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I am lost for words, completely and utterly.

“Selene? Sex isn’t going to prove anything.”

“No, if you really care and if it’s not an issue, have sex with me right now. I want it over and done with before someone else can do it.”

My instincts surge to the fore, and I have to stop the fierce need to pin her to the mattress and get the names of everyone who is even looking sideways at her.

“This is just a sex thing. I don’t want to be your omega. I don’t trust you not to hurt me, but, in this, for this small thing, I think maybe you would make it less painful.”

Oh, my god, we have done an absolute number on this omega. How do I even begin to fix this? With a thrust of my hips, I roll us, pinning her to the bed again, she huffs and fights me, but I refuse to shift.

“I need the others here.”

She shakes her head. “Nope, no way. The last thing I need is the others here convincing you a bite is necessary.”

I snicker and lean down, ghosting my lips over her throat. “I don’t need them to convince me.”

“You aren’t doing that, Kingston. I would never, ever forgive you.”

“You aren’t going to forgive me, anyway.” My anger takes on a seductive edge.

Her eyes widen, and she struggles a bit. I lay more of my weight down on her and nuzzle that spot. Her perfume gets stronger, and my mouth waters.

I can’t think straight. I remember the feel of Mael’s pain through the bonds. The way it was the only way to find him. I remember seeing Selene curled up in her bed, crying while I watched from a window, unable to come home because Mael was too dangerous.

Yes, this is the safest way. To keep her safe.

I taste blood in my mouth and hear her moaning cry. I remove my teeth and lap at the bond mark. All I can think about is her. Having her, tasting her. I move up, putting my shoulder against her mouth.

It’s a compulsion, a drive.

“Bite.”

She shakes her head.

“Bite!” I order.

Her teeth sink deep. The intention of the bonding snapping it up between us. The relief I feel is short-lived. Once the bond is there, reality returns, and I realise what I’ve done. I crawl off her, sitting back on my heels.

She lays there staring up at the ceiling.

“Selene?”

Her movement is faster than I could ever expect. She’s up and with a knife to my throat before I can think.

“I should just kill you and watch this fucking thing inside me shrivel up and die like the parasite it is.”

Her words are cruel, but her eyes are terrified.

“I can’t leave you,” I gasp out. “I can never leave you now.”

I understand her now. Deep in the heart of her, she is still convinced we’re going to leave her.

I reach up and touch my bond mark. “I’ve made it so I can’t leave you, Selene.”

“No, you’ve made it so that when you do, it destroys me.”

She turns, but I grab her and charge off the bed, flinging us both at the wall.