He spins on his heel. My eyes fix hungrily on his ass as he flees, on how it bounces. I allow him this head start.
A small mercy for when I finally do catch him.
The way I’m going to tear that piece of fabric from his body, the way I’ll reenact my dreams.
I can’t fucking wait. All the fury has been replaced by one feeling.
Lust.
I don’t question it. Don’t question if this is a good idea or not, if I’ll regret it later, or if it’ll change anything between us.
I just begin the chase.
My body roars as I take off after him, my hand skimming the wall as I turn, rushing out of the house. He left the front door open, his pale skin glowing in the moonlight as he rushes across the wet grass, bits of mud and soil hitting his calves.
All other thoughts fade away. The Umbra. The photos. The threat. The fear. They disappear into nothing.
Almost nothing. I skid to a stop outside the guard station a few feet from the door. Brennan is inside. If he’s surprised to see me in this state, he doesn’t let it show.
“Secure the perimeter of the woods,” I growl. “I want every guard patrolling. No one is to enter past the trees, understood?”
“Yes, sir.” He nods, immediately going to work.
Now I can focus on Neo without worrying about someone catching it on camera—what I’m going to do to him.
Something Wylder Buckingham can’t be seen doing.
But I’m not him right now.
I’m someone else entirely.
I’ve never in my life wanted to fuck someone into the dirt, but my monster quite likes the idea. He’s outside of his cage now. Has been since I saw the photo of Neo.
Smiling up at me.
Like I matter.
Someone else saw that moment too. Someone who was close enough that they could’ve pointed a sniper rifle and fired.
The rage bubbles up again, but that’s when I step out onto the cool grass. I immediately glimpse Neo between the trees.
He waggles his fingers at me.
Blows me a kiss.
Then he’s running again.
Distantly, I can feel twigs and stones stabbing against the soles of my feet. I pay them no heed as I follow him into the woods. There’s only one thought in my head.
Get him. Get him.
My cock aches for relief as I run, my lungs screaming as I chase.
I push myself faster as his laughter floats through the air. Large trees loom over us, branches hitting my face and arms as I race through them. I keep Neo in my sights, closing the distance between us.
I’m going to take my prize.
Suddenly, Neo disappears from view. I growl, skidding to a halt.
