---- Not even when I slept with Brenda, during my "susceptible" period, did we exchange blood, even though I knew she enjoyed it as a wolf.


    Something inside me had always resistedit felt too intimate.


    And yet, here I was, hardening at the feeling of Roses mouth taking from my life.


    I looked toward the dagger.


    I was afraid to pull it outbut it had to be done.


    Still holding her, my arm beneath her back stretched, my hand gripping the hilt firmly.


    Sweat beaded on my forehead.


    I watched hershe was devouring, sucking ravenously, replenishing her lost blood.


    Without thinking further, in one swift motion, I yanked out the dagger that had nearly taken her life.


    "Mmmegerr," she moaned muffled against my wrist, jolting.


    Her face twisted in an expression of agonizing pain, beads of sweat and tears falling as she whimpered, briefly pausing her feeding.


    "Don''t cry, don''t cry, baby, it wont hurt anymore, just drink to heal, stay calm, Rose, calm down, baby..." I couldn''t help but kiss her forehead, stroke her damp cheeks, and then press her to drink againto distract her mind.


    Ipressed my hand firmly over her chest, applyingpression, but the bleeding was slowing.


    Theld her tightly against me, pressing my lips to the crown of her tangled hair, full of leaves.


    ---- Not wanting to think about the madness I had justmitted, praying that she was truly unconscious, that she wouldn''t remember.


    I dont think Rosse knows my secretthough Im not sure.


    But this...


    this would expose mepletely.


    I don''t know how much time passed seconds, minutes.


    Me, sitting on the ground with her on top of me, both of us reeking of blood and nearly of death.