8. Willow

Chapter 8

First, I stop in the bedroom next door to slip on my sandals. Then I go into the bathroom for a quick pee and to check out my appearance in the mirror. It's bad but there's no time for a fix.

I make my way down the stairs, tears streaming down my face. I pull my raincoat and grab my purse from the coatrack. I put both of them on because even though the rain has stopped its probably still chilly outside.

The cleaning bot beeps from behind me. I give it a sad wave goodbye.

Steve Banks knocks on the front door. I can see through the windows his tow truck in the drive.

Oh great. I look like hell. My hair is a matted mess. My makeup is now dark circles around my eyes. The space between my thighs is still raw from all the hot love-making last night. And I smell like sex. There's a large red bite mark on my neck. And my clothes are wrinkled and dirty. I wipe the tears from my face, lift my chin and open the front door.

Steve turns toward me and lets out a grunt of surprise.

I walk out and past him, doing my best to hide my walk of shame. I'm a mess and it's obvious what happened last night.

He looks me up and down. "Looks like you had fun," he comments.

"Don't tell Cindy," I beg.

He shakes his head, already lifting his phone and taking my picture.

I walk to my car and take out the keys, getting ready to start the whole towing away process.

In moments, Cindy, my best friend, sends me a text, You better tell me everything later or I'm going to kick your ass.

I let out a deep sigh. I will.

And then another small car pulls up in the drive.

It's my mother.

Oh hell.

She steps out and rushes toward me. "Willow, are you okay? What did that Korn do to you?"

I start to cry and my mom pulls me into her arms.

"Wait? Did something bad happen to you? What did Bruce do?" Steve growls. "I left you in his care and at first I thought he cared for you very well. Why are you crying?"

And then there's a rush of wind and a small "spaceship" lands on the front lawn. A ramp lowers and two different Korn males are stepping down.

Steve laughs with amazement. "This is turning into an interesting day."

The front door to the house opens and Bruce is there, after what must have been a fast shower, dressed in a new clean outfit of black leather and white t shirt. But this time I notice he does not cover his arms with an added layer. And despite the fact that he just kicked me out of his bedroom and his house, all I want to do is rush into his arms.

He looks directly at me. "Willow," he shouts, "why are you still here?"

I sniff at my tears because, dammit, I'm still crying.

Steve steps forward with narrow eyes and both fists clenched. "Bruce, did you mistreat Willow Brand? Because if you did this means I'm going to have to kick your ass."

"Before that happens," one of the Korn announces, "we have some business to discuss."

My mom grabs my hand and we all move closer. In moments all six of us, three humans and three Korn, are standing together on Bruce's driveway.

Justice Bloodworth, the Korn I recognize because he's on the news a lot, and who looks older and more distinguished, steps forward to speak first. "I got your message this morning and as you can see Hale and I are here as quick as possible."

"I appreciate your timely arrival."

Hale shakes his head. "It's not because we're here to perform a citizen's arrest. We're here because we've been in contact with our special investigators this whole time and we finally just had a breakthrough. We were about to get in touch with you anyways to let you know what happened."

"Special investigators?"

"Yes," Justice answers. "I know all about those snooty bastards in the royal guard. I never trusted their story about what happened to you. And because I knew you couldn't afford the steep price for an investigator, Hale and I went in together and got one for you. The investigor and her team have been on the job since you left Korn. She discovered that your ship was meddled with and that was the reason you left your position and crash landed. Your flight log had also been changed. She found the original flight log."

Bruce steps closer. "There is hard evidence, showing that I was set up?"

"Yes," Hale answers. "As a matter of fact, that evidence is being leaked to the news organizations right now, as well as being given to the proper authorities."

Justice smiles. "I have a feeling a special apology and dispensation from the King will be incoming."

Bruce looks at me and I swear his eyes are wet. "We don't have to hide. I don't have to leave…"

"It's true, you can now publicly claim your bride."

"And I won't have to kick his ass."

"Willow…" Bruce rasps.

"I want a wedding," my mom proclaims.

Steve winks at her. "Cindy will want the same."

I let go of my mom's hand and race into Bruce's arms. He swings me around and gives me another deep, magical kiss, in front of everyone. "I love you," he whispers in my ear.

"I know," I respond. "I've always known."

I hope you enjoyed Bruce and Willow's HEA! Go back to the beginning - read Hale and Sabine's story. Continue reading for the first chapter of Stranded With An Alien Vampire!