Page 107

“She’s right,” Alarick says. “During my time working with the council, I’ve come across many vampires. They can be brutal, but there is always a reason for them killing.”

I don’t add my two cents. I don’t tell them that even if they have a reason, sometimes innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire. Aurin being one, and my Ana being another.

“Exactly,” Michaela says as she goes to stand. “Vampires are…” the rest of that statement never comes out. She sways and then starts to fall.

I grab her before she can hit the ground. Her body is limp in my arms. I knew it. I knew she shouldn’t be out today.

“What’s wrong?” Chayton asks at my side. “Is she okay?”

“It’s the mating,” I explain, staring down at her face. Her eyes are closed, and her full lips are slightly parted.

“She needs to feed,” Alarick says. “I’ve heard a vampire mating can be taxing on their bodies. Usually, the night before, there are these big parties where the bride and groom feed all night to prepare. It's like the human bachelor and bachelorette parties.”

“What’s so different about it?” I ask.

From my understanding, I bit her and she bit me. Nothing seemed out of the norm.

“Apparently, vampires don’t just bond like wolves, they connect on a deeper level. Their power is in their blood. So, by giving you her blood, she gave you her essence, or her energy. There is even a bond that can connect their souls. If one person dies, the other dies too. Don’t worry,” he says after seeing the startled face I make. “It’s rarely done. And it would require both parties being aware.”

Good. I know for a fact I didn’t sign up for that shit.

“I need to get her some blood.”

Zyion gasps beside me. “Are you seriously going to supply her with human blood?”

“I’m not going to bring her a human, Zyion,”

He still doesn’t look any less disgusted.

“There’s a blood bank about an hour from here. You can get a few bags. I can take you,” Alarick says.

I nod my head and turn to Chayton. “Can you take her back for me?”

He holds out his arms, waiting for me to hand her over. I glance down at her sleeping face one more time. It takes more energy than I thought it would to hand her off to him.

My wolf growls at the exchange.“Mine to protect,”he says.

“We are protecting. We need to feed her.”

He isn’t happy when I turn away from her, but he understands. His attachment to the vampire was a lot stronger than I was expecting. Even before I got onboard, he was all in. I guess that should have been my sign that this thing between us should have been taken seriously.

chapter Twenty-nine

Dreams

Michaela

“Mizani,” Markis roars out behind me. “Get back here.”

I continue my trek back to the room I share with my mate. Although lately, I’m not quite sure who this man is. It’s as if a stranger has snuck into my house and taken over Markis’ body.

I storm into the room.

“Have you lost your mind?” he shouts as he enters behind me, slamming the door.

“Have I lost my mind? Tis you that has surely gone mad. They were children, Markis.”

He scoffs, walking toward me. “Those wolves were preventing me from doing my job.”