The Vampire’s Servant novel Chapter 41

[Gray]

We arrived at Echo’s place before lunch. She made a big meal. I was happy. It was like she knew werewolves needed more food.

After we ate, we took her to the grocery store. I never saw anyone shop with such focus. She was cheerful and polite when talking with people who worked there. In the meat area, she talked with the butcher about how much meat she would need for the coming weeks and he actually referred her to a proper butcher shop in town to place an order.

In the car, heading toward the house again, she explained that she needed to talk to someone in the kitchens at the pack house about how much meat she’d need for feeding three werewolves. I remembered that her trainers were coming soon. They would need a lot more than she was used to cooking for just herself.

Val and I helped her put the groceries away and followed her to the family room to play games. She was smiling so much the whole time. This was the Echo I wanted to see. The one who was happy and vibrant.

“I got your message about Sean and the ticket. I’m glad you figured something out. I was having a hard time. Is he really sure he’s okay with giving up a ticket?” I asked.

“Yeah. I told him I would dance with him a little and that I’d take a picture with him to make his parents happy.”

I didn’t like that. Sean seemed to have a problem whenever I got a hug from Echo. I was worried that he was interested in her too. I didn’t need another man competing for her heart. Fighting to win her while she was living with the vampire was hard enough.

We went back to playing and I didn’t even notice time passing until Echo’s alarm went off and she excused herself. When she was out the door, I told Val I would be right back and followed her. She did this when we visited earlier in the week too. I wanted to know what she was doing.

I followed her scent upstairs and thought she may have gone to her room for something, but I noticed Victor’s door was open. Quietly, I approached the door and peeked in.

She was standing next to his bed, fiddling with something. An orange light lit up and I was able to see a control box for a heated blanket in her hands. I moved back to the stairs and headed down.

Val was in the entry way. He raised his eyebrow at me and grabbed my arm when I got close. I let him lead me to the family room again.

“What were you doing? Don’t give me any bullshit about being lost.” He growled.

“I wanted to know what she was doing when that alarm went off. I didn’t know if she would tell me if I asked. I wondered if it was something I could help her with, but it’s not.” I admitted.

There was no point in lying. I had nothing to hide. I wasn’t doing anything wrong.

Echo came back in the room with a snack for us. We ate and Val glared at me. I didn’t know what his problem was. On Monday he’d asked me to back off of Echo and give her room to breathe. She needed to figure out who she was outside of her parents’ house.

That clicked in with the resolve I had on Sunday to make her love me. As she became healthier and realized who she was, I knew Echo would feel the pull of the mate bond. I wasn’t used to being patient for things, but I’d wait for her. I’d wait as long as she needed.

It didn’t mean I was going to just let it go, but I needed her to know I wasn’t going to push. Val was keeping me in check and I was grateful for it. So I knew he was pretty frustrated that I followed her like that.

“Echo, what did you go do when the alarm went off?” Val asked.

“Oh, I was turning on the heated blanket for Victor. Vampires don’t get warm, so I make sure his bed is warm when he wakes up. I thought it would be nice and he really likes it.” She smiled.

“Does that mean he’ll be up soon?”

“Yes. I start it about a half hour before he wakes up.”

I felt a little disappointed in myself. I should have tried talking to her instead of following her. That’s one of my biggest issues. I want to be there as soon as she needs me and I act like a freaking stalker. I resolved to try and change that.

It wasn’t much longer before I could smell the scent of vampire get stronger. He would be down here soon. I needed some way to mark my territory.

“Echo, can I have a hug?” I asked.

“Sure, Gray.” Echo said and moved to give me a hug.

I rubbed my jaw against her hair as I held her, marking her with my scent. Not something anyone without a sensitive sense of smell would pick up on. Echo just thought I was being weird and giggled in a cute way.

She pulled away and moved to clear the table. Val and I started putting away the controllers and games. We got everything in order and turned to follow Echo.

Victor stood in the doorway. He looked at Val and gave him a tight smile and a nod. His eyes locked on mine and I fought to look away, when Echo came to the door.

His attention snapped from me to her and his nose wrinkled like he smelled something rotten. He looked at me again and tilted his head back a little. He was assessing me. I could tell.

“Valor, why don’t you go with Echo to help her get her things together. Grayson, I’d like to speak with you in my office.” Victor said.

“Sure thing.” I smiled at him.

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