31. I gave her what she wanted.

**Ocean**

The moment Kieran releases my neck, I hide my face against his chest as Octavius screams at the top of his lungs. "What the fuck? What the actual fuck, Kieran?"

As far as I can tell, Octavius isn't moving from his spot, and thank God, Kieran is quick to grab a sheet and cover me up.

Have I made a mistake? If so, why don't I feel any remorse? Why don't I feel like I've done something wrong, shameless, and out of line? If anything, I feel a little sore and stupidly happy.

They both raise their voices, Kieran's grip on me tightens, but I can't catch on to anything they say. My heart hammers against my ribcage with such force that it reaches my ears and muffles the commotion around me.

I almost flinch as a cold tongue runs over my skin, very close to that damn collar. Then, ever so slowly, it nears the spot where Kieran bit me.

I can't explain how it makes me feel, but suddenly, I have a strong urge to get closer. As close as possible, nearly under his skin. Perhaps the whole biting thing affects everyone, like an invisible leash between the owner and his property.

Kieran chuckles against my skin, "I think it's time for you to go, brother. As you can see, we are busy, and I have the whole night with her. A deal is a deal; you can't break it just because you feel like it. As for your tantrum, we'll discuss that first thing in the morning, the same as the new ownership rules. First come, first served." Kieran's breath tickles my skin.

Up to the moment when I'm already tilting my head- offering easy access to my neck; I don't notice how my body is reacting to his touch, voice, and presence. It's something completely new, unexplainable.

What in the world has gotten into me? I get it; I wanted him. I wanted to take the next step with Kieran. It was my decision to make. Still, I've never acted like this around him before; it's unlikely of me. Just because we had sex doesn't mean I'm supposed to become his doormat. It doesn't mean I have to melt in his arms and do anything to please the vampire.

My ignorant state of bliss shatters as Octavius laughs and slams the door closed. "Oh, hell am I leaving you two now. Since you have taken it upon yourself to take anything you see and desire, we could have a quick talk while Ocean's still in the same room with us."

His words catch my attention. What is it that Octavois wants to discuss, and why is he dragging me into it? Are they going to argue about what happened? Surely it can't be that they have made some sick bet, or worse, a race to see who gets me first? No, that couldn't be the case. Octavius would jump at the chance since we spent so much time together while Kieran was busy. There must be more behind the tension between the two of them, and something tells me that if I stay quiet, I might find out.

Kieran sighs and hides his face in the crook of my neck. "Shall I remind you of the deal again?" He sounds calm and collected, unfazed by Octavus's angered state.

Sometimes I wonder how vampires keep such cool heads during arguments. I've seen Octavius lose his temper, but even when Kieran has had his moments, he appears to be the calmer one. Of the two, Octavius surprisingly acts like a hothead.

As if on cue, Octavius speaks up and confirms my thoughts, "Screw the deal; we're going to sit down and discuss a thing or two." He approaches us, steps echoing off the bedroom walls.

For some reason, his presence worries me. As if the vampire is a sign of something bad to come. He's bringing something terrible with him, and there's nothing I can do to stop him.

I wish I could go back in time and ask Kieran to go somewhere else, anywhere but this building. I wish I could find a place where we could stay together, just him and me, embracing each other and avoiding any consequences that might come.

I knew, from the beginning, that my decision would force the brothers to drift apart, but I didn't think Octavius would lose his mind. The decision was mine to make, I followed my heart, and while one of them is happy, I think, the other can't accept the defeat.

"There's nothing to discuss." Kieran hisses, tightening his hold around me to the point I whimper in pain.

The faint sound brings him back to his senses, and Kieran instantly relaxes. His hand finds the throbbing spot on my side and slowly strokes it until the pain subsides, and I feel nothing but soothing bliss.

"What did you give her? Did you spike a drink or force a drug down her throat, Kieran?" Octavius is standing right behind me, probably looking down at his brother in disgust.

A shiver runs down my spine. Something about him has changed. A few days ago, he was the happy, cheerful guy who wanted nothing more than to be my friend, the guy who encouraged me to follow my heart, but when I took his advice, he became someone else.

As Octavius continues to rage, Kieran laughs. "Neither. Dear brother, you disappoint me; I'd never walk down such a shameful path. It's a disgrace. I'm not you." There is something hidden in those words. Kieran's voice changes to one he has never used, dripping with hate, venom, and could it be pain?

By all means, a moment ago, I was sure this mess was my fault, but now, I doubt it. There's no way those two would accuse each other of such things unless something like that had happened before.

"Fuck you, Kieran, tell me the truth!" Octavius screams at the top of his lungs, taking another step toward me and stopping just as his upper body collides with my back.

God, why does he have to stand so close to me? Can't those two figure this out without me around?

"You want the truth? Alright, here it is. I told you that I plan to play with our precious little human. We had so much fun in the Arena, and believe it or not, I didn't touch a single hair on her head. Until she begged me to kiss her, I couldn't refuse a lady. The rest is history." Kieran places his hand on the side of my neck. His fingers trace circles on my skin; the touch instantly puts me at ease. I don't think I've ever been so grateful to be so close to a vampire before.

Octavius starts laughing, but a moment later, his melodic laughter turns into malicious screeching. He acts as if he'd rather die than listen to a word that leaves his brother's lips.

Maybe I'll have to speak up after all. I can't just sit and expect Kieran to shield me from everything. I don't want them to fight, certainly not over me.

"History, my ass! You forced yourself onto her, didn't you? Just look at Ocean; she's shaking with fear!" Even though he's spitting facts, I wish I had it in me to confront Octavius. I'm not trembling because of something Kieran did, quite the opposite; I tremble because I fear the Octavius he has become.

I look at Kieran's handsome face and try to search for any emotion. Will he be angry or upset?

I can't say if I feel disappointed or sad when all I see is the same old, grim expression. No emotion, no giveaway. As if that's not enough, Kieran makes it worse by rolling his eyes and muttering, "I gave her what she wanted."

He gave me what I wanted. He didn't do it because he wanted me too. It's because I demanded that he sleep with me, not because he felt anything for me. Whatever game they were playing, Kieran won. He won the fucking gold medal. The first one to get between my legs, the first one to overthrow his brother, the first one to collar me as the sole owner, and the first one to shatter my heart. God, I'm so stupid. How could I have missed so many red flags? I should've known better than to sleep with the numb brother. I'll never be more than his taste of the weekend.

Octavius scoffs. As much as I want to tune them out and ignore their argument, I can't. I'll straddle Kieran until they're done arguing and then wait for him to throw me away and drown in misery.

"Did she beg you to mark her? Did she want you to make that decision for her, too?" Those words hit a nerve. The tension in the room becomes so thick I could cut it with a paper knife.

"Nope, that happened in the heat of the moment, but I'm sure bunny doesn't mind. She enjoyed herself; trust me, she did. Am I right, bunny?" Maybe it's just me, but I sense mockery in Kieran's words, so I fight every instinct and stay quiet. If he'll get angry at me and decide to punish me, then so be it.

"Just wait until she finds out what that means." Octavius chuckles.

Kieran shrugs, "I'll explain."

Whatever is happening here, I don't think they need me. At this point, what started as a real fight turned into a game of measuring dicks.

A hand rests on my shoulder, and I flinch. "Ocean, did you know that Kieran has just become your rightful owner? He will replace the collar on your neck with one that claims sole ownership of you. From now on, you are no longer the property of an Elite household but of an Elite vampire who owns you. He didn't fuck you while he fed; no, he claimed you as HIS." Octavius emphasises the word 'his' with such disgust even my guts twist. "I have no power to touch you anymore, and I could live with that, but I can't protect you either. Now that you belong to my shithead of a brother, I can't help you; you're on your own, sweetheart." The last word is a mere whisper, but I still recognise the nickname he's been using since day one.

It's weird how this one word used to make me feel warm and happy, but now it does nothing but raise concern in me. Is it because of Kieran's bite or the way Octavius tried to hide it slipped his lips?

Could I be feeling hurt by his sudden change of heart? But isn't this what I wanted? No, wait, that's not what I wanted in the first place. I never wanted to become the slave of a vampire, let alone multiple vampires. I decided my fate, but I didn't think it would be so easy for Kieran to overthrow everyone and take me as part of his possession. I definitely didn't want that.

"Don't call her that!" Kieran growls and pulls me closer to him. Again, his grip tightens to the point he's hurting me, but he's ignorant to the wince of pain escaping my lips. Even as I struggle against his grip, he does nothing to relieve me of the pain.

"Oh, chill the fuck down, savage, I'm not done yet. Like the gentleman I am, I started with the good news. Wait until I tell her who you are. Wait until she finds out your secret; let's see how willing she is then." Octavius laughs and takes a few steps back.

The room feels empty, dead, and all we hear is Octavius' laughter, Kieran's growling, and my ragged breathing.

"Octavius, I'm warning you," Kieran lets go of me but doesn't move. He's not holding me anymore, so I assume he wants to give me a chance to get out while I still can.

Before I can make up my mind, Octavius speaks up again. "No need, I've made up my mind. You never gave me a fair chance at winning her, so I won't provide one either."

"One more word, and I'll behead you, brother," Kieran all but screams, pushing me off him with such force that my body flies into the wall.

As my back hits the wall, my breath catches from the forceful impact. I'm sure I heard cracking; that might have been one or a few of my ribs, but despite the pain and struggling to breathe, I can't keep my eyes off the two vampires, standing chest to chest. Tears stream down my face. I've been beaten so many times I know how to take it. All I have to do is bite my lip and even a sound won't leave me.

I see their lips move but can't hear a single word. Are they whispering, or is the room spinning too fast? What on earth?

"Ocean," Octavius raises his voice, and my gaze immediately focuses on his face.

The vampires pay no attention to me. Even if something is wrong with me, they won't notice until they're done with each other. "Last warning!" Kieran shouts right as I feel something drip from the corner of my lips. It tastes like metal. I probably bit my lip too hard and broke the skin.

I wish I could listen, I wish I could hear everything Octavius has to say, but I'm too tired. I can't fight the darkness. "The auction. Kieran is Tank, he..."