9.

Feeling the cool, outside air engulf both our bodies, my lips escaped an audible and terrified shriek, involuntarily clutching onto his bare arms as I watched the ground getting closer and closer, seconds before I suddenly felt us both darting right back up towards the clear, starry sky.

The smooth yet powerful flap of his huge black wings reached my ears, a small sigh of relief escaping my lips as we gracefully glided through the air, the tall trees moving beneath us at a relatively fast pace, making me realize that we were currently flying towards an unknown destination. And still, even though I knew I should be absolutely terrified of where he could be taking me and what he could be planning to do to me, the truth was, I was physically and emotionally feeling so drained that I could barely keep my eyelids open, let alone fight him. So, instead of even trying to do all that, I defeatedly relaxed in his embrace, letting him carry me to wherever he had planned to.

And not after only a few moments, I have finally found out as he suddenly slowed his pace, still holding me tight as he gracefully stepped right over a balcony railing, inside of what appeared to be a very fancy, modern-looking penthouse.

Huh...Definitely not what I expected...

Gently placing me down right in the middle of the huge bedroom, he then slowly took a few steps back, giving me one last strange-looking glance before quickly turning to gaze through the floor-length window at the beautifully illuminated night view outside.

“W-why did you bring me here?” The words suddenly tumbled out my lips at their own accord, my entire body strangely relaxing as I felt so tired...

Maybe too tired.

“Rest,” His simple yet firm command suddenly came out, blatantly ignoring my question as he continued to stare right through the window, not even bothering to spare me a single glance.

Numbly giving a small nod, my gaze casually fell upon my current attire, only now truly realizing how embarrassingly much skin he had seen already, my cheeks practically bursting into flames as I instantly felt so ashamed, my shaky hands tightly gripping the small towel wrapped around my completely vulnerable body, stupidly trying to somehow cover myself more.

Holy gods...Could this damn day turn even worse than it already is?

Like sensing my current distress he suddenly turned around, making me feel even more uncomfortable as his scrutinizing gaze glided over my entire length, moments before he gripped the hem of his simple black t-shirt and with a quick move, he simply took it off, that single move though completely catching me off guard as he threw it right towards me, my reflexes failing to react, causing it to fall right next to me on the plush round carpet.

Holy mother of saints...

Like in a deep trance, my gaze involuntarily dropped right on his completely bare torso, for I have never seen a male’s body before...And let me tell you, he was definitely something worthy of gazing upon.

Rock solid, sun-kissed muscles covered his entire upper body, visibly flexing with every small, almost insignificant movement he made, feeling my unnaturally strong heart beating faster and faster as he simply continued to stare right back at me, ultimately realizing he had definitely noticed me ogling him like an ill-mannered, totally unworthy of respect female.

So without wasting another second, I quickly retrieved the t-shirt laying on the floor, keeping my head down as I dragged it on me, letting the flimsy towel fall on the floor as the soft fabric fell on my much smaller body, safely covering my private areas.

Too embarrassed to even try to converse with him again, I rapidly walked right towards the enormous bed, quickly jumping right in and tucking myself in between the silky white sheets, turning away from him, mentally praying he won’t try to hurt me in any possible way while in this vulnerable position as I eventually felt deep slumber slowly taking away my consciousness.

The pleasant feeling of something warm protectively wrapped around my torso gently pulled me back to reality, only to feel sudden movement right behind me, the bed dipping right next to me, and I slowly turned around, just in time to notice him sitting right at the edge of the bed for a few seconds, back- facing me. He then slowly rose up to his feet, the hard, visible muscles on his back flexing as he strode towards the glass balcony, my gaze unconsciously trailing down to his rear, almost peeking out from his low-hanging dark jeans as he walked through the white fluttering curtains.

His bulky arms gripped the metal railing, the muscles all over his bare upper body becoming even more proheminent, flashes of that sinful vision suddenly passing before my eyes, forcing out the tiniest gasp escape my lips, quickly covering my already blushing cheeks with the silky sheets.

What the fluff am I doing?

I mentally scolded myself, feeling so guilty for even thinking about him that way, or better said, for even thinking about him in any way.

Concentrate, Daya! He’s nothing but a vile monster, not the prince charming from your romance books!

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down, slowly pulling the sheets off my face, only to notice him standing in the same spot.

“Why did you bring me here?” That same question timidly tumbled out my lips, noticing him slowly turning around, obvious conflict glinting in his pitch black irises as he continued to stare at me, not uttering a single word.

Realizing he wasn’t going to say anything anytime soon, I slid off the bed, rising to my feet, my voice turning a little stronger as I firmly demanded,

“I want to go back.”

In the fraction of a second, he was already standing right before me, his large frame towering over me, making me feel so small and helpless, his tone fierce and commanding,

“You will not.”

“Why?” The word came out so strained and small -unlike my last statement- widely staring up at those soulless black voids, intensely boring into mine.

“Because I said so,” He simply answered, not moving an inch, the sudden closeness practically suffocating me, the subtle spicy masculine scent and his body heat making me feel slightly dizzy.

“Y-you can’t keep me here,” I stuttered, taking a step back, creating that much-needed space between us.

“Watch me,” He whispered, once again giving me that signature smirk, those hollow voids now glinting with pure mischief.

No...

Feeling so desperate to get out of there as soon as possible, I lastly took a few steps right towards my last resort. The balcony.

“I will jump and run away,” I threatened, warily eyeing him as I slowly took a step back, watching him cross his arms over his bare chest, visibly unimpressed.

“Go ahead,” He encouraged, still keeping that annoying wicked smile plastered all over his features,

“But remember we’re twelve stories high and as far as I know, you don’t own a pair of these,” Those large, shining ebony wings instantly sprouted from behind his back, stretching at his sides, only proving his point.

He was right. Maybe three stories were relatively easy to jump from, but twelve...that must definitely hurt.

My shoulders slumped, feeling so defeated for I have finally realized there was no escaping from his nasty, vile self, the words coming out so pained as I quietly asked,

“Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?”

Silence.

Those soulless obsidian orbs watched me in complete silence for another few moments, visible conflict swirling inside them once again, before he finally turned to leave.

But before he could even take a step I was already right behind, roughly grabbing his arm -well, as rough as I could since he was obviously way more stronger and bigger than me- all his actions taking a sudden halt as I practically screamed at him,

“Answer me!”

“What do you want? Why do you keep on following me everywhere?

Why do you insist on making my life a living hell?

What did I ever do to you?”

Noticing he still wasn’t moving a single muscle, my frustration turned into downright anger as I stepped right in front of him, my voice only turning even louder,

“Tell me! What do you want from me?”

“What is it that you could possibly desire from me?”

“Are you planning to take me against my will? Or even worse, torture and murder me?”

Again, no answer.

“ANSWER ME!” I practically screamed from the top of my lungs, pushing at his bare and warm chest, that action though not even moving him a single inch.

“Isn’t what you all fallen monsters do? Abuse, murd-”

Before I could even finish that last sentence, I suddenly found myself landing on the soft mattress, trapped underneath him, his strong hands firmly gripping both my wrists.

“Listen, either you shut up or I’ll find something to shove inside that pretty little mouth of yours and make you.”

My whole body suddenly froze, widely staring up at his deceiving angelic face, those obsidian gems watching me with such intensity, both our breathings coming out fast and hard, for two very different reasons.

Painfully long seconds passed by, finding us rooted in the same position, having our silent battle before he finally gave up and with a tired yet barely audible sigh, he rose up to his feet and walked away, leaving me to my lone self, cold and miserable.

Several hours flew by, the time yet seeming so insignificant as I continued to lay in the exact same position, small tears falling at the sides of my head, drowning in an ocean of pure apathy.

He never came back, yet I did not care, for his mere presence now seemed so loathe-worthy.

Monster...

The word played itself over and over again inside my mind, pounding in my skull like a broken record, each time slowly draining the life out of me, making me wish that I could simply cease to exist.

...She is a walking disaster! A monster, just like him!

More tears made their way down my face, feeling my entire body so exhausted and heavy as I numbly climbed off the bed, the white oak floor seeming so cold underneath my feet as I slowly walked through the now darkened room, right towards the balcony.

Hopefully this would end my miserable life...

I bitterly thought, taking a glance over the metal railing, taking a deep breath as I mentally prepared myself. But before I could make a single move, a sharp, sickening stab pierced right through my lower stomach, forcing a loud gasp escape my lips.

No...

My gaze slowly rose up, watching the new moon rise in its all glory, another wave of pure pain crossing my womb.

Gods...How could I be so stupid? How could I forget about this?

My every muscle instantly spasmed as another wave of agonizing pain made its way through my whole body, my lips escaping a loud scream as my torso bent right over the railing, slipping towards my possible death...

But before I could slip any further, strong arms wrapped themselves around my torso, safely pulling me back.

That spicy, masculine scent engulfed my every sense, his body heat seeping right through my skin, my entire being now slowly pulsating with need as the shedding process slowly started to take its place inside me.

Oh no...

“G-get your h-hands off me!” I whimpered, feeling so helpless and scared as the burning sensation only increased, like a magnet drawing me right towards him, my skin practically tingling wherever his touched mine.

No...this isn’t supposed to happen...

“Wow, you didn’t seem to mind it though, last night...

Quite the contrary, actually...” I heard him say as I struggled to keep myself focused, not failing to also notice the evident trace of confidence and amusement lacing his tone, only now truly realizing he had actually slept right next to me the entire night, the mere thought making me cringe, but also inexplicably bringing a faint blush to my cheeks.

Feeling him finally stepping away, I breathed in relief, preparing myself to support my weight on my own two feet, planning to lock myself in the bathroom, away from him and his annoyingly alluring scent until this damned yet natural process passed.

But right after the first step, another wave of agonizing pain shot right through me, so unbearable that I instantly collapsed on the wooden floor with a small whimper.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” He frustratedly muttered, quickly grabbing my shoulders to lift me up, the small skin contact though seeming to have a certain effect, the harsh pain momentarily subsiding, only to be replaced by another, much more intense feeling, my breaths becoming more short and labored as I panicked at the foreign sensation crossing my entire being.

“What’s happening why are you-

Holy shit, you’re burning up!” His hand moved to my forehead -apparently to measure my body temperature- his other arm effortlessly holding me by the waist, my entire frame slowly trembling against his as I struggled to keep myself in check, feeling the warm, thick liquid already prickling from my feminine parts, quickly making its way down my thighs.

Holy mother of gods! It’s happening way too fast!

My eyes instantly widened in alarm, feeling my head spinning, beads of sweat already forming all over my skin as my body temperature practically skyrocketed, shakily grabbing fistfuls of his simple dark t-shirt, knowing that I definitely won’t be able to make it on my own...

So with a trembling, strained voice I finally croaked up at him,

“Bathroom...now...”

“What? Why, what’s-”

His questioning tone suddenly died out the moment his gaze followed mine, noticing the huge puddle of crimson liquid already pooling at my feet. Normally, I would feel so embarrassed for he have seen me in this state...Only now it was obviously way too late for that...

Without even wasting another moment, he quickly slid his arms under my back and knees, easily cradling me close to his chest, my already soaked t-shirt dampening his as he hastily carried my tortured and heated body inside the very spacious bathroom.

Gently placing my violently trembling body on the counter by the sink, I grabbed the edge, trying to keep myself still as I watched him discard his t-shirt and boots, the sight of that chiseled torso, however, causing a weird tingle crossing my lower stomach, totally unable to tear my gaze away from him, no matter how much I tried.

Stupid goddess hormones!

Another pained whimper escaped my lips, tears forming in my eyes as a new, stronger wave of raw pain shot through my womb, followed by a large amount of thick, crimson blood oozing down my inner thighs, my nails almost breaking as I gripped the marble edge even harder.

Whoever my father was, I curse him! I hate being a damned hybrid!

Quickly rushing right towards me, he then carefully cradled me to his chest once again, walking us both inside the shower cabin.

And since my body was still practically burning, he turned on the cold, freezing water, sitting us both on the cabin floor, holding me in between his legs, my back resting against his warm torso.

The skin contact and cold water seemed to have a soothing effect as the pain slowly started to fade away, small replicas shooting throughout my entire being from time to time, making me writhe in his embrace as he held me even tighter, hours passing until my body finally gave up the fight, slowly but surely losing consciousness.

“I had to. I had to take you away from them...They are the monsters, not you.

You don’t have to try to take your life away...They are the monsters, not you...”

Those last words echoed in my ear like a gentle whisper, the sound of his soothing voice and the smooth vibration of his chest caressing my back lulling me even further away from reality, until everything slowly faded to darkness.