After pacing mindlessly for quite some time, she decided it was time to explore the Ashlu den. Maybe there was an archive or library. Large mansions usually had a library, right? If she could find some information on the royal clans and their tattoos, she may be able to learn more about Jason’s father.
Not for the first time since she entered Undervale, she cursed her bad memory and foolishness. She had shared the most intimate and amazing night of her life with him and she’d never even got the man’s name. Shaking her head in disbelief, she quietly opened the door leading out of the bedroom.
It was dark outside of her room, the only light coming from soft sconces on the walls. The portraits gave Susie the creeps. There were only a few closed doors along the hallway, she figured these would mostly be other bedrooms, maybe even for other women. For all she knew, Lord Ashlu had a harem of breeding slaves. Shaking her head to clear the ridiculous thought, if there were others why would he need to buy her? She headed back in the direction of the foyer.
After wandering up and down several corridors, she decided on a final hallway that didn’t have as many sconces lighting the way, but Susie’s eyes had somewhat adjusted to the dark. As she approached the end, she saw a set of double doors. Deciding to take a chance she delicately opened one of the doors.
The room was massive, it had the same domed roof as had the other rooms she had seen in the den thus far, but the walls were lined with filled bookshelves as high as the ceilings. Old sliding ladders were scattered throughout to help an interested reader reach the higher shelves. She padded over to a floor lamp and turned it on, noting the soft plush rugs that covered the hardwood floors. There were three leather couches and several overstuffed armchairs placed throughout the room. There was also an antique liquor cart, filled with various colored liquids. And in one rounded corner another large fireplace. There are so many fireplaces, winters must be brutal here, she thought.
Under any other circumstances, this would be a dream room for her to have discovered in an old beautiful mansion. Which she was quickly learning the Ashlu den was just that, and old beautiful mansion.
She loved being surrounded by books. She imagined snuggling up with Jason in one of the oversized chairs reading him to sleep. He loved the adventure stories like Treasure Island and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She wondered if Nana was reading him to sleep while she was away, she hoped so.
The lamp gave off enough light for her to read by. Susie made her way over to one of the shelves. She ran her hand over the leather-bound volumes. All classics, Shakespeare, Bronte, Austin. It was an amazing collection. Settling her hand on the Jane Eyre, she paused to think about the young, timid, heroine. I wonder how Jane would handle being sold as a sex slave to a wolf shifter, she thought, laughing to herself.
“I’ve always preferred the Dickens.”
Susie startled at the quiet, deep, velvet smooth voice that spoke softly, close to her ear. Her heartbeat sped up, and she desperately hoped the man didn’t notice. She tried to catch her breath as she turned to face Lord Ashlu, who had somehow snuck up behind her. She tried her best to tuck herself against the bookshelf as he reached above her and pulled a volume down.
“I’m…sorry… I-I didn’t—” she stammered, unable to process the intrusion.
“It’s quite alright, Susie right?” he interrupted, smiling and stepping back allowing her to take a breath. “Matthew told you, it’s my wish that you have access to the den and gardens. This library is part of the den. You’ve done nothing wrong. I was just coming in for a quick nightcap, care to join?” Susie couldn’t take her eyes off of him as he moved away from her and over to a small bar cart in the center of the room.
When they had interacted at the auction block he had been dressed in a finely tailored suit. Now, relaxed in his home, she could tell he was more at ease away from the crowds of the city. He wore a pair of old, beat-up jeans that fit his tall, strong legs perfectly, and a tight-fitting red button down shirt, the kind with the snaps that were popular in the sixties.
Yet, he somehow makes it look modern, Susie thought. Even in his relaxation, he looked like he could hold his own in a fight. She watched as he poured two drinks and handed one to her. Taking it tentatively, she took a sip, closing her eyes and allowing the brown liquid to warm her insides. It was some sort of apple wine, or brandy she thought, so different from the whiskies and beers from back home. Sweet and fresh. The liquid tasted like she imagined the earth here would.
“Thank you,” she said, tipping her glass in his direction.
“My pleasure,” he said, giving her a slight nod as he tossed back his own drink.
“What do you plan on doing to me?” she asked, bluntly, the one small drink allowing her to find her courage. The shifter spat out his own second drink. Shocked by her forwardness. She smiled to herself, at least she had the upper hand for a moment.
“Uh… well, what do you mean?” he responded, choking.
“You know exactly what I mean. Matthew said you bought me as a breeder. I have no intention of being raped or used sexually in anyway,” she said, pointing her empty glass at him for emphasis. Why was he playing coy?
“Let’s not talk about that now,” he said pulling the glass from her hands and motioning for her to sit on the couch. “Let’s sit, why don’t you tell me about your family?” he asked. “Very brave by the way, taking the auctioneer’s microphone like that.”
She couldn’t believe he had been paying enough attention to what she had done at the auction to notice her stunt. Confused by his kindness, she followed his lead and sat. She noticed instead of sitting next to her, he poured her another drink and took a seat in the armchair across from her.
“Before I tell you anything, I need to know what to call you,” she said. “Do I address you as my lord? Lord Ashlu?”
“Please forgive my manners. My name is Aelnoth. Noth to my friends, and I’m hoping you and I can become friends,” he said, smoothly. He wanted to be her friend? She liked his voice and when he lowered his voice it sent a shiver up Susie’s spine.
“Yeah, right, friends. Aelnoth, forgive me if I find it hard to be a friend and property at the same time,” she countered, wiggling her leg in his direction showing off her ankle bracelet, as she took another swig of her drink.
“I understand, but rest assured I don’t think of you as property. The monitoring device is for your own protection. I may be bound by my kingdom’s laws, but I have no intention of making you a slave,” he replied, giving her a genuine smile. “Let’s talk about something else. Did you say that you had a family, a son? Tell me about him,” Susie was amazed by his ability to disarm her.
“I have a son, back home,” she began. “ Jason, he was a great baby and an even better toddler, but now that he is older he is starting to have health problems. We’ve been to so many doctors. Not one has been able to figure out what’s going on. He’s having trouble with nausea, hair growth, his teeth…”
“So… you came here to try and earn money for his care?” he interrupted. She appreciated the concern that furrowed his brow.
“Not exactly,” she replied. Now that she was finally given the opportunity to explain her reason for being in Undervale she was having trouble finding the right words. Taking a deep breath, she searched her mind for the way forward, “The last doctor we went to, well dentist, actually, he seemed to think that Jason’s troubles were caused by genetics. I have no reason to doubt him, and every reason to believe him. Jason is tall and mature for his age, and well…the dentist thinks he may be a shifter. I had a one night stand with a man, a shifter, and well now I’m here to try and find his father, and get my baby boy the help he needs.” The relief at finally saying it out loud was too much. Emotion rushed through her and before she could stop it, the tears began to flow.
Lord Ashlu moved next to her on the couch. He pulled her into a comforting embrace. Susie was too exhausted to protest. He was the first to show her kindness in days and she crave
d reassurance that everything would be alright. Even if that reassurance came from a man who owned her.
“Shhh…shhh now,” he said.
“Why would you help me? I thought I was only here to give you a child, an heir?” she replied, pulling out of the embrace to look into the shifter’s eyes.
Barely giving herself enough space to breathe, she took in his scent, he smelled heavenly, like wood smoke and the outdoors. There was something familiar about his eyes she couldn’t place. They were not the typical brown Susie was used to, but rather the deep brown of freshly roasted chestnuts. Ashlu was the embodiment of autumn. It may have been stress, or finally being able to share her burden, but she was drawn to him. Attracted. Was it possible to have Stockholm Syndrome so soon? she wondered.
“I won’t force you, or any woman into my bed. Not even for an heir,” he declared. He stood, giving his hand to help her up. Susie found herself reluctant to end their embrace. “Let’s get you back to your room. We can discuss your son and your situation more in the morning.”
Chapter 12
The hallways were darkened as he led Susie back to her guest room. He let her walk ahead, steering her with his hand on the small of her back. He knew he should not have held her, but the woman’s tears had been too honest, and too much for him to bear. Her son could be a shifter, of all the confessions he had heard or prepared himself to hear, Aelnoth was not prepared for that one.
She swayed a little bit in front of him, and he had to adjust his gate to prevent her from falling over. “Woah, careful, princess,” he said, doing his best to keep her steady. The alcohol must have gone to her head.
“Why does everyone here call me princess?” she slurred.
That’s it. He was going to have to carry her back to her room. He lifted her slight frame gently, and without protest snuggled into his arms. She fit perfectly and the need to touch her returned. The same need he experienced at the auction block, and then again in the library. This was going to be more difficult than he thought. He was overcome with a need to take her problems on as his own. She was light as a feather, delicate, and in need of protection. His protection. He recognized none of this bode well for his piece of mind.
He moved quickly to get her back to the guest room, the last thing he needed was his mother coming in late and seeing him with a human woman in his arms.
Entering the guest room he was pleased to see the fire was still burning. Susie felt good in his arms, but he had to put her down, it wasn’t ok to be this attracted to her. She needed his help, not his attention.
He gently laid her on the bed. “Here you go, gentle now,” he said, softly pulling her arms from around his neck.
“You aren’t supposed to be here,” she whispered. She wasn’t fully asleep, but Aelnoth guessed she was close.
Unable to help himself, he placed a gentle kiss onto her forehead, lifting his head and hovering just a moment above her lips, he responded. “This is my house, princess, I can be wherever I want.”
“Not without consequences,” she replied, pulling him down to her.
Their lips crushed in a surprising kiss. The shock of her need caused him to lose balance, but he caught himself on the bed before he collapsed onto her. Not breaking contact, he deepened their kiss, using his tongue to pry her lips open and explore her mouth. He surprised himself with his own desire to feel her beneath him. She didn’t protest. She threw her arms around his neck, raw need urging him closer. He grabbed her neck and drawing her up into a sitting position he kissed her back, fervently, moving his lips and tongue in a familiar rhythm. Tasting her and seeking.
She tasted of vanilla.
He was lost.
What was it about this woman? He was overcome with sudden need, moving his hand from her neck to stroke her short, straight hair.
He tore his lips from her mouth and trailed soft feather-light kisses down her throat, stopping to dip his tongue into the hollow of her throat where her neck met her collarbone. She captivated him. She let out a sweet moan. All of this was so familiar to him, so right. He had to stop before he went too far. If he continued, their night wouldn’t end with only a kiss. He swore he would not take advantage of her. He pulled away from her embrace, willing himself to snap back to reality.
As he fought to regain his senses, something occurred to him. There was a tingle in the back of his mind, his wolf was trying to get him to remember something. What had she said before their kiss? He stared at her. She was fully awake now and looked embarrassed.
“I’m so sorry, I…uh…” She began to stammer.
“Wait, what did you say? Before?” he asked, shaking her shoulders. Anger, did he feel anger? No, was it fear? Why, all of a sudden, was he afraid of this little human. Her eyes widened, not fully understanding what he was asking of her. Those eyes, how had he not noticed before? She had familiar ice-blue eyes, eyes he had only seen once before.
“I, uh, something about conseque… oh, wait…” Realization came over her, at the same instant it dawned on him. He watched as her expression changed from bashful, awkwardness to full-on terror.
It couldn’t be, Aelnoth thought. It was so many years ago. Cursing to himself, he backed away from Susie and the bed, raking his hair.
“You…” he said, turning to point at her, “from the alley, years ago—that was you, and me…we, uh…” Now it was his turn to struggle, looking for the words he needed. He watched as she got up from the bed, wide awake and began walking toward him with purpose.
He backed up until he was against the cold stone wall. She was determined, she pulled at his shirt, and before he knew what was happening she had ripped the snaps open. Exposing his chest.
“It’s you,” she said, stepping back, laughing a bit maniacally. “I came to this place looking for you, and of all the luck. Here you are.”
“I don’t understand,” he replied, unsure why he needed to be shirtless.
“The tattoo, it was all I remembered, well, almost all that I remembered. I didn’t know it was you, but there it is…” She hugged him. He was reluctant to hug her back. He didn’t understand what was going on, but whatever he did, it was good. She was acting insane. “a wolf paw, with a red band.”
“All my pack has this tattoo,” he replied.
“Maybe, Aelnoth, but six years ago you and I met in an alley. We were both drunk, we had an amazing night. And now you have a son who needs your help.”
“But, how, we…um…I know we used protection, I would have never been so foolish, even then,” he said, growling. Would he have been so careless? He barely remembered that night. He remembered her eyes, and the way he was responding to her now was proof his body, his wolf, remembered, but a child, a son?
How convenient it would be for her to claim him as the father. He tried hard to hold down his anger. For all he knew, she made a habit of having sex with shifters. What a convenient fool he had been. She could have crossed into Undervale to meet a lover and when she got caught recognized him and saw her opportunity. He needed to get away from her. He needed to think.
“I—need to, uh, I need to go. You should get some sleep,” he said pushing her away from him, toward the bed. She blanched, hurt. He experienced a pang of guilt. “Speak of this to no one and we’ll talk more on this later.”
He left her there, stunned.
***
“You look like death, no offense,” Matthew said bringing Aelnoth coffee and his morning ledgers. “Did you sleep last night.”
“Not at all. Thanks,” Aelnoth replied, tipping the coffee cup to him in salute and taking the ledgers. After a long night of thinking, he came to the realization that Susie didn’t seem the type to lie about the father of her son. When she spoke of the boy there was genuine love and concern in her voice. She obviously believed he was the father of her son. If he was being honest it certainly seemed like a real possibility. He didn’t yet know what he was going to do. He couldn’t seem to shake his attraction to the woman. One kiss brought back
every memory he had from six years prior. He began to react to the memory, driving his mood even darker. “Have you seen Susie this morning?”
“Yeah, she came to the kitchens earlier looking for something to do. I put her to work with some of the den maids. Your mother informed us she is hosting a pre-harvest hunt, and Lady Alard is coming with a few servants in two days’ time. We have to get the den ready for visitors,” he said, working his way around the office cleaning up. “I don’t know why Lady Ashlu decided to host guests so close to the Harvest Fest, but I’m sure it must have something to do with the stunt you pulled at the auction and saving face before heading to court.”
“You have a lot of opinions this morning, Matthew,” Aelnoth said.
“Well, let me give you another one,” he went on. “I don’t know why you are asking about Susie’s whereabouts, it is perfectly clear by looking at your computer screen you have been watching her tracker.”
“I was more interested in how she was behaving?” he asked, groaning. Sometimes he thought Matthew really enjoyed torturing him with nonsense.
“A lot like you, actually, care to share what happened last night?” Matthew asked.
“Not really, but tell me this, whose idea was it to have this hunt? My mother’s or Catori’s?” Aelnoth asked. It could very well be that Lady Alard was looking for an invite in order to make her move against him, or worse against Susie, as retribution for his slight at the auction. He wouldn’t put it past her to attempt something under his own roof.
“I don’t know whose idea it was, but it’s not going to be good,” Matthew said.
“I agree, we need to keep Susie out of her eyesight. If she is not with me, she is with you or another trusted member of the pack. And if anyone gets sight or scent of Tylan, I need to know immediately. Got it?” Aelnoth instructed.
One Night One Secret Page 6
