Tessa, Vampire/Werewolf Romance, (Standalone) (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 3) by Maddie Foxx Page A

“No need to be so fancy, girl. We’re simple folk here.”
    The girl grinned, her blonde pigtails bobbing as she laughed. “Is it true that you’re a real vampire?”
    That took Tessa aback, but for only a moment. “Yes, that’s about the gist of it, but don’t worry. I already ate.” She winked. “Melody, right?”
    “Yes.” She put her hands on her small hips. “I’m a red-tailed hawk shifter. The only raptor bird shifter on this ranch.”
    “Well, I’m glad to hear that. It’s always good to have a hawk nearby. Do you know how to fly, yet?”
    The little boy rolled his eyes. “No, all she’s good for is blowing steam out of that big mouth of hers.”
    Melody’s face changed to a snarl. “You’ll see. I’ll show you one day.”
    “But you can shift?”
    “Yeah, we can shift,” Maxwell spat. “Why is she here?”
    “Quit being so rude,” Palina chastised the boy.
    He folded his arms across his chest.
    “It’s okay, Maxwell. If someone paraded a vampire in front of me who asked dumb questions just because she never met children who were shifters before, I’d be just like that. If I was a shifter, I mean.”
    His face actually softened. “You would?”
    “Certainly. I hope you excuse me since I apparently said the wrong thing, already.”
    “I-It’s okay. It’s just that Melody has gone on and on about meeting a real vampire but I don’t understand why.”
    “Me, either, but I haven’t been a vampire very long just in case you plan on asking me fifty questions.” Tessa winked.
    “I won’t, but she will,” Maxwell said as he walked forward and actually shook Tessa’s hand. “I’m not very hungry tonight,” he announced as he limped and disappeared through a door.
    “I’m sorry about Maxwell,” Palina said. “He’s changed so much since his father died. He might just see you as a human like the one who murdered his father.”
    “And what happened to him?”
    Palina told Melody to go wash up, and after she left the room, Tessa was led away from the door Maxwell went in since it was open a crack.
    “The man who killed his father has been dealt with.”
    “Killed, you mean?”
    “We werewolves take care of our own. The only reason I’ve allowed you to come here is as a favor for Paige since she’s always been such great help to us when we have been in need. I hope you won’t disappoint me by causing any problems.”
    “I’m here to figure out some things. I don’t need to stay forever.”
    “That’s not up to me, and you’ll be treated as a guest. That’s why I made sure to give Raphael some more feminine things like the quilt and couch cushions. Just because you live in a rugged way doesn’t mean you should live in some ugly cabin that is manly in every way.”
    “Oh, so it was you? I thought it was Raphael’s doing.”
    Raphael grinned. “Thanks. I was taking credit for that, but Tessa wasn’t all that appreciative.”
    “That was when I thought it was your doing. Thanks, Palina. It was just enough color for the place.”
    “You tell him, Tessa,” Seth said with a sly smile.
    Melody came running back and showed Seth her hands. “See, Daddy? All clean.”
    “I’ve been trying to teach Melody here how to be the proper young lady,” Seth explained.
    Tessa nodded. That made her feel very sad for the little girl whose mother was more than absent. She couldn’t help but wonder if it weren’t for Jason if that would still be the case.
    She heard a door creak open and Tessa knew Maxwell was at least a little interested in what they were talking about, he just didn’t want them to know it. Yes, he was going to be a hard nut to crack for sure, but patience would go a long way with the boy.
    “Take a seat, Tessa,” Palina encouraged. “I’ll have dinner on the table in a jiffy.”
    “Can I help you do anything? I’m a little handy in the kitchen, or I was.”
    Palina motioned Tessa to sit at the table. “No, I won’t hear of that. You’re a guest here,