Page 49 of Jake

“You know there once was a man who believed, himself, that he’d never find someone to call his own. Then one day, he met a pixiu. She was magnificent. But he was young. Selfish. Led around by his dick, not his brain. He fucked up.” Quint sighed and stared at Kai. “These creatures are courageous and lethal, but in the end they’re like us all. They can submit to the weakness of death. Do not let this happen. You’re her master. Command and protect her as you would your own pack.”

Jake’s attention went to Kai as Quintus dissipated into the air. He placed his hand on hers, calming his wolf. Jake yawned, and suspected Jonathon’s magick had drawn on his own. He glanced to his palms, and grimaced at the sight of the crusty blood on his hands. If they hadn’t needed information about the Kris, he would have let Kai kill him.

Jake gently rolled Kai onto her back, and shoved off the bed. As he trod inside the darkened bathroom, he flicked on the wall switch. Dim recessed lighting reflected on crimson walls and ebony marble floors. The simplicity of the masculine design paired with Quintus’ dark personality.

As Jake turned on the shower spigot and crossed the room, he questioned how he’d become tangled with the vampire. Once a foe, Quintus had threatened his life. But over the past few days, they’d developed an odd bond. It was clear he’d once loved a pixiu and Jake suspected he’d been her master. His connection to Kai wasn’t clear, except that he seemed to hold an interest in the preservation of her species.

As Jake passed the mirror, he glanced at his reflection. Blood was splattered across his tanned face, and his thoughts drifted to Kai’s attack on Jonathon. Her feral nature both surprised and captivated him. He recalled the first time he’d shifted. It had been exhilarating, the power of his wolf coursing through him. But at no point had he been out of control. It wasn’t as if there weren’t times when Jake had let his beast take command, but each kill had been calculated. When he’d watched Kai, he’d noted the wild fury in her gaze, intent on killing the vampire. Jake could have cared less about Jonathon, but dead men don’t talk. Kai, more than anyone, knew the stakes, but hadn’t been able to control her beast.

It also occurred to Jake that the vampires hadn’t sensed her unique powers. Even Jonathon, the most powerful vampire in the coven, hadn’t placed her kind. He’d been suspicious of her lie, for certain, but never questioned it further.

The mirror steamed over and Jake peeled off his clothes, tossing them onto the floor. He strode into the bedroom, and gave a small smile as Kai’s eyes blinked open at him.

“Hey,” he said, not shielding his nudity.

“Hey. I…” Kai gasped and jolted upward in bed, taking sight of her blood-covered limbs. “I…I did this.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Jake moved to the edge of the bed next to her. He reached for her shoes, and began to undress her. “Let’s clean up and get some rest, yeah?”

“I shifted,” she whispered. Fear shone in her eyes.

“It’s okay, Kai. Come here.” Jake didn’t wait for an answer as he took her hands in his and stood, lifting her onto her feet. “Let’s get undressed, ‘K?”

Kai nodded, tears brimming her lashes.

“Come on now. Let’s take a shower,” Jake told her, his tone that of a command. His fingers brushed over the metal clasps that held her bustier tight. His eyes went to hers and she nodded.

“I’ve gotta get this off me. What I did…” She held her breath as Jake slowly released the fabric and tossed it aside. “Jake…I…”

“Shh…it’s going to be all right.” Jake made quick work of removing her skirt, the lace pooling around her ankles. His fingers teased the edge of her panties, and as he dragged them down her legs, his eyes flashed to her perfect breasts. Exposed, her nipples hardened as the cool air touched her delicate skin.

“Jake…” She lost her words as her eyes fell to his chest; a lingering silence filled the air.

He swiftly lifted Kai into his arms, cradling her. His cock hardened as her cheek settled against his chest, the warmth of her tears on his skin. His wolf stirred, again urging him to take her. It mattered little she wasn’t lupine. Kai. Pixiu. If he was her master, she was his mate. It warred with logic but his gut told him there was no other way.

As Jake entered the bathroom, a thick steam poured around him. He set her gently on her feet inside the marble shower enclosure. She went to reach for the soap, but he wrapped his fingers around her wrists.

“Don’t move,” he told her, pleased as she stilled.

“Jake…tonight…I was out of control,” she admitted, her voice shaking.

“You were fierce.” Jake took her hands, his eyes locked on hers.

“I would have killed him. My beast…she has no limits.”

“I will give her limits.”

“But Jake…this cannot be. I can’t…”

“I didn’t say this makes sense. But the creature you are…the one you will be…” Jake’s eyes narrowed on hers, his expression heated. Mate. He couldn’t say the words aloud that passed through his mind. But his wolf growled, insisting he claim her. “You’re mine.”

Jake detected her heart race at the sound of his statement. He plowed his fingers into her long locks, gently tilting her head back into the hot spray. His cock lengthened as her lips parted slightly.

“Tonight you were my responsibility. My creature. My woman.”

Jake reached for the shampoo, lathering her hair. Her eyes remained on his as he rinsed the bubbles away, his fingers massaging her scalp. She moaned, her hands sliding up his wet chest. As she did so, he gently turned her toward the wall, placing her palms against the tiles.

“I want you like this,” he whispered in her ear. He slid a knee between her legs, widening her stance. She’d learn to submit. “Open for me.”