Laying in bed, she looked up at the ceiling with no idea what time it was or how much sleep she got. All she knew was that there was sunlight creeping in the room from any gaps in the curtains. The plain white ceiling not helping her in any way try to process what the hell was going on.
She told him how she felt and now he decides to play games with her.
The more time passed, the more irritated and restless she became. Rubbing her face she decided to go for a run as she slid out of the bed. They usually helped clear her head. Right now, her thoughts were going to drive her insane.
Putting on a lime green sports bra, high-waisted matching green and black leggings she was almost ready. Sliding on black running shoes she headed towards the bathroom to put her still straightened, frizzy hair in a high ponytail. Brushing it for the first time, she managed to get all the bumps down and tie it up. She swayed her head to watch the long, black ponytail swing behind her.
Silently walking down the hallway she looked around, wondering where Nora was at. "She needs space," she whispered to herself as she headed for the back door, "you almost got her killed dummy."
Looking out at the bright, sunny backyard she sighed and continued, ignoring the pain in her eyes. Not knowing the limits of where she could run, she simply started jogging towards what looked like the opening to a trail into the surrounding forest. Once inside, she began running and leaping over obstacles in the trail. Pushing herself, she made her mind focus only on the run and controlling her body.
Not leaving any room for processing what was going to happen next.
Thirty minutes passed of her mindlessly running through the woods. Sweat now beading down her forehead and making her straight hair curl up once it made contact with her skin. Taking a small break she wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked around, trying to figure out if she should begin to head back the way she came.
Thoughts slowly began creeping back into her brain.
Grunting she pushed herself forward, back in the direction of the mansion to avoid thinking. In the distance she could hear leaves crunching underneath guards' feet as they stood at their sporadic posts.
Sunlight shone through the small openings of the trees, leaving streams of light to illuminate the shaded forest. Looking around she admired it's serenity and beauty. The vivid colors all around her catching her attention. It was almost as if everything that passed her was in slow motion as she watched bugs and particles float through the air. Smiling she focused all of her energy onto running back towards the house, feeling an itch for a little blood.
Trying to come to terms with drinking blood, she got used to having small amounts at a time from blood bags. She only needed one blood bag a week to maintain control over her vampiric side, but of course, it was the bare minimum. She did need to eat and drink water which acted as a substitution for drinking blood although not a permanent solution. It helps her try and keep some form of normalcy in her life.
Making it back after a nice run, she walked towards the giant house, her head turned to the side as she saw a few hunters sparring in the distance. They would be practicing when they're only here for today. A small smirk of contentment appeared on her face as she kept walking.
Everest leaned against the backdoor as he watched her walk: sweat glistening on her flawless brown skin with her chest exposed. He was in running gear as well when he descended the small flight of stairs leading to the open lawn desperate for her attention. Sensing eyes on her she looked forward and saw him openly gawking at her.
She began intentionally swaying her hips more with each stride, trying to entice him. Meanwhile trying to discreetly admire his body as he approached her. Noticing the change in her walk, he looked her up and down. With each breath he inhaled longer than he needed to, unashamed in enjoying her scent.
"Mmm good afternoon," he hummed in a low voice, as they brushed past one another. The electricity fired wherever they made contact. Locking eyes with him, she scoffed and pretended to be unaffected. Positive he couldn't see her face any longer, she allowed herself to smile. Secretly enjoying his smell as he passed by.
Knowing she was truly irritated with him, he just shook his head and headed off towards the forest at a fast pace.
Freezing in place, she listened as he left. Biting her lip she spun around. Following his scent she silently ran in the exact direction where he ran, ignoring her desperation for a drink. Expertly running through just straight forest she tracked him, barely able to keep up as he started sprinting. Her muscles slightly weakened by her jog earlier but she pushed herself to run. She was listening to his footsteps and froze when he reached a small clearing in the woods.
Hiding behind a tree, she peeked around it.
Watching with desire as his muscles flexed underneath his sweaty skin as he pulled his shirt off with ease. Using it to wipe the sweat on his forehead. Orion's eyes greedily followed a bead of sweat fall between his shoulder blades and down the length of his spine.
Licking her lips, she gripped the tree harder.
Everest slightly turned his head, knowing exactly where she was and that she had been following him. Swiftly hiding back behind the tree, with her forehead pressed against it, she smiled with her bottom lip now between her teeth.
Without saying a word, he slowly walked to where she was hiding. She listened to every footstep as he grew closer and closer to her. Before he could touch her she spun around and looked up at him, her back pressed against the tree. He never seen the playful look in her eyes before and didn't expect for it to make him this happy.
He looked down at her, slightly tilting his head, "stalking me now?"
Reaching up she aggressively brought his face down to hers, smashing her lips onto his. Still not used to her strength he placed his hands on the tree, gripping into the bark. She shoved her tongue inside of his mouth, needing to taste him. Her leg wrapping around his hips to prevent his escape.
Breaking the kiss, he lifted his head as she placed kisses along his jawline and down his neck. He could sense how badly she wanted this and he felt the same. All he did was tilt his head to give her more access to his neck, enjoying this game she was playing. Dragging her lips against his skin they stopped right before his ear, "you wanna play games?" She whispered directly against his skin. Her nails digging into his back as she ran them down. His small growl letting her know that he truly did enjoy this.
Pulling away to face him she smiled before sprinting having no idea where she was going.
A gust of wind hit him as she ran off, turning to face where she went, he chased after her. This time struggling to catch her as she weaved in between trees. The guards disregarding them as they continued looking for threats. Suddenly she lounged for a tree and swiftly began climbing. Finding a sturdy branch she crouched on it, happy with all of her new capabilities. Looking down she smiled as she waited for him to track her.
After a few seconds all she saw was him appear as he halted to a stop. A small part of her happy to know that she still had enough power between the two of them to make him chase her.
Looking at the dirt he noticed her footprints disappeared. Looking around he began trying to find her scent. After his third spin she lounged. The sound of the branch creaking making Everest look up and reach for her. Catching her he fell onto the dirt as she straddled on top of him. Grunting he felt the air get knocked out of his lungs. Both of her hands were now in the dirt besides his head, caging him in.
"Who said I wanted to play games?" he asked still struggling to breathe normally as he looked up at her.
"Is that not what you're doing?" She leaned dangerously close, gently pressing her chest against his, as she leaned on her elbows, "teasing me only to manipulate me."
"It's not manipulation," he roughly flipped her over and hovered above her. One of his hands effectively pinning her hands above her head. His other hand slid down her stomach, not caring if her skin and clothes were slightly damp as it slid around her backside. Closing her eyes she waited and tried to remain impassive. Of course, her body betrayed her as she arched her back when he began kissing her. She tilted her head back as he began placing small kisses along her jawline looking up at her reaction to his touch.
A moan escaping her lips when he kissed her chest, slowly moving down. She was now fighting his grip on her wrists, trying to do something with her hands. He knew exactly what he was doing and how to do it. Lightly biting her bottom lip between his teeth, he roughly kissed her.
Smiling against her lips he backed away, "just persuasion." He disappeared, leaving her staring up at the leaves on the trees, "asshole."
It took her a few minutes to get up and eventually find her way back to a familiar trail that led back to the large house. Barely able to make it but now walking just fine, she noticed the sun was begging to set and no one else was outside except for Asha: training alone. Wiping the last bit of dirty and leaves from her, she approached Asha in a friendly manner.
The sound of footsteps made Asha turn to face her, "what're you doing out here all alone?" Asha gave her a confused look, as if she shouldn't be talking to her.
"I just asked why you were out here," Orion crossed her arms.
"Training," she said with a roll of her eyes making Orion raise her eyebrows and chuckle, "is something funny?"
Orion laughed even harder and turned around to walk towards the backdoor, "you actually."
"Don't turn around while I'm speaking to you," she said with more bass in her voice, making Orion snort.
"Don't roll your eyes at me when I ask a simple question," she barely got out between chuckles, "see ya later Asha." Smiling she watched Orion walk away, glad that she could hold her ground equally as much as she could.
Inside the house she heard many voices coming from a room she'd never been in before. Eavesdropping, she heard some hunters talking about marriage. Turning around she looked at Asha through the glass door, knowing she was out there to avoid whatever was going on in there. It reminded Orion of herself during that time. Though she already knew Asha was attracted to Calvin and he was attracted to her. It was blatantly obvious. Not interested enough to be as nosey as usual, she headed towards her room.
Looking at his doors, she wondered if he was in there. Her subconscious practically whining for her to go in but her logical voice telling her to keep it moving.
After her shower, now fully dressed and her hair curly once more she heard a knock on her door. Throwing the damp towel on her bed she saw Nora, "Miss Gates, good evening."
"We made so much progress, don't revert."
"For now, I think this is best to re-establish our previous professional relationship. May I come in?"
"Yes m'lady," she stepped to the side and closed the door behind her.
"Your hair is curly again."
"I got super sweaty today so I had to wash it."
"Went for a run?"
"Yeah?" She eyed her suspiciously.
"The Cruorems assign guards keep tabs on you all day and now they will most likely be more guards for a short period of time until you regain their trust."
Orion's heart slightly began to race as she remembered her encounter in the woods. Hopefully the guards didn't see that or report it. She grabbed the towel and hung it up in the bathroom. Walking back into the room, she saw Nora looking out the window. "Want some juicy gossip? Or is that not professional?" Orion laid out on the comfortable new chaise as she looked up at Nora through thick, black lashes.
Nora turned around and nodded profusely, disregarding her re-establishing plans, "I shouldn't but I do." She said in a hushed tone; relieving Orion of her worry about their friendship.
"Okay well, I told him that I cared or whatever," Nora gasped dramatically and clapped her hands, "and then he went on this rant about how he wants me to admit what I really want from him. Blah blah." She mimicked a mouth with her hand.
"What do you want?"
"Sex Nora.. like really bad," she rolled onto her back and closed her eyes, "and now he's torturing me."
Nora shook her head, "Orion!" She said with a small chuckle at her vulgar words. Never hearing a woman talk so inappropriately out loud.
"What?!" She sat upright and turned to face her, "we nearly did it in the woods too and he had the nerve to leave me right when I was getting into it. He's sick."
"Ok! Ok, that's really enough. I don't want anymore details of your encounters with him."
"Fine," she laughed, "but he wants me to all of a sudden want more than to mess around. He's gonna do this to me until I say I want more."
"You want more don't you?" Nora asked, genuinely curious, "if you care, you eventually would want more."
Orion looked at her and simply shrugged, "I've technically never had a real relationship type situation before. I don't have a freakin clue if I want one or not."
"But that doesn't mean you don't want to try with him right?" She gave her a look, enough to silently tell her that she didn't know. "Relationships are a beautiful thing. They aren't easy, but I presume they're easier than a casual.. casual pairing?"
"Fuck buddies?" Orion corrected her knowing Nora would get embarrassed.
"Goodness," it worked as Orion chuckled, "yes well, yes. Relationships are mutual, you know what you both want unlike casual pairings."
Orion got genuinely serious as she thought about her words. Shifting her gaze, Nora knew she was growing uncomfortable with the seriousness of the situation she was finding herself in with Everest. "Anyway, it's time for dinner and I'd say for once you're dressed semi-appropriately except for the shirt. It's a little low of a cut don't you think?"
"That's the point friend," Orion readjusted her boobs to make them look even more appealing in the low cut shirt.
"I'm not comprehending."
"It's for a certain someone who needs to be played with the same way he played with me," she said with a determined voice as she headed out of the bedroom with a disagreeing Nora behind her.
"This isn't good communication," Nora tried to point out.
"You're right but I'm pissed so it's either I hurt someone or fight fire with fire." Nora kept quiet, preferring the latter as they walked in silence into the dining room. Only seated were her parents, Everest, the Cruorems, Calvin, and the Okafors.
Everyone awkwardly silent as they looked at Nora and Orion.
"Miss Orion Gates," Nora nodded while she bowed her head and retreated from the room. Orion kept her eyes locked onto gray as she sat in her normal seat, directly across from him. Scooting in her chair to make sure he got a good view of her exposed chest. Watching her, he rubbed his hands on his thighs, knowing exactly what she was up to. Pushing her still damp hair behind her shoulders she sat upright shooting him a glare before looking at her parents, "hi."
They stared at her with wide eyes, angry about her outfit but unable to make a scene because of the announcement Calvin has planned.
Standing up he cleared his throat, "Mr. and Mrs. Okafor, on behalf of the late Mr. and Mrs. Worthington may I ask for your daughters hand in marriage?" Orion looked over and up at him with a shocked look. His cold tone and professionalism making this seem more like a business deal more than a blessing to marry someone's daughter.
"Mr. Worthington, my wife and I would like nothing more but this decision is up to our daughter. Angel?" He looked over at her as she stood up, giving a single nod at her father who smiled widely.
The entire encounter making Orion cringe uncomfortably.
Calvin smiled for a split second before nodding at the Okafors and sitting back down.
"That's it?" Orion said looking at her parents, her voice loud.
"Quiet," her mother shushed her, "yes." Huffing she reached over the empty seat and grazed her hand against Calvin's giving him a genuine smile, turning his head he smiled back at her. "Well congrats?"
Laughing he gave her hand a small squeeze, "thanks Ry." She laughed too and sat back upright, their hands splitting apart.
Everest sipped from his frosted glass, in a respectful attempt to hide the blood inside of it, analyzing their exchange. He then watched her eat the entirety of her meal like a rabid animal. A few crumbs from her plate landing on her chest and her shirt. Memories of the small diner flooding back to him as he released a single laugh at himself. Hazel eyes were the only to recognize his singular huff of air as he smirked down at his empty glass.
Wondering what was on his mind, Calvin's voice interrupted her. Focusing back on whatever he was saying to her she tried to put Everest out of her mind the rest of dinner.
Once everyone finished eating, they began discussing the wedding already and congratulating the two hunters. At some point during this long talk, Orion excused herself to head back to her room. Waiting a few minutes, Everest shot out of his chair and left to follow her, unnoticed by everyone else. He went directly into her room, expecting to see her when all he saw was nothing. Checking the bathroom, he turned around and headed for his bedroom with a smirk.
The moment he opened the door he saw her sitting on the edge of his bed, her hands behind her as she leaned backwards, "how does it feel?" She asked with a devious smile.
"It certainly does not feel bad," he shut the door behind him, "enlighten me on what you are doing?"
"No," she tilted her head, her hair bouncing in the direction of her head tilt. Nodding once he stalked towards her, each step she swore she could feel vibrating her body.
Stopping in front of her he looked down, blatantly admiring her beauty, "I am pleased you washed your hair."
"Didn't like it straight?"
"Not nearly as much as I like it like this," he reached to touch it, giving her the opportunity to grab his wrist: squeezing unnecessarily hard. Looking down at her hand before looking back up she spoke again, "I don't know why you're under the impression that you can play with me," she looked up at him, pulling at his wrist, "what is it that makes you think I'd let you?"
Smiling he allowed her to pull him and even threw her off guard when he knelt down on the floor, placing himself in between her long legs. His free hand ran up the length of her calf and her thigh before it began unbuttoning her pants.