A Chase of Prey (A Shade of Vampire #11)(16)

“I just worry about you,” I said, kissing his cheek. “It’s been almost two decades since Mom passed away. I want to see you with another woman in your life, someone who deserves you. You’re a vampire now… and forever is a long time to be alone.”

There was a pause. I felt his chest constrict beneath me, and I felt a drop of water—a tear—drop onto my shoulder. But I didn’t look up, in case he’d feel embarrassed that I’d caught him crying in front of me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him cry.

He cleared his throat, though I could tell that he struggled to keep his voice steady as he said, “I’ll find someone, Sofia. I promise.”

Chapter 10: Aiden

I hadn’t dared go to the lake again since the day I’d spotted Adelle and Eli there in the boathouse. That same boathouse where I’d initially intended to ask her out. It seemed that it was a regular haunt of theirs, because Claudia had told me she’d spied them there on several occasions since. But now, as I took a walk through the woods, my mind more absent than present, I found myself passing by it.

I stopped short, straining my ears for any indication that they might be down there. Once I felt confident that they weren’t, I started down along the path toward the lake and stopped at its bank. This lake was one of my favorite parts of the island, perhaps even more than the beaches. It held a serenity that affected my entire being.

I recalled the words my daughter had spoken to me. Mention of her mother had cut me to the core. Sofia was right that after what had happened to Camilla, I’d thought I’d never be able to open up to another person again. She’d ripped an open wound in my heart I’d thought would never heal. Perhaps it wouldn’t—not fully—and anyone who came after her now would be a layer on top. Perhaps, deep down, I always would be cut.

Although I’d rather be with nobody than someone who wasn’t right for me, I’d meant it when I told my daughter that I would find someone.

I sat down on one of the benches that afforded the best view of the lily-speckled lake and closed my eyes, breathing out slowly.

If I was to have any hope of fulfilling my promise, the first thing I had to do was let go of Adelle. Holding on was stupid. It would only cause me pain and make me harbor ill feelings toward Eli. Eli deserved Adelle—he’d gotten to her first, after all. If I really cared for Adelle, I would feel happy for her and Eli.

I swallowed hard, determined to no longer feel resentment toward Eli. It felt like an impossible feat, but Eli hadn’t done anything wrong. Hell, he hadn’t even known I was pursuing Adelle.

It was my own damn fault for arriving late to the party. I should go and congratulate him, just to help myself get over this.

Adelle and I could still be friends, though I doubted that the awkwardness would ever disappear. And I knew that I would be inclined to seek her out less now, if for no reason other than self-preservation.

There was no denying that it was the end of an era for Adelle and me. Although it filled me with melancholy, I didn’t see how it could be avoided.

I stood up and started walking again, back toward my penthouse. But as I passed the boathouse, I stopped. My ears picked up on splashing, and the sound of scrubbing. Since it didn’t sound like the type of noise Eli and Adelle would make, I approached the door of the boathouse and peered inside.

A woman with her back turned to me was crouched down over the edge of the boathouse, dipping clothing into the water and scrubbing it against the floorboards. As I inched closer, I realized that she was a werewolf, for her features weren’t entirely human. She had curly blonde hair that touched the sides of her face and an athletic build, her arm muscles tensing as she beat her washing against the floorboards.

Now that my curiosity had been satisfied, I was about to back away unnoticed, but I took a misstep and ended up standing on a loose floorboard, which creaked. Her blue eyes shot toward me. Now that I saw her face fully, I realized that she was pretty. She had a slight splash of freckles, plump lips and thick eyelashes.

“Oh, hello,” she said, looking me over briefly before going on with her washing.

“Hi, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“That’s all right,” she said, clenching her jaw as she began beating her clothes furiously against the wood again. I was surprised that they hadn’t disintegrated already. It looked like she was trying to murder them. I stepped further back as drops of water sprayed everywhere. “My name’s Kailyn.”

“Aiden.”

“Oh, I know who you are.” She cast another glance back at me over her shoulder. “A word of advice. Never let Brett sit behind you while he’s eating. Or at any time really. He sprays all kinds of strange substances.”

I chuckled. “Thanks for the warning.”

“You’d have thought I’d have learned my lesson by now,” she grumbled, holding up a dress and examining it.

“We have washing machines, you know.”

She looked up at me, frowning. “Washing machines?”

“Yeah. I’m pretty sure the townhouses you’re staying in are already equipped with them.”

“Oh.” She stood up, straightening out her clothes over her arm. “I think I know what you’re talking about, actually. In the kitchen area, beneath the sink. No idea how to use it though, and neither does my sister. In fact, I doubt any of the wolves are using this human technology you’ve given us. We’re all too stuck in our ways of doing things. Unless you want to show me?”