Eternally Loved

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"I think my father likes you." Rudolph smiled, looking between the two of us as we all got back up to the surface and made our way out of the cemetery. "That was liking us?!" Tony asked incredulously.

"I know he can seem like a real monster because he's so stern with us." Rudolph started. "He is a monster!" Tony pouted. "Tony!" I growled in warning. "But you don't know what it's like for us vampires to be tormented everyday of our lives." Rudolph continued, ignoring my brother. Tony and I scoffed. "Yes, we do. Tony deals with it every day at school." Frown, gently ruffling my brother's hair. Rudolph looked over at Tony. "Who dares torment my friend?" He scowled, crossing his arms. "The McAshton brothers." I supplied, sighing softly as I looked away from the two of them.

"Do they torment you as well, Pepper?" Rudolph asks, his gaze landing on me. "No." I said, shaking my head. The vampire seemed to calm slightly at that. "Their older brother does." Tony piped up. Rudolph's heated blue gaze was on me. "What?" He hissed out lowly. "Yea, he flirts with her all the time! And today, he even kissed her!" Tony frowned. Rudolph's eyes began to glow bright red as he glared at me. I could tell that he wasn't angry at me or Tony, but instead at the McAshton brothers.

*****

"Come on, sis!" Tony tried, pulling on my hand. "You two can handle this. I'll take care of Alexander." I said, walking over to the adjoining room where the older brother was sleeping.

I quietly closed the door behind me and turned to face the bed. I growled lowly as I stalked up to him, before jumping on his bed and pinning him down by his throat. He woke up with a start. "You will leave Pepper Thompson alone, understand, foolish boy!" I growled out, watching his eyes widened with panic. Lightning struck behind me, and unfortunately for me, it lit up my face. The horrified look on Alexander's face shifted into a dirty smirk. Before I could do anything, he flipped me over, pinning my hands above my head with one hand. "Well, well, Pepper, my sweet." He whispered into my ear, his tone making me hold back a gag. "If you wanted to come over and play, you should've just asked." He chuckled, running his hand up and down my side. I opened my mouth to scream, when he covered my mouth with his hand. "Ah, ah, ah. We don't want to wake my father, would we?" He tsked, watching as I struggled against his hold. I felt his hand slip under my shirt, and I let out a scream, which was muffled by the hand over my lips.

"Come on now, I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Just give it a chance." He whispered into my ear, his hand getting higher. My heart began to race, and my breathing came harsher. Another flash of lightning lit up the room, and a low growling filled the air.

Red eyes glared from the window and relief filled me. Rudolph!

Alexander turned in confusion to face the noise, only to freeze at the crouched figure on his windowsill. "Who the hell are you?" He demanded, sitting up. His hand gripped my side harshly and I let out a yelp, instinctively digging my teeth into his hand.

Alexander pulled away with a slight scream, giving Rudolph the chance to snag me from underneath the taller boy.

Rudolph held me tightly as he glared at the taller boy. His crimson eyes seemed to glow in the dark room, and Alexander was clutching his injured hand close to his chest. "Hey! Give her back, now!" Alex shouted. I scowled at the boy, feeling Rudolph's grip tighten around me. "You will leave Pepper Thompson alone. Else you will answer to me, her undead mate." Rudolph growled out lowly. I felt my cheeks flush from his words.

The vampire bared his teeth, hissing loudly. His eyes darkened significantly, before narrowing into a harsh glare. Fear flashed through Alex's eyes, and he glanced at me before silently nodding. "Good. Now, apologize." Rudolph ordered. Alex stayed silent. I could almost hear the boy's heart fluttering fear. "Apologize!" Rudolph growled. "I-I'm sorry, Pepper!" Alex squeaked, ducking his head down.

"Let's go." Rudolph huffed, gently picking me up and jumping out the window and onto the roof where Tony was waiting.

"Thanks, Rudolph." I sighed out, stepping out of his hold. His hands lingered on my arms, and as I stepped away, they trailed down to my wrist. I unintentionally flinched back from his touch, something he took notice of immediately.

His ocean gaze snapped to my wrists, before they faded back into the harsh crimson as they were before. "Did he do this?" Rudolph asked, gently running his fingers along the blossoming bruises on my pale skin. I sighed softly, nodding in confirmation. A low hiss escaped his lips, and I placed my hand on his arm, calming him. His eyes faded back to blue, and he let out a heavy sigh.

"We should be getting back. If mom and dad check on us while we're not there, there'll be Hell to pay." I said, giving Rudolph a soft smile. He gives one back, grabbing Tony and I's hands before we were lifted off the roof, and into the air.

We landed on Tony's balcony, and I made sure to tuck him into bed before heading towards my own room, covering up a yawn.

I honestly hadn't realized Rudolph had followed me until I heard a gasp from behind me after I had gone into my room. I spun around, facing my vampiric friend, only to see him staring around my room in slight horror. I grimaced at the look on his face.

"This is where you sleep?" He asked, looking at me worriedly. I nodded sheepishly, watching him as he picked up the silver chain attached to the wall and ran his fingers along the deep claw marks. "It looks more like a dungeon for a beast." He breathed out, clenching his jaw. "I think it used to be..." I murmured, walking over to join him. He glanced at me for a moment, a frown on his face. "Judging by these claw marks and the chain, I'd say they used to keep werewolves here." He said, letting go of said chain and letting it rattle softly. I shivered at the thought of a poor werewolf being locked up and tortured by humans. "Did you know any werewolves?" I asked him, curious about other beings like him. He shook his head with a frown. "No, I didn't. But my father knew one. He told us about them." Rudolph stated, looking at me with a scowl. I furrowed my brow at this. "My father said they were awful creatures. Mindless beasts that deserved the deaths they got." Rudolph explained, crossing his arms and looking up to the small window in my room. A flash of rage shot through me. "Isn't that a bit harsh?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the vampire. "I'm not sure. My father would tell stories of times where he witnessed Lycans committing mass murder." He said, looking at me with sad eyes. "W-Why would they do that?" I whispered, shocked. Rudolph pursed his lips, looking as though he was trying to find the right words to say. "Well, like in most human tales, werewolves are unable to control themselves when they turn. They become driven by their hunger, and tear into any living thing in their way."

I gasped, horrified by what he said. I turned my gaze to the marked wall, picturing a Lycan chained and snarling, before reaching its clawed hand over and digging the sharp claws into the concrete walls, attempting to climb up and put the window. I was pulled from my imagination by Rudolph as he laid his hand on my shoulder.

"Was there ever a werewolf that was able to control itself?" I asked him. He shook his head. I sighed softly, forcing back a yawn. "I should get some sleep. Tony and I will work on the crest in the morning. You head back to your family." I said, giving him a small smile. He gave me one back, before pulling me into a hug, which I gladly returned.

When the let go, I watched him shift into a bat, smiling softly as he looped around my room with a few squeaks, before squeezing through the bars of my window and flying off.

Finally, with an almighty yawn, I flopped onto my bed and fell asleep almost immediately.