Page 4 of Feral

“I do.”

“Guess I’ll go fuck around with a mortal.”

He bounces off, swaying his hips in a way that does stir my libido just a bit, but not enough to pursue him. Besides, I am working.

I head to the bar to check in with Tiago. The guy works his ass off, and he’s damn serious all the time, but he’s also been an amazing friend and mentor, taking me under his wing to teach me how to blend in with the mortals. Between him and Yves, I feel close to normal. The years I spent in captivity are almost a distant memory. But not quite.

The doors opening draw my attention, and a smile spreads across my lips when I see who it is. Eros and his love, Justice, enter, heading straight for me at the bar. Since finding their mates, the Orpheus boys don’t come around much anymore, but Eros, Thorn, and Raphael do. Their mates seem to love the nightclub ambiance.

Eros nods, extending his hand to me when they reach me. “Hale. How are you, brother?”

Every time one of them utters the word ‘brother’ my heart flutters in my chest. Belonging to a coven again is amazing.

“I’m well. And the both of you?”

“Super,” Justice says, glancing around. “Busy night?”

“Tourist season is upon us, and the vampires plan to take full advantage.”

Eros nods, also glancing around. “Should keep you busy.”

I chuckle. “Definitely. Can I get you both a drink?”

“Please,” Eros answers. “We’re going to work on Justice’s seduction skills a bit.”

Justice pops his bottom lip. “Oh goody.”

“You don’t enjoy feeding?”

He shrugs. “I mean, I like the nourishment, but I hate being fake to people.”

“That’s the attitude we’re tackling,” Eros explains. “You have to see it differently, darling. It’s like fishing. You drop the bait, the fish takes it, you get a meal. No harm done.”

“Except for the fish,” Justice mumbles.

“Consider it catch and release,” I add, drawing a smile to Justice’s face.

“Well put,” Eros says, rubbing his mate’s back. “You’ll get the hang of it.”

“I’d rather just feed from you.”

“It’s not enough,” I say. “You need mortal blood.”

“Did you put Hale up to this?” Justice asks Eros, who raises his hands in surrender.

“Absolutely not. It’s just true. Mature vampires know this.”

“Ugh. Fine. Let’s go fuck with a mortal.”

“Cocktails first,” I say, turning to Tiago. “Two house cocktails please?”

“Coming right up,” he says.

“Why does Tiago still work the bar?” Eros asks.

Shrugging, I glance at him and the patrons at the bar. “He says he loves it, and it helps him stay aware of everything. He works less now that I’m here though.”

“How does he keep people off him all night?” Justice asks. “He’s so hot.”

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