Sexting With A Vampire
Chapter 43

Stella

Raphael leans closer, and my heart beats out of rhythm. The mate-bond is there, and he isn't a terrible person.

But I don't love him.

Somehow, I lift my arms and push at his face. Confusion enters those eyes, and I give him a sad smile. In a different world, I could have seen myself loving Raphael. He is attractive.

Beautiful and strong.

Yet my heart beats for that sarcastic vampire.

"Please, I don't want this, Raphael. I'm sorry, but I love Evan. You're not a terrible alpha, but it will always be Evan. Only Evan."

I let my hands fall from Raphael's face, and he opens his mouth to speak but isn't given a minute to gather air.

We both turn around when we hear a thud.

Evan is standing by the lake, staring at me with wide eyes and a slow-spreading smile on his lips. I'm not sure why he is looking at me like that? Did he hear the conversation? Regardless, my breath is blown away when the mate-bond explodes between us.

It's worse than it was with Raphael. My feelings for Evan are like a spreading infection, a fever that crushes my lungs and my brain until Evan is the only thing on my mind.

I loved him before the mate-bond, and now it seems those feelings are intensified. His scent, his face, that smile; I'm burning and experiencing withdrawal symptoms from not touching him. Evan smiles back at me, but his affectionate expression is replaced with bitterness the second his eyes move to Raphael.

"I'm one second away from kicking your a*s."

Raphael holds up his hands in surrender. "Dude, I won't try kissing Stella again. I did it because I had to try. She is my mate too, but she obviously doesn't like me..."

I turn around to face Raphael, mouthing, "Sorry," before heading for the shore in long strides.

Evan is still silently growling, and I roll my eyes. "Come," I grab his hand and pull him away from the water.

His eyes land on my naked body, and I fight the urge to snort. Evan is no longer growling. Instead, I feel his eyes like a physical weight on my shoulder as he sizes me up from behind.

I take a deep breath as we enter deeper into the woods. "I will reject Raphael later."

Evan catches up with me. He seems to have calmed down but looks grumpy when he peers down at me. One meaty arm gets crossed over the other he sighs.

"Raphael is probably right-you have two mates for a reason. Perhaps you must mate with us both to get rid of the demons?"

I eye him silently and try not to stare at his lower abs peeking out from his dirty t-shirt. His skin is baby smooth there, and I'm fighting the urge to get down on my knees and kiss him there.

"Yes, but... It doesn't feel right in here," I place my hand over my heart and sigh deeply. "It feels like cheating."

Evan studies me for a brief few minutes. "I rather not share you, but... What if we aren't strong enough to defeat those demons-that question keeps bugging me."

"I know..."

"Like," Evan rakes his fingers through his dark hair, looking haunted while he speaks. "I could let the shadows take over more of me, mix with them and grow stronger... But I'm not sure how much of my personality would be left if I did that. I'm already feeling different."

I look up at him. "Different how?"

His expression hints at shame. "I crave blood."

"Don't you always?"

"It's worse," Evan sighs. "The shadows say that drinking your blood can soothe my inner craving, but... It's not fair to treat you like my food either. f**k, I'm so disgusted with myself."

I lean in to hug him, which makes him turn tense for a moment. Evan seems unsure where to put his hand, but eventually, they find my back. He breathes in the scent of my hair, and I shudder.

He smells so good.

I close my eyes. "I don't mind you drinking from me... But maybe you shouldn't mix with the darkness? How about we head back to Lunaris and check how bad the situation is?"

His fingers are brushing through my hair. "I suppose that is an alternative... But, what if we can't leave that bubble once we enter it?"

I swallow thickly. "I'm trying to think positive thoughts..."

He chuckles. "Sorry."

"It's no problem..." I dig my face into his chest, tightening my grip around him, and inhale. He smells like a drug. I've said it a billion times, but I can't get over it. The mate-bond is making me addicted to him. Evan hugs me back and hums while sorting through my hair, gathering it on one side of my face. "I wonder what extraordinary power you have as a silver wolf..."

I laugh. "I think I have none. We have been training like idiots, and nothing has happened."

"Maybe you need something to happen to activate them? Perhaps your life needs to be in danger before those abilities finally awaken, and then you will be a super wolf."

My cheeks burn in embarrassment at the vision inside my head. I suddenly see myself as a wolf, wearing a goddamn super-hero cape.

I shake my head, biting back a laugh. Evan is so silly. "You've seen too many action movies..."

Evan snorts. "Hey now, be nice."

I crane my neck to meet his eyes. My mate is tall, and I'm leaning all my weight on him.

Butterflies swoop down into my stomach.

He is so attractive.

Beautiful.

My smile is somewhat shy. "I am nice."

Evan smiles down at me. "I can't argue with that..."

"Jesus..." Raphael stomps past us and shakes his head. "Get room to finish the mating ritual, please. I don't want to watch all this-getting rejected is enough for me." I grimace. "I'm sorry..."

Raphael stops in his tracks, smiling. "It's no problem. You fell in love, and you made your choice. I just have to accept it... Sure, it sucks and all, but I respect your decision." Evan turns around, seemingly astonished. "Wow, the werewolf can act like a mature grown-up."

To my surprise, Raphael laughs. "You know what? You're actually not that bad for being a bloodsucker. I rather it's you than anybody else with Stella. But if you hurt her, I will murder you." "And I would let you," Evan replies. "If I hurt my own mate, I wouldn't deserve to live."

"Glad we agree on something," Raphael focuses his sad eyes on mine. His smile is small. "I, Raphael, the alpha of the Bloodmoon pack, reject you, Stella, as my mate. May you be happy with Evan." I can feel his part of the mate-bond crumble, and I take a deep breath before saying, "I, Stella, accept your rejection, Raphael."

After speaking those words, I feel a shiver deep in my bones. The mate-bond is gone, but I can't help but wonder if this was the right decision to make...

Somewhere in the back of my head, I hear a sigh. It sounds like the moon goddess crying. And then her voice washes over me, "This might not lead to a happy ending, my child."