Love Bites:Guide to Dating a vampire and werewolf

Drawn to Darkness.

Lila lay awake, staring at the ceiling. No matter how hard she tried, sleep wouldn't come. She rolled onto her side, then onto her stomach, her thoughts a mess of frustration and confusion.She couldn't stop thinking about Adrian Ravencroft.

She had only met him hours ago, but his image had burned itself into her mind. His sharp jawline, that cocky smile, and those gray eyes—intense, like they could strip her bare. Why couldn't she shake him? He was dangerous, she was sure of it. And yet…

She groaned into her pillow, annoyed with herself. She shouldn't be thinking about him. She should be thinking about Caleb, her boyfriend.The word "boyfriend " felt heavier than usual tonight. Caleb hadn't called. Not to say congratulations, not even to check in. She'd waited all day for something—anything—but he hadn't shown up.

Sighing, Lila reached for her phone on the nightstand and stared at the screen. Nothing. No texts. No missed calls. The clock read 12:42 AM. He probably wouldn't call now.

Screw it, she thought, and dialed his number.

It rang four times before his voice came through, groggy. "Lila?"

"Hey," she said softly. "Were you asleep?"

"Yeah," Caleb mumbled. "It's late. What's going on?"

Her stomach twisted at his tone. He sounded like she'd interrupted him, like she was a bother. "I just… I thought you might call earlier," she said, trying to keep her voice light. "It was kind of a big day for me."

A long silence.

"I'm sorry," he said finally. "Work's been crazy."

Work. Always work. The excuse she'd heard a thousand times. Lila pressed her lips together, willing herself not to sound hurt. "It's fine," she lied. "I just wanted to hear your voice, I guess."

"Lila…" He sighed. "Look, I'll make it up to you, okay?"

She clenched her jaw. "Yeah. Sure."

"Goodnight," Caleb said, already slipping back into sleep mode.

"Goodnight," she muttered, ending the call.

She tossed her phone onto the bed and pressed her hands to her face, fighting back the sting of tears. Caleb was supposed to be her rock, her safe place. But lately, he felt more like a stranger.

The apartment felt too quiet, too still. Lila got up and paced the room, her nerves itching for something to do. Anything to stop the whirlwind in her chest. She glanced at the clock again—1:03 AM.

Grabbing her jacket and keys, she decided to go out. A walk might clear her head, and if not, maybe a drink would.The streets were deserted, save for the occasional car passing by. The chill in the air bit at her cheeks, but it was refreshing, better than the suffocating stillness of her apartment. Two blocks down was a bar she sometimes visited with Mia. It was quiet, nothing like the chaos of Eclipse earlier that night.

The bell above the door jingled softly as she walked in. The bar was almost empty, just a couple of patrons at the far end and the bartender wiping down the counter.

"Whiskey sour," Lila said as she slid onto a stool.

The bartender nodded and got to work. Lila leaned her elbows on the counter, letting the dim lighting and low hum of music calm her frayed nerves.

"Long night?" the bartender asked, placing the drink in front of her.

"You could say that," she replied, taking a sip.

For a moment, she thought she might actually relax. But then, that strange, electric sensation washed over her again—the feeling she'd had earlier at Eclipse, like someone was watching her.Her hesrt quickened as she looked around, and there he was.

Adrian was sitting in the corner, one leg casually draped over the other, holding a glass of something dark. His gaze was locked on her, a slow, knowing smile spreading across his face when their eyes met.

Lila froze. What was he doing here? The city was massive, and this bar wasn't exactly a hotspot. Had he followed her?

Her pulse raced as he stood, his movements smooth and deliberate, and made his way toward her.

"Lila," he said, sliding onto the stool beside her. His voice was low, a little teasing, like they were old friends. "Fancy meeting you here."

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

He grinned, unfazed. "Couldn't sleep."

She stared at him, trying to figure him out. "So you just happened to wander into this bar? Two blocks from my apartment?"

He shrugged. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"

"No," she said flatly.

Adrian chuckled, the sound rich and easy. "Fair enough. Let's just say fate has a sense of humor."

Lila narrowed her eyes. "Are you following me?"

"Would it bother you if I was?"

Her breath hitched, and she hated how much his question unsettled her. "Maybe."

"Maybe," he echoed, his smile widening. "Interesting."

Before she could respond, he gestured to the bartender. "Another whiskey sour for the lady."

"I didn't ask you to do that," Lila said, crossing her arms.

"Consider it a graduation gift," he said, leaning back slightly. "Congratulations, by the way."

The bartender placed the drink in front of her, and Adrian raised his own glass. "To restless nights," he said.

Lila hesitated, then clinked her glass against his. "To answers," she countered, taking a sip.

Adrian's smile deepened, and for a moment, Lila forgot how to breathe. There was something about him—something magnetic, intoxicating. She knew she should walk away, but she couldn't.

"You're different," he said, breaking the silence.

She frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You don't hide," he said simply. "Most people have walls. You don't."

"That's not true," she said, though the words felt weak.

Adrian tilted his head, studying her like she was a puzzle he was trying to solve. "Maybe not. But don't build them because of me."

Her stomach twisted, and she wasn't sure if it was from his words or the way he was looking at her—as if she was the most fascinating thing in the room.

Lila shook her head, trying to clear the fog. "You're trouble, aren't you?"

"Always," he said with a smirk.

She should have been afraid. She should have grabbed her drink and left without looking back. But instead, she stayed.

Maybe it was the whiskey, or maybe it was something deeper, something she didn't want to admit. But for the first time that night, she let herself relax.

Whatever Adrian Ravencroft was—dangerous, mysterious, or something else entirely—she couldn't bring herself to care.

Not yet.