My eyelids fluttered.

A heavy darkness had settled around me. My limbs felt numb; lifeless. I attempted to lift them against the weighted black, but they refused to budge even an inch. A number of whispers erupted and filled my ears. I willed my head to move. Like my limbs, it remained motionless as I managed to open my eyes.

Flames. A hand holding a torch. Muscular fingers brushed hair from my face.

“Adrian?” I whispered.

“There is no Adrian here,” replied a husky voice.

I gasped as my eyes focused on the werewolf kneeling down in front of me. Shoulder-length shaggy brown hair framed an intense face. How did I get here? My forehead and temples pulsed as if I had been struck with a bat. The back of my neck throbbed. A growl detonated from my gut that indicated my level of hunger was critical. As my eyes continued to focus further, I recognized my surroundings. Now I could remember: I had wandered into the werewolf cave without an invitation, yet I remained alive.

“I'm sorry, I...” My words failed me.

“You seem to have suffered some kind of spell. Here.”

The shifter held out a live squirrel. I cringed, but cradled it in my hands and brushed the top of its head. It seemed to calm down immediately. The shifter watched me with interest as I bowed my head, pressed it against the soft fur, and tearfully whispered my vegan prayer. The squirrel didn't twitch in my hand. It remained limp and docile, completely at the whim of my power.

I raised a curious eyebrow as I opened my eyes to inspect its fur. That was strange. I had never been able to change the will of a living creature prior to this moment. Was it due to my ingestion of its blood? I had already drank one of the precious little night creatures before leaving the castle. Perhaps my ability was caused by feeding properly.

And just imagine what else I might be able to do, I reflected.

My eyes flitted up to the group of werewolves watching me with wide, round eyes. Their nudity caused me to flush and I looked back down at the squirrel I was cradling. Though my stomach was growling, my soul was screeching. I still wasn't comfortable doing this. However, it was necessary to my survival. I gulped, mechanically opened my mouth, and proceeded to sink my teeth into the creature's fur. It didn't flinch or attempt to skitter away. It simply succumbed.

After a long, satisfying suck, I set the limp squirrel down on the dry floor of the cave as I battled between the urge to both laugh and cry. I licked my dry lips, savoring the salty taste of nourishment while also furrowing my brows at the thought that a creature of the earth had satiated me. I was a horrible vegan to feed on such an innocent creature, to steal its life from it against its will. But were these werewolves any better? They did just the same.

“This one looks weaker than the others,” commented the husky shifter standing in front of me.

“This one can hear you,” I snapped.

His large brown eyes focused on me suddenly, causing my cheeks to flush red and my thighs to twitch. I shifted nervously on the hard floor. His gaze was intense, as if it were washing through every single fiber of my being. Every bit of tension in my neck and shoulders increased to an almost unbearable height before giving way beneath the weight of those incredible, intense eyes.

“Feisty. I like that,” announced one of the shifters from the left.

I glanced at him briefly before averting my gaze. The pecks of his chest glistened with sweat from the torch light as my thigh muscles begun to tremble. My stomach growled and I held it gently, frowning down at it.

“I'm sorry. I'm not sure why I'm still hungry,” I squeaked.

The shifter standing in front of me held out another squirrel and I accepted it gratefully. Another prayer. Another pet. A little bite, softer this time. I wondered if there was a way to not kill… I relaxed against the wall as my eyes refocused on the one who was handing me sustenance. Had I not been so starved and near death, the moral dilemma of killing and feeding on a living creature would have haunted me more deeply, but as it stood, my mind was too preoccupied with being alive to bother itself with such things.

“I'm Riley,” I sighed. “Again, I'm sorry for intruding. I was trying to hide.”

“My name is Zane,” he spoke calmly. “I am the leader of this pack.”

I held out my hand and spoke confidently, “It's nice to meet you, Zane.”

He regarded my hand curiously, took it, and then lifted me from the ground. I gasped as I stood wearily on two feet. I wasn't sure my dizziness would allow for balance, and I inadvertently leaned against Zane's muscular arm. I blushed, stumbled forward, and quickly fell to my knees.

Great, I thought timidly. I look like a fool in front of an entire group of incredibly attractive, naked men. This is a fantastic start to my freedom.

Without hesitation, Zane lifted me from the ground and propped me up with his arm. I flushed again while regaining my balance and thanked him profusely. His muscles were impeccable. I couldn't help but reach out and squeeze them gently, my fingers falling between the grooves of his defined upper arm. I paused and let my hand drop, wondering what the hell had come over me. Eating squirrels and stroking a stranger’s naked muscles.

Yeah, there was definitely something wrong with me.

“Where are we going?” I inquired.

“To our house, of course,” replied one of the shifters to my right.

“We live in the center of the mountain,” Zane explained.

I cocked my head curiously to one side.

“How did you manage that?” I asked.

“We are capable of skilled trade just like any human, Miss Riley,” he responded pointedly. “Though we become beasts at will, our experience extends beyond our primal nature.”

“I was just curious…”

“Let up on her, Milt. She's just a weakened fang who wants to know how the shifters work,” said one of the shifters to my left.

Zane released an exasperated sigh and opened a door fixed into the wall. I hadn't noticed that before. We’d walked a great length from where I’d been caught, and I wasn't sure how far from the entrance of the cave I had wandered. This might have been one-hundred feet or more into the cave. Then again, it might be much less. The darkness of the tunnel played tricks on my advanced, vampiric brain.

As the door creaked open, it revealed a large living area lit by a collection of electric torches attached to the walls. I admired the craftsmanship. Much of the cave looked like the interior of a home that was made from stone. Murals covered the ceiling surrounding a gold chandelier, covering the expanse of it with colorful portraits and lush scenery. I marveled at the comfortable couches gathered around an HD television. A coffee table sat in the center with a pile of magazines and books. Behind the television, a grand bookcase had been carved into the stone.

“This is our recreation room. It holds a multitude of knowledge about our species as well as other species. We have books in all types of genres from romance to mystery. I think we even have a few science books as well,” Zane announced.

“I do love science,” I commented. “I would have potentially apprenticed as an alchemist at the coven.”

Zane patted my shoulder.

“You are welcome to look at the books provided you don't turn on us,” he offered, a small laugh escaping his lips.

“I wouldn't dare.”

With a nod, he dismissed the accompanying group who shuffled toward a door at the other end of the room. I regarded their nudity once more before averting my gaze to Zane. As long as I kept my eyes above his shoulders, I wouldn't notice the formidable size of his manhood. I swallowed hard at the thought of looking down again.

It wasn't beyond me to admire the beautiful shape of a man. I used to watch the other male runners in the park during my time as a daywalker, occasionally following similar paths to get a glimpse of their muscular backs. I’d never been brave enough to speak to any of them and would run away if they ever said a word to me. But now I had Zane in front of me in all his vulnerable glory, and I felt braver than usual.

“Should you stay, Riley, I should mention the ramifications of this for my pack. The others don't seem particularly excited save for Forrest,” Zane explained.

“I don't intend any harm. I promise.”

“And I can see how genuine your word is, but I must do what's best for my pack,” he insisted.

I nodded my understanding. My body trembled and I still felt weak, though grateful that I was at least still alive.

“If you would give me a chance, I can explain why my word is serious,” I implored. “There's more than me at stake here. The human race might not have a chance without my help.”

“And why is that?” he inquired. He looked amused, as if whatever a young vampling had to say was hardly worth his time.

My eyes flitted with fear as they threatened to burst with angry tears. The memory of what they tried to make me do, of what they would all do at the Centennial de Sang, made me sick with rage. While attempting to formulate a response, my lower lip began to quiver and my legs began to shake. I wasn't sure I'd be able to get it out. I let out a slow breath as my eyes fell to the floor with a horrified look, completely disregarding the fact that Zane was still naked.

“They have this ritual planned,” I choked, while raising my eyes. “And if it is allowed to happen, it would be devastating.”

With a concerned gaze, Zane wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me towards a different door.

“Tell me all about it, Riley,” he soothed. “You're safe now.”