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“Well,Eric, why are you here?”
His eyes widened, then narrowed. I wish I had a clue about his thoughts because his demeanor changed instantly. Maybe he could tell I didn’t like his heavy-handedness. Not in my bar. Tony wasn’t my type, but he was a close acquaintance, and I didn’t have many friends.
“I was looking for someone and spotted you sitting here.”
“And you just had to come in and meet me because you couldn’t resist the pull?” I called him on his bullshit straight away.
His lips curled into a shy smile which confused me. “Actually, I love the color of your hair. And I was thirsty.” He shook his water glass. “I also love classic rock music.”
“Okay, fine. Then you can stay.” His explanation sounded less cheesy than what I had dreamed up in my head, even if I didn’t honestly believe him. But if he hit on me, I would leave. Dealing with a sexy wolf shifter filled my plate and I didn’t have room for more drama.
We chitchatted about nothing important. Eric asked how long I’d been in the area and what I did for a living. The usual things strangers talk about. Of course, I couldn’t say that I worked for The Agency. I opted instead to tell him I was a bounty hunter.
Eric worked a similar job, called it a family business.
I talked about growing up in foster care but left out most details. He told me about his mom and dad. A wave of melancholy hit me, but it wasn’t his fault. After listening to him talk about his family, I wondered again about mine. Who were they and why had they given me up? Not that it mattered. Kelly was my family, and she was enough.
We continued chatting like old friends. I liked Eric and enjoyed talking and laughing with him and hated for the evening to end. But I needed to get home.
I drained my drink, threw a few bucks on the bar and said goodnight. “It was nice meeting you, Eric.” And I sincerely meant that.
“Same here, Ivy. Perhaps I shall run into you again.”
A smile played on my lips. “Perhaps.”
Tonight ended on a much lighter note. I liked Eric but not in a romantic way. Next time, I would bring Kelly, and if he showed up again, I would introduce the two of them. I bet they would get along well.
Chapter 6
Ivy
Three days later, I was sipping on my steaming hot cup of coffee. My eyes scanned the paper, and one headline caught my attention.
Two Dead from Animal Attack
Authorities found two bodies near Harderic University in what appears to be an animal attack. Puncture wounds pierced the carotid artery, allowing both men to bleed out and eventually die. Please contact the Bland Country Sheriff’s Department if you have information regarding this attack. Do not approach any feral animals.
My body buzzed as I reread the article, knowing that a vampire killed those students. But Fang was dead, so…maybe he had an accomplice, a partner? Nah, that didn’t make any sense. Vampires didn’t hunt in groups. That didn’t mean they didn’t have structure or hierarchy, only that they were a selfish bunch when it came to food or power.
“Hey Ivy, morning.” My roommate Kelly said, yawning.
“You are up early,” I said as she strolled through the apartment wearing a white tank top and thong panties. Kelly grabbed a cup and filled it with coffee. A man followed behind her but froze when he spotted me. The smile dropped from his face.
My muscles tensed in anger as dark brown eyes locked with mine. I bit my lower lip as my jaw clenched so hard, I feared it might shatter.
A large man with short black hair and a muscled body, a scruffy day-old shadow covered his face. Shirtless and barefoot, wearing only a faded pair of jeans with the top button still undone. One good sniff confirmed what I already knew.Shifter!
“Oh, Ivy, meet Brian. Brian, this is my best friend and roommate, Ivy.”
An intense stare-down ensued until the tension grew into a living entity that caught even Kelly’s attention. Finally, she smacked her hand against the bar, breaking the dominance play. If I had been human, I would have jumped out of my skin.
“Dammit, he’s a shifter, isn’t he?” she asked, her gaze alternating between us.
Brian whipped his head toward Kelly. Surprise etched his chiseled face.
“Yeah, bear shifter,” I confirmed nonchalantly and took another sip of coffee, letting go of the anger and tension that coiled like a snake ready to strike. I didn’t like other supernaturals in my space, my sanctuary, and Brian was uninvited. Magic swirled inside, and I knew I had to calm the fuck down. It’s not like Kelly brought a shifter here on purpose. But he would have known that he was trespassing the moment he stepped through the door.
Brian cleared his throat. “I thought I smelled a wolf last night.”
