Green Eyes

Zacky’s POV

I only stopped running when I reached the forest. I had to get away from Kayla, and as much as that killed me I knew it would be worse if I hurt her. I could sense someone following me but I was too overcome with emotions to turn around and see who it was. What did it matter? The only thing that was important to me was hanging off one of my best friends, terrified to even look my way.

I had never meant to hurt her. If I had have been conscious, I would have never taken her blood. I knew the temptations it held simply from the smell, and I knew my body would always want more.

I heard the footsteps behind me come to a stop and I turned around to see Brian standing there, a concerned look dominating his features. ‘What’s up Venge?’ he asked, frowning. ‘Why’d you bail?’

I looked down, kicking the ground harshly with my bare foot. ‘I- I don’t feel safe around her. Her smell – it’s too much for me to bear. Syn I can’t get the taste out of my head.’

Brian sighed and sat down on a nearby log, beckoning me to follow. Taking a seat beside him, I ran my fingers through my tangled hair. ‘Maybe you need some time away, you know?’ he said softly, and I took in a sharp breath.

‘I can’t do that. I can’t be away from her. What bugs me the most is that it hurts to be near her but it kills me to be away from her. I just want it to be the way it was. Bloody Liam had to ruin everything.’ I growled, scraping some bark off the log with my fingers.

‘Now that’s not very nice, is it?’

Both Syn and I let out a growl, jumping up to face him. We crouched in a threatening position, our fangs bared. Liam’s eyes widened and he took a step back. ‘What the hell are you doing here Liam? You’re little stunt ruined everything! Just because you couldn’t keep your jealo-‘

‘Whoa! Chill Zacky. I’m here to say sorry for what I did’ Liam said, holding his hands out.

I growled again but Syn placed his hand on my shoulder, nodding slowly. Sighing, I let my body straighten but I kept my fangs bared. Liam smiled awkwardly and retracted his hands. ‘Look, I really am sorry. It’s just that, I’ve sort of always had a big thing for Kayla-’ he frowned, sadness flashing through his eyes ‘-and seeing you guys kissing got me really jealous. I never even knew she had a boyfriend, much less that he was a vampire.’

Jeez, what was with everybody going after my girl? ‘I’m her mate.’ I said harshly, inwardly smirking when I saw the pain flash through Liam’s eyes. I figured it was best to mark my territory with him than risk anything happening.

Liam let out a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair. ‘I was thinking we could make a, well, a truce? You know, for Kayla’s benefit?’ he asked, doubt in his voice.

I narrowed my eyes at him, my glare cold and emotionless.

He’s telling the truth. I think we should agree. Maybe he can help us fight against Vercro’s clan?

I sighed as Brian and I silently debated, Liam all the while watching us intently. Brian was right. Although we were trying to put it off as long as possible, there would be a time when we’d have to fight with Vercro’s clan, and we would need all the help we could get. So far we only had 6 people against their hundreds, and one of ours was a newborn. 7 wouldn’t be much more help, but it would be better.

‘Fine’ I breathed out, a frown still on my face. Liam’s face lit up and he smiled, showing his fangs. ‘But would you be willing to fight with us?’

Liam’s smile disappeared, a confused look replacing it. ‘Who would you need to fight against?’

I looked at Syn, who nodded reassuringly. ‘Vercro’s clan. They’re after Kayla, and have been for a while. That’s why she went missing for so long – they kidnapped her. We’ve got someone on the inside but there’s going to come a time when it’s all of us against all of them. We’re going to need all the help we can get.’

Liam’s eyes flashed with fear, before converting to anger. ‘Why would they be after Kayla?’

I sighed, unsure whether to tell him. ‘Look, you still have to build our trust before we can tell you everything, so just believe that we’re telling the truth.’

Liam frowned, then nodded. ‘Alright. I’m in.’

I held my hand out, and Liam shook it. I smiled at him weakly before turning away, and was about to walk off when I felt a hand on my arm. Turning around, I narrowed my eyes at Liam. Liam smiled softly, showing weakness in his eyes. ‘Would I be able to see Kayla?’ he asked hesitantly.

My glare deepened when I considered this. ‘Look Liam, you’re the one who’s mucked up everything between me and Kayla, so I doubt that now is the best time.’

Liam sighed but nodded. Giving a quick smile to both Brian and I, he turned away and got ready to run. ‘Let me know if you need me’ he said, before running off into the distance.

Letting out a deep breath, I turned around and walked back over to the log, sitting down on it. Brian took a seat beside me, leaning on his knees with his arms. ‘Now, back to your issue.’

I had to let out a chuckle at the sudden change of conversation. Quickly regaining my composure, I let out a sigh when I remembered what exactly my issue was.

‘Other vampires have to have bitten their mates before, right? There must be a way to get around it. You could try asking Johnny-‘

I laughed humourlessly. ‘I doubt Johnny would help me.’

Brian frowned, looking at me questioningly. ‘Why wouldn’t he?’

Picking up a rock off the ground, I crushed it under my fingers. ‘I think he’s having a little too much fun comforting my mate.’ I said, growling the last part.

Brian frowned, and let his mouth form an ‘O’ shape. ‘Hmmm. I would have hoped he’d have gotten over that by now.’

I shrugged, glaring at the ground. Brian placed a hand on my shoulder, and I looked up to meet his warm brown eyes. ‘Look, Kayla’s not gonna do anything. She loves you a lot and I’m almost positive she doesn’t like Johnny that way. Just let him have his fun because soon you’re going to be getting all the attention again.’

‘But then how are we going to find out?’ I asked, looking away.

Brian sighed. ‘Matt? He might know. Or maybe Kaylee.’

‘Matt might know what?’

We both looked up to see Matt’s large figure heading our way. He stopped in front of us and looked at us questioningly.

I sighed, and stood up so I was looking him in the eyes. ‘Is it possible to get rid of your craving for your mate’s blood?’

Matt’s face screwed up in thought, his brow furrowing in concentration. ‘I’m pretty sure I’ve heard of something before. I think you have to, like, drink something really disgusting. Something that will cover up your memory of the taste.’

Brian snorted. ‘Just ask Jimmy for something. He drinks all kinds of crap.’

Matt laughed and nodded. ‘He really does. Didn’t he make a peanut butter and banana milkshake once? Called it the Elvis Presley Shake.’

I laughed. ‘Yeah, I remember that. I reckon it’ll have to be grosser though.’

Brian screwed his face up in disgust. ‘Are you sure it’s worth it?’ he asked in revulsion.

I glared at him. ‘Of course it’s worth it.’

Kayla’s POV

My body didn’t stop shaking until 10 minutes after Zacky had left the room. I hated being scared of him, when all I wanted to do was be with him. I couldn’t find the same comfort in Johnny’s arms as I could in his.

Tears started streaming down my face when I thought of what would happen. Would I be able to see him again? Or would he always want to feed off me, and I always be scared of him?

Johnny must have felt my tears because he kissed my head, pulling me closer to his cool body. I pretended it was Zacky, but it didn’t give me the same sensations. ‘What’s wrong Kayla?’ he cooed, running his fingers through my hair.

‘I don’t like being scared of Zacky’ I sobbed, and I could feel Johnny’s body stiffen.

‘You’re allowed to be scared of him’ he said, rubbing my back. ‘He hurt you.’

I frowned at the harshness of his words. ‘He didn’t mean to’ I said, leaning against his chest.

Johnny sighed. ‘All I’m saying is that sometimes vampires lose control and it’s not safe to be around them.’

I lifted my head up so I was looking in his eyes. ‘So you’re saying I should be scared of you too’ I teased, smiling playfully at him.

Johnny smiled and shook his head, leaning closer to me so that our faces were just centimetres away. ‘I would never hurt you Kayla.’

I was starting to get uncomfortable with how close we were and was about to move away when I felt Johnny’s lips crash against mine. His lips were soft and warm, but they didn’t give me any sensations like Zacky’s did. ‘Johnny don’t’ I murmured, trying to pull away.

Johnny’s head shot back as hurt and regret flashed through his eyes. ‘Kayla I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to-‘

I sighed, but moved back a bit. ‘It’s ok.’

Zacky’s face popped back into my mind, and I felt tears come to my eyes. ‘Kayla? I real-‘

‘Can we just forget about it?’ I asked, and I watched as pain overrode Johnny’s face, before he solemnly nodded.

I missed Zacky.