Chapter 13
He was broken as it was, heart shattered, his usual domineering aura vanished.
Back in the human world, Kaela felt like she couldn't breathe.
"Just go," she told Edwin, her voice shaking. "Please… just go."
"But Kaela...."
"Go!"
He hesitated, pain flashing across his face.
Then he left, she might have asked for him to leave but he believed after what she witnessed she would choose him in due time.
The moment the door closed behind her, Kaela broke.
Everything came rushing out the fear, the confusion, the betrayal, Lila and Jade were already by her side as she explained through her tears, her words tumbling over each other.
"He lied to me… he's not… he's not human…"
Jade's face hardened. "That man is crazy."
Lila shook her head. "You need to stay away from him."
Kaela wiped her face, her chest aching. "I was so stupid…"
Minutes past as they tried to console her and get her emotions in check and then,
another knock sounded on the door it seemed as though the events of the night were barely over.
Sharp.
Sudden.
She froze.
"It's probably Edwin," she whispered. "Lila… just open it…"
Lila walked toward the door, hesitant this time.
She opened it and screamed.
Ryker stood there.
But not the Ryker Kaela knew.
Something darker surrounded him now, something dangerous and barely contained. His presence alone filled the room, suffocating, overwhelming.
Lila tried to shut the door.
It slammed open.
The force sent her stumbling back.
Jade rushed forward, but she too was thrown aside like nothing.
Kaela stood frozen.
Fear locked her in place.
Before she could move, the world shifted again.
The mansion was vast.
Silent.
Oppressive.
Kaela stood in the center of it, her breath uneven as she tried to process everything.
Ryker stood in front of her, his expression controlled now, but the tension in his body was unmistakable.
"I should have told you," he said quietly.
"I am a vampire."
The words no longer sounded impossible.
Just… painful.
"You lied to me," she said.
"I protected you."
"By hiding everything?"
"Yes."
Silence stretched between them.
Then he stepped closer.
"You are my mate."
Her heart skipped.
"I didn't want to lose you."
Kaela stared at him, her emotions clashing fear, anger, confusion… and something else she couldn't deny.
"…I'm scared," she admitted.
"I know."
"…But I don't want to leave you."
Something softened in his eyes.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
She took a step closer.
Then another.
Until she was right in front of him.
"…I trust you."
That was all it took.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, like letting go wasn't an option anymore.
For a moment
Everything felt still.
Safe.
But then
His gaze darkened.
Just slightly.
Something primal surfacing beneath the surface.
His eyes drifted to her neck.
The bond pulsed.
Stronger now.
Unavoidable.
He leaned down slowly.
And this time
He didn't stop, he let his emotions control him and sank his elongated fangs deep into her neck, and he licked every single drop of blood, trying to escape like it was some liquid gold and to him it was, the blood of his mate,his own.