His voice rubbed off on her easily. She could remember when she’d come in, to see him pleasing the Alpha with his tongue and mouth. She couldn’t imagine sharing saliva with such a person. Hopefully, no matter what happens, things never escalate to that extent.
The sounds of his flip-flops glided around the room like music. She was aware that he was opening doors, and things. He was here to take her away from the Alpha. This brought a smile to her face, knowing that this wasn’t completely away, but to the other room, her room actually.
He finally stepped in front of her, unlocking the cuffs. She sank down on the floor as pure relief racked through her body, making her plump body too sag as she dropped on the floor. She had no energy left to look at Benjamin or see herself through his eyes. All she wanted was to crawl in bed and sleep.
Something cool, yet warm draped across her shoulders. She looked up then, and her head almost grazed Benjamin’s jaw. He shook his head when he realized she wished to talk. His hands pulled the blanket over her body, securing her in.
“Come on,” He cajoled.
With strong masculine hands, he pulled her back. She wasn’t shocked about his strength, for she remembered how he’d stood up for them both that night when they’d been surrounded all-round. Ava rested on his body, letting his strength propel her forward, because she didn’t know how to just walk on her own, when her legs felt like a rubber-band.
Her eyes fluttered shut after 5 minutes of walking. Her subconscious was vaguely aware of someone scooping her up, and her hands holding his neck in a bid to find warmth and not fall. She slept soundly as she was carried into her room.
The said creature, which was obviously Benjamin, placed her calmly on the bed. Ava’s hand shot out, stopping him from leaving. ‘Stay,’ She mumbled through the link, obviously thinking she’d said the word out audibly. A firm clasp on her hand, made her turn her weight to the side, like she was giving him the opportunity to stay beside her. She needed someone now. She really did.
*
Benjamin watched Ava sleep, soundly and deeply without a care in the world. The blanket was slowly sliding off her thin shoulders, which made Benjamin see for the first time how malnourished she was. His lean fingers caressed the blanket, as he pulled it up her neck to secure her easily.
He blinked twice, as he made a move to leave, but she wouldn’t let go of his hands. She was squeezing it so tight. And, that was making him so emotional. And, he knew exactly why.
It was guilt! He looked at her more, trying to see through her, but not really seeing anything. She may look like a naked mirror, but she was nothing but that. He’d really messed up when he told his Alpha those things in the car. He shouldn’t have. He had completely forgotten how wicked the Alpha could be when he was feeling spite. Yet, his loose tongue wouldn’t let it alone.
“I’m sorry,” He whispered to the sleeping beauty.
Ava only steered in response, but remained sleeping. He looked down at their enclosed hands. Heaven knows the only reason he had said that was because being close to her was becoming unbearable. He could act offbeat all he wanted, but the fact remained that she made him feel things…
He face-palmed with his left hand. Kill that thought, Benjamin! You’re gay and you belong to the Alpha. There is nothing straight in you. Nothing!
Slowly, he pulled his hand away from hers, and then placed it carefully on the bed, making a move to leave, but something told him to stay. The poor girl was all alone, and their Alpha was really being hard on her, for some reason. Actually, now, he was thinking. Whatever he had said wasn’t enough reason for their Alpha to behave as he did. He had been treating the girl poorly, and he knew that.
He walked over to the cabinet, staring at his bloodshot eyes. He’d barely gotten any sleep since this beauty stepped into this pack, and now, she was turning him into a vampire creature. A smile touched his lips. It wouldn’t be that bad, but, no, he belonged right here with his pack mates.
He turned back, and watched as Ava pulled her legs closer to her chin, like she wanted to shrink into herself. His teeth shook. It had taken all he had last night to keep cool. Or, the moon goddess knew exactly what had been running through his mind when he saw Ava being initiated. It had been extra demeaning, and he knew that the pack members were already talking about it.
“Why was the Alpha so mean towards Ava, yet he wanted her to remain here with them all? If he was so annoyed with her like he claimed, would he let her go?” He whispered to himself.
Benjamin shook his head, as his hand searched the shelf for a fresh sheen of lipstick. He grabbed one, and without looking at the color, applied it on his plush lips. On his third swipe, his hands pursed midway. He could practically hear the Alpha’s demanding tone like the man was actually in his mind right now. ‘Get me Ava. Get the bitch!’
He looked back to the damsel, who seemed to be muttering something inaudible as she slept. He needed answers, but how would he get it? One minute, the man was a pain in the ass to her, and the next, he wanted her like she was his addiction. Why?
He placed the lipstick on the shelf, and then moved slowly towards her. “You don’t deserve all these. I want to protect you from it all. But, how do I know what I’m protecting you from if I don’t know the truth? And, why would I protect you? You should be nothing to me!” He shot out angrily.
Despite his words, he still stood there, looking at her with his own measure of intensity.