Aiden's POV
Its been days since Samantha and i hooked up at the park; we've been going on a lot more dates since than and learned more about each other. Her favorite color is white, her favorite flowers are Iris and she loves sushi. She's also very ticklish on the neck-which is ironic. We haven't seen Miles in ages, when Sam told him she wasn't going to dinner he didnt even show up. I dont know what happened to him and i dont want to find out. In other news, Sam's sister, Kris, came back from Italy the other day, so I think I'm going there for dinner soon. I'm heading home now to grab lunch with Jas. I pull into the driveway and honk the horn, she shortly appears carrying a water bottle.
"Hey" Jas shuts the car door.
"Ready?"
"No not really, you know i hate animal blood Aiden."
"You get used to it after a while i promise you" I pull out of the driveway and head to the woods.
"How do you manage to drink this all the time? Like don't you feel bad for the rabbits?"
"Don't you feel bad for the humans?"
"No not really..."
"You're terrible" I laugh
"So how's things going with Sam? Have you seen Beckham around??"
"Things are going great. I haven't seen Beckham since the night we found Miles"
"Doesn't that worry you a bit..?"
"No. Sam is fine... I gave her that sun necklace that dad gave mom when she was human. No one can compel her so she's safe." I look at Jas raising an eyebrow.
"What??"Jas looks away.
"Come on did you actually thing i wouldnt find out? You told her i went to the gym! I just cant believe you would do that to me Jas. You can't be toying around with her! She's not a doll, she means a lot to me." I say getting aggravated.
"Okay. Your right it was wrong Aiden, but I sort of slipped... I said something about being a vampire. Did you not want me to compel her to forget?"
"YOU WHAT?! How does that even slip?!"
"I haven't been around humans Aiden! I usually just suck them dry, i never have conversations with my food!"
"Jasmine! STOP REFERRING SAMANTHA AS FOOD"
"I'M SORRY! You know what I mean. I just didnt mean to. I said sorry after if that helps, i genuinely meant it."
"it doesnt matter anymore, she has the vervain necklace now. I'm just saying it better not happen again."
"It wont."
"Good. Oh and another thing, why did you tell her Ian was in town."
Silence followed.
"I panicked.." she eventually said.
"He can't know about her, just not yet, okay?"
"I'll try.."
"Jasmine."
"Okay! I promise you he wont find out"
"Thank you" I face her and give her a reassuring smile. "we're here"
I park into a slot and we hike up many hills until we're deep enough in the woods. "Happy feasting!" I say in a sarcastic tone and we suck our teeth into our lunch.
After about 45 minutes later we're full.
"Wow that was gross" Jas says wiping her mouth
"Actually the deer wasnt bad." I reach for her hand and help her up.
We clean our selves off and head to my car. Half way to our destination we see a shadow in the woods and we hide ourselves. Nothing comes. We continue walking when i hear something again in the distance. I let it come closer and closer until its right behind me, i grab its neck slamming it against a tree before it gets a chance. Miles?
"Well, well, look who it is." He laughs. I realize my fangs are out and my eyes are surrounded with veins.
"What are you doing here, dog" Jas hisses at him, i hide my fangs.
"These are our woods, leach." He struggles for freedom.
"Our? Theres more of you?" I question.
"Of course, wolves come in packs. I'm not here to cause trouble please i cant breathe" I loosen my grip and he falls to the ground coughing.
"What do you want?" I ask.
"I wandered from my pack and i saw you in the distance. I had no clue you were one of them Aiden.. Listen I haven't had a chance to apologize."
I look at him with my guard up still, a couple more dogs join and they begin to growl. "He's okay guys... Just a friend"
"Who cares Miles. A leach is a leach" One of the dogs say. Jasmine comes closer to me.
"I understand our kind doesn't get along but me and my family hunt on animals. We'll stay out of your way." I demand.
"A vampire hunting on animals? No way."
"We refuse to hunt on humans." Jasmine speaks up, "Well trying too at least."
We all look at each other in silence but you can feel the tension in the air.
"As long as you stay out of our way." He seems to be the leader of the pack, " Just one condition. If your here during the full moon, we make no promises."
"Deal" I say putting out a hand.
He looks at me questionly. "Isaac" He says.
"Aiden, and this is my sister Jasmine." She finally shows her self.
"I'll catch up to you guys in a bit." Miles whispers and they run off. I look at Miles for a little and start to walk myself.
"Does Sam know?" He asks and I stop to take a deep breath. I turn toward him.
"No." I look into his eyes. "I promise you, if you say one word to her" I lay my finger on his chest "You wont be alive to see the next full moon." He takes a gulp and i turn around.
"Good." Miles eventually says.
"What?"
"Good, Aiden." He pauses, "She really likes you. I saw what Jay did to her last year and it ruined her. I havent seen her this happy until you came here. Please dont ruin her again. She cant know."
"Why does it matter to you?" I know he was right. If she ever found this out she'd be traumatized, I just dont understand why he cares.
"She's my childhood friend."
"But you pushed her away?"
"She didnt need me in her life. I knew what she was thinking, I'm a nightmare.. Besides the week before and after the full moon my inner 'wolf' takes over. I dont have patience or a normal temper. I'm sorry for that night Aiden. I'm actually really thankful for your help.."
"..yeah no problem.." He looks at me with genuine eyes and rushes into the woods.
"Well... That was weird...." Jasmine says.
"Everything about us is weird Jas. Come on lets go"
We drive home without any interruptions and explain everything to my dad. He was surprised they let us onto their grounds but its different here than in Washington. All I care about is getting Jasmine on the diet. Once a week we have a blood bag or two for a little boost of energy and strength. My phone buzzes and its Sam.
"Hello?"
"Hey! Can i stop by?"
"Right now?" I look around my house to see cups full of blood and Jas' water bottle filled with rabbit blood.
"Just real quick please? I'm already outside"
"Uh.. Yeah give me two seconds" I throw everything under pillows and wipe a few things down. "DAD WIPE YOUR FACE!" The doorbell rings.
"Hey!" I say to Sam.
"Hey! I'm sorry to show up last minute but i have a question"
"No its fine! Come in!"
"Hey Samantha!"My dad greets her.
"Hi Mr.Smith!"
"I told you, you can call me Elijah" Sam just looks at him. Jasmine laughs.
"Hey Sam!" As she walks to her room and my dad follows.
"Are you okay?" I ask leading her to the couches.
"Yes I'm fine. So... you know how i cancelled on that dinner at my house a while back?"
"Yes..."
"Well... Now that my sister is home, my mom and i think its a perfect time for you to come!" She grabs my hand with excitement.
"I would love to Sam" I flash a smile at her.
"What do you say about tonight?"
"I'm looking forward to it."
"YAY! I'm so excited. I'll see you than okay?"
"Okay" I kiss her bye and walk her out.
Well that was a close one. I grab the water bottles from under the pillows and place them back on the table
"I dont mean to eavesdrop but it sounds like you guys are getting serious." My dad says coming down the stairs.
"I guess dad"
"Just be careful"
"I am."
"Aiden. The day you left school early didnt sound like you were careful." I take a gulp.
"Dad. She was mad. Her pulse was racing and her heart was pounding. Thats not fair."
"So every time she gets mad your gonna run away from her? It isnt safe."
"I didnt have breakfast that morning, I was on edge. Im always careful around her. I can control myself, I would never hurt her."
"I know you wouldn't, but just keep caution."
He's just warning me but i know to be careful. I would never hurt Samantha. Just that morning i was starved and Miles gets under my nerves... And her pulse sounded so tempting.... Thats why i left school.. I took care of it and it would never happen again. I think about the night at the park... She wasnt even mad but her pulse was racing.... I was kissing her neck and if i sucked a little bit harder i could have pricked the skin... My heart starts to pound like it did that night. My fangs come out and so does the veins around my eyes. The thought of her blood drives me craz-
"AIDEN!"
I snap out of it.
"Blood lust much? I bring up one incident and you fantasize about it, you see why this is dangerous!"
"DAD! I promise you i'm fine! I got carried away."
"Son.. Listen to me. If you care about her. You need to stay away. Think about what happened to Amelia."
"She's different Dad! I cant believe you just brought her up? That was years ago and she deserved it! I'm under control, you dont get it dad."
"No I do Aiden." He sits on the couch and i follow. "Your mother was human when i met her. She knew about me, she always asked me to change her-"
"I know dad, and eventually you did."
"Your right. But before she knew, i used to hallucinate about sucking her dry. I would have nightmares about killing her, Aiden. It became so bad that i was afraid to see her.. afraid of what i would do to her. She eventually found out what i was-"
"How did she take it.. How did she find out?"
"Well... Its kind of a TMI moment...."
I look at him waiting for an answer.
"We were well..."
"You know what, forget i asked" I shake my head trying to not think what he was about to say.
"Exactly!" He laughs, "Well during one of the times i lost it... My fangs came out and she was horrified.... It took her a while for it to sink in... But your mother loved me. She wanted me to turn her so we can be together forever. I refused the offer."
"Why?"
"I didnt except who i was back than... I still feared myself. I didnt want her to become nothing like me. Than... i found out she was pregnant with Ian... She kept begging and i refused. A couple years later we had you.. Yet again came more begging and i gave in. I told her i would turn her if she had one more baby with me, of course she wouldnt refuse.. we wanted a girl and we got one. Shortly after having Jasmine i turned your mother." He puts his head down. "It was a mistake Aiden. You knew your mother, you knew how she was..." We sit in silence. "Look I'm not saying dont be with Samantha but just keep your distance. She's a lovely girl. i know you will be careful and even if you arent im sure she would be a great vampire... I just dont want another psychopath running around." He gets up and gets a drink from the bar. My phone buzzes and its sam:
'come around 5:30 see you soon :) '
I try and think about Sam being a vampire and i cant imagine it. Shes too radiant and full of life... She is pure and innocent. I shake the thought from my head. No matter how crazy my mom was.. she didnt deserve the way she went. I miss her. I get up from the couch and walk to Jasmines room.
"Thanks Aiden"
"For what?"
"Taking me out today... It was like old times"
I smile at her, "I need your help"
"What do you need?"
"Well.. I'm going to Sam's house for dinner tonight.. what should i wear?"
"Is it the first time meeting her mom?"
"No but its the first time having dinner with them."
"Than go casual. The more you dress like yourself the more she'll like you"
"You sure?"
"You kidding??" She laughs, "Sometimes your more girly than me" She rolls her eyes.
"Is that so?" I punch her arm and leave before she gets me back.
"FUCK!" Is all i hear her say and we just laugh at each other.
———————————————————————————————————————
5:00 comes sooner than planned and I'm out the door.
I reach her house by 5:26 and walk to the porch.
*knocks on door*
"Hey beautiful" I say to Sam when she opens the door. She welcomes me in closing the door behind us.
"Aiden! How are you!"
"I'm great and you?"
"Good, thanks for asking!"
"Aiden, this is my sister" She points to Kris
"Nice to finally meet you" I say to her
"You too" She smiles.
"Mom we'll be up stairs, let us know when food is ready"
"Will doo"
We walk to Sam's room and i lay on her bed.
"I'm really happy your here tonight" Sam says laying on top of me.
"Me too" I kiss her, "I'm glad you made it up to me" I wink.
"So.. Um guess who I saw today" She gets off of me.
"Who?"
"Um Miles" She avoids eye contact.
"Oh.. Where?"
"Well he sort of came over." She finally looks at me.
"What time was this around?"
"Maybe like... 3?" I try and remember the time i left the woods. Had to be at 2.
"What did he say?" I say sitting up.
"He just apologized mostly... for not showing up to dinner and for that night."
"Yeah thats what he said to me too"
"You saw him? Where?"
"Oh, i saw him in the wooods..." Why would i say that?? "What did you say back?" Trying to avoid questions.
"Wait. Where?"
"I dont know Sam"
"How do you not know?"
"I went to the woods to get branches, you know the fireplace i have in my room"
"Ohh."
"Yeah." Thank god i covered that one.
"Well i just told him he was full of shit and kicked him out"
"You what?" I said in shock.
"Aiden. He was being a jerk that night. I couldnt just say its okay."
"I understand, but he was going through a lot... Maybe you should give him another chance"
"Why are you taking his side?"
"There isnt a side to take.. I'll always be on your side no matter what, its just all of us were tired"
We sit in silence.
"Sam, even best friends make mistakes. You know how your mom always says 'the spider is more afraid of you than you are of it?'"
"Yeah?"
"well thats what its like with Miles right now. He's still figuring this whole 'wolf' thing out... he's afraid of what he can do, he needs someone to be there for him and help him through it."
"How do i even help him?"
"Just being there with him."
"How do you always know what to say?"
"Haha i don't know.... If i was going through what he is, i would want the same thing...."
"You're right" I just smile.
We hear a knock on the door and its her sister.
"Sorry dont mean to interrupt but someone is here for you..."
"who?" Sam asks.
"Miles"
We both look at each other with surprised faces.
"What the hell does he want?!" Sam gets up and rushes downstairs and i follow.
"Thank you so much for inviting me for dinner!" Miles says as we go into the kitchen.
"Aiden this is Miles! Sam's best fri-
"He knows him mom, Miles come up stairs with us?" she grabs his arm and we both follow her.
"hi to you too" miles says
"what do you want Miles?" she whines when we reach the top of the stairs.
"listen. your mom invited ME this time! I couldnt say no especially how i ditched last time. Trust me i got the hint that you dont want to see me again, so lets get this over with." he begins to walk away and i nudge Sam.
"Okay!" she whispers to me and takes a deep breath, "Miles I'm sorry. All you need is someone there for you and I've been a bitch."
"Its okay Sam, I would have reacted the same way."
"I'm really happy you showed up tonight"
"Me too" He smiles.
"Dinner is ready!" her mom shouts and Sam heads downstairs.
"We'll be right there" Miles shouts back, I raise an eyebrow.
"What?" I ask.
"Thank you."
"For?"
"Telling Sam to forgive me."
"I didnt do it for you, I did it for Sam." I begin to walk away.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means Sam needs you more than you need her. You guys were always best friends no matter how distant you guys became this year... She always looked up to how you were so honest, she kind of praised you for that. You not being in her life would ruin her no matter how much you dont deserve her."
"I guess your right.." he stares at me with raised eyebrows.
"What now?" I ask.
"Wait you.. You eat food?"
"No?"
"So how are you here eating dinner with her family?"
We both laugh, "I mean i can eat normal food but it doesnt do anything, doesnt fill me or satisfy me.. If i want a normal relationship with her, than I'll eat whatever."
"Good guy, Aiden, good guy." We both laugh and head downstairs.
We sit at the table: Mom sitting at the head, kris sitting on the left side of her, Sam sitting on the right side, I sat next to Sam and Miles sat across from me.
"What were you guys doing?" Sam whispers to me.
"Just talking.. lets eat im starved" I wink at Miles.
"Me too!" He says.
So after everyone has food on their plate we begin to eat.
"So Aiden do you have a job?" Sam's mom asks.
"Uh yes, I work at that hospital up the street."
"Really?" Sam asks.
"Yeah i told you.. um the other night.."
she looks at me, " We were watching that movie... about a girl who got alcohol poising..." I cough.
"What?" She asks, "OH!" She laughs at the memory of her being pissed drunk.
"What movie is that?" Miles laughs along.
"Just some movie" We both say.
"Well thats nice! What do you do there, Aiden?"
"I just check the supplies and restock things.. nothing major" I cough.
"Your dad works there no?"
"Yeah, he works with Lydia's mom."
"I havent seen Lydia in a long time" Miles says.
"I know your barely around!" Sam says back. I cough again.
"Miles do you know what your doing next year? You know after we graduate" I ask, coughing again and again.
"Aiden you okay?"Sam asks.
"Yeah just a tickle in my throat." I take a sip of water.
"Not really.. I mean does anyone?" Miles continues the conversation.
"No" Me and Sam both say. I cough again.
"Is this garlic?" says Miles as he puts it in his mouth.
"Yep thats my mom for you, puts garlic in everything. Even in cereal."
"REALLY? Cereal? Is that good?" Miles questions.
"She's only kidding Miles!" They all laugh.
"but imagine you did!" Sam starts a separate convo with her mom and Kris
I clear my throat. Garlic? Isnt that myth? That cant be... I cough again. I clear my throat once again and this time i feel my fangs coming out. I hide my face in hands.
"Dude you okay?"Miles whispers.
I reveal half of my face to Miles and the other half is still covered by my hands. Miles jumps back almost scared looking.
"Miles you okay?" Kris asks.
"Yup fine.." and they go back to their conversation.
"oh my god" he mouths out and i rush upstairs.
"Is he okay?" Sam gets up.
"No , no he's um no he's fine." I say
"Let me check on him" She continues to get up.
"SIT! I'll check on him. I think he um i think he's pooping." did he just say that... He rushes upstairs and checks on me
"Dude what the fuck?" He whisper as we go into the bathroom and close the door behind us.
"I dont know!"
"How do you not know?!"
"This never happened to me before!"
"What was it? The garlic?!"
"I'm not too sure! In movies it always says we are but i didnt think that was legit! I've always loved the smell of it actually.."
"Yeah isnt it quite a lovely smell?"
"No it is! Its like this musk"
"Exactly!" we both think about it.
"WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!"
"Just calm down... lets think... um siri? should i ask siri?"
I look at him, "Siri? Miles, siri? Did you ask siri about the wolf?"
"Well.. no.. you've been along more than i have"
"That means absoluty nothing!"
"Dude you actually look pretty sick right now. Wow look at those fangs." I look in the mirror, pulling my lip up more so i can see them better.
"Aiden? Miles?" Sam says.
"Go out there!" I push Miles
"Me? Why me?!"
I hiss at him showing even more fangs.
"AH! Oh right, okaay" He leaves the bathroom.
"What are you guys doing in there?"
"Um... Aiden shit his pants and he's nervous to come out..."
"Oh my god!" I whisper. I'm going to punch him.
Sam stays quiet. "Uh okay..."
I text my sister real quick asking her what i should do. Sam and Miles are still talking but im not to sure about what. Jas answers and this is the conversation:
Jas: Did you not know that Garlic makes us who we really are?
Me: No not really! You know my diet consists of rabbit!
Jas: I eat more humans than you do but yet i know the myth about garlic.. How is that possible? Anyways drink blood it makes everything normal, you'll be fine.
Me: Jas, I dont have a blood bag on me...
Jas: Well... youre fucked, GOOD LUCK!
Gee thanks jas.
What am i going to do... It wont go away unless i drink.. Maybe just one sip, i'll take the necklace off and thats it. I can even get the urge out. Theres no way i can possibly finish the night until i drink. I just had this conversation with my dad. To keep her save i need to have a sip. Just one mouth-full and everything will be fine.
Miles shouts through the door, "You okay dude?! Can i open the door?"
I can smell Sam's scent and before i even think about it I say, "Yeah i'm okay" My mouth waters.
I look at myself in the mirror, its still there, i'm still there.
Miles opens the door and all i manage to see is half of her eye before i jump out the window. I walk to my car without saying bye to Sam, Miles or thank Sam's mom, I drive home.
How do i even explain this one.