“I’d say you’ve gone past irrational,” Bethany said. “You’re downright insane.”
He shrugged his shoulders as he lifted her and laid her on the bed. When she tried to sit up, he rested his large hand on her chest and pressed her down. His eyes never left her leg. Drake slipped off the bed until he was on his knees. He leaned over the bed, putting his face level with her thigh.
“We’re not done talking.” Her voice trembled with the desire he felt coming from their bond.
Drake didn’t respond. He was mesmerized by the markings. Much like a snake charmer could transfix a serpent, his mate’s body beguiled him.
Drake felt a hard tug on his hair, and he snapped his head up, baring his teeth. “Tell me you won’t take off again unannounced.” She tapped his nose in a gentle reprimand at his aggression.
“I won’t leave like that again.” He tried to turn back to her markings, but his little mate wasn’t having it.
She pulled tighter on his hair. “I agree that it’s ridiculous of me to want to go with you.” Drake could tell it was painful for her to admit he was right. But he appreciated her willingness to see his point of view. She released his hair and then ran her fingers through it. “I’m scared,” she said softly. “And there’s this irrational part of me that thinks if I’m with you, if I canseeyou, then you will be okay. It’s a ridiculous notion, but I just can’t stand--,”
Drake reached up and grabbed her arm, pulled her until she laid on her side with her head near the edge of the bed. He pressed his finger over her lips. “It’s not ridiculous, beautiful mate. I feel the same way. Having a true mate is a blessing and a curse. Any time I’m away from you, I’m reminded of that fact.”
He felt the fear she’d kept hidden behind her anger and wished there was a way he could take it from her. But all he could do was offer her comfort. And pray to the Great Luna that he would come back to her and Hope after they were through with Alston.
“When I was with the vampires,” she said, interrupting his thoughts, “I had to remind myself that tomorrow wasn’t promised. But back then, I didn’t care. IhopedI wouldn’t see tomorrow.” She took a deep breath and traced a finger across his forehead and down his cheek. “I need to remind myself again that tomorrow isn’t promised, and I need to live in the moment. And atthismoment I need you.”
Drake closed his eyes and fought his beast for control, but his wolf had grown in strength since they’d been mated to Bethany. A moment later, his eyes snapped open, and his mate’s face came into the sharp focus of his wolf’s eyesight.
She released his hair and stroked his face. “I love when your eyes glow. They’re beautiful.”
The wolf rumbled and rubbed his face against her hand. “Mine,” he mumbled.
His wolf tilted his head at her and nipped her fingers gently. “Youhaveme, mate.”Then he turned back to the markings and leaned down. His wolf paused, waiting to see if she would stop him. He always gave her the choice to stop their intimacy. When she did nothing, he let his tongue run over her flesh.
The tense muscles beneath his hands softened, then her body relaxed. Drake let out a slow breath as her love flowed through the bond, pulling him closer to her and closing the gap their dissension had created.
“I’m sorry I got so angry,” she whispered, her voice trembling as she pressed closer to him.
“My sweet Bethy.”Even in her anger, she hated any kind of strife between them. He loved that about her. She desired peace in their home. She called it their haven. A place to shut out the dangers and horrors of the world where they could take comfort in one another and give Hope a place where she could be an innocent child as she grew. “I’m not upset with you, love.” He let his breath warm her skin. “I just want what’s best for you and our daughter.”
Bethany released a deep breath. Once he let go of his own worries, he finally felt hers. He looked in her mind through their bond and realized just how upset she’d been. Not at him, butforhim. “I’m sorry, Bethany.”
She placed a hand on his arm and tugged. He took the hint and rose on his legs until he was stretched out beside her, his face inches from hers. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have threatened to throw that brush at you.”
Drake couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re damn cute when you’re angry.”
Bethany frowned. “I’m not supposed to be cute. I’m supposed to be fierce.”
“Oh, never doubt that, female.” He ran a finger across her bottom lip. “Only a fierce woman could be mated to aCanis lupus.We’re not exactly easy to be with.”
“Don’t I know it?” She pictured the infamous “sheet incident” in her mind when he had wrapped her up like a mummy.
He grinned unrepentantly. “You haven’t threatened to walk around naked anymore.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Yet.” Then she grabbed his face and pulled his mouth to hers.
* * *
Titus stayedlow to the ground as he moved through the hallway of the sprite stronghold. Uncle Gavril stalked quietly behind him. So quiet that the boy couldn’t hear his teacher. Even though they’d been sequestered—that was the word Aunt Rachel used—away from their home in Romania, Uncle Gavril hadn’t stopped schooling Titus on the ways of the hunt. He told the boy that a wolf that was prevented from hunting eventually turned into prey itself, and wolves werenotprey. But Titus wasn’t always sure what they were hunting, exactly. Mostly, he just figured Uncle Gavril thought it was funny to sneak up on people, especially Aunt Jen and Uncle Decebel because they both got very growly about it.
Suddenly, Titus felt a tug on his shirt, and he froze. He slowed his breathing just like his uncle had taught him, and then searched for the wolf inside of him. The boy was still learning how to connect with his other half so he could use his beast’s senses. Voices filled his ears. As his hearing adjusted to that of the wolf’s, Titus grinned. He glanced back at Uncle Gavril, who gave him a thumbs up.
“Now see if you can get closer. They’re distracted,” his teacher explained. “Distracted prey are vulnerable.”
Titus eased his head around the corner and checked the foyer. It was clear. He hurried across and hid behind a large stone column. Uncle Gavril quietly joined him. They paused and waited. When no one moved into the large open space, Titus scuttled to the next column. Again, the boy stopped and listened. Together, silently, Titus and Gavril made their way through the foyer.
