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Shifter’s feelings have not been real. I cannot help it, nor do I know how to stop it. But I do not think of them in that way.”
    “But you used to.” Belia didn’t know why she was having this conversation with Layla. She didn’t want to talk about it.
    “You have to remember that he saved me, numerous times and has never strayed from my side. He helped me get over the fears I had years after being taken by the humans, and he told me stories of my past so I would never forget them when they began to slip from my mind, overtaken by the nightmares I frequently had. I never meant for our feelings to go any more than friend and guardian, and I am sorry that I have hurt you because of that. Now that I know the cause of these feelings, and have explained them to a number of people, they know there are no real feelings there.”
    Belia felt more respect for Layla. Though she’d been through a lot, she couldn’t imagine how strong Layla must be for surviving what happened to her. “Does Nikalye know?”
    “He does not. I plan to tell him once he came back, but I do not think it will make a difference to how he feels with you now that he has found his bonded mate. All feelings he had for me would have disappeared the moment he set his eyes on you.”
    “But…he met be ages ago. This doesn’t make any sense.”
    “The bond affects everyone differently.”
    Belia didn’t know what to say. What if, despite the bond, Nikalye still felt love for Layla?
    “You do not need to worry. I promise.”
    Belia screamed and jumped up at the sound of Nikalye’s voice behind her.
    Layla chuckled. “Reading minds again? How many times did you tell me you don’t intrude uninvited?”
    Nikalye smiled.
    Belia could see it was forced. She frowned and touched his cheek. What’s wrong with him? He looks ill.
    “We are bonded. Belia cannot keep anything from me.” He kissed her gently.
    “Nikalye—”
    “I am fine, my sweet. Do not worry.”
    “He’s hungry for blood,” Layla told her. “You haven’t fed him yet?”
    Belia shook her head. “I…I’m not ready yet.”
    Layla glanced between them before holding her wrist out. “You need to feed. Take my blood if she cannot give you hers.”
    “No!” Belia stepped in front of him and glared at Layla before turning to Nikalye. “You’ll drink from me, okay?”
    “Belia, are you sure?”
    “I don’t want you drinking from anyone else, but I don’t want you starving yourself.” Belia breathed in deeply. “Drink from me.” She held her wrist out to him.
    He took it gently in his hand and pulled her close.
    She shivered when he brushed her hair over her shoulder, baring her throat.
    “I promise this will not hurt.” Nikalye kissed her skin gently before biting her.

Chapter Ten
    Belia’s moan mixed in with Nikalye’s as her blood pooled into his mouth. When he swallowed a mouthful, he felt his body harden and Belia’s hand tighten around him.
    After a second mouthful, he felt a pull on his stomach, pulling him, and his mind into the past.
    There was blood everywhere, bodies dead on the floor, a woman screaming as Nikalye made his way towards her. She cowered in the corner, her eyes wide and her cheeks wet with her tears as she clutched at her bloodied neck.
    A vampire stood not far from her and his lips curved into a deadly smile as Nikalye neared. Blood covered his lips and fangs. He’d fed on the entire family with no guilt.
    “Come any closer, and I will bleed her. The smell from her family will have already reached the others lurking nearby. Her blood will send them over.” The vampire chuckled and grasped her slender neck. “Her blood is quite something. Just a simple cut of her finger while washing and I was close to bloodlust without even needing to feed.”
    “But you did.”
    The vampire chuckled again. “Yes, yes I did. I needed to get rid of them and I was hungry. I wished to take my time with this fascinating creature. It is strange, she smells like