Chapter 49 Hotel

Chapter 49 Hotel
Nova fidgeted with her fingers as the bus she was supposed to board back to her apartment slowly pulled away from the curb, leaving her alone on the bench.

“Shit,” she muttered for the umpteenth time, pulling out her phone. She had switched it off before escaping to prevent Rune from tracking her.

She powered it on, and immediately messages and missed calls flooded the screen. Rune. Cassian. Maple. Their names lit up the display over and over.

Just as she was about to dial Rune’s number, the phone buzzed in her hand. She flinched, nearly dropping it. Rune was calling. She glanced at Lucien, who stood by the bench, then answered.

“Where are you?” Rune’s voice came through, low and taut.

She gave him the address. He ended the call without another word. From his tone alone, he was livid.

Lucien watched her calmly. “You made the right choice.”

For once, Nova didn’t argue. When Lucien drove her to the bus stop, giving her another chance to leave, she still couldn’t bring herself to board it. 

As much as Rune had wronged her, she couldn’t bring herself to leave him completely. Not now. 

Two black cars pulled up to the bus station minutes later. Nova's breath caught as Rune stepped out. His eyes swept over her once, assessing, before he turned to Lucien and drove his fist into the vampire's nose. Lucien didn't dodge this time.

“HOW DARE YOU TAKE MY MATE?” Rune’s thundered before he punched Lucien again.

“Rune, stop!” Nova grabbed his arm, horrified as blood trickled down Lucien’s face. He paused mid-swing. “He didn’t take me. I chose to go with him.”

Rune went still. His gaze pinned her in place. “He stuffed you in his luggage

Nova swallowed. “Yeah, that was my idea.”

Suddenly, Rune’s eyes flashed with rage. He shoved Lucien away and turned on her.

“You chose to go with him?” He sounded in disbelief. When she nodded, his eyes hardened. He spat. “Do you know what kind of chaos you caused?”

“I needed space to think.” Nova’s voice wavered. “It’s not like you gave me much of a choice. I was practically a prisoner there.”

“That’s your excuse?” His voice was quieter now, but no less fierce. “You were not a prisoner. I never treated you like one, and you know that damn well.” He took a step closer. “If you had concerns, you should have told me. Not run off with a fucking bloodsucker.”

Lucien wiped the blood from his face, working his jaw. “Watch your mouth, Alpha. There’s only so much insult I can take.”

Rune scoffed. “Well, fuck you.”

He dragged a hand through his hair, visibly reining himself in, then jerked his head toward the car. “Get in.”

Nova bit her lip and slid into the back seat. Ribe sat beside her. Cassian was behind the wheel. He didn’t look at her. The silence that followed was heavier than anything she’d felt before.

Cassian broke it first. “Rune, the jet is being fueled. We can’t take off yet. Should I book a hotel?"

“Sure.” The word came through gritted teeth.

No one spoke again until the car pulled up in front of a grand hotel. Cassian handled the arrangements while Rune stood apart, brooding. When Cassian returned with the keys, Rune snatched them and stalked inside, leaving them behind.

Nova sighed and turned to Cassian. “Are you mad at me too?”

He finally met her eyes. “I’m mad and disappointed. We thought you’d been attacked. Rune lost control and almost went on a rampage.” He paused and shook his head. “You know what it means for a wolf to lose his mate. I expected better from you.”

He turned and left.

Nova sighed before following Rune to the room. When she arrived, he was pacing around like he could barely hold himself together.

She closed the door behind her. “I’m sorry.”

“Save it. I don’t need your fake apologies.”

“I’m not faking anything. I’m really sorry.”

“You left!”

“And I came back, didn’t I?”

Rune crossed the room in two strides, crowding her against the wall. His eyes were still flashing, his wolf crawling for control.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” His voice cracked. “Do you know what I felt when I went to your door and found your room empty? Your scent was there, but you weren’t. I thought the pack had been attacked. I thought I had failed.” His face twisted. “I thought I’d lost you.” He drew a ragged breath. “And to think you left willingly. We had a deal. You signed a contract.”

“Yes. One I was forced into. It was either I married you or my loved ones died.” Her voice shook. “I felt trapped.”

“No.” He shook his head, jaw tight. “I told you could leave when you were no longer a threat. When I was sure you wouldn’t sell us out to the people seeking to destroy us. All you had to do was wait.” His eyes blazed. “Instead, you ran off right after you discovered our plans!”

“I had to warn my family.”

“We tell you about what human scientists were doing to us and your first reaction was to bolt. In what world did you think that was a good idea?” He spat. 

Nova clenched her fist. Her actions did make her look guilty. It felt like she had betrayed the supernaturals and had gone to sell them out. But that was not her intentions at all.

“I was not going to harm you guys.”

“And yet you ran off with the one person I told you not to trust. Another man.” His voice dropped. “That says a lot about your character.”

Nova’s hand connected with his cheek before she could stop it. “You don’t know anything about my character.”

Rune went still. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then his eyes darkened, and his hand came up to grip the back of her neck. He crashed his mouth to hers.

She couldn’t resist. She melted into him.

The kiss was hot, ravenous, and consuming. His hands found her thighs, lifting her off the ground. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he carried her across the room and pressed her against the cupboard, his lips never leaving hers.

He moved to her neck, teeth grazing her skin, and she arched into him with a soft moan. His hands worked their way up her skirt, fingers tracing the curve of her thigh, slipping higher.

She gasped, fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. His thumb brushed against the edge of her underwear, and a shudder ran through her.

Then, the sound of fabric tearing echoed in the room.

She let out a startled yell as her blouse was torn open by him, exposing her fair chest. Rune tossed the ruined cloth aside like it offended him.

“Why?” She asked, breathless.

“I can still smell him on you.” His voice was a low growl. “I’m going to wipe his scent off. You’re mine.”

He kissed her again, deep and claiming, before sinking one of his fingers into her.

Her eyes rolled back in pleasure. A moan escaped her lips as he thrust in and out, slow and deliberate, drawing out every sensation.

“You’re so wet.” His voice was rough against her ear. “I have wanted to do this since the day I met you.”

She couldn’t form words, could barely breathe. Through the pleasure traveling through her, she cried out, “Please.”

“What was that?”

“Faster.”

Rune growled and obliged. His movements became faster, eliciting more moans from her.

Suddenly, a sharp knock shattered the moment.

“Rune.” Cassian’s voice came through the door, tight with urgency. “We have a situation.”

Runes jaw clenched. “Go away.”

A pause. Then Cassian’s voice came again, more grave. “The pack was attacked.”