Chapter 25: Chapter 25

As soon as my teeth came out of Mary’s skin, she fell back onto the cold stones. She started rolling on the floor and crying like a baby. I didn't wait to see if she was okay. I didn't want to make a big scene. If people came and saw red blood all over my mouth, they would know I was a monster. They would kill me right there.

I stood up fast. My head was spinning, but I didn't look back. I started running through the halls, my heart thumping against my ribs. I didn't stop until I reached the front of my house.

The two big guards at the door noticed me immediately. They saw the red blood on my dress and my messy hair. Their eyes went wide, but they didn't say a single word. They just stood there like statues. I guess their job was just to protect my body, not to ask me why I looked like a killer. I pushed past them and slammed the door shut.

I leaned against the door, breathing hard. That was when I noticed it. The taste.

Mary’s blood tasted even sweeter than the dead vampire guy from the balcony. It was hot and full of life. But wait... why could I tell the difference? Why did I know exactly how her blood felt on my tongue? What was happening to me? I had never been this confused in my entire life.

"Oh god," I whispered, my voice shaking. "Please let this be a dream. Please don't let me be what I think I am."

Because if I was a vampire, I was as good as dead. Alpha Damon would put my head on a stick just like that man today.

I ran to the bathroom and turned on the water. I grabbed a cloth and started washing my face and my hands. I was scrubbing my skin so hard it turned pink. I wanted every tiny drop of Mary to be gone. As I was washing, I started to cry. I thought this place would be better than my old home with Aunt Rebecca. I thought being a Luna would be easy. But it hasn't even been one week and I am already losing my mind.

I took off my bloody clothes and stepped into the shower. The warm water hit my skin, washing the red stains down the drain. I watched the water turn pink and then clear.

Suddenly, the bathroom door swung open. I jumped behind the curtain. It was Ava.

"Luna Amanda! Why are you covered in blood?" she screamed. Her voice was high and full of terror.

I didn't turn to look at her. I just kept my head under the water. "I got into a fight, Ava," I said. I tried to sound calm, but I couldn't.

Ava started shivering. Her hands were shaking as she looked at the red water on the floor. "Did anyone die? Amanda, tell me! There is blood everywhere! It looks like a murder happened in here!"

"No," I replied shortly. "No one died."

Ava reached down and picked up my dirty clothes from the floor. When she saw how much blood was on the fabric, she burst into loud tears. "Luna Amanda! There is so much... please! I don't want anything bad to happen to you! I am so scared for you!"

"Why are you crying?" I asked. I felt bad for her, but I was also annoyed because I was so stressed.

"Please tell me the truth!" Ava sobbed. She was crying even harder now, her face getting red. "Please tell me no one died! If the Alpha finds out you killed a pack member, he will be so angry! Please, Amanda!"

I stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. "Nothing happened, Ava. Mary is alive. Now go and clean your tears. Stop being a child. I am fine."

Ava wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, trying to stop the water from falling. She was still sniffing and shaking, but she nodded her head. She took my bloody clothes and left the room without saying another word.

After I finished drying myself, I tied the towel tight around my body. I went into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. My body felt heavy and my mind was full of dark thoughts.

A few minutes later, the door opened again. I thought it was just Ava coming back to say sorry. But when she walked in, she wasn't carrying a towel or a dress.

Ava was walking toward me slowly. Her face was very pale, and in her hands, she was holding a small, silver lighter. The little flame was flickering in the dark room, dancing back and forth.

She didn't look like the happy Ava anymore. She looked like she was about to do something terrible.