Chapter 93

Almara

When the door swung open, the last thing I had expected to see was Noah's sinister grin glinting in the dim light as he dragged in Arthur's limp body, the life draining from his face. I could hardly recognize my husband in that state.

A strong contraction had me doubling over and I lost the ability to speak for a few moments. After it passed, I could only stare in horror as Noah brought Arthur's unconscious form to the foot of the bed.

"Noah, what have you done?" I choked out, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and fear. Throughout all of his talks, he had never mentioned bringing Arthur into the plan. I had thought that he would just blackmail him or something. So what was he doing here?

Noah's laughter echoed off the cold, brick walls, sending shivers down my spine. "Oh, you haven't seen anything yet, Sweetness" he purred, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure.

He threw Arthur's body to the ground like a discarded doll, and Arthur's head lolled to the side, exposing his vulnerable neck. Noah's eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger, his fangs elongating in anticipation.

I couldn't tear my gaze away, horrified yet unable to look away from the gruesome scene unfolding before me. I had an inkling of what Noah was going to do and I hoped I was wrong. It would be more of a blessing if he just killed Arthur.

"Noah, please," I begged, my voice reduced to a desperate whisper. "Don't do this." I didn’t care about the ruse anymore. I would beg if I had to. I would take all of Noah’s anger. All I wanted was for Arthur to be safe.

Noah turned to me, his eyes ablaze with a fevered intensity. "Oh, but you see, Sweetness, I must. I hadn't planned on this, but how could I resist such an opportunity? It would take care of two birds with one stone.”

“He’ll kill you if you turn him,” I threw out in a last attempt to change Noah’s mind. If Arthur was a hybrid, there would be no stopping him. Why would Noah even take that risk?

Noah cackled and I could clearly see the madness had fully taken over. “Oh, no, no no, Sweetness. You see, when vampires are turned, they are completely loyal to their sire. Arthur will become as loyal to me as a bloodhound to its master."

Tears streamed down my face, mingling with the cold rain that fell in a melancholy rhythm. I felt helpless, unable to stop the nightmare that was unfolding before me. I looked into Noah's eyes, once filled with warmth and compassion, now consumed by an insatiable hunger for power and control.

With a swift, savage motion, Noah sank his fangs into Arthur's neck. A guttural, tortured moan escaped Arthur's lips, his body convulsing in agony. I could hardly bear to watch as Noah fed him his own blood, the dark crimson fluid seeping into Arthur's veins, mingling with his fading life force.

As the transformation took hold, Arthur's body contorted, his features warping into something unrecognizable. His once tan skin grew paler, almost translucent. If his eyes were open, I was sure they would be the same color as Noah’s.

Tears poured down my face as reality set in. My husband was no longer my husband. He was a new hybrid, the same as Noah. Not only that, he would be completely loyal to Noah. If he was asked, Arthur would willingly hand over the entire pack.

My arms wrapped protectively around my stomach. All the hope that I had been holding on to left my body in a rush that left me feeling exhausted. There would be no one coming to save us.

My child and I would be at the mercy of Noah. I would become a hybrid as well and lose my autonomy. I shuddered at the implications. When the time came, I would happily hand over my daughter to him. My life as I knew it was officially over.

“Don’t fret, Sweetness. Soon you won’t even remember the alpha. You’ll be truly all mine. But I know this must be hurting your gentle heart. So I’ll make him more comfortable,” Noah said, wiping Arthur’s blood from his mouth before putting him in a sitting position in the corner.

I watched as Noah pulled manacles out of seemingly nowhere. He clasped them around Arthur’s wrist and then drove the staked end through the stone wall. Arthur was effectively restrained.

“Why did you do that?” I asked weakly, groaning as another contraction brought more pain.

A wry grin pulled up the corners of Noah’s lips. “For your safety. The alpha is going to be hungry when he wakes up and I can’t have him snacking on the love of my life.”

A different type of horror made my heart beat faster as I considered the manacles. Were they going to be strong enough to hold him? He was an alpha…or had he lost the alpha power when he was killed?

What kind of sick irony would it be if Arthur took my life in a feeding frenzy? As if reading my mind, Noah took my hand in his, rubbing small circles into it with his thumb. “Don’t worry. Arthur will still be pretty weak from the change. He won’t be able to break his restraints. You’re perfectly safe.”

I had to choke back a humorless laugh. I was the furthest thing away from ‘perfectly safe.’ Honestly, I would much rather be alone with Dana again than here with Noah and that was something that I never would have thought possible.

“Now that that’s out of the way, how are you feeling, my pet? How are your contractions?” Noah asked as he cupped my chin between his thumb and forefinger. There was more pressure than usual, a silent warning.

He had tolerated my outburst earlier, but he wouldn’t do so again. “They’re getting closer and closer together, my love, and more painful. She’ll be here soon.”

Bile rose in my throat, but I swallowed it back down. I didn’t really have any fight left in me. But I had to keep surviving. Maybe, by some chance, my daughter would at least get rescued before it was too late.

“I would take the pain away if I could,” he said, leaning down and pressing his lips to mine, his tongue seeking entrance. I opened up to him and new tears slid down my cheeks. I could taste Arthur’s blood on him.

When he pulled back, he licked his lips. “I will never get tired of that. You always taste delicious. I’ll send the nurse in soon. In the meantime, do you need anything?”

I bit my tongue. I needed my husband back. I needed my life back. I needed my happily ever after back. But I couldn’t say any of that. I just shook my head and gave him what I hoped was a grateful smile.

“That’s my girl. So strong. I’ll be back soon,” Noah said and then left me alone with Arthur. I finally allowed myself to let go and sobs wracked my body. I cried until I had no tears left.