Free Beginnings (The Trifectus Series - Book One) by Logan Byrne Page A

of savages that stalk some old lady on her way home and suck the life out of her.  That stuff was big back in the old ages, but now that we have hospitals and blood banks it isn’t needed.”
    “Well, how do you get the blood then?  Do you break in during the middle of the night and steal it?” I asked.
    “Not at all,” interjected Lucas.  “I actually work at the hospital and get the blood that way.  Every now and again I’ll take some and bring it home for everybody.”
    “What do you do at the hospital?  Are you a doctor?” I asked.
    “No, he’s a male nurse,” Emma said, snickering.
    “You know, it is very common and respectable to be a male nurse, Emma,” he shouted.
    “Now, now, you two, calm down,” said Maria.  “We all respect Lucas and what he does for us as a family.  Stop teasing your brother.”
    “Did you see the werewolves in town?” asked Troy.  “We need to do something about this, Remey.”
    “Now I am sure we will figure something out in good time.  We cannot just go and attack them because they were out.  We are under lockdown anyway after that attack on Juliet,” Remey said.
    “You guys know about that?”  I asked.  “I’m so sorry if I caused you problems,” I said apologetically.
    “Not at all,” said Rosa.  “James did the right thing and we stand by him.  If he hadn’t been there, who knows what could have happened to you.  We are just happy you are safe, dear.”
    “I overheard two people talking yesterday about the full moon tonight,” I said.
    “Was it Derek and Cara?” asked James.
    “Y—yeah.  How did you know?”
    “We have known about them and them about us for a long time.  We keep eyes on them, especially at school, to make sure they aren’t a threat.”
    “Yeah,” interjected Michael.  “Werewolves can be a major threat.  When it is a full moon, they can’t always control themselves.  Their have primal instincts that can kick in and take over.  Some can control themselves better than others, but most can’t at all.”
    “There were three full wolves spotted the other day,” said Troy.  “Those two wouldn’t be rolling with another wolf.  They haven’t even hit the point to fully transform anyway.  They aren’t currently too big of a threat to us.”
    “So they won’t be a problem?” I asked.
    “I didn’t say that.  Younger wolves that haven’t hit full maturity yet can still be a threat.  They can still transform, but most of their speed and strength isn’t there yet.  They don’t seem rogue, though.  They seem to follow a different path.  Most likely if you leave them alone they will leave you alone,” said Troy.
    As we ended dinner, James told me he wanted to talk to me outside.  I started getting butterflies thinking of being alone with him.  We walked outside underneath the full moon and twinkling night stars.
    “I hope you are having a good time,” he said.
    “Of course.  I love your family.  They are way better than mine anyway.”
    As I finished, we heard a faint howl in the distance.
    “Oh no, a werewolf,” I said.
    “Don’t worry, my love,” he said smiling.  “Werewolves have a howl that can be heard ten miles away.  That one was also faint.  We will be safe.”
    “You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about you,” I said.
    “As have I about you, dear.  I think about you every second of every hour.  Thoughts of your beautiful, glowing face radiate through my mind as if I was looking right at it.  I love you, Juliet LaVoe.”
    Was this happening?  Did he just tell me he loved me?  A thousand thoughts and emotions rushed through my body as I tried to not to scream out loud.
    “I love you too,” I said as my cheeks turned as red as the blood he had just drank.
    He put his arms around me and whispered into my ear.
    “Will you be my girlfriend?”
    Finally.  The moment I had been waiting for had finally come.  The man I was in love with just asked me to be his.  In this