Alpha Vaughan

Chapter 33

I'd gone back to the counter and after awkwardly explaining that I'd forgotten my room number, the woman had been kind enough to not only tell me my room, but instruct a concierge  to show me to it.

When I stood before the door, the boy with a full head of curls smiled down at me, showcasing a dimple on his cheek, then before turning to leave, he winked at me, leaving me staring at his tall, retreating figure.

Why couldn't I be into gorgeous boys like that? I mean, I was: if Gerad Justin was any indication. But apparently fate knew better--or less--by shackling me with a brooding man I could barely stay a day without mentally cursing at.

Sighing, I pushed open the door and was instantly met with a shirtless Vaughan.

Well, goodbye sanity.

Muscles bunching and flexing with strain, he stopped what he was doing when he spotted me. Straightening, he muttered, "Took you long enough."

And just like that my earlier anger came rushing back to me. Slamming the door shut, I walked up to him, pointing. "Why did you book a single room for the both of us?"

Offhandedly he asked, "Why shouldn't I have?"

Huffing incredulously, I bit out, "Oh, maybe because for the past twenty four hours you've been giving me the impression you'd rather make out with a cactus than spend another second with me."

He rose a dark brow. "Make out with a--"

Gasping in annoyance, I spat out, "Is that all you got out from what I said? Super!" I rolled my eyes.

His eyes flashed yellow. "Hey, watch your attitude."

"Or else?"

Rather than reply me, he threw down the chains he'd been holding. "Do you for a second..."

I allowed his voice trail to the back of my mind, my eyes locked on the chains he'd been attaching to the headboard. "Hey," my voice was thin. "What are those doing there?"

He looked in the direction I was staring at. "Substitution," he said plainly.

"For...?" I thought aloud, then came to a realization, "Oh, a makeshift of your rehabilitating cell. But... If that's on the bed, then..."

"Then you'll be sleeping on the floor," came his flat reply.

Scoffing, I said, "Oh, how courteous of you."

When he said nothing I stomped over to where my bag was, ransacking through it for my clothes and some toiletries. While I went through it, Vaughan went on to pore over every single corner of the room, scrutinizing and marking. It was the instinct of every male werewolf on coming to a new place; to learn and dominate, so a place didn't feel so alien to them, or beyond their control.

After having a shower, I emerged from the bathroom and found Vaughan was nowhere to be seen. 

Striding across the room to where my bag was, I took some time to actually look around the large expanse. Vaughan had managed to dwarf the huge room with his larger-than-life presence.

The classically furnished room was designed tastefully, and thankfully, with a vast assortment of oriental furnitures. My eyes took in a wide beige settee appreciatively, mentally marking it as my sleeping spot for tonight.

Just in the process of spreading a wide blanket over it, Vaughan came in. The spicy smell of food filled my nose and I looked up. A mini cart had been rolled in.

While heading into the shower, he muttered in a barely audible voice, "Have something to eat."

In spite of myself, a smile stretched my lips. With an exaggerated sigh, I said, "So he does care after all."

He paused before the door, and surprised me by saying, "I just don't want to be responsible for your corpse if you happen to perish of starvation."

"My, my, you are becoming quite a bit mouthy these days, aren't you Vaughany Woney?"

The sound of the door slamming shut met my statement.

I took that as my cue to go stuff myself. As I ate, I realized how hungry I was. By the time he'd reemerged, I was halfway through the meal. About to fork some more pasta into my mouth, I paused halfway, my world slowing to a stop. Only one thing mattered right now.

Vaughan was just in a towel. The scant hair on his broad chest was damp with moisture, and the rest of him glistened, the muscles on his taut skin, the cords on his thighs and calves. Then there was the huge bulge outlined by the towel...

His grey eyes locked with mine from from across the room. And the air seemed to instantly sizzle. When his eyes flashed yellow, my lips parted. 

And then the trance got broken when the spaghetti in my mouth unceremoniously dropped back into the plate.

I felt my face burn. Vaughan turned away from me, but not before I saw the slight curl of his lips.

Moments passed by. After I had covered my duvet up to my chin, I stared into the darkness, listening to the sounds of chains rattling as Vaughan settled in.

When all was quiet, he spoke up, "Tomorrow we begin our search for the vampire."

My voice was quiet. "What if we don't find them?"

"We will," came his firm reply.

"And how are we going to do that? Vampires don't just walk around in broad daylight... Literally."

"But someone would know if anything unusual has been happening, say, finding someone dead with two punctured holes in their neck, or accidentally spotting someone with fangs."

"And?"

"And I plan on asking around. A local must have seen something, heard something."

Shifting to face the direction of the bed, I slid my palms beneath my face, sleep pulling at me. "Okay, I hope so."

With a yawn, I said, "Goodnight, Vaughan." I drifted off to sleep before I could hear his reply, that was, if there was any.

                        __

I awoke to the sound of muffled roars. Blinking away the last traces of sleep, I looked around and noted that it was still midnight. When the sounds reached my ears again, I threw away the duvet and rushed over to the large bed.

A gasp left me. "Vaughan...?"

On it Vaughan writhed as if in severe pain, sweat trickling down his face and past the veins protruding around his temples. The muscles on his neck strained with each roar the gag in his mouth muffled, his muscles contracting as he struggled against his bonds, his other free hand fisting the sheets.

Looking down at him, I felt my throat knotting, felt the backs of my eyes sting. He looked so...tortured. On their own accord my hand started to reach for him. As if sensing my presence, he quietened, starting to strain towards my hand.

When my palm made contact with his skin, he purred low in his throat. I sat on the bed and began to pass my hands across his hot skin. Moments passed, and what started out as a soothing touch turned into something more exploring.

His taut skin was smooth to the touch as I caressed him, his muscles flexing deliciously while I stroked him. All the while he purred, arching into my touch.

Running my hands through his hair, I curled up on his chest, trying to ignore the fact that I knew if he were in his senses, he wouldn't allow me touch him this way.

Feeling his strong arm close around me, I sighed in content, unable to remember what I thought was so wrong about doing this...