Only me

I did it. Everyone I care about is safe. I am home with my pack, and Ash is included. I had no idea what the answer would be, but I am glad I figured it out in the end.

Abooksigun and Ash sit by the fire. They have been by each other's side the whole night. I am still worried, though. Whose side will Ash choose if we ever fight the vampires? It was clear that he thought about them as his brothers. Tomorrow I will speak with him about it.

I watch Aanya and Ajay make out a few yards away from the fire. I thought it would hurt me more than it did, but actually, it didn't. I was glad he found a conclusion and a happy ending.

Chetan sits by Dev. They have also been super close, like brothers. I smile at their laughter. I was glad this love triangle was coming to an end. An end with a happy ending to everything.

I am officially ready to shut the door on Ajay and me. I spent so long away from Chetan. I realize what a big part of my heart he had. I see Kiara approaching. She looks so different. Much more grown-up and more mature. She has always been the reasonable one out of both of us.

"I'm glad you're back," she tells me.

I nod. "Me too."

I feel the burning in my throat. Not now.

"You okay?" She asks.

"Just thirsty."

"I'll go get you some water," she tells me.

I laugh. "Not that kind of thirsty."

"Oh, I forgot," she says shyly.

"It's fine. I know it's different."

"Do you feel bad killing the animals?" She asks.

"I don't usually kill them myself. Ash does it for me."

"Oh," she says.

I look at Ash. His thirst doesn't seem to bother him. He is not clutching his throat and still laughing with the others. I put my head back. The burn, it's never bothered me this much, is it because I'm around living beings?

"I wanted to come to talk to you. Please don't throw off the balance of things," she tells me.

"What are you talking about?"

"Aanya, she loves Ajay," she tells me.

"I get it. They look happy. I don't want to interfere. Whatever happened between Ajay and I is over."

"I know Ajay, and he loved you. It killed him when you left, maybe even worse than Chetan," she says.

"Yeah, I want everyone to have a happy ending."

"So you'll settle for Chetan?" she asks.

"I wouldn't call it settling, I do love him very much."

"He was in a very dark place. He was so pissed off at you for leaving," she tells me.

"I know, and I don't blame him."

"He would wake up at night screaming," she tells me.

I feel sick to my stomach, knowing I caused him that much distress. "I don't want to know the rest of the details."

"Okay," she responds, patting my leg.

"I'm just glad to be back."

"What really happened between you and Ash? He is pretty protective over you," she asks.

"When you're around that much evil, you stick with somebody who has a good heart."

She smiles. "He seems pretty cool."

"He is."

I see Chetan approaching us. He sits by me, and I remember the thirst in my throat.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"I'm fine. I need to speak with Ash."

"What do you need him for?"Chetan asks. I can detect the jealousy in his voice.

"It's just a vampire thing."

"She needs his help because she's thirsty," Kiara pipes up.

"Why can I help you with that?" Chetan asks.

"Cuz I don't want to ask you to kill an animal for me."

"Not like I haven't gone hunting before, Zare," he rolls his eyes.

I feel so pleased when I see Ash approaching us. I grab my throat. He caught my signal quickly.

"Oh, sorry, beautiful, I forgot," Ash tells me, reaching out his hand.

I take it quickly. "I'll be right back." I eye the others.

Chetan looks upset as we walk away. I don't want him to see me drink the life out of an animal. Who would want their boyfriend to see that? How unattractive is that and the blood pouring all over my lip?

Once, we were in the woods away from camp. Ash is standing still, listening to any sound of movement in the bushes. In moments, he had a possum in his hands. He snapped his neck for me.

I sink my teeth into the animal, gulping it down.

"Why didn't you want Chetan to take you?" Ash asks.

"I guess maybe because I'm embarrassed by this."

"Embarrassed?" He looks confused.

"To us, this is normal, but not to them. Somebody I loved dearly will watch me do something so horrible as to end this little animal's life."

"Yeah, I understand," Ash says.

I take a big sniff. Chetan followed us? "Come out, Chetan."

"Look, I am sorry. I need to see why you wanted him and not me," he says.

"I just don't want you to see me like that."

Chetan walks directly in front of me and grabs my face with his hands.

"Zare, I love you, and I want to be the one to take care of you in every aspect."

I smile. "I love you too."

"I'm going to get back to Abooksigun," Ash says.

I nod.

Chetan picks me up in his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck.

"This time, you have to promise. It's only me. No Ajay and no Ash," he says.

"Ash was always only my friend."

"I've seen him kiss you," he says.

I look down. That was a hurtful memory for me too. "I promise."