Chapter 7: The Night is Young

Seth

Though the night sky was black as tar, the city was lit like the Fourth of July, just as every night before. It wasn't easy for Seth to find a completely overshadowed spot to stand below Kinley's apartment window so he could watch as she paced back and forth from her bedroom to the living room as she talked on the phone. Her beauty was infinite. He had never seen anyone quite like her. Sure, there had been other women before her, but their looks were no match for Kinley's. But he couldn't let her looks detour him from what he needed to do.

"Seth," said a voice from beyond the shadows. Seth knew who it was.

"Seamus," Seth said as he took a spot next to him.

He had expected him to show. Seth and Seamus were both wolves in the pack, Manhattan Shadows. The pack had called Manhattan home for centuries now. Seamus was the Alpha. He was Seth's mentor and the one who turned Seth those few years ago when he joined. Seamus took on the father role that Seth had never experienced, and Seth had been his loyal Beta wolf ever since.

"Are things going as planned?"

"Of course, why wouldn't they be?" Seth asked.

"It seems to be taking a bit longer than with the others. Everything okay?" He studied Seth's face looking for signs of concern.

Seth stood solid as a rock showing not one inkling of emotion. He was just glad that Seamus couldn't read his mind. Wolves are extraordinary, but there were plenty of powers they didn't have, and mind reading was one of them.

He glanced up to Kinley. She was still on the phone.

"She's beautiful, Seth. You have outdone yourself this time. You chose wisely, as always, and she will make a fine addition to our pack. I can't wait for you to turn her so I can have my way with her as I do the others."

Seth gulped and tried to contain his racing heart as Seamus's words burnt into his core. He knew Seamus would hear the increase of his heart rate. That is one of the things wolves could do.

Seamus appointed Seth his Beta almost two years ago when he realized how easily it was for women to take a liking to the lad. Seth was young and stunning, and the ladies fell for him almost instantly, which made turning them that much easier. Seamus wasn't bad looking and had his share of women, but his charm was off putting to most.

Seth made it easy, so every couple of months he was told to find a new woman and make her fall for him so that he may turn her, and she would forever be a part of their pack. Using women like that wasn't really who Seth was, but he was indebted to Seamus and very loyal. He couldn't fight this fate though. He was under a control he couldn't shake. It was if his mind was in constant battle with Seamus and now whatever this was Kinley had over him. He just hoped that the hold Kinley had on him, he was able to escape because going against Seamus would be a catastrophically ignorant move to make.

But Seth couldn’t help but wonder if maybe Kinley would be worth it. There was something different about her. The way she flowed through life so carefree. Her soul was the purest he had ever felt, and he yearned for her in a way that nothing else would be able to satisfy. He was frustrating himself and he needed to knock it off. His right fang grew just enough for him to bite his lower lip, drawing enough blood to push thoughts of Kinley momentarily to the side. He knew it wouldn't be for long though, so he needed the subject to change and fast.

"We should hit up the gentlemen's club tonight. We could have a drink and a good show. What do you think?" Seth asked.

"You mean the strip club?"

"I suppose you could call it that. So, what do you say? We haven't had a drink together in a minute."

"Sounds good to me. My car is just down the road."

Seamus headed towards his car and Seth took one last look up at the woman he hoped he could shake from his bones. She was standing at her bedroom window and suddenly she looked down at him. He almost lost his breath as their eyes made contact and just as fast as her eyes saw his, he was gone. He quickly got into Seamus's front seat and they sped away down the busy New York road towards the club.

Minutes later they were seated in front of the stage, with glasses of scotch in hand, waiting for the next girl to make her stage arrival. Seamus pulled out a fat cigar and lit it. He offered Seth one, but he shook his head no. The music started to play and a strawberry blonde with long legs and thigh highs stepped onto the stage. Seamus was mesmerized.

Seth couldn't stomach to think that was about to be Kinley. She was about to be gawked at and held to a certain position, just like this girl on stage, who by her facial expressions, had no desire to truly be there. He pictured that same look on Kinley's face, every day for the rest of her immortal life. His stomach turned at the thought. It was right then he knew he couldn't do this to her. He had to save her, even if it meant leaving the pack and fighting for his life.

"You having a good time?" Seamus asked as a brunette was on his lap grinding her hips back and forth. The half-gone cigar was hanging out of his mouth and he had his hands on the stripper’s chest. She didn't seem to mind though. She was too busy staring at the wad of cash protruding from his fist.

"Great time," Seth said. All he could think about was Kinley and as soon as this night was over, he was heading right back to her apartment.