Chapter:- 6

"That was . . ."

"The best of your life," Jonathan answered with a low laugh.

Allena smiled. "Yeah, probably," she said, and the Vampire Prince eyes narrowed. He'd said the wrong thing, he realized. He'd reminded Allena of the young woman's fear that this was a one-time occurrence.

Jonathan sat up, looking down at the pale unmarked skin of his Alpha woman lover. "I'm glad you enjoyed that, because we'll be doing it quite often from now on."

Allena froze, her blinking eyes meeting the Vampire Prince gaze. "I thought—"

"I know what you thought, Allena," he said quickly. "You thought I would use you and then discard you—perhaps plan a trap for your brethren with you at the center of my nefarious plans." He paused and the Alpha woman looked vaguely uncomfortable with his words which mean that she'd at least contemplated the idea and Jonathan rolled his eyes. "No, Allena. There will be no ransoms, no traps, no escape."

"Why?"

"I like you, Allena. I like you enough to offer you this little vacation."

"Va—Vacation? We're in the middle of a war!" Allena said in a mix of desperation and exasperation.

Adom expression was indifferent. "For you, the war is over."

Allena shook her head. "You—you can't just keep me locked up like this."

"Oh, I can, Win. I am," he said, leaning in. "You'll survive this conflict—you might even be the only one that does."

"My—my family—my Soulmate will come for me."

Jonathan wondered if Allena really believed that—if she truly believed that her family would go on a suicide mission to save her. Perhaps the Soulmate would . . .

The Vampire Prience smiled. "He might, but until then," he said before looking towards a blank wall and allowing his arm to flourish in a wave of magic. A door appeared and he turned back to Win. "That door will take you anywhere in the world—this one or another."

"Anywhere—even back home?"

"No," he said flatly. "The wolf clan's is guarded by protective magics—not even an illusion can be created to mimic it."

"Why are you doing this?"

Jonathan brushed a kiss over Allena lips. "You're going to be here for a long time—or at least until the war ends. I like to think I'm a gracious host to my guests," he said, his fingers moving lightly over Allena chest, brushing the other woman's nipples and smiling at the catch in the Alpha woman breath.

Allena looked down at the hand before meeting Jonathan gaze again. There was something . . . resigned about her expression—almost disappointed. "You . . . you want to have—have sex with me again, right? That's why you're doing all this?"

Jonathan tried to remember the last time he'd met someone with such a low estimation of themselves—perhaps Van Gogh, he thought. With enough time and encouragement, ideally the Alpha woman would outgrow it. It'd be a shame for Allena to lose an ear.

"There will be plenty of that," he said patiently, "Amongst other things. Now, I think you and I need a shower. Why don't we adjourn to the bathroom, and I'll be sure to wash your back."

Allena shook her head but got up anyway, her butt flexing with each step and Jonathan head tilted in appreciation before getting up to follow the other man.

Jonathan watched Allena has the other woman ran through the empty streets of Paris. The illusion of the city was barren of life—and odd choice for someone like Allena, but perhaps she just did not want the distraction during her daily bit of exercise.

The Vampire Prince sipped his tea, revealing himself as the other woman came around the corner. Allena slowed down to a stop as she approached. Jonathan snapped his fingers, and another cup appeared opposite him, steam rising from the delicate China.

"What are you doing here?" Allena asked and there was a tiredness to her voice that was not just from the exercise.

Jonathan raised a brow at the tone but ignored it. "Simply taking in the scenery. I must say, I never thought to hear the sounds of the wind or the chirping of the birds while in Paris."

"I hate running through people." The words were short—clipped, as though he was stewing for a fight. Allena had never spoken to him in such a way before.

"Ah, yes I understand," Jonathan said with an indifferent shrug, gesturing for Jonathan to take a seat. The tiny wrought iron table and chair seemed almost cliche for a Paris street bistro. The Alpha woman pulled the chair out and did her best to settle in, though she obviously a tad larger than the set was intended for. Still, Allena picked up the steaming beverage and took a sip without another word. If she enjoyed it or not, she didn't show it. Something was clearly off about the Alpha woman.

Jonathan didn't sigh out loud. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Allena shook her head mutinously. "Nothing."

The Vampire Prince felt his eyes narrow dangerously. Usually, Allena was very embodiment of maturity and good manners. It was rare for Jonathan to be reminded of exactly how young the Alpha was. "Tell me the problem," he said logically. "And I'll come up with a solution. I can give you anything you desire."

Whatever the woman craved, Jonathan would be all too happy to provide it.

"My freedom?" Allena asked, expression mildly hopeful.

Except that.

The Vampire Prience gestured around to the city. "You may go anywhere in the world in here," he said.

Allena sent him a disdainful look as she set the teacup down. The saucer rattled with the force of the impact, but Jonathan wouldn't allow Allena anger to sway him. "I cannot allow you to leave."

The Alpha woman look was incredulous. "Why? You keep me locked up in a single room. I don't know anything about your plans, your palace, or even you, really."

And Jonathan wished to keep it that way. There were things in his past that would horrify someone as pure as Allena.

The Alpha woman reached out and rested her hand over Jonathan. "Please."

Jonathan looked down at the fingers resting over his. At any other time, such a gesture would have been welcome, but now . . . when his lover was attempting to manipulate him. Jonathan dragged his gaze back up to his lover and Allena flinched back as the Vampire Prince normally pale-yellow eyes flashed black for the barest of seconds in anger.

The illusion around them shattered, the city falling to pieces and disappearing.

"The answer is no, Allena."

Jonathan got up and the table and chair disappeared as well, causing the Alpha woman to fall onto the ground. Allena hastily got back up again, following as Jonathan made his way out of the illusionary space and back into the bedroom.

Just as he stepped through, a hand around his arm. "Please, Jonathan! I—I just want to see my family."

The Vampire Prince grimaced, shrugging the other woman off. "This discussion is over."

Allena came around to face him, her head shaking. "You won't even talk to me!"

A muscle jumped in Jonathan cheek. "What is there to talk about? You're my prisoner—an enemy combatant in an on-going war."

"That you fuck nearly every night," Allena said spitefully.

Jonathan raised a brow at the foul language. It was not something he'd ever heard from the dignified Alpha woman before. "And what does that say about you, Angel?" he asked with a sneer.

Allena seemed to realize that this method wasn't working so she tried something else. "It doesn't have to be like this, Jonathan. The Clan wants peace—we can work something out—"

The Vampire Prince shook his head at the naivety of baby Alpha. "You're talking about things you can't even begin to comprehend, Allena. If I let you go, I will never see you again, and that— that I will not allow."

For once Allena was silent, clearly unsure of how to handle the admission. She hadn't meant to be so honest—at least not yet. Such possessive emotions might be common among Vampires, but mortals tended to shy away when they felt pushed. Perhaps now Allena could finally understand the depths of how selfish Jonathan truly was.

"You're mine, Allena," he said reinforcing his words. Allena mouth hung open in shock even as Jonathan advanced on her, driving her towards the bed. "My prisoner . . . my lover," he added with a whisper, pulling them close together. "My mate. My Angel."

Allena shook her head. "Please, this can't just be about sex. I can't keep doing this."

The Vampire Prince eyes flashed in irritation. "You are asking for something that is impossible for me to give you."