Page 31
His expression softens. “Unfortunately, no.”
My stomach drops.
“Although,” he adds, adjusting his glasses, “I admit I haven’t searched as diligently in recent years.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because many of the people here no longer wish to change back.” He folds his hands in front of him. “They’ve built lives. Fallen in love. Started families. What happened that night changed them, but over time, many stopped seeing what they became as something that needed to be cured.”
Maybe that’s supposed to make me feel better, but it doesn’t. For years, I suspected Screaming Woods held the answers to our past, but I never imagined finding those answers would mean becoming a... whatever I am now.
A memory surfaces of Vera looking at me strangely.
Griffin.
She called me that once. She knew. Somehow, Vera knew what was buried inside me long before I did. And now I’m supposed to accept that this is permanent? That this is me?
I can’t.
I turn and storm from the room.
“Leo!”
I hear Toto call my name, but I don’t stop. The second I clear the doorway, I spread my wings. One powerful beat launches me off the ground, and another sends me above the rooftops. Then I’m soaring over the trees with the wind tearing through my fur before I’ve even figured out where the hell I’m going.
I should be terrified. I’m fucking flying, and I have no idea how I’m doing it. That almost makes it worse. I want to be angry. I want to take all the fear and grief clawing through me and turn it into rage because rage I understand.
But I can’t because beneath all of it is the one fear I don’t know how to fight.
Losing Toto.
I picture the way she looked at Granger when she hugged him. The happiness on that bastard’s face. My mind reels with the possibilities of what happened between them in the woods while Nick and I weren’t there.
Then I look down at the massive paws where my hands used to be. Fur. Talons. Wings. Oh, and a fucking tail.
Toto will never want me now.
Why would she ever choose a monster?
Chapter ten
Nick
Granger goes after Leo, leaving Toto and me to walk to the rental by ourselves.
Dr. Karloff directs us toward a vacant cottage on the edge of town, assuring us that we're welcome to stay as long as we need to. Apparently, they keep a few places available for unexpected arrivals and magical emergencies. Given the town's history, I imagine they get plenty of both. The key is under the doormat, and Karloff tells us to make ourselves at home. I walk stiffly down the forest path, trying not to touch Toto, but constantly restraining myself is taking a huge toll on my self-control. It's been a long couple of days, but underneath it all is the intense desire—no, obsession—with Toto.
Her scent is mouthwatering. I've always noticed it—vanilla and caramel—but my cock grows rock hard every time I catch a whiff since my transformation. My fangs itch with the need to taste her, and that terrifies me.
I would rather die than hurt her, and I don't know what I'll do if she lets me get close. The worst part is that I know how beautiful she looks when she comes. I've been sporting an erection ever since I listened to her in the woods with Granger. Her little moans and whimpers were so perfect.
I want them for myself.
Toto’s arm brushes mine as we walk along the path, and she pulls back. My skin is cold, and I'm sure it's disturbing to her. It's a sobering reminder of the fact that I'm now a monster—one who craves her.
She deserves better.
"I'm sorry," I murmur.
