The Hunger (The Lycans 3)

“I should throw that damn plate across the room just to make you clean it up and spite you.” My body tensed as I realized I said those words out loud. I looked at him, expecting to see his ire, but when he just smirked and kept cutting, I felt a semblance of calm settle in me.

He went back to cutting the steak, and I stared at the knife. I looked away, not wanting him to notice, but too late. Of course he saw me staring at it and weighing how to use it to escape.

But he said nothing as he set the tray on the bed between us—keeping the knife, obviously—giving me the decency of letting me have the fork. Although I probably could’ve stabbed him with that four-pronged utensil, all that would’ve done was piss him off and not cause any actual harm.

And what I certainly didn’t want to think about, or dissect, was the fact that the very idea of hurting him had my stomach twisting and this weird discomfort filling me.

“I don’t plan on doing anything to you aside from sitting here and making sure you eat and drink all that water.”

Question after question slammed into my mind, but my stomach was cramping, and hunger pangs made themselves known again. And as I looked back at that glass of water, my body worked on instinct, my hand reaching out and my fingers curling around the cup. I was guzzling the liquid down and watching him over the rim before I realized what I was doing.

And I didn’t care how sloppy I looked or how droplets of water dribbled out of my mouth and traveled down my chin. I’d never tasted anything as good, and a moan slipped from me.

“Do you want another glass?” Voice deep and eyes hooded, he held his hand out, and I gave the glass to him right away.

I didn’t expect him to leave me alone, but before I could say anything, he was out of the bedroom, the door wide open, the shadows creeping in.

I wondered how far I’d make it before he caught me. Although it was a moot point, because he came in seemingly seconds later, the glass refilled as he handed it to me. I took it without saying a word, downing half of it before forcing myself to set it on the tray and actually take a breath.

“I know ye’re hungry. Eat.” He gestured to the plate, and I looked at the thick slab of cooked meat.

I’d never been much of a meat eater, and although that hunk of flesh probably should’ve turned my stomach inside out, I had the fork in my hand and a piece stabbed through with the tongs.

I brought it up and shoved the bite in my mouth, surprised at the gamey yet pleasant flavor. I swallowed it just as I went for another piece. And then did the same over and over again until half the steak was gone and I couldn’t eat anymore.

This low humming noise filled the room, and I realized it came from him. It sounded very… pleased.

“Ye didn’t ask questions between each bite as per the agreement.” He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, a self-satisfied smirk on his face, which should’ve pissed me off, but instead it had the opposite effect.

It made me feel uncomfortable in a very aroused way.

“Ask anything ye like, and I’ll answer truthfully.”

I narrowed my eyes, curled my good hand into a tight fist, and said, “Well, let’s start with the most pressing ones.” His nostrils flared, and I swore his eyes flashed. I was also sure he… liked this rage I currently felt. “Who the fuck are you, and why did you kidnap me?”

19

Caelan

My wee mate had one hell of a temper and fire running through her veins, and fuck was it hot. I kept my hands on my lap to try to discreetly hide the sudden raging erection I sported.

As soon as I’d scented her anger, that fierceness that turned me on so much, my cock had come alive and to attention.

“Cat got your tongue all of a sudden?” There was acid in her voice, and my lips twitched in amusement. “Go on, asshole. Who the fuck are you, and why the hell did you kidnap me?”

I didn’t want to just be blunt and to the point, to get this out of the way. I wanted to ease her into all of this, get her used to the situation. But I knew she had no idea of her other half, the recessed and dormant Lycan genetics. If she had known about it, she’d be able to tell who and what I was.

My wolf would call to hers, our Linked Connection letting her feel how she was mine.

The last thing I wanted to do was scare the fuck out of her, so I needed to be smart about this. But taking it slow probably wasn’t going to happen. I just prayed she could handle it all right now.