“I had my brother, could have spoken with him about all this, but it wouldn’t have helped.” I felt a twinge in my chest at the thought of all the heartache and despair I’d caused Ren. “I should have left him in peace long ago, found my own way, and not stay in our ancestral home.”
“I’m sure he loves you very much, and leaving would have been even more painful.”
I smiled, because only my mate could ever think that about me.
“But why didn’t you leave?” she asked softly, still running her fingers along my abdomen.
I thought about her question, and the answer was as easy as breathing. “Because deep down, no matter how damaged my mind was, I didn’t want to be alone.” I stared at the exposed beams of the ceiling, thinking about that pain and broken feeling that seemed like a distant memory now that I had Ainslee. “Do I frighten you?” I forced myself to ask.
“Frighten me?” The confusion in her voice was clear, and I turned my focus to her once more.
I nodded. “Because I let my wolf rise too close to the surface and let him stay there for so long?”
Her eyes roamed over my face as she no doubt took in my appearance again.
Although I appeared human, a man, because of my wolf being at the surface for so long, he’d changed me. I was taller, bigger. I was more aggressive, dominating; my wolf having power for so long that I truly didn’t know if I could ever be my full human self again.
“I don’t know if I can ever be normal again, not physically at least.” I felt my mind already starting to knit itself together, but even then I wasn’t sure I would ever be whole, not if she wasn’t in my life. Ainslee kept me stationed to reality.
She gave me another small smile. “Oh, Luca. You are normal. To me, you’re perfect.”
I lifted my hand and placed it on my chest, my claws digging into my skin as the organ hurt for the first time in pleasure.
“And to be honest,” she murmured, her pupils dilating and her lips parting as she looked at my mouth, “I kind of like that your inner animal is always there, so close to the surface. You both make me feel so safe.”
I growled low. No, it wasn’t me, it was my wolf making the sound in pleasure at its mate.
She sat up more, her hand falling from my skin, the loss of it profound to me. “You’re a very good man, Luca. You have a kind heart and soul.” I shook my head, refusing to accept her sweet words. “Whether you’ll ever believe it or not, you are good.” She lifted her hand and ran it over my skin, her touch light and soft, her hand barely encompassing my face because she was so tiny. “You know how I know you have a good heart?”
My breath came out shuddering, and I covered her hand with mine, keeping it pressed to my cheek, unable to part with her touch.
“It’s because of the way you look at me, the way you touch me, keep me protected and safe.” She smiled softly. “It’s because of the way you kiss me, so gently, as if you think I’ll break.” Her cheeks turned pink, and she glanced away. A low growl left me as I smelled her blossoming arousal. “It’s the way you make sure my pleasure comes before yours.”
I gripped her little chin gently between my thumb and forefinger and forced her to look at me again. “I’m only like that with you, sweetling.” I pulled her close for a chaste kiss. Or it had meant to be one. The kiss turned passionate and heated, thorough and intense. It was only when I forced myself to pull back did I see my little mate was once again ready for me. “You have to be sore from my insatiable passion for you,” I murmured, my gaze on her lips.
“No,” she whispered, breathing out, and then she was the one to kiss me. I let her take the lead, have the power. It was the first time in my life I’d ever given up control willingly for another being.
And for the first time in my life, it felt… right.
26
Adryan
“I’ll give the Scots one thing; their whiskey is strong as fuck.” I brought the square-cut glass to my mouth and downed it in one swallow.
I’d finished off three of these fuckers already and normally would have enjoyed the buzz alcohol brought on, but I was pissed, irritated, and itched to do what I’d come here to accomplish.
And that was bring down a Lycan who’d taken one of our own.
For long moments, I just stared at the fire, getting lost in the flames, working my mind over what to do next.