Chapter 7.
Jade had no clue why he so suddenly kept a little more distance between the two of them. The day before he had stayed close, tried to read her like the open book she was and now… Now the look in his eyes was one that told her he was purposely keeping his distance and she could not help but wonder why. He had slept in the same bed with her, just like the night before, but he had gotten up before her again, waiting in the chair for her to wake up.
She could not think of anything she had said or done to make him act like this. Maybe he was trying to give her some space to make up her mind. But it just did not seem like something he would do. It made her feel relieve and stressed at the same time.
'How are you feeling?' his question came as a surprise, his voice as deep and dark as ever. Jade sat up in bed, the covers tightly around her chest and legs.
'Alright.' He swallowed, his silver eyes on her.
'Good.' She nodded once, not sure what made his face so blank. His expression almost like he was in pain. She was clueless to what was going on.
He stood from his chair, his eyes still on her.
'Time for breakfast then.' She bit her lip, nerves and some pain in her stomach were getting to her. Maybe she was not even that hungry.
'I'll wash up,' she told him. He nodded once and turned to leave the room, before he stopped.
'You'll find some, necessities, in the bathroom, top drawer.' And with those words he was gone. Jade wondered what necessities he was referring to, until she pulled the said drawer open and revealed sanitary towels and tampons and she only then felt the warm, wet spot between her legs. Fuck, she was bleeding and for some reason he had known before she did, and he had seemed like he was in pain because of it. How could that be?
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Not completely sure how she felt joining him in the kitchen, knowing that one way or another he had known she was having her period, Jade slowly sat down. There were baked eggs, pancakes and fruit before her on the table once again. As he joined her, he placed a cup of hot coffee in front of her and then sat down.
Never one to be indirect, his eyes found hers immediately and Jade felt her cheeks grow red. She felt embarrassed and she hated that next to him making her nervous and afraid, he now had this one on her too.
Jade grabbed her cup of coffee and took a small sip, for now ignoring all the food on the table. She was not in the mood. Riddick started on his eggs, his eyes watching her every now and then.
'You should eat something.' It were the first words he spoke since she had joined him in the kitchen. Jade was not sure how to respond.
'I'm not hungry.' He gave her a look, his jaw set tightly, his eyes sharp as silver knives.
'Your body needs it. Especially now.' That made Jade look up and place her coffee cup on the table. She could no longer ignore the fact he knew about her period and she just could not take his pained expression anymore.
'I don't know how or why you know I'm-' She searched for the right words, words that would not add to her embarrassment.
'On my period,' she decided, 'But it's a normal thing. I am not dying if I eat less, and it is not contagious so you can stop looking at me like I am having some sort of disgusting disease.'
The look in his eyes was one of true surprise, before there was a dangerous gleam in those silver orbs.
'I missed that fire in you Jade.' The teasing tone was obvious, and scary. The edge to his voice sharp to the touch.
'I could never find you disgusting Jade. Not ever. The thought of you bleeding only makes me feel pain, but knowing it's alright and you are not hurt, it makes me- want you. Really want you. The bond makes me… want you even more knowing you are of age and… have bled.'
Jade knew she had been blushing right after her outburst, but she had to be red as a tomato right now, feeling her cheeks turn hotter than before.
'It's just a few days, I'll go and stay in another room then and-' He cocked his head to the side, the look in his eyes effectively shutting her up.
'You're not.' His words were simple. Demanding and very, very clear.
'You said it yourself, it pains you…' He licked his lips, the look in his eyes so intense she stopped talking.
'I told you more than that Jade. But it's quite alright. I can control myself a little longer. You are not going anywhere.'
Jane felt herself getting anxious as the determined and intense look in his eyes did not waver for a second. He was more animal than she had ever seen him before. And he meant every word he said.
It was also the first time she realized he was dangerous as a man, but he was not only man. She swallowed painfully and bit her lip.
The whole reason she had called him out on this subject was to ease her discomfort. But all she had done was make it worse on herself.
'We can go outside and maybe then...' She had wanted to say he would not have to smell her once outside if he could do so easily inside, but the fire burning in those silvers orbs made her swallow her words.
'I can control myself Jade. Eat.' He nodded in the direction of her plate and then took a sip from his coffee, almost daring her to not do as he asked of her. With all her nerves on edge, Jade took a pancake and started eating.
She was not hungry, but she was completely aware of the tension around them, something that kept her sharp and uneasy with him so close by.
He kept his eyes on her the entire time she was eating that single pancake, but he remained silent. Only when she finished and did not take anymore of the food, he placed his cup down on the table. Jade looked up and met his gaze.
'We can go outside, if that's what you want Jade, but not for the reason you just brought up.' Jade bit her lip in her nervousness at his sharp tone. She almost felt the dominance radiate off of him. He was a leader in every way and although she had seen his playful side before, she wondered if this was who he truly was. Would he be like this every time she bled? Would he go all alpha on her every time?
Although the bond seemed to sooth some of her usual pain while having her period, her stomach was hurting, the cramps always there. She would love to go for a walk. Being active usually helped her this time of the month. She swallowed deeply and wondered how to formulate her words to not set him off on her. He still seemed very sharp and on edge and she was not ready to face him when he went even more dominant on her.
'Can we go for a walk?' her words sounded unsure, like she was already expecting him to deny her this easy request, but instead he sat back and cocked his head to the side, nodding once.
'We can. If you are feeling well enough.' Jade sat up to protest, but the look in his eyes dared her to fight him on this. She thought again and kept her mouth shut, looking at his hand, pointing at hers, still clutching her stomach.
'You are in pain,' he stated simply. Jade looked at her hand and then moved it away from her stomach.
'Not so much when I am moving around,' she admitted awkwardly. It felt strange to be talking about this with a man like Riddick. With her captor. It made her feel vulnerable to have him know so much about her and the bonding thing. It was not something she liked to feel.
'Let's go then.'
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The start of the walk was still uncomfortable and awkward, for Riddick was not leaving her side, but he gave her a little bit of space. She felt his eyes on her the whole time while she tried to look around her instead of on him. Just when she felt the silence was becoming a little awkward Riddick cleared his throat.
'It's to keep you safe, that I am aware of your cycle.' He mentioned it after such a long silence between them Jade had to think on what he was referring to. She looked at him and saw his eyes on her. He seemed to have taken his alpha level down a notch. She hoped he would keep it down on her for a while, she was not sure she could handle his dominant side.
'How?' she asked. Although she hated to go further in on the subject, she was a bit curious since the bond was something she could feel. She could not keep denying that, even though she hated it was something that effected her.
'To keep you from harm from others that could smell you. To know when to mate and... when not to.' She saw he grinned a bit at his words. If anything her curiosity had gone up instead of down.
'Why would you need to know when to not mate?' Her honest question seemed to catch him off guard, for he stopped walking and turned, facing her completely.
'Furyans don't easily reproduce. In your cycle there are times that make it more likely to get with pups. More fertile moments that are not handy in times of hunger, danger or...' His eyes never left hers and almost burned with intensity and lust for her, 'or when you are not yet ready to have pups.'
Jade quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment about what he was referring too. She walked on, sensing he followed suit, easily catching up with her, granting her a little space, but never too far away.
Jade shivered a bit as the sun slowly went lower, something that didn't go unnoticed by Riddick.
'We should get back, it's getting late,' he told her. Jade looked at him and wondered what on earth could compel such a beast of a man to want to be with her. Was the bond really affecting him that much? Was there such a things as mates? His determination made her think on it more and more. Why else would he go through so much trouble?
The entire way back, both of them remained quiet. Jane because she was still working out all the information in her head, Riddick on the other hand was determined to not loose his temper and do something he would regret later.
Her smell was intoxicating and yelling at him she was of age and ripe enough to be taken, that he should take her to keep her safe. The bond would have to be completed soon, for he would loose his mind otherwise. But he set his jaw and balled his hands to fists. Taking her while she bled would be easy, maybe wise even, for she would be less scared of blood and pain with all the lube it provided. But he also wanted it to be special enough for her. He saw she was in more pain than she was willing to admit right now, so he decided he could wait a few days more. But he would have her before her following cycle. He simply was afraid his animal would take over if he wouldn't. And if he sensed anything, it was she needed him to be gentle with her that crucial first time.
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That evening she sat before the fireplace again, enjoying the warmth and clutching her stomach every now and then. Riddick sat on the sofa, observing her form on the floor. She was so much smaller then he was, fragile even. But oh so beautiful to his eye. Her long hair hung loose on her back for now, making her seem more young then she was.
He had seen her grow throughout the years, always drawn into her, but never expecting her to be this attractive to him, so exquisite. His animal purred at having her so close, at his feat and safe in his house. Just one more thing that needed to be done...
'Where are we?' came her small voice. He watched her turn a little so she could see him, her eyes shyly looking up at him. He was almost sure she was aware of her submissive position on the floor, but she choose not to change it. Interesting.
Riddick sat up a little more, leaning towards her. Every conversation she initiated was one he wanted to be complete alert and active for.
'Where do you think you are, Jade?' He saw she wanted to roll her eyes, but she decided not to. Smart girl. He saw a little irritation flash in her eyes and he couldn't help but grin. She was precious. He loved the fact that she dared to come out and play more, even though she was extremely careful in her ways around him.
'Somewhere in the countryside... Are we still in America?' Riddick smiled at her guess. He was not going to tell her. It mattered none if she knew where they were. He would find a way to combine their lives, but he was not ready to have her know she was closer to home than she would ever believe.
'Is that your final question about our location, Jade. You get one guess.' Riddick tried to lure her from her careful state. Was she ready to play a little more? His animal awoke and wanted to play with her. He fought the urge, she was not ready for that kind of play just yet. At her nod and curious glance he smiled down at her.
'America it is.' She rolled her eyes this time. Even before she caught herself he stood and lowered himself behind her, entrapping her in his embrace. Riddick moved so fast he only heard her small shriek before he pounced. His front was completely engulfing her back, his legs closing in around her, making sure she would not even think about getting away. Then he brought his arms around her front, clasping her arms against her chest, keeping her close.
She felt so damn good in his arms. He felt her breathing quicken and her arms tense. The curve of her breast pressed against the side of his arm. Everything about her was intoxicating to him, but most present was the need to protect and satisfy her.
Her rebellion against him was cute, as long as she knew her place. Until they mated he couldn't take any chances with her. She needed to know he was serious about the things he told her. And also about the warnings he gave her.
'How about you roll your eyes at me now, Jade?' He knew she heard the animal in his voice. Her pulse was sky high as her fear increased. Although she was completely terrified, there was some nervousness in her smell as well, and some excitement. It almost made him deepen the hold he had on her.
For now he needed to just enjoy this. She needed to learn her place and about their bond. She needed to learn about him. No longer he would allow her to keep him at such distance. It was time things changed and their bonding sped up.
Jade tried to speak, but her head was not working fast enough to comprehend what was happening to her. His body felt so strong and big behind her. He was close, too close. She was scared but highly aware of the predator behind her. His body was warm, sending off more heat than the fireplace before her.
She also felt his need pressing against her back. Never before had she actually felt a man so close to her, but Riddick was close and very excited. And extremely well endowed, she felt. She never had been intimate with a man before, but she had eyes and internet access, she was not completely oblivious to the things that happened between men and women. She tried to move away, what resulted in a growl from behind her, and his arms closing in harder on her. She froze instantly when he brought his face to her neck, his nose tracing her pulse, before she felt his tongue tasting her there.
She whimpered softly as he licked her neck more, both her arms trapped by one of his as the other stroke her side.
He gently nudged his hand between her arms and stomach. She thought he was reaching for her breasts, but instead he placed his enormous and warm hand on her stomach, keeping it there, warming the skin there what actually soothed her cramps.
'Everything about you belongs to me Jade. Your smell, your skin, your blood. I want it all. And next time you roll your eyes at me, I'll take them too.' He bit the skin of her neck what caused her to hiss, before he licked the tender spot. He was marking her and she was starting to panic because of what that could mean.
'What are you-'
He turned her in his hold, still entrapping her with his hands and legs. He saw the fear in her eyes, but there seemed to be a little more. She was getting curious. His animal purred again. She was beginning to open up. Baby steps. Progress was progress after all, no matter how slow.
'Have you ever kissed before Jade?' The question made the smell of her fear rise up alarmingly, but there was nervousness as well. He saw she eyed his mouth for a moment, before her eyes found his again.
He knew she was thinking about what it would be like with him. What it would cost her to be kissed by him, how things would change if they took that step. He saw the fear, the intimidation in her eyes as she moved in his hold, but he also smelled her excitement, no matter how little right now. The bond was working in his favor.
Despite it all, she decided not to answer, what irritated him a little. He moved and pulled her on his lap, moving her so she was now straddling him, making sure she felt all of him. He saw the shock in her eyes en the smell of her fear increased.
She brought her hands between them and rested them against his chest as a little shield. Not that it would help her, he thought.
'No.' It was soft, but the word fell from her lips. He forced her to feel his erection that was longing so deeply for her. The bond made it almost unbearable to be this close to his mate without being inside of her.
'No?' he mocked her. 'That's a word for me to use on you, when you refuse to obey me, little Jade. Right now we are here in our home, where it's save and you can learn your place beside me. But out there you will follow the rules I set out, for your own safety.' His voice was deep and for a moment Jade wondered what had happened to his playful side, for that side seemed nowhere to be seen.
He moved her a little higher, seeing the panic in her eyes as his hard member touched her groin. She closed her eyes as if to shut him out. That just wouldn't do.
He moved himself closer and kissed her cheek, before he moved down to her jaw. He took his time, his hold on her form never wavering, while his mouth reached her lips. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip, before he gently nibbled on her lower lip.
He knew she was intimidated by his seize and behavior, as she should be, but he wanted her to feel safe when he put his hands on her. He would learn her everything she needed to know and not mock her for her inexperience.
He felt her tremble in his hold, but she was not fighting anymore in his grip. When he bit her lower lip again she opened her mouth and he kissed her. He went as slow as he could because he was not aiming to scare her away. He was trying to let her feel how amazing this was, to be this close to your mate, to be this intimate.
He deepened the kiss then, moving them so he could place her on her back before the fireplace, before he leaned over her, never breaking the kiss. He eased himself between her open legs and kissed her deeply. She sighed into his mouth and he grinned against her lips, knowing she was feeling just as good about this as he was. Her fear had lessened down a little, but her excitement was only growing stronger. He let his hands roam her sides, before one hand found her breast and closed around it. She tensed, he noticed, but he kept kissing her thoroughly.
Gentle as he could he needed her firm breast, enjoying the feel of his mates flesh in his hand. The only thing that would have made this even better was when he would get her naked. But that would have to wait. What a shame.
He ended the kiss when her excitement became too much for him to ignore. He kept his place on top of her, seeing her dilated pupils searching his for what the hell was happening here. Cute.
'Good girl,' his animal purred, before he sat up and pulled her with him.
'And now you get up, shower and get in bed. It would be wise not to cross me now, unless you want to explore this side of our bond more tonight.' The dangerous glint in his eyes made her shudder. He didn't need to warn her twice. Although this had felt a little too good, the chemistry between them had also frightened her a bit.
What was that? He helped her up and then let her go. She felt his eyes in the back of her head and glancing in his direction before she left the room was proving her right, he sat on the sofa, his eyes following her every move.