Page 2 of Samuel's Bloody Obsession

She twirled around and strode toward the children’s room, leaving me to watch her chestnut-brown hair sway from side to side down her shapely back. I raised my nose in the air and inhaled the last of her sweet-scented blood before she vanished. My shoulders sagged in defeat, and I slumped into my chair before closing my eyes. It would be a long time before Charlotte trusted me.

I had been sceptical that the baby Holly carried could indeed be Alexander’s, but after my powerful reaction to Charlotte, I knew that blood mates existed, and I would use every trick in the book to woo my sweet mate. I survived the end of the Byzantine Empire when we were with the Elders, and as I moved through time, I often wondered what the purpose of my existence was. Yes, the coven oversaw three countries, but after existing for over 600 years, I was more than ready for the task ahead.

My eyes narrowed on the door that Charlotte had closed. I straightened my back because she was my blood mate, and nothing could stop me from possessing her. I wanted a mate and my children more than life itself.

∞∞∞

We settled a fair reparation package for all the victims, but they signed a non-disclosure document except for the children. Holly and Charlotte had spoken to Callum and Andrea's parents. The suspicious looks they gave us told me that they didn’t believe the vampire story. Charlotte had left her phone number for the children before a tearful goodbye.

Holly and Alexander had escorted Charlotte home, compliments of my plane. I remained at a distance, lurking in the background. Everyone had left to go back to London on my aircraft. I had no commitments that Derrick and the others couldn’t handle in my absence. My word remained true to Alexander and Silas. I would not mention the existence of blood mates to anyone.

The light turned off in the living room, pulling me out of my thoughts. I silently moved around the branches and watched Charlotte through the windows. The branches creaked beneath my weight but didn’t stop me from following her from the bathroom window to her bedroom. She paused at the window and stood beside it, looking outside. Elgin was a small town, nothing compared to the cities I had lived in, but it was ideal because I wouldn’t lose her scent. Her small flat was above a bakery on the high street. The bedroom faced the back garden, which, luckily for me, had a few mature trees. She closed her curtains, and I sighed in disappointment. The need to see her was imperative. If she caught me inside her apartment, it would only terrify her.

I settled onto a thick branch to get comfortable for the night.

Chapter 2

Charlotte

I awakened with a smile on my face. To wake up in my bed and not a stinking cell made me appreciate all the things I took for granted. I snuggled into the covers because today wouldn't be a pleasant one. My parents were furious with me for disappearing for almost five weeks, but I couldn't tell them the truth. The excuse I’d given was that I had got mugged and hurt my ankle but stayed with someone who came to my aid. It wasn't a complete lie, as my purse and phone were long gone. I would need to replace everything.

I groaned and pulled the covers over my face. Once under the dark quilt, I thought of the quiet but weird as fuck vampire, Samuel. He looked like an average human dressed in a suit, but when his eyes flashed red, he sent shivers of fear down my spine. No matter what Holly said, I wouldn't trust any bloodsucker.

My stomach turned when I recalled Duncan draining our blood. Poor Andrea had been petrified, and Callum tried to be brave for her and console her after each ordeal. I swallowed the thick lump in my throat and hoped they were young enough for those dark images to fade from their memories.

They hadn't been in the dungeons for as long as I was, so they could, in time, forget. I had lost the will to live until they came into my cell. I spoke to Callum for a long time in the hotel and told him he could call me anytime as soon as I arranged a new phone. I didn’t know if they would want to forget me and the vampires or if they wanted to talk to someone who would believe them. Either way, I had ensured I left a door open for communication should they ever need me.

I thought of Granny Glenda because she was definitely going to tear me a new arsehole. The bloodsuckers gave me plenty of money in compensation. I should have run away when I had the chance because facing everyone would be worse than I had anticipated.

∞∞∞

After going to the bank with my passport to withdraw money and order a replacement card, I went to Graeme’s repair shop to purchase a second-hand phone. It was silly, really, when I had over one million pounds in the bank, but I didn't want to squander the money needlessly. It didn't surprise me that the bloodsuckers were rich. Alexander was over 400 years old. I snickered because that was some age gap between him and Holly. She was only two years younger than me but had achieved so much in her life.

Graeme cleared his throat, reminding me I wasn't alone. I was standing in his shop, laughing like a deranged lunatic.

“Dae yae need ah SIM card?”

“Aye, until ma phone company sends me a replacement, I will need one.”

I watched as he unwrapped a small card and proceeded to put the SIM card into the phone for me.

“Just follow these instructions tae activate it and top it up wae some credit,” he said, sliding the phone and card towards me. “Ah heard Glenda is gunning for ye.”

I groaned but put the phone and card into my handbag.

“Aye, she isnae the only one,” I mumbled before I pulled out some cash.

This was the problem in this town. Everyone knew everything about everyone. Nothing was sacred.

“Ah heard yae hud some bother in the city?” he said, taking my money while giving me a speculative look.

I gave him a tight smile.

“Aye, it laid me up for a few weeks. Am fine now.”

“That wouldnae be happening here,” he said with a fierce scowl.

“Naw, all the grannies would band together and beat them to death with their walking sticks,” I said with a grin.

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