Page 43

42

brIX

Heaven and hell. That was Wren. Her touch was pure pleasure, but after going so long without pain-free contact, it almost hurt to endure the goodness of it. The light.

I pushed into the feel of her, her fingers in the fur of my chest. A warm, tingly sensation spread through me as if foreign energy was sweeping through the muscle and sinew. I was desperate for more of it—more of her.

A low growl left my throat as I rested my head on her shoulder. My canines ached to bite, to mark her as mine and cement the bond forever. Just that thought had me pulling back.

I needed to shift to give my human half control. My wolf couldn’t be trusted.

The shift was harder this time, my wolf battling to keep control and stay with Wren. I didn’t blame the bastard.

Muscles tore and reformed, the same with my bones. My fur disappeared, replaced by skin covered in ink. Wren stared up at me, her gaze tracking over my body as pink hit her cheeks.

Fuck.

That blush was too damn cute. I wanted to trace it with my fingers and tongue to see where it led. I shook myself out of the lust-induced stupor and went in search of clothes. We kept sweats and tees stashed in various places around the property so we had them when we needed them. I found a set of sweatpants in a hollowed-out tree and quickly tugged them on.

Then I stalked back toward Wren. It was as if nothing could keep me away from her. The mating bond called to me. I’d known it before, but seeing that image of our future? Feeling the bond flare to life, even if it hadn’t been cemented with a bite mark? Nothing could keep me from her now.

Even if I should stay away. Even if that would be the kindest thing for her. I couldn’t. Wren’s pull was too strong.

As I approached, she pushed to her feet, her gaze roaming over my bare chest and the ink there. It was only fair since I’d watched her from afar.

I’d trailed behind her as she ran earlier, staying far enough away that she wouldn’t scent me but close enough that I could make sure she was safe. Her wolf was beautiful—unique, just like her. Rich, dark-brown fur with black around her eyes and a patch of white on her chest that almost looked like a heart.

Wren’s turquoise gaze lifted to mine. “How do you have all these tattoos if you don’t like to be touched?”

My throat worked as I swallowed. “I can handle painful touch: sparring, ink. All of that is fine.”

Hurt flashed in Wren’s eyes—pain, for me. She took a step closer. “Can I try something again?”

I bit the inside of my cheek so hard the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, but I nodded.

Wren’s hand lifted, and her fingers traced the edge of an inked blade that ran across my ribs. I braced for agony, but there was none. Just a buzz of foreign energy, a gentle wave passing through me, slightly lifting something inside me.

I stared at her in wonder. “How?” I croaked.

Her hand instantly fell away. “I don’t know. The mating bond, maybe. Or my caster magic.”

But the fact that she wouldn’t meet my gaze told me there was something else. Something she was still hiding. Wren had layers upon layers of secrets, and I wanted to know them all. Yet I had no right to them. I hadn’t given her a single damn reason to trust me.

I moved in closer, the heat of her body bleeding into me, her wildflower-and-rain scent strangling my throat. “My turn to try something.”

Wren’s eyes widened, and her lips parted. I didn’t wait. My fingers slid into her silky, dark-brown hair, tightening on the strands so I could tug her head back. My mouth met hers with desperate need, my tongue sliding inside.

Her taste exploded in my mouth. She was rainstorms and mint—a tempest I wanted to drown in.

Wren pressed herself against me, her tiny form wrapping around my much larger one. A soft moan slid free, the vibration of it sweeping through me in a wave. I growled into her mouth, desperate for more of that, to know what she would sound like when she came.

Wren’s legs wrapped around my waist, holding on for dear life. My dick hardened against her as she ground into me. My hands dug into that perfect ass.

Fuck. This woman would ruin me. But I’d happily go down in the rubble. For her.

Suddenly, Wren tore her mouth from mine, shock and panic filling her eyes.

“What is it?” I snarled, my wolf pushing at my skin at his mate’s discomfort.

“Magic,” she whispered. “I feel dark magic.”