The room was tall going up all three stories, a large sloping staircase dropped into the lobby on the left and the right. In the center of the foyer was the most striking detail though, a marble inlay of two wolves howling at a large moon. I saw heads peaking out of several double doorways that lead off the large room. I didn’t really have time to focus on them though.
Nate continued to push me gently toward the staircase. I climbed as quickly as I could frequently stopping to pull up my pants. Nate walked patiently with me, never seeming to get irritated with my slow progress. He guided me to an ornate set of double doors on the third floor. A large man stood outside the doors looking imposing.
I gasped when I got a good look at the man standing guard. Short black hair cut military style, he cocked his eye at me before politely bowing his head. It was the police officer that pulled me over the night I met Joel.
Nate nodded to the man as he opened the door. I didn’t have time to say anything because Nate continued to nudge me through the doors.
The room was warm and inviting. A small fire crackled in the fireplace of a cozy sitting area. There were several comfortable looking chairs near the fire. A large flat screen TV sat unobtrusively in front of a full sized leather couch. What I’m sure were antiques decorated the area tastefully. I noted all the blue and grey and had to think how that would compliment Joel’s eyes.
I was pushed gently inside and Nate followed. He directed me to one of the chairs and asked me gently to sit down.
“You are safe in here. These are Alpha Latro’s private quarters. The bedroom and bathroom are through there. I will have food and clothing sent up for you. There will be a guard posted at the door. I believe you have already met Anthony.”
I nodded and Nate took a big breath. He let it out slowly and kneeled down in front of me, “At the cabin, there was blood… in the bedroom. We know it was yours. I’m sorry to ask, but I know Alpha Latro, Joel, couldn’t bring himself to. Were you raped?”
I shook my head no and Nate relaxed a little. “We had hoped you weren’t. Are you hurt though? Do you need medical care?” he asked cautiously. I got the feeling he would rather not be the one having this conversation with me.
“No, thank you,” I said not wanting to discuss exactly where I was cut, “just scratches. They’ve all scabbed over by now.”
It didn’t surprise me when Nate said he was in charge of security, he spent the next hour smoothly questioning me on every aspect of my capture. He never raised his voice or rushed my jumbled descriptions; he just wanted every detail. I may have skimmed over my time in the van, it was just too humiliating. By the time he left, I was exhausted.
He reminded me to take a shower and told me clothes would be waiting in the main room when I finished.
“These rooms are Alpha Latro’s personal domain; no one will bother you here. For now stay inside the rooms though and don’t go out on the balcony,” he motioned toward the bedroom. “You probably won’t understand this but the Alpha’s rooms have been protected against certain things with magic and that protection doesn’t extend to the balcony.”
I nodded numbly because, although I didn’t understand, I wasn’t going to make my life anymore difficult than it was already. Nate walked out the doors and closed them behind him.
Alone inside the sumptuous suite, I walked from the sitting room into the large bedroom and noted the doors to the balcony warily. I had no wish to go outside if I was safe here. The glass doors allowed faint moon light to wash inside the room and give everything a silver glow.
An enormous king sized bed graced one wall of the room. The bed towered in the large space. I stepped up to it and took in the detail on the magnificent carved wooden posts that supported the heavy canopy above it. Piled high with large pillows, it was a bed fit for a king.
Shaking my head at the extravagance, I walked to the room Nate had said was the bathroom and was again amazed. It was big and could have accommodated a football team. A large walk in shower adorned the back wall and a Jacuzzi tub sat quite prominently in the middle of the room.
The colors were all lighter than the main rooms but in the same blue family. Large mirrors covered most of the walls. The sink area was very Spartan, a toothbrush and a razor sat at the ready.
A second sink area was on the opposite wall. I was surprised to see still in boxes were my brand of deodorant and toothpaste. I picked up an unopened toothbrush and pondered the significance. Joel had already planned for me to end up here. The genuine happiness that accompanied that thought was frightening.
The travertine tile was cool under my feet as I kicked off my socks and stripped down. Not being sure what to do with my clothes I piled them on the counter. Catching a glimpse of my reflection in one of the many mirrors I was horrified.
I looked a mess. My ass was mostly a large purple bruise with punctures smeared with dried blood. My breasts and between my thighs also had the same look bitten, scratched, and bloody. Deep angry claw marks adorned my stomach and sides, probably from where my clothes were ripped off. The broken handcuffs still dangled from bruised wrists and ankles.
Shaking my head, I moved away from the mirrors and into the shower. Fervently I hoped I would not have to explain the marks to anyone too soon. I was glad I had had a tetanus shot the year before. That was probably universal.
My analytical mind started to ponder the medical dilemma I found myself in. I knew about dog bites and human bites, but I wasn’t sure what kind of antibiotics I should be on for werewolf bites. I would call myself something in to the pharmacy in the morning when I figured it out. I also reminded myself to ask Nate to get the handcuffs off my limbs.
After my shower I found a t shirt, underwear, and sweat pants all in my size in the sitting area. Nate had also left a tray with different kinds of sandwiches. It was wonderful to be dressed in clothes that fit and have a full stomach. I looked at the clock on the wall and it read three in the morning. I didn’t want to bother anyone with my bracelet problem so late at night. Feeling sleepy, I curled up on the couch and waited for Joel to come back.
When I woke many hours later sun was coming in the windows and I was so comfortable. I was lying on my side in a soft bed wrapped around a warm solid mass. Never in all my life had I been so relaxed. As I stretched my arm out in front of me I heard a hiss.
“Damn those are cold! Love, why didn’t you ask Nate to take these off of you last night?” rumbled into my ear from Joel’s chest.