My music was set to a random playlist when the song came on. I had never heard it before, but it awoke something in my soul. I never really allowed myself to get lost in the fantasies of true love, but as the song played in my ears, I found myself dreaming of such a love.
A love that couldn’t be extinguished by time or troubles. One where someone would look at all of my broken parts and not run the other way. Where I would feel safe and seen for the first time in my life. While the lyrics spoke to me, a couple had been standing beneath the awning. I watched as they bolted out into the rain toward their car, only when they reached it, the woman fell into the man’s arms, tossing her head back with laughter. Instead of urging her into the car, he pulled her in and kissed her like it was their last moment on earth.
I thought love like that only existed in movies, but as I watched them, I found myself silently wishing that a love like that would find its way to me. For just a moment, I let myself believe that everything bad in my life was just the universe’s way of balancing the scales. That everything I had been through was worth it, because I would one day be rewarded with a love that would heal all of my scars. But that was just a fantasy. Even back then, I knew my future would only ever be plagued with more darkness. Of course, I never could’ve imagined that the human race would be wiped out. Now the idea of true love sounds—
“Grey!” Thane’s voice pulls me out of the memory when the headphones are yanked from my ears.
“Are you crazy?” I shout, trying to swipe his hands off me.
The bubbles have moved around with the sloshing water, and I quickly pull them into me in an effort to cover my chest.
“I knocked three times, and you didn’t answer.” His breathing is ragged, and his eyes are wide. “I thought something bad happened.”
“What could’ve possibly happened?”
“I-I don’t know. I didn’t really think that far,” he admits, running his hand over his stubble.
“Clearly,” I snipe. His eyes fall to the water while he lingers on the edge of the tub. “Well, as you can see, I’m perfectly fine, so you can go.”
“Right.” He shakes his head like he’s trying to free himself of the trance that seems to have ensnared him. He starts striding away but turns back. “Actually, I came here to tell you that Sophia is going to stay in one of the guest rooms tonight.”
“Okay…”
Thane scratches the back of his head, lingering in the doorway.
“I just thought maybe you would stay with me tonight.”
“Oh.” It’s all that comes out while I try to figure out an actual response.
“Of course, you don’t have to. I know I just stayed with you last night, but that really was only for a few hours.”
He looks like he’s in actual pain, holding back the natural instinct to bark an order, and my mind swirls with thoughts of what to do. On one hand, I did sign a contract saying I needed to spend the night with him once a week, and he was right about last night. It was already around three o’clock in the morning when Thane found me in the snow. I’m not sure what time he left, but it certainly wasn’t enough time to satisfy the bond. On the other hand, do I really want to sleep in his bed while his glowing eyes bore into me from his chair all night?
“Okay.” The word seems to slip from my lips before my brain even agrees to it, but if we don’t prioritize this connection between us, we risk Thane losing control. And that won’t be good for anyone, especially me. “I’ll come by your room once I’m ready.”
Thane only nods before walking out.
The last time I tried to stay with him, he wolfed-out, and the time before that, I woke up in chains. I can only hope third time’s the charm.
Thane
If I thought for even a moment she’d allow it, I would’ve climbed into that tub and pulled her wet body on top of mine. But unfortunately, even grabbing a hold of her shoulders sent her into a rage. Here I was, fighting the urge to drink her bath water, while she couldn’t even bear the thought of me touching her. How is that even fair? I know it’s my fault we’re bound to each other, but it feels like I’m the only one suffering.
And fuck those bubbles for hiding her from me. They’ll be gone first thing tomorrow morning.
I guess I can at least be thankful she agreed to stay with me. When Sophia reached for her, it felt like I was going to burst into flames. Ever since then, it’s like there’s a rope tugging me toward her. Even when she was sitting next to me, it felt like she was too far away. It’s like I’m a damn moth heading toward a light that I know will kill me. But I just can’t stop myself. I need to smell her and touch her and taste her. All things she’ll never allow unless I’m biting her.
If I’d known it was going to be this unbearable, I would’ve put in the contract that I needed to bite her three times a week instead of once. But at the time, I was too scared to lose her. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make if it meant she’d stay. Only now, it feels like I’m losing my fucking mind.
If I don’t find a way to satiate this appetite I have for her, I might actually go mad. And if that happens, there’s a hundred percent chance that absolute carnage will follow.
Chapter 35
After ten minutes of trying to relax, I give up on the bath and get out. There’s just too much nervous energy buzzing inside of me, thinking about what tonight will bring. I grab my phone to turn off the music and find a bunch of texts from Sienna that immediately help calm my spiral.
Sienna:
Okay, it’s official. I need voice memos from you every day so I can hear your voice! Mamma mia! I have so many thoughts, so let’s start with the book, because I’ve always been obsessed with the idea of the Fated. I mean, how incredible would it be to find someone who was made just for you? Although, there’s also the other side of it, where you could live a life forever tortured by being Soul Bound.
