Page 136

He leaned over and set the knife down before covering her again and looking down at her. Thunder rumbled outside, the first she had noticed since they began their carnal embrace.

“It’s time,” he said, his voice trembling despite the serious and composed facial expression he held. He stared down at her as his blood ran from his wound down his chest.

Blaire’s heart pounded in her ears like the beat of hundreds of tribal drums.

“I’m scared…” she whispered

He reached down to caress her face. “Please don’t fear me… I’d rather die than hurt you. I promise I’ll stop.”

She trusted him. She needed him. Needed this. She still didn’t relish the idea of drinking blood or having her blood taken, but if it would cement them together as one, then she was ready. He would take care of her.

Lukas hovered over her, placing his hands on each side of her head again, his forearms straining.

“I love you, Blaire… I can’t live without you, and I won’t let you go,” he whispered.

He claimed her lips in an agonizingly slow kiss, rocking his body inside her again. As the ache built again, sensations clawing for release, he moved over to her neck, dragging his fangs down the side to the soft flesh at the corresponding spot to where he cut himself.

“Please…” he whispered, his voice raspy, straining for control.

Blaire slowly tilted her head. “I’m yours, Lukas,” she whispered.

It was true, she was his, but he belonged to her, needed her as much as she needed him, and that knowledge made all the difference.

Lukas shuddered and growled before burying his fangs deep into Blaire’s skin as she cried out, her body trembling in his arms as pleasure like she hadn’t known before rolled through her. The bite wasn’t painful at all, instead, only bliss.

He pulled away from her neck enough to snarl, “Now!” before returning to drinking from her as she clung to him.

Without giving herself time to second guess the move, Blaire placed her mouth over the open knife wound and licked it once. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she drew lightly at the wound. The taste was anything but revolting. It was extremely intoxicating, better than that sweet drink she had at Haven. She had no idea why she waited so long. Was this what they meant by the blood of your pair was addictive? She was a human, and even she could see herself becoming enthralled by the taste.

Blaire started to suck on the wound more greedily and again felt that familiar wave cresting low in her stomach. Lukas groaned into her neck, no longer drinking from her as he pounded into her body, his movements becoming jerky as he lost his control.

When she fell over the edge finally, she broke away from sucking on Lukas’s skin and threw her head back, shouting his name, his blood running from her mouth, as Lukas snapped his hips a few final times before letting go, his body convulsing over hers with grunts of satisfaction.

They stayed locked together, their heavy breathing the only sound in the room before Lukas slowly extracted himself from her body. He left the bed to remove the used condom and dispose of it before coming back to her arms. Collapsing beside her, he pulled her to his chest and kissed the top of her head.

“I love you so much… Gods, I love you,” Lukas whispered.

Blaire put her head to his heart and laughed in embarrassment. “This was way better than any of the dreams I’ve had.” Laughing at his confused expression, she leaned in and gently kissed him before whispering over his lips, “I love you… I’ve loved you for a while now, but I’ve just been too afraid of what it meant for my future. But I couldn’t run from you in my dreams.”

38

CLAIMED

The next morning, Lukas and Blaire walked into the cafeteria together for breakfast, meeting up with everyone. Lukas felt exhausted, but he welcomed it. It was the first time the exhaustion that gripped his body was for something good.

Riley squealed immediately when she saw Blaire.

“What’s wrong?” Blaire said, taking a step back in surprise.

Jumping up and down, Riley pointed at Blaire’s neck, clearly visible since she had worn her hair in a ponytail. The mark stood out clear and crisp, like a new black tattoo.

Blaire blushed and put her hand over the mark. Lukas wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they took their seats.

He was so happy he couldn’t even put it into words. She was his officially. She had told him she loved him, and he knew she accepted him for what he was. Now their mark told the world.

“That’s amazing, man. I’m happy for you both.” Aiden smiled at them. It was genuine.

Lukas knew Aiden was attracted to Blaire still, but his best friend wouldn’t try anything, and neither would Blaire. He trusted them both.