Page 96 of Fated to Them

Eli grips my arm, jerking me onto my back. I thrash, trying to get out of his grip as he shoves my shoulders into the bed.

“You leave me no choice, Addie,” Cyrus says, climbing on the bed.

He straddles my hips. I continue thrashing, tears rolling down my face and into my hair.

“You promised, you promised,” I beg him.

He looks away, unable to meet my gaze.

“Cyrus, do it!” Eli tells him.

“No, please!” I tell him, and Eli growls.

“Cyrus!” Eli snaps, holding me tighter.

“I don’t want to hurt her,” Cyrus says softly. He looks down at me, gripping my face.

“You need to accept it, Addie. I am going to mark you regardless. You have left me no choice, you need to give in to me willingly, or it will hurt like it did when Eli marked you.”

I shake my head and choke on a sob. I don’t remember Eli marking me.

“I don’t understand,” I tell him.

“If I mark you by force, it will hurt.”

“Just do it,” Eli growls at him.

Cyrus growls back, leaning over me before pressing his lips against mine.

“I’m sorry, Addie,” he whispers.

I see his fangs protrude side by side, gleaming back at me. I shake my head, trying to get away from him.

“Addie, stop. Breathe,” Cyrus says, and I take a deep breath, a hiccuped sob leaving my lips.

“I’m sorry,” he says again, and I see him move toward my mark.

“Wait!” I scream, tears pouring, and I can’t stop them.

His nose runs along my jaw before he pulls up.

“It won’t hurt if I let you, right?” I ask, petrified.

“No, it won’t hurt if you are willing. It’s a defense mechanism. You fight against it. It causes not only you pain but to us, too.”

I nod, trying to stop my fear, willing it to leave, and forcing myself to breathe. I turn my neck, offering it to him.

“Good girl,” he says, pressing a kiss to my now-exposed throat.

I close my eyes, waiting for the pain. I feel the sharp tips press against the skin between my neck and shoulder. The pressure becomes worse before I feel it break my skin, a gasp leaving my lips at the sudden intense prick before it stops. I feel his teeth sliding through flesh and embedding deep inside my neck. I feel some pull like the flick of a rubber band snap in place. His emotions smash into me, and pleasure washes over me. I feel him pull back, his tongue running over my skin, sealing his mark before an overwhelming need for sleep washes over me, my vision tunneling before I am plunged into darkness.

* * *

Waking up, I find it is early morning. The sun is rising, and I must have slept the entire day and night away. Feeling movement beside me, I look over. Cyrus is next to me, but Eli isn’t in bed. Yesterday’s events hit me hard, and I reflexively touch my neck. I can feel the puncture marks of his teeth, but they don’t hurt; only a slight tingling sensation rushes over my skin.

“How do you feel?” Cyrus asks, rolling on his side to face me.

“Awake,” I answer, rolling away from him.