Taken (M/F/M red-hot menage shifter romance) Standalone (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 2) (9 page)

Chapter Eight

Katlyn settled herself in the pickup and Brendan drove out to the cabin where Melody lived with her mother, Carrie. Chase was also along for the ride. How would he not be since he was her mate, too? It seemed that everything the three of them did, they did together—most of the time. She had no choice but to forget about where Tessa was going now, but she sure was curious about what Paige thought might have happened.

“Do you think the blood Tessa received was tainted?”

“No sense in thinking about it, Katlyn. We’ll find out when they get back,” Brendan said as chase took her hand in his. “Brendan’s right. I know Paige will take care of it if any wrong-doing has happened.”

Katlyn didn’t know if she wanted to think about what ‘taking care of it,’ might mean to Paige, but her story about her life was certainly interesting. She wasn’t just randomly bitten; she was chosen to be the mate of a vampire that she didn’t want. How could she desire a man that was responsible for her sister’s death that night? She just hoped that this Gerome never found Paige here at Shadow Creek, but it had been so many years, it wasn’t likely. If he were able to track her, he would have found her years ago. It was a little unsettling to think about how Paige had to kill to survive, but perhaps she had learned something when she was thrown in that hole as punishment. A vampire frying under the bright sunlight certainly didn’t sound good at all.

“Earth to Katlyn,” Brendan said with laughter in his voice. “Where were you?”

“Just thinking about Paige’s story about her life. Do you trust her?”

“Of course I do. She’s never tried to bite anyone from the ranch.”

“Until Tessa, you mean, right?”

“Well, yeah. That was bad and she knows not to ever do that again. Paige and Tessa really need to learn how to get along now. I just hope they realize how much they need each other.”

“I agree with that. Who else but a vampire would understand another vampire? I’ve spoken to Tessa and she told me to leave, that she might not be able to control herself. What if that medication is causing her side effects? What would any of us do if she can’t control her cravings to feed?”

“Let’s cross that bridge if and when that happens. Right now, we’re not sure of anything and won’t be until tomorrow.”

Katlyn followed Brendan out of the truck and they knocked on the door of the cabin, rattling the knob when nobody answered it. It finally opened a crack and an impressive golden eye looked through the crack in the door. Brendan pushed the door open and a rail-thin woman rushed out of the way so the door didn’t topple her over.

The woman’s kinky hair framed her face, and she shouted, “What’s the meaning of this?”

“Oh, come now, Carrie. You knew we’d be by soon. I hope you’re sober now, at least,” Brendan said.

“Perhaps we should have this conversation outside. I’d hate to upset Melody,” Katlyn said.

“Melody’s my concern, not yours, teacher. Smells like you have a belly full already.”

Katlyn didn’t want to let her know her barb struck home. Of all the nerve. It was bad enough this woman smelled like a brewery.

“I’d hate for Melody to miss any more school.”

“Who says she needs
school,
anyway?”

“Just because you’ve decided to live in the saloon nursing a beer bottle doesn’t mean that Melody doesn’t deserve a future.”

“Don’t you dare be so judgmental,” Carrie said as she pointed her bony finger in Katlyn’s face, which only further infuriated Katlyn.

“Look, I’m not here to judge you at all. I just want Melody to be happy and not miss any more school. Did you know she jumped out of a tree trying to learn how to fly?”

“Course I know. That’s the only way a hawk learns how to fly.”

“So you’ve encouraged her?”

“What if I did? What’s it to you?”

“Well, we did take her to see Dr. Evans when she injured herself—while you were at the saloon, I might add. Don’t you think you should be a better example for your daughter?”

“My life isn’t any of your business. Just because you have two mates now doesn’t mean that will always be the case. You’ll find out for yourself when you’re left in the dust after they go off chasing another skirt—like Wenise, maybe.”

Katlyn sighed. “There’s no sense in doing this, Carrie. Melody needs her mother. You’re all she has.”

“No, she has her sister, Ariel. She’s plenty capable of taking care of Melody when I’m gone.”

“Looks like Ariel is coming of age to find a mate of her own. It’s not her responsibility to take care of her sister all of the time, is it?”

“I was coming home soon,” Carrie whined. “You didn’t need to send that brute, Angus, to fetch me.”

“Angus isn’t a brute. He’s a very caring shifter.”

“Yeah, a llama,” she laughed.

Katlyn clenched her hands until they were fists. Angus didn’t deserve to be spoken about this way. He was a gentle giant that would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need.

“So, what’s your deal? Who is so appealing to you that you stay gone for so long?”

“I wasn’t gone that long.”

“It was more than just a few days. You were gone going on three. So, who’s the man?”

“Men—she means men, as in more than one,” Chase choked out. “You make me sick.”

“Look who’s calling the kettle black. You share this teacher with Brendan. If you ask me, she’s no better than a whore!”

“Stop it! Stop it, this instant!” Melody shouted, making her way into the room. “She can’t help it that she’s sick. She’s an alcoholic and that’s a disease. She might not look like much, but she’s still my mama and I love her.” Melody wrapped her hands around Carrie’s waist, but she was quickly pushed away.

“You heard my kid. Get lost.”

“Not until you quit cavorting with Jason Traxler. He’s no good and you know it, Carrie. He’s abused every woman he’s ever been with,” Chase said. “I bet he’s already abused you, from the looks of that bruise on your arm.”

Carrie hid her arm behind her back. “It wasn’t him. I ran into a door, is all.”

Katlyn felt bad for Melody, now, since her mother just didn’t want to wake up and be the mother that she deserved. Katlyn had wanted them to go outside and talk. Now, Melody wouldn’t look at her teacher in the same way again, if she ever came back to class. She didn’t like who Carrie was, but she felt twice as bad if she had been abused, too. What would it take for this woman to just wake the hell up?

“I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to argue with anyone or judge anyone. My life might be different than yours, but I just know that I intend to be the best mother that I can. I know it can’t be easy taking care of a child all alone, but Melody needs you to be in the present with a clear mind,” Katlyn said. “I’m sorry that you heard us arguing, Melody.”

“I-It’s okay, and I’ll see you at school tomorrow if you can pick me up. There’s no way I’ll be able to walk that far.”

“I can do that if it’s okay with your mother.”

“Oh, why not? I need my free time from the brat, anyway.”

“If I find out that Jason has laid a hand on you, Carrie, you won’t have to worry about ever seeing him again. That I promise you. I won’t allow any woman that resides at Shadow Creek to be abused,” Brendan said.

Carrie didn’t respond as she led them to the door, slamming it shut behind them.

Once they were back in the truck and on their way home, Katlyn was burning mad. How dare she call her a whore? Katlyn might have two mates, but she just didn’t see her life like that, and she hated the way Carried tried to turn the table on her.

“About Wenise, Katlyn—”

“I know. Ivan told me you used to date her, Brendan.”

“Oh. Well, that was a long time ago. There’s nothing between us anymore. She made her choice long ago and we both have to live with what happened. She chose another over me and I don’t ever think that I’ll ever really forgive her, but I have gotten over it. There was a time that I wished things were different, but that was before I met and fell in love with you, Katlyn. I’m committed to you and our babies. Don’t ever doubt that or allow anyone to fill your head with nonsense. I’ve tried to help Carrie the best that I could. She was injured when I found her and it was a miracle her child survived, but Dr. Evan made it happen.”

“What about the father of her child?”

“I have a few ideas, but I can’t be certain.”

“So, what’s the story about Seth? Was he the other man in Wenise’s life?”

Brendan clammed up now, but finally said, “Fine. I’ll tell you when we get home.”

Chapter Nine

Tessa

“Grab a cloak,” Paige said. “Just in case we’re gone too long.”

“Cloak? Are you sure you’re from 1952 and not 1852?”

“Okay, then something with a hood just in case we don’t get back before sunrise.”

Tessa waltzed to the closet and found a jacket with a hood. “What about you?”

“Don’t worry, I always keep extra clothing in my Jeep that I’ll have to put on before we head into town. I’d rather we weren’t identified while we’re there. I’d hate for folks wondering why we’re at the blood bank so late.”

Tessa put on her jacket, putting the hood up and over her head while Paige put on a black jacket with a fur-lined hat. When she began to put on gloves, Tessa asked, “What are you wearing gloves for?”

“Just in case.” She handed Tessa a pair from her bag that were leather. “Here, put these on.”

Tessa wondered what on earth Paige really planned to do in Creeksboro, but there was no point in questioning her if the end result would make her feel better.

“That bag of blood wasn’t labeled properly,” Paige said. “How is it that you haven’t gone through that bag yet?”

“Be-Besides that I hate the taste? It sure didn’t taste like it does when you bite someone.”

“No, it doesn’t, but it’s your only blood supply. If you didn’t drink enough, it might explain why you are having problems with your strength. You need to eat, Tessa.”

“Would that explain the lesions?”

“I’m not sure. I just hope that you’re not allergic to the medication. I don’t think Creeksboro is ready for a hungry vampire roaming the countryside.”

Tessa nodded, remaining silent for the remainder of the trip to town. Paige could be hard as nails, but tonight she showed that she had a soft spot, too. It had taken the memories of losing her sister to bring them out, but it was good to know that she had some human qualities. She came off as so domineering and controlling, at times.

Paige roared into town and parked behind a lone white building on the edge of town that housed the blood bank, unbeknownst to be supplying blood to vampires by the locals. This blood bank catered to the vampire population exclusively, Paige had mentioned once. Although she insisted that not many live near Creeksboro, they shipped blood products all over the state.

They climbed out of the Jeep and Paige pulled her hood over her head further, knocking on the door with three raps. They waited for someone to answer, but when nobody came to the door, Paige rapped again. This time, a light came on and footsteps approached the door. Metal scraped against metal as it unlocked and the door was jerked open. A thin man wearing a white coat answered the door. “Can I help you?”

“We need to talk,” Paige said.

His eyes widened in recognition. “Now isn’t a good time.”

Paige’s fangs extended and she snarled at the man, who then opened the door wide. “Come on in. No need to get testy.”

When Tessa walked inside, she stared at the black and white tile floor and a line of refrigerators that stood against one wall with a few chairs for drawing blood nearby. The room was much smaller than she had expected, but then again, she might have known this was a small operation. Hardly large enough to warrant them capable to ship blood all over the state.

“What seems to be the—”

Before he had a chance to say any more, Paige grabbed the man by his throat, lifting him off his feet and tossing him a few feet away. Now that was what Tessa desired, real vampire strength. Her blood rushed and her heart pounded hard in excitement.

Paige gazed over at the man, stalking him now as he scooted away.

“What did I do? I swear I made my delivery on time,” the man said.

Paige lowered her hood. “That’s just the thing. What blood product did you send, because it didn’t taste anything like whole blood to me.”

“You didn’t give me enough time. I’d sent out a large shipment and I didn’t have any whole blood left. Blood substitute was all I had.”

“So you decided to send over a blood substitute? To a vampire?”

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do.”

“You’re sorry,” Paige said as she toppled one of the chairs. “You’ve made my apprentice very sick, and now she’s underfed—if you catch my drift.”

“No, please. I swear I can give her what she needs tomorrow. I have donations scheduled.” He moved off the floor and showed Paige the refrigerators were empty.

Paige licked her lips. “I’m not sure if I can trust you now.”

“Please,” a voice behind them said as a woman walked forward. “I swear this will never happen again.” Her eyes darted from Paige to Tessa. “Ed give them what they want.”

“But—”

“We’ll need all of the whole blood you have it stock. Tessa needs a transfusion since she’s so underfed, and don’t you dare lie to me that you don’t have any here or I swear I’ll let Tessa drink you both dry.”

Ed and Jenna exchanged looks and he pulled out six bags that were in a refrigerator that was hidden behind a wall and filled a bag with them. “Here, it’s all I have.”

Tessa’s fangs extended and she made a move toward the woman, but Paige stopped her. “No. You can’t bite anyone without turning them. I’ve passed the gene on to you.”

“What do you expect me to do? I want warm blood.”

“As we all do, but it’s just not something either of us can do unless we plan to kill the victim, and I’m not angry enough at this woman to do that. Are you?”

“I’m just hungry, is all I know.”

“I can help with that another way,” the woman said. She pulled up the sleeves of her shirt. “You can feed off me if you will, but if you murder Ed, you’ll all starve, for sure.”