The Gambler

Other humans!

I folded my hands in front of me and took in a deep breath.

"Okay let's go" Xavier smiled and pushed the doors to the ballroom open.

I held back a gasp. There was lights strung up around the ceiling, chandeliers hung down the room in a line, there was countless tables every where with food... And the people...oh my goodness.

There were people everywhere. They all looked like angels. I don't think there was an unattractive face in that room. They were all dressed elegantly. Gowns and suits, it was like a celebrity wedding. Then it hit me- the amount of people on leashes. It was strange. I all of a sudden felt self conscience and took a step back as our group began walking in. Grayson and Jewell looked back at me.

"Elizabeth?" He spoke with concern and I took another deep breath.

"We don't have to go in" He whispered and I shook my head. I had to do this. Jewell gave me reassuring smile and I began walking in with them. Xavier had a tight grip on her leash, and mine hung limply in Grayson's hand. I knew he was hating this, but as long as it kept me safe then I was okay with it.

Once we fully entered the room quite a few heads turned, maybe all of them did, I don't know. I felt like the room was spinning honestly. Like every head that turned was a wind blast trying to knock me down. My breath caught in my throat and I stared at the back of Graysons head. He had his head held high, but his eyes were moving every where.

Xavier immediately began introducing us to his other friends and that's when I noticed Marcus, Jayden, and Cecelia. Seeing at least 3 familiar faces made me relax a little. They were engulfed in conversation with some other vampires, I assumed.

"You" a hoarse voice broke my thoughts and I came face to face with a bald, bearded man that had piercing red eyes. He wore a deep red suit and had a small frail looking girl by his side. She wore a very short dress with black pumps and the sides were lace so her ribs showed through.

"You, I would like to see you turn around. Show me your body." He demanded and I was suddenly pulled behind Grayson.

"She is mine, first of all baldy. Do not even think that she is up for grabs." Grayson snarled at the man and he simply rolled his eyes and walked away.

I let out the breath that I didn't realize id been holding.

"You're going to be fine I will protect you" Grayson's words came into my mind and he winked at me. I nodded and he nodded towards the tables, speaking out loud this time.

"Are you hungry?" he examined my face and I shrugged, feeling too shy to eat right now.

He tugged on the leash, motioning for me to go towards the tables. I thought I saw his eyes darken, but he looked away from me quickly.

I examined the different dishes and desserts on the table. One thing was for sure, they all ate likes kings and queens here.

"I'm going to go see Xavier. Stick around here alright? You need me, just call. Mind link or not" he rubbed my hand reassuringly and I longed for him to kiss me as I nodded. He couldn't show affection to me though, it was forbidden almost.
He suddenly leaned in and moved his mouth as if he was whispering, but his words entered my mind instead.

"I can only wonder how you'd look tied up in bed with this leash and leave some pretty hand prints on your ass"
my face flushed and with that he walked off towards Xavier after giving me a mischievous smirk.

Trying to not picture Grayson tying me up in bed, I picked up a small sandwich and began nibbling on it self consciously. I hoped to god none of these vampires could read my mind right now.

"Your master treats you well" a dull voice came from behind me and I jumped. I turned slowly and was surprised to see an average looking boy standing in front of me with another girl. They must've been humans.
I shrugged and took another small bite.
The brunette girl motioned towards my dress.

"You're dressed like one of them" she whispered and I looked down at myself and then to what they were wearing. They weren't in nearly as nice of clothes and my stomach turned at the thought of how they must be treated.

"He gives me what he thinks I deserve...I'm Elizabeth." I whispered and the boy gave me a warm smile.

"My name is Ray. I'm Cecelia's. This is Savannah." Savannah smiled at me and I gave them both an awkward smile. I was finally near other humans and I didn't even know how to speak to them. Savannah turned her head towards the crowd and sighed, muttering something about her master calling for her.

"So how old were you when you were taken?" He questioned as he picked up some food.

I shrugged, trying to come up with a story.

"I uh don't even remember honestly." He frowned at my response and we turned to look at all of the vampires before us. They all chatted and looked so elegant. Some laughing, some looked bored, some in serious thought and conversation.

"What do you think of vampires?" He questioned me again and I shrugged.

"They are nice. My mat- my uh master takes good care of me and is nice." I quickly stopped myself from calling Grayson my mate.
Ray shook his head, glaring into the crowd.

"They are monsters. They eat people for survival. It's disgusting. They cage us up like animals and use us for blood. Werewolves are so much more level headed and kinder. Not cold. I'll never believe that these.. These leeches can have mates or true relationship. They're killers. They can't love. Their goal in life is to feed. They will manipulate people and do whatever it takes to get what they want, they steal from you until you can give no more. "
He spat this angrily and I frowned a little. They can love... Grayson did love me...

Ray grabbed my hand and looked around.

"Let's go somewhere quiet" he pulled me towards the back doors to the room and we stepped out into a small hallway.

"When I saw you I thought you were one of them you are so stunningly beautiful Elizabeth" he rushed his words out and I shifted uncomfortably on my feet.

"Thank you. I should really be-"
"I mean it. I've never seen such a beautiful girl. Vampire or not. I'm always going to these parties for Cecelia and she's always trying to get me to meet with other human girls but my...you are a treat"
He stared at me hungrily and I stared at him in confusion.
Could Cecelia have told him to pull me away so she could get to Grayson? Why would she do that knowing Grayson and I are mates?

"You're too nice" I muttered back awkwardly and he grabbed both of my hands.

"Let's run away from this. I can tell you are a sweet girl. I will give you better things than what that leech could give you. We don't have to be blood slaves anymore" he took a step closer to me and I froze.

Run away? I could get away from all of
this. This fear. Tyler would never expect me to be with a human...I could...
Before I could finish my thoughts Ray pressed his lips against mine and I took a step back, causing him to step with me and push me against the wall.

He kept moving his lips against mine and then it hit me. I was kissing somebody else. Somebody that wasn't my mate. But did my mate really love me? Was he using me? Was he only doing this to get my blood? If it's so valuable and the others want it, what's to stop him from lying to me to get it....

Then it hit me.
Pure anger.
Rage suddenly shot through me, making my stomach turn. I broke away from Ray and turned to see Grayson standing at the doorway. His eyes were black.

"Grayson" I whispered to myself and began walking towards him. He pushed passed me and hit Ray across the jaw, then kicking him across the room before he could even hit the ground.

"Gray" I whispered again and he turned to look at me, there was tears in his eyes.

"Grayson" I choked out, tears forming in my eyes. I kissed somebody that wasn't my mate. I kissed them back.

He shook his head and walked passed me, leaving the room as Ray struggled to get up.

How could I.