CHAPTER FIFTY

“ S o they’ll be outside, and I won’t even know?” Piper asked, setting her bag down on the kitchen bench in her apartment.

She was all cried out and basically feeling like a walking zombie.

But it was good to be home.

No, it wasn’t.

Everything sucked.

In some ways she was looking forward to not remembering, even if they kept telling her she’d still feel sad.

She didn’t feel sad. She felt like she was a potato that had been grated and was a sad heap of slush lying on the chopping board.

Dramatic much?

Stupid love. Why did she have to go and fall in love?

Ari nodded. “Yes.”

“They’ll keep you safe,” Sage said. “And I’ll come around regularly to visit.”

“Won’t I think that’s suspicious, given we hardly hung out before?” Piper raised a brow, even though knowing she’d see more of Sage was definitely a nice thing.

Out of all this, mending the relationship with her sister was something she was grateful for. And if she was being honest, the time she had had with Oliver was something she’d cherish.

Even if she only remembered him for another few minutes.

“I’m getting married, so I’ll just say it’s wedding planning. You’ll be my bridesmaid, won’t you?” Sage grinned.

And wouldn’t you know it? Apparently, she hadn’t run out of tears.

“Oh my God, yes !”

Sage threw herself at Piper and they hugged like it was the last time.

Ari cleared his throat, but they ignored him.

“I’ll be your bridesmaid, but if you make me wear pink, I swear I will haunt your vampire ass when I’m a ghost,” she said, and they both grinned stupidly at each other.

“Okay ladies,” Ari said. “I have to get back to The Institute, so let’s wrap up this love fest. You will be in each other’s lives for a long time to come.”

“Ari,” Sage admonished.

“Sorry sweetheart, but I have a meeting with the king.”

Sage nodded and gave Piper an apologetic look.

“Let’s begin,” Ari said, indicating she should sit.

This was it.

This was the end.

Panic flew through her body, and he frowned at her, clearly picking up on her tension. “You need to be sure.”

She nodded, pressing her lips together firmly.

“Piper. Are you sure?” he asked, and she wondered why he was pushing.

She nodded again but gripped the bench as nausea and dizziness hit her.

Shit.

Was she making the right decision?

“Will Oliver be okay?” she asked.

“He’ll be fine. I’ll keep an eye on him,” Sage said, rubbing her arm, but one look at Ari’s face and Piper knew she didn’t have the last piece of the puzzle.

“What? Tell me. He told me he would be okay.”

Didn’t he?

Ari walked up to her and took her chin. “Oliver has chosen, just as you have. Now, focus on my eyes...”

OLIVER STUFFED A FEW things in his duffel bag and began to tidy up his rooms. He was strangely calm under the circumstances.

No, that wasn’t true.

He felt dead. Robotic. Life had no meaning now. It was just a matter of hours, days, weeks, or perhaps months.

Not if he was lucky.

Every minute would be one of absolute suffering.

Like right fucking now.

Piper was gone. She’d made her choice and Ari had taken her home. His body was like a tight coil, ready to burst. The need to protect her, possess her and fuck her was dominating him to the point of obsession.

Yet, he remained where he was. Tight, restrained, and clenched.

Like a ticking time bomb.

His phone rang.

“Hey.”

“I heard,” Ben said, not wasting time with niceties.

“Yup. Laughable really,” he replied, and they both knew there was nothing funny about it at all. “How many women have I fucked over my long life and had to turn away?”

“Mr. Lover-lover,” Ben said in a sing-song voice, reminding him of a nickname they used to have for him. The humor was strained so they both went silent. “I wish I could fix this, Oli. You’re my fucking best friend.”

He nodded, even though Ben couldn’t see him.

“Just go and change her. This is fucked up. I’ll come and fucking talk some sense into her,” Ben growled.

Oliver ran a hand over his face.

Their decision was impacting many other people. It would have far-reaching implications, and yet Oliver hadn’t considered anyone else. Only Piper.

As any mate would.

“I’m sorry, buddy. You never know, I could get past this.” They both knew it was a lie, but it was the best he could give his longtime friend.

“Fuck off, Oliver. Did you even fight for her?”

Anger pulsed through him suddenly. “Yes, I fucking fought. No. Wait. What? I told y’all I was letting her decide.”

Ben cursed and Oliver heard some noise in the background.

“Oliver!” a commanding new voice said across the airwaves.

What the hell?

“My lord?” Oliver said, becoming suddenly alert.

“Sorry, he stole the phone,” Ben called out from a distance.

“I heard what happened,” Brayden Moretti said.

The prince of the vampire race was on the phone, speaking to him about his failed mate-ship. Excellent. Could this get any worse?

They may have worked together on a few things recently, but that didn’t mean they were friends. The Moretti captain was still the prince of the royal family.

“Yes, my lord. It’s... unfortunate.”

“Listen. Willow was human, so I know what you’re going through. Get your ass back to her right now and do not give up. Tell Ari you need more time. You’re a good male and a strong warrior, and I will not allow you to step into the daylight. You got that?”

Oliver blinked.

What the hell was happening right now?

“And,” Brayden said. “If either of you fucking repeat this, I will push you out into the sun myself... but I was wrong. Willow chose me, thank God, but it was my job to show her that. If I had my time again, I would change her and patiently wait for her forgiveness.”

What was he saying?

“Go get your mate and turn her, for God’s sake,” Brayden ordered him.

Or at least, it sounded like an order.

“Yes!” Ben shouted in the background. “And my lips are sealed for eternity. Jesus. Willow would have your balls for saying that.”

Oliver let a smile creep onto his lips. He didn’t know the princess well, but he was pretty sure Ben was right.

“I’ll have yours if you ever repeat it,” Brayden said, and he heard the phone drop on a surface, footsteps, and a door close.

Oliver stood staring at his bed, shaking his head.

“Um, so that just happened,” Ben said, now back on the line.

“Jesus,” Oliver said. “What the hell do I do?”

“Go get your girl or it sounds like Brayden Moretti is going to kill you.” He laughed.

They both knew it was an empty threat, but he’d heard what the prince said.

Had he made the wrong decision?

Was it too late?

PIPER WAVED HER HANDS in front of her face. “No wait a minute. What has he chosen?” she demanded as Ari closed in on her. “Sage, stop him.”

“I don’t understand,” Sage replied. “Ari, what will happen to Oli?”

Ari cursed. “Can you both for just one day be—”

“Be?” Sage asked, crossing her arms and glaring at her mate.

Piper was just about to jump off the stool when a crashing sound came from her bedroom. The door flew open and Oliver raced in.

Panting.

Looking all kinds of crazy.

“Jesus Christ,” Ari said, throwing his arms up.

“Is she? Are you...?” Oliver began, slowly walking toward her.

“Am I what?” she asked, confused.

What was he doing here?

“Oh, God. Am I too late?” His eyes darted between her and Ari.

“No,” Ari replied, and stepped back.

Oliver physically relaxed and let out a sigh, coupled with a curse.

“Yet,” Ari said, then whipped out his phone that had begun ringing. “Bray, what’s up?”

Oliver stared at him, and the two enormous vampires glared at each other for a long moment.

“Is that right?” Ari growled and then walked down to the end of the apartment and continued talking on the phone.

Oliver walked to Piper and glanced at Sage.

“I’m going to go do... things... in another room,” Sage said and wandered off awkwardly in the direction of her mate. Piper half-grinned but turned to Oliver, who was standing in front of her. His eyes were full of determination.

“Piper—”

“I have a question.” Her heart pounded with knowledge. She had no idea how she knew.

Oliver nodded, and she noticed he had a wild, predatory look about him.

“What will happen to you?” His eyes closed for a moment. “Please tell me the truth. I know you’re hiding something. I can sense it.”

“How?” Oliver opened his eyes.

“Will you die?” she asked, ignoring his question.

He stared at her a long time, then took a step closer, cupping his hand gently around her face.

“Yes,” he finally said.

Panic slammed into her, and she began to breathe erratically. Their eyes locked together, and tears welled. His and hers.

“No. No, no, no. Oliver, noooo.” Her voice grew louder. Then she threw her arms around him. “No!”

“It’s okay.” He scooped her up and moved to the sofa. “Shh, shh.”

It wasn’t all right at all.

He was going to die because of this.

Her life for his.

His life for hers.

Except she would live, and he wouldn’t.

Oliver shifted her onto his lap and toyed with her hair. “Piper, I came to change you, but I still can’t do it. I love you too much. I need this to be your decision.”

Her eyes widened.

Then she imagined him standing up and walking away, vanishing, like he had before. Every inch of her heart shattered like glass and suddenly she knew.

“Will it hurt?”

His eyes shot to hers and widened.

“I don’t know. Maybe.” His eyes were full of question.

“Do you truly love me?” she asked.

“More than my life. Obviously.” A little smirk hit his lips.

“If I do this, will you be okay if I keep being a journalist and doing human things?” Piper asked.

His body stiffened, and then he began nodding.

A lot.

She watched the life seep back into his eyes and that wildness subside. Warmth spread through her entire being in a way she hadn’t felt for hours. Somehow, in some crazy, ridiculous way, she knew this was the right decision. As terrifying as it was.

Perhaps she’d find her place in a vampire world. She had certainly found a man who loved her for who she was. It didn’t matter what she did, Oliver loved her completely and utterly.

Not even her father had been able to love her unconditionally.

She’d be a complete fool if she walked away from him.

And really, now she knew his life would end, it wasn’t a choice.

She loved him.

She’d always loved him.

“Really? Are you fucking kidding me? Fuck yes, anything. Wait. What kind of human things?” Oliver asked.

She shrugged.

“Piper, darlin’, there are limits.”

She grinned. “Excellent. I love pushing boundaries.”

He groaned, and she laughed as he flipped her underneath him. Then their laughing stopped.

“Ari, I need you and Sage to disappear right now,” Oliver said, and when she was about to tell him they couldn’t hear from down in the bedroom, she remembered they had vampire hearing.

“See you soon, Piper,” Sage called out, and then there was silence.

“Are they gone?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Oliver’s voice was thick and sexy, and her body began to tremble under his gaze and touch.

“What’s happening?” she asked, even though she knew.

“I’m going to bond us.”

Moisture pooled in her panties as his fangs extended and his bright blue eyes glistened as little red lines appeared in the whites of his eyes.

He looked primal and sexy, hovering over her, his enormous shoulders dominating her. She needed to feel their bodies connected and his mouth on her.

Now.