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I sprinted through the overgrown trees as the man tried to evade me. A cruel chuckle fell from my throat as I gained on my prey. I could have trapped him hours ago, but what would have been fun about that? This way was so much funnier. He actually thought he could escape me. I, a vampire, a hunter of the bloodsucking evil.

I liked to play with my food. Liked to give them what they believed to be a fighters chance. What they didn't know is I could have caught them when I first sniffed out their sent. Some vampires would call me cruel, but this, this is what I lived for. The blood: the red liquid quenching my aching thirst.

Picking up my speed, I could essentially see the man. My prey stumbled on the undergrowth and fell forward. But something wasn't right. Something else was out there. I snapped my head in the direction of the sent, and the soft padding of running footsteps of the vampire. Dammit! Now I wouldn't get to play with my food longer. I'd have to make this quick. Seconds later I was in front of the man, scaring him out of his mind.

His voice caught in his throat as he stared up at me. His hands were scabbed; I could smell the sweet blood. My fangs grew into their rightful size. I crouched before him and grinned at him, letting him see the fangs of his killer.

He shrieked and I plunged, ripping open his neck with my sharp killers. His voice died and I sucked vengefully.

A foul chuckle rang from near by. My head shot up, blood dripping from my extensions.

"What are you doing here Jullien?" I hissed, baring my fangs as wild animal.

"I know you enjoy to hunt alone," he replied, coolly. He walked closer. I got to my feat swiftly, ready to fight for my meal if the chance became required.

"Isn't it well enough you outdid me for my last meal?" I asked bitterly.

"I've been flippant with this man for days; I deserve a taste." He stepped closer.

"It's cold blood now. We both know cold blood is repulsive," I replied.

"You are prudent, Watts. I can perceive his warm blood where I stand." He stepped out of the shadows and walked toward me. His blue hair, and black highlights cascading around his face. His depraved grin illustrated clearly in the moonlight. "He is living, Watts. Any Vampire could clearly sense this. Don't play games with me. Two alternatives are present: you will share the man, or I will make you wish you had. However, you may walk away now, if this what you plea." His voice and his mocking smirk showing little admiration for me.

"I'd rather exist as a coward, then share my feed with the likes of you," I condemned.

He appeared impassive and his manifestation expressionless, except for the amused smirk playing on his lips. "It is as you please," he said softly, but inattentive.

I glimpsed back at the man, but left him where he lay. I spun promptly and launched into a run, my speed picking up as I departed forward. I could hear his cold chuckle, but disregarded it.

I long ago learned my lesson of fighting Jullien. He was dangerous, as all killers are. He would think nothing of breaking a neck, or firing a shot. He was a predator, a survivor, and would do anything to make sure it stayed this way. No one knew where he came from, how old he really was, or how he became a Vampire. But the moment he waltzed into town everyone's status quickly fell down a notch, as he quickly spiraled to an alpha; The Alpha. All feared him, all respected him, and all stayed out of his way.

I was not of an alpha status, but I was not of the omega. Vampire's feared me and knew my face, and some would never dare to get in my way, but others would not hesitate spitting in my face. I lived among hunters and killers, who believed humans were only food and should be treated as such. There were not many of us, for many Vampires merely hunted stale, animal life. My philosophy was the circle of life. Humans ate animals, Vampires sucked human blood, that's just the way it is. I tried not to kill human, but I didn't go to any special lengths to save them either.

When reaching the deserted part of town, where most Vampires lived, and humans died if they ever entered, I slowed to an easy walk. One had to stay alert in this part of town. Though I was a Vampire, and of some high ranking, others can be rather irrational and attack. This was a dangerous part of town, you never knew what lurked around the corner.

"Hello, Watts," a voice came from the shadows. A blonde boy of merely sixteen stepped out of the shadow. Ethan looked scrawny and weak, but he was of a rank as mine. He's powerful, and knows how to fight. His sensitivity for others was all that held him from becoming an alpha, but he prided himself on his minimal morals. "How was your hunt?"

"Sequestered," I replied frigidly.

"Alpha?" he asked, stepping into stride.

"He enjoys taunting me," I said.

"Do others have this problem?" he asked.

"I don't know."

"What's he like?" the boy asked, staring at me curiously

"Prudent, Ethan, and proud," I answered, again.

"I had know idea you felt so diminutively of me," Jullien interrupted, amused. He stepped out in front of us, scrutinizing us.

"You don't pay attention," I said, narrowing my eyes at the man before me. Ethan's gaze was on Jullien intently. He had never been so close to the ultimate alpha.

"On the contrary, I pay you much mind, Watts," he responded as coolly as ever.

"Why's that?" I asked attentive.

"You are sensitive and moral, but hold yourself up with pride and selfishness," he answered. He surprised me. He was cool and calm, but held my gaze with intensity and determination.

I stared at him startled, but regained my composure and turned to leave. "You are not dismissed, Watts," Jullien said harshly. I threw him my middle finger over my shoulder as I walked away. Ethan's breath caught in his throat and in the same instance I was thrust against the brick wall, Jullien's face inches away. "As your Alpha, I demand respect from my inferiors," he whispered, spitting out the words.

"Get the f**k off me," I hissed, receiving a swift slap across my face. Ethan watched, his mouth open in shock, his eyes gaping at us. I just stared at Jullien, my eyes burning with a raging fire. He pushed me against wall, then released me.

I glared at him, unmoving. I debated whether or not to attack him right this second. He deserved it for humiliating me this way, but surely I would be ever more humiliated losing the fight. But I couldn't just take this. I bared my fangs at him and he just smirked. "You wish to further this?"

"Watts, don't," Ethan advised, stepping toward me, but stopped when I snapped my jaw at him.

I placed my foot on the brick wall, ready to strike Jullien at any second. "Attack, and you will leave with more then a scratch," he warned, getting into a defensive stance. I readied my fingers, balling them into and out of a fist. I brought them forward and linked the fingers, pressing the palms out to crack my knuckles. Jullien's eyes went red, his fangs grew, laying over his bottom lip. His fingers moved, bending, and his nails grew, extending into deadly claws. My finger's own nails grew into lethal warriors.

Without forewarning I sprang at him, but he managed to hurl the first punch. I kicked at his stomach and threw him back against the wall. Pieces of brick fell, but neither of us paid it any mind, as he advanced toward me, seizing my neck, his nails piercing through the tight skin. I clutched his leg with my feet and thrust it out from under him. He stumbled, but got me under him. His red eyes penetrated mine, as I struggled to get him off. A crowd of Vampire's was shaping, watching the fight between the alpha and his inferior. He thrust his fangs into my neck and excavated inside my body, generating an agonizing screech from myself.

He released a terrible venom, and I knew I was dead unless I got him off. I propelled my sharp nails into his neck and slashed them up to his cheek. He hissed menacingly, but released his fangs from my neck. I took the opportunity and rolled onto him and plunged my nails into his chest with such momentum he screamed terribly, his eyes rolling back. I didn't wish to kill him, so I lifted myself from Jullien and stumbled to my feet.

I couldn't hold myself up and collapsed to the ground. On my hands and knees I struggled to heal the venom from my veins. Suddenly someone was hovering above me. "Compassion will be your death," Jullien whispered venomous and he plummeted his nails and hand into my back, grabbing my heart. I screamed louder then ever, glass shattering from windows near by. He released and pulled his hand from my back and I fell to the ground.

"Watts!" Ethan shouted and ran forward, but stopped immediately.

"Let her life be an example of pure stupidity. I am your alpha and I will not tolerate disrepute and imprudence," Jullien's voice rang.

The Vampires stayed silent, and in moments departed. "Get up, prideful girl," he demanded harshly.

I could feel my body healing itself, but it was not yet repaired. I breathed heavy as I struggled to me feet. I hissed in pain as the wind wafted through my body. I looked at Jullien, wholly humiliated. His eyes were back to their forest green, his nails back to their commonly short length, and his fangs shortened. His face showed no emotion, none of reparation, nor pleasure from the current event.

I felt Ethan's eyes on me. I smelt his need to help, but he knew he shouldn't.

"Go," he said, gesturing with his head. I nodded and leaned against the wall for second, taking in a lungful of air. I pushed off the wall and walked as normally as possible to where I stay. "And Watts?" he called after me. I stopped, but didn't regard him. "Next time kill your enemy. Sympathy kills."

"Okay," I breathed.

Ethan followed me to my room. I leaned against the wall, needing blood more then before. Ethan could smell this. He came to me and stood before me, shifting his neck to the side.

"I'm not biting you, Ethan," I whispered.

"You need blood to heal, and you can't hunt without healing," he said. I didn't budge and wasn't about to. "You've barely healed, Watts. Do it," he urged, moving closer, his scent moving through my nostrils.

My fangs grew with the presence of his blood, radiating from his body. With my hand on the wall to sustain myself, and the other clutching his arm, I forced my fangs into his neck. He didn't even flinch. I drank ravenously, taking as much as I could at one instant. "Watts," he gasped, advising me to slow down. I felt myself healing, the wound closing. I opened my eyes, and pulled my fangs back. He groaned from the pierce in his neck, but it healed quickly.

His face pale, and his pupil diminutive he gazed over at me and compelled a smile. "You were amazing, Watts," Ethan pronounced. "I never seen a Vampire hold up to Jullien the way you did!"

"Thanks, but I feel humiliated, not joyous," I grumbled, sitting on my raged bed.

"You almost killed him! You had his life in your hands," he admired. "I don't blame you for not doing it though. It's just good Jullien decided not to kill you."

"Meh," I muttered, uncaring.

"Hey, Watts!" another Vampire called. Her name was Saige. She wore her black hair in a high pony. She was purely an omega, but shrewd. She subsisted for the hunt, nothing else. She cared little of social status, and without looking I knew she wasn't at the fight. "I heard what happened, are you okay?" she asked, walking toward us. "Hey, Ethan," she addressed him and he nodded.

"I'm quite fine," I answered.

"What of the Venom?" she asked.

"I believe it's out of my system," I muttered uninterested. She nodded, and noting my irritation left my door less room.

"I'm going hunting," I stated, progressing toward the door.

"Can I come?" he asked eagerly, standing quickly.

"I fly solo, Ethan. You know that," I said coldly, his eyes grew dark. I left and ran into a sprint.

Upon reaching the good side of town, I slowed to a humanly walk. Children ran about, as easy prey, but I would kill a child only upon receiving no other choice. That happened infrequently. I naturally walked down the street, and directly to a door of a house without a second thought. I discerned the door was unlocked. Someone had just entered and the clicking sound wasn't evident.

I opened the door and ambled up the stairs of the house. Breathing was generated up in the second door on the left of the hall. The house was small; messy. I moved to the door and eased it open. Within seconds the door was shut, their mouth was sheltered by my hand, insulating the shriek of pain, as I pierced their skin, drinking their blood.

"No remorse, no hesitation," a voice spoke from the shadow as I wiped the blood from my mouth.

"Why should there be?" I asked, getting to my feet.

"There shouldn't be," Jullian said, moving from the shadow, toward me. "It merely astounds me that one, such as you, should be so indifferent."

"Apprehensive Vampire's only bring failure and humiliation to their kind," I said, licking my lips.

"I am, however, confused how you can be careless with human, but when it comes to Vampire, competition, you show sensitivity and compassion. That is of course what brought you failure today," he said, scrutinizing me.

"There is enough blood to go around," I replied simply.

"True, but many a Vampire would have killed me, given the chance," he pointed out.

"Humiliation can heal. I have had no motivation to kill you, Jullien," I said, folding my arms over my stomach.

"Why do you not take victory when it is thrust upon you?"

"I do not wish of being The Alpha," I said honestly.

"Why?" he inquired.

"I merely wish of one day being a alpha, nothing more," I said, half answering his question.

He regarded me, gazing at my face, reading my serious expression. "I do not understand," he said.

"You don't understand what?" I asked, irritation filtering through my voice.

He smirked and said, "I don't understand why you didn't kill me. You were angry, given the chance, perhaps you are just too weak."

I sighed, ignoring his remark. "I am not a murderer, Jullien," I said.

"Aren't you?" he asked, a wicked smirk formed from his lips.

"I hunt human as a human hunts deer: to live. I may fight, but I will not kill unless necessary," I said.

"You are weak," he stated after a short pause. "A Vampire's life is incomparable to a humans. We live to kill, we hunt, we feed, we kill. A Vampire does what he has to, to survive. I could have effortlessly killed you today if I had chosen to, but it was merely a lesson. If you'd eradicated me you would have passed, but you failed, thus virtually losing your life. You will never be an alpha, unless you realize this: A Vampire is a killer, a predator. Nothing more, nothing less," he said seriously.

"I disagree," I said. He stared at me, then scoffed.

"Enlighten me," he said, mocking.

"Gladly," I said, smirking, and he smiled. "Any vampire once started as a human, whether their ancestors before them were a human at one time or they were turned. We are humanly structured. Blood is our nutrition, much like human's there fruits and meats. Vampire's chose how they live, much like a human does. They live a morally well life or a killers, just like a human. Vampire's live among human's all the time, they don't need human blood it just tastes better. A Vampire can live and love, just as a human can."

He paused and let my statements sink in. He grinned and looked to me. "It seems we have difference of opinion, Watts," he said.

"No kidding," I responded exasperated.

He smirked playfully, but asked seriously, "Do you wish to be as you described?"

I licked my lips and thought, but shook my head. "Although our lives are immorally right, I like the chase, the hunt, the exhilaration," I said, smiling as I replayed recent hunts. They were always so frightened, so vulnerable and there was no one to save them, no matter how much they liked to think otherwise.

A chuckle played from his lips, "This is good."

"I suppose it is," I said thoughtfully. Soon a car drove into the driveway and we both smirked.

"There are two in the car, do you wish to share one?" he asked.

"Sounds fair," I answered.

"Clifford!" an older woman's voice rang through the halls.

"Who do you want?" I asked.

"I'll take the older woman, you can play with the young woman until I'm ready. Wait for me," he stipulated and I nodded.

Seconds later footsteps treaded up the stairs. "Go ahead, alpha," I said playfully. He smirked then was gone. A shriek ran through the entire building. I ran past Jullien and his prey and stood in front of the door as the woman ran to escape whatever fate befell her mother.

"Hello," I said menacingly. She was about to scream, but I was behind her and holding her mouth before she could. "Scream and the old lady dies," I threatened, knowing the woman already dead. I stroked my nose along her neck, generating in her a shiver of fright, taking in her beautiful scent. My fangs grew to their extent and glided over her skin, seeking out a vein. Her breath caught in her throat. I smirked and continued my onslaught.

"Go ahead, Watts. I know you want to," Jullien gave acquiescence. Without hesitation I plummeted my fangs into the vein I'd hesitated at. She shrieked in pain, but it hastily died. When she was turning pale I thrust her limp, but still living body, at Jullien and he drank her blood. His extended nails grazed around her chest, searching for something. When he was satisfied he plunged his hand into her chest and ripped out her heart. He released her dead body and studied the heart. "Do you want it?" he asked, tossing me the bloody mass.

"You eat the heart?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes, as far as I'm concerned it's the paramount of the feed," he answered.

I studied it with narrowed eyes. I'd heard about Vampire's that ate the heart of a human, but I'd never met one. The blood was clearly the sweetest here, but the idea of eating someone's heart was almost vomit worthy. I hesitated, before extracting my fangs and biting into the organ. I ripped a chunk out and chewed on it, my chin and lips covered with the sweetest blood I'd ever tasted.

I tossed the rest at Jullien and he slashed it apart with his fangs, eating the submissive organ. He swallowed the rest and strode to the kitchen. I followed and we cleansed our faces of remaining blood.

"What'd you think?" he asked, grinning.

"It was exceedingly sweet," I responded, licking my lips for remaining tastes.

"It is; I enjoy it the most," he explained.

"I'm taking off now," I said, heading for the closed door.

I knew the last scream was heard outdoors and someone had indisputably phoned the cops. In twenty minutes this place would be deluged with cops. The human world knew there were killers around, but didn't know they were Vampire's and where they were or how they even slaughtered their kind. They'd have a field case with this one. Three dead bodies, one with a hole in the chest where the major organ ought to be.

It was dark, almost ominous. I just about sympathized with the humans; many wouldn't see morning. Many would never see their brother or sister, mother or father, alive again. That's life, however. Life is unfair; I don't know a single person or Vampire that's had a fair life. Just suck it up, and move on: another of my philosophy's.

A scream bounded through the trees in a park, substantiation of recognition that someone was face to face with their killer; a Vampire. A twinge of remorse came through me, knowing that I could salvage the girl's life if I wanted. But I kept walking, ignoring the whimpers and pleas for help. Then a captivating hiss filled the air. I stopped and waited, listening.

"Get out of here, Arthur. She's my meal whether you like it or not," a familiar voice barked. Arthur; I growled at the thought. He was of the Vampire's that sought out to protect human kind, believing that consuming their blood and killing them damned you to hell. The sad thing is all Vampire are damned just by drinking 'God's' blood. I believed little of God even when human; I thought nothing of him now.

I strode over, where I heard their breathing in the park. "If you don't like what you see, let me help you," I said, an evil smirk playing on my lips as I advanced toward Arthur.

"Ah, Watts," Arthur replied with recollection. "You're not threatening me, are you?" he asked, moving away from my fellow Vampire and it's supper. This is what I wanted.

"What would give you that idea?" I asked playfully, both walking toward the other.

"I'm surprised," he commented, resting inches away from me.

"You were often confused," I said, grinning.

He ignored my delight and said, "It surprises me how much you have fallen. Only fifty years ago you loved a man, a human man." My smirk disappeared as my eyes contracted, glaring at the man, a earlier friend. "And now, you pride yourself with killing other's, just like him," he continued, practically sucking on the words.

"That life is over," I said through gritted teeth. I glanced behind him, perceiving the eyes watching us curiously. Surely Anita had heard his words. It was a dishonor to love a human, when I moved to the other side of town after Keith's death I kept my past confidential, now it would be commonly known. I'd never be an alpha now.

"Doesn't it hurt to think of him watching you from Heaven, and seeing you kill, murder?" he asked, smirking at my distraught.

"Shut up, Arthur," I hissed. He glanced behind him, then back at me.

"Oh," amusement covered his face. "Your cult doesn't know that you loved a human?" I squeezed my hand into a fist, my overgrown nails digging into my skin, as my fangs extended. "A human you swore to protect, took an oath to never see him die, especially not by a Vampire." He began to circle me, happy with my discomfort, grief, and madness. "Yet you found him, his blood drained, bite marks in his neck, and his heart ripped from his chest. Does it not sadden you to think you are working with the very Vampire's that killed him, does it not make you insane to think you defend the very Vampire's that may have killed him, with a most cruel death?"

"Shut up!" I screamed, lunging at the Vampire, my eyes red with hate, nails ready to rip his heart from his chest. I threw him to the ground, but couldn't kill him. He was once a friend of both Keith and I. "Get out of here, before I kill you," I said, my fangs extracted to kill him if he didn't. He scrambled to his feet with a chuckle and ran off, leaving me alone.

Anita had left, perceptibly to tell others of my disgrace. She left the body, dead, cold, but full of blood.

"You disappoint me, Watts," a voice I knew all to well, spoke, moving forward. "It is unusual for a Vampire to love, much less a human. A human! It's like human falling in love with a deer. It's unheard of, prosecution worthy!"

I got to my feet, watching Jullien, my eyes ablaze with red. "I should kill you for this," he said, a frown formed his lips, dissatisfaction in his eyes. "You have debased our kind." I nodded, unsure of what their was to say. "Speak! Explain yourself!" he shouted, his fangs developing.

"I will leave tomorrow," I said ashamed.

"You comprehend everyone that ever looked up to you has bowed their head away from you. You will never be an alpha now," he said softly.

"Yes, I understand I'm now the lowest of omegas," I said.

"You are lower then this. You rank now as Vampire living as human," he said seriously. My head shot up, my eyes extensive. I hadn't realized this. He wasn't kidding, I could see this in his eyes. Unworthy, I let my head fall, staring at the ground. "Do not be distraught, Watts," he said, stepping toward me. "Any Vampire can compensate himself. A Vampire living among the humans can turn to a killer, but he will not be welcome until he proves he is commendable. For you it will take years."

"What will I have to do?" I asked silently.

"You will have to kill Arthur, and the family you left behind when you became a Vampire. If they are alive you will also have to execute Keith's family. Any Vampire living among human's knowing of your faults must die. This will be your first step of redemption," he said calmly. I looked up at him, straight in the eye.

"I will do as you have said," I promised, bowing lightly. He chuckled imperceptibly. I glanced up at him, perceiving the amused smirk teasing his lips. I rose and smiled awkwardly.

"You are an interesting character, Watts," he said with a mocking smile.