13_Angel Without Wings
1549 Words
Cole POV
As I look into the vampire’s eyes, I notice something I have not seen in years – his eyes are turning red. He is desperately ravenous for Ariella’s blood and his words are sending shivers down my spine.
“Everyone,” I mind-link the pack. “Nobody is allowed to travel alone. Not under any circumstances or for any reason. This rule applies day and night and is effective immediately until further notice.”
I mind-link Kyle, a warrior, to wait for Ariella at the dungeon’s entrance.
“Would you mind going home and waiting for me there?” I whisper to Ariella.
“Yes, I would mind,” she answers straightforwardly. “I want to know just like you do.”
“Listen,” I turn to her, resting my hands on her shoulders. “I believe that you’re strong and fast enough to defend yourself. That you are what you say you are. But because I believe you, I am also certain that’s why your blood is driving him crazy. I’m about to do something risky. I need to focus, and I cannot do it when I worry about your safety. So, please, for my sake, go home.”
“And what about my peace of mind?” She raises her eyebrows and crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Do you think I’m not going to worry about you when I’m safely stuck at the house?”
“I won’t do it alone,” I reassure her. “And I will only take calculated risks. I promise. Besides, it’s not my blood he’s after.”
“Fine,” she sighs and rolls her eyes. “But I want every detail, you hear me?”
“I promise,” I kiss her on her forehead. “Kyle, a warrior, is waiting for you by the door. He’ll escort you home and stay there with you.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” she huffs indignantly.
“He’s not babysitting you,” I smile. “He’s checking on Ruth and needs to stay there until I get home. He’s simply walking with you. I ordered a safety measure for the pack. Nobody is allowed to travel alone. No exceptions. Which includes you and me.”
“Okay,” Ariella glares at the vampire before she turns around and walks away.
I wait until I am certain she has left before I unlock the gate. The vampire has not moved his gaze from the blood on the floor and he does not even notice when I unlock his chains, but I ensure that he is still tied up by one chain.
The moment the vampire has room to move, he leaps forward and frantically starts licking Ariella’s blood from the dirty floor as if his life depended on it.
“Holy s**t,” Preston looks at me with big eyes. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Neither have I,” I mumble as an ominous feeling grows within me. Ariella’s blood is like a drug to vampires. If any of them gets word of this, our pack will be under constant attack.
“I’ve seen enough,” I bark, pick up the chain and yank the vampire back to the chair.
“Noooo,” the vampire protests. “Just a little more, please.”
“Is he begging?” Preston asks stunned and steps forward to help me chain the vampire again.
“Sounds like it,” I grunt, stand back and lock the gate. “Keep him locked up and isolated for the next two days. And no food.”
“You’re not going to interrogate him?” Preston asks as we walk outside. “Try and figure out his secret to walk in daylight.”
“I will,” I reply. “In two days.”
Ariella POV
“Do you always walk this fast?” Kyle asks as he trots behind me.
“This isn’t a romantic stroll, Kyle,” I roll my eyes. “I need a release for this pent-up irritation.”
“Alpha Cole has a private gym in his house,” he replies, stretching his steps to keep up with me. “Exercise is a perfect method to get rid of everything pent-up.”
“Hm,” I pout. “That sounds like a good idea, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he smiles. “And …”
“Kyle,” I stop walking and turn towards him. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m not in the mood for a conversation. Can we please walk in silence?”
“Sure,” he shrugs. “I was only going to congratulate you on joining our pack as Luna. Sheryl is going to be pissed.”
“Sheryl?” I ask my desire to be alone with my thoughts long gone.
“She has the hots for Cole,” Kyle smirks and we start walking again. “And she’s not the only one, but she’s the only one that actively pursued him.”
“Did they date or something?” I hate myself for asking, I hate adding jealousy and insecurity to my anger.
“Never,” Kyle shakes his head. “Cole’s a good guy, Luna. He strives to do the right thing. Even when we were children, he had girlfriends in school, but once he got his wolf, he stopped dating. He said he was waiting for his mate. But none of that stopped Sheryl from trying.”
“Oh,” I mutter.
“Cole must be the oldest virgin …”
“Kyle!” I snap. “Enough. Gossiping about your alpha is highly inappropriate.”
“I’m not gossiping,” he protests. “It’s not a scandal or a secret. Everybody knows.”
“Telling me about Sheryl and that he’s a good man, is one thing,” I argue. “But the rest is private and none of your business. How do you think Cole will react when he learns that you said all those things to me?”
“He’ll kick my ass,” he mutters and turns pale.
“I’m so sorry, Luna,” he looks at me with wide eyes. “Please don’t tell him, I didn’t mean to gossip. I was nervous and tried to make small talk.”
“Nervous?” I frown.
“Yeah,” he scratches the back of his neck. “I saw you shoved that vampire into a tree and then you’re so fast and … it’s a little intimidating and …”
“Stop,” I hold up my hands, close my eyes briefly and take a deep breath. “Just stop while you’re ahead and let it go.”
“I’m sorry, Luna,” he has the decency to look ashamed and directs his eyes to the ground. “It won’t happen again.”
“Good,” I huff and continue walking. I hate that Kyle disclosed this information. I knew Cole was a great guy, but he is pretty close to being a saint.
I am an angel without wings. Why? How did I lose them? Was I a bad angel? Did I do something wrong? I practically threw myself into Cole’s arms over and over. Am I a scarlet woman? Was I kicked out of the heavenly realm because of it? I might be an angel, but am I worthy of a man like Cole?
“Thanks for the escort,” I mumble and walk into the house.
For a moment I stand indecisively in the foyer. I have only been in the dining room and mine.
“Do you know where I can find Jack?” I look at Kyle.
“I’ll show you,” he nods, and I follow him.
I need guidance and advice and Jack is the oldest person I know.
Jack is sitting in a rocking chair, a book on his lap and his glasses askew on his nose, snoring loudly. I am about to turn around and leave when he wakes up with a snort.
“Ah,” he fixes his glasses. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” I say hesitantly, intertwining my fingers.
“Have a seat,” he invites and motions for Kyle to leave. “How can I help?”
“How did you know I’m here for help?” I ask surprised, taking a seat.
“I’m eighty and excentric,” he chuckles. “Pretty ladies don’t visit me for my intriguing stories of the good old days.”
“You’re right,” I inhale deeply. “I need help. But – for the record – I would love to hear about your good old days.”
“Let’s start with your problems first,” he smiles.
“Okay,” I nod and stare at my hands momentarily, trying to formulate my words.
“I’m an angel,” I look at him and notice the flickering in his eyes. “But I don’t know if I was a good one.”
“Does it matter?” He asks gently.
“I think it does,” I sigh and tell him everything I pieced together so far.
- Writer
