Chapter 104

Francium was escorted by armed guard back to a room somewhere else on the compound while Candido and I headed back to the room I’d woken up in. I hoped he and Claire were able to be near to each other. I didn’t know how it worked with hybrids, but I knew that I didn’t want to be far from Candido and I hadn’t even gotten my full moon mark yet.

My stomach fluttered with happiness at the thought of what it would look like when it was complete, about how it would feel to know that my alpha king really was mine, and I was his queen.

As soon as the door closed, he was on me, backing me up towards the bed and pressing his lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around him, thrilled about it, and letting him kiss me as deeply as he wanted. We fell backwards onto the bed with a soft grunt. His hands skimmed over my body, kneading, and squeezing as he licked into my mouth and groaned.

He slotted his hips between my thighs and rolled them against me, sending flashes of pleasure through me. I rolled my hips against his and put my hands in his hair, making sure he couldn’t get away. His lips dropped to my neck and he sucked and licked a spot near my ear that made me twist and cry out from how sensitive I was.

“You sound so good, little one,” his voice rumbled. “More. Let me hear more of you.”

I trembled as his hand found one of my breasts and kneaded it through my shirt. I twitched as his thumb brushed over my nipple and he pushed his hips against me, grinding he hard, rigid line of his erection against me. My legs quaked and I cried out.

“More,” he groaned against my throat, pinching my nipple hard. “Louder.”

“Candido, please!” I cried, turning my head.

The world started to grow hazy and dark.

Then, I opened my eyes at him calling my name.

“Hedy, are you alright?” I blinked up at him. Looking between him and the door that he was closing. I frowned and turned back to the bed, trying to figure out what had just happened.

It had felt so real. I could still feel the hard length of him pressing against me and his hands on my breasts.

“C-Candido…”

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” He asked.

I looked up at him. “You… Did you?”

He frowned. His clear green eyes didn’t seem heated as if he had done it on purpose. I stared into his eyes, searching for some sign of his wolf.

Then, there was just a little flicker in his eyes. His eyes widened and he gasped, drawing back. The flush that spread across his cheeks went down his shirt and he seemed at a loss for what to say.

I swallowed. “Let’s… go to bed?”

He nodded, and though we shared the bed, he stayed on his side, just holding my hand.

In the morning, we met Claire in the lobby. She looked better, less pale. I couldn’t smell blood on her breath, but she didn’t look at me hungrily. Francium gravitated towards her and took her hand. They looked at each other as if they were having a silent conversation. She smiled up at him and nodded.

Candido led the way to an SUV guarded by Blue Moon operatives. Francium helped Claire into the car and Candido helped me inside after her. It was strange having the four of us in the car, like some strange double date, but I smiled at Claire.

She looked nervous, but like she was trying to hide it.

“You’ll have to see the penthouse,” I said.

Her eyes widened.

My lips twitched. “I… moved out of the Estate.”

Her jaw dropped. She glanced at Candido.

“It was meant to be a gift for when you graduated,” Candido said. “Though, given the circumstances, I imagine you’ll want it more for the space.”

So, she could have a place to relax and drink blood in peace. She worried her lip and looked at me.

“Is the few nice?”

“Of course!”

I went on about all the odds and ends of the penthouse, filling the ride’s silence with details about the functions of the tubs and showers. I went on and on about the kitchen and how much space there was.

“You could even have Francium over and I wouldn’t hear a thing,” I winked at her.

Claire grinned. “I imagine you’ll be too busy back the Estate in our alpha king’s bed.”

My face heated, and I realized how much I had missed Claire all over again as she laughed. Francium smiled, watching us, before leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes. Claire leaned on his shoulder and took his hand.

They looked so sweet that way. Candido slipped his hand into mine and I smiled, leaning on his shoulder. Claire wiggled her eyebrows and I grinned at her.

“We have so much to catch up on.”

She hummed. “I saw the footage… The dress was beautiful but I think your actual wedding dress should have a lot more train.”

I bit my lip. “I trust your sense of taste.”

“I know.”

The ride back to the estate was long, but it was nice. We got out and Candido turned to Francium.

“It would be best if you aren’t there for the first of it.”

Francium stiffened and he looked at Claire. She smiled at him and kissed his cheek.

“I’ll be fine. You won’t be far.”

“I’m never far,” he said, solemnly. He nodded and pressed another kiss to her lips before following Team Gamma-2 around the side of the estate. Candido led us inside. I twined my arm with Claire’s, hoping to give her a bit of peace as we entered. Candido took us to one of the parlors before calling for the staff to send Claire’s family down.

Allen and his wife arrived and Candido headed them off before they could see Claire.

“I want you two to remain as calm as possible.”

His wife sniffled. “Of course, Your Majesty. Is… everything alright?”

Claire rose to her feet, worrying her lip as I watched from the couch. Candido led them inside. Allen went pale as he stepped into view. His wife drew a sharp breath. Her eyes turned glossy with tears and she darted across the room to throw her arms around Claire.

Claire practically sagged in her arms, wrapping her arms around her, and letting her mother cry into her shoulder and stroke her hair.

I smiled, feeling my eyes burn with tears.

Candido settled into the seat beside me and took my hand. I was happy for Claire and her mother. I knew they had always had a close relationship, but seeing them always reminded me of what I didn’t have growing up and what I had gotten instead.

Candido squeezed my hand and pressed a kiss to my hand.

“What happened to you?” Allen asked, his voice haunted. “You’re… You’re different.”

Her mother pulled back and shook her head, cupping her face. “She’s not… She’s still our little Claire. Oh, honey, I… When the news—”

“No, honey,” Allen said stiffly. “She is different. Very different. What happened to you?”

Claire went still before she straightened her spine.

“Francium turned me into a vampire.”

Her mother’s eyes went as wide as saucers. She swooned a bit, shaking her head. Allen helped her into a seat. His face was flushed with fury, and he set his jaw.

“Francium is a vampire?”

“He’s my mate,” Claire said. “And… he’s only half-vampire.”

“He turned you,” Allen hissed. “He killed you!”

“It’s not that simple,” Claire said. “Please, Dad… just listen.”

He shook his head. “He took you from us. You’re not… How are you meant to live like this?”

She went stiff and stepped back. I could see the tension in her shoulders at her father’s words. I was sure that Allen didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but I knew that Claire wouldn’t think that way.

“With us,” her mother said, sniffling. “Who cares if she’s a vampire? She’s our daughter Allen. She’s here with us when… when so many others have lost their children without even a chance to say goodbye.”

Allen seemed stunned into silence as her mother took Claire’s hands in hers.

“I’d like to meet him, formally. We’ll have to have a ceremony once everything has calmed down, but…Welcome home, Claire.”

Claire said nothing for a moment. Then, she sniffled and wrapped her arms around her mom. I heard her crying as they embraced. Allen sniffled before approaching and wrapping his arms around his wife and daughter.

“If… If that Francium is really your mate,” Allen said stiffly. “I… suppose I can’t kill him.”

Claire threw her head back and laughed and it was the happiest I had heard her sound since I found her.