‘She felt it, I know she did,’ Henry thought to himself while he led his mate to the dance floor. He could see it on her face, she acknowledged the sparks that were meant to exist between two soulmates, and she seemed entranced with his eyes like he was with hers. He saw her pulse quicken on her neck, and her breath seemed to have picked up a pace. But on her exterior, she seemed calm and collected, the recognition was so fast, and it disappeared from her as quickly as it came. If he was not focused on her every blink, he would have missed it. But how she managed to hide it all and act like she didn’t feel it, it was a mystery to him.
“May I know your name?” Henry whispered, bringing himself closer to her and bending his head towards her ear.
“Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth...” he said almost silently, tasting her name on his tongue. “How long have you lived in New York?”
“It’s been more than 5 years now.”
“Do you like it here?”
“Yes.”
Henry swirled her around the floor effortlessly, and his senses told him that so many eyes were watching them but he never for a single moment strayed his gaze away from her. Her answers to him were short and restrained, so he didn’t ask anything else. Why did she act like this? How? How was that even possible? She was human, of course, but that was not supposed to be a problem. She was supposed to feel for him the same way he felt for her.
As soon as the song came to an end, Elizabeth excused herself and went towards the lady’s room. He used this opportunity to speak to the groom one more time.
“John, congratulations again. Your bride seems like a really nice girl.”
“Yes, she does, and she is,” John answered proudly.
“Does she know…?”
“Yes. I told her, and let me tell you… it wasn’t a joy ride. How about you? What are you going to do?”
“Well, since you are asking… Probably the same as almost all of my ancestors and cousins.”
“You think there is no other way? It’s quite drastic if you ask me.”
“I know. I thought about approaching her and making my moves slow, but she is one hard bullet, and she’s not easy at all. And my time is running out. I am not even sure how long I will be able to control myself. Well, you better than anyone know how it is.”
“I do, and that’s why I hoped… Never mind, man. do what you have to do.”
“See you around.”
John acknowledged him by a nod and went on his way to greet other guests. Henry headed to the exit, and on his way out, he passed by the lady’s room, where he slowed down, sharpening his hearing and focusing on the conversation held inside.
‘I don’t know Marie. He just gives me strange, unpleasant feelings. I think I will stay away from him…’ he heard Elizabeth’s muffled voice before he exited the restaurant.
‘Oh, my dearest Elizabeth, you have no idea what is coming your way.’
≈ ≈ ≈
Later that night, when Samantha and John already left for their honeymoon, one by one, guests started leaving the restaurant. Since Elizabeth lived in different parts of town than Jenny, Martha, and Marie, she had to take a different cab while they shared one ride. They said their goodbyes, and Elizabeth was on her way to her apartment. It took her more than a half-hour to get to her street. After paying the driver, she headed to her haven, as she used to call her apartment. It was more of a safe space really than anything else. The first place that she got after coming to New York and the place where she stayed for all of these 5 years. Her apartment was indeed small, but for her, it was enough. It consisted of a bedroom with an attached bathroom, a small living room, and an even smaller kitchen. Anyway, it was a place that gave her comfort after escaping her home back in Kansas City, and it was actually the only thing that she could afford then.
Unlocking the door, she remembered herself not to think again about her past. It was behind her, and there was no point in thinking about it anymore. She should focus on the future. But then she felt something weird, a strange smell. Awfully sweet and heavy. Before she had a chance to do anything, she felt a wet cloth that covered her nose and mouth.
She didn’t even have time to struggle, no time to think before darkness pulled her into its embrace.
After Henry left the reception, he got into his car and went to the street where Elizabeth lived. He knew he couldn’t wait any longer. His inner beast was itching to get out and to grab its mate and fly away. He thanked heavens for the day that he decided to buy a black SUV with tinted glasses a few years back when he came to New York instead of the Porshe that he was eyeing. It will make his job so much easier now.
Henry knew he shouldn’t have drugged her, but he panicked when Elizabeth started screaming. He knew he should have calmed her, made himself not seem like a threat, but he just couldn’t think rationally. It looks like when it comes to Elizabeth, he can not make a single right decision because everything that he has done so far was wrong.
“I am what?... What are you talking about?” Elizabeth was confused. Why would a guy that she sees for the third time in her life call her his? It makes no sense. Unless he is a nut job, yeah, that would explain it. “Don’t you feel it? I don’t understand how you can ignore it. It’s not supposed to be possible.” Henry looked at her like he wasn’t actually seeing her, but like he was looking through her thinking about something she couldn’t comprehend. “Feel what exactly?” “What exactly?” now, h
Henry ended up untying Elizabeth’s hands. She did have to use the restroom, and she for sure would need to use her hands to eat. He doubted that she would let him feed her, although it would be a great pleasure for him. He wrecked his head, thinking about what he should say to her, to explain things, to make it easy for her to understand, to make her accept him, and let him just enjoy her presence. Henry wanted to call his brother for help to ask him what he did and how he handled his now-wife when he found her, but he knew that wouldn’t make much of a difference. Every story was unique in its own way, and every couple had its road to travel. He just had to find theirs. He already had so many feelings in his heart for her that made him want
Elizabeth finished her meal in silence even though she lost appetite after his bitter words. She was engulfed in her own thoughts that were confusing her more than anything. A strong urge to explain herself was not leaving her alone, and that was the part that confused her the most. Why would she feel the need to defend her actions? Why would she feel the need to console him? She didn’t even know him for God’s sake, and after all, he kidnapped her. Took her against her will. But those eyes... she wanted to put her hand in his dark hair and comb it with her fingers. It looked so soft and invitingly tempting. Darkness slowly crept into the room, and now the only thing Elizabeth could see was Henry’s eyes that were shining like nothing she had
Henry had a small, sad smile on his face. “This wasn’t supposed to turn out like this... You shouldn’t be scared of me. But I understand why you are.” “I am sorry, but I can’t help it. You drugged me. Twice. You kidnapped me. You are keeping me locked in a weird black cabin in the mountains somewhere, and you talk crazy...” Elizabeth was amazed by her courage to talk this freely. “Honestly, you didn’t strike me as a kind of a guy that would not take a no for an answer and would go to this lengths... ”
Elizabeth stayed in the shower as long as there was hot water. She liked hot water for as long as she could remember, it always had some sort of calming effect on her. This time though, not only did she want that therapeutic effect, but she also wanted Henry to freeze in there. She could not do anything else to him anyway, so this little thing was to count, right? She pulled on his sweats and shirt that were way too big for her even though she was of average built and height. She had to roll the top of the sweats a few times to stop them from falling. In the cabinet, she found a spare toothbrush, and she helped herself with it as well as she helped herself with his shampoo and soap.
“What kind of question is that?” Elizabeth joked, but Henry’s serious expression made her think that he wasn’t kidding like she initially thought. “Can you answer me? Do you believe in supernatural?” he repeated his question. “Like that TV show?” “No. That show is stupid, they got almost everything wrong. So, do you?” Henry scoffed and pressed further. “No, of course,