Alphas Vampire Mate

Part 2

/Coles POV/

"N-No! L-Let me go!"

With an agonising scream, Cole sat up in his bed, hands clawing at his throat—at phantom hands that hadn't been there for several years. Taking a sharp pull of air into his rattling lungs, the Alpha scrambled to kick the duvet off of himself. His locks are matted against the forehead, a sheen of sweat dripping down the side of his face.

It's all a struggle, an attempt to get out of his bed, and when he finally succeeded, he found himself on the carpeted floor in the middle of the room. There's a dull stab of pain in his shoulder, but he doesn't care much, having used to it.

There's a sharp knock at his door, and he stilled on the spot, eyes wide. Did his scream wake up his brother? The Alpha held his breath as he waited, but then the knock came again, followed by a voice, "Cole? Are you okay? Open the door."

He opened his mouth to form words to call out to his brother, but his tongue felt heavy. They swirl around the darkness of his chest before eventually dissipating.

A sigh escaped him, and it came out shaky, legs wobbly as he closed the distance between the room and his door.

Ethan was on the other side, wearing a look of crushing concern, hands by his side. "Are you okay?"

The eldest of the Romano clan. When his brother called a day ago and asked if he could crash at his place, Cole instantly agreed. It's not like he had anyone living with him, and besides, he adored Ethan. Growing up, he looked up to him more than anyone else. There's something so savvy and charming about him— he's a gentleman, a caring Alpha and an excellent father to his four children.

"Yes. I am fine." He let out a nervous chuckle. "It's a bad dream."

Ethan narrowed his eyes as if he didn't believe him but fortunately let it go. "Do you want some milk? It always makes my kids go back to sleep."

Cole rolled his eyes with a scoff. "I am not a kid, Ethan."

"Yeah, you are worse than them."

"Hey!"

"Did I wake you up?"

His brother shook his head, a soft sound escaping him. "No. I am a light sleeper and also cannot sleep in unfamiliar places. Two days and I go back to my omega and pups."

"You are so gone, brother." Cole teased, a playful smirk curving on his lips. He has been at it for almost a decade now, getting away initially because he was a dumb teenager but not anymore.

"I won't even deny that. But wait till you find your mate. You won't hear the end of it."

"Whatever, I would be better than you."

"That's what they all say. Did you not learn anything from our brothers?"

Cole suppressed an amused smile at that, thinking about his brothers. Every one of them was genuinely hooked line and sinker for their mates. The Alpha is sure, however, that it won't be him. He can never picture himself falling so hopelessly for a person and looking at them like they hung stars and moon.

Ethan stifled a yawn. "Anyway, good night. I have an early morning meeting tomorrow." With that, the Alpha turned on his feet, leaving Cole all alone, staring at his back.

***

Calling Cole Romano merely a businessman was not an accurate way to describe his position. He is an heir to the amass of wealth and properties his father earned, a Pack Alpha and Arlo Romano's only son. Until a few years ago, Ian Romano, his cousin, had the reins, managing the hotels and several export businesses on his behalf.

But not anymore. Ever since Cole turned of age, he took over, steadily multiplying their wealth. Overworking certainly has its perks.

A harsh ring of his phone snapped him out of his thoughts, blinking lazily at the phone lying on the table. He peered at the contact name, lips twitching as he pressed it over his ear.

"Hello? Mom?"

"Finally! Yes, it's me. I was getting worried that you might have forgotten you have one."

"Very funny." He pressed the phone between his shoulder while his eyes roamed over the clutter of papers on his desk.

"I called you to ask if you are free today. Ethan is here, so I'll make a big dinner for you two."

He made a non-committal sound in the back of his throat, perusing for his tablet. Rolling his sleeves, he slumped in the chair, legs crossed together. "Ethan has a late dinner meeting today, and I am going to check on our club."

She was quiet for some time, which made him assume that the line got disconnected, but he could hear the harsh breathing. Before Cole could utter a word, his mother quickly cut him off. "Fine! Tomorrow then. And no, I do not want to hear any excuses. It has been too long since I saw your face, my baby."

He glazed over the baby part cause she would never stop doing that. Cole might as well accept it. "I was just there last week for your birthday."

Cole had been a homebody for eighteen years before moving out to complete his studies. After that, he got an expensive apartment on the upper side, away from the pack house, to have a semblance of quiet. By that, he meant he didn't want to scare his parents regarding his nightmares. They already carry enough guilt from that day he didn't want to add to it.

"Seven days is a long time."

"Okay, if you say so."

"Don't get smart with me now! I am still your mother. Bring your mother tomorrow."

"I will! Bye."

"Love you."

***

The club was blaring with sounds, the ground beneath vibrating as he made his way to the back office. The stench of solid liquor and ink greeted him, noticing his assistant sitting on the chair.

"Megan, what are you doing here?"

"Hi, boss." She purred, blinking at him cutely, her gloss shiny. "I wanted to get a drink, but it's too crowded, so I figured to wait here."

"This is not a waiting room."

"I know."

"Then get out."

"Rude." She scoffed.

Cole ignored her in favour of looking for a drink on the shelf. He desperately needed one if she was going to sit in the office. Frankly, he would have fired her if she wasn't his family's favourite and saved his behind several times.

Megan was annoying but intelligent in a way that intimidated people, and that's why he kept her around. She graduated at the top of her class, with straights As, was overly social and was the most cheerful morning person. It also didn't help that she blatantly hit on him a few times but passed it off as a joke.

"Did you drink my whiskey?"

"It's my night off."

"Unbelievable." He muttered under his breath before walking out to the main area. Cole was hit by a smell, something that made his head turn to the crowd. The Alpha was rooted on the spot, watching the blur of figures as a lone woman walked out with a man in tow. It was nearly impossible to make out her face, only curves tightly fitted in a black sequin dress and long dark hair cascading over her shoulder.

It shouldn't bother him, but there's a flare of irritation shooting inside. Before he knew it, Cole was following the couple.

The scent of blood turned his head before the whimpers could reach his ears. He paused in the alley to glance around, scenting the air to find just a tiny trace of that scent.

He stepped in the direction of the creature, freezing when he saw her. A vampire. In all its glory. Fresh after a feeding. His family has warned him of these evil things, bound to no one and destined to harm anyone to get their next fill.

The smell is strongest now, and his Alpha nose identified the scent easily. Orange and jasmine, sweet and refreshing with a sharp metallic undertone that made him heady. He wanted to pull her close and nose up the arch of her neck, inhale directly where the scent would be strongest, tongue the spot.

What was wrong with him?

But there's something about her. A lost look in her eyes and that pink tongue darting as she licked the blood off the corner of her mouth had him question his entire life. He could sense the annoyance rolling off her in waves, hands curling into fists by her side.

He raised his brow, surprised, kicking the side of his gut at her lack of fear. This vampire seemed unfazed about standing in his territory and hunting his people. A slither of ego broke free, and he wondered, 'who does this woman think she is?'

"And? What do you want me to do about it?" She asked in a bored tone.

He gritted his teeth. "You cannot kill my people and expect to get away with it, bloodsucker."

"How original." She laughed; a playful glint shone in her eyes, amusement breaking through.

Before he could register it, the vampire lunged at him, hands came to crowd the wall behind. His eyes widened for a second before seeing the sharpened teeth sink into his flesh.

***