Chapter 4: Closer than strangers
1059 Words
Charley was alone. She should have been scared, but what she felt was something more like annoyance. And she was thirsty. Small wonder after all that screaming.
There was a large glass of water on the side table. She downed it in three gulps, reveling in the way the icy smooth liquid soothed her raw throat. She wouldn't have minded something a bit stronger considering her circumstances.
She took a good look around. The bedroom was large, more like a suit. The décor was masculine, expensive and sturdy too. Not bad, but no liquor cabinet. Not that she was much into the stuff anyway.
The fire was lower now than when she first came to. She looked down at the green robe she wore. Her dress and things were nowhere in sight. Then it hit her.
She was alone! She needed to find a phone! She looked on both end tables, inside the drawers and closets, but there was nothing. No landline, cell, tablet, or computer of any kind.
She did find an antique clock on the fireplace mantle. It was beautifully carved with a scene that was like something out of a fairytale. She was getting quite a lot of that! Anyway, it showed huge Wolves in mid-run through a dense forest. One massive wolf was in the lead, his head thrown back in a fierce howl. She ran her fingers delicately over the wood. Beautiful.
Charley's hands trembled as she traced the carving. Werewolves. She shook her head. Look at the clock's face, look anywhere else, Charley. Do not get caught up in this mass delusion!
Ten-thirty. She had made it to the bus stop by six. Over four hours had passed since then. That mattered very little in the greater scheme of things. No one would be looking for her with Junior's closed.
She lived alone except for Buttercup. That old cat wouldn't notice until his food bowl ran empty. She grimaced. The door opened and tall, dark and crazy came back in.
"I thought you'd like to know that Cat, my little sister, was the one who undressed you. Your clothes were wet. They worried you'd catch cold," he had the decency to look abashed.
"You do realize that the police won't care that my kidnappers were considerate, right? It's only a matter of time before they come looking for me," Charley bit her lip, but her eyes never wavered.
Hey, some people would consider a deli counter girl an important person, right? After all, she did cut the thinnest, most perfect slice of prosciutto in the whole state of New Jersey!
"You know, it's funny you should say that Carlotta. And, whereas, I am greatly pleased by a well-made sandwich, I somehow don't think you'll be missed, at least not for a while. Junior's will be closed for what, six weeks?"
Charley gulped and closed her eyes. Dammit. Now what?
"So, what, Mr. Kidnapper? People will miss me."
"Rafe. My name is Rafe and let's face it, Carlotta, no one is waiting for you," she heard the sympathy in his voice and Charley stiffened.
"How the hell would you know? And where am I?"
How dare he talk to her like that! He didn't know her! He didn't know anything about her! He was nuts, gorgeous, but nuts!
"We're at Maccon Manor, my home. It's in South Jersey. The town is called Maccon, named after my ancestors. We're on the outskirts."
"How original."
"It's my main headquarters, but all the Werewolves under my care, are welcome. The Macconwood Pack consists of all the Wolves on the east coast of North America. There are about 500 of us in town. The total population is about a quarter of million. I govern them all. I am their Alpha," his eyes glowed and Charley gasped.
"Great, the Jersey Shore, not just a reality TV hell hole, but a haven for Werewolves and their boss who happens to kidnap strangers for shits and giggles!"
His laugh resounded in the room. A deep and pleasant rumble. He walked closer to her. His huge shoulders took up so much space, Charley backed up without meaning to.
"Oh, Carlotta, we are going to get along just fine. But I am sorry you were brought here against your will. You deserve much better."
"Great. You seem decent, you know for a kidnapper, so how about you let me go and I'll send you a Christmas card or something?"
He shook his head and crossed his arms, looking her over from head to toe. Pride held her still despite the need to squirm. She brushed her hair back behind her ears and wished she had looked in a mirror before he returned. Seriously? Get a grip, girl!
She was desperate enough to accept a blind date just before Christmas, but Charley was not delusional. Well, not enough to believe she had been kidnapped and brought to the Jersey Shore by a Pack of Werewolves. Not yet anyway.
"I promise I will do everything in my power to see that you are protected and treated with care. My Wolves were only doing what they thought was best. I'm sorry. I'm out of time."
"Oh, okay, they were only doing what was best. Excuse me, where are my manners? How dare I express outrage at being kidnapped! So, what now? You bite me and I'm a Werewolf too? We go howl at the moon and chase rabbits?" she tried and failed to not sound hysterical.
"Actually, I love chasing rabbits, but you can't be made into a Werewolf. You have to be born one."
"Awe, gee, well, this was fun, but since I'm not a Werewolf, and neither are you really by the way, then we just can't be mated. So sorry, but I'll just go now. I was kidding about the police. Really, nobody needs to know."
"Actually, human females are very desirous to Werewolves. Humans are better at producing live young. Female Werewolves have a difficult time with pregnancy. A sad, but accurate fact for my kind. As Alpha, I must have a mate who can give me an heir."
"I'm sorry, what? Do you really think I am going to stay here? So, I can give you live young?"
"I'm afraid you have no choice. The simple fact is, I need you."
- Writer
