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Another few hours slip by. Though I am prepared for what is to come, it still surprises me when she stirs.

I lean forward, seeing her eyes open slowly, almost as if she is just waking from a nap. That only lasts a moment. Her body flies up to stand on the bed, even too fast for me to track. Her eyes are pure white, wide, and angry as they land on me. Her body is the same as when she was human, but you can sense the power in her limbs now. Her blonde hair has white streaks scattered throughout and blowing around her, although the air is still. Her teeth are down and ready to devour her target. I slowly stand. Her eyes flicker to me, watching every move I make.

She is stunning and potent in her new power.

“What the fuck did you do to me?” she yells at me.

I grin slowly, wickedly eager. This is going to be fun.

Chapter Fifteen

Serenity

Chaos. Anger, hunger, need, electric energy, and lust swirl inside me, fighting for dominance. It has nowhere to go and everywhere to go at the same time.

My memories are a jumbled mess. With a push, they fly forward past everything at this moment. I was mad at Ryker. We went to the club with me stubbornly holding tight to my anger. I wanted to teach him a lesson on how he should talk to me. But as time passed, it drained away. I realized he was just frustrated. I put myself in his shoes. So by the time I went to the bathroom, I decided to find him after. I was surprised by Samantha shoving me through the door before I could open it. She was too strong and too worked up to reason with or for me to get any more than a few hits in. I have plenty of experience with taking a hit. But she made Tom seem like a kitten playing with a ball of string.

She used her teeth, claws, and words to bring me down. She taunted me with her time with Ryker. Explaining in detail the things they did together and taking advantage of my fear of not being enough for him. That’s what hurt the worst, not the wounds or her claws.

Tom had trained me never to make a sound while abusing me. I followed that rule, sealing my lips shut out of habit. Until she told me she had just come from Ryker’s office, pleasuring him on her knees. I screamed. No matter what Ryker is or what happens with us, I knew he wouldn’t betray me in that way. I called for him because I wanted to hear his side. I wanted her to pay, and I knew he would be merciless. He promised he would kill whoever hurt me, and I had never wanted someone to pay as much as her.

I heard what he said to her. His pain and fury reached out to me. I wanted a future with him. I decided then that was the only thing I would deeply regret when I died. Not being with him in every way I could. Everyone put these stupid rules on my life. Be quiet. Be a good girl. Be smart. Don’t talk too much. Don’t dream for yourself. Do what you are told. Don’t scream while I beat you.

No more.

The ones that I want to punish are not here. But Ryker is. He’s standing in front of me with a stupid grin on his face, savoring my new status. Along with all the other emotions, he is there, too. Sitting back, patiently waiting for my next move.

I tilt my head. “What the fuck did you do, Ryker?” I repeat.

“What I had to,” he taunts.

“I was dying? Or did you use it as an excuse?” I glare.

“Either way, here we are,” he says. He leisurely opens his arms. He’s asking for a fight, it seems.

“Are you happy with what you did?”

“Yes, I turned you and got to kill someone. Why wouldn’t I be?” He raises his eyebrows.

“Maybe because I didn’t get a choice,” I growled.

“Well, I was in a hurry,” he shrugs.

“Holy shit!”

I whip my head to the doorway, snarling. Harmony stands there with her mouth hanging open.

“What?” I snap. Jax steps around her, shielding her from my wrath.

“Your eyes,” she says. Like that explains anything.

“I think it’s time for you both to leave. I have it handled,” Ryker says.

“That would probably be best,” Jax says, encouraging Harmony out the door, despite her protests.

“What, exactly, do you have handled?” I ask, turning my fury back to him. I want to hurt him. “And what the hell does she mean? What’s wrong with my eyes?”

“Just that I am here for you, and they don’t have to worry anymore.” He holds his hands in front of him. “Your eyes are unusual. We may have to get you some contacts.”