Page 56 of Bitten By Bloodmoon
“What do you mean, his room?”
Kael cocks his head to the side. “This is Nyx’s room.”
I frown. “How do you know that?”
“Last time I was here, I slept in the room next door. The same one I’m in now. That way, Nyx could guard me overnight. He’d hear if I tried to escape. He hasn’t been sleeping in here with you?”
I laugh. “Gods, no. It’s not like that between us. We don’t have feelings for each other. And we’re pretty sure we aren’t even actually mates, that our connection is just because we both have information that needs to be shared to get the curse lifted. Hekilled one of my closest friends. I won’t ever be sharing a bed with him.”
“Is that how you feel about Ambrose?”
I turn from Kael and look out the window. “I’d rather not talk about Ambrose. I don’t want to know how he’s doing, or if he’s the reason you’re here. I’d rather not know about anything regarding him after he took away my choices.”
Kael bites his bottom lip as if he wants to say more, but is holding back.
I sigh, running my hand through my long hair. “What is it?”
“Nothing. It doesn’t matter about these idiotic males. What matters is that you’re safe. That’s why I’m here, to keep you safe. I won’t leave your side again.”
“And you’re okay initiating into the Bloodmoon pack to do that?”
“I’d rather be concocting an escape plan, but I know you won’t leave without answers, and whatever idiotic deal you made with him won’t allow you to leave. So yes, I’ll join his pack. I’ve never had a problem with the Bloodmoon pack. For the most part, they treated me well during my time here. It’s the vampires you have to watch out for. They don’t operate under the same civilized rules as the wolf shifters do. They can seem human one minute, and then the next, their bloodlust or curse will take over, and they’ll go rabid, completely out of control. They’ll kill you even if they like you and consider you an ally. No vampire is to be trusted.”
“Does that include Nyx?”
“My understanding is that Nyx has learned to control his bloodlust. As long as he’s not drinking blood, he’s in control of his own mind.”
There’s another knock, so I open the door and find Sylara in a red dress, her curls pinned on top of her head, and her makeup flawlessly painted onto her face, which makes her even morebreathtakingly beautiful. Gone is any trace of the dangerous beta who usually looks like she’s ready to attack at a moment’s notice. All that is left is soft, feminine beauty. For a moment, I’m envious of how good she looks and regret my decision not to wear the dress.
Sylara’s eyes look me over from head to toe. “You’ll do.”
“Thanks? Was that supposed to be a compliment?”
She shrugs. “It was supposed to be exactly what I said.” She looks past me to Kael and then frowns. “How did I know I’d find you in here? If you want to keep all your limbs, I suggest you stay out of Nyx’s bedroom with her.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Really? You think Nyx cares that he’s here? He’s not jealous. I’m not his. He doesn’t even like me.”
Sylara ignores me. “Don’t find yourself alone in his bedroom with her again if you want to keep breathing.”
Kael just nods.
“It’s time, but don’t worry, you can always change your mind. You’d just waste everyone’s time, and you’d have to go back to the Moonlight pack or whatever pack would take you.”
“I’m not changing my mind,” Kael says.
“Good,” she answers and then makes a swift exit.
“Are you really sure? I know they say that you won’t be required to do much besides make an oath, but still, you’d be making an oath to be loyal to the Bloodmoon pack, to Nyx.”
“I’m sure. I’ll do anything to protect you, Lumi. You’re the only thing that matters to me.”
Without another word, he exits the bedroom and starts following Sylara. I run to catch up, my mind whirling with thoughts of what could happen if Nyx is lying.
I’m not sure exactly what to prepare for as we walk outside. Dusk has begun to settle over the horizon as darkness blankets the town. The other pack members I know—Riven, Brax, and Talonis—flank each of our sides as we walk, while other packmembers start coming out of their homes. We walk through the center of town, my heart beating a million miles a minute as we do. I’m sure everyone around me hears my anxiety pumping through my body.
We head towards a small amphitheater with a stage at the edge of the pack’s town. Nyx has already taken the stage, and as we walk down the stairs, I notice more and more people taking their seats. Some of the visitors are vampires.
I force myself to stand up straighter as I walk toward the stage. Taking a deep breath to try to ease my heartbeat, I’m not sure if we are all going up on stage or just Kael until we get there, but we don’t slow down as we reach the stage. We all climb up the stairs next to Nyx.
