Chapter 29 Claimed By Bite
Claimed By Bite
ELI
I remember nothing other than the forest, touching her fingers and walking away, being put into a different family, but now I’m wondering about the connection I had with her back then and why it’s so strong now.
I’ll die for her.
This moment will never leave my soul.
She’s passed out next to me.
I strip her and wrap her in a fur blanket, then pull her onto the couch and lay there with my mate in my arms.
She’s mine.
Mine.
The fierceness in my own brain is terrifying. I realize now why mates go crazy if the other half dies. I can’t even fathom it. I can’t think about it without wanting to throw more than a desk out of the window.
Maybe I’d just throw myself.
I rub my hands down her face and tuck her hair behind her ears, and then I just watch her breathe.
She was right.
I was wrong.
We were meant to be.
I have no idea what that means for work or the pack… then again, I’m not even a part of them anymore. I’m off on my own.
Maybe that’s a good thing.
I tuck her against me and kiss her forehead.
This was how it was supposed to be. Right?
Her eyes move, then blink open.
They’re blue.
I smile down at her.
“Hi.”
"Hi back.”
"You actually listened to instructions and bit me.”
“I claimed you, big difference.”
She yawns and moves across my body until she’s up on my chest while I lay on my back.
“I liked it.”
“Same.”
"Do you feel okay?”
I can’t hide my smile.
“I feel complete.”
"So, we were right. We met in the forest, found each other in the city, drifted toward one another, and here we are. You know”—she smiles—“I don’t even care if I can’t remember my past as long as I remember you.”
I lean up and kiss her.
“You’ll have me for an eternity.”
“Do I have powers now?"
"No.”
“Can I fly?”
"Werewolves don’t fly."
"Can I read thoughts?”
“That’s invasive.”
“Can I do anything?” She makes tiny fists, her eyes lighting blue.
“I want cool stuff too… I mean, other than your meat.”
“Ha, ha.” I look away so I don’t attack her with my mouth, so I don’t try to pin her against any surface and take her again.
“You know, there is one special thing that mates are really good at.”
Her eyes narrow.
“If you say dishes, I’ll kill you right here, right now.”
I pull back my hands in innocence.
“I would never.”
"So?” She leans down farther on my chest.
“What are we good at?”
I smile because it’s true.
“Love. Unconditional love. What more could you possibly ask for in this world than someone who sees you, who knows you, and knows themselves and will fight until the end—to keep you safe.”
Tears well in her eyes.
“I feel like I’ve known you my entire life now. Promise me it’s not just your bite, promise me it’s not just because of a grumpy werewolf with magic blood.”
I smile and pull her into my arms.
“If your body didn’t accept my bite, then you wouldn’t feel a thing, you’d simply be pissed off.”
“So the usual?”
“Yeah, the usual.”
"I’m hungry.” She yawns and turns into my arms, then starts rubbing her body against mine.
“For food and for you, I think we need to…” Her eyes widen.
“I need, oh shit, oh shit.”
Panicking, I pull the blanket from her.
“What? What’s wrong?” I touch her forehead to see if she has a fever or something else wrong with her when she shoves me with strength I’ve never felt against the couch and straddles me.
“What’s going on?”
Her eyes look like mine, so electric blue that it’s nearly impossible to look away, and before I can say anything, I see the fangs in her mouth.
That’s not how this is supposed to go.
What the hell?
She straddles me, her eyes are wild, like I’ve given her an injection of something.
“My turn.”
“What?”
She pins my arms above my head.
“My turn.”
"Yeah, heard you the first time.” I try to move but can’t. I’m literally paralyzed beneath her hands as her face descends, fangs elongate, she’s bitten me before but never like this. Obviously.
Her incisors dig into my soft skin, she attaches her mouth to my neck, and all is lost, I see it.
I see it all.
Being abandoned as a child.
Leaving her.
Watching her run away in the opposite direction.
My past.
My present.
My future.
Has always been with her.
I let out a scream as she sinks down onto me, impaling herself onto me as she pulls back, blood dripping down her chin.
“I was looking for you.”
"I don't understand.” I can barely make out the sentence as she starts to move above me.
“What?”
"You.” Her hands move and press against my chest.
“I was looking…I see it now. I see it all.”
“See what?” I’m not one to get nervous or afraid, but she’s sending me over the edge.
She throws her head back, then her gaze snaps back to mine.
“I’m yours. That’s all that matters. But now, I need you. I need.” She moves her hips.
“I need this.”
"I’ll give you everything.”
“I’ll take it all.” She stretches herself over me and I know I’m already lost for her as we move in sync, as we finish together, as she presses her bloody mouth against mine.
I’m gone.
I never want to be found.