Page 59 of The Howl
I recognized the name of the neighborhood. It was the very one I’d been in last night. The memory of the energy I consumed set my heart pounding.
Threading my way to the edge of the hall, I tried to make myself as inconspicuous as possible as I passed the pair.
“Spread the word,” Eras said. “I’ll find the thief even if I have to force-feed every single incubus and succubus in this place.”
I fisted my hands and hurried away, his threat echoing in my ears. He’d sensed me feeding, and if I fed near him again, he’d know it was me. Fortunately, I had no plan to ever publicly feed, so my secret and shame would remain my own.
With my mind dwelling on last night’s feeding, I wasn’t fulling paying attention to the room when I walked into Self-Discovery. I absently sat in my chair as I wondered how long the energy would last me before I found myself starving and wandering the neighborhoods of Uttira, again. Probably not long. Even with the light feedings from Mrs. Quill, I hadn’t managed to last more than a few days at a time. A week at most if I fed a little heavier.
Last night’s feeding had been more than I’d ever consumed in one sitting before. Yet, I could still feel my hunger lazily coiling in my stomach. I couldn’t just wait until I was ravenous again. I had to figure out how I’d feed myself without Mrs. Quill. The unsettling thought left me frowning at my desk.
The bell rang, startling me out of my thoughts. I looked around and saw the room was empty, except for one person.
Fenris.
He was watching me with an inscrutable expression that melted into a rueful smile as our gazes locked. His familiar scent teased my nose, making my mouth water just a little. I did my best to ignore it.
“I wasn’t sure you knew I was here,” he said, leaning forward against his desk.
It was something I noticed he often did. Whenever he spoke with someone, he gave his full attention. Sometimes that attention was a bit much.
“Sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“Your mom?” he asked.
I cringed, last night’s public inquisition about my sexual experience coming back to me.
“No, but thanks for the reminder.”
He chuckled.
“There’s no need for that blush. We’ve all been in your shoes.”
I snorted.
“I highly doubt your dad has ever publicly asked about your sex life.”
“No. It was a public questioning about my sexual preferences. I mean, obviously I’m not straight if I haven’t had my mate run yet, right? He offered to bring in more single males for me.”
My mouth dropped open, and Fenris’s crooked grin grew.
“He didn’t care if it was a guy or a girl. He just didn’t want me to spend the rest of my life alone. All of which he said at the last pack meeting.”
“I’m so sorry, Fenris.”
He shrugged.
“Honestly, it didn’t bother me. I know I’m an anomaly to him. To all of the pack. It’s their problem that they don’t understand me. Not mine.”
“I wish I had that attitude.”
“Why don’t you?”
“Because Mom and the Council’s lack of understanding means they need to ‘fix’ me. The ‘fixing’ is driving me insane. You would not believe what my mom gave me last night.”
He flashed a full-toothed smile that made my insides ignite with heat. My hunger stirred, and I quickly looked at my desk.
“I never understood why you always look down,” he said. “Not judging. If you don’t want people to see your real eyes, that’s your choice. But I’ve always been curious.”
