After he yawned for a second time, he lowered the cover of his computer. The bedroom was small, but adequate, but that wasn’t what he needed.
He stripped off his clothes and embraced the change. His large body grew even bigger. His bones thickened and reshaped. His hands and feet morphed into huge paws, capable of crushing a man to death with one strike. Thick white fur soon covered him. His nose elongated, his face taking on the familiar shape of a polar. A quick shake helped him settle into his new form.
He circled the living room carpet several times, wishing for his huge, reinforced bed back home. If he tried to sleep in the one in the bedroom, he’d break it.
He made himself comfortable on the floor before resting his head between his front paws. Heaving a great sigh, he closed his eyes.
His last thought was of Cassie. What was she doing? She might believe he was gone, but he had no intention of leaving her alone. As soon as he rested, he’d head back. He was already eager to see her.
It was a calculated gamble that she wouldn’t run, at least not yet. She struck him as a woman who would stand her ground and fight, if she thought she could win.
What if the client had contacted another group besides the Brotherhood? There were more hired guns out there. None as good, but they did exist.
Only someone stupid would do that. Their group didn’t condone such things. Anyone trying to gain their services understood the rules. Any contract was exclusive until it was rejected. Most were too smart to test them.
There was always one idiot who thought the rules didn’t apply.
It would be easy enough to walk back out there, stash his stuff, shift, and watch the roadhouse from a distance.
But what if someone saw him and called wildlife control? The last thing he needed was for some idiot to dart him. Drugs didn’t work on him the way they did on normal bears. That only led to panic and gunshots.
It had happened once before, and that was more than enough. Digging bullets out of his own hide wasn’t fun.
Likely he was making a mountain out of a molehill, but the fact that he couldn’t trace the client bothered him. Maybe he wasn’t worried about crossing the Brotherhood at all.
That made him either insane or very, very dangerous. Neither of those choices put him at ease.
Swearing, he shifted back. “Fuck.” He dragged his fingers through his hair and headed to the bathroom. She’d gotten under his skin. Normally nothing could keep him from sleep.
Bears loved a good nap. And vamps usually slept during the day.
Yet here he was, awake when he could be resting, all because of her.
Alexei ducked into his shower and blasted the water. Cold or warm, didn’t matter to him as long as he got clean. Once he was done, he brushed out his wet hair and combed his beard before getting dressed.
He took the time to check his email messages. There was nothing yet. It sucked that he couldn’t take his laptop with him, but he’d be out in the snow for hours and hours and couldn’t risk the machine.
After stowing it safely away, he stuffed an empty waterproof bag in his pocket, one small enough to fit when folded. The only other thing he carried was money. He left the keys on the dresser.
Maybe it was stupid not to lock his door, but if someone was determined to get in, they could break the flimsy lock. Plus, if someone stole from him, they’d leave their scent behind. And when he found them, he’d make them very sorry.
His stomach growled. He was still hungry, in spite of all he’d eaten. But it wasn’t food he was craving.
He’d either have to make a quick stop on the way out of town or wait until later and find a donor in the parking lot of the roadhouse after the sun went down. Thankfully, the days were short this time of year.
Leaving the house behind, he began the trek back to the bar, back to Cassie. It was a pleasant walk, at least for him. He could have taken his SUV, but he enjoyed the cold. It allowed him to work off some of the tension thrumming inside him. Plus, if he took his vehicle, Cassie would wonder why he hadn’t had it last night. And a part of him hoped if she thought he was on foot she might ask him to stay over again.
His dick jumped to attention, more than eager. “Not gonna happen.” If anything, she’d be even more wary of him now.
The chill helped him cool down. Still, when the second person stopped and offered him a ride, he took it. He’d cause more talk if he didn’t.
Once he’d been dropped at his destination—his ears still ringing from the lecture he’d received about walking in such cold without proper outdoor gear—he found a cozy spot just beyond, behind an old shed. After stripping off and storing his clothes, he shifted once again and curled up in the snow, content he was near enough if she needed him. Exhausted, he settled in for a nap.
When he woke hours later, the sun had gone down and the bloodlust was worse. It was time to deal with it before it got out of control.
After shifting and getting dressed, he watched the parking lot, dismissing several possibilities. No way he’d feed on the old man. He was one of Cassie’s favorites. Then a couple strolled into The Pit hand in hand. He preferred males to females. They could afford to donate more blood before it became dangerous for them.
Finally, a truck pulled into the parking lot and a large man climbed out. Perfect. After checking to make certain there was no one around, Alexei strolled toward him. “Hey there,” he greeted.
The guy looked toward him and gave him a smile. “Hey yourself. Heading inside?” He jerked a thumb toward the building.
“In a bit.” Pulling the power from inside him, he easily put the man in a trance.
Some of the undead preferred not to use that skill, enjoying the terror of their victims. He did everything in his power to mitigate any fear or lasting effects of the encounter.
“What the fuck?” the man exclaimed a second before his face went slack.
Alexei slung his arm around the man’s waist and guided him toward the side of the shed. “Everything is okay,” he assured him. He hated this part, but it was a necessary evil to keep him level.
And that was better for everyone.
As soon as they were out of sight, he brought the man’s wrist to his mouth. Without giving himself time to think, he sank his incisors through the skin to the vein beneath. Blood, hot and potent, filled his mouth. He swallowed, taking what he needed, all the while monitoring his unwilling donor’s heartbeat.
Blood, any blood, energized him, but all he could think about was how sweet Cassie’s blood would taste.
Don’t go there.
He would never drink from her without her permission. That meant telling her exactly what he was, which would freak her out, even if she was some kind of paranormal.
If she wasn’t? He didn’t want to even consider her reaction.