Dark Hunger

Auril directed the car to a lavish hotel outside Yorkshire that he had seen on the Google maps. It was nestled in the midst of lush greenery, which was covered in a layer of snow. There were too many visitors inside, since mostly stayed in their homes during winters. Tiny lights covered the pathway and large trees overhead were like a canopy that didn't allow the sun to reach the ground.

He parked the car in the lowest parking floor in order to save Elize from the sunlight. Once Elize was out, Caleb rushed to her and fussed over her. He pulled her hood up and adjusted her cloak and gave her dark shades that he had asked Laurel to take out from the dashboard, thinking that she might be sensitive to bright lights of the hotel. But more than that he knew that she was acutely aware of her red eyes. Elize accepted the shades and wore them, her thoughts churning on the inside as he continued to bustle around her. Honestly, she was exhausted.

"Are you feeling okay?" he asked with concern etched across his face. He knew that she was hungry, but she would never ask him to blood her. Elize nodded, much to his chagrin. Why wasn't she complaining like other women, like his previous girlfriends or even like Pia?

They reached the hotel's lobby where Caleb presented his black card to the receptionist. His wallet was in the car's dashboard, courtesy Arawn. The receptionist stared at Elize who was wearing dark shades and covered head to toe in clothes. However, a dangerous growl from Caleb sent him back to the back of the room to scan their IDs.

When she requested a separate room, Caleb slapped down a big hand on the counter, not bothering at the impact it had on the receptionist. "One for us." Elize pursed her lips and didn't argue with that. But her blush was noticeable. The man was Alpha as hell. And she was surprised that he had asked for the best suite for them.

Caleb didn't allow the bellman to enter the lift to go up their suite. When the four of them were alone, he turned to Laurel and said, "I need you to get blood for Elize."

Laurel jerked her head back. She was dead tired and really wanted to go to bed. Getting in the lift was a new experience for her. She was looking at everything with wide eyes. She had too many questions, but refrained from asking. Having heard the conversation that her queen had with her family, her mind was forming plans upon plans, seeking opportunity to do something. She blinked at Caleb and said, "Fr— from where? I— I don't know where to get blood in the human realm."

Caleb narrowed his eyes. In a voice with lethal calm, he said, "Figure it out."

"Yes, Your Highness," she replied as she froze in her place.

Auril and Laurel exited on their floor while Caleb and Elize went to the topmost floor where the suite was located. The lift opened right into the room. He placed his hand on the small of his back to guide her out but as soon as he was in the room, he rushed to the windows, yanking the curtains closed and reached her.

Elize stepped inside and though she was amazed at the opulence of the spacious suite they were in, she staggered past him towards the bedroom. When she reached the bed, she fell forward on it, almost half sleepy from all the exhaustion that had drained her. She looked very pale. Caleb was an immortal and immortals were usually very powerful, but Elize—she was only fragile. Why wasn't she picking up the immortal traits? He removed her shoes, her cloak and then her black shades. Her skin was cold and her shoulder muscles were all knotted. He went to the bathroom to run a hot bath for her. He returned to her and said, "Would you like to take a bath?"

Elize was only half aware of what he was doing or asking, but she nodded and then made an attempt to get up. When she got up sluggishly, the next thing she knew was that he had scooped her in his arms and taken her to the bathroom. He stripped her clothes away and grunted frustrated and muttered curses for not being able to control his shaft. Even as he was clearly tormented at seeing his wife naked after a long time, very gently he set her in the bath tub. Gods, how could she be so beautiful even though she was so pale and delicate? He sat beside her as she rested her head on the tub's edge.

"I can take a bath," she said in a low voice.

"But I won't leave you alone," he replied arrogantly. Saying that he handed her the soft sponge to clean her body. All the while she took a bath, he only watched her with alertness and didn't touch her. Once she was done, he dried her with a towel and then took her back to the bed in his arms. She was so light that it saddened his heart. He tucked her in the comforter and only after he was sure that she was fine, did he go to take a bath.

Elize appreciated the fact that he didn't force himself on her. Her man respected her… The thought brought a smile on her lips and she drifted off in deep slumber. She yawned when she woke up at twilight, warm and safe and rested, she found that Caleb was holding her hand, clutched to his chest. Heat rushed through her and poured through every part of her body. The heat had nothing to do with hurting him, but it was… it was as if her body wanted to weld the way he wanted to forge her. A shaky breath left her lips. Her eyes to his messy hair and as if her fingers had their own mind, she brushed those locked behind softly. Her gaze slid to his thick corded neck and then to his chest. Softly, lightly, she trailed her finger down, not able to resist the temptation.. Caleb stirred.