Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
KAI
Hiding in the shadows, I wait for Bennett to step into her study. I can hear her confident footsteps echoing down the hallway, which tells me my moment to strike is almost here. She turns the ornate key in the lock, and the heavy door creaks open.
Without a hint of suspicion, Bennett strolls into her study, her ever-watchful crow trailing behind her. I should’ve figured that damn bird would be around, keeping tabs on everything that went down in the forest.
Any respect I once had for Bennett evaporated the moment she tried to turn my mate against me. Lilith and I share a mate bond, and I’d do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means threatening Bennett. She’s underestimating me and it’s time for the headmistress to face the music for her actions.
As the crow flutters toward the window, my Shadow slips out of the darkness. In an instant, it lunges upward and snatches the bird in its jaws with deadly accuracy. My snake, way bigger than its prey, overpowers it easily, even as it struggles to break free. I can feel its energy already weakening.
Bennett has barely a second to react before I step out of the shadows, grabbing her and spinning her around to slam her against the cold stone wall. The impact shakes the room as she cries out in pain. I grip her shoulders tightly, pressing the wickedly sharp edge of my katana against her throat.
There’s no hesitation or mercy in my actions—my stance is solid and unwavering.
“One wrong move, and I’ll slit your throat,” I warn, my voice low and lethal. Bennett knows better than most what I’m capable of. I’d sever her head from her shoulders without a second thought. My loyalty—and her safety—disappeared the moment she targeted Lilith.
Bennett scoffs, gritting her teeth as she tries to challenge me. “You wouldn’t dare,” she hisses through clenched teeth. “You’d never make it out alive if you killed the headmistress of the most prestigious academy. You’d be a wanted man across the entire realm.”
I keep my gaze locked on hers, making sure she understands the gravity of what I’m about to say. “Don’t mistake this momentary mercy for hesitation or fear. I will kill you without a second thought. I don’t care if the Balance itself hunts me down to the depths of hell.”
This is the first time Bennett has seen this side of me aimed directly at her. For so long, she held power over me, commanding me to do her bidding without question. But that power is gone now, and she’s beginning to realize that I’m capable of ending her life as easily as I draw breath. History or not, her saving my life years ago doesn’t mean she can threaten what’s mine.
“What the fuck did you tell Lilith?” I press my katana firmly against Bennett’s throat, its sharp edge glinting in the moonlight streaming through the open window. One wrong move, and it’d slice through with ease.
She replies without hesitation. “The truth. I told Lilith that the three of you have been watching her for me, that I hold all the power, and that I’ve been reaching out to some colleagues for information,” Bennett replies, her gaze never leaving mine. “If there are any disputes or disagreements, it falls on the three of you, not me. I told her nothing but the truth. Although, it seems that you’re closer than you led me to believe...”
My muscles ache to strike, to release the frustration and anger building inside me by slicing my katana clean through her neck. But I resist, keeping perfectly still. Bennett knows better than to call upon her magic; my blade would be faster, and she’d be dead before she could blink.
A tense silence hangs between us as we engage in a silent battle of wills, neither of us willing to back down.
“I suppose our deal is off,” she finally concedes. “You won’t kill Lilith Knight if she proves to be a problem.”
“Lilith is not a problem,” I snarl. “And you’re right. I won’t kill her. But here’s a new deal for you.” I press my blade harder against her skin, drawing a thin line of blood. Bennett flinches but remains motionless. “If you so much as look at her the wrong way, I will kill you. Are we clear?”
She nods, wincing from the pain as I retract my blade. Vaughn and Simon would’ve tried to talk me out of threatening her. They would’ve said it’s not worth it, that Bennett will be more careful or may even retaliate against me.
But this is necessary. A message needs to be sent. I want her to know without a doubt that I won’t hesitate to end her life if she poses any threat to Lilith, my fated fucking mate, again.
I’ve always been one to respect boundaries and avoid invading other people’s spaces. I prefer to keep to myself, valuing my own privacy above everything else. But I have to talk to Lilith, especially after both Simon and Vaughn failed to explain their sides today. Keeping my distance from her is nearly fucking impossible, anyway.
The mate bond between us gives me hope that she’ll at least hear me out—or she might kick me out on my ass, which I’d frankly deserve.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Lilith enters her room, and the door clicks shut behind her. Her long hair is braided down her back, each strand of purple shimmering in the dim light. She’s dressed in black leather pants and a scarlet blouse that reminds me of blood. It’s my favorite color, and I can’t help but feel a surge of affection for how stunning it looks on her.
Without thinking, I take a step closer, drawn in by her beauty. But she flinches away from me, fear flashing across her face. I notice the purple sparks of magic crackling around her hands, ready for a fight at any moment.
Good girl.
Always ready.
Her guard doesn’t drop until she focuses on my face and recognition dawns on her. The magic in her palms dissipates, replaced by annoyance. “Get out,” she says, pointing toward the door. But I don’t budge. “Get out, or I will kick you out, Kai. I don’t care how badass you think you are.”
“No.”
She lets out a sarcastic laugh. “You have some fucking nerve coming here and refusing to leave after being Bennett’s little stalker. I didn’t think anyone in this world could annoy me more than Vaughn, but you’ve managed to surpass him.” She claps mockingly. “Well done.”
My lips twitch with the urge to smile, a feeling I’m not used to, but I suppress it. I came here to clear things up, and I won’t leave until I’ve done so.
“I’m not Bennett’s stalker. I was watching over you because I realized you’re my mate. And you’re lucky I did. Bennett wanted to kill you if you turned out to be a threat, and you could’ve died at my hands. Trust me when I say there’s no fate worse than that. But she didn’t tell you that, did she? She only shared what suited her narrative.”
Lilith’s face drains of color as she processes my words. She seems speechless, shaking her head and covering her face with her hand. As fucked up as it is, the fear lingering in the room ignites something inside me.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“No. It’s simply the truth,” I reply. “I want you to be able to make an informed decision about how to proceed. Bennett is not your friend.”
“Now you decide to be honest with me?” She scoffs, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Well, I don’t fucking believe you.”
I shrug, meeting her gaze. “You don’t have to believe me. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s the truth. You can ask me anything, and I’ll answer honestly. I’ve never had a reason to lie. Especially not to you.”
Her arms wrap around her slender frame as she stares at me with wide eyes, conflicting emotions swirling within them. Part of her wants to trust me, but another part remains hesitant and fearful. I can feel all of that through the bond.
“I won’t know if you’re telling the truth.”
“You will,” I point out. “Through the bond.”
A heavy silence envelops us as we both contemplate the weight of those words. Finally, Lilith dares to move, pacing back and forth in front of me as she processes her thoughts and potential questions. The tension between us is palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. But I’m determined to break through that barrier and earn her trust, no matter how fucking long it takes.
“Have you ever killed someone?” she asks at last.
Interesting choice for a first question.
“Yes,” I reply, without hesitation.
Her eyes widen, and I can see her throat tighten as she swallows. “How many people?”
“Too many to count.”
I can practically feel the chill that spreads through her. She wants to know more—wants to ask if they deserved it—but for some reason, the question doesn’t come out.
Instead, she softly asks, “Did you plan to kill me too?”
The answer comes easily, like taking a breath. “No. Despite what I told the headmistress, I never planned on harming you. It was all part of a ploy to keep you safe and to continue gathering information from Bennett.”
Lilith stands before me, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Skepticism flickers in her eyes as she stares at me, unsure if she can trust my words. “So, you feel it too? This...” She trails off, uncertainty lingering in her tone.
I take a deep breath and move closer, towering over her small frame. She flinches slightly, but the fear in her eyes disappears. The bond between us has given her a sense of trust. She knows now that I won’t hurt her.
“It’s not just a feeling,” I say. “It consumes my every thought and decision. It’s in everything I do—how I think, how I move, how I breathe... It’s obsessive, and insatiable, and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. You drive me fucking crazy, Lilith.”
“Kai…”
“You drive me insane,” I reiterate, my voice laced with both frustration and desire.
She scoffs at my words, but there’s a hint of something else in her tone. “Considering you just admitted to multiple murders, I think I’m hardly the reason behind your insanity,” she retorts quickly.
Yet I don’t doubt she feels the shift in the air, too. The bond is strong—so damn strong—and honestly, I’m not in the mood to fight it. The pull between us cannot be denied any longer. It’s continued to grow and grow every time I have been near her, which has been almost constantly lately. I was keeping my distance because she had enough on her plate and I didn’t want to overcomplicate it, but now that she knows and feels the bond…
For a brief moment, I hesitate, unsure of what to do next. It’s not like me to lose control, but all I can think is, fuck it. I want her. I need her. I’m done with being a shadow following her.
In an instant, all boundaries shatter.
Without a second thought, I lean down, and our lips collide as she meets me halfway. Her hand sinks into the hair at the back of my head, while one of mine finds its way to her cheek.
Everything else in the world fades away, and in this moment, I finally understand the allure of the bond. I see what everyone has ever said about it, and now, I’m experiencing it firsthand.
The world spins around us, but in this moment, all that exists is her.
A soft moan escapes her lips as our kiss deepens, muffled by the sheer intensity of our connection. Her hands move to my shirt, gripping tightly and pulling me closer—a sudden and rare display of urgency that I eagerly welcome.
Any semblance of self-control I had is long gone. My hands find their way to her hips, and we stumble backward until we hit the smooth wooden desk. There’s nothing gentle or slow about our movements; even our kisses are rough and frenzied, driven by instincts and a primal need that neither of us can deny. It’s woven into the very fabric of our beings, fated to happen between us.
Each kiss is punctuated by small, breathy gasps as my hands roam down her body. I’ve wanted to touch her like this for way too long. The warmth of her skin against mine is intoxicating, fueling the growing desire between us. Her eagerness matches my own, evident in the way she presses closer like she’s trying to become one with me.
My hands fumble with her pants, desperate to remove any barriers between us. With a quick jerk, I pull them down her long legs before roughly tugging at her shirt until it tears open, revealing her smooth, bare skin.
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
My gaze hungrily devours every inch of her exposed body, savoring the sight of her that’s mine for the taking tonight. I run a finger up her thigh, slowly making my way to her core. When I find the wetness there, a groan escapes me.
“Wet for me already?”
Instead of responding, Lilith yanks at my pants, which fall to pool around my ankles. She throws a heated glance at me, her eyes never leaving mine as she returns the favor, ripping my shirt open. The fabric falls, allowing her to trail her hands up my chest. My abs contract when she digs her fingernails in, scratching at me.
There’s no hesitation in her movements, only raw need. She throws her arms around my neck, and slides her fingers through my hair, gripping the locks and pulling me down for another searing kiss. The world tilts on its axis as our bodies mold together, our rhythm matching the drumming of our heartbeats.
As I continue tracing small circles between her thighs, she starts to rock against my palm.
“Kai… please. I need you inside me,” Lilith whispers; her voice husky and laced with impatience. It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
I don’t need to be asked twice. In one quick movement, I flip her around so she’s bent over the desk, and I slowly thrust inside her. A loud groan escapes my lips when her warmth fully surrounds me, like something I’ve been missing my entire life clicking into place.
She whimpers in need, and I give her a moment to adjust to my size. One hand holds onto her leg and props it up on the desk while the other travels up her smooth, bare back.
And it feels like I’ve ascended to the gods myself.
She’s so fucking perfect.
Our bodies move together like they’ve been doing it for years, meant for each other, and with each thrust, our bond grows stronger. Her eyelids flutter shut as I grip her hair and tilt her head back, revealing her neck for me to kiss and bite. Her back arches against me, and the angle that I’m in hits all the right spots. She moans, gasping for air as I drive into her. Her whole body trembles with ecstasy, a sight that I’ll never get enough of.
“Oh, gods,” she whimpers.
“There are no gods here,” I whisper in her ear, my words blending with our heavy breaths and punctuated by another forceful thrust. “Only you and me.”
I let go of her hair and grasp her chin, tilting her face toward the mirror to our left. In its reflection, she has a perfect view of us—of the way I take her, claim her. Her bare body trembles in bliss against mine as our bodies move together. The heat between us radiates off our skin, and it’s intoxicating.
She can see every detail—the way my hands roam over her curves, the passion in my eyes, and the intensity of our connection. It’s like watching a masterpiece unfold. I usually hold back emotions behind a mask, not showing anyone anything, but with Lilith, I want her to see it all, feel it all. It’s all hers, my body, my soul, my pain, my joy.
Lilith’s eyes are wide as she watches, her breath hitching in her throat as I ram into her harder and deeper. Her fingers clutch at the edge of the desk until her knuckles turn white. Her eyes flutter closed as I increase my pace and her pussy throbs around me, soaking me in her arousal.
Fucking perfect.
“Eyes on me, Lilith.”
“Kai—oh, gods!” she whimpers again, louder this time, and my hand clasps over her mouth to silence any louder sounds that may be heard in the halls. I throw shadows at the door to dampen them, cocooning us in a world of bliss, protected from the outside world. Even if it’s temporary.
“You can take it,” I tell her, my tone low and hoarse. I’m not a man of many words, but if there is one thing I know—it’s that. I don’t want anyone else to hear the sounds she’s making. They belong to me.
The words seem to trigger something inside her because, in a matter of seconds, she shatters underneath me, coming undone around my cock. She’s both a flood and a flame, overwhelming me in every way. And I fucking love it.
I grunt at the sensation, my body tensing as I give her two more thrusts before I reach that peak myself, releasing years’ worth of tension as I empty myself inside her. Thankfully, she’s still bent over her desk because it doesn’t seem like she has much strength left in her legs.
I linger inside her for a moment longer, giving myself a moment to recover, before I force my hips to withdraw, slipping out of her. Neither of us speak—in fact, she can barely breathe. Her body is still trembling from the intense bond-fueled sex we just had.
And while it goes against my nature to be gentle in any way, I make the effort for her as I lift her from the desk, and carefully lay her down on her bed.
My perfect mate.
The words I want to say escape me, so instead, I let my hand glide over her body, tracing her soft curves as she steadies herself. She stretches out on the bed like a satisfied cat, and a small smile plays on her lips. It’s the most genuine thing I’ve ever seen, and I drink it up and soak in it.
We lay together in a comfortable silence, something I never thought I’d experience, since I usually use silence to make others squirm, yet I allow myself to lose in it fully. A sense of contentment washes over me like a soothing wave—an alien feeling to me, but I welcome it all the same.
I now know what it’s like to belong to someone, not because of a debt, but because of fate. And I feel… complete.