Warning: this chapter and the ones after-the rest-will be very MATURE and what I like to call SPICY. This is your chance now to turn back, but I will remind you that I am not a fan of spoilers so this is basically one of the rare cautions I will provide (sexual content mainly, including sexual violence).

Also, I'm guessing if you've come this far, you don't mind the spicier sides of stories...

You've been warned...

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Aeress

"Something was different today," Aeress told Warrick as he slowly made his way through a crisply-cooked chicken breast. "It was like I knew their true intentions. Their smiles didn't fool me..." she picked at her own food. "I liked that I knew, that I had something over them."

He looked up at her as he leaned against the island which she sat upon. She crossed her legs, wishing the space between his forearm and her leg would close. His copper hair was glossy, neat as always. She found herself admiring him no matter what he did. "Explain."

Aeress shrugged, popping a grape in her mouth. "I felt different the moment I entered the room, more confident, more everything. It felt like I was looking for a fight. I had to get out of there before I did or said something even more stupid than I already had."

He straightened his stance and placed a heavy hand on her knee. "You did well. Not many would dare stand up against the Guides."

"Except for you."

He nodded. "Except for me."

"I don't know, Warrick. It didn't feel like me." Aeress put her hand on top of his. She felt his warmth bring life to her nerves, sending them into a frenzy. "I think... I think it was her, taking over."

His grip tightened. "But she didn't, did she?"

Aeress shook her head. "No, at least not all the way. And I think that's the worst part, not knowing where my will starts and her will ends."

"Were you afraid?" She looked away from his beautiful blue eyes. How cold she believed them to be, but maybe not so much anymore.

"She's killed so many people in such a short amount of time, but I can't lie to you... In that moment, when I stood there in front of them, I only felt pride, confidence... I felt invincible. But... I don't know if I can allow that and still be me."

His hand slid onto her jaw and lead her gaze back to his. She looked up at his ocean eyes and became lost in him. What a harsh beauty he was. "You cannot deny this soul. You deny yourself in doing so." He shook his head in disbelief. "It is no wonder she becomes crazed every time you release her. You keep her in a cage."

Aeress frowned and wished the answers were that simple. "It's not as easy as that. I know she will hurt more, and I don't know how much more blood on my hands I can live with."

A look of sympathy crossed his stern features. It was a rare sight, and they both knew it. "I know, but it will become less difficult if you just accept her, and stop... regarding her as a monster."

Aeress leaned into his warm hand. "What if... What if I lose myself in her? What if I change?"

He dropped his hand and placed it on her chest. "Change is something you can never avoid. It's how you decide to change which counts most."

Aeress smiled. "I like when you talk."

Warrick shrugged and uncrossed her legs as he did so. "I only talk to people worth talking to."

"So I wasn't worthy of your words at first, huh?" she laughed as he stepped between her legs and wrapped them around his waist.

He shook his head at her. "No, I was just being-"

"An asshole?"

He scoffed. He took a hold of her jaw and kissed her. She braced her arms against the countertop and sighed into his lovely lips. "Has my position not sunk in to that brain of yours?" he demanded.

"What? Missionary, spread eagle. Whatever you want, baby-" She gasped as he quite literally ripped her dress off in a matter of seconds, leaving her in her panties and black stockings-there was no need to wear a bra in that dress as it had built-in cups, and he immediately gave attention to what was exposed.

Aeress couldn't help herself as he made a fiery passion rip through her body, causing the flesh between her legs to have the familiar ache she was beginning to become accustomed to when around Warrick. She leaned on one hand so that she could rip his shirt open with more strength than she realized she had. She was rough, raking her nails down the hard surface of his chest and abdominal, and she admired the ink which covered his pale complexion. Every time, she was transfixed, having never seen anything quite like it.

He growled, and she saw his teeth were replaced by larger, sharper versions, resembling that of a creature instead of man. And his eyes, they were on fire. As was she.

"Warrick," she moaned as his ripped her stockings down her legs. She dragged her nails down his back, and while she had a little thought of hurting him, his agreeable noises only encouraged her.

Neither of them were thinking, and if so, it was only of what more they could do to one another in order to reach some place that was more than anything they ever reached before.

Shivers flowed through her exposed flesh, colored by crimson with a passion that made her pant. She was out of breath as his kisses travelled more and more southward. The sensation of his lips against her skin was almost too much for her to bare. His tongue dipped out with expertise, leaving behind more warmth.

She palmed her breast with one hand, using the other to guide his head between her legs. She needed release, anything to relieve the pressure which viciously built within.

She yelped out as he finally gave mercy. Her vision flashed red and everything just felt...more.

Her gums ached and she realized they were on the floor. That same presence provoked her into demanding submission. Aeress cried out and sunk her teeth into his chest. The flesh immediately gave and the sweet flavor streamed down her throat, coating her in his scent.

Warrick growled, showing off his savage mouth, holding her head in place so that she could drink the blood which she considered hers. She grinded against him. Aeress had never felt so possessive, and became furious as she sensed his agony caused by her failure to please him as he had done so many times for her.

She reached between them and claimed what was hers. She watched his face with satisfaction as he appeared to completely lose himself in the way she touched him. This she would do for her mate.

She sucked in his blood with more aggression, matching her rhythm against him. The feel of him was euphoric and she pulsed at the thought of him connected to her. Finally, he erupted, spilling onto her hand and on her stomach. Needing the same for herself, she used her slick fingers, wet from his orgasm and straddled him.

She rubbed her slick flesh against his member, pleasuring herself with the perfect friction as she watched him experience his own. It took no time and she too burst with an animalistic groan before collapsing on top of him.

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Aeress rolled onto her back, thoroughly confused as she slowly sat up in the bed.

What happened?

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, stretching the soreness from her muscles. She thought back to the last things she remembered doing, recalling the dinner with the guides, then running into Warrick, then... blank.

She squinted in frustration, noting that it was still late at night. "Warrick?" No response.

Aeress threw the blankets off, quickly getting out of the bed to cover her naked body as a chill swept up her skin. She smelled clean and crisp, liked someone had bathed her while she slept.

Her ears perked up as they registered the sound of the shower, the trickling, steaming water.

"Warrick?" she knocked, but again, nothing. Fearing he might be hurt, she cracked the door open, attacked by the rolling steam. The room was completely blanketed in a thick steam, which originated from the shower.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "War..." The words died in her throat as his form became obvious. She had never seen him like this before. His copper locks were dark, slicked back as the water hit his form, dripping down his heavily tattooed body. She followed his hands as they smoothed over every inch off his perfection. She was compelled to stand in place to admire such a build.

She blinked hard when she realized she was being a creep. Time to stop now. Aeress made sure to keep her eyes upward before she once more called out, with a little more strength this time, "Warrick?"

He continued his shower, without a care that he had not one stitch of clothing to hide his private areas. "Yes, Aeress?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, as it looks like your having fun..." she got distracted as he twisted around to have the water beat on his chest. "What happened after we met?"

His eyes finally cut to her, and the heat there was frightening and arousing. "You don't remember?"

Aeress stepped a little closer in alarm. "Did she come out again?" She demanded, not understanding why her stare was drawn to his chest besides the fact of how hot he looked. He watched her as she examined his chest closely enough until she finally recognized the terrible bite mark there.

A strong pain shot through her head. She stumbled away to the sink. "I did that?" Images of her savagely taking possession of him plagued her thoughts in quick flashes, piecing together to answer her question. "Oh God," she breathed out, splashing cold water on her face. She laid there, bent over the sink as she attempted to compose herself against her raising anxiety.

She straightened herself and turned only to find Warrick not even a foot away. Her eyes immediately sought his and she felt like crying. Scratches marred his body, red lines deeply sunk into his skin, though healing quickly.

That same terror and guilt soaked into her thoughts. Her hands reached out to him before she snatched them away to herself. "I hurt you again... I'm so sorry." She felt frozen and ashamed.

He stepped closer until she could feel his breath on his face. "Look at me."

She felt obligated to obey to his every command. His handsome face was already drying, crisp from the steaming water. But she still couldn't ignore the wounds she left on him.

"Why are you sorry?"

Her eyes darted down to his tattooed chest. "Look at what I did." She felt dizzy as her own words, and leaned against the counter.

He forced her back as he leaned forward, caging her in with his arms. "What have I done to shame you, Aeress? I am not in pain."

She looked up into his ocean eyes and swallowed. "I know better. It's not just that. I forced..."

She felt like shrinking into nothingness when her words made him scowl, an intimidating expression that made millions squirm. "You did not force yourself on me." She whimpered in surprise when he latched his hand onto her leg and hooked it on his, widening her so that his hardness just barely kissed her flesh between her legs. Her hips nearly rocked on their own had she not clamped down on her instinctive desires.

"You're wrong," Aeress breathed out as he ripped her robe open so that the steam in the room brought a flush to her skin.

"You think I didn't enjoy your hands on me?" he demanded, hoisting her bare body onto the counter. She clung to him fiercely. "Pleasuring me. A thousand times over in my head, haunting me. You didn't force me into anything, Aeress. A woman like you never has to ask. And especially not from me." Aeress felt the anger in him, but it wasn't for her.

"You are my mate," he rubbed himself on her, groaning with Aeress as he leaned his forehead between her breasts. He kissed down her stomach and bit her every once in a while out of frustration. "I'm glad you did what you did, controlled or not."

Aeress sighed. "I can't just blame her." He begin to bring his kisses upwards and all she could do was take his contact as a starving man would receive food. "It was me too. As much as I wish that it was all her... It wasn't."

He came back up to look at her. "Don't ever feel shame for that."

She leaned her forehead on his chest, unintentionally pulling them closer. She bit her lip, supressing the moan from deep within. "I'm sorry I'm such a mess."

"I should say the same."

Aeress laughed. If a month ago someone would have told her she would be stark naked with the most beautiful man in the world, holding a casual conversation... She'd have them committed.