CHAPTER FOUR

"I'm not saying I'm bettno than anyone" Samson said, speaking so everyone could hear him, "I just think we have to be careful. There is no need to kill anyone, especially when we would benefit nothing from it, except a hunter coming for us, hunting us down like animals. It's just going to cause another fight, and the death of many people. Some of us just don't want that drama, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way?"

That last comment was followed by a series nods and agreements from some people. While others, mostly those in support of Jacob's carelessness, kept mute.

"Samson is right" Mark said. "We should try to be careful. Of course, we need to feed on human blood to survive, but we also don't need to kill anyone in the process. Why do you have to do that when you can just feed, and even compel them to forget. We also have blood bags if you have a problem with control. So there's absolutely no excuse for killing innocent humans. What would you gain from attracting one of those hunters to our town?"

Again, most of the people nodded in agreement and support of what Mark had just said. But Jacob's next words surprised them… Well, except Samson. He expected nothing else from a pompous dick head like Jacob.

"Then let them come" Jacob said, lifting his hands, as if asking his audience to stand. No one did.

"Let the hunters come" he continued, "And we will take care of them. They are humans, are they not? Weak humans. We have an advantage… We are vampires and we are superior. We should not live in fear of anyone. I…. WILL NOT live in fear of anyone, especially not humans. We are vampires, and vampires are predators. We hunt, and sometimes we kill. It's fun. It's the way it is, so get over it. As for the hunters, let them come, and we will be ready. Been a while since I have been in a good fight infact."

He hissed, then turned to Samson, who still stood with his hands bunched into fists, contemplating if he should just go ahead and smack some sense into Jacob in front of everyone

Jacob walked towards Samson as he spoke.

"Let us be who we are. It's no one's fault that you have completely forgotten who you are, Samson. Don't force everyone to live like you do…. like a coward. Some of us enjoy living. Some of see how glorious and wonderful it is to be who we are…. and we enjoy it. Some of us do not see being a vampire as a curse… Like you do." He paused for effect, then added, "And not all of us are depressed about not being able to find a mate…. But I'm not surprised though, why the hell would the universe curse anyone to be paired with a coward like you forever?"

Something snapped inside Samson, and his dark eyes turned red, he bared his teeth in a fierce angry grin, showing off sharp fangs, his palm which were balled into fists opened, and when Jacob saw his claw like fingers out he smiled again, as if with satisfaction that he had succeeded in making Samson angry.

"Wow, I can see I struck a nerve there. I'm sorry." Jacob said, but everyone could see that he wasn't sorry one bit. "What did it though? I would really like to know. Was it me calling you a coward or pointing out your inability to find mate?"

Samson let out a thunderous roar of rage, a deep sound in his throat that echoed in the large hall, then he reached for Jacob and grabbed him by the throat. In a matter of seconds, he had Jacob pinned to the nearest wall. He pressed his elbow to Jacob's throat, cutting off air supply to his throat, but Jacob didn't fight back and continued to grin at him, much to his irritation.

"I'm done with this bullshit of yours" Samson said angrily, applying more pressure to Jacob's throat with his elbow. "I warned you, Saunders. I want you and everyone here to remember that I did. If anything happens to the people that I care about because of your stupidity, I will make you bleed. I will rip out your fucking heart and then I'm going to feed it to you…. "

Jacob slid to the ground and began to cough when Samson finally released him, and when Samson turned around, everyone's gaze was on them… On him particularly. Staring at him like he was a crazy person.

And he didn't blame them. He looked like and was acting like a crazy person. Honestly, he hadn't been feeling sane for a very long time now. He was a one Hundred and Fourty Three year old vampire doomed to spend the rest of his life alone. Without love… Without a mate. He was lonely and it was getting to him.

At first, it hadn't bothered him so much. They say when vampires meet their mates they just know…. Somehow they just connected. Like you were being drawn to the person… Even to little things like their scent, but Samson had never felt that way with anyone. Life was becoming meaningless to him. Now he had given up on the whole idea of finding someone to spend his immortality with, but still he didn't appreciate anyone reminding him of it.

All eyes were on him now. Attending this meeting didn't seem like a good idea anymore. His eyes fell on Mark and Vanessa. They looked… Surprised…. Disappointed. Samson was disappointed in himself too for loosing control that way. Lately he noticed that he could barely control his temper and he flared at the slightest provocation. Like right now. It was something they had both been trying to help him control, and he wasn't doing a good job of it.

He had to get out of there. He gazed at Jacob, who was on his feet now, but still had that damn smirk on his face. He wanted to punch and grab him again. But what good would that do? At least he had been warned.

Deciding that there was no point being there any more, Samson took his leave.