Page 7 of Craving Her Vampire

So to kill me, it will take power and skill.

There are numerous different kinds of shifters in the world. If you name a natural animal, they are also shifters of the same name. There are dragons, witches, and warlocks. Two thousand years ago, I met a man who was a spider shifter. I shudder just thinking about watching him shift. He was an asshole, and I was tempted to kill him, but I couldn’t bring myself to killoff someone so rare. He wasn’t a bad person, just a dick. He disappeared shortly after our acquaintance, and I often wonder if he is still alive.

Most of the shifters I know here dislike witches. I have known many over the years, and I think they are misunderstood on many levels. It’s difficult to trust someone who can wield magic by saying a few words. Their bodies are human—it’s the magic that prolongs their life and protects them. Warlocks are a different story. The ones I have met haven’t been anyone I would want to be around again.

Sally, the rabbit shifter who lives here and works for my friend Quinn, is an excellent example of a species who is underrated. She is funny as fuck. Sexy as fuck. And a great person to drink with. We have become friends. Rabbits are rumored to be crazy fuckers, which is partially true, but they are one of my favorite kind of shifters. Their power is premonition. Sally can sense a person's future when she meets them. Some rabbits have dreams about the future or feel the emotions of someone they meet. They don’t have a strong scent, and some can mask it. Their gifts are varied but should never be discounted because of the size of their animal.

A lesson I have learned is never to judge a person by their breed but by their actions.

Except humans. I have seen too many horrible actions they commit.

I chuckle softly. If humans knew the monsters they lived beside, their brains would explode. Most of us just want to live peacefully and enjoy life like everyone else. If the humans knew of our existence, all hell would break loose. So I suppose I will have to continue to do the work I do.

I drain the lukewarm blood bag and grimace. I could go for a warm, willing woman. I know something is changing inside me,as I used to be able to stomach the taste of it better. I fear my days are limited without a mate.

I narrow my gaze, searching the area, when I hear numerous sets of feet trampling the earth and disrupting my quiet night.

Fuck.

I stand and walk to the edge of the branch. Who would be running through the woods? Sadly, I doubt it’s a group of willing women to grant my wish. I close my eyes, relishing the vision.

Is it too much to ask?

I refocus and engage my senses. I see five figures in the distance, running hard after the sixth, only yards in front of them.

I narrow my eyes when the smell of coyotes reaches me, along with the stench of anger and demented glee. They are finding pleasure in the chase, but their intentions are evil. I guess I will do a good deed for the night after all.

I let myself drop from the tree, floating and landing soundlessly. I’m annoyed that I have to put on my boots, but it won’t take long to kill them and send the would-be murder victim home. I slip them on and begin to blur but freeze.

Her scent surrounds me, bringing with it her determination and desperation. She is a coyote. Underneath her emotions is the most euphoric scent I have ever smelled. It’s indescribable.

My mate.

Mine. All mine.

I feel the white ring bleeding into my eyes, proving I am correct.

The smell of her blood and the knowledge the men want to hurt her force my fangs to descend without my prompting.

I do not question it. She is the one.

In seconds, I am next to them. My hand circles the neck of the man who was the closest to her, squeezing painfully. I use mygifts to freeze the other four in place, their faces showing fear and shock.

I tilt my head to my left.

The woman is ten feet away, her eyes wide. The picture of her wild hair, tempting body, and fierce spirit will forever be burned into my brain.

“Come here,” I command. Our eyes lock as she takes hesitant steps. She stops three feet away. “That’s not close enough,” I say roughly. It pleases me greatly when she eliminates the remaining space between us. Her sweet scent of heat wraps around me. I grab the back of her neck, retract my fangs, and yank her as close as possible. “Mate,” I say and take her lips.

Yes. This is what I have been waiting so many fucking years for. This glorious, stunning, warm woman pressed against my chest. Her mouth welcoming me. Her hands are at my sides, her fingers digging into my shirt. Her lips are plump, and I pull back enough to suck the bottom one before diving back inside.

I want to tear her clothes off and fuck her on the forest floor. I want to open her delicious thighs to eat her sweet-smelling pussy. I tighten my grip on her neck, never wanting to let her go. She moans as I suck on her tongue.

The asshole ruins the moment when he sputters, and I reluctantly ease back slightly.

“Is there a good reason for me not to kill them?” I whisper over her lips.

“Huh?” Her eyes slowly open.