Page 90 of Feral
Holding his gaze, I exhale, smiling as his eyes brighten and begin to glow. I’ve noticed how soft the light behind them is when he’s looking at me versus when he’s angry. Because of him, I know what real love looks like.
As he rubs my arm, the tension I was holding melts away and warmth spreads through my body. He moves closer so that our bodies are touching while moving his hand behind my neck, pulling me to him until our lips meet.
I sink into his kiss, our tongues tangling, and little pricks of heat dot my skin. My cock swells, and I moan as Hale nibbles on my bottom lip. His kisses shift from my mouth to my chin, along my jaw and down the column of my neck, until he pierces my flesh with his fangs.
I gasp, clinging to him with my fingers digging into his back. I’m aware of the difference this time. The other times he fed were gentle and relaxing, but this feels desperate. I hear the blood leaving my body as my limbs tingle like they’re falling asleep.
None of it hurts though. It’s pleasant, like when you sink into a warm bath or get caught in summer rain. Soon enough, I feel sleepy, but I fight it. I don’t want to miss any of this.
Hale’s hand is moving in circles on my chest, offering comfort and encouraging more of that grogginess trying to take hold. But the more he drinks, the more the warmth is chased away and I grow cold.
I can’t feel my feet or hands anymore, but panic doesn’t set in. I know what’s happening. I’m literally dying right now.
“Hale?”
“You’re okay, love. This is supposed to happen.” He pulls completely off my neck and gazes down at me. He looks amazing with my blood on his lips. “It’s going to hurt a little, but I’ll be here.”
I nod but my eyesight blurs. This is it. The last thought that passes through my mind draws a smile to my face.
I love him.
I love this man.
“Hale… love…”
“What’s that?”
My breathing is shallow and harder to feel now. “Lo-ve.”
He kisses my forehead “Rest, darling. We can talk later.”
Squeezing my eyes closed, I fight the desire to go under. I have to tell him in case I don’t wake up.
“I… lo…” Through the tightness taking over my chest, I gasp for one last breath. “I love you.”
I finally give in, letting the darkness drag me under.
Chapter 26
Hale
His profession of love lingers in the air between us, and my heart flutters in my chest. He loves me. Gods of lore! I’ve waited so long to feel like this, so settled and calm. It was never like this before, not even with Nathan. I should have known from the stories I was told. A fated mate soothes the beast within and allows us to be our best selves.
That’s what Yannis is for me. Finally.
I wrap my arms around him, holding his trembling body and waiting for the moment of transformation. I’ve seen it many times before, though the memories are clouded by time, and until now, I’ve never been the cause of someone turning.
He trusts me with his life. Could there be a greater compliment or accomplishment? I don’t think so.
Yannis turns cold, his lips become blue, and all that vibrant life he carries slips away, but not for long. He’ll be back soon. I stroke his face and run my fingers through his hair until his eyes snap open. He can’t focus yet, it’s only his body’s reaction to what’s happening, and that’s my signal.
Using my index finger, I drag the nail across my wrist, slicing the skin open. A few drops of blood splash on Yannis’s lips, and he opens his mouth. I press my open wound to his lips as he reaches up to grip my arm, holding it to his mouth as he takes his first gulps of life-altering vampire blood.
He drinks hungrily, sucking on my wrist and moaning in pleasure.
“Take as much as you need, love. You can’t hurt me.”
His eyes open in narrow slits, still unfocused but getting brighter by the second. I know it’s working when he tenses, popping off my wrist long enough to flinch as his hand moves to his chest.