Spurned Queen

Chapter 38: Morning Blues

Lexi

The Slouch was situated contentedly on my lap. I slouched right along with him, my eyes wandering outside. I watched my daughter playing in the golden fields, laughing in the wind. She didn't mind the heavy atmosphere nor the heat of the afternoon. My eyes were only half open. I leaned back on a certain long-legged vampire who was also nearly asleep. There was absolutely no sound. The air was still and warm.

"Alexandra."

The gold began to fade fast. It was like the entire scene had dropped away out of my sight. Blackness filled my vision and I could feel that I was lying on something soft.

"Alexandra."

Something poked my cheek. Annoyed, I frowned and swatted it away.

"Oh for fuck's sake," someone muttered. Ah yes, I remembered, I was on Aevran's bed, where I had joined him to provide warmth through the night. Now he was the one rudely waking me up. I opened my eyes and glared at the pillow in front of me.

"Oh you're finally awake. How gracious of you to bless me with your presence," he said sarcastically.

With a groan, I pushed myself up to sit. I scowled his way. "Do not take the blessing for granted and tell me why the hell I am awake before I use your stomach acids to burn your face."

"Good morning to you too," he snapped. I groaned, stretching. I caught the first rays of sunlight peeping into the tent. His eyes trailed down my body. "Your clothes are wrinkled."

Of course that's what he noticed. "Your curls are flat on one side."

"Well meet the morning version of your mate."

"Displeasure's all mine."

He flashed me a glare. "Why are you here?"

"I got lost."

"The real reason."

"Fine. I was trying to sleep, but a mosquito kept bugging me. So I left my tent to find a different mosquito; the kind that snores instead of whining like a terrible violin."

His eyes narrowed. "Don't test me," he growled, baring his fangs. I merely cocked my eyebrow and he continued, "you need to get out of here."

Toy with him, Lattis urged, grinning. Test the waters. See how far you can prod before he bursts.

"Nah, I think I like it here," I said.

A low growl rumbled in his throat. "Get out, Alexandra."

"No."

"I said get the fuck out of here."

"Don't be so rude," I chided.

"For the fourth time— and I assure you no one has ever gotten that far before— get your ass back to the werewolf side of camp." His voice was low in warning. Promising. It excited me. I wanted to know what he would do. Test the waters, right?

I grabbed one of his ridiculously numerous pillows and hurled it straight for his face.

His claws ripped through the pillow. He moved faster than anything I had ever seen before, shoving me down onto the bed. I gasped at the force. Aevran was on top of me, his hands keeping mine immobile by my head. His eyes flashed with danger.

"Allow me to put this simply," he growled coldly, "You get to your side of camp willingly, or I strip you butt naked and kick you out, and let the whole camp watch you do it anyway."

I was going to hell. Because when he threatened me with utter humiliation, I liked it. It was twisted, but I liked it when he handled me on his own terms, with his own rules. The dominance that leaked off him made my wolf scratch and beg for more.