Bedded by the Headmaster

Ch36: In Love?

Susie

Susie lay content in Arken's arms.

Had it been this good with him the other times? It must have. Or, it could have been if circumstances had been different. If he hadn't been the Headmaster of Volmasque Academy. If wolves had equal rights to vampires.

So many 'ifs'. And yet, they had all led to this perfect moment. Lying beside Arken, her face pressed against his chest, listening to his heart beating. His face was buried in her hair, his soft breaths warming her scalp. He was in a state of undress, his trousers open but barely slung beneath his hips, and his shirt untucked with only the top button of his shirt undone. It was criminal that she'd only undone one. She should have removed it. She'd felt the hard muscle underneath and a layer of softness at the waist that she found healthy and attractive.

She wanted to see him. She should sit up, undo the long line of buttons, and peel his shirt off. But she couldn't compel herself to move. Everything felt warm and perfect, and she basked in the heat of him.

Her mind wandered as she toyed with the collar of his shirt. There was more they could do together. She wanted him to feed on her.

Would he if she asked? She was not timid, but maybe Arken assumed she was. Would he mind?

Wolves marked their mating partners by biting them between the shoulder and neck. Enough to bruise and break the skin, but not enough to cause permanent harm.

Arken was not a wolf.

But he was capable of biting her without bruising, and he was capable of so much more. She was overcome with the desire to feel his teeth on her neck, to give more of herself to him, to strengthen their connection. And vampires were capable of sharing their thoughts with those they fed on. Maybe he would let her in.

"I want you to bite me," she blurted out, tilting her back to look at him. "Will you? Bite me?"

Arken looked contemplative as he stroked her neck with long, slender fingers. Hunger bloomed in his eyes, but it was not cloudy. He was alert.

It was more than could be said for her. She was high on pheromones and enveloped in a blissful haze. But that didn't mean her gut instincts were wrong. She wanted Arken. She trusted him.

It defied logic. She hadn't known him long at all.

Maybe she was making a huge mistake.

Maybe she was only reaching out to him because he was the first person she'd experienced anything romantic with, the first person who'd taken her to bed and truly been kind.

Maybe, maybe, maybe...

Arken cared for her, that much was plain to see. But did his affections run as deep as hers? Because she cared. Too much.

Logic seemed irrelevant when her pulse raced, her heart aching to solidify their connection. She had spent all of her life keeping her heart closely guarded, stifling her wolf instincts so they wouldn't interfere with her decision-making.

Maybe that was why she felt everything so acutely now.

Her doubts faded into the background as she watched Arken's pensive expression. She could tell he wanted to bite her. He was thinking about it, his lip indented by a sharp fang as he ran his hand lovingly up her throat.

A realisation struck her hard.

She wanted a mating bond.

She wanted Arken to be her mate.

She could have waited months or years to get to know him better, but her stoicism had given way to fervent need.

Susie cupped his face, trailing her fingers along his jawline, past his cheekbone to his temples, and resting them in his hair. His gaze was soft, his facial muscles relaxed, and he smiled fondly as she touched him. It gave her the courage to admit what she felt.

"I...I think I'm falling in love with you."

Her words hung in the air for several precious moment before Arken drew back slightly to meet her gaze, his eyes widening, pupils dilating.

Her heart beat hopefully, and she smiled bashfully as she waited for his response. She was sure he'd say something back. Hopefully those same words. She had every reason to think that he would.

He'd nuzzled her.

Kissed her.

He'd even bitten her before.

And he'd licked her extensively, scent marking her over and over.

Hadn't he said that he wanted her to be his?

Be mine.

She waited, keeping her smile firmly in place. It was possible that it wasn't romantic love he felt. Maybe he was just possessive, and he felt nothing for her beyond the desire to claim her. Maybe she'd read him wrong.

The silence dragged on, and Arken said nothing. He just...stared. As if he were silently trying to communicate...what, exactly?

Doubt? Regret?

His hesitation was killing her.

Her smile wavered, her heart thundering as she waited.

She was always waiting.

Her heart fell.

"I'm such an idiot," she muttered.

Arken looked mortified.

She pulled away abruptly and sat up.

Her chest and throat constricted painfully, and her heart was beating painfully in the wake of his silence.

He can't bring himself to reject me.

She would spare him the discomfort of trying.

"It's fine," she mumbled, sliding off the bed.

Arken snatched her wrists and pulled her back. She landed awkwardly, sprawled on top of him and trapped in his arms.

She tried to pull free. "Don't. Just let me go."

He released her as quickly as if she'd stung him. She remained hovering above, staring down at him in confusion.

Something was wrong. He was behaving...strangely.

The room was too quiet.

She wished he would say something.

Without warning, the door to her room swung open. They snapped their heads to the tall figure standing there. Pointed features, crossed arms, and malice gleaming in his eyes as he took in the sight of them on the bed.

The blood drained from her.

Henrikk.

In the corridor, she glimpsed several of his followers—made vampires, their waxy faces and eerie stillness unmistakeable.

"Well, well, well," Henrikk mused, "You certainly know how to keep your students busy, Arken." He gave a low, sinister cackle at their shocked reaction.

Then, to Susie's horror, Henrikk stepped inside and shut the door, leaving the other vampires outside in the corridor.

The three of them were alone.

Henrikk approached the bed, moving with a slow, predatory assuredness, like a spider closing in on its ensnared prey. "I see you've warmed her up for me, Arken. Move aside, now. Let me have a turn at her."