Pheromonal: One Night With the Alpha novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Bloodlust

The fluorescent lights suddenly seem too bright, the air too thick. I force myself to breathe, to move. Mechanically, I finish my shopping, barely registering what I’m putting in the cart.

At the checkout, I fumble with my wallet, nearly dropping it twice. The cashier gives me a concerned look, but I manage a weak smile. I can’t get out of here fast enough.

Somehow, I feel as though I’m being chased down. Hunted. All because of an unsettling encounter with a creepy vampire.

The parking lot feels exposed. I hurry to my car, constantly glancing over my shoulder. My hands shake as I load the groceries into the trunk. Each rustle of a plastic bag sounds like footsteps approaching.

Finally, I slide into the driver’s seat and lock the doors. The silence inside the car is deafening. I lean my forehead against the steering wheel, trying to calm my racing heart.

What the hell was that about?

I fish my phone out of my purse, fingers trembling as I scroll to Penelope’s number. The phone rings once, twice, three times. Each unanswered ring ratchets up my anxiety.

"Come on, Pippa," I mutter. "Pick up, pick up, pick—"

"Hey, Nikki!" Penelope’s cheerful voice floods the car. "What’s up?"

I open my mouth, but the words stick in my throat. How do I even begin to explain?

"Nikki? You there?"

I clear my throat. "Yeah, I’m here. Listen, something weird just happened."

"Weird how?" Her tone sharpens, all traces of cheerfulness gone.

"I ran into Officer McFlirty at the grocery store."

"McFlirty? The creepy vampire who hates McSexy?"

"The very same." I recount our encounter, my voice growing tighter with each word. When I finish, silence hangs heavy between us.

"Pippa?" I prompt. "You still there?"

"Yeah, I’m here." She sighs heavily. "Shit."

My stomach drops. "What aren’t you telling me?"

"It’s... complicated."

"Uncomplicate it," I snap, then immediately regret my tone. "Sorry, I just... I’m freaked out, Pippa. What’s going on?"

Another sigh. "I didn’t want to worry you. You’ve got enough on your plate with Logan and everything else."

"Worry me about what?" My free hand clenches into a fist. "Pippa, please. Just tell me."

"McFlirty’s been coming around pretty regularly. Every few days, he’s here. Asking questions, flirting, that kind of thing, right?"

I nod, but of course she’s on the phone and can’t see me. So I clear my throat and say, "Okay. And?"

"Anyway, last week he came around with a few of his vamp friends, I guess. They don’t seem like work buddies, but you know, they paid a lot. It was a good night. Didn’t think anything of it. They were pretty respectful."

I grip the steering wheel tighter as Penelope sighs on the other end of the line. My heart pounds.

"Fine?" I repeat, incredulous. "You got attacked by a vampire in bloodlust, and you’re telling me you’re fine?"

"I’m getting regular doses of Anti-Turn," she counters. "You know, the only medication proven to lower the risks of being turned? I’m fine. Everything’s going to be okay."

I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. Of course I know about Anti-Turn. Everyone does. It’s the miracle drug that’s changed how we deal with vampire attacks. But knowing it exists and hearing that my best friend needs it are two very, very different things.

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