Blood

Vampire

Werewolves

Murder

My mind was flooded with these words as I watched Caleb toss the vampire's heart to the side like it was trash. A squish sound was heard as it slapped the pavement.

I heaved again but throwing nothing up as my gut was already emptied, moments earlier.

"Shit." I heard Caleb curse under his breath running over to my weak form.

He brushed my curls out of my face as I tried to calm myself down. The moment I felt his touch I seemed to crumble apart finally letting out a cry I forcing to hold in. My life was just moments from death... I just came face to face with a demon of the night.

Caleb held my face as he searched for injuries. Once he saw the scratches on my face he brush over them lightly making me wince. My eyes were blurred from the puddles in my eyes.

"Where the hell was Jessie?!" Caleb growled out he sounded so angry but yet when he continued to check over me he looked worried.

The amount of admiration and concern for my well being was profound in his blue and black swirling eyes. He looked at me as if I would break from the smallest of touches. I pushed his hands away from me when I heard another whine. Quickly I got up and moved towards Taylor who was still breathing heavy at the base of the wall.

I didn't get far though as Caleb wrapped an arm around my waist.

"She's hurt!" Though my eyes were streaming tears I was irritated that he had stopped me from checking on her. "Let me go!"

"Eve..." He turned me around so I was now pressed snug against his chest. No matter how hard I struggled out of his grasp he securely held me in place. "You're hurt too. Look at yourself."

"I don't care. I'm p-perfectly fine." I stuttered my body shaking like a damn maraca.

I pulled against him, this time he pulled me harsher to him, not wanting me to move away. There was an internal struggle behind his eyes as he softened his hold on me. Allowing me to pull away from him I rushed over to Taylor's quivering body. She whined when I approached. Dropping to my knees I reached out to touch her head that was bleeding above her eye.

What I wasn't expecting was for her to snap her jaws at me, at my touch. I fell backwards recoiling from her hostile bite. Why'd she try to bit me? Didn't she know it was me?

Caleb pulled me further back letting out a protective growl as he sniffed the top of my head. He was on high alert as he rested his hands on my upper arms watching for any sign that he would have to spring into action.

"Why did she try to bite me?" My voice came out faint, hurt by Taylor's attempt to bite my hand.

"We are more animal and instinctive when we were in our wolf form. She's panicked because she's hurt. She's trying to defend herself." He explained walking around me and standing a few inches from Taylor's body. "Since she's a rogue she thinks anyone right now is out to kill her. She doesn't recognize you as her friend..."

He kneeled down in front of her baring his teeth at her. His eyes glowed brighter all while he released a long grumbling noise from his chest.

Taylor showed off her throat submissively and rolled onto her back displaying her soft belly. Furrowing my eyebrows and whipping my salty tears, I couldn't help but wonder how he'd been able to both calm her down and get her to listen. The only thing I could think of was the fact the Caleb was such an intimidating man. When he was furious he looked like he was on the verge of killing someone.

Seeing him kill that vampire without a second thought had my trembling at his ruthlessness.

Caleb had lifted Taylor's body up but I was so oblivious sunken deep in my own thoughts I hadn't noticed.

"Caleb where was Jessie? He just left me here, by myself. I thought you said you would have people watch over me just for things like-"

"He's dead." Caleb's detached manner and emotionless voice caused me to widen my eyes.

Jessie was... dead? But how could he have known? He didn't even known I was being attacked until I had called.

Desolation replaced my hysteria in a blink of an eye.

Was this how is world really was? A never ending trail of dead bodies and innocent people killed? The lack of feeling was amplified more when I realized I was numb to it all. I was barely surprised something as bizarre as this happened. If I had these thought a week ago I would have thought I was losing my mind.

"But h-how did you know?" I whispered a slight breeze flowing by, pushing my hair in the swaying air.

His tall figure was vaguely noticeable in the dull street light. It was easier to see his glowing eyes however as he stopped walking tilting his head slightly to look over his shoulder.

A wave of stinging in my palms reminded me of the fall I took, distracting me from his looming silhouette. "I just know as an alpha." He nodded his head to his car that was sat in the middle of the road with the four ways on. I hadn't noticed it before. "There's a lot you still don't know about this cruel world. Come on we need to leave before more come."

His comment unnerved me, pulling back the anxiety and distress from earlier to the surface. I quickened my steps to catch up to him. Frantically I scanned the surrounding buildings for predators of the night. Knowing I couldn't do much in terms of protecting myself, I knew if I could give Caleb a call out it very well could save my life.

"I need you to pull the keys out of the front pocket of my pants." He instructed leaning on his right side to expose his left pocket.

I glanced up at him finding the courage to reach into his pocket. The close proximity felt alluring once again, but I made it quick digging in his pants. Fetching the keys I spoke up.

"What now?"

"Pop the trunk." I locked eyes with him as I glanced from Taylor to the trunk. My heart sank.

"We are not putting her in the trunk, are you crazy?!" I shouted. This was my best friend... someone who just saved my damn life and he wants to stuff her in the trunk. Over my dead body.

"Yea cause putting a bloody wolf in the trunk of a car was the craziest thing that happened tonight." He retorted with a huff and sarcasm dripping with every word.

My eyes narrowed becoming frustrated with his nonchalant attitude and sarcastic reply. The comment wasn't needed it only added fuel to the fire rollercoaster of emotions that were already moments from imploding inside my head.

My face must have showed how quickly my sanity was deteriorating because Caleb moved to open the back seat sliding Taylor in.

"Relax," He walked back over to me taking the keys from my hand. Caleb pushed the trunk up to pull out an over sized t-shirt. Tossing the shirt inside the backseat he told Taylor, "shift and put this on."

Giving her privacy he came over to stand in front of me. I heard bones crunching and snapping knowing Taylor had ended up listening to him. Though my hearing was focused on Taylor moving around my eyes were captivated by Caleb's. My mouth had suddenly dried up, either from the panic earlier or the fact that this man really just drove my female sense wild.

He rose his nose up in the air sniffing it. The blue eyes deepened a shade. I was beginning to understand that they changed to a darker shade when he felt angry or lust. Right now I couldn't tell which it was as he grabbed my wrists in one swift motion.

I gasped at the sudden explosion of tingles that erupted from the base of my arm where his bare skin touched mine. Pulling back slightly, I was overwhelmed by the sensation, he pulled against mine, pulling the arms of my sleeve up. Once the sleeve was pushed up it revealed the scrapes on my palms. I had forgotten about my injuries with everything, he must have been able to smell it. Think about it made me wonder what else he could smell.

"We need to clean these out when we get back to the apartment." He mentioned looking over the red and irritated skin.

"Is it safe? What if-" Stopping to look around before talking I wanted to be sure no one was around. "What if someone is watching?" I whispered finishing my question.

When Caleb didn't say anything to ease my fear I watched as he looked stone cold into my eyes. Emotion was lacking in ever aspect of his chiseled face.

"Caleb-"

"Tell me the truth from earlier. Don't think for a second I forgot." There was warning in his words that Made it clear he was growing impatient.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I spit out trying again to pull out of his vise grip. Curse him and his extreme strength. It didn't even seem to faze him as I tried to pull away.

"What did I tell you about how I feel about liars." He rose his voice a little more yanking me tight against his body. The space that was no long between us allowed for more of the tingles to faintly penetrate the fabric of our clothes. It was distracting and alluring the more that I felt them. It made me want to confide in him, to open up like a book and spill all of my secrets.

"I-I" I stuttered unable to get my brain to organize an actual logical sentence. He raised an eyebrow waiting for my answer. "Taylor should tell you." I blurted out seeing Taylor get out of the car meekly. I was relieved I wouldn't have to answer but the look on her face read 'wow thanks'.

Caleb turned slightly to look at Taylor but as he looked at her he had moved one of his hands to rest on my hip, drawing me infinitely closer.

Taylor pulled herself out of the car but had to lean on the side of it for support. The large green t-shirt rested against her mid thigh. It wasn't the oversized t-shirt that made my eyes widen it was the fact that Taylor's whole left side of her face was bruised. There was a cut on her eye bro and her lip was split in several places. That guy did a number on her.

"Evie, he's going to loss it when I tell him. He's going to try and kill me." Her face held confidence but her voice was missing that same unwavering confidence. She really feared Caleb would turn around and kill her. I didn't doubt he was capable of it but I couldn't allow that to happen. She tried to save me.

"No, he isn't." I said looking up at him. "Isn't that right Caleb." Patting his chest to bring his attention back to me, he grumbled under his breath.

"We'll see."

Taylor let out a growl at his answer her eyes flashing ember.

"No you're not going to hurt her, kill her, nothing." My voice held determination making it clear I wasn't budging in any sense. My word was final and I intended to in force it.

Caleb scanned his eyes over my face looking to be in awe at my stubbornness. With much restraint he looked over at Taylor again. She bared her teeth again in warning not liking his intimidating stare. He growled back showing his much longer and larger canines, his eyes flashed bright blue showing her how much more powerful he was. Taylor couldn't help but drop her gaze and step back.

What I saw was exactly how wolf packs interacted. He was the alpha and he projected power like one. He was doing us a favor in agreeing not to attack her, but how willing would he be to hold his word once she admitted the bounty on my head that we've been holding back from telling him.

"I won't kill her." He answered after what felt like an eternity.

A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth feeling relieved by his agreement.

"Tell him Taylor." I told her looking up at him, finding myself getting lost in his perfection. This was not the time for gawking but the rippling muscles under his t-shirt were attracting my attention. It wasn't as easy to deter my attention else where as the tingles were drawing me ever closer to his body wanting more contact.

"I will once you stop openly eye fucking the bastard." Taylor retorted annoyance laced in her words.

I quickly diverged my gaze to her feeling embarrassed at my starring. My cheeks felt warm no doubt a blush was now clearly on my face. Caleb cleared his throat seeming flustered by my intense gaze on him.

"Okay continue." I snapped at her peeved she called me out. The mischievous grin on her face told me everything I needed to know. She was getting off on my inability to conceal my attraction for him.

She chuckled and crossed her arms leaning against the side of the car. "Don't get mad at me. I saved your ass." She said matter of factly. "Anyways," Taylor snapped her gaze to Caleb talking directly to him. "Your mate has a bounty on her head right now. I've been trying to get information on who but no one knows who originally put the hit on her. I've only been able to get a handful of names of people openly searching for her."

The more she explained the more stiff Caleb became. His grip on my hip tightened to an uncomfortable hold. I shifted slightly in hopes it would loosen his hold to no eval though as it only caused him to hold me tighter. I bit my lip to stop from whimpering.

"You're telling me you two knew about this and didn't tell me?" Caleb's voice was thick with betrayal and fury. He had me shrinking back from him the little bit that I could.

"Seeing as you tried to kill me the moment you first saw me, you haven't exactly made it easy to approach you." She spat annoyed with him just as much as he was with her. These too had so much hate for each other it was a miracle they were able to even talk to each other, with how hostile they were.

"You put Eve in danger with not telling me. You got one of my pack members killed because of your stupid decision!" He was fuming with rage as he let go of my body.

I missed the sensation as tingles disappeared. However much I missed the sensation it was the last thing on my mind as Caleb rushed over to Taylor with lethal intent.

Taylor stumbled back falling as she tried to put distance between herself and him. Thinking quick I ran between them, shoving him back with all of my weight. It did the bare minimum only slowing down his assault. He pushed against my body as the balls of my feet slid against the pavement. The ease in which he continued his persist was alarming and I was beginning to panic I wouldn't be able to stop him.

"I was only trying to help!" Taylor shouted only making Caleb push harder against my body. We were only about 3 feet away and Taylor was limping on her feet too hurt to run and evade him.

My heart pounded as we inched closer. What do I do?

"Caleb I'm okay!" I reminded him looking up at him. He didn't look down at me his eyes were locked solely on Taylor behind me. "Please Caleb listen to me, look at me I'm okay. I'm safe." Nothing was working as he continued forward disregarding my pleas to stop.

Frantic to stop him in his blind rage I wrapped my arms around his neck hoisting myself up a little. Tingles once again erupted our bare skin. I gasped in reaction causing a little halt to his advancement. It was brief though as he continued again making me take little tippy toe steps backwards. Shit! He was moving faster.

I needed to distract him and I need to do that now if I was going to have any hope in saving Taylor now. I knew Caleb was going to do unspeakable things if I didn't stop him.

Thinking quick I pulled his face down with my weight seeing a glimmer of his blue eyes before I closed my own pressing my lips to his.

He came to a halt shocked none the less. I did the only thing I thought would stop him. What I wasn't expecting was for him to deepen the kiss sending a shiver down my spine. Hands gripped my waist under my shirt as the kiss played on, sending my senses into over load. As his fingers trailed intricate designs on my stomach I felt my core ache with a new found eagerness for his touch.

Caleb was the first to pull away. Embarrassment settled into my face as I realized I had wanted it to continue longer than he wanted it to.

He was starring down at me in utter shock and passion. The heavy rise and fall of his chest indicated he was just as out of breath as I was. It made me feel a little less self conscious but my blush was still very much there. The sound of him sniffing the air, a new scent catching his attention, broke my train of thoughts.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." I blurted out pulled away. His hand lingered on my figure as I stepped back swallowing a nervous lump in my throat.

I turned to look for Taylor but she had disappeared. At least the kiss worked.

His hand grabbed mine bring my eyes back to him. His once glowing blue eye dimmed going back to their normal icy blue.

"Can you take me home now?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Yea, get in." The door was pulled open for me to enter. Sitting down he closed it hurrying into the other side. He looked at the neighboring building probably looking for Taylor but I was thankful she's gotten far enough away.

Caleb put the car in drive and go on to the main road. We drove in silence for most of the ride neither one of us willing enough to bring up what had just happened. I was relieved he hadn't brought it up, too nervous to speak on the topic.

As we neared the apartment building I spoke up as I stared out the window at a red light. "Will you stay with me?" I asked my voice soft and barely audible.

I felt Caleb turn to me and I to turned to face him. His expression was confusing to me a mixture of curiosity and desire.

"Do you want me too?" His voice was strained as if trying to hold back something.

The light turned green and Caleb focused back on the road his tongue licking his lower lip and rolling it in. My heart sped up a little finding the innocent act not so innocent.

"Yes, I don't want to be alone after tonight." I admitted flashes of the bloody heart popping into my head.

I felt the most secure with him around. I couldn't understand it but for the moment I accepted it knowing it was the best option. The safest option.