6. Vaughn
Chapter 6
Vaughn
C andi slams the door in my face, but the muffled voices of the girls and the sound of the shower running still fill the air. Without Kay to focus on, my stitches ache and my mind begins to race. During tonight's events I must have ripped a stitch or two, but I haven't noticed until now.
It was worth it to give Adam a taste of his own medicine.
"I'll kill my brother for what he did to tiny," Creed growls. "If he's willing to do that to her, who's to say those omegas they kidnapped are being treated any better?"
For a moment, I stand still, hyper-aware of Creed at my back. I replay how much I admire him for standing up for himself today. He had a gun pointed at his head and didn't even flinch. Slowly, I turn to face him, bracing myself for the floodgate to rise on the emotions I've kept at bay. His shaggy blond hair partially veils his piercing green eyes, now clouded with a hardness I've never seen before. My chest tightens at the unfamiliarity of it.
How do I handle this ruthless side of the man I love?
"Adam will pay for everything he has done," I vow. "Keeping those omegas imprisoned like that?" I scoff with disgust. I always knew the Sterlings were evil, but I didn't truly know what they were capable of.
Until now.
Creed's jaw tightens, anger and worry crossing his features. "We have to find a way to stop them. To free Hux and those omegas," he says firmly. "No one should have to suffer like that," he adds, shaking his head rapidly.
I nod, my mind already working out logistics. "We need a plan this time. We can't just go in there making noise," I remind him. "The Hounds are aligning themselves with your mother. We don't know what we are truly up against anymore, or what she's promised them."
Creed runs a hand through his hair, letting out a breath of frustration, and I know it's taking everything in him not to act now.
"We can't do this alone. We need to protect The Omega Den, Candi, and Kay." Creed's eyes flicker from the closed door back up to me. "We'll need backup. People we can trust…You know what that means, don't you?"
I nod slowly. The only group I know who would never align themselves with the Hounds is the local motorcycle club.
I meet his gaze, my stomach tightening at the implication. "Yeah, I know. But the Serpents—"
"We need them, Vaughn," Creed interrupts, his voice firm. "Your uncle Viper and the Serpents are the only ones who would never align with the Hounds. They'd never stoop that low."
Leaving the MC was one of the toughest decisions I've made, especially when my uncle asked me to patch in and I refused. There's tension there, unresolved feelings about loyalty and family.
The thought of returning to the MC stirs conflicting emotions within me. It's where I grew up, where I learned the code of brotherhood. But it's also where I turned my back on my family.
Will they even welcome me back after all this time?
Creed's gaze is intense, waiting for my response. I take a deep breath, pushing aside my doubts.
I shake my head, the weight of my past threatening to pull me under. "I left for a reason, Creed. I didn't patch into the MC. There's no way they'll welcome me back."
Creed's eyes soften slightly, but his resolve remains. "I get it, Vaughn. I do. But right now, it's not about you or your past. It's about survival. It's about making sure the people we care about don't get caught in the crossfire."
My fists tighten at my sides, anger and frustration boiling over. "You don't understand. You weren't there. You don't know what it was like."
Creed's expression hardens. "Then make me understand. Help me see why you can't go back. Because right now, all I see is someone who's too afraid to face their past."
I recoil at the harshness in his voice and take a deep breath, my shoulders slumping slightly. "You really want to know why I left? Why I didn't patch in?" I ask, my voice low and raw.
Creed nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yeah, I do."
I look away, my gaze distant. "A run at the docks went wrong. One of our own died in a fire. I was convinced there was a traitor in the club. I didn't see how anything else could explain what happened. Anyway, a few nights after the disaster, I got into a fight with my best friend, Ghost, over it. Viper tried to intervene, but I pushed him away. Things spiraled out of control between Ghost and me after I accused his father of betraying the club. I was so sure Gears was the traitor that I nearly killed Ghost. Viper... he covered for me. Took the blame. He said it was a misunderstanding, a family matter. But deep down, I knew the truth. I was the problem. I let my fears get the best of me then, letting them override my better judgment. I won't let that happen again."
Creed listens in silence, the weight of my confession settling between us. "So you left," he says quietly. "To protect them. To protect yourself."
I nod. "I couldn't stay, Creed. The damage was already done. So I walked away."
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself as the memories flood back. The fights, the anger, the shame of almost killing my best friend—it all feels so close, like it happened just yesterday. The weight of it is crushing, and I feel like I can't breathe.
"I was spiraling, Creed. I was becoming someone I didn't recognize. And Viper, he... he sacrificed so much for me. Took the fall for my mistakes. I couldn't let him keep doing that. I had to get out, before I did something I couldn't come back from."
Creed's gaze softens, but there's a determined glint in his eyes. "I understand why you left, Vaughn. But right now, we need every ally we can get. The Serpents can help us fight back. They can help us protect the people we care about."
I shake my head, the fear and guilt from my past clawing at me. "I can't go back, Creed. I can't face them. We can do this without them."
Creed steps closer, his voice firm but compassionate. "I'm sorry that happened, but we need the Serpents."
I swallow hard, the weight of his words sinking in. I know he's right, but the fear still lingers. The thought of facing Viper, of confronting my past, it’s almost too much to bear.
"Please, Vaughn," Creed continues, his voice pleading now. "We can't do this alone. We need their help. You need to talk to Viper."
I take a shaky breath, my mind racing. I don't want to go back, don't want to face the ghosts of my past. But I know Creed is right. We can't do this alone. And if there's any chance of saving Hux, of protecting Candi and Kay, I have to try.
"Fine," I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll talk to him. But I'm not making any promises."
Creed nods, a look of relief crossing his features. "That's all I ask. Just talk to him. Let him know what's going on."
I just hope that Viper, the man who sacrificed so much for me, will understand.
I feel a surge of determination mingled with apprehension. Reconnecting with the Serpents means confronting my uncle, which is something I never thought I’d do. But if it helps us save Hux, Kay, and the others, it's a risk I'm willing to take.
"We need to free Hux. He is probably going insane in that basement," Creed says. The raw pain in his eyes isn't something I'm used to, and I have the urge to pull him into my arms. Creed has always been my safe space, the one person I can truly be myself around, and now everything has changed.
"We'll bring him home," I say after a long, heavy pause.
Creed nods, but the tension still in his? shoulders draws me to him. I close the small space between us and brush a hand through his soft hair. I'm not sure if it's to soothe the turmoil swirling within him, souring his caramel scent, or if it's to calm my racing thoughts. But I don't care, I need him more than anything right now.
Creed nuzzles into my touch and I release the breath I was holding.
"Seeing you take care of tiny like that–" Creed starts.
"—Of course I would, my love. She's pack."
The more I'm around Kaylani, the more I grow attached to her. I couldn't fathom bonding into the Huxley pack without her now. But if we’re all going to be together we have a lot of work to do to make our pack whole, including breaking her bond to Adam.
That will come later, when she’s ready, but I can start by trying to make everything up to Creed, and pray that he forgives me.
As I stare into Creed's troubled eyes, guilt gnaws at me. I never thought I'd be the one to break him like this. But I was, and now, everything has changed.
How did I let things spiral so out of control?
Creed is my rock, the one person who understands every part of me. Now, there's a chasm between us, a painful distance I'm desperate to bridge.
"I'm sorry," the words spill from my lips, heavy with the weight of my mistakes. "I never meant for things to fall apart like this. But I was in a hospital bed, Creed. I couldn’t protect you, and I thought breaking our bond was the right thing to do," I implore him to understand.
Creed's gaze hardens, his expression clouded with hurt and disbelief. "You thought breaking our bond was the right thing to do?" His voice carries a mix of frustration and sorrow. "I'm so sick of everyone thinking I can't make decisions for myself."
Tears well up in my eyes. "I was protecting you the only way I could," I confess softly. "I was so scared of burdening you, of you losing me. I didn't know what was going to happen to me. I was too weak to defend myself, love."
I implore him to understand. I don't think I could live with this guilt if he never forgives me.
"Please understand," I beg, desperation lacing my voice. "I did it for you."
Creed stops abruptly, his back still turned to me. The air crackles with unspoken pain and unresolved emotions.
"The only protection I need is from you," he retorts, his words laced with bitterness.
I recoil at the venom in his voice, feeling the weight of his words like a physical blow. My heart pounds in my chest, the ache of regret and longing consuming me.
"Creed, I'm sorry," I plead, my voice trembling. "I never wanted to hurt you. Please don't shut me out."
He remains silent, and for a moment I feel the gaping distance between us widen, threatening to swallow me whole.
Panic rises within me—I can't lose him.
"I need time," Creed finally says, his voice strained. "I need to figure this out."
My heart sinks, but I refuse to give up.
"No," I force him to step back, caging him between me and the wall.
Creed lifts his chin to meet my gaze, his eyes searching mine. I see the conflict within him, the walls he's built to protect himself. And I plan to shatter every single one of them.
"I love you, Creed," I say, the words spilling out with raw honesty. "I let you walk away once. I'm not letting you go again."
He hesitates. For a moment, hope flickers in his eyes, and I see his walls begin to crumble.
"I can't—" Creed starts, but I cut off his protest, capturing his lips with mine.
At first, he remains stiff, resisting my touch. But I nip at his lower lip, sucking it between my teeth while bracing an arm above his head and angling his chin to deepen our kiss.
The taste of him, familiar and intoxicating, ignites a fire within me, and I groan in pleasure despite the ache in my chest. Slowly, I feel him start to yield into my hold. His body relaxing against mine, as he responds with only a hint of hesitation. I feel something in the way he kisses me, a flicker of the passion that once burned between us.
I kiss him harder, pouring all my longing and regret into this. I'm desperately hoping to bridge the chasm that has grown between us.
Without breaking the kiss, I take his hand and lead him blindly into his room. When he moved in Hux gave him a room upstairs, and I haven't seen it before. I slam the door closed with my foot as our kiss intensifies, both of us fighting for dominance. It's a storm of emotions, each touch or caress a silent plea for forgiveness and understanding.
My heart beats wildly against my ribs as Creed bites my lip back, a low growl rumbling deep in his chest. The tension between us crackles like electricity as our bodies press together.
I push him gently against the closed door, my hands sliding up to cup his face, feeling the stubble beneath my fingers. Creed's eyes meet mine, a swirl of emotions reflecting in their depths—desire, uncertainty, and a glimmer of the love we once shared. His face is flushed, his lips swollen from our kiss, and his pupils are blown.
He looks so damn sexy. It hurts.
"I'm here, Creed," I whisper against his lips, my voice trembling. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Prove it." He responds with a fierce urgency, his hands gripping my waist, pulling me closer. The heat between us is intoxicating, the scent of our mingled pheromones filling the room bittersweet.
"I'll prove it to you," I breathe against his lips. Words become unnecessary as a frenzy pushes us to the bed.
Creed shoves me and I fall onto the soft mattress, my chest heaving and my cock aching to feel him. I'm so desperate for him.
I'll let him do whatever he wants to me.
"Whatever you want," I say between pants, "It's yours."
A darkness shrouds Creed's eyes as he studies me, his chest rising and falling in rapid succession. Hesitation clouds his eyes and I have to fight the urge to dominate him. Force him to submit to me.
I haven't earned that right back.
The intensity in his gaze sends a thrill of anticipation through me. I clench the blankets in my fist, sitting up on my elbow as I will him to make the first move.
He moves closer, pushing my legs apart and stepping between them. His fingers trace patterns along my jawline, gaze never leaving mine. A hand trails over my stubble, pulling a hiss from my lips. His touch is electric against my skin, every sensation is heightened, and every touch sends sparks of pleasure through my body. "I want you," Creed murmurs, his voice husky with need. "All of you."
His words hang in the air like a promise, and I nod eagerly. Unable to speak as desire consumes me. Creed's eyes hold mine, a mixture of longing and determination shining in their depths, reflecting the intensity of his emotions, which are mirrored by my own.
As Creed leans in, his lips meet mine in a hungry and urgent kiss. He breaks us apart all too soon, frantically tugging my shirt up and over my head. Hands expertly unbuckle my belt and pull my pants down my legs in one swift motion.
I hiss at the cool air hitting my heated skin.
"Roll over," he snaps.
I swallow thickly and do as he commands.
His fingertips trail up my thighs before his nails drag across my skin, leaving heat and pain in their wake.
I groan, burying my face in the mattress.
He leans over me, eyes piercing as they gaze at me with such raw intensity that it steals the breath from my lungs. "You thought you could just break our bond," he growls into my ear, an air of menace in his voice. His hot breath coats my skin in his caramel scent. I shiver as raw anger comes off of my omega in waves.
But if this is what he needs. If this is how he takes back his control, I'll take any punishment. This rage emanating off of him is unfamiliar. It's like night and day, and I don't like it at all. Gone is the playful, loving omega I've fallen for. And in his place is nothing but rage.
I did this to him.
I swallow hard, struggling to find the right words.
"Do you think you'll ever forgive me?" Instant regret twists in my stomach the moment the words escape my lips, and Creed's movements stop as my question pierces the charged air between us.
Gathering my courage, I roll over to face him, bracing myself for his response.
He takes a step back, his chest rising and falling rapidly, strands of his disheveled hair falling across his forehead. Hurt and restrained anger flicker in his eyes.
"Get out." He commands, in a low and tense voice. His demand cuts through me like a knife. I stare at him, frozen in place, the weight of his words sinking deep into my heart, engulfing me in pain and regret.
I reach out tentatively, wanting to bridge the distance between us. "Can we talk about this?" I ask, my voice laced with hope.
He steps out of my reach, completely rejecting me and I struggle to maintain my composure, fighting back the tears that threaten to spill over. I release a shuddering breath, unable to meet his gaze any longer.
"Get. Out. Vaughn." Each word pierces the air like a nail in a coffin, hammering home his need for control. He turns his back to me, effectively cutting me off. I would do anything to fix this.
Fix us.
It's time I respect his wishes. Without another word, I turn away, my footsteps echoing faintly as I walk to the door.
"I'm sorry," I whisper, my hand firmly placed on the handle as tears trickle down my cheeks.
"I know," he responds quietly.
I choke back a sob, feeling the ache of regret deep in my chest. With a trembling hand, I push open the door, the cool air of the hallway washing over me.
The door closes behind me with a soft click, sealing the rift between us. I stand there for a moment, feeling adrift and lost, longing to turn back and mend what I have broken.