There isn’t a doubt in my mind that he’s looking me over just as thoroughly, resisting the urge to gape at the outline of my damp breasts.
“You just about gave me a heart attack.”
The Alpha clears his throat. “I—Uh . . . I was just going to drop this off for you. Make sure you’re alright. But then I heard singing coming through the air vents in the kitchen and needed to be sure that . . . ah, fuck it.”
"I’m fine. Thanks," I retort.
“I can’t remember the last time I heard someone sing around here. Forgive me, I had to come and listen.”
“I wasn't really expecting an audience.”
“The door was unlocked.”
“So, you just invited yourself in?”
The acoustic echoes of hearty laughter and clinking dishes carry up the stairwell. Dinner is in full swing downstairs.
“This is my house.”
I point my finger at him, nearly jabbing him in the stomach. “Andthisis a deliberate intrusion on my privacy.”
He snorts, eyes flicking down at my hand. “Intrusion? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now. And watch where you point the thing, will you?”
“Thanks for the dinner delivery. Now would you mind seeing yourself out? This day has been rather draining, as you can tell.”
The lycan’s mocking expression doesn’t waver. Clearly, he isn’t used to being given orders under his roof. But for now, he backs off. “Alright then. Pardon the intrusion. It wasn't meant to?—”
Axe’s mouth clamps shut. Pupils dilate. A sense of danger pricks my spine only until I realize his gaze is intently fixated on the arm that’s holding the door open for him to exit.Shit.
"What is this?" he asks, indicating the mutilated flesh of my inner wrist.
My voice falters a moment, scrambling for the most convincing excuse. "They're birth marks."
Axe takes two steps closer to me, looking me dead in the eyes and latching onto my limb. When the silver cuff makes contact, his skin sizzles. He doesn’t so much as flinch.
"Don't lie to me. Who gave you these markings?"
Shaking my head, I stutter. "N-no one.”
He plasters his forearm above my head, sealing me into a gargantuan cage. "Who."
He tilts his head ever so slightly, listening to the syncopated rhythm of my panicked heart. Waiting to detect another lie.
"Remove your hand from my arm."
"Tell me where the scars came from.”
"No. Now back off.”
He kicks the door shut. Not a word is uttered as his entire face hardens. My dripping hair begins to form a cool puddle at his feet. "As much as I enjoy a challenge, youwillanswer me."
Raising my chin, I bare my teeth this time. “Like hell I will. Letgo.”
"Answer the question truthfully and you won't be put in this position."
I scoff. “Do all of your guests receive this kind of savage hospitality?”
Axe immediately withdraws his hands, snarling. “If someone carved you up, they're going to pay. I don’t care how long ago it was."
