Page 18 of Hunting for Redemption

CHAPTER NINE

JEFF

I takea small sip from my cup before setting it down. I’m trying not to chug the entire glass all at once. This is progress. I feel like my self-control gets better with each passing day.

I need that self-control today more than ever. My crew is coming today. Axel will be here the entire time, lending me strength and making sure I don’t hurt them but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous as fuck. Even with every precaution in place, I’m still worried I could hurt them. I don’t think I’d ever be able to forgive myself if something happened to them because of me.

A hand runs through my hair and I look up, finding my mate staring down at me with a soft smile. Fuck. My mate. Who would have thought that being turned into a vampire would give me something as precious as a mate? How lucky am I that the man taking care of me turns out to be just that? Lady Fate really knew what she was doing when she crossed our paths.

I’m so thankful for Axel. He’s taken care of me at my most vulnerable. He’s been patient with me as I learn to control myself and learn how to interact in this new body. He’s been kind and supportive. It was his idea to bring the guys here today because he thinks I’m ready. He’s so sure I won’t hurt them.

I hope his faith isn’t misplaced.

“How are you feeling?”

I grab his wrist, pulling his hand down so I can nuzzle it. “I’m okay. Mostly just nervous.”

“How hungry are you?”

“Not too bad,” I tell him seriously. “I think I’ll be full after this glass.”

“Good. Then the temptation won’t even be there. Trust me. Once you smell them and they smell like family they’ll smell a lot less like food.”

I let out a long sigh. “If you say so.”

“I do. Trust me. I’ve been a vampire much longer than you.”

I smile, tugging Axel down so he’s sitting in my lap. I run my thumb over his cheek, just looking at how pretty my mate is. “How long have you been a vampire?”

“My entire life,” he says with a small smile, knowing that’s not at all what I meant. But it is interesting. I hadn’t realized Axel was a born vampire rather than a turned one like me.

“And how old are you, mate of mine?”

“I turn sixty-nine next month.”

I smirk plays across my lips. “Well, let me tell you, I have a few ideas on how to properly celebrate said birthday.”

Axel lets out the most adorable giggle, smacking my chest playfully. He shakes his head before ducking down and stealing a kiss. Just then, there’s a knock on the door. I swallow thickly, my entire body locking up.

“Hey,” Axel whispers, running his fingers through my hair once more. “You’re gonna do amazing, Jeff. You can do this.”

“I can do this,” I repeat, nodding my head. “Thank you for being here.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” He picks up my mug of warm blood, handing it over to me. “Finish this and then I’ll let them in, okay?”

I silently pick up the mug, drinking the rest of it. The blood is delicious as it slides down my throat and warms me from the inside. I can understand why some vampires become addicted to drinking so much at once. I feel almost human when I’ve just finished drinking my fill. It makes me feel warm again. It’s an addicting feeling but one I’d rather not chase, not when it could put someone’s life at risk. Not when it could make me a monster.

I can hear the door click open from here. I listen closely, able to pick out four sets of footsteps besides Axel’s. The tiniest smile plays at my lips. I’m not getting rusty, if anything, becoming a vampire has helped me with things like this. Maybe I’ll be able to become an even better hunter.

“Are you sure it’s okay that we’re here?” Carlos asks. “If it’s too soon we can totally wait.”

“No, no,” Axel reassures them, my stomach warming at the amount of faith my mate has in me. “He’s ready. And I’ll be right here to help ground him just in case. He won’t admit it but he’s missed you all.”

“Awww,” Ronny coos and I roll my eyes. “Bossman missed us!”

“Of course I did,” I say as they come into the kitchen. The first one through the door is Cooper and he pauses for just a moment before smiling and coming to sit down at the table with me. Everyone else follows behind. Martin squeezes my shoulder as he passes me and his scent fills my nose. Axel was right. They don’t smell like food, they smell like my family. Their scents comfort me.

I can hear each of their hearts beating, the sound throbbing inside my skull. I can imagine the blood flowing through them. But instead of the desire to bite them, I’m overcome with the instinct to protect them, to keep that blood flowing at all costs.

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