Two Halves of a A Vampires Soul (The Silver Series) Read online

  Chapter 1

  Connor could feel the heat from the sun shining on his fur prompting him to shift back to man, just so he could enjoy the glorious rays beating down on his naked back. The wolf tattoo that spanned his back shimmered in the sun. The pups were at school everyone else was busy, the peacefulness inside shining through in his easy run. To see the sun for a change was exhilarating after all of the rain they had seen. Lifting his head to the sky he could smell more rain on the horizons.

  Stopping to take in the new scent he frowned. Just outside of the fence he could smell blood, animal blood wolf blood. Damn one of the wild wolves had been hurt. Heading past the guards on the gates he followed the scent. Racing through the woods he skirted in and out of the trees, over the brush of dirt and grass, hoping to make it in time to save the wolf.

  Occasionally the wild wolves fought against each other but they were a pack and would not seriously hurt another wolf. Not unless a stray wolf had entered the packs territory, but with a dominant pack that would be unusual. With a deep breath Connor stopped when he came upon the injured wolf. He lay on his side blood smearing his sandy coat. Running his hands down the wolf's pelt, Connor found the wound. Strangely it didn’t feel much like a bite wound more a linear wound. Standing, he was about to lift his shirt from the waist band of his jeans to stem the blood flow, when a sudden slight movement of the earth around him, alerted Connor to the danger. It was then that he should have noticed the missing sounds of the other animals; he should have noticed the lack of bird song, lack of insects. He didn’t, until it was too late.

  "Hey, what are you doing here?" Conner spared only a glance at the familiar visitor, "you know what, don’t worry just help me get the wolf inside."

  Connor turned, ready to lift the wolf when his spine prickled his inner wolf calling out in distress. It was too late. He felt the sharp blade slice across his neck; he couldn’t speak to call out, instead calling out using the telepathic link with the wolves.

  "Ben help, bleeding traitor too late, woods."

  The call used valuable energy taking the last of his life force. But it didn’t matter he had warned the pack. Conner drifted away, until there was nothing.

  Ben dropped his glass and ran; he could feel the other wolves running with him. He could smell the other wolves and Connors blood; arriving Ben already knew he was too late. As the Alpha, Ben had felt the link between him and Conner slip away, before it snapped completely. He took one look at Connor, his friend, laying there in a pool of blood. Dropping to his knees Ben howled and then lifted Connors head into his lap; pushing at Connor's chest trying to rouse him. His brain couldn’t comprehend the loss even though he knew it was so. Surely they would be able to find a way to bring him back, he couldn’t lose him.

  Chapter 2

  Six months later.

  Coming up the narrow stairs Beth struggled to move her achy legs. Not only did she feel sick she was also pissed off, missing a night out with the girls was not something that made her happy. The corridor leading to her apartment was dark from the lack of a light bulb near her door reminding Beth that she needed to replace it. With little light the green walls looked dark and ominous. With only the moonlight from a small window to illuminate her way she took careful steps.

  Tonight Beth welcomed the darkness of night her head was pounding. Surely someone needed to stop bouncing the ball through her head; she wanted nothing more than to climb into bed and sleep away the pain. Alan could look after her for a change she thought with a hint of annoyance. Her boyfriend moving in for a few days had somehow significantly extended to over three months.

  Turning the knob she didn’t bother getting the keys out. Even from out here, she could hear Alan's music blaring from the bed room. The likelihood of the door being locked was slim, if Alan was in his friends would also be in, was high. As a music student at the local College Alan loved his music. They had been together nearly eight months after meeting at a College party. When they had first met he had been living in a run-down apartment, with cockroaches as neighbours. When the rental had run out he had asked Beth if he could stay with her for a few days, foolishly she had said yes.

  She had to admit; it hadn’t been too difficult living with Alan. As a budding musician he was out a lot especially at night. That worked for Beth who worked part time at her step father's night club. Before college she had worked in the family business fulltime. She knew that when she had started college she did not need to work, her mom and Ben would have supported her financially, but she wanted to pave her own way. It also helped that Silver's Nightclub was one of 'THE' places to be on any night. Beth met lots of fascinating people and had a lot of fun.

  Holding her shoes she manoeuvred her way into the apartment, immediately noting the empty beer bottles and pizza boxes. Damn it she didn’t need this shit tonight, but as she wandered through to the bed room she resolved to ignore the mess. Stopping in the doorway Beth dropped her shoes in response to the sight that greeted her.

  Alan was underneath a brunette who just happened to be sat on his penis. What the hell was he doing? In shock Beth couldn’t stop the ridiculous thoughts running through her head, maybe he would claim that she had slipped, and just happened to land on his penis.

  Taking a deep breath to prevent the impending tears she composed herself. Never one to display anything other than perfection, Beth closed her eyes. Willing the pain away she walked to the MP 3 player. Flicking the off switch; she turned back to the couple who still hadn’t noticed she was there.

  "When you are quite finished get out, because I would really like to go to bed." In her head her voice felt wobbly, outside she knew it sounded strong, which was a hell of a lot stronger than she felt right now.

  As the brunette turned Alan pushed her off, his face twisted from one of pleasure to horror at her intrusion.

  "Beth shit, Beth I didn’t expect you home so soon." Not sure where he was going with this she cut him off.

  "Clearly not Alan, don’t you worry I can wait while you pack your things up. It seems to me that you have somewhere else to stay now." He was scrambling around the room, her room, trying to put his clothes on. Which was in Beth's opinion, just a little too late.

  The woman was taking her time seemingly finding nothing of concern. Beth looked at her short legs, and mousey short brown hair. She was fair from impressed.

  "Let me give you the heads up bitch. I have come home sick, found you on top of my boyfriend's cock, and now you have the gall to take your time. You now have thirty seconds to leave before I start kicking the shit out of you!"

  Feeling unusually aggressive, Beth was potentially willing to make good on her threat. Damn she was tired, and becoming just a little cranky, she did not need this shit.

  Beth retained the same calm, and composed exterior when addressing the woman, as she had with Alan. It worked, and was undoubtedly scarier than if she had screamed, and shouted. The effect was the one she wanted, the woman decided to hurry now. Alan had managed to slip on some jeans coming to stand in front of her. A look of sadness tinged his face but she wasn’t stupid. Her chest tightened in anger as she looked at him, she could almost see his brain thinking of the various things he could say. He made the wrong choice.

  "I am so sorry Beth, I don’t know what happened. I just felt lonely, and you have been working so hard and I missed you."

  Well he couldn’t miss the slap she delivered to his face. He tried the pleading tone the puppy dog eyes. She could not miss the fact that he had betrayed her in the worst possible way, and was trying to blame her for his infidelity. Seeing his brown, shaggy hair that she had al
ways thought was a groomed, mess. She now saw it as lank and untidy. His blue eyes, which were so obviously stoned again, now held no appeal at all. Well other than urging her to see one blackened, by her fist. Beth questioned what she had ever seen in him. He was thin, lanky and not skilled in bed, maybe the inferior sex had been a good thing, less for her to miss.

  "Don’t bother Alan, it won't work. Get your stuff and get out." She was furious, he seriously thought he could manipulate her well she had been taught better than that.

  As she slammed the door shut behind Alan, she looked at her apartment that was now empty of people; save for her, and the silence was a welcome bliss. Her home always made her feel good, her lounge had cream walls, except for the one wall that had had wallpaper depicting Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Her dream was to see Paris and enjoy both its architecture, and shopping. Her apartment had dark beige carpeting, and a matching sofa, with tall black lamps in three corners. The overall effect was beautiful, warm and peaceful.

  Before Alan it had been clean and organised. She liked organised, everything had a place, and everything matched. Now things were out of place and untidy it wouldn’t do. Changing into her sweats (Beth never cleaned in her normal clothes; there was no point in damaging them), she went through the one bed roomed apartment, stripping the bedding before clearing away any remnants of Alan. These remaining remnants were removed in the easiest way; through the window. And when she finally stopped she allowed herself to cry.

  She lay on her bed, in her grey pants and blue top and sobbed. It wasn’t really about Alan well not fully. She had felt so grown up, she was just about to graduate after completing a Master's Degree in Business and Economics. They had a terrific plan to travel before moving forward with their lives.

  Alan had met her mom and stepfather Ben which had been an interesting afternoon. She had to admit that it could have been better, but it could have been a damn sight worse. The only time her family had met him it had started tense but improved, only after Alan stopped trying to get Ben to showcase his music in the club. No, she wasn’t upset by losing Alan the real upset would be telling her family what an ass he was. They wouldn’t be cruel to her, they would support her but she had been trying to convince them of how grown up she was. She had tried to get them to trust her choices, without worrying about her.

  Beth closed her eyes, initially she hadn’t planned on going to College; she had spent a couple of years working in a variety of roles within Silver Inc. including being a secretary, promoting the business, and finally as a P.A for Ben. None of them had felt right; they just weren't her, prompting her decision to continue her education.

  Now at 25 years old she wanted to lead an adult life, be treated as one. Yet her family continued to feel the need to protect her, Ben her stepfather was the worst. Beth wasn’t convinced any man was strong enough to get past Ben, and receive his seal of approval.

  As Beth lay back on the bed her head tucked into the goose feathers of her pillow, she wrapped the duvet around her cold body, and lifted the phone to call Celia. She needed a friend and Celia fit that bill. As the sister of Imogen, who was a member of the Silver Wolf Pack as well as one of Vlad's Elite team of Vampires, Beth and Celia had quickly become fast friends. She knew Celia would be discreet and supportive, so Beth wasn’t surprised when Celia turned up with ice cream and a bottle of vodka a short time later. After drinking the vodka, during which time they debated the benefits of a vibrator versus a man, Celia fell asleep. Sleep eluded Beth; she tried to formulate a plan yet her thoughts kept coming back to the past.

  The death of Connor six months ago had been devastating for them all, especially Ben. As pack Alpha, Ben had been shocked to the core. Connor was one of Ben's best friends and the pack was still mourning him. For Beth it had reminded her, that even though she and her sisters were protected by wolf shifters, they were not invincible and could still die. It had been a lot to take in.

  When it had happened Beth had been home for the weekend, she had followed the chaos to where she had found Ben, with Connor's head on his lap. She remembered seeing the blood smeared into Connor's blond curls. She could almost recall the metallic smell of the blood; she could still see the blood that was pooling around Connor's neck. She had arrived to find her mom leant over Ben from the back, with her arms wrapped around him holding him tight. It was the most heart breaking sight she had ever seen; one that Beth never wanted to see it again. Seeing Ben broken had been devastating, it was even worse when they had found out that Connor had been murdered. If Ben ever found the culprit Beth had no doubt he would rip them to pieces, slowly.

  Over the last couple of months, Ben had bounced back a little. They all knew the truth; Ben was putting on a brave face, trying to rally the pack into a semblance of normality. It hadn’t been easy for any of them so in a way her upcoming graduation had given them all just a small reason to smile. As her time at college had drawn to a close, she had kept it low key. But the pack had a way of enjoying everyone’s successes. A party had been suggested and was, according to Ben a chance to start moving forward.

  Easier said than done yet if that's what Ben needed, that’s exactly what would happen. She would make sure this party was a success. Connors death prompted her to make the decision that she would live her life in the now and go for what she wanted, there was no point in waiting around for life to happen to her. With a wry grin Beth accepted how much harder that now was; Ben had gone from way over protective to ridiculously over protective.

  Groaning at her insomnia which was made worse by listening to Celia snoring on the sofa, Beth sadly mulled over what had happened with Alan. She expected pangs of pain to come searing through her chest, she should have been hurt but she wasn’t. She was angry at herself at letting him into her life. She had never loved him nor had she pretended to. Alan was just a distraction initially a bit of fun. But later after Connor, Alan became something to take her mind of the oppressive and painful atmosphere shrouding her family. Trying to assemble her feelings, Beth realised that even without the pain she felt sad, which was a step up from feeling nothing, well nothing but the effect of drinking a bottle of Vodka.

  She smiled when she heard the howl of a wolf. Ben hadn’t told her but she knew he had patrols going past her apartment hourly after dark; there was also a tracker on her car, and in her cell. Initially she had wanted to rebel against Ben's rules until she seriously thought about it, she understood that he was just scared for her so she just pretended that she didn't know. Which was stupid really, Ben and her mom had taught her to be aware of her surroundings, meaning that they must realise that she had noticed.

  Her eyes slowly closed, just in time for the room to start swimming. Beth snuggled underneath the duvet that blanketed her, cocooning her body that still slightly ached. She had almost forgotten that she had come home sick. The peace within her apartment allowed her body to calm, and her brain to lull into a slumber. No music or noise in the lounge room to distract her.

  Chapter 3

  Opening her eyes, the sunlight glinting into the room resulted in her thinking back to the previous night like a hazy dream. It took only seconds for her brain to kick in, and remind her of the reality. Her boyfriend, a bimbo, her bed (maybe she should buy a new one). God Beth cringed as the memories flooded her. Today was undoubtedly a PJ day, no getting dressed, no diet, just plain old slobbing out and maybe ice cream. That was until Celia woke by falling off the sofa, and reminded Beth that she had dinner arranged at home. With a groan she readied herself for a family dinner.

  Slipping on a pair of stone blue jeans, which hung loose on her hips, she added a black off the shoulder top, which she coordinated with her black cowboy boots. A touch of eye liner, a slightly bigger touch of mascara, and a dash of lipstick and she was almost ready, but not quite. Brushing her long golden hair, she worked it into a plait, and left Celia in the apartment getting ready for a lunch date. Grabbing the keys to her car she dropped them in favour of a cab; the Vodka would still b
e in her system and way too dangerous to drive safely.

  The cab pulled up at the heavily guarded gates. Although Connor had been murdered off pack land, it was close to the gates and perimeter, so Ben had increased the security around the pack land. She borrowed one of the quads at the gate to get her to the house. She loved riding the quads; as the wind flowed through her hair, caressing her face. As she rode, the power of the machine helped her shake off her sadness. She had spent hours exploring these lands, by quad and by horse. Surrounded by the lush, thick grass, and dense woods that stretched for miles the land was beautiful. She especially loved basking at the lake on sunny days. Nowhere was off limits here, this was wolf land, family land. Here you were expected to embrace childhood, have fun and share in the enjoyment. This was exactly what her brothers were doing when Beth pulled up in front of the house.

  Ethan one of the triplets came running from the side of the house, alerted by the thrum of the quads engine.

  "Beth come look at Logan, quick."

  Beth allowed herself to be pulled around to the back of the house, which is where Beth found Logan, hanging upside down from a relatively high tree branch. She recalled Ellie being in a similar predicament several years ago; only she ended up with a broken arm. Clearly Logan wasn’t able to pull himself back up. From the look on his face he didn’t want to fall, but Beth could see his tiny hands losing their grip. Running forward she opened her arms to catch him. As he fell; Beth hoped she could break his fall. She did and Logan remained uninjured, but Beth ended up sprawled in the dirt.

  "You saved me Bethie, you saved my life." Logan was smiling broadly. His blue eyes were so much like his fathers; the darkness of his hair taken from their moms. Out of her three brothers, Logan was the gentlest, the most sensitive. Why they continued climbing the trees when Ben had set up zip wires and climbing frames for them, still confused Beth.