Drystan looked down at Melora and started to tremble. He couldn't feel her presence through the mate bond. He had just caused his mate the worst pain she would ever experience. 

He had hurt her. 

He had hurt the woman that he loved. 

Alathic's venom tasted horrible when he was sucking it out of Melora's body. He quickly spits it out onto the floor. He watched as it seemed to hiss and disintegrate into the floor. 

The door flew open and Carwel flew into the room. He stopped at the side of the bed and bent down to listen to Melora's breathing. Drystan found himself frozen in place. He wasn't being who he wanted to be for Melora. He was scared. He was weak. He didn't know if he could penetrate his venom into her knowing that he was going to be causing her more pain once again. 

"You have to continue, Drystan," Carwel urged Drystan. "You need to put your venom into her now."

Drystan sat up, straddling Melora's waist, and shook his head. "I can't. I caused her pain, Carwel. I can't continue."

"It has to be you, Drystan," Carwel urged him again. He placed his hands onto Drystan's shoulders and gripped them tightly. "You have to bite her. You have to change her."

Drystan shook his head again. He looked down at Melora, once again reaching out for her through their bond, but getting no response. "She's human again. She's going to stay human." His eyes snapped up to look at Carwel. "I can't be the reason that she becomes a monster like me."

Carwel's eyes softened at his words. "Drystan," he started slowly. "She can't remain human. Her body has already been hurt by Alathic's venom. If she isn't changed," he trailed off. 

"What?"

"Drystan. If she isn't changed," he started to trail off again. "She dies."

"Get out," Drystan growled. 

"I'm telling you the truth," Carwel stammered as he backed up. 

Drystan got off of the bed and stalked toward Carwel, backing him up to the door. "Get the fuck out of my house."

Carwel grabbed the handle and opened the door. "I told you the truth, Drystan. You have to do it." He motioned to Melora. "For her." He quickly closed the door before Drystan could say anything again. 

Drystan ran his hand through his hair roughly as he turned back toward the bed. His feet moved on their own as he found himself back beside the bed. He straddled her again and placed a gentle kiss on the crook of her neck. 

"Please," he sighed. "Forgive me for making you into a monster, my love." He placed another kiss on her smooth skin. "I love you," he croaked before he sank his teeth into her neck. 

The taste of her blood on his tongue was intoxicating. He still loved the taste of her, even though he had to stop. He swallowed her blood as he moved his fangs deeper into her neck. He winced as he felt the venom in his fangs seep out and go into her body. 

Again, there wasn't any movement coming from her body. He was afraid that he had done something wrong. That she wouldn't wake up. That he would never hear her voice again. His heart was beating fast as he swore he saw her head twitch. He wanted to stop but knew that he couldn't. He had to continue to inject his venom into her body. He was almost done. 

Finally, he released her neck and sat up. The wound on her neck disappeared. He waited patiently for any sign of movement from her, but nothing happened. She didn't move. 

"Melora?" he choked. He leaned down and gently moved his fingers over her lips and into her hair. "Melora," he tried again. "Please, my love, wake up. Wake up for me. Please." He moved off of her and laid down next to her. He continued to stroke her hair, praying to whoever would listen to him that she would wake up soon. 

Drystan didn't know how long it took before he saw Melora's mouth start to twitch. He sat up quickly. "Melora?" 

Melora's head slowly moved over to his voice. Her eyes fluttered open and looked up at him. "D-Drystan?" her voice croaked out. 

Drystan let out a breath he hadn't known that he was holding and caressed her face. "Oh," his voice cracked. "I'm so happy you're awake."

Melora gave him a weak smile. "Did it work?" Her hand reached up and grabbed onto his. "I'm not in pain."

Drystan's eyebrows furrowed. "Smile for me." Melora smiled revealing two, medium-lengthen fangs protruding out of her gums. Drystan forced a smile onto his face even as a sinking feeling started in his stomach. "It worked, my love."

Melora nodded. She moved to sit up, but Drystan was there quickly to help her. He moved her so she was leaning against the headboard. "I'm hungry, Drystan."

"Of course you are, my love," Drystan sighed. He growled when a knock sounded on the door. He knew that it was Carwel, but he didn't want to answer the door. He wanted this time to just be with his woman. He wanted to concentrate only on her. 

He growled as he got off of the bed and moved toward the door as another set of quick knocks came. He opened the door, revealing Carwel, Dante, and Draco. "What?" he snapped. 

Carwel looked past Drystan and glanced at Melora. "Is it done?"

"Yes," Drystan growled at him. 

Carwel's eyes snapped over to him. "Remember who you're talking to, Drystan. I'd like to talk to her."

Drystan had to control his temper. His fangs threatened to come out, but Carwel was right. He had to remember who he was talking to. This was the man who had saved him and made him into what he is today. Not the monster, but a controlled one. If it hadn't been for him, in reality, he wouldn't have met Melora. 

Drystan stepped aside and let them in. He closed the door and swiftly moved over to Melora's side. She grabbed onto his hand and pulled her down next to him. 

"How are you feeling, Melora?" Carwel asked her. He pulled over a chair from the other side of the room and placed it beside the bed. 

Melora looked over at Drystan. He nodded to her as she turned her attention to Carwel. "I'm fine," her voice was strong as she answered him. 

Carwel smiled at her. "Are you hungry?"

Drystan watched Melora gulp before she answered. "I am."

Carwel looked over at Dante and motioned him closer to them. "Have his blood."

"Excuse me?" Drystan couldn't help but interject. The grip on her hand tightened. "She's not going to take his blood."

Dante looked between Drystan and Carwel. "Why does she have to take my blood?" He motioned over to Drystan. "She should take her mates."

"It doesn't matter who's blood she takes," Carwel groaned. "She just needs to feed."

"I want my mate's blood," Melora spoke up. 

Drystan couldn't help but smile proudly at his woman. She had become more confident in herself. Before she had been timid, but now she was a new woman. He snuck a glance over at Carwel and his eyebrows furrowed as he noticed the annoyed look on his face. 

Melora looked over at Drystan. "You all should leave."

Dante and Draco smiled fondly at her as they nodded. "Of course, Melora. We'll see you again soon when you're strong enough." They both turned quickly and walked out of the house. 

Carwel continued to sit in the chair, studying Melora. 

"Didn't you hear my mate, Carwel?" Drystan asked cooly as a smile spread over his lips. "We would like to be alone. Once my mate is strong enough, I'll bring her to you."

Carwel stood up slowly. "Alright." He moved toward the door. "I'll be waiting for the new addition to our family." He closed the door behind him, leaving them in complete silence. 

Drystan moved his attention over to Melora. He gripped onto her hips and moved her to straddle his lap. He pointed to the crook of his neck as he moved his head to the side. "Whenever you're ready, my love. Drink. Don't worry about hurting me."

Melora ran her hands up his chest. Drystan watched as her eyes stared at the spot on his neck where she was supposed to bite. Her fangs lengthened as she leaned forward. Her fangs grazed on his skin before she penetrated. Drystan worked hard to contain the groan that was threatening to come out of his mouth. He had always loved her teeth on his skin, but now that she was biting him, it was a different sensation. 

He loved it. 

Melora drank from him for a couple of minutes before she pulled back, licking the wound as he had done with her. Drystan smiled as he brought his hand up and wiped the blood from her mouth. 

"How are you feeling, my love?" he asked her. 

Melora smiled at him. "Better." Her smile turned into a smirk as her hips started to move against him. 

"Melora," he warned. "You need your rest."

Her hands ran up his chest and tangled into his hair. "I'll get my rest after you fuck me."