Tessa, Vampire/Werewolf Romance, (Standalone) (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 3) (5 page)

Tessa was waiting at the door when Raphael pulled up in the truck. Seth then hopped out and carried her bags, throwing them in the back.

“This is going to be great,” Seth said. “The children will be so excited when they find out. We didn’t tell them just yet, but Melody has been talking nonstop about wanting to meet you.”

Tessa slid next to Raphael. “Oh, really.” She glanced over to where Katlyn lived with her mates, but she didn’t come outside. She figured they had said their goodbyes the previous night. Paige had stopped by that morning, making sure she was stocked up with medication and her blood supply. She just hoped there would be refrigeration to store it since she wasn’t so sure how remote that cabin would be.

Raphael asked, “Are you all set?”

“Yes. I can’t wait to see what my new accommodation will be like.”

Raphael turned the truck around and headed toward Silver Creek. “It’s a little more primitive than you’re used to, but I’m sure you’ll be able to adjust in time. Of course, if you want to move into my cabin, I’d more than welcome you.”

Tessa knew Raphael was joking so she let his barb go, for the moment. “I have no problem with living the rugged life, providing I have somewhere to store my blood. I get it from the blood bank in Creeksboro.”

“The one here in town?” Seth questioned.

“Yes, but keep that quiet. I don’t think he wants anyone to know.”

“I didn’t know that. I guess there are more things to Creeksboro than I thought.”

“Didn’t you leave for a while, Seth?”

“I went back east, but city life doesn’t suit me and I vowed to come back and try to see my daughter. Carrie did all she could to prevent that from happening. I’m glad I have custody of Melody now, just not about how it happened. I really had hoped Carrie would be more responsible than she is. Melody deserves better than having a mother who checks out on her and prefers to stay gone for days at a time. She’s chosen to live the life of someone who doesn’t have a child and hasn’t even seen Melody since I’ve had her,” Seth explained.

“From what Katlyn’s told me, she’s taken up with the wrong type of man.”

“Jason Traxler, and don’t remind me. I keep hoping that she’ll open her eyes and realize just how wrong he is for her.”

“That’s how some women are, but hopefully she’ll come around,” Tessa said with a smile.

Raphael headed down the dirt drive, which led straight into Silver Creek. The trail he merged onto was extremely bumpy and Tessa put a hand on Seth’s leg to steady herself, but removed it when he gave her an uncomfortable glance. She had to admit, it felt strange to her, too. She just wasn’t sure why.

He braked hard at a small cabin, which was squarely in the woods. When they hopped out of the truck, deer glided away. That brought a smile to Tessa’s lips. It wasn’t that she was happy to know there was a food source, but that she was surrounded with wildlife. She loved the outdoors and everything about it. She breathed in deeply of the earthy smell of the woods and purple flowers not far off. She vowed that she’d make this work no matter what. She wouldn’t even consider crawling back to Shadow Creek. Tessa knew this was just the new beginning she needed.

Raphael held open the door and Tessa entered. Like most cabins, it was all made of logs with the same knotty pine she so loved the smell of. Her eyes drifted over to the king-sized bed covered with a light patchwork quilt. It was then that her eyes met Raphael’s and she felt warmness between her legs in response.

Tessa broke the gaze and admired the small table and chairs, as well as a wood-framed couch with pink cushions. “What’s up with all the pink?”

“That was Raphael’s idea. He said pink was a woman’s thing,” Seth informed her.

“I can’t say I like pink all that much. As you can see, I have a thing for wearing black or burgundy.”

“Looks like a white tee shirt there to me,” Raphael said. “Sorry if you don’t like the color choice. You can decorate the cabin any way you’d like. It’s yours.”

Seth pointed out the oil lamps. “There’s no electricity out here, and only a hand pump for water.”

Tessa sauntered over to the sink and tried it out, having to use more muscle than she thought would be required to move the pump handle. “I think it needs a little oil.”

“Probably. Lubrication is needed sometimes,” Raphael said.

Tessa laughed. “I’ll agree with that, but sometimes it takes time to produce the effect you want.” She then tried the pump again and it moved much easier. “See.”

“Are we talking about the hand pump here or something else?” Seth asked in an uncomfortable way.

“Relax, Seth. Although, it can be quite relatable,” Tessa said.

Seth smiled shyly and left, leaving Tessa to give Raphael an odd look. “What’s up with Seth?”

“I’m not really sure, but don’t take it personally. He’s been acting odd of late.”

“It’s just that I thought he was interested in us getting together sometime, but now I’m not so sure. Didn’t you say the both of you have been with a woman together before?”

“Are we there yet? I had the feeling you weren’t ready.”

“I’m confused about things. I’m not sure I want you both at the same time.”

“You don’t have to. It’s all up to you, Tessa.” He paused. “When you’re ready. I’ll leave so you can settle in. I’ll take your blood supply to the main cabin and throw it in the refrigerator. Do you need a swig before I take it?”

“I probably should.”

Raphael opened a cabinet door and came back with a glass, which Tessa filled from the bag. She quickly resealed the bag and set the glass down on the table.

“Thanks.”

Raphael nodded and left, which Tessa was happy about. She didn’t want to drink it in front of him. It was a personal and very private thing. In many ways, it made her feel depraved, like a beast that couldn’t control itself. She glanced in the glass and at the pills with a grimace. She took one out and chased it back, grimacing at the coldness. When she was living somewhere with electricity, she’d find someone who could build a warming unit. That might just be something that would work. She just wasn’t all that sure if the blood would go bad without proper refrigeration. If not for the temperature, would she be more compelled to drink the blood supplied to her, or would she still crave to get sustenance from a living, breathing thing?

She thought about what it meant to be a vampire to her. What was most important to her was to stay under the radar so she wouldn’t be found out. To never bite a human, unless she was forced into a situation where there was no other way out of it. She’d certainly kill, but only if there was no other choice. She had fought the temptation to follow Jason and his friend and snuff out their lives that night she encountered them at the saloon. She had no real qualms against Earl other than his big mouth, but if she killed Jason, she’d be forced to kill Earl. Even thinking that meant she was less like a human all the time. Being a vampire meant doing things that most would deem a capital crime, but only if she was found out. She would have to adopt a ‘live and let live’ protocol, unless Jason did something so bad that action was necessary. She had no problem being his judge, jury and executioner.

* * *

Seth knocked at Tessa’s door an hour later and as Tessa let him in, he was wearing jeans so tight she couldn’t help but see the outline of his cock. His white button-up shirt was open almost to the waist, revealing his chiseled body.

When Seth cleared his throat, Tessa forced herself to gaze into his eyes since she was still admiring his body.

“The children would really love to meet you tonight, and dinner will be in a half-hour.”

“Sure, whatever you’d like. After all, meeting Maxwell was part of the deal for me coming here.”

“Do you like children?”

“Truthfully, I’d never been around children until Katlyn gave birth to her twins, but I don’t hate them. Nolan and Elric are adorable babies. I so look forward to watching them grow up.”

“So you
do
plan to stay in the area?”

“Sure, why would you think otherwise?”

Seth tensed and said, “I wasn’t sure is all. I meant no harm.”

Tessa knew so little of Seth other than he took his daughter Melody in after her mother lacked any real parenting skills. “Relax,” she said as she touched his forearm. “What’s with you lately? You seem so distant. Is there something I can help you with?”
Or out of
.

“Well, you and Raphael really seem to be getting along. It’s okay if you don’t feel about me like you do him. I have no problem stepping out of the equation.”

Still with her hand on his arm, she said, “Perhaps you shouldn’t be so willing to step aside. I didn’t think we were at the feeling stage. When it comes to the law of attraction, I find you both quite desirable, and in time I hope we can put all of the doubts aside to really be together, the three of us.”

“Are you sure? You seemed so freaked out that one night.”

“I was. I guess I felt a little too overwhelmed. I’m still trying to get my bearings as a vampire. I don’t look at intimacy as a casual thing, or at least not for me.”

“Me, either, but Raphael has always been more of a free spirit. He’s never had an interest in having anything long-term with anyone.”

“What’s that?” Raphael said as his frame filled the doorway. “How about you not telling Tessa what I want or don’t. I hardly think you’re in the position to make any assumptions, Seth.”

Seth moved away from Tessa, his fists clenched at his sides. “Oh, since when has one woman ever been your thing?”

“I’ve never been in the position to be with one woman for longer than a night of rutting and you know that. I have been consumed with fighting. It’s always been something. First it was to defend the full-bloods in Montana, but when the Shifter Patrol came up, I had no other choice than to rise to the occasion.”

“And they were okay when you left?” Tessa had to ask.

“Actually, no. I was told that if I left, not only would I never be allowed back, but they’d consider me an enemy. If they encountered me in the forest I’d be as good as dead.”

“Wow, that’s harsh,” Tessa replied.

“Yes, but I was a very good protector. They viewed my departure as betraying them. Especially since a band of marauding werebears attacked them, but I had nothing to do with that. They’ve been fighting over territories for years. The werebears just used my departure as a good time to pounce, so to speak.”

“And you were aware of the attack?”

“Yes, but the Shifter Patrol was a greater enemy. Ultimately, Katlyn was able to convince the governor and even Washington that they were no more than a marauding band of shifter murderers.”

“Yes, she’s good that way, but she had no choice since they were after her for what she knew about them.”

“I’m just glad those days are gone and the Shifter Patrol has been disbanded, but there are always more dangers when you’re a shifter. Sure, the townspeople act okay with us being so close to them, but every time livestock goes missing or dead, we’re always the ones who are to blame, if only in public opinion.”

“I’ll agree with that, too. I felt that way when Clayton told me about the missing sheep.” Tessa looked over at Seth who had a clenched jaw, and she had to ask, “So, are we done disagreeing for the time being? I really would like to find out what you have for dinner. I’m starved.”

“I’m good if Raphael is good,” Seth said. “Well, are you?”

“Sure, but next time let me speak for myself.”

Raphael turned and walked out the door, Seth and Tessa right behind him. Tessa locked up and hopped on the back of an ATV Raphael drove, while Seth tore off on his, leaving them behind in a cloud of dust.

When they drove past the cabin, which Raphael and Seth had taken Tessa to that one night, she wondered where the children lived. With them or someone else? Of course, their cabin wasn’t much bigger than the one she was staying in at the moment.

They drove past many more cabins, which were the same size as hers, too, and finally stopped at a much larger one, which had two rows of other cabins on either side of it. She surmised that the other werewolves lived there, but she wasn’t all that sure. She’d sure find out, though, and sooner rather than later.

The ATV skidded to a stop, and Raphael helped off Tessa. She didn’t need the help, but she took his hand anyway. If Raphael wanted to treat her like a lady, she’d allow him to since it was nice compared to most men she knew back in Wisconsin.

An older woman was inside with a boy and girl on either side of her around the age of eight. She knew Maxwell walked with a limp, and she trained herself not to react. She wasn’t sure how bad it was, but she didn’t want to do anything that would further upset the boy since he was already having troubles.

“Hello! The children are so happy to meet you, finally. I’m Palina and grandmother to most of the werewolves in the line of the alphas.”

Tessa smiled. Palina had more lines on her face than she expected her to have. She certainly was of an undetermined age, but since it was rude to ask any woman how old she was, she extended her arm and said, “Hello. I’m Tessa.”

Palina motioned her arm down. “No need to be so fancy, girl. We’re simple folk here.”

The girl grinned, her blonde pigtails bobbing as she laughed. “Is it true that you’re a real vampire?”

That took Tessa aback, but for only a moment. “Yes, that’s about the gist of it, but don’t worry. I already ate.” She winked. “Melody, right?”

“Yes.” She put her hands on her small hips. “I’m a red-tailed hawk shifter. The only raptor bird shifter on this ranch.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that. It’s always good to have a hawk nearby. Do you know how to fly, yet?”

The little boy rolled his eyes. “No, all she’s good for is blowing steam out of that big mouth of hers.”

Melody’s face changed to a snarl. “You’ll see. I’ll show you one day.”

“But you can shift?”

“Yeah, we can shift,” Maxwell spat. “Why is she here?”

“Quit being so rude,” Palina chastised the boy.

He folded his arms across his chest.

“It’s okay, Maxwell. If someone paraded a vampire in front of me who asked dumb questions just because she never met children who were shifters before, I’d be just like that. If I was a shifter, I mean.”

His face actually softened. “You would?”

“Certainly. I hope you excuse me since I apparently said the wrong thing, already.”

“I-It’s okay. It’s just that Melody has gone on and on about meeting a real vampire but I don’t understand why.”

“Me, either, but I haven’t been a vampire very long just in case you plan on asking me fifty questions.” Tessa winked.

“I won’t, but she will,” Maxwell said as he walked forward and actually shook Tessa’s hand. “I’m not very hungry tonight,” he announced as he limped and disappeared through a door.

“I’m sorry about Maxwell,” Palina said. “He’s changed so much since his father died. He might just see you as a human like the one who murdered his father.”

“And what happened to him?”

Palina told Melody to go wash up, and after she left the room, Tessa was led away from the door Maxwell went in since it was open a crack.

“The man who killed his father has been dealt with.”

“Killed, you mean?”

“We werewolves take care of our own. The only reason I’ve allowed you to come here is as a favor for Paige since she’s always been such great help to us when we have been in need. I hope you won’t disappoint me by causing any problems.”

“I’m here to figure out some things. I don’t need to stay forever.”

“That’s not up to me, and you’ll be treated as a guest. That’s why I made sure to give Raphael some more feminine things like the quilt and couch cushions. Just because you live in a rugged way doesn’t mean you should live in some ugly cabin that is manly in every way.”

“Oh, so it was you? I thought it was Raphael’s doing.”

Raphael grinned. “Thanks. I was taking credit for that, but Tessa wasn’t all that appreciative.”

“That was when I thought it was your doing. Thanks, Palina. It was just enough color for the place.”

“You tell him, Tessa,” Seth said with a sly smile.

Melody came running back and showed Seth her hands. “See, Daddy? All clean.”

“I’ve been trying to teach Melody here how to be the proper young lady,” Seth explained.

Tessa nodded. That made her feel very sad for the little girl whose mother was more than absent. She couldn’t help but wonder if it weren’t for Jason if that would still be the case.

She heard a door creak open and Tessa knew Maxwell was at least a little interested in what they were talking about, he just didn’t want them to know it. Yes, he was going to be a hard nut to crack for sure, but patience would go a long way with the boy.

“Take a seat, Tessa,” Palina encouraged. “I’ll have dinner on the table in a jiffy.”

“Can I help you do anything? I’m a little handy in the kitchen, or I was.”

Palina motioned Tessa to sit at the table. “No, I won’t hear of that. You’re a guest here, and guests don’t have kitchen duties. Raphael, on the other hand, can help me out.”

“Can I sit next to the vampire?” Melody asked.

“You can if you call me Tessa. You
do
know it’s supposed to be a secret I’m a vampire, right?”

“I know. Ms. Katlyn, our teacher, told us that.” She made a motion like she was zipping her lip.

A snicker came from the opening doorway. Maxwell walked a few feet into the room and asked with interest, “How long have you been a vampire?”

Palina set a plate of chicken down and she clucked her tongue at the boy. “Are you having dinner with us, Maxwell, or…”

Maxwell sat across from Tessa. She didn’t smile for the moment. She was more gauging his reaction about sitting that close to an actual vampire.

“Actually, Maxwell, I’ve been one for about ten months now.”

“So, where do you live?”

Raphael and Seth took trips carrying a bowl of salad, scalloped potatoes, and macaroni and cheese, setting them on the table and returning with a bottle of wine. Palina walked in the room and only then did Raphael open the bottle, pouring it into glasses, which were given to Palina, Seth, Raphael and Tessa.

“Where is our wine?” Melody asked.

“I must have forgotten,” Seth said. He left, returning with a bottle, which was sparkly on the inside. When it was opened, it smelled very much like sparkling grape juice. It might have been better if Tessa had that instead.

“This is some spread,” Tessa said.

“Do you eat real food?” Melody asked.

“Sure, I do. You’re all too nice to feast on.” She laughed.

“Good, because Melody would taste very sour,” Maxwell said with a smirk.

Melody’s eyes narrowed, but Raphael quickly said, “Now, children. How many times have I told you not to argue at the table?”

Maxwell’s eyes immediately narrowed. “I know, Uncle,” he said, scowling.

“That would be horrible if your face got stuck like that, Maxwell,” Tessa said. “I’m sure your uncle doesn’t want to hear what I eat or don’t eat. It’s not exactly dinnertime talk.”

The food was passed around and Tessa opted for a leg, hoping it might at least be a little underdone, but as she sank her teeth into it, no such luck. The flavor of the spices was quite pleasant and tasted as smoky as it smelled. She forced herself to eat at least a small portion of the other food, not wanting to feel too sick in the stomach since she wasn’t all that used to real food anymore.

After they had finished dinner, Raphael and Seth cleared the table.

It was nice to see the alpha and his friend helping since Palina was very up in years, but her eyes were brighter than most people she knew half that age.

“I’m real happy that you’re here, Tessa,” Palina said. “I wasn’t before, but I am now.”

“Because you thought I was some kind of depraved and blood-thirsty beast?”

Melody and Maxwell giggled. “That’s what I thought,” Maxwell said. “And you’re prettier than I thought, too.”

“Thank you, Maxwell.”

“Do you have any children?”

“No, but your teacher, Katlyn, is my very best friend and she has two beautiful babies I can spoil.”

“Are you going to be my uncle’s mate?”

“Maxwell, that will be enough,” Palina censored the boy.

“I wasn’t planning to come here to be anyone’s mate. I just wanted to live on my own and have some privacy so I can figure things out.”

“Oh, I was wondering since you seem like you’d be a good mother.”

What was this boy hinting at? “Does your mother live here?”

Raphael froze in his tracks on his way back to the table.

From the shocked and speechless looks of Palina and Raphael, not to mention the hurt look on Maxwell’s face, Tessa knew she had overstepped herself. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” She then stood. “I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

“No,” Maxwell began. “They told me my mother left when I was only a baby, but I wonder if that’s the truth. I can’t think why my mother would leave like that. Mothers don’t just leave.”

“That’s not true,” Melody countered. “If she left it had to be because she didn’t want to be a mom.”

“You don’t know that!” he shouted.

“My mother never left, but she might as well have since she stayed gone so much. Luckily, my sister, Ariel, was there most of the time. She was more of a mother to me.”

Maxwell grumbled at that. He got up from the table and headed out the front door with a slam.

“I’m really sorry,” Tessa apologized. “I didn’t know.”

“I should go after him,” Melody said, “just in case he gets himself into trouble.”

After Melody left, Tessa thanked Palina for a lovely dinner and she went after the children. She no more was out the door than Raphael was on her heels.

He reached out and grabbed Tessa’s arm, and she practically came unglued. “What?”

“Whoa, you don’t have to bring out your fangs. I just wanted to tell you that it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know about Maxwell’s mother, and I don’t know all that much, either. I was told she left when he was a baby, but not why.”

Tessa had forgotten Raphael had mentioned that to her before. “Well, somebody knows and they need to tell that boy the truth. He’s lost his father, and it’s only natural for him to wonder about his mother.” She walked a few more steps and said, “I’ll go after the children. Please don’t follow me.”

Raphael just stood there as she made her retreat in search of the children. Her vampire instincts told her they were about two hundred yards from her. As she advanced toward them, she heard a man swear under his breath.

“Where is your mama?” a man asked.

“Stop, you’re h-hurting me!” Melody shouted.

By the time Tessa was on them, the man had disappeared in the trees. Tessa ran to her side and went down on one knee, asking, “Are you okay?”

“Yes. I should have shifted and tore that man’s face apart with my beak.”

“What happened?” Maxwell shouted as he joined them.

“It was Jason Traxler. He wanted to know where my mama is—like I’d know. I haven’t seen her since my dad took me here to live.”

“Let’s go back to the cabin. It’s not safe if that man is lurking around. Your dad and Maxwell’s uncle needs to know about Jason being on Silver Creek land.”

Tessa took both Melody’s and Maxwell’s hands and brought them back inside. “Jason Traxler was just outside,” Tessa announced.

“What?” Raphael said.

“He grabbed my arm,” Melody said. “He’s looking for Mama.”

Seth took his daughter into his arms. “Are you okay, Pumpkin?”

“Yes, but it hurt real bad.”

“Where were you when this happened, Maxwell?” Raphael asked disapprovingly.

“It’s not his fault. That man has no right to be here. Perhaps you should look for him before he causes more problems,” Tessa said.

“I wasn’t that far away from Melody,” Maxwell said with clenched fists. He then ran into a room and slammed the door.

“Great, this is all I need. Maxwell mad at me again.”

“I can understand your anger, but you’re misplacing it right now,” Tessa stated. “Are you going to look for Jason or am I?”

“Why haven’t you already?” Tessa gave Raphael a dirty look and he quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. Of course you were more concerned with bringing the children back.”

“Yes, and I only came upon Maxwell and Melody. By the time I got there, he was gone.”

Raphael and Seth were out the door in an instant. Palina pushed a button on the wall and a siren went off. Tessa put her hands over her ears. “What the hell?”