(Chapter 15- Awakening)

“Paris really?!” I exclaimed.

“Really.” He stated.

I looked around at my surroundings as we stepped off the plane. I have always wanted to come to Paris. Chase is amazing to remember these things. I used to keep a model of the Eiffel Tower in my room.

“Thank you.” I squealed hugging him affectionately.

“You’re welcome” He smiled hugging me back. “After you have transformed and learned to control your cravings we will go explore the city.”

Oh yes I almost forgot about me changing what will the wedding stuff going on. To be honest I’m getting excited about it all. I will be glad when I am able to help protect everyone. I’m still a little sad about my human life that is coming to an end though. I probably only have a few hours left of it.

Chase ushered us to the car waiting for us and we got in. I wasn’t sure where we were going yet but I’m sure I will love it. The car drove further and further out of town until we were on a back road to nowhere.

“Chase where are we going?” I asked looking out the window in confusion.

“We are going to one of our family homes.” He smiled.

Before I was able to ask any more questions the car came to a stop. Chase gently grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the car. When I was out my eyes instantly went to the beautiful building that stood in front of me. It was mansion with lots of windows and a huge balcony on the top floor. There was also breath taking landscaping surrounding the building. Trees and flowers were everywhere, it was beautiful.

“Come on I’ll show you the place.” Chase said pulling me along eagerly.

I nodded and walked after him. When we stepped inside the house it was just a beautiful as the outside. Everything looked very expensive and the rooms were enormous. It was pretty much how I expected it to look. Chase showed me around the house and then led us up to our room. It was the, master bedroom with its own en suite bathroom. The room was nicely decorated, I could tell a lot of time and money went into to it all together.

“What should we do now?” I asked sitting down on the bed.

“I could think of a few things.” Chase smirked sexily.

Chase made his way to me and pushed me down on the bed gently. I put my hands around his neck and pulled him to me. His lips met mine hungrily as I deepened the kiss. Soon Chase and I were completely naked and under the sheets. I think you know what happened next.

*****

“Well that was fun.” I said breathlessly.

“Let do it again.” Chase smiled naughtily.

“Don’t think so Chase. Not everyone has the stamina you do.” I laughed.

“True.” He said wrapping me in his arms.

Chase and I laid there holding each other, just enjoying being in each other’s arms. You know if a month ago someone told me I would be married and in love with my best friend I would have called them crazy, but now I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I finally felt that this is where I belong. I just wish I would have seen it sooner.

“Are you ready?” Chase asked.

I instantly knew what he meant. I had been thinking the same thing to myself most of the day. Am I ready? Am I ready for my life to change completely? Am I ready and willing to give up my humanity? The more I thought about it I came to my decision.

“Yes if it means forever with you.” I answered truthfully.

Chase smiled and kissed the top of my head. It felt wonderful being in his warm embrace. The closeness of our bodies made me feel safe and loved. I never wanted this feeling to end. Unfortunately I knew it had to.

“Let’s go its time.” Chase said letting go of me and getting up to put his clothes on. I followed and got dressed too. Chase sensing how nervous I was grabbed my hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry; I will be by your side the whole time.”

“I know, thank you.” I smiled lightly.

After we were dressed Chase led us to a room in the basement. There were silver chains nailed to the wall and a table in the middle of the room. There were also chains on the table too. Just the sight before scared me. I turned and gave Chase a questioning look.

“The silver is to keep you from getting out and hurting someone. It keeps you bound until it’s removed.” He explained.

“Why would I need to be bound? Will I lose control?” I questioned my heart working overtime at the thought of it.

Chase got a pained look in his eyes as he took my hand between his. He looked like he was in physical pain as he spoke.

“The transformation is going to be very painful. You will be screaming in agony and trying to get up. The over whelming need for blood will eventually take over and you won’t be able to help but find the first human you come in contact with.” He said sadness floating into eyes as well as hurt.

I could sense that it was a painful memory for him so I didn’t ask any questions. I just nodded my head rubbed the back of his hand soothingly. Before long Chase let go of my hand put on a pair of gloves. He began to prepare the table for me. I could feel myself growing more nervous as the time passed. After the table was completely prepared he stood by patiently waiting for me to lay down.

I slowly forced myself to walk and lay down. Now that I knew what was to come it made me nervous. I need to remember why I was doing this. It was for the best. I was doing this to protect my friends, my family and humanity. I lay still as Chase snapped the silver around my ankles and wrists. The final touch was silver place around my neck. I wasn’t quite sure how this little bit of silver would keep a vampire restrained but I guess I will find out soon enough.

“Now I am going to have to give you my blood and I am going to have to take some of yours, just like I did before.” He stated.

Suddenly the images of the last time flash in my head. I winced at the thought of Chase being like that again. That’s a side of him I never wanted to see. I closed my eyes and nodded to Chase as I tried pushing those thoughts out of my head.

Chase bit his wrist and placed it over my mouth. I cautiously took in the blood dripping out of his wound. It was quite bitter but I had to force it down. Chase gave me a sad look as he moved my hair to place his lips on my neck. He placed a tiny kiss there before sinking his teeth in my flesh. It burned as he sucked the blood from my neck. My eyes closed as the pain in my neck started to intensify. Tears started seeping from my eyes uncontrollably. Chase pulled back long enough to warn me he had to take all my blood this time and went back to drinking.

As my body grew weaker the pain got worse. I felt like my body was on fire, burning from the inside out. I slowly started feeling myself slipping in and out of conciseness. Just before I was totally out, a cry of pain escaped my lips no longer able to hold back. With that I succumbed to the darkness.

Pain, pain and more pain. I thought once I was out that the pain would stop but it didn’t. My insides felt like they were on fire. As the pain burning its way through my body, I felt my life slipping away slowly. After hours on end of pain it finally started to die down. Now it was just a dull ache all over. I wasn’t quite sure how long I had been out but it was starting to feel better. I no longer felt the burning; instead it was replaced by empowerment and strength like I could lift a car or a house as if it was nothing.

***

I felt myself being able to take control of my body again. I was able to move my arms until I felt a burning at my wrist. I tried moving my legs and the same thing happened but at my ankles instead. The more I struggled the more the pain increased. As I was finally able to open my eyes I seen what was binding me, the silver. By it touching my skin it was causing a burning pain. Then I understood why the chains were necessary.

A thirst was growing in my throat rapidly as I fought to free myself. I screamed as I tried fighting off the pain and thirst. Just then I noticed Chase standing at the bottom of the table watching me painfully his face was contorted with misery. I had never been so happy to see him though.

“Chase oh thank God. Get me out of these things.” I cried desperately.

“I’m sorry I can’t until you are able to calm down.” He said dejectedly.

“How can I possibly calm down I’m chained in silver that’s eating at my flesh and I have this unbearable thirst.” I yelled.

“Just try or you will never be free.” He stated. “You can do it.” The encouragement in his voice made me feel a million times better.

I closed my eyes as I tried to steady my breathing. The more I concentrated on that, I manage to block out some of the pain. Suddenly I could feel Chase’s influence over me as he tried to help control my emotions. I was amazed at all the new things I was feeling. I instantly started to feel myself calm down. I opened my eyes and looked at Chase.

“How did you do that?” I asked surprised.

“I will teach you later once you have learned the basics.” He said.

Chase walked over to my side as he undid the chains holding me back. I picked up my wrist and rubbed them when the chains were removed. I was surprised to see how quickly I was healing. In a matter of seconds my skin was back to normal.

“Ready to hunt?” Chase asked.

“More than ready.” I smiled.

Chase took my hands and told me to follow him. He led us outside to an open field. I watched as he moved at lightning speed.

“This is what you will be learning to do in order to hunt.” He said. “Now I want you to race me. When you are running I want you to push yourself harder than you ever have before.”

I nodded and took off in a sprint. I was fast but not fast enough. I pushed myself a little harder as my speed increased. Suddenly I was hit by the sound of multiple heartbeats. Before I knew what I was doing I followed them.

“Ashlyn no!” Chase screamed behind me. I didn’t listen as I made my way to the people faster.

When I came into view I saw a bunch of guys sitting around a lake fishing, they were all talking and laughing without a care in the world. I noticed off to the side in the distance away from everyone was a guy about 20 or so walking through the woods alone. I instantly took off in my vampire speed after him before anyone noticed me.

I quickly attacked him and threw him to the ground before sinking my teeth in him. As the blood entered my mouth my thirst took over. The blood pouring in my mouth was better than anything I have ever tasted before in my life. I suddenly found myself unable to stop. Finally the man stopped struggling beneath me making it easier for me.

“Ashlyn stop or you’ll kill him.” Chase said.

I just ignored him and kept on drinking. It was so good I didn’t feel I had the will power to stop. Before I was even done with him I was thinking about my next victim.

“Ashlyn this isn’t you stop. You’re not a killer. Listen to his heartbeat its fading fast he will be dead in a matter of minutes.” Chase pleaded.

He words rang in my head making me stop. He was right I’m not a killer and yet I almost killed this poor guy. Tears streamed down my face as I realized what I had done. Before I knew it I was sobbing loudly. Chase walked over to me and pulled me away from the man before hovering back over him. He slapped him on the face a few times to get him to wake up but he didn’t move. Chase bit his wrist and put it in the man’s mouth. After a few seconds the man started moving again. As he opened his eyes he screamed but Chase quickly shut him up before compelling him to forget what just happened.

“Chris where did you go? Are you alright?” Some called in the distance.

Chase grabbed my hand before we ran in our vampire speed back to the mansion. Once we were inside Chase looked at me worried.

“You have to be careful Ashlyn. Another slip up like that and we could have been found out.” He scolded.

“I know I’m sorry. This is just all so new to me. I didn’t mean to lose control.” I said sobbing like mad.

Chase sighed and pulled me into his arms letting me cry it out.

“I know I’m sorry for jumping on you. I know how hard it can be.” He said sympathetically.

For the first time since becoming a vampire I started to feel the connection between Chase and me. It was like this need to constantly be around him and to love him. I suppose I didn’t feel it before because I was being controlled by my thirst but now I can.

I lifted my head from Chase’s chest and place my lips on his. He kissed me back anxiously before picking me up and running to the bedroom. He threw me on the bed and jumped on top of me. We ripped our clothes off faster than I ever seen it done. Once we were under the sheets we made love for the second time today it is was way better than I could have ever imagined it.

****

“Wow.” Was all I could say.

“Yeah that was pretty amazing.” Chase said Breathlessly.

Chase and I laid there in an embrace before kissing again. I don’t know if this was a vampire thing or soul mate thing but I knew one thing, my sex drive was through the roof. Before we could go for a second round a thought entered my mind. I didn’t know what my gift was yet.

“Chase why don’t I have a gift?” I questioned.

“You do but it can take up to a week before it comes in.” He explained.

“Oh” was all I said before picking up where we left off. I think being a vampire is going to be fun!