Tessa, Vampire/Werewolf Romance, (Standalone) (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 3) (12 page)

Raphael rolled and she was then sitting atop him, looking at him. Right then she felt like she was in a dark tunnel with only the outline of shapes, but her senses were magnified, like when Raphael cupped her breasts in his hands.

“What are you waiting for? Ride me, my temptress,” Raphael said in a raspy voice.

Tessa did as he requested, slowly at first, arching her back, and pivoting inward to hit the area inside her, which felt the best. Raphael groaned and dug his fingers into her hips while Tessa smiled, loving how his fingernails dug into them. She treasured the roughness of this moment as she began to jump on him with the help of Raphael until her breasts were bouncing. She wished she was able to see him clearly, but was satisfied with how it felt to be with the alpha, and not just the physical part.

She felt Raphael tense beneath her, but she was too busy with her own orgasm as she cried out just as she felt him pump his seed into her. Tessa fell face forward and laid on Raphael’s chest as they both struggled to control their breathing. Neither of them seemed to mind that they were lying on the floor until Raphael helped her up. Tessa grabbed him for support, her vision not totally back to normal.

Raphael gathered her clothing and handed it to her. She barely had dressed before there was a knock at the door.

“Are you kidding me? That can’t be the sheriff already,” Tessa muttered.

Raphael took a brush and eased Tessa’s hair into place. “There you go. Your hair had the ‘just been fucked’ look.” He laughed. “I had better answer the door before they think we’re hiding some kind of evidence.”

Raphael answered the door and Sheriff Barnes and Clayton were standing there.

“Hello, Raphael,” Clayton greeted him somberly. “We’d like to have a few words with you.”

“Oh, so you’re not here to question Tessa?”

Clayton’s eyes narrowed, but only slightly. “What makes you think that’s what we plan to do?

Tessa met the men at the door. “Because that’s what Brendan told me.”

“He’s been here already?” Clayton asked. “I told him not to get involved in the investigation.”

“What investigation exactly?” Raphael questioned. “I wasn’t here when Brendan stopped by.”

“At the Hines ranch, thirty sheep were killed,” Sheriff Barnes said. “You can imagine the implications here, Raphael, but I’d rather speak to you separately from Tessa, you understand?”

“What’s the sense of doing that? Are you pinning this on me or Tessa?”

“I’m not pinning anything on anyone,” Barnes countered. “I just need to find out who is responsible here, be it shifter or vampire.” He pulled photos out of his pocket and handed them to Raphael who glanced at them briefly before handing them to Tessa. When she looked at the pictures, it was all Tessa could do not to buckle. The pictures of thirty mutilated sheep were more than she cared to think about. If she hadn’t had a memory loss of that night, she’d have proclaimed to the world that she was innocent of killing the livestock, but after what happened back in Jason’s cabin, she just wasn’t so sure.

Tessa handed the photos back and shook her head sadly. “Who or what would do that? It makes no sense.”

“So where were you that night, Tessa? Paige told me you went to visit Carrie, but that you left afterward,” Barnes said.

“It’s important that you tell us the truth,” Clayton added. “We just can’t have livestock fed on by shifters or a vampire.”

Tessa stood to her full height at that point. “I can’t image any vampire doing this; not on this scale, anyway.”

“And I don’t know of any shifter who would risk doing this,” Raphael spoke up. “This could be a bear perhaps. Rogue bears have been known to cause losses like this.”

Clayton nodded. “Except if it was a bear, I’d expect to see some of the carcasses to be fed on. These ones were just killed and discarded. Not your typical bear attack.”

“It’s more of the work of a vampire,” Barnes said. “That’s why we’re here. What have you been using for nourishment, Tessa?”

“I’m not a vampire, so that question is baseless.”

“I told him the truth,” Clayton said. “It’s important for the sheriff to know who resides in Creeksboro.”

Tessa felt ready to rip Clayton’s throat out. “You have no right to tell anyone what I am. Do you have any idea what will happen if the townspeople find out?”

“I’ll keep it in confidence,” Barnes said. “We need to ask the tough questions here. Did you murder those sheep for your blood supply?”

“Have they been tested and has it been even proven that they suffered a significant blood loss other than their injuries?” Tessa asked. “I can tell by your face that it’s no. This entire conversation is premature and you know it.”

“Look, I’m not about to let you sway me because I know you,” Clayton said.

“You know Paige, not me, and you turned your back on her. Why?”

“That’s between us. I know you’re a new vampire and being one means that you’re prone to making a mistake.”

“Well, you’re wrong here. Sure, I feed on animals at times, but only a wild rabbit if that. I have no need to kill that many sheep when I know I’d be the first one you come around asking.”

“So where were you that night after you left Shadow Creek?” Barnes asked. “I’m under the impression that you weren’t in your cabin.”

“What does that mean? You came out that night asking questions?”

“No, you were spotted heading away from Silver Creek on an ATV,” Clayton said.

Tessa could have sighed in relief. For a moment, she thought the man at the store had given them something more to go on. That would make it harder to explain if they found out the cabin Jason had been hiding out in was burned to the ground, if Angus had done as Paige told him. She certainly hoped he had, destroying the evidence.

“Since that would have been after dark, how positive were they that it was me?”

“She did go for a ride before I met her back here,” Raphael said. “We didn’t leave my cabin after that,” he said.

Clayton expelled a breath, which sounded like he had been holding for a long time. “I wonder. Were you running with your pack that night?”

“For an hour or so, but Tessa met me back here by ten.”

“And you’re positive?”

“Yes. Do you know what time the sheep were murdered?”

“Hard to tell until we have the autopsy done,” Barnes answered. “But Pricilla Hines stated that her sheep were fine at midnight.”

“I hope you’re clear about what time Tessa came back to the ranch. I’d hate to find out you’d lie Raphael.”

Tessa was fuming. “Why are you both so insistent that I’m the one responsible?” Tessa asked.

“We’re not exactly clear yet, nor have we singled out anyone, but I have to ask the hard questions. I need to wrap up the investigation before the government gets involved. That won’t be a benefit to anyone if they show up. Shifters have rights, but I’ll have to tell them we also have vampires living in Creeksboro,” the sheriff said.

“You can’t do that, Sheriff. There’s no telling what would happen then. Paige and I could be arrested, or killed for all you know. You can’t trust the government with that kind of information. Humans aren’t ready to know vampires live this close to them.”

“If you want to stop it from happening, then find out who did this. We can only do so much,” Clayton said. “But I’d expect full disclosure. If you’re getting close, you’ll need to bring me in.”

“Like I have time to investigate this. I’m here at Silver Creek to figure out who I am as a vampire, and you’re set on turning me into the government.”

“I never said I’d turn you in, but if I don’t have a choice I’ll do whatever I think is necessary,” Clayton explained.

“It’s no wonder Paige quit seeing you. You’re a turncoat.”

“See it any way you like, but it’s my job to protect the ranchers and their livestock.”

“If you can think of anyone in your pack who might be responsible, Raphael,” Sheriff Barnes interjected. “I expect you to turn them into me.”

Raphael nodded. “Not to worry. If it’s anyone from my pack, I’ll handle it myself and tell you later. We have our own kind of justice here.”

“I know all about your shifter code, but that won’t help you out if you conceal the identity of whoever is responsible. We need to be able to close this case to the satisfaction of all the parties involved,” Clayton said.

Raphael and Tessa watched as Clayton and Sheriff Barnes left. Only then did Tessa face her alpha lover. “Thanks for standing up for me.”

“I didn’t have much of a choice. It’s not like you planned to come up with a story about where you were last night, and even if you had, it wouldn’t stand up if you were alone.”

“Does that mean you believe I’m not responsible?”

“I don’t know who is responsible here, but I don’t see you as a vampire who would knock off thirty sheep. You don’t need to tear the sheep apart to feed from them. Heck, you’ve lived off feeding on one rabbit.”

“Speaking of which, I sure need a shot of my blood. Where did you put it?”

“It’s at the main house. Come along and we’ll get it for you. I’m sure Maxwell would be happy to see you.”

* * *

When Raphael and Tessa strolled through the much larger cabin where Palina stayed with the children, the matriarch of the pack glanced up from her knitting.

“Surprised to see that Clayton and the sheriff didn’t haul you off to jail, Tessa. Word has it that you’re responsible for what happened out at the Hines Ranch.”

“Now, Grandmother, we don’t go around accusing anyone unless we have proof. That’s what Clayton and the sheriff are for. Who’s talking anyway?”

“Oh, Clayton and the sheriff were asking me questions. I didn’t mean to tell them that one of the werewolves had seen Tessa heading away from Shadow Creek to the north instead of coming back here.” She paused. “I hope I didn’t cause any problems for Tessa.”

“Of course not, but do you have a problem with me being here?”

“I didn’t, but now I’m not so sure. You might be the one who killed those sheep. I’ll protect those children and this pack with my last breath.”

Tessa clammed up.
Here she goes again
. Why are so many people willing to believe she’d do something like that? She had never in her life killed a sheep or drank its blood. She much preferred smaller game, which weren’t just penned up.

“Nobody is asking you to do that. You’re all safe with me, but where is my blood? I really need a shot. I guess if I had killed those sheep, I’d be satisfied for a week. Just a thought, of course.”

“Go in the kitchen. It’s in the white refrigerator.”

Tessa went into the kitchen as Raphael stayed to speak to Palina, which Tessa was glad about. As she went through the swinging doors, the back door slammed shut and the stainless steel refrigerator was wide open. Tessa thought that strange and closed it, glancing out the back door and barely catching sight of Maxwell heading into the woods.
Why is he in such a hurry?
She hoped he wasn’t afraid of her since word had gotten out about the sheep.

Tessa opened the white refrigerator and poured a glass, putting the bag back. She was so hungry that the nourishment tasted great. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had fed, which told her she hadn’t eaten in a while, although she
had
taken her medication regularly for the most part. What she had found out was that she was able to go longer without her medication and wasn’t overwhelmed with cravings. Although she didn’t know why that was happening, she thought that possibly enough of the medication had built up in her system.

Maxwell’s heart was pounding so hard by the time he disappeared into the woods. Thankfully, his bad leg didn’t give out on him and he even ignored the pain he was experiencing. He was in such a rush with his bag of goodies for the woman he met in the woods that he left the refrigerator wide open. He’d panicked when he heard someone coming through that door, and there simply was no other choice. Hopefully, it had been Uncle Raphael or Tessa since he heard them in the living room. If it had been his great-grandmother, he’d be in big trouble.

A hawk circled when he passed through the clearing and knocked on the cabin. The door was opened and Maxwell brought in his bag, setting it on the table.

“Sorry I wasn’t able to come sooner. My great-grandmother was baking today.” He pulled out a plastic container and proudly said, “I hope you like raspberry tarts.”

Mira positively beamed. “I sure do, thanks. I’m so famished I’ll eat anything.”

“I brought the leftover chicken, too, and rolls.” He then produced a can of cola. “I even remembered to bring you something to drink this time.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate you helping me out.”

“That’s what friends are for. I mean, I hope you’ll be my friend.”

“Of course, Maxwell.”

He sat down as Mira popped open the lid of the chicken and began to shovel it into her mouth at a rapid rate.

“Slow down or you’re gonna choke, or get real sick. That’s what Palina always says.” Mira seemed to stiffen. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, but who is Palina to you?”

“She’s my great-grandmother, why?”

“You have to promise me that you’ll never tell her I’m out here or anyone else. They won’t understand me being here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Adults shouldn’t ask for help from children. It can be taken the wrong way,” she tried to explain.

“I know all about that, but I have a good feeling about you. I know you’re not here to hurt me. I think you’re the one who has been hurt.”

“You’re right about that, but I don’t want to talk about that if you don’t mind.”

“I didn’t mean to pry, but how else can I help you? I don’t think I can keep sneaking out food from the kitchen for much longer before Palina starts asking questions. I don’t think she believed me when I told her I had thrown out the ham because it had gone bad.”

Mira sipped her cola and nodded. “I agree. Tomorrow, I’ll pick some berries I saw in the woods.”

“Be careful, the bears like them, too.”

“So what can you tell me about you, Maxwell? Shouldn’t you be in school?”

“I go to school at Shadow Creek. It’s a nearby ranch, but we’re off right now since I found a woman who was badly hurt. She’s my friend Melody’s mother. I really miss Melody. She hasn’t left her mother’s side since we found her. I don’t understand it really.”

“It’s natural for her to be concerned about her mother,” Mira said. “She must be so worried.”

“I don’t know why she’d be worried about a mother who never took care of her. She’s lucky her father brought her here to Silver Creek to live. Melody is like a sister to me.”

Mira frowned. “I see. Well, sometimes mothers can be like that, but it might not be her fault. She’s just lost and needs to find someone who will help guide her.”

“I feel bad that Carrie is hurt, but I hope Melody will come home soon. I miss her.”

“I’m sure you do, but if you really like Melody you’ll not say anything bad about her mother. Now is not the time and she might just change. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

Maxwell frowned; that was the last thing he needed. “I guess I should be happy for Melody if that happens, but….”

“You don’t want to lose her.”

“No, I don’t. I hate losing people I love. I lost my father ten months ago, and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. It was like one day he was taking me to school and the next, he was gone. It’s been hard to trust humans now.”

“Humans?”

“I meant people.” Maxwell wasn’t sure how else to respond. He didn’t want to tell Mira that he was a werewolf. What if he did and she was so frightened, she left? No, Maxwell couldn’t risk it.

When it came time for the raspberry tarts to be eaten, Mira said, “Do you want half? I don’t think I have room for the whole tart.”

Maxwell’s mouth watered, but he said, “No, it’s all for you. You can eat half now and half later.”

Mira smiled and bit into the tart, her eyes brightening as the flavor hit her taste buds. Maxwell knew that reaction well. “They’re the best,” Maxwell stated. He then frowned. “Remember to not open your door to anyone but me. Someone killed thirty sheep to the north and we don’t know who. I’d hate for anything to happen to you, Mira.”

Mira sank on a chair and nodded before looking quite somber. “Thanks for the warning. Who do they think did it?”

“They don’t know yet. I just hope it isn’t anyone I know.”

“Who do you know would want thirty sheep dead?”

Maxwell could say just about anyone from shifters to vampires, since Creeksboro had plenty of both. It would be bad if they found out it was a shifter. They had only gotten their rights ten months before. It was great to know his teacher Katlyn had taken part in that and hard to believe her own life had been in danger at one time.

“There are plenty of wild animals here,” Maxwell said. “Could be another rancher who was angry that a sheep wandered onto their property, or even a bear. I’m sure even a bear likes a lamb chop every once in a while.”

“I see. Thanks for the warning, and I promise I won’t let anyone in the cabin. Are you sure nobody would drop by, like your great-grandmother?”

“No, she never comes into the woods anymore. She stays close to the cabin.”

“Good. I’ll be on my way once I feel stronger, I promise. I really appreciate everything you’re doing for me, but you better get back before you’re missed. We don’t need someone showing up and looking for you.”

“Good point. I’ll be back tomorrow hopefully.”

Maxwell left and noticed it was quite still in the surrounding area, which he both loved and hated as it oftentimes meant trouble. He glanced overhead and again saw a hawk circling. Why would a hawk be out there other than if there was prey around? That alone made Maxwell move faster toward home.

As he neared the tree house Raphael had helped them make not long before, he saw a shape lurking above the ground. He blinked twice before he realized it was Melody. She waved down at him and he stood below, saying, “What are you doing up there?”

“Getting clothes. Didn’t you see me flying above you?”

Maxwell’s mouth hung open. “That was you?”

“Yes, I can shift
and
fly. Well, most of the time. I was a little worried when my dad didn’t come back to Shadow Creek, so I went looking for him.”

“Your dad is missing?”

“Yes, since the night of the full moon,” she said, descending the tree house. “I can’t believe he didn’t come back. I can’t afford to lose both my parents at the same time.”

“How is your mother?”

“Still not coming to. I don’t know if she ever will,” Melody cried, batting at the tears that fell.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure she will soon, and your dad might be looking for the man who did that to her.”

Melody emphatically shook her head. “I don’t think so. Everyone keeps saying they want to wait until my mother wakes up to tell them who did this, but I know it was Jason.”

Maxwell leaned against a tree. “How can you be sure?”

“He came here looking for her, for one.”

“That doesn’t mean anything, but what else can you do but wait like the adults?”

Melody sighed. “Go after him ourselves.”

“What?”

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but I’m going for sure. First thing tomorrow, I plan to sneak out. I heard he has a cabin that was left to him by his father.”

“That’s too far to walk.”

“I can shift and fly there,” Melody suggested then fell silent. “Or we could take one of the ATVs. They’re easy to drive, even for children our age. They keep the keys in the canister next to the cookie jar.”

Maxwell moved away from the tree, leading the way up the trail toward home. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. What can we do if we find him?”

“Shift and take care of him for good.”

“Like kill him?” Maxwell asked shocked. “We can’t do that!”

“If it was
your
mother, how would you feel?”

“That’s not fair since I’ve never met my mother.”

“I’m sorry, I meant your father. Didn’t you want to avenge his death?”

“Yes, but the pack took care of the man who murdered him. I wish it had been me, but at least it was handled.”

“So are you with me or not, because I’m going either way.”

Maxwell wished he could talk Melody out of her plans. This was the last thing she should do. What if Jason hurt her? He had no choice, though; he couldn’t let her go alone.

“Maybe we should talk to Uncle Raphael first.”

“You better not tell. The adults aren’t doing anything, and my mother might die even by the time they decide to do
something
.”

“You don’t know that. Your father is missing and might be tracking Jason now.”

“I doubt it. I’m not sure where he went, but I think it was too much for him seeing my mother like that. He sure seemed upset, and I think he blames himself just like I do.”

“Why blame yourself? It’s not your fault and you know it.”

“I shouldn’t have left and moved in with my dad.”

“I hope you really don’t think that, because you know your mother wasn’t taking care of you right. And if you didn’t come here to live, we wouldn’t be friends.”

Melody hugged Maxwell and he stiffened, as it felt so weird.

“You don’t have to do that. Let’s head home. I’m sure everyone will be happy to see you.”

Maxwell led the way back. He didn’t think it was a good idea for them to look for Jason, but Melody would certainly be heading into danger if she left by herself. He wanted to tell his uncle what she had planned, but that would be betraying his friend and that wasn’t something he was willing to do. She trusted him and that was important, but it might not go all bad. How likely were they to find Jason anyway?

When they went through the door, Palina raced forward. “Oh, Melody! I’m so happy to see you. I’ll have to call Shadow Creek back. Paige was so worried when she realized you left without telling anyone. How did you get here?”

“I flew,” Melody said with a gleam in her eyes.

“You can shift
and
fly now?” Palina asked.

“Yes, she can,” Maxwell answered. “She was flying over my head and I didn’t even know it was her.”

“I see, and where were you, Maxwell?”

“I was taking a walk.”

“Oh, and did you take chicken and a raspberry tart on this walk, too? There’s been food missing the last few days that I can’t account for.”

“No, why are you blaming me?”

“I don’t care if you get hungry and raid the refrigerator, but it’s not like you to eat that much.”

“I’m going through puberty and I’m extra hungry.”

“Don’t push the puberty thing. Besides, you’re not nearly old enough for that just yet,” Palina said. She crossed her arm over her chest, but then relaxed them as she glanced over at Melody. “I’ve missed you, my girl. There are tarts in the kitchen.”

Maxwell led the way into the kitchen and he handed a tart to Melody. “I don’t think we should do this.”

“Shh, you know Palina has good hearing.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you outside by the swing in ten minutes.”

Before Maxwell left the kitchen he glanced at a dirty glass that was red on the rim. Was that blood? He went into the white refrigerator and saw a bag full of blood.

“What are you doing in there? You know Palina told us not to.”

“Would you shut up? There are bags of blood in here.”

“Of course there are. Tessa’s a vampire, duh. There isn’t any power at the cabin she stays at.”

“I guess. It’s just weird having her here.”

“Yes, and after what happened the other night, she’s been banned from Shadow Creek,” Melody said. “I overheard Brendan telling Paige that a bunch of sheep were killed on another ranch. I think they are blaming Tessa, but I’m not so sure. That night of the full moon I heard werewolves howling all night.”

“Course you did; this is shifter territory.”

“I suppose, but why did I hear them at Shadow Creek when Silver Creek is where the werewolves are?”

“I don’t know, but I could ask Raphael if there are more werewolves in Creeksboro than just us.”

“What about Creeksboro?” Uncle Raphael asked as he strolled into the kitchen.

“We were wondering if there were other werewolves than just at Silver Creek,” Maxwell said.

“No, why?”