Chapter 3 - Klaus
I drove for an hour before I was tired of listening to Aubrey bicker.
She didn’t stop talking. She kept asking what I was into.
What positions I liked, if I enjoyed the sight of blood, or if I liked them young.
It was taking every fiber in my being not to scream that I was some creepy man who could only think with his penis.
I unlocked our hotel door and pushed it open. Aubrey stepped inside and scowled. “You booked a one-bedroom?”
I rolled my eyes, kicking the door shut as we got inside. “They didn’t have any other rooms available. I can sleep on the floor.”
Though for someone who was selling her body, I was surprised by this. I wouldn’t have thought sharing a bed would have been an issue.
She wrapped her arms around her middle, and I wanted to rip the damn outfit off of her. Not because I wanted to fuck her, but rather because I hated how she looked in it. I could see she was uncomfortable, and the dress didn’t fit. It was digging into her skin, and I could see the marks.
I tossed a bag that I always left in my SUV onto the bed. “There are some clothes in there.”
She scowled. “Have you looked at yourself? You’re the size of a bus.”
I inhaled slowly and waved a hand. “Then sleep in that. I really don’t care.”
I watched her chew on her lip before she unzipped the bag. I always left three pairs of clothes in it. It was mostly in case I shifted and ripped the clothes I had been wearing. But there was a toothbrush, a comb, and snacks in the bag as well.
“Can I shower?”
“Go for it.” I locked the door and grabbed the desk, sliding it in front of the door. She raised an eyebrow at me. “We’re on the third floor, so I’d like to see you jump out of the window.”
She scowled at me before she grabbed a shirt and stomped into the bathroom. I could hear the door slam, and I sighed, soaking the silence in. I knew it wasn’t going to last long.
I grabbed my phone and sent Cal a quick message that I had her but wouldn’t be returning until tomorrow. He was in charge until I returned, and to make sure everything was set for our arrival.
I turned the TV on as I heard the shower going. I tapped my fingers on my jeans as I sat in the chair, waiting. The shower started, and I glanced toward the bathroom door. I then realized I didn’t hear anything. The water was going, but there was no one under it. It was just on.
I got up and started for the door. I grabbed the doorknob, but it was locked. “Aubrey?”
No answer.
I shoved at the door a couple of times before it finally gave. I stepped into the room, finding it filled with steam and the window above the toilet open. But she was half out of the room. She was kicking, trying to free herself.
I moved fast, grabbing her waist and yanking her down. She screamed, shoving at me as she tried to keep moving.
“Aubrey!”
“Let go!”
I yanked her back, and we stumbled back, slamming into the ground.
“Fuck,” I cursed as she wiggled free. I rolled, but she’d already gotten herself up.
She ran out of the bathroom, and I hurried after her.
She was shoving at the desk, and I grabbed her.
I was trying hard not to be rough, but she was like a fucking wild animal.
She shoved at me, and we stumbled back. We landed on the bed, and I pinned her down.
I shoved my knees against her thighs, giving her no room to move.
The dress was hiked up, revealing her black thong.
My wolf growled with need, and I forced my eyes up. She was pressing against my hands that I had pinned above her head, trying to free herself. “Let me go!” she yelled.
“If you don’t stop yelling, I’m going to shove a god damn shirt into your mouth.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she snapped.
I pressed harder, and I knew I might leave bruises. I was done playing nice. I’d listened to her yammer for several hours. I had her implying the nastiest things, and I was fed up. I was tired, and the last thing I wanted was her to keep pushing my god damn buttons.
“I would like some peace and fucking quiet. So, if I have to shove something into your mouth to shut you up, I’ll do it.”
I watched her eyes widen, and I instantly knew what was going through her head.
I released one of her hands and grabbed her chin.
I was trying to be soft, Jesus, I was trying.
“And if you imply that I’m trying to get my cock wet one more time, I swear to god, Aubrey, I will lock you in the bathroom and let you sleep in the tub. ”
I let go. I took a step back and watched her slowly sit up. She rubbed at her wrists, and I pulled my gaze to the ground.
“How do I know you’re not lying?”
I pinched my eyes. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Your vagina is practically on display. If I truly wanted to have you, Aubrey. I’d be having you right now.”
I could hear her tugging at her dress, and her face was beet-red now.
I grabbed the chair and sat back down. I looked back at the TV. “Just change and go to sleep.”
I had been a little surprised that she did.
She slinked back into the bathroom and came back out a minute later.
She was wearing one of my shirts, which looked more like a dress on her.
She slid into the sheets, sleeping as far away from me as she could.
She was curled on her side, her eyes on me, though.
“You going to sleep on the floor?”
I shrugged, looking back at the TV. I wasn’t sure how well I would sleep, if at all. She clearly was a runner. I also didn’t sleep in places where I wasn’t comfortable.
“Go to sleep,” I grumbled, leaning back in the chair.
“I bite, you know.”
“Nice to know.”
“So if you try anything, I will bite you.”
I glanced at her. “Go to sleep.”
“I scratched a man’s eye too before. He had to have it removed.”
I blew out a long breath. “As a sex worker, I’m sure you have plenty of stories that I don’t want to hear.”
“I’m not a sex worker.” Her voice came out softer.
“So you’re a whore then?”
She glared at me. “I’m not a whore.”
“Then what are you?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but stopped. She snapped it shut. She swallowed, pulling the blanket closer to her chest. I looked back toward the TV.
She eventually fell asleep. I could hear her breath as the TV continued. I tried to sleep, but kept getting woken up by different sounds. I eventually gave up trying.
We left early in the morning, and Aubrey was still half asleep. I stopped at a fast-food place and ordered food. I didn’t trust Aubrey in a business.
She was quiet on the drive, and I was pretty sure she was half asleep most of it. As we arrived in town, I headed straight for the city hall. I knew that the council members were there, and I wasn’t going to waste any time.
As we parked, Aubrey raised an eyebrow at me. She was wearing a pair of shorts that we had strapped a belt to and a shirt of mine. It wasn’t the best outfit, but it covered what needed covering. She frowned, confused as she looked around. “Where are we?”
“Making a pit stop for a moment.”
“Yeah, but where the hell are we?”
“In my town.”
“Your town?” Her eyes widened. “What are you, the mayor or something?”
“Or something.” I pushed my door open and got out. I spotted Cal waiting at the door for us. He looked at me, and then he looked at Aubrey.
“They are waiting in the meeting room for you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course they are.”
Aubrey followed me down the hallway, and I pushed the door open. They all four sat at the table, but their eyes didn’t go to me. They went to Aubrey, who froze in the doorway.
“What is she wearing?” Jasmine asked, scrunching her nose up.
“We didn’t have time to stop anywhere to find new clothes.”
“You can’t marry her in that.”
“Marry!?” Aubrey’s eyes grew wide. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You have to find her something else to put on.”
“We will find something.”
“Excuse me, but I’m here. What are you talking about?”
Kelly waved a hand. “You and him are mates. Marriage is the next step.”
“Mates?” Aubrey looked like she was going to throw up. I knew that look well. The look of utter confusion, a virgin to the supernatural world.
“Keep up. We don’t have all night for this,” Laura snapped.
“Quiet,” I said, seeing that shift in her face.
“We need this bond put into place. Now that you are here, you can get married and move forward. This is what’s best for the pack.”
Aubrey took a step back, her face pale. “Pack? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Shut up!” I snapped, turning toward Aubrey. “Aubrey. Let me explain.”
She looked at me and then at the others. She then started to giggle. She covered her mouth and shook her head. “This is a joke, right? A sick, twisted joke.”
Kelly slammed his hands onto the table. “Enough of this! You are to marry your Alpha and take the orders you are given.”
“I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, but I’m not staying here.” She waved her hand. “I’m not fucking crazy.”
She turned and slipped out of the room. I turned to the council, grinding my teeth. “Are you all fucking insane? She has no idea what the hell you are talking about.”
I hurried after her. I caught up to her in the hall and hooked her arm with mine. She tried to yank it free, but I wrapped my other arm around her waist and held her to me.
“Let go of me.”
“No,” I grumbled. I didn’t have the energy to argue with her or question me about anything anymore. I hadn’t slept well, and I wasn’t in the mood to waste my time. I knew that the only way she was going to believe anything was to show her.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked as I pulled her down the hallway and turned us toward the woods.
“I’m taking you out here where it’s private, and you’re going to watch. Don’t talk. Just watch.”
I took her a few yards into the woods, and I let go of her hand. She crossed her arms, looking ready to start yelling at me. I pulled off my shirt and tossed it aside. Her face quickly fell, and her eyes widened. “What are you…”
I didn’t stop. I unbuttoned my jeans and tossed them aside. She started to take a step back from me, refusing to look at me now. “Oh my god, Klaus! What are you doing!? Stop!”
“I’m showing you. The only way you’re going to believe this is if I show you.”
I took a step back, and I allowed myself to shift.
It only took a moment before I was in my wolf form.
She had turned to the side, but her eyes glanced at me.
She straightened up, and I watched her eyes widen.
Her jaw dropped as she stumbled back two steps.
She fell on her ass, looking horrified at me. I remained still as she stared at me.
The wind blew, and the trees swayed. I watched her chest calm as she started to settle. Her eyes softened as she slowly pulled herself to her feet. She took a step closer to me. “My god… I… I don’t know what to say.”
She reached a hand up, slowly moving closer to me. She placed her hand on my snout, and her scent filled my nose. It was sweet.
She moved her hand up, her fingers running through my fur. I forgot what it felt like to have someone stroke my fur. It was nice.
She dropped her hand, her eyes looking me over. “This is crazy.”
I took a step back from her and shifted back. I grabbed my jeans and slid them back on. “Alright. You saw. So, no more questions.”
She shook her head. “You can’t just show me this and not let me ask questions.” She waved her hand. “Do you have any idea how many questions I have!?”
“Exactly why I said no questions.” I grabbed my shirt and pulled it on. “And to answer your questions from before. Why was I at that slummy place? Because I was looking for you. You’re my mate. I was there looking for you.”
Her eyes widened in another way. “What?”
“And I need you to help me protect my pack. So, marry me? It’s simple.”
She shook her head. “You’re insane. There is no way I’m your mate. I’m human. I can’t marry you.”
“Destiny doesn’t lie, Aubrey.” I could feel that longing for her as soon as I laid eyes on her. I couldn’t deny who she was.
“Well, she clearly did if she told you that I’m your mate.”
“She didn’t. I felt it.” I moved closer to her. “And if you try running away again, I’ll find you. So, stop fighting and just marry me.”