted to give us our 'first experience' as young adults.

"They really did a good job," Clara leaned over and spoke near my ear. "I can't believe Asphodel sponsored our prom."

"She did!" I couldn't believe the creepy vampire would even consider something like that. I didn't think she liked werewolves much, but a good many of the vampires under her did attend school here. 

Clara nodded her head. She then tugged me toward an area where prom pictures were being taken. We needed a professional one for mom or she'll have our heads. 

We took a few steps before Harris stepped in front of us. He looked every bit the delinquent even though he wore dressy clothes. He wore black dress pants and a royal purple, satin button up shirt. The look in his eyes was one of annoyance. Maybe bitterness. "You were cuter before you realized you were a werewolf. Should have stuck with me. You would have had a much better time." 

"You knew I was a werewolf?" That surprised me a bit. Why did Harris still pursue me then when he is a vampire? 

"Knew it when we first met. A shame your own mate took forever to realize you were one." He leaned toward me. An amused smile reached his eyes, which flashed silver. "My offer still stands."

"Aw what a shame," Clara said as she pretended to be surprised. "Amelia is allergic to an arrogant, foul stench. You should back up." 

Harris' eyes darted to Clara's face. His eyes flashed a bright silver as he glared at her. “And you scrub up well for one of Asphodel's little pets.” 

"Really, Harris, you look pathetic going after someone who's taken. Go crawl back into the shadow you came from." She took a step forward, making him straighten. 

I could sense the tension surrounding them both. It wasn't pleasant from what I felt, but it wasn't one of hatred either. I wasn't even sure what this feeling was. 

"Says the one who's busy chasing after every man who looks her way." Harris looked her over once more. "Oh, wait, you're Asphodel's new protégé. Go sit by her side and play the obedient puppet."

Clara tossed her head slightly and chuckled. "Do I sense jealousy? You always were a lap puppy." 

He bared his fangs. "You shouldn't have joined the coven," he said in a lowered voice. "But since you did, I'll take pleasure in watching you struggle." His eyes returned to normal as he relaxed his body. He glared at Clara a second longer before moving past us. 

Clara rolled her eyes as he passed by. I looked back to see Harris heading out the door. He never had been one to stay long at parties now that I think about it. He showed up, but he soon left after trying to get my attention. He was a weird one or I wasn't really his target during those times. 

I looked at Clara. "I've been meaning to ask you about that."

"About what?" Clara was leading me toward the photo section. She never seemed affected at all after our mini run-ins with Harris.

"You and Harris have always ended up getting into an insult match when I'm around. It's not just me he has a thing for, huh Clara?"

"Who knows? The guy is a loner. Always has been. He liked you and I because we didn't treat him differently like a lot of other people. But he became creepy with it. Let him bother someone else. You're taken and I'm not interested." Her face lit with excitement. "Look, it's free! Let's hurry and get a picture for Mom."

I let her lead me over and up the small step. We got into a good pose for our picture. I really hope Clara doesn't end up breaking Harris's nose or worse. The guy can hold a grudge. He had silver eyes not red like Clara's or any of the other vampires I've seen. I need to remember to ask Clara later about that. Or Lucian might know. 

Oh well. This is the start of a fun night. I won't waste my worries on the unknown. Tonight is all about fun with my best friend because graduation is on the horizon.