Page 55 of Those That Are Lost
I shake my head as Henry says. “Yes.” Giving me a shocked look, he asks, “You haven’t?”
“Well, I kind of bit Ty once, but I was…” I glance around the group not wanting to give them this admission. “It was the night I got my fangs. I don’t remember the taste and only had a drop.”I had a full mouthful but I was fully feral for my best friend's blood at the time.A pang twangs through my chest as I think of Bree.
“Aren’t you curious?” Millie tilts her head, it's such a dog-like gesture I almost giggle. Even after weeks with the wolves, when their mannerisms cross over with their beasts it's truly endearing. “I would be too curious to not at least try it.”
What she says does peak my interest. The vampire in me stirs at the thought of blood more potent. My gaze darts around the gathering and lands on Ty, he’s talking once more to Eetu, the pair of them laughing at something I can’t catch over the noise of everyone else and the giant fire.
“You can try me if you’re interested.” Henry holds up hiswrist, bending it so a sliver of skin is exposed between his glove and his cuff.
I jump like he’s brandished a knife at me.
“Oooo, go on. I want to know if you prefer Henry over any of my brothers.” Millie claps her hands in front of her chest. Her excitement is weird but then again, the younger wolves have been interested in us since we arrived.
“I don’t know,” I say hesitantly. Whilst the vampire snarls, something churns in my stomach, warning me against this.
“There’s no harm, Rory,” Henry pushes, removing his glove now to show more of his wrist. He’s practically waiving his veins under my fangs.
“Fine.” I squirm as four sets of eyes all look at me. If it’ll get them to stop making me the centre of attention, I’ll do it so we can move on. One quick bite.
I take Henry’s outstretched arm and bring it to my lips. My fangs have already descended with the promise of another drink.
Piercing his skin is tougher than I thought, it gives a slight resistance but I don’t have to push particularly hard to puncture it. Sinking my fangs in deep, I get the first hit of sweetness. I really don’t remember how Ty tasted but this hits my tongue like syrup. It’s slightly thicker and leaves a potent aftertaste. I take a second pull before pulling away, and swill the liquid around my mouth, savouring the sugary flavour, before I swallow. Forgetting I hadn’t closed the wound, I quickly dip my head and lick the puncture marks.
“So?” Henry’s eyes give a twinkle. “How’d I taste?”
“Not bad.” I feign nonchalance.
“Pppfffttt, you liked it.” He knocks me gently with his elbow before checking the bite has sealed and replacing his glove. A smile cracks across my face.
“Fine, I liked it. It’s like a dessert, completely unnecessarybut definitely required.” That causes the group to erupt in laughter.
“You’d agree to that.” Neo ribs his mate. “This one sulks if we’ve run out of after dinner treats.” Altair pouts as the rest of us continue chuckling.
“I think someone else wants dessert too.” Ash crooks his bottle before taking a sip.
My gaze automatically goes to where he pointed. Standing stock still, several metres from us but not with another group any longer, is Ty. His face is the unreadable look I’ve learnt to be a mix of anger and hurt. I see his right hand clench into a fist at his side and then he’s turning away from us and stalking off towards the main house.
“You might be in trouble,” Altair says and my gaze swings to him to see which one of us he is addressing. Already swimming with a guilt I don’t quite understand, I’m surprised when Altair is raising an eyebrow at Henry and not me.
The group goes silent and only me and Neo look perplexed. I swear if Ash had his tail right now it would be between his legs. Even Henry looks contrite.
“Anyone want to explain what’s going on?” I ask, torn between figuring out why the atmosphere just sobered so quickly and wanting to go after Ty and see if he’s okay. No one answers me. “Ash? Henry?”
“I think Ty saw you drink from me,” Henry finally says.
“And?” I’m growing irritated now.
“And have you noticed how you’ve not bitten a single unmated wolf whilst you’ve been here, let alone an unmated vampire?” Altair gently explains. “I think Ty just wanted to kill his best friend.”
“That’s not…”Truedies in my throat as I run names through my head. I remember each wolf I’ve bitten since wearrived. Oh my god. He’s correct. I’ve not bitten a single unmated wolf the entire time.Was that Ty’s doing?
“Why?” I ask aloud but my mind is already at the answer.Because he’s possessive and you’re his.
Shit. My stomach lurches, suddenly wanting to expel Henry’s blood from my stomach. Even though I know no bond could’ve been placed between me and Henry in the way that I drank from him, I feel guilty. Like I’ve risked something precious, something I’ve been yearning for. The thing that I’ve had locked up in an airtight box, surrounded by several giant impenetrable walls.
I need to find Ty.
Taking off without hearing any more of the conversation around me, I dart for the main house. As soon as I reach the front doors, my heart rate takes off. Everything I’ve been trying not to feel escapes. It floods my system and a desperation takes hold. Ty needs to know that I wasn’t trying anything with Henry. There was no risk. I wouldn’t risk it.
