The Alpha's Desire 4 (10 page)

Chapter Seventeen

As large, double wooden doors were opened for us, the arms of the men who had opened them ushered us in. I stopped dead in my tracks at the large, extravagant entranceway. A large staircase about ten feet back was the first thing to catch one’s eye. It was wide enough for four or five people to walk up side by side before it branched off, creating indoor balconies of sorts that themselves led to hallways.

Under those sat couches and chairs, and even a fireplace with a cheery fire actually burning. Had to be for looks, given the warm weather outside. The temperature in the room was so perfectly set, my body didn’t register hot from cold. The breeze on the island outdoors had made the walk the same. While I could see more hallways on this level to each side of that staircase, the door to my immediate right, which led to a sunroom, caught my eye.

Like everything here, it was a mix of old and modern. You could tell that some designer had gone to great lengths to make every part of this place modern and comfortable while maintaining the best of the older structures. The sunroom was cream and hunter green with wicker furniture set around an old stone water feature that was big enough to invite friends to sit in. From here, I couldn’t tell if that was the purpose or not.

To my left, in a very different room, I saw several couches surrounding a grand piano. There, navy and gold dominated the decor. This entranceway held all of those colors, plus a crimson red in accents. Very rich taste indeed. Every arch, and every print, screamed money and good taste while trying to cultivate a home-like feel. I was impressed, and overwhelmed but trying not to miss a detail, when an entourage of ten people filed into the large area. Five women and five men came to stand in a semi-circle around us as if it were a rehearsed formation. It was all very formal, and as I surveyed the group I felt sadly underdressed.

The lady who first approached wore a sleeveless gown of sorts. Floor length, the silk and lace along with the cut was too much to just call it a dress. A cream bodice was accented with black lace just up to her breasts, and this also hung to the floor over waves of a black silk skirt. Belted with a black silk ribbon, tied in a bow with long flowing ties, again, I would have called it formal wear, a cocktail dress. She introduced herself as Catherine.

Following her was a man she introduced as Edward. His black, pinstriped suit also was a bit too shiny for mere office-wear. Although I knew it to be morning, I’d have guessed we’d caught them just before going out. The remaining eight were dressed much the same, just maybe a tad younger, hipper styles of what I guessed to be everyday formal wear, if there was such a thing. I told myself that at least they were not in Royal robes, crowns, and tiaras. Though, I’d bet money those things were here somewhere, for holidays maybe.

“Christina, and Lex, we are so happy to have you here. Finally. For a time, we had feared the worst, that we would never meet you, Christina, or see you again, Lex. We wish the circumstances were better. We are having a remembering for Vivian and Riker in a few days,” Catherine said with a cracked sigh, her voice breaking as it withheld a sob.

Her voice had been pleasant, welcoming, but while I believed her happy to see us, you could tell that she was doing her best to hold back her sadness at the loss of family. I wasn’t sure how the family tree went, but you could tell they were a close-knit family, and each and every one of them mourned the loss. Faces who’d tried to be cheery and welcoming were offset by the true sadness that darkened their eyes. I didn’t know what to say.

“I am honored to be here,” I began, taking a lesson from Nira and how she had greeted me, thinking me one of the Royals even though I’d not met them yet. “Vivian and Riker, they made that so. They gave everything for our lives. I’m so sorry for your loss. They were both so kind to me,” I offered.

“They died heroes,” Lex added, still shaking Edward’s hand. The man had held onto Lex like a father would to a son he hadn’t seen in some time, encasing his elbow in his free hand.

Since Catherine had embraced him like a mother, again, letting it linger as she rubbed his back, I figured they treated their pack like family, as well. Introductions went all around. And, while I felt each of them checking me out, as I was them, they were all so friendly, regardless of circumstances being what they were. Not a one of them made me feel awkward or uncomfortable in any way. It went a long way toward my continuing to remain calm in such a place. I did learn that they were each true family, all Royals, though they represented a couple of generations. Apparently, Catherine and Edward didn’t age like normal people.

To be more the grandparents of the crowd, they didn’t look a day over forty. While their skin was tight, wrinkle free, they held an air of knowledge, a wisdom that came of many years that told of age. Their clothes were also more refined, though that could have either been signs that they were the heads of the family or their personal taste. I sure didn’t know. It would be interesting to learn how all of it worked here, the family relations, and the magic and all. I assumed I would know soon enough.  

“Not sure if this is the right time to say this or not...” Catherine stepped toward me again, after the round of introductions. “But, I felt your magic when I shook your hand, Christina. Never have we had someone not raised on these grounds have such magic; well, any at all to speak of, really, as I’m sure you’ve been told. Yet, yours, it feels so powerful, almost as strong as my children’s and grandchildren’s. I don’t know how it is possible, outside of that magic called love which holds a bit of mystery for all of us in the way it works. I look forward to seeing what you can do.”

“Me, too,” I responded. “It has been a scary thing, as well as wonderful, not knowing what I could do with it. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“And, you never had an inkling of it before? I mean, before Lex and you spoke to each other just a few weeks ago?” Edward chimed in, being very polite to say
spoke
rather than
slept together,
though I blushed, knowing it was what he meant.

“No. Nothing at all until I formally met Lex, and began to have feelings for him. I know it has been a short time,” I mumbled, leaving off, at a loss for words to explain what was between the two of us without sounding silly or pathetic.

“It has been a short time, but we are believers in the power of love, and in love at first sight. Many here found their mates while on short vacations from the island. They just knew the minute they locked eyes. Though, Lex has admitted to having feelings long before you knew about him.” Catherine turned to Lex then. “Please, know that while the rules were in place to protect the charge, to not let emotions get in the way of his or her safety, now that it has happened, and all that has come since, you both have our blessing to be together in any way you want.”

“Thank you,” Lex said. “I take all you have done for me very seriously. I would not have wanted to lose favor, to seem unappreciative in any way.”

“We know that. We are well aware of how long you tried to stay within the rules. But, the heart wants what the heart wants. Right?” Edward chimed in. “Though created magically, the spell has given you many of the same traits as a wolf, as you well know. In this case, I assume you found your mate, and there is no denying that.”

“Yes,” Lex said with a smile. “Yes, I believe she is.”

The word ‘mate’ hung around me, lingered in the air, tapping along my skin in a glorious rhythm that made my heart beat faster. We’d said we’d loved each other, but mate, in a werewolf world, if it was anything like the stories... that was permanent. The idea of it, rather than scare me, made me feel secure.

Catherine gave him another hug then, this time with tears making her eyes glisten. She pulled back from him and turned to me. While she took my hands, holding them out to my sides, looking me over from head to toe, a smile never left her face, and not one of those tears spilled from her eyes. She embraced me at that point, squeezing the air from my lungs, but in the best way. I felt the sting of my own tears as the air around us hissed.

“It’s okay, dear,” she said. “Emotions and magic, they are unpredictable things. You will learn to control them, and will get used to them. But first, we want you both to settle in here. It is your home now, too, the whole of this castle. We will have someone show you to your room. We’ve taken the liberty of having you share one, based on reports. I assume that is okay with the both of you?”

Catherine gave us both a wink, not waiting for an answer as she turned to signal to a servant who stood at the back of the entranceway to the side of the fireplace. I’d just noticed that the wolves who had flown us here and led us to the castle had not followed us in. The men in black butler-like attire, like I’d seen in the movies, walked past us to where our stuff had been left. There was the whole of two small bags we had come with, all of it thanks to Nira.

“We have your room ready, and we have taken the liberty of getting you some more clothes. We know you have essentially been left with nothing but what the vampires provided you. Nira gave me your size, so hopefully something there will work. We have staff that love to shop, so it was no trouble. We just want you to be comfortable. At some point, you can go shopping for more on your own.”

“Thank you,” I managed, wondering what clothes would be waiting for me, and exactly what the ‘at some point’ meant as far as how long my stay here was to be. “It is very generous of you to have done such a thing as to buy us clothes, on top of letting us stay here in your home.”

“We were happy to. Now, we want you to take a few hours to unwind from travel. Explore the house, which by the way, I meant, is yours. You are welcome here as long as you wish to stay, to come and go as you please. You are one of us now, Christina. I’m sure it will take a while to get used to, but that is how it is. Now, back to the next few hours: go explore the grounds, take a nap, or whatever you want. We will give you some time to recover from your trip. We will see you again in a few hours for an early lunch. Sound good?”

“Sounds perfect. Thank you,” I said, still overwhelmed by the way she’d called this my home, as if I could just live here for the rest of my life in this castle.

“Stop thanking us. You are family and that is what family does.”

I couldn’t really reconcile the idea of it, the whole family thing, to even think toward the future. I guessed staying in the present could be a very good thing, given where I was. I just needed to appreciate every moment of it, no matter how long it lasted.

Chapter Eighteen

The servant who led us to our bedroom either had somewhere he had to be afterward or else he was a fan of power walking. Lex didn’t have any trouble keeping up, but I had struggled to keep up, trying not to let my huffing and puffing to do so become noticeable. We passed a large opening to a dining hall where several servants scurried about, probably getting it ready for our lunch. We’d been told we had two hours, so they had to be planning something elaborate to be already starting. Unless there was to be some party we didn’t know about later. I guess that at this point, it wouldn’t be wise for me to guess at anything. I needed to live in the moment, I reminded myself. It would be my new motto.

Not that I could ask at this moment either, as I feared my voice would show how hard walking at this fast clip was for me. Really old paintings hung on the walls in the hallways. From what I could see, most looked to be really old portraits. I’d never seen any of them before, and was getting cheated out of getting a better look at the moment. Still, as brief as my glances were, I had this strange sense that I knew each one of them.

This had to be a magical connection thing, as the last one we’d practically run by had been a woman dressed in clothing that hadn’t been worn in decades. Outside of the black and white thing, the flowers on her large hat and petticoat were dead giveaways. Still, I felt I’d met her, like I knew she was kind and generous to a fault, always had a warm smile for everyone, and had been a champion of the underdog like me. I couldn’t have known all of that about a woman who lived centuries ago, but the ideas came to me, like some ancient memory unlocked in my head, and now they flowed through my blood. In fact, this had been just what happened to me when I’d met Nira and the other vampires. I just seemed to know things.

By the time we’d reached our room, I was dizzy, as in sorely overwhelmed, at how big this place must truly be. Like at the mall, it needed lit up signs that said ‘You are Here’ with a map to the rest of the place so you could figure your way from A to B. I hoped Lex remembered how to get back to lunch. I’d been a little too preoccupied with the photos and streams of doors, wondering what was behind each of them as we went.

Once our two small bags were deposited and the servant went on his way like there was a fire, I was able to stop, catch my breath, and then lose it again as I scanned the bedroom we’d been assigned. Here, too, the eclectic, yet refined look of updated to modern old castle appeared warm and inviting. This room was a bright cream and maize with accents of cherry wood all over it, including the decorative trim, molding, and chair rails that matched the furniture.

We had our own fireplace. Maybe every room had one, like in the olden days. The place was huge, big enough for a bed beyond king size with a canopy, along with a living room style seating area. I couldn’t wait to check out the bathroom, but Lex grabbed my hands and pulled me to the bed. Seeing the smile on his face as he lifted me up onto it, letting my body bounce when I landed on the softness, I knew he was thinking of all the things we could do on it.

“I can’t believe we are getting to share this room,” he said like a little boy poised over a full candy jar. “I wasn’t sure if you would stay here and I would stay in a cabin like when I came for training or not. I’m thrilled that this is what they offered. The other would have made it hard to get to see you much. I wasn’t ready for anymore separation. I’d have dealt, for you, for them, but it would have sucked, so as I said, I’m so glad it worked out this way. Now, no matter what the days bring, I know I can have you here, to myself, all night.”

“Why, yes you can, sir. You can have anything you want all night long,” I said with a sly grin and a wink.

“Anything?”

“Yes, anything. With you, I’m up for anything. That is unless this place has a dungeon and you are planning on shackling me in it naked. Well, even then, I’d consider it with you,” I mentioned hesitantly as my cheeks flushed at the truth of the statement.

“Really, well then, we will have to make good use of these canopy posts then, won’t we?”

“Oh, yeah,” I sighed. “I’m getting flashbacks to you against my bedpost, naked, vulnerable to my every whim. I did enjoy that. I can see that hard, perfect mound of an ass you have held clenched as I spanked it.”

“And, I’m getting hard thinking of doing the same to you right now. Forget exploring the castle, I’m tying you to the bed and exploring you. Get naked, Christina, while I get something to bind you with.”

A tingle skittered over my skin with the look he gave me as he jumped off the bed. He went right to the curtains and pulled the rope tie-backs off of them. I laid there mesmerized, not only by his ingenuity there, but in a mixture of shock and anticipation that created wetness between my legs.

“Get undressed. Now, Christina,” Lex said in an authoritative tone. “I’ve got work to do on that luscious body of yours.”

I nodded and got off the bed. Just stripping out of every stitch of clothing as he began looking through drawers with rope dangling over his arm felt deliciously naughty. My nipples pebbled just from the air, and a wonderful race of anxiety-pumping adrenaline through my veins.

“Did you really mean you would do anything with me?” he asked, turning to me and stopping a beat to look over my body as I stood naked at the end of the bed. “Damn. you are so beautiful. I can’t believe you are all mine. Hate to get greedy, but I have some animalistic needs. You said you were game?”

“I trust you. I know you wouldn’t hurt me… well, outside of a good sort of hurt, like that spanking you gave me before.”

“Oh, that ass of yours, and the way you squirmed under each hit of my hand. Your cheeks getting red... it was amazing to watch, especially knowing that it pleased you, got you all hot and bothered and ready for me.”

“It did. Surprised even me. Bring it on, you animal,” I said with a nervous pitch to my laughter. “I don’t care if it is romantic or rushed. Slow and loving or hard and fast. I just want to be with you, in a shower, thrown over a couch, in a dark alley… oh wait, we’ve already done that alley thing; shower, too. Guess the dungeon is about the only place we have left to try new.”

“Actually, there is this really private waterfall here that we could make love under. With my wolf ears, I’d know in plenty of time if someone were coming for us, to make ourselves presentable.”

“That sounds amazing,” I said, letting the image form in my mind, having seen two of the waterfalls on this gorgeous island already. I got so lost in the dream that I forgot the urge to cover myself until he approached me.

“Glad the rope is long, as this bed is really wide,” he said, looking from me to the bedposts. “Arms up, dear,” he commanded as his hand on my side positioned me at the edge of the bed, right in the middle of the mattress.

With the ropes, he strung each of my wrists from high up on the bedposts, all the way to where it held the canopy. So, my arms were out to the side, but over my head. He then did the same to my ankles, spreading them wide, binding them to the posts at the floor. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that the odd sense of danger here excited me. I knew no one was going to come knocking, but in a strange place, you often get that being exposed sort of feeling, like anyone could just open that door at any time and see me spread eagle, and standing no less, tied to the bed.

“Yes, this is just how I want you. And, while the bed is high, the mattress hits just under that ass of yours, leaving it free to me to kiss, to bite, to spank, whatever I want. But, first, I don’t want you to see what is coming.”

With that, he took a scarf or something he’d found and tied it around my head to cover my eyes. I wiggled a bit, feeling more exposed the less I could see. I repositioned my weight, putting it on my right foot and then on the left several times. My breaths became pants as my ears perked up, trying to figure out where he was.

“You okay?” he whispered in my right ear, giving me a little startle. “You are looking antsy.

“You move around so quietly. But, I’m fine. Excited. I can barely tolerate the anticipation of your first touch.”

“Good. I want you to enjoy this as much as I’m going to. Just can’t stop staring at you. Can you feel me just looking? Because, man, am I feeling things from you, such heightened emotions.”

He trailed a finger down my spine, lightly, letting it move over the crack of my ass, making me squirm. This sudden, intense desire took me. My magic surged, making me feel like I might internally combust at any moment.

“You must like that, from the subtle glow forming over your skin. It makes you even more beautiful and sexy if possible. I might start calling you my little lightning bug.”

“Don’t, okay? I need to learn to control it,” I said, not angry at all, more playing along with the moment as much as simply stating the truth. “Of course, I usually tend not to get angry or this excited in public, where anyone would see it.”

“You will learn to control it. But, for now, concentrate on me, and only me, this moment,” he said, reiterating my new motto right before he took a little swipe at my ass.

I clenched, my hips moving forward as the slight sting shot straight through my pussy, arousing me further, as I was already wanting him buried deep inside of me. This was going to be the sweetest torture ever, as we had all kinds of time.

“Ah, the woman does like that, a good spanking,” he said, running that finger over my slick folds before his hand left me again. “Tell me what you like about it. Do you like to be disciplined,” he said, his hand coming down harder this time on just my right cheek.

My breath whooshed out of my lungs as I tensed up, riding out the glorious feel of the sting and warmth followed by a burst of trembling pleasure. I wasn’t real sure what I liked about it, but I stuck my ass out for more.

“I don’t think that is it,” I sighed, then bit my lip, waiting for more as he tested my wetness again, sliding that finger over me.

“Then maybe I should spank you until you can figure it out. Wasn’t how I had planned to start, but I can adjust.”

“Maybe,” I replied, every part of my body wanting more of his big hand to come down on my generous ass. All I wanted more was for him to play between my folds again.

When his hand landed on my left cheek, I threw my head back, feeling my long locks swoosh along my back. As if he’d read my mind, with the hand that had just hit me resting on that warm spot, his other hand reached around to my front. His fingers rubbed over me, pressed together, and pushed hard. I whimpered, imagining his hard cock pushing into me. I throbbed to have him. In my mind’s eye, I could see his massive biceps, his muscular thighs, and his hard erection.

As his hand behind me came down on me again, this time in the middle of my ass, he rubbed against the sting, and at the same time he let his fingers on my folds slip inside. He fondled my opening, his fingers playing me, yet not moving in as he spanked me again. Spread so open, there was very little room to even move. No escape. Not that I wanted one, but the vulnerability I found absolutely delightful. As he rained down his hand a few more times, increasing the power behind each blow, his thumb and forefinger found my clit, and rubbed it with enough force to make me pump my hips. His next spanks came in a quick succession then, as he let me press my hips forward, coming to his fingers that then massaged my clit relentlessly.

I panted and moaned as the first orgasm hit me fast, shaking me to my core. With each contraction, I cried out a little, careful not to be too loud, but unable to keep completely quiet either. As I continued to shake, he continued to play with my clit, not letting the pleasure end until I begged him to stop.

When I sagged a little, I felt his big, hard body against mine. His arm held me firmly against him, giving me a reprieve, yet not untying me. Guess he had more plans for me. I got my breathing regulated, stabilized my legs again, and sensing this, he pulled away. I could hear him undressing, and wished I could see, even if it was only his amber and golden eyes.

After some swishing of fabric, I felt his cheek against mine. “You figure out that reasoning yet?” he asked. “Can you tell me why you like to be spanked, as I know you are not a bad girl.”

“Maybe I want to be one only for you. But no, it isn’t a discipline thing. It’s intensity. I think it is the intensity of the feeling; it takes all the other things I’m already feeling... being naked, being touched by you, and it amplifies them.”