Chapter Twenty

Author's POV

Leila’s chest tightened, the aftershock of Devon’s departure still wreaking havoc inside her. Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her gown, the fabric cool against her skin. A few errant strands of hair slipped from the smooth curve of her fingers, and she tucked them behind her ear absentmindedly. Her gaze, however, remained locked on the reflection in front of her. The pale face staring back, dark eyes rimmed with exhaustion, did not belong to the confident, self-assured woman she had once known.

A dull throb echoed through her head as she took a deep breath. No more crying. No more weakness. But it didn't stop her pulse from quickening. She pressed a hand to her stomach, its growl reminding her of her body’s need. It was too much. Devon’s words, their separation, and the constant reminder that she was something else, someone else now. But hunger... hunger never lets her forget the beast inside.

"Focus," she muttered to herself, willing her legs to move. Her body obeyed sluggishly, though, almost as if it was protesting the decision to leave the bed.

The stairs creaked under her weight as she descended slowly, her mind a chaotic swirl of thoughts. The low chatter from downstairs caught her attention, rising faintly as she reached the foot of the stairs. Maliya and Sebastian. They were probably already eating, as they always did. The thought made her stomach churn further, hunger twisting in her gut like a sharp knife.

The smell of eggs, toast, and bacon reached her just before she rounded the corner into the kitchen. There they were, sitting at the table, looking entirely at ease in their little world. Maliya's giggle broke through the air, light and airy, while Sebastian’s low chuckle followed. They were comfortable. Too comfortable.

Leila’s jaw clenched. The sight of them together, her and Sebastian – always made something darker stir within her. She hadn’t wanted to admit it, but there it was. That primal possessiveness that clawed at her. She was different, and that difference unsettled her in ways she couldn’t fully articulate.

"Why didn’t you call me down for breakfast?" Leila's voice cut through the calm of the room, sharper than she had intended. She crossed the threshold of the kitchen, her steps purposeful, her eyes fixed on Maliya. The younger woman froze her fork halfway to her mouth.

"Leila, I—" Maliya began, but Leila was already stepping past her, her gaze never leaving Sebastian.

"I’m not talking to you." Leila's words were cold, and they were final. The room seemed to hold its breath. Maliya blinked, her lips parting in surprise, her hand slowly lowering her fork back to the plate.

She moved toward Sebastian, who was staring at her, his face a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. His eyes were wide, pupils slightly dilated, as if he was waiting for some kind of signal. He didn’t even flinch when she reached down, snatching his spoon from his hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" Maliya asked the shock in her voice quickly replaced with something akin to panic.

Leila didn’t answer. Instead, she raised the spoon to her lips, tasting the food as if it were her own. A low growl rumbled in her throat as her fangs sharpened, barely hidden beneath her lips. Sebastian flinched. He was still too new to her.

Leila wasn’t sure if she even cared. She shoved the spoon back onto the table with a sudden clatter, eyes narrowing.

“You’re feeding me today,” she said, her voice thick with something between hunger and command. She didn’t give him time to protest before she reached forward, gently taking his wrist and pulling him closer.

Sebastian’s gaze flickered to Maliya, then back to her. He looked bewildered, unsure of what to do.

"Leila... what is this?" His voice was quiet, hesitant.

She met his eyes, her lips curling into a faint smile. "You’re mine now, remember? You’ll feed me." Her voice was low, almost a growl, but there was an undeniable edge of authority to it.

Sebastian shifted uncomfortably, the weight of her gaze making his throat tighten. He looked at Maliya once again, but this time, Maliya didn’t meet his eyes. She stared down at her plate, the realization of what was happening settling in.

Leila’s grip on his wrist tightened as she brought the spoon to his mouth, her eyes never leaving his. “Eat.” She said it softly, but there was no mistaking the command.

Sebastian swallowed hard, his chest rising and falling quickly as he hesitated. The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension, every breath between them sharp and heavy. Maliya’s quiet movements told Leila all she needed to know—she was waiting, watching.

“I don’t—" Sebastian started to speak, but Leila was done with words. She placed the spoon against his lips once more, this time more forcefully.

"Eat." Her voice was no longer a suggestion. It was a demand, one that shook the very air around them.

Sebastian’s eyes flickered down to the spoon and then back to her, confusion still clouding his features, but he opened his mouth. The moment the food hit his tongue, Leila felt the surge of satisfaction in her veins. It was subtle, but it was enough. She could feel the life in him, the pulse of his energy.

Maliya shifted in her chair, clearly uncomfortable with the scene unfolding before her. She had never seen Leila like this—so... demanding. So unrelenting. Her eyes were wide, her hands wringing in her lap.

“Leila... please... What are you doing?” Maliya’s voice trembled as she spoke. She had never heard that tone in Leila’s voice before. Never seen her act with such certainty, with such unshakable authority.

Leila didn’t even look at Maliya. Her focus was entirely on Sebastian.

“You’re not in a position to question me, he is my mate, not yours” Leila snapped, her voice steady. She raised her hand, running her fingers lightly over the curve of Sebastian’s jaw, forcing him to face her. She watched him swallow, his throat bobbing in an attempt to keep his composure. But he was trembling, she could feel it.

“You will feed me,” she continued, her eyes narrowing as she forced him to meet her gaze. There was something almost predatory in the way she spoke now. The quiet control in her actions was unsettling.

Maliya looked on, completely silent, her body tense. She couldn’t even bring herself to speak, to stop what was happening. She felt as though she was witnessing something she shouldn’t. Something she couldn’t quite understand.

Sebastian’s face softened slightly as he looked down at the spoon in his hand. The silence stretched between them, but he didn’t protest.

Leila stared at him, a slow, knowing smile curling on her lips. The world around her had shifted at that moment. She was no longer the broken woman he knew.

“You’re mine so don't stare at me like something is going on,” she whispered, her words lingering in the air.

Sebastian didn’t reply, but the way his eyes flickered toward her and then back to the food in his lap told Leila everything she needed to know.

Maliya watched from the corner of her eye, her heart racing in her chest as her own emotions twisted into something darker, something she wasn’t quite ready to face.