Chapter 6 #3
I walked by his side all the way to the car.
Like a gentleman, he opened the car door for me, and I climbed in.
He closed it and walked to the other side, while Theo got in the driver’s seat in the front.
A good many familiar faces strode by and climbed into the other vehicles all around us.
I lost count quickly, but it was clear that my father was losing an extraordinary number of men today.
Elijah was right. There wasn’t a chance in hell that he would let that stand.
Warily, I sat back. I took note that we’d climbed into one of the SUVs in the center of the group, so we’d be guarded on both sides by Elijah’s allies. We sat still for several minutes before Theo started to pull away.
I don’t know why, but I breathed a sigh of relief at that.
Elijah pulled me toward him, surrounding me with one arm. The protectiveness of the gesture warmed my heart and my fingers instinctually found his. I felt him smile against my scalp and I snuggled into him even more closely. I lost myself in the security of his scent.
I was quite certain that it was one of the first times in my life that I’d ever welcomed such attention, not that I’d ever had an opportunity to experience it before.
I wanted to close my eyes and rest, but I also didn’t want to miss out on even a moment of this, so I chose to look out the window at the mountains surrounding us.
“Where are we going to go?” I asked with interest.
“Before I came to confront your father, I made several calls. In my position as your father’s head soldier, some of his allies are infinitely more loyal to me than him simply because I was the one that handled problems for them personally.
One of those men is the owner of a chalet in the mountains just outside Zurich.
As a token of appreciation, he offered it to me as tribute, but he did warn me that the place is currently infested with a vampire clan,” Elijah explained.
I stiffened, but his arm simply tightened around me.
“What vampire clan?” I asked.
“I think they were once members of the Ravnos clan, but they were exiled for ignoring the rules some time ago. It was either that or death. Since then, they haven’t really amassed any power or prestige to my knowledge.
I’ve been informed that they are a pretty vicious lot, so we need to be well prepared, but it’s nothing that we can’t handle,” he continued.
“Are you sure?” I asked. I remembered the night they’d broken into my bedroom. I could still feel that vampire’s cold touch on my naked flesh as if it were only minutes ago.
“Yes,” he answered. When I was silent in return, his fingers sought out mine.
“Are you worried, little wolf?”
“Yes,” I replied. I hated how my voice wavered, revealing just how fearful I actually was of walking straight into some kind of attack or ambush.
“When we get to where we’re going and I’ve made sure it’s a safe place for both my mate and my pups, you and I will spend time training together. I will teach you how you can use your smaller size to defend yourself,” he offered.
“I’d like that,” I whispered, curling in closer to him.
“Do you know what else, little wolf?” he asked and there was a darker under layer to his words that hadn’t been there the first time.
“What?” I asked carefully, pressing my thighs together as if I could stem the pulsing in my clit. With him, I was insatiable. I told myself it was just the mate bond, but a part of me knew that wasn’t all it was.
“As your teacher, I’m looking forward to implementing a very special system of punishments and rewards,” he murmured, and I blushed heavily into his chest.
The thought excited me, and I was sure it did him too. His hand reached down and massaged the side of my hip. The whole idea of learning how to fight and defend myself was remarkably sweet.
I knew I didn’t yet know him completely, but it seemed that although he expected my obedience, he didn’t seek to control me or keep me in a cage like some kind of trophy. I needed to be sure though, so I decided to be blunt.
“What do you expect from me as your mate?” I asked.
“I expect you to hold your head high and stand by my side as the queen of my pack. You will defer to me and only me. No one will touch you except for me and I expect that in times of my absence, you will handle yourself as I expect an alpha’s mate should,” he replied.
“I see,” I answered. I took some time to process his words and he slid a finger under my chin and forced me to look up at him.
“I will be a fair mate to you. I will love you fiercely, but I will expect your obedience. I think you know what will happen if you defy me, isn’t that right?” he pushed.
“Yes, alpha,” I answered truthfully. I did understand.
“Tell me…” he pressed.
“You’ll punish me,” I whispered, wanting to be quiet so that Theo wouldn’t hear.
“I will. It’ll hurt, won’t it, little wolf?” he continued. His other hand fell casually to cup my bottom cheek and I swallowed anxiously, trying to willfully ignore how wet my bare pussy felt beneath my dress.
“Yes, alpha,” I blushed.
“Good girl. Keep that in mind, my little wolf,” he murmured as he kissed my forehead sweetly.
For some reason, the whole conversation settled me. A blanket of security folded over me, and I closed my eyes. His arm wound around me, and I pulled it close. Soon enough, my breathing evened out, and my body started to feel heavy as the comfort of him surrounded me.
I’m not sure when, but I fell asleep in his arms.