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“Yes. Now that I’ve found you, I find there to be…” He cleared his throat. “An urgent need inside of me that demands I claim you.”

He moved quickly when she sprung to the corner, caging her in with his hulking body, casting shadows that further emphasized the differences in their size.

Too many emotions tumbled through her at once. All mates needed to consummate their calling with a bonding, and she knew what that meant. A blood exchange, intercourse, and then the mating was complete. But he was not like her or the other males she knew, so she had no idea what the expectations were.

“I don’t know what you want.”

He frowned, his long, hard body a distraction every time it brushed against hers. “Must I spell it out?”

“Must you stand so close?”

He chuckled. “No, but I want to.” If it were possible, he shifted even closer and her breath hitched when the long length of his arousal pressed into her, hard like the hilt of a tool.

Woefully ignorant, her hands flattened on the wall at her back. “I’ve never done this before.”

A slow grin curved his mouth as he shut his eyes and breathed in her scent. “Well…” He couldn’t hide his male satisfaction. “I’m going to assume you were saving yourself for me.”

The patch of smooth flesh showing from the open collar of his shirt bore a fresh scar, barely healed. She averted her gaze, looking lower where the long bulge formed in his pants. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing.”

It wasn’tnothing. She could scent the dried blood and his sweat from battle. “How did you know how to kill that thing in that cave?”

“I know many things. For instance, I knowyou’re nervous, maybe a little afraid, but you have nothing to fear,min pärla.Your mate is finally here and the long wait ends tonight.” He lowered his mouth and she escaped his hold, darting to the other side of the room.

“Wait!”

He turned and laughed. “You’re quite fast. And skittish?”

She was not skittish. She simply saw no need to rush. Breathing heavily again, she glanced at the table. “We should talk first.”

“What would you like to know?” he navigated the furniture without ever taking his stare off of her as he closed in.

She mirrored his steps by circling the table, always keeping a furnishing between them. “You said you have brothers. What are their names?”

“Emmerich.” He dragged a wooden chair over the planked floor, moving it out of his way. “Atticus.” The shadow of his large body fell over her, and she danced backward, walking herself right into a corner. “Evander.” He planted his hands on either side of her and pressed his nose to her neck, drawing in a deep, audible breath. “My gods, you smell incredible.”

Her eyes widened when the bulge at his crotch intentionally pressed into her. “D-Darius…”

“Mmm, I like the way you say my name.” His fingers went to the laces of her chemise, pulling the ribbon free. “Your shyness is more tempting than I expected.”

The ribbon slipped free of her collar and fell to the floor. The fabric gaped open.

“So supple.” He dragged a knuckle over the swell of her breast, touching her like no male had ever dared to touch her before. “The pleasure will please you, Grace. You must trust me on that.”

She gasped as he cupped her possessively. “You’re very forward.”

“Certain things are inevitable,min pärla.” With his other hand, he reached for her hip, his palm sliding behind her possessively. “The sooner we complete the bond, the less you will have to fear.”

She caught his wrist, her grip firm and unbreakable.

The corner of his mouth kicked up as the dark moss of his eyes was swallowed by black. “Are you denying me?”

Was she?

She wasn’t a defenseless weakling. She could fight him off and outrun him. But he was her mate. Her gaze turned away in confusion. She felt her soul reaching for his as much as his physical body gravitated toward hers. The instinct was there, but her knowledge was lacking.

“I know what happens,” she said. “But I do not know how it begins.”