This Is Where I Want To Be

39. What Do You Want to Do Tonight

Chris

It had been three long weeks since I fed on poor Ashleigh. I was still at Nicholas’s place and practiced day and night to control whatever this manifesting thing was. The cousins had, at infinitum, discussed everything they thought about me. The consensus was that I was—awesome. I drank a lot to help me relax and let go. We would go out at night into the mountains, thinking about what would help me change. It was a slow process, but in the end, I did change and had more control every time. Unlike the werewolves, I could change any time of the day. But because everyone thought I was half werewolf… They said I might be out of my control on my first full moon. I didn’t want to forget again and not remember what happened the whole night.

The barn on Nick’s smallholding had three cages for the three men of the house and another for Sita. I would’ve used that one, but they didn’t think it would be sturdy enough to keep me in that night. So, we’d been building a stronger one for me, figuring out what was going to work as we went along. We added electrocuted to the bars, thinking that would be the only thing that might snap me out of it. If nothing worked and I teleported out, someone would have to dart me. There was no one else but vampires who could help. I had to call Liam and Cindy, who were more than happy to come. Strangely, they still wanted to get to know me and seemed to care, no matter what was going on with their daughter and me.

I was happy to hear that Sita was making other arrangements. The fact that she could pitch up at any stage to come and talk was possible. I didn’t want to see her. I also didn’t want to see her change and eat people. See me change and be a part of my life. Nicholas had told me that he couldn’t do it to Juliet, and he had asked Sita to stay away. I couldn’t understand the little girl’s hold on the creatures around her.

Liam and Cindy came early and stayed the day and even had lunch with us. I couldn’t eat; my stomach was a nervous mess of anticipation. There would be a delivery of people for us. I couldn’t get over the fact that I was planning on murdering another person. My mind was in turmoil, but the way I felt with Ashleigh and how I felt afterward didn’t compare to the minor irritation in my conscience.

We were sitting around waiting for the sun to go down. The evening loomed over all of us. Liam was on the porch when he got a call. A loud voice came through from the other side. We could all hear Louis ranting, going off towards Liam. He smiled at Cindy. Everyone knew Juliet had done something again. I was immediately jealous that he was there, and I wasn’t. He had her, could look after her, even if she was being a brat. Liam watched my reactions, observing me intently—the whole time— assessing my character. He stood up and whispered. “I told you, no! If it’s not unconditional!” he whispered to me. I rolled my eyes and murmured under my breath.

“Who was that, Liam?” Louis asked. We could all hear the conversation.

“We are at the Moore place to help Chris tonight,” there was silence on the other side.

“Are you sure that’s safe?”

“Yeah, we will dart him if all goes wrong.”

“You don’t know if that will work on a full moon. He wasn’t affected even in a room full of gas that made werewolves and vamps fall unconscious.”

“I’m not going to leave him here alone… You know what he means to her.” I drew in a breath. Liam and Cindy had stayed for me. Her parents could have gone to France. “Let us worry about Chris. You focus on finding that daughter of mine.”

“We only got on the train this morning to make the same trip they had. That means that I might be late catching up with them.”

Liam didn’t seem worried, “I think because Charlene is there, she might play it safe. Stay indoors. Maybe order some room service. Has she eaten Louis?”

He was quiet on the other end, “It was a bit difficult with Carl and Charlene there. But regardless… when I find her, I will have to teach her a lesson.”

“No, you won’t! Have you made it official?”

“For heaven’s sake, Liam. No!” When I heard the words, I sighed. Breathed out a deep breath I was holding. Liam was still watching me like a hawk. I couldn’t care. What did Louis mean by teaching her a lesson? I smiled. How did you teach Juliet a lesson anyway? I still sometimes saw her smiling at me. Had visions. She kissed me so forcefully that I had to hold my breath… feeling her in my arms. I missed her so much. Every day got worse for me. I thought about how she slid her hand into mine in front of Marcus. I wanted her to relax around me. When she did... I did nothing. I’m such a coward.

I just wanted to get through the night. Then…

Liam came running up the few stairs, “Juliet and Charlene were a little naughty. They fobbed off the boys and went to Italy.”

Cindy smiled, “I’m happy they are enjoying themselves. She needs this.”

Liam nodded, “She has to grow up some or other time. Maybe a scrape or two will teach her.”

Everyone grabbed their phones to send her a lengthy message. Even Jack and Nick. I got irritated and growled at them. They smiled and kept typing away.

I thought about the first day I entered my friend’s class and called her to the front. Seeing her standing there and unable to move, following her out like a— puppy. Her blushing like that. The feelings that streamed through me were tangible. Irritated, I jumped down the stairs and walked away. I followed the road towards the water. There was a massive river running through the valley. The sound was relaxing if you sat next to it for long enough. It had become my favorite spot.

But nothing could calm my mind since Louis called. Thoughts about Marcus getting a chance to kidnap her bothered me. Her parents didn’t seem to care that their daughter was running around like an adult in another country. They trusted Louis. Asked him if he had made it official yet. No. Asked him if he had slept with their daughter. Like it was imperative or something. I didn’t know her, but one thought plagued me. It wasn’t going to be long before she caved and ended up in his arm and his bed. That night, outside her house. She was already telling him how to.

I made frustrated noises as I rubbed my face with my hands, running my fingers through my hair. What the hell was wrong with me? Every thought of her got me hot and bothered. I practically ran into the water to make myself feel better. I hadn’t sorted myself out in a while. I was hard... for her, and it was worse than it’s ever been. The freezing water shocked me out of my lustful thoughts.

I had an idea to test… I turned, but as I manifested, I couldn’t swim. I struggled in the water, smiling as I sank… Muscles sink. I turned back, swimming hard for the surface. I ran back to the house, wet and dripping. Everyone looked at me strangely. Liam smiled, “Needed a cold shower, Chris?” Nick chuckled. I wanted to take the guy on with all my might. It was like he was provoking me every step of the way, testing me.

I shook it off, growling at him, “Water, I changed in the water and couldn’t swim. I sank like a rock.”

They all exchanged glances. Not Nicholas, “What about your ability,” he asked skeptically.

“I couldn’t. I tried. It failed… I don’t know how, but I didn’t have the strength or something.”

He peered up over his reading glasses. He nodded.

The rest of us jumped into action. We drove like hell to the closest hardware. We were moving the whole thing down to the water. Built a new cage that we could submerge. The stream had a current, but it wasn’t so strong that it could possibly take me down the river. I didn’t know if it was going to work, but one more precaution wouldn’t hurt.

Liam and Cindy would sit in the high trees next to the river and wait. Francis, Nicholas, and Jack would be in the barn. I would have loved to see Nicholas changed with his old wanky ass body—eating someone. Nerves were eating at me as the time didn’t want to pass. I kept hoping the werewolf in me would be less dominant than the rest and I wouldn’t be affected at all.

The time had come, the minute the sun would go down. Cindy and Liam pulled the ropes tight to hold the cage outside the water so I could climb in. The water was even colder than before. I gasped as I jumped in. My whole body submerged under the water. Coming up, I grabbed onto the top bars closing the gate and locking it. Only my head had a small area above the water. Cindy and Liam were on either side of the bank, giving me the signal. They let the ropes go so that the cage could drop down into the deep part of the river. To test the theory, I went under and tried to change—I couldn’t. The cold took over the warm-blooded part of me, just like drugs would.

A few hours later, the moon was bright in the dark sky, and I had still not changed—into anything. I was looking at the outside of my cage with my own eyes. My own hands gripped the steel above my face so I could breathe. The water gushed over me every now and again. For a moment or so, I was underwater. I was getting tired. It felt like a tedious exercise. We were all pleased with the fact that the moon didn’t affect me for so long. Cindy and Liam often shared glances, smiling. I didn’t know why… but I would take it.

It was already past midnight. A few hours earlier, I was tired, but at that moment, after holding onto the bars for what seemed like an eternity. The water pushing and covering me left me exhausted, almost out of breath. My teeth chattered together as I let go, letting the cold become a part of me. If I was going to drown, Liam and Cindy would save me. Dazed, I drifted underwater, my body curling into the fetal position. All the noise drowned out—soothing me. My mind was clear of any worry. Juliet’s face flashed in my mind’s eye. I had another vision. She gave me a snarky answer in the street in front of Jerry at my old house. Her earrings dangled as she shook her head at me. Jerry didn’t want to leave, and I had to chase him away. Looking back, I was so close to changing right there in the street.

I yelled at her to go home. Not even looking at her. Mistreating her. Because of jealousy. When I turned around, she was halfway down the road. She had taken off her shoes and was leaving… I went after her flinging her around to face me. I saw tiny black streaks of tears running down her face. “I’m freaking going home!” she yelled at me.

I screamed out of frustration dragging her into my house. I was moving fast to get us away from everyone. The rest didn’t matter. All that mattered was getting her alone. After a few seconds of being alone with her, temptation came knocking. Made me almost take advantage of her. I had to get out of the car, away from her. It wasn’t easy. Every fiber of my body wanted her… But I fought it. She gave me a moment, making me smile. She wasn’t crying anymore. Her face was clean. The proof that I hurt her, gone. It felt better. We had more moments until there was a message. It caused a massive fight. Screaming, yelling, manifesting. Then the incredible feeling of getting what you want so bad that it is almost all you will ever want. Kissing her. Taking her.

My body shook at the fact that I had crossed the line. My body was out of control when she kissed me back. She threw her legs around me. The feeling of her against me made me moan into her lips. I shook her off. She didn’t like it. I tried to stop her. Convince her. She pushed me into the backseat of the car. Got on top of me, rubbing herself against me. All I saw was soft thighs. Her dress had ridden up. Black lacey panties against my crotch moving. I almost went right there from the grinding. Schoolkid grinding. She stopped to close the door… Juliet took off her dress and her underwear. Her breasts in full view. I moaned again, begging her to stop when she wanted to push my mouth onto her breast. She took advantage of me. She undressed me herself. Pulled me onto her as if I had no say in the matter. It wouldn’t have helped anyway… I was where I wanted to be. I remember the tiny plate on her chest as I thrusted into her. Louis’s words made absolute sense.

That close to her, is where I always want to be.

The visions I’ve been having were of us making love in the back seat of my car. I could still smell her, every part of her. My hand was on her to help her go. She grabbed my neck, desperately holding onto my shoulder with the other, quivering and then relaxing back into the seat, breathing heavily as she finished. I tasted her licking my fingers and thrusted desperately into her to my own release. Her smoldering eyes took in the moment. A cheeky smile after. She didn’t even linger—pushed me off her, saying that her five minutes were up—laughing.

I don’t think I’ve ever been that happy myself. Juliet reached for her dress. I went for my shirt. Our heads bumped, and she burst out laughing again. Juliet, that happy shook my core. Just because she got what she wanted. Sleeping with me. That sealed the deal. She asked me how I felt. I tried to answer… but we were interrupted.

All I wanted to say was that this is where I want to be. Nothing more, nothing less. You are my world from now on, Juliet. I love you.

The agony of her the next day standing across from me crying as I told her I didn’t remember anything stabbed at my heart. Even in that cold water, the pain was too much. I hated myself for not going with my instincts, pulling her into my arms, and crashing my lips onto hers.

My hand involuntarily sprang to my lips, remembering the desperation on her face. She had saved me from drowning. Came to my house after I took… Oh crap, I took her virginity!

I manifested entirely out of control, clawing my way up. The cold meant nothing. I jumped up out of the cage, breaking free—chains flying everywhere. I made a sound, a roar mixed with a piercing cry out into the air. It made the cage rattle—the leaves in the trees shuddered. Cindy and Liam didn’t waver. They flipped their pulley systems. The cage dropped out from under me. They also took their shots, but I was too quick. The darts missed. Both of them swore loudly.

I wasn’t myself, teleporting from the cage onto land. Liam wasn’t taking any chances. He stayed in the tree, assessing the situation first. I was stalking a challenger. He had no smirk on his face. Only fear and surprise at what I had turned into. Chris took a back seat to whatever took over. But I was lucid. My mind was active. Liam did a stupid thing and jumped down and ran, me pursuing with a fit of anger that no one had told me I had slept with Juliet!

Everyone knew except stupid Chris! I caught him hitting his feet out from under him. He was quick, dodging every swipe of my enormous paws. Bigger than his face. He didn’t even bother fighting, knowing it would be pointless. He was playing for time. The creature felt the prick in my shoulder. I roared again, turning to Cindy, pointing a gun at me. I lunged at her. Liam wasn’t having any of that. He pulled my leg out from under me. Used all his strength to pick me up and flung me away. I went skidding through the mud, landing against a tree and hitting my head. I shook like a dog. It hurt. He wasn’t messing around when it came to his partner, who shot me again. The animal in me wasn’t happy… I lunged at Liam with an outstretched arm, and he braced. His arms covered his face like Juliet in the car. She was protecting me. Liam was protecting Cindy. But unlike Jerry, I wasn’t in control. What happened to Liam wasn’t going to be on me. My nails scratched right through the flesh on his arm. I would have taken it off if Cindy had not jumped on my back using the tree to push us away. She managed to pull me back in time. I heard his bones splintering as my nails only grazed him. Her attempts only made me take a step back before I flung her off. She grunted as she hit the ground with force and a heavy thud.

Trees rustled, and the sand on the ground vibrated. It wasn’t my voice. My eyes darted up and down. I was momentarily distracted by a blinding light in the sky flickering from one spot to the other until it rested on me. The branches swayed more and more and the loose soil on the ground lifted into the sky. Dust was everywhere, confusing all three of us. Men jumped down. They were redder than Liam and Cindy with my werewolf eyes. I saw more standing in the branches all around us. A massive one came down, aiming for me. It wasn’t shoes I felt; metal prongs stabbed through the flesh on my shoulder from one side to the other. I cried out as the bones shattered. Cindy screamed at them to stop. Worried as the man flew up in the sky higher and higher. I couldn’t move, hanging motionless. The pain was too much for me to bear. There must have been something on the prongs because it burned like hell. I changed back to Chris and passed out.

***

Liam

We had watched a young man grab Chris by the shoulders with some mechanism and haul him into the sky. Chris’s body went limp, and the clamps opened and released him. Falling. I liked Chris. We were a bit distraught, not knowing what was going on. We kept watching as the wind kept sweeping over us. My arm felt like it would come right off. The light brightly shone over the whole area. Cindy was screaming for them to stop. No one would survive that fall. It didn’t matter. Other men in the trees jumped and caught him, one on each limb. We had not even seen them. They flew slowly down and landed with Chris at our feet. The one who had picked him up finally landed beside us, extending a hand. Cindy greeted him. I was on my knees in pain. He gestured into the sky. Two men came up to me and helped me with my arm.

“Cindy, Liam. Nice to meet you. I’m Warden. Chris’s designated watcher… Don’t worry, he’ll be okay. Tomorrow, the wounds will not even be there. We will give him something. We can be lucky he’s so young. This is but a taste of what he will become.”

He made another gesture in the air, a circular motion. The rest of the men disappeared as the wind resided and the helicopter flew off.

“That’s better,” Warden flew up and looked down at me, “Next month, dart him first before putting him in the water. But good idea. He will have to get used to drugs… He remembered what happened Friday with Juliet. That’s all that went wrong today.”

Warden was preparing to fly even higher when another person appeared next to him out of nowhere. “Colonel.” Warden came back down and stood saluting.

“At ease, Sergeant.”

He held out his hand to greet us, “My name is Michael,” Cindy shook his hand. He didn’t bother with me, “I’m Juliet’s watcher.”