Lurking in the Shadows (Completed)

Chapter 11

Unknown

I just got home from the spring ball after my feed and I just can’t help myself from feeding off those girls. They’re all so sweet! The blasted girl had to have knitting needles! They’re almost as bad as a wooden stake! Luckily she only got my cloak, and as I make my way through the iron gates of our family manor, I smell blood on my arm… and it's my own. Damn it! Now I’ve left evidence! At least it’s only a small cut. I can blame a thorn or something. I try to hide it in my cloak so father wouldn’t notice. There have been so many council meetings that it’s been driving us nuts. Mortem bickering on and on about my attacks but he doesn’t know that. If he did, I probably wouldn’t be heading home. So for now, as long as nobody snitches on me I should be fine.

“Where have you been!?” Father yells at me.

“I was just walking in from the spring ball.” He sighs and slouches in his chair by the unlit fireplace.

“Rough night of council meetings?” I ask him knowing full well that it probably was.

“Yes, Mortem is doubling down again. There’s an investigation, people are getting interviewed, more security blah, blah, blah… ugh he’s being so overly dramatic about all this. So what if you’re feeding, what’s the big deal?”

“Exactly all I’m doing is just what every other vampire does!” It’s rarely we agree on something, but this we do.

“Well, not everyone would feed off of the highest-profile family in town,” Father smirks at me almost like he’s proud of me.

“Yeah, I suppose…” I say in defeat. I take off the cravat tie and sigh in defeat.

“Now, for the next ball try to feed off the other twin.” He smirks at me as if this was his plan all along.

“I’m pretty sure she has a mate and I don’t feed off of mated couples.” Even I have a standard for my meals.

“She’s not mated, yet…” He smirks again.

“And if she is by the next ball?” That’s my worry about this whole thing.

“Fine… leave her or you bite her, anyway.”

“I’m not gonna be some guy’s meal for biting his girl!” Mates are very possessive of their significant others.

“Only if you get caught, you're two for two. Nobody is even noticing us!” Father growls at me and I take off my suit jacket. “Just keep your mouth shut and put on a different cloak and we’ll be fine.”

Mina

Victor and I sit with Willow while Nyx and Edward leave us. I don’t want to leave her, but yet I want to get to know Victor more. I remember our sweet moment in the greenhouse just moments before… my memory is broken when I hear a knock on the door.

“Yes? Come in?” Juniper comes in with a smile on her face as always and has a tray full of food for us. “Oh, what a lovely spread this looks so delicious.”

“Well, with spring coming soon I brought in some kale and made a salad and some corn chowder. With some tea to help you calm down with everything going on.” We take the food and drinks and I gladly sip the tea.

“Thank you so much for this.” I smile at her and she gently leaves as Victor and I have some time alone. Willow has been quiet since we’ve been here and I guess that’s good news. When we finish the salad and tea, we put it out of the way so someone can take it back to the kitchen. Victor slides his chair closer to me and I relax with his touch. It’s like being comfortable in front of a warm fire and blanket. I cuddle into his chest enjoying the warmth of his comfort. Not exactly where I’d like my first intimate moment with Victor to take place but I’ll take what I can get at this point. I felt him on my neck and I couldn’t help but close my eyes at his touch.

“Why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable? We can bring the tray of bowls back to the kitchen on our way.” Victor suggested, and I just nodded. I knew I had to stay with Willow, but I saw mom and dad on the way to her room while we were going towards the kitchen so they’d look over her.

“Here are your bowels back, Juniper. Save you a trip back to the infirmary.” Juniper turns to see us in surprise but smiles.

“Oh, you didn’t have to make a special trip. I could’ve gotten those later. You two enjoy the night.” She takes them from us and puts them in her makeshift sink. We go back to the greenhouse and a full moon is greeting us. I turned to face Victor and his eyes changed from icy blue to dark red.

“I’ve been wanting to feed from you all night. Your scent is intoxicating to me.” I could almost see him drool a little and it made me giggle.

“I know I feel the same way.” I saw my reflection in the window and my eyes were turning red too. I just know he's my beloved.

“I don’t want you to feel rushed, but thanks to our attacker we’re almost halfway through anyway, might as well make the best out of it.” He had a point… so maybe make the most of our situation. He caresses my cheek and even just the small touch makes me blush. I wrap my arms around his neck. He kisses me! It was a passionate kiss like he was longing for me. I kiss him back and I feel him wrap his arms around my waist. From the corner of my eye, I see it rain. The rain tapping gently on the roof of the greenhouse makes him go rougher with me. His kiss seems like a want… a want he needs badly. He pulls me closer to him and I couldn’t help the little gasp that escapes my mouth. His lips were warm and soft… I couldn’t help myself but keep on kissing him. He breaks the kiss so we both could catch our breath and we’re both panting. He smirks as he keeps his hold on me.

“Let’s move this to a more comfortable room…” He grabs my hand and I couldn’t help my giggles. I feel like a little girl trying not to get in trouble with my parents, but I think they know what we’re doing… maybe? We’re running through the house like children and he stops in front of a door. “Would you like to join me?” My eyes widen when I realize that this is his room… I blush at my realization. He’s asking for consent… the consent that neither of us had when this whole mess started for the of us.

“Yes, I’d like to…” He opens the door and still holding onto my hand gently pulls me into his room and closes it behind us. The only downside is my dress has so many layers. He motions for me to turn around and unties my dress. At least I didn’t have as many petticoats this time. My green dress falls on the floor and I’m just left in my corset and chemise.

“I always forget how many layers you ladies wear…” We giggle at the struggle and finally, my corset comes off. Leaving me in just my chemise. “There… that’s better. The easier to hold you, my dear.” I couldn’t help my blush. He kissed my neck and I couldn’t help a light moan escape me. This is how I always imagined being with my mate… my beloved… romantic moments like this with someone who loves me and wants me. I feel him going up to my ear gently nibbling on it. He gently carries me to his bed, and it feels so comfortable.

“May I please continue?” He asks again and I love that he’s being considerate of me. I nod my head for him to keep going and I feel him sucking on my neck. His hands gently explore my curves. I hold him close and I inhale his scent. I couldn’t get enough of it. I took off his jacket and puffy shirt and for a moment I just had to stare. Holy crap this guy was fit! Not too muscular that it grosses you out, but enough to realize that he clearly did some training in something... His midnight black shoulder-length hair tickles my cheek as he plays with my ear again. As I get caught up in the moment, I push him away for a second and realize that my nightgown was already here.

“What is my nightgown doing here?” I asked him with concern. He laughs and goes to the chair where it is laying.

“Your sister, Nyx brought it to me earlier in the day. She was hopeful for us.” He smirked and I would’ve melted into a puddle. I could get lost in his eyes and smirk. “Why don’t you change into something… comfortable.” I grabbed it from him and I scurry to the bathroom that was connected to his room. My nightgown is vintage cotton, knee-length with a square neck leaving him plenty of exposed skin and lots of room to keep kissing my neck. I tie the little bow on the neckline and head back to him. He was in his nightgown with some buttons on the top undone. And I thought he looked good in his suit…

“Is it a little warm in here?” I’ll admit this is my first time being alone with someone, not my father or Jasper, but he made it comfortable.

“I’m a little nervous too.” He blushed a little, and it made me smile a little to know that I wasn’t the only one. He pats the bed offering me a spot and I nervously make my way to the bed. He wraps his arms around my waist and the warm safeness of being in his arms comforts me. I relax in his arms and I feel him nuzzling my neck.

“You smell divine…” He whispered in my ear and I almost melted into him. I lean into his forehead and just want to enjoy the moment. He continued nuzzling my neck, and I didn't want him to stop.

“You don’t have to stop…” I blushed as he continued nuzzling. I feel his hands on my waist and they continue to roam my body. I nuzzle his neck and his scent is intoxicating I almost want to bite him right now, but I don’t want to rush into it. I run my hands on his chest and whatever he does works well for him. He is so strong! His muscles are peeking through his nightgown and it makes me warm.

“Your blood smells so divine, may I please feed off of you?” I appreciate he keeps on asking for consent. It makes me feel special that he’s constantly thinking of my feelings.

“Yes…” I offer him my wrist and his fangs elongate. He bites down, and it initially hurts a little, but it turns from pain to pleasure. Almost euphoric. I take off his nightgown and he takes off mine. Well, at least our nightgowns won’t get messy but I can’t say that for us. He licked the wound from my wrist and it made it a little better. He’s totally checking me out as I wear nothing under my gown. He smirks at me, his hands roaming all over me. I feel his hands go slowly going lower and lower on me until he reaches my inner thigh and I moan from anticipation. He continues to roam and I turn to face him. I smell his neck again and I just want to bite him already!

“Will you let me feed from you, dear?” I ask him nervously and he just laughs a little.

“No need to be nervous my dear. Of course, you can.” He offers his wrist and I nervously bite him and I hear him wince, but it slowly turns to a moan. As I keep feeding he gets louder and louder which makes me feel warm. Once I stop and lick the wound, I run my hands over his chest and nuzzle his neck again.

“I want more…” I’m normally not this bold, but I gently tilt his head and bite his neck. He moans loudly as I formally mark him.

“Yes more! More my flower!” He moans out, and I keep feeding from him. I suck on him for a couple more seconds before stopping. A little blood drips from my lips and I lick it off like it was some delicious dessert.

“You’re mine!” He tilts my neck and bites me and I let out a loud euphoric moan.

“Yes, I am yours!” His sucking on me feels so euphoric and I feel his hands roaming my body. “You’re my predator yet protector…” I moan out as I hold on to him. He finishes biting me and we both feel euphoric. We both lay down wrapped in each other’s arms and I admire my mark on him, a crescent moon. I’ll have to see what mine is later. I’m too comfortable in his arms to move. “That was amazing… I can’t believe I did that!”

“Well believe it, my flower we did that, and I couldn’t be happier to have you.” He continues to hold me and I just melt in his arms.

“I’m happy too.” The sun peeks through the heavy curtains and we both fall asleep.