~THE LYCAN ENFORCER ~
~Chapter 3~
The building was exquisite. Much more lavish than the pack house back home.
It was dark, fitting into the forest behind it, covered in polished wood, stacking stones, and windows that sprawled out across rooms. A cool wind blew, sending shivers up my arms, it was much cooler here than back home.
The Enforcer stood beside me, allowing me to take notice of his mansion. I looked up at him and he smirked back down at me. Even though I wasn't short, he made me feel so small. I was lanky and taller than most other human girls but wolves generally tended to be larger than most humans.
He walked forward, towards the front doors, I stayed back a moment watching him until he turned back and gave me a warning look, I quickly skittered towards him. A man opened the door for us and we walked in slowly. He took a scan of his home and made eye contact with the other men inside and then looked relaxed.
He took off his suit jacket and placed it on a nearby grey couch. He walked forward again, grabbing arms with the two other men that sat on the large glass table at the center of the living room.
I stood by the foyer, not knowing what to do with myself.
He spoke for a few moment, smiling and laughing, looking happy for once. I glanced around nervously, looking at the large men standing next to me, staring down at me blankly.
"Annabeth," He called for me, extending his hands for me to beckon. I stumbled forward, flattening my dress and stood next to him as he wanted. He smiled down at me and ran a hand over my head affectionately.
"This is the human girl, Annabeth. As they called her." He introduced me. The men looked me up and down, smiling at Kael again. I shivered slightly, their gazes made me more nervous.
"She looks like she's going to blow away with the wind, Kael." One chortled, grabbing his stomach when I staggered backwards.
"Now, now, Chad, be nice to my girl." Kael warned, placing his warm hand in the small of my back.
"She won't last a day with you," The other teased. They were being light-hearted probably trying to make me feel welcomed but it did nothing but terrorize me the more. Tears formed in the corners of my eyes and I willed them not to drop.
Chad looked at my face and looked down pitifully, They were all quiet now.
The Enforcer grabbed my arms again, wanting to turn me towards him but I struggled to stay looking away from him.
"Hey, little one," he said softer this time and my lips wavered.
He sighed, put his hands around on my back again and started leading me to a set of floating wooden steps. I looked back as I took the first step, begging someone to save me but they all looked down.
Kael pushed me harder to follow him and i Trudged up the staircase.
When we reached the top of the steps, we went down a long hallway and turned right. There was a room at the end of the hall, glass doors were covered with a privacy shaded frost. He opened it gently and held it until I walked in. The room was dark apart from the far wall which was glass and allowed light to enter the room. The walls kept with the smooth wood from the first level. A bed sat in front of us, large, white and covered with grey and white pillows. On the opposite wall from the bed was a television on a large, slate grey, metal dresser. There were door opening into a closet and a bathroom.
Kael stood behind me, near the door, watching me look around. I noticed him staring and turned back to him, bowing my head slightly.
"Annabeth," he said lightly, stepping forward. I took a step back and he stopped momentarily before stalking ahead. "Why are you afraid of me?"
I glared accusingly at him but said nothing.
"Answer me," he demanded.
"You tore me away from my family," I spat.
"Those people weren't your family, yours were killed," he said back.
"They were the closest thing I had, they cared for me."
"I will care for you from now on, little one," he said softer now, placing a hand on my shoulder. I pulled my shoulder back but he didn't let go.
"I don't want you to care for me in that way," I growled.
"In what way?" He asked sincerely.
"You bring me up to your bedroom within minutes of being in your house." I gestured around.
"I wanted us to have some privacy. You seemed rather intimidated by my friends." He explained.
"They said I wouldn't last a day with you." I wailed, the emotional turmoil starting to resurface. "You said you wondered how long it would take to make me scream!"
He shook his head, untucking his shirt.
"Annabeth," he whispered my name.
"Don't say my name," I told him.
"I wanted your Alpha to think I was going to kill you." He said and sat on the edge of the bed to undo the buttons around his wrists.
"You aren't going to kill me?"
"No, Annabeth."
"Then why even say those things?"
"Because if the world around us knew I found my mate, they would use you against me," he said, standing up and folding his shirt sleeves up to his elbows. I stepped back, trying to make sense of his words.
"What?" I breathed out.
"I knew you were my mate. If they saw me be gentle towards you, they would use you against me, hurt you, take you, and I couldn't allow that to happen."
"I can't be your mate, you're lying," I said accusingly. I glanced around me, stumbling back towards the door.
"Annabeth, I know this is confusing. I will explain to you, come sit on the bed. I'll find you something to wear other than your dress, it's filthy." He stood up and went over to his dresser, pulling out a drawer and rifling through some clothes. I turned quickly and threw the door open again, running down the hallway, trying to find my way back to those stairs.
I heard him curse loudly and his loud footsteps followed mine. I saw the staircase and rushed down it, missing a step towards the bottom which only propelled me faster. I didn't care what the wolves downstairs thought about me.
The Enforcer's footsteps thundered down the stairs.
"Annabeth," he called.
I raced to the door, pulling it open to see the same man who stood at the door before, guarding it. He looked at me surprised and I took that moment to jump down the three steps and towards the open woods around us.
Something grabbed my arm, another guard, who pulled me to a stop and held me until Kael approached us. I begged the man to let me go, but he held me firmly, bruising my freckled arm.
The Enforcer nodded to the man, and took me from the guard's grasp. I fell to the ground as they transferred me. I crumbled down, burying my head in my arms.
"Annabeth," The Enforcer whispered as he knelt next to me, his hands stroking my hair soothingly. I didn't make any attempt to move and he said my name more assertively this time.
When I didn't respond again, he gathered me in his arms and brought me back into the house. My curly hair shielded me from the other wolves downstairs as the Enforcer brought me back upstairs and sat me on the side of the bed. I pushed his arms away and he set them right back on mine, forcing me to sit still.
He knelt in front of me, taking the dirty sandals off my feet, setting them by the nightstand next to the bed. His hand lingered on my skin taking notice of a bruise his hand created in the car.
He gathered the clothes he pulled out from the dresser, and set them on the bed beside me. His hands parted my hair, pushing it back so he could see my red, tear-stained face.
"Would you like to have a bath? It might calm you down," he offered. I looked up at him through my tears, he looked sad. I shook under his gaze. "Come on," he helped me stand and led me to a bathroom where there was a large, curved, soaking bathtub. He drew the water, added some things that made the water turn pink and foamy.
"Do you need help?" He asked as he noticed I was still visibly shaking. I quickly Shaked my head no and he nodded.
"I'll be back in a moment then." He said and left the bathroom, shutting the door halfway through.
I pulled the string that held my dress from the back and allowed the dress slide down from my body. I took my bra and underwear off and hid them under the dress and quickly slid into the water. It was warm and welcoming and I slid further down, leaving only my shoulders on the surface.
Kael knocked once and then opened the door and walked to sit beside the tub on a small stool.
I kept my eyes on the coloured water until I felt his hand touch my hair.
I flinched and leaned over so that I was hunched over my knees.
"Annabeth, please, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to take care of you. That's all." He pleaded with his eyes.
He grabbed a soft sponge and dipped in in the water and started running it down my spine, brushing my hair aside to reach my shoulder. He continued to do this till he was satisfied and moved his stool so he could wash down my arms. He went to the opposite end and grabbed my feet and scrubbed the dirt off my feet.
Once my body was clean, he came behind me once more and washed my hair. I tried to relax but it was difficult, under his touch, I would surely perish.
I was completely clean now, my body warm and fuzzy from the fresh water. He left the room for a moment to gather the clothes he brought for me. A grey sweatpants and a large white t-shirt.
He left once he set the clothes down and closed the door, allowing me to get out of the water and dry myself, I wore my undergarments again and got into the new clothes. Both the sweatpants and t-shirt was huge on me, they were practically drooped over my feet.
I stepped out of the bathroom and met him sitting on the edge of the bed.
He stood up quickly when he saw me, coming to meet me as I stumbled in his clothes like a fawn, he bent down, folding the sweatpants up so my feet were free.
He stood up again and looked me over.
"Would you like to get some sleep? You didn't get any during the drive here. You must be exhausted." He said and I shook my head no.
I didn't want to let my guard down around him by being unconscious.
"No one will hurt you here. I'll make sure of it." He promised.
"It's not everyone else I'm worried about." I muttered under my breath.
He looked sad once again,"Annabeth, I would never hurt you, not on purpose."
I held my wrist up to show him the bruise he left on me earlier, the one on my upper arm hurt as well as the one on my ankle.
'Little one,' He said but whimpered. 'I'm sorry, I didn't know how fragile you were before. I didn't mean to hurt you, I promise you.'
'I'm not fragile,' I hissed. He went and sat against the bed again.
'You are, Annabeth,' He insisted. 'Come sleep, I won't touch you.'
I waited a few moments, allowing my tired muscles and eyes persuade me into sleep. I went and stood at the side of the bed. Kael reached over and pulled the cover back, revealing soft, silky sheets. I climbed into the bed, and laid on my side, away from Kael.
He pulled the covers farther over me and pushed my hair back before leaving the room. The sun fell into the room, allowing my body and mind heal as I dozed off to sleep.
~~~
TBC~