Page 70 of Carnage Island

Like it never existed at all.

What does that mean?

“What’s happening to me?” I ask, shivering as a chill chases away my warmth.

Caius shifts to drag a blanket up over us both, then reaches around me for something. “Here,” he says, returning to his position alongside me. “Drink.” He presses a bottle of water to my lips, tipping the contents into my mouth.

I accept the refreshment gratefully, the cool liquid calming the ache in my throat. He helps me finish half the bottle before moving to set it on the nightstand behind him.

He lays down again, his gray-green irises searching my features as a lock of dark hair falls over his forehead. I reach up to brush it from his eyes, wanting to see his face, then freeze as he smiles. Because that was a decidedly intimate act on my part.

But we are laying in a bed.

Me naked.

Him—I glance down—in a pair of gray sweats.

He follows my gaze, his lips quirking up even more. “Hmm, you want my knot, gorgeous? Or are you just admiring the view?”

“Your knot?” I repeat on a whisper.

“My cock,” he rephrases, cupping my cheek to draw my gaze back up to his. “Omegas crave their Alpha’s knots. And as you’re on the edge of some sort of unique heat cycle, I would understand your need.”

“That’s the bulb…” I trail off, recalling how Tieran practically split me wide open before giving me the most amazing pleasure of my life.

Volt soon followed.

And then…

Iflew.

My thighs tingle with the memory now, my insides heating at the remembered sensation of falling into oblivion.

“It was real. Not a dream.” The words come out soft, the statement meant for myself more than Caius. But he clearly hears it.

“Depends on the dream,” he replies, his thumb tracing my lower lip. “If you mean that spectacular display of sex and passion earlier between you, Tieran, and Volt, then yes, very real. But if you’re talking about my knot, then that part’s a dream. One I’ll happily assist in making come true.”

I meet his intense gaze, my heart beating a chaotic rhythm in my chest. “I don’t understand what’s happening to me.” I already said that once, but it’s worth repeating. “Nantahala Alphas don’t…” I’m not sure how to say this. “They’re not like this.”

They don’t share their women.

They don’t have knots.

And from what I know of the mating experience, it’s nothing like what I just went through.

Which makes me frown.

I press my hand to my neck and shoulder, noting the smooth skin.

“I wasn’t claimed,” I say, even more confused now. “Wasn’t that…? Didn’t Tieran…?” I’m not sure how to finish my sentence.

“Take a breath for me,” Caius says, his palm slipping to my nape as he guides me from my side to my back on the bed. “Inhale, Clove.”

The demand in his voice wraps around me, compelling me to obey. My wolf doesn’t want to defy him. She wants to submit. And my mind is too cluttered with questions to fight the urge.

“Keep breathing for me and I’ll try to help you understand,” he says. “I assume you don’t know much about Carnage Wolves other than we’re supposedly savage and cruel, yeah?”

I confirm with a slight nod. “Nantahala Wolves fear your kind,” I admit softly.