Take Me Once, I'll Bleed You Twice novel Chapter 31

… Wait. Why was he thinking of her as his?

Riaghaire contemplated this thought, wondering from where it had come. Was it because she was human and he was in a constant state of hunger? She’d smelled exquisite and feeding from her had crossed his mind many a time… and, yet, that didn’t explain the possessiveness he felt towards the green–eyed human. Even after she was mated to a wolf she would still be human. The taste of her blood may change but not enough to make a difference. None of it explained why it was bothering him so much.

Had he attached himself to the first person who’d treated him as an equal, without fear, in decades? Was he so starved for interpersonal contact? It didn’t seem possible, except here he was, confused by these thoughts.

What did any of it matter, anyway? It wasn’t like he’d ever see her again. Once the bond was complete, her thoughts would be of he – not some starved bloodsucker trapped in a dungeon.

The sound of the heavy basement door opening interrupted his musing and caused Riaghaire to frown. He’d already been fed; there was

no other reason for them to be down there.

Two sets of footsteps reached his ears, both of whom were lighter than that of the usual wolf who brought lunch. This was even more

confusing.

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As if by magic, Beatrice reappeared. Riaghaire couldn’t help but stare as she came into view, wearing a dress that looked to be made of

back straight, head high — and looked the part. It also told him exactly who her mate had pure silver. She held herself like a queen turned out to be, as only one person in a pack was allowed to dress in such a way. The Luna.

He took a quick sniff of the air, catching her scent easily enough, but something in it had changed. His eyes roamed over her as she ignored his existence while standing with her back to him. There, on her right shoulder; he could make out the mark that told the world she belonged to someone. The mark had subtly altered her scent, though it was no less desirable to the vampire.

It did make his blood boil, to know another had touched her – had branded her like cattle. She was now lost to him, the mate bond’s magic having altered her mind to love the one she’d previously sworn to make regret their actions.

He inhaled a second time and frowned. Why, then, did she smell of anger? Her fear was gone, though there was some anxiety laced in that intoxicating aroma of hers, but anger dominated all else.

Had the bond not yet taken effect? Was that even possible? And why had she returned?

“Five star accommodations, don’t you think?” She joked to the she wolf that had followed a few steps behind the human. “Comes with a great view, top of the line amenities, and so clean you can smell the disinfectant Take a nice, deep whiff of

She was showing this she wolf the dungeon? Why? It didn’t make sense.

Riaghaire frowned as he switched his attention from the female beast back to the human Her hands were clasped behind her back and he felt his eyes grow wide when he realised what she was holding.

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Chapter 31

In her hands was a heavy iron key. She held it as if she were signalling him to take it his cell? But… why?

that she wanted him to take it. Was it the key to

He was on his feet and at the bars before he could fully process what was happening. He reached out towards the human’s hands only for the she–wolf to react. “No!” she shouted, shoving Beatrice aside as if to protect her from the vampire.

Adapting quickly to the change, Riaghaire grabbed the front of the beast’s shirt the moment she was within range and pulled her to him so fast the bars shook when her body slammed into them. He adjusted his grip, switching his hand to her neck, before slamming her into

the bars five more times. When he finally released her, the she–wolf fell to the floor, bleeding and unconscious.

If only the bars were far enough apart he could feed from her without coming into contact with them. The smell of fresh blood aggravating his hunger, making him drool uncontrollably.

“Not quite what I’d planned,” the human sighed. She was sitting on the floor, seemingly unbothered by the fact her dress was now dir “Whatever.” She pushed herself back to her feet and stepped towards his cell.

There was no hesitation in Beatrice as she used the key, turning it until the clunk of the bolt told them both it was unlocked.

She opened the door and Riaghaire found himself standing directly in front of her, looking down into those mesmerizing green eyes. Fear had begun to mingle into her scent but it wasn’t anywhere near as powerful as the anger she’d been feeling moments ago.

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