HUNTED

Davian spared Aila a glance before his eyes narrowed slightly at Cassius. "Then explain to her why you were in bed with her. From what I remember, you only need to guard your childe and feed them when necessary."

"Childe?" Aila asked, looking back between Cassius and Davian. 

"Cass is your master; you are his childe," Davian explained, his gaze still only on Cassius. "It is only a name, nothing to think too much about."

Aila glanced at Cassius before walking around the sofa and going towards the windows, still waiting on an explanation. At least where she stood now, there was some breathing space between her and the ancient vampire, and even though she looked at Davian with suspicion, she still felt better with him in the room. The whole encounter was keeping her distracted from the overwhelming burning in her throat.

Cassius sighed and walked towards Aila, but Davian took a step towards him, causing the ancient vampire to pause and smirk. "Are you really going to get in my way?" He asked darkly. "Step aside."

Aila watched as Davian didn't move, glancing at Aila with furrowed brows before looking down regrettably at the floor as Cassius passed him. "The usual process to complete the transition of becoming a vampire requires a few days. Once blood is given, the master has to stay with the sired to make sure the transition is complete. They have to stay by the childe's side; otherwise, they could die. I had to keep giving you my blood; it wasn't as simple as it was with my other childe here." He stopped by Aila's side, leaning his arm against the window as he reached his hand out to move some of her hair away from her face.

Aila stayed still, allowing him to do so, her mind still reeling with Davian standing behind her and from this new information. "So.. you have been feeding me more of your blood?" She asked quietly as her eyes swept across the view of the surrounding forest. After waking up in a large bedroom meant for royalty, she was not surprised when she saw the white walls and stonework of a marvellous castle. 

"Yes, you would die otherwise," Cassius replied, lowering his hand. "I can feel how much you are craving blood right now as well. The maid will bring you some shortly, it's not quite the same as drinking directly from the source, but I doubt you want to bite into a human-"

Aila whipped her head to the side at the mention of drinking blood from a human. She scoffed like he was mad. "It was only a few months ago that I thought I was human.. Then I found out I was a werewolf.. not only a werewolf but some strange hybrid type wolf that the hunters were after, a Cross, Alpha Queen of the North. I will NOT be drinking from anyone," She stated with a low growl and walked away from the window, brushing past Davian, feeling slightly annoyed now by his presence. She thought he might help her, but it seemed he was under Cassius' control. 

"You said I'm a hybrid.. I am not one hundred per cent vampire.. So I shouldn't need to drink blood.." She continued, now walking towards some french doors that led to a balcony overlooking the side of the castle. 

Aila knew she didn't know everything, but she remembered what Davian wrote in the journal about his experiences. So maybe if she stayed clear of blood, it might help. She didn't need to drink the blood, right?

She opened the doors only to stop as she stepped through; Cassius suddenly appeared before her, his face hardened, his hand holding onto a crystal flute with blood in it. "What nonsense are you speaking? You may be a hybrid, but you still require blood. Especially right now. Aila, it may not seem like I am helping you, but I am. LISTEN to me," He admonished, making her flinch from the power behind his words. 

"Davian.. Do you really need it?" She whispered, knowing well he could hear her. Cassius scoffed in annoyance and glared at her as he stepped closer to her, holding the glass out for her to take. Davian appeared near the entrance to the balcony and crossed his arms. 

"Over time, you will need less and less blood. But.. you are like a newborn now. You need to drink.. Just.." He looked away with uncertainty. "If you think you can't control yourself-"

"That's what I'm here for," Cassius interrupted, stepping closer to her. She was now leaning her back against the balcony, her hands gripping on the stone. "Now, DRINK."

At his command, Aila reached out to the glass and, without any hesitation, started gulping down the liquid. The moment the blood hit her tongue, her eyes sparkled at the delicious taste, her hand gripped on the balcony wall behind her more. She breathed heavily and looked into the glass, wanting more of that heavenly taste. Her whole body felt more alive, brimming with energy and power she'd never felt before.

Aila's eyes looked up to Cassius' as a shiver ran through her. He took the glass from her as her hand went to her lips in shock. Her throat felt better, but she wanted more. 

"More?" Cassius asked with an encouraging smile. She nodded and glanced at Davian, who had been watching her. But the moment Cassius' back was turned, Aila turned and hopped off the balcony. She landed on the soft grass and looked back up where Cassius was now leaning over, his expression unimpressed. "Come back, Aila," He said quietly, but there was no command in his voice.

With this new energy bubbling inside of her, she scoffed at her 'master's' words and sprinted towards the woods. Aila knew there wasn't any point in running away because they'd just catch up with her, but she was running away from the way the blood made her feel. It was powerful, and she could already feel how it would be addictive.. If she wasn't careful, then she might just end up like how Davian was. 

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