Page 33 of Red

I give him a slow twirl, loving the feeling of his eyes on me.

In a flash, he’s right next to me. “Fuck! Your ass looks amazing.” He palms both my cheeks, sliding his clawed fingers below the hem of my black bodycon mini. “I love the dress.”

I haven’t gotten a chance to wear it for Dean and now I’m glad I didn’t return it. Paired up with my black high heels (that I got for Granny’s funeral) and some glam makeup, I know I look like a knockout. Or it’s Alex who makes me feel so confident, at least. Because no man has ever made me feel this good in my own body.

He asks me to take a seat on the couch and serves dinner at the coffee table. Which is valid since he’d break my dining chair—and enough damage has been done already.

“This is exquisite!” I approve, after I finish chewing a bite of the salmon.

“Why so surprised? I was a human.”

“Over three centuries ago.”

“I don’t need to eat nearly as frequently as humans. After I hunt, I can survive a week or even two with nothing but water. I enjoy having an occasional meal with my family, though… Or rather the ones who do eat.”

That comes as a surprise. “Can you tell me more about them?”

“Well, I’m the oldest of my two remaining siblings. There’s my little sister, Penelope, who is a fucking pain in my ass.” He chuckles. “She’s the only one of my numerous sisters that fell for a supernatural being. About two centuries ago,she was turned into a vampire by her immortal female partner, Katia. And my brother, Edwin, is like me, of course. He’s already bonded with his mate, Clara, and formed his own pack with his two sons. But we remain in proximity. I’m also close with my aunt, Farah, who is a witch.” He then adds with a smirk, “They are all dying to meet you.”

“Wow, that’s awesome! I literally just found out they exist!”

I’m a terrible girlfriend—or whatever I am to him. He knows a lot about me because… well, he’s been creeping on me. But I realize how little I know about him. Sure, it’s been only a couple of days, yet I’ve already had more orgasms than every guy I’ve ever been with combined. For fuck’s sake, he made me squirt and I didn’t even know my body could do that! And the thought of him having an actual family didn’t even cross my mind… I just took him for a wild beast.

He notices my sudden silence. “What is it?”

“I’m a horrible person.” I feel so ashamed now, I just want the earth to swallow me whole.

“Maybe,” he deadpans. “But you’re still my favorite person.”

“I want to know everything about you.”

“You might have to stalk me for a while.”

“Oh, come on, Alex! Don’t get all dark and mysterious on me now.”

“There’s not nearly as much to tell as you’d expect. My mother was a witch, my father was a werewolf. Both passed a few decades ago. I’ve had more brothers too, but they’re all deceased. It can be brutal out there for us.”

I see the sadness in his eyes and I don’t want to pressure him if it’s too painful for him to talk about. Instead I ask, “So, are you also a witch?”

“Just like there are no female werewolves, there are no true male witches. Warlocks can conjure spells, but it’s not a comparable power. I guess, that’s a nature’s way to balance itself.”

“Do you know how werewolves came to be in a first place?”

“Majority of the lore comes from medieval times and European folklore, but it goes much further back in time. The Old Testament tells a story of a Babylonian king who gets punished for his pride and arrogance. Similarly, in Greek mythology lycanthropy begins as a curse cast by Zeus. We believe these to be the most factual.”

“Is being born with this gene the only way to become like you?”

“No, the bite will also turn a man, causing them to shift at the first full moon afterwards.But the bitten ones are rabid, they lose all their humanity. Without any self-control, they need to be put down for everyone’s sake. They are the abominations that most folk tales come from.”

“What happens if a woman gets bitten?”

He smiles. “In the wild, male canines rarely attack females, and likewise with my kind. But werewolves mark their partners with a bite. No other male will pursue anyone who’s claimed.”

“Did you claim me?” I chew my bottom lip.

“Well, you don’t have a mark, do you? But Iwillif you accept me.”

Why this is the hottest shit I’ve ever heard?

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