Chapter Eight
Nita leaned against the side of her cabin, watching as several of her pack flew up the mountain and disappeared into the trees behind Vlad.
She knew they would never catch the Impaler. He was far too old and clever for that.
Jerking the door open, she disappeared inside her cabin and engaged the locks, her breath pumping in and out of her chest as if she’d run for miles.
“What am I doing?” she murmured aloud, stopping to look at herself in the mirror on the wall.
A smear of blood running from her neck to her mouth caught her attention, and she wiped at it with trembling fingers. The wounds of his bite had already healed, but the memory of him feeding from her would forever remain.
Nita rushed to the bathroom and stripped out of her clothes. She’d almost had sex with a vampire. And not just any vampire, but Vlad the damn Impaler.
Turning on the shower, she quickly stepped beneath the spray, fighting the panic that threatened to consume her.
How could she have allowed him to touch her in such a way? Allow? she silently admonished. Hell, she’d practically begged him to take her.
Her nipples still ached, and her pussy continued to throb with need.
Tears gathered in her eyes as she fought to clear her mind of his lips on hers, his taste and scent, the feel of his rigid cock rocking against her.
With the warm water sluicing down her body, Nita slowly slid to her knees in defeat.
The howling outside echoed in her ears, but nothing compared to the heat swirling through her body.
Nita coasted her hand down her stomach to her throbbing center, wringing a moan from her lips as her fingers came in contact with her swollen clit.
“Vlad,” she whispered, envisioning his hands on her body, taking her to a pinnacle of pleasure she feared only he could fulfill.
The orgasm that exploded within was instant and without warning. It seized her, controlled her, and conquered her.
Nita wasn’t sure how long she knelt there, riding out her release in contractions of beautiful bliss before reality set in. She’d once again climaxed with Vlad the Impaler at the core of her fantasy.
She rose on unsteady legs and stood under the water for what seemed an eternity before grabbing the shampoo to finish her shower.
It had to be the blood they’d shared causing her temporary insanity. Nita would go see the Shaman in the morning and rid herself of Vlad’s mark. Even if it killed her.
* * * *
Nita awoke to the sounds of birds chirping in nearby trees. The sun streamed through her blinds, accenting the tiny dust particles floating in the air.
Throwing her feet over the side of the bed, she stood. Thoughts of the night before seemed a distant memory in her mind.
She unconsciously touched the place on her neck where Vlad had bitten her, but no evidence of the bite remained.
Pulling her dark curls back into a ponytail, Nita slipped on a pair of jean cutoff shorts and a red tank top before dropping into a chair to don her running shoes.
Stumbling to the bathroom to brush her teeth, she glanced at the tub in more than a little shame.
What happened the night before would never happen again. Of that, Nita was certain.
A knock sounded from the front room.
“Just a minute,” Nita called, checking herself in the mirror to be sure no lingering signs of Vlad remained.
She hurried to the door and pulled it open. The sight of her mother standing there, holding a box of donuts brought a smile to Nita’s face. “Good morning, Mom. Come in.”
“Morning, Nita.”
Stepping back to allow her mother entrance, Nita accepted the donuts and closed the door behind her. “Have a seat. Would you like some coffee?”
“I’d love some,” her mother agreed with a warm smile.
Nita set the donuts on the small table next to the couch and disappeared into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. Though grateful her mother hadn’t mentioned her scent, she knew it was coming.
Virginia Franks was no longer youthful, but she carried herself in a regal manner. Her gray hair was pinned back in a neat twist, and her soft brown eyes still sparkled with life. She had a smile for everyone and a loving heart.
Returning to the living room a few minutes later, Nita took a seat on the couch and set her mother’s cup of coffee on the table in front of her.
“Tell me about the vampire,” Virginia began without preamble.
Nita took a deep breath and met her mother’s gaze. “I was shot yesterday on the mountain after being caught in a bear trap. Vlad saved my life.”
“What?” Virginia cried, nearly spilling her coffee. Oh, my God, baby. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Nita assured her. “I wouldn’t be alive right now if not for Vlad. He—”
“The Impaler?” Virginia interrupted, her face pale as a sheet.
Nita nodded. “Afraid so.”
Virginia turned in her seat and laid a hand on Nita’s arm. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to see the Shaman this morning. There has to be something he can do.”
Tears sprang to Virginia’s eyes. “You plan on asking him to bleed you? It’s too dangerous, baby. You can’t do that.”
Nita took a sip of her own coffee before answering. “It may be the only way, Mom. I’m the leader of this pack. I can’t lead my people while the enemy’s blood flows in my veins.”
“Then don’t lead,” Virginia pleaded, wrapping both of her hands around her daughter’s. “Let someone else be alpha, honey.”
Nita pulled away and stood. “Daddy would roll over in his grave if he heard you say that. It is my birthright to lead the Kiana pack as my father did and his father before him. How could you even say such a thing?”
Virginia rose as well. “I would rather you live than lead, my daughter.”
“I am the daughter of Ronan Franks, heir to his legacy. I am no coward, and I will not shame his name by running from my responsibilities. I will go to the Shaman, cleanse myself of this vileness, and come back stronger than ever.”
“But—” Virginia began, only to be interrupted by Nita’s low, confident voice.
“My future children will not be cheated out of their rightful place in our pack. Not if I can help it.”
The tears swimming in Virginia’s eyes spilled over to track down her cheeks. “You were always the strong one. So much like your father.” She reached up and touched Nita’s face. “I love you, sweetheart, and I will stand with you, no matter what you decide to do.”
Nita wrapped her mother in a hug. “I love you too, Mom. With all my heart.”
Her mother pulled back. “Would you like for me to go with you to see the Shaman?”
Nita shook her head. “Thank you, but this is something I must do alone.”