Page 55 of Creep (Vulture Hollow MC #2)

Angel

“Fire cleanses. Fire is rebirth. May the next season be happy and fruitful for us all,” Brigid says, facing the huge bonfire erected in the central area of Vulture Hollow.

Bright flames reflect in her eyes as she adjusts the woven shawl draped over her shoulders.

It’s starting to get cold, particularly at nighttime, which makes this a fitting evening to say goodbye to the summer.

The air smells of burnt wood and the meat Yeti grilled earlier, but the leaves are starting to fall, contributing to the cool, earthy aroma hanging in the air near-constantly.

I step closer, offering her the wooden bowl containing bits of folded paper.

Four times a year, the people of Vulture Hollow write down their wishes to give them to the fire.

A degree of effort is still required for the spell to work, and certain events cannot be stopped, but intentions matter, and when Brigid pulls up all four corners of the cotton cloth lining the bowl, tying the scrolls together, I whisper a silent prayer.

I hope for good health for Creed and myself, but that doesn’t make that wish any less important, and I smile when the bundle is thrown into the flames, sending sparks into the heavens.

I’m now Brigid’s apprentice, but with this ritual over, the rest of the evening is my own, so I nod at her and seek out Creed while Luna sings in a language I don’t know.

I couldn’t imagine a better ending to the best summer of my life. I’ve enjoyed bonfires, learned how to kayak, and dared explore the tunnels in the caves. I do have one more wish tonight, but that is something to discuss with Creed.

Thanks to the recording Rooster made, the conflict with the Butchers was put out before it could even start to burn.

They didn’t even want Domino’s body, which was probably laziness on their part.

Creed was the one to dispose of Domino, and as revolting of a job as it was, by the time Domino became body parts and pieces of meat, I was actually comfortable joining Creed in feeding my tormentor to the vultures, though I did wear rubber gloves.

It felt as symbolic, as it was cathartic, since my new family is known as the Vultures.

I’m no longer afraid of the birds, and I’ve also learned that I can trust all the bikers.

They may carry guns and wear steel-capped boots, but they’re all my protectors.

I’ve never felt as safe as I do in the eye of the storm.

In the months since I’ve moved to Vulture Hollow I’ve met every single member, their families and friends.

I’ve started my little beauty salon, and one of the local teens has joined me on the nail care front, but I’ve also learned to help out around the community, whether it’s a bit of gardening, serving food at the canteen, or babysitting.

Everyone chips in when needed, yet I rarely feel overworked.

The whole village has your back when you need it.

I finally see Creed in the company of Rooster, who sports another elaborate braid-mohawk. When I promised him free hairstyling for life, I did not expect him to milk my offer this often, but it’s thanks to him that we are all safe.

I don’t need to trim Creed’s hair as frequently for him to look like a million dollars.

My man sips a beer, nodding as Yeti whips his hands around while talking.

Judging from the gestures alone, he killed a literal giant last week, and I smirk before making my way around the fire.

The flames reach for the blanket I’m using as a cloak, and my hair dances in the wind when Creed spots me.

His eyes always go dark when it happens, and my heart soars, because the old me wouldn’t even dare dream of someone as loving and attentive as him.

I made it my mission to prove that he is worth more than any other man I know, so the trinkets he sneakily gathered without my knowledge are now displayed on a special shelf in our home (except for the dildo of course), along with more photos we’ve taken together since that time at the funfair.

“Hello, lover,” I tell him in greeting.

Even after months of fucking me raw, he still seems shy when I say that. He smiles, his eyes dart away, and he slouches a little. It’s fucking adorable. “Having fun? You need a beer? Yeti made a batch of alcohol-free.”

I step right between his spread thighs and grin, cupping his head. “I actually thought we could sneak away and spend the rest of the evening together. What do you think?” My heart races in anticipation despite deep down knowing he’ll be up for it.

Yeti whistles. “Must be special if you’re willing to forego my beer for it.”

I smirk. “I’ll stay if you let me do something about the unibrow.” I wouldn’t, I’ve got plans, but I also know he’s not letting me touch that thing.

“Not happening. It’s gonna come back into fashion anyway, and all of you naysayers will be gluing fake eyelashes to your faces.”

“Sure, buddy. One day.” Creed snorts as he gets up, and I could swoon.

He’s so fucking handsome. Still very pale, but even he caught a bit of sun over the summer despite being a nocturnal creature.

I make sure his hair is slick perfection, and every morning and evening, I pamper his face with a cream and serum.

He didn’t complain about it once. I love that about him. He never dismisses my interests.

Creed entwines his fingers with mine, and we walk off, moving in the general direction of our cabin.

On a bench in the empty playground, we spot Road and Clyde making out as if they’re teens.

I try not to ogle them and pull Creed farther away.

This is the moment I could chicken out and take him to our home, but I’ve prepared a surprise, and I will present it to him despite my heart beating as if it’s about to push its way out of my chest.

“Where are we going?” Creed asks when he realizes I’m heading for the cave.

“I figured we could say goodbye to your former home in style,” I offer with a grin.

“Oh? You’ve got a plan for it?” He leans in and kisses my ear.

I’ve braved the caves enough times by now that I’m no longer afraid of the tunnels, but also know my way around secret passages only the two of us are aware of. Including the one that leads to Creed’s former home

“A picnic,” I tell him, even though that’s not the whole truth. It will do for now.

It takes us fifteen minutes to reach the familiar chamber, but when I switch on the lantern imitating the light of a bright candle, I can see my man’s impressed by all the cushions and blankets stretched over yoga mats.

We could even sleep here, if we wanted. Or, one of us could pretend to fall asleep and end up ravished in the dark caverns, where everything seems like part of a dream.

Maybe later.

I light five candles first, each made to represent a different feeling I have for Creed.

Trust, happiness, pride, lust and love. I clear my throat, not yet ready to proceed to the reason behind our visit here, and pour us both some fruit tea from a thermos I left here earlier, along with a basket full of his favorite foods.

“Precious, this is lovely,” he says and removes his shoes. He only steps on the blanket once they’re off. “Ooh, soft underneath.”

“You only deserve the best,” I say and gesture for him to sit. I’m nervous, but when he plucks a box of profiteroles out of the basket, I know it’s time. “Wait. I need to say something first.”

He freezes, looking at me like a cat with a mouse already in its mouth. “Oh? Are these… not for eating?”

Oh, God. I’m messing this up.

“They are, just—” I hesitate, but no good explanation is coming, so I give up and go down on one knee, hand plucking the little ring box out of my pocket.

Within seconds, I’m covered in cold sweat, and my breath feels sluggish, as if my lungs refuse to accept much air.

Some might tell me it’s too early, especially as I’m already wearing his patches.

This question could wait another year as we learn each other’s habits further, but I know the things he’s heard people say about him for most of his life, and my heart won’t be at peace until I show him that I would never pick anyone over him.

“Creed, I—” I swear I had a whole speech written, learned by heart, and rehearsed, but it’s not coming, so I just open the box and offer it to him. “Will you be mine forever?”

He stares at the ring wide-eyed, and now I worry I’m spooking him.

I know he loves me. He put his life on the line for me.

But now that he’s grown in confidence, socializes more, maybe he doesn’t want to spend his life with the first man he got together with?

I’m pretty, no need to be coy about it, but is that enough?

Creed blinks several times as he pulls the ring from the box. It’s a simple band of oxidized silver with a small pink sapphire I hand-picked guided by intuition. “Angel… Of course I will. There's no one else I've been with, and no one else I'd rather be with. You are everything to me.”

And that’s what I love so much. That level of earnestness I never encountered before I met him.

“You… you are everything to me too,” I choke out as my thoughts start to spin.

“I was never enough for anybody. But you… you really see me. You make me feel safe. And you deserve everything, so I picked this stone. I know pink’s not usually given to men, but this kind of stone stimulates love.

It will protect you, and help you heal from the wounds deep in your heart. Marry me, please.”

I don’t know if this is the most pathetic proposal that ever came from anyone’s mouth, but I stand behind it.

Creed slides the ring onto his finger, and it feels like he’ll now always have a piece of me with him, just like I wear his vest. “Tomorrow if you want, or after as long as it takes to create some big bash of your dreams. I live to make your dreams come true.”

“Only as long as it’s also your dream,” I say softly and slide onto the cushions next to him. “I adore you.”

He slides his arm around my waist and pulls me even closer.

“Oh, you are always my dream. Especially when you’re sleeping peacefully, dreaming of a wedding while a monster climbs up to you from under the bed.

” Creed’s pronounced canines seem that little bit sharper when he smiles now.

As if he’s no longer ashamed of them. My beautiful monster.

I chuckle and press my lips to his in a kiss so sweet it has me throbbing with the need for him. “You know I fall asleep in the strangest places,” I say, winking at him as I reach for a tiny jar Brigid gifted me recently.

“Oh yes. My favorite thing about you, my pillow prince,” he teases, and I love that he’s relaxed enough with me to joke around like this.

He was so nervous when I met him, calculating to make a good impression as if the world would fall apart if I didn’t like something he said.

But now he’s feeling as safe with me as I do with him.

“How about we make things more interesting then?” I ask, showing him the powder. “Brigid tells me drinking this before sleep can make one have vivid dreams about the future. Do you want to dream with me?”

Creed looks at me as if I’m made of gold. “Yes. Let’s dream together.”

I’m so fucking lucky. Maybe the cosmos has given me a difficult path so I recognize him for the gem he is?

Without a word, I sprinkle some in both our teas, and we knock our mugs together.

I can’t even describe how much I love him now, and I hope this feeling inside will only grow.

“To us.”

The end