(Chapter 8- Bonded)

Today I decided to stay in the room again. Chase hadn’t bothered me in two days and I was quickly growing board. The only reason I was spending my days inside this room was to avoid seeing him again. I really didn’t feel like having another fight with Chase so keeping my distance today might be the best idea. I think some time apart would do us a world of good and it had. I’m not quite as frustrated with him as I had been since I’ve not seen him much.

After finally coming to terms with the fact I was never going to go home and never going to get to see my mom and dad or any of my friends again I cried for most of the nights I was here until I fell asleep. I was up until after two A.M thinking over my options and a single thought stood out in my mind, you never know what you have until it’s gone. That couldn’t have been more true than it is right now.

 “Can I bring you anything else?” Maria asked kindly.

Maria was the maid and was responsible for cleaning the rooms and taking care of the rest of the place. She was the only person I felt comfortable talking to right now even though I didn’t know her well.  She’s actually the only vampire I like right now seeing as I refused to speak to Chase and hadn’t seen his family since we had arrived. I wondered what he told them?

Since I chose to spend my days alone I had learned a few things from Maris. One of them I found out that there are only vampire servants here since they have to keep their existence a secret from the humans. I found that interesting.

“I’m fine I still have the magazines you brought me earlier.” I replied.

“Okay then, I will bring up some food in a couple of hours.” She gave me a sad smile. I knew she felt awful for me but I didn’t want to be reminded of it so I looked away from her running my hands through my hair to distract myself as an awkward silence filled the room.

Maria gathered her things and left the room leaving me alone once again. My thoughts wondered to the outdoors and I tried to picture what the sun looked like. Not that I forgot but if I concentrated hard enough I might be able to pretend I’m outside somewhere instead of here.

I sighed and went for another magazine. I flipped through it not really looking at anything specific. It was the same old thing as the other magazines. Celebrities with their kids, who is dating who and most of all who got a DUI or was in rehab last.

I looked up from the pages when I heard my door being opened. Maria must have forgotten to lock it back. I preferred it to stay that way. I felt my rage I thought was gone resurfacing when I had seen who it was.

“So I see you finally decided to come see me after three days of captivity.” I said bitterly looking back to my magazine intent on looking uninterested in his presence. I don’t know why I was so upset though. That is exactly what I wanted. Maybe it was the fact I expected him to go against my wished and see me anyway.

“I was giving you, your space. I thought you might want some after our last conversation.” He stated. Damn strait. I kept looking at my magazine not bothering to reply. I really didn’t have anything to say to him. I had said everything I needed to before.

“I just came to see if you wanted to explore the outside of the palace and get some sun. I know how much you like being outdoors.”

I perked up at that. I guess I could use some time out now since my plans of avoiding him were now out the window.

“I might.” I shrugged. I didn’t want him to know how happy I was about it. He doesn’t get to see happy Ashlyn anymore.

“I thought I might show you around.” He added.

Then that was the ultimate let down. I can’t even go alone?

“You’re going? Um…. never mind I don’t want to go.” I stated.

“Ashlyn, come on I know you want to go. Quit being so stubborn already.” He said rather harshly.

“No.” I got up off the bed and went to the window to lookout.

“Is this how you are going to be from now on?” He questioned obviously annoyed by my attitude.

“It depends on how you are going to be from now on. The Chase that was my best friend or the Chase the jerk” I retorted.

Before I knew it I was forcefully being held against the wall by Chase taking me by surprise. I was shocked at how fast we got here. He looked furious at me but I didn’t care because if he didn’t care how I felt then I don’t care how he feels either.

He was getting dangerously close to my face and our noses were almost touching. I tried to back away but I had nowhere to go. I was trapped.

“Ashlyn I’m really trying here but you are making it very difficult for me.” He stated. “Don’t you know not to ever make a vampire angry?”

“Don’t you know not to make me angry?” I shot back.

He looked at me more fiercely than before and spoke. “Look we are going to be together whether you like it or not so don’t you think we should at least try to get along?”

“Do you hear yourself Chase? You can’t order someone to be with you it doesn’t work like that. You have to earn their trust and show them you care and love them and hope they feel the same way about you. It takes time.” I shouted.

His face softened a little as he backed away putting some distance between us which was glad for. I hate having my personal space violated.

“Well I think with some time and effort you could feel that way.” He said.

“I don’t think so Chase. I admit I used to have some feelings for you at one point but not anymore. I don’t know if I can forgive you for all you have done. You have taken everything away from me.” I explained.

“I did it for us. I couldn’t stay back at home because of my duty here and I had to be with you. You are my soul mate. If a vampire doesn’t have their soul mate close by they can’t concentrate on anything else and they eventually go mad. They can’t rest until they have found them and have them close.” He said.

I felt bad for him I really did but the fact he dragged me into trumped everything I tried to feel for him. If he didn’t understand that now then he was never going to. There was no point in arguing about it anymore. More than anything I just want to be left alone. I moved around him so I could get away but once again I was pushed back up onto the wall forcefully. Tingles shot all through my body catching me by surprise. Did he do that?

“Don’t you feel anything between us at all?” He questioned with all seriousness in his voice.

I swallowed hard not sure of what to tell him. “No?”

“Why don’t we try to start something and see where it goes?”

I started to argue with him but before I could his lips came crashing down on to mine. There was a sense of urgency in the kiss as he kept trying to get me to respond. I put both of my hands on his chest and tried to push him away with all of my might but he didn’t even move an inch. Man was this boy strong. The harder I fought him the more he seemed to tighten his grip on me and enjoy the moment.

Seeing as there was no other way to get out of this, gave in and kissed him back. My lips started working in sync with his. They molded together like they were puzzle pieces coming together for the very first time. Chase touched my bottom lip with his tongue asking for entrance and I granted it loosing myself in him. A fire erupted in me blocking out all sensible thought. His tongue was so warm on mine and every touch sent those same tingles from before through me. For the first time ever in my life I was kissing Chase Hayes and I was enjoying it.

Wait? Enjoying it? What is wrong with me? I’m letting my hormones take over me and I’m not thinking straight. Just because my body is reacting to him this way, doesn’t mean I’m giving in. I’m not even close.

Realizing what was happening I pushed away from him and this time he backed away. Both of us stood catching our breath before speaking. The look on Chase’s face looked like he had just won the lottery and without warning I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. Hard.

“Don’t you ever do that again!!” I yelled. I could feel my cheeks heat up with fury.

His face turned to pure rage. He grabbed my wrist and slammed me hard against the wall making me wince in pain.

“Why are you denying what you feel? You know you enjoyed it so why don’t you just admit it?” He yelled in my face.

“I only did it to get you to stop. I felt nothing!” I lied.

He let go of me and backed away with confusion clear on his face. He looked like he was trying to figure out something in his head. Then he began mumbling things to himself. He sounded like someone on the verge of insanity.

“I don’t get it. You are supposed to feel it too but you don’t. I have tried everything and nothing is working.” He mumbled. “Unless you don’t feel it because you are a human. That has to be it! I know what I have to do now.”

He looked at me and smiled but it didn’t look like one that would make me happy. In fact it kind of scared me a little. I had a feeling that whatever he was thinking about was not going to be good for me. Then he uttered the words that caused me to panic.

“I have to change you.”

“What? Chase no! You said you would give me more time!” I screamed.

“That was before, now things are different. We will move up the wedding to next week and I will go through with changing you on our wedding night.” He said happily.

I could feel all the color drain from my face. I was going to be a vampire and soon. I had no way out of this and I was getting my human life ripped away from me. I felt so helpless and alone. The one person who used to be my best friend in the whole word has now become the person I hated more than anyone.

“I swear Chase if you do this I will never forgive you.” I warned him. “You’ll have to live with me hating you for the rest of my life.

“It has to be done. I’m sorry.” And with that he left, leaving me standing there alone to processes his words.

Chase was going to do this and there was nothing I could do about it. I had no power what so ever. All my choices had been taken away from me and now I was doomed to a life of a monster never to be human again.

Chase's POV

After leaving Ashlyn’s room I searched the place for my dad. He was the only one who would have answers for me. If he couldn’t help me no one could.

"I haven't seen much of you or Ashlyn lately; two must really be spending a lot of time together." Dad said.

I still haven't told any of my family how Ashlyn was handling being here or her rejecting me but I knew I had to now. I wasn't quite sure how they would react so for now I think its best not to tell anyone but my dad. I knew it would be a risk but I'm having such a hard time handling this on my own.

"Actually it's been quite the opposite." I mumbled honestly.

"Well where has she been?" He questioned.

"Well the truth is we have been having some problems." I stated hanging my head in shame.

"Oh? What kind of problems?"

"Well you see she isn't exactly happy about being here." I said.

"And why is that?" He asked confused.

"The truth is I may have misled everyone into thinking that me and Ashlyn were happy but were not. She's been fighting me on this from the beginning and I'm not so sure what to do anymore." I confessed.

He gave me a worried look but didn’t immediately say anything. I hope he understands and helps me on this or we are doomed.

"This could be a problem Chase." He warned.

"I know but what can I do? She says she doesn't want to be what we are and claims she doesn't have any feelings for me!" I cried out in utter frustration. I felt over whelmed inside and tired of all the drama. I just wanted to be happy with my mate.

"Are you sure she is your soul mate?"

"Yes dad, I felt it. I know she is the one so why doesn't she feel it?" I said getting more aggravated by the minute.

"I don't know son maybe it's because she is only human." He guessed.

"See, at first that's what I thought to so I told her that I was moving up the wedding and her transformation date. Needless to say she wasn't happy with it at all; she said she would never forgive me."

"Can you blame her?" He questioned.

"So what are you saying, that I'm going about this all wrong?"

"I just think that you need to try going about things the more human way, if her feelings haven't developed yet then make them. Take her out, show her the stars, romance her. It's nothing you haven't done before with the other girls." He stated.

"I know dad but Ashlyn isn't like other girls….. she's different."

He was silent for a while as if thinking about what I had said. I just hope he knows what to do because I'm out of ideas. I need her and it's driving me crazy. I have never heard of one mate not accepting the other. So it just makes me wonder why things were so different between us. I stood there still waiting for my dad to say something that would help me.

"Come on dad you must know of something I can do?" I asked imaptiently.

After a moment he finally spoke. "Well there is one more thing you could try."

"What is it? I'll try anything." I said eagerly.

"You could bond her to you." He replied.

Bond her? I couldn't do that she will hate me even more than she already does. There has to be some other way than that.

"There is no way she would let me do that." I argued.

"Maybe not but you need to do it anyway. She may hate you for it now but she will learn to overcome it with the help of the bond. After all you will be together forever. It's the only way." He replied.

As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. At least with the bond I stood a chance. The thing with the bonding someone to you, is that you can feel everything they feel and they can feel everything you do. It's supposed to make you feel closer to one another and make you feel as one. I have to feed her my blood and take some of hers to complete the process. I knew it was going to make her mad but I have no choice and this way I can give her more time being a human. At least she’ll get something out of this.

"You're right I know I have to do it." I confessed.

"Good, and make sure you tell no one else of this information. If the wrong person finds out that you are having problems with your soul mate then they could possibly use it against you somehow." He warned.

"Believe me I know. I didn't even want to tell you." I confessed.

"Good, and the best of luck son." He bowed his head in my direction and left.

Well this is a start.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I made my way up the staircase walking towards her room dreading what I was about to do. I knew it was necessary but I kept thinking of reasons not to do it. I know I need to keep my head in this or nothing was ever going to change. I made my way to her door and sighed. I put my hand on the door handle dreading this very moment. I slowly opened her door and when I did I heard her laughing. It had been so long since I heard that laugh I smiled lovely towards the sound. When the door was completely opened I saw her sitting on the bed with Maria and they seemed to be talking about something funny because she was laughing too. Ashlyn was sitting there with the most beautiful smile on her face it made my heart skip beat. After seeing that, it was going to make what I had to do all the more harder.

Ashlyn instantly noticed me standing there and her beautiful smile turned into a look of pure loathing. That immediately saddened me. Every time she rejects me it feels like someone is ripping my heart out of my chest. All I want is to make her happy but it seems like I can't and that just makes it worse.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ashlyn's POV

Seeing Chase in my room again made me mad. I was kind of hoping that maybe I wouldn’t see him for another few days but I guess that’s not going to happen.

"Are you here to give me more bad news?" I snapped looking at his stressed figure.

He gave me a look of regret which instantly got me worried. I knew something was about to go down I just didn't know what.

"Ashlyn I just want you to know that I'm really sorry for this and I hope that one day you can forgive me." He stated.

My body stiffened before seeing his face turn into one of a demon. His eyes went red and the veins around them popped out as his fangs extended. He slowly started making his way to me like an animal stalking its prey. Scared out of my mind I jumped off the bed and ran to the bathroom and closed the door trying to lock it but my hands were too shaky. I had almost got the lock turned when the door was pushed open knocking me to the floor.

I quickly turned on my front and tried to crawl away from him but he caught me by the leg and pulled me back. He hovered over me slowly making his way to my face. I closed my eyes in terror. This was the end for me. I had finally rejected him so many times that he decided he has and enough and now he is going to kill me. My body was shaking in fear.

He finally came all the way down to me and grabbed me gently by the neck pulling me to him. Just when I thought he was going to sink his teeth into me his lips met my ear and he whispered "I love you, I'm so sorry." He almost sounded like he meant it but I knew couldn't have or else he wouldn't be doing this to me. Then before I knew what was happening his teeth sank into my neck sending streaks of pain all through my body making me scream out in agony. He drank and drank making me feel weaker by the minute, my eyes started to lower and I felt myself growing tired. Finding it hard to keep my eyes open any longer I gave in letting them flutter closed. Just before I sank into the darkness I felt his wrist being forced into my mouth with warm bitter liquid pouring in and with that I was out.

*****

Ugh my head, it's killing me. Where am I and why is it dark? Am I dead? I tried to move my body to check. I brought my hand to my face and rubbed my eyes. I after a minute my eyes shot open. As my vision cleared I saw I was looking at a ceiling, my ceiling or well I mean the ceiling to the room I had been staying in since I had been here.

I put my hand on my head and gently arose to look at my surroundings. I was in my room alone with only the table lamp on. Where was Chase? I wondered. Wait a minute why do I care where he is?

I slowly moved my feet off the bed and tried to stand up. My head started spinning and I nearly lost my balance so I quickly grabbed the bedpost to steady myself. I closed my eyes  and waited for the spinning to stop before trying again.

The door opened slightly and then someone stepped in. It was hard to really see who it was with their only being a small lamp on for light. I squinted my eyes to trying to make out the figure at the door when the lights flicked on revealing the one person I wanted to kill right now.

"I'm glad to see you're up." He stated nervously.

"What did you do to me?" I asked glaring at him.

"Don't worry I didn't change you I just bonded us."

"What's that?" I questioned angrily.

"Let me show you." He said and flew to me faster than the speed of light. I had never seen him do that before only felt it and to tell the truth I didn't like it. It didn't help my dizzy spells either.

Chase lifted his hand to my face and caressed it tenderly. When his skin made contact with mine I was over whelmed with emotions; love, care, sadness, frustration, anger. They all passed quickly and came back to love. I stared into Chase's eyes lovingly; all I wanted was to be in his arms and show him how much I love him and have him love me eternally. I slowly lifted my arms and brought them around Chase's neck and pulled him close. He instantly wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face in my hair.

"You don't know how long I have waited for this." He said sadly.

His words brought me out of my trance and I realized what I was doing. I dropped my arms and pushed him back. What has he done to me? Why did I just do that? He hurt me and attacked me and kidnapped me. Why would I hug him? Chase seeing the confusion on my face answered my question.

"Being bonded means that you can feel each other's feelings; Love, passion, lust, hatred, sadness all of it. It was the only way I could get you to understand my feelings for you. By you taking my blood and me taking yours it bonded us together." He explained

"So you tricked me!" I yelled. "You made me feel all those things for you. They are not genuine."

"No you were feeling the things I felt for you. The first time you feel it it's easy to get those feelings confused with your own." He corrected.

"How could you? Why would you do this?" I questioned feeling hurt.

"I did it to save your humanity that you value so much." He answered.

"How is this saving my humanity?"

"By me bonding you it allowed me to let you be human for longer. The point of it was that now you will start to trust me and love me and won't try to escape once you realize what I feel for you." He confessed

"What about my feelings Chase? Do you feel them? Do you feel the hurt, pain, and anger you have caused me?" I said breaking into tears.

He nodded. "I do and I'm so sorry about that so please let me fix it."

"How...? How are you going to fix it?" I cried tears pouring down my face.

Chase's face turned into sadness and he wrapped his arms around me pulling me to his chest letting me cry out.

"By letting me into your heart. Let me love you Ashlyn, please. It will all get better I promise."

I didn't say anything. All I did was cry. I have been fighting him this whole time I have been here and doing everything I can to push him away but he just won't give up. I'm running out of ideas and I'm only hurting worse. I was feeling myself slowly giving in to him. How was I ever going to fight him now that he had the ultimate secret weapon, the control of my emotions and feelings? I cried more and more not knowing what to do next.

Wait this isn't me, I don't give up and I certainly never show when I'm in pain! I have to do something about this now. I quickly lifted my arms to his chest and pushed him away giving him a cold look. If he wanted to play dirty then so was I. I can learn to play along to his game and then when least expects it I'm gone.

"You're right I think maybe we can work this out." I lied.

Chase had a look of complete surprise on his face. Good maybe I was convincing enough for him to believe it.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think that maybe if I gave us a chance then maybe we could be happy."

Chase smiled brightly at me."You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that."

The guilt was getting to me for lying to him but he had this coming. After everything he has done to me why should I even care? I felt his feelings for me were strong and but he never should have gone about things this way. He should have showed me he loved me, earned my trust and then give me the time to love him back. Taking me away from my family and everyone I loved to bring to a place I shouldn't even be in and forcing me to love him is not a good way to get someone to show affection.

Suddenly his face dropped in sadness. "I wish I could believe you."

Oh no I thought I was convincing enough. Didn't he believe me after all?

"What do you mean?"

"I can feel what you are feeling Ashlyn and I know that you are lying, good try though, and it was almost believable." He said he said coldly. "I never thought you would be one to lie to me, but I guess I was wrong."

"And I never thought that you would be one to kidnap me dragging my away from everyone even my friends, but I guess I was wrong too." I spat.

Suddenly he had a look of pure rage. He was starting to scare me again; I slowly took a step back trying to get away from him. For every step I took back he made one more in my direction until he had me pinned against the wall. I could feel his anger deep inside me and it was scaring me.

"So this is what this is about." He stated venomously

"What are you talking about?" I was thoroughly confused.

"Josh! You have been fighting me this whole time because you still have feelings for him." He yelled.

Where did this even come from? Then I remembered calling Josh my friend before when Chase brought him up.

"Have you not heard me any since I have been here? I told you the reasons." I yelled back.

"I don't think they were the only reasons." He spat.

"Well you're wrong, I don't have feelings..."

"Stop lying to me." He cut me off.

"I'm not." I argued.

"You have left me with no other choice Ashlyn. I have to claim you now. I was supposed to wait until our wedding night but you have left me no choice." He said closing in on me.

"Chase No." I warned but he didn't listen.

He picked me up and carried me to the bed despite my kicking and screaming. He quickly got on top of me and hovered over. I could see determination in his eyes but I felt like he didn't really want to be doing this, that he forcing himself to do it.

"Chase I know you don't want to do this so please don't" I begged.

"I warned you from the beginning that when a vampire doesn't have their soul mate it drives them to the point of insanity." He said.

"But you do have me. I'm here aren't I?"

"No I never really had you. You refuse to feel anything for me and you won't let me have your heart and love you unconditionally and now you have drove me to this. This is your fault Ashlyn."

Oh no. He’s blaming me for this.

Chase instantly stopped and snapped his head to the door. He suddenly tensed up and looked very angry. What is with him?

As the door burst open Chase’s grip on me tightened painfully causing me to wince. Who is making him act like this?

"What are you doing here?" Chase growled.

"Let her go cousin." The person said.

"This doesn't concern you. Leave." Chase ordered.

"I'm not leaving until you let her go." The voice said sounding more familiar.

"How did you get here?" Chase questioned.

"Well let's just say you're not the only one who's changed." He said mockingly

Why did this sound do familiar to me. I know that voice from somewhere, but where. As I was busy thinking about the voice Chase reluctantly got off of me making my view of the door clear and the person standing in it. In the door stood the very last person I ever expected to see here.

"Josh." I gasped in shock.