Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(40)

I reached the end of the walking path before I felt him. He was coming. I didn't dare turn to look for him, knowing it would alert him to the fact that I knew he was following me. Instead, I sauntered along as if I didn't have a care in the world, if only that were true.

A secondary road separated the walking path from the cemetery. There wasn't a car in sight. I crossed into the graveyard, reaching out with my mind to feel for his heady werewolf energy. He wasn't far behind. I wasn't sure why he was following me, and it almost bothered me that I wouldn't get to find out. This was going to be a fast kill; I needed it. I ached for the moment that his blood would flow.

As soon as I stepped into the cemetery, I was hit with a swarm of different sensations. Apparently, not everyone buried within it was at rest. That wasn't my area of expertise though.

I walked slowly through the headstones, reading the names and dates while waiting for the fool wolf to draw closer. It was taking all of my self-control not to spin around and rush him.

Pausing at an elaborate grave with an angel atop the headstone, I closed my eyes and let the power take over. I was confused and more than a little pissed off. This was all just too easy. The idiot didn't have a clue I'd just lured him into a trap. He'd never make it back to his Alpha alive.

Yes, that's right. Just a little bit closer. He moved with stealth, almost silent. His scent was lost on the chilly night air. I felt him as if he were inside me. Every move he made I was able to anticipate before he made it. Closer, just a little bit closer.

When he approached from behind me, I was ready. Catching his hand before it could land on my shoulder, I snapped his wrist before I'd even turned around to face him.

Lashing out with a kick in his gut, he bounced off the headstone opposite us. Part of me expected the cold chill of the undead power to rise inside me, and I was more than pleasantly surprised when I burned only with pure, hot werewolf.

The temptation to reach for my metaphysical side was numb, almost non-existent. I just wanted to feel him struggle and listen to him scream while I tore him to pieces. I leaped on him with claws extended. He went down easy beneath me, letting out a yelp when he hit the hard packed earth and grass.

He felt good trapped under me. I had far more strength than he did, and I knew how to use it. I straddled him, pinning him with an arm against his windpipe. My other hand was poised ready to slice his throat open.

I had the sudden temptation to play with him a little, to draw it out excruciatingly slow. I knew the urge came from the vampire in me, but that made no difference. I was riding a high that was dark and erotic. Once his blood spilled, it would bring about a whole new world of pleasure. I licked my lips in eager anticipation.

“Why are you following me?” I growled down into his face. His eyes were wide with terror. Had he really underestimated me that much? I was insulted.

He made a garbled sound, and I let off just enough so that he could take a breath.

“Dylan thinks you're hiding the hybrid,” he gasped out. I choked off his words before he could continue.

Now I had a name for the unwelcome Alpha. Not that it mattered.

“And, he was stupid enough to send you here alone to check?” I laughed, thoroughly amused. “I love seeing that look in your eyes, that horrifying realization that you guys were all wrong about me.”

He tried to shake his head, but I held his neck pinned too tightly. I wasn't in the mood to chat. Dragging a claw along the side of his neck, I opened up a thick gash that instantly dripped fat crimson drops. Something tightened inside my stomach, almost painfully, as the bloodlust came on strong.

Dipping my fingers in the strong Were blood, I brought my hand to my lips. As soon as I tasted the raw wolf blood, I lost the remainder of my control. On some level, I willingly gave in, following the promise of euphoria and satisfaction.

I tore into him like I was a starving woman presented with a gourmet meal. Blood spattered my face as he thrashed around. It didn't take long for the life to drain out of him. My hands were stained red. There was no conscious thought in my head when I bent to taste his blood again.

There was no high better than this. His strong, living energy wrapped around me as I drew it in. More than that, I just wanted to devour him.

When I'd finished with him, there wasn't much left. His throat was splayed open in a way that would have once made me sick to my stomach. Now I felt little more than the urge to grimace. I fished around in his pocket for a cell phone. It didn't take me long to go through the recently called numbers and find the number for Dylan, the so-called Alpha male.

It barely rang once before it was answered by a low, hurried voice. “Tell me this is good news, Jake. Did you find the O'Brien bitch?”

I waited a few seconds before responding, hoping to instill some worry in him. “Oh yes, he found me. Sadly, he didn't live long enough to report back to you, Dylan. I'm afraid that you have f**ked up by mistaking me for someone that isn't capable of protecting my town and my wolves.”

“Zoey Roberts is your wolf?” He growled in my ear. “She's a goddamn murderous half-breed that isn't either wolf or human. What in God's name is wrong with you?”

“Me? Hey, I'm not the one trespassing on your turf. So save the bullshit. Get out of my town or you're next.” Flipping the cell phone closed with my bloody hands, I almost tossed it down on the body but decided against it.