I hesitate for a moment and decide to roll with it. If I said I didn't like being around the Alpha, I'd be lying. "Fine, I can walk though," I say trying to get down again. He rounds a corner and stops at a solid black sleek looking Range Rover.
He sets me down and opens the passenger door with a small smile. I look into the nice new looking Range Rover before sighing and getting in. He gets in without a word and drives us back to my house, which surprises me.
I was going to argue and demand to go to my house but he was already heading there. We both remain silent for the whole ride and it takes everything in me not to roll the window down. His scent was in the entire vehicle, wrapping around me like a warm blanket.
As soon as he stops the car, I open the door and hop down. I shut the door and as I walk up to the house, the door gently swings open as its way of welcoming me back home. Xander silently follows me in and I'm surprised when the house silently shuts the door behind him.
It seems the old house likes the shifter... I walk over to the kitchen and walk straight over to a wooden cabinet in the corner. I pull out the healing balm and shut the door but when I turn around, I find the Alpha right behind me.
I awkwardly clear my throat as he steps back to allow me to pass. "I appreciate you driving me home and what not but I'm fine now." He follows me and says "I'll leave after I apply the medicine to your knees."
"I'm not three Xander..." I say giving him a dry look. He smirks at me and says "I never said you were. I just want to help you and make sure you're taken care of before I leave. That way I can go to bed with ease tonight."
I stare at him for several seconds before handing him the balm and saying "I'll be right back." He sits at the kitchen table and says "I'll be here" as I run to the bedroom to change into a pair of shorts. There was no way I was dropping my pants in front of that man.
If I had to take a wild guess... neither one of us would be sleeping tonight if that happened. After changing, I walk back into the kitchen to see him still sitting in the same spot I left him. Something about it makes me smile.
I quickly hide my smile when he looks over to me. His eyes go straight to my legs and then my scraped knees. It really wasn't that bad, the bruising will be so much worse tomorrow. I pull out a chair and sit down with my hand out.
He leans over and lightly smacks my outstretched hand before grabbing the underside of my chair and pulling me closer to him. I tense up and lean back in the chair as he spreads his long legs. He then pats his right thigh and waits.
I look at him like he's crazy before slowly lifting my leg and placing it on top of his thigh. He's careful not to touch my leg in any way until he opens the small jar and begins lightly applying it to my knee.
I keep quiet and watch his every move, not missing the way his Alpha markings keep trying to slip down his arms but he keeps them in check.
I watch the way his dark black hair falls over his forehead, blocking his amber eyes from view and before I realize what I'm doing, I reach out and lightly push his hair away from his eyes. He freezes and slowly looks up to me with those intense eyes.
"Do you know why I'm so scared of you? Or why I avoid you like the plague?" I ask in a soft whisper but he doesn't move. He just continues to watch me with those burning amber eyes. "Because I'm drawn to you with an intensity that scares me... one that neither one of us has the power to control if we were to take a step over that line."
His large hand wraps around my leg as he says "There's no reason to be afraid, Eris. I will protect you and keep you safe." I stay still as I softly say "I don't need protection from anything but you and your kind. They will hunt me down and kill me when they find out what I am."
His hand tightens on my leg as he growls and says "I would kill anyone who tries..." I slowly tilt my head and ask "You'd kill your whole pack? The pack that looks up to you and trusts you? The pack that looks to you for protection? You'd kill each and every one of them when they come for me?"
I see a moment of hesitation flash across his eyes as he says "I will make them all swear an oath to keep silent about you and to keep you safe. They'd be bound to that oath. Besides, I think everyone in my pack would except you with open arms."
"Snow Leopards were known for their strong magic and strong ties to the moon. The last of them was supposed to be protected and respected by the shifter community. We all failed at that... If you came out to my pack, they would be thrilled to know there is still a Snow Leopard left." He says gently rubbing my leg with his thumb.
I don't know if he's doing that in a calming manner or if he was doing that for another reason but it was doing anything but calming me. I have to admit, he's being extremely patient... most Alpha males just take what they want and they usually get away with it but he's demonstrating a lot of restraint.