Chapter 6 #2
“Lean back for me,” he directed, and I obeyed without question.
He massaged the soap into my scalp, causing me to moan out loud at the delicious feel of it.
I honestly hoped it would last forever, but when he eventually rinsed it out, I had to keep my disappointment at bay.
He soaped up a loofah next and very gently washed my body, taking extra care to cleanse off the seed dripping down my legs.
When he was done, he directed me under the spray.
I enjoyed the feel of the water pounding against my sensitive skin and when I’d rinsed all the soap off, I sighed and pumped several spurts of conditioner into my hand.
I massaged it into my hair, running my fingers through its length in an attempt to ease out all the knots.
Beside me, Elijah started to soap up himself.
When he shampooed his thick brown hair, the suds dripped down his body.
I licked my lips, savoring the sight until he caught me watching him. I rushed to take my eyes off him.
“Like what you see, little wolf?” he chuckled knowingly.
I was too proud to tell him that I did, but my clit pulsed as if it was answering for me. I ignored it. There wasn’t a chance in hell that I’d reveal that to him either.
I finished rinsing myself off under one of the showerheads while catching glimpses of him. His cock was impossibly hard again and I made the mistake of biting my lip once more. His brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed. I swallowed hard and blushed.
“I’m going to count how many times you bite that pretty lip today and when we get to our destination, you’re going to have to come for me that many times in a row,” he warned.
He reached for me and pinched my nipples, pulling me toward him by the tips.
I whimpered and he captured me in a kiss that left me reeling before he shut the water off.
He kept a steadying hand on my lower back as he stepped out and wrapped himself in a towel.
He handed me one and I wrapped it around myself. I made my way over to the counter where there were fresh toothbrushes and toiletries laid out. I brushed my teeth first and then I worked a brush through my wet tangled mop until I was certain I got all the knots out.
When I finished and walked into the bedroom, there was a duffle bag on the bed. I looked from it to Elijah with a raised brow.
“Your father has arranged a convoy for us in preparation for our departure. I have taken the liberty of having your things collected so that you may keep them,” he replied.
His thoughtfulness caught me off guard. I appreciated the fact that I would have my favorite pieces of clothing, but it was heavy handed all the same. I opened my mouth to tell him that, but he cleared his throat, which gave me pause.
“I suggest that you say thank you gracefully, unless the only thing you want to wear on the journey are the marks from my belt,” he warned, and I blushed hard.
“Thank you, Elijah,” I said in a rush, and he smiled knowingly. My bottom clenched, the memory of the strap around his waist still very fresh in my mind.
“Good girl,” he replied, and my pussy pulsed as if it was answering for me once again.
My face heated and I turned my head, focusing instead on unzipping the duffel and seeing what was inside.
There were a few different outfits, but it appeared that most of them were dresses.
I started to pull them out one at a time.
By the time the bag was empty, I’d come to realize that there wasn’t a single pair of pants inside it.
Also missing was even a single pair of panties.
I turned toward him, raising my eyebrow.
“I want a pair of jeans and whoever packed this forgot that underwear is a basic necessity,” I declared.
“No. Wearing panties is a privilege, little wolf,” he answered calmly.
I looked back at him like he had two heads. I crossed my arms over my chest, and he very casually picked his belt off the bed. He slid his finger up and down the edge and I bit the inside of my cheek. I was treading on dangerous ground.
“You will not cover that pretty little pussy without my permission and right now, you do not have it. I want it bare as a reminder that every beautiful piece of you belongs to me,” he continued.
My traitorous little clit pulsed in response.
“If you choose to disobey me in this, you will learn what a spanking with a wooden spoon feels like on that perfect little pussy,” he warned, and I nodded quickly.
That was something I would desperately try to avoid. Getting a spanking with his belt between my legs was bad enough. I had no doubt that a wooden implement would sting that much more.
“I’ll be a good girl,” I blushed.
His answering smile was so full of pride that I couldn’t tear my eyes away. My heart was suddenly surrounded in his warmth, the bond making me feel safe and secure with him far more quickly than I ever imagined I’d be with a man.
A man who was now mine.
I fingered one of the dresses on the bed, having trouble choosing which one because my mind was so consumed with what was looking to be my new life.
He must have seen that indecision cross my face, because he put the belt down and walked over to me.
Possessively, he wrapped an arm around my waist and perused the options I’d laid out on the bed.
“This purple dress will look especially beautiful on you. Not only that, but it will make your green eyes pop perfectly. You will wear it, for me,” he decided. His hand squeezed my torso a bit tighter, and I couldn’t help but lean into his embrace.
“Yes, alpha,” I breathed. I smiled softly as he released me.
There were a few bras inside the bag thankfully and I pulled one over my shoulders before clasping it behind my back.
He watched me as he dressed himself, and I turned my back.
He growled with desire once he saw my ass.
It was still pretty sore and from my glimpses in the bathroom mirror, it was likely still red from my spanking.
There had been several light pink marks from his belt too.
I thought seeing marks like that would have made me angry, but it was the exact opposite. I carried them with pride. I didn’t understand it, but then again, I didn’t really need to.
I slid the dress over my head and tied it around the waist. My pussy felt extremely bare and the knowledge that he knew it was that way made me feel even more naked beneath my sundress. I shrugged on a thin sweater to cover my arms, knowing that sometimes air conditioning made me chilly.
I slipped my feet into a pair of sandals and packed the rest of the dresses back in the bag.
He’d dressed in a pair of black slacks and a dark gray button-up shirt, which only made his eyes seem even more intense than usual. When he was done, he grasped my bag with one hand and took my hand in the other. His grasp was soft, gentle even, and I found myself wanting to follow.
He led me out of the bedroom and down the hall.
I didn’t really pay attention to the path as we went.
Eventually, the two of us ended up outside where there was a long line of black SUVs waiting.
Elijah’s second in command walked up and I studied his face.
I vaguely remembered his name to be Theo and I nodded in greeting.
His smile of acknowledgement was warm and receptive, which put me a little more at ease about leaving.
“There was no further action during the night, boss. Amir has been true to his word,” Theo explained, and Elijah slid his thumb along his chin thoughtfully.
“Have the vehicles he provided been inspected?” he asked.
“Yes. All of them have been scented and there is no evidence of foul play,” Theo answered.
I studied both of them intently. “Scented?” I repeated.
“For bombs. The last thing your father will want is for the world to find out he’s lost a segment of his soldiers. To the other packs, and especially to the surrounding vampire clans, it will be seen as a sign of weakness,” he explained.
“He wouldn’t put me in danger,” I scoffed, but Elijah’s gaze never lost its serious edge.
“I think you may underestimate how much value your father puts on his place of power,” he continued, and I swallowed hard.
I could deny it all I wanted, but I knew that my father would not be above sacrificing me, especially if it meant that it would grant him an even higher seat in the world in some way.
He’d already shown that by arranging my hand in marriage to a vampire.
“No. I understand,” I answered plainly. I didn’t expand on the issue, and he didn’t ask any further questions.
His eyes searched mine for a second, likely sensing my disquiet.
I turned away and he let me. I expected him to demand that I look back and explain myself, but he didn’t.
Instead, his hand squeezed mine and he continued talking about other small details of our departure with Theo.
I gazed over the place that had long been my home. I’d grown up here under the guidance of others here. There had been many happy memories here, but there also had been many lonely ones. As an alpha’s daughter, I didn’t have very many friends that weren’t simply there because they were told to be.
I’d grown up all my life believing it was what I wanted and needed, that it was my future that I was bound to inherit someday. Was that really my own dream or had that just been my father’s expectations all along?
The mate bond in my heart made all of that feel empty.
Elijah tugged my hand, breaking me out of my inner reverie and bringing me back to the present. I smiled quickly, trying to cover up what I was thinking.
“It’s time to go now, Ashleigh,” he said softly, and I nodded. I pulled my hand from his and held my head high. I would not go like a wolf with her tail in between her legs. I still had my pride.