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Chapter 3 - Dorian
I hadn’t realized how much I dreaded seeing Marian again until she walked into the restaurant tonight. I’d watched her until she sat down and ordered her meal, and I continued watching as she ate.
She looked so different, yet so much the same. Her hair was longer, her smile as bright as I remembered it, and her voice a melody I'd sadly forgotten.
Countless moments shared between us resurfaced as I watched her dine alone, and I had to fight the urge to go to her. Even though she was sitting alone, she looked happy, and seeing me would ruin that for her, I knew that.
I was the last person she'd want to see, and when our eyes met, I noticed that was true.
Her demeanor changed, her heart started racing, and I could see her thoughts running wild from across the room. We hadn't laid eyes on each other in almost a decade but watching her, although she without a doubt felt hatred for me, all I could think of was how beautiful she was… and how much of a fool I had been to do what I did.
I hadn’t meant to hurt her.
No, I had, but I'd done itforher.
I buried my hands in my jacket pockets while walking toward the packhouse. If she knew the truth behind why our relationship ended, she wouldn't think what I did was for her betterment, and for that exact reason, she'd remained clueless all these years.
My intentions had been good, but the way I ended things wasn't right. I knew that now and could admit it. I knew it back then too, but I didn't know what to do, so I pushed her away. But I did what I had to, and it was among one of many difficult decisions I’d had to make throughout my life.
I stopped and pinched the bridge of my nose. Taking slow breaths, I calmed my thoughts before continuing on my way. I didn't like it when my thoughts were too loud, but I feared that retiring and returning to Wolfcreek would bring moments like this, moments of silent contemplation.
As a Hunter, someone who tracked and eliminated dark creatures for a living, my life was too hectic for stray thoughts, especially ones about love, relationships, or family. Those things were a distraction, and I dedicated myself entirely to protecting lives. In the process,mylife crumbled, and in the beginning, it was a price I thought was worth paying.
But distractions and emotions meant death. Sadly, I knew that for a fact.
I recalled Marian’s scent, and my jaws clenched. I couldn't stay in the restaurant much longer, not after she saw me, and I could sense her rage.
I entered the packhouse and followed Killian's scent to the upstairs balcony. I needed to talk to him urgently.
"I saw Marian tonight," I said from the doorway, and Killian turned to face me, his back to the woods.
Being an alpha born, he exuded power. He was 6'4 like me, but I had more muscle mass, like Kaleem, and as they were the complete opposite of each other, with the alpha being reserved and Killian approachable, I was like Kaleem.
Killian was charming, friendly, and the kind of man Marian had deserved to be with, not someone like me that severed my emotional ties—someone whose love might have left her hurt with more than just a heartbreak if we hadn’t ended things.
“She smelt like a vampire,” I added before Killian could speak, and his green eyes narrowed. Now that I had his attention, I stepped onto the balcony. “I wasn’t aware there were vampires in town? I've been back for a week, and I haven't smelt any.”
“There aren’t,” he replied. “Not that I know of, that is.”
His frown was wiped away, and he turned to face the forest once more. "Perhaps there is one passing through town. Marian might have interacted with him in the town or the supermarket."
“She doesn’t offer blood for vampires at the supermarket," I growled, and Killian looked at me over his shoulder.
"Been keeping tabs on her, I see," he said, and I moved to stand beside him.
I held onto the railing. “I don’t think this is something to react so casually to. She had the heavy scent of a vampire, and others had noticed it. I saw how the waitress looked at her, and I was certain it was because of the vampire's scent. She wouldn't smell so much like one just by talking at a distance."
“You think she’s dating a vampire or something?" Killian questioned. "If so, she's alive and well, which means he's tamed."
I turned to Killian with a dead stare, and he sighed. "Yes, I'm aware of the risks, Dorian, I am, but Marian’s a smart woman.” He turned to face me. “I’ll have it looked into if this vampire is only passing through or not. But you're not a Hunter anymore. If he's tamed, stay away from him, Dorian. I mean it."
My jaws clenched, and I held Killian's unwavering stare.
There was a clear warning in his words, and I knew if the vampire was tamed, he was a protected supernatural, just like us. But tamed or not, vampires couldn't be trusted.
Killian smiled a little. "You're retired, and the pack is glad to have you back. Enjoy Wolfcreek. Enjoy the peace here because everyone works hard to keep the peace. Okay? We rarely get dark creatures around here, but if any turn up, at least the packandthe town have you."
He looked toward the woods. "Marian too," he added, and I turned my back to the sea of trees shrouded in darkness.
