7. Kaylani
Chapter 7
Kaylani
I wake to the sensation of the mattress dipping beside me, and I turn my head to see Vaughn slipping under the covers. He's wearing nothing but low riding shorts, his broad, tattoo covered chest leading to a dark smudge of hair that disappears below his waistband. His stab wound has fresh bandages, and he's limping slightly.
My heart clenches at the sight of him, both relieved he's here and worried about him. There's a lingering fear at the back of my mind that refuses to be silenced until I look into his pitch black orbs. A shiver cascading down my spine as I meet his onyx gaze.
"Hey," I murmur, reaching out to gently touch his arm. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to see you." He reaches out to brush a stray strand of hair from my face, and I lean into his touch. I'm almost starved for an affectionate and tender touch—something, anything, to erase the harshness of the scars that Adam left behind. "I'm surprised you're awake. How are you doing, doll?"
The question throws me off guard, and I blink back fresh tears. The memory of Adam's twisted smile and the darkness in his eyes haunts me, leaving me restless and unsettled.
"Every time I close my eyes, it's Adam's face that consumes my thoughts," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper, the darkened room giving me the courage to express my fears.
Vaughn's expression tightens. "I'm sorry you're going through this," he murmurs, his voice laced with regret. "You don't deserve any of it."
"Having you here... it helps."
He gives me a small smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere," he reassures.
I exhale softly. "What are you doing here? I thought you were with Creed?" I ask, needing the focus off of me.
Vaughn's gaze leaves mine, and I can tell he’s in pain. I wish he wouldn't hide it from me. He's seen me at my lowest.
"Creed and I had a fight," he finally replies, his voice hoarse. I shift closer to him, reaching out to touch his arm gently.
"Are you okay?" I ask, my fingers brushing against his smooth skin. I can't deny the pull I feel toward him, the way his presence soothes the turmoil within me. I'm drawn to him in this primal way I can't explain.
Vaughn's eyes search mine, a mix of vulnerability and relief flickering in his brown eyes.
"I'm... not okay," he admits quietly. "Things with Creed... they got out of hand."
My heart sinks at his words. "I'm sorry Vaughn. Give him time, he'll come around," I offer sincerely, as I continue to stroke along the tattoos on his chest and shoulders. "You know you can talk to me, right?"
A faint smile graces his lips despite the sadness in his eyes. "Come here," I say softly, opening my arms in invitation. Vaughn hesitates for a moment, before leaning into my touch.
As I hold him close, I can feel the weight of his burdens pressing against me. I wish I could erase his pain, make everything right again between him and Creed. "I'm here for you, too," I whisper. "We'll get through this. Together."
A chill shivers down my spine, but I push it aside, focusing instead on the warmth of Vaughn's body against mine. Vaughn is this beacon of comfort amidst the darkness, and I’m trying to be the same for him. He makes me feel safe, even if there's a part of me that whispers I shouldn't let myself care about him.
I'm only setting myself up for more pain and heartache.
I'll only hurt myself in the end, I’m sure. But for now, in this moment, I'll allow myself to find comfort in his arms. I'll let myself believe, if only for a little while, that everything will be okay. The storm within me calms to a dull hum as I'm surrounded by both Vaughn and Hux's scents.
"You're safe," his voice is a soothing melody in the darkness. "Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."
Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away. Focusing on his bitter scent and gentle touch as I nestle into his strong arms, the comfort of his presence soothing my troubled mind. But there's a lingering question that I can't ignore, a twinge of fear that I can't quite shake.
Where do we go from here?
"Vaughn?" I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.
He shifts slightly, adjusting his position to look down at me with those piercing black eyes.
"Yes, doll?" His breath washes over me, a gentle caress against my skin.
I swallow back the lump forming in my throat, the weight of doubt and fear pressing heavily upon me. If he blames me for Michelle's plan, I don't know if I could take it. But I need to know his plans.
"What are you going to do about Michelle?"
Vaughn's expression softens, and he reaches up to brush a strand of hair away from my face again. I'm beginning to notice that he plays with my hair at every opportunity he gets.
"I won't let her hurt you again, Kay," he says firmly, his eyes locked on mine. "Or anyone else. I'll put an end to all her plans."
I want to believe him, but doubt still lingers at the back of my mind. "But how?" I press.
"We'll find something on the Hounds, something we can use against them," Vaughn replies with quiet determination. "I won't let them win, Kay."
The thought of him confronting the Hounds has my heart galloping. I can't lose him too. "Promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise," he assures me, a hand resting gently on my cheek. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep my pack safe."
His words catch me off guard, a surge of conflicting emotions rising within me. Part of me wants to believe him, to trust in his intentions and the sincerity of his words. But another part, scarred by past betrayals, remains wary.
It's so hard to let my guard down.
"I know things have been difficult lately," he continues, his voice gentle yet earnest, "and I hate that you've been hurt so much. But you can trust me, Kay. Trust that I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Candi and Creed too."
He reaches out his hand, gently threading his fingers into the back of my hair, anchoring me to him. Despite the doubts that linger, there's a part of me that longs to believe in him. I'm exhausted, and the promise of his protection is a tempting offer. But the scars of the past run deep, leaving me hesitant to fully open myself up to him.
"Vaughn," I whisper, my voice tinged with uncertainty, "I want to trust you. I do. But…"
"But?" he prompts, searching my eyes with an intensity that leaves me breathless. "You're afraid," he finishes for me, his voice soft yet steady.
I nod, unable to find the words to articulate the tumult of emotions raging within me. Fear, doubt, longing—all vying for dominance within my heart, each one leaving its mark upon my soul.
"It's okay to be afraid," he murmurs, his thumb tracing a soothing pattern against my skin. "But don't let that fear consume you, doll. Trust what I know you feel and know that I'll do everything in my power to protect you."
There's a sincerity in his words that touches something deep within me, a fragile thread of trust that I'm afraid to acknowledge. But as Vaughn holds me close, his presence a shield against the darkness, I find myself daring to believe—in him, in us, and in the possibility of healing.
"Okay, Vaughn," I whisper, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heart. "I'll try."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me," Vaughn says, his voice tinged with regret. "I should have gotten to you sooner."
I shake my head, reaching up to cup his cheek in my hand. "It's okay," I assure him, my heart swelling with affection for this man who cares so deeply for me. "You're here now, and that's all that matters."
His lips curve into a tender smile, and he presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. "I care about you. So damn much," he murmurs, his voice filled with emotion. "More than I can express."
Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes. I’m overwhelmed by the depth of his feelings for me. Vaughn, the stoic beta who never shows emotions, is revealing them to me now. "I care about you too," I admit softly.
He pulls me closer, holding me tightly against him despite the discomfort from my injuries. "I know things are difficult right now," he says softly. "But I need you to trust me, Kay. I promise I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."
A wave of vulnerability washes over me, and I find myself opening up to him in a way I never thought possible. "I want to go home," I confess, the words catching in my throat.
Vaughn's arms tighten around me. "Promise me you won't go back there alone," he says gently.
Guilt settles in my throat like a heavy stone. I can't make him that promise. This isn't my pack, not with Adam's bite like a brand on my neck. At some point I'll have to go home, but I can't tell Vaughn that right now. So instead, I bury my face in his chest, finding the strength to let go of my fears for the moment. I know I need to return home, face Brina, and tell her what happened. But that's a problem for tomorrow.
For now, with Vaughn's arms around me, I allow myself to relax, releasing the worries and fears that have been weighing me down.