Chapter 8 · Don't Bite Too Deep

His pulse hammered under my lips.

I couldn't look away. Couldn't breathe. The vein in his wrist was so close I could see the shadow of blood moving beneath his skin.

"Do it." Kade's voice cut through the roar in my head. Not a request. A command.

My fangs ached. My hands were shaking so hard I had to clench them into fists to stop myself from grabbing his arm and ripping in.

"I can't." The words barely made it out. My throat was closing. Everything in me was screaming to bite.

"You're dying, Lyra."

"So are you." I forced my eyes up to his face. Big mistake. He was watching me with that same iron-steady look he'd had since the second he rolled up his sleeve. No fear. No hesitation.

Just trust.

It made me want to scream.

"I've survived worse," he said.

"Not this." I shook my head. My vision was starting to blur at the edges. Red creeping in. "You don't know what happens when I—"

"Then show me."

He stepped closer. Close enough that I could feel the heat rolling off him. Wolves ran hot. I used to find it comforting.