Page 86 of The Piece You Stole

A soft thump makes me jump.

It’s okay, Saige, just his shirt hitting the floor.

“Relax, it will be over soon,” Rylan promises as he reaches for his pants.

But he doesn’t tell me it won’t hurt.

Anytime he strips, I can never stop looking at him, wanting his hands on me. But not this time. This time, all I can think about is what’s coming next and how desperate I am for it not to happen at all.

My lips part because I don’t want to do this at all. I thought I could, but when he bit me, it felt like someone was pouring acid on my throat.

“You want the future we spoke about, don’t you, Saige?” Rylan’s voice is soft with persuasion, as if he can read the doubt I’m about to spill out into the room.

His gaze promises me a future of endless happiness. Shifters don’t suddenly die the way Mom did, and our children will never have to deal with having an abusive drunk for a dad.

It will be the happy ever after I’ve always wanted.

If one bite is all it will take to get it, then I’d be a fool to tell him I changed my mind.

I nod.

He smiles. “Then embrace it.”

Swallowing back my fears, I lay back on the bed and fix my gaze on the ceiling. I take one breath, hold it, and let it out. Slowly. It helps a little, so I do it again.

Thump.

I flinch as my heart leaps in response.

It’s just Rylan’s pants. Everything is okay. Just one bite and it will all be over.

I force myself to lie still when all I want to do is roll off the bed and run right out of the front door. The bed dips near my right hip. My heart jumps, but I don’t move.

When a dark wolf's head enters my line of vision, I squeeze my eyes closed because if I see his teeth coming toward me, there’s no way I won’t try to run. The bed dips beside my breasts until, finally, it feels like he’s staring into my face.

My heart pounds harder as he moves closer. I curl my fingers into my palms, nails digging into my skin, as I work to control my breathing. I draw a deep breath in, hold it, and then—

Something wet and rough strokes along my throat. I choke back a scream.

It’s okay, Saige, it’s just his tongue. He’s just trying to reassure you.

My heart thuds louder and louder in my head as tension makes my body stiff as a board.

I remember what he told me before: Don’t move. I have to bite you in the right place, and if you move, I could hit an artery.

With his warning rolling around in my head, I lock my arms to my side, so I’m not tempted to shove Rylan away when the pain gets too bad. And then I wait.

There’s no warning.

Pain lances through my throat, sharp and furious.

My eyes burn as my body trembles with the need to knock Rylan aside and run.

Rylan bites down even harder.

A whimper forces its way from between my gritted teeth as hot tears slide down the sides of my face.

I try to push the pain away, telling myself it won’t last forever…even if it feels like it will.

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