You’re My Toy

CLAIRE'S POV

"Thanks, Caius," I said as he helped me stand in front of my dorm gate.

He had waited outside the entire time I was being treated in the clinic. I'd passed out from the morphine, but when I opened my eyes again, he was still there. 

"It's no big deal." He replied. 

"Really," I repeated, meeting his blue eyes without the usual fear of getting lost in them. "I appreciate you being here for me."

"It's okay." He shrugged, then glanced toward the building. "I could take you in, but…" He clicked his tongue. "I don't want to start any more fights today."

I nodded. "I get it. Besides, this brace makes it easier to walk." I said, forcing a small smile. 

He eyed my knee. "I just hope your room isn't too far up."

I followed his gaze and chuckled. "It's actually room 304 on the top floor." 

"That's pretty high," His eyes widened as he looked up, then back at me. "Let me help you up."

"I'm good," I insisted. "Really. It's not that bad, and I don't want to inconvenience you more than I already have."

"Are you sure?" His eyes scanned my leg. "I don't mind taking you up." 

"I'm fine." I nodded. "Thank you again." 

He didn't argue. "If you need anything, call me, alright?"

 "I'll do that." 

Still standing, I watched as he turned and walked away.

Only when he disappeared from sight did I finally limp inside. My leg still ached, but the brace made it manageable.

I looked up, mentally counting the stairs. "Ugh," I muttered. "Did they seriously not have elevators when Carnemore was built?"

Forcing one foot in front of the other, I started the long climb to my room. Every step sent a dull ache through me, but my mind was too preoccupied to care.

Nurse Linda, if that was even her real name, lingered in my thoughts. Before I passed out, she'd mentioned my mother. She knew her name. Claimed they used to be friends.

But when I woke up, it was like none of that had happened and she didn't say all that to me. She acted as if we'd never spoken.

Or had I imagined the whole conversation? Maybe the morphine had messed with my head.

I frowned, gripping the railing as I stopped to catch my breath. "I don't think so," I muttered.

Linda was a werewolf. A nurse. My mother had gone to nursing school before dropping out. It wasn't impossible that they had crossed paths.

I sighed, looking back slightly. Could I go back to ask her?

I let out a deep sigh, smacking my lips as I finally reached the top floor. My legs felt like a massive rock as I limped toward my room.

When I got to the door, I dug through my bag, searching for my keys. I could only pray that Caius hadn't accidentally let them slip out inside my locker when he went to get my bag. 

A moment later, my fingers brushed against the familiar metal. Relief instantly washed over me as I pulled the key out and unlocked my door.

"What took you so long?"

I jolted, slamming hard against the door, my heart pounding. I looked up to see Zane.

He was sitting in my room like he owned the place.

Clutching my chest, I inhaled sharply and glared at him. "What are you doing in my room? Do you and your girlfriend have a problem with my personal space?"

He ignored my question, his gaze flicking to my knee as he pushed himself off the bed. "I see your little vampire returned you safely."

I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "Are you bothered by Caius?"

He stepped closer, his golden eyes locking on me. "No one bothers me," he said smoothly. "They're not worth it."

"Then please leave my room," I limped past him toward my bed, my body screaming for rest and annoyed by him. "I'm exhausted thanks to you, and I need to rest."

He scoffed. "Defeating Evan was easy. He's big but he's all bark and no bite. You just gave up easily because of his size." 

I paused, spinning around to face him with my fist clenched. "If it's so easy, why don't you fight him?" 

"Evan wouldn't last a minute against me," he said, a hint of arrogance in his voice. "But you? You were stupid enough to keep going, knowing you're a weak pathetic loser. You just wanted to get hurt."

My temper flared. "Is that why you paired me with him? To show everyone my weakness? Was humiliating me your plan all along, or were you actually trying to kill me?" 

He didn't even blink. "I needed some entertainment," he said, his voice calm, almost bored. "And you seemed perfect." 

A sharp ache twisted in my chest, but my anger burned hotter. I got seriously hurt, but to him, it was just entertainment? 

"Entertainment?" I breathed. 

"Yes." He didn't hesitate before adding. "You're quite pathetic and it's just remarkably funny."

"Well, thanks to Caius, your little show ended early," I shot back, breathing harder. "I hope you know that hurting me or using me as some form of entertainment won't change the past or make you feel better." 

I barely had time to breathe before Zane was suddenly in front of me, his golden eyes gleaming like a predator closing in on its prey. 

"Stay away from Caius," he warned in a lower and darker voice. 

I crossed my arms, trying to hold his gaze. "Why?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "So you can keep tormenting me? Are you mad that he actually cares about me?" 

"Mad?" He tilted his head, stepping closer until there was barely any space left between us. 

I swallowed, forcing myself to hold my ground. "Yes," I said firmly. "You hate that he's my friend."

His lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "You can't have friends." 

"Why?" 

He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. My body stiffened, every nerve affected by his movement. "Because you're mine." 

A shiver ran down my spine, my stomach twisting at the possessiveness in his voice. I lifted my gaze at him, my throat tightening with every word. "You rejected me. You didn't want me, remember?" 

"That doesn't change anything." 

My heart pounded against my ribs. "It changes everything." 

He suddenly reached down, his fingers brushing against my jaw, tilting my chin so I couldn't look away. "You don't get it, do you?" His voice was softer now, but no less thick. "You're my toy, Claire." 

His thumb grazed my bottom lip, and I hated the way my body reacted. Warmth curled deep in my stomach, my breath hitching. 

"And I'm the only one who gets to play with you," he finished.

I clenched my jaw and frowned when he said that. "You don't own me," I forced the words out.

"Oh, but I do." He whispered, his fingers tightening slightly against my jaw. 

Then without another word, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him. 

I let out a shaky breath, lowering myself onto the bed as my heart raced, his words echoing in my head.