Chapter 10
Viviane’s POV
“Viviane!” Caspian’s voice is rough and wild, and his fist smashes into the heavy wooden door when the handle refuses to turn.
“She’s not here!” I call without thinking. This can’t be happening. I need help, but I can’t explain my situation without exposing my identity.
Some of the horrible tension in the air dissipates, and the incessant pounding stops, but I can hear Caspian’s furious breathing. “Then who is there?” He almost sounds amused – almost.
This time I do not answer, desperately clinging to my last sliver of sanity.
“Viviane.” A shiver runs down my spine. He says my name as both warning and reprimand.
Silence pulls taught between us, and my heart sinks. There’s no way out of this. One way or another, he’s going to–
SMASH
The door bursts open, splinters of wood flying in every direction as the destroyed frame hangs precariously from its hinges.
Caspian stalks toward me, his ferocious blue eyes finding me immediately in the dim light.
I’d almost forgotten how big the man is. From my position on the floor he looks like a giant, a very angry giant.
A whimper escapes my trembling lips and the huge shifter stills, his head cocking to the side as his keen ears consider the noise. In the past it’s seemed like Caspian enjoyed my fear, but for whatever reason he doesn’t seem to be enjoying it now. He frowns deeply, studying me closely.
After a tortuously long moment he pulls the tight black t-shirt from his body and tosses it to me. Gingerly unwrapping my arms from their position locked around my knees, I pull the garment over my head. Rising shakily to my feet, I try to mutter a thank you, but no words come out. The shirt fits me like a dress, falling to mid-thigh and smelling so good I want to do nothing more than bury my face in the soft fabric and inhale.
The impulse takes me by surprise, but I can’t think about it now. There are more important things to focus on, like the rugged wolf standing in front of me in nothing but a pair of trousers.
Caspian’s POV
While Viviane is distracted I take the opportunity to move in. I cross the room in two strides and scoop her up before she realizes what’s happening. Settling in the instructor’s chair, I place the frightened bundle in my lap, trying very hard not to laugh at the stunned expression on her face.
Viviane looks around herself in confusion, before returning her wide eyes to my face. Poor little mate. She doesn’t know what hit her.
I ease her head onto my shoulder and she complies without the slightest hint of resistance, sweetly surrendering to my strength.
My wolf, who was positively enraged minutes ago, is now overflowing with smug pride. My mate is safe in my arms, wearing my clothes and covered in my scent, snuggling closer without even realizing she’s doing it.
It’s strange, I’ve never wanted to comfort anyone before.
I don’t even know how, but somehow my wolf does. He knows what his mate needs, even when I do not. So I follow his instincts, stroking and petting Viviane until she melts completely, her small body going limp and languid in my embrace.
Only when I’m certain her guard is completely lowered, do I raise the questions that must be answered. “Who did this, kitten?”
Viviane’s POV
“Just a little more, Mom.” I coax, gnawing my lip as I study her protruding bones. “Please?”
The beautiful woman I once knew has faded so much over the years, and I am terrified that if she fades anymore she’ll disappear. She’s still lovelier than any shifter, but she is so thin and drawn it looks as if she never left the pearl farms.
Mom offers me a wan smile from across the table, raising another spoonful of broth to her lips. I wish I could put more food on the table, but she would not eat it even if I could. Her glazed eyes take in my concerned expression, and her features crumple. “I’m sorry Angelfish, this is backwards. I should be taking care of you, not the other way around.”
I jerk my head up, hating the guilt tinging her melodic voice. “You have nothing to apologize for.” I pledge, “Not ever.”
I’m the one who should feel guilty. I was careless with our secret. My stupidity might undo everything we’ve worked for these last few years.
I didn’t tell Caspian about Courtney, Madison and Nerissa. Even half-asleep in his arms, my instincts for self-preservation won out. After nearly an hour of interrogations disguised as comforting, the future Alpha put me in a cab home. He was clearly annoyed that I wouldn’t let him follow on his bike, grumbling something about unsuitable neighborhoods when I told the driver the address, but he let me go.
I half expected him to show up at my doorstep when I didn’t return to school. I stayed home for an entire week, certain my tormentors had exposed my secret to the entire pack. However when Kiera barged into my apartment on Friday afternoon, ranting about her ignored phone calls and demanding to know where I’d been, I realized no one knew.
I don’t understand why they’ve spared me, though I have a dreadful premonition that my reprieve is only temporary. It’s not if they tell my secret, but when.
The worst part is that ever since I met Caspian, I can no longer contemplate the issue without thinking of the future Alpha. Most of the time I can keep the confusing man out of my head, but every time I think of the peril we face, Caspian invades my thoughts and refuses to leave.
How long will it take for him to figure out the truth?
Caspian’s father runs this territory, his family makes and enforces the laws that make my very existence a crime. He might think I’m his mate now, but I’m certain that will only last until he learns my true identity. What then? Will he exile me? Sell me to the bloodstones?
I don’t want to believe it of Caspian, but I know exactly how heartless the world can be when it comes to mermaids – a fact I remind myself about every night… just before I slip his t-shirt underneath my pillow.
It seems like Academy students have parties every night.
One would think constant benders and brawls would be exhausting, but shifters are a very resilient species, one that enjoys pushing the limits of all things.
After spending the afternoon trying to track down Nerissa, I learned that the surreal fighting ring to which Kiera and I were dragged last week is the rule, rather than the exception. There’s another party tonight, and Nerissa will be there with her posse.
To my supreme annoyance, this evening’s soiree is being held at the Pack House, but I don’t have a choice. I have to go. I’m terrified that Nerissa is going to get rid of my necklace – if she hasn’t already. I’ve let far too much time pass as it is. I let my fear get the best of me, and now I’m paying the price.
My only hope is to get in and out as quickly as possible.
When I arrive at the imposing estate’s front door, I’m met by an equally imposing security guard. He looks me up and down with vague disinterest, “Name?”
“Oh.” My face falls. “Viviane, but I’m not on any list.” I explain when he looks down at the clipboard in his meaty paw. “I’m friends with… Chase.”
“Is that so?” The shifter asks skeptically.
“Yes.” I insist. “Perhaps you could tell him I’m here?”
“Viviane?” He repeats, his tone full of doubt.
“Yes.” I parrot again.
The guard raises a two-way radio to his mouth, and I step away from the door while he speaks with someone on the other end. I cross my arms over my chest, pacing slightly as I await the decision. This is not going the way I hoped, and I’m not even inside yet.
Hope swells in my chest when movement erupts in the doorway. Did it work, could I be that lucky? The outline of a shifter takes shape beside the security guard, cast in shadows by the lamplight. I know instantly it’s the wrong man.
Caspian emerges from the manor house, prowling forward with his usual Alpha swagger. “What’s this I hear about a friend of Chase’s trying to get into my party?”
I stumble backward, my shoulder blades colliding with the garden wall. “I–”
“So you’re Chase’s friend, but not mine?” Caspian interrupts.
My brow furrows, why does he always do this? It’s hard enough to think when he’s near me, without being interrupted. “That’s not–”
He shakes his head, “You disappoint me Viviane, every time I think we’ve made some progress you pull away.”
I can’t help but feel guilty when Caspian says he’s disappointed in me; I don’t like failing people– especially those in authority. On the other hand, it’s very difficult to feel contrite when he keeps interrupting me.
“Oh my,” Caspian chuckles darkly, “That’s quite a pout.” He catches my chin in his hand, slowly dragging his thumb over my lips. My mouth parts on a gasp and Caspian’s eyes gleam with hunger as he teases my flesh. He shifts nearer, heat radiating from his large form. “What are you thinking, kitten?”
I stare at my feet, gradually working up the courage to voice the honest answer he expects. My voice is barely more than a whisper once I do. “I don’t know why you ask me questions if you aren't going to let me answer them.”
Caspian actually laughs, a wonderful cozy sound that sends pleasure straight to my heart. I did that – I made Caspian Shaw laugh, I put that look on his face.
“So,” his broad shoulders relax as he steps back, giving me space to breathe as he brings a cigarette to his lips, “You want to come in?”
“What?” I cannot keep up with his train of thought.
“Ask me.” He orders huskily, pressing a lighter into my palm and guiding my hand up to his face.
Belatedly I realize what he wants, and my thumb struggles to ignite the tool. When I finally conjure the flame, he takes a drag of the cigarette, breathing in until its tip burns scarlet.
His eyes glow as brightly as the red embers, and I finally find my voice. “Can I come in?”
