Dear Diary,

The right thing to do can be hard sometimes.

With shoulders slumped forward and head held down, Dean walked straight out of the gas station. He didn't even give Summer Lynn a side glance. Didn't even so much as twitch when Summer Lynn called after him to stay out.

I had hurt him. He'd hurt me too in the past so why did I suddenly care so much? A conscience is a hell of a thing.

"Good riddance," Summer Lynn quipped. "Best thing to happen for us all year."

I just shook my head and gave Summer Lynn a little smile. Her dislike of Dean is becoming so predictable. Wonder if she would still be on team Caden if she knew just exactly who and what he was.

******************************************************************************************

I was sitting behind a partitioned wall that was a little way back from the front counter, that made a makeshift office for the store. I wanted to hurry up and get the till counted down and the end of shift paperwork finished. I had this almost down as an art form. With the right closing buddy, I could get the end of shift work done in 5 minutes flat.

I was counting on the 5-minute clock out time because tonight I wanted to head out to Growlers. Growlers is this tiny little werewolf bar just across the state line into Tennessee. It was a dinky little bar mostly aimed at bikers or anyone a little rough around the edges. My kind of place. And tonight I was going to speak to the local Alpha of this area, Angel Rodriguez. I wanted to get his whole take on the feral outbreak and if he has any insight on the paranormal world going public.

I was just writing down the last few numbers on the paperwork when the door chime went off. Damn, I forgot to lock it. Summer Lynn must have forgotten to check it when she went to stock the coolers.

"We're closed!" I hollered out thinking that it must be one of the regulars. I assumed they'd take the hint and leave...they didn't.

I heard the slow heavy footfalls as the person made their way up to the counter. I just didn't have the patience to deal with another customer tonight. I jerked myself up ready to tear a new one into whoever happened to be standing on the opposite side of the counter when I felt it. A cold chill wafted around me and the hair on my arms stood on end.

He wore heavy black boots. More for fashion than functionality. His black skinny jeans were ripped at the knees and still probably cost more than what I make in a month. His shirt was a simple white tee that also had random rips in various places. His fingernails were painted black and he had a ring on almost every finger. He obviously loved accessories because his wrists were covered in bracelets and he wore a long necklace that had a cross dangling at the end.

His blonde messy hair fell over slightly into his eyes. I would bet money that it was purposely styled that way.

"Well if it isn't little Livvy Nightborn," he said as his green eyes lit up mischievously.

"Atticus," I responded.

Atticus Bloodraine was trouble. Not the kind of trouble that could get you killed but more the type that would end up in a night of jail. If he was sniffing around it meant he was definitely up to no good. And I had the first-hand experience.

"Is that any way to greet an old friend?" Hey said with a smile playing dangerously along his lips.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"I wouldn't really call us friends," I quipped. "What do you want? "

"Just wondering what my favorite little killer was up to. Haven't seen you in a while."

"Whatever," I mumbled. "I don't really have time for your games tonight. I need to finish closing. I have somewhere to be."

Atticus smiled so big I got a glimpse of his dimples.

"I'll just have a little mosey around the place while I wait on you then. No worries," he said.

Although he may seem harmless, I just know he has something planned for me. I also know he won't leave until I give in.

Atticus is used to getting what he wants. He's third-generation full-blooded vampire. I know you must be thinking that all vampires must be full-blooded. What makes Atticus so special is that he was born vampire not human.

It's really rare and doesn't happen often. It's almost impossible for a vampire couple to get pregnant. I mean, I guess it would have to be since the whole being dead thing is part of their being. But for some reason, the Bloodraine family seems to know the secret of biter procreation.

Because of this phenomenon, the whole family kind of is treated as royalty of the supernatural world. All the hunters know them. Hell, every species of the supernatural community has to at least know about them. It also helps that they are extremely rich.

Now the reason I know Atticus is trouble is because we kind of grew up together. The Bloodraine family keep a squeaky clean reputation and don't mind giving hunters information we might need to track down any baddies. I'm pretty sure that's the reason for Atticus not getting his ass handed to him by any hunters.

"Well hello there, darlin'. Fancy meeting you here," I hear Atticus say.

Summer Lynn must have finished stocking the cooler. I hear her giggle her response. She'll go along with his shameless flirting. Not going to lie, Atticus is pretty hot, if you are into the want to be rocker type.

I left them to their flirting to finished my paperwork. I wanted to get Summer Lynn away from Atticus as fast as possible and I knew that wouldn't happen until I was finished with my work.

I emerged from behind the counter and marched up to Atticus.

"Okay, it's time for you to leave," I told the vampire.

"Now why would I be doing that?" Atticus asked. "I have lots of lovely companionship here."

Atticus gave Summer Lynn a wink with that statement. She proceeded to giggle with that. She was laying the flirting down a little strong, but that seemed to be the case with Atticus. Girls tended to flock to him.

"Livvy why haven't you ever introduced me to Atticus before?" She asked.

"He's not someone you need to know," was my clipped statement.

"Oh, I think I do need to know this one," Atticus said with a sly smile. "I'd like to get to know her very well."

Summer Lynn's face turned crimson with the heat from her blush. I've never seen her react this way to any other guy before. Stupid vampiric charm. I must be used to it by now. The only way that Atticus affects me is in disgust.

"Wait a minute!" Summer Lynn exclaimed. " Is he someone from the job of yours that I'm not to know about?"

"Something like that," I said.

Atticus quirked his eyebrow up in fascination. His half-smile just barely made his dimple peek out.

"Little Livvy, you've been keeping quite a secret," he said. "So our little dove doesn't know about us?"

My unamused look was all the confirmation that he needed. He turned his head over to Summer Lynn and said, "So you'll have to go with us then!"

"Wait! What do you mean go with us? Who said anything about you going with me? You don't even know where I'm going!" I said to Atticus.

"Livvy Nightborn don't you go thinkin' you are gettin' out of it this time!" Summer Lynn storms at me. " I think I've been your best friend long enough to know and keep your secrets! You act like you don't want me in your life! If I can't go with y'all then I don't think we can be friends anymore." Summer Lynn then crossed her arms in a huff and snuck a quick glance in Atticus's direction.

Summer Lynn was always one for dramatics. Since my plan was to just go to Growlers I didn't think it would hurt much to cave in this time. Being with me would give Summer Lynn some protection. The wolfs wouldn't mess with her in my presence. But with the way Atticus was grinning at me, I felt like saying no just on principle. I could always find another way to make it up to Summer Lynn.

"So what do you say, little Livvy? Where are we headed?" Atticus grins.

"Fine," I tell them. " I'm going to Growlers. I have some business with the owner." I look at Summer Lynn and said, " It can get a little rough there. Big, bad, biker types. Easily offended."

Summer Lynn couldn't contain her excitement. She literally vibrated with it. When it seemed as if it was too much she threw herself at me, giving me a giant (or at least giant for her) bear hug.

"Oh, I know how hard it was for you to give in like that! Thank you, Livvy! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She said, punctuating every thank you with a kiss to my cheek.

"Let's go," I said ignoring Atticus completely. I just hope I didn't regret this.