September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)(10)

“The truth always comes out, Kale,” I called over my shoulder. “You want me to stay away from you? Consider it done. But I will find out what it is you’re not telling me.”

Perhaps I would feel bad about this later. But hell, I owed him one.

Vampires and secrets. Story of my life.

I almost collapsed on the pavement outside. Once safely inside my car, I sat there with my head back, staring up through the sunroof.

‘Want to tell me what that was?’ Arys’s melodic tone whispered through my mind. ‘Is everything ok?’

Of course he had felt my little stunt. In an attempt to practice what I preached, I was honest. ‘No. It’s not. It’s been a shitty night. Nothing I can’t handle though. Don’t feel like you have to rush home.’

‘Then what was with the power play?’ His skepticism came through just fine. I even knew the look he’d be giving me if he were here.

‘I needed to send a message. Pretty sure I accomplished that. I’ll tell you everything when you get home. Promise.’ Truth be told, I missed Arys like crazy. And he’d only been gone two days. We were made to be together, and I felt it in the worst way with fourteen-hundred miles between us.

‘I’ll be there tomorrow night. It’s killing me to be away from you.’ His admittance was colored with annoyance. ‘I’m not coming back to Vegas again until you can come with me.’

I shared his irritation. Shya grounding me to the city was not something I’d anticipated. ‘How’s everything there?’ I needed to know things were under control there. Our visit to Sin City hadn’t gone without incident.

His amusement came through strong and clear. ‘All is calm for now. I don’t expect that to last long, but for now everyone is trying to keep a low profile. Until I leave again anyway.’ After a few sappy exchanges and declarations of love, Arys slipped away to resume whatever he’d been doing. It likely involved blood.

I started the car, taking a moment to enjoy the sound of the Hemi engine. When my vision ceased to swim, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home. The short stretch of highway between Edmonton and Stony Plain was a blur. By the time I reached the limits of my small hometown, I realized I’d been driving on autopilot.

That little stunt had taken more out of me than I’d expected. I felt weakened and needed a pick me up. Days had passed since I’d taken blood, and I suddenly craved it with a burning hot intensity. When I turned into my driveway to find Shaz’s blue Cobalt, the bloodlust went from serious to deadly.

Shaz had spent the evening bonding with Coby, a new wolf in town and my best friend’s fiancé. The two had become fast friends, which pleased me greatly. Coby needed the guidance of an experienced wolf. I’d been the one to turn him, but I wasn’t the right one to guide him. Shaz, a male wolf and former Alpha of the local pack, was better suited to that job.

An unholy urgency had me out of the car and into the house in seconds. The scent of wolf mingled with a vanilla candle, teasing my control. I tracked Shaz’s scent upstairs to my bedroom where he had just emerged from the shower.

“Hot damn, my timing couldn’t be better,” I said, my voice a breathy whisper.

He took one look at the blood on my face, and his jaw dropped. “What happened to you?”

I was already tearing my clothes off. I needed him now. My dagger landed on the floor in a pile with my clothing and shoulder bag. “Just a little nosebleed,” I said, distracted by the heady Were blood pumping through his veins. “I need a little nip. Do you mind?”

Shaz looked me over and desire sparked to life in his jade green eyes. “Not at all.”

I tore his towel off and tossed it. There was no time to admire his fine physique. The bloodlust was in the driver’s seat, and I was merely a passenger. With both hands on his chest, I shoved him down on the bed. I buried my face in his throat, breathing deeply of his scent.

It hit me like a punch in the stomach. The bloodlust twisted into something deeper and darker than what it already was. It wasn’t just blood I wanted but the vibrant energy of his desire for me. Sex and fear produced the most potent, satisfying energy. It was an essential part of the feed.

I slid a hand down his body to his manhood, stroking him until he was hard and ready. It didn’t take long. With the hunger driving me like this, the anticipation of warm, tangy blood on my tongue and a lover between my legs was all the foreplay I required.

Shaz was tense beneath me, awaiting the moment my fangs would slice through his flesh. His excitement grew rapidly, and I reminded myself that I needed to take care with him.

Not all that long ago, he’d been sleeping with vampires at The Wicked Kiss to get off on the rush. I shouldn’t have been victimizing him at all, but since resuming our intimacy in Vegas, it was one of the ways we felt most comfortable together. Though as good as Shaz was at playing the submissive, he could dominate like a champ too.

I timed it perfectly so that my fangs pierced his skin as he slid inside me. It took me to a place where words and thought stopped. Shaz’s wounded flesh was hot against my tongue. He gripped my hips tight with clawed fingertips. A growl accompanied the groans and sighs. I wasn’t sure which one of us it was.

I moved fast atop him, delighting in the way he felt. I feasted on the erotic energy of our lovemaking. In no time I was high as a kite and feeling no pain or weakness. At last I collapsed beside him with great satisfaction. My lungs heaved, and my heart pounded. I laughed, a sound of whimsical intoxication. It was all about the bliss moment, and I wanted to savor every second.