Chapter 2

“2 years we've been hunting the same vampire” I said as I drove “How the hell does he keep getting aways from us”

“No idea” Samantha said beside me “But we gotta give him credit where it's due. He is one clever leech”

“Or maybe just a lucky one” Adam, my brother and Samantha's mate replied from the back seat.

“Either way” I said “ He's bound to run out of luck sooner or later”

“I'd prefer it to be sooner rather than later. I'm tired of chasing this one vampire and I miss home” Adam said.

“I just miss having some alone time,” Samantha said as she looked back at Adam.

“Get a room” I said as they laughed.

“Worry not big brother, you'll find your mate soon enough”

“Yeah and when you do perhaps you'll learn to live a little” Samantha said.

“Maybe, but until then…”

We were on our way to the mall to get some food. It was past midnight and all the restaurants in this tiny town were already closed.

“Mall food is disgusting, “ Samantha said.

“It's midnight “ I replied “Where else are we gonna get food. All the restaurants are closed, they don't stay open 24/7 and our little hotel doesn't provide any room service”

“Perhaps that's because it's a motel and not a hotel”

“Potatoe, potato” I said as I parked the car in the mall parking lot.

The mall was mostly empty and closed this time of night but a couple of food stalls were open. We decided to go to the one serving burgers and fries and that's when I caught a scent.

“What?“ Adam asked, noticing the change in my stance “You catch something?“

“It's something, yes, but I'm not sure what it is” I said as I began to follow the scent to wherever it might have led me to.

Adam and Samantha shared a look before following me, the food now forgotten.

“You think he found her?' Samantha whispered to Adam.

“Maybe, I don't know “

“You know I can hear you right? Since when has whispering helped? You're within earshot” I said.

“We are trying to have a private conversation “ Samantha said as she rolled her eyes “You see what I mean. Privacy, don't you kiss that”

Adam just chuckled.

The scent led me outside and on to the parking lot and that's when I caught another scent. A familiar one belonging to someone we've been hunting for a while.

“Alex!“ Adam called to me as he caught the scent as well “Is that?“

“William” I replied as my eyes glowed “And the bastard left with my mate”

“Your mate, so it was her scent you were following” Samantha said.

“Yes” I replied as my anger began to rise.

The knowledge that William was with my mate at this very moment doing god knows what made my blood boil. I had to force my beast down, losing composure at this critical time would hinder any chances I had of finding her in time.

“Then we need to find her and fast” Adam said “I'll bring the car around”

I tossed him the keys as he ran to the other side of the parking lot to bring the car around.

“What could he possibly want from her?“ Samantha asked.

“The same thing as always, to drain his victim dry”

“I know but why her specifically? Is it just a coincidence that he targeted your mate?“

“It's fate” I replied “She sure has a wicked sense of humour”

Seconds later Adam arrived and we jumped it. He immediately put his foot on the gas and we were off.

“You got the scent” I asked and he nodded “Good don't lose it”

10 minutes later we were parked in front of a hospital. The lights were still on and a couple of people were bustling inside.

“Wierd, why would he stop here?“ Samantha asked.

“I don't scent her, only William went inside,” Adam said.

“Aye” I replied “let's go check inside”

We went in following William's scent but it just led us back outside through another door and continued down the road in the direction of my mates scent.

“He's following her,” Samantha said.

“Shit” I said as realisation hit me “He's tailing her”

Adam and Samantha turned to sprint back to the car but I decided to run following the scent. My beast was nearing the edge and riding in a car would spell disaster.

I arrived at an apartment complex a couple of minutes before Adam and Samantha.

'It was good that I decided to run' I thought.

William's scent was strong here, which meant that he was still around and hopefully she was still alive.

I followed her scent to one of the buildings and took to the stairs, the elevator wasn't in working order and it probably would have slowed me down.

On the third floor the smell of blood hit me.

“Please don't be her's” I said as I ran to the door.

I didn't even bother with the handle and just kicked the door down.

Before me was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on, but she was uncovered and hovering above her like the leech that he was, William”

He had her pinned beneath her his mouth full of blood, his eyes already changing color.

I let my beast loose.

I lunged and William met me head on. We crashed into the wall with his strength overpowering mine. He had just fed, so of course he had the edge.

I roared in his face and kicked him back and he slammed into the sofa cracking its frame.

I was at a disadvantage in this tiny apartment. William was at his strongest having just fed, meaning he was breaming with power.

To match him I would have to shift but this enclosed space would make manoeuvring a pain and me an easy target.

We play the cards we're dealt.

A second later he was up, his eyes glowing even more fiercely.

“You've finally caught up” he said “And only because I took my time with this one”

My eyes glowed at the remark.

“Is that emotion I sense? Wait don't tell me” he said as he looked at her then back at me “She's your mate? Oh, this is just perfect. No wonder I couldn't resist her. I knew there was something pulling me towards her. Fate huh?“

“Yeah she's a bitch” I snarled and launched myself at him claws, slashing the air with a metallic swoosh.

William ducked under the swipe and punched me in the gut. Pain flared but I didn't let it slow me down. I grabbed his arm and twisted, flipping him over my shoulder and then rammed my knee into his chest, but William just grunted and pushed me off.

He was fast and stronger than me in this form but he eas drunk on blood and he was gloating taking his time, a mistake that would cost him dearly.

“A fine night to die isn't it?“ He said while stretching his neck “I get to kill you and your mate. Talk about luck, at least you'll be together in the afterlife with Bruce”

“Bruce?“ I asked puzzled.

“Yes Bruce, the brave dog over there” He said as he motioned to the dog who lay upon the coffee table. I hadn't noticed him till he mentioned him.

“We're not the ones dying tonight. You're just here to serve as our introduction”

I lunged.

He wasn't paying attention given the distance but I had partially shifted increasing my strength speed and reach.

My claws swept at his neck, severing the head as if by a guillotine. His head hit the floor and rolled beside my mate's now still form, his face frozen in shock.

I'd finally killed the bastard but I couldn't celebrate just yet.

I rushed to my mate and cradled her in my arms. She was cold to the touch, probably due to the blood loss but thankfully still alive.

I tried to sooth her, tried to apologise for not being here sooner but I knew she was confused.

Adam and Samantha arrived not a minute later.

“Is she alright?” Samantha asked.

“She's not” I replied “Grab her clothes, books , phone,laptop, anything important. She can't stay here any longer, it's not safe”

Samantha then rushed to the bedroom and began packing.

“If I had been a moment too late” I began.

“You weren't” Adam cut me “Don't dwell on what could have happened but focus on her. You saved her and she's alive now let's make sure she stays that way”

“Agreed” I replied. Adam always knew what to say.

“I'm done” Samantha said now back holding two big bags.

“Go on then” Adam said “I'll stay to dispose of William and bury the dog. It's the least we can do as he died trying to protect her”

“Bruce!“ My mate said weakly, she was crying, aware that her friend had passed.

“Ssshhh don't worry” I try to soothe her “Adam will bury him respectfully in a good place, you need not worry”

“Let's head out Samantha. We'll meet you back at the hotel” I say to Adam “Then we'll leave first thing in the morning”

“Alright, if you run into any trouble just leave, we'll meet up at the rendezvous point” Adam replied.

“Okay stay safe” Samantha said as she planted a kiss on Adam's lips.

“No” my mate said as I began to carry her out “Please leave me alone, I have nothing “

“Do not worry, I won't let anything happen to you”

“Who are you?“ She said weakly. She was trying very hard to stay awake but I could see that she was losing the battle. I would have to give her a blood transfusion soon. We'll have to get some blood from the hospital on our way back.

“Do not worry “ I said softly “ Where I'm taking you, no one will ever harm you again”