Page 53 of Fated to Her

“I can’t lose you or Cyrus,” he whispers.

“And you never will,” I tell him.

“You’re human, Addie. It is rough out there. Once we leave, we will be stuck out there. It’s dangerous, and you will be surrounded by Lycans.”

“But you and Cyrus will be there,” I tell him.

“I don’t trust his intentions. If we go, you need to promise to stay with us every second of the day, no wandering off. Those woods are not safe, not even for Lycans or vampires, and you are human,” he whispers, rubbing my cheek with his hand. “I know you want to remain human, but I can’t promise that out there.”

“Then, after the baby is born, Cyrus can change me,” I tell him, though the thought scares me. I don’t want to die, but I know I’ll never want to be without them.

Eli tilts my chin up, making me look up at him. “My father won’t do anything while you’re pregnant. It’s afterward I’m worried about.”

“I meant what I said, Eli. Cyrus can change me,” I tell him, and he watches my face carefully.

“You know you won’t be able to go home. Not until you can control your bloodlust, and I’m not sure how long that will take.”

I nod, my eyes going to Cyrus. “Cyrus will help me.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. I don’t want to be without you or Cyrus, and I will grow old and wrinkly, anyway.”

“I would still love you all the same, but I would rather forever than a few more decades.”

“Yeah, but it would look pretty creepy kissing someone that looks like your grandmother.” I chuckle, and he laughs softly.

I yawn, and Eli stands, lifting me with him before lying on the bed and rolling on his side so he is facing me. I stretch, getting comfortable as I press my face between his shoulder and neck. I love their scents.

He pulls me closer, wrapping his arm securely around me. “Go to sleep, love,” he whispers, and I let my eyes flutter shut and finally drift off.

• • •

Waking the next morning, I stretch, Eli rolling into me before draping his leg over mine. Cyrus also moves in his sleep as they sandwich me between them. I can’t understand why I’m awake. I feel like I have hardly slept at all. My eyes feel like sandpaper, yet my body is alert, like a live wire runs through me, jolting me awake. My mouth is salivating at the sweet smell perfuming the room and wrapping around me. Eli moves before opening his eyes.

“Why are you awake?” he mumbles before pecking my lips softly. Sparks rush across my face making me moan, and Eli pulls me closer.

“So hormonal,” he whispers.

Arousal floods through me but also another sensation, the same sensation from yesterday, that weird hunger, and I can feel his pulse beating beneath his skin against my lips. I’m human, yet am craving blood, which embarrasses me; I know it isn’t my doing but the craving is affecting me. Now I understand what Cyrus means, why he usually feeds on me—arousal and bloodlust going hand in hand with each other.

Eli’s arm moves underneath my head, brushing my cheek as his arm pulls me closer while his fingertips go to the crook of his neck. The sharp point of his claws slip from his nail bed, scratching down his skin and tearing through the soft flesh. His blood trickles down his skin and onto my top lip. That crazed animalistic urge wraps around me, and I sink my blunt teeth into him. He moans, pulling me closer as I drink his blood, letting it soothe the aching burn in my throat, the urge I know isn’t mine but our child’s need for blood, though it is addictive and sweet.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t like the high feeling it gives me, an almost floating sensation.

“Addie,” Cyrus whispers, tugging on my hips. “Let him go.” He kisses my shoulder, the sparks rushing across my skin, making me gasp and pull away.

But the burning hunger inside me is insatiable. Cyrus’s hand sneaks into my pants, his fingertips rubbing my clit yet my eyes never leave Eli’s neck as I watch the skin slowly close and heal. Cyrus’s finger moves between my lips, parting them before prodding my entrance.

“That’s it, Addie. Focus on what I’m doing,” Cyrus whispers as he slides his finger into me.

My legs open farther, and an airy moan escapes me. Eli moves and I feel his lips press to mine. Cyrus slides his finger out before adding another, and I roll my hips, moving them in rhythm with his movements, my walls squeezing him while Eli swallows my moans.

I become lost in the feeling, yet it isn’t enough. I need more, need them to placate the desire coursing through me. I’m addicted to them.

I tug on Eli’s hip, pulling him closer and kissing him hungrily. My nails dig into his hip, and I feel possessed. Cyrus’s fingers expertly move between my wet folds when his fangs graze my mark and he sinks them into my neck. A moan escapes my lips, and my core pulsates. Alarm courses through me, knowing I’m pregnant. Eli doesn’t look worried but watches my face rather calmly before he speaks.

“It won’t hurt our baby. Cyrus has control, Addie. He would never risk harming you,” Eli says before leaning forward and kissing me.