Page 30 of His to Slash

"Grayson," I purred, my voice deeper and more resonant than before. "I can feel you. Every breath, every twitch." I inhaled deeply, savoring his scent. "I can taste your rage... and your need."

He remained motionless, but I could sense the battle raging within him. Part of him wanted to claim me, to dominate this new creature I'd become. But another part—the predator, the killer—recognized a fellow apex hunter.

I circled him slowly, drinking in every detail of his imposing form. My fingers itched to trace the contours of his mask, to feel the warmth of his skin beneath. The darkness inside me whispered of blood and ecstasy, urging me to give in to my basest instincts.

"What am I?" I whispered, more to myself than to him. The question hung in the air between us, heavy with implications. I flexed my fingers, marveling at the way shadows seemed to cling to my skin like a second nature.

Grayson's breathing quickened, and I knew he was fighting the urge to reach for me. The air grew thick with tension, a silent battle of wills that threatened to explode at any moment.

I stood there, my body thrumming with newfound power. Every sense was heightened to an impossible degree. The forest around me came alive in ways I'd never experienced before. I could hear the frantic heartbeat of a rabbit cowering in its burrow yards away, smell the rich earth beneath my feet, and feel the whisper of wind through leaves as if they were brushing against my very skin.

But more than that, I felt Grayson. His presence pulsed in my mind like a second heartbeat. I could sense his emotions, dark and swirling, a mix of pride, hunger, and something deeper that I couldn't quite name. It was as if an invisible tether connected us, binding our very souls together.

Curious, I raised my hand, watching in awe as shadows seemed to respond to my will. They coiled around my fingers like living smoke, dancing and twisting at my silent command. A smile curved my lips, equal parts wonder and wickedness. This power coursing through me was intoxicating, transformative. I was no longer just Carly Vesper, the scared girl running from monsters. I had become something more, something dangerous.

"I'm not afraid anymore," I whispered full of wonder, my voice low and throaty, laced with the dark energy thrumming inside me.

Grayson stepped closer, his masked gaze never leaving mine. Where once I saw only menace in those eyes, now I recognized pride. He reached out, his hand hovering over my cheek before his fingers brushed the line of my jaw. The touch was feather-light, but the connection between us crackled like lightning. I leaned into his hand, feeling our bond solidify into something unbreakable.

My breath came in ragged gasps as the last waves of my transformation subsided. The forest around me pulsed with new life, every sound and scent amplified beyond what I'd ever experienced before. But something else caught my attention - a rhythm that seemed out of place.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears, but beneath it, I sensed another pulse. Fainter, faster, yet unmistakably there. Confusion washed over me as I pressed my hand against my abdomen, trying to make sense of what I was feeling.

"What...?" I whispered, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

Grayson's reaction was immediate and intense. His entire body went rigid, his gaze dropping to my stomach. The air between us crackled with tension as he slowly sank to his knees before me. His hands hovered over my lower belly, not quite touching, as if he was afraid I might shatter beneath his fingers.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. "No," I breathed, shaking my head in denial. "That's not—" But even as the words left my lips, I knew. The truth settled over me, heavy and inescapable. I was pregnant.

The darkness that now resided within me seemed to pulse in response, as if acknowledging the new life growing inside. My hands flew to my stomach, pressing against the skin as if I could somehow feel the tiny being nestled there.

"This... this can't be happening," I stammered, panic rising in my throat. "I'm... I'm still changing. What will happen to it?"

Grayson's eyes locked onto mine, burning with an intensity that made my heart stutter. He rose slowly, his massive hand coming to rest over mine on my belly. There was no fear in his gaze, only a fierce, protective need that took my breath away.

His touch sent a jolt through me, and I could almost hear his thoughts.Ours, his eyes seemed to say.Both of you.

The enormity of the situation crashed over me. I was transforming into something inhuman, pregnant with the child of a killer, and hunted by forces I barely understood. Tears pricked at my eyes as I struggled to process it all.

twenty-seven

I could sensehis inner turmoil, the primal need to keep me safe warring with something darker and more possessive. His steps matched mine as we moved through the forest, his presence like a shield at my back. But it was his heart I heard pounding, his breath that rasped against my skin.

The darkness within me stirred, urging me to push him, to see how far we could take this. I spun, suddenly wanting to confront the fear I saw lurking in his eyes.

His gaze locked onto mine, fierce and unyielding. The hunger there made my knees weak, but I smirked, reaching out to trace the contours of his mask with my fingertips. Our connection sparked, a silent challenge passing between us.

"What's wrong, Grayson?" I whispered, my voice a mixture of taunt and invitation. "Not used to having someone stand up to you?"

A low growl rumbled from his chest, the sound reverberating through me. I stepped closer, drawn to the animalistic edge I saw glimmering in his eyes. He wasn't afraid—no, he was daring me to take what I wanted.

Without hesitating, I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to the cold metal of his mask. A jolt ran through me, and I felt his hands curl into fists at his sides as he clenched his jaw.

"Show me," I breathed, my eyes flashing with challenge. "Show me what you really are."

I taunted him, wanting to unleash the wildness I saw simmering beneath the surface. I could feel his resistance, the battle within him, as if he was afraid to let go.

His breath was hot against my skin, his chest rising and falling sharply. Slowly, he reached up, his large hand covering mine, pressing it harder against the mask that concealed his face. His fingers were like steel, holding me prisoner in this moment of breathless anticipation.

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