Dahlia (Blood Crave Series) by Christina Channelle Read Free Book Online Page A

Taking a few unsteady steps back, I woke up from my daze as I was no longer watching myself, and now back in my own body. I kept my gaze on the wolf, and for a heartbeat, a slight inhalation of breath, there were no movements coming from it. Then suddenly the wolf was on all fours as it observed me. We gazed at each other for the longest time, the wolf and I, communicating with no sound.
    What captivated me the most were its eyes. They were chilling, a deep amber that seemed to glow unnaturally within their depths.
    The wolf swiftly turned then ran off deeper into the forest, leaving me all alone. I stood still for a moment then remembered my bloody wound, causing me to inspect my arm. It was then that I noticed the cut I had given myself earlier was no longer there. Confused, I wiped fervently at my red-stained skin finding no wound at all. There were no traces of the previous few minutes ever happening except for the streaks of blood left on my skin and staining my hands.
    Marking me.
    That, was the moment when I knew I was different.

Chapter 5
    “Hey, Banana Girl.”
    Rinsing her hands at the sink, Dahlia looked up into the washroom mirror, locking gazes with eyes concealed behind a pair of black sunglasses. Accompanying the shades was a red mouth curved into a wicked smirk, as if somewhat mocking.
    I guess a night’s sleep doesn’t rid oneself of embarrassment.
    Shutting off the pipes, Dahlia reached for a paper towel and quickly dried her hands, then turned toward the washroom door as she tossed the paper towel in the trash, ignoring the comment.
    “Don’t run away now, Banana Girl.”
    Oh, she was definitely mocking.
    Feeling slightly annoyed at this new nickname, she turned back toward the raven-haired girl who was dressed in black tights, a tight black dress shirt, and red pumps which highlighted her outfit. Dahlia said nothing at first, just eyed the girl in her dark attire before she replied, “Would you mind?”
    Tilting her head to the side with hands on her hip the girl answered, “Mind what?”
    “Getting a life.” With that, she quickly exited the washroom door, not looking back at the expression on the girl’s face, which was one of disbelief at just being insulted. The girl recovered fast and followed suit, quickening her pace as she caught up to Dahlia in the busy hallway in her high heels.
    “I’m impressed.” Dahlia, not realizing the girl had continued to pursue her, gave a start at the voice that was right next to her ear.
    “You startle very easily, don’t you,” the girl observed.
    Dahlia was becoming more and more bothered by the minute. She stopped walking, squared her shoulders, and looked the girl directly in the face. Since she couldn’t see the girl’s eyes, she focused instead on the slight dimple in her chin. “So what if I do? What’s it to you?”
    “Just making a mere observation—totally objective, I swear.” Dahlia rolled her eyes at the girl’s comment then, shaking her head, made her way to the cafetorium. She again stopped abruptly, wondering why this girl was still following her, steaming slightly in annoyance.
    All day she had been thinking of the night before, why she had such a strong sense of someone being out there with her, watching her. She knew it was ridiculous, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling off and was irritated with herself at this constant restlessness. Her nightly dreams were getting the best of her, something she had been experiencing as of late. They were bringing back memories of her past, something she wanted to keep buried.
    That night in the forest was the bane of her existence.
    For years, it made Dahlia feel like she was going crazy. Everyone kept telling her it was all her imagination. That it never really happened. The first foster parents to take her in thought she was delusional after she told them the story of the wolf.
    So they sent her back.
    The same went for the second and third sets of so-called parents. Perhaps that