BiteBound *completed*

Chapter 26.5

As we continued to wine and dine through the next hour, he had given me the CliffNotes summary of his past.

My witty vampire; Arthur Daniel Knight, was born a pure-vampire in England, 1800.

He is part of a small royal family tree. Not as powerful as some other clans spread out through Europe, but still an Aristocrat none the less.

While their image was important to the public eye, his family became very lax as the years continued on. Meaning, they didn't have to be too involved in political matters; both for the supernatural and mundane.

It explained why we was able to break away from the family fairly easily.

Growing up, he was a loner. He didn't really care to be around his boisterous brothers and much preferred to be alone buried in his books. As long as he did his duties, his parents let him do what he pleased.

It wasn't until at the age of thirteen when his Mother and the Headmaster at the Academy became concerned at his anti-social behavior.

So she would constantly insist for him to try a hobby. Nothing really clicked for him to want to be involved in a "team" or "group", but he did eventually pick something to keep his Mom and Headmaster off his back. He settled for fencing.

On the days he was at the Academy, he would be reading in the library to get ahead in his studies. When he was at home and not playing sports, he was either learning how to paint on his own or playing the cello in his room.

At the age of 14, he was introduced to two new teenagers that became his own personal staff. Peterson was assigned to shadow Arthur's bodyguard while Anne was also learning how to be his maid.

Arthur had no interest in making friends at the time, but as time went on, it was Anne's optimistic personality that made him see her more than just the help.

Next thing he knew, He, Peterson and Anne became close; swearing to look out for each other while also enjoying each other's company.

When Arthur graduated from University with an M.D. his aging began to slow. It wasn't until the age of 35 when his appearance remained permanent. He didn't mind how he looked compared to other vampires, though he did mention how the permanent age varies from vampire to vampire.

Half vampires like Anne and Peterson continue to grow old over time, it just slows down drastically hence why they remain looking young.

It wasn't until during his residency where he wished he had stopped aging at a much older number.

After working for a certain amount of years at a hospital, he would have to transfer in order to stay away from suspecting eyes. Nurses would be the first to notice and compliment him for having such a young complexion; that was when he would make the switch.

Eventually, the amount of transfers he could do started to slim down, so he went back to school to major as a veterinarian.

With the help from a couple of friends in business and legal, he decided to open his own animal hospital where he didn't have to worry about people pointing out his age. He would be able to work on his own time, as much or as little as he wanted, and still make a lot of money to provide good paying jobs for other Veterinarians and Nurses.

"And... that's pretty much it." He says, finishing the final drop in his wine glass. "Not much else to it."

"I highly doubt that." I said, losing myself into his brilliant eyes. "What were you like when you went through your high school years?"

"Just me." He snorts. "We didn't have 'cliques' in my time My Dear."

"You mean to tell me you weren't the shy nerd or the cocky jock?" I prop my head against my hand. "Maybe the sad artist?"

"No and no." He says. "Just me. Someone who enjoyed studying and reading."

"Ah, The Bookworm. That's hot."

"If that's what you're into." He snorts. "Cheeky Brat."

"How many girlfriends did you have before you met your wife?"

His grins suddenly drops to a frown. "No."

Crap, I'm prying too much!

I broke away from his disappointing gaze, finding something else to distract myself from the awkward rejection.

"Sorry." I mumbled. "Um..."

I look down at my phone, poking at the screen to catch the time.

It was 9:30pm. We should get to the arcade.

"Bonnie, I think I should tell you—."

Oh look the waiter!

"Um, S-sir!" I stop him before passing our table. "Could I have the bill please?"

"Not a problem." He says, adjusting the drink tray to his shoulder so he can reach into the huge pocket of his black apron. "Here you are, I'll be right back to pick it up."

"Thanks."

I set the bill down the table, rummaging through my clutch for my wallet when Arthur holds out a platinum credit card.

"Uh, yeah no." I said, pull out my tiny wallet. "This is your birthday dinner—."

"And I refuse to let a woman pay for me." He says firmly. "Consider me old fashioned. Please, take it."

"But this was supposed to be your gift..."

"And the puzzle in the library was a gift enough for me." He smiles gently. "Let me get the bill. It's what I want."

Well shit. When he looks at me like that, how can I say no?

I put my wallet back in my clutch bag, picking up the leather book and handing it to him.

"Thank you My dear." He says, sliding his card into the little designated pocket. "So the next destination, you said it was 'fun'."

"Sounds foreign doesn't it?"

"Ha, ha." He rolls his eyes. "Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Not." I grin. "I want it to be a surprise."

"I don't like surprises."

"Then you can go back to the mansion and spend your birthday by yourself then."

He scoffs at my brat like response.

"And leave you alone to get even more drunk? Not going to happen."

"Then don't ask questions and just enjoy what's to come." I said. "Trust me, you're gunna hate it."

He lets out an exasperated sigh, crossing his arms like an annoyed child.

"You're lucky I'm letting loose tonight."

"This is letting loose?!" I laughed. "Geez that stick must be so far up your ass if this is 'getting loose'!"

"Well, aren't you funny." He hands the passing waiter the leather book. "I can be fun too, you know."

"I doubt that. I'm also pretty damn sure that the word 'fun' doesn't even exist in your vocabulary." I mocked. "Don't worry Handsome, I shall teach you all of the magical ways of this so called fun."

"And by magical you mean torturous." He grumbles. "Fine, get your purse and let's go. The Waiter is coming back and I don't want to stay out for too long tonight."

Yeeeaah, as if we're going by his rules tonight.