Chapter Three

 

Tulip ached when she opened her eyes the next day. The sun looked high in the sky and she wondered what time it was. There was an indention in the pillow next to her that gave her pause. Had someone slept beside her? Did they not trust her? She eased up and winced at the pulls and twinges in her body. Closing her eyes, she tried to heal herself, but her magick was still too weak. She was too weak.

Her hand smoothed over the nightgown skimming her curves, and she wondered who had dressed her for bed. The last thing she remembered was lying down in the shower, intent on closing her eyes for just a moment. Had she fallen asleep in there and had to be rescued? Her cheeks burned as she thought of someone seeing her naked. It wasn’t like she was a virgin by any means, but for a fae, she’d had very few partners in her three hundred years.

Tulip swung her legs over the side of the bed and slowly rose to her feet. Her toes hit something plastic and she looked down, seeing several bags with what looked like clothes and shoes in them. She remembered Autumn asking Vaughn to pick up a few things for her. Had he dressed her? A warmth spread through her at the thought of the wolf taking care of her, but she pushed the feelings aside. He’d probably gotten a female in the pack to help her.

Tulip pulled out one of the dresses and pair of panties, slipping both on. As a fae, she didn’t care much for shoes and left them in the bag for now. Padding across the bedroom floor, she opened the door and peered into the hall. She could hear the TV downstairs and went to find her hosts. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she noticed the front door was ajar. Peering into the living room, she didn’t see either Gabriel or Autumn, even though the TV was running.

“Autumn,” she called out. “Alpha?”

Silence.

Her heart began to hammer inside of her chest. What if the dark fae had found her already? What if they’d harmed the alpha and his mate? Closing her eyes, she tried to calm herself as she searched for vibrations in the air. The house was as still as a tomb. Snatching a knife from the kitchen, she frantically searched the house, fearful of what she would find.

“Is anyone here?” she called out at the top of the stairs, after she’d searched every room. They couldn’t have vanished, could they?

Tulip crept down the stairs, the knife still clutched in her hand. She eased the front door open all the way and stepped out onto the porch, preparing to be attacked at any moment. The birds chirped in a nearby tree, and she could hear the sounds of the busy shop across the streets. Andrews Garage. Maybe they would know where the alpha and his mate went.

She winced a little as the hot pavement burned the bottoms of her feet as she stumbled across the street. When she entered the open garage bay, she heard something metal clatter to the ground, startling her. A large body hurtled her way and slammed her to the ground, making her cry out in pain. The man above her slammed her small hand against the concrete floor until she dropped the knife, tears pricking her eyes.

“Fae,” he snarled, his eyes flashing yellow.

The others gathered around, their fangs lengthening as they regarded her with open hostility. It seemed the alpha hadn’t told anyone about her, and now she was going to pay the price. But if the dark fae had come for the alpha and his mate, as she feared, then it was no less than she deserved. The dark fae would have left them alone for a while, if she hadn’t sought them out.

“We should kill her,” one them said, his voice more animal then human.

“What the hell is going on out here?” a voice boomed.

“Fae,” the one pinning her snarled. “She came to kill us.”

A man who resembled the alpha stepped into view. When he saw her, he rushed forward and flung the wolf away from her. “Hunter, no! She’s not the enemy.”

“She had a knife,” Hunter said.

Tulip gasped for air. “Alpha…missing.”

The man knelt beside her, easing an arm under her back to help her sit up. “I’m Michael, Gabriel’s brother, and he’s not missing. Autumn went into labor this morning and they rushed to the hospital. Didn’t they leave a note?”

She shook her head. “The door was open and no one was home. I thought the dark fae had come for me and taken them.”

He glanced at the knife. “And you were trying to protect yourself?”

She nodded.

“Come on. Let’s get you back across the street. I thought someone was staying with you.”

“I don’t know.”

Michael lifted her into his arms and carried her across the street. The wolves in the garage gave him a perplexed look. Tulip knew she’d have more bruises now from slamming into the concrete. Maybe another day of rest and she’d be able to heal herself. When they reached the house across the street, Michael carried her into the living room and laid her down on the sofa.

“Is there anything I can get you? Maybe something to drink or eat?” Michael asked.

“I’m sure I can manage,” Tulip said, not wanting to put him out. “Thank you, for helping me.”

“Gabriel called me last night, and I think he called our brother, Cole, too. He explained what happened to you, but word hasn’t reached the pack yet. I’ll speak with Connor, our joint alpha, and see what he can do while Gabriel is otherwise occupied.”

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made Tulip look toward the door, which was still open. Vaughn’s truck had just come to a stop and some of her fear and tension eased. If he’d been kind enough to buy her clothes, maybe he wouldn’t mind staying with her a little while. Just until she was strong enough to take care of herself, or the alpha returned. Although, once the alpha came home with a new baby, it was doubtful he would want her in his home. Too dangerous.

Vaughn looked good, if a little tired. He ran a hand through his hair as he approached the house, then she couldn’t see him for a moment until he came through the door. He stopped when he saw Michael standing over her.

“Everything okay?” Vaughn asked.

“Autumn went into labor and Tulip woke up alone. There was an incident at the garage when she became frightened and rushed across the street,” Michael said.

Vaughn growled softly. “What kind of incident?”

“Hunter slammed her to the floor thinking she was a threat.”

Before Tulip could blink, Vaughn was out the door, his boots thudding against the ground as he ran. She struggled to stand and grabbed onto Michael to pull herself up. They maneuvered to the front door and she gasped when she saw Vaughn hit the wolf.

“You have to stop him,” Tulip said.

“Interesting.” Michael watched for another moment before letting out a sharp whistle. The fighting came to a stop and Vaughn stormed back across the street. He gently reached for Tulip’s chin, despite the anger rolling off him in waves, and lifted her face.

“Did he hurt you?” Vaughn asked.

“Just some bruises.”

“Right,” Michael said. “So, I’m going back to work. Vaughn, are you going to stay with her? She’s too weak to take care of herself.”

“I’ll take her to my place. The alpha will be busy when he comes home, taking care of Autumn and a newborn. Let him know that Tulip is protected whenever you talk to him. I’ll call Connor to find out what we should do about the dark fae, in case they come for her.”

Michael smiled and headed back across the street. Tulip didn’t know what to make of him, or his amusement at Vaughn’s reaction. Shouldn’t he have been angry that they were fighting because of her? When Michael left, Vaughn helped Tulip over to the couch, then went upstairs. He returned a moment later the plastic bags full of her new things.

“I’m really going home with you?” she asked. “You trust me in your house?”

He sighed and knelt at her feet, reaching for her hand. “I’m sorry how I reacted last night, and I’m damn sorry for hurting you. I was furious with myself when I saw the bruises on your arms.”

“You’re the one who dressed me for bed?”

He nodded. “I won’t let anyone else hurt you. When I call the other alpha, I’m going to see if his mate will come and heal you. And if she won’t help, we’ll just call on the cranky sorcerer.”

“Once I’ve rested and eaten enough, I’ll be able to heal myself. Teleporting to the bar last night, and then illuminating the road, burned out the last of my magick.”

“Then let’s get you home and fed. Have you eaten anything today?”

She shook her head.

“I’ll come back for you in a minute.” Vaughn grabbed the sacks again and carried them out to the truck. He came back a minute later and lifted Tulip into his arms, pausing only long enough to shut the door.

She was curious about his home. She watched the passing houses as he drove, noting how unique they each were. The truck pulled into a driveway a few blocks away and she looked up at a smaller version of the alpha’s house. The green paint and white trim made it look pleasant and welcoming. Tulip looked around the yard at the different trees and plants and couldn’t wait to breathe them in.

Vaughn came around to her side and lifted her out of the truck. She turned her face toward the sun and opened her senses. She could feel the plants growing and hear the buzzing of nearby bees. He carried her up the steps and pushed open the door. A loud screeching sound made her cling to him tighter. There was a panel on the wall with brightly lit buttons and he pushed several, making the noise go silent. Vaughn pushed the door shut with his booted foot and carried her into the living room.

His furniture was different from the alpha’s and she was intrigued by her surroundings. The walls were a soft gray and the honey colored hardwood floors gleamed. The furniture was charcoal colored leather and soft against her skin as he eased her down on to the couch. He stepped back outside and returned with her sacks in his hands.

“I don’t have as many bedrooms as Gabriel and Autumn, but there’s a guestroom upstairs. Or I could let you have the Master bedroom since it’s downstairs. I’m not sure you should be going up and down the stairs by yourself.”

“I don’t want to kick you out of your bed.”

“It’s fine. I’ll just put your stuff in there. I have an empty drawer in the dresser and some space in the closet. Give me a minute and I’ll make something for us to eat.”

“How is it you’re home?” she asked. “Don’t you work? Most humans work.”

“Not human. And I took some personal days, so I’m off until Monday. You timed your visit just right since the load at work is a little light right now.”

“You took off because of me?” she asked.

“You need someone to look after you.”

Her heart warmed at his words, and she felt a buzz along her skin as her magick tried to pulse in her veins. No one had ever made a sacrifice for her before, of any kind. And yet, the wolf who hadn’t trusted her at first had taken time from his job to take care of her. It was sweet and made her like him even more. Perhaps a little too much. She knew she needed to be careful and not fall in love with the wolf. He would never settle down until he found his mate.

Tulip stretched out on the couch as he walked out of the room and she stared up at the ceiling. The fan overhead made lazy circles and she watched the blades spin. She closed her eyes and felt the hum of the electronics, and something else. Her brow furrowed. There was the energy from Vaughn, but there was another trace in the air. One she wasn’t familiar with.

“Vaughn?” she called out, suddenly worried for him. It didn’t feel like dark fae, but the vibrations didn’t feel entirely good either. Treachery. Deceit.

He appeared in the doorway. “Did you need something?”

“There’s someone in the house.”

His eyes turned the yellow of his wolf and he lifted his nose to scent the air. A growl rumbled in his chest as he stomped off through the house. She heard a door slam into a wall and then a very female shriek. Did he have a girlfriend? Perhaps he’d already found his mate. The thought bothered her for some reason.

Vaughn burst into the front entry, a kicking, writhing female in his grip, as he opened the front door and tossed her out onto the porch.

“I told you no, now stay the fuck out of my house.” He slammed the door shut and reset the alarm. Then he stared at it and pushed more buttons.

“Was that your girlfriend?” Tulip asked.

“No. And now that I’ve changed my passcode on the alarm, her ass better not break in here again, or I’m letting the cops haul her away. Gabriel can be pissed all he wants. I’m tired of her shit.”

“Someone you dated?”

Those wolf-like eyes narrowed on her. “No.”

Okay. Obviously, it was a touchy subject, one best left alone. Vaughn crossed the room and lifted her into his arms again, carrying into the kitchen. He set her down on one of the wooden kitchen chairs and opened the box thing that cooled their food. A fridge? He rummaged around inside before turning to look at her again.

“You aren’t a vegetarian, are you?”

“I’ve never tried meat before. In my realm, animals live in harmony with us, but I know things are different here. If you cook meat, I promise to try it.”

He scratched his neck. “I think after this meal I’ll need to go the store. I’m more of a steak and potato kind of guy, and I’m guessing you like green stuff. Breakfast food okay? I can scramble some eggs, maybe throw a little shredded cheese in them, and make biscuits and bacon.”

“Other than eggs, I have no idea what any of that stuff is. I’ll try anything though. I’m not a very picky eater, so I’m sure whatever you make will be fine. Please don’t feel like you have to buy special stuff for me. I don’t want to be any trouble.”

He pulled out several items. “So, you haven’t been to the human realm much, have you?”

“Not for the last hundred years, and that was a brief visit.”

He froze. “Hundred years? How old are you?”

“Three hundred and twelve.”

He mumbled something under his breath that sounded oddly like and I was feeling like a perv. “You don’t look a day over twenty.”

“We age differently from humans, and wolves, I’m assuming. How old are you?”

“Thirty-five. Guess that makes me a baby compared to you.”

“Fae are considered full grown at sixteen, but not an adult until they are fifty.”

“Wolves go through a hormone cycle when they are fifteen that lasts about two years. When we’re finished, we’re considered adults at seventeen. For humans, it’s eighteen.”

“Why don’t you have any plants in your home?” Tulip asked as she looked around. “You should grow fresh herbs for your kitchen.”

“I don’t have much luck with growing stuff. I hired someone to take care of the outside of the house. I cut the grass and had a sprinkler system installed to water the plants, but if I’d planted any of that stuff, it would have been dead within a week.”

“I love to work with plants.”

“That’s a fae thing, right?”

“It’s actually an oddity for the dark fae. I don’t even look like them. My hair is red, and all dark fae have dark brown or black hair.”

He started filling plates and then carried them over to the table. “Both of your parents were dark fae?”

“My mother was. I never knew my father. It would actually make sense that he was light fae. I felt compelled to help them, and I have a lot of characteristics you would find among the light fae. My mother died when I was young. There’s no way for me to find out about my father.”

Vaughn handed her a fork as he slid into his seat. “Maybe if he’s a light fae, we can find him for you. Or the sorcerer can. If you could be reunited, would you live with your father?”

She sampled the cheesy eggs and thought about it. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t really know him, and I’m not certain the light fae would welcome me. While I did try to help them, I wasn’t successful. I would imagine they would have the same reaction to me as you did when we first met.”

“Then they would be wrong,” he said softly.

She smiled a little and ate more of her food. While it was true she’d never had meat before, the bacon on her plate was rather delicious. Tulip felt like she would burst she was so full, but she managed to eat everything on her plate. Vaughn gave her a glass of something orange and she was surprised by the pleasant flavor.

She sat at the table while he cleaned up their dishes and then he lifted her into his arms again to carry her back to the living room. There were definitely worse modes of transportation.