Chased By The Light: Scion Series Book One

by L. P. Dillon

  Aubrey! Stop! I moaned at myself in my head

  Huffing, I walked out of the shower room, moving down the hall and towards my room. I closed my eyes and sighed when I heard him running behind me. I could still hear people giggling at me and whispering about me, and I'd just about enough for one day.

  I spun around and screamed, "Why the fuck are you still following me? I am not interested in you! Leave me alone, Chase."

  I heard a few gasps, but I didn't care. I was beyond pissed off by this point. Because of him, this had been the worst first day ever, and I couldn't wait for it to be over.

  He skidded to a halt, then held out my clothes. "You forgot your clothes. I'm sorry, Aubrey. I didn't mean to piss you off."

  He handed me my clothes and stepped past me. I turned around and watched as he made his way to his room, his head angled towards the floor. And I couldn’t lie, I felt sorry for the guy. He was just so damn persistent, and I'd already told him that I wasn't interested. I didn't understand why he was so obsessed with me. I’d get it if I was a new student arriving at a high school, but there were hundreds of new students arriving at the college, so why me?

  Shaking my head, I marched towards my room. I couldn’t wait to get in my bed and sleep, to forget today even happened. Hopefully, tomorrow would be better.

  "You never did tell me who sent you the flowers," Chase called out.

  I positioned my hand on the door handle of my room and sighed. I then turned my head to face him, he looked miserable, so I elected to just answer honestly,

  "They were from my cheating ex. Begging me to take him back."

  "Fucking idiot!" he snarled.

  "Excuse me?" I snapped.

  "Not you. He's an idiot. How could he have your heart and throw it away like that? If you were my girl, I'd make sure that you knew you were my everything. You are so special, Brie, and anyone who doesn't see that is a blind fool," he said with honesty and passion.

  "He is an idiot. But Chase..." I began, trying to let him down gently again, but he cut me off.

  "Look, Aubrey, I get it, you're not ready for anything serious right now. But how about you come with me to the party tonight. I swear, no funny business, just friends having a good time. If you don't have fun, I will leave you alone," he said enthusiastically as he approached me.

  His smile was infectious, the twinkle in his eyes adorable. And those dimples… My body relaxed as he came closer to me, but my heart pounded and the butterflies in my stomach went crazy. My breathing became hard and labored the closer he got. I turned around to face him, and he was now just inches away from me.

  I let out a defeated breath "So if I don't have fun tonight, you'll leave me alone for good?"

  He nodded his head and then drew a cross across his chest. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

  I rolled my eyes at him as he held his hands up praying to me, begging me to say yes. "Ugh! Fine, give me twenty minutes," I said with a forced smile.

  "Yes! You won't regret this. You're gonna have a blast, I promise," he said as he threw his fist up in the air in excitement.

  I rolled my eyes again, but now the smile on my face was genuine. He looked so delighted and pleased with himself, that I couldn't deny how cute he was.

  "I'll pick you up in twenty minutes," Chase shouted out as he trotted off down the hall towards his room.

  I giggled at him as he turned to face me, and then did a standing backflip. I had to admit it was impressive. He grinned like the Cheshire Cat before he disappeared into his room. I opened my door, walked in, and then went straight to my bed, throwing myself on it. I sighed into the pillow and wondered what I'd gotten myself into.

  "So, he convinced you to come to the party then?" Payton asked.

  I sat up and stared at Payton. She wore a gorgeous yellow summer dress with black stilettos. Her subtle makeup added to her beauty, while her raven hair hung down in beautiful loose curls. She looked spectacular.

  I threw her a judging look, and she shrugged.

  "Don't you judge me! Connor asked me to go to the party with him. I was going to tell you when you got back. I never thought Chase would be able to convince you," she said as she began rifling through my closet.

  "Well, he presented me with an offer I couldn't refuse," I replied.

  Hopping off my bed, to riffle through my underwear drawer.

  "Oh really, and what was that?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

  "Not anything you're thinking with that dirty mind of yours!" I giggled.

  "Well, that's no fun. So, what did he offer?" she asked while holding up one of my little black dresses.

  I shook my head. "He said if I didn't have fun with him tonight, he would leave me alone. Which, with the crap day I've had, I doubt I'll have any fun, so how could I turn down the chance to be rid of him for good?"

  She shook her head and chuckled while pushing more of my clothes aside.

  "What?"

  "Why don't you just admit that you like him?" She pulled out my cream summer dress.

  It was perfect and I felt great when I wore it. The crisscross tie-up front pushed my boobs up perfectly. It sat just above my knees, and the material felt awesome against my skin. I loved that dress. I nodded at her and picked out a nude bra and thong set to go with it.

  "Look, it doesn't matter whether I like him or not. You've met him. He's so much like..." My speech was cut off by a knock at the door.

  I walked over to the door and yanked it open.

  "Kyle, what are you doing here?"

  Payton stormed over toward me. “What the hell are you doing here? She isn't interested in anything you have to say, so leave!" Payton yelled at Kyle as she pushed me out of the way and slammed the door right in his face. I strolled over to the bed and dropped my towel, put on my bra and thong, and pulled my dress over my head.

  "Fucking nerve of that guy! What is he doing here?" Payton spat.

  "I don't know Payton, but the sooner we get out of here the better," I replied as I began to pull my dress over my tummy.

  I heard the door open, followed by Kyle's cringe-worthy voice. "Holy cow, I've missed that ass!"

  I closed my eyes and rolled them behind my eyelids. I promptly pulled the dress over my butt and turned to face him. Before I had a chance to say anything, Payton went crazy on him.

  "Who the hell do you think you are, barging in here uninvited?" She poked him in the chest.

  "Mind your business, Payton, I'm here to see, Brie. This has nothing to do with you, so run along and find a life of your own," he replied sarcastically.

  "Hey, don't talk to her like that. She's just looking out for me, you jerk," I shouted at him.

  He raised an eyebrow at me and shrugged, then bumped into Payton, hitting her with his shoulder as he casually strolled over to my bed and sat himself down.

  "You complete jackass. Who do you think you are just strolling in here like you own the place?" Payton yelled as she stomped over to him.

  I grabbed Payton by the arm. "Look, go and wait in Connor's room."

  "No, Brie, I'm not leaving you in here with that!" Her lip curled in disgust as she pointed at Kyle.

  He rolled his eyes and swept his hand through his hair as he shot Payton a vomit-inducing wink. Payton launched herself at him.

  I quickly stood in front of her and held her by the shoulders. "Payton, please, he isn't worth it. I'll finish getting ready and be over in a minute. I promise." Kissing her on the cheek, I leaned into her ear and whispered, “Please.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. "Okay, but if you're longer than ten minutes, I'm storming back in here and I'm gonna kick his ass!"

  I chuckled. "I will be ready in ten."

  She reached around me and flipped Kyle the finger. An arrogant laugh flitted from his lips, telling me hadn’t changed at all. In fact, he was much worse because before, he at least pretended to be nice to me and my friends.

  Payton curled her hands into fists at her sides and stormed out of the room,
while I made my way to my dressing table so I could apply my makeup.

  "So, you're just going to ignore me, huh?" Kyle inquired from my bed.

  "Yes, that was my plan," I replied in a monotone voice.

  I applied my foundation and moved on to my lashes.

  Kyle shuffled up the bed and sat next to me. "Look, Brie, you've proved your point. It's time to drop all this silliness and take me back."

  I finished putting my mascara on and turned my head to glare at him, shocked and appalled at his arrogance for a moment. But then I burst out laughing. Turning back to my mirror, I chuckled some more.

  "Don't laugh at me. You know this behavior is stupid. We are perfect together!" He snatched my wrist, squeezing it tight.

  "Let go Kyle!"

  "No!" His face had morphed into a mask of anger, and it scared me. "You belong to me, so stop being so dumb, Brie. You know that no one else will love you like I do. To be honest, you're not all that special, and you should feel grateful that someone like me wants someone like you," he shouted into my face.

  My eyes widened as my brow raised, "Oh my God, you're serious, aren't you?"

  His grip tightened on my wrist as his face turned into a scowl. "Of course, I'm serious. How could you think that anyone else but me would be interested in someone like you? You're frigid, boring, and just, well, average. I'm attractive, smart, and from an extremely wealthy and powerful family. How could you think that anyone would be better for you?"

  I tried to pull my wrist out of his grip, but he only squeezed tighter, making me wince in pain. I couldn't believe that he actually thought I would take this shit, rollover, and then beg him to take me back. Like I was a worthless piece of crap, or like I'd done something wrong.

  "Kyle, let me go! I don't care if no one else wants me. I'd rather spend the rest of my life alone than be in a relationship with an abusive, cheating scumbag like you!" I screamed out, with more power in my voice than I’d anticipated.

  Before I knew it, he let go of my wrist and gawked at me in surprise. Although it didn’t last, and rapidly his expression turned into one of pure anger. His eyes darkened to almost black. I had no clue what was happening to him, and none of it made any sense to me, but because I was so distracted, I didn’t see his hand lifting in the air beside me. In fact, I didn’t see it until it struck my cheek, a tremendous slap echoing through the room. I’d never been hit before, the impact left me dumbfounded. There was a heat gradually spreading across my face, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the slap, or from the emotions that were now readily flowing through me. I felt helpless, frightened, angry, and numb, all at the same time, rendering me speechless and motionless. I just sat there like a sculpture, silently riding my feelings as they hit me with wave after agonizing wave.

  "Don't you ever talk to me like that! Who do you think you are? I am lowering my standards even being with you. You should be grateful and appreciative."

  I held my stinging cheek as tears pricked my eyes, I knew he was a complete dick, but I never thought he’d strike me. I guess losing control and finally being rejected by someone, made him snap. While I sat there in silent shock, he grabbed me by the hair and yanked me off of the dressing table chair.

  "Kyle! Please…don't do this. What has gotten into you? Kyle let me go!" I screamed as he dragged me across the floor.

  My heels dug into the floor as I tried to slow down his momentum. When that didn’t work, I tried to pry his fingers out of my wet hair, but they were tangled into the clumps and I couldn’t break free. I couldn't believe what was happening. He had never done anything like this. Yeah, he'd degraded me and spoken to me like shit, but this was a whole other level of abuse. I screamed as loud as I could, hoping he would either snap out of the all-consuming rage he was under or someone would help me.

  As if someone had answered my prayers, the door opened, slamming against the wall with a loud thump.

  "Get your filthy hands off of her!" Chase roared.

  "Who the fuck are you?" Kyle snarled back.

  "Your worst fucking nightmare!" Chase retorted as he charged at Kyle.

  Chase tackled Kyle to the floor, punching him right in the face. I scrambled back, bringing my knees up and tucking them under my chin. I couldn't help it when tears streaked my cheeks. The shock had sunk in, and sobs wrenched from my throat. Someone scooped me up and rushed me out of the room. I stiffened at the contact.

  Connor must have sensed the change in me because he said, "Brie, it's ok, you're safe. I'm just taking you to Payton. You don't need to see what Chase and the boys are going to do to that guy." His voice was so calm that I relaxed a little.

  What boys? I thought.

  Just then, a group of guys ran past, vanishing into mine and Payton's room. I sat up to see what was happening, but Connor gently pulled my head onto his chest. Even though I despised Kyle, I had loved him at one point, and the thought of him being beaten to a pulp upset me. I didn't know why, but I couldn't help my feelings.

  Loud smashes and banging sounds shot through the hallway. As soon as Connor opened the door to his room, loud growls reverberated through the hallway. It sounded like a pack of wolves from one of my dad’s nature programs, but that couldn’t be right. Could it?

  I lifted my head in turmoil right as Connor glanced towards my room. A worried expression passed over him as his gaze fell on me again, but before I had a chance to ask the questions floating through my head, Payton came to the door.

  "Brie, oh my God, are you okay? I knew I shouldn't have left you in there with that son of a bitch." Her hands touched my hair. Tears filled her eyes, about to topple over. Then another noise came from our room and she gasped. Hurriedly, Connor moved us inside and shut the door.

  "What was that noise?" I asked.

  "Huh? What noise?" Connor replied casually as he laid me on an empty bed.

  Payton came running over to me. She sat on the bed next to me and pulled me in for a hug. I embraced her and, when she pulled away, she placed her hands onto my cheeks, making me wince.

  She turned my face side to side, sighing heavily. "Oh, Brie, what did he do to you?"

  I closed my eyes and turned my head away from her. "It's okay, please don't fuss over me, Payton." I kept my voice quiet.

  Her face turned serious. "He hasn't done this to you before has he?"

  My eyes met hers. "No, of course not. I would have told you. I swear. I don't know what got into him, he just snapped."

  "Well, please tell me that you won't ever go back to that piece of shit!"

  "I won't, I promise. I..." My words ceased when I heard a low howl.

  I stood up, moving towards the door, but Connor blocked me, gently turning me around and sitting me on the bed again. My eyes followed him as he stepped over to a black stereo and turned it on, making the music loud enough to drown out the noise.

  "Stay here. I'm going to check on them. Promise me you will stay in here, no matter what you hear," he pleaded.

  I nodded, but at the same time, I couldn’t figure out why everyone kept asking me to promise them shit. He then smiled softly and left the room.

  As soon as he left the room, Payton opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off. "Did you hear the growls, yelps, and howls?"

  "Huh? What are you on about? How hard did he hit you? You're talking crazy," she replied, her eyebrows arching towards her hairline.

  I shook my head and sighed, she clearly wasn't going to believe what I had to say, so what was the point. I sat back on the bed and rested my head in my hands.

  "Do you want to give tonight a pass?" Payton asked as she ran her fingers through my wet hair.

  I lifted my head and glanced at her. "Are you joking?"

  Payton’s mouth fell open in shock. "Um..."

  "Of course, I'm going out tonight. After that shit, I totally need to get wasted. Have they got a dryer around here?"

  She smiled widely and began searching around the room. She found a dryer and held it up in trium
ph. I laughed and grabbed it out of her hands. Plugging it in, I flipped my head over and started the long process of drying my hair. When it was finally dry, I stood up straight, letting my long blonde hair fall down my back. Payton had disappeared for a minute, to borrow some of Erika’s makeup, so I was able to finish my face, making sure to cover the red mark on my cheek.

  "What do you think? Will I do?" I asked her when I’d finished.

  "You look absolutely stunning!" Chase replied as he flung open the door.

  I blushed, but with the amount of makeup I had on my cheeks, I doubt anyone noticed. Smiling at Chase, I took in his adorable dimples and sparkling emerald eyes, and they drew me in instantly, somehow making me feel relaxed and calm. Not a single hair on his head was out of place, which made me wonder how he looked like that after his fight with Kyle. His shirt had vanished though, a strange fact that made no sense. I couldn’t see him stopping to take his shirt off in the middle of a fight.

  Connor led Payton out of the room, his hand at the small of her back. She turned to me, so I gave her a nod, letting her know it was okay. Turning back, she moved toward the door Chase held open for her, and when they’d exited, he closed it and turned to me.

  Chase scanned me up and down, his lust-filled eyes burning right through me. The fact that he bit his lip only made it worse for me as I couldn’t stop staring at those plump lips, and because of that, I made the mistake of letting out a moan. No sooner than it had escaped my lips, he was in front of me. I had no idea how he’d moved so quickly, but I didn’t have a chance to think about it because his lips crashed into mine, and I inhaled through my nose as I took him in.

  Grabbing my ass, Chase lifted me onto his hips as if I weighed nothing. My legs wrapped around his waist as he deepened the kiss. He carried me over to the bed and sat me on the edge. Kneeling between my legs, he pulled away from the kiss.

  He shook himself for a moment. "I'm sorry. I know I said we'd just be friends, but I just couldn't help myself. Are you okay?"

  I lowered my gaze towards the floor. "I'm fine, Chase. Thank you for coming to my rescue."