Chapter Twenty-Seven

-Volterra, Italy-

"Home, sweet, home," I murmured, chucking my small bag onto one of the sofas. I turned around to look at Aro, who had suddenly appeared directly behind me. As I faced him, he took my face in his hands and, carefully but deeply, kissed me. My lips parted slightly and he seized the opportunity to slip his tongue in my mouth. His hands dropped down to my waist, pulling me against him. I could feel him throb with desire. He kissed at my neck before whispering, "I need you, dearest Lorna."

My heart fluttered as heat surged through me. Damn this man! I pushed away from him, heading into the other room. Wiggling my shorts down my hips as I went, "Well?"

I had just reached the bed when he crashed into my back, putting us both face down on the mattress. He growled slightly as he nuzzled the back of my neck, squeezing a boob and grinding himself against me. I couldn't help but gasp. It had been so long I had forgotten exactly what his touch did to me. I arched my back in, pressing my ass to his hips, "Would you hurry up?"

"Eager, are we?" he teased, dragging my earlobe through his teeth.

"Not at all," I replied with heavy sarcasm.

His weight lifted off me and I could hear him working on his belt. I began to roll over but he quickly pushed a hand into my back, keeping me in place. That's right, the position I was currently in drove him crazy for whatever reason. On my belly with my leg kicked out to the side. I'll never forget that look on his face the night I caught him watching me sleep. Talk about hot and bothered.

Once our session of whatever this was had finished, I was beginning to feel a bit panicked again, "I'm gonna go take a shower now."

I tried to get out from under him but he held me firmly in place. Aro gave his head a slight shake, "No, you will remain here and explain to me what it is going through your mind. What has you so afraid?."

"I don't want to," I looked away from him. He kissed my cheek, "You must, sooner or later, my dear. I get the feeling it had something to do with why you ran away. It wasn't all about Sulpicia, was it?"

Without meeting his gaze, I shook my head.

"You are frightened of me, and I would like to know why."

"Don't inflate your ego too much there, buddy," I pat him on the chest, "it's not you personally I'm afraid of. Remember when I told you what Glenn did hadn't traumatized me?"

"I do."

"Well, apparently I lied." I turned away from him again. Aro caressed my cheek, "I assumed as much."

I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him. I sighed and spoke low, "You have no idea how hard it is for me to let my guard down, to let myself be vulnerable. The idea of being emotionally involved, the thought of us, is outright terrifying. But it feels right and I don't know what the fuck to do."

"First, language," Aro's lips brushed against my neck, "Second, may I make a suggestion?"

"Sure."

"Stop holding yourself back. By continuing to deny yourself your true desires, you are allowing him to remain in control. Take it back."

"Easier said than done," I mumbled. He had an answer for that too, "You will need to push yourself beyond your comfort level, my dear."

I nodded, "I know."

"So begin now," he said with a smirk, swiping his thumb across my bottom lip, "and tell me what it is you really feel for me."

My lips pressed together for a moment, "I hate you slightly less than I once did."

He hummed, "It is a start, I suppose."

With a quick kiss he backed off me finally, "Go and shower. I have a few business matters to attend to, and will require your assistance."

I raised an eyebrow but he said nothing else, only jerked his head toward the bathroom. And I wasn't even in the shower two minutes when suddenly he was behind me, his hands sliding down the insides of my thighs, "You know, I just recalled we weren't quite finished with our personal business."

"Huh?"

There was a nip at my earlobe, "You have not yet been satisfied."

I wrinkled my nose, "Says who?"

"Says I."

My eyes rolled, "Of course. But you know what? It can wait. Really."

"If you wish."

Part of me expected he'd leave then, but instead he thought he'd help with my hygiene. And it was very odd, being unclothed with another man, his hands on me, and there being nothing sexual about it. Even when he washed over my tits, he never tried anything. He definitely wasn't anything like Glenn, or even how I had thought of him before.

"Your hair has grown," he commented, holding it in one hand as he pulled a brush through it with the other. I couldn't help but wonder if this was something he'd read about in that book of his. 'Tips on seducing your werewolf lover: groom them.' I sighed, "Yeah, I need to get it trimmed."

"I rather like it this way."

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease him, "You're just saying that because it's the same length as yours."

We were silent for a moment before I asked my question, "So what is it we're doing?"

I could practically hear the grin in his voice, "We have some prisoners that need dealt with. I think you'll find it quite interesting."

Finally he put the brush down and allowed me to stand up. The bed was still in disarray, which I had expected to bother him but he said nothing about it. He offered me his arm, "Shall we?"

I stared. These were the things I was afraid to do because it was the little things that could send the wrong message. But I had to push myself. I placed my arm through his, he smiled and patted my hand.


"Aren't the two of you cute," Caius remarked dryly as we approached. I was about to rebut when I noticed someone behind him. Immediately, I recognized her as Natalia and gripped Aro's arm tighter. I hadn't realized I was growling until Aro stroked my hand and shushed me. Natalia's eyes were wide as she stared at me. I had considered apologizing but quickly decided nope. She needed to take her ass elsewhere. The girl stepped around Caius hesitantly and gave a shallow curtsy, "Master Aro, would you like for me to retrieve the human?"

"Not yet, my dear," Aro had to shush me again. He tipped my chin up so he could kiss me, "It's a term of endearment I use for many of my Guards. Call it a habit."

I narrowed my eyes at the blond woman. Since when was I so jealous and territorial? Aro nodded at her and she opened the cell door, allowing us inside. His hold on me tightened instantaneously when I nearly charged. I snarled, straining against his arm.

"Lorna, no."

His command had been gentle but firm, and I couldn't help but obey. I stood where I was, teeth bared. Caius approached the vampire who was now pressed against the wall out of fear. He was tall and rather lanky with messy brown hair.

"What is that thing?" he gasped, eyes never leaving me. Aro smiled, "You do not need to concern yourself with her. Yet."

"Whether you do is entirely up to you, actually," Caius added casually, pretending to inspect his fingernails. The other vampire's expression shifted, "What do you mean? And what have you done with Marianna?"

"She is safe, for now," Aro said smoothly, "Let's worry about you, Bogdan Pavlov. We understand you possess a very valuable gift. And that you have been using it to help your coven leaders plot against us."

Aro pouted dramatically as he shook his head, "What a waste it would be to throw your talent away by feeding you to the literal wolves."

Bogdan said nothing. Caius stepped closer to the man. So close their noses nearly touched. His tone threatening, "You may choose to join us, or you may choose to die. I promise the wolf won't make it quick and painless. Do keep in mind your decision will determine that of your mate's as well."

The other vampire swallowed nervously, "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. Join us, her life will be spared. Though, she will be required to become one of us. Go against us, and the both of you will be fed to our resident werewolf," Caius elaborated. I punctuated it with a deep growl in my chest.

"Don't you dare touch Marianna!" Bogdan lunged and Aro released me. I crashed into him, sending us both to the ground. I snarled in his face. At some point, my fingernails had fallen out and claws now replaced them. They dug deep into Bodgan's throat. He shrieked in pain, "Stop! Stop, I beg you!"

Aro smirked, "Lorna, come."

With one last growl I backed off him, crawling back to the other vampires on all fours. I remained crouched, just in case I needed to spring back into action. Aro smiled down at me, a mix of adoration and smug satisfaction. I glared at him. Using me for his personal gain was not the way to win me over. Bogdan jumped to his feet, the holes in his neck slowly closing, "I thought keeping werewolves was illegal?"

"It is," Caius answered, sounding annoyed, "Unfortunately, we had no choice but to make an exception."

"You love me, admit it!" I practically shouted at him. He ignored me, "So, are you choosing to join us, then?"

Bogdan grit his teeth, "If it keeps my Marianna safe, yes."

"Are you serious right now?" I snapped at Aro the second we stepped back into the hallway, Natalia only a few paces behind us. He glanced at me with furrowed brows, "I'm not sure what you-"

"Don't give me that bullshit!"

"Language, Lorna."

"Using me to threaten that leech into joining you?" I yelled at him, "If you want my help, great. I'll help. Probably. But fucking ask first, you dick!"

Suddenly my back was against the wall, Aro's hands on either side of my head. His blank face too close to mine. He whispered, "Language."

Somehow he managed to get closer, "You are overreacting, my dear. I had no intention to use you in such a way."

"Right," I said calmly, with a roll of my eyes. He frowned but said nothing more. Natalia stared, dumbfounded by what had just happened. She probably hadn't seen anyone speak to Aro in such a way and live to talk about it. The man gave her a look and she averted her eyes. He turned back to me, "We shall discuss this later. There is one more prisoner we need to visit. I need some assistance in deciding what to do with him."

I bit my tongue, trying to keep my temper under control. To my surprise, I actually felt a little bad about having just blown up at him. I probably did overreact and I probably had Glenn to thank for that too. Lashing out as a means of protecting myself. Though I knew in my heart I didn't need protecting from Aro. Oddly enough. It likely didn't help my anger that this blonde bimbo was still right behind us. I flexed my fists, trying so hard not to tell her off. Finally, I pulled my arm from Aro's, "I can't do this right now. I'm going back to our room."

"My dear-" Aro looked concerned and tried to reach out for me. I twisted out of his grasp, "You and her can take care of it, I'm sure."

He looked back at Natalia and she returned the glance. I used the opportunity to take off down the hall. Aro called after me, but I didn't stop.