*Chelsea’s POV* The sun peeked through the curtains just as my alarm clock rang. I reached over and hit the snooze button, hoping to get more sleep, but my mind hadn't been at ease since I lost contact with Gwen a few days ago. I had tried contacting her several times, but her phone went to voicemail. I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and yawned.I reached across the nightstand, grabbed my phone, and checked my missed calls, text messages, and voicemails.‘Mom: Chelsea, it's the first day of fall. Don't forget to meet me at Starbucks for our fall ritual.’Ah yes, how could I forget our evening pumpkin spice mocha at Starbucks? My mother and I started this tradition when Starbucks released their first line of drinks for the fall. There was nothing like a hot pumpkin spice tea or mocha to warm my body after standing in the freezing cold temperatures of New York.‘Mr. Jeffers: Chelsea, I need you to work late tonight. We have hundreds of articles that need to go to print today. Come to
*Amon’s POV*Nothing pissed me off more than losing a battle with Darick and his gang. We had everything set to kidnap that journalist, and it all fell apart. I planned on calling a meeting as soon as we arrived at our headquarters. The thought of Darick defeating me sickened me, and someone was going to have to pay. I entered the office and kicked over the black vampire statues. "How the fuck did we let Darick defeat us?!" "I-I don't know, boss. I had him pinned down until the fire started," Klaus stuttered. He was new to the Blood Kings, and I thought he could fight. He passed many of my tests within the past month, but tonight, he got his ass kicked. "Liar! You were in the corner crying like a little bitch. I saw him, boss!" shouted Stefan. "Yes! I saw him too. Kill him,” Claudia agreed with a smile on her face.I turned my back and walked to my chair. "Please! Give me another chance. I'll help you get the girl!" Klaus pleaded. Stefan, my second in comman
*Gwen’s POV*I was looking forward to Isabella's return today. My journalistic nature needed answers to the feelings I was starting to have for Darick. After badgering Darick a little more, I finally got my answer. And it stunned me.He did it…for me. He did it because Godfrey was going to kill me.What boggled my mind was that Darick barely knew me. I broke into his house and insulted him, and he protected me when my life was in danger. How could he be so ruthless, yet kind, protective, and caring to an intruder? My body was still tingling from the softness of his lips. Thinking about his touch gave me goosebumps. Gazing into his eyes was like looking into the deep blue sea, and there was something about how his ruthless nature that turned me on. His chest, hard and sculpted, sent me into a lustful frenzy, and I couldn't stop thinking about what I would do to him. I wanted to lick every part of his body. I wondered what it would be like to date a vampire. From the moment I
*Darick’s POV*I never understood how people could hurt children. Such was the man whose lifeless body was lying on the table. I studied his big crystal blue eyes, the roundness of his face, and his pointy nose. He didn't have a beard or hair on his head. His face was clean and smooth. He looked like a man who could easily gain young people's trust, and maybe that's why he kidnapped little girls. I despised men like him.When Wendall handed me his case yesterday, I almost threw up reading the long list of atrocities he committed. The thought of his blood in my mouth sickened me, yet would also satisfy me, knowing that his judgment day had come and a sick psychopath like him would be off the streets.I leaned over the dead man's body and traced my fingers across his neck. I tilted his head back and opened my mouth. I could feel my razor-sharp fangs extending. It had been a while since I had eaten, and I was ready to enjoy this meal.My fangs pierced his skin, and blood poured
*Gwen’s POV*I had lost track of how long I had been at Darick's house. At some point, I noticed I had stopped caring. I couldn't get any reception on my phone, so I had no one to call, and I found myself growing closer to everyone here. Isabella had bought me some new clothes, and with each passing day, I felt as if being at Darick's was a regular part of my everyday life. I finished getting dressed and headed to the kitchen for breakfast with Isabella. Nothing smelled better than coffee in the morning. The robust flavor and hot liquid soothed my nerves and helped me start my day. Usually, I would be shuffling through my notes and deciding which article I wanted to submit for publishing by now. Despite the usual routine, it still felt strange to get up in the morning and not go to work.I thought I would be used to it already, but old habits were hard to break, and I longed to read over my reports and prepare for the next story I would chase. However, chas
*Gwen’s POV*I was powerless to resist his dominance as his body heat seeped into mine, making my stomach fuzzy and warm. I knew Darick truly did want me to stay with him to be safe, but that protectiveness, also seemed to have very wonderful benefits."Turn over," he whispered. “We’re not done yet.”I eagerly obeyed his command. Darick's lust had become obsessive, and I yearned for more of his touch. I kneeled on all fours as he caressed my neck and worked his way down to my ass. I was his to possess. His large hands cupped my ass cheeks, squeezing tightly.Darick gripped my legs, wrapped them around his waist, and gently eased into me. His cock was like magic, causing me to become spellbound under his erotic powers. I clenched the sheets and bit his silk pillowcase, trying not to moan as he pressed harder and deeper. I met his driving rhythm beat for beat, rotating my hips in slow circles around his dick."How does that feel?" he grunted, his fingers di
*Gwen’s POV*I rolled over and stretched my arm across the bed, only to feel emptiness beside me. I opened my eyes and didn't see Darick beside me. The candles were blown out, and the window was slightly cracked, letting in a mild cool breeze.I grabbed a pair of clothes from the Old Navy bag that Isabella had given me and pulled out a few outfits to choose from. I was leaning toward the red knit sweater with the black and red cat paw print leggings. Isabella had good taste in fashion.I walked to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, trying not to smile as I thought about my encounter with Darick last night. Shit! I was glowing and wondered if everyone would know what happened. What would they think? I spat the toothpaste in the sink and rinsed my mouth out.Why should I care about what his crew would think? Besides, Darick was the leader, and he would make sure no one said anything about it.I turned on the hot water and stepped into the shower. I could still fe
*Darick’s POV*"How so?" Gwen asked, curiosity in her eyes.Honestly, I never thought I’d tell this story to anyone, let alone a human. But here I was, spilling out my past, willingly and passionately. With Gwen, it felt so easy—and part of that scared me more than anything else.I sighed, looking at the photo of Edward in her hands. "I was in school one day when a fight broke out during lunch. I knew the kid getting beat and jumped in to save him. During a tussle with the boy who was beating my friend, he bit me. The pain was so intense it felt like fire surging throughout my body. I didn't think anything of it until I started experiencing strange things." "What kind of strange things?" Gwen asked, interest burning in her eyes. "It's hard to explain,” I stated. “But I could go without sleep for days, and I began craving blood. I would also have these very vivid dreams. I told my parents and my father decided to send me to live with my grandparents.