UNEDITED

Erin's POV:

"Close your eyes. Relax your muscles. Become aware of each breath you take in and out." Elvia's voice was rather soothing and I slowly felt my body relax. Elvia was helping me to become one with my beasts. How? I had no idea.

After she gave me a disgusting lumpy purple liquid to choke down, she instructed me to lay down on her study floor and close my eyes. I dutifully followed and here we are. I couldn't care less how stupid I looked, ignoring Anthony's snickers in the background.

I was desperate.

"Feel your lungs expand. Now exhale. Great. Focus on your beasts."

I felt them close. Moving towards her voice, wanting out. They were curious. I could feel it. My body was humming in anticipation.

"Don't be afraid Erin. You must do this. You need to do this."

I try to relax as her voice starts to soften to a whisper almost as if its being carried away. Where is she going?

"Trust them."

My eyes snap open. I'm alone. And no longer in Elvia's study. No Anthony or Elvia hovering nearby. I felt it in my core.

I was alone.

Truly alone.

My chest tightens causing a gasp to escape my lips. I try to sit up but my body does not obey.

What is happening?

Why can't I feel my wolf and vampire?

It's so quiet.

No arguing. No sarcastic comments. No threats. No fighting. No reassuring words. No comforting presence.

None.

Clutching my chest to ease the pain, I try to calm my breathing and focus on my surroundings.

I was in a corridor. A very long dark corridor that seemed never ending. No. I can see a light at the bottom of the corridor. Forcing my arms under me, I push myself up with difficulty.

What did Elvia give me? How is this supposed to help? Where is everyone?

I look towards the source of light and I decide that my best bet is to walk towards it.

A startling thought pops into my head but disappears just as quickly.

Am I dead?

Is this it?

It's so...lonely.

I try to stop my feet from moving towards the light. It did not look as inviting as it did before. I am not ready. I don't want to die.

However, my feet don't stop. Something was pulling me. Caling me. I had no control.

As I walk closer I have to shield my eyes from the light enamating from a door. Taking a much needed breath for courage and to stop my shaking limbs, I step through the door only to gasp at what I find on the other side.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I found.

Two cages covered by a sheet, blocking my view of what was inside.

Stepping closer, a growl rumbles from inside one of the cages. Taking a deep breath, I pull the cover. I jump back in alarm as a beast throws itself at the bars of the cage. The cage shifts in its spot due to the force.

We lock eyes and I know.

It's my beast. My wolf.

How can this be?

She stares back having quietened down at the sight of me. A wave of calmness washes over. Slowly extending my arm through the bars, my hands gets lost in my wolf's fur. A purr rumbles from deep within her chest. I feel my body hum in response.

Wanting her out of the cage I look for a door or handle to release her but only see thick bars. Gripping the bars, I try to pull them apart in frustration but my human strength does nothing to help me in my predicament.

"I need to get you out."

My wolf only stares back in response.

"You're no help." I mutter under my breath.

"If only there was a door."

As soon as the words are spoken, a door forms on the cage with a bolt holding it closed. I grip the bolt with two hands to slide it across. The metal screeches as I force the cage door open. Sweat trickles down my forehead but I wipe it away, too eager to have my wolf free.

She should not be in a cage.

The door swings open with a light pull. My wolf stares and watches. We lock eyes again.

"Come."

Nothing. She doesn't budge. She does not move from her position at the other side of the cage. Frowning in frustration, the pain in my chest begins to ache.

"I need you."

Without warning or time to move, my wolf runs towards me and leaps. Straight into my chest.

The ache in my chest lessens but does not go away. Rubbing the spot to ease the pain, my head turns to the other cage. It calls me.

Pull the cover.

Take a peek.

Let her out.

Words whisper in my ear but when I look around, no one is there. I am alone. Hesitantly, I approach the other cage, a feeling of unease taking over as I get closer.

I need to do this.

With a nod and newly found confidence, I pull off the cover before I can back out. Inside lies a black creature. It hangs from the top of the cage, its red eyes piercing into my soul. I force myself not to look away. The creature suddenly drops and runs to the bars. Instead of throwing itself at the bars like my wolf had done, it grips the bars and lets out a horrifying wail.

The sound echoes around me, trailing off into the unknown. Another ache in my chest.

The beast locks eyes with me. That's when I feel it. The connection. And I knew.

This was my vampire.

My thoughts are only confirmed when it opens its mouth and screams, showing off its sharp vampiric teeth. I feel more reluctant about releasing her, as she rattles the bars in frustration, hissing and wailing at me. I envision a door and once again it appears.

The door swings open.

Then she attacks.

The weight of my vampire takes me by surprise. I lose my balance, falling flat on my back. Bewildered and slightly terrified at the screaming and hissing creature, I try to use my hands to defend myself against her snapping teeth.

What is happening?!

"Stop!Stop!"

My screams and the creatures wails are the only thing I hear. My arms grow tired trying to protect my face and neck. Her teeth grow closer and her eyes wilder, hungrier.

The whispers are back.

They whisper an instruction in my ear. My eyes widen and I shake my head in denial.

No. There must be another way.

They whisper again. Louder. They were getting impatient.

"No. No. Not this. I don't want to."

I let out a scream as the creatures teeth narrowly miss my skin.

My arms grow tired.

I have to do it.

* "Do it." My wolf gives me the extra strength. Feeling my fangs from my wolf elongate I listen to the whispers and carry out their final instruction.

My claws clamp down on the creature, keeping her still as I latch onto her neck biting down hard.

She stills in my arms. With a grimace I release her. She crawls off of me keeping her head low. A low grumble vibrates from her chest.

My shoulders slump. My body drained from my near death experience. Still weary of my vampire, I watch her closely.

Her eyes are already on me.

I bit her into submission. It doesn't take her long before she sits up and runs toward me. Expecting it this time, I allow her to jump into my chest.

I smile at the feeling of feeling whole again.

However, this time was different.

We were one.

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Please let me know what you think!

Sinead