Saving Nicole

Chapter 47: Mark

Dallas's POV
--

I look at them with a guarded expression. What did they see? My father grins smugly at me and crosses his arms, leaning back on his heels.

He was watching. He was watching. Nicole watches them with a blank expression I'm envious of. I'm sure embarrassment is written all over mine. Why would they watch?

I'm suddenly very self conscious of the blood all over my mouth and teeth.

That seems to be the only place they're looking.

"Before you ask, yes. We were watching through that window." Dad indicates at the window in the door. "Doctor came to check on you and..." He grins, his eyes darting to Doctor Monte. Her cheeks are flushed and she seems to struggle for words.

They both know it's unthinkable to interrupt Marking. It's inappropriate to watch. But I know the doctor just wanted to make sure I didn't get myself hurt further.

My father looks as if he's about ready to pounce on me. What for; no idea. I'm not going to. At least not anymore. My instincts aren't apparent at the moment. I've conquered them.

I wipe at my mouth again. Crimson. Licking my teeth, I taste her blood coating them.

I'm humiliated. They watched something so... Intimate. My face is flushed and I cover it with my hands from mortification.

"Don't worry. We couldn't hear anything." That doesn't make it better. They watched me basically struggle to contain my control. I'm freaking out.

Suddenly, Nicole's smell becomes intoxicating, threatening to suffocate me. It makes me ache and desire... Well, I don't know what.

Something starts rising in me again, too fast for me to understand what it is before I turn and practically leap at Nicole. I swear inside my head.

My dad lurches forward, grabbing me in midair and holding me so I can't move. I stare at Nicole, seeing her confused gaze mirror my thoughts. What am I doing?

My instincts.

They're back.

My dad grips me as I growl and the doctor winces as I twist sideways uncomfortably. My stomach isn't fully healed.

Crying out, I become limp. Agonizing pain spikes through me and I see Nicole stand from her position against the wall, alarmed.

My face is contorted into one of anger and need. Pure instincts. My canines are out and I'm breathing heavily. The blood on my face smells like her, driving me to lurch from my dad. He keeps his grip.

Nicole takes a step towards me, her eyes dark. The doctor seems to understand what's happening because she dashes forward to hold back Nicole. Nicole snarls and glares at her, but the doctor resists her deathly gaze.

"Dallas! Call it off! Now!" My dad is shouting at me. Call what off? And how am I supposed to do it? "Dallas!"

I close my eyes. Control. Control.

When I open them, I'm standing without my father keeping me up. I look at him, back to my senses, and wipe at my bloody mouth.

Nicole's staring at me with something in her eyes that I can't read. Odd. My dad steps in front of her and starts saying things that I miss. What's going on? Why are my instincts back?

"Dallas! Get out of here! She won't calm down!" My father screams.

I can feel my side seeping wolfsbane mixed with my blood onto the bandage. I wheeze and start heading for the door. Gripping the doorknob, I quickly open and shut it right as Nicole slams into the door.