“Different, ” she whispered. “Mom and Dad would never approve of him. Julie, I just don’t know what to do.” Her eyes pleaded for help.
“What do you mean different?” There was a distinct change in Casey’s expression. Her body became rigid. She’d been hiding more than just the relationship from her parents.
“I … I can’t say right now, however, I promise you will know. Julie, he truly makes me happy,” she pleaded. “Please don’t say anything.”
I nodded. “I promise. Eventually you’re going to have to tell them if you continue seeing him.”
“I know, but not just yet.” She cut off when Daniel walked back in the room.
“Well, did Julie tell you the news?” he inquired as he walked in the room with the tall milky liquid that I craved. My mouth watered while my lips eagerly waited to wrap around the straw.
Casey looked over at Daniel when he handed me the glass. Again gingerly holding on to it with both hands, I couldn't wait to devour the milky substance.
“What news?” She turned to me with a quizzical look.
“We are getting married.” Daniel declared and sat down on the side of the bed.
Casey’s eyes widened with surprise. Her arms flew open as she reached for me. My heart leaped as I gripped the glass carefully preparing for the embrace. In a flash, Daniel’s hands reached for the glass and locked his fingers around mine to steady it as her arms folded around my shoulders. Surprisingly, we didn’t lose any of the milky contents. I closed my eyes while the pain from her hug ran through my body.
“I’m so happy!” she squealed. Backing off, she suddenly realized my pain. “Oh, Jewels, I’m so sorry. I forgot.” She eased back away from me.
“It’s okay.” I lied. It took a moment to gain control of shooting pain.
“Way to go brother!” She punched him in the shoulder. “Mom and Dad will be so excited. Have you planned on a date?”
“Well, we have a lot to do, Casey,” he said cautiously. “Julie needs finish college. Then we have to make arrangements for jobs, and I have the clinic in Scotland. We are thinking probably April.”
“April, huh? Well, that will give Mom plenty of time to prepare. Oh, we’re going to have to have an engagement party.” Her face brightened. “Then plan the wedding, pick out dresses and oh, yes the wedding gown.”
“Okay, you two. Let’s just take this one day at a time please.” I managed take another sip.
Casey had returned to her normal self. Maybe under normal circumstances I would’ve shared their enthusiasm. However, due to my condition, it was all I could do to maintain a conversation. The drugs had won the fight over the last few minutes. Planning a wedding wasn’t my top priority of things to do at the moment.
Daniel and Casey chatted in a conversation all of their own. They hadn’t noticed that I had dozed off at least a couple of times. It wasn’t until I heard Daniel gasp and his fingers grabbed the glass that remained in my hands, that I fell asleep.
“Uh-oh,” he said and grabbed the glass from my hands. “We almost had a mess.”
“Sorry,” I said weakly.
“Casey, come on, she needs her rest. I think the medicine is working.” Daniel’s voice trailed off in the distance as my eyelids became heavier. Closing my eyes, it didn’t take long slip away into that wonderful thing called sleep.
TWELVE
It’s amazing how unaware we are of what we do and say while we’re sleeping. A few people sleep walk, a few may talk and even a few people laugh aloud. Curiously, my suspicions are that it may have to do with whatever the individual is dealing with at that particular time in her or his life. For me, I’m pretty sure my theory was evident.
There were many things I had to consider during the past two weeks, and now my life seemed to be going full blast into another direction. A direction in which I had no idea even existed. Such as finding out what I am, a Lycan.
My eye lids popped open and I looked around the bedroom. I must’ve been totally out. Lying on my side, I glanced up at the window. It was daylight. Slowly I released a casual yawn, and then stretched. I remembered what pain I endured and tried to be careful. To my surprise, there was no more pain. Another surprise when I relaxed back into the pillow, I felt an arm across my waist. Twisting carefully, I slowly looked at the bare arm and to whom it was attached. Daniel.
The first thought ran through my mind and I slowly pulled the covers up and examined the clothing. Yep, he was still wearing boxers. Checking myself, everything appeared intact. I didn’t remember him climbing into bed with me, so I wanted to make sure that I didn’t forget anything else that might have happened. Slowly moving his arm, I slid out from under him and planted my feet firmly on the floor. I wanted to see if this would work. Standing up slowly, my legs appeared fine. I actually felt great. A quick glance at the clock, it was seven-thirty. I took a step and was sure my body was whole once again. I headed off to the bathroom for a nice hot shower. The interrogation with Daniel would have to wait until after my shower.
Turning on the shower, I stripped down while waiting for the hot water. The water felt good against my skin. Shampooing my hair was a luxury. I felt like I hadn’t showered in a week. My oily, sticky skin needed some serious attention. I would definitely have to change the sheets on my bed. I never wanted to leave the shower. Grabbing my shower gel, I suds up and rinsed, then repeated just to give me a little extra time.
The water ran a little cooler, so I rinsed and turned off the shower. Toweling my hair, I wrapped the bath towel around me.
Walking back into the bedroom, Daniel stirred. His head turned to where I stood with my towel. He looked absolutely sexy with his tossed black hair and the morning bristles that awaited a shave. Rolling over on his back, he pulled his long muscular arms up over his head and stretched. A heat wave ran over my body when I watched the muscles in his stomach tighten.
“Good morning,” he announced.
My brain contemplated a few things other than answering him. Apparently he caught me at my guiltiest. A wicked grin formed on his lips while his hand traveled down his chest and across his stomach muscles. I never realized a six-pack could come in eight. I shook my head to try and clear my thoughts.
“Good morning,” I managed to strain out. His soft chuckle caused a slight heat rush to my cheeks.
“So, I see you are doing better,” he purred. The tones in his voice tortured me.
“Yes, much,” I tried to say casually. “By the way, I was wondering… ” and I nodded toward the bed. He knew exactly what I meant.
“You do not remember?” His voice was soft and sexy. Hearing the notes in his voice tingled in my ears. My body shivered. I shook my head. “I suppose you forgot that you screamed out my name last night?” He continued in his seductive manner.
I thought for a moment, considering the fact I had no recollections of last night. If something did happen, I had missed it.
“I did what?” I braced myself.
“Apparently,” he smiled, “you were having another bad dream. Your screams woke me up and I rushed in to check on you. I know what Casey meant when she said you scared her half to death. Julie, they were truly blood curdling.”
“What was I dreaming about?”
“I don’t know exactly. I was about to ask you the same question. You were screaming my name and telling me not to let him kill you. When I asked you who you said the vampire.” The humor was gone, and he became serious. “You said he had bitten you. You were fighting me so hard I had to struggle to try and keep you still. Honestly, I am surprised you do not remember it.”
Thinking hard for a moment, I still couldn't remember anything about the dream. A vampire, well, why not? After all I was a Lycan and there are werewolves, so why not a vampire? I shook my head and released a soft chuckle. Daniel’s eyebrows rose in surprise at my laughter.
“I don’t remember any of it,” I smirked.
“Well, I just want to know who this vampire is so I can kick
his ass.” Daniel had that quirky grin back on his face.
“I guarantee you will be the first to know.” I smiled and winked at him.
A sound that resembled a low growl came from Daniel. I raised one eyebrow and lowered my head. Peering at him through my eyelashes, I watched while quickly threw the covers off the bed and walked toward me. Taking me in his arms, he held me close to him.
“You know you are driving me crazy,” he growled when his lips ran up my neck to my ear.
“And what do you think you have been doing to me lately?” I whispered breathlessly while I dug my fingernails into his back. A deep groan escaped his throat. Something indeed had changed within me. My hands ran down the length of his back and circled up to his chest. Slowly, my fingernails grazed over his smooth chest. To my surprise, Daniel’s mouth open and his hot breath panted on my neck. He closed his teeth down on my neck. A sharp piercing pain followed by what felt like molten lava flowed throughout me.
An uncontrollable fire shot through my body. My body burned under an intense heat that I’d never felt before. My mind was no longer in control. The only thought was I needed him and now. Forcefully, I grabbed his face with my hands and pulled him to me. Our lips touched a brief second, and then a more aggressive hunger took over.
Daniel caught my face in his hands and held me inches from his face. His dark eyes were wild with desire. His chest expanded between us with heavy breaths. I knew he saw the same desire in my eyes. His hot skin tingled under my fingers. My hands pulled desperately on his shoulders lifting myself along his tall lean statuesque body. Fighting the pressure inside me, I wanted at a moment’s notice to tear into him. I was unable to fight the uncontrollable urge to devour every inch of him.
Daniel never took his eyes from mine. His hands left my face and grabbed my legs when they quickly wrapped around him. Taunting him, I moved slightly upward while I pulled his face closer to mine. Locking my body onto his, he pulled me gently down.
“No!” he growled. The vibrations from his chest excited me even more. My lips pressed on his chin and then moved down his neck. I wasn’t going to let go, I wanted more.
The savory taste of his skin lingered on my tongue. My teeth ached in my mouth. The smell of him excited my senses. The intoxication of his spicy scent sent shivers up and down my body. A breath escaped my mouth on his neck. His body trembled against mine while his fingers dug into my thighs. Slowly, I discovered a sweet spot. My mouth opened and my tongue gently ran circles around the soft spot between his neck and shoulder. Another vibrating moan escaped through his mouth and my body tingled under the vibrations. My teeth still aching, I bit down on the newly found sweet spot. An unfamiliar bitter and sweet taste filled in my mouth. The new taste filled my mouth, not from him but something from me released into his body. A pure ecstasy ran through me.
Daniel’s head fell back when he slammed me on top of the dresser. A low grumble came from his throat. I held on tightly. His hands grabbed my waist and pushed me away.
Reaching for my hands, he locked onto them and forced me away from him.
“Julie!” he breathed. He tore away from me keeping me at arm’s length. His eyes were wild. I blinked a couple of times; still not comprehending what happened. My mind was not rational.
“Stop,” he whispered.
He held me firmly away from him for a few minutes, I dared not move. I watched him curiously, as I saw the blood on his shoulder from my bite. My eyes opened wide in horror at what I had done.
“Daniel?” I cringed and whimpered softly.
“It is okay,” he managed in between heavy breaths. “It will heal.”
“What have I done?” I trembled.
“Lost control. We both did,” he replied. He released me and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand to show me the blood on his lips.
I turned quickly to the mirror and slid off the dresser. A set of bites on my neck matched the ones I’d just given him. Four puncture wounds that were already healing. I opened my mouth and carefully examined my teeth. There was no evidence of sharp teeth or fangs. I turned toward him for answers.
“Your canine teeth. I had heard this could happen. Jason mentioned it to me. It is not going to leave a scar.” He said rubbing his neck.
“I… I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop. It was like something had taken over,” I whined.
“This is what I was trying to tell you. We have to be careful. It is an overwhelming sense of attraction and desire.”
“When will it stop?” I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered as if I were cold.
Daniel moved closer to me, pulling me in his arms he held me close. “I honestly do not know. I may not be strong enough to keep fighting this.” His lips gently kissed me on the top of my head. “Being awakened as a Lycan has sort of brought out an aggressiveness in you.”
“I’m sorry.” I muttered in his chest.
“Oh no,” he chuckled. “I like it. It just makes it harder for me to control myself. With that being said, I need to take a cold shower. We are heading over to see Mom and Dad.”
He gently kissed my lips before heading to the bathroom.
The thought of having to discuss what had just happened with his parents gave me a sick feeling in my stomach. Dressing quickly in jeans and a loose cotton shirt, I grabbed a pair of brown leather sandals. I gave my hair a few brushes, and then I was ready. I decided to wait for Daniel down stairs.
It felt so good to be able to walk again. Just one day completely gone, I could move more freely than I did the day before. I felt very flexible and ready to tackle the world.
Today I wanted to do something. I wanted to spend time with Casey and Heather and maybe do girl stuff like going shopping, lunch or see a movie. I had the whole day to myself and I wanted to at least keep a safe distance between Daniel and I so we could learn a little self-control.
Smiling to myself, I reflected on his words about the new aggressiveness. I kind of liked the “new me” more and more. The girl that had been sheltered and hidden from her past was gone. A woman had stepped forth into a new life. With this new life came many things I hadn’t dreamed of having right away. One of which was the handsome and desirable Daniel Maxwell. The drawbacks were the monsters of the night that needed to be dealt with soon enough. It was a blessing and a curse all at the same time. At any rate, I would take them both. My life’s path was not chosen, but given.
Daniel drove us to his parent’s house, and he appeared amused as he watched me. It was as though the world came alive around me. With my window rolled down, I inhaled the air blowing into my face. There was not a scent I couldn’t recognize. My sense of smell was incredible. The greens looked greener than normal. My eyes didn’t miss anything.
I saw the squirrels playing in the trees. I heard several birds singing, blue jays, cardinals, and even doves cooing softly. For the first time, I felt like my senses had come alive. I felt the world around me and it was filled with so much life. Two weeks ago no one could have ever told me that this type of bliss even existed. To feel one with the world you lived in was incredible feeling.
Glancing over at Daniel I understood what I hadn’t considered in the past. Daniel wasn’t human; neither would a human appeal to him. I could see where this could be a lonely life for someone who wanted a mate. Charlotte mentioned there are not many Lycans, so his choice was limited. How could a human compare to the appetite, or even appeal to that of a Lycan? I reached over and touched Daniel’s hand when I realized how lonely he must’ve been for all those years he waited. Smiling, I also realized he never expected me to behave the way I did this morning. Knowing Daniel’s sex appeal, not to mention his manly endowment, I knew our sexual relationship would be dangerous on more than one account.
Arriving at the house, we found everyone in the kitchen, except for Thomas who had already left for work. Charlotte and Casey stayed behind to entertain Jason and Heather. I was sure that Jason and Heather did a very good job of entertaining Charlotte and
Casey.
“Well, good morning sleepy heads!” Jason shot at Daniel and me.
“So how do you feel today Julie?” Charlotte’s soft motherly voice sounded with a hint of expectation in her tone.
“Actually great. I feel so alive. It’s an incredible feeling. It’s like I can sense everything around me.” I bubbled with excitement.
“Yeah, I’d say she’s got it now.” Jason shot Daniel a humorous smile. “So, um, did you survive?”
Daniel stared at Jason for a moment. “Barely.” He pulled back the shirt collar and revealed the bite marks that I left earlier this morning.
Jason roared in laughter. “I told you.”
“Jason, I think you left out a few details. What you said was an understatement.” Daniel crossed the kitchen to the counter and pulled out a barstool.
I walked slowly toward the bar stool beside Daniel. Rosa prepared two extra plates of breakfast items. I was definitely hungry and the food smelled more than appetizing.
Sitting down next to Daniel, I realized he truly didn’t know what to expect from me. Step by step and experience by experience, we would learn together.
“So, Julie, do you have a matching set?” Jason was calmer, but still I could tell he was ready to let loose another laugh at any moment.
Slowly I turned and pulled my cotton shirt down below the bite marks on my neck. As expected, Jason roared another laugh. Heather smiled and placed her hand over her mouth to hold back her laughter. Their inside joke didn’t seem funny to me.
“Well, it appears you two have marked one another.” Heather managed to say with a straight face.
“Well, Casey tells me there is a bit of good news in our near future?” Charlotte chimed in trying to change the subject at hand.
“Yes,” Daniel began. “We have decided to get married. I think sometime around April.”
Charlotte jumped up from the table and hugged both of us.
“Oh! I am so happy! I have to make plans. We must have an engagement party, then, oh, we need to find a place large enough and… ” She rambled on.
Dark of kNight Page 18
