Chapter 199
“I understand,” I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll make sure she’s never alone with him until we know she’s in control, but for now you need to get the fuck out.”
“This is why you wanted the staff gone.” Damian states.
“No, I wanted them gone because I don’t want anyone knowing I’ve changed her. Not until the wedding. Now get out your questions can wait.”
The weight of my words hangs heavy in the air. I can’t meet Damian’s eyes, my gaze fixed on Aubrey’s trembling form. Her face is contorted in pain, sweat beading on her brow. My heart aches, knowing I’m the cause of her suffering.
Damian sighs, his gaze drifting to Aubrey’s writhing form on the bed. The muscles in his jaw tighten, a mix of concern and resignation etched across his features. “I’ll handle the council and talk to Father,” he says, his voice hesitant. “I’ll let her mother know she is okay because she has been ringing me incessantly.”
I nod, but my thoughts are elsewhere, racing with the implications of what’s to come. The mark on Aubrey’s skin seems to pulse. My fingers absently trace the outline of my own matching mark.
My brother’s hand suddenly lands on my shoulder making me realize he has moved closer. “But for now, focus on helping her through the transition. I’ll take care of the rest.”
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As Damian’s footsteps fade, I’m left alone with Aubrey when a scream of agony leaves. “I know my love, I’m right here. I’m right here.” I murmur, biting into my wrist and once again forcing my blood into her.
Aubrey
Finally, after what seems like an eternity of screaming agony that echoes throughout the room and surely beyond; there comes a gradual ease. My screams turn into gasps and the waves of searing pain become bearable bouts ebbing away slowly.
“Don’t fight it,” he instructs firmly yet tenderly. I’m too weak to respond but nod against him instead.
Just when I think I can’t take any more, that death would be a welcome reprieve compared to this torment; everything suddenly stops. The pain recedes completely leaving behind a peculiar emptiness inside me. However long it took for me to transform completely was unclear as time held no meaning in darkness of torture, paralyzed by pain. Yet as I remain in that strange state of between, I feel like I can breathe finally and I jolt awake, my senses on fire. The silk sheets feel like
sandpaper against my skin. Sunlight streaming through the curtains is blinding, each dust particles visible as it dances in the air.
My heart races, pounding against my ribs like a caged animal seeking escape. The room tilts and sways, colors bleeding into one another as my vision blurs.
He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. The simple touch sends a jolt through my newly sensitive skin. “It’s
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finally over.” he murmurs, his voice even sounding different, deeper and raspier. “Your strengths will grow, your senses sharpen. You’ll be more powerful than you ever dreamed possible, I bet you’re feeling quite overwhelmed.”
“I get super senses,” I ask, searching his face. “And you get to babysit me.” I laugh only to jolt at the sound. I sit up, but Soren is quick to grab me.
A slow smile spreads across his lips, dangerous and alluring. “I get you, Aubrey. Completely, eternally mine.” The intensity of his gaze makes me shiver. “But you need to be slow, you can’t overwhelm yourself.” he whispers, pulling me back down on the bed. His Calling washes over me, sedating me in a way that is stronger than ever before. I fight it, but with our bond fully forged I don’t stand a chance, it’s so much stronger than I thought perceivable or maybe it’s the bond, but I fight in vain against it as it sucks me into bliss.
When I come to next time. My stomach growls, a cavernous emptiness demanding to be filled. What’s happening to me? I‘ ve never felt so hungry, ravenous which I find odd.
I sit up, ears twitching at every tiny sound – birds chirping outside, a servant shuffling down the hall, and… running water? I focus, realizing it’s coming from the en–suite bathroom. Soren must be showering.
Chapter 200
