CHAPTER 6 – Anna

There are several things I have learned about my new status as Lycan. First, all of my senses are dramatically stronger. I can smell someone’s blood pounding in their veins. Did you know that fear and annoyance had a smell? I didn’t, but now I am learning that many things have a scent that I wasn’t aware of. My sight has improved, and for a girl that should have worn contacts but rarely did, it’s amazing the little details that I had been missing. My hearing is super sensitive. I can hear three rooms over if someone is whispering. There are good things and bad things about this, but we will get into that more in a little while. Taste, oh flippity fuck tarts, I can taste need and want on my tongue. The bagged blood is tasting worse and worse. It is almost unpalatable. But that brings us to the next one touch. There is a reason that Lycan aren’t virgins. When they touch a human or each other, it causes an aphrodisiac-like outcome. I understand the concept, trust me. Every time Roman even brushes against me I am straining at the cuffs to attack him. No more cards, no more games, just waiting—and hoping that someone doesn’t stake me before this shit is over with. To make matters worse, Roman has taken it upon himself to educate me in our glorious an illustrious history. It is beyond boring, and I am pretty sure the only reason he is going over this crap to keep me from licking him every chance I get. Yeah, it’s that bad. And that is why during the middle of 17th century Eastern Europe Monarchy I interrupted him with this statement. “If I just have sex with someone, will all of this go away?” His mouth dropped open, “Excuse me?” “You know, if I scratched the itch would I still be a danger to everyone? I know you think I am going to drain someone still. But I think I am passed that. But this whole angsty need that is causing me to attack you. Maybe if I just did something about it things would get better.” His eyes darkened, and his voice dropped an octave, “Are you asking me to have sex with you?” I flushed, “Not you! Just someone, anyone really.” This wasn’t the right response to give Roman. He drew his impressive shoulders up and loomed over me but was sadly just out of reach. “Your virginity is something special, Anna. You don’t just give it to anyone. Once your change is fully complete, you won’t be so prone to drain people or want to fuck them every second. You just need a better grasp on your new abilities.” I rolled my eyes, very much aware that I stole the habit from him. “Look, I had the talk just like everyone else did. I am not proposing unprotected sex or even an orgy.” At this, he choked, but I plowed on. “I just am sick of being in this room. Luke hasn’t come back since I bit him the other day. And you, well, you are just…” I trailed off not sure how to finish that sentence. What was Roman? Annoying, Pompous, Rude, Conceited, Self-Important, Sexy as Hell… Wait a minute, how did that slip in there? “I am what?” he asked stonily. “You are cranky,” I finished with a defiant look. “What is it going to take? And when are you going to explain to me about the simps and what happens with them? Why am I still on bagged blood?” Roman blew out a breath, and just looked at me for a long moment. “You think you can handle the truth?” I nodded, “Yes.” “Fine,” he yanked his chair closer and sat down. “Simps are the way that we live. If you paid any heed to what I have been telling you. You will know that we are not monsters, nor are we turned into Lycan. We are species that lives on earth who just so happen to go through a transition in their late teens when our bodies start requiring human blood to thrive.” “I saw you eating an apple the other day,” I mentioned, “Why?” A faint smile grLuked his lips, “Because I like apples. You can still eat regular food; it just won’t sustain you. Because of this, Lycan usually take on simps. Humans who share their blood in exchange for what we can give them.” I wrinkled my nose, “What do we give them?” He looked away, and my eyes were caught for the briefest moment on the strong edge of his jaw. When Roman looked at me again, his eyes were cold, shrewd almost. “A Lycan’s bite doesn’t hurt humans. It causes them to be aroused. It isn’t a normal arousal either; I would say it’s almost like a drug to them. There are many simps that will do anything to stay with the Lycan.” A strange thought entered my head, “Do the Lycan sleep with their simps?” Roman’s dark eyes never left my flared, “Often, I would even say usually.” I felt a sick feeling in my stomach. “How long have you been alive?” He raised a brow, “Nearly two hundred years.” “And,” I cleared my throat, “How many simps have you had?” His mouth tightened into a little line, “Dozens upon dozens.” “Luke, too?” I choked out. He nodded, “It is a part of our lifestyle, Anna.” “I think I want to be alone for a while,” I said flatly, trying to wrap my head around this new concept. Roman got up to go, and I couldn’t help but ask, “How many simps do you have now?” He sighed, “Is that really important?” I met his gaze, “If I am supposed to learn about being a Lycan, I will need to know how many simps it will take for me to thrive.” I used his words, and he could tell he was caught. His hand tightened on the door handle, “You have no need of simps, we are giving you the bagged blood.” I made a gagging noise, “It tastes like shit, and I am pretty sure that no other newbie had to survive on it alone. Am I right?” He scowled, “We haven’t had a situation like this before.” I took that to mean I was right. “How many?” I repeated my earlier question. I don’t know why it was so important that I knew the answer. But I wanted to know. Roman narrowed his eyes, “There are two simps that report to me, Heather and Patricia. Is that all?” I nodded, not brave enough to ask the questions that were lingering on my tongue. Did he fuck them when he took their offering? Of course, he did, didn’t Roman say that was the Lycan way? The thought made me physically ill. I wasn’t sure if I could look at Luke or Roman the same way. But then I would be in the same boat soon, wouldn’t I?