by L. Hillis
Danny stepped out the shower and dried off. He wrapped the towel around his waist and walked into his room head down, tightening his towel.
“You need any help?”
Danny looked up to see Angelina staring at his towel and licking her lips. Her eyes never łeft his towel.
“No, I’m fine. Give me a minute to get dressed.”
“As you wish sire.” She said, still looking at his towel as she left the room. Danny shivered, put on pants and a shirt, and brushed his hair. Danny remembered his father brushing his hair when he was a kid, and a gentle smile graced his lips. The day after his mother left popped up in his head. He remembered that he was crying on his bed when his dad came up to him and said, “Dry your tears and be a man.” Danny grew angry; what was initially a smile on his face turned to a grimace. He thought about Monique and his heart swelled with the love he had for her. Danny envisioned her smile, the way she always had a response, like she was a snake waiting to strike. Suddenly pain assaulted him, grabbing his stomach and falling to his knees. His breathing became heavy and his muscles tightened up, the pain was excruciating. Soon, it was gone as quick as it came. It left in its place a terrible headache, and he went in search of aspirin. Danny never felt pain like that in his life, he wondered what the hell that was and decided to have the castle doctor check it out.
“That was a big one,” she said, rubbing her stomach. She went in search of Tylenol, she rubbed her temples from the pain. She held the cup in her hand gazing at nowhere in particular. I wonder if he thinks of me. He said he would never hurt me, he lied. He deserves to know though. She tried calling several times to tell him but every time he answered her voice never came out. Her mind made up, she would go and confront him. She grabbed her purse and left the house. It took a long plane ride. She took three days off work. It was about ten hours from there. She pulled up to a quaint bed and breakfast, rented a room and went to the castle.
Chapter 11
His phone rang as he was in his thoughts. Danny picked up the phone and echoed into it, “Hello?” He was at a meeting, but for the life of him, he couldn’t remember what for. “There is some girl here for you,” said Angelina.
Is she here? Is it Monique? He got excited and Angelina hung up. Something is definitely wrong with her, he thought. Danny pushed that to the back of his mind, as he got excited knowing he would see Monique again. There were a lot of things left unsaid. The driver pulled to the front, he hopped out and briskly walked in. The wind blew through his short hair from the force of him opening the door. Angelina greeted him in the hallway, and said, “She is in there,” before she walked off. He definitely detected that something was wrong, as she was giving off an attitude.
Danny walked slowly where she was. He thought, I was so mean to her, didn’t even say goodbye. He really had to talk to Monique, but when he got to the room she was supposedly in, he saw a woman with her back to him. Disappointment seeped into his pores like a poison on seeing the lady’s hair. She had blond curly hair that came to her waist, and wore a long halter dress. As soon as she heard him enter the room, she turned around. Her brown eyes were a light shade of brown.
“How can I help you?” He said.
“Your father thought we should meet,” the strange woman said. She continued, “I’m sorry to hear of his passing.”
He could tell she was a vampire; from her pale skin, he just sensed it. She was very beautiful, but she wasn’t Monique.
“Sorry there has been a mistake,” he said.
She walked to him, put her hand on his chest, and said through half-lidded eyes, “I’ll be it.”
A voice from nowhere cut in, “So this is why you haven’t called?”
Danny knew that voice. He turned around and looked into Monique’s brown round face and angry black eyes. Danny’s heart felt so full, his chest ached. The smile that was etched on his face looked wide for the width of his face. He just wanted to immediately touch her but he didn’t think it was such a good idea, seeing fire in her eyes. His eyes perused her body; he took note of her eyes, and then went down to her full breasts. Did they get bigger? They slid down to her protruding stomach. Danny’s eyes went wide as he said, “It’s not what you think.”
Monique rolled her eyes and walked off. Danny made a move to follow her but the woman he now knew as Charlotte Edwards grabbed his arm and said “What about me?”
He looked at her and said, “Sorry,” and then walked off.
Danny caught up with Monique, grabbed her, turned her around and kissed her. He kissed her with all the desire he felt. Slowly, the creases were no longer in her eyebrows, and her fists loosened up. Danny framed her face with his hands. Something long and hard poked her stomach. She moaned in his mouth, and the flavor of peppermint now invaded her mouth. Danny broke the kiss to grab her hand and lead her to his room. Once there, he said, “we need to clear some things up.”
Monique’s anger came back full force. She folded her arms and said, “You’re damn right we do.”
“First, I know I haven’t been around.”
“No shit, Sherlock!” Monique said, rolling her eyes.
Danny continued, framing her face, “I'm sorry for that but I’m so happy to see you. You gotta know that I have missed you.”
With her hand on her hips, she said, “How would I know that? From your nonexistent appearance?”
Danny eyebrows creased, “But I did call, a lot.”
“Right, you did.” Monique said as she rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time and turned to leave. He put his hand on the door, stopping her exit. She stayed, and turned around. He leaned in close to her ear and said “I missed you,” flicking his tongue that was framing her ear. Monique’s eyes closed uncontrollably, feeling warm breath on her ear. The smell of peppermint wafted to her. His body plastered to her, and his hands roamed her body. Grabbing, squeezing, and caressing her body. A moan escaped her mouth. Then came his hot tongue. The warmth of it took inhuman strength to not shudder with delight. Her sweet spot clenched at air. He whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her eyes popped open and filled with fire again.
“Because I was battling with telling you.”
His eyebrows creased, “Why?”
She turned around, hands bawled at her side; steam came from her. Actual steam. Danny stepped back, because she started to feel very hot. Her nails grew long and sharp, her eyes turned-blood red. Monique stepped toward him. Her words hitting like arrows to his heart.
“You said you would never hurt me. You lied.”
He stepped back with each word, as though she was shooting him.
“You said you would always be with me. You lied. So, as far as I’m concerned, telling you was a courtesy,” she said with a roll of her neck. She turned around and was about to leave when it dawned on him.
“Please wait,” he said grabbing her hand. She turned around and shook his hand off and crossed her arms. His face visibly dropped, as he let his hand fall limply to his side.
Trying to not show how hurt he was, he asked, “Did you get calls from a female?”
“Just one, telling me you were too busy for me.” She said with an attitude.
Danny’s hands became fist, his eyes turned red. He walked briskly to the door, stopped next to Monique, and said, “Please don’t leave.”
The plea she heard in his voice kept her frozen in her place. He swung his door open, briskly walking to another door and banging on it. The sound vibrated through the house. The tall woman with brown hair came out. Danny said something to her and she replied looking like she was caught doing something. Danny then said something else that caused her to put her hand to her chest and stare at him in shock. Monique could overhear the conversation in bits.
“I want you gone now,” Danny said.
“I have been here since your father. You want me to leave now because of her?” She pointed at Monique with a scowl on her face.
“Yes!” Danny yelled.
&n
bsp; She then went out the front door, slamming it as she went, but not before giving Monique a bone chilling stare. There was a threat in that stare.
He came back in the room and closed the doors. “Listen” he said, holding Monique’s face, “I want you and I’m sorry about how I acted that day, and for what I didn’t do days after.” He stared into her eyes and continued, “And if I knew you stayed away because of something she said...” He paused and shook his head, and reassured her, “You never have to worry about her again.”
With that stare she gave Monique when she left, she wasn’t so sure. She was so lost, but summoned courage to ask, ”Why did you stay away? You promised to never hurt me but you did!” Monique wiped the silent tears rolling down her cheeks, and continued, “And who was that girl touching you?” Fire danced in her now normal black eyes again.
“Let me make it up to you,” he said.
“No, she said defiantly. I just came to let you know that I’m pregnant.” Monique turned and opened the door. A pained voice came from behind her. “I’m so sorry,” he said.
She literally felt his sincerity. Silence ensued, and then she said with her eyes closed, “You hurt me.” Danny physically felt her pain to the extent that he almost felt like crying.
“I know, I never meant to,” he said with a strained voice. “That girl is somebody who was sent by my father, nothing more, believe me please.”
“Why? You lied before.” She said, looking in his eyes with her hands on her now ample hips.
“I’m not lying, I only want you.”
Monique sucked her teeth and walked out.
“Well, I have to go,” she said with an eye roll.
“Can I see you tomorrow?”
She could hear the remorse in his voice.
“No, I have to work.” She lied; she had the next two days off.
“How?”
“Remotely,” she lied.
“Where are you staying?”
“Somewhere.”
“Before you leave?”
“Maybe.” She opened the door and walked out. Danny caught up with her to walk her out.
“Can I drop by after work in a few days to just see you? I need to know you’re okay.”
“You have seen me, I’m ok.”
She didn’t even turn around, she just went out the door. He put his head against the door, I got to gain her trust again. In frustration, he hit the door. He picked up the phone and dialed a number he thought he would never call.
“Hello,” a female voice answered.
“Yeah, it’s me.” Danny said.
“I’m so glad you called.”
“I know how wolves mate, but how do vampires mate?”
Well that question came out the blue, but two vampires would feed off each other during sex, but in your case, if you mate with a human, it’s just you that would feed. Did you find a mate?” She asked excitedly.
“Maybe,” said Danny.
“I accidentally mated us, and she is already mad at me. Angelina told her I was too busy for her. She thinks I’m a liar.”
“Breathe son, breathe.”
He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in.
“Do you want it to be an accident?”
“No, I love her. I want to have a bunch of kids with her and protect her forever.”
“Then it wasn’t an accident son. Whatever is wrong, you make it right. And I hope you got rid of Angelina. I never really liked her. Is your mate a vampire?”
“No.”
“Then you’re only partially mated until she drinks from you during sex.”
“Angelina is gone.”
“Good.”
“Now, go get your mate.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
As the call ended, Danny actually felt less anxious and even more determined. Monique sat in her car with conflicting feelings raging inside. A part of her wanted to tear him apart because that’s what he did to her, but she also wanted to lick him from his stomach to his lips. She clenched her jaw and drove off. Monique pulled up to the B&B. When she got to her door, there was a card and flowers in front of it. Monique raised her eyebrows, as she thought to herself, Where this come from? No, one knows I’m here. She bent down to pick up the flowers and card. She put her nose to the flowers and inhaled, then read the card. Missing you already – Danny, her lips spread in a gentle smile. She opened the door and put the flowers in water, and in a flower vase that had hearts on it. The vase was a gift from James – the only thing she took that he gave her. She yawned, and almost immediately, her cellphone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey, this is Angelina.”
Monique scrunched up her eyebrows. “What do you want?”
“I just want you to know Danny is going to give up his crown for you.”
“Why would I believe you?”
“If you care about him, you will. His people need him. Unless you think you are more important,” she said, with a bite to her tone.
Angelina hung up, leaving Monique thinking. Why would I believe her? Monique bit her lip. What if she is telling the truth? I don’t want to take him away from his people. A strong kick had her hand rubbing her stomach. Is that even possible? Kicks this early? It would add on to the long list of weird things with this pregnancy. She went to lay down. Mentally and physically, she was drained. Her eyes fluttered closed even though it was only two in the afternoon; she had been up since three in the morning. The next morning, she was awoken by a knock on the other door. She was even more tired then she thought. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she answered the door.
Monique quirked her eyebrows at the visitor. With her hands on her hip, she said, “What...”
Danny was very happy today, as he had someone find out where Monique stayed. With a bouquet of red roses, he set off to see Monique. She was staying in a brick house; beige carpet, brown loveseats, a recliner, medium size kitchen, stairs that led to a second floor. The gray-haired elder said, “My guest must be popular. You’re her second visitor this morning. Woke me out of my bloody sleep.”
She doesn’t know anybody here he thought, so out of curiosity, he asked, “Who was the first?”
“A tall woman...”
Danny went up to Monique’s room before she finished, taking the stairs two at a time. There were things knocked off the table. Covers dragged off the bed like someone tried to take it with them. He smelled anger, jealousy, and surprisingly, no fear.
Monique on the other hand, was captured and thrown in a strange room. There were no windows, nothing on walls; there was only a cot. She coughed from the dust that came off the cot. There walls were plain white. There was a speaker in the upper left corner of the room. A voice flowed out the speaker and filled the room, “My lover told me about this place. It’s where they brought people to torture them before he killed them. In case you’re wondering if I will do the same to you, the answer is yes.” An evil smirk could be heard in the voice, after which, silence took over.
Danny went home and smelled Angelina. He went straight to her room, and bust through without knocking. Angelina sat on her bed with her hand on her chest, and her mouth open, looking at Danny.
“I was just going to get some of my things,” she said quickly.
His eyes red, sharp nails transitioned to sharp half shifted hands.
“Where is she?” He asked through his clenched teeth. His wolf side sounded prominent. Shaking, with eyes wide, she asked, “Who?”
He grabbed her by the throat with a speed unbeknownst to man. She clawed at his hand and hissed. It had no effect on him. He growled threateningly, and then dropped her on the bed. He repeated, “Where is she?” His voice was no longer human. Angelina coughed and sputtered, grasping where he grabbed her throat. Danny made a move towards her again.
“Please, sire, who?” She pleaded, with one hand on her throat, and the other outstretched in front of her.
“Monique!” He shouted, a
s his muscles became larger. His clothes had begun to tear, preparing for his shift. “I don’t know, I don’t know,” Angelina said hurriedly. A red haired, snarling wolf taller than the bed, with broad shoulders and red eyes now stood in his place. He snapped his massive jaws at Angelina. She sat trembling and frozen with fear. He turned from the bed with a huff and left the room. A few a minutes later, a howl was heard. Danny ran and ran. He felt anger and pain. Anger, he did feel but not pain, Monique! He kept running, as the pain was stronger. I’m coming my loves. Hold on, he thought with determination.
Chapter 12
Monique held her stomach. The pain didn’t go away like it would normally do. She heard two voices arguing; she would have investigated it, but the pain drained her too much, so she laid down. Monique woke up feeling a pain in her neck. Her fingers tried to massage that spot, but instead, she found that it was wet. She looked at her fingers; it was covered in blood, and in shock, she screamed. Then a voice filled the room again.
“You like my baby shower gift?”
This voice sounded different, but was still female.
“What did you do to me?” Monique yelled at the speaker.
“Your figure should thank me. The only downside is the thirst in the beginning is unbearable. You’re going to want to tear the throat out of the first person through those doors.” An evil laugh ensued, and the voice continued, “Which is why I took the liberty of ordering takeout. Gotta keep your strength up for the baby.”
What followed those words was silence. Days passed, and a tray of food was in her room every day. The person must have been putting it in her room when she when she would be asleep. Well, it didn’t matter as she couldn’t eat. Her stomach turned every time she would see the food. It felt like the baby was doing flips in her stomach; it was crazy. Monique again mentally noted that the pregnancy was not normal.
Another day went by and she no longer felt or thought reasonably. Her nails were long and sharp, and her teeth protruded out her gums. She heard spiders making their webs in the corner of the room, bugs scurrying across the room as if they knew to steer clear.
