As if possessed, Az abruptly stopped walking and snatched Elders’ wrist, twisting it and ripping it upwards. “Hands off.”
“Woah, woah, relax,” I said, pressing my palms into Az’s chest. He released his friend, every muscle in his face tense. Elders only snickered behind me, Cal walking up to my other side.
“Now, now. Let’s not have a repeat of the great fight of 9218,” Caleb cooed, smacking his hand into Az’s cheek.
“What happened in 9218?” Zura whispered to Quinn.
“Our sweet,gentleAzazel punched Talon in the face because he stole his favorite ball,” Quinn answered, the smile evident in his voice.
“He took it and put a knife through it,” Az hissed, tugging me into his body. I flattened against him, feeling his chest rise and fall, his heartbeat slowing. After a moment he whispered, “Sorry, Quinn. I don’t know what came over me.”
“You’re acting more like a dog than a snake lately, that’s for sure,” Otarn mumbled, pushing past us to keep walking through the fresh snow. “Pathetic.”
“Pri,” Caleb groaned, jogging to catch up with her. “Come on! Be reasonable!”
Leaning away from Az, I looked over to Quinn and Zura. “Can I have a minute alone with Azazel?”
Az tightened his hold, his fingers spreading across my back. Zura offered a soft smile, nodding. “Of course.”
“Come on, Zura. I’ll tell you all about my childhood trauma and you can pretend to act surprised,” Quinn said, smiling when Zura let out a soft gasp. He draped his arm over her shoulders much like he had mine, smirking at Az as he passed. “Woof woof.”
Az’s entire body tensed around me, but the second they were far enough not to hear, he relaxed again. I felt his lips press into my hair, a deep inhale following the gentle kiss.
Aggravated, I shoved away from him, jabbing my finger into his chest. “You don’t own me. Stop acting like I’m your favorite toy no one else can touch!”
“No one else should be touching you!” He stepped back into my space, his smokey breath fanning across my face. “How would you feel if Zura put her arm around me? What would your gut instinct be?”
Looking around, I grabbed his collar, dragging him behind me and leading him to the thickly forested area on the eastern side of the base. The second we entered a densely packed section, I shoved him into a tree, his back smacking hard into the thick, crumbling bark.
“Zura would never, first of all. Second, I deal with Priya being here, and you two were engaged! How many times have you fucked her? Huh?”
All around us, the forest went silent, birds and crickets and even a woodpecker seemingly fleeing at the sound of our mutual fury. Or maybe it was the way the air around us became charged—vibrating as our magic leaked out of us in waves.
Growling, his hand reached out and latched around my throat, his hold gentle but unmoving. He pulled my face to his, our lips almost touching. “Priya likeswomen.I’ve never done more than kiss her.”
Stunned, I stood there, staring up at his eyes, watching as his pupils dilated. Priya liked women? “Then why does she care about us being together?”
“She’s protective of me. We’re all that way—we’re the closest thing each other has to a real family.” I was shocked, my throat thick. He slid his thumb across my bottom lip, his chest pushing into mine. “No one can touch you, Nova. You’remine.And I’myours.Another man or woman will never touch me again either. Every inch of you is mine to worship and pleasure, no one else’s.”
His hand slid lower down my back, settling at the base of my spine. “This is too much. People aren’t supposed to act like animals just because they…lovesomeone.”
My breasts brushed against his chest, the movement sending bursts of butterflies into my stomach. He smiled, dimples appearing in his cheeks.
“You can’t act like that. I’m notyours.I’m my own person.” I tried to push away, shoving against his chest, but he only held me tighter. “Otarn is right, you’re acting like a possessive beast.”
“See, now you’re making me mad, Little Void.” He tightened his hold on my throat, his other hand moving to my hair, tugging a fistful of it.
Why the utter fuck do I find this hot?
“Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not a snake, a dog, or a beast. I’m a monster,” he growled, grazing his nose against mine. “But I’myourmonster, Little Void.”
Yep, I’m turned on. I need help.
“So here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going torun.If you make it to the wards before I get you, you’ll shadow walk backhome toourcottage and I’ll rein in my…attitude.” His words were deep and raspy, said a mere breath from my lips.
Sucking in his air, I whispered, “What if you catch me before I get there?”
“Then I’ll show you just how much of a possessive monster I am.” Hands freeing me, he leaned back, crossing his arms. “Better run fast, Little Void.”
