The Hunting

Chapter 9

A severely beaten James entered the sitting room, holding him upright was a grimacing Roman. The dread that filled me vanished and was replaced with peace. "Roman." I whispered. "You're okay." I stood up.

"I'm fine, he on the other hand needs a doctor." Roman dropped James causing him to land face first on the floor. "Cambren call your medical staff, I'm pretty sure I broke five of his ribs on the first hit. I don't want him to puncture a lung." Cambren chuckled and nodded. He quickly left to phone the doctor, Brayla followed after him.

I walked over and searched his face and arms for any damage. "Are you hurt anywhere?" I began to lift up his shirt but he stopped me.

"No, he didn't land a hit at all." He went and sat down on the love seat. Inwardly I questioned why he had to take the seat I wanted. Even when he doesn't try he's still annoying. "You are in deep trouble though." My stubborn side decided to make an appearance.

"For what? I didn't do anything wrong!" I shouted.

"Don't shout." He spoke softly. I glared at him and went to stand right in front of where he was sitting.

"I'll do what I want, I'll go where I want, and I don't have to listen to anyone, including you!" I replied crossing my arms over my chest. Roman stood up, making us chest to chest.

"If I am to protect you, you are to obey my command. I have given up my time to help you, I have fought off multiple people and creatures to keep you alive, and just now a psychotic vampire." His voice was deep and slow. Never did he raise it. "What do I get in return? I get a bratty, stubborn, selfish girl who doesn't have anyone or anything and when I try to be there for her she takes it for granted." I looked in his eyes and saw emotion after emotion past through.

I never though about it that way. Instantly I felt terrible, I wasn't going to cry but I sure felt like it. Instead of arguing like I had first planned I looked down, ashamed of how rude I've been. "I'm sorry." I whispered. "Please forgive me Roman. You're right and I shouldn't have acted so terrible, I don't know what's gotten into me lately. Please Roman don't leave me. I'm sorry, I'll listen from now on." I said hugging him tightly. Roman was the only thing I had left. Stranger or not, I have a connection with Roman and I don't plan on cutting it anytime soon. "Please don't leave me alone." Slowly I felt him hug me back.

"Zariya, I wouldn't leave you. I promise not to leave till you're safe." He lightly rubbed my back. He was going to help me till I was safe, but what about after I'm safe? Will I ever see him again? Question after question flowed through my head. Realizing that I was still holding on to Roman I let go and looked away. Roman was about to speak when the doorbell rang. I ran down the hall to the door and opened it. A doctor and his staff went to the unconscious James and placed him on a gurney. They loaded him into the vehicle and drove off without a single word.

"Who's hungry?" Brayla asked." I turned around to see a laughing Cambren and Roman. "What's so funny?" She asked.

"Bray, she's a human, not a werewolf. She doesn't eat every two hours, it takes humans awhile to get hungry again."

"Plus we ate right before we got here." Roman chuckled. My stomach growled interrupting them. I felt my cheeks grow hot.

"What? It's nearly six o'clock, that's when I usually eat dinner." Brayla stuck her tongue out at the two men.

"Told you she's hungry." I laughed and followed Brayla into the kitchen. Surprisingly they had normal food. "Cambren and I already ate and won't need to for another week or so, so you two enjoy whatever we have." She said and walked out with Cambren by her side.

"What do you want?" I asked Roman.

"Anything is fine." Came his reply. I opened the fridge and pulled out some chicken. I searched through the cabinets and drawers finding all the right spices and ingredients I needed. After a good thirty minutes the food was ready to be served. "What did you make it smells amazing." He said looking over my shoulder. I grabbed a plate and piled some pasta on it and then tossed a couple pieces of chicken on it. After ladling some creamy sauce on top I finished it off with a sprinkle of green onions and chopped tomatoes. I then pulled the garlic bread out of the oven and placed a piece on the plate.