Page 2 of Alaric's Hidden Gem

He turned his head very slowly and looked straight into my eyes. I swallowed nervously because his eyes were black. Not dark brown but black. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“I've not seen you here before,” he said in a deep voice, but something was wrong about him.

His words came out softly, but he made me want to get the fuck away from him. I frowned because I didn't know where these thoughts were coming from. He was simply a potential client so I put on my fake saleswoman smile.

“I’ve worked here for two years. Please let me know if you need any assistance,” I said politely, wishing I was working in the back right now.

He turned the rest of his body towards me as he approached me. As much as I wanted to run towards the checkout desk to put some space between us, I couldn't because neither Lucie nor Alain were present and I couldn’t hide in the backroom. It was too late. He stood so close to me that I had to take a step back before I looked up at him. My eyes widened when his black eyes flashed red, and his nostrils flared up.

What the fuck was he?

His eyes flickered, and they turned black, but his nostrils were still sniffing the air, which made me want to sniff myself.

What the fuck? I had showered this morning.

I eyed the checkout counter because there was a police alarm on it. The need to press it had never arisen, but this man was dangerous. He looked normal from a distance but the raised hairs on the back of my neck and goosebumps on my arms were a stark warning for me.

I needed him to leave. The sooner, the better.

Chapter 3

Alaric

I tried to rein in my need to sink my fangs into her. I struggled trying to retract them, but the sound of her heartbeat reminded me of the olden days when we would make the humans run which led them to believe they had a chance to escape us. I missed the savagery of the old days. Judging by the look of terror on her face, I’d not done a good job of hiding my monstrous intentions.

The sweet aroma coming from her was unlike anything I’d come across before. I looked into her eyes to mesmerise her because I needed to taste this delectable human’s blood. I heard her swallow nervously as she tried to take another step back. That was when the realisation hit me. My hypnotic gaze didn't work on her. I gathered myself as I decided to change tactics.

With my eyes closed, I worked on preventing myself from inhaling her pulsating sweet blood that I could hear rushing through her veins. Her heartbeat made a resounding beating sound that reminded me of the ancient Malian Empire's djembe drums. Her trepidation had sped her heartbeat, and when I opened my eyes again, I decided that I loved the look of fear on her pretty face.

She was petite at first glance but seeing the curves on her body made my cock harden. She had dark but warm chocolate eyes with some smoky coloured dark makeup around them, but it was her plump pink lips that made me wish she knelt before me so I could choke her out with my dick.

“I’m Alaric Charon. I believe Alain said he would have my purchase ready,” I said, looking around as if he would appear.

I knew we were alone because there were no other sounds from within the gallery. There was some noise from the offices above the gallery, but no one could come to her aid. When her dark eyes searched mine I knew they were back to normal because she said nothing about the brief change she surely saw.

“My painting,” I said, amused when she seemed rooted to the ground.

She quickly twirled around and rushed towards the back of the gallery towards the staff entrance. This couldn't be a coincidence. After hundreds of years, Samuel found his mate, and within one day of discovering blood mates existed, I happen to come across mine in a gallery that I had been frequenting for decades. All I needed to do was exude some charm, and she would be putty in my hands. Humans of all sexes and ages fawned over me. They came to me like moths to a flame. They were our prey.

She brought the large package, which was wrapped in black paper and tied around with a gold ribbon. When she took it to the cash desk, I walked towards her, but she didn't look up at me.

“I need your identification, please,” she whispered.

My eyes never left her when I reached into my pocket to get my wallet out.

“May I take you out for dinner after work?” I asked as I handed her my credit card, but I brushed my thumb over the back of her hand.

Her head shot up so fast that her hair flew up before landing over her face. I decided I liked the length it was long enough to pull on and short enough not to get in the way. She brushed it aside before nervously licking her lips. My eyes were drawn to her pink, wet lips full of succulent blood that I needed a taste of. I shook myself out of the daze she had me under. When I remembered I was trying to charm her, I forced myself to smile.

What the fuck was wrong with me? She was a mere human.

“I-I’m sorry, I can’t. I have a boyfriend.”

I narrowed my eyes at her and clenched my jaw tightly at the thought of her with another man taking what was mine. She took my card and looked downwards again before handing it back to me. I glared at her before snatching my card back. The need to grip her scrawny throat and guzzle her blood down was overwhelming. I could see the protruding vein, and my mouth filled with saliva, but I grabbed the painting and left the gallery.

I would be back within a few minutes. I was far from done with her. Blood mate, or not humans were beneath us in the food chain.

She was fucking prey. My Prey.

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