I hide in a nearby pile of bristles and sticks. Only a few yards away from camp. It's been quiet since Ajay destroyed the girl zombie. The gang sits by the campfire, snacking on chili.
Chetan held me for hours, but he left to use the restrooms and grab a bite to eat. I feel like I let the Zombie child down. I should have given her to AB or helped the Zombie hide from the hands of the pack.
Closing my eyes, I try to get the child from my mind. I feel the water pour down my face. Ajay, how could he do that?
"I know you're mad at me, Adagyudi," Ajay says. I didn't even hear him walk up.
"She was only a child."
"She died as a child, but she was a zombie," he tells me.
"I could have helped her."
"She would have hurt you or a pack member. Could you live with that?" He asks.
I shake my head.
"That was hard for me too. I understand why you couldn't destroy her,'' he tells me.
"I just couldn't."
"I know, it's alright. Let me see your arm." He tells me.
I crawl out from the pile and change into my vampire form. He grabs my arm, rubbing some herbal oils over the scratch marks.
He looks at me and removes the hair from my face. "I am sorry, I made you upset."
I smile.
He rubs his hand over my cheek. "Sometimes, I fight the urge to kiss you".
I remember Ajay's lips on mine. What it feels like, what it tastes like. Then I hear Chetan's laugh, and I know he'll never forgive me, and I don't want to hurt who I genuinely love.
"Chetan would be."
Ajay interrupts me, "I know."
Ajay stands up and walks away. I watch Chetan and Dev laughing. He seems happy with him. I feel like I cause him so much stress.
I feel my eyes getting heavy even though my throat still burns. I close my eyes.
******
"You fell asleep without me, beautiful," Chetan says, kissing my forehead.
I wake up startled for a moment.
"Here, I brought you something to drink," he says, putting down a fox beside me.
I quickly drink the blood out of the animal. I was so thirsty, and I was surprised I could even sleep.
"Ash go hunting?"
"He did," Chetan says.
"Yeah."
"But, I caught this for you," he says with a proud grin.
"You did?" I smile, wiping the blood off my chin. Chetan doesn't seem disgusted in the least.
"I want to satisfy you in every way," he tells me.
"Satisfy."
Chetan smiles, catching onto my hint.
******
I wake up still wrapped in Chetan's arms. I hear some of the pack starting to wake up, so I quickly get dressed. Changing into my wolf, I dash off for the water. I would love to take a swim.
Reaching the waterfall, I change into my vampire form and quickly undress. The sun was just rising, and the water was a little cold, but still felt Soothing. Dipping my head in, I let the water flow over my hair, and I wash my face, scooping water with my hands.
"Good morning for a swim, little vampire." I turned around quickly, hearing a voice I had never heard before
"Who are you?" I ask, looking at the vampire I know AB created.
Except this vampire was from our period. I could tell by his clothes, baggy sweatpants, and football team sweater. He also wore a backward hat.
"Alec," he tells me with a grin.
"AB's Minion?" I laugh.
"Funny, no partner," he says.
"Nobody is AB's equal partner."
"Because you betrayed him," he yells.
"He's filling your head with lies." I eye him, looking for goodness.
"I think you are," he says.
I watch as he undresses utterly naked. It was awkward. I don't even know this vampire. But Alec must have been some type of athlete, for he was physically built.
"Mind if I join you?" He asks.
"I kinda do." I cover myself with my arms.
"Oh, shy, too cute," he smiles.
I see a bear. Oh, great, Forest. This looks so bad.
She changes into her human form. Her mouth drops open, and then she back into a bear and is gone.
"If I were you, I would leave."
He laughs. "We own the forest."
"AB told you that too?" I roll my eyes.
He smiles and moves closer to me. I already hear the wolves' feet running towards us.
"Alec, leave now."
"Oh good, we're already on a first-name basis. I was getting nervous that you didn't like me," he smiles.
I hear a loud growling. Then I see Chetan change into his human form, jumping into the water.
"Chetan, everything is fine."
I feel Chetan's arm around my waist. Dev sits at the edge of the water. He looks so chill.
"Who are you?" Chetan demands.
"Alec," he flashes his fangs.
"Do you know this vampire?" Chetan asks.
"No."
"Just created," Alec grins.
"And I'm about to uncreate you, if you don't get out of here," Chetan yells.
Alec laughs. "Fine, that's a little hottie you got there." Alec winks at me before dipping under the water. Before Chetan reacts, Alec is out of sight.
"Does every man think you're hot?" Chetan says.
I laugh. " He's just trying to get under your skin."
"Yeah, because I don't, okay I kinda do think you're hot." Dev laughs.
Chetan laughs, rolling his eyes at Dev.
"I am staying here until you finish up," Chetan tells me.
"I am done."
I walk towards the shore. Chetan holds out his arm in front of me.
"Dev, get out of here," he yells.
"Sure thing," says Dev, saluting us before dashing off.
Upon the shore, I swiftly put my clothes back on.
"Let me guess, Forest told you I was in trouble.
He nods. I roll my eyes. That's so annoying.
"I don't need a babysitter, I can handle myself."
"Zare, I watched your heart get ripped out," he reminds me.
"Alec isn't AB."
"Oh, so you know him now," Chetan says, crossing his arms over his chest.
"No, I don't, but nobody is as evil as AB."
"I'm sure his creations are," he remarks.
"And I'm sure there are many.