by M. K. Dawn
Samantha inhaled the coppery smell deep into her lungs before releasing it with an inaudible moan.
“It’ll be better once we’re outside. There’s a nice breeze and I’ll make sure I sit downwind. Plus, there’s wine, which I’m assuming wasn’t part of the mother-in-law-suite package.”
“Fine.” Even though she knew Evie was kidding, Samantha made sure she sat across from her at the four-person wrought-iron table with the breeze at her back.
“See? It’s not so bad out here.” Evie poured them both a glass of red.
“Not too bad…” Samantha’s voice trailed off. Sitting this way allowed the wind to take Evie’s scent with it, also placing her in a prime position to watch the wolves.
Evie glanced over her shoulder and groaned. “Don’t they ever sleep?”
“No.” Samantha took a long drink of her wine. “Day and night, they are always out there.”
“Sorry.” Evie grimaced. “Guess it doesn’t help that you’ve got such keen hearing.”
Samantha rubbed her brow. “It’s fine. I’m not even tired—I should be, but I’m not, even though I’ve barely slept. I’m more…” she paused, searching for the right word, “more annoyed than anything. All the fighting and growling and—”
“Ethan,” Evie added.
Samantha drained her wine.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Evie poured her another glass. “If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t really talked to him either. Just once in passing. He hasn’t even seen our mother since she sat by his side during his transition. He’s different now. More confident than I’ve ever seen him and arrogant beyond belief. It’s like I don’t even know him anymore.”
“Really?” Samantha couldn’t believe he had changed so much in so little time. “Is it because of the wolf gene?”
“Part of it, and part is the pack leader gene.” Evie pointed her glass towards the practice field. “That’s what all of this is about. Ethan’s trying to overthrow the current leader of our father’s pack.”
“Why would he want to do that?”
Evie took a drink and shrugged. “Hell if I know. I could have seen our older brothers fighting for it, but not Ethan. Not that he’s one to sit back and watch from the sidelines, as you know. It’s just…being a leader, bossing people around. Didn’t think that was his thing.”
“Do you think he knows?” Samantha’s hand went for her belly and she quickly jerked it away.
Evie’s eyes softened. “Yes, he knows.”
Samantha couldn’t decide what was more painful: Ethan not aware of what happened or knowing and not checking on her. “Did he say… anything?”
“I’m so sorry, Samantha.” Evie reached across the table and took her hand. “I don’t know what’s going on with him. He’ll come around—I know he will. It’s not like him to not show compassion for those he cares about. And something as traumatic as this—for both of you—he’s got to be hurting.”
“Are you sure about that?” Samantha’s eyes found Ethan, who was once again in human form. He was smiling, pushing his damp black hair away from his forehead. “He looks fine.”
“Looks can be deceiving.” Evie moved into Samantha’s line of sight. “Maybe we should go in?”
“No.” Samantha forced a smile. “It’s a nice night. I’m tired of being cooped up in that house.”
“Since you brought it up.” Evie stumbled over the words. “First, I want to say how sorry I am. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. The pain I feel losing a niece or nephew… I wanted to make sure you’re doing okay.”
“The doctor scheduled a follow-up exam for tomorrow. I suspect I’ve healed just fine. There’s no pain; no other symptoms.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” She didn’t have the words to express how she really felt.
Evie scooted over to the seat next to Samantha. “You need to talk about what happened. Trust me, I know. Keeping something like that bottled up will only make things worse.”
“You know nothing about my pain,” Samantha snapped, though she instantly regretted it. “Sorry.”
“You’re right,” Evie once again grabbed Samantha’s hand, “I don’t know what it’s like to lose a child, but I know how it feels to lose a father and two brothers. To screw up and be responsible for my mother losing her grip on reality and not being able to talk to anyone about it. That kind of pain… keeping it bottled up will destroy you.”
“I don’t…” Samantha swallowed hard trying to piece together her scattered emotions. “There’s an emptiness I can’t explain. I feel hollow, detached—and not just because I’ve been here alone for a week. And I’m angry—so damn angry I want to break everything in sight.”
Evie squeezed her hand but didn’t speak, allowing Samantha to continue.
“And it’s not just losing the baby. It’s the loss of my father, too. Even though I’ve spent my entire life despising him and everything he stood for, I’m still broken up about his death. Don’t even get me started on Ethan.”
Samantha stood up, knocking the heavy chair to the concrete slab. It was loud enough the wolves stopped their training and twisted their heads in her direction.
Her eyes met Ethan’s and he stepped forward. For a split second she thought he would come over, but the concern on his face quickly faded as the others pulled him back to the group.
“He’s an idiot.” Evie wrapped her arm around Samantha’s waist and guided her inside. “And I will tell him has much before I leave.”
Samantha spun around out of Evie’s embrace. “Leaving? Where are you going?”
Evie rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m taking my mother home—or Ethan’s home. Even though the effect of Luther’s mind control has worn off, she’s having residual side effects; headaches, blurred vision, exhaustion. The doctor doesn’t think it’s anything too serious. Nothing a little rest won’t cure.”
“She can’t rest here?” Samantha had hoped this visit would become a regular occurrence. If Evie left, there would be no one.
“To be honest, I think she and I have worn out our welcome.” Evie rolled her eyes. “They may hate vampires, but they turn their nose down at humans. Think of us as a lesser species.”
“Aren’t you part werewolf?” Samantha dropped to the couch, hoping if she got comfortable Evie would extend her visit.
Evie narrowed her eyes, hesitated, then took a seat in the chair across from Samantha. “You either transition or you don’t. There’s no in between.”
Samantha changed the subject. “Any news on Darrien?”
“He’s being held in a cell somewhere. How he’s handling everything, no one will say.”
Samantha chewed on her bottom lip, trying to come up with a deeper, more drawn-out topic for them to discuss.
“Samantha, if you want me to stay longer, all you have to do is ask. My mother and I aren’t leaving until morning.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Are you sure?”
Evie headed towards the door. “Absolutely. But we’ll need junk food and wine. Lots of wine.”
CHAPTER SIX
“Good,” Nikko shouted, “now do it again!”
Ethan folded over, hands on his knees struggling to catch his breath. Even with the endurance his wolf gene gifted him, it had been too long since he'd worked out. And Nikko, at Tito's request, was working them to the bone.
They had started before dawn every day since he stupidly accepted Leo’s challenge. Ethan didn't know what he had been thinking—he hadn’t been thinking if he was being honest. The words flew out of his mouth before he’d processed what they meant.
“Let's go, Calaway,” Nikko barked. “We’re out here for you.”
Ethan straightened, muscles protesting. “I’m ready. Who’s next?”
Nikko studied Ethan and then scanned the eager men who waited on the sidelines; each of them were ready to try a hand at being the first to kick his ass.
“Who�
��s it going to be?” Ethan said with a smugness in his voice he didn't recognize.
“You’re getting rather cocky there, Calaway.” Nikko popped his neck, his long black hair blowing in the breeze.
Nikko was not petite, but like Ethan, he was smaller than most of the men here. Not that any of them seemed to notice or care. They treated him with the utmost respect—unlike Ethan, who they worked extra hard at planting his face in the ground.
“There’s a fine line between cocky and confidence.” Ethan bowed up. “I like to think I’m skirting somewhere between the two.”
A loud clang drew their attention to the guest house where Samantha stayed.
He hadn't realized she was outside watching; hadn't seen her since he carried her out of the Immortal Institute. It gutted him to see such distress splashed across her face. The pain Ethan was sure he’d caused.
Tito was the one that suggested—ordered—him to keep his distance. Wolves and vampires were mortal enemies and his association with either Samantha or Darrien would be an automatic disqualification as pack leader.
He didn't know why the position was so important to him. Maybe because he believed his father would have wanted to see one of his sons take over his pack.
Still, somewhere behind the wall Ethan’s wolf side had put up against vampires, feelings remained. Whether that was love or friendship, he couldn't be sure, but they were there all the same. And in that moment, he wished nothing more than to comfort her, grieve with her over the loss of their child.
Her eyes met his and Ethan took a step forward.
“Ethan.” Nikko came up beside him. “Don’t.”
He forced himself to turn away with a laugh as if her pain was nothing more than a joke.
The others joined in and Ethan glanced back. Evie was guiding a distraught Samantha inside.
“Let’s call it a night,” Nikko shouted.
The others took off towards the house—probably to the kitchen where a hot dinner would be waiting. It had been hours since their last full meal. A downside of the inhuman strength was that it took a hell of a lot of sustenance to maintain.
Ethan waited until the others were out of earshot. “Hey… can I ask you something?”
Nikko’s eyes darted to the house. “You should go eat before there is nothing left.”
“I could say the same for you.”
Nikko started across the field. “I already made plans for dinner.”
“With Darrien?”
Nikko halted and spun around. “Where did you hear that?”
“The men here are the worst gossips.” This wasn't exactly true; he had overheard two of the others talking in passing.
Nikko narrowed his eyes. “You don't say.”
Ethan saw the fear in Niko’s expression and immediately regretted what he’d said. “No. I heard a couple of guys talking, but they were the only ones.”
“That’s because Tito put me in charge of the vampires. The two jailers I assume you saw have orders not to speak of it to anyone else. Once a pack leader passes an order, they must follow it.”
“I haven't experienced that.”
“Because you fought a command Leo gave you. That’s why Tito suggested you fight for the pack leader position.”
Ethan cocked an eyebrow. “Leo ordered me to do something? I don't recall that.”
“You were wandering the woods after you turned. Leo called out for you.”
That he remembered. Hearing the wolf cry among the trees and knowing it was time to return. “And I came back.”
Nikko laughed. “Not for hours. If you were under his control, you would have felt a pull and been unable to fight the need to rush back.”
Yes, there had been a call, but no urgency on his part to answer. “What happens if I lose?”
“He will remain pack leader and they will exile you. Same for him if you win.”
Exiled. Ethan didn’t know how he felt about that. For himself or for Leo. “That’s a little harsh.”
“Pack life is not for the faint of heart.” Nikko headed towards the house.
“Wait.” Ethan jogged alongside him. “Back to Darrien.”
Nikko hung his head. “I told you, the vampires are not your concern. You need to drop this.”
Ethan grabbed Nikko’s arm. “What if I’m asking out of concern? There are a lot of women and children who live nearby. They are human, therefore considered prey for the vampires. As a future pack leader, I want to make sure they’re safe.”
A hard smile tugged at Nikko’s lips. “Fine. They are holding Darrien in an old underground cellar beneath the barn. They designed it to hold vampires at full-strength.”
“Which is…?”
“Just after feeding on human blood straight from the vein.”
Ethan let out a sharp exhale. “Which Darrien hasn’t done in a hundred years. Synthetic blood—I mean, bottled blood—doesn’t have the same effect?”
“No, for various reasons.”
The vagueness of Nikko’s answers grated on Ethan’s nerves. “Like?”
Nikko clenched his teeth. “For one, the Council diluted the blood they passed off as synthetic.”
“Why would they do that?”
“If I had to guess,” Nikko frowned, “they did it to keep the vampire population under control. I know little about the species, just what I learned from the years my sister was married to Darrien.”
“Did he drink from her?” Ethan cleared his throat, unsure if he was crossing into a taboo area. “Your sister, I mean.”
“No. Vampires cannot drink werewolf blood. Darrien and my father had an arrangement. As a butcher, my father had access to an unlimited supply of animal blood, which he saved for Darrien. In exchange, Darrien would provide to my father—to our family—his blood when needed.”
“So you could remain immortal.”
Nikko nodded. “Those of us who had undergone the transformation.”
Ethan studied Nikko’s near unreadable expression. “After all these years, you still care for him.”
“You have met Darrien. He is a good man. Loved my sister when no other would even look in her direction after her assault. Loved her not despite her past, but because of it. Her strength to carry on and see the beauty in the world inspired all of us.”
Ethan remembered the story Darrien had told Samantha about his wife’s attack; the brutal assault she’d undergone that left her near dead. “He risked his life to save me and my sister from the synthetic blood center knowing it put a target on his back. I know I’m not supposed to care about him, but I do. I owe him my life several times over. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
Nikko pressed his lips together before speaking. “A few days back when I last saw him, he was struggling with the return of his memories. It is a painful, exhausting process that has taken a toll on him. But he is strong. There is no doubt in my mind he will get through it.”
The reassurance eased a little of the anxiety plaguing Ethan’s mind. “Thanks. Keep me updated, would you?”
The corner of Nikko’s mouth twitched. “As a protective measure.”
Ethan smirked. “Pack comes first.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Darrien left the protective corner of his cell, relieved the sun had finally set. As summer approached, the days had grown longer and the idiot guards thought it a good use of their time to fuck with Darrien every chance they got. One of their favorites: waiting for him to fall asleep and lifting the blinds.
The sun burned like a bitch, blistering his exposed skin within seconds. Without blood, the wounds took hours to heal. It was enough to send him into a blind rage, punching the wall until his knuckles bled.
When he got out of here—if he ever got out of here—Darrien would set the fuckers on fire. See how they liked the smell of their own burnt flesh.
The click of a lock sent Darrien on alert, eyes focused on the small window in the door. His stomach rumbled at the smell of food though it was not the su
stenance he craved. Not that he expected the food to be for him. Another method of torture his guards had dreamed up: eat outside his door while Darrien sat on the other side on the verge of starvation.
None were as bad as the technique they put into effect yesterday: parading a human outside the window of his cell. During the day. He nearly burned himself alive trying to claw his way out.
The hunger was too much. The last time he’d gone so long without blood, it did not end well. Most thought a vampire who’d just fed was the most dangerous, but that was a myth. A vampire on the verge of starvation would stop at nothing to end the pain of his body shutting down. It caused a madness he’d only heard about—that he feared above anything else. To lose control of his humanity and let the monster take over. He couldn’t imagine the carnage that kind of emotionless creature would leave behind.
The footsteps grew closer, as did the smell of meat; a rare steak if his nose could be believed. It was his favorite food, not counting blood.
Stumbling to the bed, Darrien was determined to get as far away from the door as possible. For years he’d lived off the blood of animals instead of human—cow being a favorite, as they were easy to pursue and didn’t put up much of a fight.
“Hello?” Nikko opened the foot slot and slid in a large plate with the biggest damn steak he’d ever seen sitting in the middle. Blood pooled on top of the meat and his mouth watered.
Darrien bit back the urge to rush for the food, careful not to spill even a drop of the precious blood. “How did you get this? And under cooked?”
“It is my dinner and you forget vampires are not the only ones who like their meat still kicking.” Nikko passed a bottle through the hole. “Whiskey. You always said if curbed the cravings.”
Darrien slurped the blood off the plate, savoring every drop. It didn’t do much to satisfy his thirst, but it helped ease the desperation. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” Nikko’s face came into view. “You look good, my brother. How do you feel?”
“Like shit.” A blunt statement, but Darrien wasn’t one to hold his tongue and Nikko would expect nothing less.