Amelia's POV

Getting Ryder to drink my blood was like trying to tame a storm.

The first time I tried, he knocked the vial from my hand. It shattered against the wall, the precious drops wasted. The second time, he lunged at me, and I barely managed to dodge. His claws grazed my arm, leaving three shallow cuts.

"Ryder, please," I begged, pressing my bleeding palm toward his mouth. "Just drink. Please."

He snarled, backing into the corner like a cornered animal. His eyes were wild, unfocused. But ...