Page 29 of Alien Devil’s Wrath (Vinduthi Stolen Brides #2)

T he darkness had taken me gently.

Not the violent unconsciousness of injury or sedation. This was something else—a sinking into warmth that started where Zarek’s fangs had pierced my shoulder and spread outward in waves.

Then fire.

Not pain. I’d expected pain. But this was ecstasy wrapped in flame, every nerve ending singing a frequency I’d never known existed.

The first change was awareness.

Not my own—his. Zarek’s exhaustion flooded through me. His ribs ached where mine were whole. We were separate but not. Two bodies sharing sensation across impossible distance.

He was fighting. I knew it without seeing

My skeleton was rebuilding itself. Muscles tearing apart to rebuild denser, stronger. The silver patterns spreading under my skin weren’t invasion—they were invitation. Come, be more. Be predator. Be his.

Hour six? Twelve? Time stuttered.

Outside, the compound was dying. The Gravewings I’d called were doing their work beautifully, turning order into chaos. Even unconscious, I was still orchestrating death.

He was slowing down.

The change in his rhythm pulled at me. Where before his violence had been sharp, now it dragged. Exhaustion beyond exhaustion. His body eating itself to keep moving.

His healing had stopped. Wounds stayed open.

Then—agony.

Not mine. His.

He was on his knees. Someone standing over him. Weapon raised. Death coming for my mate.

No.

My eyes snapped open.