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The feel of his flesh beneath my teeth sent shivers through me and I heard a small growl build in his throat. As my fangs pierced his shoulder, warm life spilled into my mouth. Michael tensed then relaxed into a moan. He was enjoying this as much as I was. I bit down a little harder, reveling in the surge of power. At the soft pull on my hair, I released, afraid I had actually hurt him.
"I'm sorry!" I gasped, wiping blood from my lips and searching his eyes, expecting to see pain. Instead, I found a fire burning brighter than I had ever seen before. His hand took mine from my face and placed it on his chest. It was hot and firm, making my own body yearn for him more.
Michael leaned in and kissed my bottom lip, staining his own crimson. He licked gently and I held my breath. He was okay with this? It didn't make him uncomfortable that I had a thing for blood? Almost as if he could read my thoughts, Michael moved in and kissed me again, deeper this time. His tongue traced my lips, his hand firmly but gently cradling my cheek. My desire was growing. I wanted him. Needed him.
His lips moved to the crease in mine and across my cheek. My eyes drifted shut, my heart racing. I tilted my head to the side as his kissed nipped at my neck and toward my collarbone. A small rumble grew within me and escaped as a light growl. I felt him grin against my skin, pleased with my reaction to his touch. In all truth, I was more than pleased. I delighted in every hot breath, every tender kiss.
Michael's hands found my back and he pulled me closer to him. My body eagerly succumbed to his request. The tiny clearing we occupied was silent. The air was heavy, hungry. Desire pierced the night and pricked at my skin.
His lips at my throat once more, Michael kissed deeply at the faded scar across the hollow of my neck. "It never would have happened if I had been there," he had once told me. I knew he meant it but doubted it would have made a difference in the eyes of the Elders.
The feel of his chest pressing against mine stopped the painful memory and caused me to jump. Michael froze. "I'm sorry," he said as he sat back.
"No!" I nearly shouted. "I mean... It's not you. Please, don't stop."
His olive eyes shone confusion and concern. "Kiya, what is it?" Brow furrowed, he took my hands in his, lacing our fingers together. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" I nodded and glanced at our hands. I was so pale and small compared to him. We were different in so many ways.
"I know..." I began. "It's just the past; memories I can't erase." I bowed my head in apology. "I'm sorry. I--"
Michael's mouth found mine before I could finish. He kissed deeply, begging me to stop. His hands held the back of my neck as he leaned forward and laid me back against the soft earth. Nipping at my bottom lip, he knelt above me and looked deep into my eyes. "That was then," he said softly. "I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you."
I nodded and he smiled back, that smile that I couldn't resist. This time, I kissed him. I felt him exhale with desire. He growled softly in my ear and whispered, "I love you."

***

The screech of an alarm shook me out of my dream-filled sleep and brought me back to reality. I was back in my apartment, laying on my couch, and completely alone. Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to go back to Michael's warm embrace. No dice. With a sigh, I opened them again and swung my feet to the floor. It was nice while it lasted.
I glanced at my calendar as I walked into my room. A sad reminder. Eight weeks had passed since that night in the clearing and no one had seen or heard from him since. I took the news with a grain of salt each time, given my contacts, but it was getting harder and harder to quiet the fear within me. It just wasn't like him to disappear like that. He would have told someone where he was going.
I dressed quickly in my usual jeans and a tee shirt before checking the fridge for some breakfast. A small red light blinked from the kitchen counter. A message? Maybe it's...? My heart jumped to my throat as I picked up my phone and dialed my voicemail.
"You have two new voice messages," the machine reported. "First voice message.... Hey Kiya! It's Laurie. Listen, the girls and I are planning a little get together tonight and we were wondering if you wanted to come. You've been in a real funk lately and we think this will help cheer you up. See you at Viv's around ten!" My heart sank back down. That was definitely not the message I was hoping for and that last line left a sour taste in my mouth.
Laurie Parsons- the bubbly, twenty one year old cosmetologist- spent every waking minute of the day trying to be everyone's best friend. Even if it meant she made the choice for them. I hit the erase button, secretly wishing it would erase her too, and listened to the second message.
"Kiya. It's me. You need to call me back. Now." The phone clicked loudly as the urgent message ended and I held it away from my ear.
"What the hell, Cody?" I deleted his message and looked through my missed calls. He had called eighteen times in the last hour. "Wonder what's gotten into him." I rolled my eyes as I dialed his number. The phone rang once and I heard the line pick up on the other end.
"Kiya, it's about Michael." My world froze. Cody's voice was frantic and he was clearly in a lot of pain. He had been Michael's best friend for thirteen years and was the first to believe foul play. "Kiya? Are you there?"
I nodded for a moment before I remembered that I was on the phone. "Yeah... I'm here." My lungs began to work again despite the crushing pressure not on my chest. "What is it? Have you heard from him? Is he back?" I rambled.
"Easy, Kiya. First thing's first. I don't have much time or much information but this is what I know: Michael got back into town around sunset. He seemed on edge but otherwise fine. Look, Kiya... I think it's best you leave town."
I blinked, taken aback. "What?"
"Just... Trust me. Please."
"Cody, I can't just skip town knowing he's back! I have to see him!" The line went silent and I was starting to get the sneaking suspicion that he wasn't being fully honest with me. "Why do you want me to leave so badly?"
"Trust me. Get out while there's still time." Before I could object, he hung up. Angrily, I smashed the end-call button and slammed my phone to the counter. "I'm not leaving!" I yelled back, as if he could hear me. My car keys called to me from my bedroom. I had to see Michael. i had to know for myself that he was alright.
My steps fell silent on the hardwood floors as I crossed through the living room to my bedroom. Every sound seemed muted and every color dulled as my thoughts darkened. "Why do you even care? He's not your mate and never could be. You know you had to end it anyway. Consider this a blessing in disguise. He's done the hard part for you." I found my keys on my dresser but couldn't bring myself to pick them up.
"But he loves you. So what if you can't be together? That doesn't make him any less important," my thoughts tried to reason. Sadly, the argument for still seemed lacking. "...Would he come see you?"
A loud crash from the kitchen pierced my thoughts and I spun around to the hallway. "s**t!" a male cursed quietly from the kitchen. My eyes narrowed to slits and I crouched in a defensive position out of instinct. A second voice scolded the first gruffly. "Watch it! Clumsy pup!"
Wolves. Not good. I dashed to the sliding glass door to the balcony, swiping my keys on the way. The door whined an alert to the intruders as it slid open. "Damn it!" No time to hesitate now. I swung my legs over the rail and prepared myself to jump. Suddenly, three stories up seemed so much higher than it usually did. My lungs filled deeply and I pushed myself off the balcony. The wind swept past my ears and the ground rushed up to meet me. Then everything went black.