A Man’s Worth(Brac Pack 31)(32)

Dr. Sheehan stood, shoving his hands into his front pockets as he began to pace. “You also have an anomaly in your blood, Ahm. It’s nothing that will hurt you, but I’ve only seen it in one other person I deal with.”

“What is this anomaly?” Ahm asked. “Who is this other person who shares the trait?”

Dr. Sheehan stilled as he pinned his eyes on Ahm. “I want to run further tests to be positive. I don’t want any mistakes.”

“How do I know you aren’t trying to get my blood for other reasons?”

Running his hands over his head, Bryce could see the weariness in the doctor’s face. “I live in a house full of a variety of paranormal creatures. If I wanted supernatural blood, I could stab anyone around me with a needle at home. I’m trying to help you, Ahm. I have no ulterior motive.”

“Who is the person he shares this trait with?” Bryce asked.

“Gabby.”





Chapter Eleven




“He’s a quack,” Ahm argued as he walked outside under the full brightness of the sun. “I am not Christian’s son. I knew my father, and his father before him.”

“Didn’t he say the trait was so recessive that you were nothing more than a very distant relative?” Bryce reminded him.

“I am not a vampire! I am a pureblood.”

Bryce chuckled. Ahm didn’t see what was so funny.

“You talk of your tribe not letting go of tradition and look at yourself. So you’re not a pureblood. Who gives a shit. Not everyone in my family is a bear. I have a jaguar cousin who lives halfway across the country. He still puts food out on the back porch for his dead cat. I have an uncle from my mother’s side who is part lion. He holds a festival every year in his pack to celebrate everyone’s differences. Go cry on someone’s shoulder who cares you are a half-breed.”

“You are a full-blooded bear. What do you know about being a half-breed?” Ahm argued heatedly. He knew he was contradicting everything he had said about his tribe needing new blood to save their race, but what Dr. Sheehan had revealed to him had blown Ahm’s mind away. He was pretty sure his family would have said something if they had anything other than fey in their bloodline.

“The branches on my family tree are heavy with mutts. I’m not full-blooded anything. My beast is a bear, but other creatures run through my veins. I am proud of my family and who I am. Until you can say the same, you’ll always be a lonely, miserable, uptight asshole.”

Ahm watched Bryce stomp off.

“I guess he handed you your ass,” Chauncey said as he walked up behind Ahm. “Tell me, how can you walk in daylight?”

Ahm rounded on the man. “I am not a vampire!”

“If the fangs fit…” He snickered. “I’m going to fill a spray bottle full of garlic juice. If you come creeping into my bedroom at night, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Nobody sucks on me but my mate.”

Ahm wasn’t sure if the man had all his marbles. He looked well balanced enough, but there was plenty of room for doubt.

“I’ll be watching you, fang boy.”

“What in the hell is wrong with you?” Ahm asked.

“Got blown up. But then again, I was this way before the ‘accident.’” The man made air quotes. “Don’t think I won’t be counting the bagged blood in the refrigerator.”

“You are truly senseless.”

Chauncey winked at him. “Welcome to the family.”

Ahm walked toward the barn before the bear did or said anything that would truly mark him as certifiably insane. Just as he neared the entrance, he was tackled. Ahm rolled, trying to get his bearings when he heard a familiar chuckle.

Bryce.

“What’s wrong, losing your touch?” Bryce asked as he pinned Ahm to the grass. “Becoming a vampire seems to have slowed your senses. Need a donation?” Bryce cocked his head to the side, baring his throat. “I don’t mind. Suck on me all you want, my little sex kitten.”

“I never knew your family was this loony.”

“Ah, but we are a fun bunch to be around,” Bryce said as he lowered his throat to Ahm. “Suck my blood.”

Ahm smacked Bryce’s neck. “Knock it off.”

“Then stop sulking about who you are. Embrace your insanity. I have.” Bryce wiggled his dark brows at Ahm.

Ahm pushed at Bryce’s chest. “I thought you were mad at me.”

Bryce nipped Ahm’s chin, sending a pulse of excitement straight to his groin. “I am. But your teddy bear is going to teach you how to get the proverbial stick from inside your ass.”

Ahm laughed. He couldn’t help it. Bryce looked playful and serious at the same time. “My teddy bear? Where do you come up with these names?”