Midnight Moon (Love and Blood Series Book 1) Read online

  “You need to get her out of here, Loki,” Tobias demands as he pushes through the crowd gathered around us.

  Loki begins to pull me away but it’s useless. Nix stalks closer.

  “Jasper, can’t one of you guys stop him?” Toby panics.

  “No one here is strong enough to take him on without getting seriously hurt,” Jasper answers tensely.

  There was only one way to fix this.

  I take a step forward away from Loki.

  Nix begins moving to the side and I match his move. We circle each other for a few moments before he pounces. I dodge his attack and counter it with one of my own.

  With a little luck, I manage to get him around the neck. I pull him to the floor before tightening my grasp.

  He fights for a few minutes before going still.

  After a few moments, he changes from the panther back into his human form.

  “Are you finished?” I bite out.

  “I’m done as long as you are.” He chokes out.

  Satisfied with his answer I release him.

  “Alright, I think that’s enough for tonight.” Mr. Blake states as he claps his hands together. “We’ll do this again tomorrow night.”

  Everyone cheers before they begin rushing out of the gym.

  I, Loki, Tinsley, Matt, Nick, Tobias, and Nix remain in place while the room clears.

  “Are we good here, guys?” Toby questions while glancing between Nix and me.

  “We’re good, Toby.” Nix chuckles. “I think she’s learned a good lesson tonight.”

  “I think you did too.” Toby snorts.

  Nix nods in agreement before glancing at me. “Are we good?”

  “Don’t test me again.” I bite out before jumping to my feet.

  I grab Loki’s hand before walking away from Nix. Tinsley, Matt, and Nick quickly follow us as we leave the gym.

  9-Whiplash

  “I can’t believe you did that,” Tinsley exclaims as we finally reach our rooms.

  “Right, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone take on Nix like that.” Matt hoots. “Did you see his eyes when she had him in the headlock?”

  “You're a badass, Ava.” Nick chimes in.

  “She could have gotten herself killed.” Loki snaps.

  “I was fine. Nix wouldn’t have hurt me.” I argue.

  “There’s no way you could have known that,” Loki growls as he spins me around to face him. “Nix isn’t someone that you want to mess with. When he changes, he is unpredictable. You got lucky tonight.”

  “I’m not going to argue about this with you, Loki.” I breathe out.

  Loki opens his mouth to say something, but he stops himself. Without warning, he turns and then walks away. He disappears from view seconds later.

  “What the hell just happened?” I ask as I turn back around to face Tinsley.

  “You just had your first fight,” Tinsley replies.

  “Oh…” I breathe out.

  “Everything will be fine; you two just need a little space to cool down.” She insists.

  I nod and then bite my lip.

  “Why don’t you two come to the club? Nick and I have to work anyway so we can keep our eyes on you both.” Matt states.

  “That’s perfect.” Tinsley agrees.

  “Alright, then it’s settled, now go get ready.” Matt pushes with a light laugh.

  Without waiting, Tinsley rushes into her room with Nick while Matt stays behind with me.

  “Ava, are you going to be alright?” He asks.

  I nod again. “I’ll be fine.”

  He nods, and I turn to go into my room while he walks into Tinsley’s.

  I stop and sigh before shutting the door behind me.

  It didn’t feel right to leave things the way that I had with Loki. I didn’t want to fight with him, and he had been right after all. I had put myself in danger.

  Pushing Nix hadn’t been the smartest move.

  Turning around, I open my door. I’m startled to find Nix standing on the other side with his hand in the air as if he was just about to knock on my door.

  I raise my brow in question. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to apologize.” He answers while lowering his hand.

  He raises his brow as he speaks again. “Were you going somewhere?”

  “I was about to talk to my boyfriend. Thanks to your little stunt we ended up fighting. I was about to make things right with him.” I explain.

  Nix nods absently as he glances away from me.

  “Is there anything else?” I push when he remains quiet.

  He turns his attention back towards me. Without warning, he pushes me into my room before shutting the door behind him.

  Seconds later he pulls me against his body while his lips press firmly against mine.

  I don’t know why but I don’t push him away, but I don’t exactly respond to his demands either. I honestly didn’t know what the hell was happening or how to deal with it.

  Nix had caught me completely off-guard.

  After a few moments, Nix steps back before opening the door. He walks away as quickly as he had come while I stand in a state of shock in the doorway.

  “What the hell?” I breathe out to myself.

  As if things couldn’t get worse, Loki appears just as Nix starts to walk down the stairs. He looks in my direction before his eyes flash red with anger.

  I was beginning to think that Matt had been right.

  “Loki…” I whisper.

  He shakes his head before turning to walk away. Instead of letting him walk away again I run after him. I catch him right as he reaches the door to his room.

  “Please, talk to me.” I plead softly as I grab his shoulder.

  He turns with a low growl. “I can smell him on you.”

  “Yeah, that happens when you’re attacked,” I reply.

  “No. You were closer to him than that.” Loki bites out a bit too harshly.

  “…And that’s a problem for you?” I push.

  “Yes.” He bites out. “You’re mine. You’re not supposed to be with anyone else.”

  “That’s not what we agreed to,” I argue.

  He throws his hands into the air. “Whatever. I should have known better than to start a relationship with someone so immature.”

  “Seriously…?” I snort in disbelief.

  When he doesn’t say a word, I shake my head. “You’re just like Jake, you know. You’re an asshole. If you can’t share me, then you don’t get me at all.”

  With that, I turn to walk away.

  Loki doesn’t let me get far before he grabs me from behind. He pulls me snuggly against his body as he breathes heavily into my ear.

  “I swear you make me insane.” He whispers.

  “This isn’t going to work if we’re not on the same page, Loki.” I breathe out.

  Loki sighs. “I don’t think we’ll ever be on that page together, Sweetheart.”

  His response was like a knife to my heart. It hurt way more than it should have but at least he was finally being honest with me.

  “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” I whisper.

  “I tried to be what you wanted, but I can’t stand seeing anyone else touch you.” He answers gently. “I don’t think I could control myself if I had to share you with someone else.”

  “You should have told me all of this, Loki.” I sigh as I turn in his arms to face him.

  “I’m sorry.” He apologizes sadly.

  Reaching up, I place my hand against the rough stubble growing in along his cheek. “What do we do now? I don’t exactly want to give you up. I like what we have together.”

  He shrugs while leaning into my touch. “I honestly don’t know. I don’t want to give you up either, but I don’t want to hold you back from what you truly want.”

  “Do you think we can work out something to benefit us both?” I push.

  I was desperate to hold onto him anyway that I could.

 
“What do you have in mind?” He questions with a raised brow.

  “You said you don’t like seeing me with anyone else, right?” I reply and then wait for him to nod before continuing. “Well, maybe we keep what I do when you’re not around secret…”

  “That could work, but I still don’t like the thought of you being with someone else behind my back,” Loki replies.

  I sigh. “How about for now we just take this a moment at a time. I’m not in any rush to find someone else. We could make this a monogamous thing for now if that’s what you’d want.”

  “I’m not in any rush to find anyone else either. All I would like is you.” Loki replies.

  “Then it’s settled. We’ll be together until one of us decides to move on.” I breathe out.

  “You can still be with someone else, just give me some warning, okay.” Loki gives in after a short moment of silence.

  I nod and then lean up to press my lips against his.

  He pulls me close for a few moments before leaning back slightly. “Can I see you before sunrise?”

  “Yes, I want to spend the day with you in bed,” I reply with a grin.

  A smile spreads across his lips as his eyes twinkle with excitement. “I would like nothing more than to spend the day with you in bed.”

  He kisses me again before pushing me away. “Go, I’ll see you later.”

  I nod and then turn to walk away.

  As I reach my door, Tinsley walks out of her room with Matt following close behind.

  She raises her brow. “Is everything alright, Ava?”

  I nod. “Yeah, I just talked to Loki.”

  “That’s good.” She replies. “Are you still going to come out with me tonight?”

  “Sure, I could use a few drinks,” I reply before motioning towards my door. “I just need to get dressed. If you want I could meet you there.”

  Tinsley nods. “That will work. Matt has to get to work anyway, and I like walking with him.”

  “I’ll see you soon then,” I reply before opening my door.

  I walk inside while they move down the hall together. Sighing softly, I shut the door behind me before leaning back against it for a moment.

  Everything that had happened between Loki and I had me a mess.

  I had just begun to get used to the idea of being with Loki, and it was falling apart. I had the worst luck choosing men to be in a relationship with.

  To be honest, I was beginning to doubt the compromise we had come up with.

  It wasn’t exactly the smartest idea. More than likely one of us would end up getting hurt. Sadly it would probably be my heart that would get broken.

  I sigh again before pushing myself away from the door. I move over to my dresser before opening the top drawer. I pull out some jeans, a sexy black shirt, and a pair of socks before moving towards the bathroom.

  Once inside the bathroom I strip down before slipping on the clothes that I had picked out.

  Pulling my shirt into place, I smile and then look at my reflection in the mirror.

  I loved begin able to wear whatever I wanted. I felt sexy and free. It was an amazing feeling after begin forced to hide for so long.

  I pull my hair up before moving back into the room. I grab a pair of boots and then pull them on before heading towards the door to leave.

  Seconds later I exit my room.

  Just as I’m about to walk down the stairs, I stop and then take a few steps back. Down the hallway, I spot Loki, but he wasn’t alone. He had a girl backed up against the wall, and he was standing closer than he should have for someone who was in a relationship with someone else.

  When he leans in to kiss her my heart constricts.

  I had been taken for a fool.

  My hurt quickly turns to anger. Instead of attacking him like I wanted I force myself to go downstairs.

  I walk through the building and then outside feeling numb.

  Once I reach the club, I pause for a brief moment. I take a deep breath and ready myself for what I was about to do.

  If Loki was going to play this game, then I would play it too. I was going to go inside and come out with someone that would give me what I needed. I would find someone to take this pain away even if it was only for a single night.

  After another moment I walk inside.

  I move directly to the bar.

  “There you are,” Matt states as I sit down.

  His brow creases as he moves closer. “Is everything alright?”

  “I’m just hungry.” I lie.

  He nods and then grabs a glass before filling it with blood. He then pours some vodka into it before sliding the drink in front of me.

  I drink it down within a few moments.

  “Take it easy. That alcohol will hit you hard.” Matt warns.

  “Where’s Tinsley?” I ask.

  He nods towards the dance floor. “She’s over there trying to get attention.”

  I nod and then glance in her direction before sighing. “Can you give me two more of those drinks? I’m going to need them before I join her.”

  “Coming right up…” He replies before walking away.

  A few minutes later he returns with two tall glasses.

  I drink the next one down as quickly as the first before I grab the third and stand from my seat. I move into the crowd as I sip the drink through a straw.

  The second Tinsley notices me she waves for me to join her.

  I hold up my hand before gulping down the rest of my glasses contents. Once it’s gone, I place it on an empty table before moving towards the dance floor.

  The music grows louder as I join Tinsley.

  We sway to the music while raising our hands into the air. The music pounds along with my heartbeat as I let go.

  I close my eyes for a few moments as the alcohol hits me.

  When I reopen my eyes, I find a stranger with his arms wrapped around Tinsley’s waist. She was smiling up at him, and he was whispering in her ear.

  For a moment I envied my best friend.

  She had two amazing guys and was easily finding another.

  It was so unfair.

  Tinsley focuses her attention on him, and I take a few steps back to give them space. After a few moments, I turn and leave the dance floor. I just wasn’t feeling it anymore.

  I grab two shots off of a tray passing by before swallowing them down.

  Without warning, someone grabs my wrist. I’m pulled through the crowd before we find an empty corner.

  Nix turns to face me. “Are you alright, Ava?”

  I shake my head. “I’m far from alright.”

  “What happened?” He pushes.

  “It doesn’t matter.” I breathe out.

  Before he can say another word, I lean up to press my lips against his. In an instant, he responds by placing his hands on my hips to pull me closer.

  His tongue tangles with mine as we easily get lost in each other.

  Suddenly, I’m yanked back away from Nix. I find myself face to face with a very angry Loki.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Loki snaps as he pins me with a glare.

  “I was only doing what you were with the girl in the hallway.” I bite out.

  His glare disappears. “I wasn’t kissing her.”

  “Then what the hell were you doing?” I growl out in anger.

  “I was feeding. She willingly gives me her blood.” He explains. “I sometimes have a hard time drinking bagged blood, so I feed on humans.”

  “Oh…” I whisper.

  He glances between Nix and me before turning his full attention towards me. “We were fooling ourselves into thinking this would work. We should have ended things earlier.”

  Without saying another word, he turns to leave.

  Instead of letting him go, I grab his arm to stop him. “Please, don’t go.”

  He glances back at me. “I can’t stay and watch you be here with him.”

  “Then I’ll leave with you.” I insist.


  He glances behind me, towards Nix, before shaking his head. “No. You can stay.”

  “No.” I snap a bit too harshly. “Either you stay, or I’m coming with you.”

  “I’m not yours to boss around, Ava.” He states.

  He pulls his arm away from my grasp before walking away. This time I remain standing in place as I watch him disappear into the crowd.

  I turn around to face Nix, but he growls as he suddenly pushes past me.

  This was turning into an even larger mess. Not only had I messed things up with Loki I had ruined whatever was between Nix and I.

  My frustration leaves me searching for another strong drink.

  I end up snatching one out of someone’s hand.

  The guy laughs as I drink it back in one gulp. “Who pissed you off, Sweetheart?”

  “Do you really care?” I ask.

  He shakes his head. “Not really.”

  Before I can say a word, he grabs a bottle from beside him before filling the glass still in my hand.

  I smile gratefully before drinking it. Without a word, he fills the glass once more. I drink it and then close my eyes for a few moments.

  When I reopen them, he grins. “Feeling better now?”

  I nod and then hold out my glass for him to refill. “I’m almost there.”

  He chuckles in amusement but fills my glass.

  Once the glass is empty, I hand it to him. “Thanks for that. You have no idea the night I’ve had. I really needed something strong.”

  “I’ve had one hell of a night too.” He replies before holding out his hand towards me. “I’m Kane.”

  “I’m Ava,” I reply as I shake his hand.

  His grin grows. “It’s nice to meet you, Ava.”

  10-The Next Night

  “Ava, are you in here?” Tinsley calls out before suddenly flipping on the lights in my room.

  I groan and hide my face. “Turn off the lights, Tins.”

  Without warning a body moves next to mine with a deep groan.

  My eyes go wide as I sit up in bed abruptly. I hold the blankets close to my bare chest as I look at Tinsley who was equally as shocked.

  ‘Who is it?’ She mouths.

  I shrug; the night before had become nothing but a blur. I had way too much to drink, that much was obvious.

  I stare down at the blonde haired guy before he rolls onto his back. His blue eyes stare at me for a few moments before he curses softly while pinching the bridge of his nose.