War of Hearts (True Immortality 1)

Everything that had happened came flooding back in a deluge. She tensed, biting back a whimper. Conall had nearly died.

She couldn’t get the image of him dying, that silver knife in his neck, all the blood, out of her head.

There was a small, not very nice part of her that wanted to be angry at the wolf for becoming so integral, so important to her happiness. A mating bond. Jesus Christ! Why did he have to come along and wolf-bond with her?

Or was it her fault?

Eirik had said the mating bond had been passed down by the fae, so if she was fae, then actually the mating was her fault.

So lost in her thoughts, Thea didn’t hear Conall’s breathing change. She only realized he was awake when she felt a kiss upon a scar on her back. Thea went rigid for a millisecond, then his lips caressed another scar. And then another. Her body melted. His clasp on her breast became fingertips trailing down her stomach as he placed reverent kisses along her scarred spine.

Thea had never felt more cherished.

“Conall,” she whispered, wondering if he could hear how much she loved him in that one word.

Because the truth was she did love him.

Thea realized that the moment she thought she’d lost him forever.

“One day, very soon,” Conall said, his voice gruff with a strange mix of tenderness and rage, “I will help you eviscerate the bastard.”

Knowing he meant Ashforth, Thea turned to face Conall. He immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his body. His equally naked body.

“You undressed me.”

“You fell asleep, and you felt warm.” He frowned, gently picking up her hand to press a kiss to her bandaged wrist. It still throbbed. “Too warm.”

“I’m okay,” she reassured him. “It just takes a little longer to heal. It should be good in a day or two.” Tracing her fingers along his stubbled cheeks, Thea drew in a deep breath as she prepared herself to make her proposal. Even though she knew Conall seemed perfectly content with the idea they were mates, that they were permanent, she still feared he’d reject her idea. It would mean a different kind of permanency between them. “I’ve been thinking.”

He reached for her fingertips and pressed a playful kiss to them. “About?”

“About bringing so much trouble to the pack.” She ignored his frown and forged ahead. “The Canids will be pissed about the broken betrothal and let’s not forget that I’m a constant source of danger for your people.”

Conall pushed up, bracing his elbow against the pillow so he could rest his head in his palm. Thea tried not to get distracted at the way his biceps flexed. It reminded her of his muscles flexing during sex, and now was not the time.

“Thea, the Canids will understand. After all it’s better I found you now than after a marriage arrangement with Sienna.”

The mere thought of Conall marrying another woman made her stomach lurch unpleasantly. The possessive anger that heated her blood never failed to surprise her. She hadn’t thought herself capable of territorialism. It was animalistic and primal and a little embarrassing.

She knew she’d failed to hide what she was feeling by the smug quirk to Conall’s mouth. “Are you sure you’re not part wolf?” He bent his head to nuzzle her face, his stubble scratching pleasantly against her cheek. “You’re possessive enough.”

What a helpful segue. “Speaking of …” Thea pulled back to look into his eyes. She wondered if he could hear her heart pounding. “Vik told us that story about the fae woman whose mate turned her into a wolf …”

He looked confused by the mention of the story and then understanding quickly dawned. Conall jerked away from her, his features taut with tension. “Aye, he also said another fae died from the werewolf’s bite.”

Thea could already feel her heart faltering with his coming rejection. Still, she persevered. “Shouldn’t we consider it? If I’m not fae, if I become a werewolf instead, then I’ll no longer be a target—and the pack, you, won’t be in danger.” Forcing herself not to run from his horrible silence, Thea instead snuggled into him, pressing her forehead to his throat. “I don’t want to live forever.” Not without you.

His hands tightened on her biceps.

Then he pushed her away.

Thea watched, angry and dejected, as Conall rolled across the bed and got out. His movements were jerky, agitated as he hauled up his underwear and jeans. “We dinnae even know if you are fae.”

She swallowed past the lump of hurt in her throat and sat up. “But we know there are people out there who believe I am and that’s what matters. If I was like you, we wouldn’t have to worry. And I wouldn’t have to watch you grow old and die while I stayed stuck like this for eternity.”