Page 38 of The Hunger
“Club Blayz is as much yours as it is mine, and you’re welcome to meet up with Megan to feed any time.”
I cringed.
“And you know you can come here any time, day or night, too, right?” she added.
“I know. I just didn’t want to wake you. It’s crazy early.”
Mom chuckled.
“It is. Fenris needs to learn that we’re night people, like his kind tend to be. Would you like me to send your father to pick you up?”
“That’d be great. Could I stay at your house today? And maybe I could invite Jenna over?”
“Of course. I saw how much you enjoyed Jenna’s company on our shopping trip. Girl time might be just what you need. You should invite Megan, too.”
“I’m pretty sure that Oanen has other plans for Megan.”
Mom’s throaty chuckle made me regret my words.
“I bet he does. Your father will be there for you in a few minutes.”
After I hung up, I sent a text to Jenna.
Me: Any chance you’d have time to hang out today? I promise I won’t ask for a repeat of yesterday.
Jenna: I didn’t mind yesterday at all. And I would do anything for some time away from the pack. Just say where and when.
Me: My parent’s house. Whenever?
Jenna: I’ll be there within the hour.
It didn’t take long for Dad to knock on the Mantirum entrance. He took one look at my sweats and the long-sleeve shirt I’d dug out of my bag and took his coat off to wrap me in its warmth as I stepped outside.
“Do you want me to carry you?” he asked, looking at my bare feet.
I flushed, wishing I’d been smart enough to pack spare shoes.
“No. I’ll be fine.” Even as I said it, I shivered. The falling snow didn’t make the short trek to the car any easier. Dad hurried to open the door for me then surprised me by leaning in and grabbing my feet.
“Too cold, Eliana,” he said before closing me in and hurrying around to his seat. “Your mom can walk out barefoot in the snow, and it doesn’t faze her. Her feet don’t even get cold. After you let us know how you felt, she explained all the differences between humans and succubus. How she’s able to stay warm as a result of regular feedings. You need to eat, Eliana.”
I couldn’t stop myself from making a disrespectful noise and quickly apologized as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“No, I deserved that and your doubt. My views of right and wrong were uninformed and misguided. I’ve done so much damage to both our lives because I was unable to see the truth. But I swear to you, Eliana, I never meant for you to hurt yourself. Please believe that.”
“I know you, Dad.” I’d always known he’d loved me. But when it came down to it, I also knew that if I had to choose between going hungry and premarital sex, he would have me choose to go hungry, just as I had been doing.
My phone buzzed with a new message.
Fenris: Mrs. Quill went upstairs forty minutes ago. She just came from the kitchen with a cup of coffee and seemed surprised I was still waiting. She admitted you were here but weren’t anymore. She said I should leave you alone for the day.
Barely suppressing a sigh, I tucked my phone away. If only it were as easy to put Fenris from my mind.
As soon as Dad and I arrived home, he told me to wait in the car and went inside for shoes. He came out with fluffy, pink house slippers.
“These were the warmest I could find,” he said, opening the door for me.
“They’re perfect. Thank you.”
