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Chapter 15-1
Troy
The lies had slipped so easily out of her mouth, but while Thornston invited Finn to stay for dinner, Kiana started to shake. I knew what she was thinking. My wolves hadn’t made it back.
Interesting that she would worry for them so.
I knew that my wolves were fine. I would feel if they were dead. Finn had lied, I couldn’t tell Kiana that. I also didn’t know why,
We spent the next two hours as guests while Thornston happily relayed stories of little Kiana that set my teeth on edge and tested me in every way possible.
Kiana, meanwhile, never blinked an eye.
Afterward, I quickly shut down Thornston’s suggestion that we sleep in the cabin. When he mentioned we could all shift and sleep together, I felt the first sign of Kiana’s fear and panic.
“Kiana’s wolf does not come out unless we’re home,” I said, playing the role of the controlling mate.
Thornston was clearly frustrated, but I didn’t budge. It was obvious he wanted Kiana. Did he really
think I would share her?
Had someone else shared her?
It was impossible to tell what Kiana was thinking. She’d slipped into such a quiet and submissive role that it was difficult to read her.
Most mates could communicate without words. Just glances. Subtle touches. Soul-deep
awareness.
But then again, most mates actually liked each other.
Kiana and I would never be like that. The realization echoed cold in my chest-but I ignored it. Why the hell should I care? She was a killer. A threat. A ticking time bomb wearing soft skin and too
many secrets.
We set up in a tent behind the cabin-barely shelter, even less protection. And when Thornston’s voice carried through the trees as Kiana ducked inside, I knew the bastard wasn’t done playing.
“She doesn’t smell like you.”
Fucking hell.
My jaw locked. I didn’t answer him. Just stalked after her and zipped the tent up with enough force
WED
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Chapter 15-1
to make the seams groan.
She was crouched over a flashlight. It clicked on, casting her face in pale gold.
I switched it off.
Outside, Thornston lingered. Watching.
Eventually, he retreated, and she flicked the light back on. “He’ll see,” I muttered low.
“Silhouettes. Shadows.” Her voice was quiet. “We can use that to our advantage.”
Realization hit like a slap. “You want me to pretend to fuck you?”
+25 Points
Color flushed her cheeks, but she didn’t look away fast enough. “It doesn’t have to be convincing,” she murmured. “He wouldn’t expect tenderness. Just something quick. Brutal. I’ll-I’ll make it
sound painful.”
My hands shot out before I even thought about it-one gripping her jaw, jerking her chin up. I leaned in close, voice like gravel. “I don’t fuck for anyone’s entertainment. Not pretend. Not real. Not unless I want it. Not unless she does.”
She blinked up at me, lips parted. “Isn’t that exactly what this is?” she whispered. “Control.
Dominance. Obedience.”
“It’s not the same.”
“To you, it’s not.”
I growled low, the sound feral, and she-damn her-didn’t flinch. She touched my cheek instead. Gentle. Calculated. Infuriating. “Don’t worry. The two of you are very different. He likes control over me because he wants me. You want it because you hate me. None of that changes the fact that he will follow us all the way to the coven to figure out how to kill you and take me. Especially if he thinks we aren’t really mated.”
I wanted to hate her. It was so much easier when I didn’t see her. When I didn’t have my hands around her waist while she bathed naked in the river. When she wasn’t practically straddling my
lap, asking me to put my scent on her.
But I wasn’t thinking when I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers.
Her breath caught.
“I could strip you naked, hold you against me all night, and it would still not have the same effect as
a kiss. Relax and open for me. It will only take a moment.”
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