Chapter 23

"Would you kiss me again?"

Charlie was completely caught off guard with the question, he knew Ariel was bold but he didn't think it was to this extent. He opened his mouth to speak but his voice was caught in his throat, he simply looked at her, she stood up from the bed and walked closer to him. He took two steps back, avoiding her eyes.

Ariel moved even closer to him until his back hit the wall

"Please…" was all she said before crashing her lips on his.

That was the first time she was using the magic word 'please' and it didn't even sound like a plea.
Charlie had no time to think, she was not only kissing him, she was running her hands over his body in a way that made him feel strange things. For a few minutes, he kissed her back, ravishing every corner of her mouth, she tasted good, like honey. His wolf was beginning to take control when Charlie told himself to stop, this was not right.

It took all the willpower in him to stop himself from pinning her to the bed, Charlie held her two hands and whispered huskily in her ears

"You don't know what you are getting yourself into, don't start what you cannot finish"

"Your wolf is hungry, feed him"

He held her by the hand, ignoring the flames that shot through his body as he did, he dragged her to the door and opened it for her,he motioned for her to leave. She could not protest because the guards were already raising a questioning brow as to why he was opening the door for a maid.

Charlie breathed out in relief as soon as he closed the door behind him, what was she doing to him? His wolf had never been this hungry. It felt like he was going to come out and devour him instead. What was she doing to him? Just a few minutes ago he had considered the option of taking Ariel, a maid, to his bed. What if all these were just her plot to get him to bed her?

Shutting his eyes tightly he climbed up the bed as if to shut out the hunger he was feeling inside.

You are such an idiot, she offered herself on her platter and you foolishly rejected her.

It was almost like his wolf was speaking in his head, well, he turned around on the bed and prayed for a little sleep. To get his mind away from this torture at least.

He was thankful because few minutes later, he found himself drifting into oblivion.

He dreamt. Of flowers and sunshine. Olives, lovely woman waiting patiently in the flowers. The closer he walked towards her, the farther she drifted from her grip.

Charlie sighed and stirred from his sleep, he woke up with a start. He lay down again and decided to give sleep a second chance, this time, he slept.
•••••••••••••••

Earl was both surprised and happy that Nellie had kissed him, he grabbed her head and took over the kiss, his mouth was demanding, searching, hungry for something that she could not seem to get enough. Hers was willing to give, ready to be devoured and too sweet for him to even control the need to take her.

He laid her back on the bed and kissed her even harder, they were both panting and completely out of breath. Earl only paused for a few seconds to allow her breath, his wolf was enjoying this like never before, and for the first time in his life, he felt the need to just follow his directions and take Nellie there.

He had to remind himself that she just woke up from a two day coma, he had to stop. But he didn't, he couldn't, he savored her lips, every part of it, she tasted as sweet as she scented. He kissed her long and hard, when his hands left the back of her head she couldn't stop it from wandering to her dress, they wandered everywhere.

He felt Nellie stiffen under his touch, one hand took the soft mound on her chest and caressed it lightly.

Earl you have to stop, she just recovered. He was trying to convince himself.

Come on! Take her, she is yours. His wolf spoke authoritatively, Earl knew he couldn't control the fire that had been ignited in him, he cussed himself silently and looked down at Nellie. He held her eyes for a while searching, begging her to tell him to stop. The need in her eyes matched his, he brought his mouth back on hers, kissing her with all the passion in his head, he was going to do things to her…

The knock on the door jolted them back to their senses, Nellie gave Earl a shy look and motioned towards the door. Ear stirred at the door for a few more seconds just to be sure his ear had not deceived him, the knock game again, Earl groaned inwardly.

"Who is there?" He could barely recognize his own voice.

"Ariel, My Lord"

Earl looked at Nellie on the bed, she was still trying to collect herself. He gently placed one hand on her hands to steady her, ignoring the heat that surged through him as their bodies came in contact, he lifted the sheets to cover her where he had removed them and tried to arrange her hair back. When he was done, he stood up from the bed, put on a shirt and sat on a chair in the dressing mirror.

"Come in" His voice was steadier now.

Ariel opened the door and walked in, she looked at Earl and quickly averted her gaze shyly.

"Good My Lord"

"Why are you here?" Earl tried to hide the anger and disappointment in his voice, Ariel had come at the wrong time. If the knock had delayed just another second he wasn't sure he would have been able to stop himself from taking her, now his wolf was fighting to take control, he was having a very difficult time controlling himself.

"I came to check if My Lady is awake" Ariel bowed again.

Of Course she is awake, awake and well.

"Ariel" It was Nellie's voice.

"My Lady" Ariel looked at the bed surprised, she avoided looking at the bed because Earl's eyes were watching her intently.

"You are awake!" She ran to the bed and stopped herself from falling, grabbing Nellie's hand. She ran her finger through Nellie's body to be sure she was alright. Nellie and Ariel had gotten so close over the weeks.

Earl stood up from the chair and walked outside, he looked at Nellie as if communicating with her through his eyes, she understood and nodded.

Earl made his way outside leaving the ladies in the room, he went into the garden where he had left Oliver. He was still trying to process what had happened between him and Nellie. She had kissed him! And he had kissed her back with so much hunger, Lord knows what would have happened if Ariel had not interrupted.

He paused, something else had happened, he had spoken with her in his head and she understood, she heard him! That was strange, the things he did with her were strange. Earlier, his wolf had reacted in a way he had never reacted with Ina or any other woman before, his wolf had wanted to come out, to claim Nellie.

Strange. Even before, when he kissed Ina it was always a simple act of affection and duty, to satisfy his need. But the one kiss he just shared with Nellie had him questioning his entire existence, Nellie was different. Was it because she was an Alpha? Ina was his Luna and they were from two packs, different, yes. But they were wolves, werewolves. Surely there should be no difference? Earl's head was banging hard.

Earl had a lot of questions running through his head but there were no answers. What was so different about Nellie and why was his wolf so hungry for her? He suddenly felt someone behind him and immediately turned, he reached for his sword and realized he was wearing a simple shirt.

"My Lord" Kayel stood there in all his glory, his long blonde hair with the wind, his beautiful eyes glistening, Earl knew he was beautiful, but he always thought Kayel was breathtaking.

"Kayel. You are back"

He only smiled, "I stayed a bit too long, I am sorry"

Earl nodded, if the man had come earlier, Nellie wouldn't have been wounded and she wouldn't have ended up in his bed where she had just kissed him.

"What did he say?" He was annoyed that his thoughts were still drifting back to Nellie.

"The portion is ready, but the Witcher himself is busy at the moment" Kayel looked disturbed.

"Why? What is more important than protecting the Alpha and the castle from the Rogues?" Earl ached a questioning brow.

"Nothing I bet, except that his wolf is missing"

"I am sure he will figure that out, but for now you will have to wait. The Witcher will be here tomorrow to spread the portion"

Kayel stood back, his eyes watching Earl intently. He looked disturbed, worried. Normally Kayel did not care what these purebreds felt, but he had grown to know and love Earl and Beta and he couldn't stop the concern that swept him.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Kayel crossed his hands behind his back and studied Earl's features.

"What?" Earl gave him an innocent look.

"You are worried, is it the wolf?"

"What wolf?"

"Nellie" was his short reply.

Earl scoffed. "We are all wolves," He reminded me. Except you, of course he added in his head.

"Good for you, now why is she bothering you?"

"It's nothing serious, she was wounded two days ago by the Rogues and she just recovered"

"I know"

Earl scoffed again "I forgot you know it all, why then did you ask?"

Kayel chuckled darkly "Maybe because that is not exactly what is bothering you?"

"Now what are you talking about?"

"Nevermind" Kayel chuckled again.

That annoying chuckle, he was always taunting him. "I hope you are not invading my thoughts?"

"I wouldn't dare, my Lord," Kayel answered mockingly.

Earl sighed, "Why didn't you go to Charlie?"

"He's resting. The Rogues that attacked the wolf, Bella did not send them"

Earl was surprised, Nellie had told him that Bella's Rogues were after her. If Bella did not send them this time, then who did? Was this all a sham?

"Ina did," Kayel replied, reading his thoughts.

Earl stood transfixed for a while, he opened his mouth to ask another question but Kayel was gone, vanished into thin air.
•••••••••••••

Nellie motioned for Ariel to sit on the bed as soon as Earl left the room. Ariel was all smiles and the shy look on her face was immediately replaced by a happy and genuine giggle.

"I have missed you so much," She screamed, hugging Nellie.

Nellie froze, she had not expected so much emotions from Ariel. She was still having a hard time trusting, after what Bella did to her and Ariel was her maid.

"I am sorry My Lady" Ariel bowed shyly.

"It's alright, Ariel. You know what happened to me, you should understand if I'm being a little reserved right now"

Ariel nodded. "How are you now? Are you hurting anywhere?"

"No I'm fine now" Nellie smiled "I'm just tired… and confused"

"Why? What is wrong" The genuine concern on Ariel's face warmed Nellie's heart.

"Earl. He doesn't talk about his Luna, where is she?"

Ariel's eyes widened in shock "I thought you knew"

"Knew what? He doesn't talk about her, he avoids any conversation that involves her"

Ariel sighed in understanding "She left him for a Rogue, the day he brought you home"

The word hung in the air like fog, it made sense now. Earl, a powerful Alpha of the Blood pack, wounded and left for dead in the woods where she found him soaked in his own blood. How could she not have known?

Why would any woman want to leave him… for a Rogue? His Luna must be blind to choose a Rogue over this sinfully beautiful man! He was annoying and arrogant, yes. But those were the traits that she liked about him, she found it fascinating… her hands involuntarily went to her lips, Nellie blushed remembering the kiss. She had kissed Piere a couple of times before, but the kiss she shared with Earl was a mind twister, she would never forget.

As if reading her thoughts, Ariel exclaimed "You kissed him!"

Nellie flushed with embarrassment and immediately covered Ariel's mouth with her hands.

"It's okay, My lady, I also have a confession" Ariel whispered when Nellie finally let go of her mouth.

For a split second, Nellie was scared of what Ariel's confession was. She really hoped it was not that she had kissed Earl before. She could feel herself getting angry already.

Relax, Nellie. She is your maid! But then, she was here, having this awkward discussion with her maid.

"It's not what you think My Lady, there is no need to be jealous"

"You are reading my thoughts?" Nellie's eyes widened in realization.

"I can't help it, My Lady" Ariel smiled this time. Nellie had to admit the girl was bold.

"That is an invasion of privacy" She tried to sound harsh but failed.

"It's okay if you like the Alpha" Ariel whispered, ignoring Nellie's harsh tone.

"Now what are you talking about?" Nellie gave her a questioning look.

"I love his Beta and he is my mate. That is why I am here" Ariel said the words easily.

"What mate? Who is your mate?"

"Charlie and I am here to make him realize that"