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Had she or other members of her coven brainwashed other familiars?

“It’s not an accident,” I whispered. It hurt to say the next words, but I had to. “Doyle, we can’t stay together. I’m a danger to you, not just you but also members of your pack.”

“Michael, you’re not making any sense,” Doyle said, taking a few steps towards me.

He stopped when I took a few steps back.

“I’m still her creature. She came to me in my dreams. I think… she’s been doing that for a while now, slowly getting into my mind,” I whispered.

I looked around the room and found my clothes discarded on the floor. I picked them up and quickly dressed.

Doyle remained where he was, frowning, probably trying to piece things together.

“I need to borrow your truck. I’m so sorry, Doyle,” was all I could say.

I swiped the truck key on my way out of the cabin. Then I ran out on my mate like the weak coward I really was.

“This is for your own good and mine,” I whispered, sliding behind the wheel and starting the truck.

If this decision was for the best, then why did it feel like I was the one who had been stabbed in the heart, and not Doyle?

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

DOYLE/ MICHAEL

DOYLE

Minutes, maybe hours, after Michael had left, I simply sat on the edge of the bed.

I couldn't wrap my head around what had just happened.

Waking up to see Michael above me, holding a kitchen knife with both hands.

The expression on Michael's face—wasn't normal, I realized.

Michael looked dazed, like a zombie who wasn't in control of his own body. The stab wound felt like a dull ache now.

I knew I should tend to it sooner or later, but I kept thinking of Michael's words.This is for your own good and mine.

Was it really? Michael shouldn't have just run out and driven away. He should've stayed, talked things out with me.

In the background, I heard the doorbell ringing, followed by a knock and a familiar voice.

"Hey, don't want to disturb you love birds, but—" Ivan trailed off.

I assumed he got impatient and left or had some other errand to attend to.

But the next thing I heard was my door breaking down with a loud crash, splinters flying, and Ivan barging into my bedroom.

"Doyle, are you okay? There was a trail of blood outside," Ivan began, then looked at my chest. "Shit. What happened?"

I sighed, and decided to explain.

"Michael... he was having a nightmare, sleepwalking. He stabbed me. Then he left. He thinks he's a danger to me, to all of us,” I admitted.

Ivan's eyes widened.

"We need to find him. He’s not safe out there alone, especially if Liliana's still got some kind of hold on him,” Ivan pointed out.

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