Chapter 3

Nadia’s eyes open slowly, greeted by a flame lit ceiling. A sharp pain emanated from her legs to her brain to signal the injury.

She groaned in response and reached up to her eyes rub them gently.

Did someone come to save her? Dakota?

She longed to be back in the shadow pack. Back to safety and comfort under Dakota’s wing. The outer boundaries were not her kind of liking.

With a short push against the bed rails, she lifted herself up to a sitting position. Her nose filled with a fiery scent that sent a jolt of shivers through her body. It was familiar and then she realized that she wasn’t in a place she knew well.

She didn’t recognize anything in this room. The drapes across the tall windows were a dark burgundy color laced with a black outline and the walls were made of stone. It trapped a cold temperature and Nadia instantly covered herself even with a fireplace next to her.

She then remembered that she shifted so how did she get clothes?

Another groan escaped her lips from the pain of her legs. She attempted to move them and get out of there but she was too weak.

“Don’t move.” A husky voice emerged from the corner. His eyes lit up and his figure was finally revealed.

Nadia could feel her stomach turn in knots and her heart flutter. The feeling from before came flooding back but she wanted nothing to do with it.

Stop it. She thought to herself.

The figure stood a measurable distance from her, fidgeting in a way that would seem he was feeling just as uncomfortable as she was.

“Who are you?” Nadia finally asked.

As reluctant as he was, he answered. “Damon.” He breathed, searching for her response.

She didn’t say anything, instead, she eyes the doorway then the windows. This vampire had her hostage.

The man shuffled his foot. “This is the part where you introduce yourself as well.” His Romanian accent excites her to her core, but she quickly shakes her head.

“I’m nobody.” She replied and he gave her a smirked look.

“You aren’t though.” He eyed her softly before locking gaze with each other. For a moment, both of their hearts picked up in pace but the man quickly stepped back and averted his attention.

“You’re some kind of demon.” He hissed.

Before Nadia could get a word out, the door swung open with such force that a breeze blew the strands of auburn hair away from her face.

Another creature came tumbling in, eyes wide open at her and a smile on her face.

“Well we’ll.” She heaved. “Having a party without me hm?” She went over to Damon who looked quite flustered.

She then went to Nadia and ripped the sheets away.

“No!” Nadia pleaded, trying to pull them back but her legs made her groan in pain.

“Go away you pest.” Damon sneered, stepping forward but the woman held up a finger.

“I’m the healer, remember?” She clicked her tongue then smiled once more. Her hands wrapped around Nadia’s injured legs but the touch made her cry out.

“Stop it!” Damon snarled and ripped the woman away from Nadia. “No more.” He spoke through gritted teeth.

The woman frowned. “Give her your blood then. That will heal her.” She pouted then trudged out of the room.

Nadia widened her eyes as the man came closer to her. He lifted his own wrist to his mouth and chomped down. The sound of breaking skin sent a cringing shiver down her spine.

Blood pooled from the prick and Damon offered her his wrist. Nadia instantly shook her head.

“You’re delusional.” She retorted.

Damon furrowed his brows. “Vampire blood heals little wolf.” He urged his wrist forward for her to take.

“I’m not drinking that.” She pursed her lips.

Simultaneously, Damon reared his arm around her neck to hold her in place. The sudden movement shocked Nadia and she beat on his arm with her fists to free herself but it did not phase him.

He shoveled his bleeding wrist into her mouth and the warm liquid seeped into her bloodstream. Damon let her go and Nadia furiously got up and shoved her hands against his chest with such force that he actually stumbled backwards.

He gave her another smirk then peered down at her legs which were completely healed.

Nadia was about to go for another blow when she realized she stood up. Her eyes trailed down to her legs that were fully functionally and well.

“But ho-“ He cuts her off.

“Vampire blood heals.” He repeated, sounding annoyed.

Nadia stepped back. “Th-thank you..” she breathed out softly.

Coming back to reality, Nadia began to head for the door but the man blocked her path.

“I need to get home to my pack.” She frowned at him.

Damon tilted his head, still yearning to know what this desire for her is.

“Hello?” She decided to shovel past him but his hands gripped her arms, pushing her back against the stone wall of the room.

The interaction made Nadia tense but his touch makes her grimace. She didn’t understand. Their eyes locked gaze for mere moments before he spoke.

“You..called me your mate.” His eyes then trailed to the plump parts of her lips. They quiver but he couldn’t help himself but to know more.

“What does that mean?” He presses.

Nadia blinked her eyes, befuddled by his question. Her instinctual actions did claim him as her mate, but why?

“I don’t know.” Is the only thing that came out of her mouth.

“You have a hold on me..what are you? A witch?” His grip tightens, forcing Nadia to grimace but he quickly loosens them when he realizes her expressions are pained.

Nadia didn’t know what to say. She had no intentions of mating or mating with this..vampire.

Mine..mate..her inner canine belted, howling with joy that they were this close.

His breath fanned her cheek and the mutual emotions filled their bodies. Damon did something that he didn’t realize he’d do.

Nadia felt cold, wet lips press against hers. The spark was exhilarating. The rough stubble on his face scratched her skin in a pleasuring way and at first it was a hardened kiss, unyielding. Nadia’s brain shut down entirely as her inner coyote leaped in joy and she succumbed to the emotions she felt the day before.

His lips softened, releasing the grip of her arms and placing hands on either side of her face against the brick wall. He could feel everything coursing through her body from her head to her toes. The veins pumping with blood and the beating of her heart sent him into euphoria. He wanted to have a taste.

The lip lock broke and the two breathed heavily. Damon’s eyes were no longer red, but black in color. His face was expressionless as he leaned in to nestle his jaw into her neckline. Inhaling her scent slowly sent his mind reeling with desire.

Nadia immediately attempted to push him away after the kiss. What did she just do? Kissed a vampire that’s what!

He’s our mate.. her inner coyote whined.

The consistent pushing didn’t budge the vampire pinned against her. The blackened iris began to scare her but it was when fangs revealed that she squealed entirely.

“Get off me!” She growled, ready to shift again.

Damon then held her against the wall by her shoulders, ignoring her pleas. His face inched closer to the nape of her neck, then in an instant Nadia felt a burning sensation fill her body.

His fangs found her flesh and pierced into it, the soft warmth giving way like a ripe melon, filling his mouth with thick, delicious blood. She shuddered in his grasp as he drew deep, gulping mouthful after mouthful, reveling in the strength and life that filled his veins, jolted his limbs, granted him his semblance of life.

Her body grew limp as his strong arms supported more of her weight. He could pick up the traces of her desire and satiation in her sweat; taste the endorphins in her blood but that quickly faded when he sensed a faint heart beat.

His eyes shifted back to a crimson hue, realizing what he had done, her body fell completely limp in his arms. A ripple of rage emerged from his throat and he quickly left the room with her in tow.