Dare {Book 2}

Chapter sixteen

Isabella
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They didn't say it would be painful. They didn't tell me I would wake up in the middle of the night, gasping for air, even though air wasn't what I needed. Your throat becomes dry, I remember him saying, you'll grow fangs. That part was true.

The pain was almost unbearable. The back of my throat was dry, as if I've been coughing too much. There's water on my nightstand table, but I know it won't help. Water isn't what I need, but I try it anyway. My whole body is shaking as I reach for the glass. The water slides down my throat. It should be cool, refreshing, but it's not. It burns my throat, makes it feel as though it's on fire.

I can't scream, I can't yell for Ace. Fear floods through me.

No Isabella. You'll no longer feel fearful. Fear itself will fear you, my wolf whispers.

I grab my neck with both hands on instinct. My back arches as a stinging pain falls down my spine. I need Xavier and Ace, and I need them now.

I grip the sheets beneath me, grasping for something, anything, though I know the pain will not go away. With shaky hands, I peel the blankets off of me. Cold air nips at my bare legs. I need to stand, I need to get Ace.

But as I stand, my legs give out. They throb with pain, worse than when I shifted. The ground is cold, hard. I writhe in pain for a few moments.

Then something sharp pokes my lip. I reach up with a shaky finger, pressing it to the sharpness. It draws out blood.

Fangs.

I stare at the blood that pools on my finger. I know my own blood won't help.

I let out a silent, pained scream as a sharp pain hits my stomach. My body contracts into a ball on the floor. My head pounds at the speed of my heart, and suddenly, that's all I can hear. My blood, rushing through my body. My eyesight becomes sharp, every particle coming to life before my eyes.

I look to the door, whimpering in pain. Then my eyes flick next to the door. The buttons. One with Ace's name, one with Xavier's.

I claw at the ground, holding one hand to my stomach. Silver tears fall to the ground. I need Ace.

I grab the door handle, putting all of my weight on the wall as I pull myself up. I slam my fist in the button. My vision turns blurry for a moment, my head becoming light. Ace doesn't respond. I press it again, more frantic. The pain hits my stomach again. I bend over, heaving.

"Isabella?" Ace says my name. I can't answer, my throat feels like a million pins and needles are attacking it. "Isabella?"

I hit the button again and again, before I fall to the ground.

"Isabella? Oh shit, hold on Princess I'm coming" and then he's gone, leaving me alone once again.

I don't want to be alone, I think to myself, bad things happen when I'm alone.

I hear a door opening and slamming shut. Then he runs the opposite way. I close my eyes, trying to hold myself together.

Fear itself will fear you, my wolf repeats, you'll no longer be weak, broken Isabella, but strong, independent, dark Isabella. Feared by everyone and anyone. No one will stand in our way.

I cough. It hurts my throat even more. Blood drips over my lips. My tongue runs over the blood, but nothing happens. The feeling is still there.

The door opens, fresh air hitting my bare legs. Then a new sense kicks into overdrive. I make eye contact with Ace, and instantly smell his blood. I hear his heart beat, quick, scared. I take a deep breath, my mouth watering.