At some point, Cassidy came to the door withblood for Kyle. Melanie couldn’t remember their conversation, butit hadn’t lasted long before he closed the door and returned toher.
Having Kyle’s arms enveloping her as sheshifted from human to vampire helped ease her agony. Still, therewere times when she was certain every bone in her body wasfracturing apart before being hammered back together.
Once she finally came out the other side ofher transition, a pang of hunger, the likes of which she’d neverexperienced before, hit her. Her stomach rumbled as it twisted intoknots and her arid veins burned for nourishment.
She’d all but attacked Kyle as she sought toease her ravenous appetite. And, as his blood filled her mouth, anew hunger awakened. She’d taken him into her and rode him untilthey were both limp and covered in sweat.
Still craving more, they completed the matebond as they joined together for the rest of their lives. Even now,Kyle’s presence hovered at the edge of her mind, and she lovedknowing she could reach out to him at any time.
“You get used to drinking blood too,” Lucysaid.
Melanie chuckled; she already didn’t mind it,but then, she’d only ever tried Kyle’s. The idea of drinkingsomeone else’s blood made her stomach turn.
“Did you ever think you’d hear either of ussay that?” she asked.
“Not in a million years. But I wouldn’tchange a thing.”
“I’m glad.”
Lucy clasped her hand and squeezed it. “Youmade the right choice for me; I would have made the same one foryou. Stop worrying about it, and rest assured that I’m happy. I’mreally and truly happy.”
“Did you ever think that would happen forus?”
“No.”
They both grew silent as they watched thechildren and pushed the swing together.
“Are you happy?” Lucy asked after awhile.
“Over the years, I never allowed myself todream about the possibility of being as happy as I am now. I wascertain it was impossible, but it’s not.”
“Good. And I’m guessing that since you’re avampire, you’ve completed the mate bond?”
“Yes. Who told you about that?”
“Kyle, after they took you. He was seriouslyabout to blow a gasket.”
“That was horrible,” Melanie muttered.
“It was,” Lucy agreed. “But it’s over now,we’re all safe, and I’m so happy for you both. While growing upamidst the monsters who were our parents and the Savages theycaptured, I never expected to discover anything like this, but lookat these children and look atus. There are plenty of evilvampires out there, but there are a lot of good ones too.”
“They’re kind of like humans in thatway.”
“Yes, they are.”
“Maybe one day you’ll find your mate.”
Lucy snorted. “Hopefully not anytime soon.I’m enjoying playing the field way too much for such nonsense.”
Melanie laughed and rested her head againstthe back of the swing. “How are you handling the death of yourmother?”
Lucy’s brown eyes darkened as she bit herlip. “Honestly, worse than I expected. The woman despised me, but Iguess a part of me always hoped she would one day see me assomething more… somethingbetter.”
“Youaresomething better, Lucy. Shemay not have seen it, but don’t ever doubt that. You’re one of thebravest, strongest, and kindest people I know.”
“Oh,Iknow I’m amazing”—Lucy wavedher hand flippantly through the air—“but I realize now that a partof me always hopedshewould see it too.”
“Well, she was an asshole.”
