Page 14 of Bond To The Alpha (Fated Bond #1)

LIANA

I freeze at first when he kisses me, passionately and urgently, like he’s trying to say something he’d been unable to communicate with words.

But then, like a switch flipping, I respond.

My fingers slowly curl where they’re resting on his hard chest and my eyes flutter closed to allow him entrance into my mouth. My wolf, which I’ve been fighting to keep dormant, is howling inside me as his scent continues to enthrall my senses.

As much as I want to get out of what’s happening, in my head, my body and emotions are saying otherwise. So much for trying to bottle up my feelings, all it takes is being in the warmth and strength of his arms again to send everything rushing back up to the surface.

I kiss him back, this time letting my hands slide slowly up his chest to grip his shoulders, leaning into him greedily.

Kane gradually becomes bolder with my acceptance and secures his hand more firmly behind my neck, and a little gasp from me is swallowed by his eager mouth when his other hand moves from my waist to find the bare flesh under my shirt.

It’s so hot…I’m unable to keep still.

I feel dizzy and drunk in the feeling of him, after being without it for so long.

Kane backs me harder against the banisters as his mouth leaves my lips to burn kisses down my neck.

I tilt my head to offer more of where I need to feel his lips.

His teeth graze my pulse point, and I shudder with a silent moan as my fingers rise up into his hair because my wolf doesn't want it to stop.

He comes back to my lips and makes his tongue battle mine for dominance as his hips roll against me. At the same time, his hands begin to slide lower to my skirt, pushing it up until there’s no barrier between his palms and my thighs.

Then that very moment his fingers hit sensitive areas between my legs makes my knees go weak.

I need him to touch me.

I never thought I’d need to feel him this badly until I find myself arching hungrily into him again.

A blood-curdling scream suddenly shatters the moment, causing me to jerk back. Kane's hands freeze on my skin, our breaths mingling in the sudden shocked silence.

Pushing myself away from him like one who’s just been rewarded their senses again, I fumble for the banisters and quickly make my way up the stairs.

My legs feel weak, my body is still shivering, and my heart won’t stop kicking violently against my ribs.

What did I just do? I can’t believe I just allowed that….

"Lina?" I rush into her room.

There, in the dark corner, is Lina, huddled against the wall with her hands hugging her knees.

I rush across the room, pulling her into my arms and murmuring soothing words as I carry her to the bed.

"I'm here, sweetheart.”

"So sorry for not coming to you,” I whisper guiltily.

It had been two years ago, during a particularly busy season at the tavern and I was stretched thin trying to manage the influx of guests. That night, I'd left little Lina with one of our young kitchen helpers while I tended to a rowdy group downstairs.

A sudden summer storm hit and knocked out the power to the entire block. And in the chaos of trying to make the guests comfortable, I lost track of time. Meanwhile, the young worker I'd left Lina with, got overwhelmed by the noise outside and left to help in the main room since she assumed Lina was asleep.

But Lina had woken up. My poor baby must have been disoriented in the pitch black for her to have decided to find her favorite stuffed wolf in the tavern's old attic storage.

Somehow, she got trapped in there and I can’t even begin to imagine how many hours that must have been for. After searching the whole place for her, I later found her in that room, huddled among dusty trunks, eyes wide with fear…so much fear her body trembled unstoppably from it.

Ever since, she never slept without light, nor would I let her stay alone in the dark. Of course until today…

When my daughter needed me, I was downstairs, doing what?

How could I have let myself get so distracted?

"I'm sorry, my love," I whisper again, even though the words feel inadequate.

How can I explain that I momentarily forgot her fear because I was kissing her father? That for a few blissful, selfish moments, I'd let myself get lost in the past?

Lina doesn't respond, but her arms tighten around me.

Kane's silhouette appears in the doorway. We exchange silent glances for a second before I look away.

"I couldn't find any candles,” he starts to say as he walks into the room, heading for the fireplace.

I remain on the bed with Lina curled against me.

He kneels and fumbles with something in his pocket, which turns out to be a lighter. The small light illuminates his face when he flicks it to life, and I feel a slight twist in my chest seeing his face properly now. I can still feel the sensation of his lips on my body.

Kane continues to shield the fragile flame from drafts, adding larger pieces of wood as the fire grows. Gradually, a warm radiance spreads through the room in place of the initial darkness.

Then he stands up and brushes off his hands.

I continue to distract myself from looking at him again, nor feeling any of what I’d felt back there, by absently stroking Lina’s hair.

"Begging your pardon." Someone knocks, causing my head to snap up.

One of the lodgers is standing at the wide-open door.

“What’s happened to the lights?”

I start to get up from the bed, but I hesitate because I’m still reluctant to leave Lina.

"Go on," Kane says softly. "I'll stay here with her."

I look between Kane and Lina for a bit before gently disentangling myself from Lina's grasp.

"I won't be long," I promise, kissing the top of her head.

To the man at the door, I explain, "There’s been an outage. I'll get some candles to your room."

I look at Lina and Kane again as I move towards the door. The man steps aside to allow me to pass. I go down the stairs again, this time, extra carefully. My body hums again with the memory of Kane's touch when I reach that particular spot we’d been earlier on.

These stairs will never be the same again, because every time I come down now, I'll remember what I don’t want to.

I make my way to the storage closet to get candles and matches. Then I light them up and deliver each one to rooms that need them.

"...yes, the boy and girl met at university,"

I stop a few paces from Lina’s door, my heart constricting immediately as I listen.

"What was she like?" I hear Lina.

"She was extremely beautiful, and the boy was so captivated by her, he would never let a day go by without seeing her face. She was also very strong. Despite having a tough life, she never let it weigh her down.”

I swallow another lump down my throat in a futile attempt to stop the memories from rushing back.

“Why then did you say they’re no longer together?”

"The boy made a terrible mistake. He hurt the girl deeply, even though he cared for her more than he'd ever cared for anyone,” Kane answers.

Lina replies, “That wasn't very nice of him."

Even Lina knows it too.

"No," Kane agrees. "It wasn't nice, and it was the biggest regret of his life."

"What happened next?" Lina prompts raptly.

Kane sighs.

"The girl left. She disappeared from the boy's life and the boy had to search desperately for her, for years, just to make things right."

"Did he find her?"

"Eventually, yes. But by then, so much time had passed. The girl had built a new life that didn't include him."

I bite my lip uneasily as I wonder whether to go in already or not.

"But why doesn't she want to forgive him?" Lina asks.

"I think he still loves her. She loves him too, right?"

I don’t know why, but I get the feeling that he knows I’m standing here. It’s like I can feel his eyes on me at this moment.

"Sometimes, love isn't enough to fix the hurt that's been caused. The girl needed to protect herself and build a life where she felt safe and valued."

"But they could still have a happy ending, couldn't they?" Lina persists.

"The boy hopes so. He's learned from his mistakes and wants nothing more than a chance to prove himself worthy of her love again."

No, I can’t afford to be swept away by nostalgia or these false hopes. My life here has been stable. I have work, friends, and most importantly, a safe haven for Lina.

Returning to Blood Moon pack means facing the ostracism and bullying that had driven me away. I can’t subject Lina to that kind of life.

A thousand apologies from Kane will never make me.

"Did they live happily ever after?"

"Of course, they do," Kane replies and I can’t hold back the scoff that fights its way out of my nostrils.

Why would I work so hard just to risk it all again on a fairytale ending?

"Can you tell another story?"

"Hmm, let me think..."

I walk into the room now and their heads instantly turn in my direction.

"I have to put her to bed now. Thanks for staying with her."

"Mama, no!" Lina protests, grabbing Kane's arm.

"He was just about to tell me another story."

I grit my teeth silently with discomfort. It’s the first time I know I need to be stern with Lina in front of Kane.

"You have school early tomorrow. You need to sleep now.”

Lina pouts, still clinging tighter to Kane. "Just one more story? Please?"

I don’t want to upset her, but I still need to set boundaries.

"I'm sorry, but it's already past your bedtime. We need to say goodnight to Kane now."

Kane gives Lina a soft smile.

"Your mom's right. Growing girls need their rest."

Well, thanks for that, Mr. Storyteller.

"But I'm not tired."

“No, you—“

Kane cuts in gently, "How about this? I'll tell you another story tomorrow after school if it's okay with your mom."

Lina's eyes light up and she turns to me with hope written on her face.

"Can he, Mama? Please?"

I hesitate, then nod stiffly.

"We'll see. For now, it's bedtime."

Then I say to Kane without really looking at him, "I'm sure you have work to catch up on. There are candles in your room if you need them. We'll sort out the power issue in the morning."

"Of course, thanks.” He nods.

Reluctantly, Lina releases Kane's arm and crawls under the covers.

"Sleep well, Lina." Kane smiles at Lina one last time before walking out of the room, and as he does I move to the door and slide the bolt into place.

More like I’m trying to re-effect the barrier I’ve put between my past and present as physically as possible.

I rest my forehead on the door for a bit, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

"Mama?"

I compose myself before turning back to Lina.

"Yes?"

"I like Kane. He tells good stories."

"I'm glad you had fun, but you have to remember that he's just visiting. Don't get too attached, okay?"

Lina's furrowing brows show she’s not so impressed with my words.

"But why? He's nice. And he looks at you the way Prince Charming looks at Cinderella in my storybook."

My pulse falters for a moment and my hands curl into a light fist by my sides.

When on earth did she start to notice this?

“Get some sleep now, Lina.”