by Kym Grosso
“Even wolves are born with the magick in our blood, but I can’t imagine needing one specific substance to maintain my life,” Willa mused, aware of her origin.
“Vik only drinks blood. Says he’s a purist.”
“That I do,” Viktor exclaimed with a smile, ushering a young woman into the room. She nervously twirled a long blue lock with her finger. Her lips pursed tight, sucking a lollypop. “Ah, life can be so difficult. Perhaps the doctor needs to give me a checkup. And by checkup, I mean…”
“Ignore him,” Hunter interrupted.
“Shelley, darling. These are my friends. This is the Alpha, Hunter Livingston. And this is Willa. Doctor to you.”
“Hi,” she responded, the candy still firmly lodged in her mouth. “I don’t do kinky shit. One at a time. No orgies. Besides I can’t donate any more blood tonight. I’m just waiting for a few of my friends.”
“No orgy. No blood. I’m not a vampire and neither is she.” Hunter approached the girl and gestured for her to sit. “Take a seat.”
“I’ll stand. I’m fine.”
“Take. A. Seat,” Hunter ordered, his voice laced with irritation.
“I didn’t do anything,” she whined. Shelley plopped down onto the sofa and lowered her gaze, staring at a large purple coconut that sat perched on an end table.
“Where’s your brother?” Hunter slid a few wooden bar stools toward the sofa.
Willa sat down, carefully studying the girl. She found it curious that certain humans sought out vampires whereas others lived in complete isolation, outright ignoring paranormals. Humans would always serve a purpose to vampires, and she supposed that as long as the supply outweighed the demand, risk would be minimized to their existence. A symbiotic relationship, sustenance in exchange for sexual release. Fair enough but there was always a chance of death, each and every bite.
“It’s not the first time he’s been beat up,” Shelley told them.
“Where is he?” Hunter repeated.
“He’s at home now. They released him an hour ago. His friend, Bud, said he’s loaded up on painkillers.” Shelley removed the red lollypop from her lips and held it up in the air as she spoke. “He’s goin’ to want me to wait on him hand and foot.”
“Viktor here says you told him you saw wolves.”
“Yeah, so? They weren’t from around here.”
“And just how do you know that?” Hunter pressed.
“They wanted to stay in our house.”
“What do you mean?” Willa asked.
“I mean you shouldn’t answer the door for strangers. They rang. And like a dumbass, I answered. They tried to bust their way in, saying they needed a place to stay. Something about looking for someone. Can you believe that shit? Like what the fuck?” She rolled her eyes and exhaled loudly. “Ronnie shoved a few of them back out onto the porch and I went for the gun. By the time I got back, they were beating the shit out of him. I shot two. One in the shoulder. I pinged the other one in the knee. It was enough to get them to leave but fucking wolves man, they don’t go down like a human would. It’s not like I carry silver.”
“They shifted in front of you?” Hunter asked.
“Yeah they fuckin’ did. I always tell my friends, vampires are safer. More civilized, I say. Hotter too.” She shot Viktor a sultry smile as she locked her eyes on his and slowly inserted the sucker back into her mouth.
“You heard it folks. From the mouths of babes.” A broad smile crossed Viktor’s face.
“Did they say anything about where they came from or where they’re goin’?” Hunter ignored the vampire and continued his interrogation.
“Yeah, yeah, we had a whole convo. Seriously? Yeah, no. I just told you that they shoved their way in my house and attacked us.”
“Any small detail might help,” Willa interjected. “Do you remember how they smelled? What they looked like? Tattoos? Anything at all they said? Maybe a name?”
“Now that you mention it, they smelled like ass.”
“Ass?” Viktor laughed.
“Like rotten egg?” Hunter asked.
“More like a whole dozen. Seriously smelled like ass. Disgusting.” Shelley’s nose cringed.
“Sulfur.” The Alpha scrubbed the scruff on his chin, his eyes narrowed on the human.
“They’re here.” Willa’s heart pounded in her chest, and she straightened her back. They’d come for her.
“Anything else?” Hunter pressed.
“Am I getting paid for this because I really would like another drink. My friends are going to be worried about me.” Shelley stood and cocked her hip, fiddling with the stick in her mouth.
“I do believe we’ve all had enough, yes?” Viktor looked to Hunter who nodded. The vampire held the door open gesturing with his hand for her to leave. “It’s been such a pleasure to see you again, pet. Happy trails.”
As Shelley went to exit, she stopped to stare at Willa. “He was going on about finding a she-wolf. He didn’t mention any names but said something about being on her scent. After what he did to Ronnie, I wouldn’t want to be her. Just sayin’.”
“As much as I love nature, I’m growing bored of the country. Perhaps I’ll go to LA.” Viktor yawned. “I need a vacation.”
“No one’s keepin’ you here, vamp. You don’t have to stay,” Hunter told him as he stood. “My pack won’t let them get any further. They have no place on our lands.”
“I’ve got to get out of here,” Willa insisted. “They’re after me. Neither of you have anything to do with this. They’ve already hurt one human. He could have been killed. The only reason they didn’t is because she shot them.”
“They shifted right in front of them. They all shifted, not just the hurt ones. None of my wolves would ever do something like that. They want us to know they’re here. It was a message. What they don’t know is who they’re dealing with.”
“They’re here for me. If I leave, you will all be safe.” Willa paced and stabbed her fingers through her wild mane. “No, I’ve got to go.”
“You’re not going anywhere. We’re all in this together.”
Viktor picked up a plastic coconut and tossed it into the trashcan. “Can I suggest we retire? I’m so over this place.”
“Why are you here?” Willa’s expression grew somber, her limbs felt heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds. She needed to shift.
“It’s not my style to leave a friend in need,” Viktor replied without emotion. His focus went to Hunter. “You ready?”
“Yeah. Let’s get outta here,” Hunter replied, giving a nod to Willa.
“Care to flash? We can skip out on the party without interference,” Viktor suggested.
“Only out to the parking lot. We brought the car.”
“Your wish is my command.”
Before Willa had a chance to protest, the vampire touched her shoulder. She sucked a breath as she disappeared, disoriented as they landed outside the entrance.
With the soothing touch of the Alpha’s palm on her back, Willa attempted to compose herself. Bent over with her hands on her knees, she struggled to focus on Hunter’s face. His lips moved but the pounding in her head drowned out all sound.
“Jesus, Vik…what’s going on with her?”
“Flashing is always a problem for wolves. You know that.”
Willa coughed back the bile that rolled in her stomach, but soon lost the battle.
“Oh shit.” Viktor jumped back, holding his hands up in the air.
“What the fuck did you do to her? Willa. Baby. Come on now.” Hunter pulled her into his arms as she panted for breath. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, sending calming energy to his little wolf.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she repeated. The overwhelming vampire magick, dematerializing, had thrown her own energy off kilter.
“We could have walked,” Hunter shot at Viktor, who rolled his eyes.
“How am I supposed to know how sensitive she is?”
“Next time go
easy.” Hunter looked down to Willa. “Can you make it to the car?”
“Yeah. I’m okay.” She nodded her head, willing the fresh air to cleanse her lungs.
“You. We’re taking the car.” Hunter shook his head at Viktor who shrugged with a smile.
Willa heard the sound of the ticking mere seconds before the explosion. As they turned away from the door, walking toward the car, the force of the blast sent her flying into the air, landing on the grass. Grunting through the blinding pain, she clutched at the damp earth with her fingernails. All her breath rushed out of her lungs, and as she inhaled, the sulfur rushed into her nostrils. Hell. Wolves.
Hunter growled, and she lifted her gaze, catching sight of the vampire restraining him from rushing into the fire. They exchanged heated words, and as the Alpha shook him off, Willa screamed for him. “Hunter!”
Death hung heavy in the air even as the flames ebbed. Her head spun at the realization that innocents had been killed. Willa sucked back a sob, the blood of the humans and vampires on her hands. My fault. I should have left.
Willa grunted, shoving up onto her hands and knees. To no avail, she cried out to the Alpha, “No, don’t go. Hunter!”
A firm hand rested on her shoulder. Her stomach tightened in anticipation for his attack. “No, no, no…I won’t leave him.”
“Come now, Willamina. He knows what he’s doing. We’ve got to get out of here.”
“What did you call me?” Splintered memories of Hell slammed into her at the sound of her name on his lips. She punched and clawed at Viktor as he wrapped his arms around her. Struggling, her ferocious energy surged, but she couldn’t break free. “No. I’m not leaving him. Let me go.”
“Sorry, pet. Consider this an order from your Alpha.”
“No, no…” Her voice drifted as she disappeared into the night. My fault.
Willa curled into a ball, shaking. Her skin burned with hellfire, her stomach clenched as the room spun.
The fucking vampire had done it again. With her senses on alert, his familiar scent drifted in the air. Her eyes flashed open to see him staring back at her.
“Get away from me,” she growled. Her limbs, heavy as rocks, wouldn’t move, yet her mind began to race. Hunter. Demons. Vampire. “I’ve gotta go back.”
“Forgive me, but I don’t think you’re going anywhere. If you’d just let me help…”
“No, don’t touch me.” He reached for her arm and she recoiled.
“You don’t seem to understand how this works. I save you from danger. Then you are supposed to say, ‘thank you’.”
“Fuck you,” she spat, bracing herself as another wave of nausea rolled through her.
“Thank you. Fuck you. Close enough.” He shrugged. “I suppose they could be used interchangeably. Although I do prefer fucking.” Viktor brushed the dust off his jeans and sighed loudly as he caught sight of her fiery glare. “Ah, well. Don’t misunderstand. You’re lovely but I’m afraid the Alpha would have my head if I touched you.”
“As if I’d ever…ahhh,” Willa cried, sucking a deep breath through gritted teeth. “What did you do to me?”
“As I explained, wolves don’t do well with the transition, I’m afraid. You should be fine in just a bit. Might I suggest you breathe through it?”
“Are you kidding me? Oh Goddess. It hurts.” She closed her eyes, fisting the sheets.
“Very curious how this affects you. I wonder if it’s the blood.” Viktor plowed his fingers through his blond hair.
Willa’s heart caught in her chest, numb from his statement. “What did you just say? What about blood?”
“Um, nothing really. You know…my uh…” he stammered and turned to face her, “blood.”
“What did you do?” she whispered, her curiosity piqued. The burning in her gut guided her toward the truth. So familiar. A memory lingered in the far recesses of her mind. “I know you.”
“Well of course you do. We just…”
“I know you.” Willa shoved onto her forearms. “Come to me.”
“Maybe we should get Hunter.” Viktor stood firm.
“Come. Here.” Willa’s eyes locked on his as she sensed his acquiescence. “Give me your hand.”
“Get away. Come here. Which is it, Willamina?” Viktor closed the distance between them.
“I know you.” As his palm touched hers, her wolf rushed to the surface, howling. Memories of Hell churned in her mind. The slice of his fangs piercing her skin. Lying helpless as vampires drained her blood. Viktor, crazed and starved, shoving them away, sinking his fangs deep into her neck. She’d begged for mercy, slowly accepting death. In and out of consciousness, she woke to a room dead with silence. The starved vampire lay in the distance. She’d known then he’d saved her.
“I’m sorry, little wolf,” Viktor said, his voice soft.
“You, you…you’ve had my blood.” Her heart pounded against her ribs.
“I never meant to hurt you.”
“My wolf.” Her mighty beast woke, clawing to escape.
Willa’s eyes flashed from brown to black, feral as she began tearing at her clothing. Overwhelmed with raw emotion, unfurled fury from her attack surfaced. Memories of the torture rushed over her and she struggled to stand.
“I’ll get Hunter,” she heard Viktor say but as she transformed, she refused to hear another word.
The vampire scrubbed his palm over his cheek as the angry wolf growled at him. “Well, then. That didn’t go as expected.”
Willa snapped, her beast wild, lost in the devastation of both captivity and torture. She’d been used as a blood slave, feeding savage creatures of Hell. Reality morphed into demon-fueled memories. As Viktor dematerialized, she paced, aware the rogue wolves roamed Wyoming. She had no choice but to leave. By tomorrow, she’d be gone.
Chapter Five
“Is anyone there?” The Alpha’s question was met with silence. As he shielded his face with his arm, he coughed, ash coating his tongue. Red-hot embers crunched beneath his feet as he stepped into what was left of the bar.
He sensed the death all around him as souls left the bodies. Humans and vampires lay strewn among the rubble.
As Cheryl’s face came into sight, he rushed to her side. Her lifeless eyes stared up at him as he reached for her. As he tugged the shard of wood out of her chest, he knew it wouldn’t make a difference.
“Come on, girl.” Hunter hung his head in frustration. “Ah, fuck. I’m sorry. This is some shit.”
The familiar stench of Hell teased his nostrils, and Hunter gritted his teeth, his chest tight as he kissed the top of her head. Fucking demons.
He’d have to call the police department to claim the human bodies. With no particular vampire in charge of the others in Jackson Hole, he’d have his wolves help dispose of any vampires who weren’t cremated by the flames.
A cold drop of water stung his face, the sky rumbling loudly. Lightning flashed across the plains, and he cursed as the torrential downpour commenced. As he headed toward his car, he growled, his mind racing. The wolves who had killed these innocents would suffer. He’d track them to the ends of the Earth and pick them off one by one. No one attacked in his territory and lived to tell about it. Death would come swiftly, and its name would be ALPHA.
Hunter sensed the lupine energy the minute he stepped into his home. “What the fuck?”
“Why does everyone keep asking that?” Viktor appeared out of nowhere.
“Where’s Willa?”
“Yeah, about that. She’s upstairs. She’s fine. But…well. You see, we have a little…um, what you’d call a situation.”
“I’m in no mood for your jokes, Vik. I’ve got over a dozen dead vampires being buried or sent to their next of kin. Dead humans too. If these assholes blew up a club tonight, who’s to say what else they’ll do? I need to consider what’s going to happen next. All I know is either way, Willa can’t stay here. She’s in danger.”
“You see. About her.” Viktor hesitated. “Al
pha, I say this with the utmost respect…your girlfriend…she’s an animal in bed. And not in a good way.”
“She’s not my…ah, forget about it. Just tell me. What in the hell is going on?”
“You feel her, right?”
Hunter took a deep breath, concentrating on her energy. His eyes flashed to Viktor’s. Relief coursed through him; he’d been concerned that her traumatized wolf refused to surface. “She’s shifted.”
“Yes. All is well. Now before you go to her, tell me about what went on after I left.” Viktor changed the subject.
“I’ve got some of my guys out taking care of the vampires. Ones who have families. Whatever you all call them. Your friends? Coven…whatever. If they were close, they’re going to find out. The vampires who live here are going to have to find a new place to go for blood. Cheryl handled all that shit. I’m going to put my beta, Remus, in charge for now until we find a new vamp, get a club going. They can’t just go around biting humans that aren’t donors.”
“Technically you’re not supposed to,” Viktor said with a devious smile. “Accidents happen.”
“Don’t even fucking joke about it,” Hunter warned.
“They wouldn’t be wrong, tho. They blew up the whole damn building.”
“I’ve got every wolf in the pack on alert. I’ve got to catch and kill these assholes. My bet is that they’re on the run. We’ve got to get out there and start looking. They’re going to want Willa back in Hell.”
“Speaking of Hell.” Viktor strode across the living room. He moved to the bar and began searching through the cabinets. “If you hadn’t come to get me, I would have died.”
