Belinda woke in the bedroom of the cabin that she had spent a lot of nights in. Remembering what had happened, her hand went to her face to not feel any pain. She rose to her feet and stood in front of the full-length mirror beside the walk-in closet.

"You're awake," Aurora said, entering the room and hurrying to her side to engulf her in a comforting embrace. "Fane fed you a couple of droplets of his blood." She hugged her tighter. "You got to stop scaring me like this."

She didn't remember him doing such a thing. "Where is Skylar?" Belinda asked. "Please tell me she's alright."

"When the men found you, Silas says she was barely hanging on, so Fane had to feed her his blood. If it wasn't for him, she'd be dead, and you'd probably still be unconscious with bruises and cuts on your face" Her voice quavered, the turmoil within threatening to spill over.

"Calm down," she said, clasping her friend's face in her hands. "We're fine."

"I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you both. You're like sisters to me."

"This was my fault—"

Aurora shook her head. "This wasn't—"

"Yes, it was." She pulled away from her friend. "I continued speaking with Fane even after the warning I received."

A knock on the door prompted Aurora to open it. Silas glanced at Belinda, concern evident in his eyes before stepping aside for Skylar to enter the room. "If either of you needs anything, Fane and I will be downstairs."

Belinda hugged Skylar. "I'm sorry—I should have listened to—"

"Nonsense," Skylar said. "The only here to blame is our enemy."

"I need to shower," Belinda said, not wanting to continue wearing the dress coated with crimson, a reminder of what had happened. Even if she managed to get the blood out, she doubted she could ever wear it again, despite being one of her favorite friend's creations.

"I'd like to shower, too."

Once they both showered and rid themselves of the horrible reminders clinging to their skin of the attack, Belinda stood in front of the full-length mirror, brushing her hair. She moved the bangs out of the way to stare at the small mark on her forehead. "How did Fane find us?"

Aurora sat on the footboard of the bed. "Your bond alerted him."

Skylar put on the blouse Belinda gave her. Since she spent most of her weekends in the cabin, Belinda had brought half her wardrobe. "Aurora, who was the wolf who saved me?"

Aurora smiled. "That's Niko. Silas' alpha."

"An alpha?"

"Well, he's the prince of the wolves."

"W—What?" She chortled. "Oh, my. I healed by the time he brought me here—You know I love dogs, so I patted him, and he didn't like it at all. I could have sworn he looked insulted."

Aurora guffawed. "You patted Niko?"

"Hey, at least I stopped myself from saying, 'Good boy'." Their laughter filled Belinda's heart with joy. "When I see a dog, you know I automatically want to pet them."

"That's not a giant dog, Skylar. That was a werewolf." Aurora struggled to contain her laughter. "I would have loved to see his reaction to being patted."

Once she'd brushed her blond curls, Belinda grabbed the clothes on the bed beside Aurora. She put on the blouse and pants right before the door opened. Aurora rose to her feet and tossed the pillow at Silas as he entered the bedroom. "You wolves and the not knocking."

Silas chuckled. "I thought you would be finished by now."

Aurora propped her hands on her hips. "It doesn't matter. Always knock before entering someone's room. What did you want, anyway?"

He hesitated for a moment before raising his hand for everyone to see the small dagger. "After what happened, Fane refuses to come feed from you, but we all know he needs your blood." He paused, his eyes meeting hers. "A vampire who hasn't quenched their thirst, it's a vulnerable one."

"Is that why he hasn't come to check on her?" asked Aurora.

"Why didn't he feed when he visited me in the morning?" Belinda asked. "Silas, you're not telling me everything."

"He was supposed to but since you had plans, he decided to just wait until tomorrow—He shouldn't even have waited this long."

"Tell him to come up." Her friends looked at her, astonished. "I'm alive, thanks to him. Please, tell him I'll feed him from the vein."

Silas shook his head. "I can't allow that, knowing how famished he is. Once he starts to feed, there's a chance he won't be able to stop."

"Fine." Belinda stepped closer to him, noting the glass cup in his other hand. She took the dagger from him and hesitated, the cold blade against her palm. Finally, she found the will to pull it across, biting her lip at the pain. Once enough blood filled the small cup, she held a hand over the cut after returning the dagger to him. "That should be enough to ease his vampiric bloodlust for him not to suck me dry when he feeds from the vein, right?"

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Yes."

"Okay, then tell him I'll be waiting for him." Silas took her hand in his after setting the cup and dagger on the nightstand beside the queen-sized bed. He glanced at Aurora, and when she nodded, he pulled Belinda's wrist to his lips so he could run his tongue over her wound. Within seconds, it healed.

"Thanks."

"No problem," he said before heading out the door.

Belinda glanced at Aurora, and she shrugged. "Wolfish ways. Their saliva has healing capabilities. Of course, it can't heal all wounds, just surface-level ones."

"Did you call your mother?" Belinda asked.

"Yeah," Skylar answered. "I should have known something was odd when she didn't eat anything I made for her, or when she didn't have her coffee in the morning." She let out a soft chuckle. "My mother would never forget about her caffeine to fuel her for the day. I'm glad she's okay and away from here."

"You both should get some rest. I'm sure you'll be spending the night here," Aurora said.

"Wait—I'm not staying."

"I also can't stay," Belinda said. "I have to let my parents know I'm fine."

"I doubt Fane will let you leave after what happened."

"He can't keep me locked up in this cabin." She moved to head downstairs, but Aurora seized her forearm.

"It would only be until this madness passes."

"I understand that he's concerned for my safety but..." She couldn't leave her home without saying goodbye to her parents.

Without another word, she headed downstairs, where a young woman attacked her with a bone-crushing hug. "Oh, wow! You're as gorgeous as the rumors claim." She hugged her once more, then headed into the kitchen. "Sorry, the name is Harper." Her smile broadened. "Fane and Silas will be back soon."

"Can you take us back home?" Skylar asked.

"Us?"

"I'd like to go back as well," Belinda said, which gained her a credulous stare from Harper.

"It wouldn't be wise for you to return to that town. If those lost got through the barrier, it means it's no longer safe there for you. The magic is wearing off."

"Why would that happen?" asked Belinda.

"Honestly, we're still working on figuring that out. It's not like the humans have broken their side of the alliance agreed upon long ago."

"I'm not staying here," Skylar said. "I don't care if the force field is weakening. Those I love are in that town." When Harper remained silent, Skylar headed toward the door. "Either you take me, or I'll find a way there myself."

Belinda moved to follow Skylar, but they halted when the front door opened. Silas entered the cabin, bags in hand. He headed into the kitchen and placed them on the counter. His eyes narrowed at the silence that hung in the air. "What's going on?"

Fane strolled inside, speaking to someone on his cell phone as he handed another bag to Harper.

"I'll prepare us something delicious to eat."

"Aurora and I are leaving."

Pin-drop silence.

"Fane, I agreed to be your blood source, but you can't ask me to hide here while my parents and friends are in the town. Maybe it's a fool's move, but I want to return home. I'll stay within the barrier limits, no matter what I see or hear."

"That guarantees me nothing. The magic protecting your town is weakening."

"How can you expect me to stay here while those I love are in the town?" She paused, holding his gaze. "I could have avoided all this if I stayed away from you. I wasn't bound to sign that contract, was I?"

"No, but even then, the mark would have still appeared. My enemies would have eventually found out about you. In the end, it would have changed nothing."

She attempted to tighten her grasp on the bits of control she had left. "I can't be at ease here, knowing everyone I care for is in danger. If I hide here, nothing guarantees your enemy won't target them to draw me out."

Fane remained silent. When she moved toward the door, he bridged the distance and seized her arm. The moment their skins came into contact, a wave of electricity flowed through her veins. His eyes flickered from silver to crimson, his hold on her arm tightening. The sensations amplified; each wave stronger than the previous one. He parted his lips, revealing double fangs, and to her surprise, she craved to have him sink them into her neck.

"Alright, you two need to relax," Silas said.

Harper hadn't moved from the spot in the kitchen. "I'm glad I'm no werewolf."

Silas chuckled, resting his hand on Fane, who still held her forearm. "Fane, relax. I know this is new to you, but you need to focus."

Belinda jerked her arm out of his hold, noting her naked wrist. She must have left her bangle in the bathroom when she showered earlier. Without a word, she returned to her bedroom and found it on the sink in the bathroom beside the ring and necklace Fane gave her. She put on the necklace and ring before returning to the bedroom to find Fane waiting for her.

"Who gifted you that?" he asked.

She fidgeted with the bangle in her hands. "Why does that matter? This was gifted to me for protection from your abilities and if I recall correctly, you tried twice to compel me."

He stepped closer and took the bangle from her hands, tossing it onto the bed. For the longest, they held each other's gaze in utter silence. He could probably hear her wild heartbeat. His eyes darkened to a deep ruby color as he moved his hand to cup her face, sparking electricity through her. When he took a step forward, she took one back until her back pressed up against the wall.

She couldn't have fallen this hard for him.

The heat building up within her made her lightheaded. Fane didn't help when he moved even closer and lowered his face to her neck, brushing his parted lips over the tender skin. Not once before had she desired the bite with such intensity.

"What are you waiting for?" Her voice quavered as she spoke. "Feed."

He bit down, and she almost lost her mind at the divine sensations that exploded within her. As he fed from her, one of his hands rested on her hip, giving it a soft squeeze. After he retracted his fangs, he brushed them up her neck before pulling back to meet her gaze.

Her mother's words looped in her head.

Fane's eyes lingered on her lips as he cradled her face in his hand. He lowered his face to her level, but before their lips touched, she turned her head. He leaned his forehead on her temple, his hand moving to fist in her curls.

"Stop using your ability on me." Her voice revealed that instead of anger, she felt hurt that he had broken his promise.

He pulled on her hair, forcing her to meet his gaze. "This is the result of you using that bangle. It kept the effects of our bond hidden." His free hand snaked around her waist and drew her closer to him. "If you wouldn't have worn it, as our attraction grew, we would have had time to grow accustomed to its effects. This is the result of our bond hitting us at its full force." He brushed a finger along the curve of her bottom lip. As he moved his face closer to hers again, she parted her lips, desperate to bridge the centimeters left for their mouths to touch.

"Sorry to interrupt," Silas said, but Fane didn't step back. "Your mother wishes to see you, Fane."

His brows furrowed as he stepped back. "Did she say why?"

"No, but I might have an idea." He started to speak in a language Belinda didn't understand.

Fane held her gaze for a moment before looking away. "I'll take my chances." Without another word, he left the room. Silas hesitated before following suit.

Belinda rushed to the bed and picked up the bangle, putting it back on as Aurora entered the bedroom. "What's going on?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She propped her hands on her hips. "If you want to leave, Fane can't stand in your way, even if he is your soulmate. His mother came to visit and is downstairs. I wasn't going to say anything, but vampires don't make their rooms soundproof, so she heard everything. They all did, including the part you said he used his compulsion on you, which is a big no-no."

"Why can't they understand my point of view? I don't want to leave my parents alone to deal with this lunatic's wrath because he can't get to me."

"And Fane wants to keep you safe," Aurora said. "I can understand where both of you are coming from."

Frustrated, she sat down on the bed. "I know." She fidgeted with her bracelet. "But if anything happens to my parents or our friends, the guilt will kill me."

Aurora hugged her.

"What you said was correct."

"I'm always right... But what exactly was it I said?" They laughed.

"About the bond. I felt it and it feels amazing, but I feel like it could also blind my judgment. I like him a lot."

Aurora chortled, gesturing to her ears. "Vampire bionic ears, remember?"

She shouldn't have said anything. "Well, too late now."

"So, are you going to stay? I can move in to keep you company when Fane's busy with prince duties."

"I doubt Silas would like that."

"You're like a sister to me, so I'm sure he'll understand."

"Are you thinking of staying with him?"

Her cheeks turned rosy. "Well, last night I caved, and we had sex." She covered her face with her hands. "That man is fucking irresistible, and I hate it—who am I kidding? I love everything about him." The happiness on her friend's face eased some of the worry threatening to weigh her down. "And he's amazing in bed, too." When Belinda gestured to her ears, Aurora let out a nervous chuckle. "I shouldn't have said all that."

Skylar entered the bedroom. "Fane's mother is taking us back home."

"She is?" Aurora asked. "Belinda, please really think this over."

——————

The moment Belinda entered her home, her mother greeted her with a bone-crushing hug. "I was so worried I'd never see you again."

Belinda tightened her hold around her mother. "They lured us out into the woods... Mom—"

"It's alright, darlin'." Her mother cupped her face and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Charlotte informed us of what happened." Belinda's gaze shifted to where Charlotte waited by the porch steps. "I know you're concerned for us, but your father and I will be alright."

"But the barrier is weakening."

"I have someone already working on strengthening them," Charlotte said.

"Then I can stay if I want to?" Belinda asked.

"Always remember, you are not chained to my son. It does not matter if our goddess chose you to be his eternal soulmate, you always have the free will to walk away. Even if I disagree, I will respect your decision, and so will Fane." She paused. "However, you did sign a contract and must do as it states."

"How can I even give birth to two children within two years?"

Charlotte's smile broadened. "The baby within you will be a vampire, so the pregnancy will be shorter than that of a human. Three months exactly."

"Will I be able to visit them?"

"Of course."

Belinda fidgeted with the bangle which caught Charlotte's eyes.

"Who gave you that?"

"I did," her mother answered.

"Have you lost your mind? That—"

"Protects my child from any sort of compulsion."

Charlotte's eyes flashed crimson. "Bonds are not meant to be shadowed. You are lucky my son even saved her tonight. That could have sealed her death."

"What do you mean?" Belinda asked.

"That protects you from any supernatural using their abilities on you, but it also shadows your connection to Fane, so tonight..." She gestured to her chest. "His heart did not react to you being in danger." She sighed. "He lied to me when he said he had. He knew I would be displeased knowing you wear such an artifact of a slayer."

"Slayers are a myth," Belinda said. "Aren't they?" She had been told the stories since she was a child of the slayers who fought the supernaturals who went rogue long ago to protect humans from extinction. For the longest, she had thought of them as nothing but stories. "Where did you get this mom?"

"Are you one of them?" asked Charlotte, hatred laced in her tone.

"No."

Charlotte visibly relaxed, probably having listened to her mother's heartbeat to confirm if what she said was the truth. "Then how did you come into possession of the artifact?"

"I bought it in a small shop in town.

"In a small shop? Normally, the artifacts sold by humans are fake. How did you know this would work?"

"I didn't, but it was worth a shot."

Belinda caught her father heading toward their home from the corner of her eye, and she rushed to him. When he hugged her, as always, all worries seemed to vanish, and she felt at ease and safe. "I'm sorry for not calling to let y'all know I was fine, but since the plan had been to just spend the day at Skylar's home, I left my cellphone at home."

"It's okay. I'm just glad you're safe." His gaze shifted to Charlotte, and Belinda could see the mistrust in his eyes. "Thank you for bringing her back."

"Dad, I didn't come to stay."

"Did you make this decision or—"

"No one is forcing me to live with him," she said. "I came to get my stuff and say goodbye."

"Not goodbye. Once this madness is over, you'll be able to come visit as much as you like."

He pulled her into another hug, this time hesitating to let her go.

"You can visit her anytime you desire," Charlotte said. "Whenever you wish to, I can have someone come take you to see her."

Once she had packed everything she needed, Charlotte accompanied her to see her friends before returning to the cabin. When she had informed everyone she was heading home, they probably expected her to stay. She hadn't been certain she would, but now she understood why the chosen ones didn't return to town. It would lead to enemies following their trail right to those they loved.

"I'm going to miss you," Skylar said.

"I'm going to miss you, too."

Ezra joined them, and Belinda hesitated to pull away.

Zeref stopped by the tulips in front of the yard. "It's done."

"What's going on?" asked Skylar.

"Zeref has wiped any trace of Belinda within the town. I still suggest you live in the cabin—"

"Sorry, but I'd rather stay here. If I ever feel unsafe, I'll head to his house."

Charlotte glanced at Ezra and confusion twisted her features before she recollected herself. "We should head back."

Belinda gave her friends one last hug before following Charlotte and Zeref into the woods. As they strolled through the forest toward one of many portals scattered around the world, Belinda sighed, the serene forest somehow managing to ease the tension in her muscles. Since she was a child, whenever she was upset, a run through the woods always seemed to help. Sitting under a tree and enjoying the calmness of the forest offered had been something she loved to do, but it would be a while before she could do such a mundane thing without the fear of some crazed vampire attacking her.