I'm a straightforward girl. I see what I like and I take it. It's been the same when I was little and it's still the same now. So when I went out clubbing with my friends that night and I saw this highly attractive guy, I just knew I had to have him...
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The moment I became conscious, the aftermath of my self-torture came crashing down on my body and I grimaced.
I groaned, my hand immediately moving to touch my bounded chest.
Shadow tore through me relentlessly. Fuck, even I couldn't believe I withstood that.
"Celeste?" A finger traced my frown lines.
"Mm," I blinked my eyes open and met Remi's worried gaze. "Hi," my voice croaked.
I winced.
He frowned, and his eyes glazed over for a second.
"I'm sorry." His eyes focused back on my face, his voice remorseful.
"For what?"
"For not being there to protect you. That'll never happen again. I swear." His eyes glistened with his conviction and I couldn't help my smile.
"I'm fine," I reassured. This was all my doing, anyway. "I don't blame you at all. I'm just happy you saved me."
"I will always save you. You're the most important person in my life right now. I can't lose you. I refuse to."
He leaned down and placed his forehead against mine, taking deep, steady breaths. He murmured, "I almost marked you."
My body stiffened, and panic shot through my chest. "What?" My hand immediately slapped onto my neck, as if to shield it.
He chuckled. "Don't worry, I didn't... and I won't. Not without your permission." His eyes glimmered, sucking me into its endless pool of warmth. "But I urge you to reconsider. If we were fully mated, something like that wouldn't have happened. Becoming bonded isn't a bad thing. You will get to know me, all of me. Thoughts to thoughts, heart to heart, soul to soul, Celeste, I'll be the one to run to you the second I feel a slice of your panic. I'll be the one to shield you from my enemies... if only you'll let me."
My heart shuddered and I couldn't bring myself to look at him anymore. I turned my head, breaking our contact, and pursed my lips.
My hand unconsciously touched my chest. My heart was pounding, and I couldn't understand why. Did I want to be with Remi? Was I stupid enough to already fall into his smile?
I swallowed down the lump in my throat and muttered. "Six months. You promised."
His face deflated, and he sighed, pulling back and running a hand through his hair. "Right. I understand. I guess I have to try harder then."
I said nothing and simply stared at the ceiling.
Us being together was too dangerous. An assassin and werewolf? That was a joke. My sister wasn't allowed to be with one, much less me, the young mistress. I couldn't bring that kind of burden on Remi. I just couldn't.
"Can you tell me what happened?" He asked.
This was the question I was most anticipating.
"I..." I frowned and furrowed my brows. "My memory is hazy, but from what I remember, I was in the bathroom one minute, and then the next I woke up to find myself blind. I couldn't see anything, and I remembered being so terrified that I didn't dare to move."
