Page 88 of Primal Hunger
“He won’t hurt me. I’m his mate,” I say proudly, a warmth spinning through my chest that quickly flits through my entire body. “It might not make sense—hell, it definitely doesn’t make sense—but this is what I’m choosing.”
A beat of silence passes, interrupted only by the crackling of the portal.
“Do you have my camera?” I ask suddenly, an idea occurring to me.
“Um, yeah. Why?” He holds it up, and I extend my hand.
“Toss it,” I demand, and he does.
It shoots through the portal, causing the rip between our worlds to flare and spark, and I catch it by the strap before it hits the ground. It isn’t much, but if it’s the only piece of my world I get to keep, so be it.
“Tell my story,” I say, meeting Tyler’s gaze a final time as the portal shrinks to the size of a basketball. “Tell the world that there are creatures out there that we don’t understand, but they aren’t the monsters we make them out to be.”
Before he can respond, the portal fizzles out, and darkness engulfs the clearing once more.
I rush back to Syros’ side, falling to my knees and grabbing the sides of his skull between my hands. His breathing is shallow, the glowing orbs of his eyes dimmer than ever.
“You… stayed,” he mutters, forcing out the syllables.
“Of course.” I stroke my fingers gently along his jaw bone. “I’m not leaving you—not now, not ever—and you’re not leaving me. You kidnapped me and brought me here, now you’re stuck with me. Understand?”
He forces a chuckle, followed by a raspy wheeze, and I grab onto his shoulder and squeeze.
“Just hold on a little longer,” I say. “I’m going to make it all better.”
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Syros
It has been many years since I’ve dreamed.
In fact, I cannot remember the last time I dreamed before Erin came into my life, but since meeting her, all kinds of images have plagued my sleep. Thoughts of losing her, of keeping her forever, or what the future could hold for us,of her going home. They are just as conflicted as my waking thoughts, but one thing is always certain: when I fall asleep, she is there in my mind, waiting for me.
After being wounded by the human weapon, I fall into a deep sleep unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Pain bleeds into my thoughts, physical and emotional, as I dream about losing her over and over again.
I can’t wake. I can only watch as she leaves me time and time again.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, consciousness returns to me and I wake. I stare up at the roof of my cabin, tracing the familiar sight in my mind, wondering how I made it back here. The last thing I remember was collapsing in the forest, staring up at Erin’s pretty face, telling her to leave and let me die. The rest is darkness.
Noise nearby makes me bristle, but movement causes pain to tear through my side. I look around frantically, wondering if a Grim made their way into my home as I slept. I find that my torso has been wrapped in cloth—the fabric that once hung over the door to my cabin. My gaze flicks to the gaping doorway where sunlight now spills into the space.Did I tear it down at some point?
My gaze sweeps across the room, and a flash of silver hair catches my attention. My heart clenches painfully as I realize it’s Erin, moving around the cabin, rearranging my collection. More fabric from the doorway is fashioned around her, tied behind her neck, clinging to her curves. I stare, drinking in the sight, confusion clouding my thoughts.
What is happening? Is this yet another dream?
I look around the room, taking it all in. Everything is different, things lined neatly against the walls, more objects hanging up around the space. It’s clean and neat, the best it’s ever looked, and an inhale brings a delicious smell to my nose.
Did she cook while I was asleep?
Warmth spreads through me as I watch her, my curiosity piqued. She didn’t leave the way she planned, and she looks perfectly at home in my cabin. Like this is her home as well. After watching her for several minutes, I growl low to catch her attention, and her eyes snap in my direction. Her features light up, and she rushes over, dropping next to me on the nest of furs.
“You’re awake!” Her fingers trail across my chest, the touch lighting up my skin and causing my insides to twist in excitement. Touching her is electric, despite the other times my skin has been against hers. It feels new, foreign. “You scared me there a few times.” A dark expression flashes over her face. “I was worried you might not make it.”
I force a laugh, and pain shoots through my ribs. “It will take more than that to kill me, little human.”
More darkness plays over her face. “Syros, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he had a gun with him. If I knew he would hurt you, I would have never… I—” Her voice warbles, and I shush her.
