Page 38 of Wicked Magik

She left me.

How could she leave me? Did she trick me?

I inhaled deeply, catching her lingering scent. It was still potent, indicating she hadn't left long ago. I awoke as soon as I sensed her absence; my body was too connected to hers.

Then I smelled it, another scent that was still new and unfamiliar.

I sniffed again and headed toward the door. It was rotten, a smell that intermingled with others.

Benedict.

I snarled and swiped at the air to get another whiff. Yes, it was Benedict.

Did he steal what was mine?!

I crashed through my bedroom door and dropped to all fours. Another thunderous roar erupted from my throat, echoing down the hallway like the monster I was. My claws tore viciously into the carpet, shredding fibers as I fought for traction, driven by the overpowering mix of my pet's scent entwined with Benedict’s, compelling me forward.

I was going to rip his vessel apart and wrap Vesper’s vessel around me. She will never leave my side again.

I followed it down the stairs to the massive opening of the room. Both of their scents lingered and grew stronger as I crossed the room. Her voice echoed from across the way and I bounded forward down the hallways until I found another series of obnoxious smells that invaded my nose holes.

Cooked meat, fresh juices, they tried to get in the way of my pet’s scent but I concentrated on her alone.

I snarled when I heard her laugh. Was Benedict in there? Was he stealing her?

I crashed through the kitchen doors and ended up on my hands and knees. Both of them turned to look at me in shock. Benedict darted behind the large island that stood between us, while my pet stifled a laugh with her hand. "What's the matter, Oryx?" she asked.

Benedict’s body shook, the smell of his urine leaked onto the floor.

I stood on my two legs to full height, still my pet wasn’t afraid, in fact, she was intrigued and I swore I could smell her arousal seeping in the room.

“Mine,” I growled and stepped toward her.

She laughed and slapped her hand on the table.

Benedict lunged forward, positioning himself like a barrier to protect her. "Ma'am, are you alright? He might be trapped in a night terror, please step back!" Benedict's hand darted out, barely brushing against Vesper’s skin.

He. Touched. Her.

Instantly, a roar erupted from deep within me, a thunderous bellow that rattled the pots and pans, echoing with an untamed fury throughout the room.

“He isn’t asleep, but you do need to step away.” My pet pushed him away and stepped toward me, no fear dripping from her unlike the weak Benedict. She came to my side and I picked her up and buried my snout into her neck.

“You left me,” I growled. “You said you would never leave.”

My pet huffed. “I didn’t leave the mansion.” She poked my chest. “I came down here to make you breakfast.”

My ears perked up and I gazed over her head. Animal blood was kept in iron containers in the ice box. I would drink fromthem when I didn’t want to go hunting. I liked my blood fresh, warm but since my pet is here I dare not leave the mansion.

“I heated it up for you,” she interrupted my thoughts.

Benedict stayed behind the island and continued to stare at the both of us in bewilderment.

“Y-you wanted to feed… me?” I tiled my head.

She nodded. “You feed me, why not take care of you? Us lonely souls do that for each other right?”

Instantly my anger dwindled for her, but it still smoldered for Benedict who has now seen my pet.