“And how come you’re not having more trouble with this?”
“Well, I have observed this pack very closely, and to be honest, they are more honorable than any vampires I have ever known. I have done bad things to Levi and yet he invited me to become a part of this pack—he forgave me. I guess I have seen what they are truly all about, and I like it very much. Do you understand?”
She smiled. “Yes, I think I do.”
After dinner, he let her drive his car back to the Drake House, the hidden facility that houses their wolf pack. He thought she drove a little fast, but all in all a good driver.
It was fairly dark in the parking garage at 10:30. He took her hand and helped her out of the car.
“Raven, you bought me dinner, and now I’d like to offer you something in return.”
His eyebrows arched. “What do you mean?”
She nervously approached him, stopping just inches from his chest, and gazing up at him she said, “I want you to feed from me.”
His eyes grew wide. “It is not necessary for you to pay me back in any way.”
“But I want to,” she pressed, and a new and slightly unnerving intensity began to dance in her eyes.
Peering down at her so lovely and inviting was torture for him. He wanted her badly but knew it was too soon. He had to be strong. “I am sorry, Sophia, but I cannot do that.”
“Why not?” she whispered as she reached up and touched his face.
He closed his eyes as her touch penetrated his skin. He had to force his next words out. “It is too soon. I want to do this right.”
When he opened his eyes and glanced down at her, he could make out the disappointment on her face. It broke his heart.
She looked down at her shoes. “It’s getting late. I better get home.”
He wanted to ease her pain, but he knew he couldn’t. “Yes, of course.” But before the words were even out of his mouth, she had turned from him and was walking from the parking garage. Raven followed behind her silently—torn—not knowing what to say to make her understand.
Chapter Five
Rose knew she was doing the right thing, slipping out of her room and going to him. She needed to apologize or she would never be able to sleep.
She had been foolish to act the way she did. It was silly to be upset because he wanted to be a gentleman with her and take it slow. She just wasn’t used to guys being gentlemanly. Most of the guys she had dated in the past were nice enough but were not gentleman. She wasn’t sure exactly where his room was, but she had an idea.
She took a few turns and entered the L Wing of the facility. The library was located on this wing, along with the laundry room, but she knew no one lived on this wing except Raven. As she was coming near the end of the hall she spotted a couple in a doorway, making out. No—wait—they weren’t making out. She stepped closer and realized it was Raven in the process of feeding.
He must’ve sensed her presence because he froze, suddenly jerking up to meet her gaze. “Sophia.”
The girl in his arms was older, but attractive, with long, brown hair, and the biggest blue eyes she had ever seen.
“I-I’m sorry.” Rose backed away and headed back the way she’d come.
“No, Sophia, wait!” he yelled frantically.
She began to run, fully aware that he was in pursuit of her.
“Sophia, please come back!”
Then he was in front of her. She slammed into him with great force, causing her to bounce off him and almost hit the floor, but Raven was fast, catching her before she fell.
“Let go of me!” she squealed, pulling from his grasp.
“Sophia, please let me explain.”
“No.” She walked around him and headed straight for the Recreation Wing. She heard laughter coming from the second room on the left. When she entered, Levi’s elite, along with some others she didn’t know, were in the middle of a game of pool. “Hey guys, may I join you,” she called out.
“Absolutely,” Jordan replied in surprise, as he looked up from the game with a big smile plastered on his face.
She glanced over her shoulder in time to see Raven enter the room. His eyes spotted her instantly.
She narrowed her eyes at him and began flirting with the guys, even overdoing it a bit, but she felt Raven deserved it. She had offered herself to him to feed and he had denied her, but then she found him feeding from some other girl. She should’ve known better.
She knew she really should have been angry with herself for being so naïve, but right then all she could think about was making Raven suffer for her humiliation.
She couldn’t help noticing how much fun Jordan was now having. She felt guilty for using him but couldn’t seem to stop herself.
A woman entered the room then. “Raven, there you are. You didn’t get to finish, sweetie.”
Rose recognized her at once. It was the same woman that Raven had been feeding on earlier.
He met Rose’s gaze boldly and extended his hand to the woman, keeping her eyes captive as he escorted the woman to the back corner of the room.
She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. He pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck in an intimate gesture and began the act of feeding again.
Anger pulsed through her. “Jordan, would you escort me to my room please.”
“I’d be glad to, Rose.”
Raven’s head popped up as Jordan took her by the arm and led her out of the room. She gave Raven one last, cold glance before she disappeared.
Chapter Six
Charity observed with annoyance as Raven and Rose spent the majority of Sunday trying to make each other jealous. Rose continued to flirt with Jordan and the boys, while Raven had several women coming and going from his side. The tension between them was thick and uncomfortable. The problem was that their partners were well aware of what was going on. They weren’t fooling anyone, especially since they continually stared at one another. When Rose would pay Jordan a compliment it was Raven she was staring at, and when Raven would fire back with a comment of his own, it was Rose who had his full attention.
The entire pack was aware of this dance they were engaged in—everyone except the two of them.
Charity in particular was getting quite agitated by the spectacle. It took all of her strength not to go over to them and hit them across the heads with a tray of food. She had witnessed her share of lover’s quarrels, but this was pure torture to watch. Didn’t they realize how childish they were behaving? But the dance continued for the rest of the day.
* * *
That evening, Raven tried sleeping, something he didn’t really need to do but found he rather enjoyed it. However, sleep evaded him. He finally gave up and went into his living room where he proceeded to pace about. As he replayed his behavior from earlier in the day, he felt ashamed. Why had he stooped so low to irritate Sophia? He’d never had to play such silly games to win a woman’s affections in the past. It angered him that he had allowed himself to act so ridiculously. He loved this woman, and he shouldn’t have to play games. He should just tell her. He squared his shoulders and made a decision to tell her of his feelings first thing in the morning. With that decision made, he sighed and headed back into the bedroom, climbing into his silky sheets where sleep found him soon after.
First thing Monday morning, Raven rushed out of his room and into the dining hall where handfuls of pack members were already gathered, enjoying their breakfast. He was surprisingly anxious to speak with Sophia and clean up this mess, ask for forgiveness, and proclaim his love. However, he was soon disappointed to find that she had left early for her first day at her new school. He felt a sudden uneasiness at her being so far from him. He had no way of knowing if she was safe. He knew then that no peace would come to him until her long awaited return.
* * *
Eli dropped Rose off at her new school, after his poor attempt at a pep talk. God love him—he was trying. He knew her well enough to know she was struggling to kee
p her emotional state in check. Unfortunately, his calming words did little to lift her spirits. She was bummed. Mostly it had to do with an old, but gorgeous, yet annoying vampire. It was also already weeks into the first semester and she was feeling anxious about meeting her fellow classmates, but Jordan was a familiar face in the crowd and that brought her comfort—though just a little.
Jordan had told her he was taking his senior year over again. He had been held back for two reasons. One, he failed one of his classes last year; and two, the pack needed a shift-changing werewolf watching after the school. Since the other elite members had graduated and the newer pack-students were still too young to shift, Jordan was the one picked. He had told her he didn’t mind much though. There were too many cute girls in his graduating class this year to be too put off.
For the most part Rose was treated with kindness. Her teachers seemed to be all right and most of the students were friendly enough. But she was miserable—for reasons outside of school, though she wasn’t quite sure what to do about it.
The day passed painfully slow, but when the last bell finally rang she bolted out of her class, eager to have her first day behind her.
* * *
Back at the Drake House, a handful of pack members had gathered in the dining hall for a brief meeting, Raven among them. He had managed to make it through the day without hurting anyone and had actually spent most of his time with Eli.
Eli had ordered a new Xbox game and had been eager to show Raven how to play. Raven didn’t quite understand the pack’s obsession with this time-stealing past-time, but he made an effort to learn—mostly because Eli was determined to beat him, and he was more determined not to allow it. This at least helped the day pass quickly.
Jordan rushed into the room and threw his backpack on the table. “Sorry I’m late. I thought I would wait for Rose, but she never showed.”
“What do you mean she never showed?” Raven asked in alarm, rising from his seat.
“She never reached the parking lot. I guessed she got a ride home from Eli.”
“I didn’t bring her home,” Eli said, also standing. “She was supposed to call me if she needed a ride home, and she didn’t. I’ll just call her.”
Raven paced nervously as Eli tried to reach Sophia on her cell phone.
“That’s weird. She’s not answering.”
Raven, in a mad dash, bolted through the room and out the door.
Charity threw her hands to her mouth. “Raven!” she called in alarm. “It’s daylight! You can’t go out there! Levi, do something!” she squealed, grabbing his shirt in her hands.
Eli was the first to react, running through the facility after his friend, but Raven was already out of sight. Vampires were known, after all, for their amazing speed. Eli gathered up a group and went after him.
* * *
Raven bolted through the forest with fervent speed. Even though the thick forest filtered the sunlight, he could still feel the pain as it began to penetrate his clothing and skin, slowly draining his strength. He ran faster. Nothing would keep him from reaching her. He didn’t stop running until he approached the school parking lot, which by now was empty. He paced anxiously, trying to catch even the slightest scent of her.
He finally stopped, calmed himself—and listened. He picked up on it right away—a rustling in the forest. It was her. He ran with speed and stealth, making no sound as he moved in and around the trees.
* * *
“Stop crying! No one is coming to save you! If you would have stayed with me none of this would be happening—and breaking my nose was a bad idea and one you’ll regret.”
Kyle was dragging Rose by the arm through the forest. She tried to use her strength to break free, but it only angered him more. He’d shown up after school, pressing what she thought was a gun to her back and demanding she come with him. No one seemed to notice or even care, which puzzled her. She was a new student after all, but everyone was either on their cell phones or iPods, not giving her the least amount of concern, or maybe they really didn’t notice. Either way it didn’t matter anymore, she may die soon, and she’d not even had a chance to really live. She didn’t know Kyle’s plans, but it couldn’t be good. After all, besides being mean, she knew he was also reckless and impulsive.
“Kyle, let me go. Please let me go,” she pleaded, fear shaking her to her core.
“After how you treated me—I don’t think so. You’re coming back to Atlanta with me.”
Her eyes widened in alarm. “Kyle, no!”
She struggled and fought until he pushed her down and pointed the gun at her.
“Are you gonna make me do this?” he shouted, his eyes were wild, and his hand shook slightly as he held the gun to her face.
“No!” she screamed, squeezing her eyes shut, too scared to even move for fear of angering him further.
Suddenly, she thought she picked up a sound but before she could make sense of it something that resembled a brick wall slammed into Kyle with great force, sending him sailing ten feet into the air and then crashing hard to the ground. Raven stood there, teeth clenched, this time picking him up and slamming his body into the closest tree and letting him fall to the ground again where he lay unmoving.
For a moment she lost herself, staring at the beautiful man in awe with his black hair and blacker eyes. He was magnificent. Her eyes trailed down to his rock hard arms and then she remembered the women wrapped around those arms just yesterday. As his eyes finally met hers, her anger returned.
“Sophia!” He rushed to her side and began helping her to her feet. “Are you all right?” he asked, pulling her to him.
She let him take her in his arms, snuggling her face against his chest as she breathed in his amazing scent. But, remembering her previous irritation with him, she jerked away from his touch. “I’m fine.” She knew she should forgive him, but her pride was damaged. And she was nothing if not stubborn.
Eli, Levi, and Charity burst onto the scene.
“Rose! Are you all right?” Eli asked, taking his little sister in his arms. She clung to him and cried. He ushered her immediately away.
* * *
Charity watched as Hector came up from behind them and grabbed the little twerp, Kyle, and carried him away without a word. They would have Raven remove Kyle’s memories of Rose later.
Raven stood there motionless and numb—right before he collapsed.
“Levi!” Charity called.
Levi collected Raven’s limp body in his arms and carried him all the way back to the Drake House.
Chapter Seven
Levi laid Raven on his bed and Charity covered him with the blanket. “We need to get someone to feed him so he can begin to heal,” Charity said to Levi. “Where is Doc?”
“He’s on his way. I’ll call Irena and get her to handle getting someone to feed him.”
“There’s no time. I’ll do it.” She sat on the bed and began rolling up her sleeve.
“I don’t think so!” Levi snapped, pulling her from the bed. “We’ll get someone else!”
“Fine!” she snapped back, “But we better hurry. He looks bad.”
Raven’s head turned as his eyes opened slightly. “No feeding,” he mumbled.
“What?” Charity asked. “You have to feed in order to heal.”
“No feeding,” he said again, this time weaker.
“Tell me why,” she demanded, leaning in closer.
His voice was just a whisper, but with her new keen hearing, thanks to her growing babies, she managed to hear his feeble word. “Rose.”
Charity stood tall—her crystal blue eyes boiling with rage.
* * *
Charity burst into Rose’s bedroom without so much as a knock. “What have you done?!” she demanded, her face red with restrained anger.
“What?” Rose asked in confusion, her head still a blur from her ordeal in the forest.
“Do you even understand what you’ve done? Raven could die!”
; “What?” She stood in alarm. “Raven—die? But how?”
“The sun hurts vampires—zaps their strength, sending pain shooting through their limbs. Direct sunlight, in particular, can burn them; even dry them to the bone. Raven said it feels like lightning passing through their veins—and yet he gave no thought to that the moment he heard you were missing from school. He shot out of here without a single thought to his own safety. And what do you do? Shun him! Now he won’t even feed in order to heal himself. He said “no feeding!” and then mumbled your name. What’s that all about anyway?”
Rose rubbed her temples, seemingly shocked at Charity’s anger, or maybe it was over this new information. From Rose’s frantic expression, her emotions were in overload.
“After our date the other night,” Rose began, “I offered myself to him to feed. He refused. I got angry, but later I felt bad about that, so I went to find him to apologize. I found him feeding on a pretty woman in the hall. And you know the rest. I didn’t understand how he could do that. I still don’t.”
Charity sighed, her anger dissipating instantly. After all, she knew all too well the emotion of jealousy. She was the last one to judge such a response. She remembered how it felt when she thought Serena was trying to seduce Levi. It seemed so long ago, but she still remembered how painful such thoughts could be. She sighed, taking a seat on the bed next to Rose. “Well, let me explain. We have donors assigned to Raven. These are pack members who’ve volunteered to feed him. It’s too dangerous for him to leave the safety of the facility to find his own source of food. The vampires may be looking for him. We set up a schedule and, unless requested sooner, one will show up to feed him every seven days or so. That girl he was feeding from was assigned to him—a donor. That’s all. He has no other relationship with any of them beyond that. He’s been incapable of love since the loss of his Rose—that is until you showed up. Now do you understand?”
Rose lowered her head, seemingly ashamed of her actions. “I have been such a witch. I should’ve known.”
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