THE DRIVE TO THE NEXT TOWN felt like it took twice as long as it really did. Every slight movement Hunter makes sends my nerves haywire. Despite him being in the front seat, I feel his breath hot against my skin with each exhale.
Shifting, I squirm in my seat, trying to get comfortable as I forcefully shove the ache between my legs to the back of my mind.
‘Quit moving all over the place,’ Alex complains, shooting me a glare.
‘It’s hot,’ I snap back at him, even though it’s only my temperature that is raised, considering it’s raining outside and there’s a sharp, briskness in the air that has everyone else wearing long pants and jumpers.
‘It’s really not.’
‘Shut up and listen to your murder mystery podcasts.’
‘I will.’
‘Good.’
‘Great.’
‘How about you both shut up?’ Cas suggests from the front.
Grumbling, Alex and I both glower out our windows, facing away from each other. Hunter’s hand swings around the side of his seat, grazing my leg. A calming sensation washes through me, easing the throbbing my core is enduring being so close to him. I breathe a little easier, relaxing into my seat.
His silver eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror. I smile in thanks, and he dips his chin briefly in acknowledgment, gradually retracting his hand and pulling it back into his lap.
When we pull into the driveway of the house Cas has temporarily rented, Alex lets out a low whistle. And rightly so – the place is gigantic. My jaw drops when I see the water fountains and rainbow-coloured gardens that border the driveway, making it look more like a holiday resort rather than an Airbnb.
‘Woah, this place is incredible,’ I say.
‘We travel in style around here,’ Cas replies.
‘Clearly.’
The vampires are out of the car and hoisting their bags over their shoulders before I even realise the car had come to a stop. Shaking my head, I climb out and follow them inside, my eyes roaming appreciatively over the gorgeous décor.
Alex and Cas disappear immediately to find their rooms. Hunter and I walk up the stairs, the tension sizzling between us to the point where it’s uncomfortable to be around him. My skin feels like it’s on fire each time he glances at me.
‘I will have my own room,’ he says.
Disappointment sinks in my chest. ‘That makes sense.’
‘It’s getting too . . . difficult.’
‘I understand.’
Pausing, he looks like he is going to say more, but in the end he turns and vanishes into thin air. Sighing, I resume my normal-paced walk down the hallway, and manage to find a free room. It’s huge. The bed alone is double the size of mine when I was growing up. In fact, I could fit my room into this one twice and this is just the spare room. Natural light pours in through the blinds, highlighting the beige fluffy pillows and patterned comforter. Throwing my bags down, I sit heavily on the bed, cradling my head, trying to get my emotions under control.
A zap on my finger makes me jump. My eyes briefly move to the delicate black band around it. I have gotten used to the electricity, since it always pulses whenever Cas is around. It doesn’t warn me about Hunter anymore.
‘Dinner tonight at seven,’ Cas says as he breezily enters my room without announcing himself, making me startle. ‘And round two of the hunt.’
I raise my eyebrow, trying not to look as affected as I am. I’m still having nightmares about the first time I got hunted, when all of this mess started.
‘Round two, you say?’ I question, cursing my heart for picking up pace, revealing to Cas how stressed I really am about it.
He nods, a smirk dancing on his lips, giving me a knowing look. ‘Yeah, if you’re game.’
‘Sure.’ I force a smile onto my face.
Winking, he slithers back through the door faster than I blink.
I spend the next two hours reading over Cora’s journals.
I have never felt anything like this. The urge to know him, learn more about him, be closer . . . There is no one else like him. So beautiful, yet mysterious.
There’s a tug in my chest when he’s near me. Begging me to come closer. To give him whatever he wants.
He wants me.
I want him.
I will be his, and he will be mine.
Snapping it shut, I push it away, feeling ill. It’s so similar to how Hunter makes me feel, but I know it’s different. We are different. Hunter is nothing like his brother. He is kind, thoughtful, and good-natured. I am not repeating my sister’s mistakes.
When I head downstairs, there is a bowl filled with fresh fruit waiting for me on the table. Picking up the note with my name on it, I read Hunter’s neat scrawl.
I bought you some fruit, and there’s a salad wrap in the fridge. Let me know if there is anything else you need.
Smiling, I fetch my lunch. Alex trots into the kitchen, peering over my shoulder. Reaching inside, I withdraw the small bag with Alex’s name on it.
‘Did Hunter get us food?’ he questions, eyebrows raised.
‘Yeah.’
Alex stares at it for a moment. ‘Hard to hate the guy when he is so damn thoughtful all the time.’
I smile, handing it to him. ‘So does that mean you don’t hate him?’
‘I guess I can say I tolerate him,’ Alex replies.
‘And me?’ A voice asks at the same time my ring zaps me.
I wince, looking down at it. It only seems to do it when Hunter isn’t in the room, but Cas is.
‘Jesus!’ Alex recoils, almost knocking me over as he leaps about a metre in the air. He glowers at Cas, who is smirking down at us. ‘Don’t do that.’
‘Apologies,’ Cas says, moving around us. ‘I’m thirsty.’
Alex screws his face up, and touches his finger against the silver draped around his neck. Cas’s smirk widens as he notices.
‘I’ll be tasting you tonight,’ Cas purrs, and goose bumps prickle uncomfortably across my skin.
‘I think the fuck not,’ Alex grumbles, his cheeks dotted with pink.
I feel awkward, since they are looking at each other like they’ve forgotten I’m even here. Quietly, I step back, walking out of the kitchen, and into the living room. A movie is playing on the screen. Cas walks in behind me, collapsing onto the lounge.
‘I’m just starting a movie. Wanna join?’ he asks.
I blink at him. It seems so weird to see a vampire casually lounging around, watching a movie. It seems so . . . normal. I need to remember that a lot of vampires are just like this. I happened to have met a few bad ones, but I’m sure there are plenty of vampires out there living a totally normal life.
Alex walks in next, dropping onto the lounge, draping his legs over the armrest. As much as he sulks around the house, and drips himself in so much silver he looks like he is being sponsored by a jewellery store, Alex seems quite at ease around Cas and Hunter now. It’s nice to see him acting more like himself.
As the movie plays, I continuously glance at the door, waiting for Hunter to come join us, but he doesn’t. After I doze off to sleep for the second half of the movie, I wake when Alex and Cas start bickering about the plot of it. Stretching, I glance out the window, seeing the sky darkening. I get to my feet and wave at them as I exit, heading back up to my room, since we will be leaving for dinner soon.
I take my time showering and doing my routine of self-care that I have been neglecting since my life turned upside down. Once I’m dressed and ready to go, I drag the strap of the holster up my thigh, sliding in my knife and my canister of silver. My second canister, I stick in my bra and toss my hair over my shoulders, helping disguise the slight bulge it leaves.
Dressed in a sexy black dress with nearly see-through lingerie underneath, I feel bold and sultry as I descend the stairs, my heels distinctly clicking on the hardwood floor. A ripple of awareness slides down my spine as Hunter’s eyes track my movements, his gaze hungrily roaming over every inch of my body. With a clenched jaw, he runs his hand through his hair, a pained expression springing onto his handsome face. Heat flares inside me as I greedily take in his tall frame clad in a white T-shirt, a leather jacket, and dark chinos. He looks edible.
Swaying my hips, I stroll up to him, tilting my head back and levelling him with a playful smile.
‘Hello.’
‘You’re going to be the death of me,’ he whispers, his hands gripping my hips as he tugs me close to him. ‘Every part of my body is in pure agony.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I want to claim you as mine,’ he growls, darkness swirling in his eyes. ‘I want to fuck you into next week, and brand you in every single way possible.’
The oxygen leaves my lungs as our bodies draw closer, inch by inch.
‘Claim me,’ I whisper. ‘I’m already yours.’
His fingers tighten on my hips so hard I fear it will leave bruises. The pain is delicious, and I crave more of his firm hand and dirty mouth.
‘Alex!’ Cas yells out, his deep voice echoing around the room, giving me a fright. I blush, realising he would have just heard everything that Hunter just said. ‘We’re leaving, with or without you!’
Alex appears with a scowl and trots down the stairs. ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.’
‘You look good,’ Cas says to him, his lips tilting. ‘I bet you taste even better.’
‘You won’t get the chance to find out,’ Alex hisses hotly, glowering at Cas’s flirty remark.
‘Sure, I won’t.’
‘You won’t,’ he says firmly.
‘Let’s go,’ Hunter sighs, stepping back and tugging at his collar, as if he is struggling to draw in a breath.
Tingles erupt over me, craving to be close to him, and have skin on skin contact. My hand reaches for his and he swiftly dodges it, practically throwing himself into the front seat. Fisting my hand and biting down on the sting of rejection, I climb in beside Alex. The hole in my chest, the bond that ties us, glows unbearably, itching to connect with its other half.
To not draw attention, we take Hunter’s truck, meaning it has much more space, but also means I don’t have an excuse to be on Hunter’s lap like I had before. Images of the night flash through my mind, making my core throb with need.
A low hiss sound escapes Hunter, and he slams his hand on the door and I freeze, wondering if he had felt the exact longing sensation that I just did.
‘Who pissed in your cornflakes?’ Alex side-eyes him.
Hunter says nothing as he continues glaring moodily out the window. Cas’s eyes find mine in the reflection as he smirks to himself.
Cas takes us to a restaurant at the top of a tall building that overlooks the entire town. It is a breath-taking view and it distracts me from the fact that Hunter hasn’t acknowledged me for the last half an hour.
Of course he is hurting. I am, too. I understand why he is resisting this thread that is drawing us closer and closer to the edge, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting it any less.
I don’t want to fight this. I don’t want him to fight this. It’s exhausting trying to resist the lust and longing we have for each other.
A steady drizzle rains down onto the window as we finish eating. I feel flushed from the wine, my cheeks warm and rosy. Pulling my hair over to one shoulder, I lean forward, feeling Hunter’s eyes hovering over my face and then down my neck.
As Cas and Alex continue debating something about conspiracy theories, the rain swiftly changes from a light shower to a heavy downpour. Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder erupts outside, and a streak of lightning brightens the sky, briefly turning night into day.
Cas leans forward on his elbows, a grin spreading across his face. ‘Run along, little humans. Round two is about to commence.’
My bare feet slip and slide against the mud as I sprint as fast I can, my heels having long gone. My ring pulses against my finger and I’m momentarily distracted by it.
Cas drops in front of me, moving faster than I can comprehend. A scream gets trapped in my throat as I skid to a halt, chest heaving. Although he is meant to be hunting Alex, it doesn’t mean he can’t hunt me, too. I realise my mistake instantly. I was so focused on escaping Hunter, I forgot the number one rule – where there is one, there’s a high chance there is another lurking nearby.
I’ve been aiming to get back to a public place for the past few minutes. I never meant to go this way but in my panicked state, I took a wrong turn and here we are, down a back alley somewhere, where my death would be looming if this was a real hunt.
The pale moonlight makes his fangs glow as he grins wickedly, taking a taunting step closer.
Since the canister is already in my hand, I throw my hand up, directing it straight into his eyes. He screeches, flying backwards, clawing at his face, not anticipating the attack.
Launching myself onto a bin, I throw myself over the fence, going straight into a forward somersault before I’m back on my feet again. A dog barks, running toward me, snapping at my ankles. It’s then I realise I’ve jumped into someone’s yard. Not stopping, I haul myself over their fence. I hiss when my skin scrapes against the wood, feeling the blood trickle down my leg. Running towards the light where I can see people walking, I almost make it, when Hunter steps out from the shadows. My heart pounds so loud, I feel dizzy. Sweat slides down my back as we both breathe hard, waiting for the other to make a move. Jesus Christ, he looks good. His shirt clings to his chest, outlining the hard muscles beneath it. The vicious, dark tattoos that line the right side of his body look villainous under the dim light. Every fibre of my being throbs to go to him and touch him. To soothe this growing pain inside me.
The corner of his mouth twitches. His head tilts to the side.
‘Are you going to let me bite you, or will you make me work for it?’
‘You can work for it,’ I hiss.
Darting to the right, I run down the hill. My foot catches on the raised root of a tree, sending me tumbling down it. With the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I barely feel it as I right myself and keep moving.
A hand curls around my waist and the world tilts. I land hard on my back, the air rushing out of my body as I slam to the ground.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m scared, or if our bond knows this is all a game, but instinct has me spraying him in the eyes. He roars a deafening tune in my ear, and I roll out from underneath his heavy weight.
I’ve barely run two steps before his fingers circle around my ankle, yanking me back. My cheek slams into the ground, dirt spilling in through my parted lips, filling my mouth. Rolling onto my back, I blindly reach for my knife as Hunter drags me across the grass. Fury and anger swirls in my gut in a fit of fiery rage. I’m furious at him, at our gnawing bond, this whole damn situation.
My hand flies into his thigh, the knife sinking into his flesh with as much force as I can muster. He howls, his grip tightening to the point that I yelp in pain. Dragging me harder, he rips the top of my dress in one swift movement before his fangs plunge into my neck.
I scream as pain splinters through my body before twisting into the familiar warmth that I crave every moment of the day.
‘You can never outrun me,’ he snarls against my skin, sinking his fangs further inside my flesh. ‘You’re mine, Raya. Mine.’
‘Prove it.’
Rearing back so that a part of his weight is lifted from my body, his eyes bore down into mine, our breaths mingling into one due to the proximity. My heart thunders against my ribcage as our stares melt into pure heat.
His hand trembles as it touches the side of my face, carving a firm yet tender line down my neck, his fangs still out, glittering red with my blood. Shivering despite the heat I’m feeling, I arch my back, craving more of him. Always needing more.
Drawing in a ragged breath, his fingers twist, tangling in my dark hair.
‘This might change everything,’ he whispers, eyes searching mine intently, the high of the game oozing out into a wispy cloud around us as the seriousness of our need for each other takes over. ‘I tried not to. I tried to protect you from all of this. From me.’ Blowing out a sharp breath, his lips inch closer. ‘You’re irresistible.’ His gaze doesn’t waiver from mine. ‘Do you love me, like I love you?’
I stare at him, wide-eyed, processing his words.
‘You consume me, mind, body, and soul.’ I touch my hands to his face. ‘I want this, Hunter. I want you.’
‘I don’t want to hurt you,’ Hunter breathes, pressing his forehead to mine, the cool breeze washing over my flushed skin.
‘I can handle it.’
Breathing a soft chuckle, he offers me the only-reserved-for-me smile that I’ve grown so fond of. ‘My brave girl. I know. I know you can handle it, but I still worry.’
‘Don’t be afraid.’
‘I’m very afraid,’ he admits. ‘What if I lose all control and turn you, even when you haven’t given me your blessing? You would never forgive me.’
‘Turn me, then. Take this as my blessing.’
His hand tightens. ‘You’re not thinking clearly.’
‘I want you. That’s all I care about right now.’
‘No, it isn’t,’ he insists.
‘Maybe this was all meant to happen for a reason. This adventure. Whether or not I find her, maybe this was fate pushing us together. Maybe we were always meant to meet.’
Hunter swallows. ‘Can a human and a vampire be destined by fate?’
‘Why not?’
‘Vampires are supernatural, and they mess up the balance of nature. I don’t believe fate would ever do us any favours.’
‘Hunter,’ I say, sliding my hands over his skin, interlocking my fingers behind his neck. ‘I am meant for you. I believe that.’
‘And I for you, legata una.’
Shifting, I tilt my head back, exposing my neck. ‘Turn me, Hunter. I want you to.’
He is silent for a few moments. He lowers himself, kissing me tenderly over the bite wounds. My fingers twist his shirt as I grip onto him like my life depended on it. Like we are swinging over the edge of the cliff, and I am hanging on to him as my only lifeline.
‘Not now,’ he whispers, his lips a feather-light touch over my skin, ‘when the bond isn’t surging inside you, overwhelming your senses.’
‘Okay,’ I agree. ‘But if it happens accidentally, I give you my blessing, Hunter.’
His face softens, the wall he has been so desperately trying to build between us crumbling right before my eyes, shattering around us. He swoops toward me, claiming my mouth with his with a fiery passion that consumes my body.
Thunder booms overhead, the rain belting down faster and harder over us. It’s a cool, dark night, but I don’t feel the cold, when every part of me burns where he touches. His lips are everywhere, kissing over my face, inching down my neck, sucking, and biting me deliciously in all the sensitive spots that have me whimpering and twisting in his grasp. I kiss him hard when his lips return to mine. So hard, they pulse under his touch. His mouth moves to my neck where he bites down once more. I choke on a sob, overwhelmed with the crushing sensation of needing more. The bond inside my chest sings as our bodies melt together, forming one. My legs wrap tightly around his waist, and he tears my underwear straight from my body, leaving me bare. The night air strokes my skin tenderly as he drinks greedily from me, his fingers grazing over my thigh, inching closer to my entrance.
Threading my fingers through his hair, I pull on them, desperate to feel him inside me. His finger slips across my sex, and he groans, feeling how much I want him. Impatiently, I yank his pants down his legs, shamelessly grinding and rolling my hips against him, kissing him desperately. As his finger slides inside me, I dive toward his shoulder, biting him so hard it draws blood. He moans, quickening his pace, biting down on my breast as we both drink from each other. When the lightning tears across the sky, I swear I feel it in every part of my body. I’m buzzing with fire, electricity, and everything in between. I feel light-headed as any bruises and battered parts of my body heal as his blood races through my veins, fixing any errors it finds in its path.
He tastes like heaven and sin wrapped up in one. With a breathless gasp, I tilt my head back, drawing in deep breaths as the stars in the night sky brighten. The night twists into a surreal purple as his vampire senses fade in and out over me, teasing with me the taste of what life is like through his eyes.
Feeling him between my legs, he jerks my chin, forcing my gaze to his as he thrusts inside me. A ground-rumbling clap of thunder detonates around us as I cry out.
The feeling of him inside me is better than I could possibly imagine, filling and stretching me perfectly as if I was moulded exactly for him. My heart, my bond, my soul, everything is aching and blossoming inside me, filling me with light, love, and pure happiness. Tears stream down my face as I sob, unable to control the overload of sensations filling me.
‘You are mine, as I am yours,’ he breathes into my ear. ‘There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.’
I want to confess all of what I would do for him, but I am unable to form a sentence when feelings I never imagined feeling ripple through my body.
The air is filled with the sound of our bodies meeting and our heavy breathing. Digging my nails into his back, I let out a whimper.
‘This,’ he whispers. ‘Me and you. This is it. We are forever.’
‘Forever.’
His eyes melt my insides. He is gazing at me with utmost adoration, like he is only just seeing me clearly for the first time. Overcome with his feelings, as am I, he presses his forehead to mine as he drives inside of me, our skin slipping against the others as sweat and rain coats us. When he kisses me, I taste the salty tang of his skin and my own sweat.
Our limbs tangle, our breaths ragged as we move together as one.
‘I’m going to spend the rest of our lives proving that I am worthy of you.’
My insides are simultaneously tightening and dripping for him. My hands skate across his back, feeling every tense of his strong muscles flexing as he drills into me hungrily and mercifully.
My orgasm stutters through me almost violently, barrelling through every limb. I cry out, a sensation I have never felt swelling inside me.
‘Ah, fuck,’ Hunter whispers, his voice dripping in sin as he lets out a guttural groan, melting every nerve inside my body.
As his own orgasm washes through him, his eyes shine bright, as pure silver rings glow around the edges of his eyes. He slams his hand down into the earth, sending dirt erupting around us as he spills inside of me.
Catching my hips, Hunter does a few slow, sensual strokes that has my body humming in delight before he slides out of me. Releasing a whine at the loss of contact, I collapse back onto the ground.
The aftermath continues to roll through my insides, and I can’t stop quivering in response to it.
‘Hunter,’ I whisper. ‘Your eyes.’
Deep, silver rings border his midnight eyes, a light swirling brightly, blending perfectly with the darkness. Drawing his dark brows together, his finger grazes close to my temple.
‘Silver,’ he whispers. ‘Your eyes are black and silver.’
‘So are yours,’ I murmur, tracing the edge of his eyes with my fingertips. ‘The bond . . . It’s stronger now. Isn’t it?’
His own widen in wonder as he draws closer to me, inspecting my eyes. Slowly, he nods. ‘Yes. It is.’
My heart is still thundering in my chest, and I feel dizzy.
Wrapping me securely in his arms, he tucks me to his side. The rain pelts down on us, but it feels calming as it cascades over my skin like silk. I let out a shuddering breath, trying to tackle my emotions that continue to spiral out of control.
The thread between us is stronger and sturdier than ever. Burying my face against his chest, I feel warm and safe in his strong arms.
‘I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to stop us strengthening the bond,’ he whispers.
‘I’m not.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes,’ I whisper. ‘What happens now?’
‘I don’t know,’ he replies. ‘But we will figure it out. Together.’