Chapter 11 Eleven
KAZIEL
Danika is terrified and confused. I can feel it. It kills me to see her like this. I didn't mean to show her this fucked up part of me. Hell, it's too early. I can't help but wonder if I have lost her already.
"Here."
I look up at the sound of Danika's voice as she hands me a bottle of cold water. My hands shake as I take it from her. The animal under my skin is still restless, itching to pull her into my arms once more.
After my episode earlier, I'd managed to take her to a convenience store with a bench where we could sit. She deserves all the explanation I can give, but I need to get my shit together.
She must have noticed me struggling to open up the bottle. She takes it from me, uncaps it, and returns it to me, watching me gulp water down with a concerned look on her face. Despite her fear, she cares enough to help me. My dove will make a damn good doctor one day.
"Talk," she tells me, pushing her glasses up her nose with a shaky hand.
"I... I already told you before that I'm cursed. The same goes for my entire pack. I...I can't stand not being around you. I won't be able to survive your rejection, the hollow curse makes sure of it," I tell her, and her eyes go wide.
"Because of my fear of losing you, I..." I gulp, my hand shaking harder. "I developed an obsessive disorder."
My confession causes her to inhale sharply. "How bad?" She asks.
I let out a small chuckle despite the fact that I'm burning alive on the inside. She's close enough to be within my reach, but it also feels like she's so far away.
"Bad," I breathe.
"You asked me to touch you earlier, does it help?" She whispers, and I nod.
Her eyes go wide.
"Where does Eve fit into all of this?" She asks.
"She's the vessel. The key to breaking the curse. She also has the power to soothe the hollow curse's burning effect. But not as well as you do," I explain, and her shoulders slump.
"That's all?"
"There's more. But I don't want to overwhelm you. I just need to let you know that nothing else is more important than you are," I croak.
Slowly, she reaches for my hand, and instantly, the burning heat of the curse eases. I lower my head, my hair falling over my face as I breathe in deeply.
"I'm sorry for scaring you earlier. You're only human, I should have been more careful." My heartbeat slows as my fingers entwine with hers.
She cocks her head, her beautiful hazel eyes twinkling.
"I don't want you to pretend around me, Kaziel. I'd rather you show me the monster that you are than the angel you aren't."
My chest squeezes.
"Can I hug you?" I whisper, and she leans in, wrapping her arms around me and rubbing my back. The sound of her heartbeat steadies mine, her vanilla scent calming.
She makes me feel so impossibly safe.
"You're okay," she whispers, holding me closely.
Fuck, I don't deserve this.
After a little while, she pulls away enough to look into my eyes.
"Can you move now? Is there somewhere you can rest? You look a little pale," she whispers.
I notice she's not bothering to mention the vampire from earlier. She's choosing not to think about it, I realize.
Guilt stirs in my chest. It's all my fault. If she wasn't linked to me, she wouldn't be so easily exposed to the world of the supernatural.
"What other lectures do you have today?" I ask her, deflecting on purpose.
She lowers her gaze. "Three of them, I think."
I push to my feet, still holding her hand.
"Come on, let me take you to your next class," I say, and she frowns.
"Are you sure about this?"
She's still concerned about me. Cute.
I nod. As long as I can hold on to her hand for a while, I'll be okay.
Still, there is a more pressing issue at hand. The vampire needs to be dealt with.
'Are you on campus?' I ask Kira, my gamma, through the pack link.
She's the only person stubborn enough to treat me like a wayward pup instead of an alpha. She worries too much, but she's the one I trust to handle things when I can't.
'Yeah, why?' She replies.
'Locate Sundew Cafe. The owner's a vampire. He seems to be a very old one. Brown hair, hazel eyes, and a vine tattoo around his wrist. Can you handle him?' I ask.
'Copy that. On my way.'
Danika blinks at me. "What was that? It looked like you were zoning out but also not zoning out."
I give her a smile, leading her to where I'd parked my car.
"I was just communicating with a member of my pack," she tells me.
Her eyes go wide. "That is so cool."
....
"It's alright, you can let go now," I say to Danika as we sit in the car. I'd parked behind the lecture theater. She hesitates for a moment. Then she slowly pulls away.
"I'm sorry about earlier," she murmurs. "I freaked out and called you a monster. I know you're only trying to protect me," she tells me.
My heart literally melts listening to her talk.
How did I get so lucky? My dove has so much potential.
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I lean over to press a kiss to her forehead.
"I was never mad at you. Thank you for the apology," I whisper, and she beams.
I watch her as she eases out of the car with her bag, and she waves at me before walking away.
Refusing to take any chances, I get out of the car and follow at a safe distance, making sure she gets seated safely. Only then can I finally breathe properly.
I'm about to turn away when I smell a familiar scent. Annoyance buzzes through me as I catch sight of the approaching figure.
It's Tyler.
What the fuck is he doing here?
He tenses when he sees me, narrowing his eyes at me.
"What are you doing here?" He spits.
I smirk, folding my arms across my chest. This little shit is really stalking my woman. He's getting bold, it really is adorable.
"I should be asking you that. What is a business major doing all the way here?" I drawl, and he glares at me, quickly hiding the paper bag in his hand behind him.
"Let me see, is that a gift for me?" I ask, and he growls at me. But before he can react, I've yanked it from his hand. His eyes darken.
"Give it back," he hisses.
I chuckle, opening it.
There's a large sandwich in it. One that smells very good. It's undoubtedly for Danika.
"How did you know I like sandwiches?" I ask.
He clenches his fists, his entire body shaking with rage.
He hates me. Always has.
Well, most werewolves who know what I am do.
Still, it doesn't faze me. Not in the slightest.
"I'll report you to the authorities. I'd like to see what they'll feel about a professor hanging out around a much younger student."
I guess playtime is over. He's no fun.
The words slip out before I can stop them, my voice rough.
"She's mine, Tyler," I deadpan.
He frowns in confusion. I take a step towards him, and he stumbles backwards.
"I said, she's mine. So back off, little brother," I say, keeping my expression cold.
He gulps.
"She's not some sort of property! I've known her longer than you have—"
He's not listening, is he?
"Do I look like I'm joking?" I drone, and his face pales. "Do not push me, Tyler. If I have to go after you, trust me, no one will be able to save you from me. Absolutely no one."
"It's not like she's your mate—"
A growl rumbles from my chest. He's really pushing it. Damnit.
"Does it really matter? You're the one who rejected her, aren't you?" I spit, and pain flashes across his face. Quickly, he pivots and storms away without looking back. I stare at his retreating figure, curious.
It seems he does care about her more than he lets on. Regardless of that, it is too late.
Letting out an exhale, I push my hair away from my face and head towards my car.
No one can know that she's my mate. It's bad enough that she's a living weapon capable of ending my life. If my enemies knew, they would try to use her to get to me. I can’t have that.
There's too much at stake.
I'm about to open the door when Kira's voice reaches me through the link.
'Target secured.'
Perfect.
Pulling the door open, I settle in my seat. But just as I'm about to shut the door, I see her. She's standing far away, close to a department building, but I can recognize that face anytime. My heart starts to pound faster as I stare in disbelief.
No way...
What the fuck?
"Vanya?"