Sweet Serendipity

Chapter Twenty-Three: Worthy

"Wh-what?" Alice managed to stutter out as her heart thundered in her chest while the Major lead them outside in the blink of an eye. Slightly more secluded and away from prying ears, Alice's head began to spin. Before she could even function a coherent thought, her feet hit the ground and her body was dragged into his as the Major's hungry lips attacked her's with reverie. Passion and lust hit her like a ton of bricks as Alice's once tense body completely shattered under his touch as she practically collapsed into him. His lips were everywhere it felt, setting her skin on fire as she clung to him like a life line… ironic in her sense of predicament. When he finally pulled away to give her time to breath, Alice's heart was pounding ridiculously hard in her chest while she struggled to get her bearings straight.

With his hands still clutched to her body, Alice looked up to his eyes as the Major's head dipped down to whisper in her ear. His cool breath fanning over Alice as she drifted into a trance-like state, similar to intoxication as what felt like her heavy body leant into the cool, strong grip of his. "Now darlin', I've been exceptionally tolerable this evening' with yer outbursts and mood. But ye forget where we are, and who we're with. If you so much as whisper another concern about yer family, yer terms on our arrangement, or the new information ye seemed to be too blind to see before, I'll take ye right back home and lock ye up again, but not until I show everyone here this evenin' just how this mating bond can really work." he hissed in a promise as shivers wracked her small body at his sensual but threatening voice. The prospect of being locked up again was enough incentive, but Alice didn't know whether to be excited at his other statement, or excited. Which frightened her in a completely new light… after chalking the latter of the two emotions, Alice finally found her voice.

"Y-"

"I will explain everything when we get home." he answered her unspoken question as she took a deep breath and finally nodded her head, accepting that she'd never get anywhere trying to question him now anyways.

While she wanted nothing more than her questions to be answered, at this point of the evening, Alice just wanted to enjoy the night. No matter who she had to spend it with. "Excellent, now… let's re-engage ourselves in this festive celebration." he offered in an obviously mocking/sarcastic voice as Alice stopped and practically blanked right in front of him.

He'd made a joke.

An actual, real life, funny statement.

Alice pinched her forearm.

She'd never heard him joke before… and to be honest… she liked that he'd managed to make some sort of a funny statement. It made the realistic side of her hate him just a little bit less. Despite her better judgement, she was still too surprised at his sarcasm to stifle the laugh that escaped her lips before she could stop the giggle that left her. Red cheeked, she turned away from him and headed back towards the house… turning too soon and missing the adoring smile that graced the Major's face for the micro-second at the sound of her appreciative laugh before it fell away. "By the way…" he called out, using his unnatural speed to place himself directly in Alice's pathway as she jolted to a stop and looked up at him. Brown orbs staring up at him as for the first time, the Major felt truly speechless at the beauty packed into one simple human. He was awestruck. Catching himself and forcing down the dangerously revealing emotions that seemed to seep into him every time Alice was around, the Major cleared his throat before he offered his arm for her to take in her own. "I think you underestimate the worth of your presence."

Silently, Alice followed him back into the mansion, the grand ballroom where Charlotte and Peter stood waiting for the pair with knowing smiles on their faces. Reassuring, and so completely content with themselves… like they knew it would happen eventually.

Alice smiled as Charlotte approached her and lead her back to their table for a drink. Accepting a glass of water, Alice found her eyes staring back across the room, searching for the Major once more as he conversed easily with Peter.

He stood pin straight, in what could only be described as Military precision, and his expression was set. His well defined jaw and towering figure made him the picture of intimidation as he looked around the room, scoping the guests and the mansion as Alice sighed and slumped slightly into her chair.

Inside, she was tore. Conflicted. What if he was just telling her what she wanted to hear to make her cooperative? What if he was just influencing her emotions? Making her feels these things for him so she'd believe him? How did she know for sure if she could trust him or not. She didn't want to doubt everything he'd done and said before… but she had no way of knowing for sure.

It all felt so real. Everything she felt, and saw… every sensation, and touch felt so real. And she just didn't know what she was supposed to do.

On one hand, a part of her wanted to stay with him. That part of her was constantly there, poking and prodding her, reminding her of every sinful and disgraceful feeling that flooded her every time she caught his eye. Picking out everything he did that drove her crazy, and made her crave his presence and acceptance all at the same time.

Another part of her, though smaller… questioned when she'd be allowed to go home. If she'd ever be allowed to go home. And when she'd see her family. Alice knew the chances were slim, the Major had specifically set out and told her she'd never see her family. But she had to wonder how much he really did care for her if he was willing to go through so much to keep her from her family.

Come to think of it.

Had it have been an regular meeting, and had he have been closer to her own age. Alice could see herself liking the Major… falling for him even, over time. When he wanted to be he was charming, and that Texan drawl, along with his good looks, Alice could have easily been wooed into liking him had it have been an ordinary or chance meeting.

Instead, she was a prisoner in his house. His possession. And she hated it. She was so weak and pathetic compared to him. He was demanding and overbearing, and there was no doubt that he frightened her. Who he was, and what he could do was scary. It was unpredictable.

Could she be happy with him?

Like she'd said before, she was a prisoner in his house. Living by his rules, on his terms. There was no way of knowing if she could trust him, or the feelings she supposedly had for him. It was so unsure… all of it.

He was at least twenty-two, and she strongly disbelieved in older men being with younger girls. He was five years her senior, and though he was worth his weight in good looks and class. Alice didn't want to be babysat by him.

She didn't want to be his little lap dog.

And that's what she felt like at times.

She was just a toy on his arm.

A notch in his bedpost… although Alice would never let him get away with that.

"Alice?" Charlotte's voice rang through her eardrums and broke her from her train of thought as the young girl turned to look at her friend in confusion before she shook herself out of her shocked stupor and smiled. "Are you alright?" she asked as Alice just nodded and took another sip from her glass. She could see Charlotte eyeing up the red liquid in the glass across from her as Alice sighed. She appreciated the fact they were making an effort to help make her more comfortable, but Alice couldn't forget what and who they were. "It'll get easier… trust me." she offered with a smile as Alice just smiled lightly as Peter and the Major approached the duo before leading the girls to a table and taking a seat as a particularly attractive looking black haired female and blonde male vampire took precedence at the top of the adjourning stairs, lightly hitting their glasses as the entire room stopped and turned their attention to the two. Alice could barely hear the spoon hitting the glass, but she knew the others could based on their reactions.

The music faded off quietly as what looked to be the hosts smiled warmly at the crowd. "Welcome… Caroline and I would like to thank everyone for making the journey here today. I know we have neighbours from the next state over, and even those from across the ocean, so it means a lot that you all made the trip. We were honoured to host this year's event again, every chance we're offered the opportunity, we try and take it… to be able to play such a big part in such a testament of our history is an exalt to our sires before us." the blonde haired male smiled warmly as he handed the speech off to his, what Alice assumed, was his wife. They spoke just above average indoor voices, so had the room not have been as dead silent as it was, Alice would have never been able to hear it. Now, she struggled to make out some words, but she caught the gist of what they were saying.

Stepping forwards, Alice felt the familiar sting of green envy at the beauty of the woman, but quickly swallowed her jealousy as she began to speak. "As you all know, this is a monumental day in our history, and every year we all gather to remember those we lost, and the steps we took in our past. So while enjoying yourself this evening, we just ask you take a moment to remember who and what our previous friends and family passed for. So without further ado, we extend our gratitude for your attendance, and wish you the best of the evening. Please, enjoy yourselves, and don't be shy." she smiled as the room fell into a low rumble of classy and controlled applause.

Standing from her seat, the Major appeared beside her and grasped her arm before she could go anywhere. This time, his grasp was light and casual, where as before it had been demanding and hard. Slightly surprised by the change in ton of his hold, Alice turned to him in surprise as his lips dropped to her ear, his breath once more sending shivers down her back while her heart leapt up and her stomach dropped. Alice cursed herself and her body for reacting so, but when she finally turned to see him staring back at her with a knowing smirk on his face, Alice could remember hating anything more than the blush that betrayed her feelings.

"Could I convince you to give me one more dance before we leave?"

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