by Maddie Foxx
“You always have a place here any time you want to come back,” Brendan said.
Tessa nodded and made way for the door, saying as she left, “I’ll let you know once I make arrangements.”
She practically ran back to her cabin. If she had stayed one more second in their presence, she would have completely broken down, but that would have weakened her resolve to leave. She didn’t want to, but she felt that her life led her away from the ranch. Tessa just hoped it was the right decision.
CHAPTER FIVE
Tessa paced the living room, admiring the knotty pine walls. She’d hate to leave, but she knew she had to. She had flicked the channel on the remote, watching a few crime shows, but she was on edge. Would she be able to find a place to go or not? She was startled from her thoughts by a knock at her door. When she opened it, she was surprised it was Raphael.
“Raphael. This is a surprise.”
“I know, but Brendan called me and I figured it might be a good time to drop by and talk.”
Tessa narrowed her eyes, but led the way inside. “And what, exactly, did Brendan say to you?”
“No need to be defensive. He just asked me if I had a spare cabin for you to live in until you got your head straight.”
“As in I don’t know what I’m thinking? All I wanted to do was figure out how this vampire thing works.”
“I know. I have a cabin at Silver Creek and it won’t cost you anything. It’s a nice cabin, perhaps not quite as nice as this one, but I think you’ll like it. You’ll have all the privacy you need, too. I’m also not offering it to you because I expect anything in return. I just know what it feels like to want to figure out things on your own.”
“Do tell.”
“I told you I lived amongst the full-bloods, right?”
“Yes, but not what led you there.”
“My brother Nate was to be the alpha of the pack. I knew it growing up and there was no way I’d ever challenge him to be alpha myself. I had the wanderlust so strong back then, and I drifted for years. It led me into trouble and I was shot in wolf form. It was then that the full-bloods took me in and nursed me back to health. They didn’t care that I was half-human. I bonded with them and stayed.”
“Why leave them then?”
“When the Shifter Patrol began to cause problems and murder my own kind, I had to act. I’ve done some things that I’m not totally proud of, but I did it for the survival of all shifters, not just the werewolves. I never went back to live amongst the full-bloods after that. When I found out my brother Nate had been murdered by a human, I had to come back. Not to avenge his death, as that had been taken care of before I arrived, but it was my responsibility and duty to lead the pack and become their alpha.”
“And it wasn’t something you wanted to do?”
“Duty outweighs wants. I have to hone my nephew into the next alpha and it won’t be easy. He’s been quite a handful of late and I thought with you living at the ranch, it might just help.”
“How so?”
“He needs a woman closer to the age of his mother. Maxwell’s mother left when he was an infant. I’m not sure of the details just yet, but hopefully he’ll open up to you like he hasn’t to me. Even Katlyn hasn’t been able to reach the boy.”
“That seems like you want more from me than I think I can commit to.”
Raphael leaned against the counter in the kitchen now. “I know it seems that way, but that’s what I want from you. The children are aware that a vampire lives at Shadow Creek, and I know they’d be thrilled to meet you. All I ask is to listen and see if Maxwell opens up to you.”
So he wasn’t asking her to be anything to him, just for his nephew. In a way, her heart sank into the pit of her stomach. She felt almost disappointed, even though she wasn’t ready for anything more. That one night proved that to her. If he had led her to believe he planned to try to romance her or get her into bed, she’d have refused outright. How could she refuse such an arrangement?
“And I’d have my own cabin, far from everyone else?”
“Yes. It’s a half-mile away from any other cabin and right now, it’s not hunting season.” When she gave him a strange look, he added, “We run a hunting ranch.”
“That’s a surprise. Do they also hunt for wolves?”
“No, deer and elk when they’re in season.”
“And you werewolves don’t already keep the numbers down?”
“We don’t hunt wild game most times. To do so would only hurt our business that makes us look like normal ranchers.”
“Most ranchers have cattle and sheep.”
“I know, and Silver Creek once was like that, but the previous owners found out that they just didn’t have the resources to support livestock as it’s more wooded than most of the area. It does have an abundance of wildlife, which makes it a smarter move for us.”
“Okay, so you have a cabin I can stay at and all I have to do is spend some time with your nephew?”
“That’s it. I wouldn’t expect it to be a daily thing. You need your privacy, and I understand that.”
“And you won’t expect anything out of me other than that?” Tessa asked as her heart rapped against her chest.
Raphael drew closer to her. With two fingers, he lifted her chin, which she had tilted down at his approach. He searched her eyes deeply and she was lost in the green pools of his. His pupils changed to slits for only a moment, but he retained his hold on his wolf half since that’s all it was, a flicker. Tessa broke his gaze and stared at his full lips, quirked up into a hint of a smile. Her chest rose sharply at the musky scent of him that evoked a response deep inside her as the warm ache of her arousal was apparent to her. Would he kiss me? Do I want him to?
His lips came closer now, and he breathed into her lips that parted as he neared. “If that’s your desire, Tessa, I have no expectation when it comes to you. When we come together, it will be of your own free will.”
“If we do, you mean.”
Raphael worked his other hand into her hair, lifted a tendril, and moved it to his nose, inhaling her fragrance. “Tell me, sweet Tessa, that you don’t want me.”
“I’m not sweet.”
“I bet you are in all the right places.”
Tessa pushed him back, a healthy shove since vampires are much stronger than mere humans, even a shifter.
“Sorry, I-I don’t want you, Mr. Smug. Is that why you came here, to seduce me?”
Raphael shook his head. “Not at all, but I couldn’t help myself when I took in the scent of your arousal. Or miss the chance to toy with you just to see the fire come into your eyes.”
Tessa laughed at that since that’s how she did feel. “I’d love to come to live at Silver Creek, but only so I can figure things out.”
“Of course. I’ll come back tomorrow night to help you move your belongings.”
Tessa stared into the living room. “The thing is I don’t have anything other than clothing and toiletries in the way of belongings. Katlyn and I came to Shadow Creek with only the clothing on our backs.”
“Not to worry. I’ll make sure the cabin is furnished before you arrive.”
“Thanks.”
Raphael turned and went out the door, and it was all Tessa could do to not collapse as every part of her screamed for him to come back and take her. It made no sense to feel that way about a shifter she knew so little about. Him living in the wilderness seemed interesting to Tessa since she longed to do something wild and careless herself. Embark on a real adventure, even.
Tessa had barely sat down in the living room when there was yet another knock at the door. She jumped up, hoping it was Raphael, but when she opened the door to Katlyn, she frowned.
“Oh, thanks, Tessa. Don’t look so excited that I’m here to see you.”
“What do you want?” Tessa asked as if she didn’t know her friend was only there to be snoopy.
“So, are you going to let me in and give me the details?”
“I suppose,” Tessa said as she opened the door enough for her to come inside, closing it again so as not to encourage Brendan or Chase to come over.
Tessa pulled out a lemon-lime soda for Katlyn since she had sworn off caffeine due to breastfeeding.
“Thanks,” Katlyn said. “So, are you going to really do it?”
“Do what?”
“Move to Silver Creek?”
“Oh, that. I’ve given it some thought. It seems that Raphael thinks his nephew might open up to me. I have my doubts about that, but it’s a good offer.”
Katlyn sighed, her shoulders drooping. “Is that all? I hoped that—”
“That I’d fall into his arms and his bed, just like that? I’m not you, Katlyn.” At her friend’s hurt look, she quickly added, “I didn’t mean it that way. It’s always been so easy with you, especially when you met Brendan and Chase.”
“If you mean how I went to a club back in Wisconsin looking for a ménage with two hot men, then guilty as charged. How was I to know they were actually mountain lion shifters? In my defense, when we came to Wyoming, I tried to deny how turned on I was when I found out the same shifters owned Shadow Creek. I only came here to teach the children who I didn’t even know were also shifters.”
“You don’t have to defend yourself, Katlyn. I really didn’t mean it the way it came out. I’m the last person who should be judging anyone. It doesn’t matter since you found what you were looking for.”
“I’m not all that sure I was expecting what I got, but I’m happy with my mates and children. I guess I’m so happy that I want everyone to be, too.”
“Life for me is confusing enough right now. I’ll admit that Raphael is sexy as hell, but I need to get to know me first.”
“That’s good to hear, but there’s nothing wrong with a little fun worked into that. I wasn’t suggesting you become Raphael’s mate.” Katlyn sipped her soda and then asked, “And how exactly does Seth work into this?”
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t really know him that well. I’ve spent more time talking to Raphael about his past and it’s helped me, knowing that we all have wanderlust.”
“I don’t know all that much about him. So what’s his story?”
“It’s not for me to say. Perhaps, in time, he’ll tell you.”
“I doubt that. He’s always been so tight-lipped other than when it comes to Maxwell. We both agreed that we’re concerned about the boy’s reluctance to talk with anyone about his father’s death.”
“He might not be ready, or doesn’t want to. Not everyone handles death quite the same way. There is a time to grieve and a time to move on with your life. I’ve never understood why people think children are that much different than adults.”
“Okay, so you plan on resisting the charms of Raphael and the jury is still out about Seth, but you’ll take some time to work on Maxwell’s somber moods. He’s exhibiting some anger at school, too. He shoved Joel to the ground this morning. I was lucky nobody shifted. I thought having Melody at Silver Creek would be a good thing.”
“You can’t expect Melody’s presence to solve the problems. I’ll find out what’s happening. Did he act like that when his father died?”
“Actually, no. He was certainly distant when he returned to school, but nothing like how he’s been behaving of late. I just don’t understand where this anger is coming from.”
“Thanks, Katlyn. That does help to know what I’m getting myself into.”
Katlyn smiled. “The children have asked me many questions about you. They all want to meet a real vampire.”
“Why haven’t you asked Paige to meet with them?”
“I can’t just expect Paige to reveal herself like that.”
“Then how did they find out I was a vampire?”
“I let it slip by accident,” Katlyn admitted, dropping her head to her chest.
“You do know it’s not safe for humans to know what I am, right?”
“But they’re okay with shifters being in Creeksboro.”
“Vampires have a worse reputation, as you must know. I’m sure nobody would ever truly trust me if they knew. I hardly trust myself sometimes.”
“What about the medicine? Doesn’t it control the cravings?”
“Yes, but it hardly contains me completely when I love the taste of warm blood more.”
“That’s fine as long as you don’t bite anyone. You must learn to control your hunger.”
“And that’s why I need to leave,” Tessa stated matter-of-factly.
Katlyn finished her soda and left, giving Tessa one last hug before she did. “Goodbye, Tessa. I expect you to visit me—and frequently.” She smiled. Tessa’s heart hurt at the tears glistening in her friend’s eyes. She fought her own, too.
Tessa climbed the stairs and whisked the curtains aside, gazing into the night. She knew Katlyn’s heart was in the right place, but she really wished she hadn’t let it slip to the children that she was a vampire. She shuddered to think what would happen if word got out.
She didn’t know Maxwell was having that many problems, and Tessa wondered if she’d be any help at all. What she most longed for with moving to Silver Creek was a chance at real solitude.
CHAPTER SIX
Tessa was waiting at the door when Raphael pulled up in the truck. Seth then hopped out and carried her bags, throwing them in the back.
“This is going to be great,” Seth said. “The children will be so excited when they find out. We didn’t tell them just yet, but Melody has been talking nonstop about wanting to meet you.”
Tessa slid next to Raphael. “Oh, really.” She glanced over to where Katlyn lived with her mates, but she didn’t come outside. She figured they had said their goodbyes the previous night. Paige had stopped by that morning, making sure she was stocked up with medication and her blood supply. She just hoped there would be refrigeration to store it since she wasn’t so sure how remote that cabin would be.
Raphael asked, “Are you all set?”
“Yes. I can’t wait to see what my new accommodation will be like.”
Raphael turned the truck around and headed toward Silver Creek. “It’s a little more primitive than you’re used to, but I’m sure you’ll be able to adjust in time. Of course, if you want to move into my cabin, I’d more than welcome you.”
Tessa knew Raphael was joking so she let his barb go, for the moment. “I have no problem with living the rugged life, providing I have somewhere to store my blood. I get it from the blood bank in Creeksboro.”
“The one here in town?” Seth questioned.
“Yes, but keep that quiet. I don’t think he wants anyone to know.”
“I didn’t know that. I guess there are more things to Creeksboro than I thought.”
“Didn’t you leave for a while, Seth?”
“I went back east, but city life doesn’t suit me and I vowed to come back and try to see my daughter. Carrie did all she could to prevent that from happening. I’m glad I have custody of Melody now, just not about how it happened. I really had hoped Carrie would be more responsible than she is. Melody deserves better than having a mother who checks out on her and prefers to stay gone for days at a time. She’s chosen to live the life of someone who doesn’t have a child and hasn’t even seen Melody since I’ve had her,” Seth explained.
“From what Katlyn’s told me, she’s taken up with the wrong type of man.”
“Jason Traxler, and don’t remind me. I keep hoping that she’ll open her eyes and realize just how wrong he is for her.”
“That’s how some women are, but hopefully she’ll come around,” Tessa said with a smile.
Raphael headed down the dirt drive, which led straight into Silver Creek. The trail he merged onto was extremely bumpy and Tessa put a hand on Seth’s leg to steady herself, but removed it when he gave her an uncomfortable glance. She had to admit, it felt strange to her, too. She just wasn’t sure why.
He braked hard at a small cabin, which was squarel
y in the woods. When they hopped out of the truck, deer glided away. That brought a smile to Tessa’s lips. It wasn’t that she was happy to know there was a food source, but that she was surrounded with wildlife. She loved the outdoors and everything about it. She breathed in deeply of the earthy smell of the woods and purple flowers not far off. She vowed that she’d make this work no matter what. She wouldn’t even consider crawling back to Shadow Creek. Tessa knew this was just the new beginning she needed.
Raphael held open the door and Tessa entered. Like most cabins, it was all made of logs with the same knotty pine she so loved the smell of. Her eyes drifted over to the king-sized bed covered with a light patchwork quilt. It was then that her eyes met Raphael’s and she felt warmness between her legs in response.
Tessa broke the gaze and admired the small table and chairs, as well as a wood-framed couch with pink cushions. “What’s up with all the pink?”
“That was Raphael’s idea. He said pink was a woman’s thing,” Seth informed her.
“I can’t say I like pink all that much. As you can see, I have a thing for wearing black or burgundy.”
“Looks like a white tee shirt there to me,” Raphael said. “Sorry if you don’t like the color choice. You can decorate the cabin any way you’d like. It’s yours.”
Seth pointed out the oil lamps. “There’s no electricity out here, and only a hand pump for water.”
Tessa sauntered over to the sink and tried it out, having to use more muscle than she thought would be required to move the pump handle. “I think it needs a little oil.”
“Probably. Lubrication is needed sometimes,” Raphael said.
Tessa laughed. “I’ll agree with that, but sometimes it takes time to produce the effect you want.” She then tried the pump again and it moved much easier. “See.”
“Are we talking about the hand pump here or something else?” Seth asked in an uncomfortable way.
“Relax, Seth. Although, it can be quite relatable,” Tessa said.
Seth smiled shyly and left, leaving Tessa to give Raphael an odd look. “What’s up with Seth?”
“I’m not really sure, but don’t take it personally. He’s been acting odd of late.”
