Chapter Seven: Together?
1526 Words
James
Claire’s heart is beating like mad and I can sense the fear in her. She is ready to flee at any moment.
“James,” Michael begins, “What a surprise to see you here. “
As I said, Michael is a hybrid. That normally means hybrids are stronger than us, possessing the qualities of two species.
However, Michael’s other part is human. Thus- slower, and more easily wounded. He would stand no chance against me in a fight. Michael can never rightfully challenge me as the next Alpha. So he is trying the other way.
The coward’s way - by playing games.
“I see you’ve been causing trouble for my wife. “
I come to stand between Emma and Michael. Claire looks scared shitless as Reid comes to stand closer and smiles at her.
“No, there’s no trouble at all. “ Michael lifts his hands, “We were just leaving. Besides, it was your so-called wife who called me, begging me to meet her here. “
I can’t stand his smug smile. I moved before I could think. My hands close around the lapels of Michael’s coat.
“Please, boss. Don't kill him here. “ Reid mindlinks me.
“Don’t worry. This asshole won’t do anything. “
“Listen, fucker,” I snarl in Michael’s face. “If you approach Emma again, I will kill you. “
Michal leans slightly in.
“You don’t want anyone to see you shifting here, do you?”
“I don’t care,” I say evenly and he knows I am not joking. I can smell Michael’s reactions, too. He is insecure. Scared, even. It’s a mixture between the primal kind of fear, the need to submit to the alpha, and the need to fight his instincts. I smile at his face.
“See? You're the scared one. “
Michael stepped away from me. I find Emma’s hand and take it in mine.
“Let’s go. “
I tell her, leading her out of the restaurant. Everyone is looking at us as we exit. Reid and one of the omegas take the other car and Emma and I head to the jeep.
Michael’s voice reaches me even when we're outside.
“How can you be so stupid, Claire?” he yells, “I told you- I don’t want any scenes. Emma has to trust me!”
“How was I supposed to know James would show up out of the blue?”
Claire yells back at him. “You said he doesn’t care about her, or anyone at all!”
Fuck them. I mutter and get in the car. I hear Emma’s heartbeat and her scent fills the air in the car. The driver starts the car.
I take a deep breath against the reaction of my wolf. He wants to claim her. I fight the urge to wrap my hands around Emma and tear her dress, or worse - kiss her gently and tell her she’s fine. So instead, I turn to her and ask.
“Why did you break my order and come here?”
****
Emma
James leans in his seat and I shift nervously.
“I’m so sorry. “ I beg, “I swear, I will never meet him again. All my ties with Michael are severed.”
“It didn’t look like they were just now.”
“I am sorry,” I stutter again.
I fold my hands in my lap, expecting the worst. I was so naive to think James and I could ever speak normally.
“An apology means nothing to me. “
He says. I can’t stop the tears, and tremble. I hug myself tighter against the shivering. Then I feel James shifting towards me, his body close to mine.
“Hey,” James says, his voice almost affectionate.” Why are you so scared of me?”
“I’m not,” I hear myself saying over the storm in my heart.
“I won’t hurt you.” James says,” No one will ever hurt you.”
I finally looked up at him.
“You won’t?”
“No…”
“You saved me just now. “ The words sound unbelievable even to me.
“I told you Michael was using you.” James says, “ And earlier you did exactly what he wanted you to. All he cares about is questioning my position. “
“I… I had no idea.” I admit, “He just told me to go to the manor, and… I didn't know about the reporters.”
I don’t know if James believes me or not, but I can only hope he does.
“Who were all these people earlier?”
James pauses, then exhales slowly.
“I can’t tell you now. But I have unfinished business with Michael. That’s why I told you to stay away from him.”
“I will.” I say, “I will keep my word. I wanted to see him to tell him that - I will never meet him like this again. Besides, my sister and he are together, planning to get married. There’s nothing between me and this man.”
There never was, I remind myself. But I can’t admit to James it’s not even Michael who is the father of my child. James would hate me even more if he knew this.
James shifts towards me further and I don’t move. I want him close to me. Despite all the madness of tonight, there’s a part of me that needs James to be close. To protect me like he did earlier.
“Emma?” He asks.
I turn to my side. James is only a breath away from me and in the darkness of the car, his eyes look even darker.
“How did you know I was here?” I whisper, “ In the restaurant ?“
“I told you- you can’t leave this marriage. You can’t escape this.”
“Who is Reid? “ I continue asking, “And the other man? One of your men was in the restaurant the whole time. I wasn’t sure he worked for you at first, but then he joined you when you entered.”
James searches my face.
“I can’t let anything happen to you.”
He says.
Earlier in the restaurant James was furious. He looked like he was going to kill Mike without batting an eye at him. I didn’t hear what they said to each other, but Mike looked terrified for a second.
And now, James is here with me, as if I am someone to protect. To be taken care of. It’s like James is two things at once. The crazy thing is I don’t know which I like more- the angry, confident and cold part, or the one caring for me.
Can I even have both…
“James?” I whisper, “Are you the one who paid for my mother’s operation?”
James holds my eyes. Then he moves and I expect him to kiss me. But instead, he takes my hand in his and approaches it to his lips. I can’t breathe, his lips brushing my wrist very lightly. His touch is a feather, gentle and careful.
He planted a kiss on my wrist, and then inhaled the scent of my skin.
“I…” I begin when James pulls away instantly and lets me go. He looks as surprised at what he did as I am. As if he didn't know why he kissed my hand.
“We’ve arrived.”
He says and I blink.
“Uhhh… What? Where?”
“Home, remember?”
And just like that he is back to the old James- the one who never looks gentle. I don’t know what he is thinking again, his expression unreadable and cold. James gets out of the car and the driver opens the door for me.
“What is this place?” I glance around and James leads me to the entrance.
“Remember, we are a real husband and wife now.”
“But…”
“This is where we will live from now on.”
We. Together.
James and I married recently but we never spent a night in the same building, let alone together. A few of the servants come out of the manor and bow their heads to greet us.
“Mister Miller, Miss Miller, welcome.”
I follow in, hesitating and we reach the top floor. I pause before one of the bedroom doors. I turn to James.
“Good night,” I manage and press the handle when James laughs quietly.
“This is my room too.” He says and my hand freezes.
“I… I don’t think we should stay together, and…”
“Why not?” James asks. He looks like he is about to burst out laughing and that makes me mad for some reason.
“Fine,” I grit the words out. Maybe I can sleep on the couch.
But when James pushes the door of the bedroom open and we get in, I see there are no couches.
- Writer
