Bites & Bruises (ManxMan)

Twenty Three

"No way!"

She was playing with her hair until I spoke, now I had her full attention. My back was hurting, my gums aching and the desire to feed only getting stronger.

"Mhmm."

"I can't believe they did that to you!"

My gaze rose from the cup of tea in my hands to Delilah who had a frown etched onto her pretty face. "It was months ago and though it sucks, looking back on it now, everything does point to me doing it."

"How so?"

I cleared my throat and gave her a sheepish look. "They found a few people in my house, I've been going through a rough patch lately."

"You can't control your feeding."

I chewed on my lower lip as I set my cup on the bedside table and stretched. "It's not so bad right now but I still have my moments."

Delilah smiled ever so softly. "How did it start? I thought you ate animals."

"Marius had tried to convince me to drink human blood and after a while the temptation was just too great," I shrugged and pursed my lips. "I understand why he tried to force me into it, it was for my own safety."

"Doesn't make it right though," She shook her head and ran a finger over a risen scar on her wrist. "You don't think Timothy... he isn't...he's not..."

"No, I don't think he's with anyone else, who could ever get over someone as beautiful as you hmm?"

I shifted on the bed and sprawled out, letting Delilah shuffle forward and curl up under my arm, her head on my chest and the scent of her hair filling my nose.

"Drink the rest of your drink," I yawned, "You need your wounds to heal."

She huffed and made a face of disgust. "It's weird drinking your blood, I'm not a vampire you know."

I chuckled and reached out to ruffle her thick hair. "I know but you can't do anything with those wounds of yours so drink up and you'll be as good as new by morning."

I watched the she-wolf slowly get up and grab her glass of crimson liquid before downing it. "Yuck, yucky, yuck."

Smiling softly to myself Delilah flopped back down onto the bed and curled up into my side again. "Good girl," I cooed which earned me a slap to the chest.

Exhaustion washed over me yet I fought against it, I could still sense the she-wolf's fear and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Blair would be a fool to try and find me, just thinking about him had rage bubbling up inside and the monster stirred. Though I was certain the vampire wouldn't come looking, Delilah on the other hand wasn't and I knew I couldn't rest until she was reassured.

For the past few hours we had done nothing but talk softly, catching up on the events of what's happened in the last little while whilst Delilah has sat and brushed her hair. I noticed from time to time that her eyes would stray to a scar and a distraught expression would flicker across her face.

I hated it and each time it happened I would go over and kiss the mark, bringing back that smile along with a blush. It hurt to see her like that, to think about what was going through her mind as she stared at her body, I knew how she felt but the thoughts were no good. They were toxic.

"Payton I need to go home."

Her soft voice brought me from my wandering thoughts and I stifled a yawn. "Not right this second you don't."

"But everyone will be looking for me, I'm sure they are worried sick."

"Delilah... They had a funeral for you," I opened my eyes with effort, peering down at her. "They think you're dead."