(Nikolai's POV)

Shit!

SHIT!!!

Why did she have to cry?!

I had no intentions of bothering her tonight.

None.

I was just going to watch over her from the shadows...hidden.

However...she had some type of breakdown and before I even realized what I was doing, I went to her.

It was as if I had no control over my legs – not a single one of them.

I felt utterly lost and useless though.

I wanted to be the one to dry her tears and take her into my arms, but I couldn't because being in my smaller form has its limitations, so all I was able to do is point at a dish towel like an idiot.

And the worst of it is that she completely flipped out and ran from me.

She'd rather be outside in the cold and dark, than in here with little ol' me...

I hate to think what she'd do if she ever saw the real me...how big and gruesome I really am.

My poor angel would probably have a heart attack, even at her young age.

I sigh, stroking my brow exasperatedly before jumping off the table and running outside after her. 

Those blasted wolves are out and about tonight, howling at the full Moon in the distance, and I don't trust those filthy beasts for a second where my Jenna is concerned.

Granted, most know better than to step foot on my property since I'm far more powerful and larger than them, but there have been a few who have pushed their luck throughout the years and paid for it with their mangy lives.

All it takes is one rogue to sniff her out...

Once outside, I morph into my full size and sprint off after her.

She's human and can't go very fast, even on that bicycle, despite her frantic pedaling, so I catch up with her in no time. I stay behind her though, thankfully undetected, until she safely reaches the castle.

I then run around to the back where I climb up the wall and onto my bedroom's balcony.

Knowing that she will be inside any moment now, I change into my human form, dress casually, and use one of the secret passages down to my sitting room.

I listen as Anton answers the door and lets a hysterical Jenna inside.

I want to run down and comfort her, but I have to play it cool, so I wait for Anton to summon me.

I wouldn't want her to put two and two together and somehow figure out that the spider she's terrified of is really me...

I quickly take a seat in front of the lit fireplace and grab a book from the nearby side table.

I open it, pretending to read as Anton makes his presence known by clearing his throat...not that he had to.

"Excuse me, sir...Miss Jenna is here to see you," he announces and then steps to the side, allowing her entrance.

I immediately stand and go to her.

"Jenna...what's the matter?" I ask concernedly...even though I already know. "You look positively affright."

She's winded, shivering, and distraught as tears run down her reddened cheeks.

I guide her over to take a seat in front of the fireplace and then grab the fur throw blanket that's draped over the back of the couch.

I gently wrap it around her, rubbing her arms a bit to help warm her up before kneeling before her.

"What has you upset so?" I ask with all of the faux innocence I can muster, feeling like an ass, before turning to tell Anton to bring some hot cocoa for her.

She shakes her head as her lips quiver before sniffling, so I reach into my pocket and grab my handkerchief for her.

"Thanks," she whispers.

I give her a moment to compose herself and notice that her feet are bare.

They must be freezing.

As if I didn't already feel bad enough...

I gingerly take them in my hands and sit them upon my thighs as I rub the tops of them with my hands.

They're so small...

I want to kiss them...kiss her...kiss her all over...wrap her in my webs.

That would certainly warm her up.

At that thought, venom begins to pool in my mouth, but I quickly swallow it down, pulling my head out of the gutter...

A few minutes pass with her just staring into the fireplace, watching the flames dance about.

Anton returns with her hot cocoa and all of the extras she may want to add to it on a tray, stokes the fire, adds more wood, and then excuses himself.

I pick the cocoa up and hand it to her, making sure her hands are securely wrapped around the large, earthenware mug.

"There...this should warm you up," I smile as I keep my hands safely over hers. "I once heard that cocoa makes everything better."

She gives me a small, timid smile in return and I move my hands back down to her cold feet as she takes a sip and then holds the mug on her lap.

"Jenna...talk to me," I implore. "I cannot help what I do not know."

"You're going to think I'm crazy," she shakes her head with a humorless chuckle. "Hell...even I think I'm crazy," she frowns.

"Well...after spending the entire day with you, I can say with complete certainty that you are the picture of mental health...sane," I grin.

"I'm surprised you'd think that, as many times as I stuck my foot in my mouth," she grimaces.

"If that's the case, then I suppose I'm crazy too," I chuckle.

She looks back to the fire for a few moments and sighs. "There's a...spider..." she swallows nervously. "It's been in my house...I mean your gatehouse...doing things."

"What sorts of things?" I ask with a cross between amusement and faux concern.

"Making webs everywhere..." she begins, but I interject.

"That's what spiders do...perfectly normal," I chuckle, trying to put her at ease.

"No, it's not just webs, but webs that aren't...normal," she replies hesitantly.

"What do you mean by not normal?" I ask inquisitively. "I've been around spiders all of my life and can assure you that webs are like snowflakes – completely unique. No two are alike, and sometimes they can get rather...creative," I muse.

She just shakes her head in defeat. "I'm sure you're right," she agrees before looking away.

"Surely it wasn't just webs that sent you out into the night alone, and in your evening clothes no less," I prod, wanting to hear her thoughts.

She looks down at her attire and blushes, as if she'd forgotten what she was wearing.

Geesh...I must have really scared her.

I certainly never meant to...

"The spider...I saw it," she shivers. "It crawled onto the kitchen table tonight while I was having a snack and it..." she trails off tremulously.

"It what?" I prompt after a few moments pass.

"Umm...had fangs," she answers shakily before looking down at her lap, omitting the fact that it spoke to her...I spoke to her, which is what really has her upset.

I should've kept my stupid mouth shut.

To her and just about every other human...I'm just an insect...a grotesque pest that must be squashed.

I'm always misunderstood.

Hopefully, I can change her mind...

"All spiders have fangs, love, but most aren't dangerous," I assure her with a small caress to her hand, wanting to make amends.

Her head snaps up and she looks at me in surprise with wide eyes, studying my face. Why, I have no clue.

"If it'll make you feel better, I'll call an exterminator to come out as soon as possible. Until then, I insist that you stay here," I smile invitingly...feeling like the Devil himself.

Little does she know, that no exterminator would ever dare to come here...

"Oh...I...couldn't," she says apprehensively.

"I insist," I reply, leaving no room for argument. "As you know, there are plenty of suites here to choose from."

Hopefully the one nearest mine...

A/N : Ahhh...has Jenna walked right in to Nikolai's lusty web? Will she ever return to her gatehouse, or just stay ensnared in Nik's castle? Will romance ensue? Let me hear your thoughts! 😁

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