That wasn’t what made Kirov growl. Because a moment later, a heady, intoxicating scent met his nostrils and sent his Instinct onto the verge of a frenzy.
Her arousal.
Lani looked away from him, turning her body back to its original position, her front pressed against the balcony. Kirov growled again, knowing that she was retreating when he wanted her claws.
“I can smell your desire,luxiva,” he rasped, that word flowing from his tongue, as natural as breathing. “You need to mate. Do not deny it.”
Lani sucked in a breath, her gaze widening. “You cansmellit?God,is there no privacy anymore?”
“Not with me,” he said softly.
Her shoulders stiffened. “What doesthatmean?” she asked, her tone quiet.
“You feel it,” he murmured. “After this morning, I know you do. Perhaps the other females have already told you what it means.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She said the words quickly, as if she’d been anticipating saying them, as if she’d had them ready.
“Denial will not help you, Lani. Not with me. I will not lie to you.”
“I don’t evenknowyou,” she cried. “So I don’t care if you lie to me. And I sure as hell don’t care if I lie to you.”
Kirov blew out a breath. “I do not think you understand what this means. For both of us. It does not change that my Instinct—”
“Stop,” she said, her teeth gritted.
He continued, pushing forward, needing her to understand, “My Instinct awakened for you. Foryou, Lani.”
“Stop!”
“You do know what it means,” he said, his suspicions answered.
Lani looked at him and his shoulders sagged at the fear in her eyes. He hated seeing it there, wanted to take it away, but knew that he couldn’t. Only she could take the fear from herself.
“You’re mistaken,” she finally said, her voice breaking. She cleared her throat and her tone was more even as she repeated, “You’re mistaken, Kirov.”
It was the first time she said his name, but he vowed to the Fates that it wouldn’t be her last.
She continued, “Besides, I’ll be leaving soon. It won’t matter anyways. Once you find that crystal, I’ll be gone.”
Kirov growled, a frustrated breath escaping his nostrils. She didn’t understand that this wasforever, not just a temporary affliction. Distance didn’t matter. It would only ever beher.
He needed to change tactics. Kirov studied his fated female. She was intelligent, that much was obvious. She had a sharp tongue—which he loved—and even sharper claws—which he loved more.
Kirov realized she liked to be challenged. She liked to be tested. He’d seen the spark in her eyes when he’d outed her for spying on him last night. Despite her embarrassment, Kirov sensed he’dintriguedher, whether she admitted to it or not.
He could play games. To win her, he would play them very well. And it was very clear to Kirov that he would have to win hisluxiva, because she wouldn’t make it easy for him.
“Even if that crystal is ever found and brought back to the Golden City,” he said, never breaking her gaze, “I guarantee that by then you will never want to leave my side.” He leaned closer, dropping his voice. “Or the warmth of my furs.”
Shock widened her eyes, followed by outrage. But Kirov searched for it in her gaze, what he was looking for, and he found it. That spark he wanted, the one that made his lips lift and his cock throb with anticipation.
He was further rewarded when her arousal became even more evident, perfuming the air around them, making him growl as his horns began to rise from his crown.
Her blue eyes narrowed and then, ever so slowly, her pink lips curled into a smile, her tongue darting out to wet them. Kirov’s pupils dilated as he watched that tongue, his muscles growing underneath his tunic.
“Well, I’ve got news for you, darling,” she purred, leaning close, so close her hair brushed over his forearm. Kirov stepped forward eagerly and he almost groaned when she ran a finger down the center of his chest. His abdomen clenched when she stopped the descent there. “No man has ever had that kind of control over me andnone ever will.”
Immediately, her smile dropped and she stepped back, leaving him reeling and frustrated and aching for her.
