Blood Mates

Renaldo Harbinger's Seductive Tactics

Alaia wanted to go to her room and hide. While she respected the Harbingers, Rayne was the only one she really liked.

 Wraith Harbinger only talked business, duty of vampires, and old wars he fought.

While his wife was about as warm as an iceberg. Josette sat perfectly crisp and put together in her black dress and heels. And even though she said nothing, her eyes observed everything.

Especially as Renaldo kept trying to get Alaia’s attention. All through them sitting down, having drinks, catching up, Renaldo talked in her ear. He at first tried to whisper seductively to her, but when she told him to stop it, he had no choice.

Especially when her father looked at them concerned much to his annoyance.

When dinner rolled around, Wraith looked at Josette who nodded. Turning her attention to Alaia, Josette watched the young woman as she ate her dinner. “Alaia?” Alaia looked up, “Yes Mrs. Harbinger?” Josette grinned with a forced politeness, “Well I was curious, the mortal boy that was here…do you consider him your mate?”

Alaia confidently answered, “Yes ma’am I do.”

Josette’s grin fell from her face at the sure answer as Renaldo’s grip on his fork had it bending. Desmond watched the punk ready to kick his ass out of the house. Wraith coughed as he asked, “You chose a mortal to start your family with?”

Alaia shrugged, “I don’t see the harm. We were all mortal once.” Josette winced at just the reminder of it, while Wraith could barely remember it at this point.

“True, but now we’ve become something more,” Wraith unnecessarily reminded her, “And preserving pure bloodlines and forming a strong union is what keeps our families safe.” Alaia forced a smile, “I agree. Which is why you honor us with your friendship.”

Josette gritted her teeth into a smile as she forced out, “Which is also why, it’d be an honor for us all to be more than friends. Family.” Alaia looked at her confused and then Renaldo grabbed her hand, “What my mother is implying, is she and my father think we’d be a perfect match.”

Alaia pulled her hand from Renaldo’s none to gently, “Well as honored as I am, I’m going to decline the offer.” Josette’s stony face was nightmare causing as she hissed, “And why is that?”

Alaia c****d an eyebrow, “I chose the man I wish to be with already. As already stated,” Renaldo was chewing his tongue as Wraith sneered, “You mean the boy you’re hiding yourself too. Does he even know what you are?”

Eric looked at Wraith carefully, “He does.” The Harbingers were surprised then that Jasper was still around. And not a vampire yet either. Renaldo looked at Alaia testing her, “Then why isn’t he changed?”

Biting her tongue, Alaia forced herself to say, “Because he still has a life, and he can’t change and then go back to it.” Josette nodded, “Exactly, which proves you shouldn’t waste your time.”

Alaia was surprised as Josette leaned forward trying to play doting maternal figure, “Any man who would choose everything else over you, isn’t worthy of you darling.” Alaia put her glass down and forced a dazzling smile, “Agree to disagree since this isn’t a very black and white ordeal.”

And the matter was left alone but it was obvious Josette didn’t want to agree to disagree. She wanted to keep badgering Alaia until she saw her side as the right answer. But dropped it for the time being as Sophia started asking her about her classes she taught.

Wraith wanted to circle around to Alaia’s perceptive in wanting to be with Jasper. But Renaldo beat him to it by asking, “So how long you and the mortal been together?”

Alaia looked at Renaldo tired of the questions about her personal life, “His name is Jasper, and almost four months.”

Renaldo snorted at the short time frame, “A little soon to be shouting love and eternity huh?” Alaia shrugged as she took a bite of pasta, “I’ve seen it happen faster.”

Rayne saved Alaia by asking her, “Well that’s all great. So how do you like living here so far?” Alaia described Devil’s Horns, and what she liked about it and living there. The ups compared to the big cities and crowds which actually appealed to Rayne and her parents more.

But Renaldo scoffed in disgust, “It’s a small ass town that has literally no clubs, no restaurants, and no night life. The hell you guys do here for fun, tip cows?”

Wraith laughed mockingly as Alaia rolled her eyes disgusted, “Or we could not harass animals who did nothing to us. We do simple things, coffee shop, movies, date nights.” Renaldo belched, “Sounds boring.” Alaia nodded as she mumbled, “Exactly.” Because for some immortals, boring was fine and preferred. But with others…not so much. 

Dinner sparked out and even though the invite was half assed, the harbingers accepted the offer to stay the night. Alaia was sitting in her bed alone late into the morning after Rayne left for bed.

She was writing when Renaldo suddenly knocked and came in uninvited. He smiled a little as he held up to wine glasses and a bottle. “I brought your favorite wine.”

Alaia shook her head slowly, “I hate wine. It makes me sick.” Renaldo looked at Alaia confused, “I could have sworn we shared a bottle of this stuff in Rome. Remember when you came for the summer a couple years back?”

How could she forget?

 “Yeah I remember.” Renaldo started to smile smarmily but then Alaia reminded him, “You got drunk at your dad’s party, got into a fight with a high influencing warlock, and then came outside with me. You kept handing me the bottle even though I kept saying no thanks. I just took it and passed it back like we were sharing.”

Renaldo flushed since he had spent the last few days thinking it was a sign they could unwind again. Righting himself, Renaldo charmingly teased, “Bad boy antics from back in the day. I’m much more behaved now, but are you sure I can’t tempt you for a glass? I’m sure your stomach can handle a little red.”

Alaia bit the top of her pen as she told him, “I’m good. I have school in the morning.”

Pretty brown eyes rolling at the lame excuse, Renaldo c****d an eyebrow, “I’m pretty sure you could teach that entire building of mortals thousands of things they don’t know.” Alaia nodded in agreement just wanting Renaldo to get out of her room now. “True, but we still have to keep up appearances.”

Sitting the wine down, Renaldo held out his hands, “You wouldn’t have to if you came home with me.”

Alaia looked at Renaldo surprised as he edged closer, “Alaia, I’ve always been attracted to you. I think my parents are right and we could be good for each other.” 

Shaking her head, Alaia highly doubt thought, “Renaldo…you seem like great guy…I think. But I don’t feel anything romantic towards you, and I’m not leaving Jasper.” 

Renaldo’s face puckered for two seconds before he casually tried to play off his annoyance. “That mortal? What could he possibly offer you in this Podunk little town?”

Alaia shook her head, “It’s not what he offers or gives me here, it’s what he’d offer to give no matter where we are.” Renaldo looked at Alaia for a moment before cockily asking, “But you don’t honestly care for him do it? I mean he’s nothing compared to…us.”

Alaia fought a smirk as she looked up at what Renaldo was implying, “You’d be surprised.” Because it wasn’t Jasper who couldn’t compare to Renaldo. It was Renaldo who couldn’t compare to him in Alaia’s eyes.

Renaldo could see Alaia knew what he had meant and could see she didn’t agree. Which annoyed him to the point of pouring two glasses of wine, only to have to drink both on his own.

When Alaia couldn’t stomach him trying to flirt with her, or his smarmy eyes checking her out she told him so. “Okay time for bed.” She told him getting out of bed and grabbed his arm when he reached for.

Making sure none of their skin touched, Alaia turned Renaldo around as he held the almost empty bottle of wine. “Oh come on Alaia, let’s talk!” Renaldo purred trying to reach for her.

But Alaia ducked out of his reach, opened her door and put him on the other side of it. “Oh I would but you know, school and stuff. Goodnight.” And the door was closed in his face and Renaldo was left to scowl bitterly at the door. 

Only moderately tipsy on wine, Renaldo went and got another bottle before crawling into his borrowed bed’s sheets. In his wine laced mind Renaldo knew he shouldn’t have shown up to Alaia’s room like he did. His usual tactics in wooing a woman weren’t working on her.

He’d have to try a different approach, and with a smile, the vampire went to bed thinking he’d win. All while his hoped prize called her boyfriend to tell him what happened as she locked and barricaded her door.