Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
S carlett clung to Finnar, her heart still hammering against her ribs. She’d been halfway down the mountain when she began to think something was following her. She briefly considered the idea that it was Finnar and immediately dismissed it. He wouldn’t bother hiding. She tried to tell herself it was only her imagination but then she heard a low growl—and not the kind made by a Vultor.
She’d searched desperately for a weapon, but all she’d been able to find was a rock, picking it up just as the adyani stalked into the clearing. The rock felt pathetically small, its rough edges biting into her palm, but it was all she had. Her back pressed against the cold stone as the predator inched closer, its yellow eyes fixed on her with deadly intent.
But then Finnar had burst in the clearing, the sight of him stealing her breath away. Gone was the male she’d spent the last two days with—in his place stood a magnificent beast. Silvery-grey fur covered his massive form, the moonlight catching each ripple of powerful muscle as he moved. His face had transformed into something wild and fierce, with a pronounced muzzle and gleaming fangs. Yet those striking blue eyes remained unchanged, burning with protective fury as he launched himself at the adyani.
The rock slipped from her trembling fingers as she watched him battle the mountain predator, every move as graceful as it was lethal. She bit back a cry when the adyani’s claws raked across his shoulder, drawing blood, but he seemed oblivious to the injury. He fought with terrifying efficiency, his own claws finding purchase in the adyani’s throat. The sound of breaking bone echoed through the clearing as he snapped the creature’s neck.
The fight ended as swiftly as it began. He dropped the lifeless body and turned towards her. Blood matted his fur, but fear was the furthest thing from her mind. It was still him—the same male who’d helped her clean his den, who’d slept with her clothes to keep her from running, who’d kissed her with such passion before fleeing into the night.
She didn’t hesitate to launch herself across the clearing and throw herself into his arms. His arms wrapped around her protectively, but she felt the tension in his muscles, in the rigid way he held himself.
“You came for me,” she whispered into his fur, impossibly soft against her face. His heart thundered beneath her cheek, matching the wild beating of her own. The metallic scent of blood mixed with his familiar wild scent, and she pressed closer, overwhelmed by the knowledge that he’d risked himself to protect her.
The night air felt cool against her legs, reminding her that she wore only his shirt, but his body radiated heat. She should have been terrified—of the adyani, of his transformation, of the blood still staining his claws—but instead she felt safe. Protected.
He took a deep breath but the tension in his muscles didn’t lessen. Was he fighting his beast? She didn’t care about his fearsome appearance or the violence he’d displayed. The change in his outward appearance didn’t change who he was.
She pulled back just enough to look up at his face. The fur had receded, leaving his familiar features, though his fangs still extended past his lips and his eyes blazed with blue fire. Something electric crackled between them, making her skin tingle where his claws pressed against her back. Her heart skipped, but not from fear.
“You ran from me.”
His voice was deeper than usual, rougher, sending shivers down her spine.
“I know it was stupid.” She wet her lips, trying to explain. “I shouldn’t have done it.”
But he wasn’t listening. Those glowing eyes locked onto hers with predatory intensity, making her breath catch. Her pulse quickened as he leaned closer, his presence overwhelming her senses.
“Do you know what happens when you run from a predator?” The low, dangerous tone of his voice made her shiver again, but this time with a thrill of anticipation that pooled low in her belly. “You get eaten.”
The words rumbled from deep in his chest. Before she could process their meaning, he spun her around and pressed her against the rough bark of a tree. His mouth claimed hers in a searing kiss that stole her breath and scattered her thoughts. Heat flooded through her body as she melted against him, lost to the fierce passion of his embrace.
His kiss deepened, his fangs grazing her bottom lip as he pressed her more firmly against the tree. His wild, untamed scent surrounded her, mixing with the earthy aroma of the forest and the metallic tang of blood from the fight.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled him closer, matching his urgency with her own. The rough bark pressed against her back through the thin fabric of his borrowed shirt, but she barely noticed. All she could focus on was the scorching heat of his body against hers, the demanding pressure of his mouth, the way his claws pricked deliciously at her skin through the fabric.
The world around them faded into nothing—the forest, the dead adyani, her earlier fear—all of it disappeared. There was only this moment, this kiss, this overwhelming need that consumed her. Her heart thundered in her chest as his hands slid down her sides to grip her hips, pulling her even more tightly against him.
A soft moan escaped her as his mouth left hers to trail heated kisses down her neck. She arched into him, desperate for more contact, more of his touch, more of everything he offered. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders as passion blazed between them, burning away any remaining doubts or hesitation.
“I want you,” he growled against her skin, his voice strained with need. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you in the forest.”
“Yes,” she gasped, her body aching with desire. “Please, yes.”
With a low growl, he tore open the remaining buttons of the shirt, exposing her breasts to the night air. She barely had time to register the cool kiss of the breeze before his hot mouth covered one taut peak, his tongue swirling around the sensitive nipple. She cried out at the rush of sensation, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she arched against him, offering him better access.
He lifted her higher against the tree as his mouth moved to her other breast, teasing and tasting until she thought she’d go mad from pleasure. Her legs wrapped around his waist, drawing a groan from him as her heated core pressed against the hard length of his erection. Even through their clothing, she could feel the heat emanating from him, the evidence of his arousal making her inner walls clench with anticipation. There was no fear this time, only need.
“More,” she demanded, writhing against him.
With another low growl, his mouth captured hers again as his hands slid beneath her to cup her ass, squeezing and kneading the soft flesh as he pulled her even tighter against his throbbing erection. She could feel her wetness soaking through the fabric separating them as she writhed against him, desperate for something she didn’t fully understand.
His head dropped to the curve of her neck, his fangs scraping the sensitive area beneath her ear.
“Tell me to stop.” The words were a rough growl, half plea, half command.
“I… I don’t want you to stop.”
It was foolish, reckless, but she’d never wanted anything more. His mouth clamped down on her neck, his prick of his fangs a threat and a promise. She gasped, her body arching against him.
“Stop.” The deep commanding voice cut through the night air like a blade. “Put her down, Finnar.”
His body went rigid against hers, then she was back on her feet as he crouched in front of her, growling. She clutched the edges of her shirt together as she peered around his broad shoulders.
Two Vultor emerged from the shadows. The taller one radiated authority, his silver-streaked hair gleaming in the moonlight. He appeared older than Finnar, but power emanated from his muscular frame. The second male prowled at his side, younger and leaner, with cold amber eyes that sent chills down her spine.
She pressed closer to Finnar’s back, gripping the waistband of his pants. His muscles were coiled tight beneath her touch, ready to spring. A low rumbling growl vibrated through his chest as the newcomers approached slowly, stopping a careful distance away.
The commanding Vultor’s gaze swept over them both, taking in her disheveled appearance and Finnar’s protective stance. His face remained neutral, but she could almost feel the disapproval radiating from him. The younger male raised an arrogant eyebrow, no hint of concern in his expression.
She tightened her grip, drawing comfort from his presence. He was still growling, fierce and protective, yet he made no move to attack the newcomers, and that steadied her racing heart. If these males meant her harm, she knew without doubt that he would already be fighting them.
Despite the older male’s disapproval, he seemed concerned rather than angry. The younger male felt more dangerous, even though he didn’t make any threatening moves.
She put her other hand on Finnar’s back, seeking reassurance. To her surprise, that contact seemed to affect him as well. The continuous growl began to fade, his rigid muscles relaxing slightly beneath her hand, although his protective stance didn’t change.
“It’s all right,” she whispered, praying she was right.