BloodShare

“Why hasn’t Owen said anything to me about this ? Does he think that I can’t appreciate the situation ?” I could feel myself getting worked up and paused to take a few deep breaths in an attempt to stay calm . I looked over at Braeden who was sitting wordlessly in the chair across from me .

“I think he was trying to protect you . He probably thought that leaving you in the dark would remove you from the whole mess . But I think…” he hovered over the words . “I think he’s wrong . The best way for you to protect yourself is for you to know what you’re up against . I’m sorry for putting you in the middle of this . I shouldn’t be speaking to you but I wanted you to be on your guard . Don’t ever allow yourself to be alone with Damien or any other members outside this Pack . I know that Owen will be taking every precaution to make sure that you won’t be alone with them, but he can’t watch you twenty four hours a day .”

“I know .” I sighed . Then quietly to myself. “I know .” I had not expected to be the root of the problem . Actually I hadn’t expected to be involved at all . I now felt as though I was a tremendous burden to the Pack . Some part of me wished that Braeden had kept this business to himself . An awful sense of guilt had crept up my back and infested my mind, poking holes in the safety blanket that I had comfortably wrapped myself in . At least before I had somehow convinced myself that I wasn’t any trouble . After all, they must deal with this sort of thing all the time and, perhaps, even have a procedure that they follow . My mind had muddled its way to the conclusion that I wasn’t imposing on them any more than they were accustomed to . Now, however, it seemed that not only was I imposing on them a lot but my being there was a death sentence in itself ! I was desperately trying to cling onto anything stable and every time I got a grip something would throw me off . My situation was rapidly deteriorating along with my mind . I felt myself begin to spiral again and swallowed hard . I had to remain in control . I couldn’t lose focus now . I had steeled myself against my own confusion for so many years I felt that if I let even a little bit seep out that the rest would follow, drowning me in my own torment . I was biting down hard on my lip but I hadn’t noticed until I tasted the blood . I felt it dribble down my chin and pressed my fingertips against the flow .

“What is it ?” Braeden’s voice tipped with concern .

“Nothing, I just…” I pulled my hand away from my face and felt the blood surge from my lip . I clenched my hand shut and turned away from where he was sitting . He moved from the chair to the empty space on the bed next to me . His hands gently opened my fingers to reveal the fresh blood that lay upon them . He looked flustered for a moment, but then the look was gone and replacing it was a new, calm expression . He seemed beguiled by the red slick that streaked across my fingertips and, in a strange and unexpected way, so was I . It was the most basic of instincts; a sheer need for flesh . I felt my tongue involuntarily slide out of my mouth to sample the salty nectar that flowed from the cut in my lip . I was immediately rewarded with a rush of adrenaline . My mind was a fog as the room faded in and out around me, as though someone was dimming the lights in my head . Perhaps it was because the room around me didn’t matter anymore .

Braeden’s hand felt incredibly warm against mine and I prayed that he didn’t let go . The blood slowly dripped from my jaw onto my forearm where it trickled slowly towards my wrists . Braeden’s hand moved along underneath my arm, gliding softly to just below my elbow where his fingers firmly gripped me with an urgency I hadn’t felt before . Then, tentatively, he pulled my hand towards his face in an unfamiliar gesture . Some far corner of my mind cried out that I didn’t know what I was doing and shouted at me to come to my senses, but the thought was only fleeting and was quickly stubbed out by the intense burning that flared inside of me . The feeling became stronger, pushing me to explore this new opportunity .

I glanced over at Braeden. He had closed his eyes, as though he was savouring the sensation as much as I was . He was so close now, closer than I had ever felt to anyone . He parted his lips and lowered them to my blood covered fingers . I felt his hot breath first, then the softness of his mouth as he brushed against my skin . Then the wet of his tongue as it slid over my fingertips, catching every drop of blood that I had spilt . My senses were in a whirl as he ravaged what blood was left on myd, hd, his tongue investigating the spaces between my fingers where there might be some remnant left . My ears pounded with every beat of my heart, a heavy thudding that became louder and louder until it was all I could hear . I could hear my own voice, unnaturally pleading in its tone, asking him not to stop what he was doing , but I couldn’t remember actually thinking about saying the words .

I felt his mouth move to my wrist where he greedily lapped up the drops that lay scattered there . I threw back my head, arching my neck as the burning spread through my entire body, consuming me whole . I wasn’t in control anymore . Part of me realised that, but made no effort to change the situation . I knew what was coming as I felt him suck the last of the droplets from my arm . I tilted my head forward involuntarily to meet him as he brought his face up to mine . I saw the same look in his eyes that I felt inside of me and knew that neither one of us could have stopped - the craving was so complete .

I allowed whatever else was mine to slide into the back of my mind and be overwhelmed by this strange new creature that had awakened inside of me . Braeden leaned so close that I could taste the sweat on him . His lids were half closed as he rested his lips delicately against the corner of my mouth, lingering there as he tasted me . I was breathing shakily, the breath coming into my lungs in irregular bursts . It wasn’t happening fast enough . I wanted more . I wanted to press my lips against his, letting him swallow mouthfuls of me . I wanted to throw him against the bed and devour him, relishing the tang of his blood as my teeth pricked his skin . I wanted to claw at his chest, watch red spring from the slits I’d create, drink him until we were the one entity . What I wanted was shattered when Julian walked in the door .