Chapter 44: Chapter 44

“I’m complimenting you, petal.”

“I know a tease when I see one, and you’re the biggest I have ever seen,” she insisted, pouting at him.

“Thanks.”

“I can’t win a single argument with you,” she sighed.

“What argument?”

“Don’t play innocent, Ryder. You know what I mean.”

“I don’t think so.”

“You’re very silly for a vampire.”

“And you’re very adorable for a witch.”

“No.”

“No again?” he chuckled. His blue eyes glimmered with amusement, and his lips twitched suspiciously. “You’re lying to yourself, petal.”

They crossed the second bridge and followed the path through the greenery, moving away from the lake. The faraway sounds of city life and traffic grew louder the closer they got to the next street. A few people passed them, all of them human. Elena also sensed the presence of a vampire somewhere in the vicinity, but it didn’t bother her. It was easy to ignore when Ryder was with her.

“Stubborn,” she mumbled. A smile snuck on her face when she met his gaze for a brief moment. “There is an ice cream parlor around the corner. Why don’t we stop by?”

“Sounds good,” he said, and his smirk returned. He opened his mouth to add something, but Elena was faster and cut him off.

“No. Don’t even think about it, Ryder. I’m watching you.”

“Huh? What’s the problem?”

“You were about to make another cheesy comment about me, weren’t you?” she asked and narrowed her eyes at him.

Surprise flashed over his features before he grinned. “Yes, because you’re sweeter than ice cream.”

Elena groaned, torn about whether she should cringe or laugh.

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Late in the evening, Elena left her bedroom to go looking for Ryder, not finding him anywhere. She was embarrassed to admit it, but she wanted to ask him whether he would stay the night in her room, as he had done before. Whenever he was with her, she was spared her recurring nightmares and slept peacefully. Besides, she felt safe when he was around—more than enough reasons not to sleep alone anymore.

She hadn’t seen Ryder since dinner, so she opted to look around in the mansion—maybe she could ask one of the other clan members for help. Since she heard the sounds of the TV, she walked into the huge living room on the ground floor, where she found three clan members she hadn’t met before. They all turned their heads simultaneously when she arrived, curiously studying her.

“Oh, you must be the new one,” the vampire sitting on the left side of the sofa said. He held a wine glass in his hand that was filled with blood. She tried not to let the sight bother her too much.

“My name is Elena,” she replied and bowed politely. “I’m Ryder’s soulmate.”

“Ryder told us so much about you, it feels like we’re already acquainted,” another one laughed. “I’m Clitus, this is Dorian, and that’s Snake. Welcome to our clan, Elena.”

“Thank you,” she smiled. “I hope we can be friends.”

“Sure. Has that troublemaker Ryder treated you well so far?” Clitus asked, amusedly. “Tell me if he bothers you, then I will kick his ass.”

“I doubt you would stand a chance,” Dorian remarked without batting an eye, which earned him an eye roll from Clitus.

“Awaee. Why not?” Clitus whined.

“He would kick your ass right back,” Dorian countered without mercy, a smirk on his lips.

“Oh, shut up,” Clitus grumbled, tossing a pillow at Dorian, which he dodged elegantly. Snake’s high-pitched laughter in the background was contagious and put a smile on Elena’s face. All three of them seemed to be very friendly—now she had finally met all the clan members, and she was sure she would get along with them. Her expectations about joining a vampire clan had been very different, but there was no reason for concern.

“Have you seen Ryder? I’m looking for him, and he isn’t in his room,” Elena said.

“I think he went to Thorny’s room?” Dorian answered.

“How do I get there?” she asked, not having memorized the full layout of the building yet.

“Second floor, left hallway. The first two doors lead to Thorny’s bedroom and bathroom,” Dorian explained.

“Thank you, and see you later,” she said before she left. Following Dorian’s instructions, she made her way up the long stairways until she reached the second floor. The fading light of the evening sun fell through the windows that lined the hallway, highlighting the paintings decorating the walls. Elena padded over the wooden floors and looked around, not seeing anyone. Maybe she should knock on Thorny’s door?

Suddenly, she heard a curse and a bang. A strangled yell sounded suspiciously like it originated from Ryder. Confused, Elena stopped near a door that apparently led to a bathroom—and a blink later, it was ripped open from the other side. She got a glimpse of an exasperated Thorny wearing nothing but a towel around his hips. And he kicked Ryder out of his bathroom before he locked the door.

“Stay out.” Thorny called.

Ryder grumbled something under his breath, standing up straight and glaring at the door. “What the hell, Thorny. Why won’t you let me? Just one time.”

“Go away.”

Elena was paralyzed, stunned, and stared at a mostly naked Ryder who kept yelling at Thorny, not having noticed her yet. Why was he walking around only wearing a towel? And what did he do in Thorny’s bathroom?

A blush rose to her cheeks and ears. Her soulmate was just as lean and muscular as she had thought, maybe even more. His abs were well defined, his thighs firm and hips wide. She was embarrassed, but she couldn’t stop staring. This was a bit too much for her poor heart—it was about to jump out of her chest, pounding loudly.

Loud enough that Ryder noticed her presence. Finally, his head turned, and he spotted his flustered soulmate standing frozen in the middle of the hallway. He leaned his shoulder against the doorway and put his hand on his hip, intentionally giving her a better view of his chest and abs. Her melodious heartbeats fluttered, causing his smirk to grow.

“Hello, little flower,” he drawled.

“What are you doing?”

“I was about to take a shower,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“With Thorny?” she sputtered.

“Yes.” He pushed himself off the wall and approached her. “You’re flustered,” he smirked as his finger trailed over her jawline, coming to rest below her chin. “Perhaps you want to shower with me instead?”