Tessa, Vampire/Werewolf Romance, (Standalone) (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 3) (4 page)

Raphael dropped off Maxwell and Melody at the schoolhouse at Shadow Creek. Katlyn was outside like normal as she greeted the children.

“Hello, Maxwell and Melody. You’re the last to arrive today. Why don’t you join Ivan and Joel inside?”

Melody gave Raphael a quick hug, but Maxwell didn’t even look at him as he entered the schoolhouse.

Katlyn frowned. “Maxwell certainly is having trouble adjusting to his father’s death. I tried to speak to him once about it, but he wasn’t in the talking mood. I have since backed off.”

“Yes. He’s been rebellious of late, but Palina seems to think he’ll come around in time.”

“I agree. He just needs our support. When he decides to reach out, we need to be there, but I don’t have to explain that to you, of all people. It seems it would be easier for a man to understand a boy than a woman.”

“I can’t say I agree with you there. He’s been more distant of late.”

“He’ll come around, I’m sure, but that’s not what I wanted to speak to you about. I just wondered if you knew why Tessa would want to leave Shadow Creek.”

“I think she really is just trying to find herself in the world. This vampire thing has her tail spinning out of control. I’m not involved in any way about her decision, I assure you. That’s all I know, really. I’ll pick up the children after school.”

Raphael left before Katlyn said anything else. He had no idea why Tessa wanted to leave for sure, but he could understand it. It was obvious Katlyn wouldn’t allow Tessa to find her wings if she stayed at Shadow Creek. He just didn’t want to be put in the middle of anything that would pit him against Brendan and Chase. If Tessa made the decision to leave, it had to be hers alone to make.

* * *

Tessa enjoyed the hot spray of the water over her scorched skin. Her body was encased in sweat when she awoke and she had a knot in her stomach that wouldn’t go away. She dreaded meeting with Paige later that night. It was her against Paige, Brendan, Chase, and Katlyn. She didn’t like the odds as they were certainly not stacked in her favor. She was just resolved that she needed to make the move, and soon. The longer she stayed there, the harder it would be to leave.

Dressed in black jeans, shirt and knee-length boots, Tessa made the trek to the main house. It seemed like it took an entire day to get there since she so dreaded it, but really that walk only took five minutes, perhaps ten with the way she was dragging her feet. She didn’t know how it would go, but she expected she’d have to battle for her freedom, which she shouldn’t even have to do. It should be a given that she’d want to branch out on her own.

Paige greeted her at the door and she smiled slightly in greeting. “Hello, Paige.”

“You look like you’re going to a funeral. I assure you, it won’t be anything like that, Tessa.” She gave Tessa’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’m in your corner.”

That relieved Tessa a hundredfold, but what she was most concerned with was Katlyn and how she might feel. All she wanted to do was find herself, but she wasn’t cold-hearted enough not to think of her best friend. They had been through a race to Wyoming to escape the Shifter Patrol that was after Katlyn. Tessa wasn’t about to allow her friend to go that far solo. She was more of a friend than she had ever known and she wasn’t willing to lose her, even if it meant staying. Tessa just hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

Tessa walked through the great room with a huge stone fireplace. The vaulted ceilings were far over her head and she admired the smell of leather from the furniture. There was a fire and Tessa stopped when Paige made a detour, tossing in another log. When she was satisfied that the flames licked upward, she led the way into the dining room where Brendan, Chase, and Katlyn were already seated, enjoying steak, baked potatoes, and bowls of salad smeared with ranch dressing. It was the type of meal Tessa would have enjoyed, but since she was turned, nothing tasted as good as blood.

“Have a seat, Tessa. I have a rare steak for you,” Paige said.

The chairs in the dining room were plush and that at least made Tessa comfortable, even though she felt amongst a roomful of sharks.

Paige returned with a plate of rare steak, blood pooling on the plate beneath it. When it was set down, Tessa put a finger in the blood, sucking on her finger and enjoying the metallic taste. It wasn’t lost on her that Katlyn’s face paled at watching her. She’d always gotten woozy at the sight of blood, like that time when Katlyn had tried to stanch the flow of blood when Tessa had cut her finger with a boning knife. Tessa massaged the scar on her finger at the remembrance of that painful incident.

Tessa jarred herself out of her thoughts by saying, “Thanks, Paige.”

Paige nodded as she sat. “Eat up, everyone. It’s not many times that we’re all here together for dinner.”

“Where are the babies tonight?” Tessa asked.

“Angus is babysitting,” Katlyn responded. “They really seem to love him.”

“Well, he is a gentle soul. I hope one day he’ll find a mate all his own.”

“Me, too,” Katlyn said with a smile.

They ate in silence, and Tessa couldn’t help but notice how it still seemed to bother Katlyn to even glance at her plate. Tessa could emphasize with that since she’d always felt the same way whenever someone she dined with had a rare steak. It was barely warm enough, but it was the blood in every bite that thrilled Tessa’s taste buds.

Dishes of ice cream were served after dessert and Tessa smiled, as she loved the creamy texture. She relished how it reminded her of growing up and how her mother treated them with ice cream after ever meal. That seemed like an eternity ago.

Paige pushed herself away from the table. “Let’s go into the great room. The fire should be going great about now.”

Tessa followed Paige and felt like a lamb about to be led to slaughter. She sat on a leather chair, facing what she thought of as her opposition.

“Let’s get this started,” Tessa began. “I would like to leave Shadow Creek. I mean, I
am
leaving.”

“Why?” Katlyn said. “I need you.”

“You have two mates and twins to worry about now. It’s not like I plan to go far, or leave the area. I’ll visit plenty.”

“Where will you go?”

“I’m not sure yet. I just know it’s time.”

“What do you think about it, Paige?” Brendan asked.

Paige leaned back against the sofa. “I can understand where Tessa is coming from. Of course in my case, I had to flee London before I was forced to live with the man who turned me. It was never a choice for me.”

“We won’t be able to protect her if she lives off the ranch,” Brendan insisted.

“She’s a vampire. She doesn’t need to be protected.”

“She can’t protect herself by attacking humans. There was a problem in town just last night when she shoved Jason Traxler across the floor.”

“I’m sure she had a good reason. It’s not like she bit that man. Not a good choice for a vampire,” Paige said to Tessa. “Of course, you
do
have to be careful not to reveal yourself as one.”

“Isn’t there a cabin at Shadow Creek, not as close to the main house, that Tessa would feel more comfortable in?” Katlyn asked with earnest. “That way, she’d have her space.”

“Yes, there are a few,” Brendan replied. “That would be a better idea than her leaving outright.”

Tessa pushed herself off the chair. “It’s nice of you all to decide what’s best for me, but what you fail to realize is that it’s not what I want. I want to move off this ranch, and there’s nothing you can say to stop me.”

“How will you pay for that?” Katlyn asked. “It’s expensive to live on your own.”

“I’m not an idiot, Katlyn. I know that.”

“No need to fight, ladies,” Paige said. “I’d be more than willing to pay for Tessa’s way until such a time as she doesn’t need the help. It’s the least I can do after all I’ve done to her.”

“This isn’t about getting away from you, Katlyn, or even Paige. I just have to figure out who I really am now.”

“You’re Tessa, my best friend who gave up her life to come with me to Wyoming when I was in trouble,” Katlyn said. “To me, you’re the same person. You being a vampire hasn’t changed how I think about you.”

“If only I felt that way, but I just don’t. I barely recognize myself when I look in the mirror, which I can’t even do anymore, by the way.”

“I can lend you a special mirror that actually works for us vampires,” Paige suggested. “I’m sorry I didn’t think about it before.”

Tessa’s face lit up. “That would be great. Tomorrow I’ll start checking out places to stay.”

“Of course, there are a few other ranches that might work for you,” Chase said. “Like Shady Creek. It’s run by the werebears.”

“Or Silver Creek,” Katlyn said with a wink.

“I can’t ask anyone to take me in like that.”

“You won’t have to. I can ask around for you,” Brendan said. “If you live amongst shifters I won’t worry so much about you, but I’m not pressing you on it. It’s totally up to you where you live. It’s just that besides one of the ranches near Creeksboro, there is only the boarding house in town. It gets pretty noisy there at night with all the drunks who room there when they’re too sloshed to drive home.”

“Seth has a room there and that’s exactly what he did last night,” Tessa said.

“Take your time, Tessa,” Chase said. “There’s no rush, is there?”

“No. I just want to be clear that I
will
be leaving just as soon as I find a place. I don’t want to get any guff from any of you about it, either.”

Katlyn crossed the room and gave Tessa a tight hug. When she let go, she said, “I’m not trying to be selfish. I just want what’s best for you, and I will miss you horribly if you leave.”

Tears gathered in Tessa’s eyes, but she blinked them back. “I know, but this is no reflection on you, I assure you. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll come back if I can.”

“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.

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.