Chapter 17 – Rorik #2
My mind is working on overdrive as I struggle to block out thoughts, not only from humans but from the supes who are failing to keep their minds guarded the more booze they consume.
I can’t focus on protecting my mate. There are too many alpha men and women here who are eyeing her like she’s their next meal.
I know they smell me on her, yet they still challenge my claim?
I’m going to murder every last being in this room until it’s only me and my little lamb standing.
This is torture.
“Hey,” a soft voice says.
I blink rapidly, and Aurora’s face comes into view. A space has been created around us. Aurora takes my face in her hands.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her brows furrowed.
I’m worrying her, which only adds to the anxiety coursing through my body.
“I need to… get out of here.”
She nods and takes my hand. No questions. No hesitation.
She leads me to the other side of the roof that’s closed off to guests. We step past the sign and tape in place to prevent trespassing and walk until the laughter and chatter from the crowd is all but gone.
Silence.
Peace.
Just me and my little lamb.
Aurora wraps her arms around me and rests her cheek on my chest. She inhales deeply and hums.
“You smell so good,” she whispers.
She’s hugging me.
I can’t remember the last time someone initiated a hug with me. Sure, I’ve comforted Aurora before this, but now she’s the one soothing me. She recognized that I was overwhelmed in there. I—
My throat tightens, my eyes burning with tears.
I can’t remember the last time I cried, but this woman is certainly chipping away at the shell I’ve erected to protect my emotions.
She’s helping me find my humanity.
I squeeze her tightly in my arms, hard enough that she squeaks until I loosen my hold.
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, and kiss the top of her head.
“For what? What happened out there?”
She pulls back to look up at me.
“I told you the blood mate connection will make me… protective of you. Every male supe who approached you tonight had vile thoughts.”
“Vile thoughts?” She smiles like a brat up to no good. “I’m sure you’ve never had vile thoughts about me.”
I huff. “It’s different.”
Her smile drops, and she takes the hand I have resting on the side of her neck. She brings it around to her lips and presses a gentle kiss to the center of my palm.
“I know. But Rorik, I can take care of myself. Especially once I get my magic back.”
She snuggles her nose against my palm, and a wave of calmness washes over me.
It’s her. She’s calming me down. Her touch centers me. No one’s been able to do that. Not even Brynn and Eden.
“It was more than protecting you,” I whisper. “There were too many bodies. Too many thoughts. I could barely hear anything. My anger was becoming unbearable. I wanted to rip out the throats of anyone who dared look your way.”
She smiles again, but it’s full of sadness. Her eyes shine with unshed tears.
“I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry my mother cursed you to experience this. But you realize that’s not who you are anymore, right?”
I lower my head. She knows nothing of the monster I’ve become. I should tell her now. Confess everything so she’ll leave me and I can focus on finding Ciara to beg her to end my suffering.
“I mean, your morals still aren’t the best. And you did kidnap me, but if you hadn’t… It might have taken us months or even years to find each other.”
My head jerks up at the words. “What are you saying, Aurora?”
She stands on her tiptoes, bringing her face near level with mine.
“I’m saying… I think I’m starting to understand why you are the way you are. I’m saying that I’m glad we met, even if it was forceful. And I want to be yours. I want you to be mine. But you haven’t done enough groveling for the kidnapping yet—”
I drop to my knees, cutting off her words.
I press my face into her soft stomach and wrap my arms around her waist.
Mine.
She’s mine.
I’ll grovel. I’ll do anything she asks of me if she promises to accept my soul as her own.
But before I can start by kissing her feet or licking her pussy or whatever she dreams of… a gargoyle appears around the corner.
“This area’s off-limits,” the beast scolds.
“Peyton!” Aurora sings, unlatching my hold on her.
I stand and growl, low enough only the gargoyle can hear. She scowls at me before slapping on a smile as Aurora approaches with open arms. Peyton reluctantly accepts a hug from my mate.
Something tells me the gargoyle’s not used to affection.
“Is this vampire bothering you?” Peyton asks after releasing her.
Aurora waves off the comment. “Always, but we just needed a quiet place to talk. We can leave now.”
Peyton’s eyes dart from Aurora to me and back again.
“Very well. The announcement is happening soon anyway.”
The gargoyle snarls at me before turning on clawed feet and walking away.
“Did you do something to Peyton to make her hate you?”
I shrug. “It’s entirely possible. Though something tells me Peyton doesn’t like anyone.
It’s a defensive mechanism for female gargoyles.
There aren’t many in Xander’s army. I’m sure she’s constantly having to fend off toxic male monsters.
Something I heard Evangeline is working to fix after she found out. ”
Aurora places her hand in mine, and I bring our embrace up to my lips, placing a sweet kiss on her knuckles.
“Ready to watch history unfold?”
She smiles, my heart beating like a drum in response.
“Ready.”