I breathe deep as something inside his blood resonates within the depths of my soul—the sudden warmth blooming around my heart making me dizzy.
“You will be mine,” Callum murmurs, carefully cradling the back of my head. “So I will gladly gift you this taste.” Drawing more blood from his wound, he drinks from his own wrist before lowering his lips to mine and inviting me to taste him.
At first, the press of his mouth is as gentle as the breeze and just as cool to the touch, lingering like a memory. But the moment I part my lips and taste the blood on his, he curls his hand around mine and locks our fingers together, suddenlypressing my body into the earth as his tongue sweeps into my mouth. Liquid life flows between us, tasting sweeter than I could have imagined. When there isn’t any more to give, he bites his own tongue to keep the connection flowing.
My heart bursts and heat crashes through my veins like a tidal wave. At first, there’s pain as my body realigns its bones and mends its bruises, but then a steady hum of power remains as the tissues and ligaments grow stronger. My heart rate skyrockets. I pull Callum’s tongue into my mouth and moan as heat coils deep within me, igniting a desire so deep that I tremble.
Fuck, that’s good.
I don’t know how I could have ever opposed something this addictive?—
Our connection breaks so quickly that I’m left reeling, my world spinning as Callum buries his face in my neck and drags his sharp-tipped nails up the outside of my thighs. The flash of pain quickly morphs into pleasure, and I arch my back as my pussy pulses in time with my heartbeat.
Holy fucking shit.
I’m on fire and ready to burn the whole world down if it means I can get another taste.
“Oh, Wildflower,” he groans, scraping his fangs against my neck. “I knew you were special the moment we met, butthatwas...” He grabs my hips and holds me down. “Dangerous.”
I catch the other two shifters on our team grimacing a few feet away and toss them a drunken smile. “Ifeelsogood,” I slur, running my fingers through Callum’s silky strands. Damn, he’s got long hair. “All pain’s gone.”
Callum’s hands roam my body, feeling me up under the guise of assessing my injuries. “You healed much faster than I anticipated.”
“You’reverypowerful,” I purr, caressing his neck with my cheek and rubbing my scent all over him.
He chuckles, sounding way too sober for my liking. “Easy, Wildflower, or you’ll tempt me to prove it.” Pressing a quick kiss to my cheek, he pushes himself to his feet and drags me to mine, his body unnaturally warm against mine, and a distinct hard point pressing against my stomach.
“Callum Navarro!” I breathe, giggling as I sway on my feet. “Put that thing away before someone gets a free show!”
“Oh, gods,pleasedon’t get each other off.” The female shifter readjusts her torn clothes as she grimaces at me and Callum. “Sucking face was bad enough to watch.”
“But you still looked,” I snicker, grinning at her. “Must’ve been hottttt.”
“Why is she talking like that?” The bear man asks, frowning at me. “Did you drug her or something?”
“I overestimated the dosage,” Callum muses, lifting me into his arms like I weigh nothing. “She’ll be fine once the effects wear off.”
“How long does that take?” The cat wrinkles her nose as I try to swat her face.
“Where are your whiskers?” I manage to smear my thumb across her chin. “I wanna see!”
Callum grabs my hand and holds it against his lips. “Easy there, darling.” He kisses the back of my hand. “Let’s grab a figurine so we can tuck you into bed, hm? Doesn’t a bed sound nice?”
I link my arms around his neck and pull myself up to whisper in his ear. “Only if you’re there.” Crimson eyes meet mine, and I marvel at the shimmering copper in their depths. I trace my fingertips along his kiss-swollen lips. “Have you always been this beautiful?”
He smiles, the barest chuckle falling past his lips. “Tell me again once you’re back to normal. Then I’ll believe you.” We walk in silence through the dark—but it isn’t quite as dark as it was before, the shadows shifting on their own, yes, but the colors are more vibrant, the scents of earthen decay and winter snow stronger, every brush of my clothes or Callum’s hand on my skin more intense.
I breathe as deep as I can and enjoy the sensations thrumming through my body, each one distinct.
If this is what a few mouthfuls of vampire blood can do, then I wonder what other treasures lie just beneath the surface. Callum was right when he said that I value strength—but I’ve always wanted it to secure my place in a wolf pack. What Callum promises isn’t strength as leverage, but strength as...
I lick my lips, the lingering taste of him stirring something inside my heart.
Freedom.
More than the wilds—more than what Revyn can offer me—that’s what Callum tastes like. A chance at rebirth. A home outside the limitations of shifter society. Something new and exciting and...tempting.
“You knew this would happen.” I sigh into Callum’s neck. “That’s why you offered me your blood.”
