Only For You, Love
KANE
I tried to play it cool, but the blocked bond was driving me fucking insane
It felt like a part of me was missing, a raw, empty ache in my chest that put me in a really foul mood. I knew he would come around eventually, but right now I wanted to kill something… or fuck someone. Preferably both.
Instead, I shoved my hands in my pockets and kept walking behind the others toward the Blackthorn River, the distant roar of water already filling the night air.
Scarlett and Lily walked ahead, small and tense.
Saint loomed beside them like a silent wall, massive shoulders rigid, black hair swinging with every step, refusing to look back at us.
I glanced at Rhys.
He was glaring at Saint’s back with those cold golden eyes, jaw clenched so hard I could hear his teeth grinding.
“He’s still ignoring us,” I muttered “Our pretty puppy’s really pissed this time.”
Rhys didn’t answer at first. Just kept staring at Saint like he was deciding whether to drag him into the woods and remind him who the Head Alpha was.
“He’ll come crawling back. They always do. Saint hates being separated from the bond more than we do.”
I smirked, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Yeah? Well, until then I might drag our little Omega into the trees and work out this mood on her tight ....”
Rhys finally looked at me, one brow raised. “Patience, Kane.”
“Fuck patience.”
I couldn’t wait anymore.
I lengthened my stride and caught up to the front, sliding right behind Scarlett. In one smooth motion I wrapped my thick arm around her slender neck from behind, pulling her back against my chest. She startled hard, a cute little gasp escaping her lips as her body went rigid.
“Get away from me, Kane,” she hissed, voice shaky but trying so hard to sound fierce.
Saint’s head snapped toward us instantly. A low, warning growl rumbled in his chest, quiet enough that Professor Ryan up ahead wouldn’t hear, but loud enough to vibrate through my bones. His ice-blue eye flashed red for a split second.
I grinned against Scarlett’s hair, inhaling her scared-sweet scent. “Easy, puppy. I’m not gonna be too rough with her. I promise.”
Saint’s jaw flexed, but he didn’t move. Good boy.
I loosened my hold just enough to keep her close while we kept walking. Lily shot me a terrified glance over her shoulder. I flashed her my widest Cheshire-cat grin, the one people said made me look like I’d just finished skinning someone and enjoyed every second. She paled and quickly looked away.
Scarlett swallowed hard, her pulse hammering against my forearm. “What do you want, Kane?”
“Nothing much, love,” I purred close to her ear, watching it turn pink. “Just wanna walk next to my mate. Is that too much to ask… love?”
She glared up at me, green eyes flashing. “Don't call me love.”
I rubbed my rough palm slowly down the side of her neck, feeling the goosebumps rise under my fingers. “Why, love?” I repeated, leaning down so my lips brushed her ear. “You’re so fucking cute when you’re mad, love. Makes me wanna eat you up, love.”
Her cheeks flushed bright red. For a second just a split second, something almost like a tiny, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her mouth before she killed it.
I felt that little victory shoot straight to my cock like lightning.
“See?” I murmured, voice softening just a fraction as I kept stroking the side of her neck with my calloused thumb.
“I’m not a total monster, *love*. Look at that pretty blush.”
I leaned in closer, lips brushing her ear.
“I’ll even apologize for throwing you earlier… *love*. You’re lighter than you look. Kinda perfect for it, actually.”
She made this frustrated little whimper-snarl that went straight to my dick. She didn’t pull away immediately though. Her scent spiked again—sweet, reluctant attraction cutting through the fear. Fuck, I loved that war inside her.
“I still don’t forgive you,” she hissed, trying to sound tough even while goosebumps raced down her arms under my touch.
I I nipped her earlobe lightly. “Aw, love.… you will. Eventually. I’m very persuasive.”
I gave her neck another slow stroke, pressing just enough to remind her how easily I could pin her if I wanted.
“Besides, throwing you was foreplay. You liked the way I caught you, didn’t you? All shaking and wet and clinging to me like I was your favorite nightmare.”
She elbowed me hard in the ribs. It didn’t even sting, but I groaned dramatically anyway. “You’re insane.”
“Only for you, love,” I whispered, repeating it just to watch her squirm. “Only for you, love. Only for you, love.”
Rhys’s soft chuckle drifted from behind us. Saint stayed stiff and silent up ahead, still blocking the bond like a sulky wall. Cute. He’d cave eventually.
The roar of the river grew louder until we finally stepped out of the trees.
The Blackthorn River stretched wide and angry under the moonlight, white water churning violently below.
A single thick rope had been tied high between two massive ancient trees on opposite banks easily forty feet up, swaying slightly in the wind.
The drop looked nasty, fast current, sharp rocks peeking through the foam.
Professor Ryan stood at the front with the other instructors, looking way too pleased with himself.
“Listen up!” he barked. “River of Trials. Teams go one by one. No full shifting during the crossing itself, partial allowed for claws or balance. Every member of your group must cross and return with your marker intact. Rival interference is allowed as long as it’s non-lethal.
First three teams back win big privileges. The rest… suffer.”
He pointed at the rope. “Team One, two and three you’re up.”
I smirked, arm still loosely draped around my tiny mate. “This is gonna be fun.”
Team One huddled together, whispering strategy. Team Two immediately started shedding outer layers and climbing the tree to reach the rope. Team Three copied them, moving fast.
I couldn’t help it. I barked out a loud laugh. “Look at them go….climbing like scared little kittens. Pathetic.”
Scarlett glanced up at me, eyes narrowed. “You think you can do better?”
I leaned down, lips brushing the shell of her ear, voice dark and filthy. “Oh, love… I’ve got an easier way. I’ll carry you across myself. You can wrap those pretty thighs around my waist while I walk the rope. Bet you’d be dripping down my abs by the time we reach the other side.”
Her face went scarlet. She opened her mouth to snap back, but Ryan was already calling the next groups.
Two of the first three teams made it….barely. The third team lost one member when a rival group “accidentally” shook the rope mid-crossing. The poor bastard screamed all the way down into the freezing water. Healers dragged him out coughing and shivering.
Disqualifying the entire third team.
More groups went. Tension thickened in the air.
Then Ryan called out, “Groups Seven, Eight, and Nine—forward!”
Our group. Scarlett’s group. And one other.
I grin and let my arm slip from around her neck… only to grab her hand instead, lacing our fingers tight.
Scarlett’s pulse hammered against my palm.
The rope swayed high above the deadly river, waiting.
And I couldn’t fucking wait to see how my fierce little Omega handled being completely at our mercy in the middle of the abyss.
This was going to be delicious.