Page 48 of Undying
He lunges for the surface, throwing himself against the walls of the cage where I keep him contained, and it shatters like toothpicks. Bones snap and crack, my clothes shred, and my body eagerly embraces the pain. Fur ripples over my skin, fire burns through every inch of me, then it’s over and I drop to all fours.
Any restraint I had in my human form vanishes. Only one thing matters to the beast—protecting the girl. I follow the delicious scent of citrus, my claws clicking on the tiles, and I shove my nose into the crack of the door and push it open.
Steam billows in the room, clouding my vision, and my wolf chuffs when he spots the hazy outline of her naked form behind the slightly opaque glass. Part of me knows I shouldn’t be watching her without permission, but my baser urges just don’t give a fuck. Without my human sensibilities getting in the way, I accept the truth—that she’s mine.
A peace I can’t describe smothers the rage that normally floods me when in my wolf form. Just being near her is calming in a way I haven’t felt since before I was bitten.
Mate,my instincts urge, but I shake my head.
Because that’s impossible.
I’ve heard whispers of such a thing happening, where a mate can stop a wolf from going feral, but I thought they were only myths.
But it wasn’t always that way.
Mates were rare when I was young, almost impossible to find. Over time, they ceased to exist completely. As much as my mind says it’s impossible, I can’t get over the impression that she’s meant to be mine—vampire or not.
Content that I now have her in view, I circle the rug, then lie down. I curl up, resting my head on my paws, and I watch, enchanted, as the human finishes her shower. My eyes narrow, a growl rumbling in my chest at the sight of her malnourished form.
She needs food.
My claws scratch on the floor with the need to go out and hunt.
Provide for her.
The need to take care of her is like a compulsion.
It hurts to see the proof of her suffering, and I can’t stop the snarl that curls my snout.
A woman such as Jolie was made to be worshiped, and I’m more determined than ever to make sure nothing else happens to her.
There’s only one way that can happen—if I take her as my mate.
She doesn’t need to know.
I’ll complete the bond, then guard her from afar.
Satisfaction fills me at devising such a brilliant plan. When my human side tries to rise and protest, I place my paw on the door holding him hostage and slam it shut.
He doesn’t know what’s good for him, and I’m not going to let him fuck this up for us.
* * *
JOLIE
Istifle a moan as hot water pours over my skin, the heat searing against my cold flesh. The combination of pleasure and pain is almost too much, and I brace my hands against the cool tiles, my chin dropping against my chest.
Five minutes pass before I heave a sigh and tip back my head. I inhale, the steam tightening my chest almost painfully.
Knowing I can’t hide in the bathroom forever, I reluctantly turn off the water. As much as I want to stay in the safety of the shower, bad shit will find me everywhere. I’d rather be prepared than caught like a lamb sent to the slaughter.
Never again.
I fling open the door to the shower, then jolt when I see a massive wolf stretched out across the floor mat. I stand frozen, completely oblivious to the fact that I’m not wearing a stitch of clothing.
I should be afraid, terrified the wolf will rip out my throat, but I only feel curiosity. I no longer think like a human. Maybe I’ve been through so much in the past few weeks that it warped my brain.
Then it clicks—wolf.
