The Reedemed Alpha

Another battle

Johnathan

He expected her to turn and run toward the window again. He expected her to be angry. What he did not expect was for this tiny woman to fly at him with her nails aimed at his face. As soon as her nails sunk into the side of her neck she then delivered an impressive right hook to his face.

He pushed them both on the table. She was on her back while he pinned her. He secured both wrists and held them down.

Vena moved her knees back and kicked him in the stomach sending him stumbling back a few steps. She rolled and went for the window.

He knocked them both to the ground. Sending a coffee table down with them.

She grabbed a candlestick holder. Before he could deflect she hit him in the head with it.

'Vena stop!'

'No!'

She squirmed under him and managed to get on all fours before rolling from under him.

She ran to the window again but he snagged on to the back of her shirt bringing her down against him again.

She still thrashed and tried to move free but his arms were trapping her.

'You'll get tired before I do.' He warned.

She sank all of her teeth hard into his forearm.

Laughing he shook free and picked her up under the arms as if she was a child.

'Okay kitten. Calm down. Or do I need to put you on a leash again?'

'Damn it! Put me down. Let me go!'

'I will once you calm down.'

She still squirmed and kicked at him. It was adorable to him. She was like an angry feral kitten.

Eventually she did run out of breath and her movements became slower.

'Are you done now?'

'No.' Her glare was mutinous and defiant.

'Alright. Do you want the bed or the chair?'

'What?'

'To tie you down to? Clearly you can't behave.'

'Clearly you're an insane, psychopathic, stalker who needs his ass kicked!'

'Vena!'

Her movements stopped at his loud call.

'Now. I'm going to set you down. I'll explain some things. If you listen, maybe we can reach an agreement. Alright?'

'No tricks?' She eyed him suspiciously.

'No tricks.'

'No more games?'

'Not unless you want to play, kitten.'

Her scowl was adorable.

He set her down on her feet.

'Look you don't know me so I understand that you don't trust me. I know this situation looks bad. But now that I've found you I can't let you go. Reasons, I'll try and explain further later to you.' He took off his shirt and started to unbutton his pants.

'What are you doing?' She backed up. Her voice quavering.

'I have to show you something first. If I just told you, you'd think I was even more insane.'

He shifted. The sound of bones reshaping cracked in the silence of the cabin.

He watched as her eyes widened.

When he stood on all fours over her she screamed and stumbled back.

He went forward to catch her but she crawled backwards.

'No!'

She went in fetal position, covering her face.

Trying to show her he meant no harm he nudged her with his nose before licking her arm. He sat and waited.

He heard her breathy sobs. Saw her body shake in fear.

Turning back he put his clothes back on.

'Vena?' Sitting down beside her on his knees he brushed her hair back with his fingers. 'I'm not going to hurt you.'

They sat that way for a while before he picked up her stiff form and moved her to the bed.

She kicked and cried.

'No!'

'Shh. I'm not going to tie you up again, kitten. Just don't run.'

He sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her back.

The idea to chat about something random to calm her came to mind. From what he read, it was a useful distraction technique.

'There is not much to do out here. Town is about twenty miles away each way. But in town they sell all kinds of books. I actually found medical books quite fascinating. I've read a lot of others too. I keep them here over there on that book case next to the fireplace. Do you like to read Vena?'

Her breathing was forced pants as she exhaled.

'Vena?'

'Please. I don't want to die.'

'I'm not going to kill you either Vena.'

She began to sob hard.

He felt anger at himself.

All these new emotions bombarding him since she showed up confused, angered, and conflicted him.

Deciding to give her a moment he stepped out on the porch. Thinking the worst part was over. Maybe he should have waited until she trusted him more. It was obvious the woman had been through a lot. The feeling of loneliness since he found her had dissipated. The voices…

Actually they were the only company he had had since being banished.

But now they were gone?

He hadn't realized it before. He remember Cassandra said his mate would be the cure.

But how?

Looking through the window on the porch he watched her still on the bed. He could see she was still shaking.

He remembered also reading hot tea helps with nerves and shock.

He picked a box up this morning when he went in town with her car.

A warm bath was mentioned to help too.

Deciding to put the plan in motion he went back inside. Setting water to boil on the stove he turned back to her.

'Come on, kitten.'

She was still stiff in his arms.

Setting her on the counter of the sink he turned and ran the tap. Last night when he took a shower the water ran dark before clear. He made sure it was warm and clean before filling it up.

Picking up he poured a gelled soap called honey and cinnamon scented.

The bathroom filled with steam quickly.

Stopping the water, he then went back to her. Her big grey tshirt was wrinkled and stained with blood and dirt.

He went to pull it off when she snapped to attention.

'No!'

Holding his hand up in surrender he backed off.

'Alright. Get in the tub. It will sooth you. I'll have some tea waiting for you when your done.'

Leaving her alone he began to prepare. While the tea set he cleaned up the best he could. He'd never done any of this but with the time he was in his human form he picked a lot up from books and by observing others from a distance. Basic but easy human skills.

After putting fresh wood in the small fireplace he decided to go through her bag. He picked out some soft baggy sweats and a sweatshirt. He knew the chilly fall air would be cool to her after the bath.

He knocked on the door before calling for her.

'Vena?'

She didn't answer.

'Vena, I have clothes for you. May I come in?'

Still nothing.

'Vena?' Opening the door he glanced at the tub. She was laying back in the tub. The mountain of soap bubbles covering her. The steamy sultry air in the enclosed small space smelled of the bath fragrance and of her.

Her face was to the wall. The back of her head rested on the tub.

Sitting next to the tub he placed his hand gently on her shoulder.

It was warm and soft to the touch. It amazed him how that small touch made his body want more.

What amazed him more was the sudden pang of sadness when she flinched away at his touch.

'Vena, I said I won't hurt you.'

She still wouldn't look at him.

Remembering hearing about the care his brother did for his mate gave him an idea what to do. Gently picking up the flower scented shampoo he purchased this morning he started to massage it through her hair. While it was soaking, next he picked up a clean cloth and soap, cautiously started to clean her neck and shoulder.

'Vena…I probably can guess what you're thinking right now. I know you think I'm a monster. But you must believe I'd never hurt you. Not intentionally. Restrain and keep you captive, yes. But only because I can't let you go now. I don't expect you to understand because I myself am new to this but I do know you are vital to me. I'll explain more once you're done processing what I've already shown you.' Abandoning the cloth to drape over the tub he picked up a plastic bin and rinsed her hair.

'You know…this doesn't have to be a bad thing for you. I can protect you and give you whatever it is you desire.'

He got behind her with a towel to dry her hair that he pulled to hang over the tub. 'There is so much more-'

'Freedom.'

He heard her whisper, making him pause.

'What?'

'I want freedom.'

'Yes. You shall have that…with me.'

'No, I won't.'

He dropped the towel and moved back to her side. Cupping her jaw gently he made her look at him. 'Yes. I can promise you this. I want you to be happy. But I need-'

'You need? What about me, hmmm?' He watched her stand. The soap bubbles glided down her body as she stood over him. He was transfixed at the sight she brought. But the look on her face held his attention more.

It was the look of a nearly broken angel. Breathtaking but haunted.

'You are not the first to restrain me. Not the first to promise me the world yet in the same breath make it obvious you'll take away my choices.'

She stepped out of the tub and wrapped the towel that was hanging on a nail on the wall around her.

'You are not the first monster I've met. I've met many, my entire life. Let me assure you, you all may come with different faces but you are all the same. Selfish, manipulative, devious, and above all evil.'