The Beta’s Regret

A chill ran down my spine.

I needed to check to know exactly what kind of blood it was. It wasn’t the familiar scent of werewolf blood or that of a vampire or any supernatural creature I knew of. It was something different. And the other different creatures that exist are humans.

I went light headed just thinking about it.

Why would anyone take the life of a harmless creature just for the fun of it? It was a cold–blooded act.

Human blood?

My mind refused to believe Lord Shevek would have it here for dinner, but it looked real enough.

“Is this really human blood?” I asked Lord Shevek again. He only stared at me with a smile.

“You should sit and eat Eden.” He said.

I wasn’t interested in eating. I was more interested in what has been set before me as food.

I moved closer to the table.

Another shiver ran up my spine. I have heard amazing stories about humans; I always wanted to see them and to know their way of life.

They were a part of the world that was mesmerizing, fragile, creatures that have no supernatural gifts, but somehow exist on their own and survive in their own world, far from ours, unaware of creatures like us.

So why would anyone want to hurt them? To serve their blood like vintage wine for dinner.

Did they not care about the lives they took to get this blood? Did they never think that these people have families and dreams and ambitions?

I couldn’t hide my unease; I looked around the table. My mother seemed to be a little tense; her lips were pressed into a tight line, but she seemed to be taking it better than I was.

“Eden, you should sit.” My mother encouraged me from where she sat at the table.

I sighed and went to sit at the table.

The doors behind the room opened and drew my attention to a female vampire who walked into the room. She was dressed in a very short red dress that ended an inch below her upper thigh. Her black hair shone beneath the room lights, and her lips gleamed in blood red lipstick.

She was tall–way taller than a lot of women I was used to in the pack—and beautiful.

It was hard not to stare at her; she stole the attention.

I watched her walk to my father’s side and place her hand on his shoulder, giving me a sultry look and a slow wink as she bit her lips, checking me

out.

I tipped my head back in surprise.

What in the name of the moon goddess was going on?

“Everyone meet Vanessa.” Lord Shevek made the introductions. “She helps me with everything I need.”

I was still in shock when the doors opened again, and an array of women flocked in, all dressed up in clothes that barely covered their pale skin.

Their laughter were soft and seductive as they took their place around Lord Shevek. My face paled as I began to understand who exactly they were.

His concubines.

Some of them blew kisses my way and to my mother, who looked like she would love to be anywhere but here. My skin crawled at their actions as I began to imagine their purpose.

There was no need to imagine.

Some of the women had already swooped into action, caressing Lord Shevek and running their lips and fingers all over him.

My mom made a small squeak, and I turned my head her way. Her eyes were glued to the plate in front of her, and her hands gripped the fork she held in one hand with so much force that I saw her knuckles go white.

It doesn’t look like there was any hope in a blooming romance.

3:35 PM

The room was silent–too silent. The only sound was the bloodcurdling moan the women made.

Lord Shevek seemed oblivious to my mother’s reaction; he was more focused on savoring the human blood he took sips of. He twirled the glass cup in his hand, throwing his head back as he allowed the black–haired vampire to kiss him on the lips.

“So what is your name?” Vanessa asked, eyes glued on me.

I shrugged. “Eden.”

“Eden,” she slurred. I hated the way she said the name.

“Yes.”

“Hmm. We have heard so much about the daughter.” She said.

I rolled my eyes. She could have just said my name instead of calling me ‘the daughter‘ like I was playing some kind of role in a stage play.

Vanessa stood up and walked over to me. I eyed her, and before I knew what was going on, she had her lips behind my ears.

“I would love to explore you…” She said softly.

I went cold. My skin crawled. Tiara growled, and I held the edge of the table so hard I could have snapped it off just trying to stay in control.

I looked at Lord Shevek, but it was clear no help would come from him. The encouraging smile he gave me said it all.

It’s fine, but I would handle it myself.

“Get off me.” I growled.

That didn’t faze her. She went ahead and ran her fingers over my shoulders.

“Stop!” I sprung up in anger.

Vanessa backed away immediately.

I turned and gave her a glare before I walked out.

The moment I stepped out, I released a deep breath. My body relaxed, and I released a frustrated groan. Maybe coming here was not the best idea.

Coupled with Eros issues, this had been quite a terrible day. But I was grateful I didn’t go through it wearing that bone–crushing corset.

I turned when I heard the sound of a staff hitting the floor behind me. It was Lord Shevek.

I sighed.

“I can see you are not pleased with my arrangements.” He said.

“I wasn’t,” I said truthfully. There was no use trying to please him.

“I’m sorry.” He said softly. I nodded, then looked back at him curiously.

“Why do you have so many women? Do vampires not have mates like wolves do?”

Lord Shevek smiled. “We do, but vampires call them beloved, not mates.”

I paused, then asked. “Do you have a beloved? Or have you never had one?”