Page 158 of Taming the Beasts

“And then you’re going to give me what I need.” His eyes fell to my neck.

The saddest growl reached my ears.

I turned my head to see Otto trying to get to me. I could barely even make him out. Just his paw reaching out toward me across the town square. A vampire leaned over and bit into it.

No.I had no idea what happened when a werecat was bitten. But I knew it couldn’t possibly be good. Kebe was telling the truth about one thing. My boyfriends were going to die at the hands of these vampires.

I knew this was the end. For Otto. For me. For all of us. Tears started falling down my cheeks.

“Look at me.” Elias grabbed my chin and forced me to stare up at him.

I lifted my head and spit in his face.

He laughed. “I knew you’d be fiery in person.”

“Get the hell off of me!” I yelled and tried to move, but he was too strong.

“I’m trying to give you what you want.”

“I don’t want you!”

“You really are a tease.”

I wasn’t. I wanted nothing to do with Elias. All I wanted was my boyfriends. I wanted them to live. Even if I couldn’t.

Another growl made me turn my head the other way. I was pretty sure it was Bennett. He was collapsed on his side. The vampires feasting on his still form.

My bottom lip started trembling.

All I wanted to do was go to him. But I couldn’t move.

“Get off of me!” I screamed.

Elias’ fingers dug into my wrists. They felt like metal shackles.

“I was trying to be kind,” he said. “But if you’re not going to play nice, I’m just going to take what I want.” He started lowering his mouth to my neck.

I tried to move but it was impossible.

He kissed the side of my jaw and I turned my head, staring at Bennett’s werecat form.I love you. I love all of you.

I stared at Bennett as Elias’ lips brushed against the side of my neck.

I cringed, waiting to feel the bite. For his teeth to sink into my flesh, ending the life I knew. Possibly ending me completely.

But then Elias started gagging.

I turned to look up at him.

He was staring down at my neck in horror.

Had the cure actually worked? Was it just delayed?

But Elias’ eyes were still black as night. He went down to try and bite again, clearly still lusting for blood.

But the same thing happened when his teeth touched my flesh. He started gagging and pulled back. “What. Are. You. Wearing?” he gasped.

What?I reached up and touched my neck. My fingers collided with the necklace Huxley had given me. He told me it would ward off evil. He’d wanted to protectme from Callum. God, I was so glad this relic actually worked!