Chapter 2

Charlotte Sanguinite POV:

"Perhaps you should tend to your hand first," the Alpha says slowly.

The knife clatters to the ground, and I stare at the man.

His voice is husky, and it rubs along my skin in a way that has me suppressing a shiver.

"I—" I looked down at my hand. The blood is dripping onto the floor from the deep cut in my palm. I don't have the normal vampire healing ability, and I'm beginning to feel a bit concerned.

"I can wait," the Alpha says calmly. "You can tend to your injury first."

I would rather serve him and have him leave, but I have to prioritize.

"Just give me a moment," I say hastily, crouching to the floor and reaching for the small first aid kit that we usually keep under the counter in case of emergencies. I have to put the box on the counter, and I fumble with the bandage. The Alpha gives me an odd look. I hurriedly wrapped the bandage around my palm and slammed the box shut before turning back to him.

"Sorry about that. What can I get you?"

I see his eyes linger on my hand, where the blood is spreading through the bandage. I closed my fist, ignoring the stinging sensation. I can't help it; I've always been a bleeder.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. What would you like to order?"

It's hard to keep my voice professional. After a few seconds of tense silence, Alpha looks at the menu board. "I'll have a black coffee, plain, two chocolate muffins, three chicken sandwiches..."

He keeps going on and on, and I frantically try to keep up. Everything in the bakery case had been freshly prepared just a few hours ago, and the man emptied more than half of it. Despite how anxious I am, my curiosity gets the best of me. "Is this all for you?"

The Alpha blinks, and then his lips curve into a smile so charming that I feel a light flutter in my belly, my toes curling. His smile lights up his eyes, and a dimple forms on his right cheek. He's not ridiculously handsome, but there is a boyish charm to him that makes my heart skip a beat.

"This would be my breakfast, me being a growing boy and all."

He's funny.

Oh, God, he's funny, too.

I lowered my head, wishing I had never asked.

"I—Of course." I feel so flustered that I nearly drop one of the bags I'm folding over.

Most of the men I've dated have been human. Vampires don't want me, so human men have been my only option. I've never even looked at a wolf shifter with any sort of intention aside from keeping a ten-foot distance between us. This is the first time I've ever properly interacted with one.

And the moment I do, I end up thinking he's appealing.

Another reason why I should avoid this guy.

"Here you go." I handed him the three paper bags and his coffee. "That will be thirty-five dollars."

He hands me his card, and I glance at his name.

Robert Montgomery.

Why is that name so familiar? I've definitely heard it before somewhere.

I swipe his card, and he leaves. But as he walks out the door, I see him look over his shoulder at me.

I averted my gaze quickly.

Even if he's charming and funny, he's an Alpha. I need to steer clear of that man.

When I was thrown out of my home at the age of fourteen, the rejection by my clan and family was devastating. And yet, there was relief. No more bullying. No more torturous nights where I would have to sleep with one eye open, trying to anticipate my younger sister, Arabella, and her friends breaking into my room and doing something to me.

I had to live in a women's shelter for a few months till I found a job as a waitress by lying about my age. I got myself enrolled in a local high school and finished my basic education. I managed to move into an apartment that was owned by an old man who just wanted company and was willing to let me stay there. When he passed away a couple of years ago, he willed his apartment to me. It's where I live now.

And these days, I support myself with a job that pays well, and this volunteer position pays me with free food for my one-eyed tabby at home.

I dimmed the lights of the front office of the animal shelter, knowing that at this late hour, nobody would be coming in. I started bottle-feeding one of the rescued kittens someone brought in. They need to be fed every three hours, and after feeding these babies, I'm going to head out. The rest of the animals have been fed, the cats have had their litter changed, and the dogs have been petted and cuddled and are now sleeping peacefully.

Animals have always liked me. And I've always been drawn to them.

They don't hurt me, and I find solace in their companionship.

I glance at the wall clock as I burp the little kitten. It's nearing midnight. I have to get home.

Ricky, the vet who stays overnight here, is supposed to take over after me, but he still hasn't arrived.

I put the kittens in their small enclosure in the back before returning to the front office. Yawning, I looked at the dark street outside.

This past week has been a strange one.

After my interaction with the wolf shifter, I made sure to let someone else deal with him each time he came into the café. I've caught him watching me a couple of times, but he doesn't say anything. He's very polite, and the rest of the staff, including Jazz, like him. He leaves a tip every time, and he buys us out of our baked items almost every morning.

His eyes, though… I can't stop thinking about them. They're the prettiest blue I've ever seen. And the way his cheeks creased, merriment dancing in his gaze… Each time I recall it, my heart beats in an unsteady rhythm. The stupidity of my reaction isn't lost on me. He's an Alpha, and I'm a vampire. Not only that, I'm much weaker than an ordinary vampire. Weakness is always eliminated. I don't know about wolves, but with vampires, a clan is only as strong as its weakest link. Which is why I was surprised my father let me stick around for as long as he did.

An Alpha like Robert Montgomery, with his playful smile and mesmerizing eyes, would look at me with nothing but disdain if he realized that I found myself inconveniently attracted to him. He might even consider it an insult.

It's not like I plan on saying anything, but a crush is a crush, and being aware of how I can't even compare to him is just another blow in a series of them.

Sighing, I get to my feet.

With nothing else to do, I walked out the front door to begin lowering the shutters partially. However, as soon as I step outside, the faint scent of blood hits me. I stiffen.

Looking up and down the street, I see no one.

This is not animal blood, nor is it human blood.

It's either a vampire or a wolf.

I hesitate and consider going back inside. I don't want to get involved with either kind of blood. As I'm about to turn, I see a figure stumbling down the road. It's a man, based on his build. He's gripping the wall for support, one hand holding his neck. The smell of blood is making my instincts sharp, and my stomach rumbles. However, I have managed to regulate my hunger for a very long time now, so even as my irises are undoubtedly turning red, I am still wholly in control of myself.

The man is bleeding badly. Whoever got to him did a number on him. I'm still standing by the door, one hand on the handle, telling myself to go back indoors. But something inside me finds the idea of leaving an injured being out here alone, possibly on the verge of death, reprehensible. But if I intervene, there will be consequences.

I have tried to remain invisible for years.

That cloak might be stripped off of me.

As the man walks under a streetlight, my eyes widen in alarm and shock.

I know who that is.

Robert Montgomery!