She didn’t move, her eyes flaying him like razors. “Get out of my way.”
“Stop fighting me.” With a frustrated growl, he grasped her arm, but she yanked free, and her back hit the wall. He caged her in with his hands on either side of her head. “Listen?—”
“If you don’t let me go, I swear you’ll regret it.”
“Go ahead,” he snapped, his anger flaring. “I’m eons old, what can you do that I haven’t already paid for…”in blood!
She kneed him?—
He caught her thigh before she damaged his balls, holding it fast. “You can’t hurt me, little vixen, so listen well.” His gaze held her furious, champagne ones. “Where we’re going, if you’re not marked, you will be claimed. The males there won’t wait for an invitation. So, choose. You have the three unmated shifters outside. They’re assholes, but they won’t hurt you.”
Her delicate jaw tightened. “Let me get this straight. To stay safe from other shifters, I must get marked by one of them outside?”
Just not you?
She didn’t have to say it, but the accusation hung heavy between them. She straightened her spine. “Thank you for the incredibly generous offer. I. Decline!”
“Dammit, Ash. This isn’t a damn game?—”
“I’m not tying myself to any bloody one.” Her mouth thinned, mutiny in every delectable inch of her.
“You’re godsdamned impossible.”
“And you’re a pain in my backside. I won’t do it.”
By the useless fucking gods.He shut his eyes briefly. No female had ever challenged him like this. Yet here she stood, this mortal who’d somehow wormed her way under his skin.
“I’m trying to keep you alive,” he bit out. “The towns we must go to, to search for those guards’ schedules, you’ll be exposed. Humans are sought after. Stolen.”
Her chest heaved, her chin tipped up in that stubborn tilt.
He was fast losing the battle, and he knew it. “You wantme, is that it? Damned if I know why. I’m a walking billboard for blood and gore. I enjoy my enemies’ terror before they die.” He hardened his expression. “Last chance, vixen, choose.”
Her heart thudded behind her breastbone, calling to both man and beast as he dragged her close. “Very well?—”
She slammed her palms against his chest and shoved hard. “Go to hell!”
“Been there,” he shot back. “Don’t recommend.”
“Why in God’s name would I want someone who considers me an afterthought?” she yelled. “Who always pushes me aside?”
A growl escaped him, anger and hunger for her colliding. “So be it, vixen.”
Chapter
Fourteen
Race bandedhis arm around Ash’s waist, keeping her flush against his body as his dragon roared inside his skull.Oursss!
“Wh-what are you doing?” Her eyes widened.
“Giving you what you want.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, baring her neck to him. “Hell, I must be losing my fucking mind.” He pushed her tunic collar aside with his nose, inhaling the scent of summer rain and defiance.
Despite her anger, her breathing hitched, her body softening against his. Slowly, he dragged his tongue along her skin—and she shivered, the musky scent of her arousal tormenting him. Her desire, the taste of her, salt and heat, consumed him.
Hell, no matter his brutal side, when it came to this female, he didn’t recognize himself. His dragon, a ruthless killer for centuries, purred like a damn housecat.
“No—” She pressed her palm to his chest, attempting to push back. “I choose Koal.”
