Chapter 7: seven

Olivia

I blinked up at Cole, my cheeks aflame with embarrassment. His words washed over me, a soothing balm to my anxiety, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. He was explaining what was to come, but all I could think about was the pain. I wanted to be a good pet, but this was all so overwhelming.

On my first day out of the pet shop, I found myself yearning for the familiarity of my small cage, my simple and predictable life. Would Cole let me return?

“I want to go back,” I blurted out, interrupting his monologue. I nibbled on my bottom lip, my gaze fixated on my hands as they fiddled with the hem of my dress.

The room fell silent, amplifying my anxiety. Then, I felt his fingers gently lift my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. I tried to look away, but his eyes, now a deep black, held me captive.

“Go back where, pet?” His voice was a low growl, his jaw clenched in anger.

“T-to t-the p-p-pet shop,” I stuttered out. I was terrified of defying a vampire, but this was all too much for me.

I was just a human, after all, and this was all so terrifying.

Suddenly, his hands cradled my face, and I could feel hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I whimpered, my instinct to flee kicking in, but I knew it was futile.

He gently wiped away my tears with his thumbs. I could only imagine the mess my face must have been.

“You are not going back to the pet store, Olivia,” he said, his voice icy. The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine.

“You are mine. Only mine. I’ve waited a long time for this day, and I won’t wait any longer. Do you understand?”

I wanted to respond, but I was frozen, helpless.

“Soon, I will mark your neck. Everyone—vampires and humans alike—will know who you belong to. If you try to escape, they’ll bring you right back to me. Do you understand, little dove?”

He released my face, and I hung my head in shame before responding, “I understand, Cole.”

“Good. Who do you belong to?” he hissed.

“You. I belong to you,” I whispered.

He hummed in response, his eyes softening back to their usual green. I felt a small sense of relief, but the anxiety still lingered.

I found myself wondering what he meant by waiting a long time for this day. Perhaps he was just referring to having a pet.

Before I could ask, I felt his hands on my hips, pulling me closer until my hands rested on his chest.

“Close your eyes, little dove. I’ll make it hurt less.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I obeyed. My hair was already braided behind my back, leaving my neck exposed.

I waited, my heart pounding, until I felt his lips tracing a path along my jawline. I wanted to open my eyes, but I didn’t dare risk his anger. His touch sent a pleasant tingle through my body.

He kissed his way down to the sweet spot on my neck, where his mark would soon be. He lingered there, sucking gently, and I felt as though I was floating. A soft moan escaped my lips, and I could feel his smirk against my skin.

Then, it happened. His fangs pierced my skin, and the pain was excruciating. I screamed, expecting him to silence me, but he didn’t. The pain seemed to last an eternity, but eventually, it began to fade.

I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I felt a chill creeping over me. My hands clenched his shirt as he continued to drink from my neck, my blood staining the fabric.

Finally, he withdrew his fangs and wrapped his arms around me. I felt drained, as though I hadn’t slept in days.

I wanted to ask him what he’d done, but I couldn’t muster the strength to speak. I tried to open my eyes, but they refused to cooperate.

“Don’t fight it, little dove. Just sleep,” he cooed in my ear.

I didn’t resist. I let my body go limp against him, surrendering to the encroaching darkness.