Chapter Three: Mama Wolf

Winnie

Esme Renée was waiting for a young man to pick her up for a date, and I was glad for her.

Jazzie always said she didn't date, and she didn't have any exclusive romantic relationships. But she made friends with boys as easily as girls; they were constantly dropping by, and I wouldn't have been surprised if at least some of them would have liked to get a little more serious.

Esme Renée was more of a loner, hanging out at the fringes of Jazzie's group, but having no close friends except Jazzie herself. I wasn't sure if it was her own preference or if she felt they were excluding her… or if, mistaking her shyness for unfriendliness, they really were excluding her.

When the doorbell rang, Justin and I went with Esme Renée to meet the boy who was taking her out. Justin smiled at Esme Renée's soft introduction and offered a firm handshake, but at my first sight of him I felt as if I couldn't breathe.

He was a vampire. His eyes were brown; not naturally brown, but as if he wore contacts to hide red irises.

Every muscle in my body wanted to leap on him and attack, but I was only one-fourth vampire…I didn't have a chance. And if he was angry at my attack, he might take it out on Esme Renée.

"Her curfew's at ten thirty," I reminded him. "Make sure she's back by then." I tried to put a threat in my voice, to make him understand that if he failed to bring her back, he would be hunted down.

"Winnie," Justin said as the door shut behind them, "are you all right? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I-I think I did," I gasped. My mind was whirling; I could call my family, but they were too far away, could never get here in time… Werewolves…Uncle Seth…

Snatching my phone from my pocket, I dialed as I ran up the stairs and barricaded myself in Carl's room.

"Hey, Winnie."

"Uncle Seth!" I gasped. "You have to help me — Winnie just went on a date with a vampire!"

"Traditional?" he asked sharply.

"Yes. Uncle Seth, please —!"

"Do you know the restaurant?"

I gave him the name, not that I had any real hope he had actually taken her there.

"Been a while since I took Mandy out anyway," Uncle Seth commented. "I can make it down there in half an hour, forty-five minutes."

That was far, far too much time for something to happen, but I knew it was the best I could do. "Thanks," I whispered, and ended the call.

I went to the girls' room then, longing for my daughter's scent. The room was empty; Jazzie was spending the night at a friend's house. But there was a scent there I hadn't expected, and I felt a growl building in my chest. He had been in her room. That creepy stalking leech had been in Esme Renée's room!

Running to the window, I locked it — not that that would stop him, but it might be a deterrent. I locked every window on the second floor, then ran back and sniffed Esme Renée's bed, relieved to find no trace of his scent there. Probably she hadn't even been aware he was there…

Standing in the middle of the room, trembling with fear and anger, I punched in the numbers for Uncle Edward's phone.

"Winnie? Is there a problem?"

"A problem?" I snarled. "No, my daughter just went out on a date with a red-eyed leech who's been hanging around her room!"

"Jazzie?" he asked shortly.

"No; Esme Renée." Somehow, I wouldn't have been quite this terrified if it had been Jazzie; I still thought she might have inherited a few more vampire traits…though even I would be powerless against a full vampire. "I sent Uncle Seth to make sure he doesn't do anything tonight — but would you come take care of him?"

"I can make it by midnight if I come on foot," he said instantly. "Honestly, Winnie…I'd never guess you were part vampire yourself…you sound like a mama wolf."

"I feel like one," I growled.

"Winnie…you know there's a chance that he isn't after blood…that he really is just taking her out on a date…"

My anger suddenly left, leaving me weak-kneed; I collapsed on Esme Renée's bed. "I don't want that for her, Uncle Edward," I whispered, tears in my voice. "I don't want her marrying a vampire…having a half-vampire baby…"

"Nine sixteenths," he corrected. "This may sound hypocritical, Winnie, but I don't want that for her either…I just needed to be sure of how you wanted me to handle it if I heard in his thoughts that his intentions were…honorable. I'll be there by midnight, Winnie."

The line went dead, and I clutched the phone to my chest, silently sobbing.

"Winnie?" Justin called anxiously from the door. He pushed it open. "Winnie, what's wrong?"

Getting to my feet, I stumbled across the room and fell against his chest. "Hold me, Justin," I gasped. "Just hold me. Please."

Next chapter coming next week!

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