Chapter 113

Author’s Pov

The back of a patrol car has never felt so comfortable. Exhaustion pulls at every muscle in my body, wanting me to lay across Almara’s lap and let her stroke my hair as I fall into a deep sleep. Even the thought of resting comfortably in her scent make my eyelids become heavier.

My body wants to lay down, so I straighten up in my seat. I can’t rest yet. Not until I’m rid of this horrid plague, otherwise sleep isn’t peaceful. Just one nightmare after another leaving me more exhausted each time I awaken.

Besides, we’re almost home which means I’m just minutes away from seeing my daughter and that thought alone is sparking enough energy in me to keep me awake. Not to mention, Almara and I will finally be alone too. I give her hand a quick, comforting squeeze. Though, if I were to be honest I’m the one who needs comforting.

As excited as I am to be reunited with my family, I’m in no better condition than when I decided to leave. In fact, I think I’m worse. I’ve only been gone three days, but it feels like an eternity already.

The desire for blood is an ever-present pang in my heart and thought in my head. Fighting off the urge to leap across the back seat and force the hand of the driver to crash so I can suck blood from his neck is getting more challenging to do.

I look out the window and I’m relieved to see familiar turf and rolling hills one again. Though the wilderness is beautiful, it’s no place to be when having a mental crisis. The beauty very quickly becomes twisted, as trees morph into shadowy figures at night that lurk over you.

I shudder at the thought and Almara rubs her thumb over my hand. I try my best to give her a reassuring smile, but I know it’s weak.

We’ve mostly been quiet the car ride home, as discussing personal matters in front of others is never wise. Even if Father swears this officer is a friend, he’s not a friend of mine personally and isn’t allowed front row tickets to the inside scoop of my life.

“You’ve got to me kidding me.” Almara says, breaking the silence. I turn my head to look out her window, but I already hear the cheering of the crowd as the slows to a stop.

“Wait here. I’ll hand this.” The driver says, quickly putting the car in park and getting out. As soon as he opens the door, the noise is amplified, bleeding into the once silent car. My pulse quickens, one reason being the utter annoyance of it all.

The other reason is because the excitement of the crowd means their hearts are wildly beating beneath their chest, sending pumps of blood throughout their veins. Unfortunately, this is the reason that is dominating my mood.

Though I must be wearing the annoyed expression well enough because Almara looks at me with grave concern. “This will all blow over.” She tells me. She leans in closer and lowers her voice. “And when it does, and when you’re feeling better, perhaps we can go back to the woods you were in and take a nice, long, private vacation.”

Her voice is a husky whisper that raises goosebumps across my flesh. I get the urge pull her into me and force her hips on my lap and kiss her body all over. I’m about to do it when a noise outside distracts our focus. Almara quickly turns her head causing her hair to whip me in the face.

She smells like apples and fresh rain. I trace my fingers up her back as I lean in close behind her, pretending to look out the window with her, ignoring the whimper that escapes her lips or the way her body suddenly becomes acutely aware of mine so close behind her.

“Let’s get inside.” I whisper in her ear. She leans back against my chest, but I push forward. Leaning over her to open the car door. The crowd’s roaring becomes intolerable. Almara’s skin becomes flush as if embarrassed if someone saw her melting into the body of her husbands.

I give her a little nudge and hide my smile as her knees buckle while she climbs out the car. I keep my eyes fixated on Almara despite the shouts and glimpses of limbs flailing themselves at me as we near the front door.

“I said get back!” I hear someone yell that I recognize to be the officer. I give a courteous glance and smile at the crowd, out of habit. There’s a flimsy yellow tape that’s keeping the people at bay. How ridiculous the rules people decide to follow. Should one person decide to give into there desires, no measly string of yellow tape could hold them back.

Then again, that’s all my restraint is from giving into my blood-thirst desires. A flimsy piece of tape that holds no merit except the warning of what lays on the other side.

There’s a big white flash that blinds my vision momentarily and halts my train of thought. Regrettably, I let the anger show. I let out somewhere between a growl and snarl in the general direction while rubbing my eyes, trying to regain vision.

There may truly may have been a moment of silence, or maybe I blacked out. Though I wish for the former, the latter proves to be true as I’m now suddenly through the front door.

“You’re okay.” Almara says to me and I’ve never felt the need to prove my dominance to her until now. Had she forgotten that I’m the alpha? I’m the one who tells her things will be okay. I’m the one who takes care of her.

“Oh, thank the moon.” I hear my mother say as she quickly approaches the front door. She wraps me tight in her arms. I get the sickening desire to sink my teeth into her neck. The space between her ear and shoulder is perfectly lined up with my mouth. I close my eyes and let out a strained breath.

“Everyone out.” I command as I move past my mother and make my way further inside. I begin to secure the curtains shut and drawn the shades. When I reach the living room, I’m met with wide eyes of confusion.

“Out!” I repeat louder. “Except Almara and Grace.” Everyone moves quickly on their feet, scurrying past me. Almara stands in the center of the living room holding Grace and I step towards them. Almara doesn’t look afraid, she looks pained and that’s what scares me.

I’m afraid I’ll become her source of worry rather than her source of comfort. Though I shake that thought from my head. I won’t let it come to that. I take Grace from her arms and look at the face of m daughter.

A splash of liquid falls on her cheek and I look up to see if there’s a leak in the ceiling, until I realize it’s my own tears. She’s asleep, so peacefully unaware of the chaos around her. I stroke her cheek. My calloused hands almost feel to rough to be rubbing her sot skin.

I lay her back in her bassinet and watch as she falls more deeply into sleep. Then I turn to Almara who has her own tears rolling down her cheeks.

I cross the room and scoop her into my arms. Her spine curves back and she presses her chest into mine. I cup my hand behind her head and plant my lips on hers. She taste so good. I can’t get enough. I kiss her over and over, until we’re both panting for breath.

She begins to remove her shirt and my hands race up to her bare chest. She lets out a moan, softly parting her lips. I bite down and instantly know it was too much. Almara yelps back in pain I quickly let her go.

I wipe my mouth with my sleeve, careful not to swallow any blood I may have drawn. I bring my eyes to meet hers and a shocked pain settles across her face as her fingers tremble up to her lips.

The faintest smell of metal enters my nostrils and intoxicates me. I can’t help it any longer. I fall to my knees and weep.