“All right, I love the alpha thing you've got going on,” I said as I sat up. “But—”
“Take off your fucking clothes,” Xaedren growled.
A sliver of fear went through my stomach. “Xae?”
“Do it now, Ember.” His eyes gleamed in the dim light, reminding me of his wolf.
My breath caught and with shaking hands, I pulled off my tunic. I eased off the bed to take off my pants, and my hands started to tremble as Xaedren stripped too, his movements as aggressive as his tone. I knew I had magic that could knock him on his ass. I had proven that. But he was a wolf, and that fear was rooted deep. I guess I wasn't as over it as I thought.
“Get back on the bed,” Xaedren said.
Keeping my gaze lowered, I crawled back onto the bed. But I didn't lie down or get onto all-fours. I brought my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Xaedren crawl over the mattress to me, looking like a wolf even in his man form.
He sat before me and demanded, “What is he to you?”
“What?” I looked up. “Who?”
“Ratharin. I saw him touch your face. Are you fucking him?”
“No. He doesn't want a relationship with a human.”
“Fucking isn't a relationship.”
“He doesn't want that either.” I cocked my head at him. “Is that what this is about? You're jealous?”
“He's nothing to you?”
“He's my friend. My mentor.” I let out an angry huff and pushed at his shoulders. “You scared me! What the fuck, Xae? I'm shaking!” I held out my hand to show him.
Xae sat back and frowned at my trembling hand. Sniffed the air. Then he scowled harder. “You have no reason to fear me, Ember.”
“I know,” I muttered. “I can kick your ass.”
He snorted then leaned in to nudge my cheek with his. “I would never hurt you. I'd die to protect you.”
“I know you wouldn't hurt me,” I whispered. “But you were so angry . . .”
“Come here.” Xae slid behind me to pull me into his arms and onto his lap. “I'm sorry I scared you. But you scared me first.” He nuzzled my face.
“I scaredyou?” I turned in his arms to look at him. “How?”
“The way you looked at Rath. You care about him.”
“As a friend.”
“No. Don't lie to me.”
I sighed. “I like Rath. A lot. But there is nothing more than friendship between us.”
“I heard him this morning. He's angry you slept with me. He's going to change his mind about you.”
“No, he's not.” I shifted to straddle Xae's lap, facing him, and he straightened his legs. “And even if he did, it's too late.”
“I don't think so, Ember.” He brushed his lips over mine. “I thought this would be sex and nothing more. A way to get you out of my head.”
“I was in your head?” I grinned.
“Why do you think I was there that day I saved you from the falling tree?”
