Page 2
Story: Seth
Chapter Two
Seth
Seth put the SUV in park and shut off the ignition, not making any attempt to open the door.His mind drifted back to Aubrey as he drove away from his last class of the day, his movements on autopilot until he reached the one place where he knew he’d be welcomed.He’d never felt as bereft as he did when she walked away from him, and he didn’t fully understand the feeling.Instinct told him that she would be important to him, that he needed her in an elemental way, but he had no idea how to reach her or to get her to trust him.
He looked toward the darkened pine trees to the west that surrounded Kai and Liv’s house, before his gaze traveled farther up.The full moon illuminated the mountainside.His feelings were a jumble as they settled in the pit of his stomach, but a part of him relaxed at the familiar surroundings of home.
An image of Aubrey flashed again through his thoughts.The beautiful dark auburn hair as it curved around her delicate chin, her pale skin with a concentration of freckles around her nose and cheeks, and her dual-colored lips that were natural, untouched.When she tilted the corner of her mouth in the barest hint of a smile, he wanted to slay dragons for her as long as she continued to smile at him like that.
Throughout the years of being immersed in the world of immortals, he’d never once considered the possibility that his future would include him being a mate to one of them.But now it was all he could think about.That wasn’t to say that his attraction to her had anything to do with her being a vampire.He felt as though something righted itself in his world, and she was the missing piece that made him feel whole.Aubrey happened to be a vampire and him human, but Aubrey was who his heart had chosen.
Becoming friends with Kai, then Liv and the rest of the assassins, had been natural to him.And it was ironic that a vampire had taught him the importance of having a connection with others.His parents treated him as a nuisance and made no attempt to hide what they thought until he was old enough to take care of himself.Then they ignored him completely.He’d been self-sufficient at an early age, taking care of himself as far back as he could remember.His parents focused on their business and little else, not even their own marriage.And because of that, he had been an afterthought in their lives.
But when he met Kai, his world changed.It never bothered him that there was something different about Kai.He was the cool next-door neighbor who never aged, never came out during the day, and yet seemed to know everything that happened around the neighborhood even though he never interacted with anyone.
One night, curiosity got the better of him, and he searched for a way into Kai’s house.Seth had been stubborn and impulsive back then and he’d been determined to find what secrets he hid in the gigantic house.But when Seth heard a loud snarl behind him as he fiddled with the downstairs doorknob, his nerves fled and he thought that he would soon be dead.Instead, when he turned around, Kai had a smile on his face and Seth, his body sagging as relief washed over him, impulsively shot out his fist and punched the vampire in the chest.
“Not funny,” Seth said.
“Kid, you should’ve seen your face.”
“It’s Seth, not kid.”
“And I’m Kai.Come on, I’ll show you around.I don’t want you to try to break in and hurt yourself.”
And with that, their friendship had formed.It was tentative at first, but the vampire always answered his questions with honesty and Seth had never once felt anything but safe with Kai.When Kai had fallen for Liv, she had managed to change the dynamic between Seth and Kai.Kai had often said he thought of Seth as a son and would tell him how proud he was.It meant the world to the nineteen-year-old; it still did.And because Seth had come around to spend time with Liv, he had gotten to know the other shifters and vampires and soon they had developed into a close-knit family.He knew that with his immortal family, they cared for him and loved him as he loved them.Hell, they’d bought him an SUV as his high school graduation gift and loaded it with enough gadgets and a bullet-proof body that the president of the United States would feel protected.
Kai and the others had introduced him to what a family truly was, and for that, he would always be grateful.
The cab of the SUV grew colder the longer he sat there, but he couldn’t muster the energy to leave until he thought of a way to get Aubrey to speak to him, to get to know him.He didn’t hear the door open or feel the cold air that rushed inside.But when Kai laid his hand on Seth’s shoulder and squeezed in a familiar way, he shook out of his thoughts and glanced to the left.Kai’s eyes scanned Seth to make sure that he wasn’t hurt, but when his brows drew down in concern, Seth found his voice.
“I met someone.”
Kai’s hand tightened a fraction, but he didn’t interrupt Seth’s explanation.
“Aubrey.She was in class tonight and for the first time in my life, I was drawn to a woman.I was aware of every movement she made.She is different than anyone I’ve ever met, but I fucked up my chance to get to know her.”
“Why do you sound odd?Did she hurt you?”
“No.She’s a vampire.I noticed her the moment she walked in the classroom.It’s like I sensed her.I’ve never felt anything like this before.But before I could talk to her, to get to know her, Emily clung onto me and Aubrey took off before I could explain.”
Seth relaxed as Kai looped his arm around his shoulders and pulled him out of the cab and into a hug.Seth wrapped his arms around Kai and sighed, his jumbled thoughts and emotions calming as Kai’s arms tightened around him.
Before Seth graduated from high school, Kai had kept a physical distance from Seth, never touching him unless it was absolutely necessary.But over the years, due to Liv’s influence more than anything, Kai had become more overt with his emotions.When Kai sensed he needed a hug or to talk, he made time for Seth.His and Kai’s relationship was exactly what he wanted with his own father.After so many years of disappointment, he’d given up the hope that he would have a salvageable relationship with the man that shared his DNA, but had no interest in him.Instead, Kai was his father, not by blood but by circumstance, and he’d never felt more wanted or loved.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”Liv had sidled up to them and put her hand on Seth’s back.
Seth buried his face against Kai’s chest and felt more than heard Kai’s words.“Seth met his mate.She’s a vampire.”
Of course, Liv didn’t react as he expected.Her loud, boisterous laugh echoed around them and Seth found the side of his mouth lifting as he pulled back from Kai’s hug.In the next moment, Liv pressed against him, her light scent surrounding him, and he could feel the happiness radiating from her.He had no idea why this information made her happy, but the tightness in his chest loosened and he hugged her back.
“Yeah, it would be nice to confirm it, but Aubrey disappeared before I could talk to her.”
There was silent communication between Kai and Liv, and Seth waited for Kai to explain through their mind link what happened after class.Although he didn’t really blame Emily—he could’ve told her more emphatically that he never wanted to date her—he could only hope that he didn’t ruin the chance to get to know Aubrey.
“When you talk to Aubrey, you should invite her over.”
“I hope I’ll have a chance.She might not be in next week’s class.If I’ve scared her off, I might need Xander’s help to break into school records and get her information.If that doesn’t work, I’ll get Ax to break into the administrative office for me.”
While Liv laughed, Kai groaned.“Not Ax.Shit, anyone but Ax.”
Liv wrapped her arm around his waist and pulled him toward the front door.“Don’t worry so much, sweetheart—it’ll all work out.Now come inside.Reaper and Ara are over, and Jade cooked her famous lasagna with cheesy garlic bread.”
“I love you guys.”
“We love you, too, kid.”
Seth
Seth put the SUV in park and shut off the ignition, not making any attempt to open the door.His mind drifted back to Aubrey as he drove away from his last class of the day, his movements on autopilot until he reached the one place where he knew he’d be welcomed.He’d never felt as bereft as he did when she walked away from him, and he didn’t fully understand the feeling.Instinct told him that she would be important to him, that he needed her in an elemental way, but he had no idea how to reach her or to get her to trust him.
He looked toward the darkened pine trees to the west that surrounded Kai and Liv’s house, before his gaze traveled farther up.The full moon illuminated the mountainside.His feelings were a jumble as they settled in the pit of his stomach, but a part of him relaxed at the familiar surroundings of home.
An image of Aubrey flashed again through his thoughts.The beautiful dark auburn hair as it curved around her delicate chin, her pale skin with a concentration of freckles around her nose and cheeks, and her dual-colored lips that were natural, untouched.When she tilted the corner of her mouth in the barest hint of a smile, he wanted to slay dragons for her as long as she continued to smile at him like that.
Throughout the years of being immersed in the world of immortals, he’d never once considered the possibility that his future would include him being a mate to one of them.But now it was all he could think about.That wasn’t to say that his attraction to her had anything to do with her being a vampire.He felt as though something righted itself in his world, and she was the missing piece that made him feel whole.Aubrey happened to be a vampire and him human, but Aubrey was who his heart had chosen.
Becoming friends with Kai, then Liv and the rest of the assassins, had been natural to him.And it was ironic that a vampire had taught him the importance of having a connection with others.His parents treated him as a nuisance and made no attempt to hide what they thought until he was old enough to take care of himself.Then they ignored him completely.He’d been self-sufficient at an early age, taking care of himself as far back as he could remember.His parents focused on their business and little else, not even their own marriage.And because of that, he had been an afterthought in their lives.
But when he met Kai, his world changed.It never bothered him that there was something different about Kai.He was the cool next-door neighbor who never aged, never came out during the day, and yet seemed to know everything that happened around the neighborhood even though he never interacted with anyone.
One night, curiosity got the better of him, and he searched for a way into Kai’s house.Seth had been stubborn and impulsive back then and he’d been determined to find what secrets he hid in the gigantic house.But when Seth heard a loud snarl behind him as he fiddled with the downstairs doorknob, his nerves fled and he thought that he would soon be dead.Instead, when he turned around, Kai had a smile on his face and Seth, his body sagging as relief washed over him, impulsively shot out his fist and punched the vampire in the chest.
“Not funny,” Seth said.
“Kid, you should’ve seen your face.”
“It’s Seth, not kid.”
“And I’m Kai.Come on, I’ll show you around.I don’t want you to try to break in and hurt yourself.”
And with that, their friendship had formed.It was tentative at first, but the vampire always answered his questions with honesty and Seth had never once felt anything but safe with Kai.When Kai had fallen for Liv, she had managed to change the dynamic between Seth and Kai.Kai had often said he thought of Seth as a son and would tell him how proud he was.It meant the world to the nineteen-year-old; it still did.And because Seth had come around to spend time with Liv, he had gotten to know the other shifters and vampires and soon they had developed into a close-knit family.He knew that with his immortal family, they cared for him and loved him as he loved them.Hell, they’d bought him an SUV as his high school graduation gift and loaded it with enough gadgets and a bullet-proof body that the president of the United States would feel protected.
Kai and the others had introduced him to what a family truly was, and for that, he would always be grateful.
The cab of the SUV grew colder the longer he sat there, but he couldn’t muster the energy to leave until he thought of a way to get Aubrey to speak to him, to get to know him.He didn’t hear the door open or feel the cold air that rushed inside.But when Kai laid his hand on Seth’s shoulder and squeezed in a familiar way, he shook out of his thoughts and glanced to the left.Kai’s eyes scanned Seth to make sure that he wasn’t hurt, but when his brows drew down in concern, Seth found his voice.
“I met someone.”
Kai’s hand tightened a fraction, but he didn’t interrupt Seth’s explanation.
“Aubrey.She was in class tonight and for the first time in my life, I was drawn to a woman.I was aware of every movement she made.She is different than anyone I’ve ever met, but I fucked up my chance to get to know her.”
“Why do you sound odd?Did she hurt you?”
“No.She’s a vampire.I noticed her the moment she walked in the classroom.It’s like I sensed her.I’ve never felt anything like this before.But before I could talk to her, to get to know her, Emily clung onto me and Aubrey took off before I could explain.”
Seth relaxed as Kai looped his arm around his shoulders and pulled him out of the cab and into a hug.Seth wrapped his arms around Kai and sighed, his jumbled thoughts and emotions calming as Kai’s arms tightened around him.
Before Seth graduated from high school, Kai had kept a physical distance from Seth, never touching him unless it was absolutely necessary.But over the years, due to Liv’s influence more than anything, Kai had become more overt with his emotions.When Kai sensed he needed a hug or to talk, he made time for Seth.His and Kai’s relationship was exactly what he wanted with his own father.After so many years of disappointment, he’d given up the hope that he would have a salvageable relationship with the man that shared his DNA, but had no interest in him.Instead, Kai was his father, not by blood but by circumstance, and he’d never felt more wanted or loved.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”Liv had sidled up to them and put her hand on Seth’s back.
Seth buried his face against Kai’s chest and felt more than heard Kai’s words.“Seth met his mate.She’s a vampire.”
Of course, Liv didn’t react as he expected.Her loud, boisterous laugh echoed around them and Seth found the side of his mouth lifting as he pulled back from Kai’s hug.In the next moment, Liv pressed against him, her light scent surrounding him, and he could feel the happiness radiating from her.He had no idea why this information made her happy, but the tightness in his chest loosened and he hugged her back.
“Yeah, it would be nice to confirm it, but Aubrey disappeared before I could talk to her.”
There was silent communication between Kai and Liv, and Seth waited for Kai to explain through their mind link what happened after class.Although he didn’t really blame Emily—he could’ve told her more emphatically that he never wanted to date her—he could only hope that he didn’t ruin the chance to get to know Aubrey.
“When you talk to Aubrey, you should invite her over.”
“I hope I’ll have a chance.She might not be in next week’s class.If I’ve scared her off, I might need Xander’s help to break into school records and get her information.If that doesn’t work, I’ll get Ax to break into the administrative office for me.”
While Liv laughed, Kai groaned.“Not Ax.Shit, anyone but Ax.”
Liv wrapped her arm around his waist and pulled him toward the front door.“Don’t worry so much, sweetheart—it’ll all work out.Now come inside.Reaper and Ara are over, and Jade cooked her famous lasagna with cheesy garlic bread.”
“I love you guys.”
“We love you, too, kid.”