Chapter 33

Aldric's POV

When I walk out of the bathroom after my shower, I find Simone sitting on my bed, wearing nothing but one of my t-shirts. Taken aback, I stop dead in my tracks and just stare at her. She looks so small and vulnerable in the oversized shirt with her knees primly together like that.

My heart shoots into my throat and I can barely breathe. “You don’t knock?” I ask, only half joking as I tuck the towel in around my waist.

“You never knock.”

I laugh and run my hand through my wet hair. “You are up early.”

“Am I?”

“For a neophyte. Give me two seconds, and I’ll fetch you a blood bag.” I don't want to leave. I want to throw her on her back and bury myself inside her. I want to become a part of her, possess her, finally claim her as mine and mine only.

“No need,” she says. “I went down to the donor room, and the lady in charge there, Melanie-”

“Melody?”

“Yes, she might have said Melody. I couldn’t here properly, you know…because of the bloodlust.”

I raise my eyebrows at her, afrai