The Beast Within (Book One of the Changes Series)

-Danielle’s POV-

The heat of my rage now burned so fiercely I just might explode. A scream rushed from me that sounded alien to my ears. A lightning stroke of pure anguish accompanied it. When the roar came to its end, the pain had too.

I swiftly looked at Nathan. His eyes and wavering devotion seemed to be back on me. The ice that was there was replaced with his usual tender gaze. The way he looked at me had always made me feel special, extraordinary even. At the moment, I only felt disdain.

A low guttural growl escaped my mouth as I walked towards him. I knew my transformation was completed as I watched Nathan’s insignificant human form in vivid focus.

Even his warm smile bothered me. Where was that warmth a minute ago, huh? How didn’t he know the danger he was in? But was he really in danger? He was the only link between the new and old portions of my life, yet I let out another nasty snarl in his direction. He didn’t budge, but Lu Ann’s heartbeat was rattled by my threat.

The beat stole my attention as I looked over my shoulder to see I was the one that now overshadowed her. I returned the favor she had given to me only moments ago, slowly stalking closer to her. Lu Ann let out a pathetic attempt of a snarl. My eyes focused on the one eye she had left, and I got what I needed. I sensed her arrogance, fragmented by her growing fear, but I tired of toying with my prey, rushing her instead.

Crashing into her, I knocked her into the wall. One of my hands firmly pressed against her collar bone as I buried the other deep within her chest. Lu Ann clawed violently, but the fight was already over. I pulled and held on to her still-beating heart, witnessing the bloody, gaping hole I left in her chest.

I let go of her, watching her body reverting back on its way down. Ravenous thoughts consumed me. It had been too long, and I needed to feed. Without another thought, I did what came naturally.

Her soft tissues gave way to my sharpened canines. My gut filled as my wounds closed and energy rose, causing an indescribable pulse to drum through me. I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop ripping through the rest of her.

My excitement waned as her body cooled. Her energy that fueled me felt like it was slipping out of my grasp.

Becoming aware of the only other warmth in the room, I turned to face it. The name ‘Nathan’ no longer held any weight. I felt nothing for him. His existence was only meant to feed me, keeping the euphoria flowing through my veins.

I left Lu Ann in spare parts and slushy puddles as I swiftly closed the space between me and the other.

In my haste, his changing form was lost to me until it was too late. The height advantage I had on Lu Ann was lost as he towered over me. Intuitively, I remembered my place beneath him. Still, my rage wouldn’t allow me to fall back.

Without warning, I snapped in his direction, swinging the razors at the ends of my hands. All I grasped was air. I tried to make contact once more, and again my efforts ended in failure. His irritation was displayed by an aggressive sneer. I defiantly answered back with a rebellious snarl and a show of teeth, raising my arm to attack again. Still, it never reached him or the air in between.

I heard a sickening snap. A feverish pain ripped through my arm, causing me to let out a panicked whimper.

He kept hold of my injured arm, but my attention was abruptly refocused onto his muzzle that was only inches away from my own. I looked directly into his eyes and was met with a scowl that placed fear in my heart. I cowered in submission. He let go of my broken arm only to put his immense hand around my neck.

All of my senses became grossly muted. I wasn’t sure about anything around me. I swore Nathan’s colossal frame was growing. It took a while for me to realize I was deflating, taking on my human form.

I was helpless as he forced my back against the floor as he took his place, hovering over me, balancing himself on one of his giant arms. He just might kill me. I would’ve killed him if he didn’t stop me. Not sure of what was next, I kept my eyes squeezed shut. The pressure of his grip released as his breath warmed my mangled arm. I was on edge, and he seemed amused by it.

I almost jumped out of my skin, muffling my reaction when Nathan’s long, dense tongue found the surface of my flesh. He continued to draw his tongue across my injured limb in slimy deliberate strokes.

I looked down at my nakedness, feeling weak and humiliated. Nathan took notice of my nudity as well.

My breathing became erratic as panic set in. I opened my eyes, seeing the far end of the room that held Lu Ann’s mushy remains. A chill ran down my spine. I had to handle the situation before I resembled the mess I had left on the floor.

“Nathan, please let me up,” I begged as I tried to lift myself from the ground.

I was met with a loud snap of his jaws, making me drop back down onto the floor. Tears flowed freely down my face. Again, Nathan lowered his face to mine before leisurely licking under my chin to the top of my cheekbone. God, he was going to kill me! I cried uncontrollably as Nathan continued. His clawed hand found its resting place back around my neck as he now molested the entirety of my body with his tongue.

I couldn’t remember when I stopped crying, and my body began its betrayal as my nether regions dampened.

“Your scent is intoxicating,” Nathan grunted. From the violent jerking of my body and Nathan’s labored breathing, I knew what we… what he was doing. It barely registered that he had changed back. “You’ve always liked when I was in control, haven’t you? You’re mine, Danielle. No one else’s.”

I wasn’t capable of anything other than a blank side glance, but it seemed to go unnoticed. Nathan kept to what he was doing as I kept my eyes glued on the floor, hopelessly glaring at the remnants of my last meal.