Welcome to the Neighborhood (17 page)

“I have my ways,” she said with a smile.

Greg flipped on the turn signal and veered onto the exit ramp. Although he’d learned nothing about her past, he discovered she had a very caring heart. Moreover, he’d impressed her and she seemed interested in his work. She smiled and offered advice. Baby steps forward.

From the interstate, he drove down the wide street and turned onto Washington. Alexi stared out her window, no doubt wondering where he was taking her. She looked relaxed from earlier with her hands loosely lying in her lap, her purse off to the side near the door. They passed a green sign and he hoped she didn’t see what was on it because she could easily figure out where they were heading. Reaching a stoplight, he switched on his signal.

Alexi twisted to face him. Her eyes were wide with excitement. “Are you taking me to the zoo?”

Damn, she’d seen the sign. “I hope you don’t mind. I thought it would be different.” He tried to hide his smile, but couldn’t.

“It’s an excellent idea. I haven’t visited a zoo in…I don’t know. A long time.”

Her cheerful voice and bright expression made his heart beat stronger. Another step in the right direction.

Greg parked in a spot among the half-filled lot. After cutting the engine, he dashed around the car to get her door. Energy filled his soul. He sensed he was finally gaining ground in his bid to win over the woman he longed for. He opened the door and held out his palm to her.

“Is the zoo always this crowded at night?” she asked as she slid her hand into his and stepped out of the car.

Her hand had a slight coolness to it. A zing of panic shot through him as he realized he’d touched her. Shit! He’d made such great progress and now he feared he’d screwed up. Quickly, but very tenderly, he lowered her hand, then shut the car door.

“A few months ago, they extended their hours three nights a week to accommodate our kind.” He walked at her side, his heart beating fast and palms starting to sweat.

“Oh, well that’s good. At least the zoo recognizes we exist.”

“Some of us are rare and exotic creatures.” He grinned. Maybe she didn’t notice he’d touched her. He’d merely done it to help her from the car. Surely, she wouldn’t be mad at him for that.

“Which are you?”

“What?”

“Which are you, rare or exotic?” She swung her purse at her side.

He rubbed his brow. “Uh, rare.”

“Hmm…” She tucked strands of her hair behind her ear.

Greg found it interesting how she didn’t comment. Did she agree with him?

Gravel crunched under his shoes as they headed for the entrance. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“You have to select.”

“I’m neither.”

“Hey, I had to choose. You can too.”

“I’m not rare or exotic.”

“I respectfully disagree. In fact, I think you’re both.”

A loud chuckle burst from her and she placed her hand on his shoulder. “You must not have met many female vampires, or supernatural females. I’m definitely not rare or exotic.”

“For your information, I’ve had plenty of women and none would compare to you.”

“Wow, that almost sounds like I could be the worst woman you’ve ever met.”

They both stepped up to the curb. “No, no. It’s one hundred percent complimentary.” He leaped in front of her and turned to face her. “You’re very unique and incredibly beautiful. Maybe you don’t see how striking you are, but I do.”

She stood frozen, staring into his eyes. He quickly wished he had telepathy to read her mind.

“Alexi, I’m sorry.” He swallowed and shook his head. “I’m trying my best, but I’m going to be honest with you. That’s how I am. I tell the truth and nothing but the truth. And God help me, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I can’t help the way my heart feels.”

His heart pounded as he waited for a response. There was no reason to deny how he felt. He told her before, but maybe this time she would listen.

She lowered her gaze. “Thank you for being honest.”

A couple passed by and Alexi and Greg glanced at them. Greg gave a courtesy nod, then faced Alexi.

“We’re on a date. Can we…just enjoy the night together?” she asked.

The fact she hadn’t rejected him filled him with hope.

“Absolutely.” He stepped to the side and extended his arm. “It would be an honor to enjoy the night with you.”

* * * *

Alexi strode past the entrance until she reached a wide, open area, then she stopped. Greg’s confession had taken her by surprise. For a brief moment, she wasn’t sure if she should demand a ride back to her house. Sure, he’d mentioned being attracted to her before, but this time his words reached her soul and they frightened her. The way he stared deep into her eyes and admitted the truth seemed too…out of this world, yet very real. And he apologized for admitting the truth. What kind of man did that? None that she’d ever met.

He’d said he was rare and she couldn’t have agreed more.

“Where would you like to go first?” he asked, his head down as he studied a map.

She glanced around. A large building ahead had a sign. “Let’s start at the Oceans exhibit.”

Greg looked up. “Sounds good to me.” He folded the map as they headed toward the building.

She felt a little awkward walking next to him since she didn’t know what to say. A man never acted so open with her. Every fiber of her body believed he was sincere. While she didn’t know what to make of his heartfelt feelings, she knew one thing with certainty. She didn’t want to get hurt. In honor of his honesty, the least she could do was complete the date.

Greg opened the door and held it. Cool air gushed out along with scents of fish and mildew. She stepped into the dark building and headed for glass wall. Young children stood in front with their heads tilted back as they gazed up. Alexi stopped and stared at the sharks too.

“Hammerhead sharks. Now that’s one unusual species.” Greg stood next to her, watching the shark circle in the water.

“People can believe in the unusual variety of sharks, but not us. It doesn’t seem to make sense.” She lifted her hand toward the glass. “I mean, really, look at the flat head and eyes on that creature. How is that possible?”

“I don’t know, but it fascinates me.” They watched in silence for a minute. “If you think about it, people have known about them for a long time. Sharks didn’t recently announce their existence.”

“Are you saying fifty years down the road people will start to believe we exist?”

He shrugged and faced her. “Maybe, or they could put us behind glass and watch us.”

“That’s so not funny.”

He strolled past her and stopped and the information signs posted near the glass. Alexi moved closer to him.

“They mostly eat fish. The position of their eyes gives them superior vision.”

“Really?”

“I doubt it’s superior to us, but we could take off our clothes and swim with them to find out.”

“No thanks, but I’d watch you,” she said, chuckling.

He grinned. “It’s both of us or not at all.”

His humor lightened her mood, and she smiled. The werewolf had a charming, yet candid personality. Definitely a rare find.

She placed her hand on his shoulder. Heat penetrated her skin as she nudged him. “Let’s move on.”

Their next stop was in front of a large penguin exhibit. Most stood like statues.

“Now that’s a nice tux,” Greg said as he crossed his arms. “I wonder where they got it from.”

Grinning, she shook her head. “Ask and maybe one of them will give you a number.”

“I don’t think I’d understand them, nor would they comprehend me. Which raises an interesting question. People find other species of animals cute and curious, yet nobody has a clue what they say to each other. Their language is alien, but people go ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ over them. Here we are, walking with humans and speaking their language, yet humans perceive us as monsters. We speak the same language and follow the same rules. Does it make any sense for humans to treat us differently?”

“Are you saying we’re not cute and curious?”

He gazed deeply into her eyes. “You are very adorable and fascinating. Every time I see you, I silently go ‘ah.’”

She chuckled. “Okay, I get your point. We shouldn’t be treated like freaks since we abide by the same rules and can understand each other.”

“I thought my point was you’re the most gorgeous creature on this earth and I would never tire of looking at you.”

Her loud laugh created a small echo, and the kids standing nearby gave her a strange look. She turned with her hand over her mouth, unable to stop laughing. Greg was on a roll with the jokes, and it made her feel like a giddy young girl all over again.

“Maybe we should move on,” he said, holding his hand close to her waist, but not touching her.

Together, they walked, stopped and stared at the different exhibits. Each time he threw in a few questions and added some jokes, causing her to laugh and filling her with utter happiness. She enjoyed being with him, hearing his gentle voice and soaking in the positive energy he emitted through his cheerful personality. By the time they left the building, she was more than glad she decided to go along with the date instead of returning home.

As they followed the path to outside exhibits, they walked by couples and families with young children. Everyone appeared happy and full of life. The last time she’d witnessed such a large number of joyful people was when her parents had taken her to a carnival. Now that the memory returned, her contentment slowly turned into sadness.

“Uh-oh,” Greg said, and she looked at him.

“What?”

“Something is wrong. The smile disappeared from your face.”

“Sorry.”

“What were you thinking a minute ago?”

She hesitated to tell him about her past. The evening had been nice thus far.

“You can trust me, and if it makes you feel better, there’s such a thing as attorney-client privilege. I can’t repeat anything you tell me unless you give me approval.”

Although his legal spiel was comforting, she didn’t need it to convince her to talk. She hadn’t committed any crimes, well, not since she’d left her maker.

Greg brought her to a halt in front of the glass barrier containing the tigers. “I’m a good listener, at least I think so. My last girlfriend might disagree.”

The melancholy she felt lessened. How did he always find a way to make her happy? It was like a magical gift he possessed.

He crossed his arms. “I’m ready when you are.”

The werewolf had the determination of a lion after its prey. Better to tell him than to listen to him beg for the rest of the night.

“It’s been a long time since I had such great fun. I mean, I’ve been happy before, with my friend Cassandra, but tonight brought back a memory.”

“What kind of memory?”

“I was a young girl, still living and breathing. My mother took my two sisters and me to a carnival. I think I was fifteen. They were a few years younger than me. Anyway, we played games and watched people perform tricks. Everyone laughed and had a good time. I know it must sound silly, but I hadn’t thought of being alive in…” She paused and looked at him. Genuine compassion reflected in his blue eyes.

“If you want to leave, we can. I want you to be happy. I never meant to bring back painful memories.”

“It’s all right. I’ll be fine.” She stepped closer to the glass wall and stared at the tiger sleeping under the tree.

“Sometimes the past haunts us. It’s better to think about the future.”

“Are you a psychology major too?” she asked.

“Secretly, yes.”

She stared at him and searched for signs he’d lied to her.

His chest expanded as he inhaled a deep breath. “Okay, I made it up. I took one year and gave up.”

“Well, it was a good line. I like it.”

“You can use it, if you want. I accept royalty payments.”

“Now you’re going overboard.”

She strode past him, heading for the next exhibit.

“So, you had two sisters,” he said, walking fast to catch up with her.

She hesitated to respond, but she had opened the door, inviting him to question her. “Yes, Elizabeth and Mary.”

“At the Welcoming party, you mentioned they died the night your maker took you.”

A pang swept through in a tidal wave. She lowered her head as tears built in her eyes. “He killed them, and my parents.” A lump rose in her throat and she swallowed.

“I’m so sorry.”

She stopped at the bats exhibit and lifted her head. Painful images flashed, all in vivid color and with horrifying sound effects. Her maker fed from her mother first and then left her mother gasping for her last breath. Next, he claimed her youngest sister, Elizabeth. Her shrill scream stung Alexi’s ears before her blue eyes turned glassy and distant. After shoving Alexi, he fed from Mary, then tossed her like a rag doll. Mary’s body hit the stone wall with a deep
thud
. Her head cracked and she fell. A trail of red fluid followed her to the floor. So much blood had spilled that horrible night.

Alexi squeezed her eyes shut, wishing the memory would disappear. “I tried to stop him, but he was too strong. He pushed me to the ground. I’d hit my head and was too weak to fight any more. I watched my family die.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as her heart ached for her family.

“Shh…” Greg pressed his palms to her cheeks. “Don’t think about it.” He wiped her tears with his thumbs.

“He fed from me for a couple years and used me to steal from people. I was his slave even after he changed me.” The pain of her family’s loss shifted into anger, as it had so many times before. Her watery eyes slowly dried.

Greg drew closer to her. “I can’t begin to fathom what you went through. No one should ever suffer the way you have.”

His words warmed her spirit as much as his touch heated her face. The sympathy and concern in his eyes were emotions she’d never seen in a man before. For the first time in her existence, she admired a member of the male species, and not just a man, but also a werewolf.

He slipped his hands from her face and she longed for them to return. “I would never do anything to harm you. I would never hurt anyone without good reason.” He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe a rabbit or fox. Okay, possibly a deer.”