Chapter 12 · Drink or Die

Cain's blood hit my tongue like liquid fire.

I'd bitten down three seconds ago—half because he shoved his wrist against my mouth, half because the wolf inside me lunged before I could think. Now the taste flooded everything. Copper and smoke and something wild I didn't have a name for.

"Swallow." Cain's teeth were clenched. His other hand locked around the back of my neck, holding me in place. "Don't fight it."

I wanted to spit it out. Wanted to shove him off and run back into the trees where Marcus's body was still cooling. But my throat worked on its own. The blood went down hot and thick, and the second it hit my stomach the burning under my skin pulled back.

The wolf clawing its way up through my spine went quiet.

I gasped and jerked my head away.

Cain let me go. His wrist was still bleeding, two crescent marks dripping red down his forearm. He didn't seem to care. He was watching me like I might bolt or collapse or explode.

"What the hell did you just do to me?" My voice came out raw.

"Bought you time.