Blood of Ash

Chapter 13: Bellalyse POV

Much to his disappointment, we didn't get a chance to spend much time together after that. I mean, we spent plenty of time together, but none intimate. We made love long and slow, properly that time, and then we fell asleep. We woke up early the next morning and rushed to get ready for school. Thankfully we both had left some extra clothes in the cottage during previous stays.

"Hey Ash," I questioned while we walked to school.

"Yes, love," he answered. "What is it?"

"Am I going to have to feed off you every time?

He chuckled. "No, Bells. I don't think so. I'm not an expert, but I'm not going to force you to feed on me unless you want to."

He brushed his fingers over the tender part of my neck and I tried at him. I bit him more on the shoulder than on the neck, and you could see the purple mark peeking out over the collar of his thin violet t-shirt. "Are you sure it doesn't look bad, Ash?"

We were just getting into the school grounds and I tugged at the neckline of my sky blue short sleeved dress. He sighed and pulled me close. "Sweetheart, you look fine. You look the same beautiful Bella as always. Even more so with my mate Mark on you."

I batted at his hand. "That's what I was talking about dummy. The mark. Yours is really noticeable."

He kissed my temple. "You announced to the world that we're dating, Bells. I don't think anyone is going to care, however it is a bit purple."

My hand flew up to cover the mark, but he caught it chuckling. "Ash. Everyone's going to know."

He pushed his forehead against mine. "I'm sorry, Bells. I should've warned you. I hate seeing you uncomfortable. When we get in there, I'll grab my zip up hoodie and you can use that to cover up. How about that?"

I breathed in his calming aroma. "Okay, Ash. I trust you."

We walked into the school with his arm around my shoulders. I was still tired, but I already felt better about the frenzy situation. I looked up at him and said through our bond, I love you.

He squeezed my shoulder and said back, I love you, too, Bells.

I smiled and hugged him. We got a few looks, but surprisingly I didn't care. we split up to go to our lockers and that's when all hell broke loose. Lizzy came up out of nowhere and startled me. Ash was concerned but I waved him off. He was just far enough away that he couldn't hear what she said.

She hissed, "What do you think you're doing with Ash? He's mine."

I giggled. "First of all, I'm the only one allowed to call him Ash. Second of all, since when is he yours?"

I felt Ash gently mind link me and send warmth and relaxation into me as she said, "He's always been mine. You've just been too blind to see it."

I sniffed a little. So she was a wolf too, huh? I smiled. "Can't you smell me, girly? He isn't yours and he never was. You may be a wolf like him, but you'll never be his. He already has a mate."

She growled, "This isn't over yet."

I sighed and leaned my head against the locker. It was nice and cool. I jumped a little when Ash put his hand on my arm, but he kissed the top of my head and said, "Everything okay?"

I shrugged it off. "Yeah it will be. Someone kept me up all night. I'm tired."

He smiled and lit up my entire world just like that. "Bells, I don't know what she said, but I could tell you handled it really well. Don't worry. After today, you won't have to worry about any of them anymore."

I nodded and grabbed out my books. We only had today left so I had to return all my textbooks. I was suddenly enveloped by nothing but his scent and looked down to see he had put a hoody over my shoulders. I looked up at him and wished we had time to just sit and cuddle.

We walked into the music room where I had to deal with Lizzy again, unfortunately. She was sitting there whining to anyone who would listen about how I stole her boyfriend. I growled, but Ash motioned for me to wait. In an instant he transformed from my sweet, tender, caring Ash to the cold, hard, commanding Alpha. He stalked into the room and all he said was one word. Her name. She flinched and bowed her head.

He growled, "Lizzy, what did I tell you? Did I not tell you to leave her alone? Did I not tell you that I was never going to be with you because you were not her?"

She whimpered, "You did, sir."

He growled, "Then why was your Luna so upset after your discussion out there?"

I flinched and calmly walked over to him. I touched his arm and said, "Ash, I told you I was just tired. Why are you taking it out on the poor girl?"

He looked at me and his entire demeanor changed once again to my Ash. He nuzzled my arm and said, "My love, you heard the things she was just saying."

I smiled at him. "Yes, I did. She needs to learn how to lower her voice, but Ash, she's just heart broken. I'm sure she really loved you, but I'm also sure that you never dated her. So I don't care what she says. It's our last day. Let's just ignore her."

He breathed deeply and kissed my wrist. "If that's what you want, love."

He looked at me and waited. "Yes, Ash. That's what I want."

He nodded and followed me to the other room to get ready for class. He took my hand and kissed it before whispering, "You did amazing, Luna."

I growled, "What the heck was that, Ash? And what do you mean Luna? I can't be the Luna to a werewolf pack! I'm a freaking vampire!"

He flinched. "Bells, that doesn't matter. You're my mate. That automatically makes you my Luna. I know you don't want that responsibility, however, the only way to have them leave us alone is for my pack to know you're the Luna."

I sighed, "It's okay, Ash. We'll figure it out. Just no more surprises like that, please."

"Of course, love."

Unfortunately, the peace didn't last very long. It only lasted until lunch when Jackson came by and saw Ash's hoodie around my shoulders. He sniffed and his eyes were drawn to Ash and his mate Mark peeking out of his collar. He snarled and his eyes went all red. Ash grabbed my hand and squeezed before saying through the bond, I love you. Please don't get involved with this.

I squeezed back and replied, I would rather we didn't get in a fight here, love. It's our last day. You promised.

He looked at me and said, I know, Bells. I just don't know what he's going to do.

Jackson hissed at me, "What did he do to you my love?"

Confused I looked back at Ash who shrugged. I responded, "He didn't do anything I didn't want him to."

He snarled at Ash, "What did you do to her?"

I hissed, "You're talking to me, Jackson. Not to him. You wanna know what he did? He came and found me alone and cold and scared in a little cottage we've always gone to and my fantasies always took place in. Last night, he took those fantasies and turned them into a reality." I shoved his hoodie off and yanked my dress collar down to reveal the mark. "In the midst of all that, we mated for life. There's nothing you can do about it now."

They just stared at me. I pulled Ash in for a kiss and mind linked him, Let's get out of here. I've returned all of my books.

I sent him an image of me on the bed in the cottage and he immediately stood up and followed me out. It's not like I really had any classes left anyways.