Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
F innar gazed down at Scarlett, her red hair spread across the grass like flames, her smile radiant in the late afternoon sunlight. The sight of her filled his chest with a warmth he’d forgotten could exist. His beast rumbled in contentment, finally at peace after years of restless rage.
He traced his finger along the sensitive curve of her neck, marveling at the softness of her skin. His mouth watered with the need to taste her, to mark her as his for everyone to see, but her skin was so fragile, so delicate. He would have to be satisfied with the knowledge of their bond.
The happiness in her dark eyes stripped away the layers of bitterness that had encrusted his soul. She reached up and touched his face, her fingers gentle against his jaw. and he turned his head to kiss her fingers.
“I never thought I could feel this way,” he murmured.
But even as the words left his lips, a shadow of doubt crept in. Did he deserve this? After all the darkness that had consumed him, the hatred that had driven him for so long—could he truly claim this kind of joy?
The memory of his past deeds weighed heavily on him. He’d let vengeance rule him, had been willing to hurt an innocent just to satisfy his need for revenge. The fact that she’d somehow seen past that darkness to find something worth loving seemed impossible.
Her fingers traced patterns on his chest, unknowingly soothing the ache of his uncertainty. The pure acceptance in her eyes both healed and haunted him. How could he be worthy of such trust after harboring such darkness for so long?
He sighed, pulling his thoughts away from darker paths as he remembered her earlier warning about the hunter. Even though he’d dismissed it at the time, he remembered Seren’s concerns about violent encounters between humans and Vultor. The contentment of their joining still hummed through his body, but duty pressed at him.
“I think I need to warn the others about this hunter,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His beast growled at the thought of leaving her, even briefly.
Her eyes widened.
“I thought you said he wasn’t a threat.”
“I honestly do not believe that a single human poses any real threat, but…” He struggled to explain himself. “Do you remember what I said before about our worlds being too far apart?”
“They’re not very far apart now,” she murmured, running a teasing finger down his hip, and he couldn’t resist dropping a kiss on her pretty red lips.
“They aren’t, but one of the things Seren has been trying to achieve since he became alpha is a more… cordial relationship between our species. A violent encounter with a human, even one who poses a threat, could shatter that peace.”
She sighed and nodded.
“I suppose you’re right. What do you want to do?”
“I should let Seren know,” he said. “He’ll want to keep the pack clear until this hunter moves on.”
He caressed her cheek again, reluctant to break contact.
“Will you come with me?”
She hesitated, then shook her head, her red hair catching the sunlight.
“I don’t think I’m ready to face him yet. And you’ll move faster alone. Why don’t I wait here? Then when you get back we can go home. Together.”
As much as he liked the sound of that, the thought of leaving her, even briefly, made his chest ache.
“The sooner you warn them, the sooner you can return,” she said softly.
His jaw clenched. She was right, but that didn’t make it any easier. His enhanced speed would let him cover more ground, reach Seren faster. But leaving her vulnerable…
“I don’t want to leave you unprotected.”
“Protected from what?” She gestured at the empty clearing. “There’s nothing to protect me from.”
“What if the hunter finds you?”
Her laugh sparkled through the air. “I wouldn’t be much of a trophy.” She pushed at his chest playfully. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
His beast prowled restlessly, fighting the logic of her words. Every instinct screamed at him to stay, to protect what was his. The mate bond hummed between them, still new and raw.
“Finnar.” She touched his face, drawing his attention back to her. “The faster you leave, the faster you return.”
He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. She was right. Of course she was right. But that didn’t make it any easier to rise to his feet. He drank in the sight of her one last time, memorizing the way sunlight caught her hair, the glow of contentment on her face. His heart swelled with a fierce possessiveness. She was his now. His mate.
“I’ll return as soon as I can.” His voice came out rough with emotion as he pulled on his clothes.
Her smile lit up her whole face, chasing away the lingering darkness in his soul. Even his beast settled, satisfied now that they’d claimed her. He forced himself to turn away, each step harder than the last. But once he entered the deeper shadows of the forest, his instincts took over. His muscles rippled as he shifted, taking advantage of his beast’s speed.
His paws carried him swiftly through the forest, enhanced senses alert for any sign of the hunter. Evergreen branches released their sharp scent as he brushed against them. Birds scattered at his passing. His beast urged him on, already yearning to return to their mate.
He’d spent so many years consumed by vengeance, letting it drive him. Now that darkness had been replaced by something brighter, more powerful. A future with Scarlett. He couldn’t wait to get started.