Library

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

B rayden wanted to vomit.

At least, he guessed he did. It wasn’t something he’d ever done before; however, his stomach felt like it was making its way out of his throat. At the same time, his heart felt like someone had reached into his chest and was attempting to squeeze it dry.

Watching Willow roll away from him after deciding to let him go was the most painful moment of his life.

His mate didn’t want him.

He’d been infamous for his orgies and sexual appetite. He’d given little thought to meeting his mate back then. More recently, he’d been distracted with Vincent’s illness until the day he had met Willow. She’d taken him by surprise and satisfied his every desire. He had never wanted anything in his life like he wanted this female.

His brother was right. If he lost his mate, he would never find another. There was only ever one mate for a vampire.

Brayden could take her memories from her, and she’d go on to live a life where she’d never find complete fulfillment. She would never love again. If she married, it would be for convenience with, at best, someone she cared for. It was a cruel punishment.

Brayden would simply die inside. He could never forget, nor would he choose to.

He felt the beginnings of anger stirring within him. Fear, anger, anguish. Swallowing it down, he took a deep breath. He had to be strong for Willow.

Sitting up, he pulled her around and back into his arms. Every part of him wanted to howl, scream, and punch a wall, despite the gentle way he handled her. Surprisingly, she came to him without resistance.

“If this is what you want, sweetheart, I will do it.”

Willow nodded and went into the bathroom. He left to give her some privacy and went out into the living room, turning on the screens to distract himself.

Craig was meeting with the rest of the senior team. On another screen, he watched as Regan, the POS, walked down the hallway with security on his tail. The rest of the facility was quiet as they slept the day off.

Brayden ran his hand through his hair as fatigue finally caught up with him. He could go without sleep for days, if necessary, but all the emotions had drained him. This was a defining moment in his life. One that would head him down a dark, cold path, and he knew it.

“Screens off,” he said, resting his ass on the edge of the sofa.

His vampire hearing heard Willow’s soft steps. She stopped at the doorway and watched him. He let her think he hadn’t heard her. Brayden closed his eyes and listened to her heart beating.

Bump. Bump. Bump, bump. Bump.

He squeezed his eyes, feeling himself wobble on the precipice of darkness. Losing her was going to change him in ways not even he could fathom.

At least he had a Russo or two to take it out on right now.

He wanted to bare his fangs at her and tell her to hurry up. He also wanted to get on his knees and beg her to want him. It was the latter which was tearing him apart.

“I, umm...”

“What?” he snapped before he could stop himself. She jumped.

This time he didn’t feel the need to go to her, to comfort her. Instead, he just stared at her.

“Are you ready?” he asked when she didn’t answer.

“Yes. Are you okay?”

He nodded and walked to the door, collecting his things. “Let’s go.”

“Wait.” He slowly turned and looked at her. She didn’t say anything.

“Willow, let’s go. It’s going to take a lot of work and resources to do this, so we need to get going now.”

They walked to the security office in silence. As he reached to scan his finger, he felt a hand on his arm.

“Brayden,” her small voice whispered. “I know you’re mad, but can you please not be so cold? I’m scared.”

He turned, towering over her with his height. He wanted to both shake her and kiss her. He did neither.

“You don’t get it, do you? I fucking love you,” he said. “And you’ve just told me you want to forget everything about me. How would you feel if I said I didn’t want to remember you?”

Her mouth dropped open. “It’s different. I don’t want to kill you.”

“And yet, you are,” he replied, pushing through the door. His voice echoed around the room. “Craig! Drop everything and follow me.”

The vampires all turned and stared. There was no doubt he was a powerful alpha; however, his current agitated behavior was unprecedented, and he knew it was causing them alarm.

Nothing he could do about it.

Nothing he wanted to do about it.

What he wanted to do was fucking kill something.

Craig stood up and marched across the room. “Lance, take over.”

Yeah, his commander knew there was something very fucking serious going on. The door banged closed behind him, and his eyes shot between the two of them.

“Willow,” he greeted, nodding.

“Hi, Craig.”

What’s going on?

I need you to relocate Willow. Urgently.

Brayden began walking, and the two of them followed him into another room with a boardroom table, chairs, and a computer.

What? What the fuck?

Yeah.

Craig shot a look at Willow and shook his head. Brayden’s hackles raised. It was okay for him to be angry, but he didn’t want anyone else upsetting her.

She’s terrified, Craig.

Sure, but...no, fuck this!

“Willow, what the fuck?” Craig asked.

She looked up at the vampire, confused, before understanding dawned and she exclaimed, “He wants to take my life! And you better stay away from Brianna.”

A sudden snarl came from Craig’s throat, and Brayden turned to see the man’s fangs exposed. Willow took a step back and a little cry escaped her.

Instinct made him protect her. He pulled her into his arms and shot out a fist, pushing Craig up the wall.

“Stop!”

“Sorry. Fuck.”

Brayden released him and the guy turned and slapped the wall behind him with his open palm, frustrated. Then he swung around.

“I’m sorry. Look, I can’t imagine how terrifying this is or how hard it is on both of you, but Bray, have you explained what will happen once her memories are removed?”

Craig and Willow stared at him as he shook his head. At Willow’s raised eyebrow, he released her and told them to sit down.

They ignored him.

“It doesn’t matter—”

“The fuck it doesn’t. Willow, you’re his mate. It may be a vampire thing, but it impacts you too. Sure, you’ll have no memories, but you’ll never love again. You’ll be left with a broken heart and never understand why.”

Brayden watched her face as she took in the new information, her eyes darting around the room and back at him.

“But I’ll be alive,” she said quietly.

“Forget it,” he growled. She was never going to choose him, and he just needed to get this over and done with. “Where do you want to relocate?”

She shrugged. “Hawaii, whatever, I don’t care.”

“Is anyone going to listen to me?” Craig asked, frustrated.

“House or condo?”

“Condo.”

“Oahu?”

“Maui.”

“Fine.” He turned to Craig. “I want the property purchased and movers packing up her house by tonight. Book flights for the morning.”

Craig shook his head at them both. “Yeah, fine.”

“I can’t buy a house on Maui; do you have any idea how much—”

He turned and placed his hands on his hips. “You are my mate. It’s my job to look after you whether you remember or not. I’m buying you the fucking house, and it will go into your name.”

He left her fish mouthing the air.

“Alert me when it’s done,” he ordered Craig, then took Willow’s arm and led her out of the room.

“Just fucking talk to each other, would you!” He heard Craig call out as the door shut behind them.

They walked silently back to his room. Willow sat down on the sofa, and he handed her a glass of water. She sipped at it while he chucked back his. Everything about this felt like shit.

“I need to get some sleep,” he said, wiping a hand over his face. “You can...I don’t know, watch TV or sleep or whatever.”

Willow looked at him as if he’d told her to go play on the yellow dotted lines. She flicked her eyes at the door then back at him.

He let out a bitter laugh. “Aside from the fact it’s locked, I can’t imagine you would risk walking out into a compound full of vampires.”

“Then you don’t understand how terrified I am of dying.”

Brayden shook his head. “If I were going to kill you, I would have done it already. God, Willow, I’ve been completely honest and given you the choice. You’ve made it, no matter the cost to me.”

Willow jumped to her feet. “Honest?! Don’t talk to me about honesty. I’ve been sleeping with a fucking vampire for days!”

“And when would have been the right moment to tell you? While I was fucking you over the sofa?”

Her face flushed. “Don’t say stuff...” Her eyes dilated. His eyes dropped to her lips. She licked them. “What cost to you? You’re not dying.”

Her question snapped him out of it. For a moment, he had imagined his lips meeting hers for one last time. Just for a second, he had wanted to feel her warm, soft flesh against his as he showed her how much he cared.

His eyes flashed to hers.

“Forget it.” He stepped away.

She grabbed his forearm. “Tell me.”

“No.” He was barely holding himself together as it was. “I’m going to sleep.”

She dropped her hand and nodded.

Brayden went into the bathroom and took a quick shower. The warm water flowed over his large naked body as he tipped his head back. Every inch of him felt hard and cold against the world now.

Sure, he could turn her, and like his mother, she’d eventually accept it. His father wasn’t the first or last to do such a thing. All humans, men and women, soon came to enjoy their life as a vampire.

To be the mate of the royal prince was a highly desired position, but Willow had never given him a chance to teach her about his life. She had asked to leave, and he had agreed. He was dreading the darkness which would overcome him the moment she left. Brayden slipped between the sheets and stared at the ceiling.

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.