#Chapter Two: When Lies Draw Blood

Sarah‘s POV

I pushed open the door to Madison’s room and groaned. I always saved hers for last when I cleaned, because she always had such a mess.

Madison, also adopted by the Luna Margaret, had been believed to be Andrew’s mate. They seemed to be a perfect match, but on Madison’s 18th birthday. She waited for her mate to reveal himself. Waited for her scent to overpower him and bring him to her or for her to be drawn to him. Neither was so. She discovered she was not Andrew’s mate.

Upon that realization, Andrew hoped to find his true mate at the mate ball.

I thought the ball was a waste of time. People dancing around, hoping that their scent would become so overpowering that they would run into each other’s arms, seemed so lame.

This year’s mate ball just happened to coincide with my 18th birthday. I lifted the oval pendant engraved with ancient writing and a birthday. The silver edges shone brightly from my fingers, caressing it lovingly.

I never took it off, thinking it might be something my parents left for me to remember them by. I wished I could remember them, but there was no memory past the day I was found wandering on the battlefield of Harvest Moon Hill. So many werewolves and vampires died that day. It became legendary.

I set the pendant back down on my pale, cold skin. No one cared that I turned 18 today. I knelt and picked up a red dress discarded without a care. I ran a hand over the silk fabric.

It had been such a long time since I wore something this fine. I tossed it on the bed. Those kinds of thoughts did me no good. So many things were piled up on my shoulders, and the Head Omega never gave me a moment’s rest.

I worked from dawn till dusk, baking bread for breakfast, washing all the wine glasses, hauling out the large wine barrels, and cleaning the rooms.

I hurried around the room and picked up other discarded gowns and stockings. Next, I rolled up two large floral rugs that helped to keep the chill out of the room. I carried them awkwardly to the edge of the room. Then I toddled the heavy, dirty water bucket in between my legs into the room and set it down. I grabbed the mop from the corner, exhausted by the work of the day.

Cleaning Madison’s room was my least favorite chore. I would rather shovel cow shit than clean up after her. I began mopping the polished wood floor. This was the last thing I had to do before I could tuck myself away for the night.

I thought about trying to escape. The idea twisted and twirled in my mind. I had tried several times, but always managed to get caught and brought back. It was annoying living among the largest wolf pack. There were people everywhere all the time.

Madison barged into the room, smacking my hip with the door. I yelped and massaged the bone roughly. She closed the door, dark brown brows stitching together. Her hollow cheeks caused her high cheekbones to cut sharp angles on her face. Her thin lips split her face like a knife.

“Where have you placed my accessories, Sarah? I need to look beautiful for the ball,” Madison said, sailing around me, the delicate layers of pale blue fabric floated up around her.

“Organizing your accessories isn’t my job, so I don’t know,” I said, continuing to mop.

Madison hitched up her gown and kicked the dirty water bucket, splashing the water all over the bottom of my skirt and the floor. Great, the Head Omega would punish me now.

Madison didn’t leave, like I hoped she would after that.

Instead, she poked me in the chest, feeling bold tonight. I looked at her finger, and my mouth watered. Sometimes Madison forgot I was a vampire who could drink her blood.

“You’re a filthy vampire.” She leaned closer. I held my ground.

“Your blood isn’t useful, and one day you’re going to get burned alive.” Madison’s words were cruel. If it weren’t for her lies, I wouldn’t have been bullied by the entire pack. It was Madison who had deliberately provoked the vampires that day in the woods, which led to them going berserk and killing Margaret.

I leaned closer, nose touching Madison’s. “The only one who is filthy is you. You’re a shameful liar, and we both know it.”

Madison swallowed hard and took a step back. She knew even though I was malnourished, I could still hurt her if I wanted to.

“No one believed you that day in the woods, and they won’t believe you now because no matter what, you’re still a vampire even if you smell like a wolf.”

I knew I was nothing more to her than a blood bag for her to drink. Vampire blood worked wonders for healing wounds, though very slowly for Madison, and I had wondered why. I could see the outline of a bandage near her ribs, quilling the seeping of the old wound.

Madison’s mocking attitude ignited my anger and hatred all at once. “I might be a filthy vampire, but I’m a vampire that you need so you can survive. Don’t forget that.”

Madison’s hand raised high and came down hard before I could think. I lunged at her, but just then, Andrew appeared in a black jacket and matching pants tucked into calf-length boots. He grabbed me by the neck.

“You dare harm your family?” Andrew roared, lifting me off my feet.

I grabbed at his fingers. “She’s no family of mine,” I cried.

Madison quickly hid behind Andrew. “As soon as I entered the room, she tried to attack me. I’m so glad you came. I’m terrified of what she could have done to me.”

Madison was lying again, and fury scorched every cell of my body. I was going to rip out her throat and bathe in her blood. I struggled violently to get to her, kicking Andrew in the gut as hard as I could. He grunted and lowered me to my feet as he bent at the waist, still trying to hold my neck as he caught his breath.

I ripped myself away and pushed past him to get to Madison, who was now making a break for it down the hall. I punched out my fangs and charged after her. Andrew reached out a hand to stop me, and I clamped my jaw down on the meaty part of his thumb.

Instantly, wet saltiness liquid coated my tongue, and I gasped in delight. Not fully knowing what was happening. I wasn’t in control. I was so hungry. And his blood tasted so good. I drank deeply, feeling my strength returning. His blood was the most delicious thing in the world. I pulled in another gulp. Andrew’s dark brown eyes were wide, round orbs of disbelief. His finely swept brown hair hung loose in disarray around his face. His sharp jaw was clenched.

In the back of my mind, I could hear someone telling me to let go. That someone was me.