ROTTEN LOVE - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

His words do not register.
You're my mate. I am his.
You're my mate. He is mine.
You're my mate. We belong together.
The instant I took off my necklace, I accepted it. Felt it in every fiber of my being.
He is the enemy but my heart works double for different reasons than rivalry. Those feelings were subdued in Maddox's presence. More like buried. And they have just been dug up, expose to the surface.
My senses act on overdrive as his smell sticks out for the first time. An aroma of pine, of morning air hug me.
The extent they use the word mate is foreign to me, but I understand he is mine, my other half. Not a half. A complimentary piece. We both could coexist without each other but together is better. It scares me.
Were my parents hiding me from werewolves or Zain?
I can't imagine they would consciously hide me from him, knowing what it would mean. The knowledge is overwhelming. I take a step back but his hands are steady on my face.
"Zain, I can't. I must go." I plea for him to release me.
My spell would come in handy. But I want him to do it on his own accord. Maybe, I know he won't, giving me a chance to relish more time in his embrace. Before the questions consume me. Before they choke me with uncertainty.
"Shhh...Helena, my Helena," he says so softly.
It sends shivers down my spine. He has called me by my name before, but the effect has heightened. I take a deep breath and allow my forehead to fall against his. "I am not sure what this means."
Maddox and Marisa come to mind. He might avoid the alliance with them since I am his.
I'm the caster yet he has placed a spell over me.
I don't want to leave him— ever. I hope I will never betray the Malffatos for Zain. It's a terrifying thought; one I hate.
Your home is with them. Remember who truly lies in your heart.
She knew Zain and I's meeting was inevitable. That I would question where I belong.
The Malfattos and Jason are home. If I am with them, I am content. My heart may not have room for Zain.
He senses the turmoil inside and encompasses me in his body. His hug tight but tender. He talks into my hair. "We won't be apart any longer."
The words should have comforted me, yet they heightened my fear more."Zain, I can't leave them," I choke out.
No clarification needed.
"They may stay. We still need this alliance. It turns out you were the correct answer. You are bonded to them, but you belong to me. I will protect them more— I cannot lose you again."
"Again?" I lean out. His face the center of my attention.
He looks pained. "You were suppose to be dead." His eyes lifeless. "Maddox's marriage proposal was unusual, not only because of who could have potentially been my bride, but because I was going to marry someone who was not my mate."
"Why would you?" I tilt my head toward the direction of the cabin. Had Marisa not played me, he would have been hers.
"When I was little, I felt a hollow sensation. My breathing picked up. Hands were sweating. The world spun until I became unconscious. There is no word to describe besides empty." He plays with my hair, the comfort instant.
He felt hollowed when he was little. Perhaps, when I put on the necklace. My pendant is not a werewolf repellant. It was masking me. Hiding me from him.
"I accepted the marriage because there was no one out there for me, so I believed." He brushes a kiss on my forehead.
For whatever reason, the pendant was meant to keep me from my half. It's why it burned him.
There must be a reason. I lean out of his grasp. "I must talk to Maddox."
At the mention of his name, Zain tenses. "You think of him still?"
"No...I need to talk to him about my parent's death. Last night I had a dream about the past. It made no sense. He will help piece things together." I say.
He releases me completely. "Sure, he will."
"Do you have something to say? I ask annoyed at the sarcasm evident.
"You mean to tell me he did not know the function of your little pendant? He was older than you, old enough to remember."
"Maddox would have told us. My mother wasn't keen on sharing her secrets. Not to mention he was a child too."
"Sounds reasonable. Of course, your vampire boyfriend would tell you the truth regarding a possible match with a werewolf."
I fist my hands so tight my nails embed at the palm of my hand.
Maddox would not hide the truth from me. He could have told me, and I still would have decided to leave the necklace on, if he requested. I trust him. He trusts me.
"I was never his girlfriend," I retort.
"No. Just a fuck buddy and his blood bank!"
"As you pointed out at breakfast, I never fucked him."
"Seems to me like that's the only thing you didn't do with him."
I narrow my eyes at him. "As if you're some saint. How many have you laid with from this pack?" The thought of him with someone else makes me mad.
"I never loved anyone I took to bed, and they knew it. Can you say the same thing?" he snaps.
I flinch at the jab. No. I could not say the same thing. I love Maddox. I thought I was in love with him.
Currently, I would describe it as admiration. There's physical attraction but it's not enough. I sigh loudly. "Maddox is in the past. I deserve answers and he deserves a chance to explain himself."
"I will go with you then." he counters.
"I do not need a guard dog."
The sound that comes out of Zain is murderous. He reaches for my waist, slamming me into him. His hand hard on my chin. "This dog can sniff something rotten from a mile away. You were hidden from me by the people you hold dear. Whether the Malfattos were aware, I don't know, but I won't risk having you taken away from me again."
He tilts my chin higher. My eyes are glued to his. "So, keep on barking and lashing out because this dog has a nastier bite."
My heart races in his arms. I arch into him without thought. There is nothing more I hate than being told what to do. I've been doing that my whole life.
He is possessive and dominant. Yet, on him, it sets me ablaze.
I push, but he holds me tight. I can make him stop. I merely have to think about it. But as he gets closer to my mouth, my will to do anything dissipates.
He claims my mouth with such force. I stumble back but his arm stables me. He guides my head and I follow.
Our tongues synchronize. My arms wrap around his neck, and my fingers tug at his hair. There's a push and pull with our bodies.
It wasn't close enough. I jump up. My legs wrap tightly around him. His hands wander from my thighs to my ass. We wanted the same thing—each other.
He fists my hair and tilts my head back, giving him access to my neck. His kisses make a path of sin until he reaches the spot he claimed.
He sucks the area, and I go molten in his arms. I surrender myself to him. His name is a plea. I look down at him.
"Tell me to finish the process."
I clench my legs around him. "We can't." I barely breathe out.
"We can." He leads my hand to palm him. "I am ready for you." He was hard. I shift my hand.
He groans at my touch, and I shift to grasp more of him. To get him closer to me.
He chuckles seductively into my chest. "You can't wait any longer. I can smell you. If I touch your center, would you be wet for me?"
He nips my breast through the shirt. Something like a whimper comes out. He laughs and my insides melt.
Yes. I would be.
"I think you would be drenched. I wonder what you taste like. Would you be as delicious as you smell?"
Yes. Yes. Yes.
My mouth stays shut. He brings his mouth back on mine. I could never get used to this. What could have been so wrong about us that my parents would prevent it?
I moan into his mouth. A disgusted grunt snaps our our heads.
Marisa with her arms crossed stares at us. I hop off Zain and move in front of him to cover his situation. A silent curse flies from his lips.
"I presume things are settled." She side eyes me as she walks closer. Her eyes a killer red.
I walk to her. "Are you feeling okay?"
Zain grips my wrist before I touch her. He doesn't want me to get near. Marisa would never harm me. I shove his touch away and caress her cheek. She is flushed. Her skin warm to the touch, an anomaly.
"I am now." She grabs my hand with a sigh of relief.
Zain locks his attention on us. A little discomfort builds. She is not well. Her eyes, ragged breathing and emerging yellowish undertones speak volumes. "What's wrong?"
"We were checking on the group, and I was feeding on Adam when an overwhelming sensation of need emerged." she says.
I study her, analyze her words. She was aroused.
"That's to be expected. You have been feeding off Adam for quite some time. You might seek more from him."
"No, Helena," she grits, "need is an understatement. I almost drained him completely. Nothing satisfied the hunger. I was burning. I had to be pulled away from him. That has never happened, and you know it."
Zain rolls his eyes. I give him a don't start look.
She is right. Marisa has always been in control. She can't afford not to be. Purebloods possess great power. If not controlled, then there is no saying what can happen.
I tuck her hair behind her ear. Her eyes converting back a grey hue.
"I knew you would be the answer." She leans into me.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder, and she rests her head on mine. The scent of vanilla brings me a sense of peace. She nuzzles her head further at the crook of my neck.
"Sorry for interrupting...whatever was going on. I needed to see you. I couldn't think straight but I knew you would be able to restrain me."
I pat her head.
There was nothing I did. Her sensation came to an end on its own.
Zain kept quiet. His stare is on her.
I push. "What's wrong?"
But he does not look at me. He studies Marisa, and it is her he asks, "have you felt this way before?"
She lifts her head from my shoulder and scowls. Her lips pursed. "No, wolf, I know it's hard to believe but we do have self-control."
"That's not what I meant. Would you mind getting closer?" he tells her.
She straightens. Her posture intensifies as her attention targets him. Why does he want her?
"She cannot. She is unwell. I will take her to my room."I answer for her.
Zain finally looks at me. He gives a lazy smile. "I won't harm her. It would mean harming you."
Marisa is not convinced but I give her a hesitant nod. She treads carefully. Each step hesitant.
Zain extends his hand. Their touch is a symbol of progression.
He pulls her closer. I whip my head around. My jaw clenches. Especially, as he leans and sniffs the side of her neck. Images of me punching him pop in my head.
He glides his nose up. Marisa's chest picks up speed. Her fangs become visible.
She is agitated. I am agitated. He gapes at me before hovering his face near hers.
"Zain." My tone flat. There's a deadly warning enlaced in it.
Marisa fists her hands. Her body shakes from rage, from anticipation. I hope she punches him. I'm about to.
As if reading my thoughts, she lands a hard one on his gut. Zain groans. His body hunches and he laughs. Marisa stomps her way back to my side. "Control your dog."
Zain straightens and eyes both of us, smirking. "I don't see what's funny?"
He does not answer but nears. He cups my face and kisses me. His tongue dances with mine. His head moving with mine. There's anger but it heightens the sensation of his lips. I kiss him harder.
I lose myself until I spot Marisa getting closer through the corner of my eyes. Her eyes are blood shut again. Her cheeks flushed.
Zain releases my face and steps back. Air enters my body rapidly. Marisa has a concerned look. Her hand makes it to her chest. Our breathing sync.
I recognize that look— a wanting. I cup her face. She is warmer than before. That's twice today. I am not sure what's wrong with her. I hug her tight. Her head buries in my chest. I soothe her back, attempting to simultaneously soothe myself.
Zain snaps our focus. "It's you, Helena. She is feeling what you are feeling."
My gaze drifts to her. We have been bonded for as long as I remember. It has never gone to this extent. Injuries was all we shared. A mechanism, I figured, my mom thought would be useful to keep us both safe.
She searches my eyes but when the answers were not clear her gaze drifts to my chest. She backs away slightly. Her tiny, pale hands reaches for my neck and caresses my skin softly. "Your necklace?"
My heart thunders. My necklace did not only keep me hidden from Zain—it also controls my bond with Marisa.