Ella’s POV
Kevin and I continued dancing. It felt like a dream but I knew he was real. It was real and I didn’t have much control. Here in this world that I was, I wasn’t in charge. The count was.
He could come back at any time and I needed to talk to Kevin. I needed answers.
“Kevin,”
I winced as those dancing next to us glanced at me. I smiled at them in an apology, wondering why my voice was loud when I had been trying to whisper. It must be the excitement at seeing my mate.
I was glad that the lights were still dim or the others would have picked the emotions on my face. I was sure that what I was feeling at the moment was obvious. I hoped that Kevin couldn’t see my face clearly as well.
It was enough that I was in his arms. I didn’t need him to see how much I was happy to see him. I didn’t want to show that much vulnerability to him.
“You aren’t going to tell me why you are here, are you?” I whispered.
I was relieved that my voice was low and didn’t go across the room like earlier.
He held me tighter and looked deep into my eyes, his fingers tightening around me. I let out a mild gasp as I watched his eyes turn red.
He was angry and he wasn’t the only one. Eric was angry as well. I was reminded at that moment that he was an alpha and a shiver ran through my body.
I wasn’t intimidated though and neither was I afraid. Regardless of how powerful or mad he was, he wasn’t going to hurt me. I felt relieved to know that.
“I came to find you and I’m relieved to know that you are safe.” He breathed, tucking a strand of hair on my face behind my ear.
“I missed you, Ella. I almost went crazy when I heard from Liam that you weren’t with the Blue River pack. It had been torture wondering where you were all these days and longing to see you.”
“I missed you too.” I confessed to him.
He smiled, seeming glad to hear that.
“Better.” He smiled. “I would have flipped out if you had told me that you didn’t miss me. I don’t think my heart can take it if you keep acting the way you did when I saw you with the Blue River pack and pretended not to know me.”
I laughed but didn’t respond. I would be an idiot to act like I didn’t know him here when he was my only hope.
“I thought we were past that. Are you still holding a grudge?” I teased, my eyes smiling at him.
“No. I can’t be mad at you especially when knew you were coming back home for me.”
I gasped at his words. He knew. “You know?”
“Of course, I know.” He sighed. “Do you want think I would have given up and left you alone because you refused to come back home with me? Do you think I would feel comfortable letting you live with the Blue River pack when I know that spoilt brat son of their alpha wants what is mine?”
I smiled, letting my hand caress his face. He looked cute when he was angry and jealous. It was a heady combination that made my heart race.
“His name is Luke.”
“Uhn?”
“You just called him a spoilt brat and I told you his name.”
He hissed. “Do I look like I care about what his name is? Are you messing with me?”
I chuckled. “How could I when I’m happy to see you?”
The dance was almost over but I wished we could stay like this forever. I didn’t want to go back to doing chores, being disrespected and treated as a slave. I wanted to be with him like this forever.
“You didn’t act like you were.”
“I didn’t?” I asked, raising my eyebrows at him in surprise.
His eyes glinted with mischief. “You said you missed me. Weren’t you supposed to greet me with a kiss?”
“Here? Where everyone can see us?”
“I can only see you.”
The words went dry in my throat. How did he know all the sweet words to say to get my heart melting? He was truly a charmer.
“You would have found out that I wasn’t with the Blue River wolves but you couldn’t have known that I was here. Did you come here to find me or it was merely fate that we are together like this?”
He smiled. “I had forgotten how curious and persistent you can be.”
I grinned. “You are avoiding the question again.”
“Am I?” He grinned, crashing his lips down on mine.
All the thoughts in my head flew out at the touch of his lips. Lucy stirred within me, purring softly as she wagged her tail. I went still, shocked at the sudden kiss and worried that someone might see us.
I didn’t push him away though. I couldn’t even if I wanted to but I didn’t want to. I wanted this wolf. I wanted him as much as my wolf did. I remembered how it had been when I had been on heat and mated with him.
Yes, I belonged with this man and fit perfectly in his arms. He pulled me closer and I let out a soft moan as he deepened the kiss. I kissed him back, tugging at him and wanting all of him.
This was too good to be true. This was bliss. I loved it.
I blinked as the lights suddenly came on and looked around, searching to know if anyone had seen us getting cozy.
I frowned, wondering why the lights had to come up now when we were just getting started. He was right. I should have kissed him the moment I saw him.
I gasped as he slipped his hand into mine and started pulling me towards the door.
“Where are we going?” I asked as we walked, his strides faster and forcing me to run after him.
He was in a hurry for some reason I couldn’t understand. My heart rate rose up and I hoped that he was stealing me out of here.
I rejoiced at the thought until I remembered the slave mark. I wasn’t ever going to get out of here with that still on my skin. I didn’t even have the passcode. I thought of telling Kevin not to disturb himself in trying to get me out of here.
It wasn’t going to work.
I was going to tell him that. He was walking too fast that talking was going to be hard. I could barely breathe.
With the hard look on his face, I doubted he would listen to me if I wanted to talk.
We arrived at a quiet villa balcony and I sagged on the bench outside, catching my breath. That had been a long walk.
“Where is this?” I asked, looking around. “Do you have houses in utopia now already? Did you just buy it or you already had it?” I rushed out in a single breath.
He chuckled. “You ask a lot of questions.” He said, kissing me again and holding me tightly.
I could hardly breathe but I let him hold me. He needed my embrace as much as I craved his. I wanted him to reassure himself that I was safe, even if I was at a risk of having my ribs broken with how hard he held me.
I knew he didn’t mean to hurt me and must have forgotten how strong he was in his panic.
Finally, he released me and I sucked in a long breath. “Let’s get you out of here.” He said, looking into my eyes.
I sighed. “It isn’t that easy.”
He frowned. “How? These people can’t be as strong as I am. I am the alpha of the Blood Moon pack and they don’t have the right to keep my mate here. They can’t stand against me and my men.”
“I know we are werewolves and are strong but everyone here is not human. I don’t want you to fight them.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Are you doing it again? Don’t you want to leave me with me again? Do you like it here?”
“I hate it here.” I sobbed. “I want to leave with you but I can’t let you fight these people just to save me. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Let me worry about that.”
I shook my head. “I have to worry about that too. I can’t leave here that easily. I am now the slave of the human count.” I explained. “We can’t be seen together like this too. It is a huge risk for me being here alone with you. I can be punished or locked up if caught with you.”
He narrowed his eyes, his pupils shining dangerously. “You are my mate and my Luna. No one dare to treat you as a slave.”
I sighed. I wanted to tell him that his bluff didn’t work like that here and I was already being treated as a slave. No one here cared what I was or who I used to belong to. All that mattered here was that I was a slave and belonged to the count.
I rolled up my sleeve, revealing the slave mark. He had to see it. He had to know what I meant and what he was truly up against.
“I can’t leave here while this is still on my body. I won’t be able to leave.”
His pupils dilated as he stared at me. He growled low in his throat and I could feel the waves of anger rolling off him. He was heartbroken too.
“Who did this to you?” He asked, trembling with anger.