We walk around the golf course, discussing other matters-most things of interest to both of us. I actually like spending time with Eric; he makes me forget that Nickolas wishes to kill my family and that I will die at his hands one day. As we strolled, I felt someone following us, but I found no one every time I turned around. I blame it on the stares I’m getting from having Nickolas’s scent on me and don’t bother to check anymore, even if I feel someone’s gaze drilling holes in my back.
As Eric and I finally reach the spot where Nickolas and the human named Josh engage in their business meeting, I’ve tactfully surveyed the entire golf course, strategically selecting the optimal escape route. I prepare to voice my request to Eric, parting my lips to inquire if he can persuade Nickolas to allow me to retreat back to the hotel when something else slips off my lips. Blood.
“Amelia!” Eric’s anguished scream echoes in my ears, amidst the chaos of gunfire and agony.
Blood spills from my mouth, a metallic tang staining my lips as I struggle to comprehend the onslaught of pain ripping through me. Instinctively, my hand moves to the chest area, opposite of where I suspect the silver bullet must have impaled me from behind. Shock and disbelief mingle in my wide-eyed gaze, the realization of my life slipping away crashing over me like a tidal wave.
A barrage of bullets shreds through my flesh like paper. Each impact sends shockwaves of agony coursing through my body, breaking bone and tearing skin with merciless precision. I grit my teeth against the searing pain, but it’s overwhelming, consuming me whole.
With each passing second, my strength ebbs away, leaving me powerless against the onslaught. My knees buckle beneath me, unable to bear the weight of my crumbling form any longer.
“What the fuck is happening?” Nickolas demands, rushing to my side and catching me before I hit the ground.
“I don’t know. She was fine one second; the next, she’s getting shot at her,” Eric replies as I continue to cough up blood.
“Get fucking help now!” Nickolas barks, and Eric dashes off, likely to summon assistance. Nickolas also orders the guard to head to where the bullets were fired from.
I gaze at him, expecting to see worry etched across his face. Instead, I’m met with an expression of anger, pure and unbridled. There’s no concern for my well-being or fear of losing me-just anger.
My stabbed heart bleeds more than the physical wounds. It dawns on me; he’s not devastated at the prospect of losing his mate; he’s furious. Angry his only card against my family is gone with my impending demise. He isn’t mourning; he’s seething, and the realization cuts more profound than any physical pain. Tears well in the corners of my eyes. The hurt I feel now surpasses anything I’ve ever experienced, a potent blend of physical agony and emotional betrayal.
My vision blurs and a heaviness descends upon my eyes as more blood seeps from my wounds. Nickolas urgently taps my cheeks, his voice commanding me to stay conscious. Despite it, the world turns hazy, and weakness consumes me. My eyelids betray my will, closing against his desperate commands.
“Amelia, fucking stay with me!” Nickolas’s urgent cry pierces through the haze of pain, jolting me awake for a moment. I struggle to keep my eyes open, but the darkness threatens to swallow me once more.
He quickly spins me around, his breath hitching at the sight of my battered back. I can’t even begin to imagine how gruesome it must look after the hail of bullets it endured.
“I need to take them out,”
“No, don’t. It will hurt,” I cry out, the pain overwhelming me.
“I know that, but if I don’t, you will die in a matter of minutes, Amelia. These bullets are made of fucking silver,” he explains, his tone filled with urgency and concern.
I take a deep, shuddering breath, considering his words carefully. The gravity of the situation sinks in, and I know he’s right. Reluctantly, I nod, steeling myself for the inevitable agony that awaits.
“I’ll be quick,” Nickolas assures me, his voice determined. With a surge of adrenaline, I brace myself as he swiftly sets to work, ripping each bullet from my flesh with ruthless efficiency. The pain is excruciating, tearing through me with every extraction, but I bite back the screams that threaten to escape.
“I couldn’t lose you too,” he murmurs, his words heavy with emotion as he finishes his task and spins me back around. Did he really say that? The thought lingers in my mind, but I’m too overwhelmed by pain and exhaustion to dwell on it for long.
Suddenly, my eyes droop shut once more, and this time, I fear they may not open again. But just when I think I’m slipping away, my eyes shoot open once more, greeted by the metallic taste of blood flooding my mouth.
Nickolas has slit his wrist open, offering me his blood in a desperate attempt to save me. Despite my weakened state, I push his outstretched hand away.
“Fucking drink, unless you want to die. Removing the bullets is only one part; you need to heal quickly too.” Nickolas insists, his voice laced with resolve as he forcefully offers his wrist once more. His gaze is intense, compelling me to yield despite my reluctance. I attempt to unmask my scent, preparing to release my fangs after, but one word from Nickolas halts me in my tracks.
“Don’t! You still can’t unmask. Just drink it; it should still help,” he instructs, pushing his wrist closer to my mouth. Without hesitation, I press my lips to his skin, drinking deeply not just for the healing it offers, but for the sheer pleasure of it. Each swallow brings a surge of vitality, coursing through my veins and revitalizing my battered body. And as I drink, I can’t help but wonder at the depth of Nickolas’s sacrifice, and the inexplicable bond that seems to bind us together with me drinking his blood right now.
“Fuck me!” Eric exclaims, returning to the scene and snapping me back to reality. I push Nickolas’s wrist away, scrambling to my feet and hastily wiping my mouth clean.
“I knew but…” he continues, looking at me in utter shock of what he witnessed.
I don’t wait for Eric to finish his sentence. With tears in my eyes, I bolt from the scene. Regret and fear grip me as I grapple with the consequences of letting my true nature surface. A secret I’ve guarded my entire life is now laid bare. I can’t shake the ominous feeling that this revelation is only the beginning of more troubles to come.
“Where the fuck do you think you are going?” Nickolas blocks my path, causing me to come to a halt.
“Please, I just want to be alone right now. Please,” I plead, sniffling as more tears stream down my face. I know it seems like I am trying to run away, but I’m not yet. Right now, I just need some time alone to process what happened.
“Lift your head up,” he commands, and I do, revealing my tear-streaked face and bloodshot eyes. He remains silent for a good second before walking past me and back to the golf course.
“Thank you,” I whisper as he walks away.
I continue walking and find a lake where I sit by the banks with my knees pulled to my belly. I stare at the water aimlessly, thoughts swirling in my head.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Marie says.
“I know, but you know why I don’t want to accept that side of me. You know what it means.”
“And so what? Being different from others doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You being a-”
“Don’t say it,” I cut her off.
“You being what you are doesn’t make you less of a werewolf, and you know this. So stop feeling like an imposter or something.”
“I can’t help it, Marie. Every single name I’ve been called suddenly feels deserved right now. Weirdo, Freak, and so much more.”
“You are not any of those things, and you know it.”
“I wish I believed that Marie, but I don’t. Thank you for trying to cheer me up.”
“Anytime, Amelia,” she says and cuts off our connection.
My mind drifts to what my mate might do with me now that he knows I have my mother’s gift. He couldn’t do the same thing his dad did to my mom, but I won’t put it past him to try. Panic starts to rise in me. I have to make sure Nickolas doesn’t try it, but how? Even if I tell him, it’s fruitless. Would he believe me? I hardly doubt it.
I quickly stand to my feet, looking around me. I couldn’t see Nickolas or any of his guards, but I doubt they were far. Now isn’t the time to run away. I have to be smart about it. I dust the sand off my body and move away from the lake, heading back to the golf course when I almost fall, bumping into someone. They catch me before I hit the ground, pulling me back up by grabbing my arm.
“Hello, princess. I’ve been meaning to meet you,” the man says as he wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me close. I didn’t see him in front of me; he literally appeared from nowhere.
I quickly put my hand up, pushing his chest to put some distance between us, but he only tightens his arms around me.
“Let go of me! Who the hell are you?” I ask, wiggling out of his grasp, but he still doesn’t let go.
“It’s the only way I could do this,” he puts a towel over my nose, pressing it hard against my face. The smell of wolf’s bane hits me, and before I can react, I find my eyelids dropping and darkness surrounding me, wondering what the hell just happened?