Page 13 of The Kill

“I’m not your mate.” The words are out before I can stop them. Tyson’s jaw clenches and steps inside, filling the small space with his fury.

“We are bound to each other. Whether you like it or not.” Power flows off him as he stares me down but I refuse to submit. Mainly because I know that submitting to him will be a slippery slope, leading to somewhere I’m not sure I want to be: in his bed.

Even now as he fumes, all I can think of is how sharp his cheekbones are, how strong is jawline. That his lips look good enough to bite. His dominance is alluring and every cell in my body itches to give in to him, but I can’t; there would be no going back.

And as of now, all I know is that this man is ruthless and fond of getting his way.

I know nothing about what being turned into a vampire has done to him and how he would treat me. The last thing I can do to myself, or Noah, is get tied to another man who might hurt me.

“I’d like to go to bed now.” That wasn’t meant to sound like an invitation but my voice sounds sultry and breathless. “Alone,” I clarify, needing him to leave right now.

His nostrils flare, and I know he can scent the reaction I’m desperately trying to hide from him. To his credit, without another word he turns and strides toward the door, pausing, before slamming it shut behind him.

9

TYSON

Battling the urge to barge back into the room, my heart sinks when I hear Mandy testing the lock on the door behind me.

Does she think that badly of me?

When the old mechanism doesn’t work, the loud squeal of a chair being dragged over tells me she’s really determined to keep me out. The thunk as the chair back is jammed beneath the door handle is like a knife to my heart.

Her fear of me is much stronger than the bond.

Ignoring the sting of knowing my mate thinks I would attempt to break in, I cross the hallway to my own bedroom, slipping inside the cool darkness. Rationally, I can understand her wariness, but the bond makes me crave being near her.

Does she not feel this as intensely as I do because she was mated before?

Downstairs, a welcome feast prepared for our first night here goes uneaten. Seth will devour it all if I leave it unattended for long enough, but I can’t bring myself to care. I am a monster to her after all.

Feeling like a fool for dreaming of a night filled with sharing stories and some laughter, deepening our bond, the sour taste of her fear is a stark reminder that she sees the evil in me first and foremost, not the man.

Perhaps all of that could change over time, but how much time will it take? Will I have long enough before I do what needs to be done?

I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot.

Smothering a pained hiss, I remove my clothes carefully, trying to avoid touching my stinging, sun-exposed skin. My shifter healing allows me to move in the daylight better than other vampires, but direct sunlight still hurts. Hours of walking through the forest with Mandy was sore, but worth it.

Coating my tight skin in the healing balm I procured from the local coven, I sigh in relief and slip under the dark covers. Whether I can sleep is a lottery. My warring sides battle it out to see who wins each time I close my eyes.

As my tense muscles relax, I realise that even though my mate is not wrapped up in my arms or lying in my bed, my wolf feels calmer with her close by. It’s a nice thought and when I picture her here with me, snuggling into my side, and for the first time in days, my eyelids droop and the darkness takes me.

Every time I suck in a deep breath, I hear a wet wheezing sound and feel stabbing pain in my chest and lower abdomen. That’s not good. Gingerly, I touch my stomach and lift my fingers to the light. The glistening red coating on my fingers and the bumpy, ragged flesh under my touch confirms my worst suspicions: I’m fucked.

Forcing back the rising panic, I tune in to the forest around me. There are no battles cries, pounding paws, or snapping jaws. The only howls are those of mourning in the distance, loved ones grieving for their lost family. The fight is over. Focusing on my immediate surroundings, I can’t hear anyone breathing or pick up any heartbeats. My sense of smell is useless, all scents drowned by the copious amounts of my own blood turning the forest floor red.

Squeezing my eyes shut and gritting my teeth against another wave of agony, I try to mind-link, but I’m already too weak to push it into the pack collective consciousness. It’s already too flooded with frenzied attempts to find loved ones and get medical care for those badly injured.

Moving is not an option but, as I lie here, I feel the blood pooling in my throat, making breathing harder with each rise and fall of my lungs.

I remember the rogue leader setting down Hannah, the child they stole to lure me out here, and sending her off into the forest, her purpose served. I hope she made it back unharmed.

Staring up at the clear sky and the thousands of bright stars twinkling back at me, I feel at peace. My death shouldn’t cause my mate any pain, and she’s free now, somewhere out there under the same big sky. If helping her escape was my sole purpose on this earth, then I can die a happy man.

As the last of my energy seeps into the earth beneath me, I smile, her pretty face filling my mind. I let my eyes slide closed, ready to accept my fate and let sleep take me.

But a rustling in the bushes disturbs my rest and I grumble, frowning at the noise. Shutting it out, I squeeze my eyes tighter. Why won’t they just let me drift off?

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