The Hunger (The Lycans 3)

“Caelan,” she gasped out, her hands touching my bared chest.

She pulled back and I didn’t stop myself from cupping her cheek, finally touching my mate, for Darragh allowing me to touch her had this unchecked emotion filling me. And when she leaned into my palm, I took a deep, shuddering breath, my eyes closing, the feeling so incredible that for the first time in my life, I felt weak.

“It’s like everything is spiraling out of control.”

I opened my eyes and stroked my thumb along her cheek, hoping the act calmed her like it did me.

“I have ye. Always. A rúnsearc.” Beloved. “Donna be afraid.”

“Take me back.” The glow in her eyes started to fade as she grappled with her human side even more, as her emotions started to become more level.

I felt her body sag against mine and instantly scooped her into my arms, cradling her body close to my chest. I was completely naked, but right now there was no arousal from finally having my female in my arms.

All I felt was the need to cherish her. “Is ceol mo chroí thú.” You’re the music to my heart.

Darragh didn’t know that she held my heart and soul in the palm of her hand, and forever would, but it was something I’d prove to her for the rest of my life.

25

Darragh

I was dazed, confused, and almost disconnected. The only thing I could focus on was Caelan.

The feel of his body against mine. The way he held me close, gently, as if he thought I’d break. The fact that he kissed the top of my head intermittently and whispered reassuring things against my hair made me really feel like everything would be okay, even if that was the farthest from the truth.

This wasn’t how I’d seen my trip to Scotland going, wasn’t how I’d seen “finding out about myself.” But here I was, currently back in the estate I’d run from because the man who’d kidnapped me could turn into a wolf and said I was his fated mate.

Oh… and I was half-Lycan.

I blinked back to reality and to the present and realized I was in a bathroom, the white-tiled floor gleaming under the candlelight. I looked around and saw a dozen or so taper candles placed around the bathroom all light, the glow filling the small confines of the room.

I didn’t question when Caelan had done this, because I didn’t even remember walking through the woods and coming back to his house. My mind was too discombobulated to focus on anything, it seemed.

I sat on a wooden chair, one that was off-center and wobbly because one of the legs was a little shorter than the other. There was a claw-foot tub a few feet from me, and as I watched Caelan pour a large bucket of steaming water into it, I realized he was running me a bath.

For some reason my chest clenched at that thoughtful gesture. And judging by how full the tub already was, it was clear he’d been filling it up for quite some time.

“I think I’ve been zoned out,” I whispered, and he turned to face me, the empty bucket hanging from his fingers, his expression softening as he stared into my face. “I don’t remember coming here or you filling up the bathtub.”

“Ye’re in shock.” He set the bucket off to the side and came over to crouch on his haunches in front of me. Without saying anything, he reached toward my feet, his eyes on me as he clearly waited for permission to touch me.

I nodded and found myself leaning back as he started removing my shoes, then my socks, and setting the items to the side. He then reached out and took hold of one of my feet, gently massaging it as he focused on the act as if it were the most important thing he’d ever done in his life. For some reason tears pricked my eyes at his gentle touch.

Caelan did the same to my other foot, and then only when he seemed satisfied did he stand and hold his hand out to me.

I knew after everything I should be hesitant. But even during the couple of days I’d “known” Caelan, I’d never felt more secure, never felt safer than I did with him.

It was strange, unusual, and it really did make no sense. It was fucking crazy. But then again, maybe all of this made perfect sense given how my life was turning out.

I looked up at him, and he still had the softest expression on his face, as if he were handling me with kid gloves. I wanted to tell him that I wasn’t breakable, that even though I was scared, the entire situation having turned my world upside down all over again, things weren’t really that… bad.

“I’m going tae let ye take a bath and relax.” He held both my hands, gave them a reassuring squeeze, and then left me to head to the door.