Page 46

Wolf slowly rose, unfurling that vast body from his crouched position as he came toward me. The fearful sound that left me was involuntary. My eyes felt so wide that they were drying out, but I was afraid to even blink. If I did, I might not see his next move.

But all he did was lower himself onto his haunches in front of me, his clawed toes digging into the dirt as he balanced himself. Wolf reached out and picked up the flattened rock with all the cooked meat on it.

He picked up a long slice of meat between two razor-sharp claws and held it out to me. “Eat.” His voice was stern, the tone reminding me that I was a petulant child disobeying him.

I pursed my lips again and felt a spark of annoyance. But even if my anger was rising, my fear was still at the forefront.

“You need to eat.” He shoved his paw closer to my face, and I turned my head, but still kept my focus on him.

He made a rough sound, one that was clearly a warning, and my heart started beating faster, if that was even possible. It already felt as if it were going to burst through my chest.

When he huffed out, it surprised me that the sound was almost in defeat. He lowered himself fully until he was sitting on the ground in front of me.

He set the rock between us, still holding that piece of meat out to me as if this wasn’t something he’d budge on relinquishing.

“Please?” I swore I saw his forehead furrow like the taste of that single word on his tongue confused him.

The surrounding air changed, that lone word seeming so foreign to him. He almost sounded like he wasn’t used to saying it, as if maybe he’d never uttered that single word before.

And I believed that.

I didn’t know what made me do it, why I even cared about how he was handling the fact I was refusing anything he offered. But before I could stop myself, I reached down and picked up a piece of meat.

“I’m doing this for me, not you,” I murmured. “Just so that's clear.” I saw his mouth—snout, whatever the hell made up his face—slightly lift, as if in amusement.

My body told me to woman the hell up as my stomach betrayed me and growled. He made a noncommittal grunt but didn’t move, just sat there staring at me. He was expectant, as if seeing me eat was one of the most important things he’d ever witnessed.

“You’ll eat.”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Because I will not have a mate who’s skin and bone.”

I felt my irritation grow, pushing away that fear. “Excuse me?” I all but seethed.

He leaned in an inch and bared his fangs. And as terrifying as that sight was, I strengthened my shoulders and tipped my chin up.

“I want my female to take her fill.” He moved in a bit more. “I need you thick and perfect so I can hold on to something as I fuck you.”

Oh holy shit.My heart beat harder.

“You understand me?”

Did he actually expect me to answer? When I didn't respond, he gave a sound of warning.

“I’ll make it clear, female, I want you to eat and eat well. You’ll always have your fill. You’ll never go hungry.” He reached out before I knew it, and his enormous paw cupped the side of my face, his entire palm encompassing me. “My sole purpose is to take care of you, and I'll do that so well you’ll nevergo without.” His voice was a husky sound. I felt it spear right between my legs.

He pulled back, and I exhaled, realizing I’d held in my breath because he affected me in ways I wasn't comfortable acknowledging.

“Because what I have planned for you, Little One,” he said, and let his black gaze trail to my breasts, then along my thighs, and back to my face. Ifeltthat look. “What I have planned for you makes me hungrier than I have ever been.”

I could feel how fast I was breathing, could hear it fill my head and drown out all other sounds. “What big eyes you have,” I whispered before I could stop myself.

“Mmm, the better to look my fill of your lush body with, my Little Bird.”

“What sharp teeth you have.”

He watched me like a predator. “The better to destroy anything that thinks to harm you with.” His teeth looked so vicious as he dragged his tongue along them, as if he could taste me already.