novelxo Chapter 11.5
Idonea.....
A shiver passed through Idonea’s body as she got out of her mother’s BMW and stood in front of the shop that looked like it had just jumped straight from a fairytale book.
The Treasure House.
She wondered how she and Alli had missed this place. From the way she saw it outside, it looked like a neat place to hang out. She sighed wondering what the hell she was doing there in the first place. She had to lie to her mother that she was going to pick up a few things from the shops--and she eventually got her mother to give her a real errand now that they were hosting an evening dinner on her behalf because she managed to survive her first Transformation without incident.
Donny felt different because it felt like she no longer had privacy in her head. There was a living entity within her, watching out for her, sharing her mind and thoughts. It was a bit too much but the wolf always retreated when Donny felt a little suffocated. It was something she needed to get used to.
She caught sight of herself in the window. She looked a little different, felt a little bolder and sexier than usual. She was warned that their wolves tended to flaunt around to catch attention especially when they were unmated. Donny felt exactly like that. She no longer felt the anxiety she did every time Titus showed up.
Titus...
Was this the right time to talk to him? Did she really want him to claim her? It was strange that before she made the change, her heart throbbed in her chest every time she saw him but now, just thinking about him didn’t so much as earn a twitch from her. Something had changed tremendously but she didn’t know what.
Suddenly she was very aware of everything that was going on around her. She could hear the argument between a guy and his girlfriend just around the corner. She could tell the approaching car had bad brakes because of the way it squeaked. She once thought she was good at smells but now, she could even tell the underlying ones which were almost invisible. Now she could tell if someone was anxious, flirty, or lying.
Along all that she also had been aware of the wolf that was suddenly camping outside their house since last night. She felt him there, watching over the house. She didn’t know whether he was sent by Louise or whether he was a Varga waiting for the right time to strike. She couldn’t get herself to tell her mother or her brother about it.
She never saw him but she was aware he was there and as she stood outside The Treasure House, that weird feeling that she had when she sensed him came over her again. Was he the one behind the strange phone call she received that morning? For all she knew, he could be a stalker or serial killer looking for his next victim but the way he spoke...the way each word rolled off his tongue....the way his thick and velvety voice sounded, Donny felt compelled to listen to him.
“I need you to meet me at the Treasure House today afternoon. There is something urgent I need to tell you.”
“Who are you? How did you get this number?” Donny panicked not understanding why she felt the way she did.
“I will explain everything when you come. I will be waiting for you.” He said then hung up.
So many questions kept on buzzing through her head but curiosity got the best of her and she found herself lying to get out of the house. Louise wasn’t there so it was easy to get away with murder.
“Aren’t you a little cold out there, dear?” An older woman came out and smiled at her. She was beautiful with peculiar violet eyes that were full of mirth. She looked up to the sky and frowned slightly. “It is about to pour again, why don’t you come on in for a nice cup of hot chocolate?”
Donny didn’t know for how long she was standing out there until the woman took it upon herself to welcome her inside. Donny gave the woman a little smile and allowed her to usher her inside. She was greeted by warmth and homey comfort.
The place was very impressive with bookshelves, one corner had young children watching cartoons while there was an elevated area where there were a couple of leather sofas with one man sitting with his back to them looking through a book. Was it him? She suddenly stopped and looked at the thick black hair, the black-clad back, and the pale skin visible under his hair.
“Come on this way. I’ll get you some nice hot chocolate to ward off the cold.” She gently nudged Donny towards several armchairs where two young women were sitting and chatting quietly.
Donny nodded and settled down but she couldn’t help but look at the man on the other side of the room again.
The two women in front of her giggled as they whispered softly among themselves.
“He’s so hot right?” One asked.
The other one sighed dreamily and nodded then giggled. “He is out of this world.” They turned towards the dark head and Donny had a sinking feeling that he was the one who called.
As if he sensed her, he turned to his side and gave her a side glance. He had a profile of a god! There was a vine-like tattoo running down his neck and disappearing in his hair behind his ear. Donny swallowed hard and turned to the woman who was making her some hot chocolate. If she went away right now, it would not be rude, would it?
Don’t....the word shimmered into her head causing her to wince and for her wolf to emerge from her hiding place, seeking out what was causing her keeper’s distress. Donny couldn’t believe just how considerate she was. She gave her space to try and get adjusted to the new feeling in her mind and now she was up and about wanting to protect her from any immediate danger.
She is built like that....she is your guardian.....the words shimmered again and Donny clutched her head. This new channel of communication was causing her head to throb.
“Stop!” She cried softly clenching her eyes.
“Are you okay?” One of the two women sitting a little away in front of her asked.
When Donny opened her eyes, she found two pairs of worried eyes looking at her.
Donny shook the pain away and nodded dumbly. “I’m fine, I just have a little headache that’s all.”
“Here, have some of this.” The owner of the shop returned with a mug of hot chocolate, tiny marshmallows floating inside, and placed it in front of Donny. It smelled heavenly.
“Thank you.” Donny looked up at the woman and smiled.
She went away quickly, walking towards the man that had the two women in front of her giggling like a bunch of teenagers. Taking away his cup of coffee, she replaced it with a new cup. The two of them must have exchanged a few words because the lady took a little too long to leave.
Suddenly the door burst open and five guys entered noisily. They were shoving and punching each other, teasing and growling at each other. Donny immediately recognized them and wanted to hide her face. They were from the same college as her and also, they were Tyson’s close friends.
Donny wished she didn’t have her hair up in a bun because this was the time she wanted it around her face so that they didn’t recognize her.
“Donny!” Someone suddenly called her and when she looked up, what she dreaded the most was in fact happening. “Hey, guys! It’s Donny!”
This was the time when she really wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole. Thanks to Alli, Tyson’s entire crew knew her, even though she was well sheltered with her mother always making sure that she gets claimed a virgin like her, her brother spitting venom at any boy who so much as looked at her and her aunt Alyse always giving her lectures about how terrible the male species is and that she didn’t need to be claimed.
It was quite suffocating and at times she wanted to run away from it all. She wanted what Alli had. Though Corleen loved Alli senseless, she always gave her space and let her decide on what she wanted to do. She was allowed to make mistakes and learn from them but for Donny, her path was already paved and all she had to do was walk on it.
She bet her mother and brother had already found a guy for her. She wasn’t supposed to learn who he was until on the Debut night that coming weekend when he would declare his claim on her in front of Lord Faelen. Donny wished someone would actually come out and object to it, give her a little bit of fun before finding herself trapped in such a relationship.
“Hey, Donny.” One of them grinned cheekily at her.
Donny rolled her eyes. They were still bullying her and Alli because of Alli’s breakup from Tyson. They were up to no good and because they had all undergone their transformations, it made them ten times more annoying. “Go swallow a toad, West.”
West snickered as the others teased him for being told off. He turned to the two appalled women next to her and one side of his lips curled up, revealing his straight white teeth. A growl began tumbling from the pits of his stomach, up to his throat, all the way to his mouth.
The women shrieked and jumped out of their chairs before scrambling out.
“West! I told you once, I will not tell you again. If you don’t stop intimidating people in my shop I will have you in hospital and even if your parents are part of the Wolfen, they will go broke with the hospital bills by the time I am done with you!” The owner came around her counter and placed her hands on her hips.
That had West pale down from head to toe. He turned around and ducked his head, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, Sheyster.”
That caught Donny’s attention. The lady, Sheyster, knew about West and the Wolfen? Did that mean she was a wolf as well?
“If you don’t have anything better to do, I suggest you go home and sleep.” She told them.
“We are meeting up with an old friend.” West pointed to Donny.
Do you know these clowns? the words shimmered into her mind again but this time, they came softly, like a butterfly’s caress.
Donny wondered how she could communicate with him the same way. She swore she felt him smile in her head. They are troublemakers...
Then it is about time I introduce myself. He sighed softly.
Donny’s eyes widened as she watched the man get up from his chair and grab his coat before he went around his chair and turned towards them. If Donny had not been sitting down, she would have embarrassingly flopped on that chair because she was not prepared to see that godly face dead-on!
Hail the heavens, he was handsome and tall and built like a person who liked to work out. The way he walked, although it appeared quite slow and leisurely, it made Donny move deeper into her chair. Although his face looked nonchalantly serene, the icy glare in his bright blue eyes told her the guys were in for it.
West was about to slip into the chair next to Donny’s when the man suddenly came and stood between him and the chair.
“What the--” West looked up at him, thoroughly irritated at the sudden interruption. “Who the hell are you?”
“Blake and who are you?” He asked, his voice elusively calm like the still waters of an ocean right before the storm.
Blake.
She felt like this was not the first time she had seen him but she could never have forgotten a face like his.
West’s eyes darted rapidly from hers to Blake’s. His friends were slowly retreating, already reading the danger that they were in. Blake’s presence announced a danger like no other. He was powerful no doubt and he didn’t need to flaunt it to be known. He was naturally powerful and Donny wondered how the hell he got mixed up with her!
“This is not over.” West took a step back, his eyes promising of a retaliation.
“It wouldn’t be fun if it was.” Blake grinned maliciously at the guys whose faces ashen in unison. Like a bunch of wound-up toy soldiers, they turned towards the door and walked out.
“They are sons of the Wolfen families,” Donny muttered softly keeping her eyes away from his. She found that when she looked at him as he was approaching, she couldn’t tear them from him. It was as if he had snared her into a little trap and only he could release her.
"Wolfen or not, they aren’t allowed to act like a bunch of hooligans especially with my--” he stopped abruptly and looked down at her, his jaws clenching together tightly all of a sudden. “Are you alright?”
Donny nodded vigorously. “Yeah.” She was shaking and it wasn’t because of what happened with West and his gang...Blake’s presence was affecting her and it made her wonder why.
“Can I sit here?” He pointed to the chair next to hers.
Donny lifted her finger and pointed to the chair opposite her. She felt that if she had him so close to her, she was not going to find her scattered mind. Even her wolf was suddenly aware of this abrupt change in the atmosphere.
Blake didn’t argue and went to sit opposite her then sighed. “I know you have a million questions to ask me at the moment and I will try my best to answer them as truthfully as I can.”
“How did you get my phone number?” Donny didn’t want to waste time. She had just a few hours on her own before either her mother or Louise started looking for her.
“I happen to be quite good at tracking people and getting their information.” He answered simply.
Donny frowned. “Why are you tracking me? Were you sent by my brother, Louise? Is it because of what happened to Alli and Corleen?”
“Your brother didn’t send me. As for Alli and Corleen, I know they are somewhere safe.” He answered.
Donny felt panic settle deep in her gut. If this guy was not sent by her brother then why was he watching her and how did he get her information? How could she be this crazy and endanger herself like this? She had always been the one to get others--namely Alli--out of trouble but here she was in an unfamiliar part of the town with a strange wolf that could be a Varga!
Blake leaned forward on the table making Donny move away from it. She was thoroughly spooked!
“I am not a Varga. I don’t mean any harm. On the contrary. I am here to protect you.” He assured her.
He was reading her mind and she found that a little too disturbing for her peace of mind. “Stay out of my head.”
“I will try but sometimes it can’t be helped. As your--someone who cares a lot for you, it is some sort of assurance to sought out your mind every once in a while.”
Donny felt hysteria creeping in. A short bark of laughter escaped her lips. She was talking to a nut case. “Someone who cares for me? Dude, you don’t even know me! And I think coming here was a big mistake.”
“I know you,” he emphasized. “I knew you long before you were of this world. Our souls recognize each other. I know you have a feeling towards me that you don’t understand. It is alright to fear it but it will not go away. It will only get stronger.” From the look on his face, the way his brilliant blue eyes churned, Donny was positive Blake believed every ridiculous word that was coming from his mouth.
Yes, there was some sort of feeling she had for him, fear because this guy was a psychopath! Donny got up quickly. She got hold of her bag just as Blake stood up and towered over her.
“I don’t have time for this.” She muttered.
How do you explain me being able to tap into your head without being related to you? The light caress of his voice in his mind made Donny’s skin crawl deliciously.
“You are using the common wolf channel.” She answered loudly.
That’s not true and you know it. Please sit down.
Donny gritted her teeth and felt as if her knuckles were about to snap from the way she was holding her bag so tightly. She felt compelled to listen to him as if there was some sort of hypnosis trick he was using on her. Donny sank back to her chair, hating him for it.
“I know you have an idea of what I am to you, Donny.” He drawled, a small smile appearing on his beautiful face.
Donny’s mouth ran dry. She wanted to will her body from reacting to Blake. He was nothing but a menace. She needed to get away.
A small chuckle escaped his lips catching Donny’s attention once more. It was getting ridiculous how she was so attuned to his actions. “Call me what you want, Donny, but it does not change anything.”
“I thought I told you to stay out of my head?” She scolded.
Blake raised his hands up. “Forgive me.”
“So, what does this mean? What is this between you and me and how do I get rid of it?” Donny narrowed his eyes at him.
“This is a mate bond that can’t be broken even in the afterlife.”
“Afterlife? As in after death?” Donny heard her voice echo with fear. Was he there to kill her?
Blake groaned softly. “Please don’t jump to conclusions. If I were here to kill you, you would have been long dead...believe me.”
And Donny did! She just didn’t understand what such a powerful wolf wanted with her. “Are you part of the Wolfen?”
Blake shook his head. “I am not a weakblood. I am a half-blood lycan or beast.”
Donny’s eyes widened as she suddenly slumped back on the armchair. She breathed in hard knowing what that meant. "You are--you are--oh crap!”
Blake smiled grimly. “That’s not the expression I was expecting but yes, I am an enchanted being from the other side of the gateway.”
“No shit....” She breathed in hard again, trying to get her pounding heart under control. It felt as if it were about to choke her to death in her throat. “Are you part of the Ghost Runners?"
Well...at least that explained the overpowering feeling of being surrounded by immense power. If Blake was an enchanted being he was the power itself.
He shook his head lightly and turned to her cold mug of chocolate. “I will get you another one.”
Donny nodded dumbly. Although she was always terrified of such things, her curiosity was more prominent and she felt like she needed to know exactly what Blake was about. She couldn’t wait to tell Alli about it.
“I know the Ghost Runners. I have come across them on certain occasions but I am not part of them.”
“So, you are a lone wolf? Do you know it’s prohibited for a wolf to fly solo? It gives you a wider chance to become a Varga.” Donny felt like she was reprimanding Blake.
“I am not under anyone’s rule here in this realm. I belong to a clan back home and this is our clan mark.” He assured her tracing his hand over the vines on his neck as Sheyster came to them once more.
More people were beginning to come into the shop now that the rain had started again outside. A lot of them were parents with their young children.
“Can I have another hot chocolate and a cream bun?” Blake turned to Sheyster.
“How do you know I like cream buns? Are you in my head again?” Donny’s forehead furrowed in a frown.
Blake had the decency of looking embarrassed but that did not stop Donny from rolling her eyes. “You should stop that. It is quite rude...and how are you even able to get into my head?”
“Because my mind recognizes yours. They are synchronized so I am able to weave through yours as much as you are able to weave through mine.” He explained.
Donny was not ready for the sudden burst of nervous laughter. “I could have sworn you were describing true mates to me.” she looked up at him expecting him to laugh with her but he had that serene face that disturbed her greatly. “Blake...” She let out a burst of air that was choking her.
“You are my true mate, Donny.” He answered softly.
The world must have tilted suddenly on its axis because Donny’s head was spinning to the point she felt nauseated. She clasped her hand over her mouth, her wolf propelling into action in full force that she almost knocked Donny from her seat. Blake was up and already breaking her fall before Donny could even blink! He was too fast, his arms already circling around her small waist.
A purr echoed as a tremor undulated down her body. She wasn’t sure whether it was her or her wolf that purred.
Her wolf was disoriented by Blake’s touch. Donny felt her hesitation and her sudden excitement. Donny gripped Blake’s shirt to steady herself but nothing would have saved her from the full blast of his scent that had her mind reeling out of control.
“What’s happening?” She asked when her eyes glazed over and her wolf fought to come out.
“Your wolf wants her mate.” Blake gritted his teeth.
Donny’s womb suddenly clenched viciously stealing a surprised cry from her. Her skin was too hot and too sensitive that even the light air around them made it hard for her not to have goosebumps.
“Is she alright?” Someone asked from behind. “Should we call an ambulance?”
“She’s fine.” Blake hefted her from the floor into his arms.
Out of their own accord, Donny’s arms circled Blake’s thick neck, her head tucked itself against his shoulder.
Every part of her body was on fire. All her senses were on overdrive and all she could hear, feel, see and smell was Blake. This was wrong on so many levels.
Louise and her mother would not allow this to go on any further. Blake was not known and he was a lone wolf from the other side to make it worse! Louise would rip Blake’s throat out if he found out they were together.
“Please take me home.” She managed to utter. “I am so scared, I just need to get back home.”
She felt warm fingers in her hair and her womb clenched again earning a raspy groan from her. The only thing she and her wolf were thinking of was jumping into bed with Blake! Louise had warned her that the need to mate might get so bad that it might tip the scales to insanity but Donny was terrified!
“Who the fuck are you and why are you holding my sister?” A familiar growl came up and Donny’s head snapped up.
“Louise?” She turned to him but her sight was blurry.
She must have caught too much attention because she could suddenly hear people whispering around her. Some of those people were wolves and other beings but the rest were human and it would have been very strange if she suddenly pulled a partial shift in front of them.
“Are you okay, Donny?” The anxiety echoed in Louise’s voice.
“I’m fine.” She managed to pass through her thick throat. “How did you find me?”
“Mom’s GPS. We went back home and you weren’t there--”
Suddenly, Donny felt the soft reverberating of Blake’s chest as a growl worked its way up his throat.
“I am here too, Donny.” Titus’ voice came through.
Blake’s growl became louder as his arms tightened around her.
Stop it. Donny scolded him using their new intimate channel.
I don’t want him anywhere near you. I happen to be a very possessive male and I will not let anyone close to you until I claim you! Blake assured tightly.
“Give Donny to me, man,” Louise said with a cautious voice.
Blake straightened and said. “No.”
“Excuse me? See, you don’t understand one thing here. I am her brother. Now, hand her over!” Louise snapped.
“Louise, stop!” Donny cried. She hated when people started arguing and raised their voices instead of trying to reason out.
“Did he touch you? Has he done anything inappropriate to you?” Louise asked, his fury very evident with every word that came from his mouth.
“Nothing happened.” Sheyster stepped in to defend Blake but Donny didn’t think he was all that innocent, to begin with. “Blake and your sister were talking when suddenly she collapsed. He was only trying to help.”
“Then he shouldn’t be so aggressive when I ask for my sister, should he?” The edge in Louise’s voice had Donny wincing.
“Blake, why don’t you hand Donny over to her brother?” Sheyster’s voice was calm and motherly as well as authoritative. With a voice like that, Blake had no choice but to comply.
“I will only hand her over if he leaves this place.” Blake pointed to Titus.
“Do you know who you are talking to?” Louise barked.
Disrespecting your superior was punishable by death because it portrayed rebellion.
“Yes, Titus--one of the House of Five lords of Faelen.”
There was a short pause of which Donny could imagine her brother narrowing his eyes at Blake. Her sight was still hazy because her wolf was still prowling close, looking for an outlet to react.
“Just who the hell are you?” Louise finally snarled.
Donny felt Blake’s smirk in her mind and growled in warning at him not to even dare but her warning went on unheard.
“I am your sister’s true mate,” Blake answered with his calm voice.
“Ah, fuck!” Donny heard Titus ground out and desperately wished the friggin floor would just rip open and swallow her for the next thousand years or so!