Chapter 72 CHAPTER 72

Chapter 72 CHAPTER 72
I stood motionless in the centre of the living room, my eyes perked up.

The hollow man’s breathing remained the only clear sound besides the distant. My own breath moved in short, careful pulls. 

His voice came again, closer than before.

“I want what was promised the night the first silver entered your bloodline.” A soft shift of fabric told me he had moved. The cool trail his fingers had left on my cheek still lingered.

“You were never meant to stay ordinary, Ayla. The bite on your arm was only the beginning. Those are the gifts waking.” My fingers curled at my sides. 

“You must accept your calling.”I could not see his face, only the faint displacement of air when he breathed. But I knew he was smiling like a creep.

“I will not be accepting anything that,” I said. The words left my mouth steady, “Whatever bargain was made, it was not mine.”

A low sound left him almost like he is amused. 

“Blood does not ask permission. It simply takes it place where there is an opportunity.”His voice dropped softer. 

“You felt it earlier the girl stood near you. The rush of her blood, the way you imagined your teeth sinking into her throat.”

At the thought of saliva gathered again at the memory of Angel’s scent, copper warm. 

I forced a slow exhale through my nose. The hunger twisted, insistent. I kept my shoulders square and my face turned toward the sound of him.

“What happens if I refuse?” Silence stretched for three of my heartbeats. 

Then his footsteps circled slowly to my right.

“One night you will wake and the people you love will no longer be safe from the thing wearing yourself.”

“Or you can come with me now. I will teach you the control the silver demands.“

“Come with you? You almost killed me.” My pulse hammered hard. I could still hear Alex’s distant snore, unaware.

My hands opened and closed at my sides. I will kill Alex for sleeping through all of this.

“You’re the reason whatever I have won’t stop,” I said. “The reason I can’t see.”

“I am the reason you will survive what is coming,” he answered. 

“The packs are already moving to unite against you. The war your mate started did not end will not end with one fight. You will need what I offer before the next full moon, you will need this power.”

A tremor ran across my shoulders. I took one step backward, my heel met the edge of the rug. 

“Leave,” I said. The word came out quieter than I intended. “Whatever you think you started, end it. You will never win, whoever you have sent won’t win either.” I said forcefully 

His breathing did not change. Then he spoke close enough that the air of them touched my cheek.

“You will accept this calling, like it or not.” the next the living room felt ordinary again, quite. He’s gone.

My knees loosened and I reached out blindly until my fingers found the back of the nearest chair. 

I lowered myself into it, the gown settling around my legs. My breath came faster now.

I kept my face turned toward the empty centre of the room and listened to the quiet house.

“Ayla.” Alex called down the hall, I didn’t reply, I just sat there unable to respond my mind so loud I just needed a gun to shush it. 

“Baby, why are you standing out here in the middle of the night?” He said taking my hand. “Take me to the couch, sleeping beauty.” I said sternly.

“What do you mean sleeping beauty? How long have you been awake?” 

“You mean how long have you been sleeping?”

“Since when are we counting hours of sleep, baby?” He’s voiced wavered on the last part.

“Since you fell asleep and wouldn’t wake up when that monster came.” I felt him shifting next to me tightening his hold on my hand. 

“He was here inside? What did he say?” I softly pried his hand from mine feeling the heat in them going up. “He didn’t do anything except feed on my fear.”

“I don’t know what to say, i’m sorry, Ayla. But I promise he will never come near you again.” I softly brushed his heating hand. 

“It’s okay, baby. Your hand is too hot though please move it.” I said to him, I heard him chuckle. “Werewolf perks.”

“I’m gonna die.” I said slowly feeling breathing slower and heavy. 

“No, why would you say that you won’t die.” Alex said with a warm voice, I felt his hands slightly intertwine with mine softly.

“I will die, Alex. That hollow man is doing this on purpose, he’s aim is for me to be an animal like him. I refuse to be like that.” I said pushing his hand away from me.

“Ayla, you have been through so many difficult things. You won’t let this small thing take you down, please fight. I am
right here with you when things get tough.”

“Don’t be naive, Alex. I’m turning into an animal, I am starving but can barely keep food down.” I said, I layed back on the couch facing upward feeling the burning feeling in my eyes.

“You should stop being naive, you are not dying.” Alex said sounding adamant. I felt him shake my shoulders, I turned to the side where his voice was coming from.

“Can you stop? I just wanna mourn my own upcoming death. Is that too much to ask?”