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Michaela

Glancing over at Marley as she slumps down in the passenger seat makes me feel like shit.

I knew that staying with the wolves would be difficult for her, but I wasn’t expecting Chayton to put that no feeding on towns’ people rule in place. Having to drive so far to feed made it harder to keep her fed.

Having to keep her block up all the time is burning through her energy and animal blood doesn’t replace that type of energy.

So here we are, heading nearly an hour away so that we can properly eat. Even being this far away from the wolves puts us at risk, but I need to take care of Marley. I know I’m going against the curfew he put into place four days ago, but I highly doubt they care if we get eaten by wolves.

“How are you holding up?” I ask, turning the music down.

“Not great,” she sighs. “I’m getting lightheaded.”

That’s not uncommon for a younger vampire who has gone too long without blood.

“Well, don’t you worry. I’ll find us some nourishment. You can just sit in the car, and I’ll bring them to you.”

I turn the music up after that. This time, I didn’t tell anyone we were leaving. I didn’t want Liz to know what I was doing. She still doesn’t quite grasp the fact that I’m a vampire. She’s had lots of questions, but she never asks me about how I feed. I assumethat’s maybe a touchy subject for her. So, I don’t volunteer any information.

I pull the car I purchased on the way here into a parking lot outside of a small bar. After turning the engine off, I turn to my sister.

“Wait here.” I’m not worried about leaving her alone. I won’t be that far away from her. If anyone comes to this car to bother her, it wouldn’t end well for them.

She rolls her eyes. “Like I have the energy to move.”

Shaking my head at her, I slide out of the car. I tug at the long sleeves of my black crop top. My curls are pulled up in a high pony at the top of my head. My black leather pants fit like a second skin. Walking into the building, I make my way over to the bar.

I’m in the perfect spot to get a good glimpse of the room.

“What can I get you?” the female bartender asks. Her flannel is unbuttoned so low her tits are nearly falling out onto the bar in front of me.

“Coke and jack please.”

The bartender walks away to fix my drink. I scan the crowd. At the back of the room is a group of about four men playing pool. Decent meal, but they would require more time than I have to give. I’d have to convince only one of them to break away from the pack.

A group of college age girls are swaying to the music on the dance floor. They’d be easy, but from the way every guy in here is eye fucking them, it would be too obvious if I lured them away.

There’s an older guy at the end of the bar. He would be easy, but the amount of alcohol in his bloodstream is too much for Marley.

The bartender comes back and places my drink down in front of me with a napkin underneath. I reach for my cash, but she stops me.

“It’s already paid for.”

“By who?”

“The gentleman sitting in the booth back there.” She smiles before walking away.

I turn around to see who sent the drink. A light brown skinned guy with a cowboy hat on tilts his head in my direction.

“Well, I guess I found my victim.” I lift my glass toward him and then take a deep gulp of the drink.

Sliding off my barstool, I make my way over to the handsome guy. He watches me with every step I take. The energy rolling off him is electrifying. He’s hoping to get lucky tonight.

I slide into the seat across from him.

“Michaela,” I say, holding out a hand.

He places his hand in mine. “Jamieson.”