Page 53 of Shut Up and Bite Me

When I finally located the vampire, I used my mind-altering abilities to order him to safely bring the girl home, surrenderhimself to Lachlan’s pack, hand over the antidote, and confess what he had done to her.

It was hard not killing him myself. But his life wasn’t mine to take.

My gift works on humans and vampires. Thankfully, my encouraging words led him to bring the girl to the bar, walking straight into a room full of werewolves that dealt with him in ways that would challenge even our brutality.

Lachlan approached me days later, telling me that before they killed him, he confessed that a girl named Vivian was responsible for her safe return.

That was the beginning of our respected partnership. Every now and then, we need the abilities of one another, like our abilities required for different, unique situations. Now, I need Lachlan to help me sniff out this vampire before we run out of time.

Barely slowing down, I burst through the door of Hale Bar, thankfully not shattering it into a million pieces like I did at my hotel. Approaching the countertop, I stop right before Lachlan.

“Jesus,” he gasps, jumping back like he’s seen a ghost.

“I need your help.” I skip the formalities of hello, getting right to the point.

He continues to casually wipe the inside of a glass. “What’s going on?”

“I need you to help me track down a vampire. One that’s gone rogue,” I murmur, a second from grabbing the glass he’s incessantly cleaning and throwing it against the wall.

“Yeah, okay. I can help after work?—”

“Now. I need your help right now,” I order him, feeling annoyance radiating from him. “Really? You’re annoyed right now?So am I.” Grabbing his shirt, I yank him forward, smashing his ribs against the counter, the glass in his hand falling to the ground and shattering.

Every chair in the building squeaks on the floor as everyone rises to their feet, ready to protect their alpha. But I don’t care if he’s the big boss in charge.

“The rogue murdered one of us, kidnapped their bloodling, and nearly drained him. The venom is already pulsing through his veins. I know you know what that does to a human.” I pause, feeling his annoyance shift to sympathy as he remembers the little girl, who I have since come to learn is named Gracie. “Are you willing to help me or not?” I demand, my voice booming through the room by the time I finish.

“I’ll help.” He exhales, raising his hands in surrender, the tiniest amount of humor lifting the corner of his lips. “Now, put your fangs away.”

Shit, I didn’t even realize they came out to play.

Between the intense emotions and changes my body is going through right now, I feel like I’ve just turned, still learning how to control my power.

Taking a shaky breath, I calm myself down, my fangs retreating into my gums as I release him from my death grip, patting the shirt over his chest, which looks permanently wrinkled.

Grabbing a napkin and a pen from the bar top, I scribble my address down and slide it to him. “Meet me here as quickly as you can. I’m heading there now.”

He picks it up and nods. “I’ll bring a few other members that can help.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, holding his stare for a moment longer to express my gratitude.

Racing out of the bar, I fly down the streets, winding left and right as I run back home.

I can’t stop thinking about how easily it could have been Greyson in Ethan’s place. An image of Ethan’s marks onGreyson’s body flashes in my mind, and I clench my fists so tightly my nails draw blood.

The thought makes me want to break every bone in the rogue’s body, forcing him in a position so he never heals, and trap him in ash wood for decades, making him beg for death but never giving it.

If it had been Greyson that was targeted…I can’t even finish that thought.

I have been alive for a long time, always secretly missing a piece of myself, and I didn’t know how or where to find it. I didn’t expect the missing piece to be a person.

The night we met and I immediately was drawn to him. The way his words found their way across the room, filling my mind. The way I haven’t been able to get enough of him, his touch, his blood, his presence, everything. It all makes sense now.

Since the moment I stepped into that bar, I knew I wouldn’t be able to walk away from him. At first, I was scared to even think that I could let a human into my life. I was terrified of losing someone close to me again. I didn’t want to fall for Greyson, but I couldn’t help it. Fate may have brought us together, but it didn’t make us choose one another.

My fear of losing someone I love has kept a wedge between Greyson and my heart. But I’m tired of living that way. I’m tired of staying in the shadows. If someone dares to go after what’s mine, they will pay with their lives.

The only way I can guarantee his safety is by staying right by his side, protecting him every step of the way. Which is exactly what I plan to do for a very long time.

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