The Beginning of The End
Chapter 25

Maddox watches me as I force a little food down, and I was pleasantly surprised by the flavour, the chicken wasn't bland at all, and niether was the rice.

If I had more of an appetite I would have finished the entire plate, but I could barley concentrate, not when Maddox was looking at me like I was his next meal. It was unnerving to say the least.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" I ask with a sigh, I know that I am mated to him, but that doesn't meanthat I actually want to be around him.

I'd rather carve out my own heart with a spoon.

"No." He laughs darkly, "Someone has to make sure that you behave yourself.

I scoff, "It isn't like there is anywhere in the world that I could run to." I slam my fork down on the table. "It would be pointless; you and Ryker would replace me."

He lazily drapes an arm across my chair, his eyes as black as a ravens feathers. "You're right, we would burn this realm to the ground to replace you."

I stare into his eyes, suddenly forgetting how to breathe, why did those words make heat pool in the bottom of my stomach?

I must be going mad. I'd never replace something like that attractive, it was a threat, nothing else.

So why was my heart beating so fast? Why did I want him to lean closer and capture my lips?

It must be the bond, they said it would change me, I guess I just didn't expect it to feel like this.

Suer clears his throat and I jump, my eyes widening when I realise just how close to Maddox I had become. It was like I wanted him to touch me, to take the virtue I had clung to for so long.

"I must inform you that the others will be dining here soon, majesties, you may want to leave before they arrive?" Suer says, looking immensely uncomfortable.

I frown, a distinct feeling that I was missing something crossing my mind. But before I can speak Maddox stands, pulling me with him.

"If you are still hungry I will get something send to our chamber." He says, easily dragging me from the room and leading me back towards the stairs.

We leave Suer behind as he barked orders to someone I couldn't see, my legs working a mile a minute to make sure I could keep up.

"Why did we have to leave?" I ask, wrenching my arm from the hellhounds grasp. "I wasn't finished."

Never take food for granted because you never know when your next meal will be. "Come on." He ordered, taking my hand again as he completely ignores my question. “it'll be lunch soon and then this hallway will be crawling with people."

"Let go of me!" I shout, why couldn't he just answer my damned question?

"Elora." He growls, easily dragging me along, "Now is not the time, or the place to discuss this."

I desperately pull at my arm, hating the control he has over me, if he would just answer my question, I would go with him. I didn't take kindly to being bossed around for no

reason.

"Tell me." I growl, hitting his arm multiple times.

I don't know why I am provoking a hellhound of all creatures, but I couldn't help it, I had always been stubborn and hot-headed. It was a curse really.

"Fine!" he bellows, multiple creatures glancing our way, their eyes wide. He leans in close to me, taking a long breath through his nose as his eyes darken. "Everyone can smell you Elora, they can smell that you wish to mate, and I cannot fight everyone."

My eyes widen, not quite understanding. Did he mean they could smell that I was aroused?

God, kill me now.

But I wasn't aroused anymore, I was just hot, it felt like my skin was ready to peel away from my bones and it was driving me crazy. Maybe that Is why I am arguing so much.

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"Fuck." He growls, his eyes darkening again as he lifts me into his arms and takes the stairs three or four at a time.

"I don't understand." I murmur, wrapping my arms around his neck, if I didn't hold on,

I would fall, and I didn't feel like taking a tumble down the stairs.

"Move!" He shouts to anyone that we see, "Leave now!"

Why was he scaring everyone away? God my skin was burning.

I began

pull at my flesh, searching for some release from the searing heat coming from my core, what is happening to me?

Why do I feel like I am dying?

"Get King Ryker NOW." He orders the guards outside of my door, their eyes darkening when they see me; but they quickly turn the other way and disperse.

Had I done something wrong? Why has he ordered Ryker to come, am I going to get punished? I only argued a little!

He kicks open the door to the chamber and slams it shut once we are inside, my heart racing as I try to understand what the hell is going on.

I'm scared, and I don't admit that often.

I stumble out of Maddox's arms, the extra heat from his body making it harder for me to breathe. I take several deep inhales and exhales of breath, but it doesn't help. My body is screaming at me, my skin molten as it burns hotter than a fire.

"I ... I don't feel so good." I whimper, dropping to my knees on the floor.

Maddox kneels beside me, gently rubbing my back, "I know, little mouse. Hold on for me." his voice is so soft and gentle, a big contrast to how he normally talks to me.

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There was no threat, no violence. Just comfort.

I really was dying, wasn't I?

"Maddox." I cry, tears sliding down my cheeks, "My skin burns, what is happening?"

I have always had a high pain tolerance, but when the next wave of heat sears my bones, I scream and collapse, my body and mind begging for release. Begging for help.

"Help me!" I cry, clutching my stomach as the pain moves to my lower back and between my legs.

"Elora you need to breathe." Maddox says soothingly, but it doesn't help.

The pain only gets worse, much worse.

"IT hurts." I scream, clawing at my own flesh.

Maddox sighs, pinning my arms so that I can't hurt myself more than I already have.

"You are in heat Elora; I can't help you until Ryker arrives."

I scream as another wave hits me, "What is heat?"

What the hell was he talking about?

"Your body is changing, if ..." He pauses, looking uncomfortable. "If we don't

consummate the mate bond, you will die."

My eyes widen, consummate? He means... oh god, it's either sex or death?

I had to have sex with them?!