The Rejected Traitor

Chapter Five

*LAZARUS*

Twists and turns of the mountains around our pack that we must get through to get to the human and supernatural city combined.

A beautiful place. The humans don't know it is a supernatural wonderland, they just think its one of the greatest places they have ever been to. Night lights, plenty of parties, and so many high dollar shopping stores your head would spin.

I guess someone like Melanie would want to get away and be somewhere no one knows her. But if I have learned 2 things in my life it is this.

Never run from your problems, especially when your problem.has legs and a mouth.

If you want to keep your little bird around, don't put it in a cage.

Caging Melanie would be the last thing she needs. She's basically a grown woman, ready to make her own decisions. And tonight being her 18th birthday I am sure there are a few things she wants to knock off of her list for adventures. Whatever they are, I want to be a part of it. Be there for her.

I see her sleeping form stir and her beautiful eyes popping open to check her surroundings. Her breathing is labored and she is sweating. I grab her hand and at first she is scared like she doesn't remember she is here. She probably is scared, she was beaten up today and now she is in another town with the Alpha's son, an Alpha she thinks hates her.

What baffles me more about that is that my father has never said a single word about her..

He just mutters about, handling pack business, cursing my mom's death and sleeping with willing pack members. Until he is drunk. That’s a whole different story.

“Are you okay, Melanie?” I ask as we pull into a secluded bungalow, overlooking the coast. The smell of a cold beach tickling our noses.

“Why are we here?” She says looking around, worry striking her features.

“Hey, relax. It’s one of the places my dad owns. No one ever comes here, so when I want to get away, much like you do right now. This is where I come. No one can bother you or mess with you.” I say, hoping to soothe her nerves.She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes tightly, “Okay.” She says and climbs out of my car, gasping at her pain. I am by her side in minutes. It’s clear that even with the pain meds she is still having some issues and I don’t know if she will be able to walk inside so I scoop her up into my arms.

This feels… Nice.

Natural..

Right..

*MELANIE*

A nice gesture I guess, bringing me somewhere I wouldn’t have to pay to stay in. That helps, maybe I can do more now while I’m here. I try to climb from the car and the pain almost knocks me from my feet onto the concrete driveway. He is right by my side in an almost unsettling amount of time. I don’t know how I am going to keep my distance from this man for a whole week. He’s not going to let me go anywhere alone. Not in this condition. Hopefully tomorrow morning I will feel better. Before I can utter any words, he scoops me into his arms.

I can’t deny the way my body is reacting to him cradling me to his chest.

Is this what it would feel like if I were in Sorren’s arms? Is this what a mate should feel like?

I keep one hand on my ribs, but my left hand has a mind of its own. I reach up and caress his stubble on his cheek… He haults his steps. Breathing in deeply and shutting his eyes tightly. I feel as if I have offended him. I retract my hand. “Please… Don’t pull away.” He whispers, still not moving at all. I hesitate but eventually cup his cheek with my hand. A flicker of a flame that probably shouldn’t be there is igniting within me.

Lazarus will wake up tomorrow, realize what a big mistake it was for him to come with me. He will realize how badly his reputation will be wrecked because he decided to help me and he will leave me in the city. Which is fine. I am used to the rejection. But is it completely pathetic that I don’t want Lazarus to go? That I want him to stay right here, for this whole week? That I can’t deny.

But it will all be over soon. That I am sure. He continues his steps, opening the door without making my body ache. My deep breaths still cause a sharp pain in my body. But for whatever reason, Lazarus holding me is calming my aches and pains.

He sets me gently on the couch in a modern but cozy living room of this condo. A week here will be heaven, or hell. It’s only day one and that’s too early to tell.

“I’ll be right back, I’m going to grab our things.” He smiles sweetly, and exits out the front door. I take this chance to start looking around. Beautiful dark gray, white trim all over. Royal blue accents. Not the colors of the pack. But it must be significant. Marble table tops, with gold legs. It’s somewhat homey but still every brand new. I wonder who designed it.

He comes back fumbling with our bags. I blush at his clumsiness. Who knew the Alpha’s son wouldn’t be as put together as I thought.

“Sorry, looks like my bag is heavier than yours.” He laughs dryly. “Is this all you own?” He says weighing my bag with his hand. “Yes.” I say as the silence around us costumes everything. His face drains of color, his eyes flicker.

“I’m just kidding. I work a lot and after my bills, I buy things for myself. I only packed some simple clothing for a week away. I was supposed to be alone so it was mostly comfy clothing.” He exhales hard.

“Well whatever you have planned, I am down to do. I don’t want to ruin your adventures for you.” He smiles. Sitting next to me with a glass of water.

The sun is gone from the sky, the city lights are hitting the floor to ceiling window near the kitchen, and as I am admiring it, I see the shimmer of a pool. I gasp. And before I can hear Lazarus’ words about if I am okay, I gimp myself toward the doors. The moon is reflecting into the water. The lights of everyone bustling in the city looks like dancing starts. The cool of the night hits my skin and makes the thought of getting in the water stop.

“The pool is heated.” I feel Lazarus’ breath against the skin of my ear and neck. Shivers travel through my whole body, and not because of the night breeze.

Not another word is spoken as he turns me around, almost looking me over. His eyes are a shade darker than earlier. He fixes his mouth to say another word but I have other plans. No more talking.

I fall back into the warm water, in all my clothes. My body smacking the water hurt but only for a second. The heat from the pool and my clothes wrapped me in a hug I needed. Even if it only lasts a second. I float back to the top to see a wide eyed Alpha with a huge grin on his face.

“You truly are something unique, Melanie.” He says shaking his head before cannonballing in right next to me, making the waves of the pool smack me.

When he comes up he is right next to me, hair all in his face. Until he starts shaking like an animal, all the droplets scattering onto me.

“And what a rabid dog you are, Alpha's son.” I giggle. Even though it hurts. This is the first time I have genuinely laughed in many years.

We float to the edge where the pool overlooks the ocean and the city at once.

“This truly is beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here. I know it’s more comfortable for you to be here rather than some roach infested motel. But this is like a presidential suite in a hotel to me. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.” I say with a smile, never looking at him.

“Truly beautiful, indeed.” He whispers. I finally look at him wanting to ask him of the designs and colors but when I lock eyes with him I am suddenly met with the feeling of him not calling the place beautiful but me? Is he calling me beautiful?

No. No. No. No. No. No. There’s no way. I know I am as red as a tomato when he offers me his hand to swim to the other edge to get out.

Once we are out, he shows me my room, and then his room. He tells me if I need anything to holler, he will leave his door cracked. Ten minutes pass and I can’t wrap my head around everything.

So here I am sitting on a very comfy bed, in super soaked clothing, day dreaming of someone I will never be able to have, alone. That’s what I am used to more than anything.

Day dreaming of someone who will wake up tomorrow realizing the grave mistake he has made by befriending me. Even if it was out of honor. He will realize his foolishness. And this little small slice of paradise will be over… But until then.

“Lazarus.” I say slightly louder than my normal voice. And here he comes, barrelling into my door.

“Are you okay?” He asks, looking around the room, frantic.

“You left the room, but as soon as you did I started to ache worse. Could you just lay with me until I fall asleep? I hate to even ask you that..” I say. There is no way I could make eye contact with him right now. “It’s a foolish request, I know. But the docto...” I feel his calloused pointer finger touch my lips to stop me from talking.

“Let me change into my pajamas, and you get changed too. I’ll knock when I am outside the door and then you can let me know when to come in. Okay?” He says, just a few inches from my face, his finger still perfectly planted to my lips to keep me from talking. All I can do is nod and blush as he leaves the room.

What the f**k am I thinking?!?!!