Page 9 of Just One Bite
“Ugh, filthy business. I was hoping to catch you here before the festivities.”
He was waiting for me.My brain isn’t working nearly fast enough to form a plan of action, but my body steps back a few feet all on its own.
He sniffs the air. “I see you’ve met Owens. Sweet guy.”
“And you’re …?”
“Darien. Apologies. But you see, I’m not here for anything pleasant, I’m afraid.”
I take another step back, but there’s nowhere to run. One glance toward the path tells me I’m alone. The masked guy didn’t follow me. I don’t know why I think he’d be helpful. It’s not like I know him, but as the silence spreads between Darien and me, I long for that feeling again—the safety and calm his touch brought me.
I blink, then Darien is in front of me, and before I can move, he grabs my wrist and slams a hand over my mouth. Yanking my arm away gives little wiggle room.
“I know. I know. But trust me. Of your options tonight, this is the better one. Plus …” He leans into my neck, and I freeze. “I get to have all the fun.”
I groan, trying to weasel away from his grasp, but his fingers dig into my skin so hard I think they might draw blood.
“Your heart is drumming like a scared rabbit. You’re not used to this, are you? If you were in The Donor Program, this would be an easy act of submission. Didn’t your mother teach you?”
Fire singes through my veins, and I bite one of his fingers, and he loosens his grip just enough.
“Fuck you,” I spit.
Then I’m on the ground faster than I can comprehend. I’ve met vampires, but none of them were like this. My mom’s donees were nice. One she’d donated to for years was her best friend in her ballet company. She’d bring me cookies.
This is evidently nothing like that. The ground is cold as I thrash around while Darien pins my hips with his knees with very little effort.
“You know it’s been a while since I’ve gotten to experience this kind of thrill when drinking. It’s a pity it has to end.”
He leans in, and his teeth sink into my neck. My screams are muffled behind his grasp. A searing pain flushes through me, awakening the adrenaline lingering in my body, and I wrestle past the pain.
Every second, my muscles weaken, but I don’t stop. I can’t. I manage enough room to shove a knee in his groin, and I’m up on my feet so fast I don’t register where I’m going.
Somewhere else. Somewhere safe.
Chapter Four
Parker
The hairs on my arms rise and my muscles tighten with the need to chase her. The wolf inside me begs me to follow her as she disappears along the path. I crane my neck, ready to run, but a high-pitched whine stills me. A few seconds later, I hear a cry for help.
I’m following the sound before my brain registers the movement, and I step into the brush. Seconds later, a man barrels into me with dirt and blood smeared in his hair and on his face. He’s in all black, so he has to be a new student. His scent is heavy in a way I instantly identify him as a Were. Weres have stronger, richer scents.
“What’s going on?”
“There’s someone. He’s—”
“Hello, Parker.” Cane steps through the maze. His green and yellow eyes glow as he leans against a tree. His suit is pristine. I can smell the curiosity from others watching just out of sight. “I was just greeting …”
“Finn,” Finn says, wiping his cheek.
“You know how it is for first-years. Just seeing who might be interested in my pack. Finn says the lone wolf life is for him. Pity. I know you know what that’s like.”
A growl rips through my teeth, and Cane deadpans while straightening the blazer of his uniform. I’ve lost count of the years I’ve had to know this assholeand that stupid cropped haircut he’s had since we were kids. He looks just like his father, who I’ve met and can confirm is also a jackass. Cane's entire family is known for their white hair and green and yellow eye coloring.
His attention lingers on my hand, and his nostrils flare.
He can smell her.
