Bound to the Beast

Chapter 03

     In Perspective of Benedict "Ben" Aldrich
Bound to the Beast
     Chapter 03: Honey

     I step out into the narrow hallway just in time to watch them both disappear around a corner. But unlike my father who left nothing in his wake, that peculiar girl left behind little swirls of white smoke. I have already figured out from her reaction of being called one, that she was in fact not human. However, I have never seen anything leave a trail of white smoke, or anything else for that matter, behind when they walked. It was odd, but then again, so was she. Preternatural species typically have an essence about them that set them apart from humans and other preternatural species. Their magic itself is similar to a perfume, with each form of species having their own brand. Other preternaturals could smell it, and sometimes so could humans- if there senses were sensitive. 

     However, her scent was definitely intoxicating. She didn't smell like any familiar species, just something entirely different. She consisted of a scent that represented freshly cut timber, like a damp forest after a rainy day; she smelt heavenly, like freshly-scented pine and honey. Her aroma was like a drug for my nose, though I couldn't set it apart from the scent of her blood. If it was her blood, this uncontrollable urge would be too unbearable to choke down. More importantly, I was going to have to find out what the hell she was from my father, even if I persisted. Though I had this feeling deep down he would not tell me, solely because of the respect he seemed to hold for her.

     I didn't mean to start off so poorly with the person who was supposed to be playing host with me and my crew, but my father did not warn me that 'Anderson' (Lara) was not only a female, but the most seductive looking woman I've ever seen. My reaction was every bit as powerful as hers was to mine. I just so happen to be a master at hiding my emotions. Despite being a master at it, it had still taken every ounce of willpower to not have a small taste of her blood. From the second she bumped into me, every vein in her adrenaline-induced body was pulsing with hot, feisty blood, and the only thing that had calmed her down fast enough was the sight of my father. I almost hated him for that.

     Lara was uncontrollably short for a female, possibly just at 5 foot, and was slender but curved in the right places. Her long cinnamon hair caught the light and bounced in natural loose curls when she walked, and when she sat still, her tamed hair fanned over her shoulders like a settling dust cloud. I'll never forget the look of dislike in those eyes. Her eyes were of liquid amber, a color as warm and apprehensive as autumn, but cold enough to chill my bones. It was like being caught nude in the middle of a hailstorm, where every chunk of ice was a frosted dagger against my skin. I didn't doubt she could freeze a lesser man to death with those eyes.

     I was left alone in the hallway, now experiencing extreme discomfort and was annoyed by not only her behavior but also my father's. I'd give them ten minutes to chit chat, and then I was going up there. In the meantime I was going to get a drink at the bar and update Marcel. I found Marcel sitting at one of the tables next to a beautiful brunette. When he saw me approach, he wrapped up his conversation and sent the bombshell on her way, not before getting her number. I sat in the chair she vacated, and reached over to steal Marcel's drink.

     "Wow, do help yourself Ben. It's not like I paid for it or anything." Marcel grumbled as he looked around for a waitress.

     "Don't worry, I will. And don't call me Ben, only my friends call me that."

     "Friends? You have friends, Ben?" Marcel snickered as he patted my back, but an unsettling glare from me had hopes to suck the playfulness from him quickly.

     "So what has put you in such a lovely mood? Did you meet the guy?" The waitress came over and Marcel ordered us both another round.

     "My father is upstairs talking to her now." I grumbled and finished off the last of Marcel's whiskey. I didn't usually drink the hard stuff but I needed it at the moment.