Did she desire it? Yes. How could she not? Was she ready? That answer didn’t come so easily. But it wasn’t the bond she had to Cain that made her hesitate. It was her own insecurities.
“You need time. That is to be expected. Until you met Cain, you didn’t know supernatural creatures existed. And your introduction to them wasn’t exactly ideal.”
Alice nodded. “It’s not you.” She chuckled. “Good grief, that sounded cliché.” She squeezed his hand and loved feeling the size difference. He was so strong. Strong enough to protect her should she ever need it again. “I just mean this is all so new.”
The door opened suddenly, and Peri, the fae, stuck her head in. “Sorry, not to interrupt but?—”
“That’s exactly what you’re doing, you old wench.” Jen’s voice came from behind her.
“No one asked you. Go find that hellion of a child and attempt to fix what you’ve already messed up.” Peri looked back at Alice and Maxim. “We couldn’t help but hear, because, well, we’re nosy, but that’s not the point. Look, Alice.” Peri stepped further into the room. “I get that you’ve been through some tough crap. But you have to take Maxim’s blood. There’s no option. No Plan B or C. His blood will save your life, and you need to do it. There’s no time for you to figure out how you feel, or if you’re worthy or blah, blah, crap. Either drink your mate’s blood or die. That simple.”
“You don’t hold back, do you?” Maxim bit out, his jaw clenched tightly.
“When you’re three thousand years old, you have the luxury of just telling it like it is.”
Alice’s heart beat painfully in her chest. She pressed her lips together, attempting to hold in her emotions. Peri meant well, despite her stern words. It was obvious in the soft eyes. “Well, okay then.” Alice certainly didn’t want to die, and shedidwant to explore this bond with Maxim. After all, she’d already made peace with the fact that he was her soul mate. No sense in putting off the inevitable.
Peri gave a sharp nod, then looked at Maxim. “The more direct the blood exchange, the stronger its power will be.”
Maxim gathered her up tenderly against his broad chest. Strong arms cradled her with infinite care. Even if she hadn’t been conscious, she instinctively knew she was safe here.
“Forgive me,Malishka. But as Peri explained, this is necessary.” His deep voice rumbled through her, full of regret and resolve. “I can’t let you die.” Then he looked at Peri. “Could we please have some privacy?”
Peri bowed her head slightly before quickly exiting and closing the door behind her.
Alice shuddered with a desperate craving as Maxim bared his strong throat to her. His pulse beat a hypnotizing rhythm beneath the vulnerable skin.
“I give this freely to you, my mate,” he said, his tone soft as silk even though it was deep.
At his urging, the last thread of Alice’s resistance snapped. Some natural instinct took over, and she lurched up, sinking her aching fangs deep into yielding flesh. Hot blood, rich with life and raw power, flooded her mouth.
Alice moaned, and she felt Maxim’s wolf ecstatic at this intimate claim. She could feel Maxim’s steely strength pouring into her, their life forces mingling inextricably. His hands tangled into her hair, pressing her closer as she drank deep.
Maxim’s emotions flooded the forging bond between them. There was relief, desire, possessiveness, and soul-deep tenderness. Sheltered in his embrace, Alice gave in to her instincts, screaming to take more.
Finally, subtly, the urgency eased. Alice managed to wrench herself back, her senses reeling. She stared at Maxim’s powerful throat, marked and bloodied by her claiming bite. Horror warred with satisfaction inside her.
Calloused fingers tilted her chin up gently. Maxim’s eyes blazed like molten gold, desire and wolfish satisfaction etched into the rugged lines of his face.
“There is no shame between mates,” he rasped. “My blood and body are yours now, as yours are mine. We belong irrevocably to one another.”
Alice trembled, overwhelmed by the primal intimacy of what they had shared. But she could not deny feeling more wholly herself than she ever had, completed in a way she hadn’t known was missing.
Maxim tenderly smoothed back her tangled hair, emotions laid bare in his fierce gaze. “Rest now, little one. I am here, and I will let no more harm come to you.”
Reassured by his steadfast presence, Alice let her eyes drift shut, weariness settling into her bones. She turned trustingly into Maxim’s chest, his strength surrounding her, shielding her. His life flowed through her veins. Their hearts beat as one.
In this haven of his arms, she need not fear the shadows of her past or future. He was her shield and shelter now. Her mate—now and for all time. She had found her missing piece. She’d never be alone again.
Maxim pressedhis lips fervently to Alice’s hair as her breath deepened into sleep. Emotions stormed through him, more powerful than any he had ever known.
To feel her take such a primal claim upon him, sparking an irrevocable bond between them, shook him to his core. She was his perfect counterpart, fated by the goddess herself.
He had found his purpose in her frail but precious form. She would never know harm or despair again. He swore it on his very lifeblood, still lingering on her lips.
She had endured deep wounds, but together they would find healing. And he’d spend the rest of his days striving to be worthy of the gift she represented. Of that sacred vow, she would never need doubt.
ChapterSixteen
