Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
Lucien
The island of Nisí Mythou was a beautiful contradiction: lush Mediterranean greenery sprouting from every nook and cranny, modern amenities designed for the centaurs’ larger size and unique ambulatory needs, and all of it was crammed into classic Roman architecture.
But as Laurana droned on about what the various buildings were that we were passing, I didn’t hear a word. Every inch of my being was fixated on the small, soft hand on my bare arm. Her touch was distracting in an unholy way.
I’d been with a lot of women in my lifetime. Hundreds, easily. When promiscuity was your coping mechanism, you stopped counting and started denying the facts.
So why did one little touch make me feel like I was a teenager all over again? It had to be the mating magic.
I wasn’t one of those who believed the stories about your mate having the other half of your soul. It seemed illogical, if nothing else. Were we all supposed to believe we were wandering around half formed, until we found the elusive “one” right person? No.
Skeptic. That was me.
Except the pull toward Olivia—from her juicy, sugary scent to the way her touch calmed my wolf instantly—was anything but normal. And I couldn’t deny that anymore.
Her allure was too much to resist, even though I knew there were about a thousand things wrong with us getting together.
The way she’d melted underneath me when I tackled her out of the way of the stampeding centaurs was going to live rent-free in my head for the rest of my life. Perfect submission and her devastating beauty were a deadly combination.
And I needed more. Now that I’d had her under me, knew what she felt like, how soft those curves were? Fuck, I wasn’t going to stop until I got her under me again. With a hell of a lot less clothing next time.
But there was this innocence about her I couldn’t shake. She was twenty-four, so I doubted she was a virgin, but I was no high school sweetheart boyfriend. I could seduce her. Convince her to follow me back to my room whenever the politics were done for the day.
The thought was incredibly appealing, on one hand. But on the other, she wasn’t some quick lay I could forget about in the morning.
Not to mention, I’d already hurt her once by accident. The horror at seeing her blood on my hands was never going to leave me. To think I could now hurt her on purpose? No. Not going to happen.
She was mine, forever. And if I slept with her, the bond between us would only strengthen, and I ran a very real risk of my wolf refusing any other female company.
His furious growl in response to that thought confirmed that I was too late on that front—it was my hellcat or nobody.
I should’ve hated the restriction, but damn if I wasn’t thrilled to have one more reason to pursue her. I shouldn’t; I was damaged goods. But that hadn’t stopped me so far, even if it should’ve.
But as riled up as my wolf was, I’d scare her off if I pushed things too fast. I’d have to take things slow, at her pace.
I could do that, right?
My wolf snarled again, but I actually found that one comforting. He wouldn’t ever let me push her past what she was comfortable with. He was my guardrail, my safety net. There was a measure of peace in that.
“And here we are, at the leader’s residence.
My father has had light refreshments prepared for your party while you wait.
Please help yourselves, and I will go ensure our guest lodgings are ready, should you need them.
” Laurana bowed, one horse leg bending, as she motioned with her arms, the move incredibly graceful before she trotted off.
We all exchanged glances, but after a shrug, Reed led the way inside.
This room was more closed off, well-placed floor-to-ceiling windows providing a stunning view of the Aegean sea, but keeping the private feel of the space.
A long buffet was on one side, a beautiful array of food spread out on display.
But honestly? I was enjoying watching Olivia’s reactions more than the space itself.
I’d seen plenty of beautiful places in my life, but never with her.
“Wow,” she whispered, looking out the largest window with a view of the sea.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I offered, leaning into the moment.
“Gorgeous. It’s like glitter, all across the surface.”
I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer and relishing her softness as she leaned into my side. “At the right time of day, it looks like diamonds. Did you live close to the ocean before moving to the Johnson City pack?”
“I— No.” She tensed, giving me a forced smile that was about way more than the geographic location of her home pack.
Home is a sore subject, got it.
“Well then, island life will be a great experience for you while we’re here.” I decided not to push. We had enough trouble going on with pack politics without me adding to the strain.
“Yeah, this is amazing.” She gestured to the luxurious surroundings, the plush couches—which were higher than any I’d seen before, with a built-in step probably meant to bring a guest’s height up to that of a centaur’s—and extravagant fixtures everywhere the eye could see.
“Are you hungry?” I searched her eyes a little too intently for such a simple question.
“I could eat.” Those doe eyes pierced mine with an honesty, an innocence, that I couldn’t wait to explore. I wanted to feed her. That was primal, for the wolf—protect, feed, care for your mate.
But I also wanted to know if her hunger matched mine. The hunger for her. To deepen the mate bond, explore all her secrets. Even if it wasn’t smart.
Even if I was damaged goods.
I traced a fingertip along her cheekbone, and when she shuddered under my touch, I had my answer. “Wait right here. I’ll make you a plate.”
“O-okay.”
I grinned at how obviously flustered she was by such simple contact. I wanted to push it further, maybe kiss her and see if she melted under my lips the same way she had under my body a few moments ago, but Fiona sidled up, squinting at me suspiciously.
“You okay over here?” The question might have been for Olivia, but her accusatory tone was all for me.
“I’m great. This place is so beautiful.”
At that, Fiona’s protectiveness softened just a little, even though I knew she’d still happily shiv me in the spleen after last night. “It really is. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“Yeah, I—”
I left them to their chat, crossing the luxurious space to the buffet, where I selected only the best-looking meats and cheeses.
A little dark chocolate and fruit as well, because I thought she might like it.
Some she-wolves had a sweet tooth, but I didn’t know if Olivia did or not.
I was looking forward to finding out. If I was throwing caution—common sense, perhaps—to the wind and pursuing her, I was going to treat her like a fucking queen.
My wolf preened inside as I presented her with the plate, and she smiled up at me as if I’d climbed Kilimanjaro to obtain the pork and personally handmade the prosciutto. “This is perfect, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
While Olivia tasted some of the treats I’d brought her—straight for the fresh orange segments, I mentally noted for later—Fiona gave me the tiniest nod of approval.
“Pack Blackwater! To what do I owe this welcome surprise?” A booming voice interrupted our moment, and I turned on instinct, placing myself between the two women and the large male centaur who’d just stepped into the room.
“Herd Leader Asithius. Thank you for offering hospitality on such short notice.” Reed greeted the leader smoothly, bowing at the waist with a practiced smile.
“Of course, the centaurs are always happy to host other species. We so rarely get to leave our paradise without complicated glamours to hide our true nature, we love when visitors wash up on our verdant shores. Makes things much easier. Though, from what I hear, you may be bringing a headache to my doorstep.” Asithius arched an eyebrow and scanned our group, as if he could spot the troublemaker among us by looks alone.
When that scrutiny lingered on me, I had to admit he might be correct in his assessment.
Although, he could have been staring because I was ugly now. I could barely look at myself in the mirror when I took a piss; why should I expect a stranger not to stare?
Bitterness coated the back of my tongue, the desire for revenge against Dominik and Petró flaring back up to a visceral experience in my body, souring the previously pleasant exchange with my mate.
I wanted to rip their throats out and drown them in their own blood.
That wasn’t the kind of fantasy a stable, loving mate to a sweet she-wolf like Olivia walked around with.
I might have been ashamed of myself had I not lived through every Goddess-damned moment of the torture.
It still gave me nightmares, and that I was ashamed of.
I didn’t want to be a weak, broken thing.
I wanted to put it all behind me and never give them another thought besides revenge.
I’d pieced myself back together once before, when I thought it was impossible.
But it had taken centuries to put the pain and loss behind me.
Even now, they were as close as my shadow.
Whether I liked it or not, the Hungarians had broken something inside me, beyond the outward damage to my appearance.
It was part of the reason I didn’t think I deserved her, my hellcat. She was so pure. Perfect. And some part of me knew that my hands on her would sully that beautiful perfection.
She deserved so fucking much more. So much better than I was. At least before, I had my demons, but I was handsome. Someone she could be proud to call her mate, have on her arm at pack gatherings.
But now?
Now she was Beauty, and I her hideous Beast.
Unworthy.
Unlovable.