Chapter 18 Craving
/Edlyn/
By the time I stopped running, the forest was quiet again too quiet.
The bond still hummed faintly in my veins, that strange pull from earlier fading but not gone. Vamp was eerily silent in my head, which was never a good sign. First she took over control and now She’s suddenly quiet.
I leaned against a tree, panting softly. My throat burned raw, dry, and painfully hollow.
I needed blood.
Now... I've never craved blood before, my throat was fucking itchy.
“Vamp,” I muttered, rubbing my neck. “You left me with the thirst of a thousand centuries. You couldn’t have at least stopped for a snack before hijacking my body?”
No response.
Figures. Moon’s voice was calm but concerned. You can’t go back to the packhouse like this. You may attack them for blood.
“I know,” I whispered. “I just need… a little.”
Enough to stop your throat from catching fire, she agreed softly.
I scanned the area, the faint lights of the town visible beyond the treeline. That’s when an idea hit me. Risky. Reckless. Perfect.
“Guess it’s time to get creative.”
I closed my eyes and let my witch power stir that deep, tingling current that always felt older than my wolf, darker than my fairy blood. It responded instantly, glowing faintly beneath my skin.
“Find me a hospital,” I murmured under my breath.
The nearest wolf patrol was passing close by a young male, probably on guard duty. I reached out with a flicker of compulsion, letting my voice brush against his mind like silk.
You there… tell me where the humans keep their healing place.
He froze mid-step, eyes glazing faintly. “East side of town,” he murmured dreamily. “By the main road. Near the bridge.”
“Good boy,” I whispered, releasing the hold. He blinked, confused, then kept walking none the wiser.
Moon sighed. You’re really doing this, aren’t you?
“Unless you have a better idea that doesn’t involve biting the Supreme Alpha in broad daylight, then yes.”
I stripped quickly, folding my clothes under a nearby root, then let the shift take over.
It wasn’t graceful it never was but it was fast. My bones cracked, reshaping, fur sliding down my skin like shadows melting into silver.
My wolf form stretched and shook, massive and sleek, eyes glowing faint gold. I lowered myself to the ground, sniffed the air, then took off, after making sure am scentless...
The forest blurred around me as I ran fast, silent, focused. The wind whipped past my fur, carrying the lingering scent of humans, metal, antiseptic, and blood. Sweet, coppery blood.
It made Vamp stir at last. Mmm. Now that’s the smell I missed.
“Stay quiet,” I growled through our link. I never expected myself to miss the smell of blood since i haven’t come across any human in years, it made easier to keep Vamp in check but now that am in a human hospital that reeks of their blood, my thirst is uncontrollable.
You say that, but you’re drooling, she purred.
I ignored her.
By the time I reached the hospital’s edge, the sun had dipped low, casting long shadows across the parking lot. I shifted back into human form behind a thick hedge, quickly tugging my clothes on.
My throat still burned. The hunger was a living thing now restless, clawing.
Moon’s voice whispered, Keep control, Edlyn. In and out. No chaos.
“Got it.”
The building was guarded by cameras and a single sleepy security guard who looked one yawn away from a nap.
I closed my eyes, reaching inward to a part of myself I hadn’t touched in years my itch power, as Vamp liked to call it. The ability to bend electricity, to whisper to metal and light.
When I opened them again, my irises glowed faintly gold.
The hallway lights flickered once.
Then the entire surveillance system blinked out.
“Still got it,” I muttered with a grin.
Inside, the sterile scent hit me like a wave bleach, iron, and life. I slipped past the nurses’ station until I spotted one young woman alone, humming softly as she arranged blood packets for transport.
Perfect.
I stepped into the light, letting my glamour unfold the subtle shimmer of fairy charm, not too strong, just enough.
“Hi,” I said softly.
She turned, startled, then blinked, dazed. “Oh… hello. You’re not supposed to be—”
Her voice faltered as my eyes locked with hers.
“You’re going to help me,” I murmured, tone smooth as silk. “You’ll take one of those bags, the rarest type you have. And you’ll hand it to me.”
Her pupils dilated. “The rarest… yes.”
She moved robotically, fingers fumbling as she opened the fridge and pulled out a crimson bag marked O negative.
When she placed it in my hands, I felt Vamp purr deep in my chest. Now that’s a meal.
“Good girl,” I whispered, brushing my fingers against the nurse’s wrist. “Now, forget I was ever here.”
She blinked slowly, her mind already erasing me. “Forget… yes.”
I slipped back through the corridor, my magic reactivating the cameras behind me, leaving no trace.
Outside, under the glow of a half-moon, I tore a small slit into the bag and took a sip.
The taste hit me instantly rich, sharp, alive. My veins burned and then cooled, my heartbeat slowing as my senses steadied.
Moon sighed with relief. Feeling better?
I nodded. “Much.”
Vamp purred. Mmm. Next time, we take two.
“Next time, you don’t hijack my body,” I muttered, licking the last trace of blood from my lips.
As the moon rose higher, I wiped my mouth, straightened my jacket, and started back toward the forest.
The thirst was quiet now.
But deep inside, something else stirred that faint, magnetic hum from before.
The vampire scent.
And even though I didn’t want to admit it… part of me wanted to follow it.
Moon’s voice broke the silence first, firm and urgent. We need to go back. Now. I froze mid-step, the empty blood bag still clutched in my hand. “Back? Are you insane? I just broke into a human hospital and drained a blood pack like a criminal.”
Exactly, Moon said tightly. And while you were off playing Vampire Diaries, Jasmine’s been trying to reach you for hours.
My stomach dropped. “Wait.... what?”
She notified Nelson, Moon continued grimly. And now the entire pack is out looking for you.
I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “Oh, for Goddess’s sake. This day just keeps getting better.”
Vamp snickered lazily. Correction: this day keeps getting bloodier. You should thank me. Without me, you’d still be parading around in those ridiculous dresses.
“Not helping,” I hissed.
Moon ignored her. Jasmine sounded terrified, Edlyn. She thought you were taken or worse, that a witch bewitched you into suddenlyrunnig away.
I winced. Guilt stabbed at me like a hot needle. Jasmine had been nothing but kind to me. She didn’t deserve to panic because Vamp decided to play Sniff-the-soulmate.
“Great,” I muttered, kicking a loose stone. “Now Nelson probably thinks I’m some kind of unstable freak who can’t even go shopping without causing a supernatural crisis.”
You did kind of run into the woods and vanish, Moon pointed out gently.
“Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled. “Add that to my list of accomplishments.”
Vamp purred from the back of my mind. Relax, darling. At least you look good while being a disaster.
Moon sighed. We’re going back. No excuses. Nelson’s scent is everywhere. He’s already tracking you.
That made me stop cold. “He’s what?”
You heard me, Moon said. He’s worried, Edlyn. But underneath that, I can feel it... he’s worried.
My heart stuttered painfully. “He’s… worried?”
Yes, Moon said softly. He thinks you’re hurt.
I swallowed hard, torn between guilt and something dangerously close to warmth. “Well, I am emotionally damaged. Does that count?”
Go, Moon insisted. Before he tears through half the forest looking for you.
I sighed dramatically. “Fine. But if anyone asks, we were rescuing lost kittens or something.”
Vamp laughed. Oh, please. We both know you’d eat the kitten.
“Vamp!” I barked, half exasperated, half amused.
Her laughter echoed darkly as I shifted again, fur bursting through skin, bones snapping into place. My wolf’s paws hit the earth softly, silent and sure.
Let’s move, Moon said.
I took off, racing through the trees toward the pack territory. The night wind cut through my fur, carrying familiar scents Nelson, Felix, Jasmine, a dozen others.
And underneath it all, faint but distinct…
that other scent.
The vampire’s.
My chest tightened. Not now, I told myself. One crisis at a time.
As the lights of the pack’s perimeter came into view, Moon’s voice softened.
You’ll have to explain yourself, Edlyn.
“I know.”
Come up with a good excuse.
“I said I know.”
Vamp’s tone turned teasing again. Well, at least you’re about to have one hell of a reunion scene. Maybe he’ll pin you to the wall again—
“Finish that sentence and I swear I’ll starve you for a week.”
She chuckled, unbothered. Worth it.
I groaned but kept running, the forest giving way to the open clearing near the packhouse.
I could already see Jasmine’s small frame pacing near the entrance, Felix by her side, both of them looking anxious and alert. Nelson’s scent hit me next strong, electric, laced with anger and worry.
Moon murmured, You might want to brace yourself. He’s not in a forgiving mood.
“Great,” I muttered. “Just what I needed a lecture from the Supreme Alpha and an audience.”
Vamp hummed wickedly. At least am sure he looks good when he’s mad.
I didn’t answer. Because as I slowed down at the edge of the clearing, I saw Nelson standing tall under the moonlight, his eyes glowing molten gold as they locked onto mine.
And in that instant, I knew I was in trouble.
The real kind.