Dr. Luna
The Vampires Promised Bride Chapter 14

Lucy wrapped a large grey fluffy towel around her body. The towels had a fresh sweet smell to them with a hint of lavender. She took a few steps toward the door when she felt a hair-raising sensation. Look, there are things in life that bother everyone. And while she had no problem gutting her enemies and mowing down the masses there was one thing that terrified her. In fact, her brother always teased her about it. It was a big weakness and embarrassing for a werewolf. But she was still human, and she couldn't help her fears.

She felt an all too familiar creeping feeling of something crawling on her shoulder and then down her arm. She turned her head and verified her fears. A large black jumping spider was now staring directly at her. She let out a high pitch yelp as she batted the spider away. Only to panic even more as it leaped away from her hand and she lost sight of him. She was a goner. The spider was an assassin, and she lost its location. Yet she knew that the spider would know where she was and was planning to leap at her at any moment. Panic set in as her heart raced. This was it. This would be how she died.

The door crashed open and Ryan came storming into the bathroom. On second thought this was how she died. Out of pure humiliating embarrassment. But first thing was first. The assassin.

"Lucy, are you alright?!" Ryan asked in a panicked voice.

"Is it on me? Is it on me? I lost it! It was here and it's gone. It's on me isn't it?! Get it get it get it!" She talked in a fast panicky voice and squinted her eyes closed. Since if her eyes were closed then the spider couldn't see her either, right? Like a toddler playing hide and seek. "Lucy, calm down. There is nothing on you. What is it? I don't see anything?"

"Check my hair? Are you sure?" She could just envision the little ninja hiding and waiting to strike. Since obviously that is the only purpose for spiders' existence. To attack with their deadly assassin stealth. She felt two strong hands land on her shoulders, and she opened her eyes. She could see his amber eyes looking at her with concern.

"Lucy there is nothing on you, I promise. Unless you'd like for me to check under the towel..." A smile pulled at the corners of his lips as he tilted his head at her.

Now she was back to the real reason she would die. She looked down and bit her bottom lip. She glanced around the room and decided it would be better to escape. She quickly took a few quick steps to reach the bedroom where she decided she could examine herself safely. Her wounds pinched a bit from the excitement, but it wasn't anything major. She looked up to see Ryan leaning on the bathroom doorway.

"So you want to tell me what happened?" Ryan looked at the damage he caused with the door. It would need to be rehinged but was salvageable. But he was wondering what warranted a scream from her. Maybe it was a fairy he couldn't see? Though he couldn't imagine her being so panicked about that. He saw her cheeks heat up and she turned her head away from him. Now that made him want to take a bite out of her for being adorable.

"You'll laugh at me..." Lucy said with a small pout.

Ryan's eyes glinted with humor. This side of her was too cute. He wanted to scoop her into his arms and pull her into his chest. "I'd like to know the reason I'm going to have to fix my bathroom door."

"That's because you knocked it down." Lucy said simply, still refusing to make eye contact.

Ryan chuckled lowly. "And I wonder why that is... It couldn't be because of the screech my mate made and the sound of her racing heart."

"You heard my heart racing from out here?" Lucy turned to face him.

Ryan tilted his head to the side as he thought about it. "It was more like I could feel it..." He tapped his own chest. "In here. I could feel your distress in here."

"But... we haven't even marked each other... and even then something like that..."

"Is rare." Ryan said simply keeping his gaze on her. "This is something that is only common for soul mates in my kind."

"My kind too... My grandparents are the only soul mates that we even know of and before them... not sure. It is that rare. That can't be what this is..." Lucy said in a whisper.

"Then how could I see your dream earlier?" Ryan asked pointedly.

Oh gosh her dream from earlier. For a brief moment she forgot about that embarrassment. Man, she was racking them up today. Then she felt something tickle her leg. She knew it! The assassin had latched onto her to kill her. She jumped and spun as she looked down. A small yelp escaped her as she looked for the culprit.

"Lucy." Ryan wrapped her into his arms. "Hey calm down. What is going on?"

Lucy looked down at her legs as she felt the strange tickle again. She noticed a tiny string from the towel was brushing against her leg. She sighed in relief and leaned forward in Ryan's chest. She didn't even mean to but she was just so relieved. And then she immediately felt ridiculous.

"Could you please not look at me while I find a place to crawl under and hide?" Lucy mumbled into Ryan's chest.

"What is going on? Is there something in here? You need to talk to me Lucy." Ryan felt a bit of panic. There was something attacking Lucy that he couldn't see. But whether he could see it or not he would protect her. She just needed to tell him what he needed to do. "Ugh... this is so embarrassing... but ummm there was a black jumping spider on me in the bathroom and I felt something just now but it was a string on the towel." Lucy felt her face heat up as she kept herself hidden against his chest. She didn't dare look at him while she spoke.

"So, this was over a spider?" She felt his muscles relax as he sighed a breath of relief. She felt his body ease as he pulled her in closer. Then she could feel the soft vibrations underneath her that sent sweet sparks through her body. Then those little vibrations turned into a loud set of rolling laughs.

Ryan leaned his head down onto hers while he continued to laugh. "Thank goodness. I was getting worried Lucy."

"Sorry you broke your bathroom door for that." Her voice was mouse-like and quiet. She knew her face was fully revealing her embarrassment in an evil crimson color. So she continued to keep her head buried into his chest. She was not just embarrassed about the spider now but also her appearance. She was becoming more and more aware of only being covered in a towel.

"Don't worry about the door." Ryan smiled and sifted his hand through her damp hair. "My sweet Lucy."

"It's embarrassing, isn't it? For me to be afraid of spiders."

Ryan smiled. "No... it makes perfect sense actually."

This was a weird response she thought. She pulled back and looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

Ryan met with her green emeralds and raised his hand up to gently cup her cheek. "I want to talk with you Lucy... about us."

She looked down at herself and scrunched up her nose. "Perhaps this talk should happen AFTER I have clothes on."

Ryan chuckled. "I guess. Though afterwards we may end up taking them back off again." He winked at her and grinned widely. "Right there on the stand are clothes for you. There isn't a bathroom door for privacy, but I promise I won't peek."

Lucy backed out from his warm arms and watched as they slowly left her. He wanted to continue holding her just as she wanted to continue to be in his arms. Her eyes met with his. The longing in his eyes was evident, even his irises were dark. She watched as his eyes trailed down her body. A loud sigh escaped his mouth, and he turned his head away.

"You better get those clothes quickly." Ryan growled lowly and gave her a side look. His look carried a promise of what was about to happen soon if she didn't.

Lucy grabbed the shirt and turned to glance at him. He was still looking the other way. She quickly pulled the large t-shirt over her head and let her towel drop to the floor. She could see Ryan's body stiffen at the sound of the towel hitting. And she couldn't help the small smile that rested on her lips from that. She quickly pulled the shorts up and straightened herself out.

"There done." She said and looked herself over. She was wearing a pair of girl shorts, she guessed were Tonya's, but the shirt was a man's t-shirt. She tilted her head and looked up as Ryan turned around. "Why the guy shirt?"

"Because... that is my favorite t-shirt. And it belongs on my favorite person." His lips curved upwards looking at her. He was quite satisfied with the way it looked on her.

"Plus, it sends a hidden message, right?" Lucy raised her eyes at him as he grinned widely.

"That shirt is mine and so is the wearer." Ryan shrugged. "You look better in it than I do."

Lucy smiled sadly. She wanted to belong to him... but it was time she told Ryan plainly. "Ryan, I'd like to say something." Lucy said quietly.

Ryan took a step towards her. "I need to tell you something too."

Lucy held her hand up to stop him from advancing. "Wait. Please let me go first."

Ryan sighed with a small frown. "I really think me going first would be better." He looked at her eyes that were almost pleading. "Alright gorgeous the floor is yours."

She played with her fingers nervously and took in a deep breath. "Ryan, I think you seem like a great guy. Honestly, I really like you and that isn't just the mate pull talking. But... this isn't just about me. This is bigger. And I am not the only one going through this. Derek also has to give up his fated mate. This is also Derek's sacrifice as much as mine. And I'm sure I am not the person he would have chosen for himself. Even so, I'm sure we can come to an agreement together. Derek and I just need to have a good talk about our expectations and how to make this work. But I believe he is a good guy... no I know he is. And I won't betray him. I'm sorry Ryan. I know you have been waiting for your fated mate and I am so sorry it ended up being me. But look at me as if I am already taken, please. Our species deserve for this to work. It can't just be about me and what I want."

"What do you want?" Ryan's eyes fixated on her.

"That doesn't matter."

"No Lucy. I am asking you. If this treaty didn't exist. If you didn't have any obligations but to yourself... what do you want?"

Lucy shook her head and frowned. "Why? Why even bring that up? What does it matter?"

"It matters to me, Lucy. I need to hear it. I need to hear for once how you really feel. It is important to me."

"If I had a choice..." She looked into his sweet amber eyes. She knew what she would choose easily. "I would choose you if I had a choice." She watched as a smile spread across his lips as he took a few steps towards her. "But I don't have a choice." She raised her hand up to warn him from advancing but he didn't. He walked into her outstretched hand and pushed his chest deeper into her touch.

"Lucy, I also choose you. Here, now, and forever. You are the one I choose. I want you and not because of the mate pull. I am choosing you on my own. You are my partner. The only reason my heart is beating is for you." His intense gaze captured hers. "The thing is-" Loud thudding echoed on the bedroom door causing Lucy to jump backwards. Ryan clicked his tongue, growling lowly. He then stormed over to the door and whipped it open. "WHAT?!"

Zach jumped back from Ryan's tone. "Ummm they are back." He looked back over his shoulder and then back to Ryan.

Ryan shook his head back and forth angrily. "Of course, they are back now." He looked back at Lucy. He gave her a small smile and changed his tone to calm for her. "Wait here I'll be back."

Lucy shook her head and walked towards the door. "No, I'm coming too."

"I won't be long."

"Yeah but ummm..." She looked towards the bathroom door where the slayer was still lurking in wait. She looked back at Ryan and licked her lips nervously. She didn't want to say why she didn't want to stay but he caught on quickly. A low chuckle sounded from his chest. He stepped into Lucy and scooped her up into his chest.

"Actually, this is better anyways." He said lowly as he cradled her into his chest.

"Ryan, I can walk. The wounds are healing."

"You CAN walk, yes. But I don't want you walking around with those wounds." He smiled and turned back to the door where Zach was holding it open for them. "Let's see what they know."