Alpha Ian's The One and Only

Chapter 4

I could feel the air on my face.

That was the only indication that we were moving. His feet were silently gliding on the narrow path of the tunnel. His body movement was minimal. If I weren't concentrating, I would have missed those slight movements.

"We are here."

I opened my eyes. We were standing near a door equipped with a biometric hand and eye scanner. A small bulb above the door illuminated the nearby area. The rest of the tunnel was submerged in darkness.

"Vampires have amazing night vision, so why put on a light here?"

"Slade installed the lights on both the ends of the tunnel for a just-in-case scenario. Like our present situation. I switched ON the light so you don't get scared in the darkness. My ears can't tolerate any more of your screams."

Did he crack a joke? This mountain of a man has a sense of humour?

"Listen here..."

"You planning to get off my back anytime sooner. You have a strong grip. If I were a human, you would have strangled me to death," he said, cutting me off. Realising I was still on his back, I immediately jumped off and moved two steps back.

"Thank you," I said, adjusting my bag. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "For the lift and complimenting my strength," I said cheekily. "Are you the eldest or the middle brother?" I asked curiously. All I know is that Slade is the youngest of three brothers.

"I am the middle one," he said turning towards the scanner.

The door opened, revealing a woman slightly taller than me with honey blonde hair, and hazel eyes. The eyes that were shooting daggers at me. Behind her stood Slade with his hand on her shoulder like he was restraining her. What did I do?

"That is my mate you are flirting with," she snarled, showing her fangs.

"If you call that flirting, you have a lot to learn. We were conversing," I added quickly, not wanting to annoy a jealous vamp anymore than she already is. Ace was standing in front of his mate, whispering something inaudible to my human ears.

"You reek of her," she said, pushing him back, looking very annoyed.

"That was rude," I mumbled. I know I don't smell awful, and the vampires have a very sharp sense of smell, but one doesn't simply say such a thing out loud.

"It is also rude to flirt with someone else's man," she snapped back.

"Please calm down and think logically. I am sure you heard every word we said, and somewhere in your mind, you know it was not flirting," I said and looked at Slade with pleading eyes. I was hungry and losing patience. Not a good combination because it makes me cranky. Slade must have understood my message because Ace nodded at him, turned towards me, touched the brim of his hat, and said, "Ma'am." Ace pulled his mate in his arms and walked out of the side door in vamp speed. Slade must have telepathically told Ace something.

"Sorry about that. I told Mara it was nothing. But you know how possessive and territorial mates can be," Slade said while taking the bag from me.

"I am grateful she didn't bite my head off. Let's get to work before your mate accuses me of flirting with you too." I regretted it as soon as I said it because Slade and his mate, whom I have not met yet, don't deserve my crankiness.

Slade just laughed and motioned me to follow him. "You don't worry, Jane knows about you and is, in fact, very eager to meet you." He led us into a small break room and started taking out ingredients for a sandwich. I thought we were going to the lab.