The Alpha's Vampire Princess

Chapter 14: Something to Impress

DEMI

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The second we were out of the training hall, Maverick backed me into the cool wall of the corridor and kissed me again, his lips pressing against mine as if he were trying to erase the crowd from both our memories. The thudding of my heart echoed in my ears, drowning out the lingering noise of our fellow trainees. Every thought of the prying eyes and judgmental whispers evaporated under the heat of his kiss. It felt like the world had shrunk down to just the two of us, and in that small, electrifying space, the outside chaos faded.

I kissed him back with an intensity that surprised me, my body burning with a hunger that felt dangerously primal. But with every pulse of desire surged a rising tide of bloodlust, sharp and immediate, a reminder that I had to keep some semblance of control. I forced myself to break the kiss before instinct could seize the moment and ruin everything between us. The sudden absence of his warmth sent my heart into a chaotic rhythm I struggled to contain.

Maverick noticed the shift in my demeanor, misinterpreting it as nervousness. He stepped back first, creating a comforting distance, and offered a flurry of apologies—about the challenge, about the antics of his brothers, about his failure to temper the tension sooner. But before I could drown in a whirlpool of embarrassment or desire, he extended an invitation, a lifeline of sorts. "Come with me," he said softly, his eyes holding a spark of something serious. "I want to show you something that matters."

For a few heartbeats, we stood in the narrow corridor, both of us breathing a little too hard, the weight of the moment pressing against us like the walls. The corridor felt too small for both of our burgeoning emotions—the air thick with unspoken words and restrained desire. Maverick didn't close the distance again; instead, he allowed the pause to stretch, the silence wrapping around us in a way that felt both comforting and charged. I could sense that he was just as affected by the kiss as I was, and that realization sent shivers racing down my spine.

"Okay. But I think it's better if we change," I finally managed to answer when my raging hormones, overwhelming bloodlust dropped enough for me to be able to open my mouth calmly. Maverick took a moment to understand what I was talking about, but when his eyes finally landed on our outfits, he understood and, without hesitation, agreed.

We bounded towards my room, hand in hand, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was teetering on an edge. The very sight of Maverick's physique ignited all the smoldering emotions hard to resist. Desire coiled tight in my core, battling against reason. I needed to play it cool, keep my composure. I glanced down, feeling the rush of frantic lust that only intensified with each passing second.

"Go change," Maverick said, a hint of mischief in his voice. The way he looked at me made my cheeks flush, a surge of energy coursing through my body. "But hurry. I'm not good at waiting around."

"Okay, okay! Give me a moment," I replied breathlessly, trying to mask the thrill that surged through me as he left, going to his room to do the same. As I turned to face the closet, I caught my reflection again—a strange girl with blazing orange eyes and sharp canines desperately trying to contain the tempest within.

"Please, just make it out without revealing the secret, and I will reward you with everything I have," I whispered to my reflection, struggling to maintain my composure. I fished out the pill container and swallowed three from each pill, wincing at the bitter taste. If we keep going at this pace, I'll be off the suppressants in two days. I need to slow down or find another way to control my hunger without touching my ICE stash. I took the quickest shower and slipped into my favorite sundress, the fabric flowing gently around my knees, a deceptive disguise for the chaos beneath.

With one last look at myself, I schooled my features into a semblance of calm. I took a deep breath, ready to face the consequences of my decision. I hid the containers in my nightstand and made a mental note to call Hannah later. I need a backup plan in case I run out of pills, and she was the only one to help me in my situation.

Maverick was waiting for me when I emerged, and the way his gaze roamed over me made my heart race. I had only a week—as daunting as that deadline felt—to find a way to balance my burgeoning feelings with the weight of my hidden truths. Each moment spent within the bubble of our connection felt dangerous yet irresistible, the possibility of revealing my true self too soon looming over me like a thunderstorm. But I promised myself I wouldn't let fear dictate my actions.

"You look stunning, Demi. I don't know how I'll survive the week without going insane." His gruff voice sent a shiver down my spine, and a blush crept up my cheeks. Maverick chuckled, but his eyes held the mischievous spark, tempting me to take a step closer.

"My thoughts exactly," I replied, equally impressed by his striking good looks in a dark green shirt with rolled-up sleeves and black jeans that highlighted his muscular legs very well. "Let's keep it PG, at least for a day or two."

Maverick chuckled at my suggestion and shook his head, causing his brown curls to fall over his forehead. This look made him even more tempting, and my body reacted even before my brain forbade it. I reached up and put my fingers on his forehead, tracing slowly the pattern of the scars that go down the right side of his face.

I felt him freeze, his eyes closed, and though I knew he wanted to appear unmoved, his racing heart gave him away. If he'd known I was a vampire and not a human, he probably wouldn't have allowed me even the slightest touch, and yet I was tracing the edges of his clefts with my fingers.

"Will you tell me their story?" I asked, but my voice trembled, and Maverick opened his eyes, staring at me with so much intensity and mixed feelings that I had trouble deciphering which one stood out the most: fear or unease.

"Yes, but–– "he paused, and before I realized, he took my hand from his face, entwined our fingers, and with a fake smile added, "But not today. Today I want to show you something different about me."

The hope in his eyes made me nod and smile, and I obediently followed him wherever he chose to take me. Still, my heart clenched only imagining how much pain he must have been in to sustain that injury, not to mention his eye, which, although ghostly white, made me think that it is reaching my very soul every time its intensity is focused on me.

Soon, we were outside joking, completely forgetting the intensity of the moment before. And as he led me toward a detached building near the packhouse, I assumed it to be a garage, my mind racing toward images of gleaming sports cars and polished metal. "If this is a car collection," I warned playfully, trying to mask my nerves with humor, "you should know that rich men showing off their expensive toys is not exactly new territory for me." I sought to project confidence, but my heart was still racing from our earlier encounter.

He smirked at my reply, a spark of mischief lighting up his features, and clicked on the remote he had pulled from his pocket. "Good. Because if cars impressed you, this would be a very disappointing date." The garage door lifted slowly, and suddenly, my breath caught in my throat.

Inside wasn't the glitzy showroom I was expecting; instead, the space unfolded like a hidden sanctuary. There were no sleek sports cars or polished finishes. Instead, I saw sculptures in all stages of completion, carved wooden panels leaning against the walls, tools scattered about like offerings on an altar. Wood shavings blanketed the floor, and half-finished pieces whispered of dreams forged from grief and skill. It felt less like a workshop and more like a hidden chapel, a testament to creativity borne from deep emotion.

"Maverick," I breathed, stepping further inside, my voice softer now, almost reverent. "You made all of this?" The words left my mouth with awe, as if I were stepping into a sacred space. The very air thrummed with the stories the wood could tell, and I could sense the care and passion he poured into every piece. At that moment, the precariousness of our earlier kiss populated my thoughts, blending with the newfound admiration I felt for him. There was so much more beneath the surface, layers of Maverick that I was beginning to explore, and all I could think was how grateful I was to be here, sharing in something that mattered.