Sitting up in the strange bed suddenly, I continued to observe the man in the chair next to the bed.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Gabriel. I found you freezing to death in the woods not far from my home.”

“You live near pack lands?” I decided not to mince words. This man was obviously not an ordinary human.

Gabriel shrugged, “My estate is large. It borders two packs. To be precise, the packs settled near my estate centuries ago. I found you in the forest on my estate. We’re generally north of your former pack.”

“How do you know which pack I come from?” I squinted at him, partially from my headache and partially out of suspicion.

“You were dreaming about your past,” he answered honestly.

“Was I talking in my sleep?” I was curious.

“No, I was watching your dreams,” he shrugged.

I’m sure the shock was plain on my face.

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He smiled, and I saw two of his teeth elongate into fangs.

“I’m ancient and powerful,” His eyes sparkled as if amused then his fangs retracted into normal teeth again.

The transition was so smooth that I could’ve been easily convinced I’d imagined it. Staring at his perfect smile, I was mesmerized that such a creature existed.

Reaching behind my back, I touched the skin there. The flesh had been torn open when I was thrown into the woods, but now it was smooth and healed. Shouldn’t there be bumpy sores or scars? There was no pain, either.

“How long have I been unconscious?”

“You’ve been asleep for a day and a half. It would have been less if you could have swallowed more of my blood, but your throat was nearly frozen shut.”

“Your blood?” I gaped.

“Vampire blood heals many creatures, especially humans,” he answered, observing me intently.

“I’m a wolf,” I insisted.

“You have no wolf,” he replied.

I didn’t know if he could really read my mind, but he knew my full name and that I had no wolf. He also knew where I came from. Considering I had never been off pack lands before yesterday and was invisible to most of my pack, I didn’t see how this was possible any other way.

A slight tremor of fear bloomed deep within my chest, but I took a deep breath and forced it to retreat.

Gabriel spoke softly, “I assure you you’re in no danger here. I don’t believe in harming the innocent.”

“Well, Gabe the vampire,” I boldly stared straight into his eyes, “What now?”

He grinned in the way a doting father might grin at his kid when he had surprises in store.

“For now, you eat,” he replied.