Hunted

Ivy leapt at the driver, her tiny fangs elongated. Ivan was also struggling to hold it in. His golden–green was now in a shade of red. 

Using her vampire speed, Delaney quickly caught Ivy before she could sink her teeth into the driver. 

When the driver saw this, he stopped the car in fear, ready to bolt out of the car. Delaney met his gaze through the rearview mirror and compelled him. “Drive!”

“Y… Yes!” he sputtered, starting the car. His hands shook nervously as he kept glancing back to look at the family in the back. 

Hm. She's sure he has never believed vampires existed until now. She can remember a time when she will laugh at anyone who says supernatural is real.

Ivy gazed up at her looking pitiful, her Sapphire ice blue eyes were filled with unshed tears. As a foodie, she was mad at me for keeping her away from her food. Ivy glared at Delaney, her arms crossed as turned to play with Ian, clearly ignoring her.

 Sighing, Laney playfully pinches her chubby cheek. “Ivy, you can't be mad at mommy, okay? Feeding on humans is wrong.”

“But I see them as food! Why can't I just take a little? The driver smells so good, I'll only take small, okay?” she made an 'OK' sign with her tiny fingers, looking at Delaney eagerly.

Oh, so she's trying to reason with me now? Delaney thought trying hard not to smile. “Ivan, tell her why it's wrong to feed on humans.”

Ivan, who has finally gained control of his vampire side, smacked his forehead. “Because you'll get addicted to it and kill people. You'll become a bad little vamp, you dummy. How many times do I have to tell you this?”

“Wah! Mom, he called me a bad vamp!”

The driver glanced at the family behind in horror. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he watched their bickering. He felt like he was sitting on pins. He wanted to stop the car and run for his life but found that he could only keep driving. Why did he have to encounter a family of vampires today of all day? 

Out of everyone, he was most afraid of the little girl. Did she see him only as food? After hearing that, he began praying for his dear life.

An hour later, they drove into their private villa. Delaney made sure to buy one far away from the humans to give them privacy. Once the children came down from the car, they stared at the house with wide eyes. “Whoa! This one is bigger than the last one! I'll get to have my room.” Ivan yelled, rushing into the house.

Ian, who was still stuck in his wolf form, chased after him. 

Seeing them, Ivy also followed. “Yay! I'll get to sleep with mommy alone!”

Shaking her head, Delaney glanced at the driver, who gulped nervously. “I… Please don't kill me, I have a pregnant wife at home. You can keep the money.”

Meeting his gaze, she said. “Forget everything you've seen.” with that, she paid the driver before rushing inside.

The first thing Delaney did after entering the house grabbed a glass cup, she bit my wrist, watching as her blood pour into the cup. Ivy perceived the blood and appeared in the kitchen, followed by Ivan. She gave Ivan the glass of blood then extend her wrist to Ivy who quickly latched onto it with her tiny fangs then she began taking large gulps of Delaney's blood. Her silvery blonde hair covered her face, and Delaney had to hold it up for her.

'Was she that hungry?' She thought. 'It seems like Ivy was more adapted to her vampire side than her werewolf.'

Delaney's brows furrowed as her body began weakening. A sign that she has taken too much blood, she needs to feed too. 

Once Ivy was done, she burped in satisfaction. “Now, I want to eat lasagna, grilled pork and oatmeal!”

Ivan shook his head. “It's a good thing you are not human or who knows, you'll be fatter than a pig!”

Ivy pouted her lips. “Mom, he said I'm fat and a pig!”

She shooed them out of the kitchen, so she could cook for Ian. But before Ivan left, he stared at her, perturbed for a moment. “Mom, you smell different.”

Her heart skipped. Is it obvious already? 

Forcing out a smile, Delaney feigned ignorance. “What are you saying, Hunny? Mommy always smells the same.”

Ivan stared at her, his gaze sharp and unwavering, making her heart race. For a four-year-old boy, Ivan was smarter than his siblings and most kids. Sporadically, she hate the fact that he was this smart, some things are not meant for a child to know.

“You are lying, mom. Your heart is beating fast, and you are wiping your clammy hands on your pants.”

“Um…”

“Is it the heat? It's coming, isn't it?”

Delaney's face reddened instantly. How can he even guess it? “Ivan, it's not…”

“Mom, you know you can always find another man instead of enduring it, right?”

At this point, her face was crimson red. How can she be discussing her sex life with her son? So gross. She glared at Ivan, who was waiting for her reply. “That's it! Get out and stop worrying about me, okay? I'll be fine, I promise.”

Though Delaney said that, she wasn't convinced she will be fine. The last heat she went through almost drove her crazy from pain. She could only lock herself up in the bathroom to prevent the kids from seeing her. Who would have thought that Ivan found out about it? Usually, when a wolf is going into heat, they look for their mates, the unmated ones look for any random male to spend time with until the heat madness finishes. However, Delaney spent four years without any mate and without having sex during the heat. 

Something tells her this heat will be more painful than the last. The thought sent fear into her heart. What should she do? The smell was already emitting from her body. Any male within will perceive it which put her at risk.

*

The house was fully stocked, so Delaney easily found the ingredients she need to prepare the kid's favourite. As she cooked, her mind began spinning with thoughts on how to find a job. As a school dropout, finding a corporate job was hard. Thanks to her vampire skills, she's been compelling people to help her out. Even though this house we were living in was free, she had to compel the owner we would be staying here for a while before moving out.

Though she's not proud of it, in other to raise the kids to live a comfortable life, she will do anything in my power. 

Once the food was ready, she set it on the dining table, and then try to figure out how to make Ian shift back to his human form. “Ian! Time to eat, Mommy prepared your favourite!”

A minute passed. As expected, tiny little footsteps were heard racing in her direction. 

“Eww, mommy, Ian is naked again,” Ivy shouted, running into the dining room.

Ian ran in with his naked butt, sat on the table and eagerly glanced up at me. Like all werewolves, Ian wasn't ashamed of his nakedness, in fact, he hated wearing clothes. Just so he'd be used to it, she try to force it on him, most times.

She pinched his cheek, “Welcome back, Ian.”

“Mom, it's Levy's fault, he wouldn't let me out.” Ian pouted, referring to his wolf. “Now that I'm out, he won't come out for a long while.”

*

After putting the kids to sleep, she headed out to hunt for a job and food and at the same time, scan the new environment. The last thing she needed was to find a werewolf or any vampire nearby.

The closest club to her was known as Sultry Night, it was booming loudly with music and filled with humans. Laney felt eyes on her the moment she stepped in. I don't know if it was because of her dressing… Tensed, she scanned the area for any wolf, her body relaxed when she didn't find any. 

“Hey, how may I help you?” the bartender said.

“Work. I'm seeking employment here.”

He stared at Delaney for a moment before leading me into the back to meet his job. “There are different kinds of jobs here, we have waitresses, who serve drinks, ladies in red who serve guests in private rooms. If you are lucky, the guest will give you a huge tip.” he gave me a pointed look after saying.

In other words, the ladies in red were prostitutes. “And?” I asked, meeting his gaze. 

“And, we have the performers.”

“You mean strippers?”

“Yes and no. Performers come in different kinds, right now, we're looking for ladies who can sing, play instruments and dance. Which of them are you interested in?”

“How's the pay?” She asked instead.

“Two thousand per night, which is two hours a day.”

Hmm, that's even better than I expected.

“I can perform. When do I start?”

“Now. I'm Jay, by the way.”

“Laney.”

In no time, he introduced her to his boss, they made her change into flimsy clothes which exposed her body. The moment she climbed upstage, a couple of guys whistled. 

Taking a deep breath, Laney lost herself in music. An hour and a half later, she was still playing when she felt eyes on her, this one was more intense than the others. She scan the crowd but didn't see anything abnormal.

Suddenly, a familiar scent hit her, causing her to flutter in her song. She continue immediately as if nothing happened, but her heart was beating faster now. It can't be him, can he? If he's here, then is Knox with him?

‘Esme! How many are out there?’ I yelled at my wolf.

‘One, just one.’

One werewolf. “Rakel?”

‘I'm not certain, it doesn't look like it.’

‘Hm, I can take him out then.’

She paused. ‘No, I don't think so.’

What does she mean by that? 

Once the music came to an end, Delaney hurriedly walked off the stage, blending with the crowd, she went to the back room to change into her clothes. 

Jay found her, excitement written over his face. “That was wonderful! Our boss said he'd raise your fee if you can stay an hour extra…”

“No. I need to go. Is there a backdoor?” she took the cash from him while looking around. The moment he pointed to the exit, she dashed out of the club. It's been years since she last encountered any werewolf, seeing one here was very unsettling. 

Her mind couldn't but think about the kids at home, if anyone finds out, we are hybrids… Well, she just hopes they never find out. 

Instead of heading home directly, Delaney took random parts just to lose whosoever was after her. However, regardless of what she did, the werewolf chasing after her kept up with her pace. It's as if she has become prey waiting to be caught. She came out mainly to hunt for food and a job, but it seems like she's the one being hunted. The worst part here is that she can't even use her vampire speed, or else they will find out what she was.

‘Give in, Delaney. You can't outrun him.’ Esme sighed in her head.

‘I can damn it! My father was not just any werewolf, he is stronger, and so I am!’

‘Well, you would have been if you haven't been in hiding. Hiding from your mates.’ she snapped.

Deciding not to have this conversation, Delaney shook her head at her. She has never seen a wolf who could hold grudges like Esme. She thought she'd have gotten over what I did, but it seems she hasn't. She wanted her darn mate! Rakel.

Just as she took the next turn, she bumped into a hard wall, which was trapped her in the process. Oh, no. It's not a wall, but a person!

A werewolf, to be precise. Taking a sniff of him, Delaney realized why Esme said she couldn't outrun him. He was a damn Alpha!