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“You can’t seriously think you can decide that for me,” I shot back.

Silas turned, crossing the room, setting a plate of food in front of me. “It’s too dangerous. You’re staying here.”

I stared at him, my mind scrambling for a response, my heart slamming against my ribs. I forced myself to look at him; his face was calm, but his eyes were set, implacable.

“You need me,” I tried.

“I need you safe,” he countered.

Frustration burned through me, sharp and hot, but I swallowed it down. I couldn’t argue, not yet. If I pushed too hard, he’d watch me. He’d make sure I stayed. Fuck, he’d probably punish me to make sure of it.

So I inhaled deeply, frowning, forced my shoulders to relax, and nodded. “Fine,” I snapped. Silas’s brows lifted slightly, like he was surprised I wasn’t fighting harder.

I gave him my best innocent look and shrugged. “You’re right. It’s too dangerous.”

His eyes narrowed. He didn’t believe me, but he wanted to, so he left it alone.

“Good,” he said slowly, watching me for another long moment. Then he kissed the top of my head. “Eat your breakfast.”

I picked up my fork and took a bite, forcing a small, satisfied hum. “See? I can be reasonable.”

Silas grunted, but didn’t argue. Good. Because there was no way in hell I was staying behind.

Silas watched me as I ate, arms crossed, his eyes shining in the soft glow of morning light. He was still assessing me, still trying to decide if I was really going to listen to him. To be fair, I was putting on a good act. I made sure of it.

I hummed around a bite of crispy bacon, made a show of sipping my coffee slowly, letting the warmth settle in my chest. I even leaned back in my chair, stretching lazily, pretending like I wasn’t plotting ways to sneak out of camp and follow him anyway.

When I finished the last bite, Silas stepped forward, taking my plate and mug without a word. I expected him to just walk away, but instead, he lingered.

I didn’t have time to react before his fingers curled under my chin, tilting my head up, forcing me to look at him.

I swallowed hard.

His gaze was heavy, burning into me, and when he leaned down, I thought, at least for a second, that he was going to scold me again. Instead, his lips brushed over mine. Soft. Slow. A kiss that sank into me, stealing the breath right from my lungs. I was still processing his sweet kiss before he pulled back, his eyes smoldering with a darker, much more primal gleam. A low growl rumbled in his chest, deep and dangerous.

“You’re going to listen to me,” he warned. “Because if you don’t? I’ll put you over my knee and give you the spanking of a lifetime. It will make the ones you’ve gotten so far feel like love taps. You won’t sit down properly for a week.”

A piercing jolt of anxious arousal shot through me. I wanted to roll my eyes, tell him I wasn’t scared of a little spanking, but the way he said it, the threat in his tone, made me opt for caution. I forced myself to keep a neutral expression, even lowered my eyes submissively, as my pulse hammered in my ears. I had survived a trip over his knee before, and I could survive another one.

He searched my face, his thumb just glancing against my chin, then exhaled through his nose before releasing me.

“Good girl,” he muttered, as if he actually believed I was going to obey him. He really didn’t know me at all.

I offered him my sweetest smile. “Of course, Silas.”

He squinted at me, but he didn’t push. As he turned away, setting my plate aside, I let myself breathe. I had just lied straight to my mate’s face. I barely had a moment to collect myself before Silas turned back around.

His face was fierce as he stalked toward me, focused solely on me. My breath caught when he leaned down, planting one hand on the table beside me, the other taking my chin between his thumb and finger, tilting it just so. Then he kissed me again. Not soft and gentle; this time, it was hard and possessive.

His lips parted mine effortlessly, his tongue sweeping in, claiming me with a ravenous hunger that sent heat rushing through my veins. He dropped his hand, wrapping his long, strong fingers around my throat, holding me in place as he kissed me deeper, like he needed to remind me who I belonged to.

I melted into him, my fingers pressing into my thighs. Aching to reach for him, to pull him closer, I didn’t dare move, not when he was like this. Not when I knew he was still waiting for me to slip up.

When he finally pulled back, I was breathless, my lips tingling, my body burning.

Silas dragged his mouth to my ear, his voice a low, dangerous murmur. “You’re going to be a good girl while I’m gone, aren’t you?”

His free hand slid over my waist, down to my hip, gripping it firmly before tracing up my thigh, his fingers teasing.