Beholden (2 page)

From the first row, Ellen rolled her eyes. “New is such a vague word. Tell it as it is, First Made trash.”

Control, control
, Zari reminded herself. If she got into a fight with any of the girls here, that would definitely reach her Master, and she didn’t want to cause him any trouble.

As if sensing a possible argument, Madame Lavinia asked brightly, “What’s Master Alexandru like as a master?”

What was Alexandru as a Master? The word ‘pervert’ immediately came to mind. The first day they had met, he had kept touching and kissing her. The word ‘bully’ also flashed before her eyes. He was definitely a bully, the way he liked doing and saying stuff that would make her blush.

Zari inhaled, preparing herself to reveal to the world the truth about her Master.

Yes, go on, pet. I’m interested in hearing what you have to say.

Her head jerked, her eyes landing on the silent figure that had come into the classroom in patent disbelief. The class, picking up on her shock, followed her gaze, and everyone squealed when they saw Alexandru at the back.

It had been one month. One month since she had last seen him, and somehow it felt like one month had wrought such a huge change in him. He was taller than she remembered, his powerful aura more authoritative. Even his sheer gorgeousness came as a shock to her, with his wavy black hair and green eyes. Had he really been this beautiful from the very start?
 

All in all, Alexandru made a larger than life figure, and the way he took everyone’s dumbstruck attention as nothing out of ordinary just made him more intimidatingly attractive. Zari’s head reeled at the thought that the vampire everyone was staring dreamily at was
her
Master. And she – a person as ordinary as her – was
his
human pet.

Zari watched her Master’s lips curve in a familiar sly smile. “Go on, pet. I’m eager to hear what you have to say. What do you think of me as a Master?” Before she could answer, he continued in his mind,
Because earlier I heard exactly what you thought. Pervert, wasn’t it? And bully, too?

Alexandru almost laughed out loud when he saw the look of horror dawning on his pet’s face just before color spread in her cheeks.

And there it was, the blush he had missed seeing. It was disturbing, the way he had found himself thinking about that blushing look on Zari’s face so many times while he had been out hunting.

Small and with a body so slim it was almost boyish, Zari would have appeared average if not for her lush, ash-blonde hair. But what he really liked about his little pet were her large gray eyes and expressive face. In all the years he had roamed the earth, and they were very many years, Alexandru had hated all things that could be described as
cute…
until this girl came into the picture.

With her, “cute” was synonymous to arousing and right now, she was being extremely cute with the way she lied in a straight face. “My Master is the kindest Master on earth. He is the most intelligent, the bravest, and just the very best all around.”

The entire class was silent, as if unable to decide whether Zari was being sincere or sarcastic.

Zari lowered her head in shame. She was such a major fail at becoming an ideal pet.

Alexandru slowly shifted on his feet, not wanting anyone to catch how his cock had reacted to Zari’s futile attempt to butter him up. Did she know how cute she was? Did she?

Madame Lavinia cleared her throat. “We are so honored you have found the time to visit us, Master Alexandru. Class, please give Master Alexandru a warm welcome.”

Wide-eyed, Zari watched the entire class quickly
and
gracefully slide to their feet and drop to a curtsy. She hurried to do the same, not wanting to be the odd duck out…again.

“Welcome, Master Alexandru,” the entire class chorused.

“Welcome, Master Alexandru,” Zari hurried to say, but she was too late. Her Master knew it, too, judging by the amusement glinting in his green gaze.

It’s not funny, Master
, she griped at him glumly.

It is. And since I find the way you make the worst human pet in the entire school entirely delightful, you should be thankful.

She glared at him.
Is that supposed to make me feel better?
 

His smile widened.
You see, pet? You should have been happy about what I told you, and yet here you are, glaring at me in front of the entire class—

Zari jerked at Alexandru’s words, and when she looked back at the other girls, she realized that all of them were glaring at her on her Master’s behalf.

“Go and give your Master a proper welcome, dear Zari,” her teacher urged.

Before Zari could even think of what a proper welcome meant, Madame Lavinia was already pushing her forward, leaving Zari no choice but to walk towards Alexandru. She stopped when she was in front of the vampire but kept her gaze down. She needed a moment to herself because right now, all she could think about was that her Master was really indeed here.

Did you miss me, pet?

No, Master.

Alexandru chuckled in her mind.
As always, the lies. You know I have to punish you for that, don’t you?

Her head snapped up, Zari ready to protest.

Alexandru took that as his cue to kiss her, his fingers curling around her nape just before his lips took hers.

Shock and embarrassment flared up inside Zari at the unexpected touch of Alexandru’s lips over hers. Oh, she should have known! She thought about struggling but decided not to, knowing that would only make her lose much-needed brownie points with her teacher. The only way she could resist then – and stay sane – was to refuse her Master entry to her mouth.
 

Fists clenched against her side so she wouldn’t accidentally cling to him, Zari did her best to keep her lips pressed together.

Alexandru knew Zari was doing her best to resist him, but it only made him want her more. It only made more determined to have her begging.
Open your mouth, pet.

No, Master.

If you don’t open your mouth—

Slowly, he moved his hands, settling them on her waist. Just that one simple touch and he felt her shudder. She was so beautifully responsive, and Alexandru knew he would die a happy man if she remained like that for all eternity.

Will you open your mouth now?

No—

He lifted his head up, reluctantly ending the kiss because he wanted to see her reaction. When her eyes slowly drifted open, Alexandru immediately moved his hands up, enough to reach the undersides of her breasts.

Zari stiffened in shock at her Master’s touch, unable to believe where his hands were. Just as unbelievable was the lack of protest from the teacher and the other girls in the room. Did they all think
this
was a proper welcome for a Master?

In a moment, I’m going to cup your breasts and play with your nipples. So one last time, pet – are you going to open your mouth?

Knowing Alexandru was not the type to bluff, Zari did one better.

It was Alexandru’s turn to be surprised when, instead of simply opening her mouth, Zari threw her arms around his neck and initiated the kiss. He recovered from his shock right away, of course, and returned the kiss with hungry passion, his tongue sweeping inside her mouth, dying for another taste of her sweetness.

Just one kiss, and Alexandru knew it would be impossible for him to stop.

Zari felt her Master sweeping her up in his arms just before breaking the kiss. She opened her eyes, dazed, and saw Alexandru staring at her like he was one inch away from devouring her.

She gulped.

Do you know how much I want you right now?

Err—

I hope you’re ready for another private lesson about being my pet.

Her jaw dropped at his words. Did that mean…surely he couldn’t mean…

No, Master—

I can’t wait, pet.

But they will ALL know why—

And they’ll hate you even more. Isn’t that wonderful?

She dropped her head in defeat, hiding her face in the crook of his shoulder and neck.
 

Her Master laughed in her mind.

Bully.

Yes, I am,
Alexandru agreed. Out loud, he said, “Madame Lavinia, please excuse Zari from your class. I need a private moment with my pet.”

“Of course, of course.” But this time, Zari could hear the awkwardness in Madame Lavinia’s tone, and she knew even the professor was taken aback at her Master’s boldness.

As he walked away, Zari still in his arms, Alexandru told her cheerfully,
You should have seen their faces, pet. They were all grinding their teeth and glaring at you.

You are a BULLY, Master.

Yes, yes, I know. But we both know you like it that way, pet.

Chapter Two

“A Master must be made to understand that all rules of possession are void in times of life-threatening emergencies,” Zari said as she munched on a fry. She was seated cross-legged on a chair, next to her Master, who was in his usual position at the head of the table.

A rare scowl appeared on Alexandru’s normally smiling, handsome face. “No.”

“Be reasonable, Master,” she cajoled. “What is one feeding in exchange for saving a life?”

“Read my lips, my pet. NO.” He fisted her hair, bringing Zari forward so he could kiss her hard. “Everything of you is mine, and I do not care how many men have to die because of it.”

You can put me down now, Master.
Zari didn’t really mean it, but she thought she owed it to herself to say the words. After all, this feeling of wanting to be close to Alexandru and being attracted to him was simply a side effect of his powers. It was
not
real. She had to remember that.

Alexandru gently lowered Zari to her feet upon reaching the spiral staircase, a majestic masterpiece with rails made of gold and the steps covered in lush red carpet.

His sly smile reappeared when he caught the look of dismay on his pet’s face. “Disappointed I let you go?”

“Of course not.” But as usual, her face belied her words as her cheeks turned pink with guilt.

His smile widened. “Liar.” He adopted a regretful tone. “I’m sorry, pet. I don’t think I can carry you all the way to the first floor. You’ve gained a little weight—”

Her jaw dropped. “I did not!” She wrapped her arms around her middle, feeling self-conscious. Had she? Come to think of it, she had noticed how she ate more than most girls in school. All of them seemed to survive only on leaves and fruits while she couldn’t survive a day without being a carnivore. Was that why—

Alexandru’s laugh put a halt to her thoughts. “Relax, pet. I was only teasing.”

The look on his face told Zari he meant it. She sputtered in indignation. So many words flew into her mind, but in the end all she could grit out was, “Bully!”

Still laughing, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “You must forgive me. It’s only because I’ve been away from you for far too long that I need to have my fill of your blushes.”

His words made her blush harder and she accused, “You’re doing it again.”

“Am I?” He looked at her with sham innocence, and he did appear like a black-haired prince who could do no wrong.

Just like that, and her irritation vanished. Gah! She was so hopeless. All he had to do was give her his puppy-eyed look of innocence and poof! There went her always-justified feelings of anger, and instead she was left feeling all gooey and mushy.

Was there really no way to combat a vampire’s powers of sexual attraction?

Alexandru tugged on her hand then, making Zari glance up. “Shall we go?”

She went with him, walking with her Master hand in hand even as she asked, “Where?” Her voice was embarrassingly breathless, but she couldn’t help it. A part of her was still in shock by the fact that Alexandru was really here with her.

As they descended, Alexandru asked, “How are you finding school so far?” He rubbed her knuckles as he spoke, a simple gesture that had her swallowing as it sent tingles all over her body.