Chapter || 4

Chapter 004

Allie's POV

"Wait, hang on. So you're saying that Lucas bit you?"

I nodded profusely, as I clutched my sheets to my body, pulling them up to my chin. My fingers twisted into the fabric so tightly that my knuckles turned white. Since I'd been basically sentenced to bed rest for the entire week, all I could do was lie here and replay that night over and over until my brain felt like mush. The only person who’d been with me through the whole ordeal was Jess, who, after hearing me out, decided I was absolutely losing it.

"He bit you? Maybe... maybe the sex was so good that he couldn't control the urge to bite you. I mean... have you read Married To The Devil's Son? When did Lucian bit Hazel? It was super hot..." Jess wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

I stared at Jess, narrowing my eyes into thin slits. Did she actually think this was funny? Who even brought up a romance novel at a time like this? My lips parted in disbelief before I sighed and forced myself upright.

"Fine. Show me... where did he bite you?" She folded her arms.

My hand went to my neck instinctively, my fingertips brushing over the exact spot. "He bit me here."

"Allie, you look fine to me. There's no bite mark or bruise or..." She leaned closer, peering at my neck, then pulled back, shaking her head.

"You don't understand. He bit me. I know what I am saying. His eyes turned yellow."

"Look, if this is a joke you have to stop. Calm the fuck down and we'll figure this out. Do you know that I met Lucas on my way to your home? He was so concerned about you and yet you made me walk him out." Jess flopped beside me.

"Jess, am I going crazy?" My voice cracked, and I wiped at my sweaty face with the back of my hand. She didn’t hesitate to pull me into a hug, tucking my head against her shoulder like she could physically hold my mind together.

"No, you're not. You'll be fine. I just think you should get some rest and you'll be fine, okay."

I was having none of it. "There was blood on my dress, Jess," I muttered.

Jess ran a hand through my hair, her touch soothing even though her words weren’t. "Do you want me to ask Lucas about it? Directly?"

I nodded slowly. She pressed her lips into a thin line. "I will talk to him. You sit tight and make sure you're fine. You heard the doctor. Close your eyes... you'll be fine... It'll be okay."

The exhaustion set in and my eyelids grew heavier and heavier until they fluttered shut, and before I knew it, sleep swallowed me whole.

~~~

"How do you feel today? Any slight dizziness or... You can always stay home if you want." My mum’s voice was warm, cheerful even, as she popped her head into my room with a laundry basket balanced on her hip. I could see Caden’s hoodies sticking out from under a pile of towels.

I snorted while running a brush through my hair. "You wish. I am perfectly fine, Mum. I've stayed home for a week and you know I can't bear the thought of spending one more day in this suffocating place."

She gave me that knowing mom look and nodded before walking away. The moment she disappeared down the hall, I hopped off the bed, letting the towel drop so I could slip into my underwear. Classes didn’t start until eight, but I had to meet Jess beforehand and endure Mr. Holland’s ego-fest of an audition for the drama he wrote. Yup... drama major life.

I pulled on an off-the-shoulder crop top and my favourite skinny jeans. They hugged me just enough to be cute but still let me sprint across campus if I had to. Tossing my hair over my shoulder, I grabbed my phone, my half-stuffed bag, my inhaler, two juice packs... and then paused to scan my room.

"I thought you said you had classes at eight? Why are you still here?" Caden’s voice came out of nowhere, and when I turned, he was leaning against my doorframe.

"Get out. You're pushing me away from home. So you could do what exactly?" I glared at him.

"Not your business."

I smirked. "I think you're about to d******d p**n or bring a girl over." Grabbing my bag, I shoved past him, heading for the stairs.

As I opened the front door, Caden yelled. "Did you use a condom when you did it last week?"

My mouth dropped open. Then my eyes went to Dad, who was thankfully too busy tending to Mum’s flowers in the garden to hear the verbal grenade my brother had just lobbed. I spun, gave Caden the middle finger, and stormed out to Jess’s waiting car.

"Your brother did not just say that." She was grinning from ear to ear.

"It's not even funny." I buckled up, still fuming. "Dad could have heard him. And who knows if mum did?"

Jess started driving. "You know I'd have to get used to this. The fact that my best friend isn't a virgin. And now that you are not sick and talking about how Lucas grew fangs and bit you... How was the sex?"

My smile faltered instantly. During the week, I’d convinced myself that I’d hallucinated everything. Jess said she’d kept tabs on Lucas—he’d been showing up to classes, playing hockey like nothing had happened. And aside from the blood on my dress that night, I didn’t have a single mark. Maybe the bite hadn’t happened at all.

"It was... great." I managed a small smile.

Jess scoffed. "I want the details. How big is he? Do you know that he was part of the hockey players? How did I miss a guy as good as Lucas..."

I wondered the same thing. Lucas was practically campus royalty. How could I have been so oblivious to him before that night?

"School... here we come." Jess whistled as she turned into the parking lot.

I exhaled in relief. At least she wasn’t about to grill me on the details again. Speaking of which... yeah, I definitely wanted to get laid again. This time I’d make sure I remembered how I got home and that my dress stayed blood-free.

We got out, and I glanced around as Jess locked the car. "Hey, what did you have this morning?"

"Nothing yet."

"I'll go get something. Do you want anything?"

"A coffee to clear my head. Stayed up all night studying." She pointed a finger at me. "And before you mock me, remember that I hate failing and will read when I want to."

I laughed, raising both hands in surrender as the wind tossed my hair around. My stomach growled. Not the usual I-haven’t-eaten growl.

I was halfway to the shop when a tall figure stepped into my path. Not just tall... hot.

"Hey... you're in my way."

"Am I? I'm sorry." He moved aside slightly but kept his gaze locked on me. "It's just... you're too pretty to ignore. Allison, right?"

I blushed. He knew my name. "Yeah, but I prefer Allie. And I'd love to chat but I have class and I'm on my way to get breakfast."

"Okay, I won't take much of your time. My name is Drew. I play hockey and... would you mind if I walked you to the shop?"

He was charming. And of course a hockey player. This campus was crawling with them. My phone buzzed, and I picked up my pace while Drew fell into step beside me. Even as I read the menu, I could feel his gaze burning into me... my face, my neck. It sent a weird chill down my spine. Plus it was getting irritating.

"I need coffee and... Meat." The word slipped out before I could stop it. My hand flew to my mouth as I realised how weird that sounded. From beside me, Drew snorted.

"I mean... steak." I corrected myself and glared at Drew.

"It's the same thing." He said.

"Yeah, I know."

By the time I got to class, the lecture was starting. I slipped through the door, trying not to draw attention. Jess waved me over to the seat she’d saved. Bless her soul.

"Love you, mean it." I kissed her cheek.

"What?"

I nudged her arm. "Jess..."

"Fine. Hate you, kidding."

We both chuckled under our breaths. I handed her the coffee and tore into my steak wrap. Jess gave me a weird look as I sniffed it before taking a bite, then another... every bite was heavenly. I didn’t stop eating until the end of class and even then, I felt like I could’ve eaten more.

"Are you okay?" Jess asked.

I nodded, my mouth still full of meat. "Mmm."

"Okay... I guess it's a new thing. Not gonna make a comment."

Thank goodness. I honestly didn’t know how my stomach was still accepting all the food I’d crammed in. I didn’t feel bloated. I didn’t feel anything close to full. It was almost scary how okay I felt, like I could eat another three wraps and still have room for dessert.

"After eating that much food, do you think you'll still have it in you to hang out and play tennis?"

I stood up and nodded again.

"Allie, you okay?"

"Yeah... I think I am. Let's go change, I'm kicking your ass at the game."

Jess grinned. "You wish."

"Do you know Drew? I mean, I saw the guy this morning and he seemed to be pretty into me. Plus he's a better replacement for Lucas. Not as if Lucas sees me that way but just saying. I like Drew. He's... nice and himself."

We changed into sportswear, Jess in a tennis dress, me in a crop top and skirt. She was tying my hair when I stilled and glanced at the door.

"Did you hear that?" I whispered.

"No." Jess raised a brow.

"Jess... how can you not hear it?" The voices were faint but getting closer. How could Jess not hear what was so audible? I pushed the door open... nothing.

"Allie, what is wrong with you?"

Ignoring her, I checked the next room, still empty. The voices grew louder, more distinct, layering over each other until it felt like they were inside my skull. I pressed my palms to my ears, but it didn’t help.

"Allie..."

"Allie, you're scaring me."

"Is she okay?"

"I don't know. She just won't speak to me. She says she's hearing voices. I mean, are you hearing voices?"

I wanted to scream at them all to shut up. Then... warmth. A hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes. What was he doing here? And how did he even get here? I'd have asked, but then the voices stopped, and the pounding in my chest faded. The room was silent again.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked me.

I looked at Jess, then back at him. My arms went around his waist before I even thought about it.

"I heard so many people talking in my head, Lucas."

Jess's voice cut in. "And not just that. Apart from the bite you talked about... you're more energetic this morning if you haven't noticed. Do not get me started on the steak you ate this morning. I know I said I wouldn't comment, but this happened... what's happening to you, Allie?"

Lucas's hand threaded through my hair, the simple gesture calming me to my bones. I wanted to lean in more than I already was. Until he said...

"It's okay, Allie-cat. I understand what you must be going through. You're in transition."

"I am in what?"