Content To Be Claimed (Beauty And The Beast #1)

Chapter 30

I woke up the next morning to find Warren sitting on my bed, watching me. He smiled in welcome when I focused on him.

"Good morrow," he whispered, tucking my hair back. "Did you sleep well?"

"Hi," I mumbled, still a little heavy lidded. "Uh, yeah. Did you find him?"

He shook his head, looking perplexed. "Regrettably not. He is not in the area."

I frowned. "Where is he?"

"We lost his scent two towns over." He smiled disarmingly. "It appears he has withdrawn for the moment."

"Oh, no," I groaned, covering my face. Vincent was still somewhere out there, planning his next move.

"Do not fret love," Warren said, dragging my hands from my face to see my eyes. "It affords me a reprieve to formulate a strategy. He has never narrowed down his focus in this manner before. This brings me closer to ending the threat he poses forever."

I assessed the guy - he looked too smug for someone who was talking about my possible death - and accused, "You sound excited."

His grin was delighted. "I am a hunter and my prey seeks to outsmart me. I do not relish the danger you face, of course, but choosing you as his prey was his gravest mistake to date. I will use all my capabilities to hunt him down and ensure that he regrets ever laying eyes on my love. Fear not." He cupped my cheek. "In the meantime, your family awakens and I must away."

He leaned in to kiss my cheek but I drew back. "You're leaving me?"

He studied my eyes, clearly assessing my tone. "Never, love. However, your family desires your company and I have plans I must set in motion before this day ends." When my expression didn't change, he ventured, "Mayhap Ashley may keep you company?"

I sighed. It was better than being alone with my paranoia today. I nodded, "Okay."

Warren smiled again and kissed my cheek, then left.

Later that afternoon, Ashley and I entered the school auditorium and I held back a shiver of fear. We had to go through the play again tonight - it had been scheduled for two nights and with last night's fiasco, it was even more important for us to get it right today.

When we walked in, I saw Victor in what seemed like an argument with Mr Klint. I turned to Ashley questioningly and she hissed, "You have to go over there."

"Don't leave," I begged. She was the reason why I was keeping it together.

She made an annoyed face that was totally cute. "Don't worry. I'm not letting you of my sight."

I nodded then took a deep breath and went to the quarrel. "Good afternoon, sir."

"Miss Burton, do you want out of the play?" the drama teacher asked.

"What? No," I frowned.

Victor caught my arm and pulled me away. "You're not pulling out, I am."

"What? Why?" I whined. He's the reason why I was doing this in the first place.

"If I do, they'll cancel the play."

"No, Vic, if they do that, they'll try to fit it in after prom, and I really don't want to be afraid for my life for that long. Tonight will be hard enough."

"I still have to pull out."

"Well, you can't. You're the reason I'm even doing this. You didn't want to do it without me so don't make me do it without you."

"Belle," he sighed softly. "Aren't you even a little afraid? I mean, he tricked me last night, plus I need to hunt soon. What if he overrides my control during the play?"