Chapter 8 – Violet
Chapter Eight
Violet
Work is just as packed as always, and I weave in and out of humans and supernatural creatures to deliver drinks.
Bryant accompanied us to the club because he wanted to keep watch for Flint and his men. He ends up sitting in one of the corner booths, nursing the same bottle of beer for hours.
No matter where I am in the packed club, I can feel his eyes on me.
Fortunately, my wolf only handed back control right before I had to be at work. By the time I showered and changed, it was time to go. That means the three of us are in for an awkward conversation as soon as my shift ends.
I’m run-down and achy in a way I’ve never been before.
My shift goes on without any mercy, but I’m distracted by why I feel so shitty.
It could be that my wolf stayed in shifted form for too long, thus draining my energy reserves in the process.
Or maybe it’s that I haven’t had a drop of blood in what feels like forever, even if I technically fed from Fergus two nights ago.
It wasn’t like I gorged during that feeding, so that could be it.
I just need a fresh meal.
It could also be that my body is sluggish from trying to digest all the food my wolf devoured. She overdid it because she wanted to eat directly from Bryant’s hand, which is sweet.
Fated mates often hand-feed one another, but I’m not sure how I feel about gaining two mates in one day.
They’re both stupidly hot.
Fergus seems to be on board for the long haul, which is a good thing, considering I bonded him. Without the spell he put in place to block my ability to sense the connection, it’s like I yearn to be close to him.
I can feel him at the edge of my mind, and it’s strange, but I also like it.
I don’t know.
It’s confusing.
I grab the empty glasses off the table I’m busy clearing when something slams into my arm. I’m not sure if that was my fault or the man dancing at the edge of the dance floor, but either way, the glasses go flying as the tray flings out of my hold.
Fortunately, the guests already left the table, but the sound of glass breaking and the tray clanging against the table makes my face heat.
If I was at full power, I probably would have been able to grab them before they hit the floor. Today is just not my day.
“You should watch out,” a male voice says from behind me.
I spin around, and my jaw falls.
Bryant snatches the man up with a hand around his throat, lifting him into the air. “I would give you the same advice. You ran into her. Not the other way around.”
“It’s no big deal,” I say, trying to defuse the tension. “Just put him down. It’s not worth the trouble.”
Bryant growls in the man’s face, his eyes lighting with his wolf. “That’s my mate. Be careful how you treat her, or you’ll deal with me.”
“It was just an accident,” I say as the man claws at Bryant’s wrist.
Part of me is seriously screwed up.
Seeing him defend me is sexy but also unnecessary. I also don’t want to cause a scene at work. At the very least, I don’t want to make this worse than it already is.
Reign, one of Greer’s mates, makes his way through the crowd, and I frown.
Dammit.
Chaos has a no-fighting policy.
I don’t know if what Bryant is doing qualifies as that, but I don’t want him to get in trouble or to be banned from the premises.
Greer zips to my side, using her vampiric speed. “What’s going on?” Her head tilts. “Isn’t that one of the guys from the table you ditched last night?”
So much for being able to come to terms with things on my own time.
“Bryant saved me last night,” I say, trying to keep my voice low enough that no one around us will be able to overhear. “I’m also pretty sure he’s my mate.”
Greer turns to face me, burying her face in my neck. “Whoa, no shit. You smell exactly like Fergus. Did the two of you bond? I had no idea things were that serious between you. Also, did you say the alpha wolf is your mate?”
“She is,” Bryant confirms.
“Yes, well, either way, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to put down that man,” Reign says to Bryant.
This is just great and totally on par with my luck recently.
Bryant follows me as I take the long hallway that connects Chaos and Rut.
The floor is carpet, and it’s dimly lit. It’s much more dungeon-like than any of the other parts of the club, but stomping on the carpet isn’t nearly as fulfilling as stomping against concrete.
I’m not sure I’m even upset with him, but I didn’t like getting a lecture from Novak and Reign about the club policy. They really should have directed their ire at Bryant, but I’m glad they didn’t permanently ban him from the premises, which was a real fear for a few minutes.
“Hey,” he says, grabbing my arm and spinning me to face him. “Are you angry with me?” His head tilts, and he looks so confused that it’s hard to be frustrated with him.
I shake my head. “I’m going to find Fergus. I’ve been sluggish and off all afternoon. I need to feed.”
“I’m right here,” he murmurs, running his thumb over my wrist. “If you’re hungry, it’s my job as your mate to provide whatever you may need.”
“Wolves don’t like feeding vampires.” I look up at him from under my lashes, and Bryant surprises me by backing me against the wall.
“That doesn’t apply to mates.” His forearm comes to rest over my head while his other hand lands on my hip. “I might have to squat for you to be able to reach my throat.”
“Throat biting is how I accidentally bonded Fergus,” I say, before I can hold back the words.
“Ahh, yes, I did know that.” He grins a dangerous smile that makes my heart thump erratically.
“You’re right. We should save that special moment for when we’re somewhere private, so we won’t be rushed.
” His warmth pushes against my front as he pulls his hand from my hip, offering me his wrist. “Bite me, little wolf.”
My wolf preens just like she does every time he calls her that, but I’m starving and run-down. My fangs slide out as my vision takes on a slight red tinge at the edges.
Oh, shit.
I’m even hungrier than I realized.
Bryant holds his wrist a few inches in front of my mouth.
I grab his forearm, tug his wrist closer, and strike. It’s instinct to know exactly where to dig my canines in to hit rich, delicious blood.
I don’t purposely dose him with my venom, but Bryant’s eyelashes flutter, and he groans, signaling there’s a good chance that I did.
He shoves his knee between my thighs, flattening his front to mine even more fully. He rests his head against mine, and his warm breath fans over my ear. “Shit, Violet. I had no idea being bitten felt like this.”
I swallow down sips of his decadent blood while giving myself a stern pep talk about not overdoing it. He just tastes so fucking good.
I still force myself to retract my canines, swiping my tongue over the bite to clean and seal it. His natural healing would have done it if I didn’t, but it seems rude to leave him bleeding.
Bryant pulls his arm away and cradles my cheek, tilting my face up to his.
My eyes transition back, and my fangs recede. “Thank you. I was starving—” My words end up muffled by his lips as he kisses me. His fingers dig into my jaw as he plunges his tongue into my mouth.
Bryant’s woodsy scent floods my nose, and he grinds me into the wall. He has to be able to taste the traces of his blood still coating my mouth, but he doesn’t let that stop him from thoroughly devouring me.
The man can kiss, and my wolf sends me a barrage of images that are so inappropriate, I gasp. Okay, so she has a hardcore crush on Bryant’s wolf, much in the same way that I’m ridiculously attracted to the man.
He nips at my lips and pulls back. “The urge to mount you right here in the hallway was getting too strong. We should find the mage. It’s time to call it a night.”