Chapter 11 - Klaus
“How is Tom feeling?” I asked one of the nurses at the infirmary.
“He’s still in his coma,” she offered, giving me a gentle smile. “We’re keeping him comfortable.”
I nodded, looking down the hallway toward his room.
Cally was sitting on the edge of his bed, hardly moving from that spot.
It had been a week already since we’d been unable to calm her brother down, and I was starting to get worried.
I figured after a few days, he would calm down, but he hadn’t.
I was tempted to call Janella or Elize again.
They had come over to help, but it hadn’t lasted long.
“And what is his prognosis?”
She frowned. “I don’t know. Every time he’s woken, he’s still pretty erratic.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
I headed down the hallway toward the door. I gave it a gentle knock, and Cally turned. She pulled herself up and opened the door.
“Alpha.”
“I just wanted to see if there was anything that you needed.
She shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I just… what’s happening to him?”
I didn’t have a definite answer for her. We weren’t having any issues, but that didn’t mean that people didn’t talk. I knew that whispers were going around, and I needed to get a handle on it.
“He’s going to be okay,” I told her, because it’s what she needed to hear.
I left knowing I needed to set up a town meeting to discuss this with the pack. I knew there would be questions, and people would start getting antsy. I wasn’t going to sweep this under the rug and act like it wasn’t happening.
I got into my car and called up Cal. It only rang a few times before he answered. “Hey.”
“We need to throw a town meeting together for tomorrow. Tom still hasn’t woken up, and I know rumors and gossip are circulating about what’s going on. I want to stay ahead of it.”
“Okay, lunchtime tomorrow? I can send out a mass email.”
“Works for me.”
I ended the call as I started the car. I arrived home and found Aubrey sitting in the dining room, eating. I paused for a moment, knowing it was a little past seven now.
“You’re eating late.”
“I’ve been out of the house all day. I kind of lost track of time.”
I pause, watching the way she moved her hand slowly. She looked paler than normal, and bags were starting to form under her eyes. She’d been putting on weight and getting color since moving here, but she didn’t look like herself right now. “Are you not feeling well? Are you sick?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I was just up early this morning. I went to see how Cally was doing, and the day kind of got away from me.”
I’d noticed. She was out of the house early in the morning, and I hadn’t seen her much in the evenings. It wasn’t like I cared, but I could tell she was putting distance between us. I just didn’t know why.
“Alright.”
I headed into the kitchen and heated some leftovers from the other night. I sat down across from Aubrey. She moved her food around, looking ready to fall asleep.
Aubrey and I had a strange relationship. We got along fine, but we didn’t share anything personal. I didn’t know much about her, and she didn’t know much about me. And yet, I sat here wondering what she’d been up to. Why did she look so tired?
I caved a little. “What did you do today?”
She shrugged. “I was just out.”
I thought back to the incident. I spotted her with Cally and Rachel. She looked shocked when she spotted what was going on with Tom. I only caught a glimpse of her before I had to handle the situation, but it was enough.
“How is Cally?” I asked. I’d seen her, but I knew she was putting up a front. It was part of being Alpha that I hated. People were never truly honest with me when they were struggling.
She paused, and her eyes softened. “She could be better. She’s worried about her brother. Hasn’t been sleeping well.”
I nodded. I knew that she would be, which is why I wanted an answer so badly to how we helped him.
She pulled herself up. “If you’ll excuse me. I’m going to head to bed.”
I watched her place her plate in the sink and make her way up the stairs. I scanned her, unable to stop the pit that was growing in my stomach. I knew she was hiding something.
I finished my dinner in silence, suddenly finding it too quiet. It was strange how, after only a few weeks, I’d grown accustomed to hearing her around the house. She wasn’t loud, but that extra noise that comes from having someone in the house.
I felt Peanut brush against my legs, and I reached down, stroking my hand down her back. “Go lie with her.”
Peanut strode across the room and up the stairs. I put my dish into the sink and headed into my office.
I needed to start on a speech for tomorrow. I didn’t want to go there and have nothing prepared. I knew it wasn’t just Cally that wanted answers. Everyone did.
I typed out words and then deleted them. My eyes felt like they were burning after a few hours.
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing at my eyes. I heard Peanut meow at the door. I turned, spotting her as she squeezed her way in through the half-closed door. “Didn’t you go upstairs with Aubrey?”
I slipped out of my office and peered down the hallway. Her door was still shut, and I could see that the light was off. But my gut told me it wasn’t that simple. Aubrey didn’t mind having Peanut around, so I didn’t see her throwing Peanut out when she went to bed.
I headed down the hallway and knocked on the door. “Aubrey? Did you want Peanut?”
I received silence.
I knocked again and watched as Peanut brushed her body against my leg. I grabbed the doorknob and pushed the door open. I scanned the room, not seeing Aubrey, so I flipped the light on.
The room was empty, and I scowled. “Aubrey!?”
I turned and headed back down the hallway. I then heard the sound of the front door being locked. I headed down the stairs and toward the front door. I spotted Aubrey walking down the sidewalk. I grabbed my jacket and slipped on my shoes.
I hurried after her, about ready to yell for her. But I stopped when I noticed she was looking over her shoulder. She had books in her hand, and she was walking fast like she didn’t want anyone to know what she was doing.
I followed her. She walked down the block and kept going straight. She continued walking until she reached the library. I came to a halt, confused as to why she was trying to be secretive about coming here.
I headed inside and found the library was quiet. She headed up to the second floor, and I watched her head straight for the back, where there were desks and lamps.
I headed up the stairs and came to a stop just a few feet from her. She set her books down, and I cleared my throat.
She jumped, squealing as she turned around. She held her hand up to her heart and sighed when she spotted me. “Jesus Christ, Klaus! You scared the shit out of me.”
“What are you doing sneaking around like this?”
“I’m at the library. How is that sneaking around?”
“You told me you were tired and that you were going to bed. Yet, you are here? Explain that.”
She chewed on her lower lip. “I am tired, but I also know that the library is quiet at this point of the day, and there is no one around to start asking me questions or spread rumors that I’m looking into magic books. I wouldn’t want to ruin your image any more than I already have.”
I felt my shoulders drop, and I felt a ping of regret. “Aubrey, you don’t have to push yourself like this. This isn’t your problem.”
“I have to. I can’t sit at home doing nothing when Tom is in a coma.
I can’t look at Cally without wondering whether I could help her.
You brought me here because I’m supposed to help, but I can’t seem to figure out what exactly I’m supposed to be doing.
For once…I want to feel like I’ve done something. Like I’m useful.”
I wondered when she’d grown so attached. I hadn’t expected it. I thought she would always have her walls, but at some point, somewhere along the line, they started coming down.
“I just…” Her voice softened. “I just want to help. And if my staying here late at night reading books might give me the answer, I’ll do it.”
I looked at the books in the pile next to her. I took in her bags and the hope in her eyes. She didn’t look like the same person at the auction. She’d stood stronger now, like she wouldn’t back down.
“Okay, I’ll join you.” Mostly to make sure she didn’t pass out.
Her eyes widened. “What? You don’t have to do that, Klaus. I know you have your own stuff that you are working on.”
I did, but I needed to stop dividing us. If she wanted to help, I should accept it. “I’m doing it because I’m Alpha and I want an answer just as much as everyone else. I don’t know much about magic, so this will be a learning opportunity for both of us.”
She slowly nodded.
We sat down on the sofa that was pressed against the wall. I had a book propped open on my knee while she sat curled up with the book in her lap. Her head was resting on the back of the pillow, and I could see she was fighting to stay awake.
I took in the focus in her eyes and the way her lips moved slowly as she read. I was shocked at how hard she was pushing herself. Anyone else would likely throw up their hands and give in, but not her.
She pinched at her eyes. “There really is little about dark magic.”
I nodded, flipping a page. “Magic in general.”
She pulled her legs up and rested her chin on her knees. “I had read a couple of things about marriage and magic. They all explained that a stronger bond meant a stronger connection between the couple and the magic.”
“I saw that in the book I was reading.”
She nodded, chewing on her cheek. “Klaus, you know that means our connection is likely interfering with my magic. We don’t exactly see eye to eye on a lot of things.”
I glanced at her. I knew what she was talking about. I sighed. “Is that a line you want to cross?”
“I want to help, and if sleeping together will help, I want to do that. I think if a moment of awkwardness can help your pack, we should do it.”
My eyes took in the way she was sitting, and I could see that her breasts were pushed. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to have sex with Aubrey. She had the look to catch any man’s attention. But I also knew that there was something in her past, and I didn’t know what it was.
We stayed for a little longer before we headed home. Neither of us spoke during the walk. I was trying to think of how we could do this without it being awkward or uncomfortable, but I only thought of alcohol. Which I knew wasn’t a smart idea either. That was how accidents happened.
“Are you on anything?” I asked.
She scowled, giving me a disgusted look. “Are you asking if I’m on drugs?”
I paused and gave her a look. “No, I was asking if you are on birth control. If you’re serious about this, I would like to make sure there is no baby afterward.”
“Oh…” Her face fell. “I am. I had an implant put in. But if I could make a request for you to wear a condom, I would.”
I nodded. “You can make that request.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean you’ll wear one?”
I nodded. “It’s your body, Aubrey.” But a part of me wonders why she stated it that way. It twisted me up.
We arrived home, and I could see she was nervous. I was nervous. I didn’t date around. I had a few relationships with people who I thought understood the stress of being a leader. None of them understood that I put in long hours and couldn’t devote every second to them.
She chewed on her cheek. “Do you want to drink anything?”
I shook my head. “I don’t like having alcohol mixed in when I have sex. But if you want something.”
She shook her head.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I actually prefer to be sober for this. Like you said before, no need for a baby.”She swallowed, rubbing her fingers together nervously.
I pointed toward the stairs and followed her up. “You know we don’t have to do anything tonight.”
She paused at her door. “Are you sure?”
I nodded, getting a smell of her. She smelled of cinnamon and vanilla, and I found myself stepping closer. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. We can plan this out.”
She shook her head. “I’m not. I’m just nervous, Klaus. I think any normal person in this situation would be.” Her eyes met mine, and I could feel a tug to get closer to her. “It’s like ripping off a band-aid.”
“Yes, but sex is a bigger deal. A much bigger deal than a kiss.” I reached a hand up, moving some of her hair out of her face. I stared at her lips, unable to help myself. I knew how soft they were.
She swallowed. “Do you want… to come in? We could share a bed if you want to take that step.”
I moved my hand lower, cupping her face. “Do you want to have sex? Yes or no, Aubrey.”
I could see that lust in her eyes now, the way her eyes looked down at my lips. She slowly nodded her head.
“Then let’s stop stepping around it.” I stepped into her space and kissed her. She moaned, and I pulled her back, shutting her door behind me.
Her room was dark, but I knew exactly what was in it. I grabbed at her jacket, yanking it off and tossing it aside. And then I noticed she was shaking. But not just a little like nerves. Shaking almost like she was scared.
“Aubrey?”
“Just… promise me something,” her voice cracked. “Promise me you won’t hurt me.”
I paused, cupping her face. I hadn’t thought about that actual sex part. “I know how to use my dick, sweetie. If it’s not working, if something doesn’t feel right, tell me, and we stop.”
It wasn’t like this hadn’t come up. My pants came down, and all the women suddenly seemed unsure of what to do. I shouldn’t be surprised she was thinking the same thing.
I kissed her to calm her. I wanted her to relax. I didn’t want her to just think I wanted this because we needed her magic. If we were doing this, I wanted it to be enjoyable for both of us.
I turned her to the bed and turned her around. I placed her hands on her bed and ran my other hand down her back. “What position do you like it in?”
“I like any.”
“Aubrey, you know your body better than I do. What position? What feels good for you?”
She looked over her shoulder at me. I watched the way her eyes seemed to sparkle, and the moonlight left a glow on her.
“I like doggy style.”
I smirked. “Interesting.”