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Zari only nodded, the nurse’s words stinging. There it was – another reason why she did not make a good pet. No wonder Alexandru hadn’t signed that contract with her. The thought wasso depressing, she didn’t realize the nurse had tactfully left them alone until her Master spoke.

“Are you ready to tell me what’s wrong now?” Her Master’s face suddenly appeared above her, Alexandru bending down to peer at her face.

She gasped, his electrifying proximity causing her to fall back against the bed on her elbows.

Something that tasted disgustingly like jealousy flared up inside him. Had he not seen her getting so close to that damn knight-like vampire a while ago? And now, all of a sudden, she wasn’t able to bear his presence up close?

He moved forward aggressively, caging her between his arms. The more he pushed forward, the more she backed away on the bed until she found herself lying flat on her back, with nowhere to move.

Alexandru was now crouched on top of her on all fours, her body between his arms and legs. She glanced up fearfully, and his green gaze captured hers.

Her Master growled, “Why are you moving away from me?”

She opened her mouth to answer, but then, sensing her voice was going to fail her and give her away completely, she snapped her mouth shut.

Alexandru stared at his pet broodingly.Do you want to be Erou’s pet now?

She jerked in surprise.

Is that it?

She found herself searching her Master’s gorgeous face for a clue to his real feelings. Why was he asking that question? Was it because he was jealous, or was it because he was fine with giving her away?

I won’t get mad if you say yes.Alexandru found himself wanting to laugh bitterly the moment he said the words to his pet. Not get mad? Yeah, sure, that was true because if she did want to be another man’s pet? He wouldn’t just get mad. He would go berserk.

And that – that wasn’t good.

None of this was good anymore, and sooner or later he knew he would be forced to make a decision.

Zari was stunned when her Master abruptly pulled away from her. He was visibly on edge, his body taut with tension. Her heart jumped to her throat. Was this it? Was he going to tell her it was over? When he turned to her, intent on speaking, she panicked.

Zari blurted out, “I had a vision a while ago.”

Alexandru’s face turned grim. “What did you see?”

“It was like what you said. It started with a color – red.” She thought about telling him that the visions also had to do with her possible death but decided against it. She didn’t want him to think she wanted his pity.

“How did you see it? What were you doing? Where were you when it happened?”

Her cheeks flushed at the question.

He said flatly, “You were withhim?”

She nodded.

“So that’s the way it is then.”

No, it was not! She wanted to cry out in protest, but she could only look at him. If he really wanted her as his pet, shouldn’t he be telling her now that he wouldn’t be giving her up – no matter what? Wasn’t that what hepromisedthe day he claimed her?

But then...he hadn’t really claimed her, had he?

Alexandru felt strangely empty. He had never felt like this before, not even when...no, that was nothing like this terrible waking emptiness inside him, telling him that it would be worse if and when Zari did become someone else’s pet.

But if that was what she wanted, would he really be selfish enough to keep her against her will?

The beast in him roared in protest.He had given her a choice,he thought savagely. He had asked her several times and he had warned her he would not let her go if she said yes. It was not his fault that she changed her mind.

When his eyes slowly went to his pet, he saw her lip trembling and it was obvious she was doing her best not to cry.