Anticipations

By Isabelle Arocho

After killing a coven member, Evie finds herself in a world of trouble. Trouble, Caleb, the alpha, is eager to help her with. She is trying her damnedest to stay away from him, because of the feelings she can't explain and the danger she can't outrun. Second in the series, follows after Deceptions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Isabelle Arocho
• Release date: Dec 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301524402

Isabelle Arocho

Hello everyone, as a self-published author I like to talk to you in my own words so here we go, here's my story:I used to avoid everything pertaining to reading and writing in school because it was never my strong suit. But then something happened when I was fourteen years old, and I found I had a deep passion for telling stories. As far back as I can remember, I would always create stories in my head and call them my made up movies. These are the movies I make into books today.I shied away from telling anyone about my passion for telling stories and kept it to myself for a long time. I learned from reading book after book how to write a proper novel and found the confidence to share my work, first on online communities and now with the world.In 2012 I have decided to take the leap into self-publishing. I write and edit all my work myself, no excuses, but if you see any mistakes I apologize.A little bit more about me...My name is Isabelle Arocho, I’m of Hispanic descent. I grew up in Perth Amboy NJ and now live somewhere in the sticks of FL. I am a woman, sister, daughter. I have a passion for rock music, tons of TV shows, and of course reading when I’m not trying to create my own masterpiece.I write all types of genres including mystery, fantasy, suspense, romance, paranormal, and cop procedurals. I'm always striving to get better and I hope you enjoy my work enough to stick with me on this journey. I have hundreds of characters in my head always in a scene crawling to get free onto paper. I'm grateful for writing because without it I'd just be a crazy nut who talks to herself.I have a few books out now in both Ebook and paperback format. I’m working on several different of ideas to be released soon in all those genres I mentioned above. Visit my personal website, isabellearocho.com, for more information.PS: Don't forget to review and let me know what you thought about the book you read. I love hearing from you and it helps to know what you think.

Book preview

ANTICIPATIONS

By

Isabelle Arocho

www.isabellearocho.com

Copyright 2012 Isabelle Arocho

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this free eBook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form with full credit to the original author, Isabelle Arocho.

Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

Chapter 1

We climbed up the mountain and passed miles of surrounding forest trees before reaching the secluded area. It was as peaceful as it was beautiful. The sun hung low that afternoon, soon it’d lower and the moon would be in clear view and furry animals would take solace running. I took a moment and looked at the blues and bright pinks surrounding the burning star. These days it was hard to find peace when every waking moment was spent worrying over what threat might find it’s way into my life next. I turned toward my guest. Your father could kill me if he found out about this.

Jamie turned to face me and shrugged her petite shoulders. He’s busy and after you almost died to help me I don’t think he minds anymore that we’re friends. She had a bitter tone to her voice that seemed to be constant lately; I assumed it had to do with teenage years and boy troubles. She was dating a vampire—a huge mistake— and now she wouldn’t talk about him lately.

Part of the reason I invited her out was to try and get her to tell me what happened. The other part was to make sure the fifteen year old girl had some form of protection. I rested my bag on the floor and bent to open it. I’m gonna ask, what happened with Ray?

She shrugged again. Dad got his wish, it’s over between us.

I stood holding a 9mm magnum. Why? Her shoulders fell and her dark eyes took on a look of regret and fear. Did something happen? I asked, looking over her neck for any telltale signs while she glanced back at the skyline.

He doesn’t think so. I just told him my dad was a pain in the ass and it’d be better if we didn’t see each other. But, Jamie took a deep breath and that look of fear worsened. I came into town a few days early this trip and I went to surprise him. I said nothing and waited for her to continue. She took a moment to gather the words or maybe find the strength to discuss it. He was with another girl. The teenager froze there.

That would piss you off Jamie, not scare you. Did you catch Ray biting someone? I asked, sympathetically, as I remembered the night I saw Michael feeding. I grew jealous and pushed him the next night into biting me instead. It went too far and he was forced into turning me or letting me die but the virus didn’t fully take. I was immortal after being brought back to life with his virus but there were no other vampire traits or curses in my body.

It was so….wrong. I heard stories that it could be something exciting but the girl looked so scared. I don’t think she had a choice. I left as fast as I could and broke up with him over the phone. She was feeling cowardly about not being able to face him. I thought it was a smart choice not to anger a vampire face to face.

Alright, you’ll feel better if you shoot stuff. I’ve been bringing Jamie to the private shooting range and showing her how to use several small yet efficient guns she could carry with her. After she was kidnapped a few months ago I thought it was best to have her own way to help herself when no one was around. At first she wasn’t too happy with the idea but it grew on her, it was cool to know how to handle a gun, she quickly realized.

Jamie held the gun with both hands and aimed at the paper body outline. I’m trying to convince my dad to let me stay with him full time. She shot and hit her mark right in the center of the chest. Mom agreed but he won’t because he thinks it’ll make me more of a target. She fired again, it was a head shot that time. After two weeks of listening she was catching on quick.

You know his life is complicated but I think if you keep asking and use sweet talk he’ll cave. Caleb was a tough alpha werewolf but with his daughter he was a big ol’ softy.

I heard him and Jared talking today, she changed guns. about you.

I couldn’t stop the grin that rushed to my face. Jared was Caleb’s third in the pack and currently trying to get me to go out on a date with him. And?

Dad doesn’t think you and Jared would be a good idea.

Of course not; I’m vampire bitten and no offense but Caleb can be an ass about vampiric things. I sat down on a huge mountain rock and watched her practice. We stayed there shooting and talking for the next hour before heading back to the car. It was getting pretty dark and I didn’t want to encounter any trouble from a shifter with Jamie hanging around. I was glad to see she felt better by the time I turned the car down our street. I parked at my place and walked her three houses down to hers.

When I got home it was time to get ready for work. I worked as the hostess at La Amour; a restaurant/hotel for the Winston vampire family. I took a shower to erase the scent of pine tress and moss. My dress tonight was a strapless black number with matching short heels. I left my hair loose around my shoulders and rushed downstairs before I was late for my shift.

I opened my front door at the same exact moment someone was going to knock. Michael. I was shocked to see him on my doorstep of all the places we could’ve ran into each other. I can’t remember the last time you showed up at my place. I was usually at his and it always had something to do with work.

I’m glad I caught you before you left for the hotel. We need to talk. I stepped aside and let him into the living room. Michael was an intense man and I was used to that except that time was different. The tension was serious and it must be important for him to show up to catch me alone, rather than waiting until we saw each other at the restaurant. I need to ask you for a favor. The vampire began.

Ok. I said slowly while trying to understand what the hell was going on. I knew from past experiences when Michael was like this something I didn’t like was going to happen next.

I need you to keep a close eye on Caleb and tell me what you see.

I let out a big exhale. You want me to spy on him? It didn’t take long for me to get angry and before I could stop it the emotion slammed into me. I can’t do that. I wished I left three minutes sooner and missed our meeting. I’d normally be happy to see my ex but for something like what he wanted, he had the wrong girl. You have an army of people willing to do whatever you want, so why ask me?

Because you’re closer and it’d be less suspicious if you’re hanging around. I was probably hoping you’d come back to my side. Michael said softly, carrying a more hurtful tone than if he would’ve yelled.

I winced, it hurt how quickly he could make me feel wrong for trying to do the right thing. There are no sides and there never has been. I just can’t help you with this. He saved my life, Michael. It hadn’t been physical danger, it was more like he stopped me from mentally losing my mind. Although I’d never admit it to Caleb, he had helped me a lot when I had killed for the first time with the worries that followed and nearly drowned me. I still worried when I was alone in the darkness of my bedroom.

Michael’s disappointment filled the room. He was a lot older than his young handsome face showed, he lived his life a certain way and expected things to happen a certain way. He expected that if I was loyal to him I’d never question what he’d ask of me. He moved toward the door which I stood in front of. Don’t say anything to him.

I wouldn’t do that but what are you trying to find out?

Michael reached behind me and opened the door. You’re late for work.

Chapter 2

My whole shift I was preoccupied thinking about Michael’s visit. He would never tell me why he needed a spy on Caleb after I declined the job offer and for him to ask it had to be serious. It took a lot for anything to be serious for Michael; it always had something to do with family business or family threats. And family meant the vampire race.

After our break up I constantly reminded Michael he had no say in my life. That fact went both ways and no matter how curious and worried I was I couldn’t question him. I prayed whatever it was no one I cared about ended up hurt.

My shift ended just before sunset. I was relieved to finally be home and in my comfortable bed. No matter how stressful the day was, or how active my mind was with questions, when I laid down it all faded away and I slept.

I woke a few hours later just before noon and noticed my answering machine was beeping. Jamie called while I had been at work, asking me to come over when I woke up. She sounded down, much like she had when I asked her about Ray. He was her first serious boyfriend and heartbreak. I couldn’t tell her it’d get better or promise some fairytale when five years later I was still hung up on my first love. I could be there though, to listen and be her friend.

After I dressed in my day attire—jeans and an old t-shirt ripped at the waist—I walked over to the Nikolas household. His car wasn’t in the driveway but Caleb was home, he opened the door. I didn’t want to see him. Is Jamie around?

She’s upstairs. Come in, we need to talk. Caleb was a serious intense man himself except he scared me where as Michael didn’t. Whatever he wanted to talk about wasn’t going to be good for me, his tone hinted as much. Caleb walked over to the mantel. I found this in Jamie’s room. He picked up a 9mm revolver.

Jamie came running down the stairs. My father likes to invade privacy. Well you know that. She crossed her arms tight and frowned. Her father found a gun in her room but she was the one mad. Humans were strange at times.

I should’ve stayed in bed late. After what happened three months ago Jamie wanted a way to protect herself. I go to the shooting range all the time and I asked her if she wanted to come along. She’s not like the rest of us Caleb; if she finds trouble she can’t outrun it.

You should’ve asked my permission first, she’s a minor. Caleb was good at hiding his feelings and if I hadn’t gotten to know him somewhat those three months ago I wouldn’t notice the anger piercing his midnight blue eyes. What I wasn’t sure was of was if he was angry at me and the situation or something else entirely.

Dad, leave her alone. This is your problem, you think I’m some little kid that doesn’t know about life. I asked for Evie’s help and she gave it. You should try that. Jamie turned on her heel and ran back up the stairs.

I looked at her father. What does she mean? I started to think about Michael again and question what the hell was happening in town.

Nothing. She’s taken to eavesdropping lately and she thinks you’re some sort of super woman. He ran a frustrated hand over his hair. She always complains about how I do things but lately it’s different. He looked to me for answers.

It would come out eventually and it also gave