Shaking my head at Fenris’s playfulness, I sat down with a sigh.
“He said he was there for advice. Again. But he was touching himself while lying next to me.”
“He got more in your mouth, didn’t he?”
“No. Thank the gods, no. I was a lot faster to get away once I knew what was happening. He always interrupts the really good dreams.”
Fenris rubbed his hands together and leaned forward. “Let’s talk about those.”
My cheeks warmed, and I played with the edge of the pillow so I wouldn’t need to look at him when I admitted the truth.
“I think everyone’s right. I have an eating disorder. Why else would I keep dreaming of cakes?” My cheeks heated further. “Why else would they taste better than anything I’ve ever eaten in real life?”
Fenris’s silence prodded my curiosity enough to peek at him.
“Admitting something like that to yourself is big,” he said, seriously. “Admitting it to someone else is even bigger. I’m honored that you were comfortable enough to trust me.”
“Unconditional trust, right?” I said softly.
He opened his arms wide, and I didn’t hesitate to switch seats, eager to absorb the comfort his hugs provided. He tucked me into his lap and cocooned me in his embrace. The steady beat of his heart under my ear soothed some of my unpleasant mood.
“My mom said that my hunger was a truth I needed to acknowledge so I can address it. As if that deep, ravaging need can be ignored.” I snorted. “What she doesn’t understand is that I had been addressing it. On my terms. The feedings hadn’t been ideal, but they’d been something. I just don’t want to hurt anyone.”
He shifted a little to rest his chin on top of my head.
“I know you don’t want to hurt anyone. That’s why I pointed out that the dryads were fine after you danced. You haven’t experimented enough to know what you can do because you’re afraid of making mistakes that might hurt someone. But, meanwhile, you’re hurting yourself.”
I pulled back to frown at him.
“Are you suggesting I start feeding on different species to see which can tolerate me best?”
“No. You already know what types of creatures you can safely feed on.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t think I can go back to feeding on frost giants. I’m having a hard time forgiving Mrs. Quill for siding with Adira.”
“I’m not talking about frost giants.”
I swallowed hard in understanding.
“Bonded pairs.”
He nodded at the same time I shook my head.
“No. I hate that.”
Ducking my head against his chest, I hid from the truth.
“You know Megan and Oanen would willingly feed you.”
“Remember how I said I wasn’t the violent type? Keep talking about feeding on them, and I might have to prove myself wrong.”
He chuckled, the sound doing funny things to my insides, and ran his hand down my back.
“Werewolves are all about bonded pairs, too. You could try feeding from me. It’d make Adira’s day, and you can’t hurt me.”
“We already talked about this. No. I’m not taking that chance. You’re not bonded yet. And even if you were, I wouldn’t want to mess with your relationship like that. I’ll find another way.”
“You won’t,” a voice said from behind Fenris.
