Duke
T
he smile I wore as our mansion came into view was my first genuine one in years. It didn’t matter that it was late at night, nor that I hadn’t
let my brothers know we were coming home early. I was happy; I was going to see Elora.
I knew she’d be angry at me and had every right to be, but I’d missed her. Not a day, hour, or minute went by without her on my mind. It had been five years since I’d seen the sweet girl and four since I’d spoken to her. I’d wanted to call, but every time I tried, I couldn’t. What if she ignored me? Her voice alone was enough to make me want to come back home. My heart couldn’t handle the hypothetical cold shoulder from her, so I broke hers instead.
Her soft breathing and heart beating could be heard from the driveway, and I knew from the steadiness of both that she was asleep. A wave of serenity washed over me, and I sighed, not realizing how much I’d missed the sounds of her mortality. I decided right then that I’d never leave her again.
Felix pulled in right as I threw my gear into park. He was also eager to be home, though for a much different reason than I. I didn’t bother getting my bags as I exited my car. Instead, I made my way around my car until I met our leader head-on.
“I will not go on another mission,” I stated, my tone leaving no room for debate. “That is final. Five years was too long.”
The vampire didn’t reply while he pulled his suitcase from his trunk, and I took his silence as agreement. With a nod, I turned from my friend and approached our front door. I didn’t even bother knocking in preference of pushing the door open. The dim lighting and musky scent of ‘home’ welcomed me warmly. “You two weren’t supposed to be back for a few
more days,” Eugene greeted, his eyebrows creased as he watched Felix follow me in.
Everyone was sprawled out on sofas, full drinks in hand, and I could only assume they were celebrating Lucifer’s return. I doubt the man did much grandiose entertaining. However, they were probably still interested in what had taken place over the years.
Theo grinned. “Welcome home.”
Felix immediately went to grab a glass and poured himself a whisky on the rocks. “The world is going to shit,” he mused, raising his glass in a subtle toast before downing it just as quickly.
That it was. One by one, werewolf packs were taking over large territories of unclaimed land, and where there were packs, there were rogues. With rogues came destruction and bloodshed; with rogues came death.
As much as I wanted to have a seat and make up for lost time with my clanmates, I needed to see her. Without a ‘hello’ or ‘thank you,’ I was turning away from my friends in favor of the stairs that would bring me to my Elora.
“Duke, don’t–” Dane started.
“Let her sleep. She had a long day,” Quin cut him off.
I didn’t listen to them and really didn’t care what they had to say. Having been apart from her for so long, I needed to see her; I yearned for it. Once on her floor, I trekked through hallways and corridors until I was finally at her door. It was only then that my nerves flared.
Going back downstairs wasn’t an option–not when I was so close. I palmed the doorknob, letting myself gather my faculties before slowly turning it. It was not my goal to disrupt her slumber, but I wouldn’t be too fussed if I were to accidentally wake her. I wanted to talk to her, see her smile, or laugh. Just being in her presence was enough, but I was greedy and couldn’t deny wanting more.
When the door opened, I walked through the threshold only to stop as soon as my crimson gaze settled on her. My breath got stuck in my throat, and my body froze completely. Where there once was a small fourteen– year–old lay a young woman–a beautiful one at that. Sure, I had expected a growth spurt or two, but nothing could have prepared me for what Elora had become.
The right side of her body was hidden under a thick white comforter, while the left was exposed, vulnerable to the cold room. Despite her maturation, she was still a tiny thing–just with longer legs. My eyes traced them, taking note of their sunkissed tone until they reached her feet.
Her waist was narrow, and her hips curved gently, showcasing her petite yet healthy-proportioned figure. I forced myself to look elsewhere when my gaze lingered on her bottom as it peeked out from her pajama shorts.
Instead, I found myself looking at her visible collarbone and the slim shoulders it was attached to. Whether I liked it or not, my eyes drifted lower, finding themselves drawn to the tasteful cleavage peeking from the top of her shirt.
Pushing my gaze somewhere more appropriate yet again, I focused on her face. What once was cherubic was now seraphic, carved masterfully as though by MichelAngelo’s hand. Her eyelashes almost brushed the top of her cheeks as she remained in tranquil slumber. Below them, her lips were puffy and pouted while her wild hair fell from her braid into divine disarray. This was not the Elora I left behind; this was something new. It was a bud that had blossomed not into a flower but into one of the most exquisite
women I’d ever seen.
I furrowed my brows, bewildered by my current thought path. How dare I think of her that way! Hell, I shouldn’t have been eyeing her so greedily, either. I knew better; no matter how much she had changed, this was still Elora.
Forcing my legs to move, I went to the side of her bed and tugged her blanket until it covered her completely. In my appraisal, I hadn’t missed the sleeping beauty’s goosebumps or gentle shivers. It was cold, and she hated the cold.
Once she was covered thoroughly, I crouched down and studied her. God, she was beautiful. She’d grown so much, and I’d missed it all. I should have never left; I should have stood my ground more. Now, I’d lost five years of her life that neither of us could get back.
Maybe her dramatic transformation wouldn’t have hit me so hard if I’d stayed.
Having seen enough, I stood and briskly made my way out of her room. I closed the door with the utmost care, needing a moment to collect my thoughts before leaving.
Even as a vampire, which by definition, were nearly perfect beings, I’d never seen another soul look that flawless. How had this happened? How had the little girl that I rescued become so striking?
My mind raced as I meandered downstairs. I hesitated to enter the living room after my one-sided interaction with Elora. Once I did, everyone there (minus Felix) gave me a knowing look.
“I didn’t wake her,” I stated with narrowed eyes, though I was sure they’d been eavesdropping the entire time.
Theo smirked. “Good. Just watched her sleep, you creep.”
With a roll of my eyes, I defended myself. “It wasn’t like that. I haven’t seen her in five years.”
“And now that you have?” Lucifer asked lowly, his head cocked ever– so slightly.
Once again, everyone gave me the same stare as though they expected me to reveal my improper attraction. I couldn’t; I wouldn’t. Instead, I poured myself a much-needed drink and sat on one of the couches. For them to even consider what they were… It was wrong.
“Welcome home,” Theo laughed, shaking his head at my discomfort. Felix looked between us. “Am I missing something?” He questioned.
He was met with silence while my lips met the edge of my cup, downing the whiskey within.
Quin raised his eyebrows (also), unsure if he wanted to give a direct statement about the sleeping girl upstairs. “You’ll see for yourself in the morning,” he responded ambiguously. His non-answer furthered Felix’s confusion.
“Elora got hot,” Lucifer deadpanned, breaking the silence and revealing our secret in one fell swoop.
Dane physically cringed. “That’s enough,” he snapped, looking flustered.
“Right,” Felix scoffed and rolled his eyes. His demeanor reeked with disbelief–as though he believed Lucifer was lying; he wasn’t. “That kid probably grew up to be lazy and annoying under the watch of you four.”
That caught my attention, and I sat up straighter. How could I have been so careless? I was so wrapped up in the time lost and her physical development that I’d forgotten to think of who she’d become.
“How is she in school? Does she still do sports? What about friends– does she have friends?” I asked, feeling the sudden need to be caught up on
everything about her.
“You should ask her all that tomorrow,” Dane replied with a knowing smile.
“Yeah–you’re going to need an icebreaker,” Eugene chimed in, giving me a sharp glance. It quickly became a solemn smile. “I don’t think she ever forgave you for leaving.”
I leaned back with a sigh. Deep down, I knew she hadn’t forgiven me, just as I knew I’d do everything within my power to make it up to her. My absence made me miss so many milestones; it was my fault she hadn’t shared them with me over the phone. Not knowing the answers to my questions brought me shame, and I only had myself to blame.
Hell–she was probably on her third boyfriend by now, someone as attractive as her had to be. Part of me hoped she was unattached; single, and pure. The thought of some disgusting mortal boy with his grubby hands all over her made my blood boil.
“What about boys?” I asked Dane, needing to know the answer just as much as dear Elora needed air.
Theo laughed. “Like I’d allow that.”
“There are no boys,” Dane answered, his glare and tone stern.
Though I was surprised, I was mostly pacified. As much as I wanted to say my relief was due to her young age, I knew my reasons were selfish in nature. To say any different would have been a lie.
“I think we should go over our missions,” Felix interjected, effectively changing the subject.
My report came first, followed by Felix’s and Lucifer’s. Elora plagued my every thought the entire time, and I could only imagine what would happen when she awoke in a few hours. She’d be surprised to see me; I was sure of it. I just hoped she’d listen to my apologies. I desperately wanted– no, needed to fix things, but in order for that to happen, she had to let me.
