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Chapter14
Chase
“You,” I click my fingers as I enter Jaxon’s room without knocking. He stands from his bed, takes a step towards me, and I shove him aside. “Not you. You,” I point at Aspen – also perched on his bed. I knew Jaxon, the almighty savior, would take the first opportunity he saw to get Aspen into his room. It’s nothing to boast about; even the commander has the same basic room as the rest of the army.
When Aspen feels ready to enter the castle permanently, she’ll be gifted a suite fit for an unmated princess in the east wing. I’ve already heard rumors of renovations they’ve been making to adapt the suite to her needs. It just so happens that her needs are also at the forefront of my intentions. Tossing a clothing bag her way, I pull a blood bag from my pocket and chuck that at her too.
“Get dressed and feed well. We have around five hours until the next trial. Let’s try not to let your three top champions kill each other through jealousy when you start sucking on my neck like a leech, yeah?” Aspen’s mouth drops open, but there’s no time to suck my dick. Whisking Jaxon out of the room, I close the door to give her some privacy. Not from me – but the rest of the fuckers who can scent her in the castle. In the army quarters, of all places.
“Feel like telling me what’s going on?” Jaxon folds his arms and tilts his head. Despite being the exact same height and build, it’s hilarious that he still tries to square up to me. If I had been Lorcan’s favorite, I’d have been commander, and I’d never pull this shit with him.
“Not really, but since you won’t let it go,” I grip his arm and force him the walk down the corridor. Not far enough for Jaxon’s door to be out of view but out of earshot of Aspen. “The princess is horny and looking for a purpose. I’m about to give her one.”
“Taking advantage of her in a vulnerable state is a surefire way to get yourself disqualified from the trials too. I suppose I shouldn’t argue. Both of your stupidness is going to give me a sure win.” Jaxon grunts as Torsten approaches. Rubbing the back of his neck, he shows none of the glowing satisfaction I will have for days when I snag a kiss from Aspen myself. She offered him everything the three of us have wanted since first seeing her, and now I know she’s game, I’m turning up the charm. She won’t be able to resist me after this. “Such a bunch of assholes,” Jaxon huffs. “Don’t bitch when you have to watch me love her for eternity.”
“I don’t think so.” I raise my index finger, halting him from walking away. “You said it yourself. She can take multiple mates.”
“I said, perhaps she could,” Jaxon’s blue eyes narrow. I twist my lips.
“Good enough for me. Besides, this is only natural to her,” I flick Torsten’s temple to bring his attention back to the present. “Pack mentality. She’s been sizing the three of us up from the start.”
“Vampires are solitary creatures,” he grunts in defeat. If his shoulders slump further, I’ll stake and seal him into a coffin myself. Jaxon scratches his stubbled jaw, lost in thought which ends with a chuckle.
“You’ll never get your theory past Lorcan.”
“Aha!” I slap his shoulder, my excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. I’m practically bouncing on my heels. “That’s the best part! I don’t need to. You’re a sure thing for becoming king now, right? Decree number one, allowing your best buddies to mate with your wife.” My eyebrows dance as I nudge Torsten. No one looks at me like the fucking genius I am, but they’ll see. I’ve never felt so sure about anything in my existence, and the alternative isn’t worth considering. I knew long ago, I wouldn’t be the one to watch my brothers die in order to win a female. But that was before I met her.
“Well, nothing’s going to happen while we’re gossiping in the hallway,” I usher away my dark thoughts. “Clothes are waiting for you both in my room. Go change, I’ll watch over Aspen.” Jaxon slams his hand into my chest, a growl at the ready. I don’t react, having anticipated such a response. “I’m not going to interrupt her, I swear it.” The twinkle in my green eyes must convince him as the two enter my bed chamber to dress. At almost exactly the same time, the door to Jaxon’s room pops open. I rush forward in a blur of speed, blocking Aspen’s exit and crowding her back in the room.
“Not so fast, baby,” I grin, closing us inside. “I need to approve of my choice first.” Aspen’s smile is nothing short of mischievous as she steps back to let me look at her. And I look. I fuck her with my eyes.
I’ve taken credit for Aspen’s outfit, but Nova acquired it. The King’s assistant handled my request, all the while reminding me that Lorcan is going to kill me for it. I would have been more cautious if Torsten, the bastard, didn’t now have a score beside his name. He managed to win over Aspen without trying, and we’ve moved into ‘fair-game’ territory. It doesn’t matter who wins the trials if the moon doesn’t bond us; a connection has to be established, and I’m all in.
Aspen’s white hair hangs over a black bralette, twisted into a thick braid. The scrap of material is basically a bra with added floral lace underneath, with black straps crisscrossing over her cleavage. Below a scandalous span of bare skin from her toned abdomen, dark denim shorts hug her ass, and she’s opted for her white sneakers rather than the heels provided. I smirk, biting my bottom lip.
“I’m going to tattoo you,” I mutter under my breath.
“What?” Aspen asks, but she heard me. Offering my hand, I pull her close, dipping my mouth to her ear.
“Not tonight, but soon. I’m going to see your gorgeous body covered in ink, starting with a wolf here,” I trace her hip with my knuckles. She shivers, and I continue. “A dragon, like Jaxon’s, across here.” I spread my palm over the lower half of her back. Trailing up the length of her spine, Aspen arches into me. So responsive. “A pair of raven wings spanning the length of your shoulders.” My touch lingers, skating across her soft skin. Venturing around her neck, I dip two fingers between her cleavage. “Thorned vines holding roses starting in your sternum.” Aspen’s eyes fleck with gold as she peers up at me, lost to my seduction. Touching her like this breaks every rule I know, and I couldn’t give a fuck.
“And that just leaves you,” her brows quirk. My smile is full, fangs bared.
“I don’t need to mark your body, baby. I’m going to leave my imprint in all the places no one else could reach.” Aspen’s breath hitches, a heady dose of her lust perfuming the air. Exactly how I want her, held on the edge of yearning. A healthy glow to her skin lets me know she’s fully fed.Perfect. Tonight is the night she falls for me out of desire, not desperation. Dual heartbeats sound beyond the door, our time alone swiftly coming to an end. “Let’s get out here before I change my mind and decide to find out if you taste as good as you smell.”
“Wait, Chase,” Aspen halts me from reaching for the door. Indecision wars within her brows, enough to make me hesitate too. “I did…things at the shifter camp yesterday. There might be repercussions.” I exhale, my smile coming back in full force. Here was me, thinking it would be something serious. If anything, I’m even more turned than before. Cupping Aspen’s cheeks, I place a light kiss on her forehead.
“There’s nothing you can do that I won’t support. I trust you, and I’ve got your back.” “I promise.”
* * *
This partof the town is a long stretch of road dedicated to bars, fully stocked with blood taken from humans when intoxicated. It’s a small high, but the best we can manage without bringing too much attention to ourselves. Lively music tumbles out of various doorways, blending into one another. Vamps are singing and dancing in the street, their senses dulled as they experience being carefree for a short space of time.
Flanked by the two behind, Aspen is on my arm, drenched in the huge coat Jaxon insisted she wore, a small playing at the corner of her mouth. She’s not had the chance to see us like this, and it’s about time she knew there’s more to life here than imprisonment within the stone walls.
As we approach the lone door between the bars, I can't help but grin at the bold red neon sign above it. Next to an animated girl in a bikini provocatively bending back and forth over the hood of a car, the words 'Car Wash' stand out in vibrant red. The pulsating music and murmurs from the select few I trusted to work tonight spill out from the building.
“You have a vampire nightclub, and you’re only just showing me this now?!” Aspen gasps and punches my arm. Grabbing her hand, I waste no time dragging her inside. Once past the first round of security, and after her coat has been tossed on the ground where it belongs, I take her hand back, stroking my thumb in light circles over the back as we pass through a slim corridor where neon lights highlight every scrap of white on our bodies. My shirt is luminous, my fangs glowing with promise. Her answering smile is everything as our excitement builds.
