by Maddie Foxx
Raphael sighed. “I’m sorry. At this point it would have been better if you had, because then you’d have an alibi at least.”
“What do I need an alibi for?”
Raphael didn’t know what to think about Tessa’s actions the night of the full moon. One thing for sure was that she was gone and Raphael didn’t see her for the rest of that night. She only came home that morning and threw herself into his arms. Not that he was complaining, but after he thought about it, she certainly seemed off. It was something about the look in her eyes. He was good at reading people usually, but he wasn’t sure what Tessa was keeping from him.
“I’m on your side, but what do you plan to tell the sheriff where you were that night if he asks you?”
“D-Do you believe I killed those sheep?” Tessa asked quietly.
“I’m here to support you even if you did.”
Tessa stood up, toppling her chair. “You think I’m capable of killing thirty sheep? If I did, where is the blood on my clothing?”
“You aren’t wearing the same thing you were that night, and you came from the front of my cabin not the back.”
What hearing this shifter had! “I’m not listening to any more, and I’m not sticking around to be accused of doing something I didn’t.”
Tessa made way for the door but Raphael pinned her against it. Her shirt was opened and Raphael yanked her jeans down. Tessa gasped and all Raphael could think about was feeling her curves against his much harder body. She struggled like a wildcat and Raphael dropped his arms to his sides. “I’m sorry.”
Tessa’s breasts heaved and Raphael scanned her body, really surveying it for bruises or marks of any kind. Since there were none, he closed the distance between them, burying his face in her hair and inhaling the fragrance. He also noted the smell of perfume, the one that Paige wore. He didn’t know why he hadn’t smelled in until right then, but it might have been because Tessa’s arousal had invaded his senses earlier. He wanted to ask her if she had been with Paige recently, but she was already on edge.
* * *
Tessa grabbed Raphael’s hair and yanked his head backward. She didn’t let go until she had him at his knees, his eyes wide. She then wrapped her leg around his neck, bringing him face-first into her essence. Raphael plunged his tongue into her folds, devouring her. His face was smashed against her and she felt the outline of several teeth, which scraped her accidentally as he worked his tongue, or so she thought. Was that a fang? Tessa’s vision distorted as her pussy spasmed, squeezing Raphael’s tongue as it invaded her, but she doubted he could have felt it.
When Raphael had first came at her, pinning her to the door, she had a flashback of being in that cabin with Earl standing above her, but that was where her memory ended of that night. She ceased her struggling when Raphael had moved away from her. This wasn’t Earl, but instead the alpha she was being drawn toward with each day that passed. She felt his reluctance to believe she wasn’t involved with the murder of those sheep, but all she could think about was feeling his hardness between her legs. She had a surge of energy and did her best to subdue Raphael and make him hers.
Raphael replaced his tongue with two fingers, pumping them inside Tessa until she thought she’d collapse on the floor. She yanked his hair, coming back with several strands entangled in her fingers as Raphael took ahold of her waist, pulling her down on the floor with him. Tessa laughed and tried to help Raphael yank his pants down far enough so his cock would spring free. When it did, he buried it between Tessa’s spread thighs. She ran her hands up his back, digging her nails into the flesh in response, which only increased his movement as he thrust harder and harder into her. Tessa rolled her head side to side until her fangs had extended and her vision of the ceiling was lost to her. She felt every part of Raphael, his cock inside her, his hands firmly on her ass, bringing her closer to him than she had ever been before with anyone.
Raphael rolled and she was then sitting atop him, looking at him. Right then she felt like she was in a dark tunnel with only the outline of shapes, but her senses were magnified, like when Raphael cupped her breasts in his hands.
“What are you waiting for? Ride me, my temptress,” Raphael said in a raspy voice.
Tessa did as he requested, slowly at first, arching her back, and pivoting inward to hit the area inside her, which felt the best. Raphael groaned and dug his fingers into her hips while Tessa smiled, loving how his fingernails dug into them. She treasured the roughness of this moment as she began to jump on him with the help of Raphael until her breasts were bouncing. She wished she was able to see him clearly, but was satisfied with how it felt to be with the alpha, and not just the physical part.
She felt Raphael tense beneath her, but she was too busy with her own orgasm as she cried out just as she felt him pump his seed into her. Tessa fell face forward and laid on Raphael’s chest as they both struggled to control their breathing. Neither of them seemed to mind that they were lying on the floor until Raphael helped her up. Tessa grabbed him for support, her vision not totally back to normal.
Raphael gathered her clothing and handed it to her. She barely had dressed before there was a knock at the door.
“Are you kidding me? That can’t be the sheriff already,” Tessa muttered.
Raphael took a brush and eased Tessa’s hair into place. “There you go. Your hair had the ‘just been fucked’ look.” He laughed. “I had better answer the door before they think we’re hiding some kind of evidence.”
CHAPTER SIX
Raphael answered the door and Sheriff Barnes and Clayton were standing there.
“Hello, Raphael,” Clayton greeted him somberly. “We’d like to have a few words with you.”
“Oh, so you’re not here to question Tessa?”
Clayton’s eyes narrowed, but only slightly. “What makes you think that’s what we plan to do?
Tessa met the men at the door. “Because that’s what Brendan told me.”
“He’s been here already?” Clayton asked. “I told him not to get involved in the investigation.”
“What investigation exactly?” Raphael questioned. “I wasn’t here when Brendan stopped by.”
“At the Hines ranch, thirty sheep were killed,” Sheriff Barnes said. “You can imagine the implications here, Raphael, but I’d rather speak to you separately from Tessa, you understand?”
“What’s the sense of doing that? Are you pinning this on me or Tessa?”
“I’m not pinning anything on anyone,” Barnes countered. “I just need to find out who is responsible here, be it shifter or vampire.” He pulled photos out of his pocket and handed them to Raphael who glanced at them briefly before handing them to Tessa. When she looked at the pictures, it was all Tessa could do not to buckle. The pictures of thirty mutilated sheep were more than she cared to think about. If she hadn’t had a memory loss of that night, she’d have proclaimed to the world that she was innocent of killing the livestock, but after what happened back in Jason’s cabin, she just wasn’t so sure.
Tessa handed the photos back and shook her head sadly. “Who or what would do that? It makes no sense.”
“So where were you that night, Tessa? Paige told me you went to visit Carrie, but that you left afterward,” Barnes said.
“It’s important that you tell us the truth,” Clayton added. “We just can’t have livestock fed on by shifters or a vampire.”
Tessa stood to her full height at that point. “I can’t image any vampire doing this; not on this scale, anyway.”
“And I don’t know of any shifter who would risk doing this,” Raphael spoke up. “This could be a bear perhaps. Rogue bears have been known to cause losses like this.”
Clayton nodded. “Except if it was a bear, I’d expect to see some of the carcasses to be fed on. These ones were just killed and discarded. Not your typical bear attack.”
“It’s more of the work of a vampire,” Barnes said. “That’s why we’re here. What have you been using for no
urishment, Tessa?”
“I’m not a vampire, so that question is baseless.”
“I told him the truth,” Clayton said. “It’s important for the sheriff to know who resides in Creeksboro.”
Tessa felt ready to rip Clayton’s throat out. “You have no right to tell anyone what I am. Do you have any idea what will happen if the townspeople find out?”
“I’ll keep it in confidence,” Barnes said. “We need to ask the tough questions here. Did you murder those sheep for your blood supply?”
“Have they been tested and has it been even proven that they suffered a significant blood loss other than their injuries?” Tessa asked. “I can tell by your face that it’s no. This entire conversation is premature and you know it.”
“Look, I’m not about to let you sway me because I know you,” Clayton said.
“You know Paige, not me, and you turned your back on her. Why?”
“That’s between us. I know you’re a new vampire and being one means that you’re prone to making a mistake.”
“Well, you’re wrong here. Sure, I feed on animals at times, but only a wild rabbit if that. I have no need to kill that many sheep when I know I’d be the first one you come around asking.”
“So where were you that night after you left Shadow Creek?” Barnes asked. “I’m under the impression that you weren’t in your cabin.”
“What does that mean? You came out that night asking questions?”
“No, you were spotted heading away from Silver Creek on an ATV,” Clayton said.
Tessa could have sighed in relief. For a moment, she thought the man at the store had given them something more to go on. That would make it harder to explain if they found out the cabin Jason had been hiding out in was burned to the ground, if Angus had done as Paige told him. She certainly hoped he had, destroying the evidence.
“Since that would have been after dark, how positive were they that it was me?”
“She did go for a ride before I met her back here,” Raphael said. “We didn’t leave my cabin after that,” he said.
Clayton expelled a breath, which sounded like he had been holding for a long time. “I wonder. Were you running with your pack that night?”
“For an hour or so, but Tessa met me back here by ten.”
“And you’re positive?”
“Yes. Do you know what time the sheep were murdered?”
“Hard to tell until we have the autopsy done,” Barnes answered. “But Pricilla Hines stated that her sheep were fine at midnight.”
“I hope you’re clear about what time Tessa came back to the ranch. I’d hate to find out you’d lie Raphael.”
Tessa was fuming. “Why are you both so insistent that I’m the one responsible?” Tessa asked.
“We’re not exactly clear yet, nor have we singled out anyone, but I have to ask the hard questions. I need to wrap up the investigation before the government gets involved. That won’t be a benefit to anyone if they show up. Shifters have rights, but I’ll have to tell them we also have vampires living in Creeksboro,” the sheriff said.
“You can’t do that, Sheriff. There’s no telling what would happen then. Paige and I could be arrested, or killed for all you know. You can’t trust the government with that kind of information. Humans aren’t ready to know vampires live this close to them.”
“If you want to stop it from happening, then find out who did this. We can only do so much,” Clayton said. “But I’d expect full disclosure. If you’re getting close, you’ll need to bring me in.”
“Like I have time to investigate this. I’m here at Silver Creek to figure out who I am as a vampire, and you’re set on turning me into the government.”
“I never said I’d turn you in, but if I don’t have a choice I’ll do whatever I think is necessary,” Clayton explained.
“It’s no wonder Paige quit seeing you. You’re a turncoat.”
“See it any way you like, but it’s my job to protect the ranchers and their livestock.”
“If you can think of anyone in your pack who might be responsible, Raphael,” Sheriff Barnes interjected. “I expect you to turn them into me.”
Raphael nodded. “Not to worry. If it’s anyone from my pack, I’ll handle it myself and tell you later. We have our own kind of justice here.”
“I know all about your shifter code, but that won’t help you out if you conceal the identity of whoever is responsible. We need to be able to close this case to the satisfaction of all the parties involved,” Clayton said.
Raphael and Tessa watched as Clayton and Sheriff Barnes left. Only then did Tessa face her alpha lover. “Thanks for standing up for me.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice. It’s not like you planned to come up with a story about where you were last night, and even if you had, it wouldn’t stand up if you were alone.”
“Does that mean you believe I’m not responsible?”
“I don’t know who is responsible here, but I don’t see you as a vampire who would knock off thirty sheep. You don’t need to tear the sheep apart to feed from them. Heck, you’ve lived off feeding on one rabbit.”
“Speaking of which, I sure need a shot of my blood. Where did you put it?”
“It’s at the main house. Come along and we’ll get it for you. I’m sure Maxwell would be happy to see you.”
* * *
When Raphael and Tessa strolled through the much larger cabin where Palina stayed with the children, the matriarch of the pack glanced up from her knitting.
“Surprised to see that Clayton and the sheriff didn’t haul you off to jail, Tessa. Word has it that you’re responsible for what happened out at the Hines Ranch.”
“Now, Grandmother, we don’t go around accusing anyone unless we have proof. That’s what Clayton and the sheriff are for. Who’s talking anyway?”
“Oh, Clayton and the sheriff were asking me questions. I didn’t mean to tell them that one of the werewolves had seen Tessa heading away from Shadow Creek to the north instead of coming back here.” She paused. “I hope I didn’t cause any problems for Tessa.”
“Of course not, but do you have a problem with me being here?”
“I didn’t, but now I’m not so sure. You might be the one who killed those sheep. I’ll protect those children and this pack with my last breath.”
Tessa clammed up. Here she goes again. Why are so many people willing to believe she’d do something like that? She had never in her life killed a sheep or drank its blood. She much preferred smaller game, which weren’t just penned up.
“Nobody is asking you to do that. You’re all safe with me, but where is my blood? I really need a shot. I guess if I had killed those sheep, I’d be satisfied for a week. Just a thought, of course.”
“Go in the kitchen. It’s in the white refrigerator.”
Tessa went into the kitchen as Raphael stayed to speak to Palina, which Tessa was glad about. As she went through the swinging doors, the back door slammed shut and the stainless steel refrigerator was wide open. Tessa thought that strange and closed it, glancing out the back door and barely catching sight of Maxwell heading into the woods. Why is he in such a hurry? She hoped he wasn’t afraid of her since word had gotten out about the sheep.
Tessa opened the white refrigerator and poured a glass, putting the bag back. She was so hungry that the nourishment tasted great. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had fed, which told her she hadn’t eaten in a while, although she had taken her medication regularly for the most part. What she had found out was that she was able to go longer without her medication and wasn’t overwhelmed with cravings. Although she didn’t know why that was happening, she thought that possibly enough of the medication had built up in her system.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Maxwell’s heart was pounding so hard by the time he disappeared into the woods. Thankfully, his bad leg didn’t give out on him and he even ignored the pain he was experiencing. He was in such a rush with his bag of g
oodies for the woman he met in the woods that he left the refrigerator wide open. He’d panicked when he heard someone coming through that door, and there simply was no other choice. Hopefully, it had been Uncle Raphael or Tessa since he heard them in the living room. If it had been his great-grandmother, he’d be in big trouble.
A hawk circled when he passed through the clearing and knocked on the cabin. The door was opened and Maxwell brought in his bag, setting it on the table.
“Sorry I wasn’t able to come sooner. My great-grandmother was baking today.” He pulled out a plastic container and proudly said, “I hope you like raspberry tarts.”
Mira positively beamed. “I sure do, thanks. I’m so famished I’ll eat anything.”
“I brought the leftover chicken, too, and rolls.” He then produced a can of cola. “I even remembered to bring you something to drink this time.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate you helping me out.”
“That’s what friends are for. I mean, I hope you’ll be my friend.”
“Of course, Maxwell.”
He sat down as Mira popped open the lid of the chicken and began to shovel it into her mouth at a rapid rate.
“Slow down or you’re gonna choke, or get real sick. That’s what Palina always says.” Mira seemed to stiffen. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, but who is Palina to you?”
“She’s my great-grandmother, why?”
“You have to promise me that you’ll never tell her I’m out here or anyone else. They won’t understand me being here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Adults shouldn’t ask for help from children. It can be taken the wrong way,” she tried to explain.
“I know all about that, but I have a good feeling about you. I know you’re not here to hurt me. I think you’re the one who has been hurt.”
“You’re right about that, but I don’t want to talk about that if you don’t mind.”
“I didn’t mean to pry, but how else can I help you? I don’t think I can keep sneaking out food from the kitchen for much longer before Palina starts asking questions. I don’t think she believed me when I told her I had thrown out the ham because it had gone bad.”
