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What the hell is that about?

It’s not like I’ve never touched her before. Maybe it’s because she’s in distress and I want to help. Yeah, that has to be the reason.

She shivers slightly and starts walking down the block again. She’s got her arms wrapped around her body, as if she’s holding herself together.

“Are you cold?” I ask, ready to take off my shirt and give it to her.

“No, I’m burning up.”

That could be the cause. If she were getting sick, it could make her gifts act strangely. Though I’m not even sure vampires can get sick. I was really feeling way out of my depth.

I do my best to stay close without touching her. It grows quiet again, but I don’t take my eyes off her. Every few seconds, I see her gently turn her head and glance over her shoulder. I’m not sure whether she’s looking for someone or waiting for someone. Either way, it bothers me.

Maybe it’s not us who are in danger but Sibley.

The thought of something happening to her pisses me off more than it should. I make a swift decision to do whatever it takes to rid her eyes of that fear of danger. I know whatever has spooked her vision has to do with her, and it’s got her paranoid in ways I’ve never seen in another being.

Chapter

Seven

Primal

It’s been three days since Sibley last visited the clubhouse.

I’m annoyed.

I’m annoyed that she hasn’t come back.

I’m even more annoyed with myself for wanting her to come back.

I don’t know what’s happening to me, but not knowing what’s going on with that smug woman is causing me a lot of grief. I’ve even been short with the rest of the guys. I’ve never been one to be short with my brothers. I’ve always been easygoing and laid-back.

Not even my nightly runs seem to take my mind off what happened the other night. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her that vulnerable. I don’t care for the woman personally, but I know the guys will get bent out of shape if something happens to her. She’s become a fixture in our lives, and we take care of those who are with us.

Unfortunately, that’s the problem. She’s not letting us take care of her.

Justice sent the prospects over to check on her at Arely’s shop, but she sent them away, saying she was fine. When they came back, they said she looked fine and just didn’t want any company.

Justice thinks we should just let her be, but I think we need to push a little harder.

Of course, no one is asking me for my opinion. Instead, a few of my brothers think this is the perfect time for us to have a party. Everyone is feeling the weight of what’s going on, and since no one actually knows what’s going on, they think the best thing to do is to distract themselves.

A bunch of people drinking while women dance around is a great distraction.

“You don’t seem to be having a good time. I’d love to change that.” A woman I’d seen around town a few times leans in, speaking directly into my ear. I don’t even move when she licks the shell of my ear.

Any other time, I’d be raring to go, and she’d be over my shoulder as I took her to my room, but tonight nothing like that would happen. Just as it hasn’t happened any other day since I took Sibley back to Dyrk, where her brother, Aziz, took her the rest of the way home.

As beautiful as this woman is, I couldn’t get my dick to take notice of her. I think her name is Melissa or Mandy, it could be April for all I know. I don’t know and don’t even care.

Nothing about her calls to my lion. He’s completely unfazed by the prospect of taking this woman to my room for some fun.

“Nah, that’s okay, beautiful. I’m fine on my own tonight.” Even as the words leave my mouth, I can’t believe I’ve said them.

Corbin must have overheard what I said because his eyes widen and he jerks his head toward me, watching the interaction between the pretty townie and me.

“Aww, you’re going to make me beg, aren’t you?” She presses her body as close to mine as she can. Instead of holding on to her, I get up from where I’m sitting and put some distance between us.