372- The Mark She Craved
POV Seraphine Valerian:
When I woke up, my entire body was sensitive, my muscles sore. I didn't mind any of that, smiling at his scent impregnated in the pillow and the sheets. A delicious pleasure drugging me from head to toe.
I slept in his bed, in his arms. That time I didn't go there secretly. Viktor grabbed me and pulled me, made me experience incredible moments, then held me against him. I didn't even need to dream, I was living my own dream.
I looked around, the room empty, the daylight coming through the window. And I remembered our conversation in the bathtub. He warned me it could turn into a nightmare.
I sat up slowly, noticing my different body, some red and purplish marks. The new sensations inside and out. Pain and pleasure, in an ecstasy I never expected to experience.
I wasn't afraid. Somehow, I was sure he wouldn't hurt me. Neither on purpose nor unintentionally. I had never felt better and I wasn't going to die. And if I were, nothing could be done. Away from him, I would be finished anyway.
I got up, startled by thinking those things, by being so involved that I would sacrifice even my basic survival instinct. The truth was that my faith was overcoming my fear.
I went to the bathroom, remembering the years I hid in Germany, dreaming of living with my father and my clan. I didn't want to hide anymore. I would take risks. For Viktor, for myself.
I had never felt that way, so intrinsically linked to another being, as if I needed to breathe the very same air as him. It was crazy, fierce, wild. And it got worse after the recent events.
I took a shower, put on one of the outfits I had in the guest room, and went downstairs. Daciana was already in the kitchen, and I realized it was late because she was already getting ahead on lunch.
“Look who finally decided to show up! Good night, huh?”
I felt my face burn under her curiosity. Did she know we slept together?
“Yeah, I overslept today.” Her smile widened.
“Are you going to wait for lunch or do you want to snack on something?”
“I'll be back for lunch. I'm going to Ruby's house, to see if she managed to save any of Viktor's clothes.”
“I doubt it.”
“I also want to see if I can help at the school.” I went to drink some water. “Do you think they'll accept me better now? I was able to introduce myself a little at the bonfire party.”
“They liked you. It's almost as if you're one of us. Different from the others.”
I stopped, before finishing my water. Daciana was chopping vegetables.
“You mean the other human women? They didn't adapt?”
“They just stayed here, glued to Viktor all the time, afraid we would suddenly attack them. But they sure liked it when he was the one who went on the attack!” She made a face. “Now the last one wanted to meddle in everything, give orders! She said she was the queen of the village. Even Viktor was fed up with her, he only put up with her because of the baby. Poor thing, killed by her own mother! Worse than I thought.”
I listened carefully, as it was the first time the older woman had told me those things. In a way, it appeased my jealousy, just like him saying he never loved them.
I didn't understand that magnetism, that obsession for him. Which only grew stronger. It was powerful and uncontrollable.
I finished my water, washed the glass, and approached her, gathering courage to ask:
“Do you think a human can be the fated mate of a werewolf, Daciana?”
She stopped and turned to face me, thoughtful.
“I've heard it's possible, but I've never seen it around here. There have been cases in nearby towns, they say, of humans who were bitten and turned into what you call werewolves, the really wild and crazy ones. They attack animals and people out of nowhere. They end up dying, hunted by men or by wolves who don't want to draw attention.”
“So... it's like an inferior species? A mongrel?”
“I think so. Why these questions? Do you want to be bitten, marked? Do you think you're Viktor's fated mate?”
I was startled, because those were things that had crossed my mind, but I hadn't analyzed much. Difficult, complicated, and, according to him, risky.
“I just wanted to know.”
“It's dangerous. Anything can happen, Seraphine. Just be careful, girl.”
I nodded. I said goodbye to her and went to the village center.
When I passed near the building where the office was, my chest tightened with longing, as if I hadn't seen him for ages. I ran away, before I couldn't resist and made up an excuse to visit him.
He must have been full of problems to solve, his head crowded. Because of the war, but mainly because of Adelina. I prayed that she was truly well, and happy with Lucian. Guilt still gripped me for having run away in her company, for having collaborated with that.
I went to the school, and Lana wasn't very pleased to see me, but she accepted the help. She was cold and looked me up and down with contempt. I pretended not to notice.
Then I went to Ruby's house, who had discarded almost all of his clothes. She managed to save a black, elegant coat that didn't look like it had been mended. And a pair of pants. The rest was impossible.
I felt upset for having done that, not knowing how to fix it.
The residents I met on the way greeted me more warmly, some even stopping to ask if I had enjoyed the gathering the night before. I felt welcomed and happy. Especially when Stoica, much nicer than her daughter Lana, invited me to visit her one afternoon for coffee and cake.
I accepted and went back to the castle with a silly smile on my lips. Even more so because there was a chance I would find Viktor at lunchtime. I was disappointed when Daciana said he would be at the office.
“Can I take his food?”
“I was going to send a guard. Missing him already?” she teased, and I blushed.
“It's no trouble. That way I can also find out if there's any news about Adelina.”
“I'm worried too. Eat yours while I prepare his plate.”
“I'll go right away.”
I helped her, also separating some fruit and a bottle of juice. She packed it in a bag, and I left with the excuse I wanted.
I got more excited with each step closer. I greeted the receptionist, and he told me I could leave it there, but I preferred to deliver it personally and went upstairs, knowing he wasn't alone. My face burned and my heart raced as I knocked on the door.