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“Witch,” he interrupts harshly. “You could not be more wrong if you tried. I want you with every damned breath I take. The first thought I had this morning was of how much I wanted to be inside you, and it hasn’t been far from my mind since then.”

Oh.

I sputter for a moment, trying to come up with a response.

“But this… this can wait,” he says, words harsh and hesitant, almost painful, like it’s an effort to get them out. “I don’t want to pressure you. The next time we fuck it will be because we both want it, freely and with nothing compelling us to do so.”

Well.Thatmakes me want to scream in frustration.

This demon. This damned, considerate, sexy demon who just wants my consent and for me to be comfortable with him. I’m about to start ranting again, assure him I want this, want him, when I realize it’s not likely to get me anywhere.

Actions, I think, might speak louder than words.

A small, wicked smile turns up the corners of my lips and I glance out at the surrounding forest. Yes, action is definitely the better course.

“I understand,” I tell him, perfectly composed. “And besides, you’re the upstanding, respectable demon king now. Certainly too dignified to chase me through these woods and claim me right after breakfast.”

Just like I knew they would, the words spark something in my demon. His red eyes blaze and his wings spread instinctively behind him in preparation for flight.

“Allison,” he whispers.

I take a step backwards. Then another. Not running, not fleeing, but inching further and further away from him.

“Witch,” he says, an unmistakable warning.

“Demon,” I respond. “Is something wrong?”

Another step, then two. A harsh growl breaks from Eren’s chest and a wave of warm, toe-curling anticipation courses through me.

Things are finally getting interesting.

Chapter 25

Eren

“Allison Ashblood.” Her name is a warning, a promise. “You know what happens if you run.”

Her eyes rake over me and her mouth parts on a gasp. I know what she must see. The red of my eyes swallowed almost entirely by black, the bunching of muscle, the flare of my wings in anticipation of flight.

A predator, more than ready for my prey.

The rational part of my brain has gone quiet. If it was still working, I might try to slow this down, remember all the reasons why we should be cautious, stop before we jump into anything we might come to regret. I take a few deep breaths and almost leash the beast lurking under my skin. Almost. I might have even achieved it if Allie’s wide-eyed expression didn’t melt at that exact moment into another wicked little grin.

“Catch me if you can, demon.” She turns and runs, disappearing into the trees.

At the sight of her fleeing, the last bit of rationality in me snaps.

There’s nothing left but instinct.

There’s nothing but the narrowing of the entire world down to the need to chase her and capture her. To bring her to heel and remind her who she belongs to now. It’s a command ricocheting through me with each strong, steady beat of my heart.

Hunt her. Fuck her. Claim her.

Allie wants to play? We’ll play.

I cut higher up the mountain, staying in the trees just above the path she’s taken. Keeping my feet light and my wings tucked tight, I search for her trail in the soft fragrance of the morning air.

She’s quick, but not nearly quick enough to outrun me. If it were any demon but me chasing her… no. I let out an audible growl at the thought. She’ll never be anyone’s prey but mine. I’d hunt her from one corner of the realm to the next, I’d frighten her just enough to excite her and taste her sweet fear, I’d catch her and bite her and sink soul-deep into her, but anyone who tries to do the same? I’d tear them limb from limb.