Ed grunts. "I couldn't find anything to substantiate the reports we received. Not one person I spoke to has seen any evidence of a rogue vampire. Sorry, boss, but I think it was a time waster." He waves at Bel as she glances in our direction.
"Hey guys, what are you after?" She flashes Ed a friendly smile.
Ed reaches over the bar and offers her his hand, “I'm Ed. It's nice to meet you; I’ll have a Jack on the rocks, thanks.”
I watch in anticipation as their hands touch, my eyes flashing between them to see if they have a reaction.
"Bel, nice to meet you. Ed."
I let out the breath I'd been holding when she walks away to get Ed's drink with no sign of reaction.
"Hey, Theo!” I turn to chase the voice that belongs to someone I usually manage to avoid. Unfortunately I was too distracted with Bel and didn't even feel or smell her early enough to make a run for it.
I plaster on my best fake smile. “Hi, Chloe. How are you?"
She stops in front of me, trailing her fingers up my forearm. “Much better now I've seen you,”
I force myself not to cringe. It’s not like Chloe is repulsive - with her beautiful blonde hair, legs up to her armpits, and bright baby blue eyes, she’s far from it. She turns plenty of heads. Unfortunately, she likes to go for the guys that aren't interested, and never takes no for an answer.
I’ve never casually dated a pack member and I don’t intend to start now. Being an alpha, I’m stronger with a mate. A wolf knows his mate when he meets her - I’m pretty sure I found mine tonight. Just imagine the hassle my future mate would have when she joins the pack if it was full of my jealous ex-lovers.
I'm not celibate; I have been in relationships – just not with pack members. I gave up on finding my mate and married a human when I was young, stupid and wanting to settle down. My marriage ended when she cheated on me. To be honest, the failure of our marriage was my fault. I hadn’t told her about being a werewolf, yet I expected her to give me children.
"Can I buy you a drink, Theo?" Chloe asks in a seductive tone.
I glance at my watch to make it look like there’s somewhere I need to be. "Actually, I'm just about to leave; I've got a meeting to get to.”
Chloe mirrors my actions, glancing at her own watch. "It's a bit late to be having a meeting, isn’t it?”
She has no right to question her Alpha, but I don’t want her turning up at my house later so I answer her. “Vampires."
Bel makes her way over to us placing a drink in front of us both with a shrug. "I saw you were empty too.”
I pull the glass towards me and pass her some money, making sure to brush her hand with mine. I feel it again, almost like an electric shock shooting from where we touch all the way through my body to my wolf. He jumps up alert and ready to claim. There is no mistaking it this time. She's my mate. I look into her eyes as they change from chocolate brown to her wolf's amber eyes. She feels it too.
Her wolf knows.
“Thanks, darlin’.”
She snatches her hand back, looking at it like it was an alien. "Sorry about that, it must be static electricity or something,”
"Or something," I growl as she rushes off to serve another customer.
After downing my drink I say my goodbyes and quickly leave, to make my meeting look genuine. My wolf is antsy enough as it is, I can’t handle any more Chloe tonight. He doesn’t like that I am leaving Bel behind, he’s already calling her “Mine”.
***
I only get a block away from Misty’s when I scent a vampire. They have a bloody scent. Werewolves suffer bloodlust. We love the smell of blood and meat, but vampires don’t smell like fresh blood. They have a sickly rotting scent. They have strong noses too. I don’t know how they can handle their own stench.
Hoping the vampire I can scent is the rogue we’ve been hunting down, I follow the smell. I could do with a good fight to distract my wolf from the fact that I’m leaving someone he already considers to be our mate in a bar full of threats.
It’s not long before I realise that fight isn’t going to happen. I can feel the vampire now and I recognise this one’s energy.
Dominick Draconis, The King.
Yeah, he wishes.
“Well, well, well,” Dominick quips. “If it isn’t the daddy dog himself.”
He may be old and he may act all high and mighty, but he ain’t nothing but a mosquito to me.
I tell myself that every time we are in each other’s company and I still end up at his throat by the end of the conversation. I’m not going to let him get to me. “Dominick.”
“What no happy greeting? No wagging tails?”
Try as I might, I don’t manage to contain my growl. My wolf might get his fight yet. “What do you know about this rogue vampire I’m hearing reports about?”
“Touchy. Fine let’s get straight to business then. I’m following up on the reports too, but none of my men have found any leads. He seems to be good at hiding.” His phone chimes in his jeans pocket, he reaches his hand in and pulls it out, but on glancing at the screen he ignores the call by angrily shoving it back in his pocket. “Have your men found anything?”
“Not a thing. My guys are calling it a time waster, but I have a bad feeling about it and I don’t like it.”
I’m not a fan of Dominick, but this rogue is his kind and if anyone is equipped to find him. A two thousand year old vampire leader is bound to be better at it than I am.
“You’re right to be concerned. He’s a threat and we need to find him. I have no doubts that in time we will,” he proclaims with the confidence of a leader.
“Yes, we will,” I declare, walking away. I’m not concerned about turning my back on the vampire - even when I know that our scent is intoxicating and highly addictive to them, the total opposite of how their revolting stench affects us, because the werewolves and vampires have a pact, of a sort, so we can live comfortably in the same town without a war breaking out. Neither of the two species can attack the other without serious punishment. I won’t lie and say there isn’t ‘incidents’, but we stay on top of them and our pact helps keep them far and few between.
I reach into my pocket for my keys, unlocking my Pajero as I approach it. I get in and head home.
My home is the pack’s home, which means any member is welcome at anytime. I just hope that Chloe finds someone to entertain her tonight because I’m still not up to dealing with her again.
3. VAULTING BARS
Rosabel
I distractedly serve two or three customers. My mind is still on the reaction to Theo’s touch. No matter what bullshit I said about static electricity, I know that isn’t what caused it. It has to be something to do with our wolves - I’m just not sure what. It didn’t happen when I came in contact with the other wolf he was with, so I am leaning towards it being an alpha thing.
I glance along the bar to see if any of my customers are empty. When my eyes reach Ed I notice Theo is no longer stood with him. My wolf reaches out to feel for his power but can’t. Realising he must have left while I was serving; I search the bar for Barbie girl who was coming onto him earlier. My wolf relaxes when I see her plastered all over another guy. It didn’t take her long to move her affection on to someone else.
It took all my will power not to jump the bar and drag her away from him when I saw her talking to him earlier. I had to remind my wolf that I had no claim over him. I had spoken to him for a few minutes and that was all. He was the local alpha; she was probably pack, and had more right to lay a claim.
***
Midnight comes quick and fast. It feels like no time has passed when Misty rings the bell to take last orders. As the last customer leaves, I head to the office to get my bag, realising a little too late that I haven’t organised anywhere to sleep tonight.
Misty enters the office and hands me an envelope with some cash in it. “That’s for tonight’s shift. If ya enjoyed it, I’d love ya to come back same time tomorrow?”
“Yeah, that’d be great. Thank you,” I answer, placing the envelope in my bag. “You don’t know any hostels that will be open at this time, do you? I came straight in here off the bus without organising anywhere to sleep.”
She looks me up and down, weighing me up. “No they’ll all be locked up now. Ya can stay at mine for the night if ya want?”
“Really? That’d be great. Thanks. I’ll go straight to the hostel in the morning.”
“No worries. We’ll sort it out. I saw you chatting to Theo. It looked like you got on well.” She seems excited at that thought. I’m guessing she’s a bit of a matchmaker.
She shows me out of the office, locking the door behind us.
“Yeah, he seems like a nice guy, not to mention easy on the eyes.” We both giggle as we leave through the fire exit at the end of the corridor.
There is a top of the range purple VW Beetle parked in the deserted alley. How come it didn’t get stolen or stripped for parts during the shift? It’s not as if this alley is a high traffic area.
As we approach the car I feel that sensation of dread again, which answers my previous question... WARDS.
***
I wake up to the smell of bacon, eggs, tomatoes, ooh and fresh coffee. My nose is great with smells. It’s not such a good thing when the smell is unpleasant, like when I got on that bus full of smelly people. Ugh. Times like that I wish I had a human nose. Today? Today I am happy to have an extra sensitive nose. It feels like a week since I had a cup of coffee. I’d even be glad for a bad one at the minute. I can’t function without a coffee in a morning, but this coffee smells divine.
I dive out of bed, or should I say off the bed since I didn’t manage to get under the covers last night. After quickly washing and changing, I follow that lovely smell of food and coffee; and after entering two empty lounge rooms I finally find the source. Sitting at the granite breakfast bar in the kitchen is Misty, eating the best looking full English breakfast I have ever seen. Seeing only one plate makes my stomach grumble and I decide I need to find a diner as soon as possible.
“Good morning, Misty. Thanks for letting me stay the night. I’ll get out your hair now and see you at five for my shift.”
Misty slightly spins her stool to face me. “How’d ya sleep?”
“Great. That bed is fantastic.”
“Good. There’s a plate of breakfast in the oven keeping warm for ya, and there’s some fresh coffee in the pot on the side.” She waves her hand in the direction of the oven and coffee.
“Oh, you didn’t have to do that. Thank you.” I go straight for the oven and remove my plate, sitting at the bar on the stool next to Misty.
After eating my breakfast and drinking the best coffee I’ve ever had, I reach over and pour myself a second cup from the jug on the table.
Misty puts her cup down for seconds too. “I was thinking, since ya don’t have anywhere to stay and there’s just me in this big place, do ya wanna stay on a more permanent basis?”
Misty's apartment is actually four apartments knocked into one. She has the whole floor to herself.
“What, like rent one of the rooms from you? Are you sure? You don’t really know me.” I can see what’s coming; I should have seen it last night when Misty invited me to stay, even though she had only known me for a couple of hours.
I'm an empath, meaning I can feel people's emotions. According to my Aunt, my mum was an empath too. It's the empathy that's making Misty feel like she can trust me. For some reason, people feel at ease with me. I even get strangers coming up to me in the street and pouring their heart out. Their trust in me isn’t false. I’m trustworthy because I feel people’s emotions. I don’t want them to feel bad, so I do anything I can to make people feel better. I would never do anything to hurt people, for one thing it would hurt me twice as much as it would them.
Misty jumps off her stool and walks over to the sink to rinse her plate. “I know, but I trust ya. I get a good vibe from you and being a witch, I’m all about vibes.”
“If you’re sure, that would be brilliant. Thank you.” I walk over to the sink to rinse my own plate and cup, before placing them in the dishwasher.
The day went by pretty quick. We just chilled out, drinking coffee and filling each other in on our lives. I got through my life story in no time, I told her about my empathy, which Misty had heard of. Thankfully, it didn’t alter her feelings towards me.
Misty has been practising witchcraft for the last ten years. She moved in with her gran when she found out she was a witch at sixteen. Her gran taught her everything she knew. Unfortunately, she passed away last year. She bought the bar and apartment when she was twenty-one with some inheritance money she received from a distant relative she had never even met.
***
We opened up the bar at four in the afternoon and by six thirty it was heaving. There must’ve been about sixty people spread throughout the bar. When I say people, I mean witches, weres and vampires. I even think there were a few fae too. Not a plain ordinary human in sight thanks to Misty’s ward. It’s nice to be able to just relax and not worry about someone spotting a side effect of a supernatural being. I can see why Misty’s is so popular.
I’m having a break in the office at eight when I realise I haven’t been in touch with Benji since arriving. When I left he had demanded I ring when I arrived. I retrieve my bag from the cubby hole behind Misty’s desk and dig my phone out to find ten missed calls and panicked messages getting more aggressive with each one. The first being, ‘What the HELL has happened?’
The last being, ‘WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU, BEL?’ He even ended it on a growl that would do any werewolf proud, which is a feat for a human.
I hit call.
When he picks up, I’m expecting a hello to start the conversation. Instead I just get garbled rambling. I hold the phone away until I think it’s over.
It isn’t!
It finally goes quiet on his end and I put the phone to my ear.
Now the begging starts. “Benji, I’m sorry I haven't rung sooner, but it’s been hectic since I got off the bus. I found a job and a place to rent.”
“You should’ve called, even just to say you’re alive. I’ve been sitting here thinking you must be dead in a gutter somewhere, waiting for the police to come around and ask us to identify your body.”
Just then Misty comes in, which means that my break is over and hers has started.
“Look, Benji, my break is over. I have to get back to work but I promise I will send you a huge email giving you a second by second report.” I hang up before he can argue about how I don’t know how to send email from my phone.
I put the phone and my bag back, whilst grumbling away to myself. When I look up I find Misty laughing at me.
“It was Benji, going mental because I haven’t rung him to tell him I’m alive,” I say, rolling my eyes.
I get back in the bar and notice that at least another ten customers have entered since I went on break. The mixture of emotions throughout the room hit me like a brick wall. I take a deep breath and try to focus on my safe barrier that protects me from them. With that breath there’s a smell I recognise from last night.
Theo.
He must be here somewhere. I look around to find him, but come up empty.
“Hey Bel, can I have a Rusty Nail?” yells Theo’s lovely gravelly voice from the other end of the bar.
I laugh and nod my head hoping he can see me. I put his drink together - scotch whiskey and Drambuie - walk over to the other end of the bar and place the short glass in front of him.
He takes a test sip. “I’ll stump you eventually,” he jests as he passes me his money.
“Bring it on.”
I serve a few more customers and notice Misty is back out and Lucy, the other mixer, is missing, probably having her break in the back office.
Misty is laughing with some customers when a vampire comes to the bar. He’s the most intimidating vampire I have ever met. The energy comin
g from him is fierce and wild.
He’s at least six-foot-four inches tall with jet black hair in tight curls against his head. His eyes are black and endless. He asks for a Siberian Fizz, which thank my angels I know.
I wouldn’t like to ask him how to make it; he’s likely to bite me.
I pass him the drink and take the money he offers in payment.
“Are you new here?” he questions
I put the money in the till before answering him. “Yes. I started last night.”
As I turn away to look for another customer to serve, he throws his hand in front of me. “I’m Dominick Drake.”
As I shake his extremely cold hand, he grins at my shudder, “Do you have a name?”
“Rosabel McGuiness. Nice to make your acquaintance,” I say insincerely. I don’t know if vampires can feel a lie like werewolves can, and to be honest, I don’t care. I just want to get away from him. He gives me the heeby jeebies.
“The pleasure is all mine, darling,” he says rather creepily. He’s even looking at me as if wondering how my blood would taste.
“Quit thinking about what she tastes like. We have a deal - you don't touch werewolves,” says the gravelly voice that’s becoming ever so familiar. He must have made his way over for another drink, but when I look at his glass, it’s still full.
“Oh, is she a new one of yours?” asks Dominick, looking rather disappointed.
“No, she’s a lone wolf. Before you ask, she’s on the supe census. I saw to it myself.”
“Well if she isn't part of your pack, she’s not included in our deal. I haven’t tasted a werewolf for over a century. You taste so much better than humans.” He licks his lips while looking at me, even hungrier than before.
Brilliant, why do I have to be something tasty?
With that reply, I feel extreme anger and regret coming off Theo. My wolf bristles at the feel of the alpha energy coming off him. The whole bar falls silent to look in his direction. I’m guessing it’s not just my empathy that’s picking up Theo’s emotional state.
Dominick walks off towards one of the tables near the dance floor with a laugh. When he’s halfway there, he turns around looks directly at Theo and says, “Hope to have a taste soon, Rosabel.”
Pride to Pack (The Mount Roxby Series) Page 3