Soundlessly, I force myself to leave his room.Back in the living room, I stare out the window, thinking.Anything to distract from the growing hunger.
Richard asked me to stay a few nights.I shouldn't have agreed.It's too risky – both the truth and the bloodlust.I've managed to side-step further conversation around the details of Arthur's death, but he will only put up with my excuses and re-direction for so long.Still, how could I say no to him, and leave him alone with the grief so fresh?We're all each other has left for family.
A twang vibrates over the mate bond.Wyatt is coming.What will the Pack do once he finds me?
I suppose I'll deal with the consequences of my actions when the time comes.Right now, the need to hunt is pressing.Sneaking out the door, I step out into the night.The woods around me are alive with nocturnal life.Surely, there will be something I can find to eat.
As I go to step down into the yard, the world spins.When it comes back into focus, I see a man and a boy.
"He didn't mean to break the dish, father.It was an accident," the boy says.
"Clumsy brat.Where is he, Wyatt?"
"I sent him out to get firewood."
"Someone's getting punished.May as well be you.It'll teach you to keep your brothers from fucking shit up."The man pulls a whip down from over the mantel...
The world swims around me again, and I stare up at the night sky from where I've landed on my back.
"Andrew!What are you doing out here?Are you okay?"Richard comes over to me."Let me help you up."
"I'm fine."I honestly don't know if I am or not.What the hell was that?
Even with the insistence I'm fine, I let Richard support me as I stand.
"What are you doing out here?"I echo Richard's question.
"Needed a glass of water.I went to check on you on my way back to bed and you were gone.Why are you out here in the middle of the night?"
I vaguely register his response as time distills down to the pulse point in Richard's neck.My fangs drop.Thirsty.Hungry.Need to feed.
Richard must sense something because he stops walking me into the cabin.Leaning away, he observes me by the light spilling from the living room through the open door.Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know he's seeing the monster I've become, but I can only focus on the gnawing hunger.
"I don't want to hurt you," I say, fighting to keep control."But I need to feed."
"What are you?"he asks.
"Please, Richard.I need to drink before I lose control."
His heartbeat thunders, a touch of fear permeating the air.
"Don't run.I don't know what will happen if you do."I don't know… but I can guess.
Instead of going for his neck like I want, I force myself to take his wrist.Bringing it to my lips, I sink my fangs in, much more gently than I would with Wyatt.Warm liquid coats my mouth, quenching my thirst.When the edge is off, I stop drinking and lick the wound closed.Richard doesn't have rapid healing, so he'll wear a scab for a few days.
Without looking at him, I turn to leave.I came here to tell him his son is gone and give him Arthur's things.I've done that.I never should have stayed.He'll hate me now.Fear me.I don't think I can bear to see that in his eyes.
"Where are you going?"
"Wyatt was right.I can't be here.It puts you in too much danger."
"No.You don't get to drink my blood and walk away, Andrew.What the hell, son?This is what you've been keeping from me, isn't it?"
"It's better if I go."
"Get your ass back in that cabin and start talking, boy!"
I stare at his back as he heads through the door.This is not how I expected him to react, although I shouldn't be surprised.Richard never did back down from our challenges as obstinate teens.There's no reason why he'd back down now, even if he is afraid.
