If I thought the drive to the bar was quiet, this was deafening in comparison. I had so many questions yet my mouth remained shut. There was no sneaky sideward glances on my behalf as this time I was the one who simply stared straight ahead, my skin prickling every time he very obviously turned my way. It was like every part of me decided it wanted to turn off and rubbing my eyes, I had to wake up.

"So, what are you exactly?" I finally asked.

"Did you want to wait until we're-"

"No. I want some answers now." It then occurred to me I should probably be some kind of nice or at least polite. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. "Please."

"Well, technically you could say I'm a hybrid. My mother was a vampire and my father a shifter." He pauses for a second, coughing slightly to clear his throat. "Was that the first time you've come across vampires?"

"That I know of. I mean, we're told other things exist and I know a little of what's out there, but I guess I've been pretty sheltered. It's not like the pack throws get to know you barbeques for the supernatural neighbours or they've incorporated lessons on mythical creatures into the school curriculum."

Aiden almost looks amused at that and I'm glad he finding something about all of this funny.

"What I do know of vampires is they don't reproduce. That's why they can turn normal people into what they are, except for other beings because they don't like the blood. How are you possible?" I ask not hiding my curiosity now.

"She was attacked and turned when pregnant with me. I survived, but it also changed me. As I had shifter blood already, the coven believe my body simply adapted to the changes. Since those genes are the dominant ones, I am essentially wolf but there are some vampire traits"

"Do you have to feed on blood too?" I instantly felt queasy just asking the question.

"Sam-"

"Just answer me."

"Yes. I get sick if I don't. The wolf side drains me of everything. You'd know how much shifters need to eat to keep themselves going, and for me it's worse." He sounds ashamed of that and I can't stop myself from pitying him.

"You weren't kidding when you said that you bite were you?"

This makes him smile. Only for a tiny second, but he did smile. "No I wasn't."

I'm not sure what to say now. A hybrid. Of all the bad choices I had made in my life I literally found a unicorn, a rather deadly unicorn, to want to get warm and cozy with. None of my feelings had really changed which was stupid on my behalf especially since his very clear, not interested message earlier. But now I know Aiden's secret. Would it change anything?

"Thanks for ah, helping out back there with fangs and co." I tell him after a few minutes.

"Don't mention it."

"I promise I won't tell anyone about you either. Does, um, anyone else know?" It comes out sounding way more noisy than I intended.

"No one here knows except for Brianna. It was one of the things the coven have helped me with." He gives me nothing, again. "It has to stay that way."

"Ok."

It wasn't as though I planned on telling anyone anyway, but this time when our eyes meet I can't help but shiver at the silent warning sent my way. He flexes his fingers, finally releasing them from the tight grip he had on the steering wheel and the crack of his bones makes my stomach sink. A tiny niggle of worry hits then.

Surely he meant only I could know and that was his way of telling me to keep my mouth shut. Instead my mind drifts off on it's only little idea that perhaps my luck may have run out and he intends for me to keep as quiet as those vampires - only more permanent since a vampire will come back from a broken neck. I won't.

"If you are implying I shouldn't tell anyone, don't worry, I won't. You secret is safe with me." I try to smile and sound like I really mean it, which I do.

The air between us seems to vanish and I'm not sure whether I want to risk jumping out the car now and running away or throw myself at him. So I ignore everything and turn slightly so I'm back to staring out the window as he now seems set on ignoring me. Not the response I was hoping for, but I do take some comfort in the fact that if he wanted me gone he could have left me with the vampires.

The streets are finally starting to look familiar and I realise we're not too far from my house. A mixture of relief and disappointment fills me now and again I kind of hate myself for letting him get so under my skin.

"Well, you can just stop here. I don't want to wake my parents if they're home and already in bed." Surprisingly the car slows and he pulls off the road. "Thanks again for tonight and um, goodnight."

I'm out of the car faster than I thought possible for me and my awkward fast walk does nothing as he stops me with ease.

"I don't think we're done." HIs voice is low, rough and hinting that his words may not be as black and white as I was hoping for. Was I right, had things now changed because I knew his secret?

"Talking?" I whisper, subtly wetting my lips as I look up at him.

"You still want me." He sounds rather fascinated by this.

"No."

"No?"

"Not a bit. You made it clear back there you weren't interested." I remind him.

Aiden smirks. "True. Nothing says rejection like saving someone's life."

"I could have handled-"

His hand is rough against my cheek as it slides down through my hair and against my neck, forcing me closer as our mouths collide. Beer still lingers on his breath, warm and bitter as we kiss. A heat surges through me as I don't know if he is now holding me or I've wrapped myself around him, but all I know is I need more. I have to be dreaming. Kissing isn't this great. It's awkward, can be wet and slobbery and nose bumps and that moment when you don't know what to do with your hands.

I'm not having that issue. My hands are in his hair as I hold onto him, stepping back in sync as the side of the car comes up behind me. His are still at the back of my neck and the other on my waist as we seem determined to hold each other in place. If I let go now, will he disappear?

I get my answer barely a second later as a car goes by and beeps. I'm left leaning against his suv for balance as we break apart like two kids doing something they shouldn't. That felt way too good to be wrong and as the street lights leaves half of Aiden's face in shadow, I wonder if I had just imagined all that.

"We can't-" He starts, stopping as instead he marches around the car and gets in.

"You are kidding!" I practically scream, yet all I get in response is the car tyres spinning on the gravel as he turns it around and drives off. "Fucking asshole!"

My heart is racing and I feel so dizzy it takes me a few minutes to calm down enough to make sense of where I am exactly and start a very slow walk home. Thankfully no is there when I arrive and going straight to bed, at least the timing worked out well as I'd hate to have to face mum and dad right now. I listen to them come upstairs, their voices a soft murmur before silence.

It's nearly dawn when the urge to find Aiden has made it impossible to sleep. So instead, I'm up and packing instead. This isn't normal. He definitely isn't normal and knowing my mum will argue, I'd rather risk a one in a million kind of chance of some killer finding out that i'm a pack runt and ending me than stick around here for much longer. I leave her a note on the counter, promising to be back for Christmas and praying that would be enough for them to let me stay away until then.

By lunch time I'm home and apart from a couple of angry voicemails, I get to stay.

__________________

"Well Brianna was a bit worried when I told her you'd gone." Gwen sighs. "Could have told me what you were planning."

"It was very in the moment." I tell her.

"So you kiss and he just leaves you on the side of the road?"

"Yup."

"Asshole." She mumbles.

"Exactly what I said. Anyway, I gotta go. Keep me posted on what's going on ok?" I finish painting my nails and manage to get the lid back on before Kitty jumps onto the table, nearly knocking it off.

"Will do. Stay safe Sam!"

"You too." I lean over and hit the hang up button with my nose before moving to drop down on the sofa.

My house smells too clean. The cleaner has still been coming so without me to live in the place between visits, her work is actually noticeable. It doesn't feel as home like as it used to. I just need to get used to being back here, on my own without my brothers and parents around all the time that's all, but I can't shake that's not the reason why. All I think about is Aiden and putting some distance between us isn't helping. Yet.

The knock on the door is light and gentle so reluctantly i get up and follow Kitty to the door, unimpressed with the meowing for food that he does the whole way there. Expecting Hannah, a friend from work to be standing there the sight of Brianna has me quickly shutting the door.

"Um, Samantha?" She calls out, slowly opening it as she pokes her head in.

Kitty runs into the kitchen as I open it wide and smile. "Hey! Brianna right?"

"Sorry to intrude." She says softly as she comes in.

"It's, ah, fine?"

"Good. I was just around here and thought I'd stop by to see if you have thought about my offer?"

"Your offer?" As if seeing her wasn't a surprise, her coming to ask that just kept adding to the pile. "I'm fine how I am. Thanks."

"Are you sure?"

"Very." I assure her, holding the door open. "Nice seeing you."

"What about Aiden?" She asks as I go to shut it again.

"What about Aiden?" Damn it.

"He told me you two talked."

"That doesn't change anything. I really don't think you should be here and as far as he's concerned, not interested." Shutting the door, it doesn't quite close and pushing harder, it doesn't budge. Looking up at her, she gives me one of them sweet little smiles of hers. Stupid magic bitch.

"I had a vision before your alpha's reached out to us. It was part of the reason we came. I saw something for him here, something he needs but more importantly something that needs him." Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. "Please, don't-"

"Please leave. Go do your pack stuff and leave me out of it." This time the door closes and a tiny little part of me feels bad, but mostly nervous about pissing her off. This time when I open it, she's gone. "Brianna?"

Stepping onto the porch, I look around the find no sign of the witch. "Just, great."

What I do see if Hannah's car coming so grabbing my purse, I leave to meet her before she even gets a chance to turn it off.

"Hey!" She smiles as I get in. "You ok? You look paler than usual"

"Nice to see you too." I mumble, still looking for Brianna.

Nothing.

"Sorry, it's good to see you though. I made us a reservation at Indigo Moon!" She practically squeals as she pulls out into the traffic.

"Dating that editor seems to be paying off!" I don't hide how impressed I am. Indigo Moon is a very new, very expensive and very exclusive cocktail bar. "We are on the list right. I don't think I could handle having to wait in line outside like some kind of wannabe."

"Of course! Stephen is meeting us there too." She wiggles her eyebrows and blushes.

"How long has it been now?"

"Six months." Hannah grins.

"That's gone fast."

"Tell me about it. What about that guy Gwen mentioned in the group chat? Any stories to tell from your trip home?"

I had forgotten about that. "Nope. Nothing at all."

"Not completely believing that, but I guess if it was something Gwen wouldn't have dropped it so quickly. Maybe you'll meet someone tonight then?" She pats my leg. "I have a good feeling!"

Hannah's good feelings are something to keep in mind. As a journalist, she trusts her gut and feelings for her stories. Considering how well her career was doing, they weren't to be laughed at either. After meeting Brianna, I'd almost wonder if her feelings were thanks to something more, but nothing about Hannah set me on edge. Quite the opposite, she was probably one of the few people I felt completely comfortable around and there was nothing that made me think she was one of the supernatural.

"Well who am I to argue against you and your feelings?" I laugh.

Honestly, good or bad - I'm kind of over feelings. Especially ones that happen to involve a certain hybrid that I can't seem to make myself forget.